bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suprathreshold Motion Perception in Anisometropic Amblyopia: Interocular Speed Matching and the Pulfrich Effect
Authors: Maehara Goro , Araki Syunsuke , Yoneda Tsuyoshi , Thompson Benjamin , Miki Atsushi
Published: May 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results indicate that the difference in perceived luminance between the amblyopic and fellow eyes that is present under dichoptic viewing conditions does not affect the perceived speed of suprathreshold motion stimuli. This finding provides a new insight into suprathreshold perception in amblyopia.

PURPOSE

Interocular matching experiments indicate that dichoptically presented stimuli have a lower perceived luminance in amblyopic eyes relative to fellow eyes. This may be a consequence of interocular suppression. We investigated whether this effect extends to suprathreshold motion perception.

METHODS

Participants with amblyopia and control observers matched the perceived speed of dichoptically presented random-dot kinematograms and the perceived luminance of gray patches. Control participants also performed the speed matching task with a neutral density filter over one eye to simulate a perceived luminance reduction.

RESULTS

The amblyopia group exhibited lower perceived luminance in the amblyopic than in the fellow eye, as has previously been reported. However, interocular speed matching was veridical. For control observers, perceived speed was reduced in the eye with a neutral density filter relative to the nonfiltered eye. To assess whether the perceived luminance reduction in the amblyopic eye affected binocular function, we also measured the Pulfrich effect in the amblyopia group with equal luminance presented to each eye. No patients reported a spontaneous Pulfrich effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that suprathreshold speed perception is intact in the amblyopic eye when both eyes are open.
Clinical Accuracy of the Nidek ARK-1 Autorefractor
Authors: Paudel Nabin , Adhikari Sameep , Thakur Ajit , Shrestha Bhairaja , Loughman James
Published: May 2019

SIGNIFICANCE

Autorefractors are commonly used by eye care practitioners worldwide as a starting point for clinical prescribing and by researchers as an instrument to study development of refractive errors and accommodation. This study demonstrates that the Nidek ARK-1 provides a reasonable and repeatable estimate of refractive error.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were (a) to compare refraction measurements of the Nidek ARK-1 (2016 release) autorefractor with that of subjective refraction and retinoscopy performed by an experienced clinician and (b) to determine the intratest and intertest variability of autorefraction measures taken using the ARK-1 autorefractor.

METHODS

Sixty-seven adult patients aged 18 to 69 years underwent retinoscopy, subjective refraction, and ARK-1 autorefraction on a same day by a single clinician. A separate subset of 14 participants was invited for the repeatability and reproducibility study. Both eyes of each participant were included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A statistically significant (but not clinically significant) positive spherical difference was observed between the ARK-1 and subjective refraction (P = .003). Spherical equivalent refractive errors were statistically similar between the ARK-1 and subjective refraction (P = .20). A statistically and clinically significant difference was observed in the cylindrical component between the ARK and subjective refraction (P < .01). No statistically significant difference was observed between the ARK and subjective refraction in both the horizontal (J
0; P = .08) and oblique cylindrical vector (J
45; P = .96). Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the 95% limits of agreement were widest between the ARK and subjective refraction in all of the refractive components (−0.60 to 0.89 diopter for spherical component, −0.80 to 0.69 diopter for spherical equivalent, and −0.98 to 0.30 diopter for cylindrical component). The intertest and intratest variability of the ARK-1 was small.

CONCLUSIONS

The Nidek ARK-1 autorefractor is a useful clinical tool that provides a reasonable and repeatable estimation of refractive error in adults.
New Dimensions of Antigen Retrieval Technique: 28 Years of Development, Practice, and Expansion
Authors: Shi Shan-Rong , Shi Yan , Taylor Clive R. , Gu Jiang
Published: May 2019

This review article summarized recent advances in the heat-induced antigen retrieval technique with numerous scientific fields in addition to immunohistochemistry. Particularly, proteomics including imaging mass spectrometry, extraction of proteins from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. Some novel approaches such as FFPE tissue–based renal immunopathology based on modified double heating protocols are also introduced in this review for further development. In general, the FFPE tissue housed in pathology worldwide is an invaluable treasure, and the simple method of heat-induced antigen retrieval is the gold key to open the door of this treasure.
Impact of Septated First Dorsal Compartments on Symptomatic de Quervain Disease
Authors: Bernstein Derek T. , Gonzalez Mirtha A. , Hendrick Russell G. , Petersen Nancy J. , Nolla Jose M. , Netscher David T.
Published: May 2019

Background:

The authors conducted this study to determine whether septation of the first dorsal compartment is more prevalent in de Quervain tenosynovitis, and whether this contributes to failure of corticosteroid injection therapy.

Methods:

A retrospective review of 79 consecutive patients (85 wrists) with symptomatic de Quervain tenosynovitis treated with surgical release was performed. The number of corticosteroid injections performed preoperatively and the presence of first dorsal compartment septation determined intraoperatively were recorded. Correlation between the number of steroid injections and the presence of septation was evaluated. In addition, 48 matched cadaver upper extremities (96 wrists) that had not previously undergone surgery for de Quervain disease were evaluated for the presence of first dorsal compartment septation. The prevalence of septation was compared between matched wrists and against the surgically treated clinical cohort.

Results:

In the clinical cohort, 61.2 percent of wrists contained a septated first dorsal compartment. There was no correlation between the presence of a septated first dorsal compartment and the number of steroid injections before surgical release. In the cadaver portion of the study, 72.9 percent of wrists contained septa. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of septated first dorsal compartments between groups.

Conclusions:

In the present study, the majority of wrists contained a septated first dorsal compartment, with no difference in the prevalence of septa between surgically treated patients and a cadaver sample that had not undergone prior surgical release. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the presence of septa and the number of preoperative corticosteroid injections administered.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.
Regeneration of a Pediatric Alveolar Cleft Model Using Three-Dimensionally Printed Bioceramic Scaffolds and Osteogenic Agents: Comparison of Dipyridamole and rhBMP-2
Authors: Lopez Christopher D. , Coelho Paulo G. , Witek Lukasz , Torroni Andrea , Greenberg Michael I. , Cuadrado Dean L. , Guarino Audrey M. , Bekisz Jonathan M. , Cronstein Bruce N. , Flores Roberto L.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Alveolar clefts are traditionally treated with secondary bone grafting, but this is associated with morbidity and graft resorption. Although recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is under investigation for alveolar cleft repair, safety concerns remain. Dipyridamole is an adenosine receptor indirect agonist with known osteogenic potential. This study compared dipyridamole to rhBMP-2 at alveolar cleft defects delivered using bioceramic scaffolds.

Methods:

Skeletally immature New Zealand White rabbits underwent unilateral, 3.5 × 3.5-mm alveolar resection adjacent to the growing suture. Five served as negative controls. The remaining defects were reconstructed with three-dimensionally printed bioceramic scaffolds coated with 1000 μm of dipyridamole (n = 6), 10,000 μm of dipyridamole (n = 7), or 0.2 mg/ml of rhBMP-2 (n = 5). At 8 weeks, new bone was quantified. Nondecalcified histologic evaluation was performed, and new bone was evaluated mechanically. Statistical analysis was performed using a generalized linear mixed model and the Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results:

Negative controls did not heal, whereas new bone formation bridged all three-dimensionally printed bioceramic treatment groups. The 1000-μm dipyridamole scaffolds regenerated 28.03 ± 7.38 percent, 10,000-μm dipyridamole scaffolds regenerated 36.18 ± 6.83 percent (1000 μm versus 10,000 μm dipyridamole; p = 0.104), and rhBMP-2–coated scaffolds regenerated 37.17 ± 16.69 percent bone (p = 0.124 versus 1000 μm dipyridamole, and p = 0.938 versus 10,000 μm dipyridamole). On histology/electron microscopy, no changes in suture biology were evident for dipyridamole, whereas rhBMP-2 demonstrated early signs of suture fusion. Healing was highly cellular and vascularized across all groups. No statistical differences in mechanical properties were observed between either dipyridamole or rhBMP-2 compared with native bone.

Conclusion:

Dipyridamole generates new bone without osteolysis and early suture fusion associated with rhBMP-2 in skeletally immature bone defects.
64CuCl2 PET/CT in a Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Gland
Authors: Evangelista Laura , Trevisan Michele , Sepulcri Matteo
Published: May 2019

We report a case of incidental 64CuCl2 uptake at PET/CT imaging in a 61-year-old man with a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. Parathyroid hormone was slightly elevated (92.4 pg/mL; reference range, 18.4–80.1 pg/mL); serum calcium was in reference range (9.5 mg/dL; reference range, 8.6–10.6 mg/dL), whereas serum phosphate was slightly low (2.6 mg/dL; reference range, 2.7–4.5 mg/dL). This case highlights the ability of 64CuCl2, similar to radiolabeled choline, to identify the presence of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands in patients undergoing PET/CT examination.
Metastatic Extramammary Paget Disease of the Perianal Region
Authors: Mandava Anitha , Koppula Veeraiah , Yalamanchili Rohit , Ali Zakir
Published: May 2019

A 72-year-old man with history of itching for 8 months presented with an ill-defined, ulcerated, eczematous, thickened cutaneous lesion in the left perianal region. 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed, and neoplastic skin thickening with FDG uptake was seen at the left gluteal cleft. Hypermetabolic inguinal, retroperitoneal, and mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, and bone metastases were seen. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the perianal growth and left inguinal lymph node were positive for cytokeratin7 and gross cystic disease fluid protein and negative for cytokeratin 20 and CDX2, confirming the diagnosis of primary extramammary Paget disease with metastases.
18F-NaF Uptake in Calcified Uterine Leiomyoma
Authors: Kothekar Esha , Raynor William Y. , Werner Thomas J. , Alavi Abass , Baker Joshua F.
Published: May 2019

Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) represent the most common benign pelvic tumors in women as well as the leading indication for hysterectomies in the United States. Risk factors for the development of fibroids include increasing age, hormonal changes, genetics, and race, among others. The lifetime risk of developing fibroids is greater than 80% among African American women, who also have the more severe form of this condition. We are presenting a case of incidental 18F-NaF uptake in the calcified uterine leiomyoma of a 52-year-old African American woman.
Focal Peritoneal Mesothelioma Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Xiao Jie , Yin Hongyan , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng , Xiu Yan
Published: May 2019

A 48-year-old woman was experiencing abdominal pain and melena for 3 months. Because of these symptoms combined with increased level of tumor marker CA125, possible abdominal malignancy was considered, and an FDG PET/CT was performed to assess occult tumor. The images revealed multiple hypermetabolic lesions along the peritoneal surface. Pathological examination after biopsy demonstrated low-grade epithelioid peritoneal mesothelioma.
Laparoscopic-endoscopic Rendezvous Procedures for Upper Gastrointestinal Tumors Guided by Laser-supported Reverse Diaphanoscopy: A Modified Technique
Authors: Patrzyk Maciej , Glitsch Anne , Beyer Katharina , Lünse Sebastian , Höhn Johanes , Heidecke Claus Dieter , Keßler Wolfram
Published: May 2019

Introduction:

Precisely locating benign upper gastrointestinal tumors during laparoscopic-endoscopic surgery remains difficult and inaccurate. We describe reverse laser-supported diaphanoscopy (RLSD) for locating gastrointestinal tumors during laparoscopic surgery and present prospective evaluation results of the first cases.

Materials and Methods:

We studied 13 patients [women:men=7:6; mean age, 67 (range, 41 to 83) y] who underwent gastroscopic-laparoscopic rendezvous procedures during 2015 to 2018. Surgery duration, marking duration, and specimen resection size were recorded. The largest and smallest specimen resection margins were measured.

Results:

After locating tumors using RLSD, patients underwent successful resections. Histopathologic examination confirmed 5 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor; 3, neuroendocrine tumors; 2, heterotopic pancreatic tissue; 1, leiomyoma; 1, adenoma; 1, hyperplastic polyp. We employed 4 to 6 marks, depending on tumor location and size. The average marking duration was 14 minute (1 to 21 min); the average surgery duration, 73 minute (37 to 143 min). The smallest resection median margin was 2.0 mm (1.0 to 5.0 mm); the largest, 7.0 mm (2.0 to 12.0 mm).

Conclusions:

RLSD precisely locates gastric benign tumors during laparoscopic-endoscopic rendezvous procedures.
Impact of Patient Age on Morbidity and Survival Following Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Meng Lingwei , Xia Qinghong , Cai Yunqiang , Wang Xin , Li Yongbin , Cai He , Peng Bing
Published: May 2019

Purposes:

To present preliminary perioperative and long-term outcomes in elderly patients compared with younger patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 199 patients who underwent LPD were included in this study. The primary data relating to these patients were collected and analyzed in our center from October 2010 to 2017.

Results:

The intraoperative and postoperative information, including the rate and severity of short-term complications, pathologic outcomes, and other surgical outcomes, showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the median overall survival for 2 malignant diseases of the young patients was not significantly better than the elderly.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that patient age showed little influence on postoperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and periampullary adenocarcinoma following LPD, whereas studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are necessary before definitive conclusions can be made.
Letermovir as Salvage Therapy for Cytomegalovirus Infection in Transplant Recipients
Authors: Phoompoung Pakpoom , Ferreira Victor H. , Tikkanen Jussi , Husain Shahid , Viswabandya Auro , Kumar Deepali , Humar Atul
Published: May 2019

Background.

Letermovir, a new viral terminase complex inhibitor, has been approved for the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. However, data on the efficacy and safety of letermovir for the treatment of CMV infection in transplant recipients remain scarce.

Methods.

We performed a single-center retrospective study of stem cell and organ transplant recipients who received letermovir for the treatment of CMV infection from November 2017 to October 2018.

Results.

Six patients were included, and 5 were evaluable. All received letermovir in the context of a refractory or resistant CMV infection including asymptomatic CMV viremia (n = 3), CMV syndrome (n = 1), and CMV pneumonitis and colitis (n = 1). The 3 asymptomatic patients experienced a decrease of the viral load (VL) to <200 IU/mL after letermovir therapy. One patient displayed a partial VL response (2-log of VL reduction) but a good clinical response, and one who received a suboptimal dose of letermovir experienced an increase of viremia. There were no treatment-related adverse effects.

Conclusions.

We demonstrate mixed efficacy in patients with refractory CMV infection suggesting that letermovir may be a useful therapeutic adjunct, potentially in combination with other antivirals.
Analysing livestock network data for infectious disease control: an argument for routine data collection in emerging economies
Authors: Chaters G. L. , Johnson P. C. D. , Cleaveland S. , Crispell J. , de Glanville W. A. , Doherty T. , Matthews L. , Mohr S. , Nyasebwa O. M. , Rossi G. , Salvador L. C. M. , Swai E. , Kao R. R.
Published: May 2019

Livestock movements are an important mechanism of infectious disease transmission. Where these are well recorded, network analysis tools have been used to successfully identify system properties, highlight vulnerabilities to transmission, and inform targeted surveillance and control. Here we highlight the main uses of network properties in understanding livestock disease epidemiology and discuss statistical approaches to infer network characteristics from biased or fragmented datasets. We use a ‘hurdle model’ approach that predicts (i) the probability of movement and (ii) the number of livestock moved to generate synthetic ‘complete’ networks of movements between administrative wards, exploiting routinely collected government movement permit data from northern Tanzania. We demonstrate that this model captures a significant amount of the observed variation. Combining the cattle movement network with a spatial between-ward contact layer, we create a multiplex, over which we simulated the spread of ‘fast’ (R0= 3) and ‘slow’ (R0= 1.5) pathogens, and assess the effects of random versus targeted disease control interventions (vaccination and movement ban). The targeted interventions substantially outperform those randomly implemented for both fast and slow pathogens. Our findings provide motivation to encourage routine collection and centralization of movement data to construct representative networks.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.
Optimizing spatial and seasonal deployment of vaccination campaigns to eliminate wildlife rabies
Authors: Baker Laurie , Matthiopoulos Jason , Müller Thomas , Freuling Conrad , Hampson Katie
Published: May 2019

Understanding how the spatial deployment of interventions affects elimination time horizons and potential for disease re-emergence has broad application to control programmes targeting human, animal and plant pathogens. We previously developed an epidemiological model that captures the main features of rabies spread and the impacts of vaccination based on detailed records of fox rabies in eastern Germany during the implementation of an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programme. Here, we use simulations from this fitted model to determine the best vaccination strategy, in terms of spatial placement and timing of ORV efforts, for three epidemiological scenarios representative of current situations in Europe. We found that consecutive and comprehensive twice-yearly vaccinations across all regions rapidly controlled and eliminated rabies and that the autumn campaigns had the greater impact on increasing the probability of elimination. This appears to result from the need to maintain sufficient herd immunity in the face of large birth pulses, as autumn vaccinations reach susceptible juveniles and therefore a larger proportion of the population than spring vaccinations. Incomplete vaccination compromised time to elimination requiring the same or more vaccination effort to meet similar timelines. Our results have important practical implications that could inform policies for rabies containment and elimination in Europe and elsewhere.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.
Forecasting and control of emerging infectious forest disease through participatory modelling
Authors: Gaydos Devon A. , Petrasova Anna , Cobb Richard C. , Meentemeyer Ross K.
Published: May 2019

Epidemiological models are powerful tools for evaluating scenarios and visualizing patterns of disease spread, especially when comparing intervention strategies. However, the technical skill required to synthesize and operate computational models frequently renders them beyond the command of the stakeholders who are most impacted by the results. Participatory modelling (PM) strives to restructure the power relationship between modellers and the stakeholders who rely on model insights by involving these stakeholders directly in model development and application; yet, a systematic literature review indicates little adoption of these techniques in epidemiology, especially plant epidemiology. We investigate the potential for PM to integrate stakeholder and researcher knowledge, using
Phytophthora ramorum
and the resulting sudden oak death disease as a case study. Recent introduction of a novel strain (European 1 or EU1) in southwestern Oregon has prompted significant concern and presents an opportunity for coordinated management to minimize regional pathogen impacts. Using a PM framework, we worked with local stakeholders to develop an interactive forecasting tool for evaluating landscape-scale control strategies. We find that model co-development has great potential to empower stakeholders in the design, development and application of epidemiological models for disease control.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.
How decision makers can use quantitative approaches to guide outbreak responses
Authors: Morgan Oliver
Published: May 2019

Decision makers are responsible for directing staffing, logistics, selecting public health interventions, communicating to professionals and the public, planning future response needs, and establishing strategic and tactical priorities along with their funding requirements. Decision makers need to rapidly synthesize data from different experts across multiple disciplines, bridge data gaps and translate epidemiological analysis into an operational set of decisions for disease control. Analytic approaches can be defined for specific response phases: investigation, scale-up and control. These approaches include: improved applications of quantitative methods to generate insightful epidemiological descriptions of outbreaks; robust investigations of causal agents and risk factors; tools to assess response needs; identifying and monitoring optimal interventions or combinations of interventions; and forecasting for response planning. Data science and quantitative approaches can improve decision-making in outbreak response. To realize these benefits, we need to develop a structured approach that will improve the quality and timeliness of data collected during outbreaks, establish analytic teams within the response structure and define a research agenda for data analytics in outbreak response.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.
Preface to theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’
Authors: Thompson R. N. , Brooks-Pollock Ellen
Published: May 2019

This preface forms part of the theme issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: epidemic forecasting and control’. This theme issue is linked with the earlier issue ‘Modelling infectious disease outbreaks in humans, animals and plants: approaches and important themes’.
Evaluation of in vitro activity of iclaprim in combination with other antimicrobials against pulmonary pathogens: a pilot study
Authors: Huang David B. , de Piano Cyntia , Magnet Sophie
Published: May 2019

In this pilot study, the in vitro antimicrobial activity of iclaprim, a diaminopyrimidine, tested in combination with other antimicrobials against recent and common Gram-positive and Gram-negative respiratory pathogens, was examined by the checkerboard method. The range of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for iclaprim against all bacteria tested in the study was 0.03 to >128 µg ml−1. Iclaprim exhibited synergy with sulfamethoxazole against 11 of the 16 bacterial strains tested, with mean fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values of 0.2–0.5. Synergy with sulfamethoxazole was demonstrated against all Gram-positive bacteria and selected Gram-negative bacteria. Neither synergy nor antagonism was observed for combinations of iclaprim with ampicillin, meropenem, tetracycline, levofloxacin, aztreonam, piperacillin/tazobactam, colistin, cefepime or gentamicin against any of the bacterial strains tested. The significant reduction in the MIC values observed with the combination of iclaprim and sulfamethoxazole demonstrates that this regimen could be effective against common Gram-positive and selected Gram-negative respiratory bacteria.
Genomic surveillance of Escherichia coli in municipal wastewater treatment plants as an indicator of clinically relevant pathogens and their resistance genes
Authors: Raven Kathy E. , Ludden Catherine , Gouliouris Theodore , Blane Beth , Naydenova Plamena , Brown Nicholas M. , Parkhill Julian , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: May 2019

We examined whether genomic surveillance of

Escherichia coli

in wastewater could capture the dominant

E. coli

lineages associated with bloodstream infection and livestock in the East of England, together with the antibiotic-resistance genes circulating in the wider

E. coli

population. Treated and untreated wastewater was taken from 20 municipal treatment plants in the East of England, half in direct receipt of acute hospital waste. All samples were culture positive for

E. coli

, and all but one were positive for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing

E. coli

. The most stringent wastewater treatment (tertiary including UV light) did not eradicate ESBL-

E. coli

in 2/3 cases. We sequenced 388

E. coli

(192 ESBL, 196 non-ESBL). Multilocus sequence type (ST) diversity was similar between plants in direct receipt of hospital waste versus the remainder (93 vs 95 STs, respectively). We compared the genomes of wastewater

E. coli

with isolates from bloodstream infection (n=437), and livestock farms and retail meat (n=431) in the East of England. A total of 19/20 wastewater plants contained one or more of the three most common STs associated with bloodstream infection (ST131, ST73, ST95), and 14/20 contained the most common livestock ST (ST10). In an analysis of 1254 genomes (2 cryptic

E. coli

were excluded), wastewater isolates were distributed across the phylogeny and intermixed with isolates from humans and livestock. Ten bla
CTX-M elements were identified in

E. coli

isolated from wastewater, together with a further 47 genes encoding resistance to the major antibiotic drug groups. Genes encoding resistance to colistin and the carbapenems were not detected. Genomic surveillance of

E. coli

in wastewater could be used to monitor new and circulating lineages and resistance determinants of public-health importance.
Gut microbiome activity contributes to individual variation in glycemic response in adults
Authors: Tily Hal , Perlina Ally , Patridge Eric , Gline Stephanie , Genkin Matvey , Gopu Vishakh , Lindau Haely , Sjue Alisson , Slavov Iordan , Klitgord Niels , Vuyisich Momchilo , Messier Helen , Banavar Guruduth
Published: May 2019

Limiting post-meal glycemic response is an important factor in reducing the risk of chronic metabolic diseases, and contributes to significant health benefits in people with elevated levels of blood sugar. In this study, we collected gut microbiome activity (i.e., metatranscriptomic) data and measured the glycemic responses of 550 adults who consumed more than 30,000 meals from omnivore or vegetarian/gluten-free diets. We demonstrate that gut microbiome activity makes a statistically significant contribution to individual variation in glycemic response, in addition to anthropometric factors and the nutritional composition of foods. We describe predictive models (multilevel mixed-effects regression and gradient boosting machine) of variation in glycemic response among individuals ingesting the same foods. We introduce functional features aggregated from microbial activity data as candidates for association with mechanisms of glycemic control. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that metatranscriptomic activity of the gut microbiome is correlated with glycemic response among adults.
Insufficiency in airway interferon activation defines clinical severity to infant RSV infection
Authors: Chu Chin-Yi , Qiu Xing , McCall Matthew N. , Wang Lu , Corbett Anthony , Holden-Wiltse Jeanne , Slaunwhite Christopher , Wang Qian , Anderson Christopher , Grier Alex , Gill Steven R. , Pryhuber Gloria S. , Falsey Ann R. , Topham David J. , Caserta Mary T. , Walsh Edward E. , Mariani Thomas J
Published: May 2019

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe respiratory disease in infants. Other than age at the time of infection, the causes and correlates of severe illness in infants lacking known risk factors are poorly defined. We recruited a cohort of confirmed RSV-infected infants and simultaneously assayed the presence of resident airway microbiota and the molecular status of their airways using a novel method. Rigorous statistical analyses identified a molecular airway gene expression signature of severe illness dominated by excessive chemokine expression. Global 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed an association between H. influenzae and clinical severity. Interestingly, adjusting for H. influenzae in our gene expression analysis revealed an association between severity and airway lymphocyte accumulation. Exploring the relationship between airway gene expression and the time of onset of clinical symptoms revealed a robust, acute activation of interferon (IFN) signaling, which was absent in subjects with severe illness. Finally, we explored the relationship between IFN activity, airway gene expression and productive RSV infection using a novel in vitro model of bona fide pediatric human airway epithelial cells. Interestingly, blocking IFN signaling, but not IFN ligand production, in these cells leads to increased viral infection. Our data reveal that acute airway interferon responses are physiologically relevant in the context of infant RSV infection and may be a target for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, the airway gene expression signature we define may be useful as a biomarker for efficacy of intervention responses.
Muscle torques provide more sensitive measures of post-stroke movement deficits than joint angles
Authors: Thomas Ariel B. , Olesh Erienne V. , Adcock Amelia , Gritsenko Valeriya
Published: May 2019

The whole repertoire of complex human motion is enabled by forces applied by our muscles and controlled by the nervous system. The of stroke on the complex multi-joint motor control is difficult to quantify in a meaningful way that informs about the underlying deficit in the active motor control and intersegmental coordination. We tested the idea that post-stroke deficit can be quantified with high sensitivity using motion capture and inverse modeling of a broad range of reaching movements. Our hypothesis is that muscle moments estimated based on active joint torques provide a more sensitive measure of post-stroke motor deficits than joint angle and angular velocity. The motion of twenty-two participants was captured while performing reaching movements in a center-out task, presented in virtual reality. We used inverse dynamics analysis to derive active joint torques that were the result of muscle contractions, termed muscle torques, that caused the recorded multi-joint motion. We then applied a novel analysis to separate the component of muscle torque related to gravity compensation from that related to intersegmental dynamics. Our results show that individual reaching movements can be characterized with higher information content using muscle torques rather than joint angles. Moreover, muscle torques allow for distinguishing between the individual motor deficits due to aging or stroke from the typical differences in reaching between healthy individuals. This novel quantitative assessment method may be used in conjunction with home-based gaming motion-capture technology for remote monitoring of motor deficits and inform the development of evidence-based robotic therapy interventions.

New and Noteworthy

Functional deficits seen in task performance have biomechanical underpinnings, seen only through the analysis of forces. Our study has shown that estimating muscle moments can quantify with high sensitivity post-stroke deficits in intersegmental coordination. An assessment developed based on this method could help quantify less observable deficits in mildly affected stroke patients. It may also bridge the gap between evidence from studies of constrained or robotically manipulated movements and research with functional and unconstrained movements.
Precision-targeted metabolomics method characterizes differential metabolomes in multiple-biological matrixes and cell-mitochondria
Authors: Luo Xialin , Guo Rui , Liu Jingjing , Zhang Aihua , Wang Xijun , Lu Haitao
Published: May 2019

This new method has the capacity to dynamically analyse the metabolome of interest in diverse biological matrixes by offering coverage of rat urine, plasma, liver, brain, intestine, stomach, heart, spleen, lung, faeces, fresh plant tissues, cells and microbes. In addition, this new method enables specific and efficient analysis of microdontia metabolomes, non-microdontia and whole cell metabolomes, as well as can engage in absolute determination of 84 key clinical-wide metabolites in different biological matrixes, to enable the complementary support of clinical diagnosis and classification of diseases. To demonstrate the applicable capacity of this new method, multiple-matrixes differential metabolomes were firstly characterized using this new method to coordinate metabolic modifications underlie hepatitis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) in rats, such finding provides novel insight into the pathogenesis and therapeutics of hepatitis in clinic. Altogether, we are fully confident that this new metabolomics method will be widely welcomed by scientists in different niches to solve their key questions accordingly.
Boat anchors not OK: Loss of Dugong grass (Halophila ovalis) population structure in Havelock island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Authors: Mishra A.K. , Sumantha N.S. , Deepak A.
Published: May 2019

Anthropogenic disturbance due to deployment of boat anchors and loss of seagrass ecosystem is not well understood in India. So, we used Govind Nagar beach of Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI)to assess the impacts of boat anchors from traditional fishing and recreational activities on the seagrass Halophila ovalis population structure. H. ovalis density, biomass, morphometrics, canopy height and percentage cover were estimated from two stations of Govind Nagar beach i.e., one highly impacted from boat anchors (Station1) and a sheltered station (Station 2). A clear evidence in reduction of shoot density of H. ovalis was observed at station 1, exception was similar apex densities between both stations. H. ovalis morphometrics, such as number of leaves per shoot, leaf length, width and horizontal rhizome length were observed with significant lower values at station 1 compared to the sheltered station 2. Reduction in seagrass morphometrics also resulted in the loss of seagrass canopy height and percentage cover. A clear evidence of loss of seagrass population structure under the influence of physical disturbances caused by boat anchors were observed. We report for the first time the impacts of boat anchors on seagrass ecosystems of India and our results pitch for wider studies across India. The impact of boat anchors is small-scale, but in long-term loss of seagrass ecosystem services will have dire consequences on fish habitat and carbon storage. Therefore, proper management and conservation measures should be taken to prevent the loss of important dugong grass habitats of ANI.

Highlights

Physical disturbances caused by boat anchors decreased the shoot density of H. ovalis by 1.2-fold.

1 to 2-fold reduction in canopy height and the morphological features of individual plants were observed due to damage caused by boat anchors

Habitat disturbance reduced 1.6-fold percentage cover of H. ovalis at Havelock Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
A 3500-year-old leaf from a Pharaonic tomb reveals that New Kingdom Egyptians were cultivating domesticated watermelon
Authors: Renner Susanne S. , Pérez-Escobar Oscar A. , Silber Martina V. , Nesbitt Mark , Preick Michaela , Hofreiter Michael , Chomicki Guillaume
Published: May 2019

Domestication of the watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) has alternatively been placed in South Africa, the Nile valley, or more recently West Africa, with the oldest archeological evidence coming from Libya and Egypt. The geographic origin and domestication of watermelons has therefore remained unclear. Using extensive nuclear and plastid genomic data from a 3,560-year-oldCitrullusleaf from a mummy’s sarcophagus and skimmed genomes for representatives of the seven extant species ofCitrullus, we show that modern cultivars and the ancient plant uniquely share mutations in a lycopene metabolism gene (LYCB) affecting pulp color and a stop codon in a transcription factor regulating bitter cucurbitacin compounds. This implies that the plant we sequenced had red-fleshed and sweet fruits and that New Kingdom Egyptians were cultivating domesticated watermelons. The genomic data also identify extant Sudanese watermelons with white, sweet pulp as the closest relatives of domesticated watermelons.

Significance statement

With some 197.8 million tons in 2017, watermelon,Citrullus lanatus, is among the World’s most important crops, yet its area of origin and domestication have remained unclear, with competing hypotheses favoring South Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, or the Nile valley. We generated extensive nuclear and plastid genomic data from a 3500-year-old leaf from a Pharaonic sarcophagus and performed genome skimming for representatives of all otherCitrullusspecies to compare key genes involved in fruit bitterness and color. White-fleshed, non-bitter melons from southern Sudan are the closest relatives of domesticated watermelon, and the ancient genome shares unique alleles with a red-fleshed, non-bitter domesticated form (but no wild forms), implying that 18thDynasty Egyptians were cultivating domesticated watermelon by 3500 years ago.
Understanding metal–ligand interactions in coordination polymers using Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Pinto Camila B. , Dos Santos Leonardo H. R. , Rodrigues Bernardo L.
Published: May 2019

Properties related to the size and shape of Hirshfeld surfaces provide insight into the nature and strength of interactions among the building blocks of molecular crystals. In this work, we demonstrate that functions derived from the curvatures of the surface at a point, namely, shape index (S) and curvedness (C), as well as the distances from the surface to the nearest external (d
e) and internal (d
i) nuclei, can be used to help understand metal–ligand interactions in coordination polymers. The crystal structure of catena-poly[[[(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2
N,N′)copper(II)]-μ-4-nitrophthalato-κ2
O
1:O
2] trihydrate], {[Cu(C8H3NO6)(C12H8N2)]·3H2O}
n
, described here for the first time, was used as a prototypical system for our analysis. Decomposition of the coordination polymer into its metal centre and ligand molecules followed by joint analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces generated for each part unveil qualitative and semi-quantitative information that cannot be easily obtained either from conventional crystal packing analysis or from Hirshfeld surface analysis of the entire polymeric units. The shape index function S is particularly sensitive to the coordination details and its mapping on the surface of the metallic centre is highly dependent on the nature of the ligand and the coordination bond distance. Correlations are established between the shape of the Hirshfeld surface of the metal and the geometry of the metal–ligand contacts in the crystals. This could be applied not only to estimate limiting coordination distances in metal–organic compounds, but also to help establish structure–property relationships potentially useful for the crystal engineering of such materials.
Smaller businesses and e-innovation: a winning combination in Australia
Authors: Alam Khorshed , Adeyinka Adewuyi Ayodele , Wiesner Retha
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand whether or not factors that impact the performance–innovation nexus differ from one percentage level of performance to another among small- and medium-sized enterprises in regional Australia, with a specific focus on e-innovation by strategic and non-strategic firms in the agricultural sector and in other industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers implicitly assumed that the performance–innovation relationship is uniform across high-level, mid-level and low-level performing small- and medium-sized enterprises. In this study, the authors analysed performance at different percentage levels.

Findings

The findings indicate that the levels of small- and medium-sized enterprises performance have a significant difference in terms of the factors influencing their performance. The industry may be a determinant of performance, which is similar in the case of the topmost performers in the non-agricultural sector. The major findings of this study are as follows: the performance–innovation relationship differs by the percentage level of small- and medium-sized enterprises performance; and Solow’s productivity paradox exists at the firm level.

Practical implications

The authors recommend that rural policies should target low-performing firms. Moreover, researchers should adopt methodologies that shed light on the differences in the performance–innovation nexus across performance levels rather than one-size-fits-all methodologies that are often adopted.

Originality/value

The major contributions of this study are that the performance–innovation relationship differs by the level of small- and medium-sized enterprises performance, and Solow’s productivity paradox exists at the firm level.
Increasing the effectiveness of advertisements targeting social issues in least developed countries
Authors: Gebreselassie Andinet Worku , Bougie Roger
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the application of advertising variation and repetition strategies in the context of communicating about social issues in least developed countries (LDCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 used a between-subjects experimental study using 106 students which were exposed to either the varied advertising condition (a negative appeal followed by a positive appeal or vice versa) or repetition condition (two negative appeals). In Study 2, a total of 111 students from Tilburg University and 95 students from Addis Ababa University participated in the study. A random ordering of experimental envelopes assigned the students to one of the following message order conditions (negative appeal–positive appeal, negative appeal–negative appeal, positive appeal–positive appeal and positive appeal–negative appeal).

Findings

Study 1 shows that for many social issues, an advertising variation strategy (a negative appeal followed by a positive appeal) is more effective than an advertising repetition strategy (two negative appeals) in terms of recall. Study 2 builds on these findings by differentiating between taboo and non-taboo issues. This distinction is important because many social issues, such as HIV, domestic violence and child abuse, for instance, are taboo in LDCs. Interestingly, the findings of Study 1 are reproduced for non-taboo issues but not for taboo issues. If an issue is a conversational taboo in a certain culture, then an advertising repetition strategy that only uses positive appeals is more effective than an advertising variation strategy.

Research limitations/implications

The use of students as participants may be a limitation of both studies. Because the reactions of students to specific message appeals may be age-related, concerns regarding the generalizability of the findings are justified.

Originality/value

Overall, the results of this paper provide useful information to social advertisers on when and how to use different types of advertising strategies in LDCs.