bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The aging transplant population and immunobiology: any therapeutic implication?
Authors: Schaenman Joanna , Goldwater Deena
Published: May 2020

Purpose of review

The aim of this review is to describe the latest investigations into the immunobiology of aging and the potential impact on outcomes after mechanical circulatory support implantation and heart transplantation. This information is relevant given the growing numbers of older patients with heart failure undergoing evaluation for mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) or heart transplantation.

Recent findings

A host of aging-associated aspects of immune dysfunction have been described in the general population including T-cell senescence, exhaustion, and terminal dedifferentiation, as well as impaired function of innate immune cells. Another important consequence of T-cell senescence is inflammation, which is known to have a strong relationship with both heart failure and frailty in older patients. Recent data on the association between T-cell and monocyte phenotypes as well as evaluation of gene expression and adverse outcomes after MCSD suggests the potential value of immunologic assessment of MCSD and heart transplant candidates and recipients. Measurement of physical frailty represents another avenue for patient evaluation that may complement immunologic assessment. Determination of immune dysfunction and frailty prior to transplantation may have implications for choice of induction and dosing of maintenance immunosuppression.

As the age of transplant and MCSD candidates and recipients continues to increase, it is important for providers to recognize the potential impact of aging-associated immune dysfunction and how it may influence candidate selection, postintervention monitoring, and adjustment of immunosuppression.
Implementing Insurance Billing in Local Health Department Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics in Virginia, 2017
Authors: McGee Felencia , Carter Ashley , Lafon Emily , Chesson Harrell
Published: May 2020

In 2017, the Virginia Department of Health implemented billing of insurance in local health department sexually transmitted disease clinics. We examined data collected by Virginia Department of Health related to clinic encounters, billing, and revenue from sexually transmitted disease clinics statewide. Implementing insurance billing created a new revenue stream for local health departments.
Where Are We Now? A Content Analysis of Canadian Master of Public Health Course Descriptions and the Public Health Agency of Canada's Core Competencies
Authors: Apatu Emma , Sinnott Will , Piggott Thomas , Butler-Jones David , Anderson Laura N. , Alvarez Elizabeth , Dobbins Maureen , Harrison Leila , Neil-Sztramko Sarah E.
Published: May 2020

Objective:

To examine the degree to which Master of Public Health (MPH) programs' course descriptions align with the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC's) core competency categories in order to identify strengths and training gaps in such programs across Canada.

Methods:

A content analysis of MPH programs in Canada was conducted from July 2019 to November 2019. A sampling frame of programs was obtained from a list from the PHAC Web site. Program information, including mandatory and elective course descriptions, was extracted from each program's Web site and analyzed in NVivo 12. Course descriptions were independently categorized by 2 researchers into 1 or more of the 7 categories of the core competencies outlined by the PHAC.

Results:

We identified 18 universities with MPH programs with 267 courses across Canada. Thematic analysis revealed that 100% of programs had coursework that addressed the “Public Health Sciences” and “Assessment and Analysis” categories; 93% addressed “Policy and Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation”; 67% addressed each of “Communication,” “Leadership,” and “Partnerships, Collaboration, and Advocacy”; and only 56% had course descriptions addressing “Diversity and Inclusiveness.”

Conclusions:

We find that Canadian MPH programs may lack course offerings addressing core competency categories relating to diversity and inclusiveness, communication, and leadership. Our findings were limited in scope as we relied on program Web sites; thus, further research should explore course content in more depth than this course description analysis allowed and identify ways to close the MPH curricular gaps we identified.
Comparison of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in a Patient With Cholangiocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Pang Yizhen , Hao Bing , Shang Qihang , Sun Long , Chen Haojun
Published: May 2020

The present study compared 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in a patient with cholangiocellular carcinoma. In this case, 68Ga-FAPI PET shows much higher tumor-to-background contrast of primary tumor and reveals more metastatic lesions, especially the micrometastases of bones, than 18F-FDG PET.
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Resection of Tuberculum Sellae Meningioma: A Promising Surgical Approach
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Ding Jianling , Liu Ye , Tuoheti Maimaitiyiming , Yang Xiaopeng , Wang Jichao , Wu Yonggang
Published: May 2020

Background:

Over the past decade, endoscopic approaches have been increasingly successful in removing various types of extra-dural lesions from the skull base. Resection of tuberculum sellae meningiomas (TSMs) is challenging. The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) for the removal of TSMs is currently an acceptable surgical approach in neurosurgery and, despite the surgical results, the indications and limitations of this approach remain controversial.

Objective:

This paper reviews the authors’ experience and outcomes with the EEA for TSM, as well as postoperative complications.

Methods:

Retrospective analyses were performed on patients who underwent endoscopic surgical resection of TSMs involving the suprasellar region between January 2018 and March 2019.

Results:

Three patients underwent resection of their TSM by the EEA. Tumors in the suprasellar region were completely resected. Patients recovered normally with uneventful postoperative outcomes and were followed-up for at least six months after surgery with no neurological deficits noted.

Conclusions:

The EEA for resection of TSMs is feasible, safe, and effective, with fewer complications and lower mortality than other surgical methods. This a promising surgical approach.
Giant Cephalocele Case Mimicking Cystic Neoplasia in Skull Base
Authors: Gozgec Elif , Ogul Hayri
Published: May 2020

Petrous apex cephalocel, also called arachnoid cyst or meningocele, is a rare cephalocele caused by protrusion of the posterolateral wall of the Meckel cave to the petrous apex. Increased intracranial pressure is thought to play a role in etiopathogenesis and is generally asymptomatic. Radiologically, they are expansile lesions with the same density or intensity as cerebrospinal fluid and may mimic cystic masses. The diagnosis is made by showing the continuity with Meckel cave on magnetic resonance imaging. No intervention is required in asymptomatic patients; surgical treatment is applied in symptomatics.
A Custom-Made Nostril Retainer for Adult Population
Authors: Ozkan Burak , Albayati Abbas , Akinci Kadri , Uysal Cagri A. , Ertas Nilgun M.
Published: May 2020

Nostril retainers are used in cleft lip nose surgery in the post-operative period to maintain alar diameter and resistance against contraction. Various custom made splints were described in the literature to mimic this function when nostril retainers cannot be used for economic or logistic reasons. The authors designed a nostril retainer made by silicone urinary catheter for adult age patients which can be prepared easily. The splint can be used in both unilateral cleft lip nose surgery and operations in the alar wing of the nose.
Protruding Meningioma of the Forehead With Extensive Hyperostosis Mimicking Skull Osteoma
Authors: Seo Du-Heon , Shin Jin Yong , Roh Si-Gyun , Chang Suk Choo , Lee Nae-Ho
Published: May 2020

Meningioma is the most common intracranial benign tumor in adults. Hyperostosis accompanies about 4.5% of meningiomas. The authors report a rare case of hyperostotic meningioma that may have been misdiagnosed as giant osteoma.

A 42-year male visited our clinic due to an egg-sized, hard mass on his left forehead. The mass suspected to be giant osteoma was about 4.2 × 4.0 cm sized, hard, non-movable, and non-tender. But based on radiologic findings, the mass was diagnosed as meningioma with extensive hyperostosis.

Without neurologic symptoms, the diagnosis of meningioma associated with hyperostosis can be challenging and be misdiagnosed as fibrous dysplasia and osteoma by simple examination without enhanced CT and MRI.

Therefore, although osseous lesions are strongly suspected to be osteomas, surgeons should consider other diagnoses, and if necessary, use contrast enhanced CT or MRI to differentiate these bony lesions.
Minimally Invasive Method for Correcting Reducible Cryptotia
Authors: Shin Hyojeong , Shin Jeonghwan , Song Jong Keun , Ko Jun Gul , Lee Jun Yong
Published: May 2020

Various surgical methods have been used to treat cryptotia; however, there is a drawback of these methods in that they leave a permanent scar. The authors describe a 7-year-old child who missed the optimal corrective time for cryptotia. Minimally invasive surgery was planned as a 3rd alternative to external splinting or invasive surgery by taking advantage of 2 methods. Silly putty was prefabricated as an auricular sulcus retainer, and fixation sutures between the deep dermis and temporal fascia were placed through small incisions along the future auricular sulcus. Then the prefabricated auricular sulcus retainer was maintained for 2 months. After 6 months, the corrected ear shape remained stable with the inconspicuous scar. With minimally invasive correction, a successful treatment effect can be expected while minimizing scarring in patients who are not expected to have a therapeutic effect with a simple reduction.
Facial Nerve Palsy Associated With Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Bisatto Natália Valduga , Andriola Fernando de Oliveira , Barreiro Bernardo Ottoni Braga , Maahs Thomas Peter , Pagnoncelli Rogério Miranda , Fritscher Guilherme Genehr
Published: May 2020

The authors report a 25-year-old female who presented facial palsy after undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery for retrognathism correction. Orthognathic surgery is a procedure used to treat dentofacial deformities which aims to achieve an adequate relationship between dental archs, improving function (such as chewing, breathing, and speaking) and facial aesthetics. Even though there are some complications that can occur during the intraoperative and postoperative periods like bleeding, tooth, soft-tissue damage, nerve damage, bad split, infection, and nonunion, facial nerve injuries are considered rare complications after this kind of surgical procedure. Despite being uncommon, rarely described, transient, and spontaneously resolved in almost all patients, facial nerve palsy is one of the most serious complications because it directly affects patient's quality of life and social interaction.
Giant Lipoma of the Anterior Neck Causing Dyspnea
Authors: Cukic Ognjen
Published: May 2020

Lipomas are the most common benign mesenchymal tumors, composed of mature adipocytes, and may occur anywhere in the body where fatty tissue is present. Neck lipomas are rare and usually appear as solitary, small (<5 cm), and asymptomatic lesions located in the subcutis of posterior neck. Giant anterior neck lipomas are exceptionally rare and, other than cosmetic concerns, seldom present with respiratory symptoms. A 37-year-old female patient was referred for a long-standing anterior and right-sided neck swelling, which had markedly increased in size causing cosmetic disfigurement, neck discomfort, and transient episodes of dyspnea when lying on the side opposite the neck mass. Under general anesthesia, the lesion was completely dissected and removed through the elliptical cervical incision over the right supraclavicular fossa, while carefully preserving the surrounding neck structures. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was satisfied with the cosmetic outcome and relief of her respiratory symptoms.
Evaluation of Complications After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Condylar Base and Neck Fractures Using Trapezoidal Plates
Authors: Smolka Wenko , Liokatis Paris , Cornelius Carl-Peter
Published: May 2020

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the different fracture pattern of patients being treated with trapezoidal plate fixation of condylar base and neck fractures using the AOCMF Classification System to determine specific fracture pattern that are associated with failure of trapezoidal plate fixation. Ten patients with mandibular condylar base and neck fractures underwent internal fixation using trapezoidal plates. Fractures of the condylar process were classified according to the AOCMF Classification System using computed tomography data. The fracture pattern was compared to complications according to hardware failure such as plate or screw loosening and plate fracture. Plate and screw loosening of trapezoidal plates for fixation of condylar base and neck fractures was associated with fracture location in the neck region and major fragment displacement with contact loss between the proximal and distal fragment of the fracture. Further investigations such as finite-element analysis of different plating systems for fixation of condylar neck fractures are necessary to establish the optimal fixation technique for condylar neck fractures.
Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy or Low-Level Laser Therapy: Which is More Effective in Bone Healing in Bisphosphonate Treatment?
Authors: Göl Esma Bilge , Özkan Nilüfer , Bereket Cihan , Önger Mehmet Emin
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is potential side effect of long-term bisphosphonate therapy. Different treatment modalities have been used in this and investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on socket healing after tooth extraction in rats given long-term bisphosphonates.

Methods:

Forty male Wistar-Albino rats were used in this experimental study. About 0.1 mg/kg zoledronic acid was administered intraperitoneally to all animals 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Four groups were made which were control, LLLT, ESWT, and ESWT+LLLT. Upper right first molar teeth extraction was performed in all groups; no treatment was given to the control group after molar tooth extraction. About 810 nm wavelength GaAlAs laser was used in LLLT group. In ESWT group, 1000 pulses, 0.21 mJ/mm2ESWT was applied, and the 2 treatment methods were applied to the last ESWT+LLLT group at the same time. All the 4 groups were divided into 2 subgroups according to sacrification time 4 and 8 weeks. Steorologic, histologic, and immunohistochemical examinations were performed.

Results:

The highest new bone volume was observed in the early LLLT+ESWT. New vessel volume and CD31 expression were found to be high in the LLLT group. matrixmetalloproteinaze (MMP)-2 expression was found increased by the application of LLLT and ESWT.

Conclusion:

The LLLT and ESWT have similar effect on socket healing in the early period and that co-use is more effective upon healing. The LLLT has been shown to increase CD31 expression and increase vascularization and soft-tissue healing.
Reflections on Career Pathways of Simulation-Focused Experts in the Field
Authors: Sanko Jill Steiner , Calhoun Aaron W. , Issenberg S. Barry , Kelly Michelle , Battista Alexis
Published: May 2020

Summary Statement

This article presents reflections of career pathways of simulation researchers as well as a discussion of the themes found in the stories presented. It is the intent of the authors to present and foster a discussion around the ways in which we as a simulation community wish to promote recognition of scholarship among simulation researchers and help support newcomers find success as simulation researchers in academia. We also present recommendations for those considering entering the field based on tactics that were successful and not successful among the scholars who shared their stories.
Review of Current Machine Perfusion Therapeutics for Organ Preservation
Authors: Xu Jing , Buchwald Julianna E. , Martins Paulo N.
Published: May 2020

Because of the high demand of organs, the usage of marginal grafts has increased. These marginal organs have a higher risk of developing ischemia-reperfusion injury, which can lead to posttransplant complications. Ex situ machine perfusion (MP), compared with the traditional static cold storage, may better protect these organs from ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, MP can also act as a platform for dynamic administration of pharmacological agents or gene therapy to further improve transplant outcomes. Numerous therapeutic agents have been studied under both hypothermic (1–8°C) and normothermic settings. Here, we review all the therapeutics used during MP in different organ systems (lung, liver, kidney, heart). The major categories of therapeutic agents include vasodilators, mesenchymal stem cells, antiinflammatory agents, antiinfection agents, siRNA, and defatting agents. Numerous animal and clinical studies have examined MP therapeutic agents, some of which have even led to the successful reconditioning of discarded grafts. More clinical studies, especially randomized controlled trials, will need to be conducted in the future to solidify these promising results and to define the role of MP therapeutic agents in solid organ transplantation.
Clinical Implementation of Prolonged Liver Preservation and Monitoring Through Normothermic Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Cardini Benno , Oberhuber Rupert , Fodor Margot , Hautz Theresa , Margreiter Christian , Resch Thomas , Scheidl Stefan , Maglione Manuel , Bösmüller Claudia , Mair Harald , Frank Marion , Augustin Florian , Griesmacher Andrea , Schennach Harald , Martini Judith , Breitkopf Robert , Eschertzhuber Stephan , Pajk Werner , Obwegeser Alois , Tilg Herbert , Watson Christopher , Öfner Dietmar , Weissenbacher Annemarie , Schneeberger Stefan
Published: May 2020

Background.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) bears the potential for significant prolongation of liver preservation before transplantation. Although safety and feasibility have been recently published, no data are available describing the significant challenges of establishing NMP programs outside clinical studies. We herein present our experience and propose a multidisciplinary approach for liver NMP in the clinical routine.

Methods.

In February 2018, liver NMP was introduced for routine use in marginal organs, logistic challenges, and complex recipients at our institution. In a multidisciplinary effort among transplant coordinators, perfusionists, transplant surgeons, anesthesia, nurses, blood bank as well as laboratory staff, a clinical routine was established and 34 NMP cases were performed without critical incidents or organ loss.

Results.

Nine livers were discarded due to poor organ quality and function observed during NMP. Twenty-five livers were successfully transplanted after preservation of up to 38 h. The extended criteria donors rate was 100% and 92% in discarded and transplanted livers, respectively. Nighttime procedures and parallel transplantations were eventually omitted. Graft and patient survival was 88% at 20 mo. No cholangiopathy was observed despite the use of extended criteria donor organs in 92% of cases.

Conclusions.

NMP in a multidisciplinary approach enables a safe prolongation of liver preservation and overnight organ care. A first field test of NMP indicates safety and benefit of this approach.
Construction, comparison and evolution of networks in life sciences and other disciplines
Authors: Gysi Deisy Morselli , Nowick Katja
Published: May 2020

Network approaches have become pervasive in many research fields. They allow for a more comprehensive understanding of complex relationships between entities as well as their group-level properties and dynamics. Many networks change over time, be it within seconds or millions of years, depending on the nature of the network. Our focus will be on comparative network analyses in life sciences, where deciphering temporal network changes is a core interest of molecular, ecological, neuropsychological and evolutionary biologists. Further, we will take a journey through different disciplines, such as social sciences, finance and computational gastronomy, to present commonalities and differences in how networks change and can be analysed. Finally, we envision how borrowing ideas from these disciplines could enrich the future of life science research.
Thermodynamic modelling of synthetic communities predicts minimum free energy requirements for sulfate reduction and methanogenesis
Authors: Delattre Hadrien , Chen Jing , Wade Matthew J. , Soyer Orkun S.
Published: May 2020

Microbial communities are complex dynamical systems harbouring many species interacting together to implement higher-level functions. Among these higher-level functions, conversion of organic matter into simpler building blocks by microbial communities underpins biogeochemical cycles and animal and plant nutrition, and is exploited in biotechnology. A prerequisite to predicting the dynamics and stability of community-mediated metabolic conversions is the development and calibration of appropriate mathematical models. Here, we present a generic, extendable thermodynamic model for community dynamics and calibrate a key parameter of this thermodynamic model, the minimum energy requirement associated with growth-supporting metabolic pathways, using experimental population dynamics data from synthetic communities composed of a sulfate reducer and two methanogens. Our findings show that accounting for thermodynamics is necessary in capturing the experimental population dynamics of these synthetic communities that feature relevant species using low energy growth pathways. Furthermore, they provide the first estimates for minimum energy requirements of methanogenesis (in the range of −30 kJ mol
−1
) and elaborate on previous estimates of lactate fermentation by sulfate reducers (in the range of −30 to −17 kJ mol
−1
depending on the culture conditions). The open-source nature of the developed model and demonstration of its use for estimating a key thermodynamic parameter should facilitate further thermodynamic modelling of microbial communities.
Mitral valve leaflet response to ischaemic mitral regurgitation: from gene expression to tissue remodelling
Authors: Howsmon Daniel P. , Rego Bruno V. , Castillero Estibaliz , Ayoub Salma , Khalighi Amir H. , Gorman Robert C. , Gorman Joseph H. , Ferrari Giovanni , Sacks Michael S.
Published: May 2020

Ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), a frequent complication following myocardial infarction (MI), leads to higher mortality and poor clinical prognosis if untreated. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitral valve (MV) leaflets actively remodel post MI, and this remodelling increases both the severity of IMR and the occurrence of MV repair failures. However, the mechanisms of extracellular matrix maintenance and modulation by MV interstitial cells (MVICs) and their impact on MV leaflet tissue integrity and repair failure remain largely unknown. Herein, we sought to elucidate the multiscale behaviour of IMR-induced MV remodelling using an established ovine model. Leaflet tissue at eight weeks post MI exhibited significant permanent plastic radial deformation, eliminating mechanical anisotropy, accompanied by altered leaflet composition. Interestingly, no changes in effective collagen fibre modulus were observed, with MVICs slightly rounder, at eight weeks post MI. RNA sequencing indicated that YAP-induced genes were elevated at four weeks post MI, indicating elevated mechanotransduction. Genes related to extracellular matrix organization were downregulated at four weeks post MI when IMR occurred. Transcriptomic changes returned to baseline by eight weeks post MI. This multiscale study suggests that IMR induces plastic deformation of the MV with no functional damage to the collagen fibres, providing crucial information for computational simulations of the MV in IMR.
The drivers and functions of rock juggling in otters
Authors: Allison Mari-Lisa , Reed Rebecca , Michels Emile , Boogert Neeltje J.
Published: May 2020

Object play refers to the seemingly non-functional manipulation of inanimate items when in a relaxed state. In juveniles, object play may help develop skills to aid survival. However, why adults show object play remains poorly understood. We studied potential drivers and functions of the well-known object play behaviour of rock juggling in Asian small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus) and smooth-coated (Lutrogale perspicillata) otters. These are closely related species, but Asian small-clawed otters perform extractive foraging movements to exploit crabs and shellfish while smooth-coated otters forage on fish. We thus predicted that frequent rock jugglers might be better at solving extractive foraging puzzles in the first species, but not the latter. We also assessed whether species, age, sex and hunger correlated with rock juggling frequency. We found that juvenile and senior otters juggled more than adults. However, rock juggling frequency did not differ between species or sexes. Otters juggled more when ‘hungry’, but frequent jugglers did not solve food puzzles faster. Our results suggest that rock juggling may be a misdirected behaviour when hungry and may facilitate juveniles' motor development, but it appears unrelated to foraging skills. We suggest future studies to reveal the ontogeny, evolution and welfare implications of this object play behaviour.
Direct linearization approach to discrete integrable systems associated with ℤ
𝒩
graded Lax pairs
Authors: Fu Wei
Published: May 2020

Fordy and Xenitidis [
J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.
50
(2017) 165205. (
doi:10.1088/1751-8121/aa639a
)] recently proposed a large class of discrete integrable systems which include a number of novel integrable difference equations, from the perspective of

Z

N

graded Lax pairs, without providing solutions. In this paper, we establish the link between the Fordy–Xenitidis (FX) discrete systems in coprime case and linear integral equations in certain form, which reveals solution structure of these equations. The bilinear form of the FX integrable difference equations is also presented together with the associated general tau function. Furthermore, the solution structure explains the connections between the FX novel models and the discrete Gel’fand–Dikii hierarchy.
Coordination changes in front-crawl swimming
Authors: Carmigniani R. , Seifert L. , Chollet D. , Clanet C.
Published: May 2020

We report the evolution of the coordination with velocity in front-crawl swimming which is used in competitions over a large range of distances (from 50 m up to 25 km in open-water races). Inside this single stroke, top-level swimmers show different patterns of arm organization. At low velocities, swimmers select an alternated stroke with gliding pauses during their propulsion. The relative duration of the gliding pauses on a stroke cycle is independent of the velocity in this first regime. Above a critical velocity, the relative duration of the gliding pauses starts to decrease as speed increases. Above a second critical velocity, the gliding pauses disappear and the swimmers start to superpose their propulsion phases. These three regimes are first revealed experimentally and then studied theoretically. It appears that below the first critical velocity, swimmers use a constant coordination index and vary their speed by varying their propulsive force to minimize their cost of propulsion. For larger velocities, swimmers use their maximum propulsive force and vary their recovery time to increase further their speed. The physical model developed is general and could be applied to understand other modes of locomotion.
A natural catastrophic turnover event: individual sociality matters despite community resilience in wild house mice
Authors: Evans Julian C. , Liechti Jonas I. , Boatman Bruce , König Barbara
Published: May 2020

Natural disasters can cause rapid demographic changes that disturb the social structure of a population as individuals may lose connections. These changes also have indirect effects as survivors alter their within-group connections or move between groups. As group membership and network position may influence individual fitness, indirect effects may affect how individuals and populations recover from catastrophic events. Here we study changes in the social structure after a large predation event in a population of wild house mice (
Mus musculus domesticus
), when a third of adults were lost. Using social network analysis, we examine how heterogeneity in sociality results in varied responses to losing connections. We then investigate how these differences influence the overall network structure. An individual's reaction to losing associates depended on its sociality prior to the event. Those that were less social before formed more weak connections afterwards, while more social individuals reduced the number of survivors they associated with. Otherwise, the number and size of social groups were highly robust. This indicates that social preferences can drive how individuals adjust their social behaviour after catastrophic turnover events, despite the population's resilience in social structure.
The role of the gut microbiome in sustainable teleost aquaculture
Authors: Perry William Bernard , Lindsay Elle , Payne Christopher James , Brodie Christopher , Kazlauskaite Raminta
Published: May 2020

As the most diverse vertebrate group and a major component of a growing global aquaculture industry, teleosts continue to attract significant scientific attention. The growth in global aquaculture, driven by declines in wild stocks, has provided additional empirical demand, and thus opportunities, to explore teleost diversity. Among key developments is the recent growth in microbiome exploration, facilitated by advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies. Here, we consider studies on teleost gut microbiomes in the context of sustainable aquaculture, which we have discussed in four themes: diet, immunity, artificial selection and closed-loop systems. We demonstrate the influence aquaculture has had on gut microbiome research, while also providing a road map for the main deterministic forces that influence the gut microbiome, with topical applications to aquaculture. Functional significance is considered within an aquaculture context with reference to impacts on nutrition and immunity. Finally, we identify key knowledge gaps, both methodological and conceptual, and propose promising applications of gut microbiome manipulation to aquaculture, and future priorities in microbiome research. These include insect-based feeds, vaccination, mechanism of pro- and prebiotics, artificial selection on the hologenome, in-water bacteriophages in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), physiochemical properties of water and dysbiosis as a biomarker.
Cuticular reticulation replicates the pattern of epidermal cells in lowermost Cambrian scalidophoran worms
Authors: Wang Deng , Vannier Jean , Yang Xiao-guang , Sun Jie , Sun Yi-fei , Hao Wen-jing , Tang Qing-qin , Liu Ping , Han Jian
Published: May 2020

The cuticle of ecdysozoans (Panarthropoda, Scalidophora, Nematoida) is secreted by underlying epidermal cells and renewed via ecdysis. We explore here the relationship between epidermis and external cuticular ornament in stem-group scalidophorans from the early Cambrian of China (Kuanchuanpu Formation;ca535 Ma) that had two types of microscopic polygonal cuticular networks with either straight or microfolded boundaries. Detailed comparisons with modern scalidophorans (priapulids) indicate that these networks faithfully replicate the cell boundaries of the epidermis. This suggests that the cuticle of early scalidophorans formed through the fusion between patches of extracellular material secreted by epidermal cells, as observed in various groups of present-day ecdysozoans, including arthropods. Key genetic, biochemical and mechanical processes associated with ecdysis and cuticle formation seem to have appeared very early (at least not later than 535 Ma) in the evolution of ecdysozoans. Microfolded reticulation is likely to be a mechanical response to absorbing contraction exerted by underlying muscles. The polygonal reticulation in early and extant ecdysozoans is clearly a by-product of the epidermal cell pavement and interacted with the sedimentary environment.
Chemical signals act as the main reproductive barrier between sister and mimetic
Heliconius
butterflies
Authors: González-Rojas M. F. , Darragh K. , Robles J. , Linares M. , Schulz S. , McMillan W. O. , Jiggins C. D. , Pardo-Diaz C. , Salazar C.
Published: May 2020

Colour pattern is the main trait that drives mate recognition between
Heliconius
species that are phylogenetically close. However, when this cue is compromised such as in cases of mimetic, sympatric and closely related species, alternative mating signals must evolve to ensure reproductive isolation and species integrity. The closely related species
Heliconius melpomene malleti
and
H. timareta florencia
occur in the same geographical region, and despite being co-mimics, they display strong reproductive isolation. In order to test which cues differ between species, and potentially contribute to reproductive isolation, we quantified differences in the wing phenotype and the male chemical profile. As expected, the wing colour pattern was indistinguishable between the two species, while the chemical profile of the androconial and genital males' extracts showed marked differences. We then conducted behavioural experiments to study the importance of these signals in mate recognition by females. In agreement with our previous results, we found that chemical blends and not wing colour pattern drive the preference of females for conspecific males
.
Also, experiments with hybrid males and females suggested an important genetic component for both chemical production and preference. Altogether, these results suggest that chemicals are the major reproductive barrier opposing gene flow between these two sister and co-mimic species.
Environmental variability, reliability of information and the timing of migration
Authors: Bauer Silke , McNamara John M. , Barta Zoltan
Published: May 2020

The timing of migration and migratory steps is highly relevant for fitness. Because environmental conditions vary between years, the optimal time for migration varies accordingly. Therefore, migratory animals could clearly benefit from acquiring information as to when it is the best time to migrate in a specific year. Thus, environmental predictability and variability are fundamental characteristics of migration systems but their relationship and consequence for migratory progression has remained unexplored. We develop a simple dynamic model to identify the optimal migration behaviour in environments that differ in predictability, variability and the number of intermediate stop-over sites. Our results indicate that higher predictability along migration routes enables organisms to better time migration when phenology deviates from its long-term average and thus, increases fitness. Information is particularly valuable in highly variable environments and in the final migration-step, i.e. before the destination. Furthermore, we show that a general strategy for obtaining information in relatively uninformative but variable environments is using intermediate stop-over sites that enable migrants to better predict conditions ahead. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between animal movement and environmental predictability—an important, yet underappreciated factor that strongly influences migratory progression.
Genomic profiling of Escherichia coli isolates from bacteraemia patients: a 3-year cohort study of isolates collected at a Sydney teaching hospital
Authors: Hastak Priyanka , Cummins Max L. , Gottlieb Thomas , Cheong Elaine , Merlino John , Myers Garry S. A. , Djordjevic Steven P. , Roy Chowdhury Piklu
Published: May 2020

This study sought to assess the genetic variability of

Escherichia coli

isolated from bloodstream infections (BSIs) presenting at Concord Hospital, Sydney during 2013–2016. Whole-genome sequencing was used to characterize 81

E. coli

isolates sourced from community-onset (CO) and hospital-onset (HO) BSIs. The cohort comprised 64 CO and 17 HO isolates, including 35 multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates exhibiting phenotypic resistance to three or more antibiotic classes. Phylogenetic analysis identified two major ancestral clades. One was genetically diverse with 25 isolates distributed in 16 different sequence types (STs) representing phylogroups A, B1, B2, C and F, while the other comprised phylogroup B2 isolates in subclades representing the ST131, ST73 and ST95 lineages. Forty-seven isolates contained a class 1 integron, of which 14 carried bla
CTX -M-gene. Isolates with a class 1 integron carried more antibiotic resistance genes than isolates without an integron and, in most instances, resistance genes were localized within complex resistance loci (CRL). Resistance to fluoroquinolones could be attributed to point mutations in chromosomal parC and gyrB genes and, in addition, two isolates carried a plasmid-associated qnrB4 gene. Co-resistance to fluoroquinolone and broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics was associated with ST131 (HO and CO), ST38 (HO), ST393 (CO), ST2003 (CO) and ST8196 (CO and HO), a novel ST identified in this study. Notably, 10/81 (12.3 %) isolates with ST95 (5 isolates), ST131 (2 isolates), ST88 (2 isolates) and a ST540 likely carry IncFII–IncFIB plasmid replicons with a full spectrum of virulence genes consistent with the carriage of ColV-like plasmids. Our data indicate that IncF plasmids play an important role in shaping virulence and resistance gene carriage in BSI

E. coli

in Australia.
A Multi-perspective Analysis of Retractions in Life Sciences
Authors: Bhatt Bhumika
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study is to explore trends in retracted publications in life sciences and biomedical sciences over axes like time, countries, journals and impact factors, and topics. Nearly seven thousand publications, which comprise the entirety of retractions visible through PubMed as of August 2019, were used. This work involved sophisticated data collection and analysis techniques to use data from PubMed, Wikipedia, and WikiData, and study it with respect to the above mentioned axes. Importantly, I employ state-of-the-art analysis and visualization techniques from natural language processing (NLP) to understand the topics in retracted literature. To highlight a few results, the analyses demonstrate an increasing rate of retraction over time and noticeable differences in the publication quality (as measured by journal impact factor) among top countries. Moreover, while molecular biology and cancer dominate retractions, we also see a number of retractions not related to biology. The methods and results of this study can be applied to continuously understand the nature and evolution of retractions in life sciences, thus contributing to the health of this research ecosystem.
Depression, Anxiety and Depression-anxiety comorbidity amid COVID-19 Pandemic: An online survey conducted during lockdown in Nepal
Authors: Sigdel Anil , Bista Anu , Bhattarai Navaraj , Pun Bimal Chandra , Giri Govind , Marqusee Hannah , Thapa Subash
Published: May 2020

Background

Little is known about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health status during the lockdown period. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety comorbidity, and associated factors during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nepal.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Nepal. Data was collected from April 9 to April 16, 2020 using an e-questionnaire which was shared through different popular social media. A total of 349 participants were included. Self-reported depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety tools respectively. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with depression, anxiety and depression and anxiety co-morbidity.

Results

The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety co-morbidity were found to be 34.0%, 31.0% and 23.2% respectively. The multi-variate analysis showed that females, those living alone, health professionals and those who spent more time in accessing information about COVID-19 were significantly more likely to have depression, anxiety and depression-anxiety co-morbidity.

Conclusions

High rates of depression and anxiety and co-morbidity were found to be prevailing among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Nepal. The results suggest that only the scientific, but contextually appropriate messages about the disease should be disseminated to reduce unnecessary fears and anxiety. Awareness interventions to promote mental wellbeing need to be integrated into the response interventions. Community mental health care should be made accessible to at-risk groups.
Effect of Alert Level 4 on Reff: review of international COVID-19 cases
Authors: Binny Rachelle N. , Hendy Shaun C. , James Alex , Lustig Audrey , Plank Michael J. , Steyn Nicholas
Published: May 2020

The effective reproduction number, Reff, is an important measure of transmission potential in the modelling of epidemics. It measures the average number of people that will be infected by a single contagious individual. A value of Reff > 1 suggests that an outbreak will occur, while Reff < 1 suggests the virus will die out. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries worldwide are implementing a range of intervention measures, such as population-wide social distancing and case isolation, with the goal of reducing Reff to values below one, to slow or eliminate transmission. We analyse case data from 25 international locations to estimate their Reff values over time and to assess the effectiveness of interventions, equivalent to New Zealand’s Alert Levels 1-4, for reducing transmission. Our results show that strong interventions, equivalent to NZ’s Alert Level 3 or 4, have been successful at reducing Reff below the threshold for outbreak. In general, countries that implemented strong interventions earlier in their outbreak have managed to maintain case numbers at lower levels. These estimates provide indicative ranges of Reff for each Alert Level, to inform parameters in models of COVID-19 spread under different intervention scenarios in New Zealand and worldwide. Predictions from such models are important for informing policy and decisions on intervention timing and stringency during the pandemic.

Executive Summary

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world are implementing a range of intervention measures, such as population-wide social distancing and case isolation, with the goal of reducing the spread of the virus.

Reff, the effective reproduction number, measures the average number of people that will be infected by a single contagious individual. A value of Reff > 1 suggests that an outbreak will occur, while Reff < 1 suggests the virus will die out.

Comparing Reff in an early outbreak phase (no or low-level interventions implemented) with a later phase (moderate to high interventions) indicates how effective these measures are for reducing Reff.

We estimate early-phase and late-phase Reff values for COVID-19 outbreaks in 25 countries (or provinces/states). Results suggest interventions equivalent to NZ’s Alert Level 3-4 can successfully reduce Reff below the threshold for outbreak.
Sex-specific differences in COVID-19 testing, cases and outcomes: a population-wide study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Stall Nathan M. , Wu Wei , Lapointe-Shaw Lauren , Fisman David N. , Hillmer Michael P. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: May 2020

In this population-wide study in Ontario, Canada we report on all 194,372 unique residents who received testing for SARS-CoV-2 between January 23, 2020 and April 28, 2020. We found that while more women than men were tested for SARS-CoV-2, men had a higher rate of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, ICU admission and death. These findings were consistent even with age adjustment, suggesting that the observed differences in outcomes between women and men were not explained by age or systematic differences in testing by sex. Instead, they may be due to sex-based immunological or other gendered differences, such as higher rates of smoking leading to cardiovascular disease.
UV light influences covid-19 activity through big data: trade offs between northern subtropical, tropical, and southern subtropical countries
Authors: Yudistira Novanto , Sumitro Sutiman B. , Nahas Alberth , Riama Nelly Florida
Published: May 2020

UV (ultraviolet) light is an important factor should be considered to predict coronavirus epidemic growth pace. UV is different from weather temperature since UV is electromagnetic wavelength from 10 nm to 400 nm in size, shorter than of visible lights. For some people, UV light can lead to cancer from unprotected sun exposure, however, for tropical people, which have been used to live in such condition, have resisted from negative effect high UV index. Moreover, UV has the capability to inactivate virus. This conclusion has been discussed deeply with biological experts. Although UV light has the ability to inactivate viruses, it may be meaningless in areas with high air pollution where UV light turns into heat.
Frequency of routine testing for COVID-19 in high-risk healthcare environments to reduce outbreaks
Authors: Chin Elizabeth T , Huynh Benjamin Q , Chapman Lloyd A. C. , Murrill Matthew , Basu Sanjay , Lo Nathan C
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Routine asymptomatic testing strategies for COVID-19 have been proposed to prevent outbreaks in high-risk healthcare environments. We used simulation modeling to evaluate the optimal frequency of viral testing. We found that routine testing substantially reduces risk of outbreaks, but may need to be as frequent as twice weekly.