bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plant–soil feedback contributes to predicting plant invasiveness of 68 alien plant species differing in invasive status
Authors: Aldorfová Anna , Knobová Pavlína , Münzbergová Zuzana
Published: April 2020

Understanding what species characteristics allow some alien plants to become invasive while others fail is critical to our understanding of community assembly processes. While many characteristics have been shown to predict plant invasiveness, the importance of plant–soil feedback (PSF) in invasions has been difficult to assess since individual studies include only a few species and use disparate methodology. We studied PSF of 68 invasive and non‐invasive alien species in a single two‐phase common garden experiment, and compared the relative importance of PSF, residence time, phylogenetic novelty and plant traits for plant invasiveness. Additionally, we explored relationships between PSF, residence time and phylogenetic novelty. PSF for seedling establishment, but not for biomass, was a significant predictor of invasive status, with invasive species having more positive PSF than non‐invasive species. Its explanatory power was, however, much lower than that of specific leaf area, height and residence time. Phylogenetically novel species experienced less negative PSF than species with native congeners, suggesting they benefit more from enemy release. PSF of non‐invasive species, contrary to that of invasive species, was becoming more negative with increasing residence time. We demonstrated that PSF for seedling establishment plays a role in predicting plant invasiveness and is a better predictor than more commonly studied PSF for plant biomass. Other species traits, such as specific leaf area, however, predict plant invasiveness much better than the PSF.
Relationships between conifer constitutive and inducible defenses against bark beetles change across levels of biological and ecological scale
Authors: Howe Michael , Mason Charles J. , Gratton Claudio , Keefover‐Ring Ken , Wallin Kimberly , Yanchuk Alvin , Zhu Jun , Raffa Kenneth F.
Published: April 2020

Plants resist herbivores using both constitutive and induced defenses. Limited resources and biosynthesis costs of anti‐herbivore compounds may impose tradeoffs between these modalities, but the evidence is conflicting. We postulated that biological and ecological scale may influence potential tradeoffs and analyzed constitutive‐induced relationships from genotypic to interspecific levels. We focused on one system, conifer phloem monoterpenes that resist bark beetle attack, to minimize variation from feeding guild or phylogeny. We examined 45 half‐siblings in common gardens (n = 763), seven populations of five species with tree‐level data (n = 436) and 29 studies of nine species with population‐mean data in forests. All studies evaluated mature trees to correspond with beetle behavior in nature and employed common methods of induction and analysis. Rather than a global tradeoff between constitutive and induced defenses, relationships varied with level of biological organization. In common gardens, constitutive concentrations and inducibility (I–C) were inversely related across families and individuals. These relationships did not extend to forest populations, however, where constitutive concentrations and inducibility were positively related. Across populations and species, constitutive concentrations and inducibility were likewise positively related. There was no evidence for inducibility tradeoffs between monoterpene quantity and composition: trees showed no or positive relationships between constitutive concentrations and induced compositional changes. These results suggest environmental variability can supersede underlying physiological tradeoffs in some systems, allowing plants with greater resource pools to excel in multiple defense components. This is further supported by microsite effects on inducibility exceeding family effects in the common gardens, and by relationships between constitutive and absolute induced concentrations being positive at all levels. We present a general model for understanding how underlying physiological tradeoffs are variably manifested across scales. These results can contribute to the protection and resilience of agronomic and native ecosystems and help contextualize organismal‐level allocations to ecosystem‐level patterns across heterogeneous landscapes.
Explaining prevalence, diversity and host specificity in a community of avian haemosporidian parasites
Authors: Ellis Vincenzo A. , Huang Xi , Westerdahl Helena , Jönsson Jane , Hasselquist Dennis , Neto Júlio M. , Nilsson Jan‐Åke , Nilsson Johan , Hegemann Arne , Hellgren Olof , Bensch Staffan
Published: April 2020

Many hypotheses attempt to explain parasite–host associations, but rarely are they examined together in a single community. For hosts, key traits are the proportion of infected individuals (prevalence) and the diversity of parasites infecting them. A key parasite trait is host specificity, ranging from specialists infecting one or a few closely related species to generalists infecting many species. We tested 10 hypotheses to explain host‐parasite associations; five ‘host‐centric’ (e.g. prevalence is related to host abundance) and five ‘parasite‐centric’ (e.g. parasite abundance is related to host specificity). We analyzed a community of 67 locally transmitted avian haemosporidian parasite lineages (genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus or Leucocytozoon), sampled from 2726 birds (64 species) in southern Sweden. Among host‐centric hypotheses, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon prevalence and Haemoproteus diversity were related to host habitat preferences, whereas there were no relationships with host abundance or body mass. Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon prevalences were more similar among closely related than among distantly related host species. Haemoproteus prevalence and diversity were lower in host species with few close relatives (‘evolutionarily distinct’ hosts). Among parasite‐centric hypotheses, most lineages, even relative generalists, infected closely related host species more often than expected by chance. However, the host species of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon lineages overlapped less among lineages than expected by chance. Specialists did not reach higher prevalences than generalists on single host species. However, the abundance of Haemoproteus lineages was related to host specificity with generalists more common than specialists; this was driven by three closely related generalists. Host specificity of parasites was unrelated to the abundance or evolutionarily distinctiveness of their hosts. Parasite communities are likely structured by many factors and cannot be explained by hypotheses focusing solely on hosts or parasites. However, we found consistent effects of host phylogenetic relationships, plausibly a result of evolutionarily conserved host immune systems limiting parasite distributions.
Pilot service evaluation of a brief psychological therapy for self‐harm in an emergency department: Hospital Outpatient Psychotherapy Engagement Service
Authors: Taylor Peter J. , Fien Kirsten , Mulholland Helen , Duarte Rui , Dickson Joanne M. , Kullu Cecil
Published: April 2020

Background

Brief psychological therapies may be helpful for people who have recently self‐harmed. The current paper reports on a service evaluation of a novel brief therapy service based within an Emergency Department, Hospital Outpatient Psychotherapy Engagement (HOPE) Service. This service combines elements of psychodynamic interpersonal and cognitive analytic therapy to help people who present with self‐harm‐related difficulties. The primary aim of this service evaluation was to ascertain the feasibility of HOPE in terms of attendance rates. The study also examined variables associated with engagement, and change over time in psychological distress for those attending the service.

Method

The HOPE service was evaluated over a ten‐month period. Consenting patients completed measures of psychological distress and working alliance across four therapy sessions and one follow‐up session. Measures of emotion regulation style and self‐harm function were also completed at the point of referral.

Results

Eight‐nine patients were referred to the service (83 eligible referrals). Fifty‐three (64%) attended at least one therapy session. Baseline variables did not distinguish people who attended and people who did not. Psychological distress decreased significantly across the sessions. Most people reported a good working alliance with their therapist.

Conclusions

The results of this service evaluation support the feasibility of the HOPE service, demonstrating good engagement rates given the complexity of the population and context. Whilst there was evidence of reductions in distress, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine if HOPE has clinical efficacy.

Practitioner points

Rates of engagement with HOPE suggest the service is feasible in an Emergency Department context

Working alliance scores were positive for the majority of patients

The HOPE service shows promise as a brief intervention for people who self‐harm but requires further evaluation

Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the clinical efficacy of the HOPE service
Bevacizumab as a potential anti‐angiogenic therapy in schistosomiasis: A double‐edged, but adjustable weapon
Authors: Hasby Saad Marwa A. , El‐Anwar Noha
Published: April 2020

Aim

Investigating the anti‐angiogenic effect of bevacizumab on chronic schistosomiasis mansoni in a trial to hinder the Schistosome‐induced angiogenesis and porto‐systemic shunting complications.

Methods

The immunohistochemical expression of CD34, VEGF‐R1, PCNA and α‐SMA (angiogenesis markers) was analysed in the lung, liver and gastrointestinal junctions of chronic S mansoni infected mice after intraperitoneal injection of bevacizumab. The effect of prolonged administration of bevacizumab with praziquantel was also assessed through parasitic load, protective index, granuloma and fibrous tissue evaluation.

Results

A regression in the vascular activity and microvascular density was observed in the infected mice after receiving bevacizumab. They had a significantly less VEGF‐R1, PCNA, CD‐34 and α‐SMA expression in comparison to the infected untreated mice. The least tissue egg count was reported in mice received bevacizumab for 6 weeks (Mean = 27 120). However, they had persistent liver granulomas, and massively amalgamated fibrosis. Interestingly, the least faecal egg and tissue worms counts (Mean = 112, 13.4), and the highest protection index (39.26) were reported in mice received bevacizumab for 3 weeks, with marked granuloma, and fibrous tissue resolution.

Conclusions

Bevacizumab has a promising protective effect against the Schistosoma‐induced angiogenesis. As an adjuvant to praziquantel, it is important to adjust the appropriate duration of administration that achieves the best schistosomicidal effect without impeding granuloma and fibrous tissue resolution.
Cultivar mixture effects on disease and yield remain despite diversity in wheat height and earliness
Authors: Vidal Tiphaine , Saint‐Jean Sébastien , Lusley Pauline , Leconte Marc , Ben Krima Safa , Boixel Anne‐Lise ,   Wheatamix Consortium, de Vallavieille‐Pope Claude
Published: April 2020

Cultivar mixtures can stabilize yield and reduce pathogen spread in plant populations. A field experiment was performed to determine (a) whether a large difference between the cultivars in the mixture (e.g., plant height or earliness) would have an impact on mixture performance, and (b) whether such differences would modify the classical rules for mixture design. Mixtures were constituted from wheat cultivars with diversity for many traits, including plant height, flowering date, disease resistance, and yield potential. The field experiment was conducted over 3 years, testing each year 72–90 mixtures of two, four, or eight cultivars, and their corresponding pure stands. Disease severity and yield of cultivar mixtures were strongly related to the mean values of the component cultivars in pure stands. Despite the considerable diversity of the mixtures tested, the classic rules (e.g., proportion of susceptible cultivars) already tested in mixtures with similar height and earliness were effective for decreasing disease severity. Agronomic heterogeneity for traits such as plant height, yield potential, or earliness of the cultivars in mixtures did not have a negative impact on disease severity and yield relative to pure stands. Increasing the number of cultivars in the mixture from two to eight had no impact on the mean disease severity and yield of the mixtures, but reduced the variability of disease severity and yield in the mixture relative to pure stands. These results suggest that it may be possible to increase within‐field wheat diversity by combining more contrasting cultivars in mixtures than was previously thought.
The Behavioral Consequences of Public Appeals: Evidence on Campaign Fundraising from the 2018 Congressional Elections
Authors: Fu Shu , Howell William G.
Published: April 2020

Whereas the preponderance of studies on public appeals evaluates their impacts on mass public opinion, we investigate behavioral responses—in particular, the willingness of donors to contribute to candidates for public office. As appeals, we identify and code the online messages from all 2018 candidates for Congress, winners and losers alike, about both Donald Trump himself and his signature policy initiative, immigration reform; and as behavioral responses, we track candidates’ daily itemized fundraising totals. What Republican candidates for Congress say about Trump, we find, bears significantly on their ability to raise money. In the immediate aftermath of complimenting the president, Republicans secured a modest increase in fundraising; when they criticized him, however, they promptly suffered a substantial decline. We do not observe comparable evidence for Democratic candidates. Our findings are robust to a wide variety of measurement and modeling strategies, and expand our understanding of the political stakes of public appeals.
Maximum likelihood estimation for totally positive log‐concave densities
Authors: Robeva Elina , Sturmfels Bernd , Tran Ngoc , Uhler Caroline
Published: April 2020

We study nonparametric maximum likelihood estimation for two classes of multivariate distributions that imply strong forms of positive dependence; namely log‐supermodular (MTP2) distributions and log‐L♮‐concave (LLC) distributions. In both cases we also assume log‐concavity in order to ensure boundedness of the likelihood function. Given n independent and identically distributed random vectors from one of our distributions, the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) exists a.s. and is unique a.e. with probability one when n≥3. This holds independently of the ambient dimension d. We conjecture that the MLE is always the exponential of a tent function. We prove this result for samples in {0,1}d or in under MTP2, and for samples in under LLC. Finally, we provide a conditional gradient algorithm for computing the maximum likelihood estimate.
Thank you for donating: a survey of Australian donorsʼ and nondonorsʼ orientations toward noncash incentives for blood donation
Authors: Van Dyke Nina , Chell Kathleen , Masser Barbara , Kruse Sarah P. , Gemelli Carley N. , Jensen Kyle , Davison Tanya E.
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to understand Australian donorsʼ and nondonorsʼ orientations toward 13 noncash incentives for blood and plasma donation and the associations between orientations and intention to donate (nondonors) and subsequent donation (donors).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A survey of 1028 donors and 1201 nondonors was conducted online and by telephone. Donors were randomly selected from the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood donor panel; nondonors were selected from randomly generated fixed line and mobile telephone numbers across Australia. Incentives were chosen to reflect a wide array of possible noncash incentives that might be introduced by blood donation organizations (BDOs). Differences between donors and nondonors, as well as other subgroups, were investigated.

RESULTS

Orientations toward most types of incentives were positive or neutral. No significant differences were observed between incentive orientations for whole blood versus plasma donations. Many subgroup differences were small but statistically significant. There were mostly small, positive, significant associations between nondonorsʼ intention to donate and orientations toward noncash incentives; there were mostly no significant associations between donorsʼ orientations and subsequent donation behaviors.

CONCLUSION

The findings from this study suggest that BDOs that wish to trial noncash incentives in voluntary nonremunerative systems can be confident that neither donors nor potential donors will react negatively. They also indicate that BDOs have some flexibility in deciding which incentives to trial.
Qualification of the Geenius HIV 1/2 supplemental assay for use in the HIV blood donation screening algorithm
Authors: Saá Paula , Townsend Rebecca L. , Wells Peggy , Janzen Mark A. , Brodsky Jaye P. , Stramer Susan L.
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

A single, simplified approach for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1/HIV‐2 antibody confirmation/differentiation is needed for the HIV blood donation supplemental algorithm used in the United States. A clinical evaluation of the Geenius assay was performed—the same assay used for HIV diagnostic confirmation/differentiation in the United States since 2014.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Well‐characterized unlinked donation samples classified as HIV negative, false positive, or confirmed positive were included in the study: 200 antibody‐nonreactive, 200 HIV‐1 immunofluorescence assay (IFA) confirmed‐positive, and 100 antibody‐screen false‐positive donations, equally divided between serum and plasma. Samples were retrieved from a repository, relabeled, and tested by an immunochromatographic test (Geenius HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay, Bio‐Rad). Comparator testing involved parallel US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐licensed HIV‐1 IFA or HIV‐2 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) supplemental testing for any sample missing those results as part of routine testing (otherwise test‐of‐record results were used). Samples with discordant results were further tested with a rapid test (Multispot HIV‐1/HIV‐2 Rapid Test, Bio‐Rad) to provide final sample interpretations. Testing volume reductions with the Geenius were estimated from screening performed by the American Red Cross from September 2016 to April 2019.

RESULTS

Clinical results were 100% sensitivity and specificity with an indeterminate rate of 4.0% to 5.0%. From 2016 to 2019, sole use of the Geenius would reduce testing complexity for 5265 antibody repeat‐reactive donations including 95.7% (5028) false positives, eliminating approximately 5000 unnecessary tests.

CONCLUSION

Geenius FDA licensure (August 26, 2019) adding the HIV‐1/HIV‐2 differentiation/confirmation donation supplemental claim will enable replacement of previously used FDA‐licensed supplemental assays while maintaining comparable sensitivity, avoiding thousands of unnecessary HIV‐1‐IFA, western blot, and HIV‐2‐EIA tests.
Influencing Phenomena of Local Government Budgeting Decisions in Bangladesh
Authors: Talukdar Mohammad Rafiqul Islam
Published: April 2020

The research on the influencing phenomena at the budgetary process of Local Government Union Councils in Bangladesh is based on a combination of political psychology, applied economics and public management issues (i.e. decentralization, local government finance, and local governance, as well as the budgeting theory and local government budgetary process). The purpose of the research is to explore the critical influencing phenomena and their relative influences on Union Councils’ budgeting decisions. The study reveals that the influence of concerned phenomena or issues does not always collide with the budgetary autonomy of Union Councils, but the effects of the influencing issues on their budgeting decisions are evident with varying degrees and dimensions. The study has employed qualitative method with six case studies on criteria based purposively selected Union Councils at Sunamganj District in Bangladesh.
Fundamentals, impedance, and performance of solid-state Li-metal microbatteries
Authors: Collins John , de Souza Joel P. , Lee Yun Seog , Pacquette Adele , Papalia John M. , Bishop Douglas M. , Todorov Teodor , Krishnan Mahadevaiyer , Joseph Eric , Rozen John , Sadana Devendra
Published: April 2020

The authors report novel results toward optimizing the electrochemical performance of high vacuum deposited lithium-based all solid-state thin film microbatteries. This study investigated hermetic encapsulation, interfacial lithium formation processes, and the role of Li-blocking and Li-nucleating layers for improved Li-metal plating on copper anodes. Photoresist was found to be an effective temporary encapsulation material, where prior to cycling, well-encapsulated Li-metal full cells yielded a total resistance reduction of nearly two orders of magnitude (282 Ω cm2) and a total capacitance increase of roughly an order of magnitude (1.35 × 10−10 F/cm2) compared with nonencapsulated Li-metal full cells. To accelerate potential failure mechanisms, high stress applied currents were used during the electrochemical formation processes. Initial cycles caused high resistance voids to form at the lithium phosphorous oxy-nitride (LiPON)/copper interface of well-encapsulated half cells. Well-encapsulated full cells, in contrast, resulted in a very low resistance composite Li-Cu anode, with a void-free LiPON interface, two orders of magnitude lower resistance (0.43 Ω cm2) and three orders of magnitude higher capacitance (6.56 × 10−8 F/cm2) compared with the half cell. Cycling performance was investigated using both Li-blocking nickel-copper and Li-nucleating gold-copper metal bilayer anodes in 100-μm diameter half cells. Nickel-copper anodes facilitated higher discharge capacity (>9 μAh/cm2) at high charge rates (>12.7 mA/cm2) due to uniform Li-metal plating on blocking electrodes. Low charge rates (<0.7 mA/cm2) displayed low discharge capacity and immediate corrosion of the cell. Gold-copper anodes displayed the opposite effect, showing sustainable cycling, minimal cell corrosion, and a discharge capacity of >6 μAh/cm2 at lower charge rates (∼0.025 mA/cm2). The work expands on fundamentals in understanding the role of the metallic anode encapsulation, interface formation, and charge storage mechanisms with respect to sustainable cell impedance for applications such as solid-state lithium metal microbatteries and microelectrochemical resistance-modulated memory devices.
Joint estimation of binaural distance and azimuth by exploiting deep neural networks
Authors: Ding Jiance , Ke Yuxuan , Cheng Linjuan , Zheng Chengshi , Li Xiaodong
Published: April 2020

The state-of-the-art supervised binaural distance estimation methods often use binaural features that are related to both the distance and the azimuth, and thus the distance estimation accuracy may degrade a great deal with fluctuant azimuth. To incorporate the azimuth on estimating the distance, this paper proposes a supervised method to jointly estimate the azimuth and the distance of binaural signals based on deep neural networks (DNNs). In this method, the subband binaural features, including many statistical properties of several subband binaural features and the binaural spectral magnitude difference standard deviation, are extracted together as cues to jointly estimate the azimuth and the distance using binaural signals by exploiting a multi-objective DNN framework. Especially, both the azimuth and the distance cues are utilized in the learning stage of the error back-propagation in the multi-objective DNN framework, which can improve the generalization ability of the azimuth and the distance estimation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can not only achieve high azimuth estimation accuracy but can also effectively improve the distance estimation accuracy when compared with several state-of-the-art supervised binaural distance estimation methods.
Killer Archaea: Virus-Mediated Antagonism to CRISPR-Immune Populations Results in Emergent Virus-Host Mutualism
Authors: DeWerff Samantha J. , Bautista Maria A. , Pauly Matthew , Zhang Changyi , Whitaker Rachel J.
Published: April 2020

Multiple studies, especially those focusing on the role of lytic viruses in key model systems, have shown the importance of viruses in shaping microbial populations. However, it has become increasingly clear that viruses with a long host-virus interaction, such as those with a chronic lifestyle, can be important drivers of evolution and have large impacts on host ecology. In this work, we describe one such interaction with the acidic crenarchaeon
Sulfolobus islandicus
and its chronic virus
Sulfolobus
spindle-shaped virus 9. Our work expands the view in which this symbiosis between host and virus evolved, describing a killing phenotype which we hypothesize has evolved in part due to the high prevalence and diversity of CRISPR-Cas immunity seen in natural populations. We explore the implications of this phenotype in population dynamics and host ecology, as well as the implications of mutualism between this virus-host pair.
Time Series Resolution of the Fish Necrobiome Reveals a Decomposer Succession Involving Toxigenic Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Lobb Briallen , Hodgson Rhiannon , Lynch Michael D. J. , Mansfield Michael J. , Cheng Jiujun , Charles Trevor C. , Neufeld Josh D. , Craig Paul M. , Doxey Andrew C.
Published: April 2020

The microbial decomposition of animal tissues is an important ecological process that impacts nutrient cycling in natural environments. We studied the microbial decomposition of a common North American fish (rainbow darters) over four time points, combining 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequence data to obtain both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Our data revealed a strong community succession that was reproduced across different fish and environments. Decomposition time point was the main driver of community composition and functional potential; fish environmental origin (upstream or downstream of a wastewater treatment plant) had a secondary effect. We also identified strains related to the putative pathogen
Aeromonas veronii
as dominant members of the decomposition community. These bacteria peaked early in decomposition and coincided with the metagenomic abundance of hemolytic toxin genes. Our work reveals a strong decomposer succession in wild-caught fish, providing functional and taxonomic insights into the vertebrate necrobiome.
Divide mobility controls knickpoint migration on the Roan Plateau (Colorado, USA)
Authors: Schwanghart Wolfgang , Scherler Dirk
Published: April 2020

Knickpoints in longitudinal river profiles are proxies for the climatic and tectonic history of active mountains. The analysis of river profiles commonly relies on the assumption that drainage network configurations are stable. Here, we show that this assumption must be made cautiously if changes in contributing area are fast relative to knickpoint migration rates. We studied the Parachute Creek basin in the Roan Plateau, Colorado, United States, where knickpoint retreat occurs in horizontally uniform lithology so that drainage area is the sole governing variable. In this basin, we identified an anomalous catchment in the degree to which a stream power–based model predicted knickpoint locations. The catchment is experiencing area loss as the plateau edge is eroded by cliff migration in proximity to the Colorado River. Model predictions improve if the plateau edge is assumed to have migrated over the time scale of knickpoint retreat. Finally, a Lagrangian model of knickpoint migration enabled us to study the kinematic links between drainage area loss and knickpoint migration and offered constraints on the temporal aspects of area loss. Modeled onset and amount of area loss are consistent with cliff retreat rates along the margin of the Roan Plateau inferred from the incisional history of the upper Colorado River.
Deprivation increases perforation risk in paediatric appendicitis
Authors: Bogle Ross , McIntyre Rachel , Patel Neil , Bradnock Timothy John
Published: April 2020

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in childhood. Perforation of the appendix conveys a worse outcome.

This case–control study investigated the relationship between deprivation and appendiceal perforation in children in the West of Scotland.

All children undergoing acute appendicectomy over a 2-year period were identified. Basic demographics including Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) rank and clinical features including time to presentation and surgical findings were recorded. Associations were investigated using multivariable analysis.

304 patients (62% male) underwent appendicectomy. Mean age was 10.4 years (SD ±3.5). Mean time from symptom onset to presentation was 2.3 days (SD ±2.5). Perforation rate was 44.41%.

Perforation was associated with lower age (p=0.004, OR −0.10, 95% CI −0.17 to −0.33), increased time to presentation (p=0.044, OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.27) and SIMD tertile (p=0.027, OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.20). SIMD tertile was not associated with delayed presentation.

Worsening deprivation independently predicts perforation, but this relationship is not mediated through a delay in presentation.
Cystic lymphangioma of breast: a rare presentation
Authors: Agarwal Surabhi , Doctor Mrugesh , Ruidas Surojit , Lal Hira
Published: April 2020

A 36-year-old woman presented to the radiology department with a history of gradual increase in the size of her left breast and greenish discolouration of the skin over it since 1.5 months. Physical examination revealed a soft non-tender mass involving the whole of the left breast. Radiological investigations further established the presence of multiple well-defined lobulated multiseptated and cystic fluid-containing lesions involving the entire left breast and extending to the axillary tail. Successful surgical excision was performed. The patient made a good recovery without any signs of recurrence.
Three scenarios illustrating ethical concerns when considering bariatric surgery in obese adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome
Authors: Di Pietro Maria Luisa , Zaçe Drieda
Published: April 2020

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is one of the 25 syndromic forms of obesity, in which patients present—in addition to different degrees of obesity—intellectual disability, endocrine disturbs, hyperphagia and/or other signs of hypothalamic dysfunction. In front of a severe/extreme obesity and the failure of non-invasive treatments, bariatric surgery is proposed as a therapeutic option. The complexity of the clinical condition, which could affect the long-term effects of bariatric surgery, and the frequent association with a mild to severe intellectual disability raise some ethical concerns in the treatment of obese PWS adolescents. This article analyses these issues referring to the principles of healthcare ethics: beneficence/non-maleficence (proportionality of treatments; minimisation of risks); respect of autonomy; justice. Based on these principles, three hypothetical scenarios are defined: (1) obese PWS adolescent, capable of making an autonomous decision; (2) obese PWS adolescent with a severe intellectual disability, whose parents agree with bariatric surgery; (3) obese PWS adolescent with a life-threatening condition and a severe intellectual disability, whose parents do not agree with bariatric surgery. The currently available evidence on efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery in PWS adolescents with extreme or severe obesity and the lack of adequate long-term follow-up suggests great caution even in a very life-threatening condition. Clinicians must always obtain a full IQ assessment of patients by psychologists. A multidisciplinary team is needed to analyse the clinical, psychological, social and ethical aspects and organise support for patient and parents, involving also the hospital ethical committee or, if necessary, legal authorities.
‘Between-time stories’: waiting, war and the temporalities of care
Authors: Salisbury Laura
Published: April 2020

This article analyses how World War II shifted and contained embodied experiences of waiting in relation to broader ideas of lived time in modernity. The trench warfare of World War I has often been imagined as a limit experience of anxious waiting, but World War II produced compelling accounts of experiences of suspended time in civilian populations exposed to the threat and anticipation of ‘total war’. This article analyses representations of this suspended present drawn from Elizabeth Bowen and Virginia Woolf, alongside materials in the Mass Observation Archive, to develop an account of how exposure to a future shaped by the potential of annihilation from the air reshaped experiences of durational temporality and the timescapes of modernity in the London Blitz. It also explores the relationship between anxiety, waiting, and care by attending to psychoanalytic theories that developed in the wartime work of Wilfred Bion and Melanie Klein. Extending Freud’s account of anxiety as producing ‘yet time’, this article describes how and why both literary and psychoanalytic texts came to understand waiting and thinking with others as creating the conditions for taking care of the future.
Eggs, sugar, grated bones: colour-based food preferences in autism, eating disorders, and beyond
Authors: Strand Mattias
Published: April 2020

In 1913, eccentric French composer Erik Satie wrote a fragmentary, diary-like essay where he depicted a strikingly rigid diet consisting solely of white foods: eggs, sugar, coconuts, rice, cream cheese, fuchsia juice and so on. Satie’s brief essay has later been used as one of many puzzle pieces in attempts to retrospectively diagnose him with autism spectrum disorder. With Satie’s white meal as a starting point, this paper explores colour-based food preferences and selective eating in clinical and non-clinical populations, with a special focus on autism spectrum disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). General colour preferences and their causes as well as the impact of colour on taste and food identification are also explored. Selective eating during childhood is immensely common and does not generally lead to disordered eating in the long run, although subgroups may experience rigidity around food of a more enduring nature. Problems related to eating were repeatedly described in Kanner’s original 1943 autism case series and continue to be common in autism. Most studies on eating and sensory sensitivity in autism show that the texture and consistency of the food are the most common factors behind selective eating. In contrast, colour-based food preferences appear to be relatively rare, although numerous anecdotal reports exist. Foods that are white or colourless may be particularly appealing or tolerable for individuals with sensory hypersensitivity, which can occur in autism or ARFID. Ultimately, in the case of Erik Satie, this paper concludes that his description of a strictly white diet should not be read as an autobiographical account but rather as an ironic take on contemporary symbolist literature, with the famously decadent all-black dinner party in French novelist Joris-Karl Huysmans’À Rebours(1884; also known asAgainst Nature) as an obvious source of inspiration.
President John F Kennedy’s medical history: coeliac disease and autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2
Authors: Macchia Donatella , Lippi Donatella , Bianucci Raffaella , Donell Simon
Published: April 2020

President John F. Kennedy (JFK) had a complex medical history that is now thought to be an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 with Addison’s disease and hypothyroidism. He also had gastrointestinal symptoms from adolescence, which now fit well with coeliac disease. In addition, he had a chronic back problem, which contributed to a chronic pain syndrome. This review looks at JFK’s various diseases and focusses on the history of coeliac disease, as well as its presentation. JFK’s Irish ancestry supports the hypothesis of a coeliac disease started early in his youth.
Prevalence ofMycoplasma genitaliumby anatomical site in men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Latimer Rosie L , Shilling Hannah S , Vodstrcil Lenka A , Machalek Dorothy A , Fairley Christopher K , Chow Eric P F , Read Tim RH , Bradshaw Catriona S
Published: April 2020

Objective

To systematically review and appraise published data, to determine the prevalence ofMycoplasma genitalium(MG) in men who have sex with men (MSM) tested at each anatomical site, that is, at the urethra, rectum and/or pharynx.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Ovid Medline, PubMed, Embase were searched for articles from 1st January 1981 (the year MG was first identified) to 1st June 2018.

Review methods

Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported MG prevalence in MSM tested at the urethra, rectum and/or pharynx, in at least 50 MSM, using nucleic acid amplification testing. Data were extracted by anatomical site, symptom and HIV status. Summary estimates (95% CIs) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess heterogeneity between studies.

Results

Forty-six studies met inclusion criteria, with 34 reporting estimates of MG prevalence at the urethra (13 753 samples), 25 at the rectum (8629 samples) and 7 at the pharynx (1871 samples). MG prevalence was 5.0% (95% CI 3.5 to 6.8; I2=94.0) at the urethra; 6.2% (95% CI 4.6 to 8.1; I2=88.1) at the rectum and 1.0% (95% CI 0.0 to 5.1; I2=96.0) at the pharynx. The prevalence of MG was significantly higher at urethral and rectal sites in symptomatic versus asymptomatic MSM (7.1% vs 2.2%, p<0.001; and 16.1% vs 7.5%, p=0.039, respectively). MG prevalence at the urethra was significantly higher in HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative MSM (7.0% vs 3.4%, p=0.006).

Conclusion

MG was common in MSM, particularly at urethral and rectal sites (5% to 6%). MG was more commonly detected in symptomatic men at both sites, and more common in HIV-positive men at the urethra. MG was uncommonly detected in the pharynx. Site-specific estimates are similar to those for chlamydia and will be helpful in informing testing practices in MSM.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017058326.
Differences in flavourant levels and synthetic coolant use between USA, EU and Canadian Juul products
Authors: Erythropel Hanno C , Anastas Paul T , Krishnan-Sarin Suchitra , O'Malley Stephanie S , Jordt Sven Eric , Zimmerman Julie B
Published: April 2020

Background

‘Juul’ is the dominant US e-cigarette brand and was recently introduced to Canada, UK, France, Germany and Italy, with several flavours available across countries. US/Canadian products are sold with 5%, 3% and 1.5% (Canada only) nicotine content, whereas European Union (EU) regulation limits nicotine content to 1.7%. The differential nicotine content raises the question if flavour profiles and Juul device power output differ between countries.

Methods

‘Mint’, ‘Vanilla’ and ‘Mango’ e-liquids from all six countries were purchased in 2019 and analysed by GC/MS for their principal flavourant and nicotine content. In addition, device power specifications were compared for devices purchased from the respective countries.

Results

Compositions of Juul e-liquids from the USA and Canada were identical and differed from the EU-marketed liquids, in which principal flavourant concentrations were significantly lower. EU Juul ‘Mint’ e-liquids contained a synthetic coolant, N-ethyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide (WS-3), absent in US/Canadian products. US/Canadian ‘Mango’ e-liquid contained triethyl-citrate, an emulsifier. Nicotine contents matched label information, and devices had identical power specifications.

Conclusions

Tested US/Canadian Juul e-liquids contained higher flavour concentrations than EU products, likely reflecting adaptation to user preferences. In EU, ‘Mint’ e-liquid, menthol is partially substituted with the synthetic coolant WS-3 that elicits a cooling effect like menthol but lacks its distinct ‘minty’ odour. The inhalational safety of WS-3 is unknown. The use of an emulsifier in US/Canadian ‘Mango’ Juul e-liquid may be necessary to keep the product homogeneous. Similar power specifications of devices between countries suggest that nicotine aerosol delivery is likely proportional to the e-liquid nicotine content.
Comparison of surgical cricothyroidotomy training: a randomized controlled trial of a swine model versus an animated robotic manikin model
Authors: Pandian Vinciya , Leeper William Robert , Jones Christian , Pugh Kristy , Yenokyan Gayane , Bowyer Mark , Haut Elliott R
Published: April 2020

Background

Airway obstruction remains a preventable cause of death on the battlefield. Surgical cricothyroidotomy is an essential skill for immediate airway management in trauma. Training for surgical cricothyroidotomy has been undertaken using simulators, cadavers or animal models. The ideal approach to training for this low volume and high-risk procedure is unknown. We hypothesized that current simulation technology provides an equal or better education for surgical cricothyroidotomy when compared with animal tissue training.

Methods

We performed a prospective randomized controlled study comparing training for surgical cricothyroidotomy using hands-on training on swine versus inanimate manikin. We enrolled medical students who had never performed or had formal instruction on surgical cricothyroidotomy. We randomized their instruction to use either a swine model or the inanimate version of the Operative Experience Inc. advanced surgical manikin. Participants’ skills were then evaluated on human cadavers and on an advanced robotic manikin. Tests were scored using checklists modified from Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. We compared scores between the groups using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and generalized linear models.

Results

Forty-eight participants were enrolled and trained; 30 participants completed the first testing session; 25 completed the second testing session. The mean time to establish an airway from the incision until the cuff was blown up was 95±52 s. There were no significant differences in any of the outcome measures between the two training groups.

Discussion

Measured performance was not different between subjects trained to perform surgical cricothyroidotomy on an animal model or a high fidelity manikin. The use of an advanced simulator has the potential to replace live tissue for this procedure mitigating concerns over animal rights.

Levels of evidence

I
Customizable live-cell imaging chambers for multimodal and multiplex fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Tepperman Adam , Zheng David Jiao , Taka Maria Abou , Vrieze Angela , Le Lam Austin , Heit Bryan
Published: April 2020

Using multiple imaging modalities while performing independent experiments in parallel can greatly enhance the throughput of microscopy-based research, but requires the provision of appropriate experimental conditions in a format that meets the optical requirements of the microscope. Although customized imaging chambers can meet these challenges, the difficulty of manufacturing custom chambers and the relatively high cost and design inflexibility of commercial chambers has limited the adoption of this approach. Herein, we demonstrate the use of 3D printing to produce inexpensive, customized, live-cell imaging chambers that are compatible with a range of imaging modalities, including super-resolution microscopy. In this approach, biocompatible plastics are used to print imaging chambers designed to meet the specific needs of an experiment, followed by adhesion of the printed chamber to a glass coverslip, producing a chamber that is impermeant to liquids and that supports the growth and imaging of cells over multiple days. This approach can also be used to produce moulds for casting microfluidic devices made of polydimethylsiloxane. The utility of these chambers is demonstrated using designs for multiplex microscopy, imaging under shear, chemotaxis, and general cellular imaging. Together, this approach represents an inexpensive yet highly customizable approach for producing imaging chambers that are compatible with modern microscopy techniques.
Synthesis of enantiomerically enriched 4,5-disubstituted N-aminoimidazol-2-one (Nai) peptide turn mimics
Authors: Poupart Julien , Hamdane Yousra , Lubell William D.
Published: April 2020

N-Aminoimidazolone (Nai) peptide mimics were synthesized with minimal epimerization by base-promoted 5-endo-dig cyclization of aza-propargylglycine dipeptide acids and hydrazides followed by olefin migration. 5-Position functionalization using Mannich amino methylation and Vilsmeier–Haack formylation has given access to a set of restrained side chain analogs of Asp, Dab, and Hse residues for mimicry of turn form and function.
Soil moisture gradients and climate change: predicting growth of a critical boreal tree species
Authors: McCollum Caleb , Ibáñez Inés
Published: April 2020

Understanding the complex relationships among climate, tree growth, and water availability is key for predicting the performance of environmentally and economically salient tree species like Pinus banksiana Lamb. Ecologically, P. banksiana occupies the extreme habitats of soil moisture gradient, from very sandy dry soils to waterlogged bogs. However, little is known about how its growth may be affected by future climate in these two habitats. We assessed the effect of climatic variability on the growth of this species under different moisture conditions (sandy dry soils and bogs). Trees in the bog site had the highest growth rates. Individuals in all sites responded positively to increased spring temperature, whereas those in the bog site showed the highest response to increased summer moisture. However, in dry years, growth response in the bog site declined by 17%, whereas in the two drier sites, growth declined between 1% and 9.6%, equalizing growth rates across sites. Further, the decline in growth associated with drier summers eliminated the benefits of warmer springs at the bog site. Sites near bogs are currently associated with high growth performance and are commonly planted with this species. Yet, under the projected climate for the region, trees growing in these sites will likely lose their advantage.
Selected strong decays of pentaquark State $$P_c(4312)$$ in a chiral constituent quark model
Authors: Dong Yubing , Shen Pengnian , Huang Fei , Zhang Zongye
Published: April 2020

The newly confirmed pentaquark state $$P_c(4312)$$Pc(4312) has been treated as a weakly bound $$(\Sigma _c\bar{D})$$(ΣcD¯) state by a well-established chiral constituent quark model and by a dynamical calculation on quark degrees of freedom where the quark exchange effect is accounted for. The obtained mass 4308 MeV agrees with data. In this work, the selected strong decays of the $$P_c(4312)$$Pc(4312) state are studied with the obtained wave function. It is shown that the width of the $$\Lambda _c\bar{D}^*$$ΛcD¯∗ decay is overwhelmed and the branching ratios of the $$p\,\eta _c$$pηc and $$p\,J/\psi $$pJ/ψ decays are both less than 1 percentage.