bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Carotid Dissection Causing Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Cocaine Sniffing
Authors: Chaudhary Nilesh
Published: November 2020

Introduction Mechanism of acute ischemic stroke in young adults due to acute carotid dissection can be due to cocaine sniffing, as it is sympathomimetic for cranial circulation.

Methods A 24-year-old female presented with acute onset of right-sided neck pain and transient left hemiparesis lasting for 15 minutes after sniffing of cocaine. She had another episode of left hemiparesis with dysarthria (with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score 7), which did not recover after second sniffing of cocaine. Her urgent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and computed tomography angiography showed acute ischemic stroke in the right middle cerebral artery territory with acute right proximal carotid dissection with thrombus. She was having high blood pressure during presentation, which was optimized with labetalol, and was started on low-molecular-weight heparin and antiplatelet and statins. She improved gradually and her NIHSS score at discharge was 4.

Discussion Cocaine, due to its sympathomimetic properties, causes sudden vasoconstriction; acute surge in blood pressure shortly after intake of cocaine may increase shear stress in the aortic wall, leading to a disruption of the intimal layer and a dissection with an intramural hematoma that subsequently may rupture into the lumen and cause acute ischemic stroke. In our case clinical history was unique in that episodes of cocaine sniffing caused progressive carotid dissection and subsequent stroke. Treatment needs optimal control of blood pressure and anticoagulation and antiplatelet medication.

Conclusion Cocaine sniffing is one of the rare causes of acute ischemic stroke in young adults, and the mechanism can be acute carotid dissection.
Idioconstructions in conflict
Authors: Urban Aileen
Published: November 2020

On the basis of corpus data from Norwegian and Swedish as heritage languages in the United States of America, this article explores the role of potentially conflicting information in constructs that cannot be considered as stereotypical multilingual practices in classical approaches, such as Myers-Scotton’s Matrix Language Frame model or Muysken’s Code-Mixing model. Following the approach of Diasystematic Construction Grammar (DCxG), the article focuses on the differentiation between diaconstructions, i. e. language-unspecific elements the involved languages have in common, and idioconstructions, i. e. language-specific elements that distinguish them. From this perspective, typical multilingual practices can be analyzed as constructs comprising a combination of idioconstructions that carry conflicting pragmatic information. The article proposes that conflicts of this kind reflect a spontaneous generalization, i. e. pragmatic bleaching, of the involved idioconstructions.
Cognitive models of language contact
Authors: Onysko Alexander
Published: November 2020

This paper provides an integrated view of two recent cognitive models of language contact that have been developed on the basis of a usage-based approach to language: Diasystematic Construction Grammar (DCxG; Höder 2012, 2014, 2018, this volume) and Cognitive Language Contact Phenotypes (CLCP; Onysko 2019). The article discusses the models’ premises and predictions and offers concise comparisons with other relevant models in the field. Since DCxG and CLCP explain complementary cognitive aspects of language contact and multilingual speech phenomena, an integration of both models offers a more comprehensive perspective on how features of language contact emerge from multilingual minds.
A Diasystematic Construction Grammar analysis of language change in the Afrikaans and English finite verb complement clause construction
Authors: van Rooy Bertus
Published: November 2020

Afrikaans adopted a new formal variant of the complement clause during language contact from English, the variant that allows omission of the overt complementiser. Based on a corpus analysis of letters from the 18th century to the end of the 20th century, the forms and semantic functions of the construction in both languages are analysed and compared. Results show that the omission of the complementiser jumped from negligible frequency to an established variant before and after contact. The function of the Afrikaans complementiser clause also changes to converge with English after contact. The findings indicate that the initial complement clause constructions of Afrikaans and English would have been different in respect of form and function, but over time, the Afrikaans construction becomes close to identical to the English construction (which in turns show rather limited change over time), pointing to the gradual formation of a diaconstruction from two related idioconstructions, at least for bilingual users of these two languages.
Making one’s way in Welsh
Authors: Rottet Kevin J.
Published: November 2020

The English way-construction (He elbowed his way through the crowd), one of the clearest examples of an Argument Structure Construction (ASC), is a highly English-specific idiom that is reported not to have exact equivalents in other languages. Yet Welsh has a virtually identical ffordd-construction that must be attributed to language contact. Welsh speakers replicate the way-construction and its properties using native material, making this an instance of PAT. It appears in Welsh by the 17th century and follows a developmental trajectory similar to the English model. The ffordd-construction, then, instantiates the replication of a partially schematic construction in the sense of Construction Grammar (CxG). Discussion shows how models of language contact can incorporate the replication of an ASC.
From letters to families
Authors: Lepic Ryan
Published: November 2020

This study analyzes a database of initialized signs, which are formed with handshapes corresponding to English letters, collected from an ASL dictionary. ASL handshapes are classified as either primarily used for initialization, such as the R handshape, or rarely used for initialization, such as the X handshape. Additionally, initialized signs are shown to forge kind-of and whole-part relationships with existing ASL signs. An example is
biology, which derives from ASL science, reflecting that ‘biology is a kind of science’. These facts about initialized signs are analyzed in terms of constructional schemas, capturing properties that are shared among ASL signs and explaining productive instances of initialization (and de-initialization) in ASL.
Intensifying constructions in second language acquisition
Authors: Van Goethem Kristel , Hendrikx Isa
Published: November 2020

This study analyzes the acquisition of Dutch intensifying constructions by French-speaking learners in Belgium. Additionally, it compares learners enrolled in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) programs with learners following traditional second language instruction. Within the framework of Diasystematic Construction Grammar, we study the potential impact of CLIL on the acquisition of Dutch intensification by conducting an in-depth constructional analysis at three different levels of schematization.

The results of our study indicate that a beneficial CLIL effect is apparent throughout the different levels of abstraction. Moreover, the results allow us to unveil specific reorganizational processes that occur in the diasystem of French-speaking learners of Dutch, such as the overgeneralization of particular schematic patterns and the inaccurate tagging of specific intensifiers.
Audiovisual translation as orchestration of multimodal synergies
Authors: Jing Yi
Published: November 2020

This study explores the coordination between subtitles and other semiotic resources in films, from within a systemic
functional semiotic framework. The paper focuses on the subtitling of interjections (e.g., ‘oh’, ‘wow’, ‘yay’) to examine how subtitles are
synthesized in films with respect to the presence of facial expressions and/or bodily gestures which might be perceived as conveying similar
meanings. The analysis of multiple versions of intralingual subtitles of two English-language films shows that the seemingly random omission
of soundtrack interjections from subtitles is patterned to a considerable degree – those interjections which are concurrent with
semiotically correlated actions were frequently omitted. The findings suggest that subtitling is a complex process involving synergy between
subtitles and other semiotic resources, which calls for interdisciplinary research integrating translation, multimodality, and
linguistics.
Translation as a pedagogical tool in multilingual classes
Authors: Galante Angelica
Published: November 2020

While translation has recently had a comeback in language pedagogy, its applicability in classrooms with students from diverse linguistic backgrounds has been underexplored. In countries with increasing immigration and high intakes of international students, which is the case of Canada, language classrooms are intrinsically multilingual. This multilingual reality provides unique opportunities for students to use their linguistic repertoire while learning English – one of Canada’s official languages –, but teachers may be hesitant to use translation as a pedagogical tool if they do not speak the languages of their students. This paper reports on the results of a qualitative study with three teachers and 40 adult learners of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in a Canadian university. All of the student participants had at least two languages in their repertoire, and 90% reported being plurilingual, that is, using several languages with varying levels of proficiency. With the exception of English, the language of instruction, the teachers did not share any of the languages spoken by the students. The study explored how the teachers used translation to engage students’ plurilingual repertoires and investigated students’ perceptions of translation practices. Data was gathered through student diaries and classroom observations. Results of deductive analyses show that translation, when used within a plurilingual approach, was helpful for making sense of English vocabulary. Moreover, students reported that translation across languages enhanced conceptual knowledge. The paper argues that translation as a process rather than an L2-L1 textual product can advance language learning in multilingual classes.
Successful DC current limitation above 100 Vm−1 for 50 ms using HTS tapes with critical currents exceeding 750 A/cm-width
Authors: Lacroix Christian , Lavergne Olivier , Leduc Thomas , Dupuis-Desloges Félix , Moret Lucile , Sirois Frédéric , Escamez Guillaume , Bruzek Christian-Éric , Tixador Pascal , Grosse Veit , Bauer Markus
Published: November 2020

High-voltage direct current transmission systems are expected to allow the transmission of huge volumes of electricity over long distances. The use of superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) based on second-generation (2G) high-temperature superconductor (HTS) coated conductors (CCs) is a promising solution to mitigate fault currents in DC transmission systems. To fabricate a SFCL whose size remains acceptable, which means minimizing the length of the HTS tape used, the tape must sustain a high electric field during the whole fault duration. In this paper, high performance commercial 2G HTS CCs from THEVA (more than 750 A/cm-width at 77 K in self-field), on which a 500 µm thick Hastelloy shunt was soldered, were tested by submitting them to faults of different amplitudes and durations. Measurements revealed that these HTS tapes could sustain any type of fault up to 100 V m−1, lasting up to 50 ms. Three-dimensions finite element simulations were able to reproduce accurately the experiments by using the appropriate temperature dependence of the critical current density and power law index, and by accounting for the variations in the local critical current along the length of the HTS tapes.
Investigation of the problems of parametric identification of nanosatellite motion model
Authors: Belokonov I V , Lomaka I A
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we discuss problems that exist during nanosatellite identification procedure. These problems are: choice of data collection interval that allows to identify required parameters with desired error, study of dependence model between identification parameters. We studied solution of these problems on the example of variable-mass SamSat-M nanosatellite which is equipped with propulsion unit. We obtained analytical model of parameters dependences and provided results of identification of fuel level.
Estimation of log dead reckoning error induced by tidal currents
Authors: Sokolov A , Motorin A
Published: November 2020

Log dead reckoning autonomous correction problem is considered. The problem is solved by using corrector, contained only one uncontrolled gyroscope and working according to single-channel inertial vertical principle. It is shown that the main dead reckoning error is currents variability which cannot be measured by log and having tidal nature mainly.
Requirements for CubeSat on-board sensors for identification of design and inertial characteristics
Authors: Lomaka I A , Boltov E A , Avariaskin D P
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we discuss requirements formulation for CubeSat on-board sensors characteristics for solving identification problem. The problem is to estimate design and inertial parameters of CubeSat-format nanosatellite using on-board sensor measurements. Identification problem for CubeSats becomes more and more actual every year because CubeSat design becomes more complicated due to complex missions requirements. Modern CubeSats can be equipped with deployable solar panels, propulsion units and different types of transformable structures. This fact makes it necessary to study CubeSats as bodies with variable inertial and design characteristics. In this article the design parameter is fuel level in the CubeSat propulsion system and inertial parameters are inertial coefficients (inertia moments analog). We study requirements formulation for magnetometer and angular rate sensor, as this combination of sensors is the most popular in CubeSat development. The main idea of this paper is to study the sensitivity of measurements to estimated parameters. This sensitivity depends on time and measurement noise, large sensitivity leads to low estimation error. We conducted a numerical study and provide an algorithm which allows to define sensitivity-time-noise dependence for each type of sensors and formulate the requirements for their characteristics.
Formation of a director index to assist the pilot in conducting airborne geophysical survey
Authors: Karshakov E V , Shevchenko A M , Garakoev A M
Published: November 2020

Airborne geophysical survey of the territory is performed by flying an aircraft along the trajectories covering the studied area of the surface. Naturally, the quality of manual piloting is subject to increased requirements. At the same time, a flight with terrain tracking and in the presence of wind disturbances is a difficult task for the pilot. The paper suggests informing the pilot about deviation from the specified trajectory and indicating in the field of view the director index for thrust control. The task of the pilot is to bring the index to zero by manipulating the power lever and thereby zeroing the piloting error. The solution of the task is achieved by using an original energy approach. The mathematical formulation of the approach is the energy balance equation. A variant of the structure of the energy control system and a prototype of a navigation indicator with a director index is proposed. The results of flights along the route using the director index are presented in the form of graphs and numerical estimates.
Two-dimensional ionospheric radio-tomography by nanosatellite constellation receiving signals from the GLONASS navigation system
Authors: Belokonov I V , Filonin O V , Nikolaev P N
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we consider an approach to radiotomographic monitoring of the ionosphere by a constellation of nanosatellites with receiving equipment for L-band navigation signals on its satellites. We choose the constellation orbit and the angular position of nanosatellites on the orbit to obtain an acceptable latitudinal resolution of measurements equal to 7.5 degrees. The final sounding geometry makes it possible to obtain the first measurements in less than 3.5 minutes, and the full cycle of measurements is obtained in 74 minutes, which makes it possible to reconstruct the electron density of the ionosphere in the orbital plane in the altitude range from 200 to 500 km.
Motion control of the spacecraft with a low thrust engine during flight to near-Earth asteroids
Authors: Chekashov A S , Starinova O L , Sergaeva E A , Danhe C
Published: November 2020

This work aims to simulate the flight of a spacecraft with an electric propulsion system to the near-Earth asteroid 2011ES4. A control law was formed that ensures the minimum fuel consumption when the engine is running without shutdowns. The simulation of the flight of the spacecraft to the point of the asteroid’s orbit closest to the Earth is carried out. An additional study was also carried out, which simulates the flight of a spacecraft with a liquid-propellant engine. A comparison of the flight simulation results using two different propulsion systems was made. A comparison of the mass flow rate, the relative velocity between the spacecraft and the asteroid, and the flight times using these propulsion systems is made.
Cement Concrete Modular Pavement Implementation for Pedestrian and Bicycle Path
Authors: Vaitkus A , Gražulytė J , Vorobjovas V , Šernas O , Žalimienė L
Published: November 2020

Cement concrete modular pavements, also known as precast concrete pavements, designed for pedestrian and bicycle paths is the advanced next-generation technology characterised as high quality, durable, quickly built and easily maintained. Polypropylene fibre reinforced concrete mixture is more frequently used to improve the properties of concrete slabs and to reduce thickness. The thickness of the slab could be reduced to 8–10 cm using the appropriate fibre. This paper focuses on the selection of slab dimensions and verification of fibre reinforced concrete mixture production method when fibres are added to the factory-made concrete mixture (available from the concrete plant) and evaluation of different surface texture of concrete slabs produced by using special texture mats. Seven different combinations of concrete slabs have been developed, constructed and tested in 21 m length pedestrian pathway in Vilnius city. The analysis of mechanical and surface characteristics of these slabs are presented in this paper. The research revealed that the most suitable (pendulum test values ≥ 55) surface texture for the pedestrian pathway is formed by using texture mats.
Effects of New Modification and Refinement Techniques of Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behaviours of Al-Si Alloys
Authors: Hussein Hussein. A. , Kahdim Mohammed. J. , Atiyah Alaa. A.
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the effects of new techniques of phosphor-doped elements on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-%Si alloy to produce modifier compounds were studied. The modifiers were produced by developing a new technique and additions field (nano- doped metals) under as-cast conditions. The results show that the addition of CuPO4, Ni3(PO4)2 and Ca3(PO4)2 to the Al-Si alloys can change (refine) the primary Si phases and are less angular. In addition, the eutectic Si form has changed from a long needle-like to a fibrous shape. The modified Al-Si alloys have microstructures in the inter-dendrite region consisting of a uniformly distributed α-Al phase, eutectic Al-Si, and fine primary Si particles. The microstructure showed that the primary silicon fraction decreased 60% with increased phosphate elements content. The finest microstructure could be observed with a 0.03% addition of doped metals. Good enhancements in ultimate tensile strength and elongation with clear increases in the hardness were observed, reaching 55%, 9% and 30%, respectively. Moreover, additions give the possibility of changing corrosion behaviours from pitting corrosion to micro and general corrosion. Furthermore, the optimal holding and melting temperature is 780°C, with a holding time of 15 minutes.
The effect of different at.% Ag elements on the wear rate of nitinol alloys fabricated using the casting method
Authors: Hussein Saja Mohammed , Salman Khansaa D , Hussein Ahmed Abdulqader
Published: November 2020

Shape memory alloys are considered smart alloys due to their properties, such as biocompatibility, superelasticity (SE) and shape memory effect (SME). These alloys are used in many applications (actuators, MEMS, biomedical and aerospace). In this work, the effect of adding the silver element to the NiTi alloy with different atomic percentages (zero, one, two and three at.% Ag) on mechanical properties, such as macrohardness and wear, was studied. The samples of this work were prepared by the casting method using a VAR furnace to obtain homogeneous shape memory alloys. The purity of the elements was Ni 99.2 %, Ti 99.7 % and Ag 99.99 %. In this work, many examinations were carried out to define the characteristics of the manufactured shape memory alloys, such as FESEM and OM, for microstructural analysis. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties were defined using macrohardness and wear tests. The results of the mechanical tests showed a slight impact in the percentage of the wear resistance and macrohardness at the point of increasing the silver element ratio to the binary alloy (NiTi). The photomicrographs of the OM and FESEM examinations showed that the Ag element is homogeneously distributed in the NiTi matrix. In addition, the FESEM examination showed the emergence of the martensite phase, austenite phase and some impurities. The results of the DSC test showed the degrees of the phase transformation for each alloy, and the SME recovery rate of 89.99% was achieved. Furthermore, the surface topography was analysed using an optical microscope for all the tested samples. The obtained results emphasised that the movement between the disc and the pins leads to a rise in the friction temperature and the formation of the layer of oxidation. These oxidation layers will be ploughed and uprooted to create many grooves at the surface of the samples. Hence, these grooves are similar for all samples and increased with increasing loads.
Modelling Low Velocity Impact on Structural Composites
Authors: Yeager M , Boyd S E , Staniszewski J M , Patterson B A , Knorr D B , Bogetti T A
Published: November 2020

Insertion of composite materials into next generation vehicles requires an understanding of their response over the range of relevant loading conditions encountered in the field. This paper focuses on modelling the low velocity, high energy impact on structural composite materials. An experimental procedure, using the four quadrant impact methodology, is presented to characterize composite material response and damage during these events. A model is developed and verified (within 9% for peak force and peak deflection) to predict the composite response to low velocity, high energy events. The model is then exercised to gain a deeper understanding about how mechanical and damage properties influence the structural response of the composite. The model was most sensitive to delamination failure stress, which changed the damage area by a factor of 8 over the range of values examined. Through investigating the effect of boundary conditions, a 67% increase in peak force was found by switching from simply supported to clamped. This work demonstrates a first level analysis and model to predict the composite response to low velocity, high energy loading conditions.
Assessment of some mechanical properties of PMMA/silica/zirconia nanocomposite as a denture base material
Authors: Fatalla Abdalbseet A , Tukmachi Mustafa S. , Jani Ghasak H
Published: November 2020

In this research, nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and a mixture of nano silica (SiO2) and nano zirconia (ZrO2) were prepared in different weight percentages of the nano fillers to improve some of the properties of PMMA resin to be used as a denture base material. The nano filles were surface modified with a coupling agent and added to the PMMA in different amounts. Impact strength, transverse strength, hardness and roughness were tested for both control and experimental groups. The results indicate that PMMA/silica/zirconia nanocomposites, prepared with 5% by weight of both types of fillers, had a slight increase in impact strength, transverse strength and hardness with only an insignificant increase in roughness. This kind of composite material may have the potential for application in dental practice.
Erotic Art as Proprioceptive Art
Authors: Benovsky Jiri
Published: November 2020

The philosophical discussion about erotic art has often been understood in terms of the possibility of erotic art as a form of visual or auditory art. In this article, I focus on erotic experiences qua proprioceptive experiences and I defend the claim that, under the right circumstances, such experiences can bring about proprioceptive artworks.
Comparison of Skin Antiseptic Agents and the Role of 0.01% Hypochlorous Acid
Authors: Tran Ann Q , Topilow Nicole , Rong Andrew , Persad Patrice J , Lee Michael C , Lee James H , Anagnostopoulos Apostolos G , Lee Wendy W
Published: November 2020

Background

Hypochlorous acid (HA) has both anti-microbial and wound-healing properties with a growing role for utilization in pre-procedural care on the face.

Objectives

The authors sought to compare the antiseptic property of 0.01% HA solution, 5% povidone iodine (PI), 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) antiseptic on facial skin.

Methods

This was a prospective single-center clinical trial.

Results

A total of 21 participants were recruited. Bacterial growth was seen in CHG (10%), IPA (71%), PI (81%), and HA (95%) of specimens (P < 0.001). CHG had less growth compared with HA (P = <0.001), IPA (P = <0.001), and PI (P = <0.001). No difference in bacterial growth was noted between HA and IPA (P = 0.063) or HA and PI (P = 0.25). Significant differences in mono-microbial and poly-microbial growth were seen between HA and IPA (P = 0.046) and HA and CHG (P = <0.001). Staphylococcus epidermidis grew less frequently in CHG (10%), followed by IPA (29%), PI (71%), and HA (71%). Staphylococcus capitis grew less frequently in CHG (0%), followed by PI (14%), HA (24%), and IPA (29%).

Conclusions

CHG reduced the bacterial growth compared with HA, PI, and IPA. However, HA, PI, and IPA had insignificant differences in bactericidal effects. Our study provides a supporting role of HA to be considered as an antiseptic.

Level of Evidence: 2
Understanding Breast Implant Illness
Authors: Newby Jill M , Tang Samantha , Faasse Kate , Sharrock Maria J , Adams William P
Published: November 2020

Background

Breast implant surgery is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed globally. A subset of women with breast implants report experiencing a myriad of disabling and distressing physical and psychological symptoms attributed to their implants. Social media groups have coined the condition “breast implant illness” (BII). Little to no scientific research currently exists for BII.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of women with BII (both those with implants still in place and those who have explanted) and compare them with those of a control group of women with implants who do not report BII.

Methods

Women with self-reported BII and implants still in place (n = 51), self-reported BII who had explanted (n = 60), and women with implants in place without BII (n = 58) completed online self-report questionnaires about their symptoms, physical and mental health, health service use patterns, and lifestyle factors (eg, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption).

Results

Women with BII, regardless of whether they had undergone explant surgery, reported experiencing more severe somatic symptoms, higher depression, anxiety and health anxiety, and poorer physical health than women without BII.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the causes, risk factors, long-term effects, and potential interventions for women who experience BII.
Identifying the natural polyphenol catechin as a multi-targeted agent against SARS-CoV-2 for the plausible therapy of COVID-19: an integrated computational approach
Authors: Mishra Chandra Bhushan , Pandey Preeti , Sharma Ravi Datta , Malik Md Zubbair , Mongre Raj Kumar , Lynn Andrew M , Prasad Rajendra , Jeon Raok , Prakash Amresh
Published: November 2020

The global pandemic crisis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has claimed the lives of millions of people across the world. Development and testing of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs or vaccines have not turned to be realistic within the timeframe needed to combat this pandemic. Here, we report a comprehensive computational approach to identify the multi-targeted drug molecules against the SARS-CoV-2 proteins, whichare crucially involved in the viral–host interaction, replication of the virus inside the host, disease progression and transmission of coronavirus infection. Virtual screening of 75 FDA-approved potential antiviral drugs against the target proteins, spike (S) glycoprotein, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease (3CLpro), cathepsin L (CTSL), nucleocapsid protein, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and non-structural protein 6 (NSP6), resulted in the selection of seven drugs which preferentially bind to the target proteins. Further, the molecular interactions determined by molecular dynamics simulation revealed that among the 75 drug molecules, catechin can effectively bind to 3CLpro, CTSL, RBD of S protein, NSP6 and nucleocapsid protein. It is more conveniently involved in key molecular interactions, showing binding free energy (ΔGbind) in the range of −5.09 kcal/mol (CTSL) to −26.09 kcal/mol (NSP6). At the binding pocket, catechin is majorly stabilized by the hydrophobic interactions, displays ΔEvdW values: −7.59 to −37.39 kcal/mol. Thus, the structural insights of better binding affinity and favorable molecular interaction of catechin toward multiple target proteins signify that catechin can be potentially explored as a multi-targeted agent against COVID-19.
EZH2 is essential for spindle assembly regulation and chromosomal integrity during porcine oocyte meiotic maturation†
Authors: Cai Qingqing , Wen Keying , Ma Miao , Chen Wei , Mo Delin , He Zuyong , Chen Yaosheng , Cong Peiqing
Published: November 2020

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been extensively investigated to participate in diverse biological processes, including carcinogenesis, the cell cycle, X-chromosome inactivation, and early embryonic development. However, the functions of this protein during mammalian oocyte meiotic maturation remain largely unexplored. Here, combined with RNA-Seq, we provided evidence that EZH2 is essential for oocyte meiotic maturation in pigs. First, EZH2 protein expression increased with oocyte progression from GV to MII stage. Second, the siRNA-mediated depletion of EZH2 led to accelerated GVBD and early occurrence of the first polar body extrusion. Third, EZH2 knockdown resulted in defective spindle assembly, abnormal SAC activity, and unstable K-MT attachment, which was concomitant with the increased rate of aneuploidy. Finally, EZH2 silencing exacerbated oxidative stress by increasing ROS levels and disrupting the distribution of active mitochondria in porcine oocytes. Furthermore, parthenogenetic embryonic development was impaired following the depletion of EZH2 at GV stage. Taken together, we concluded that EZH2 is necessary for porcine oocyte meiotic progression through regulating spindle organization, maintaining chromosomal integrity, and mitochondrial function.
‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’? Exploring Social Work’s Epistemic Contribution to Team-Based Health Care
Authors: Cootes Hannah , Heinsch Milena , Brosnan Caragh
Published: November 2020

From its inception, the social work profession evolved in tandem with public health, and has historically contributed to public health efforts to restore, protect and promote public health principles. In recent times, however, the most prominent role for health-related social work is in hospital-based, multidisciplinary teams. Curiously, scant attention has been paid to the place of social workers’ knowledge—their ‘epistemic contribution’—within this medical context. This article reports the findings of a scoping review that examined the role and function of social work knowledge in healthcare teams. Thematic analysis of the literature revealed four key themes: (i) a lack of clarity and visibility—‘Ok, what is my role?’; (ii) knowledge Hierarchies—‘Jack of all trades and master of none’?; (iii) mediator and educator—‘Social work is the glue’ and (iv) public health principles—‘We think big’. Findings show that despite social work’s epistemic confidence, and alliance with broader public health principles and aims, its knowledge can be marginalised and excluded within the multidisciplinary team context. The article introduces Fricker’s theory of ‘Epistemic Injustice’ as a novel framework for inquiry into health care teams, and the mobilisation of social work knowledge within them.
The interplay of emotional and social conceptual processes during moral reasoning in frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Strikwerda-Brown Cherie , Ramanan Siddharth , Goldberg Zoë-Lee , Mothakunnel Annu , Hodges John R , Ahmed Rebekah M , Piguet Olivier , Irish Muireann
Published: November 2020

Cooperative social behaviour in humans hinges upon our unique ability to make appropriate moral decisions in accordance with our ethical values. The complexity of the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying moral reasoning is revealed when this capacity breaks down. Patients with the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) display striking moral transgressions in the context of atrophy to frontotemporal regions supporting affective and social conceptual processing. Developmental studies have highlighted the importance of social knowledge to moral decision making in children, yet the role of social knowledge in relation to moral reasoning impairments in neurodegeneration has largely been overlooked. Here, we sought to examine the role of affective and social conceptual processes in personal moral reasoning in bvFTD, and their relationship to the integrity and structural connectivity of frontotemporal brain regions. Personal moral reasoning across varying degrees of conflict was assessed in 26 bvFTD patients and compared with demographically matched Alzheimer’s disease patients (n = 14), and healthy older adults (n = 22). Following each moral decision, we directly probed participants’ subjective emotional experience as an index of their affective response, while social norm knowledge was assessed via an independent task. While groups did not differ significantly in terms of their moral decisions, bvFTD patients reported feeling ‘better’ about their decisions than healthy control subjects. In other words, although bvFTD patients could adjudicate between different courses of action in the moral scenarios, their affective responses to these decisions were highly irregular. This blunted emotional reaction was exclusive to the personal high-conflict condition, with 61.5% of bvFTD patients reporting feeling ‘extremely good’ about their decisions, and was correlated with reduced knowledge of socially acceptable behaviour. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed a distributed network of frontal, subcortical, and lateral temporal grey matter regions involved in the attenuated affective response to moral conflict in bvFTD. Crucially, diffusion-tensor imaging implicated the uncinate fasciculus as the pathway by which social conceptual knowledge may influence emotional reactions to personal high-conflict moral dilemmas in bvFTD. Our findings suggest that altered moral behaviour in bvFTD reflects the dynamic interplay between degraded social conceptual knowledge and blunted affective responsiveness, attributable to atrophy of, and impaired information transfer between, frontal and temporal cortices. Delineating the mechanisms of impaired morality in bvFTD provides crucial clinical information for understanding and treating this challenging symptom, which may help pave the way for targeted behavioural interventions.
A Stability Indicating Method Development and Validation for Separation of Process Related Impurities and Characterization of Unknown Impurities of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Ibrutinib Using QbD Approach by RP-HPLC, NMR Spectroscopy and ESI-MS
Authors: Gopireddy Raman Reddy , Maruthapillai Arthanareeswari , Mahapatra Sudarshan
Published: November 2020

A selective RP-HPLC method for separation and determination of potential-related impurities (process related and degradants) of Ibrutinib drug substance has been developed and validated. The separation was accomplished on a X-Bridge C18, (150 x 4.6 mm, 3.5 μm) column connected to a photodiode array detector using 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate with 0.025% of trifluoroacetic acid (pH ~ 5.5 adjusted with KOH solution) and acetonitrile in a ratio of 85:15 respectively as mobile phase A, and 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate with 0.07% of trifluoroacetic acid (pH ~ 5.5 adjusted with KOH solution) and acetonitrile in a ratio of 30:70 respectively as mobile phase B, under gradient elution. The flow rate and detection wavelength were 1.0 mL/min and 220 nm, respectively. Quality by design approach using design expert software was strategically designed to optimize the critical chromatographic parameters like column temperature, flow rate and mobile phase B, pH variation in the mobile phase to achieve the separation of process impurities and thermal degradants. Two unknown impurities found in IBT thermal stability condition at more than 0.1% in HPLC analysis were enriched and isolated by preparative HPLC and structure was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy. This method can be used for the quality control of both drug substance and drug product. The performance of the method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines for specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness and robustness.
Systematic review of the published guidelines on Barrett’s esophagus: should we stress the consensus or the differences?
Authors: Marques de Sá Inês , Pereira António Dias , Sharma Prateek , Dinis-Ribeiro Mário
Published: November 2020

Multiple guidelines on Barrett’s esophagus (BE) have being published in order to standardize and improve clinical practice. However, studies have shown poor adherence to them. Our aim was to synthetize, compare, and assess the quality of recommendations from recently published guidelines, stressing similarities and differences. We conducted a search in Pubmed and Scopus. When different guidelines from the same society were identified, the most recent one was considered. We used the GRADE system to assess the quality of evidence. We included 24 guidelines and position/consensus statements from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, British Society of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology, Australian guidelines, and Asia-Pacific consensus. All guidelines defend that BE should be diagnosed when there is an extension of columnar epithelium into the distal esophagus. However, there is still some controversy regarding length and histology criteria for BE diagnosis. All guidelines recommend expert pathologist review for dysplasia diagnosis. All guidelines recommend surveillance for non-dysplastic BE, and some recommend surveillance for indefinite dysplasia. While the majority of guidelines recommend ablation therapy for low-grade dysplasia without visible lesion, others recommend ablation therapy or endoscopic surveillance. However, controversy exists regarding surveillance intervals and biopsy protocols. All guidelines recommend endoscopic resection followed by ablation therapy for neoplastic visible lesion. Several guidelines use the GRADE system, but the majority of recommendations are based on low and moderate quality of evidence. Although there is considerable consensus among guidelines, there are some discrepancies resulting from low-quality evidence. The lack of high-quality evidence for the majority of recommendations highlights the importance of continued well-conducted research in this field.
Dynamic risk assessment to improve quality of care in patients with atrial fibrillation: the 7th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference
Authors: Fabritz Larissa , Crijns Harry J G M , Guasch Eduard , Goette Andreas , Häusler Karl Georg , Kotecha Dipak , Lewalter Thorsten , Meyer Christian , Potpara Tatjana S , Rienstra Michiel , Schnabel Renate B , Willems Stephan , Breithardt Guenter , Camm A John , Chan Anthony , Chua Winnie , de Melis Mirko , Dimopoulou Christina , Dobrev Dobromir , Easter Christina , Eckardt Lars , Haase Doreen , Hatem Stephane , Healey Jeff S , Heijman Jordi , Hohnloser Stefan H , Huebner Thomas , Ilyas Bushra Saeed , Isaacs Aaron , Kutschka Ingo , Leclercq Christophe , Lip Gregory Y H , Marinelli Elena Andreassi , Merino Jose L , Mont Lluís , Nabauer Michael , Oldgren Jonas , Pürerfellner Helmut , Ravens Ursula , Savelieva Irina , Sinner Moritz F , Sitch Alice , Smolnik Rüdiger , Steffel Jan , Stein Kenneth , Stoll Monika , Svennberg Emma , Thomas Dierk , Van Gelder Isabelle C , Vardar Burcu , Wakili Reza , Wieloch Mattias , Zeemering Stef , Ziegler Paul D , Heidbuchel Hein , Hindricks Gerhard , Schotten Ulrich , Kirchhof Paulus
Published: November 2020

Aims

The risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and its complications continues to increase, despite good progress in preventing AF-related strokes.

Methods and results

This article summarizes the outcomes of the 7th Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) held in Lisbon in March 2019. Sixty-five international AF specialists met to present new data and find consensus on pressing issues in AF prevention, management and future research to improve care for patients with AF and prevent AF-related complications. This article is the main outcome of an interactive, iterative discussion between breakout specialist groups and the meeting plenary. AF patients have dynamic risk profiles requiring repeated assessment and risk-based therapy stratification to optimize quality of care. Interrogation of deeply phenotyped datasets with outcomes will lead to a better understanding of the cardiac and systemic effects of AF, interacting with comorbidities and predisposing factors, enabling stratified therapy. New proposals include an algorithm for the acute management of patients with AF and heart failure, a call for a refined, data-driven assessment of stroke risk, suggestions for anticoagulation use in special populations, and a call for rhythm control therapy selection based on risk of AF recurrence.

Conclusion

The remaining morbidity and mortality in patients with AF needs better characterization. Likely drivers of the remaining AF-related problems are AF burden, potentially treatable by rhythm control therapy, and concomitant conditions, potentially treatable by treating these conditions. Identifying the drivers of AF-related complications holds promise for stratified therapy.
Double strand breaks (DSBs) as indicators of genomic instability in PATRR-mediated translocations
Authors: Correll-Tash Sarah , Lilley Brenna , Salmons IV Harold , Mlynarski Elisabeth , Franconi Colleen P , McNamara Meghan , Woodbury Carson , Easley Charles A , Emanuel Beverly S
Published: November 2020

Genomic instability contributes to a variety of potentially damaging conditions, including DNA-based rearrangements. Breakage in the form of double strand breaks (DSBs) increases the likelihood of DNA damage, mutations and translocations. Certain human DNA regions are known to be involved in recurrent translocations, such as the palindrome-mediated rearrangements that have been identified at the breakpoints of several recurrent constitutional translocations: t(11;22)(q23;q11), t(17;22)(q11;q11) and t(8;22) (q24;q11). These breakpoints occur at the center of palindromic AT-rich repeats (PATRRs), which suggests that the structure of the DNA may play a contributory role, potentially through the formation of secondary cruciform structures. The current study analyzed the DSB propensity of these PATRR regions in both lymphoblastoid (mitotic) and spermatogenic cells (meiotic). Initial results found an increased association of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) at PATRR regions in experiments that used SCEs to assay DSBs, combining SCE staining with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Additional experiments used chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with antibodies for either markers of DSBs or proteins involved in DSB repair along with quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify the frequency of DSBs occurring at PATRR regions. The results indicate an increased rate of DSBs at PATRR regions. Additional ChIP experiments with the cruciform binding 2D3 antibody indicate an increased rate of cruciform structures at PATRR regions in both mitotic and meiotic samples. Overall, these experiments demonstrate an elevated rate of DSBs at PATRR regions, an indication that the structure of PATRR containing DNA may lead to increased breakage in multiple cellular environments.
Effect of D614G Spike Variant on Immunoglobulin G, M, or A Spike Seroassay Performance
Authors: Klumpp-Thomas Carleen , Kalish Heather , Hicks Jennifer , Mehalko Jennifer , Drew Matthew , Memoli Matthew J , Hall Matthew D , Esposito Dominic , Sadtler Kaitlyn
Published: November 2020

Emergence of a new spike protein variant (D614G) with increased infectivity has prompted many to analyze its role in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. There is concern regarding whether an individual exposed to one variant of a virus will have cross-reactive memory to the second variant. Accordingly, we analyzed the serologic reactivity of both variants, and we found that antibodies from 88 donors from a high-incidence population reacted toward both the original spike and the D614 spike variant. These data suggest that patients who are exposed to either variant have cross-responsive humoral immunity. This represents an important finding both for SARS-CoV-2 disease biology and for therapeutics.