bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Perpetrator Identity (Sometimes) Influences Media Framing Attacks as “Terrorism” or “Mental Illness”
Authors: Betus Allison E. , Kearns Erin M. , Lemieux Anthony F.
Published: November 2020

Do media frame attacks with Muslim perpetrators as “terrorism” and attacks with White perpetrators as the result of “mental illness”? Despite public speculation and limited academic work with relatively small subsets of cases, there have been no systematic analyses of potential biases in how media frame terrorism. We addressed this gap by examining the text of print news coverage of all terrorist attacks in the United States between 2006 and 2015. Controlling for fatalities, affiliation with a group, and existing mental illness, the odds that an article references terrorism are approximately five times greater for a Muslim versus a non-Muslim perpetrator. In contrast, the odds that an article references mental illness do not significantly differ between White and non-White perpetrators. Results partially confirm public speculation and are robust against numerous alternative explanations. Differences in media framing can influence public (mis)perceptions of violence and threats, and ultimately harm counterterrorism policy.
Teaching Small Talk: Increasing On-Topic Conversational Exchanges in College Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Using Remote Audio Coaching
Authors: Joseph Brianna , Kearney Kelly B. , Brady Michael P. , Downey Angelica , Torres Ayse
Published: November 2020

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often have deficits in interpersonal skills due to limited social-communication opportunities. Knowing how to engage in “small talk” or simple social conversational exchanges can be beneficial in postsecondary schooling, employment sites, community environments, and social gatherings. Recently, covert audio coaching (CAC) showed a positive impact on increasing conversational exchanges. As the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for remote delivery tools, we explored the effectiveness of remote audio coaching (RAC) to teach this skill to college students with IDD. We used a multiple baseline design across participants to examine whether RAC might increase on-topic, small talk conversational exchanges. Results demonstrated that RAC effectively increased small talk skills between participants and a confederate. Upon removal of RAC, all participants still performed above their baselines, with two participants maintaining near mastery levels 2 weeks after the intervention was removed. Limitations and future research are discussed.
Targeted next-generation sequencing identified a novel variant of SOX10 in a Chinese family with Waardenburg syndrome type 2
Authors: Liu Xiao-Wen , Wang Su-Yang , Xing Zhan-Kui , Zhu Yi-Ming , Ding Wen-Juan , Duan Lei , Cui Xiao , Xu Bai-Cheng , Li Shu-Juan , Guo Yu-Fen
Published: November 2020

Objective

Waardenburg syndrome type 2 (WS2) is an autosomal dominant syndrome, characterized by bright blue eyes, hearing loss, and depigmented patches of hair and skin. It exhibits high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. We explored the molecular etiology in a Chinese family with WS2.

Methods

We recruited a three-generation family with three affected members. Medical history was obtained from all family members who underwent detailed physical examinations and audiology tests. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of each individual, and 139 candidate genes associated with hearing loss were sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000 (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) and verified by Sanger sequencing.

Results

Genetic evaluation revealed a novel nonsense heterozygous variant, NM_006941.4: c.342G>A (p.Trp114Ter) in exon 2 of the SOX10 gene in the three affected patients; no unaffected family member carried the variation. We did not detect the variation in 500 Chinese individuals with normal hearing or in 122 unrelated Chinese families with hearing loss, suggesting that it was specific to our patients.

Conclusions

We identified a novel heterozygous nonsense variation in a family with syndromic hearing loss and WS2. Our findings expand the pathogenic spectrum and strengthen the clinical diagnostic role of SOX10 in patients with WS2.
Expression of cellular adherent and invasive molecules in recurrent ovarian endometriosis
Authors: Wu Tingting , Zhang Rongyan , Jiang Qiaoying , Li Zhi , Wu Ruijin
Published: November 2020

Objective

This study aimed to examine expression of cellular adhesion molecules and metalloproteinases of the extracellular matrix in ectopic endometrium for evaluating their roles in recurrence of endometriosis.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 49 female patients (mean age: 30.1±5.5 years) with endometriomas who had undergone two separate operations. After a maximum follow-up of 80 months, all participants were divided into the recurrent group or nonrecurrent (control) group. Samples were immunostained for epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), β-catenin, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2, and extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN).

Results

In the recurrent group, E-cadherin concentrations in the membrane and cytoplasm of ectopic endometrial glandular cells were significantly reduced, while those of MMP-9 and EMMPRIN were higher than those in the control group. Additionally, uPA concentrations in the membrane and cytoplasm of ectopic endometrial glandular, stromal, and vascular endothelial cells were significantly higher in the recurrent group than in the control group. Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and β-catenin concentrations were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

E-cadherin, MMP-9, and associated factors may contribute to development of endometriosis. E-cadherin, MMP-9, and uPA may act as potential markers for detection of recurrence of endometriosis.
Experiences of developing pre-performance routines with recreational pianists
Authors: Hawkes Mary Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

The main approach for improving the performance experience and/or performance quality for musicians has been to find solutions for music performance anxiety. An alternative model is prevention through psychological skills training (PST), which is increasingly being shown to have beneficial effects. Pre-performance routines (PPRs) are a common strategy used in such programs. PPRs are thought to help musicians be “ready to perform,” and that musicians could benefit from a deliberate introduction to PPRs by an instructor. This article reports on the teaching of PPRs to recreational piano pupils in an exploratory action research project designed to introduce a PST approach in regular piano lessons. PPRs were taught for 4 weeks in two action cycles leading up to a performance and were evaluated by teachers and pupils. The findings demonstrate how PPRs can be developed, learned, and implemented and suggest that PPRs function in two ways: to improve concentration and to achieve a sense of calm prior to the performance. Consequent increases in performance confidence and improved performance quality could not be attributed to the PPRs alone as the teaching of routines led to changes in working practice. Implications for future research are discussed.
Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Labourers of India and China
Authors: Ranjan Rajiv
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 crisis has posed unprecedented economic challenges for governments across the world with certain sectors becoming more and more vulnerable to this pandemic. The plight of migrant labours in India during lockdown has shown fault lines not only in the economy but in the society too. The pandemic has worsened the condition of migrants both in India and China as it has put the severe challenges to poverty eradication programmes and increasing the income of farmers. Nevertheless, migrants labourers in both countries have different characteristics, Chinese migrants are farmers as the Chinese word for them 农民工 ‘nongmin gong’ signifies, whereas migrants labourers in India can be either small landholding farmers or landless labourers. This paper compares the plight of migrant labourers of both India and China in the current pandemic situation to contextualises the causes of this misery in the broader framework of land reform and capability to absorb them in rural economy in both countries.
Beneficial performance of a quasi-zero stiffness vibration isolator with generalized geometric nonlinear damping
Authors: Cheng Chun , Ma Ran , Hu Yan
Published: November 2020

Generalized geometric nonlinear damping based on the viscous damper with a non-negative velocity exponent is proposed to improve the isolation performance of a quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) vibration isolator in this paper. Firstly, the generalized geometric nonlinear damping characteristic is derived. Then, the amplitude-frequency responses of the QZS vibration isolator under force and base excitations are obtained, respectively, using the averaging method. Parametric analysis of the force and displacement transmissibility is conducted subsequently. At last, two phenomena are explained from the viewpoint of the equivalent damping ratio. The results show that decreasing the velocity exponent of the horizontal damper is beneficial to reduce the force transmissibility in the resonant region. For the case of base excitation, it is beneficial to select a smaller velocity exponent only when the nonlinear damping ratio is relatively large.
Taking the Humanities Seriously
Authors: Held Barbara S.
Published: November 2020

As the humanities suffer decline in the academy, some psychologists have turned to them as an especially apt way to advance a psychological science that reflects lived experience more accurately and robustly. Disciplinary psychology’s adoption of the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of the natural sciences is often seen as a misapplication that has resulted in a science that diminishes if not demolishes subjectivity and misrepresents many. By contrast, the humanities are taken to be well positioned to infuse scientific psychology with myriad aspects of lived experience. I applaud all efforts to take the humanities seriously, by incorporating the theories, methods, and observations of the humanities in psychological science; the question is, how best to do this. On what understanding of the humanities should scientific psychology proceed? With these questions in mind, I review arguments about how psychological science can benefit from attention to the humanities. I also consider worries about a scientistic turn within the humane disciplines themselves, which turn mirrors worries about scientism in psychology. Contemporary examples of scholarship on the origins of ancient Greek philosophy and depictions of Christ in Renaissance art illustrate how the wars over truth and evidence that plague psychology are no less fierce in the humanities. I conclude that if psychologists apprehend the humanities with the critical understandings called for in psychological science, we may not only appreciate their contributions more completely and accurately, but may also deploy those contributions more substantially, in working to broaden and deepen psychological science.
Physiotherapy: At what cost? Parents experience of performing chest physiotherapy for infants with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Andrews Kristen , Smith Megan , Cox Narelle S
Published: November 2020

Physiotherapy is one of the most burdensome aspects of cystic fibrosis (CF) care. Healthcare requirements for older children with CF are reported to impact parental quality of life and physiotherapy adherence. How parents of infants experience performing chest physiotherapy as a part of CF care is unknown. This study aimed to explore the experience of performing chest physiotherapy for parents of infants with CF. In this study, 13 parents of infants (aged 1–2 years) with CF participated in one in-depth semi-structured interview and completed a daily diary for five days. Principles of hermeneutic phenomenology guided interpretation of interview transcripts, diary entries, and field notes. For these parents, being responsible for performing chest physiotherapy was an ever-present experience of pressure, doubt, and guilt. Managing chest physiotherapy resulted in sacrifices that were perceived by parents as an expected and necessary part of meeting the healthcare needs of their child. Despite perceived sacrifices, performing chest physiotherapy was also experienced by parents as an opportunity to positively impact the health of their child. Awareness of parental perceptions and experiences of chest physiotherapy in CF may enhance the personalization of physiotherapy and minimize burden.
Improvement in Outlet Obstructive Constipation Symptoms After Vaginal Stent Treatment for Rectocele
Authors: Yin Yitong , Xia Zhijun , Luan Meng , Qin Meiying
Published: November 2020

Objective. The objective is to determine the possible improvement in outlet obstructive constipation symptoms after vaginal stent treatment for rectocele. Methods. Female patients with rectocele (n = 156) accompanied with outlet obstructive constipation were selected in this study. Longo’s obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) questionnaire, rectoanal pressures, and rectal balloon expulsion (BET) were evaluated at baseline, 1 month follow-up, and 6 months follow-up. Moreover, the side effects and the potential reasons for giving up treatment were also detected. Results. Vaginal stent significantly decreased the straining intensity, shortened the straining extensity time, decreased the use of laxatives, and alleviated the symptoms of incomplete evacuation ( P < .05). The vaginal stent also increased the rectal pressure and shortened the balloon expulsion time ( P < .05). Conclusions. As an effective, feasible, and safe procedure, the vaginal stent can be recommended as a treatment of choice for rectocele combined with outlet obstructive constipation.
Are Video Games Still a Boys’ Club? How German Public Television Covers Video Games
Authors: Bigl Benjamin , Schlegelmilch Christoph
Published: November 2020

Games shape our understanding of culture. As market figures demonstrate, video games as digital successors of traditional games are now the economic drivers of the media and entertainment industry and form a part of our daily media habits. Since the mid-1970s, journalistic coverage has presented video games as a controversial issue, an image that has crucially shaped public opinion to this day. In the case of Germany, the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty (Rundfunkstaatsvertrag) demands that public broadcast services provide balanced reporting. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive investigation into the media’s coverage of video games. With this in mind, the study at hand seeks to conduct the first explorative and quantitative content analysis of how the German public broadcast channels report on video games. The findings of the study support the assumption of generally biased reporting.
Prediction of Individual Basal Rate Profiles From Patient Characteristics in Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin Pump Therapy
Authors: Nauck Michael A. , Kahle-Stephan Melanie , Lindmeyer Anna M. , Wenzel Sina , Meier Juris J.
Published: November 2020

Background:

Basal rate profiles in patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy are subject to enormous inter-individual heterogeneity. Tools to predict basal rates based on clinical characteristics may facilitate insulin pump therapy.

Methods:

Data from 339 consecutive in-patients with adult type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy were collected. Basal rate tests were performed over 24 hours. A mathematical algorithm to predict individual basal rate profiles was generated by relating the individual insulin demand to selected clinical characteristics in an exploratory cohort of 170 patients. The predicted insulin pump profiles were validated in a confirmatory cohort of 169 patients.

Findings:

Basal rates (0.27 ± 0.01 IU.d−1.kg−1) showed circadian variations with peaks corresponding to the “dawn” and “dusk” phenomena. Age, gender, duration of pump treatment, body-mass-index, HbA1c, and triacylglycerol concentrations largely predicted the individual basal insulin demand per day (IU/d; exploratory vs prospective cohorts: r2 = 0.518, P < .0001). Model-predicted and actual basal insulin rates were not different (exploratory cohort: Δ 0.1 (95% CI −0.9; 1.0 U/d; P = .95; prospective cohort: Δ −0.5 (95% CI −1.5; 0.6 IU/d; P = .46). Similarly, precise predictions were possible for each hour of the day. Actual and predicted “dawn” index correlated significantly in the exploratory but not in the confirmatory cohort.

Interpretation:

Clinical characteristics predict 52% of the variation in individual basal rate profiles, including their diurnal fluctuations. The multivariate regression model can be used to initiate or optimize insulin pump treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Effectiveness and safety of methotrexate versus leflunomide in 12-month treatment for Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Wu Chunling , Sun Ying , Cui Xiaomeng , Wu Sifan , Ma Lili , Chen Huiyong , Yan Yan , Ji Zongfei , Liu Yun , Lin Jiang , Lv Peng , Chen Rongyi , Yang Pingting , Jiang Lindi
Published: November 2020

Aims:

The study investigates the effectiveness and safety of methotrexate (MTX) versus leflunomide (LEF) in 12-month treatment of Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods:

This was a cohort study. Patients diagnosed with TAK between 1 January 2013 and 1 January 2019 were enrolled from First Hospital of China Medical University and Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. Patients had active disease and were treated with glucocorticoid combined with LEF or MTX. Treatment response, imaging assessment and side-effects were evaluated during 12-month follow-up.

Results:

In total, 68 patients were enrolled (40 cases treated with LEF and 28 treated with MTX). At baseline, age, sex, disease duration and disease activity index showed no significant differences between groups. Prevalence of complete remission (CR) at 6 months was significantly higher in the LEF group than that in the MTX group (LEF versus MTX: 72.50% versus 53.57%, p = 0.04), though the CR prevalence at 9 months and 12 months showed no significant differences between groups. At 9 months, the prevalence of treatment resistance was much lower in the LEF group compared with MTX group (5.41% versus 11.54%, p = 0.03). Furthermore, prevalence of disease relapse in the LEF group was lower than that in MTX group at 12 months (7.24% versus 16.67%, p = 0.03). Patients with high baseline C-reactive protein levels (⩾15 mg/L) carried a higher risk of treatment resistance (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.07–13.41, p = 0.06) and disease relapse (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.36–12.98, p = 0.04).

Conclusion:

LEF might provide a quicker treatment response with lower prevalence of disease relapse compared with that elicited in MTX during 12 months follow-up for TAK.
Pulmonary embolism: Successful treatment of floating thrombus in SFJ after vena cava filter insertion and surgical thrombectomy
Authors: Marchetti Andrea Ascoli , Davila Bernardo Orellana , Oddi Fabio Massimo , Ippoliti Arnaldo
Published: November 2020

The floating venous thrombus in the common femoral vein has a high potential risk for pulmonary embolization. Clinical treatments, using anticoagulants or fibrinolytic, open thrombectomies, or thrombectomies by endovascular devices have all been used. Our case describe an obese patient affected by floating thrombus coming from GSV and diving in common femoral vein successful treated by combined both temporary vena cava insertion and open surgical thrombectomy.
Politics, Public Goods, and Corporate Nudging in the HTTP/2 Standardization Process
Authors: Peacock Sylvia E.
Published: November 2020

The goal is to map out some policy problems attached to using a club good approach instead of a public good approach to manage our internet protocols, specifically the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Behavioral and information economics theory are used to evaluate the standardization process of our current generation HTTP/2 (2.0). The HTTP update under scrutiny is a recently released HTTP/2 version based on Google’s SPDY, which introduces several company-specific and best practice applications, side by side. A content analysis of email discussions extracted from a publicly accessible IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) email server shows how the club good approach of the working group leads to an underperformance in the outcomes of the standardization process. An important conclusion is that in some areas of the IETF, standardization activities may need to include public consultations, crowdsourced volunteers, or an official call for public participation to increase public oversight and more democratically manage our intangible public goods.
Clinical Factors Related to Improved Scapular Control After a Scapular Conscious Control Program in Symptomatic Overhead Athletes: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Huang Tsun-Shun , Du Wan-Yu , Lin Jiu-Jenq
Published: November 2020

Background:

Predictive variables associated with the effects of a scapular conscious control program should be identified and used to guide rehabilitation programs.

Purpose:

To determine whether potential factors are associated with the success of scapular muscle balance with an early control program in patients with subacromial pain and scapular dyskinesis.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 38 amateur overhead athletes with subacromial pain and medial border prominence were recruited. They performed progressive conscious control of scapular orientation during 45° and 90° of arm elevation. Stepwise logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve were used to determine the optimal cutoff point of related factors for success or failure of the program. Potential factors including pain level during activity, pain duration, anterior/posterior shoulder flexibility, forward shoulder posture, posterior displacement of root of spine and inferior angle, scapular kinematics, and muscle activation before conscious control program were recorded as independent variables. Successful control defined as decreases of the upper trapezius/serratus anterior ratio in 2 consecutive trials of the 90° program or failure in the program was used as a dependent variable.

Results:

Having a posterior displacement of the inferior angle of the scapula of ≤16.4 mm and scapular posterior tipping during arm elevation of ≤3.3° (collected before the control program) were associated with the success of the program ( R 2 = 0.286; P < .05). Additionally, participants with each or both variables present at baseline had probabilities of success of 78% and 95%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The value of scapular posterior displacement and posterior tilt should be considered before early scapular control program. Other factors related to the success of the program should be found due to the limited variance explained in the regression model.
Mastering Creating Value
Authors: Kohda Youji
Published: November 2020

People need to update their capabilities to compete against (or collaborate with) robots and artificial intelligence (AI) in the twenty-first century. It is hard to know where to start when making a comprehensive list of so-called necessary twenty-first-century skills. To keep things simple, it is better to start by setting a clear goal rather than focusing on skill acquisition. Therefore, this article intends to be a guide for creating value schools that focus on creating value. We will focus on the following three main points. First, the perspective of service-dominant (S-D) logic leads to focusing on creating value goal, which demands active involvement from all of us (including creating value school students) to create value for our communities in our own ways. Second, we stress that the skills that create value are useless if the students cannot discriminate targeted value from pointless value. Therefore, a mental map of targeted value must be drawn up before creating value skills, as theorized by Learning Sciences. Third, collaborative problem-solving is the best way to create value. Visual diagramming is a particularly powerful tool for collaborative learning. However, it is useless for students to acquire visual diagramming skills—even if the target issues of the diagramming are real problems—unless they have a mental model of targeted value on an individual level. The appendix of this article provides a design for the ‘Creating Value Challenge’ that connects creating value school students to deepen collaborative learning to further create value on a worldwide scale.
A Comprehensive Review of Isogeometric Topology Optimization: Methods, Applications and Prospects
Authors: Gao Jie , Xiao Mi , Zhang Yan , Gao Liang
Published: November 2020

Topology Optimization (TO) is a powerful numerical technique to determine the optimal material layout in a design domain, which has accepted considerable developments in recent years. The classic Finite Element Method (FEM) is applied to compute the unknown structural responses in TO. However, several numerical deficiencies of the FEM significantly influence the effectiveness and efficiency of TO. In order to eliminate the negative influence of the FEM on TO, IsoGeometric Analysis (IGA) has become a promising alternative due to its unique feature that the Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model and Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) model can be unified into a same mathematical model. In the paper, the main intention is to provide a comprehensive overview for the developments of Isogeometric Topology Optimization (ITO) in methods and applications. Finally, some prospects for the developments of ITO in the future are also presented.
Boerhaave syndrome due to excessive alcohol consumption: two case reports
Authors: Haba Yuichiro , Yano Shungo , Akizuki Hikaru , Hashimoto Takashi , Naito Toshio , Hashiguchi Naoyuki
Published: November 2020

Background

Spontaneous esophageal rupture, or Boerhaave syndrome, is a fatal disorder caused by an elevated esophageal pressure owing to forceful vomiting. Patients with Boerhaave syndrome often present with chest pain, dyspnea, and shock. We report on two patients of Boerhaave syndrome with different severities that was triggered by excessive alcohol consumption and was diagnosed immediately in the emergency room.

Case presentation

The patient in case 1 complained of severe chest pain and nausea and vomited on arrival at the hospital. He was subsequently diagnosed with Boerhaave syndrome coupled with mediastinitis using computed tomography (CT) and esophagogram. An emergency operation was successfully performed, in which a 3-cm tear was found on the left posterior wall of the distal esophagus. The patient subsequently had anastomotic leakage but was discharged 41 days later. The patient in case 2 complained of severe chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis on arrival. He was suggested of having Boerhaave syndrome without mediastinitis on CT. The symptoms gradually disappeared after conservative treatment. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed on the ninth day revealed a scar on the left wall of the distal esophagus. The patient was discharged 11 days later. In addition to the varying severity between the cases, the patient in case 2 was initially considered to have Mallory–Weiss syndrome.

Conclusion

Owing to similar histories and symptoms, Boerhaave syndrome and Mallory–Weiss syndrome must be accurately distinguished by emergency clinicians. CT can be a useful modality to detect any severity of Boerhaave syndrome and also offers the possibility to distinguish Boerhaave syndrome from Mallory–Weiss syndrome.
Challenges in the regulatory use of water-accommodated fractions for assessing complex substances
Authors: Wheeler James R. , Lyon Delina , Di Paolo Carolina , Grosso Albania , Crane Mark
Published: November 2020

The use of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) approach for the preparation of exposure systems of complex substances such as petroleum products has been a standard way to perform aquatic toxicity tests on these substances for over 30 years. In this Commentary, we briefly describe the historical development, rationale, and guidance for the use and reporting of the WAF approach to assess complex substances. We then discuss two case studies, with coal tar pitch and kerosene/jet fuel, which illustrate challenges from regulatory authorities in Europe and the United States when using the WAF approach. We describe how the WAF approach is the only currently known method for testing the toxicity of the whole of a complex substance, even when some of its constituents remain unknown; it accounts for differences in the solubility of the constituents within a complex substance; and use of loading rates to describe any toxic effects is a unifying concept that allows direct comparison with releases of readily soluble substances in hazard assessment and chemical classification.
In situ pilot application of nZVI embedded in activated carbon for remediation of chlorinated ethene-contaminated groundwater: effect on microbial communities
Authors: Czinnerova Marie , Nguyen Nhung H. A. , Nemecek Jan , Mackenzie Katrin , Boothman Christopher , Lloyd Jonathan , Laszlo Tamas , Spanek Roman , Cernik Miroslav , Sevcu Alena
Published: November 2020

Background

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is commonly used for remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated ethenes (CEs); however, its long-term reactivity and subsurface transport are limited. A novel nZVI–AC material, consisting of colloidal activated carbon (AC) with embedded nZVI clusters, was developed with the aim of overcoming the limitations of nZVI alone.

Results

Application of a limited amount of nZVI–AC to an oxic, nitrate-rich, highly permeable quaternary aquifer triggered time-limited transformation of CEs, with noticeable involvement of reductive dechlorination. Reductive dechlorination of CEs was dominantly abiotic, as an increase in the concentration of vinyl chloride (VC) and ethene did not coincide with an increase in the abundance of reductive biomarkers for complete dechlorination of CEs (Dehalococcoides, Dehalogenimonas, VC reductase genes vcrA and bvcA). Application of nZVI–AC under unfavourable hydrochemical conditions resulted in no dramatic change in the microbial community, the reducing effect resulting in temporal proliferation of nitrate and iron reducers only. At a later stage, generation of reduced iron induced an increase in iron-oxidizing bacteria. High concentrations and a continuous mass influx of competing electron acceptors (nitrate and dissolved oxygen) created unfavourable conditions for sulphate-reducers and organohalide-respiring bacteria, though it allowed the survival of aerobic microorganisms of the genera Pseudomonas, Polaromonas and Rhodoferax, known for their ability to assimilate VC or cis-1,2-dichloroethene. A potential for aerobic oxidative degradation of CE metabolites was also indicated by detection of the ethenotroph functional gene etnE.

Conclusions

This pilot study, based on the application of nZVI–AC, failed to provide a sustainable effect on CE contamination; however, it provided valuable insights into induced hydrogeochemical and microbial processes that could help in designing full-scale applications.
Preventing relapse in non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye – evaluating the 0.2 μg/day fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®)
Authors: Bodaghi Bahram , Nguyen Quan Dong , Jaffe Glenn , Khoramnia Ramin , Pavesio Carlos
Published: November 2020

Background

The current article is a short review of an Alimera Sciences-sponsored symposium held during The 15th International Ocular Inflammation Society Congress in Taiwan on the 14th November 2019 entitled, ‘Preventing relapse of non-infectious uveitis effecting the posterior segment of the eye – evaluating the 0.2 μg/day fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant.’

Main text

The fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant was approved in Europe for the prevention of relapse in recurrent non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye and offers a systemic therapy-sparing treatment option by providing low daily dose of corticosteroid into the vitreous for up to 3 years. In the symposium, the presenters reported clinical outcomes from patients with non-infectious uveitis effecting the posterior segment of the eye to support the effectiveness and safety of the implant for up to 3 years in both randomised controlled trials and real-world practices.

Conclusions

Data showed that over a 36 month period, treatment with the fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant was associated with significantly fewer episodes of uveitic recurrence, a significantly longer time to uveitic recurrence, greater improvement in visual acuity, a lower need for adjunctive therapy, and an acceptable safety profile.
A novel in vitro Caenorhabditis elegans transcription system
Authors: Wibisono Phillip , Liu Yiyong , Sun Jingru
Published: November 2020

Background

Caenorhabditis elegansis an excellent model organism for biological research, but its contributions to biochemical elucidation of eukaryotic transcription mechanisms have been limited. One of the biggest obstacles forC. elegansbiochemical studies is the high difficulty of obtaining functionally active nuclear extract due to its thick surrounding cuticle. AC. elegansin vitro transcription system was once developed by Lichtsteiner and Tjian in the 1990s, but it has not become widely used, most likely because the transcription reactions were re-constituted with nuclear extract from embryos, not from larval or adult worms, and the method of Dounce homogenization used to prepare the nuclear extract could lead to protein instability. Besides Dounce homogenization, several other techniques were developed to break worms, but no transcription reactions were re-constituted following worm disruption using these approaches. AC. eleganstranscription system with effective preparation of functionally active nuclear extract from larval or adult worms has yet to be established. Additionally, non-radioactive methods for detecting transcription as alternatives to the conventional radioactive detection also need to be adapted into such an in vitro system.

Results

By employing Balch homogenization, we achieved effective disruption of larval and adult worms and obtained functionally active nuclear extract through subcellular fractionation. In vitro transcription reactions were successfully re-constituted using such nuclear extract. Furthermore, a PCR-based non-radioactive detection method was adapted into our system to either qualitatively or quantitatively detect transcription. Using this system to assess how pathogen infection affectsC. eleganstranscription revealed thatPseudomonas aeruginosainfection changes transcription activity in a promoter- or gene-specific manner.

Conclusions

In this study, we developed an in vitroC. eleganstranscription system that re-constitutes transcription reactions with nuclear extract of larval or adult worms and can both qualitatively and quantitatively detect transcription activity using non-radioactive approaches. This in vitro system is useful for biochemically studyingC. eleganstranscription mechanisms and gene expression regulation. The effective preparation of functionally active nuclear extract in our system fills a technical gap in biochemical studies ofC. elegansand will expand the usefulness of this model organism in addressing many biological questions beyond transcription.
Clinical characteristics on admission predict in-hospital fatal outcome in patients aged ≥75 years with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Zhihua , Ke Yuhe , Xie Jiang , Yu Hao , Zhu Wei , He Liqun , Zheng Qiongli , Li Chuanwei , Lu Jingya , Li Songnan , Wen Songnan , Wei Sheng , Liu Nian , Wei Li , Bai Rong
Published: November 2020

Background

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic and precise fatality data by age group is needed urgently. This study to delineate the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients aged ≥75 years and identify the risk factors of in-hospital death.

Methods

A total of 141 consecutive patients aged ≥75 years who were admitted to the hospital between 12th and 19th February 2020. In-hospital death, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings on admission were obtained from medical records. The final follow-up observation was on the 31st March 2020.

Results

The median age was 81 years (84 female, 59.6%). Thirty-eight (27%) patients were classified as severe or critical cases. 18 (12.8%) patients had died in hospital and the remaining 123 were discharged. Patients who died were more likely to present with fever (38.9% vs. 7.3%); low percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) (55.6% vs. 7.3%); reduced lymphocytes (72.2% vs. 35.8%) and platelets (27.8% vs. 4.1%); and increased D-dimer (94.4% vs. 42.3%), creatinine (50.0% vs. 22.0%), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) (77.8% vs. 30.1%), high sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) (72.2% vs. 14.6%), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (72.2% vs. 6.5%; all P < 0.05) than patients who recovered. Male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 13.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 160.1, P = 0.044), body temperature > 37.3 °C (OR = 80.5, 95% CI 4.6 to 1407.6, P = 0.003), SpO2 ≤ 90% (OR = 70.1, 95% CI 4.6 to 1060.4, P = 0.002), and NT-proBNP> 1800 ng/L (OR = 273.5, 95% CI 14.7 to 5104.8, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors of in-hospital death.

Conclusions

In-hospital fatality among elderly COVID-19 patients can be estimated by sex and on-admission measurements of body temperature, SpO2, and NT-proBNP.
Socioeconomic and demographic factors determining the underweight prevalence among children under-five in Punjab
Authors: Farooq Rizwan , Khan Hina , Khan Masood Amjad , Aslam Muhammad
Published: November 2020

Background

Underweight prevalence continues to be major public health challenge worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. This study is focused on socio-economic and demographic aspects of underweight prevalence among children under-five in Punjab.

Methods

In this study, several socioeconomic and demographic factors are considered using MICS-4 data-set. Only those variables which are usually described in the nutritional studies of children were picked. Covariates include: the age of children, sex of the children, age of mother, total number of children born to women, family wealth index quintile, source of drinking water, type of sanitation, place of residence, parents’ education and occupation. All Categorical variables are effect coded. The child’s age and the mother’s age are assumed to be nonlinear, geographical region is spatial effect, while other variables are parametric in nature.

Since, the response is binary, covariate comprises linear terms, nonlinear effects of continues covariates and geographic effects, so we have use Geo-additive models (based on Fully Bayesian approach) with binomial family under logit link. Statistical analysis is performed on Statistical package R using Bayes X and R2 Bayes X Libraries.

Results

Underweight status of children was found to be positively associated with number of under-five children in household, total number of children ever born to women and age of mother when the child was born. Whereas, it negatively associated with place of residence, parent’s education and family wealth index quintile. On the regional effect, the Southern Punjab has higher prevalence of underweight compared to Central and Northern Punjab.

Conclusion

Similarity of our results with several other studies demonstrate that the Geo-additive models are an ideal substitute of other statistical models to analyze the underweight prevalence among children. Moreover, our findings suggest the Punjab Government, to introduce target-oriented programs such as poverty reduction and enhancement of education and health facilities for poor population and disadvantaged regions, especially Southern Punjab.
Correction to: A survival analysis of COVID-19 in the Mexican population
Authors: Salinas-Escudero Guillermo , Carrillo-Vega María Fernanda , Granados-García Víctor , Martínez-Valverde Silvia , Toledano-Toledano Filiberto , Garduño-Espinosa Juan
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Influence of diabetes on short-term outcome after major hepatectomy: an underestimated risk?
Authors: Fischer Alexander , Fuchs Juri , Stravodimos Christos , Hinz Ulf , Billeter Adrian , Büchler Markus W. , Mehrabi Arianeb , Hoffmann Katrin
Published: November 2020

Background

Patient-related risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and obesity are increasing in western countries. At the same time the indications for liver resection in both benign and malignant diseases have been significantly extended in recent years. Major liver resection is performed more frequently in a patient population of old age, comorbidity and high rates of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether diabetes mellitus, obesity and overweight are risk factors for the short-term post-operative outcome after major liver resection.

Methods

Four hundred seventeen major liver resections (≥ 3 segments) were selected from a prospective database. Exclusion criteria were prior liver resection in patient’s history and synchronous major intra-abdominal procedures. Overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2and < 30 kg/m2and obesity as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Primary end point was 90-day mortality and logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Secondary end points included morbidity, complications according to Clavien–Dindo classification, unplanned readmission, bile leakage, and liver failure. Morbidity was defined as occurrence of a post-operative complication during hospital stay or within 90 days postoperatively.

Results

Fifty-nine patients had diabetes mellitus (14.1%), 48 were obese (11.6%) and 147 were overweight (35.5%). There were no statistically significant differences in mortality rates between the groups. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes was an independent predictor of morbidity (OR = 2.44, p = 0.02), Clavien–Dindo grade IV complications (OR = 3.6, p = 0.004), unplanned readmission (OR = 2.44, p = 0.04) and bile leakage (OR = 2.06, p = 0.046). Obese and overweight patients did not have an impaired post-operative outcome compared patients with normal weight.

Conclusions

Diabetes has direct influence on the short-term postoperative outcome with an increased risk of morbidity but not mortality. Preoperative identification of high-risk patients will potentially decrease complication rates and allow for individual patient counseling as part of a shared decision-making process. For obese and overweight patients, major liver resection is a safe procedure.
Letter to the Editor in response to Chen et al. 2020
Authors: Ponnampalam Jaya , Seligmann George , Gandhi Tanaya , Parmar Dilen
Published: November 2020

We would like to comment on the article entitled “Association between cytokine profiles and lung injury in COVID-19 pneumonia” by Li-Da Chen and colleagues, with respect to emerging data regarding the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. Chen et al. demonstrated the relevance of IL-2R, IL-6 and TNF-α in the cytokine storm and IL-6 as an independent predictor for COVID-19 severity. Del Valle et al. corroborated these findings with regard to IL-6 and disease severity, however, they also showed IL-8 to be of significance. This may be explained by the varying techniques used by the two studies to determine severity. Further studies including critically ill patients and the analysis of mortality rates in this patient cohort would greatly enhance the clinical relevance of these findings. As speculated by Chen et al., early studies on the use of tocilizumab in COVID-19 patients were promising, however, full results from ongoing trials are required to confirm a survival benefit in patients treated with tocilizumab. Moreover, investigating the roles of other pro-inflammatory cytokines and their impact on disease severity could potentially inform novel therapeutic targets.
Correction to: Mass testing and treatment for malaria followed by weekly fever screening, testing and treatment in Northern Senegal: feasibility, cost and impact
Authors: Conner Ruben O. , Dieye Yakou , Hainsworth Michael , Tall Adama , Cissé Badara , Faye Farba , Sy Mame Demba , Ba Amadou , Sene Doudou , Ba Souleymane , Doucouré Elhadji , Thiam Tidiane , Diop Moussa , Schneider Kammerle , Cissé Moustapha , Ba Mady , Scott Callie A. , Kumar Ritu , Asfaw Elias , Earle Duncan , Guinot Philippe , Steketee Richard W. , Guinovart Caterina
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
The fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domain of ATF7IP contributes to efficient transcriptional silencing mediated by the SETDB1 complex
Authors: Tsusaka Takeshi , Fukuda Kei , Shimura Chikako , Kato Masaki , Shinkai Yoichi
Published: November 2020

Background

The histone methyltransferase SETDB1 (also known as ESET) represses genes and various types of transposable elements, such as endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and integrated exogenous retroviruses, through a deposition of trimethylation on lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me3) in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). ATF7IP (also known as MCAF1 or AM), a binding partner of SETDB1, regulates the nuclear localization and enzymatic activities of SETDB1 and plays a crucial role in SETDB1-mediated transcriptional silencing. In this study, we further dissected the ATF7IP function with its truncated mutants in Atf7ip knockout (KO) mESCs.

Results

We demonstrated that the SETDB1-interaction region within ATF7IP is essential for ATF7IP-dependent SETDB1 nuclear localization and silencing of both ERVs and integrated retroviral transgenes, whereas its C-terminal fibronectin type-III (FNIII) domain is dispensable for both these functions; rather, it has a role in efficient silencing mediated by the SETDB1 complex. Proteomic analysis identified a number of FNIII domain-interacting proteins, some of which have a consensus binding motif. We showed that one of the FNIII domain-binding proteins, ZMYM2, was involved in the efficient silencing of a transgene by ATF7IP. RNA-seq analysis of Atf7ip KO and WT or the FNIII domain mutant of ATF7IP-rescued Atf7ip KO mESCs showed that the FNIII domain mutant re-silenced most de-repressed SETDB1/ATF7IP-targeted ERVs compared to the WT. However, the silencing activity of the FNIII domain mutant was weaker than that of the ATF7IP WT, and some of the de-repressed germ cell-related genes in Atf7ip KO mESCs were not silenced by the FNIII domain mutant. Such germ cell-related genes are targeted and silenced by the MAX/MGA complex, and MGA was also identified as another potential binding molecule of the ATF7IP FNIII domain in the proteomic analysis. This suggests that the FNIII domain of ATF7IP acts as a binding hub of ATF7IP-interacting molecules possessing a specific interacting motif we named FAM and contributes to one layer of the SETDB1/ATF7IP complex-mediated silencing mechanisms.

Conclusions

Our findings contributed to further understanding the function of ATF7IP in the SETDB1 complex, revealed the role of the FNIII domain of ATF7IP in transcriptional silencing, and suggested a potential underlying molecular mechanism for it.
Correction to: Characterising a human endogenous retrovirus(HERV)-derived tumour-associated antigen: enriched RNA-Seq analysis of HERV-K(HML-2) in mantle cell lymphoma cell lines
Authors: Tatkiewicz Witold , Dickie James , Bedford Franchesca , Jones Alexander , Atkin Mark , Kiernan Michele , Maze Emmanuel Atangana , Agit Bora , Farnham Garry , Kanapin Alexander , Belshaw Robert
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.