bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early neutrophil count relates to infarct size and fatal outcome after large hemispheric infarction
Authors: Cui Li‐li , Zhang Yan , Chen Zhong‐yun , Su Ying‐ying , Liu Yawu , Boltze Johannes
Published: May 2020

Aims

To investigate the relationship between peripheral leukocyte dynamics and the outcome of large hemispheric infarction (LHI) patients.

Methods

Patients with acute LHI admitted to the neuro‐intensive care unit of Xuanwu Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were prospectively enrolled and followed up for 6 months after LHI.

Results

A total of 84 LHI patients were included, 38 patients suffered brain herniation and 20 patients died from stroke. Compared to patients with benign course, LHI patients with fatal outcome showed larger infarcts and more severe brain edema (P < .01), as well as increased WBC and neutrophil counts throughout the first week after stroke (P < .05). Correlation analysis revealed that neutrophil counts on D2 after LHI positively correlated with infarct and edema volumes measured from CT/MRI (R2 = 0.22 and R2 = 0.15, P < .01) and negatively correlated with Glasgow Coma Scale (ρ = −0.234, P < .05). Patients with D2 neutrophils > 7.14 × 109/L had higher risk of brain herniation [odds ratio (OR) = 7.5, 95% CI: 2.0‐28.1, P = .001], and patients with D2 neutrophils > 7.79 × 109/L had a higher risk of death (OR = 5.8, 95% CI: 1.2‐27.0, P = .015).

Conclusion

Early peripheral neutrophil count after stroke relates to infarct size and the fatal outcome of LHI patients, which might help guiding acute LHI management such as reduction of intracranial pressure and potential antiinflammatory therapy in the future.
Number needed to treat in cardiovascular outcome trials of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists: A systematic review with temporal analysis
Authors: Davies Melanie J. , Kloecker David E. , Webb David R. , Khunti Kamlesh , Zaccardi Francesco
Published: May 2020

Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) investigating the safety and efficacy of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs) have highlighted some important differences among these medications. The recent American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus underlines that each trial constitutes a single experiment; therefore, it remains unclear if, and to what extent, the observed differences reflect the heterogeneous pharmacological properties of each compound. To help clarify the evidence, in this systematic review we investigated differences in trial characteristics which may have had an impact on the primary and secondary trial results, including baseline control of risk factors, prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, absolute rates of events, duration of the study, and definitions of the inclusion criteria and outcomes. Aiming at enhancing the clinical interpretation of these CVOTs, we quantified the absolute treatment effect over time in terms of the number needed to treat to avoid one major adverse cardiovascular event, showing variations among GLP‐1RAs.
Participation of TRPV1 in the activity of the GnRH system in male rats
Authors: Surkin Pablo Nicolás , Dmytrenko Ganna , Di Giorgio Noelia Paula , Bizzozzero Marianne , De Laurentiis Andrea , Fernández‐Solari Javier
Published: May 2020

GnRH neuron activity is under the influence of multiple stimuli, including those coming from the endocannabinoid and the immune systems. Since it has been previously suggested that some of the main elements controlling the GnRH pulse generator possess the TRPV1 receptor, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the participation of the hypothalamic TRPV1, through its pharmacological blockade, in the activity of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis in male rats under basal or acute inflammatory conditions. Our hypothesis was based on the idea that the hypothalamic TRPV1 participates in the synthesis of the main neuromodulatory signals controlling GnRH, and therefore the reproductive axis. Our results showed that the hypothalamic TRPV1 blockade induced pro‐inflammatory effects by increasing Tnfα and Il‐1β mRNA hypothalamic levels and inhibited the reproductive axis by affecting Gnrh, Kiss1 and Rfrp3 mRNA levels and decreasing plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and testosterone under basal conditions, without significant additive effects in rats exposed to systemic LPS. Altogether, these results suggest that the hypothalamic TRPV1 receptor participates in the regulation of the GnRH system, probably by modulating immune‐dependent mechanisms.
Describing and explaining the reaction of soils with phosphate using existing observations
Authors: Barrow N. J.
Published: May 2020

Sorption of phosphate by soils is an important determinant of fertiliser efficiency. Its extent and rate differ between soils. This paper considers both how these differences can be described and how they can be explained. Published data on the rate of reaction of soil with phosphate are assembled. There are 88 soil samples from five continents, as reported in six publications. In almost all cases, sorption (S) was related to solution concentration (c) and time (t) by: S = a cb1tb2 – qtb3. The term after the minus sign describes the rate of desorption; its value is affected by soil phosphate status. The “a” parameter reflects the amount of adsorbing surfaces present plus their affinity for phosphate. The b1 parameter, which describes the curvature of the sorption plots, reflects the composition of the adsorbing surfaces and their phosphate status. Large values are obtained for soils with a small range of electric potentials of their reacting surfaces and a low phosphate status, as is common for Australian virgin surface soils. The greatest influence on the b2 parameter, which describes the curvature of the plots against time, is the method of measurement. Large values were observed when soil and solution were shaken together and are probably an artefact caused by mutual abrasion of the soil particles. When this problem was avoided, large values of b2 were associated with very phosphate‐deficient soils; small values of b2 often occurred when b1 was also small, suggesting surfaces of varying potential were present. If the substances present included components such as kaolin, that might explain both the range in potentials and limited penetration.

Highlights

The effect of solution concentration (c) and time (t) on sorption (S) can be described by S = acb1tb2 – qtb3 and the other terms are parameters.

Small values of the “curvature” term b1 are associated with large values for heterogeneity of the reacting surfaces.

Mutual abrasion of the soil particles causes large values of rate parameter b2 when soil and solution are shaken.

When this problem is avoided the value of b2 depends on the rate of penetration.
Parasitoids as drivers of symbiont diversity in an insect host
Authors: Hafer‐Hahmann Nina , Vorburger Christoph
Published: May 2020

Immune systems have repeatedly diversified in response to parasite diversity. Many animals have outsourced part of their immune defence to defensive symbionts, which should be affected by similar evolutionary pressures as the host’s own immune system. Protective symbionts provide efficient and specific protection and respond to changing selection pressure by parasites. Here we use the aphid Aphis fabae, its protective symbiont Hamiltonella defensa, and its parasitoid Lysiphlebus fabarum to test whether parasite diversity can maintain diversity in protective symbionts. We exposed aphid populations with the same initial symbiont composition to parasitoid populations that differed in their diversity. As expected, single parasitoid genotypes mostly favoured a single symbiont that was most protective against that particular parasitoid, while multiple symbionts persisted in aphids exposed to more diverse parasitoid populations, which in turn affected aphid population density and rates of parasitism. Parasite diversity may be crucial to maintaining symbiont diversity in nature.
Mutualistic ants and parasitoid communities associated with a facultative myrmecophilous lycaenid, Arhopala japonica, and the effects of ant attendance on the avoidance of parasitism
Authors: Nakabayashi Yui , Mochioka Yukari , Tokuda Makoto , Ohshima Issei
Published: May 2020

Herbivorous insects have evolved various defensive strategies to avoid their primary enemies, parasitoids. Many species of Lycaenidae (Lepidoptera) have food‐for‐protection mutualism with ants in their larval stages, where larvae produce nectar for ants and in return ants exclude parasitoids as well as predators. Myrmecophilous relationships are divided into two categories, obligate and facultative, by degrees of myrmecophily. Although parasitoids attacking obligate lycaenids always encounter lycaenid‐specific ant species, parasitoids that use facultative lycaenids are likely to encounter diverse ant species showing various defense systems. However, we know little about the parasitoid community of facultative lycaenid larvae. In this study, we investigated the mutualistic ant and parasitoid communities of a facultative myrmecophilous species, Arhopala japonica, in seven localities in Japan. The present field observation newly recorded four ant species attending A. japonica larvae, and combined with the previous data, the number of attending ant species reached 16, which is nearly the maximum number of reported attending ant species among myrmecophilous lycaenids. However, the present study revealed that almost all parasitized A. japonica larvae were attacked by a single braconid species, Cotesia sp. near inducta. We also assessed the efficiency of facultative ant defense against the parasitoid in the laboratory and revealed that oviposition by Cotesia sp. near inducta females was almost completely hindered when A. japonica larvae were attended by ants. This suggests that the dominant parasitoid does not have effective traits to overcome defensive behavior of ants and that the female wasps oviposit mainly in A. japonica larvae without intensive attendance.
Failure of serological testing for antigens A and C of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi to identify guttural pouch carriers
Authors: Durham Andy E. , Kemp-Symonds Jeremy
Published: May 2020

Background

Serology is commonly used as a means of identifying horses that might be chronic and silent carriers of S. equi but its sensitivity is rarely examined.

Objectives

The study was designed to investigate the sensitivity of serological testing for antibodies against S. equi antigens A and C to detect guttural pouch carriers of S. equi.

Study design

Retrospective clinical study.

Methods

As part of routine surveillance and quarantine procedures horses arriving at a welfare charity quarantine unit were subject to both microbiological sampling of guttural pouches and also serological testing for antibodies directed at S. equi antigens A and C. Laboratory results and endoscopic findings were examined to determine associations between serological results and guttural pouch carriage of S. equi.

Results

Of 287 included horses, 9 (3.1%) were found to be guttural pouch carriers. There was no significant association between serological status and guttural pouch carriage of S. equi Only one of the nine carriers (11%) was seropositive using a cut‐off of OD ≥ 0.5, and only three of nine (33%) using a cut‐off of OD ≥ 0.3.

Main limitations

Horses examined in this study were new arrivals at a welfare centre rather than from a general, well‐managed, equid population. As a retrospective clinical study, the laboratory test results could not be repeated for further confirmation.

Conclusions

Caution is advised when relying on seronegativity to antigens A and C in order to discount the possibility of chronic carriage of S. equi in guttural pouches.
Modelling the vibration response of a gas turbine using machine learning
Authors: Zárate Josué , Juárez‐Smith Perla , Carmona Javier , Trujillo Leonardo , de Lara Salvador
Published: May 2020

This work deals with modelling the vibration response of a gas turbine obtained during the start‐up process until reaching the nominal speed for power generation. Analysing the vibrations of a complex systems like a gas turbine is useful for the diagnostic of faults or damages in the internal mechanical components of the different stages that integrate a turbine. This work focuses on the study of the shaft vibrations of the bearing radial type mounted between the shaft and the bearing compressor associated with the speed of the turbine. This relationship is studied using experimental data collected from a particular gas turbine model. In particular, we propose a methodology to synthesize a computational model following a supervised learning approach implemented through different machine learning techniques, including a multi‐layers perceptron network, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF) and genetic programming (GP) with local search. Results show that SVM, RF and GP perform very well in this task, producing accurate predictive models. Moreover, there are some interesting trade‐offs between the methods, regarding generalization error, overfitting and model interpretability that are relevant for future applications and research.
Comparison of vascular access patency and patient survival between native arteriovenous fistula and synthetic arteriovenous graft according to age group
Authors: Choi Joonsung , Ban Tae Hyun , Choi Bum Soon , Baik Jun Hyun , Kim Byung Soo , Kim Young Ok , Park Cheol Whee , Yang Chul Woo , Jin Dong Chan , Park Hoon Suk
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is historically known to be the ideal option for vascular access (VA) for hemodialysis compared with arteriovenous graft (AVG). However, this approach has been recently questioned in the aging population because of their poor vessel quality and multiple comorbidities.

Methods

Data from a total of 2200 patients from the VA category of The Catholic Medical Center nephrology registry from March 2009 to February 2017 were analyzed. We compared VA patency and patient survival between two groups, AVF and AVG, according to age.

Findings

Compared with the AVG group, survival benefit in the AVF group continued even in patients ≥80 years. In the whole population, all the primary patency (PP), primary‐assisted patency (PAP), and secondary patency (SP) measures were superior in the AVF group. With regard to subgroups, PP was comparable between the two groups in patients ≥65 years, whereas PAP and SP were superior in the AVF group even in septuagenarian patients who are from 70 to 79 years old. In patients ≥80 years, all the patency measures were comparable between the two groups. When the separate comparison of lower‐arm AVF (or upper‐arm AVF) and AVG, lower‐arm AVF failed to demonstrate its superiority in any kind of patency in septuagenarian patients compared with AVG, whereas upper‐arm AVF demonstrated its superiority in PAP and SP in septuagenarian patients. However, even upper‐arm AVF failed to demonstrate its superiority in any kind of patency in patients ≥80 years.

Discussion

Arteriovenous fistula if using upper‐arm vessel showed the superior VA patency up to septuagenarian patients, whereas, in HD patients ≥80 years, AVF and AVG were comparable in VA patency.
Pulmonary pathology of early‐phase COVID‐19 pneumonia in a patient with a benign lung lesion
Authors: Zeng Zhi , Xu Li , Xie Xiao‐Yu , Yan Hong‐Lin , Xie Bao‐Jun , Xu Wan‐Zhou , Liu Xin‐An , Kang Gan‐Jun , Jiang Wan‐Li , Yuan Jing‐Ping
Published: May 2020

Aims

An ongoing outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (CoV) disease (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV‐2, has been spreading in multiple countries. One of the reasons for the rapid spread is that the virus can be transmitted from infected individuals without symptoms. Revealing the pathological features of early‐phase COVID‐19 pneumonia is important for understanding of its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to explore the pulmonary pathology of early‐phase COVID‐19 pneumonia in a patient with a benign lung lesion.

Methods and results

We analysed the pathological changes in lung tissue from a 55‐year‐old female patient with early‐phase SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this case, right lower lobectomy was performed for a benign pulmonary nodule. Detailed clinical, laboratory and radiological data were also examined. This patient was confirmed to have preoperative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection by the use of real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and RNA in‐situ hybridisation on surgically removed lung tissues. Histologically, COVID‐19 pneumonia was characterised by exudative inflammation. The closer to the visceral pleura, the more severe the exudation of monocytes and lymphocytes. Perivascular inflammatory infiltration, intra‐alveolar multinucleated giant cells, pneumocyte hyperplasia and intracytoplasmic viral‐like inclusion bodies were seen. However, fibrinous exudate and hyaline membrane formation, which were typical pulmonary features of SARS pneumonia, were not evident in this case. Immunohistochemical staining results showed an abnormal accumulation of CD4+ helper T lymphocytes and CD163+ M2 macrophages in the lung tissue.

Conclusion

The results highlighted the pulmonary pathological changes of early‐phase SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and suggested a role of immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of COVID‐19 pneumonia.
Doping level effects in Nb self‐doped Bi3TiNbO9 high‐temperature piezoceramics with improved electrical properties
Authors: Zhang Yuhao , Huang Peiming , Zhu Lingli , Du Juan , Bai Wangfeng , Lin Mi , Zheng Peng , Zheng Liang , Zhang Yang
Published: May 2020

Nb self‐doped Bi3Ti1‐xNb1+xO9 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1) high‐temperature piezoelectric ceramics were fabricated through the conventional solid‐state sintering method. The effects of different Nb self‐doping levels on the microstructure, piezoelectric activities, and electrical conduction behaviors of these Nb self‐doped Bi3Ti1‐xNb1+xO9 ceramics were studied in detail. Large doping level effects on piezoelectric activity and resistivity were confirmed, which might be ascribed to the evolution of the crystal structure and the variations of the oxygen vacancy concentration and the grain anisotropy induced by Nb doping. An optimized piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 11.6 pC/N was achieved at x = 0.04 with a Curie temperature of 906°C. Additionally, an improved DC resistivity of 6.18 × 105 Ω·cm at 600°C was acquired in this ceramic. Furthermore, the ceramic exhibited excellent thermal stability with the d33 value maintaining 95% of its initial value after being annealed at 850°C for 2 hours. These results showed that Nb self‐doped Bi3Ti1‐xNb1+xO9 ceramics might have great potentials for high‐temperature piezoelectric applications.
Investigation of structural, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties of Fe‐doped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 manganites
Authors: Hassan Abdullah Ameen Saad , Khan Wasi , Husain Shahid , Dhiman Pooja , Singh Mahavir
Published: May 2020

In this work, the physical properties of nanocrystalline samples of La0.7Sr0.3Mn1−xFexO3 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) perovskite manganites synthesized by the reverse micelle (RM) technique were explored in detail. The phase purity, crystal structure, and crystallite size of the samples were determined using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All the samples had rhombohedral crystal structure and crystallite size increased with increase in Fe content in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3. The scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) exhibited smooth surface morphology and nonuniform shape of the particles. The optical properties studied using UV‐visible absorption spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the absorbance and optical band gap with an increase in Fe content in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 compound. The temperature‐dependent resistivity measurements revealed semiconducting nature of x = 0 and 0.1 samples up to the studied temperature range, while a metal‐to‐insulator transition was observed at higher Fe doping. Magnetic studies revealed weak ferromagnetism in all the samples and a reduction in the maximum magnetization with an increase in Fe content. A close correlation between electrical transport and magnetic properties was observed with the doping of Fe ion in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 at Mn site. These results advocate strong interactions associated with the double exchange mechanism among Fe3+ and Mn3+ ions.
Comparison of discriminability of common food acceptance scales for the elderly
Authors: Waimaleongora‐ek Pamarin , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon
Published: May 2020

This study was aimed to compare four commonly used methods for evaluating consumer acceptance (the 5‐point and the 9‐point hedonic scales) and preference (the ranking scale and the best‐worst scaling) in terms of their ability in discriminating samples and perceived ease of use by the elderly. Elderly (n = 100) and young adult (n = 100) consumers participated in this study. Each consumer evaluated five commercial orange juice samples in duplicate for hedonic rating and preference rank separately and then evaluated ten sets of three samples for the best‐worst scale, following the balanced incomplete block design. Nonparametric tests were employed as normality of data was violated. A significant sample effect was observed in all four methods (P < .001). Discriminating power of the best‐worst scaling was more pronounced in the elderly than in the young adults; however, the best‐worst scaling was easy to use for the young adults than for the elderly.
Understanding wage restraint in the German public sector: does the pattern bargaining hypothesis really hold water?
Authors: Di Carlo Donato
Published: May 2020

German public sector wage restraint has been explained through the presence of a specific type of inter‐sectoral wage coordination in the industrial relations system—that is, export sector‐led pattern bargaining. First, as a literature‐assessing exercise, this paper reviews the literature in industrial relations and comparative political economy (CPE) and finds that (i) the origins and mechanics of inter‐sectoral wage coordination through pattern bargaining have never been laid out clearly; (ii) that the mechanisms of the pattern bargaining thesis have never been tested empirically; and (iii) that the CPE literature reveals an export‐sector bias. Second, as a theory‐testing exercise, hoop tests are performed to verify the pattern bargaining hypothesis. The key finding is that Germany cannot be considered a case of export sector‐driven pattern bargaining, opening a new research agenda for the study of public sector wage setting centred on public sector employment relations, public finance, public administrations and the politics of fiscal policy.
Sodium‐nickel pyrophosphate as a novel oxygen evolution electrocatalyst in alkaline medium
Authors: Song Hee Jo , Yoon Hyunseok , Ju Bobae , Kim Dong‐Wan
Published: May 2020

The development of robust and low‐cost oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is a challenging issue in electrochemical water‐splitting technology. Tailoring the electrocatalysts through nano‐ and composition engineering is an effective strategy to enhance the intrinsic and extrinsic electrocatalytic activities. In this study, for the first time, sodium‐nickel pyrophosphate (Na2NiP2O7) is proposed as a novel OER electrocatalyst in alkaline environment. First, the electrocatalytic performance of micron‐sized Na2NiP2O7 (Na2NiP2O7‐micron) is evaluated. In addition, nanoscale Na2NiP2O7 (Na2NiP2O7‐nano) and Fe‐substituted Na2NiP2O7‐nano (Na2Ni1−xFexP2O7‐nano) are synthesized to improve the electrocatalytic performance of Na2NiP2O7. Although Na2NiP2O7‐micron exhibits low electrocatalytic OER activity in alkaline medium, its catalytic activity can be significantly improved through reducing the particle size and substituting Fe in the Ni sites. The synthesized Na2Ni0.75Fe0.25P2O7‐nano exhibits optimal catalytic activity with an overpotential of 300 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm2 and long‐term durability with continuous O2 generation over 100 hours in alkaline medium.
The IL-6 rs1800795 and rs1800796 polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery disease risk
Authors: Lu Shuai , Wang Ya , Wang Yijun , Hu Jing , Di Wu , Liu Shuangye , Zeng Xiaohui , Yu Guo , Wang Yan , Wang Zhaohui
Published: May 2020

Studies examining the associations between the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) rs1800795 and rs1800796 gene polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) remain controversial. Our aim was to evaluate the accurately determine role of these two polymorphisms in CAD risk. PubMed, Embase, VIP, Wan fang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted, and bioinformatics tools were employed. A total of thirty‐seven articles were obtained. For the IL‐6 rs1800795 polymorphism, 9411 CAD patients and 3161 controls were included, 4720 patients with CAD, and 5000 controls were included for the IL‐6 rs1800796 polymorphism. In the pooled analysis, significant associations were only observed for the rs1800796 polymorphism (allelic: OR [95%CI] = 1.28 [1.13, 1.44], dominant: OR [95%CI] = 1.35 [1.17, 1.57], recessive: OR [95%CI] = 1.35 [1.18, 1.55], heterozygote: OR [95%CI] = 1.26 [1.15, 1.37], homozygote: OR [95%CI] = 1.62 [1.23, 2.13]). Significant associations were detected in the Asian and Mongoloid populations and ‘more than 500’ subgroup for the rs1800795 polymorphism. TSA confirmed the true‐positive results for the rs1800796 polymorphism. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the two polymorphisms played important roles in the gene transcription. The IL‐6 rs1800796 polymorphism is associated with an increased susceptibility to CAD and is a risk factor for CAD. The IL‐6 rs1800795 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of CAD in Asians, particularly in Chinese, and a decreased risk of CAD in an African population is remarkably observed.
Effect of deltamethrin‐incorporated nets on mobility and survivorship of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) adults and nymphs in the laboratory
Authors: Ibrahim Aya , Kirkpatrick Danielle , Nixon Laura J. , Ludwick Dalton C. , Anfora Gianfranco , Leskey Tracy C.
Published: May 2020

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest that attacks specialty and row crops in North America and Europe. There has been a concerted effort to reduce frequent broad‐spectrum insecticide applications made on vulnerable crops. One tool that has emerged recently is the use of long‐lasting insecticide‐treated nets (LLINs) as a killing agent. Here, we conducted bioassays to evaluate the effect of direct contact on deltamethrin‐impregnated LLINs on the behaviour and survivorship of H. halys nymphs and adults in the laboratory. Following exposure at three different durations (1.25, 4.25 or 7.25 min), vertical and horizontal mobility of adults and nymphs and the flight capacity of adults were recorded and compared with individuals that were not exposed (control). Exposure to LLINs reduced the horizontal distance and velocity and increased the angular velocity of adults only but reduced vertical mobility of adults and nymphs. Adult flights were not significantly affected by LLIN exposure. Mortality of adults and nymphs at 7‐day post‐exposure ranged from 73% to 77% regardless of exposure time. We discuss our findings within the context of the potential for and limitations of deploying LLINs in vulnerable crops to manage H. halys populations.
Advance Directives for Dementia Can Elicit Preferences to Improve Patient Care
Authors: Merel Susan E. , Gaster Barak
Published: May 2020

See the response from A. Daniel Sulmasy
The lipid component of Alzheimer's disease research
Authors: Munter Lisa Marie
Published: May 2020

It may not be surprising that the brain as a lipid‐rich organ shows perturbed lipid profiles in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. It is, however, more challenging to detect these changes as they may only occur in a spatially small area. This Editorial highlights the work by Kaya et al. using a raising technology called MALDI IMS to identify up‐ or downregulation of specific lipids in and around the amyloid plaque, one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, such lipid changes were paralleled with disrupted myelin structure only at the border between white and gray matter. The sequestration of apolipoprotein E towards the amyloid plaque may provide a clue towards the underlying mechanisms leading to disrupted lipid profiles. This study highlights the necessity to increase research activities related to lipid metabolism in Alzheimer's disease and demonstrates that the technological progress now facilitates the advancement of this area.

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Acute pharmacological inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 activity during development restores perineuronal net formation and normalizes auditory processing in Fmr1 KO mice
Authors: Pirbhoy Patricia S. , Rais Maham , Lovelace Jonathan W. , Woodard Walker , Razak Khaleel A. , Binder Devin K. , Ethell Iryna M.
Published: May 2020

Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit cognitive impairments, social deficits, increased anxiety, and sensory hyperexcitability. Previously, we showed that elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) may contribute to abnormal development of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the developing auditory cortex (AC) of Fmr1 knock‐out (KO) mice, which likely underlie auditory hypersensitivity. Thus, MMP‐9 may serve as a potential target for treatment of auditory hypersensitivity in FXS. Here, we used the MMP‐2/9 inhibitor, SB‐3CT, to pharmacologically inhibit MMP‐9 activity during a specific developmental period and to test whether inhibition of MMP‐9 activity reverses neural oscillation deficits and behavioral impairments by enhancing PNN formation around PV cells in Fmr1 KO mice. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure resting state and sound‐evoked electrocortical activity in auditory and frontal cortices of postnatal day (P)22–23 male mice before and one‐day after treatment with SB‐3CT (25 mg/kg) or vehicle. At P27‐28, animal behaviors were tested to measure the effects of the treatment on anxiety and hyperactivity. Results show that acute inhibition of MMP‐9 activity improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli and ameliorated mouse behavioral deficits. MMP‐9 inhibition enhanced PNN formation, increased PV levels and TrkB phosphorylation yet reduced Akt phosphorylation in the AC of Fmr1 KO mice. Our results show that MMP‐9 inhibition during early postnatal development is beneficial in reducing some auditory processing deficits in the FXS mouse model and may serve as a candidate therapeutic for reversing sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and possibly other ASDs.

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Oral isotretinoin and photoaging: A review
Authors: Honeybrook Adam , Bernstein Eric
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Over the past 20 years, evidence has emerged indicating oral isotretinoin could be considered a potential treatment for photoaged skin. In this review, we provide a succinct overview of the available evidence and provide commentary on the current and future directions for utilizing oral isotretinoin as a potential treatment for photoaging.

Methods

We prepared a review protocol and searched the PubMed and Cochrane databases for relevant literature published between January 1982 and April 2020. Using a defined keyword search, a total of 23 papers were initially identified by the main author. Two authors independently reviewed each of the 23 articles, and 6 articles were deemed relevant to this study.

Results

Of the six studies included in this review, three were randomized clinical trials, one was a nonrandomized clinical trial and two were prospective cohort studies. All studies were conducted between 2000 and 2015. Across all 6 studies, 251 patients were recruited, with a mean of 42 patients per study. Four studies were in favor of isotretinoin to improve photoaged skin, 1 study showed no benefit, and 1 study showed no benefit when compared to topical tretinoin treatment. Of the studies available, many were hampered by methodological challenges.

Conclusion

Oral isotretinoin may be useful for treating photoaging but there is currently insufficient evidence to support its use. In comparison with other established anti‐photoaging treatments, it is not clear whether the potential benefits of oral isotretinoin outweigh the potential risks.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder in nurses: An integrative review
Authors: Schuster Michelle , Dwyer Patricia A.
Published: May 2020

Aims and Objectives

To synthesise literature regarding PTSD among nurses. Two objectives guided this review: (a) describe the prevalence of PTSD in registered nurses and (b) identify factors associated with nursing work‐related PTSD.

Background

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can occur from direct or indirect exposure to traumatic events. Nurses are at risk of developing PTSD due to their indirect and/or direct exposure to traumatic situations while providing care to vulnerable patient populations.

Design

An integrative review.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in PubMed and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers. Data analysis procedures consisted of four concurrent activities: data reduction, data display, data comparison and conclusion drawing and verification. Conclusions were narratively synthesised and thematically presented by review objective using PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Twenty‐four articles met criteria for review. One theme emerged from the synthesis of literature describing the prevalence of PTSD in nurses: All Over the Board. Authors reported vastly different PTSD prevalence rates across studies likely due to variability in measurement. Four themes emerged from the synthesis of factors that influence PTSD among nurses: The Workplace Matters, Relationships Matter, It Hurts to Care and Interpersonal Strengths. These overarching themes captured a multitude of factors that occur across three levels of influence: organisational, interpersonal and intrapersonal.

Conclusions

This integrative review highlights PTSD as a growing concern in the nursing profession. The thematic analysis and associated subthemes provide a framework for the design of interventions to reduce the risk of PTSD symptom development among nurses working in inpatient settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

Multitargeted efforts directed at the organisational, interpersonal and intrapersonal factors identified in this review may help mitigate the harmful impact of PTSD and promote nurse well‐being.
Simultaneous Motion and Distortion Correction Using Dual‐Echo Diffusion‐Weighted MRI
Authors: Afacan Onur , Hoge W. Scott , Wallace Tess E. , Gholipour Ali , Kurugol Sila , Warfield Simon K.
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Geometric distortions resulting from large pose changes reduce the accuracy of motion measurements and interfere with the ability to generate artifact‐free information. Our goal is to develop an algorithm and pulse sequence to enable motion‐compensated, geometric distortion compensated diffusion‐weighted MRI, and to evaluate its efficacy in correcting for the field inhomogeneity and position changes, induced by large and frequent head motions.

METHODS

Dual echo planar imaging (EPI) with a blip‐reversed phase encoding distortion correction technique was evaluated in five volunteers in two separate experiments and compared with static field map distortion correction. In the first experiment, dual‐echo EPI images were acquired in two head positions designed to induce a large field inhomogeneity change. A field map and a distortion‐free structural image were acquired at each position to assess the ability of dual‐echo EPI to generate reliable field maps and enable geometric distortion correction in both positions. In the second experiment, volunteers were asked to move to multiple random positions during a diffusion scan. Images were reconstructed using the dual‐echo correction and a slice‐to‐volume registration (SVR) registration algorithm. The accuracy of SVR motion estimates was compared to externally measured ground truth motion parameters.

RESULTS

Our results show that dual‐echo EPI can produce slice‐level field maps with comparable quality to field maps generated by the reference gold standard method. We also show that slice‐level distortion correction improves the accuracy of SVR algorithms as slices acquired at different orientations have different levels of distortion, which can create errors in the registration process.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual‐echo acquisitions with blip‐reversed phase encoding can be used to generate slice‐level distortion‐free images, which is critical for motion‐robust slice to volume registration. The distortion corrected images not only result in better motion estimates, but they also enable a more accurate final diffusion image reconstruction.
Melatonin prevents neuroinflammation and relieves depression by attenuating autophagy impairment through FOXO3a regulation
Authors: Ali Tahir , Rahman Shafiq Ur , Hao Qiang , Li Weifen , Liu Zizhen , Ali Shah Fawad , Murtaza Iram , Zhang Zaijun , Yang Xifei , Liu Gongping , Li Shupeng
Published: May 2020

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a life‐threatening illness characterized by mood changes and high rates of suicide. Although the role of neuroinflammation in MMD has been studied, the mechanistic interplay between antidepressants, neuroinflammation, and autophagy is yet to be investigated. The present study investigated the effect of melatonin on LPS‐induced neuroinflammation, depression, and autophagy impairment. Our results showed that in mice, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment induced depressive‐like behaviors and caused autophagy impairment by dysregulating ATG genes. Moreover, LPS treatment significantly increased the levels of cytokines (TNFα, IL‐1β, IL‐6), enhanced NF‐ᴋB phosphorylation, caused glial (astrocytes and microglia) cell activation, dysregulated FOXO3a expression, increased the levels of redox signaling molecules such as ROS/TBARs, and altered expression of Nrf2, SOD2, and HO‐1. Melatonin treatment significantly abolished the effects of LPS, as demonstrated by improved depressive‐like behaviors, normalized autophagy‐related gene expression, and reduced levels of cytokines. Further, we investigated the role of autophagy in LPS‐induced depressive‐like behavior and neuroinflammation using autophagy inhibitors 3‐MA and Ly294002. Interestingly, inhibitor treatment significantly abolished and reversed the anti‐depressive, pro‐autophagy, and anti‐inflammatory effects of melatonin. The present study concludes that the anti‐depressive effects of melatonin in LPS‐induced depression might be mediated via autophagy modulation through FOXO3a signaling.
The effect of caffeine abstinence on sleep among habitual caffeine users with poor sleep
Authors: Irish Leah A. , Mead Michael P. , Cao Li , Veronda Allison C. , Crosby Ross D.
Published: May 2020

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world and is known to disrupt healthy sleep. However, very few studies have directly tested the effect of caffeine abstinence on sleep, and these have yielded inconsistent findings. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in sleep following caffeine abstinence and examine the extent to which characteristics of habitual caffeine use moderated this change. Participants included 66 healthy, young adults with habitual caffeine use and poor sleep. During the 2‐week baseline, sleep was assessed using wrist actigraphy and daily caffeine use was assessed with bedtime diaries. Eligible participants then completed 1 week of caffeine abstinence, during which sleep was measured with wrist actigraphy. Multilevel models found no significant differences between either mean levels or growth trajectories of total sleep time or sleep efficiency between baseline and caffeine abstinence. Mean levels of sleep onset latency also did not differ between baseline and caffeine abstinence. A small but significant quadratic effect was observed, such that sleep onset latency decreased during the first few days of caffeine abstinence, then increased to levels above baseline. Characteristics of caffeine use did not moderate changes in sleep between baseline and caffeine abstinence. These data suggest that abstaining from caffeine may not result in long‐term sleep improvement for habitual caffeine users, which contradicts the common sleep health recommendation. The present findings encourage more rigorous investigation of the effectiveness of caffeine restriction on sleep.
Robust estimation of stationary continuous‐time arma models via indirect inference
Authors: Fasen‐Hartmann Vicky , Kimmig Sebastian
Published: May 2020

In this article, we present a robust estimator for the parameters of a stationary, but not necessarily Gaussian, continuous‐time ARMA(p,q) (CARMA(p,q)) process that is sampled equidistantly. Therefore, we propose an indirect estimation procedure that first estimates the parameters of the auxiliary AR(r) representation (r ≥ 2p−1) of the sampled CARMA process using a generalized M‐ (GM‐)estimator. Since the map which maps the parameters of the auxiliary AR(r) representation to the parameters of the CARMA process is not given explicitly, a separate simulation part is necessary where the parameters of the AR(r) representation are estimated from simulated CARMA processes. Then, the parameters which take the minimum distance between the estimated AR parameters and the simulated AR parameters give an estimator for the CARMA parameters. First, we show that under some standard assumptions the GM‐estimator for the AR(r) parameters is consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. Then, we prove that the indirect estimator is also consistent and asymptotically normally distributed when the asymptotically normally distributed LS‐estimator is used in the simulation part. The indirect estimator satisfies several important robustness properties such as weak resistance, ‐robustness and it has a bounded influence functional. The practical applicability of our method is illustrated in a small simulation study with replacement outliers.
Müllerian mimicry of a quantitative trait despite contrasting levels of genomic divergence and selection
Authors: Curran Emma V. , Stankowski Sean , Pardo‐Diaz Carolina , Salazar Camilo , Linares Mauricio , Nadeau Nicola J.
Published: May 2020

Hybrid zones, where distinct populations meet and interbreed, give insight into how differences between populations are maintained despite gene flow. Studying clines in genetic loci and adaptive traits across hybrid zones is a powerful method for understanding how selection drives differentiation within a single species, but can also be used to compare parallel divergence in different species responding to a common selective pressure. Here, we study parallel divergence of wing colouration in the butterfliesHeliconius eratoandH. melpomene, which are distantly related Müllerian mimics which show parallel geographic variation in both discrete variation in pigmentation, and quantitative variation in structural colour. Using geographic cline analysis, we show that clines in these traits are positioned in roughly the same geographic region for both species, which is consistent with direct selection for mimicry. However, the width of the clines varies markedly between species. This difference is explained in part by variation in the strength of selection acting on colour traits within each species, but may also be influenced by differences in the dispersal rate and total strength of selection against hybrids between the species. Genotyping‐by‐sequencing also revealed weaker population structure inH. melpomene, suggesting the hybrid zones may have evolved differently in each species, which may also contribute to the patterns of phenotypic divergence in this system. Overall, we conclude that multiple factors are needed to explain patterns of clinal variation within and between these species, although mimicry has probably played a central role.
The genetic basis of animal behavioural diversity in natural populations
Authors: Bubac Christine M. , Miller Joshua M. , Coltman David W.
Published: May 2020

Individual differences in animal behaviour influence ecological and evolutionary processes. Much behavioural variation has a heritable component, suggesting that genetics may play a role in its development. Yet, the study of the mechanistic description linking genes to behaviour in nature remains in its infancy, and such research is considered a challenge in contemporary biology. Here, we performed a literature review and meta‐analysis to assess trends in analytical approaches used to investigate the relationship between genes and behaviour in natural systems, specifically candidate gene approaches, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). We aimed to determine the efficacy and success of each approach, while also describing which behaviours and species were examined by researchers most often. We found that the majority of QTL mapping and GWAS results revealed a significant or suggestive effect (Zr = 0.3 [95% CI: 0.25:0.35] andZr = 0.39 [0.33:0.46], respectively) between the trait of interest and genetic marker(s) tested, while over half of candidate gene accounts (Zr = 0.16 [0.11:0.21]) did not find a significant association. Approximately a third of all study estimates investigated animal personality traits; though, reproductive and migratory behaviours were also well‐represented. Our findings show that despite widespread accessibility of molecular approaches given current sequencing technologies, efforts to elucidate the genetic basis of behaviour in free‐ranging systems has been limited to relatively few species. We discuss challenges encountered by researchers, and recommend integration of novel genomic methods with longitudinal studies to usher in the next wave of behavioural genomic research.