bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of urinary cations in the etiology of interstitial cystitis: A multisite study
Authors: Parsons C Lowell , Argade Sulabha , Evans Robert J , Proctor Jeffrey , Nickel J Curtis , Rosenberg Matt T , Bosch Philip C
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine whether patients with interstitial cystitis have elevated levels of toxic urinary cations, to identify and quantify these cationic metabolites, and to assess their cytotoxicity.

Methods

Isolation of cationic fraction was achieved by solid phase extraction using an Oasis MCX cartridge on urine specimens from interstitial cystitis patients and controls. C18 reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography was used to profile cationic metabolites, and they were quantified by the area under the peaks and normalized to creatinine. Major cationic fraction peaks were identified by reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. HTB‐4 urothelial cells were used to determine the cytotoxicity of cationic fraction and of individual metabolites.

Results

The reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis was carried out on cationic fraction metabolites isolated from urine samples of 70 interstitial cystitis patients and 34 controls. The mean for controls versus patients was 3.84 (standard error of the mean 0.20) versus 6.71 (0.37) mAU*min/µg creatinine, respectively (P = 0.0001). The cationic fraction cytotoxicity normalized to creatinine for controls versus patients in mean percentage was −7.79% (standard error of the mean 3.32%) versus 20.03% (standard error of the mean 2.75%; P < 0.0005). The major toxic cations were 1‐methyladenosine, 1‐methylguanine, N2,N2‐dimethylguanosine and L‐tryptophan.

Conclusions

These data confirm significant elevation of toxic cations in the urine of interstitial cystitis patients. These toxic cations likely represent a primary cause of interstitial cystitis, as they can injure the bladder mucus and initiate an epithelial leak.
Involving mental health consumers in nursing handover: A qualitative study of nursing views of the practice and its implementation
Authors: Mullen Antony , Harman Katryna , Flanagan Karen , O’Brien Beth , Isobel Sophie
Published: July 2020

Nursing handover occurs between shifts and is an important means of communication and information exchange around consumer care. The involvement of consumers in nursing handover, known as ‘bedside handover’, is well established within general health settings and promotes a patient‐centred approach to care. Bedside handover represents an opportunity for mental health settings to consolidate recovery‐oriented principles, albeit with some unique challenges in the way that involving consumers in nursing handover is implemented. This qualitative descriptive study explores the views of nursing staff and nursing managers about involving consumers in nursing handover and the process of implementation across five mental health inpatient units in Australia. The study took place in a local health district covering regional and rural areas of New South Wales that had issued a directive to implement bedside handover. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was applied to this study. Six focus groups were held with nursing staff (n = 22), and eleven individual interviews were undertaken with nursing managers to explore their perceptions of bedside handover and its implications for nursing practice. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Data from focus groups and interviews were analysed separately and then combined to generate three themes: (i) the mental health context is different; (ii) protecting consumer privacy and confidentiality; and (iii) it might make things worse. The findings provide insights into both the challenges, and the process of involving consumers in nursing handover within mental health settings and provides guidance for future implementation.
Association of MASP2 levels and MASP2 gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Xu Wang‐Dong , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Su Lin‐Chong , Huang An‐Fang
Published: July 2020

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. MASP2 is a mediator that plays an important role in complement system. As dysregulation of the complement system has been demonstrated to correlate with SLE pathogenesis, the role of MASP2 in lupus has not been widely discussed. In the present study, serum levels of MASP2 were evaluated in 61 lupus patients and 98 healthy controls by training cohort, and then a validation cohort including 100 lupus, 100 rheumatoid arthritis, 100 osteoarthritis, 100 gout, 44 Sjogren's syndrome, 41 ankylosing spondylitis patients confirmed the findings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the discriminatory capacity for serum MASP2. PCR methods tested the association of MASP2 gene polymorphisms (rs7548659, rs17409276, rs2273346, rs1782455 and rs6695096) and SLE risk. Impact of polymorphism on MASP2 serum levels was evaluated as well. Results showed that serum levels of MASP2 were significantly higher in lupus patients and correlated with some clinical, laboratory characteristics in the training cohort, and were much higher as compared to that in different rheumatic diseases patients in the validation cohort. Serum MASP2 showed a good diagnostic ability for lupus. Genotype frequencies and allele frequency of polymorphisms rs7548659, rs2273346 were strongly related to SLE risk, and genotypes of rs17409276, rs1782455, rs76695096 were significantly correlated with lupus genetic susceptibility. Interestingly, patients carrying GA genotype of rs17409276, TT, TC genotype of rs6695096 showed higher levels of serum MASP2. The findings suggested that MASP2 may be a potential disease marker for lupus, and correlate with SLE pathogenesis.
Can prophylactic argon plasma coagulation reduce delayed post‐papillectomy bleeding? A prospective multicenter trial
Authors: Yang Jae Kook , Hyun Jong Jin , Lee Tae Hoon , Choi Jun‐Ho , Lee Yun Nah , Choe Jung Wan , Park Jin‐Seok , Kwon Chang‐Il , Jeong Seok , Kim Hong Ja , Moon Jong Ho , Park Sang‐Heum
Published: July 2020

Background and Aim

Endoscopic post‐papillectomy bleeding occurs in 3% to 20% of the cases, and delayed bleeding is also problematic. However, there is no consensus on how to reduce delayed post‐papillectomy bleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic argon plasma coagulation (APC) to minimize delayed bleeding and reduce the persistence of residual tumors after endoscopic papillectomy.

Methods

In a prospective pilot study of patients with benign ampullary tumors, the prophylactic APC group underwent APC at the resection margin following a conventional snaring papillectomy. Then, 24 h later after the papillectomy, all patients underwent a follow‐up duodenoscopy to identify post‐papillectomy bleeding and were followed up until 12 months. The main outcomes were the delayed (≥24 h) post‐papillectomy bleeding rate and the tumor persistence rate.

Results

The delayed post‐papillectomy bleeding rate was 30.8% (8/26) in the prophylactic APC group and 21.4% (6/28) in the non‐APC group (P = 0.434). The post‐procedure pancreatitis rates were 23.1% (6/26) and 35.7% (10/28), respectively (P = 0.310). The rate of tumor persistence did not differ between the two groups at 1 month (12.5% vs 7.4%, P = 0.656), 3 months (4.2% vs 3.7%, P = 1.00), 6 months (8.3% vs 3.7%, P = 0.595), and 12 months (0% vs 3.7%, P = 1.00). There were no procedure‐related mortalities or serious complications.

Conclusion

Prophylactic APC may not be effective in reducing delayed post‐papillectomy bleeding or remnant tumor ablation immediately after conventional papillectomy (Clinical trial registration—cris.nih.go.kr; KCT0001955).
80 will be the new 70: Old‐age mortality postponement in the United States and its likely effect on the finances of the OASI program
Authors: McCarthy David
Published: July 2020

Using a Bayesian cohort‐based mortality model, we identify strong evidence of mortality postponement at older ages in the United States. We use the results of the model to project mortality rates 75 years ahead, and show that this will likely raise the U. S. old‐age dependency ratio to ~55% by 2090 (~30% larger than the Social Security Administration [SSA] intermediate estimates). We estimate how this will affect the finances of the Old‐Age and Survivors Insurance program as modeled by the SSA. In our median estimate, using the SSA's intermediate‐cost assumptions, mortality postponement will raise the open‐system unfunded liability over a 75‐year period by around $6.8trn over SSA estimates, worsening the actuarial balance of the program by an extra 1.30% of taxable payroll. Mortality postponement will also have significant implications for other government programs, notably Medicare, and for private‐sector financial intermediaries, such as pension funds and insurance companies, as well as private households.
Independent block identification in multivariate time series
Authors: Leonardi Florencia , Lopez‐Rosenfeld Matías , Rodriguez Daniela , Severino Magno T. F. , Sued Mariela
Published: July 2020

In this‐30 work we propose a model selection criterion to estimate the points of independence of a random vector, producing a decomposition of the vector distribution function into independent blocks. The method, based on a general estimator of the distribution function, can be applied for discrete or continuous random vectors, and for i.i.d. data or dependent time series. We prove the consistency of the approach under general conditions on the estimator of the distribution function and we show that the consistency holds for i.i.d. data and discrete time series with mixing conditions. We also propose an efficient algorithm to approximate the estimator and show the performance of the method on simulated data. We apply the method in a real dataset to estimate the distribution of the flow over several locations on a river, observed at different time points.
Assessing effects of substituting dietary fish meal with boiled donkey and cow blood meal on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of Clarias gariepinus juvenile
Authors: Ogunji Johnny O. , Iheanacho Stanley C. , Abe Gina A. , Ikeh Onyinye R.
Published: July 2020

This study investigated the effects of cow blood meal (CBM) and donkey blood meal (DBM) supplemented diets on growth and digestive enzymes activity in juvenile Clarias gariepinus. Boiled blood meals (CBM and DBM) were used to substitute fishmeal at 7%, 17%, 25%, and 33% percentage inclusion levels, respectively. A total of 450 juvenile C. gariepinus (8.48 ± 0.09 g) were randomized to nine experimental diets coded as CBD1(7%), CBD2(17%), CBD3(25%), CBD4(33%), DBD1(7%), DBD2(17%), DBD3(25%), DBD4(33%), indicating Cow Blood Diet (CBD) and Donkey Blood Diet (DBD) respectively and CT (control). Analysis from this study reveals that the protein and energy contents of boiled DBM significantly superseded that of boiled CBM. Comparative assessment based on growth biometrics of fish showed that the fish cohort fed CBD1 (7%) performed best. This was followed by the group fed DBD1 (7%) and then the control. Diets formulated with CBM and DBM, respectively, having a percentage inclusion greater than 7% undermined the growth of Clarias gariepinus juvenile without any effect on digestive enzyme secretion.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ferritins play an important role in full virulence through regulating iron homeostasis and oxidative stress survival
Authors: Yang Jing , Pan Xiaoyue , Xu Yujuan , Li Yuan , Xu Nan , Huang Zhiwei , Ye Jingyang , Gao Dawei , Guo Minliang
Published: July 2020

Ferritins are a large family of iron storage proteins, which are used by bacteria and other organisms to avoid iron toxicity and as a safe iron source in the cytosol. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a phytopathogen, has two ferritin‐encoding genes: atu2771 and atu2477. Atu2771 is annotated as a Bfr‐encoding gene (Bacterioferritin, Bfr) and atu2477 as a Dps‐encoding gene (DNA binding protein from starved cells, Dps). Three deletion mutants (Δbfr, Δdps, and bfr‐dps double‐deletion mutant ΔbdF) of these two ferritin‐encoding genes were constructed to investigate the effects of ferritin deficiency on the iron homeostasis, oxidative stress resistance, and pathogenicity of A. tumefaciens. Deficiency of two ferritins affects the growth of A. tumefaciens under iron starvation and excess. When supplied with moderate iron, the growth of A. tumefaciens is not affected by the deficiency of ferritin. Deficiency of ferritin significantly reduces iron accumulation in the cells of A. tumefaciens, but the effect of Bfr deficiency on iron accumulation is severer than Dps deficiency and the double mutant ΔbdF has the least intracellular iron content. All three ferritin‐deficient mutants showed a decreased tolerance to 3 mM H2O2 in comparison with the wild type. The tumour induced by each of three ferritin‐deficient mutants is less than that of the wild type. Complementation reversed the effects of ferritin deficiency on the growth, iron homeostasis, oxidative stress resistance, and tumorigenicity of A. tumefaciens. Therefore, ferritin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of A. tumefaciens through regulating iron homeostasis and oxidative stress survival.
Traumatic cervical vertebral artery dissection: A case with cerebral infarct due to newly formed thrombus in the cerebral arteries
Authors: Takeda Shigeki , Fujimoto Tsuyoshi , Onda Kiyoshi
Published: July 2020

We report a 50‐year‐old man who developed fatal brainstem infarction five days after traumatic cervical vertebral artery dissection (CVAD). Autopsy revealed multiple fresh infarcts in the territory of the vertebrobasilar system. No thrombus was found in the infarct lesions. The cervical vertebral artery (CVA) showed severe atherosclerotic stenosis extending to the proximal half of the left side, similar stenosis at the origin on the right side, fresh thrombotic occlusion extending to the proximal half of the right side, and multiple dissections in the distal foraminal segments on both sides. In the distal half of the basilar artery (BA) and the origin of the right posterior cerebral artery (PCA), the lumen was extensively filled with fresh thrombus. Although an intricate mixture of white and red thrombi filled the lumen at the origin of the right PCA, the white thrombus gradually appeared at the periphery whereas the red thrombus occupied the central and more proximal part of the BA. We confirm that cerebral infarction associated with CVAD is due not only to emboli originating from the dislodged thrombus at sites of arterial dissection, as reported previously, but also to newly formed thrombus in the cerebral arteries caused by impaired blood flow, as was seen in the present case.
Taxonomic novelties and changes in Philippine Timonius (Rubiaceae, Guettardeae)
Authors: Chavez Jayson G. , Meve Ulrich , Liede‐Schumann Sigrid
Published: July 2020

The Philippine species of the genus Timonius present numerous taxonomic problems resulting from poorly defined species boundaries, misinterpretation of the origin of type specimens, and historical collections that often bear residual reproductive structures. Based on field observations and examination of herbarium materials, the following taxonomic amendments are proposed: conspecificity of T. philippinensis with T. finlaysonianus, and T. panayensis with T. valetonii, and transfer of T. quadrasii to Ridsdalea. This study also describes six new species from the archipelago: T. alejandroanus, T. dumagat, T. pseudoarboreus, T. ridsdalei, T. spes‐vitarum and T. stevendarwinii. Finally, T. nitidus is excluded from the Philippine flora.
Rhinacanthus spiciformis, a new species of Acanthaceae from northern Vietnam
Authors: Lin Zhe‐Li , Hai Do Van , Hu Xiao‐Ying , Deng Yun‐Fei
Published: July 2020

Rhinacanthus spiciformis Y. F. Deng, Z. L. Lin & D. V. Hai, a new species from northern Vietnam previously misidentified as R. calcaratus is described and illustrated. This new species differs from all other Asian species of Rhinacanthus in the inflorescence being unbranched or comprised of trifurcate‐branched spikes, and the lower lip of corolla with conspicuous purple stripes near throat and on lobes. The pollen morphology and chromosome number are presented. It is proposed to be accessed as Least Concern (LC) according to the IUCN categories and criteria.
Chrysopogon shrirangii sp. nov. (Poaceae: Andropogoneae) from Karnataka, India
Authors: Tarbej Shaikh , Mane Pooja , Potdar Girish
Published: July 2020

Chrysopogon shrirangii, a new species of Chrysopogon Trin. (Poaceae) is described and illustrated from the Belgaum district of Karnataka, India. It is similar to Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov. and C. serrulatus Trin. but differs by having shorter culm, very narrow (0.8–1.2 mm wide), conduplicate, ensiform, adaxially puberulous, acuminate leaves, shorter panicle, shorter sessile and pedicelled spikelets, and lower glume of sessile spikelet with prominent 4 nerves in two pairs.
A large‐scale genomic association analysis identifies the candidate causal genes conferring stripe rust resistance under multiple field environments
Authors: Wu Jianhui , Yu Rui , Wang Haiying , Zhou Cai'e , Huang Shuo , Jiao Hanxuan , Yu Shizhou , Nie Xiaojun , Wang Qilin , Liu Shengjie , Weining Song , Singh Ravi Prakash , Bhavani Sridhar , Kang Zhensheng , Han Dejun , Zeng Qingdong
Published: July 2020

The incorporation of resistance genes into wheat commercial varieties is the ideal strategy to combat stripe or yellow rust (YR). In a search for novel resistance genes, we performed a large‐scale genomic association analysis with high‐density 660K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to determine the genetic components of YR resistance in 411 spring wheat lines. Following quality control, 371 972 SNPs were screened, covering over 50% of the high‐confidence annotated gene space. Nineteen stable genomic regions harbouring 292 significant SNPs were associated with adult‐plant YR resistance across nine environments. Of these, 14 SNPs were localized in the proximity of known loci widely used in breeding. Obvious candidate SNP variants were identified in certain confidence intervals, such as the cloned gene Yr18 and the major locus on chromosome 2BL, despite a large extent of linkage disequilibrium. The number of causal SNP variants was refined using an independent validation panel and consideration of the estimated functional importance of each nucleotide polymorphism. Interestingly, four natural polymorphisms causing amino acid changes in the gene TraesCS2B01G513100 that encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase (STPK) were significantly involved in YR responses. Gene expression and mutation analysis confirmed that STPK played an important role in YR resistance. PCR markers were developed to identify the favourable TraesCS2B01G513100 haplotype for marker‐assisted breeding. These results demonstrate that high‐resolution SNP‐based GWAS enables the rapid identification of putative resistance genes and can be used to improve the efficiency of marker‐assisted selection in wheat disease resistance breeding.
Genomic footprints of repeated evolution of CAM photosynthesis in a Neotropical species radiation
Authors: De La Harpe Marylaure , Paris Margot , Hess Jaqueline , Barfuss Michael Harald Johannes , Serrano‐Serrano Martha Liliana , Ghatak Arindam , Chaturvedi Palak , Weckwerth Wolfram , Till Walter , Salamin Nicolas , Wai Ching Man , Ming Ray , Lexer Christian
Published: July 2020

The adaptive radiation of Bromeliaceae (pineapple family) is one of the most diverse among Neotropical flowering plants. Diversification in this group was facilitated by shifts in several adaptive traits or “key innovations” including the transition from C3 to CAM photosynthesis associated with xeric (heat/drought) adaptation. We used phylogenomic approaches, complemented by differential gene expression (RNA‐seq) and targeted metabolite profiling, to address the mechanisms of C3/CAM evolution in the extremely species‐rich bromeliad genus, Tillandsia, and related taxa. Evolutionary analyses of whole‐genome sequencing and RNA‐seq data suggest that evolution of CAM is associated with coincident changes to different pathways mediating xeric adaptation in this group. At the molecular level, C3/CAM shifts were accompanied by gene expansion of XAP5 CIRCADIAN TIMEKEEPER homologs, a regulator involved in sugar‐ and light‐dependent regulation of growth and development. Our analyses also support the re‐programming of abscisic acid‐related gene expression via differential expression of ABF2/ABF3 transcription factor homologs, and adaptive sequence evolution of an ENO2/LOS2 enolase homolog, effectively tying carbohydrate flux to abscisic acid‐mediated abiotic stress response. By pinpointing different regulators of overlapping molecular responses, our results suggest plausible mechanistic explanations for the repeated evolution of correlated adaptive traits seen in a textbook example of an adaptive radiation.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated MSTN disruption accelerates the growth of Chinese Bama pigs
Authors: Zhu Xiang‐Xing , Zhan Qun‐Mei , Wei Yan‐Yan , Yan Ai‐Fen , Feng Juan , Liu Lian , Lu Sheng‐Sheng , Tang Dong‐Sheng
Published: July 2020

CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing technology is a simple and highly efficient and specific genome modification approach with wide applications in the animal industry. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing combined with somatic cell nuclear transfer rapidly constructs gene‐edited somatic cell‐cloned pigs for the genetic improvement of traits or simulation of human diseases. Chinese Bama pigs are an excellent indigenous minipig breed from Bama County of China. Research on genome editing of Chinese Bama pigs is of great significance in protecting its genetic resource, improving genetic traits and in creating disease models. This study aimed to address the disadvantages of slow growth and low percentage of lean meat in Chinese Bama pigs and to knock out the myostatin gene (MSTN) by genome editing to promote growth and increase lean meat production. We first used CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing to conduct biallelic knockout of the MSTN, followed by somatic cell nuclear transfer to successfully generate MSTN biallelic knockout Chinese Bama pigs, which was confirmed to have significantly faster growth rate and showed myofibre hyperplasia when they reached sexual maturity. This study lays the foundation for the rapid improvement of production traits of Chinese Bama pigs and the generation of gene‐edited disease models in this breed.
Relationships between incidental physical activity, exercise, and sports with subsequent mood in adolescents
Authors: Koch Elena D. , Tost Heike , Braun Urs , Gan Gabriela , Giurgiu Marco , Reinhard Iris , Zipf Alexander , Meyer‐Lindenberg Andreas , Ebner‐Priemer Ulrich W. , Reichert Markus
Published: July 2020

Physical activity is beneficial for human physical health and well‐being. Accordingly, the association between physical activity and mood in everyday life has been a subject of several Ambulatory Assessment studies. This mechanism has been studied in children, adults, and the elderly, but neglected in adolescents. It is critical to examine this mechanism in adolescents because adolescence plays a key role in human development and adolescents’ physical activity behavior translates into their behavior in adulthood. We investigated adolescents’ mood in relation to distinct physical activities: incidental activity such as climbing stairs; exercise activity, such as skating; and sports, such as playing soccer. We equipped 134 adolescents aged 12‐17 years with accelerometers and GPS‐triggered electronic diaries to use in their everyday life. Adolescents reported on mood repeatedly in real time across 7 days, and these data were analyzed using multilevel‐modeling. After incidental activity, adolescents felt better and more energized. After exercise, adolescents felt better but less calm. After sports, adolescents felt less energized. Analyses of the time course of the effects confirmed our findings. Physical activity influences mood in adolescents’ everyday life, but has distinct effects depending on the kind of physical activity. Our results suggest incidental and exercise activities entail higher post‐bout valence compared to sports in competitive settings. These findings may serve as an important empirical basis for the targeted application of distinct physical activities to foster well‐being in adolescence.
Tuberculosis treatment outcomes and associated factors in two states in Nigeria
Authors: Matthew Adebayo Ayodeji , Olaiya Adeniyi Bamidele , Oluwasanu Mojisola , Hassan Abiodun , Ada Ajuwon Grace , Chidinma Ogbuji Queen , Adewole David , John Osho Adewale , Olukolade Richard , Alabi Ladipo Oladapo , Johnson Ajuwon Ademola
Published: July 2020

Objective

To determine the treatment success rate among TB patients and associated factors in Anambra and Oyo, the two states with the largest burden of tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Methods

A health facility record review for 2016 was conducted in the two states (Anambra and Oyo). A checklist was used to extract relevant information from the records kept in each of the selected DOTS facilities to determine TB treatment success rates. Treatment success rate was defined as the proportion of new smear‐positive TB cases registered under DOTS in a given year that successfully completed treatment, whether with bacteriologic evidence of success (‘cured’) or without (‘treatment completed’). Treatment success rate was classified into good (≥85%) and poor (<85%) success rates using the 85% national target for TB treatment outcome. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi‐square at P < 0.05.

Results

There were 1281 TB treatment enrollees in 2016 in Anambra and 3809 in Oyo (total = 4835). An overall treatment success rate of 75.8% was achieved (Anambra‐57.5%; Oyo‐82.0%). The percentage cure rates were 61.5% for Anambra and 85.2% for Oyo. Overall, only 28.6% of the facilities in both states (Anambra‐0.0%; Oyo‐60.0%) had a good treatment success rate. More facilities in Anambra (100.0%) than Oyo (40.0%) had a poor treatment success rate (p < 0.001), as did more private/FBO (100.0%) than public health facilities (60.0%) (p = 0.009). All tertiary facilities had a poor treatment success rate followed by 87.5% of secondary health facilities and 56.5% of primary healthcare facilities (P = 0.035).

Conclusion

Treatment success and cure rates in Anambra state were below the 85.0% of the recommended target set by the WHO. Geographical location, and level/tier and type of facility were factors associated with this. Interventions are recommended to address these problems.
A Skill‐Based Approach to Modeling the Attentional Blink
Authors: Hoekstra Corné , Martens Sander , Taatgen Niels A.
Published: July 2020

People can often learn new tasks quickly. This is hard to explain with cognitive models because they either need extensive task‐specific knowledge or a long training session. In this article, we try to solve this by proposing that task knowledge can be decomposed into skills. A skill is a task‐independent set of knowledge that can be reused for different tasks. As a demonstration, we created an attentional blink model from the general skills that we extracted from models of visual attention and working memory. The results suggest that this is a feasible modeling method, which could lead to more generalizable models.
Hypersensitivity of Vps33B mutant flies to non‐pathogenic infections is dictated by aberrant activation of p38b MAP kinase
Authors: Zhang Jian , Tracy Charles , Pasare Chandrashekhar , Zeng Jinsheng , Krämer Helmut
Published: July 2020

Loss of the arthrogryposis‐renal dysfunction‐cholestasis (ARC) syndrome‐linked Vps33B protein results in exaggerated inflammatory responses upon activation of receptors of the innate immune system in both vertebrates and flies. However, little is known about the signaling elements downstream of these receptors that are critical for the hypersensitivity of Vps33B mutants. Here, we show that p38b MAP kinase contributes to the enhanced inflammatory responses in flies lacking Vps33B. Loss of p38b mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) reduces enhanced inflammatory responses and prolongs the survival of infected Vps33B deficient flies. The function of p38 MAPK is not limited to its proinflammatory effects downstream of the PGRP‐LC receptor as p38 also modulates endosomal trafficking of PGRP‐LC and phagocytosis of bacteria. Expression of constitutively active p38b MAPK, but not dominant negative p38b MAPK enhances accumulation of endocytosed PGRP‐LC receptors or phagocytosed bacteria within cells. Moreover, p38 MAPK is required for induction of macropinocytosis, an alternate pathway for the downregulation of immune receptors. Together, our data indicate that p38 MAPK activates multiple pathways that can contribute to the dysregulation of innate immune signaling in ARC syndrome.
Emotional mechanisms and format effects of motivational questions for blood donation
Authors: France Christopher R. , France Janis L. , Himawan Lina K. , Jeitani Anthony , Williams Lisa A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Prior studies suggest that responding to online motivational questions increases blood donation intention. The present studies were designed to extend these findings by (a) exploring the impact of methodologic variations in the content and order of administration of specific questions on donation intention and (b) examining anticipated positive and negative emotional reactions as potential mediators.

Study Design and Methods

In the first study, 4709 respondents (51.2% female; mean ± SD age, 38.4 ± 12.1 years) were randomly assigned to one of four motivational questions or a no‐question control. In the second study, 5291 respondents (52.7% female; mean ± SD age, 37.3 ± 11.9 years) were randomly assigned to one of six motivational questions or a no‐question control. In both studies, the motivational questions were followed by measures of donation intention, anticipated warm glow, and anticipated regret.

Results

In Study 1, three of the four questions were associated with higher donation intentions, with anticipated warm glow being a potential partial mediator for two of the questions. In Study 2, five of the six questions were associated with higher donation intentions, with anticipated warm glow and anticipated regret being potential partial mediators for three of the questions. These effects were largely consistent among donors and nondonors.

Conclusion

These studies expand our understanding of the association between particular motivational questions and donation intentions and provide preliminary support for the notion that specific questions may influence donation intention by increasing anticipated positive and negative emotional reactions to the thought of giving or not giving, respectively.
Investment decision model of wastewater treatment public–private partnership projects based on value for money
Authors: Yu Shunkun , Dai Tong , Yu Yang , Zhang Jinying
Published: July 2020

Most existing studies analyse the early decision‐making processes of public–private partnership (PPP) projects from the perspective of the government or investors, as such decisions involve lengthy negotiations and are likely to lead to unfair results. Hence, there is a need for fair and reasonable investment decision‐making methods. This study investigates the investment return system of PPP wastewater treatment projects. The net present value of investment income is considered the investment decision indicator of social capital, while value for money (VFM) is the indicator of government decision‐making. Considering both yield and VFM, the system dynamics method and Vensim software are used to establish the investment decision model. A case study validates the proposed model and predicts a reasonable range of unit prices and concession periods for wastewater treatment through government–enterprise cooperation, to improve the transparency and initial decision fairness of PPP sewage treatment projects.
RACK7 recognizes H3.3G34R mutation to suppress expression of MHC class II complex components and their delivery pathway in pediatric glioblastoma
Authors: Jiao Fangfang , Li Ze , He Chen , Xu Wenqi , Yang Gensheng , Liu Tingting , Shen Hongjie , Cai Jiajun , Anastas Jamie N. , Mao Ying , Yu Yongchun , Lan Fei , Shi Yujiang Geno , Jones Chris , Xu Yanhui , Baker Suzanne J. , Shi Yang , Guo Rui
Published: July 2020

RACK7 recognizes H3.3G34R to suppress expression of MHC II complex components and their delivery pathway in pediatric GBM.
Evaluating the impact of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter on mortality among the elderly
Authors: Wu X. , Braun D. , Schwartz J. , Kioumourtzoglou M. A. , Dominici F.
Published: July 2020

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter positively affects all-cause mortality among the elderly.
The evolution of infant mortality inequality in the United States, 1960–2016
Authors: Turner Nick , Danesh Kaveh , Moran Kelsey
Published: July 2020

Infant mortality inequality in the United States decreased meaningfully between 1960 and 2000 but remained constant between 2000 and 2016.
Probing quantum walks through coherent control of high-dimensionally entangled photons
Authors: Imany Poolad , Lingaraju Navin B. , Alshaykh Mohammed S. , Leaird Daniel E. , Weiner Andrew M.
Published: July 2020

Demonstrating continuously tunable photonic quantum walks in the frequency domain with high-dimensionally entangled photon pairs.
Cryo-EM structures of calcium homeostasis modulator channels in diverse oligomeric assemblies
Authors: Demura Kanae , Kusakizako Tsukasa , Shihoya Wataru , Hiraizumi Masahiro , Nomura Kengo , Shimada Hiroto , Yamashita Keitaro , Nishizawa Tomohiro , Taruno Akiyuki , Nureki Osamu
Published: July 2020

Cryo-EM structures reveal the ATP conduction and oligomeric assembly mechanisms of CALHM channels.
Cryo-EM structure of the calcium homeostasis modulator 1 channel
Authors: Ren Yue , Wen Tianlei , Xi Zhiqin , Li Shunjin , Lu Jing , Zhang Xing , Yang Xue , Shen Yuequan
Published: July 2020

The cryo-EM structure of the CALHM1 channel reveals an octameric assembly and nearly the entire N terminus inside the pore.
Aerosol-forced multidecadal variations across all ocean basins in models and observations since 1920
Authors: Qin Minhua , Dai Aiguo , Hua Wenjian
Published: July 2020

Have volcanic and anthropogenic aerosols contributed to AMO-like multidecadal climate variations across the globe?
Metallo-β-Lactamases: Structure, Function, Epidemiology, Treatment Options, and the Development Pipeline
Authors: Boyd Sara E. , Livermore David M. , Hooper David C. , Hope William W.
Published: July 2020

Modern medicine is threatened by the global rise of antibiotic resistance, especially among Gram-negative bacteria. Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) enzymes are a particular concern and are increasingly disseminated worldwide, though particularly in Asia. Many MBL producers have multiple further drug resistances, leaving few obvious treatment options. Nonetheless, and more encouragingly, MBLs may be less effective agents of carbapenem resistancein vivo, under zinc limitation, thanin vitro.
Immune Escape Adaptive Mutations in the H7N9 Avian Influenza Hemagglutinin Protein Increase Virus Replication Fitness and Decrease Pandemic Potential
Authors: Chang Pengxiang , Sealy Joshua E. , Sadeyen Jean-Remy , Bhat Sushant , Lukosaityte Deimante , Sun Yipeng , Iqbal Munir
Published: July 2020

Avian influenza H7N9 viruses have been causing disease outbreaks in poultry and humans. We previously determined that propagation of H7N9 virus in virus-specific antiserum gives rise to mutant viruses carrying mutations A125T+A151T+L217Q in their hemagglutinin protein, enabling the virus to overcome vaccine-induced immunity. As predicted, these immune escape mutations were also observed in the field viruses that likely emerged in the immunized or naturally exposed birds. This study demonstrates that the immune escape mutants also (i) gained greater replication ability in cultured cells and in chicken embryos as well as (ii) increased acid and thermal stability but (iii) lost preferences for binding to human-type receptor while maintaining binding for the avian-like receptor. Therefore, they potentially pose reduced pandemic risk. However, the emergent virus variants containing the indicated mutations remain a significant risk to poultry due to antigenic drift and improved fitness for poultry.
Changes in the UK baby food market surveyed in 2013 and 2019: the rise of baby snacks and sweet/savoury foods
Authors: Garcia Ada Lizbeth , Curtin Louise , Ronquillo José David , Parrett Alison , Wright Charlotte Margaret
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess how the baby food market in the UK has changed between 2013 and 2019.

Setting

United Kingdom.

Design

A cross-sectional survey of all infant food products available to buy in the UK online and in-store collected in 2019. Nutritional content and product descriptions were recorded and compared with an existing 2013 database.

Main outcome measures

Change in the proportion of products marketed to infants aged 4 months, proportion classified as sweet versus savoury, spoonable versus dry (snacks) average sugar content.

Results

Fewer products were described as suitable for infants aged 4 months in 2019 (201, 23%) compared with 2013 (178, 43%; p<0.001), while the proportion for children in the 6–7-month age range increased (2013: 135, 33%; 2019: 369, 43%; p=0.001). The proportion of sweet and savoury products was unchanged; sweet spoonable products showed a small but significant decrease in sugar content (6%) between 2013 and 2019, but savoury spoonable products showed a 16% increase. Sweet snacks remained very sweet (~20 g/100 g median sugar at both time points). In the 2019 dataset, concentrated juice was added to 29% (n=253) of products and 18% (n=80) ‘savoury’ products comprised more than 50% sweet vegetables or fruit. The number and proportion of snacks increased markedly in 2019 (185, 21%) compared with 2013 (42, 10%; p=0.001) while the proportion of wet spoonable foods decreased (2013: 326, 79%; 2019: 611, 71%; p=0.001).

Conclusions

Fewer foods are now marketed to infants aged 4 months, but there has been no overall reduction in the sweetness of products and the increase in snack foods and the sweetness of savoury foods is a concern.
Use of aerosol protective barrier in a patient with impending cholangitis and unknown COVID-19 status undergoing emergency ERCP during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Leow Voon Meng , Mohamad Ikhwan Sani , Subramaniam Manisekar
Published: July 2020

WHO declared worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Healthcare authorities have temporarily stopped all elective surgical and endoscopy procedures. Nevertheless, there is a subset of patients who require emergency treatment such as aerosol-generating procedures. Herein, we would like to discuss the management of a patient diagnosed with impending biliary sepsis during COVID-19 outbreak. The highlight of the discussion is mainly concerning the advantages of concurrent use of aerosol protective barrier in addition to personal protective equipment practice, necessary precautions to be taken during endoscopy retrograde cholangiopancreatography and handling of the patient preprocedure and postprocedure.
Physical behaviors and chronotype in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Henson Joseph , Rowlands Alex V , Baldry Emma , Brady Emer M , Davies Melanie J , Edwardson Charlotte L , Yates Thomas , Hall Andrew P
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Previous investigations have suggested that evening chronotypes may be more susceptible to obesity-related metabolic alterations. However, whether device-measured physical behaviors differ by chronotype in those with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unknown.

Research design and methods

This analysis reports data from the ongoing Chronotype of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Effect on Glycaemic Control (CODEC) observational study. Eligible participants were recruited from both primary and secondary care settings in the Midlands area, UK. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer (GENEActiv, ActivInsights, Kimbolton, UK) on their non-dominant wrist for 7 days to quantify different physical behaviors (sleep, sedentary, light, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), intensity gradient, average acceleration and the acceleration above which the most active continuous 2, 10, 30 and 60 min are accumulated). Chronotype preference (morning, intermediate or evening) was assessed using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses assessed whether chronotype preference was associated with physical behaviors and their timing. Evening chronotypes were considered as the reference group.

Results

635 participants were included (age=63.8±8.4 years, 34.6% female, body mass index=30.9±5.1 kg/m2). 25% (n=159) of the cohort were morning chronotypes, 52% (n=330) intermediate and 23% (n=146) evening chronotypes. Evening chronotypes had higher sedentary time (28.7 min/day, 95% CI 8.6 to 48.3) and lower MVPA levels (–9.7 min/day, –14.9 to –4.6) compared to morning chronotypes. The intensity of the most active continuous 2-60 min of the day, average acceleration and intensity gradient were lower in evening chronotypes. The timing of physical behaviors also differed across chronotypes, with evening chronotypes displaying a later sleep onset and consistently later physical activity time.

Conclusions

People with T2DM lead a lifestyle characterized by sedentary behaviors and insufficient MVPA. This may be exacerbated in those with a preference for ‘eveningness’ (ie, go to bed late and get up late).
Presentations to the emergency department in Bologna, Italy, during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Masetti Riccardo , Corsini Ilaria , Leardini Davide , Lanari Marcello , Pession Andrea
Published: July 2020

The Emilia Romagna (ER) region, Italy, in March 2020 has seen one of the largest and most serious clusters of COVID-19 in the world. In the period of 30 January to 31 May 2020, the number of paediatric emergency department presentations in Bologna, ER, decreased by 50% compared with the same period of 2019. Visits declined for every age group, with a decrease of 35%, 55% and 46% for the three age groups 0–2, 2–10 and 10–14 years, respectively. The admission rate increased from 5% to 13%. Fewer non-urgent attendances, alongside a decrease in seasonal infections due to the lockdown, appear to be the main reasons.
Creatine kinase is associated with bleeding after myocardial infarction
Authors: Brewster Lizzy Maritza , Fernand Jim
Published: July 2020

Background

The ADP-scavenging enzyme creatine kinase (CK) is reported to reduce ADP-dependent platelet activation. Therefore, we studied whether highly elevated CK after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with bleeding.

Methods

Data of the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Study Group phase II trial on the efficacy of angioplasty, following intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), are used to assess whether peak plasma CK (CKmax) is independently associated with adjudicated fatal or non-fatal bleeding (primary) and combined bleeding/all-cause mortality (secondary) in multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis, adjusting for baseline and treatment allocation covariates.

Results

The included patients (n=3339, 82% men, 88% white, mean age 57 years, SE 0.2) had a history of angina pectoris (55%), hypertension (38%) and/or diabetes mellitus (13%). CKmax ranged from 16 to 55 890 IU/L (mean 2389 IU/L, SE 41), reached within 8 hours in 51% of the patients (93% within 24 hours). Adjudicated fatal/non-fatal bleeding occurred in 30% of the patients (respectively 26% in the low vs 34% in the high CK tertile), and bleeding/all-cause mortality in 35% (29% in the low vs 40% in the high CK tertile). In multivariable regression analysis, the adjusted OR for fatal/non-fatal bleeding (vs not bleeding and survival) was 2.6 (95% CI 1.8 to 3.7)/log CKmax increase, and 3.1 (2.2 to 4.4) for bleeding/all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Highly elevated plasma CK after myocardial infarction might be an independent predictor of bleeding and haemorrhagic death. This biologically plausible association warrants further prospective study of the potential role of extracellular CK in ADP-dependent platelet activation and bleeding.
Helicopter and ground emergency medical services transportation to hospital after major trauma in England: a comparative cohort study
Authors: Beaumont Oliver , Lecky Fiona , Bouamra Omar , Surendra Kumar Dhushy , Coats Tim , Lockey David , Willett Keith
Published: July 2020

Background

The utilization of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) in modern trauma systems has been a source of debate for many years. This study set to establish the true impact of HEMS in England on survival for patients with major trauma.

Methods

A comparative cohort design using prospectively recorded data from the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network registry. 279 107 patients were identified between January 2012 and March 2017. The primary outcome measure was risk adjusted in-hospital mortality within propensity score matched cohorts using logistic regression analysis. Subset analyses were performed for subjects with prehospital Glasgow Coma Scale <8, respiratory rate <10 or >29 and systolic blood pressure <90.

Results

The analysis was based on 61 733 adult patients directly admitted to major trauma centers: 54 185 ground emergency medical services (GEMS) and 7548 HEMS. HEMS patients were more likely male, younger, more severely injured, more likely to be victims of road traffic collisions and intubated at scene. Crude mortality was higher for HEMS patients. Logistic regression demonstrated a 15% reduction in the risk adjusted odds of death (OR=0.846; 95% CI 0.684 to 1.046) in favor of HEMS. When analyzed for patients previously noted to benefit most from HEMS, the odds of death were reduced further but remained statistically consistent with no effect. Sensitivity analysis on 5685 patients attended by a doctor on scene but transported by GEMS demonstrated a protective effect on mortality versus the standard GEMS response (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.62 to 0.95).

Discussion

This prospective, level 3 cohort analysis demonstrates a non-significant survival advantage for patients transported by HEMS versus GEMS. Despite the large size of the cohort, the intrinsic mismatch in patient demographics limits the ability to statistically assess HEMS true benefit. It does, however, demonstrate an improved survival for patients attended by doctors on scene in addition to the GEMS response. Improvements in prehospital data and increased trauma unit reporting are required to accurately assess HEMS clinical and cost-effectiveness.