bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the increase in fishing efficiency due to the use of drifting FADs equipped with echosounders in tropical tuna purse seine fisheries
Authors: Wain Gwenaëlle , Guéry Loreleï , Kaplan David Michael , Gaertner Daniel
Published: October 2020

Numerous pelagic species are known to associate with floating objects (FOBs), including tropical tunas. Purse seiners use this behaviour to facilitate the capture of tropical tunas by deploying artificial drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs). One major recent change has been the integration of echosounders in satellite-tracked GPS buoys attached to FOBs, allowing fishers to remotely estimate fishable biomass. Understanding the effects of this new technology on catch of the three main tuna species (yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares; bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus; and skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis) is important to accurately correct for this change in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) indices used for stock assessments. We analysed catch data from the French purse seine fleet for the period 2010–2017 in the Indian Ocean to assess the impact of this fleet’s switch to echosounder buoys around 2012. Results indicate that echosounders do not increase the probability a set will be succesful, but they have a positive effect on catch per set, with catches on average increasing by ≈2−2.5 tonnes per set (≈10%) when made on the vessel's own dFADs equipped with an echosounder buoy. Increases were due to a decrease in sets below ≈25 tonnes and an increase in those greater than ≈25 tonnes, with a non-linear transition around this threshold. This increase explains the considerable investment of purse seiners in echosounder buoys, but also raises concerns about bias in stock size estimates based on CPUE if we do not correct for this fishing efficiency increase.
Donor reliance and the impact on neglected tropical disease programme delivery: reflections and solutions for change from programme management perspectives
Authors: Kollie Karsor , Siakeh Alice , Zawolo Georgina , Wickenden Anna , Theobald Sally , Rogers Emerson , Zaizay Zeela , Thomson Rachael , Dean Laura
Published: October 2020

Health systems within many developing countries are reliant on donor funding and non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs); this has had positive results but also presents challenges to sustainability and national ownership, with national programmes needing to respond to changing donor priorities. Simultaneously, the WHO neglected tropical disease (NTD) roadmap 2021–2030 calls for increased country ownership and domestically financed NTD programmes. Focusing on Liberia and blending primary research from the COUNTDOWN consortium and personal programmatic experience, this commentary reflects on the sustainability and financing of NTD programme delivery within the current context. We explore the successes and challenges of current models of collaboration and opportunities to improve country ownership and sustainability.
Efficiency of standardized ileal digestible lysine utilization for whole body protein deposition in pregnant gilts and sows during early-, mid-, and late-gestation
Authors: Ramirez-Camba Christian D , Dunn James L , Htoo John K , González-Vega Jolie C , Touchette Kevin , Samuel Ryan S , Levesque Crystal L
Published: October 2020

The efficiency of SID Lys utilization (kSID Lys) in gilts and sows during early (days 48 to 52), mid (days 75 to 79), and late gestation (days 103 to 107) was investigated using 88 pregnant females (PIC 1050; 27 gilts, 27 parity 1 sows, 34 parity 2+ sows; 192.96 ± 22.84 kg at days 42 ±1 of gestation) and whole body nitrogen (N) retention balance studies. Females were assigned to 1 of 4 SID Lys levels ranging from 40% to 70% of the daily SID Lys requirements above maintenance for a parity 1 sow according to the NRC (2012) gestating sow model in each gestation period. Experimental diets were isocaloric (3,335 kcal ME/kg) and isoproteic (11.75 % CP) and dietary indispensable AA were set to meet or exceed 100% of AA:Lys ratios. The slope of the linear response to graded SID Lys intake was defined as kSID Lys. With the aim of increasing the accuracy of kSID Lys estimates, gilt data from the current study was combined with gilt data from a previous study conducted at the same facility using 4 SID Lys levels ranging from 60% to 90% of the daily SID Lys requirements above maintenance for gilts according to the NRC (2012) gestating sow model. Whole body Lys retention of the combined gilt data set was assessed with different broken-line and nonlinear models. The kSID Lys was 0.65, 0.38, and 0.52 for early-, mid-, and late-gestation, respectively, in gilts. A linear response to graded SID Lys intake was found in late gestation only in parity 1 and 2+ sows; kSID Lys was determined as 0.44 and 0.52 in late gestation for parity 1 and parity 2+ sows, respectively. There were no differences in kSID Lys in late gestation between parities. For the combined gilt data, the model of best performance (reduced error and greater goodness of fit) was the Hoerl model. Maximum kSID Lys (i.e., g SID Lys retention/g SID Lys intake) in gilts was 0.67, 0.54, and 0.53 in early, mid, and late gestation predicted at 7.2, 9.1, and 13.5 g of SID Lys intake/d, respectively, based on the Hoerl model. Maximum SID Lys retention in gilts was similarly predicted at 8.5, 10.5, and 20.9 g of SID Lys intake per day in early, mid, and late gestation and resultant kSID Lys of 0.61, 0.51, and 0.44, respectively. The findings of this study demonstrate that kSID Lys varies by stage of gestation and SID Lys intake level and that, at least in gilts, a dynamic kSID adjusted for daily intake more adequately reflects biological response and hence allows more precise feeding of pregnant females.
Consumption of the Sugar Substitute Stevia Leads to Cross-Reactivity of CEDIA® Buprenorphine II Immunoassay
Authors: Plattner Sabine , Pavlic Marion , Pitterl Florian , Schubert Birthe
Published: October 2020

Buprenorphine is a semisynthetic opioid that is often used in opiate maintenance therapy. For this purpose, regular toxicological analyses of urine samples are mandatory. For fast analytical results, analyses are commonly performed by immunoassay, for example, Thermo Scientific™ CEDIA® Buprenorphine or Buprenorphine II assay. One drawback of immunoassay-based methods is the possible cross-reaction with other substances. Several drugs have already been checked for cross-reactivity to CEDIA® Buprenorphine II immunoassay. In contrast, cross-reactivities have not been checked for any food additives. In the present study, a cross-reaction of CEDIA® Buprenorphine II assay to steviol glucuronide was investigated. Steviol glucuronide is a phase II metabolite of the sugar substitute stevia. For our study, 32 urine samples of patients in rehabilitation centers were collected. These samples were tested positive with the CEDIA® Buprenorphine II immunoassay. These findings were suspicious, because it was highly unlikely that the patients in those institutions had access to buprenorphine. The absence or presence of buprenorphine in urine samples was evaluated by a validated gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. In order to determine the concentration of steviol glucuronide in urine samples, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and fully validated according to the respective guidelines of the German Society of Toxicological and Forensic Chemistry. The cross-reactivity of steviol glucuronide in the CEDIA® Buprenorphine II immunoassay was observed at concentrations above 15,000 µg/L. These findings demonstrate that food additives should also be considered as compounds that may reduce the selectivity of immunoassays and emphasize the importance of confirming implausible results by selective analytical methods.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Multigene Hereditary Cancer Panel Test Results for Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Yadav Siddhartha , LaDuca Holly , Polley Eric C , Hu Chunling , Niguidula Nancy , Shimelis Hermela , Lilyquist Jenna , Na Jie , Lee Kun Y , Gutierrez Stephanie , Yussuf Amal , Hart Steven N , Davis Brigette Tippin , Chao Elizabeth C , Pesaran Tina , Goldgar David E , Dolinsky Jill S , Couch Fergus J
Published: October 2020

To evaluate the racial and ethnic differences in prevalence of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) and the effect of race and ethnicity on breast cancer (BC) risk among carriers, results of multigene testing of 77 900 women with BC (non-Hispanic White [NHW] = 57 003; Ashkenazi-Jewish = 4798; Black = 6722; Hispanic = 5194; and Asian = 4183) were analyzed, and the frequency of PVs in each gene were compared between BC patients (cases) and race- and ethnicity-matched gnomAD reference controls. Compared with NHWs, BRCA1 PVs were enriched in Ashkenazi-Jews and Hispanics, whereas CHEK2 PVs were statistically significantly lower in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians (all 2-sided P < .05). In case-control studies, BARD1 PVs were associated with high risks (odds ratio > 4.00) of BC in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians; ATM PVs were associated with increased risk of BC among all races and ethnicities except Asians, whereas CHEK2 and BRIP1 PVs were associated with increased risk of BC among NHWs and Hispanics only. These findings suggest a need for personalized management of BC risk in PV carriers based on race and ethnicity.
Risk of Transmissibility From Neurodegenerative Disease-Associated Proteins: Experimental Knowns and Unknowns
Authors: Asher David M , Belay Ermias , Bigio Eileen , Brandner Sebastian , Brubaker Scott A , Caughey Byron , Clark Brychan , Damon Inger , Diamond Marc , Freund Michelle , Hyman Bradley T , Jucker Mathias , Keene C Dirk , Lieberman Andrew P , Mackiewicz Miroslaw , Montine Thomas J , Morgello Susan , Phelps Creighton , Safar Jiri , Schneider Julie A , Schonberger Lawrence B , Sigurdson Christina , Silverberg Nina , Trojanowski John Q , Frosch Matthew P
Published: October 2020

Recent studies in animal models demonstrate that certain misfolded proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases can support templated misfolding of cognate native proteins, to propagate across neural systems, and to therefore have some of the properties of classical prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The National Institute of Aging convened a meeting to discuss the implications of these observations for research priorities. A summary of the discussion is presented here, with a focus on limitations of current knowledge, highlighting areas that appear to require further investigation in order to guide scientific practice while minimizing potential exposure or risk in the laboratory setting. The committee concluded that, based on all currently available data, although neurodegenerative disease-associated aggregates of several different non-prion proteins can be propagated from humans to experimental animals, there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest more than a negligible risk, if any, of a direct infectious etiology for the human neurodegenerative disorders defined in part by these proteins. Given the importance of this question, the potential for noninvasive human transmission of proteopathic disorders is deserving of further investigation.
Epidemiology and Mortality of Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis in Suriname: A 2-Year Surveillance Study
Authors: Achten Niek B , Juliana Amadu E , Lissone Neirude P , Sinnige Jan C , Holband Natanael , Zonneveld Rens , Plötz Frans B
Published: October 2020

We conducted a nationwide surveillance study to produce reliable national estimates on incidence, etiology, and mortality of early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in Suriname. The estimated national population incidence rate of EONS was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.90–1.99) per 1000 live births and in-hospital mortality was 25.9%.
The serious complications of frontal sinusitis, a case series and literature review
Authors: Al Yaeesh Ibrahim , AlOmairin Ahmed , Al Shakhs Abdullah , Almomen Ali , Almomen Zahra , AlBahr Abdulelah , AlNaim Abdulrahman , Al Abdulgader Abdulrahman , Alawadh Abdullah
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study is to illustrate the managements of different clinical and radiological presentations of serious complications of frontal sinusitis diagnosed and managed at the tertiary referral hospital. A case series study conducted at the tertiary referral in the period from 2012 to 2019. Four different cases of serious complications of frontal sinusitis namely orbital abscess, frontal meningitis, subdural empyema and frontal lobe abscess will be presented and discussed. Despite the generous use of antibiotics, the serious complications of frontal sinusitis still develop. The serious complications of frontal sinusitis ranges from orbital abscess to frank frontal lobe abscess. The management is a combination of systemic antibiotics and surgical drainage with excellent outcomes.
HumanMetagenomeDB: a public repository of curated and standardized metadata for human metagenomes
Authors: Kasmanas Jonas Coelho , Bartholomäus Alexander , Corrêa Felipe Borim , Tal Tamara , Jehmlich Nico , Herberth Gunda , von Bergen Martin , Stadler Peter F , Carvalho André Carlos Ponce de Leon Ferreira de , Nunes da Rocha Ulisses
Published: October 2020

Metagenomics became a standard strategy to comprehend the functional potential of microbial communities, including the human microbiome. Currently, the number of metagenomes in public repositories is increasing exponentially. The Sequence Read Archive (SRA) and the MG-RAST are the two main repositories for metagenomic data. These databases allow scientists to reanalyze samples and explore new hypotheses. However, mining samples from them can be a limiting factor, since the metadata available in these repositories is often misannotated, misleading, and decentralized, creating an overly complex environment for sample reanalysis. The main goal of the HumanMetagenomeDB is to simplify the identification and use of public human metagenomes of interest. HumanMetagenomeDB version 1.0 contains metadata of 69 822 metagenomes. We standardized 203 attributes, based on standardized ontologies, describing host characteristics (e.g. sex, age and body mass index), diagnosis information (e.g. cancer, Crohn's disease and Parkinson), location (e.g. country, longitude and latitude), sampling site (e.g. gut, lung and skin) and sequencing attributes (e.g. sequencing platform, average length and sequence quality). Further, HumanMetagenomeDB version 1.0 metagenomes encompass 58 countries, 9 main sample sites (i.e. body parts), 58 diagnoses and multiple ages, ranging from just born to 91 years old. The HumanMetagenomeDB is publicly available at https://webapp.ufz.de/hmgdb/.
RiboDiPA: a novel tool for differential pattern analysis in Ribo-seq data
Authors: Li Keren , Hope C Matthew , Wang Xiaozhong A , Wang Ji-Ping
Published: October 2020

Ribosome profiling, also known as Ribo-seq, has become a popular approach to investigate regulatory mechanisms of translation in a wide variety of biological contexts. Ribo-seq not only provides a measurement of translation efficiency based on the relative abundance of ribosomes bound to transcripts, but also has the capacity to reveal dynamic and local regulation at different stages of translation based on positional information of footprints across individual transcripts. While many computational tools exist for the analysis of Ribo-seq data, no method is currently available for rigorous testing of the pattern differences in ribosome footprints. In this work, we develop a novel approach together with an R package, RiboDiPA, for Differential Pattern Analysis of Ribo-seq data. RiboDiPA allows for quick identification of genes with statistically significant differences in ribosome occupancy patterns for model organisms ranging from yeast to mammals. We show that differential pattern analysis reveals information that is distinct and complimentary to existing methods that focus on translational efficiency analysis. Using both simulated Ribo-seq footprint data and three benchmark data sets, we illustrate that RiboDiPA can uncover meaningful pattern differences across multiple biological conditions on a global scale, and pinpoint characteristic ribosome occupancy patterns at single codon resolution.
CSEA-DB: an omnibus for human complex trait and cell type associations
Authors: Dai Yulin , Hu Ruifeng , Manuel Astrid Marilyn , Liu Andi , Jia Peilin , Zhao Zhongming
Published: October 2020

During the past decade, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified many genetic variants with susceptibility to several thousands of complex diseases or traits. The genetic regulation of gene expression is highly tissue-specific and cell type-specific. Recently, single-cell technology has paved the way to dissect cellular heterogeneity in human tissues. Here, we present a reference database for GWAS trait-associated cell type-specificity, named Cell type-Specific Enrichment Analysis DataBase (CSEA-DB, available at https://bioinfo.uth.edu/CSEADB/). Specifically, we curated total of 5120 GWAS summary statistics data for a wide range of human traits and diseases followed by rigorous quality control. We further collected >900 000 cells from the leading consortia such as Human Cell Landscape, Human Cell Atlas, and extensive literature mining, including 752 tissue cell types from 71 adult and fetal tissues across 11 human organ systems. The tissues and cell types were annotated with Uberon and Cell Ontology. By applying our deTS algorithm, we conducted 10 250 480 times of trait-cell type associations, reporting a total of 598 (11.68%) GWAS traits with at least one significantly associated cell type. In summary, CSEA-DB could serve as a repository of association map for human complex traits and their underlying cell types, manually curated GWAS, and single-cell transcriptome resources.
The receptor activator of nuclear factor κΒ ligand receptor leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 contributes to parathyroid hormone-induced vascular calcification
Authors: Carrillo-López Natalia , Martínez-Arias Laura , Alonso-Montes Cristina , Martín-Carro Beatriz , Martín-Vírgala Julia , Ruiz-Ortega Marta , Fernández-Martín José Luis , Dusso Adriana S , Rodriguez-García Minerva , Naves-Díaz Manuel , Cannata-Andía Jorge B , Panizo Sara
Published: October 2020

Background

In chronic kidney disease, serum phosphorus (P) elevations stimulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) production, causing severe alterations in the bone–vasculature axis. PTH is the main regulator of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system, which is essential for bone maintenance and also plays an important role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. The discovery of a new RANKL receptor, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4), which is important for osteoblast differentiation but with an unknown role in vascular calcification (VC), led us to examine the contribution of LGR4 in high P/high PTH–driven VC.

Methods

In vivo studies were conducted in subtotally nephrectomized rats fed a normal or high P diet, with and without parathyroidectomy (PTX). PTX rats were supplemented with PTH(1–34) to achieve physiological serum PTH levels. In vitro studies were performed in rat aortic VSMCs cultured in control medium, calcifying medium (CM) or CM plus 10−7 versus 10−9 M PTH.

Results

Rats fed a high P diet had a significantly increased aortic calcium (Ca) content. Similarly, Ca deposition was higher in VSMCs exposed to CM. Both conditions were associated with increased RANKL and LGR4 and decreased OPG aorta expression and were exacerbated by high PTH. Silencing of LGR4 or parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTH1R) attenuated the high PTH–driven increases in Ca deposition. Furthermore, PTH1R silencing and pharmacological inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), but not protein kinase C, prevented the increases in RANKL and LGR4 and decreased OPG. Treatment with PKA agonist corroborated that LGR4 regulation is a PTH/PKA-driven process.

Conclusions

High PTH increases LGR4 and RANKL and decreases OPG expression in the aorta, thereby favouring VC. The hormone’s direct pro-calcifying actions involve PTH1R binding and PKA activation.
Prolonged and Late-Onset Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Miyazato Yusuke , Morioka Shinichiro , Tsuzuki Shinya , Akashi Masako , Osanai Yasuyo , Tanaka Keiko , Terada Mari , Suzuki Michiyo , Kutsuna Satoshi , Saito Sho , Hayakawa Kayoko , Ohmagari Norio
Published: October 2020

Some patients who recover from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have prolonged symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, cough, and dysosmia for longer than 120 days after symptom onset. In addition, some patients who recovered from COVID-19 reported hair loss a few months after the onset of the disease. Alopecia is a late-onset symptom of COVID-19. The cause of alopecia is unknown; however, androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium are possible causes.
Validating Goal Attainment in Veterans Undergoing Decompressive Laminectomy: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Moehl Keelin , Newman Dave , Perera Subashan , Toto Pamela E , Weiner Debra K
Published: October 2020

Objective

Although decompressive laminectomy (DL) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common procedure among older adults, it is unclear whether surgical definitions of success translate into patient-defined success. Using goal attainment scaling (GAS) to compare goal achievement between individuals, we investigated the relationship between surgical-defined functional recovery and achievement of personalized goals in patients who underwent DL for LSS.

Participants

Twenty-eight community-dwelling veterans scheduled to undergo DL.

Methods

Participants were interviewed over the phone to set 1-year post-DL goals within 30 days before undergoing DL. Brigham Spinal Stenosis (BSS) score, comorbidities, cognitive function, and psychological factors also were assessed. GAS and BSS were repeated 1 year after DL. GAS scores were transformed into GAS-T scores (T-score transformation) to standardize achievement between patients and GAS-T change scores to compare study variables.

Results

Seventeen of 28 participants had successful DL outcomes by BSS standards, though none of the participants achieved all of their GAS goals, with follow-up GAS-T scores averaging 44.5 ± 16.8. All three BSS scales positively correlated with GAS-T change scores: severity change r = 0.52, P = 0.005; physical function change r = 0.51, P = 0.006; and satisfaction r = 0.70, P < 0.001. Covariate analysis revealed a negative correlation between GAS-T change score and fear-avoidance beliefs: r = -0.41, P = -0.029.

Conclusion

There was congruent validity between GAS and the BSS in older veterans undergoing DL for LSS. Given the need for patient-centered care in older adults, future investigations exploring GAS in larger studies that target additional pain conditions and include participants with greater demographic diversity are warranted.
Regular police officer perspectives on the Special Constabulary: An exploratory study
Authors: Britton Iain , Callender Matthew , Cahalin Kathryn , Knight Laura
Published: October 2020

A substantial body of research engaging volunteer Special Constables has reflected the importance for them of relationships and integration with their Regular, paid police officer colleagues. This article looks at this professional relationship from the other side, drawing upon 1,382 responses to an online survey of Regular police officers undertaken across five police forces in England and Wales. Findings point to gaps in confidence in the adequacy of recruitment, training, and initial practice competency and scepticism on leadership and strategic direction. More positive findings reflect valuing the contribution and perceptions of positive relationships. This article identifies the need for police forces to engage and involve Regular officers more constructively with the Special Constabulary. The research has a broader relevance for cultural engagement and integration across the diversity of roles in the ‘police family’, both paid and volunteer.
Visceral adiposity in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis alone and its relationship with metabolic and cardiovascular risk
Authors: Toussirot Eric , Aubin François , Desmarets Maxime , Wendling Daniel , Augé Benoit  , Gillard Jérome , Messica Olivier , Guillot Xavier , Laheurte Caroline , Monnet Elisabeth  , Dumoulin Gilles
Published: October 2020

Background

Fat mass distribution, especially in the abdominal visceral region, has been rarely evaluated in patients with PsA or psoriasis (PsO).

Methods

Patients with PsA and patients with PsO alone were evaluated and compared with control subjects (1:1 ratio in each patient group) matched for age, sex and BMI category. Body composition and fat distribution (android and visceral fat) were evaluated by DXA. Anthropometric measurements, disease activity and the systematic coronary risk evaluation (SCORE) cardiovascular risk were assessed. Metabolic parameters (insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance), serum adipokines [total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin, leptin, resistin and retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4)] were measured.

Results

Data for 52 patients with PsA and 52 patients with PsO and their respective paired controls were analysed. Android fat and visceral fat were found to be significantly higher in patients with PsO compared with their controls, while these measurements did not differ between patients with PsA and their controls. By multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, sex and BMI, visceral fat was higher in PsO patients compared with PsA patients (P = 0.0004) and the whole group of controls (P = 0.0013). Insulin levels and HOMA-IR were increased in both PsA and PsO groups. High-molecular-weight/total adiponectin ratio was decreased in patients with PsO. RBP4 was significantly higher in both PsA and PsO patients. In patients with PsO, visceral fat strongly correlated with SCORE (r = 0.61).

Conclusion

Visceral fat accumulates more in PsO alone than in PsA. Visceral adiposity may be a more pressing concern in PsO relative to PsA.

Trial registration

The ADIPSO study (Évaluation du tissu ADIpeux et des adipokines dans le PSOriasis et le rhumatisme psoriasique et analyse de ses relations avec le risque cardiovasculaire) is a case–control study conducted in Besançon, France, and is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT02849795.
USE OF CLINICAL EXPOSURE INDEX AND DEVIATION INDEX BASED ON NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVEL AS DOSE-OPTIMIZATION TOOLS FOR GENERAL RADIOGRAPHY IN KOREA
Authors: Park Hyemin , Yoon Yongsu , Kim Jungmin , Kim Jungsu , Jeong Hoiwoun , Tanaka Nobukazu , Morishita Junji
Published: October 2020

The International Electrotechnical Commission introduced the concepts of exposure index (EI), target exposure index (EIT) and deviation index (DI) to manage and optimize patient dose in real time. In this study, we have proposed an appropriate method for setting the EIT based on the Korean national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Furthermore, we evaluated the use of clinical EI, EIT and DI as tools for patient dose optimization in clinical environments by observing the changes in DI with those in EIT. According to the Korean national exposure conditions, we conducted experiments on three representative radiographic examinations (chest posterior–anterior, lateral and abdomen anterior–posterior) of clinical environments. As the exposure conditions and DRLs varied, the clinical EI, EIT and DI also varied. These results reveal that the clinical EI, EIT and DI can be used as tools for optimizing the patient dose if EIT is periodically and properly updated.
Early Gestational Exposure to Inhaled Ozone Impairs Maternal Uterine Artery and Cardiac Function
Authors: Garcia Marcus , Salazar Raul , Wilson Thomas , Lucas Selita , Herbert Guy , Young Tamara , Begay Jessica , Denson Jesse L , Zychowski Katherine , Ashley Ryan , Byrum Stephanie , Mackintosh Samuel , Bleske Barry E , Ottens Andrew K , Campen Matthew J
Published: October 2020

Exposure to air pollutants such as ozone (O3) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including higher incidence of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and peripartum cardiomyopathy; however, the underlying mechanisms of this association remain unclear. We hypothesized that O3 exposures during early placental formation would lead to more adverse cardiovascular effects at term for exposed dams, as compared with late-term exposures. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed (4 h) to either filtered air (FA) or O3 (0.3 or 1.0 ppm) at either gestational day (GD)10 or GD20, with longitudinal functional assessments and molecular endpoints conducted at term. Exposure at GD10 led to placental transcriptional changes at term that were consistent with markers in human preeclampsia, including reduced mmp10 and increased cd36, fzd1, and col1a1. O3 exposure, at both early and late gestation, induced a significant increase in maternal circulating soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), a known driver of preeclampsia. Otherwise, exposure to 0.3 ppm O3 at GD10 led to several late-stage cardiovascular outcomes in dams that were not evident in GD20-exposed dams, including elevated uterine artery resistance index and reduced cardiac output and stroke volume. GD10 O3 exposure proteomic profile in maternal hearts characterized by a reduction in proteins with essential roles in metabolism and mitochondrial function, whereas phosphoproteomic changes were consistent with pathways involved in cardiomyopathic responses. Thus, the developing placenta is an indirect target of inhaled O3 and systemic maternal cardiovascular abnormalities may be induced by O3 exposure at a specific window of gestation.
Quantification of the Aflatoxin Biocontrol Strain Aspergillus flavus AF36 in Soil and in Nuts and Leaves of Pistachio by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Garcia-Lopez M. Teresa , Luo Yong , Ortega-Beltran Alejandro , Jaime Ramon , Moral Juan , Michailides Themis J.
Published: October 2020

The species Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are commonly found in the soils of nut-growing areas in California. Several isolates can produce aflatoxins that occasionally contaminate nut kernels, conditioning their sale. Strain AF36 of A. flavus, which does not produce aflatoxins, is registered as a biocontrol agent for use in almond, pistachio, and fig crops in California. After application in orchards, AF36 displaces aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus spp. and thus reduces aflatoxin contamination. Vegetative compatibility assays (VCAs) have traditionally been used to track AF36 in soils and crops where it has been applied. However, VCAs are labor intensive and time consuming. Here, we developed a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol to quantify proportions of AF36 accurately and efficiently in different substrates. Specific primers to target AF36 and toxigenic strains of A. flavus and A. parasiticus were designed based on the sequence of aflC, a gene essential for aflatoxin biosynthesis. Standard curves were generated to calculate proportions of AF36 based on threshold cycle values. Verification assays using pure DNA and conidial suspension mixtures demonstrated a significant relationship by regression analysis between known and qPCR-measured AF36 proportions in DNA (R2 = 0.974; P < 0.001) and conidia mixtures (R2 = 0.950; P < 0.001). Tests conducted by qPCR in pistachio leaves, nuts, and soil samples demonstrated the usefulness of the qPCR method to precisely quantify proportions of AF36 in diverse substrates, ensuring important time and cost savings. The outputs of this study will serve to design better aflatoxin management strategies for pistachio and other crops.
Using Insights From Sports Psychology to Improve Recently Qualified Doctors’ Self-Efficacy While Managing Acutely Unwell Patients
Authors: Church Helen R. , Murdoch-Eaton Deborah , Sandars John
Published: October 2020

Problem

Doctors experience a range of negative reactions when managing acutely unwell patients. These may manifest as emotions or behaviors. Without appropriate coping strategies, these emotions and behaviors can impede optimal clinical performance, which directly affects patient care. Athletes use performance enhancing routines (PERs) to minimize the effect of their negative emotions and behaviors on competitive performance. The authors investigated whether PERs could similarly improve recently qualified doctors’ emotional and behavioral control while managing acutely unwell patients and whether the doctors perceived any effect on clinical performance.

Approach

Twelve doctors within 2 years of graduation from medical school recruited from 2 sites in Sheffield and Chesterfield, United Kingdom, implemented PERs using the PERFORM (Performance Enhancing Routines For Optimization of Readiness using Metacognition) model over a 4-month period between April and December 2017. The doctors’ perceptions of PERFORM’s effect on their ability to manage patients was evaluated using self-reported mixed-methods data, including think-aloud commentaries, semistructured interviews, and self-efficacy scores.

Outcomes

Doctors reported that PERFORM improved their ability to control negative emotions or behaviors during an acutely unwell patient in situ simulation, showing a statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy scores (P = .003, effect size = 0.89). Qualitative data revealed perceived improvement in aspects of clinical performance such as enhanced knowledge recall and decision making. These performance attributes appeared to positively impact interprofessional relationships and patient care. Doctors individualized their PERs and supported the wider implementation of PERFORM in health care education.

Next Steps

This is the first study to employ individualized PERs based on sports psychology in a medical context. The PERFORM model could be introduced into existing acute patient management courses to provide emotional regulation coaching alongside clinical skills training. Further research might investigate PERFORM’s effect in other environments where emotional and behavioral control is paramount, such as surgery.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Assessment of Brain Metabolite Concentrations in Individuals With Chronic Whiplash-associated Disorder
Authors: Farrell Scott F. , Cowin Gary J. , Pedler Ashley , Durbridge Gail , de Zoete Rutger M.J. , Sterling Michele
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Pathophysiologic mechanisms underpinning ongoing pain in whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) are not well understood, however, alterations in brain morphology and function have been observed in this population and in other chronic pain conditions. This study investigated metabolite profiles of brain regions in people with chronic WAD compared with controls.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-eight individuals with chronic WAD (mean [SD] age, 39.5 [11.3] years, 23 female individuals) and 16 pain-free controls (38.9 [12.7] years, 11 female individuals) underwent multivoxel brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy. At the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), primary motor cortex (1MC), and somatosensory cortex (SSC), ratios of metabolite concentrations were calculated for N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), myo-inositol (Ins), and glutamate/glutamine (Glx). Chronic WAD group participants completed clinical questionnaires and cold and pressure pain threshold assessment. Data were analyzed with hypothesis testing and Spearman correlations (P≥0.05), with Benjamini-Hochberg corrections (5% false discovery rate).

Results:

No group differences were observed for NAA:Cr, NAA:Cho, Cr:Cho, Glx:NAA, Glx:Cr, Glx:Cho, Ins:NAA, Ins:Cr, Ins:Cho or Ins:Glx for left or right ACC, 1MC, or SSC following correction for multiple comparisons. No significant correlations were observed between metabolite ratios and any clinical variable.

Discussion:

These results suggest that ongoing pain and disability in this population may not be underpinned by metabolite aberrations in the brain regions examined. Further research is required to progress our understanding of cortical contributions to neurophysiologic mechanisms in chronic WAD.
Toward Understanding Movement-evoked Pain (MEP) and its Measurement
Authors: Fullwood Dottington , Means Sydney , Merriwether Ericka N. , Chimenti Ruth L. , Ahluwalia Simar , Booker Staja Q.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Individuals with chronic pain conditions often report movement as exacerbating pain. An increasing number of researchers and clinicians have recognized the importance of measuring and distinguishing between movement-evoked pain (MEP) and pain at rest as an outcome. This scoping review maps the literature and describes MEP measurement techniques.

Materials and Methods:

The scoping review utilized 6 databases to identify original studies that targeted pain or movement-related outcomes. Our search returned 7322 articles that were screened by title and abstract by 2 reviewers. The inclusion criteria focused on the measurement of MEP before, during, and after movement tasks in adults with chronic pain. Studies of children below 18 years of age or with nonhuman animals, case studies, qualitative studies, book chapters, cancer-related pain, non-English language, and abstracts with no full publish text were excluded from the study.

Results:

Results from 38 studies revealed great variation in the measurement of MEP, while almost all of the studies did not provide an explicit conceptual or operational definition for MEP. In addition, studies collectively illuminated differences in MEP compared with rest pain, movement provocation methods, and pain intensity as the primary outcome.

Discussion:

These results have clinically significant and research implications. To advance the study of MEP, we offer that consistent terminology, standardized measurement (appropriate for pain type/population), and clear methodological processes be provided in research publications. On the basis of the findings, we have put forth a preliminary definition of MEP that may benefit from the continued scholarly dialog.
The Iliopectineal Fascia: A Cadaveric Anatomical Study
Authors: Barker Jordan P. , Yang Yang , Matz Jacob , Marmor Meir T. , Morshed Saam
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The iliopectineal fascia (IPF) serves as an important anatomical compass during the ilioinguinal and anterior intrapelvic approaches. The purpose of this investigation is to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the IPF by cadaveric dissection.

Methods:

Dissections were performed on 7 paired fresh-frozen cadaveric pelvic specimens. Measurements were made with surgical rulers to determine attachments of the IPF relative to surrounding anatomy.

Results:

The IPF is the thickened anterior portion of the iliopsoas fascia, attached superolaterally at the iliac crest for a mean insertion distance of 2.5 cm (range, 2.0–3.0 cm), immediately posterior to the origin of the inguinal ligament. Inferomedially, the IPF attaches to a bony ridge along the apex of the iliopectineal eminence, between the pelvic brim posteriorly and the anterior wall of the acetabulum anteriorly (mean distance, 4.3 cm; range, 3.1–5.6 cm). The attachment at the iliopectineal eminence is 7.8 cm (range, 6.0–10.0 cm) from the pubic symphysis, measured curvilinearly along the brim. The mean length of the IPF between its superolateral and inferomedial attachments is 9.2 cm (range, 8.0–11.8 cm). Anterolaterally, the IPF is the site of attachment of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis. Posteriorly, the IPF continues as the iliopsoas fascia.

Conclusions:

The authors have sought clarity and reconciliation of the myriad terms and descriptions of the IPF and its surrounding anatomy. We recommend a thorough understanding of this anatomy to enable safe and effective surgery via the ilioinguinal and anterior intrapelvic approaches to the acetabulum.
Tamoxifen prevention of meningioma and its proposal for the treatment of meningioma. Revisiting old data in the light of recent epidemiological observations
Authors: Altinoz Meric A.
Published: October 2020

Epidemiological studies reported in 2016 and 2019 demonstrated that breast cancer patients under tamoxifen treatment had significantly reduced risks of meningioma development. Tamoxifen treatment duration longer than 1500 days or with cumulative dosage higher than 26 320 mg have especially lowered risk of meningioma. Clinical long-term anticancer efficacy of tamoxifen shall associate with simultaneous suppression of estrogen receptor and downregulation of certain growth factor pathways, which may associate with – but not limited to – protein kinase-C (PKC) signaling. In this study, we will put the evidence together and indicate that tamoxifen may be effective in meningioma treatment in some patients who do not express estrogen receptor but expresses PKC, yet much higher doses of tamoxifen will be needed to treat meningiomas than those applied to treat breast cancer. We underline the fact that immunohistochemical analysis of both estrogen receptor and PKC (especially α, δ, λ and ι isoenzymes) may guide in patient stratification for selective benefitting from tamoxifen in management of meningiomas. Lastly, it would also be logical to test individual responses of meningiomas to tamoxifen in primary monolayer and spheroid cultures before starting treatment in each patient as the differential distribution of PCK isoenzymes may cause also untoward effects.
Which Lymph Node Staging System Better Predicts Prognosis in Patients With Gastric Carcinoma? A Comparative Study Between 3 Different Lymph Node Classifications for Resected Gastric Cancer in a Western Tertiary Center
Authors: Díaz del Arco Cristina , Estrada Muñoz Lourdes , Sánchez Pernaute Andrés , Ortega Medina Luis , García Gómez de las Heras Soledad , García Martínez Ricardo , Fernández Aceñero María Jesús
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive disease with high mortality rates. Lymph node (LN) staging of GC is a major source of controversy. The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic value of 3 different LN classifications for patients with resected GC: the eighth TNM staging system, lymph node ratio (LNR, ratio between positive and total LN) and a new anatomic-based classification (Choi classification).

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective study of all cases of GC resected in a tertiary hospital in Spain (n=377). Clinical data were collected; histologic slides were reviewed; and univariate and multivariate analyses of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed.

Results:

In all, 315 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Univariate analysis showed that all classifications were significantly associated with tumor death and progression (P<0.001). All staging systems were independent prognostic factors for DFS. Area under the curve ratios for Choi, N stage, and LNR classifications were 0.738, 0.730, and 0.735, respectively. TNM and LNR classifications were independent prognosticators for OS, while Choi classification was an independent factor only in patients with ≥16 LN resected. Area under the curve ratios for Choi, N stage, and LNR classifications were 0.707, 0.728, and 0.732, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves depending on LNR classification showed the best patient stratification for both OS and DFS.

Conclusions:

The 3-staging systems had similar prognostic performance, but LNR-based classification stratified patients better. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the number of LN examined, cutoff values, and anatomic extent of LN disease in GC.
Genetics of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Authors: AKANDE RUKAYAT O. , IBRAHIM YETUNDE
Published: October 2020

The diagnosis of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) has untold effects on women and a better understanding alongside potential treatments are paramount to improve quality of life of these women. Various causes have been linked to the development of POI with genetics playing a key role. A better understanding of the genetics of POI could lead to earlier diagnosis and broaden fertility options. This chapter discusses previously known and more recently discovered genes that have been implicated in the development of POI. It explores the varying phenotypic expressions of some genes in different populations and areas for further research in the genetics of POI.
Trends in Professional Radiation Exposures of Medical Staff Covered by Personal Dose Monitoring at a Rijeka Clinical Hospital Centre (2000 to 2015)
Authors: Žauhar Gordana , Dresto-Alač Branka
Published: October 2020

The increase in the number of radiological procedures observed in recent years also means greater exposure to ionizing radiation for the medical staff performing these procedures. This is most pronounced in the teams that perform interventional and invasive radiological procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of increasing numbers of radiological procedures on the effective dose received by medical staff and to determine which professions received the highest exposure to ionizing radiation. Data for effective doses of 326 employees of Rijeka Clinical Hospital Centre covered by personal dosimetry in the period from 2000 to 2015 have been analyzed. Employees were divided by sex, by departments in which they were employed, and according to their professions. The analysis has shown that the exposure level of workers working in the ionizing radiation zone is typically well below the dose limits. During 2015, most employees (over 96.3%) received an annual effective dose of less than 0.1 mSv. Only three persons received an annual dose higher than 0.5 mSv, and one person received an annual dose of 6.9 mSv. Comparison of the radiation exposure doses of medical workers of different professions has shown that the highest dose of radiation is received by cardiologists involved in interventional cardiology procedures. Therefore, the additional need is to take care of their protection, check the manner of their work, and ensure more even workload of cardiologists participating in procedures that involve higher exposure to ionizing radiation.
Tritium Air Concentration Calculation Using Passive Monitors
Authors: Culp Todd , Robinson Alexandra
Published: October 2020

Passive tritium air monitoring was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories’ Z-Machine located in New Mexico. When conducting low-level measurements, indication of the measurement’s uncertainty and of the detection limit of the counting technique are important to understand. Therefore, a calculational methodology is presented to enable the determination of the airborne tritium concentration by analysis of the minimum detectible activities for the Passive Tritium Monitoring System and the laboratory counting system used. General discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of the Passive Tritium Monitoring System are provided.