Upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in rats' intestinal anastomotic wound healing--does it matter?

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The proinflammatory cytokines and growth-promoting factor are essential components of the wound healing process. We hypothesized that under healthy conditions, faster healing of intestinal anastomotic wound is due to an early upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) that is followed by a quicker upregulation of homeostatic chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and late upregulation of transforming growth factor (TGF-β).

METHODS
We characterized the time course of CINC-1, MCP-1 and TGF-β release at four wounds (skin, muscle, small bowel, and colonic anastomosis) after surgery on 38 juvenile male Sprague Dawley rats. The tissue samples of each site were harvested at 0 (control), 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days postoperatively (n = 6-8/group) and analyzed by ELISA kits for CINC-1, MCP-1 and TGF-β.

RESULTS
CINC-1 expression peaked earlier in muscle and colonic wounds when compared to skin and small bowel. MCP-1 levels were elevated early in skin and muscle wounds, but later expression of MCP-1 was shown in colonic wounds. TGF-β levels were unchanged in all wound sites.

CONCLUSION
An earlier peak in CINC-1 levels and later expression of MCP-1 were seen in colonic wounds, but no significant increase in TGF-β levels was observed. These findings support the early healing process in intestinal anastomotic wounds.

Alzoghaibi|Mohammed A|MA|
Zubaidi|Ahmed M|AM|


The health-related quality of life of patients with a benign gynecological condition: a 2-year follow-up.

Abstract: Aim: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with benign gynecological disorders. Materials & methods: Prospective 2-year follow-up with the 15D HRQoL-instrument of 311 women treated in Helsinki-area hospitals in 2012-2013. Results: The initially impaired HRQoL regarding excretion, discomfort and symptoms, and vitality and sexual activity improved after treatment. However, only sexual activity reached similar levels as in the general population. Treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and polyps resulted in best and that of unspecific pelvic pain and bleeding disorders in worst HRQoL scores. Results were independent of hospital size. Conclusion: The impaired HRQoL dimensions were improved by treatment but HRQoL still remained poorer than in the general female population. Treatment of unspecific pelvic pain and bleeding disorders needs further evaluation.

health-related quality of life
benign
gynecology
patient-reported outcomes
women’s health


Selective Modification of Halloysite Nanotubes with 1-Pyrenylboronic Acid: A Novel Fluorescence Probe with Highly Selective and Sensitive Response to Hyperoxide.

Abstract: A novel fluorescence probe based on modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) by using 1-pyrenylboronic acid selectively grafted onto the inner surface of lumen was successfully achieved. The solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C and (11)B), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed that the boronic acid group only binds to alumina at the tube lumen and does not bind the tube's outer siloxane surface. The modified HNTs (HNTs-PY) inherit the spectroscopic properties relating to the pyrene units. Interestingly, the established Al-O-B linkage gives the H2O2-sensitivity to pyrene grafted tubes. HNTs-PY exhibits a highly specific "turn-off" response for hyperoxide over other reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative ions owing to their chemoselective boronate-to-phenol switch. The "turn-off" response can even be tracked when the additional amount of H2O2 was limited to 1 × 10(-6) mol. Thus, the selective modification method under mild conditions for the design of novel organic-inorganic hybrid fluorescence probe may open up a broader application as well as for identification and diagnosis.

Zhang|Hailei|H| Ren|Tianfei|T| Ji|Yunjing|Y| Han|Lingui|L| Wu|Yonggang|Y| Song|Hongzan|H| Bai|Libin|L| Ba|Xinwu|X|

selective modification
halloysite nanotubes
1-pyrenylboronic acid
fluorescence probe
hyperoxide


Māori and autism: A scoping review.

Abstract: Most current approaches to identifying, researching and managing autism are based on Western views and understandings. However, different cultural groups may understand and approach autism differently. We searched a wide range of websites, academic journals and other sources for published information related to autism and Māori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our search identified 13 publications that addressed questions related to Māori understandings of autism, Māori prevalence rates and diagnostic and support services for Māori. Overall, we found broad differences in Māori and Western understandings of autism and slightly higher autism prevalence rates for Māori than for non-Māori New Zealanders. Findings also highlighted a need for diagnostic and support services that are both effective and culturally appropriate for Māori. We discuss what these findings might mean for future research and the provision of services for Māori with autism.

D044468:Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

scoping review
autism spectrum disorders
culture and ASD
indigenous research


Measuring the prevalence of sleep disturbances in people with dementia living in care homes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract:
STUDY OBJECTIVES
Sleep disturbances are a feature in people living with dementia, including getting up during the night, difficulty falling asleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness and may precipitate a person with dementia moving into residential care. There are varying estimates of the frequency of sleep disturbances, and it is unknown whether they are a problem for the individual. We conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and associated factors of sleep disturbances in the care home population with dementia.

METHODS
We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO (29/04/2019) for studies of the prevalence or associated factors of sleep disturbances in people with dementia living in care homes. We computed meta-analytical estimates of the prevalence of sleep disturbances and used meta-regression to investigate the effects of measurement methods, demographics, and study characteristics.

RESULTS
We included 55 studies of 22,780 participants. The pooled prevalence on validated questionnaires of clinically significant sleep disturbances was 20% (95% confidence interval, CI 16% to 24%) and of any symptom of sleep disturbance was 38% (95% CI 33% to 44%). On actigraphy using a cutoff sleep efficiency of <85% prevalence was 70% (95% CI 55% to 85%). Staff distress, resident agitation, and prescription of psychotropic medications were associated with sleep disturbances. Studies with a higher percentage of males had a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance.

CONCLUSIONS
Clinically significant sleep disturbances are less common than those measured on actigraphy and are associated with residents and staff distress and the increased prescription of psychotropics. Actigraphy appears to offer no benefit over proxy reports in this population.

Webster|Lucy|L|
Costafreda Gonzalez|Sergi|S|
Stringer|Aisling|A|
Lineham|Amy|A|
Budgett|Jessica|J|
Kyle|Simon|S|
Barber|Julie|J|
Livingston|Gill|G|

D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders


Factors predicting for patient refusal of head and neck cancer therapy.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the national rate of treatment refusal in head and neck cancer (HNC).

METHODS
The National Cancer Database was queried for nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Oncologic therapy referred to receipt of surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

RESULTS
Compared to the 230 424 patients who received treatment, 2965 (1.3%) were reported to have refused definitive therapy. Predictors included older age, female sex, African-American/other race, nonprivate insurance, greater comorbidities, more advanced disease, and residence closer to the treating facility (P < .05). Patients with a prior history of cancer, Hispanic race, those treated at academic centers, and those from higher income counties were less likely to refuse therapy (P < .05). Patients who refused definitive therapy experienced poorer survival (median 79.1 vs 8.7 months, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS
Refusing oncologic therapy is relatively rare in HNC and appears to be multifocal in nature.

Amini|Arya|A|0000-0002-6205-5969
Verma|Vivek|V|0000-0002-5863-6023
Li|Richard|R|
Vora|Nayana|N|
Kang|Robert|R|
Gernon|Thomas J|TJ|
Chang|Sue|S|
Karam|Sana|S|
Massarelli|Erminia|E|
Maghami|Ellie G|EG|
Glaser|Scott|S|

head and neck cancer
treatment refusal
surgery
radiotherapy
definitive treatment
radiation
socioeconomic factors


Operating status of public toilets in the Hutong neighborhoods of Beijing: An empirical study.

Abstract: The provision of sanitation services for fast-growing urban populations is one of the world's urgent challenges. Hutong neighborhoods in Beijing, capital of China, cannot be rebuilt due to the protection of historical heritage, while residents still need to keep the habit of defecating in public toilets. One hundred public toilets with non-sewered sanitation in the Hutong neighborhoods of Beijing were visited to investigate the actual operating status in response to the "toilet revolution" campaign. The fault tree approach was used to identify the barriers toward a decent and environment-friendly public toilet and evaluate potential risks from the malfunction of various components. Four subsystems are defined and elaborated to calculate the fault possibility. These subsystems are environment- and user-friendly, regarded as ancillary facilities, and used for fecal sludge (FS) management. Statistical analysis of targeted cases indicated that fault probabilities of environmental considerations, user-friendly considerations, ancillary facilities, FS management are calculated as 0.79, 0.96, 0.96, and 0, respectively. The subsystems were weighted using a Delphi method concept. Results showed that the well operation ratio of Beijing Hutong public toilets is only 32%, and the sanitation service value chain can be further optimized. This study also provides references for other countries, which are dedicated to promoting urban sanitation and public health.

Yan|Rui|R|
Cheng|Shikun|S|
Chen|Jingang|J|
Li|Xiangkai|X|
Sharma|Sumit|S|
Nazim Uddin|Sayed Mohammad|SM|
Mang|Heinz-Peter|HP|
Chen|Cong|C|
Li|Zifu|Z|
Li|Tianxin|T|
Wang|Xuemei|X|

Public toilet
Hutong
Non-sewered
Fecal sludge
Delphi
Fault tree analysis


Growth performance and rumen development in Malabari kids reared under different production systems.

Abstract: In order to investigate the effect of rearing systems on growth and rumen development in Malabari male kids, 14 pre-weaned Malabari male kids of uniform morphological characters were randomly divided into two equal groups as T1 and T2. Both the groups were reared intensively for 12 weeks whereby kids under T1 group were allowed to suckle their dams and provided green grass ad libitum. The kids under T2 were weaned at the age of 7 days and provided formulated semi-solid broiler goat concentrate diet through the feeding bottle and were not offered any grass/roughage. Parameters like live weight gain, daily weight gain and body measurements were studied to evaluate the growth performance. However, gastrointestinal tract morphometric studies and qualitative morphological analysis of rumen papillae were undertaken to measure the rumen development. The daily weight gain of kids under T2 was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher than the daily weight gain of kids under T1. Also, the body measurements like height at withers, heart girth and body length were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in T2 than in T1. The rumen and abomasum were comparatively more developed in T2 than in T1. The morphology of rumen papillae in both groups was different in size, shape and colour. The length, width, density and surface area of rumen papillae among kids in T2 were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher than those kids in T1. The results of the present study indicated that the feeding of semi-solid broiler goat concentrate diet improved growth performance and early rumen development in kids.

D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Growth
Rumen
Malabari
Semi-solid
Concentrate diet
Broiler concentrate


Pristipomoides amoenus (Snyder 1911), a valid species of jobfish (Pisces, Lutjanidae), with comparisons to P. argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes 1832).

Abstract: Platyinius amoenus Snyder 1911 has long been considered a junior synonym of Pristipomoides argyrogrammicus (Valenciennes 1832), however, the two are discernible as distinct species from color patterns and counts of gill rakers based on examination of their type materials and non-type specimens. Furthermore, genetic differences based on molecular analysis among the two species (mtDNA, COI gene) strongly support the validity of both species. Pristipomoides amoenus can be readily distinguished from P. argyrogrammicus in having no white margin to the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, silvery blue spots continuing inside dorso-lateral yellow blotches, and presence of modally10 (vs. modally 12) lower gill rakers. Both species were collected sympatrically around Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan.

Pisces, COI, fishery target, morphology, mtDNA, Platyinius, validity


Hybrid remote quantum dot/powder phosphor designs for display backlights.

Abstract: Quantum dots are ideally suited for color conversion in light emitting diodes owing to their spectral tunability, high conversion efficiency and narrow emission bands. These properties are particularly important for display backlights; the highly saturated colors generated by quantum dots justify their higher production cost. Here, we demonstrate the benefits of a hybrid remote phosphor approach that combines a green-emitting europium-doped phosphor with red-emitting CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots. Different stacking geometries, including mixed and separate layers of both materials, are studied at the macroscopic and microscopic levels to identify the configuration that achieves maximum device efficiency while minimizing material usage. The influence of reabsorption, optical outcoupling and refractive index-matching between the layers is evaluated in detail with respect to device efficiency and cost. From the findings of this study, general guidelines are derived to optimize both the cost and efficiency of CdSe/CdS and other (potentially cadmium-free) quantum dot systems. When reabsorption of the green and/or red emission is significant compared to the absorption strength for the blue emission of the pumping light emitting diode, the hybrid remote phosphor approach becomes beneficial.

Abe|Sofie|S|
Joos|Jonas J|JJ|
Martin|Lisa Idj|LI|
Hens|Zeger|Z|
Smet|Philippe F|PF|

light emitting diode
remote phosphor
cost-efficiency
lanthanide
nanocrystal


Biomarkers of exposure to new and emerging tobacco delivery products.

Abstract: Accurate and reliable measurements of exposure to tobacco products are essential for identifying and confirming patterns of tobacco product use and for assessing their potential biological effects in both human populations and experimental systems. Due to the introduction of new tobacco-derived products and the development of novel ways to modify and use conventional tobacco products, precise and specific assessments of exposure to tobacco are now more important than ever. Biomarkers that were developed and validated to measure exposure to cigarettes are being evaluated to assess their use for measuring exposure to these new products. Here, we review current methods for measuring exposure to new and emerging tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes, little cigars, water pipes, and cigarillos. Rigorously validated biomarkers specific to these new products have not yet been identified. Here, we discuss the strengths and limitations of current approaches, including whether they provide reliable exposure estimates for new and emerging products. We provide specific guidance for choosing practical and economical biomarkers for different study designs and experimental conditions. Our goal is to help both new and experienced investigators measure exposure to tobacco products accurately and avoid common experimental errors. With the identification of the capacity gaps in biomarker research on new and emerging tobacco products, we hope to provide researchers, policymakers, and funding agencies with a clear action plan for conducting and promoting research on the patterns of use and health effects of these products.

Schick|Suzaynn F|SF|
Blount|Benjamin C|BC|
Jacob|Peyton|P|
Saliba|Najat A|NA|
Bernert|John T|JT|
El Hellani|Ahmad|A|
Jatlow|Peter|P|
Pappas|R Steven|RS|
Wang|Lanqing|L|
Foulds|Jonathan|J|
Ghosh|Arunava|A|
Hecht|Stephen S|SS|
Gomez|John C|JC|
Martin|Jessica R|JR|
Mesaros|Clementina|C|
Srivastava|Sanjay|S|
St Helen|Gideon|G|
Tarran|Robert|R|
Lorkiewicz|Pawel K|PK|
Blair|Ian A|IA|
Kimmel|Heather L|HL|
Doerschuk|Claire M|CM|
Benowitz|Neal L|NL|
Bhatnagar|Aruni|A|

D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

biomarker exposure tobacco NNAL cotinine


The circadian timing system: a recent addition in the physiological mechanisms underlying pathological and aging processes.

Abstract: Experimental findings and clinical observations have strengthened the association between physio-pathologic aspects of several diseases, as well as aging process, with the occurrence and control of circadian rhythms. The circadian system is composed by a principal pacemaker in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SNC) which is in coordination with a number of peripheral circadian oscillators. Many pathological entities such as metabolic syndrome, cancer and cardiovascular events are strongly connected with a disruptive condition of the circadian cycle. Inadequate circadian physiology can be elicited by genetic defects (mutations in clock genes or circadian control genes) or physiological deficiencies (desynchronization between SCN and peripheral oscillators). In this review, we focus on the most recent experimental findings regarding molecular defects in the molecular circadian clock and the altered coordination in the circadian system that are related with clinical conditions such as metabolic diseases, cancer predisposition and physiological deficiencies associated to jet-lag and shiftwork schedules. Implications in the aging process will be also reviewed.

Arellanes-Licea|Elvira|E|
Caldelas|Ivette|I|
De Ita-Pérez|Dalia|D|
Díaz-Muñoz|Mauricio|M|

circadian physiology
peripheral oscillator
metabolic diseases
jet-lag
molecular clock
uncoupling


COVID-19 confessions: a qualitative exploration of healthcare workers experiences of working with COVID-19.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
To gain insight into the experiences and concerns of front-line National Health Service (NHS) workers while caring for patients with COVID-19.

DESIGN
Qualitative analysis of data collected through an anonymous website (www.covidconfidential) provided a repository of uncensored COVID-19 experiences of front-line NHS workers, accessed via a link advertised on the Twitter feed of two high profile medical tweeters and their retweets.

SETTING
Community of NHS workers who accessed this social media.

PARTICIPANTS
54 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, accessed the website and left a 'story'.

RESULTS
Stories ranged from 1 word to 10 min in length. Thematic analysis identified common themes, with a central aspect being the experience and psychological consequence of trauma. Specific themes were: (1) the shock of the virus, (2) staff sacrifice and dedication, (3) collateral damage ranging from personal health concerns to the long-term impact on, and care of, discharged patients and (4) a hierarchy of power and inequality within the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS
COVID-19 confidential gave an outlet for unprompted and uncensored stories of healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19. In addition to personal experiences of trauma, there were perceptions that many operational difficulties stemmed from inequalities of power between management and front-line workers. Learning from these experiences will reduce staff distress and improve patient care in the face of further waves of the pandemic.

COVID-19
human resource management
mental health


Novel lincRNA Susceptibility Gene and Its Role in Etiopathogenesis of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis.

Abstract: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a life-threatening neuromuscular complication of thyrotoxicosis characterized by muscle weakness and hypokalemia and with an unclear etiopathogenesis. However, the 17q24.3 locus had been genetically linked to TPP, in which the genetic variant rs312691 (TC genotype) in long intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) CTD-2378E21.1 is located downstream of inward-rectifier potassium (Kir) channel genes [KCNJ2 and its antisense KCNJ2 (AS-KCNJ2)]. A TPP patient with a suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone level, a high free thyroxine level of (5.8 ng/dL), and low serum potassium level of (2 mEq/L) was evaluated for Kir channel expression during and after recovery from thyrotoxicosis. We observed that circulating lincRNA and Kir expression varied in accordance with thyroid status and TC genotype. To endorse this association of a lincRNA-rs312691 variant with a genetic risk of TPP, an additional series of 37 patients with TPP and 32 patients with thyrotoxic without paralysis (TWP) were assessed. We verified that the risk of minor allele C was greater in TPP than in TWP (odds ratio, 5.289; P = 0.0062), and protective major allele T was more frequent than observed in the 1000 genome controls (odds ratio, 11.90; P < 0.0001). AS-KCNJ2 was downregulated during thyrotoxicosis in the TWP controls carrying allele T and were upregulated in those with TPP with risk allele C. Moreover, KCNJ2 (Kir2.1) expression was reduced during thyrotoxicosis and restored in euthyroid status. We further excluded any other coding variant by performing targeted exome sequencing mutational screening in 17q24.3. Our data suggest that high lincRNA AS-KCNJ2 and CDT-2378E21.1 expression, possibly driven by the triiodothyronine regulatory mechanism, reduces the Kir2.1 expression observed during thyrotoxicosis. This finding could contribute to the understanding of the reduced inward-rectifying current observed during muscle weakness in genetically susceptible TPP patients.

Melo|Maria Clara C|MCC|
de Souza|Janaína S|JS|
Kizys|Marina M L|MML|
Vidi|Angela C|AC|
Dorta|Haron S|HS|
Kunii|Ilda S|IS|
Giannocco|Gisele|G|
Carvalheira|Gianna|G|
Dias-da-Silva|Magnus R|MR|

lincRNA
KCNJ2
Kir channel expression
Kir antisense
thyrotoxic paralysis


A Stable Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Magnesium Metal Anode Evolved from a Bulky Anion Lithium Salt.

Abstract: Rechargeable magnesium (Mg) metal batteries are a promising candidate for "post-Li-ion batteries" due to their high capacity, high abundance, and most importantly, highly reversible and dendrite-free Mg metal anode. However, the formation of passivating surface film rather than Mg2+ -conducting solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on Mg anode surface has always restricted the development of rechargeable Mg batteries. A stable SEI is constructed on the surface of Mg metal anode by the partial decomposition of a pristine Li electrolyte in the electrochemical process. This Li electrolyte is easily prepared by dissolving lithium tetrakis(hexafluoroisopropyloxy)borate (Li[B(hfip)4 ]) in dimethoxyethane. It is noteworthy that Mg2+ can be directly introduced into this Li electrolyte during the initial electrochemical cycles for in situ forming a hybrid Mg2+ /Li+ electrolyte, and then the cycled electrolyte can conduct Mg-ion smoothly. The existence of this as-formed SEI blocks the further parasitic reaction of Mg metal anode with electrolyte and enables this electrolyte enduring long-term electrochemical cycles stably. This approach of constructing superior SEI on Mg anode surface and exploiting novel Mg electrolyte provides a new avenue for practical application of high-performance rechargeable Mg batteries.


Developing an Online Tool to Measure Social Network Structure and Perceived Social Support Amongst Autistic Students in Higher Education: A Feasibility Study.

Abstract: The academic, daily-living, and social challenges all students face during university transition can become magnified for many autistic students, who might struggle to adapt to changes in their social network structure (SNS) and perceived social support (PSS). This study assessed the development, feasibility, and convergent validity of a novel online tool (Social Network and Perceived Social Support-SNaPSS) designed to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate SNS and PSS during university transition. SNaPSS demonstrated good feasibility for completion amongst autistic students (Study 1, n = 10, 17-19 years), and adequate convergent validity against other PSS, autism symptom severity, and social anxiety measures amongst autistic (n = 28) and typically developing students (Study 2, n = 112, 17-19 years). Broader implications of SNaPSS to measure SNS/PSS are discussed.

Social network
Perceived social support
University
Transition
Autism spectrum disorder
College


Bilateral Foreign Body Bronchus.

Abstract: Foreign body of aerodigestive tract is one of the most common emergency which all the otolaryngologists do come across in the pediatric patients. Among the airway and digestive tract foreign bodies, airway foreign bodies always possess major risk. Only 47% cases will give a probable positive history. Most of the time the airway foreign bodies are radiolucent. Apart from the indirect signs like hyperinflation, collapse or pneumothorax there are no direct evidences regarding the type and number of foreign bodies on radiographs. The chances of having multiple foreign bodies in the same bronchus or in both the bronchi are not remote. Babies presenting with foreign bodies in bilateral bronchus have graver prognosis than the babies with unilateral foreign bodies. Here we want to share our experience in managing 7 cases of bilateral foreign body bronchus.

Tripuraneni|Satish Chandra|SC|
Priyadarshni|N|N|
Venkataratnam|R|R|
Rajanikanth|K|K|
Naveen|R|R|

Bilateral foreign body bronchus
Foreign body (FB) bronchoscopy
Foreign body aspiration (FBA)


Gender Representation in Speaking Roles at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting: 2012-2019.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) has one of the lowest percentages of women members among orthopedic surgery subspecialty societies, having increased from 1.3% to 3.1% since 2012. Our purpose was to report the representation of women in various speaking roles at the AAHKS annual meeting over this time period.

METHODS
We accessed the 2012-2019 AAHKS annual meeting programs online and reviewed all paper presenters, symposium faculty, and session moderators. We recorded instances of women speakers and their degree and specialty. We calculated the percentage of women speakers, women orthopedic surgeon speakers, women session moderators, and women symposium faculty for the overall period of 2012-2019, and for each annual meeting.

RESULTS
Between 2012 and 2019, 33/877 (3.8%) of all speakers at AAHKS were women. Of these, 21 were women orthopedic surgeons, or 2.4% of all speakers. The proportion of total women speakers per year ranged from 1.7% (2017) to 6.4% (2013). Twenty-four of 492 (4.9%) paper presenters were women, and 12/492(2.4%) were women orthopedic surgeons. Four of 143 (2.8%) session moderators were women, and all were orthopedic surgeons. Five of 245 (2.0%) symposium faculty were women, and 0/245 (0%) were women orthopedic surgeons.

CONCLUSION
Although the percentage of women AAHKS members has grown since 2012, the small percentage of women orthopedic surgeons speaking at AAHKS has not. There were no women orthopedic surgeons included on symposium faculty over this entire period. We appreciate and encourage efforts to improve gender diversity among speakers at AAHKS annual meetings.

Cohen-Rosenblum|Anna R|AR|
Bernstein|Jenna A|JA|
Cipriano|Cara A|CA|

gender representation
annual meeting
diversity
inclusion
suspecialty society


The psychological problems and related influential factors of left-behind adolescents (LBA) in Hunan, China: a cross sectional study.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Due to lack of companionship of parents, compared with non left behind children, left behind children (LBC) suffer from more psychological problems compared with children live with their parents. The aim of this study was to explore the mental health status and the relationship among psychological problems and the related factors of LBC.

METHOD
Adopting delaminating-random-group sampling and using region, county, village (town) as sampling framework, we utilized Demographic Data Recording Form, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List, Scale of APGAR, Perceived Social Support Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Self-Esteem Scale and Scale of Mental Health for Chinese Middle-school Student to assess 1309 left behind child in junior middle school students' mental health in Hunan. Statistic description, Structural equation model was adopted to analyze the data.

RESULT
There was a significant difference in score of psychological problems between LBC and non-LBC(F = 18.224, P<0.000). Life event was the major factor(r = .487) that affected psychological problems (path coefficient, PC = 0.08) directly and affect psychological problems indirectly through affecting passive coping (PC = 0.01)and family functioning(PC = 0.02); family functioning impacted psychological problems indirectly through affecting social support (PC = 4.89) and self-esteem (PC = 0.10); social support (PC = -0.02), passive coping (PC =0.07) and active coping PC = -0.04) affected psychological problems directly. Psychoticism (P) (PC = 0.11), Neuroticism (N) influenced psychological problems of LBC both directly (PC = 0.04) and indirectly through affecting self-esteem (PC: P:-1.87; N: -0.83), while Extraversion/Introversion (E) (PC = 0.21) only impact psychological problems indirectly through self-esteem. Altogether, these variables accounted for 50.2% of total variance of psychological problems (F = 130.470, P = 0.000) for LBC.

CONCLUSION
In this research we proved that LBC have more sever psychological problems than non-LBC. We also identified the direct and indirect influential factors of psychological problems of LBC. The findings had important implications for prevention policies and interventions to promote mental health of LBC.

Man|Ye|Y| Mengmeng|Lv|L| Lezhi|Li|L| Ting|Mao|M| Jingping|Zhang|Z|

Life events
Social support
Coping
Personality
Self-esteem
Family functioning
Adolescent psychiatry


Novel de novo heterozygous FGFR1 mutation in two siblings with Hartsfield syndrome: a case of gonadal mosaicism.

Abstract: Hartsfield syndrome has been recently reported to be associated with mutations in FGFR1 however, to this date; no familial cases have been reported. In this report, we describe two siblings with Hartsfield syndrome and a novel de novo FGFR1 mutation suggesting gonadal mosaicism. The proband presented at our institution at age 6 years with a clinical diagnosis of Hartsfield syndrome and requesting further genetic evaluation. Previous studies included a normal karyotype, oligonucleotide array, and single gene testing for nonsyndromic holoprosencephaly (SHH, SIX3, ZIC2, TGIF). At the age of 6 years, exome sequencing was performed and a de novo novel missense variant was identified in FGFR1 (coding for fibroblast growth factor-1) on chromosome 8p12: c.1880G>C (p.R627T). Subsequently, a younger sibling was born with the same phenotype (holoprosencephaly, ectrodactyly of bilateral hands and feet and bilateral cleft lip and palate). Targeted sequencing of FGFR1 revealed the identical variant that was previously identified in the proband. To our knowledge this observation is the first documentation of familial recurrence of Hartsfield syndrome. As both parents were negative for the sequence variant in FGFR1 gene by testing peripheral blood samples, this suggests gonadal mosaicism. The frequency of gonadal mosaicism in Hartsfield syndrome is not known however given our case, this possibility should be taken in to consideration for recurrence risk estimation in children of clinically unaffected parents.

Dhamija|Radhika|R|
Kirmani|Salman|S|
Wang|Xiangling|X|
Ferber|Matthew J|MJ|
Wieben|Eric D|ED|
Lazaridis|Konstantinos N|KN|
Babovic-Vuksanovic|Dusica|D|

D051496:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1

FGFR1 mutation
Hartsfield syndrome
gonadal mosaicism


Optimal robust fractional order PIλD controller synthesis for first order plus time delay systems.

Abstract: In this paper, a practical and systematic tuning procedure combining both frequency-domain (FD) and time-domain (TD) specifications is proposed to obtain an optimal robust fractional order (FO) PIλD (FOPIλD) controller for the first order plus time delay (FOPTD) processes. The FD specifications (i.e. phase margin (PM), gain crossover frequency (ωgc) and flat phase constrain (FPC)) guarantee the systemic stability and robustness to plant gain variations. Meanwhile, the TD specification (i.e. the smallest JITAE) achieves optimal dynamic performance. Furthermore, the entire feasible regions of two frequency-domain specifications ωgc and PM have been obtained with a synthesis scheme and visualized in three-dimensional plots which can be used as prior knowledge before the controller design. The comparisons of feasible region with FOPI and integer order PID (IOPID) controllers clearly present the superiority of proposed FOPIλD controller. Simulation illustration for delay dominant systems, lag dominant systems and high order system with one zero, using the proposed optimal robust FOPIλD controller is presented to demonstrate the significant performance improvement over FOPI controller, three-parameter FOPID controller, Ziegler-Nichols FOPID controller, fractional filter-FOPID controller and SIMC-PI controller.

Chen|Pengchong|P| Luo|Ying|Y| Peng|Yibing|Y| Chen|YangQuan|Y|

Flat phase
Feasible region
Analytical tuning method
FOPTD systems
Fractional order PID controller


Clinical characteristics of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the United States: A literature review.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a rapidly progressive and potentially fatal tickborne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Despite current recommendations and information on the severity of RMSF, studies show that delayed recognition and treatment continues to occur.

METHODS
A literature search was performed on cases published in English between 1990-2017. The frequencies for demographic, clinical, and treatment variables was calculated.

RESULTS
A total of 340 cases from 34 articles were included. Data on rash were available for 322 patients, and 261 (80%) noted rash. Mortality was 4% (2) in those who received doxycycline within the first five days of illness, and 35% (18) when treatment was delayed beyond Day five. Twenty-four (16%) reported chronic sequelae, including speech impairment (7, 5%) and ataxia (5, 3%).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION
These data highlight the importance of early treatment, and add to our understanding of long-term sequelae. Early recognition by providers will facilitate appropriate treatment and reduction in morbidity and mortality.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever
tickborne disease
Rickettsia rickettsii
spotted fever group rickettsiosis
vector borne disease


Imbalanced expression pattern of steroid receptor coactivator-1 and -3 in liver cancer compared with normal liver: An immunohistochemical study with tissue microarray.

Abstract: Steroids affect normal and pathological functions of the liver through receptors, which require coactivators for their transcriptional activation. Steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1 and SRC-3 have been demonstrated to be regulated in numerous cancers; however, their expression profiles in liver cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) remain unclear. Using tissue microarray immunohistochemistry, normal liver tissue and HCC tissue exhibited immunoreactivity of SRC-1, which were predominantly localized within extranuclear components; in CCC, they were detected within the cell nuclei; SRC-3 was also detected in the cell nuclei. Furthermore, no altered expression of SRC-1 and SRC-3 was observed in liver cancer compared with normal liver tissue; however, in CCC, the expression of SRC-3 was significantly increased compared with that detected in HCC. Importantly, although expression of SRC-1 and SRC-3 did not reveal any significant differences (30 vs. 40%) in normal liver tissue, HCC and CCC expression of SRC-1 was significantly decreased compared with that of SRC-3 (9.3 vs. 36%, and 6.7 vs. 67.7% for HCC and CCC, respectively). Further comparative analysis revealed that this discrepancy was detected in males with liver cancer, across all ages of HCC cases, younger CCC cases and all stages of liver cancer. The results suggested the presence of an imbalanced expression pattern of SRC-1 and SRC-3 from normal liver tissue to liver cancer (decreased SRC-1 and increased SRC-3), which may affect hepatic function and therefore promote liver carcinogenesis.

Li|Shan|S| Zhang|Huiyan|H| Yu|Yanlan|Y| Liu|Mengying|M| Guo|Deyu|D| Zhang|Xuqing|X| Zhang|Jiqiang|J|

steroids
liver
tissue microarray
steroid receptor coactivator
immunohistochemistry


An Open Medical Platform to Share Source Code and Various Pre-Trained Weights for Models to Use in Deep Learning Research.

Abstract: Deep learning-based applications have great potential to enhance the quality of medical services. The power of deep learning depends on open databases and innovation. Radiologists can act as important mediators between deep learning and medicine by simultaneously playing pioneering and gatekeeping roles. The application of deep learning technology in medicine is sometimes restricted by ethical or legal issues, including patient privacy and confidentiality, data ownership, and limitations in patient agreement. In this paper, we present an open platform, MI2RLNet, for sharing source code and various pre-trained weights for models to use in downstream tasks, including education, application, and transfer learning, to encourage deep learning research in radiology. In addition, we describe how to use this open platform in the GitHub environment. Our source code and models may contribute to further deep learning research in radiology, which may facilitate applications in medicine and healthcare, especially in medical imaging, in the near future. All code is available at https://github.com/mi2rl/MI2RLNet.

Deep learning
Open platform
Downstream task
Medical imaging
Pre-trained model


Sensing and Reliability Improvement of Electrostatic-Discharge Transient by Discrete Engineering for High-Voltage 60-V n-Channel Lateral-Diffused MOSFETs with Embedded Silicon-Controlled Rectifiers.

Abstract: High-voltage n-channel lateral-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (nLDMOS) components, fabricated by a TSMC 0.25-m 60-V bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) process with drain-side embedded silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) of the n-p-n-arranged and p-n-p-arranged types, were investigated, in order to determine the devices' electrostatic discharge (ESD)-sensing behavior and capability by discrete anode engineering. As for the drain-side n-p-n-arranged type with discrete-anode manners, transmission⁻line⁻pulse (TLP) testing results showed that the ESD ability (It2 value) was slightly upgraded. When the discrete physical parameter was 91 rows, the optimal It2 reached 2.157 A (increasing 17.7% compared with the reference sample). On the other hand, the drain-side SCR p-n-p-arranged type with discrete-anode manner had excellent SCR behavior, and its It2 values could be increased to >7 A (increasing >281.9% compared with the reference DUT). Moreover, under discrete anode engineering, the drain-side SCR n-p-n-arranged and p-n-p-arranged types had clearly higher ESD ability, except for the few discrete physical parameters. Therefore, using the anode discrete engineering, the ESD dissipation ability of a high-voltage (HV) nLDMOS with drain-side SCRs will have greater effectiveness.

n-channel lateral-diffused MOSFET (nLDMOS)


Empirical population and public health ethics: A review and critical analysis to advance robust empirical-normative inquiry.

Abstract: The field of population and public health ethics (PPHE) has yet to fully embrace the generation of evidence as an important project. This article reviews the philosophical debates related to the 'empirical turn' in clinical bioethics, and critically analyses how PPHE has and can engage with the philosophical implications of generating empirical data within the task of normative inquiry. A set of five conceptual and theoretical issues pertaining to population health that are unresolved and could potentially benefit from empirical PPHE approaches to normative inquiry are discussed. Each issue differs from traditional empirical bioethical approaches, in that they emphasize (1) concerns related to the population, (2) 'upstream' policy-relevant health interventions - within and outside of the health care system and (3) the prevention of illness and disease. Within each theoretical issue, a conceptual example from population and public health approaches to HIV prevention and health promotion is interrogated. Based on the review and critical analysis, this article concludes that empirical-normative approaches to population and public health ethics would be most usefully pursued as an iterative project (rather than as a linear project), in which the normative informs the empirical questions to be asked and new empirical evidence constantly directs conceptualizations of what constitutes morally robust public health practices. Finally, a conceptualization of an empirical population and public health ethics is advanced in order to open up new interdisciplinary 'spaces', in which empirical and normative approaches to ethical inquiry are transparently (and ethically) integrated.

D001675:Bioethics
D036262:Empirical Research
D015658:HIV Infections
D006291:Health Policy
D006293:Health Promotion
D006801:Humans
D000075485:Population Health
D011315:Preventive Medicine
D011634:Public Health

population and public health
HIV/AIDS
empirical ethics
empirical methods


Prediction of difficult mask ventilation using a systematic assessment of risk factors vs. existing practice - a cluster randomised clinical trial in 94,006 patients.

Abstract: We compared implementation of systematic airway assessment with existing practice of airway assessment on prediction of difficult mask ventilation. Twenty-six departments were cluster-randomised to assess eleven risk factors for difficult airway management (intervention) or to continue with their existing airway assessment (control). In both groups, patients predicted as a difficult mask ventilation and/or difficult intubation were registered in the Danish Anaesthesia Database, with a notational summary of airway management. The trial's primary outcome was the respective incidence of unpredicted difficult and easy mask ventilation in the two groups. Among 94,006 patients undergoing mask ventilation, the incidence of unpredicted difficult mask ventilation in the intervention group was 0.91% and 0.88% in the control group; (OR) 0.98 (95% CI 0.66-1.44), p = 0.90. The incidence of patients predicted difficult to mask ventilate, but in fact found to be easy ('falsely predicted difficult') was 0.64% vs. 0.35% (intervention vs. control); OR 1.56 (1.01-2.42), p = 0.045. In the intervention group, 86.3% of all difficult mask ventilations were not predicted, compared with a higher proportion 91.2% in the control group, OR 0.61 (0.41-0.91), p = 0.016. The systematic intervention did not alter the overall incidence of unpredicted difficult mask ventilations, but of the patients who were found to be difficult to mask ventilate, the proportion predicted was higher in the intervention group than in the control group. However, this was at a 'cost' of increasing the number of mask ventilations falsely predicted to be difficult.

Nørskov|A K|AK|
Wetterslev|J|J|
Rosenstock|C V|CV|
Afshari|A|A|
Astrup|G|G|
Jakobsen|J C|JC|
Thomsen|J L|JL|
Lundstrøm|L H|LH|
|||

mask ventilation
airway management
cluster analysis
pre-operative care
randomised controlled trial


Artifact from 131I-Contaminated Mask in Postradioiodine Therapy Scintigraphy.

Abstract: A patient wearing the mandatory face mask because of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic underwent postradioiodine therapy scintigraphy. The spot view of the neck showed an area of uptake that was later demonstrated to be caused by contamination of the mask. This finding has led to updating the scan procedure for posttherapy scintigraphy by replacing the patients' masks before the scan acquisition.

artifact
face mask
posttherapy scintigraphy
131I


A technique for pediatric chest wall reconstruction using custom-designed titanium implants: description of technique and report of two cases.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
We present a surgical technique for chest wall reconstruction using custom-designed titanium implants developed for two female patients to provide both chest wall symmetry and adequate stability for staged breast reconstruction.

METHODS
A retrospective review was performed for two adolescent female patients with large chest wall defects who underwent the described technique. The etiology of the chest wall deficiency was secondary to Poland's syndrome in one patient, and secondary to surgical resection of osteosarcoma in the other patient. For each patient, a fine-cut computed tomography scan was obtained to assist with implant design. After fabrication of the prosthesis, reconstruction was performed though a curvilinear thoracotomy approach with attachment of the implant to the adjacent ribs and sternum. Wound closure was obtained with use of synthetic graft material, local soft tissue procedures, and flap procedures as necessary.

RESULTS
The two patients were followed post-operatively for 35 and 38 months, respectively. No intra-operative or post-operative complications were identified. Mild scoliosis that had developed in the patient following chest wall resection for osteosarcoma did not demonstrate any further progression following reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that this technique was successful at providing a stable chest wall reconstruction with satisfactory cosmetic results in our patients.

Anderson|Colin J|CJ|
Spruiell|Murray D|MD|
Wylie|Erin F|EF|
McGowan|Caitlin M|CM|
Deleyiannis|Frederic W-B|FW|
Donaldson|Nathan J|NJ|
Heare|Travis C|TC|

Chest wall reconstruction
Chest wall deficiency
Chest wall resection
Pediatric orthopedics
Poland’s syndrome


Lipid Catabolism and ROS in Cancer: A Bidirectional Liaison.

Abstract: Although cancer cell metabolism was mainly considered to rely on glycolysis, with the concomitant impairment of mitochondrial metabolism, it has recently been demonstrated that several tumor types are sustained by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). In this context, endogenous fatty acids (FAs) deriving from lipolysis or lipophagy are oxidised into the mitochondrion, and are used as a source of energy through OXPHOS. Because the electron transport chain is the main source of ROS, cancer cells relying on fatty acid oxidation (FAO) need to be equipped with antioxidant systems that maintain the ROS levels under the death threshold. In those conditions, ROS can act as second messengers, favouring proliferation and survival. Herein, we highlight the different responses that tumor cells adopt when lipid catabolism is augmented, taking into account the different ROS fates. Many papers have demonstrated that the pro- or anti-tumoral roles of endogenous FA usage are hugely dependent on the tumor type, and on the capacity of cancer cells to maintain redox homeostasis. In light of this, clinical studies have taken advantage of the boosting of lipid catabolism to increase the efficacy of tumor therapy, whereas, in other contexts, antioxidant compounds are useful to reduce the pro-survival effects of ROS deriving from FAO.

Castelli|Serena|S|
De Falco|Pamela|P|
Ciccarone|Fabio|F|
Desideri|Enrico|E|0000-0002-1884-7491
Ciriolo|Maria Rosa|MR|

lipid catabolism
mitochondrial metabolism
fatty acid oxidation
reactive oxygen species


Oral Vancomycin for Secondary Prophylaxis of Clostridium difficile Infection.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To summarize and critically appraise the evidence regarding oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) to prevent recurrent Clostridium difficile infections (RCDIs), identify potential consequences of this emerging practice, and highlight future directions of study.

DATA SOURCES
A MEDLINE literature search of English-language publications from 1947 through September 2018 was performed using the search terms vancomycin and C difficile and prophylaxis. Clinical trials were identified on the National Library of Medicine clinical trials registry.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
All clinical studies (n = 3) assessing oral vancomycin for secondary prophylaxis of C difficile infection (CDI) were evaluated by all authors. Other search results and references in selected publications were used for background and discussion.

DATA SYNTHESIS
OVP reduced the risk of RCDI in high-risk patients taking systemic antibiotics. Variable dosing regimens and lack of safety data are limitations. OVP may have an adverse impact on the gastrointestinal microbiome, but this was not examined in the clinical studies. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Although current studies are limited by methodological concerns, clinicians can consider vancomycin 125 mg orally once or twice daily in high-risk patients receiving broad-spectrum antibacterial agents. Results of ongoing trials will define the most appropriate regimen and its impact on outcomes, including collateral damage.

CONCLUSIONS
OVP reduces the risk of RCDIs and should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Caution is warranted before routine use is implemented because the impact on long-term outcomes has not been assessed and the optimal regimen has not been defined.

Brown|Chase C|CC|0000-0003-3904-0416
Manis|Melanie M|MM|
Bohm|Nicole M|NM|
Curry|Scott R|SR|

D000284:Administration, Oral
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
D016360:Clostridioides difficile
D003015:Clostridium Infections
D006801:Humans
D055502:Secondary Prevention
D014640:Vancomycin


Standardized healthcare pathway in intrauterine growth restriction and minimum evidence-based care.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Fetal growth restricted fetuses are less likely to receive evidence-based care; a previous work demonstrated an improvement in neonatal prognosis when fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) received minimum evidence based-care.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a standardized healthcare pathway on the implementation of the recommended clinical practice in the antenatal management of IUGR fetuses, in comparison to a traditional pathway. The quality of the implementation of practice has been defined whether or not minimum evidence-based care (MEC), defined according to the recommendations of the French college of gynecologists and obstetricians (CNGOF), has been implemented.

STUDY DESIGN
From a historical cohort of 31,052 children, born at the Femme Mère Enfant Hospital (Lyon, France) between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2017, we selected the population of IUGR fetuses. We compared the rate of MEC between the IUGR fetuses followed-up in the traditional healthcare pathway versus the IUGR fetuses followed-up in a standardized healthcare pathway between 2015 and 2017.

RESULTS
A total of 245 IUGR were tracked between 2015 and 2017. Over this period, 120 fetuses were followed within the traditional pathway and 125 within the IUGR pathway. The standardized pathway resulted in a higher rate of MEC (86,4%) when compared to IUGR fetuses followed-up in the traditional pathway (27,5% (OR* 20 (95 % CI 10.0-39.7). Among early-onset IUGR: 31 % received MEC in the traditional pathway versus 83 % in the standardized pathway (p<0.001). Among late-onset IUGR: 22 % received MEC in the traditional pathway versus 92 % in the standardized pathway (p<0.001). The provided care in the standardized pathway resulted in an increase of complete antenatal corticosteroid therapy (92,8 %) when compared to the traditional pathway (50.0 %; p<0.001) and a reduction of the rate of caesarean sections before labor for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (15 %) when compared to the traditional pathway (41.3 % p=0.007).

CONCLUSION
The standardized pathway improves the implementation of the local recommendations in the management of early- and late-onset IUGR. This study is the first to suggest a standardized care pathway in prenatal medicine. A medico-economic study could estimate the health care savings that such a pathway would provide by allowing a medical management in accordance with the recommendations.

Atallah|Anthony|A| Butin|Marine|M| Moret|Stéphanie|S| Claris|Olivier|O| Massoud|Mona|M| Gaucherand|Pascal|P| Doret-Dion|Muriel|M|

Healthcare pathway
Growth restriction
Fetal growth restriction
Antenatal management
Doppler measurement
Evidence based care
Obstetrics
Prenatal care
Ultrasound screening


Serum miR-210-3p as a Potential Noninvasive Biomarker of Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Preliminary Study.

Abstract: Development of noninvasive biomarkers could potentially contribute to extending the 5-year overall survival rate of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), due to their high stability, have the potential to become valuable cancer biomarkers.  Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and testing three methods for data normalization, the expression levels of six miRNAs were evaluated in serum samples obtained from 50 NSCLC patients. Subsequently, the clinical significance of the tested miRNAs was determined.  Significant downregulation of miR-21-5p, miR-30a-5p, and miR-126-3p and upregulation of miR-210-3p and miR-486-5p in serum samples of NSCLC patients were identified in comparison to healthy controls. miR-205-5p appeared to be undetectable in all tested samples. Furthermore, miR-210-3p was differentially expressed between two subtypes of NSCLC. Receiver operating characteristic analysis for miR-210-3p revealed the area under the curve of 0.842 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.96; p = 0.0003) and demonstrated that miR-210-3p displayed considerable accuracy in discriminating between lung adenocarcinoma (AC) patients and healthy controls.  Findings from this preliminary study indicate that five of six tested miRNAs were deregulated in the serum of NSCLC patients. Moreover, miR-210-3p appears to be a promising biomarker for diagnosis of lung AC.

Świtlik|Weronika Zofia|WZ|
Karbownik|Michał Seweryn|MS|
Suwalski|Michał|M|
Kozak|Józef|J|
Szemraj|Janusz|J|

miR-210-3p
biomarker
lung adenocarcinoma
nonsmall cell lung cancer
microRNA
diagnosis


VS38 Identifies Myeloma Cells With Dim CD38 Expression and Plasma Cells Following Daratumumab Therapy, Which Interferes With CD38 Detection for 4 to 6 Months.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
We report our institutional experience using VS38 to evaluate plasma cells by flow cytometry.

METHODS
Flow cytometry data were reanalyzed to compare plasma cell percentages between the standard panel and VS38 panel. Natural killer (NK) and plasma cell CD38 median fluorescence intensity (MFI) values were calculated.

RESULTS
Our cohort included 63 specimens from 38 patients. Twenty-six had received daratumumab (monoclonal anti-CD38 therapy) between less than 1 month and 17 months prior. For NK and plasma cells, CD38 MFI values were suppressed for 0 to 4 months and started to increase 4 to 6 months after last exposure. There was no significant difference in clonal plasma cell percentage calculated by the VS38 and standard panels; however, identification and quantification using the VS38 panel were easier.

CONCLUSIONS
VS38 is a viable alternative to bright CD38 to identify plasma cells and particularly helpful in myeloma cases with dim CD38 and after daratumumab. Daratumumab interference with CD38 identification persists 4 to 6 months after the last exposure.

Courville|Elizabeth L|EL|
Yohe|Sophia|S|
Shivers|Paula|P|
Linden|Michael A|MA|

VS38
CD38
Plasma cells
Daratumumab
Flow cytometry
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping
Monoclonal antibody therapy
Multiple myeloma
Plasma cell myeloma
Plasma cell neoplasm


Surface modifications to polydimethylsiloxane substrate for stabilizing prolonged bone marrow stromal cell culture.

Abstract: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been extensively used as a supporting material for studies of cell mechanobiology, cell micropatterning and microscale-cell analysis in microfluidic chips due to its numerous advantages, such as low cytotoxicity, ease of modification, inexpensive costs and biocompatibility. However, the innate hydrophobicity of PDMS often poses a problem for stable cell adhesion, seriously limiting its applicability for prolonged cell culture. UV exposure and protein coating are suboptimal solutions, while chemical surface functionalization is often associated with laborious procedures and producing environmental toxics. Plasma treatment can render a hydrophilic substrate by altering the surface chemistry, but such effect is often short-lived due to its tendency to hydrophobic recovery. Variation of physical properties of the substratum are known to influence cell behaviour. Nevertheless, the combination of varying PDMS substratum properties via base:curing agent ratio and plasma treatment to stabilize the long-term culture of bone marrow derived stromal cells (BMSCs) still remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed a protocol to maintain the hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated PDMS over a range of substratum properties. This study demonstrated that varying the substratum properties of PDMS can enhance the stability of BMSC culture for at least three weeks, while plasma treatment with or without additional collagen coating further enhanced such effect. The changes in the physical properties of PDMS have rendered difference in BMSCs adhesion, proliferation and in-vitro plasticity, thereby offering a simple and effective strategy for PDMS surface modification to enable long term cell analysis in PDMS-based culture platform.

Chuah|Yon Jin|YJ|
Heng|Zhi Ting|ZT|
Tan|Jing Shi|JS|
Tay|Li Min|LM|
Lim|Chee Seong|CS|
Kang|Yuejun|Y|
Wang|Dong-An|DA|

D002448:Cell Adhesion
D049109:Cell Proliferation
D002478:Cells, Cultured
D003094:Collagen
D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes
D006801:Humans
D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells
D010316:Particle Size
D013499:Surface Properties

Polydimethylsiloxane
Bone marrow stromal cell
Plasma treatment
Long-term cell culture
Surface properties
Varying crosslinking density


A case of availability bias for COVID-19 causing scrub typhus diagnostic errors.

Abstract: Although patients with scrub typhus develop a maculopapular rash all over the body, patients with COVID-19 may also show a similar rash. At the first visit, we did not fully inspect his trunk and extremities under his clothes. Although scrub typhus and COVID-19 have some similar symptoms, an eschar is a characteristic symptom of the former, and careful inspection is important to distinguish between the diseases.


Urinary arsenic metabolism in a Western Chinese population exposed to high-dose inorganic arsenic in drinking water: influence of ethnicity and genetic polymorphisms.

Abstract: To investigate the differences in urinary arsenic metabolism patterns of individuals exposed to a high concentration of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in drinking water, an epidemiological investigation was conducted with 155 individuals living in a village where the arsenic concentration in the drinking water was 969μg/L. Blood and urine samples were collected from 66 individuals including 51 cases with skin lesions and 15 controls without skin lesions. The results showed that monomethylated arsenic (MMA), the percentage of MMA (%MMA) and the ratio of MMA to iAs (MMA/iAs) were significantly increased in patients with skin lesions as compared to controls, while dimethylated arsenic (DMA), the percentage of DMA (%DMA) and the ratio of DMA to MMA (DMA/MMA) were significantly reduced. The percent DMA of individuals with the Ala/Asp genotype of glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) was significantly lower than those with Ala/Ala. The percent MMA of individuals with the A2B/A2B genotype of arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) was significantly lower than those with AB/A2B. The iAs and total arsenic (tAs) content in the urine of a Tibetan population were significantly higher than that of Han and Hui ethnicities, whereas MMA/iAs was significantly lower than that of Han and Hui ethnicities. Our results showed that when exposed to the same arsenic environment, different individuals exhibited different urinary arsenic metabolism patterns. Gender and ethnicity affect these differences and above polymorphisms may be effectors too.

Fu|Songbo|S| Wu|Jie|J| Li|Yuanyuan|Y| Liu|Yan|Y| Gao|Yanhui|Y| Yao|Feifei|F| Qiu|Chuanying|C| Song|Li|L| Wu|Yu|Y| Liao|Yongjian|Y| Sun|Dianjun|D|


Effect of Unshaven Hair with Absorbable Sutures and Early Postoperative Shampoo on Cranial Surgery Site Infection.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Cranial surgical site infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. Preoperative hair shaving for cranial neurosurgical procedures is performed traditionally in an attempt to protect patients against complications from infections at cranial surgical sites. However, preoperative shaving of surgical incision sites using traditional surgical blades without properly washing the head after surgery can cause infections at surgical sites. Therefore, a rapid protocol in which the scalp remains unshaven and absorbable sutures are used for scalp closure with early postoperative shampooing is examined in this study.

METHODS
A retrospective comparative study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2012. A total of 2,641 patients who underwent unshaven cranial surgery with absorbable sutures for scalp closure were enrolled in this study. Data of 1,882 patients who underwent surgery with the traditional protocol from January 2005 to December 2007 were also analyzed for comparison.

RESULTS
Of 2,641 patients who underwent cranial surgery with the rapid protocol, all but 2 (0.07%) patients experienced satisfactory wound healing. Of 1,882 patients who underwent cranial surgery with the traditional protocol, 3 patients (0.15%) had infections. Each infection occurred at the superficial incisional surgical site.

CONCLUSION
Unshaven cranial surgery using absorbable sutures for scalp closure with early postoperative shampooing is safe and effective in the cranial neurosurgery setting. This protocol has a positive psychological effect. It can help patients accept neurosurgical procedures and improve their self-image after the operation.

Oh|Won-Oak|WO| Yeom|Insun|I| Kim|Dong-Seok|DS| Park|Eun-Kyung|EK| Shim|Kyu-Won|KW|

Unshaven hair
Absorbable sutures
Early postoperative shampooing
Cranial surgical site infection
Quality of life


Application of three different sets of explicit criteria for assessing inappropriate prescribing in older patients: a nationwide prevalence study of ambulatory care visits in Taiwan.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the national prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed in ambulatory care clinics in Taiwan according to three different sets of regional criteria and the correlates of PIM use.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.

SETTING
This analysis included older patients who visited ambulatory care clinics in 2009 and represented half of the older population included on the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database.

PARTICIPANTS
We identified 1,164,701 subjects who visited ambulatory care clinics and were over 65 years old in 2009.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
PIM prevalence according to the 2012 Beers criteria, the PIM-Taiwan criteria and the PRISCUS criteria was estimated separately, and characteristics of PIM users were explored. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine patient factors associated with the use of at least one PIM. Leading PIMs for each set of criteria were also listed.

RESULTS
The prevalence of having at least one PIM at the patient level was highest with the Beers criteria (86.2%), followed by the PIM-Taiwan criteria (73.3%) and the PRISCUS criteria (66.9%). Polypharmacy and younger age were associated with PIM use for all three sets of criteria. The leading PIMs detected by the PIM-Taiwan and PRISCUS criteria were all included in the 2012 Beers criteria. Non-COX-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Beers criteria and benzodiazepines in the PIM-Taiwan and PRISCUS criteria accounted for most leading PIMs.

CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of PIMs was high among older Taiwanese patients receiving ambulatory care visits. The prevalence of PIM and its associated factors varied according to three sets of criteria at the population level.

Chang|Chirn-Bin|CB| Yang|Shu-Yu|SY| Lai|Hsiu-Yun|HY| Wu|Ru-Shu|RS| Liu|Hsing-Cheng|HC| Hsu|Hsiu-Ying|HY| Hwang|Shinn-Jang|SJ| Chan|Ding-Cheng|DC|

D000067561:Potentially Inappropriate Medication List

Ambulatory care
potentially inappropriate medications
Beers criteria
PIM-Taiwan criteria
PRISCUS criteria


The challenge and potential of photosynthesis: unique considerations for metabolic flux measurements in photosynthetic microorganisms.

Abstract: Photosynthetic microorganisms have the potential for sustainable production of chemical feedstocks and products but have had limited success due to a lack of tools and deeper understanding of metabolic pathway regulation. The application of instationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA) to photosynthetic microorganisms has allowed researchers to quantify fluxes and identify bottlenecks and metabolic inefficiencies to improve strain performance or gain insight into cellular physiology. Additionally, flux measurements can also highlight deviations between measured and predicted fluxes, revealing weaknesses in metabolic models and highlighting areas where a lack of understanding still exists. In this review, we outline the experimental steps necessary to successfully perform photosynthetic flux experiments and analysis. We also discuss the challenges unique to photosynthetic microorganisms and how to account for them, including: light supply, quenching, concentration, extraction, analysis, and flux calculation. We hope that this will enable a larger number of researchers to successfully apply isotope assisted metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) to their favorite photosynthetic organism.

Metabolism
INST-MFA
Quenching
13C-MFA
Algae
Carbon labeling
Cyanobacteria
Isotopic labeling
Metabolic engineering
Metabolites
Metabolomics
Photoautotrophic


Three-year retention in methadone opioid agonist treatment: A survival analysis of clients by dose, area deprivation, and availability of alcohol and cannabis outlets.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of clinical, socio-demographic, and contextual characteristics on treatment retention in an opioid treatment program (OTP).

METHODS
A retrospective longitudinal review of 851 clients who received methadone at the only state-funded OTP in Spokane County, Washington between 2015 and 2017. A time variable (the number of days in treatment) and a status indicator (to distinguish between clients who dropped out or censored) worked together to define retention in treatment. Our hypothesized covariates included: area deprivation, distance to the OTP, availability of cannabis retail outlets, availability of on-premise and off-premise alcohol outlets, methadone dosage, age, gender, race, and years on treatment. Cox regression within the family of survival analysis was used to model time-to-event data in the presence of censored cases.

RESULTS
The median duration of retention was 394 (95%CI = 324-464) days. In the multivariable Cox regression, factors predicting treatment retention were area deprivation (HR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.02-3.15, p = 0.04), age (HR=0.99, 95%CI=0.98-.99, p = 0.008), dosage of methadone (HR=0.98, 95%CI=0.98-0.98, p < 0.001), and the number of years on treatment (HR=1.12, 95%CI=1.06-1.18, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study showed age and methadone dosage were protective factors and area deprivation and years on treatment were risk factors for treatment retention. After dichotomizing methadone dosage, a unique finding of this study was that higher dosage of methadone did not lead to increasingly smaller HRs for dropping out of treatment. Considering that opioid use disorder is a chronic condition, efforts need to be made to target factors associated with retention.

Amiri|Solmaz|S|
Hirchak|Katherine|K|
Lutz|Robert|R|
McDonell|Michael G|MG|
McPherson|Sterling M|SM|
Roll|John M|JM|
Amram|Ofer|O|

Methadone opioid agonist treatment
Area deprivation
Methadone dose
Methadone treatment retention


Behavioral activation and smoking cessation outcomes: The role of depressive symptoms.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Depressive symptoms are related to smoking cessation outcomes. We examined the effects of behavioral activation (BA), as part of a cognitive behavioral intervention to quit smoking, in terms of abstinence rates according to depressive symptom level. We also analyzed whether BA could differentially benefit participants with higher versus lower anhedonia.

METHODS
The sample was composed of 183 smokers (Mage = 45.3; 62.8% female) who participated in a randomized clinical trial assessing the effects of a BA intervention compared to a standard intervention. Smoking outcomes were biochemically confirmed point prevalence abstinence, and abstinence days after treatment during one year follow-up. The intensity of depressive symptomatology and anhedonic symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II.

RESULTS
No differences in abstinence rates were found in relation to depressive symptom level. The BA condition (vs. standard condition) predicted greater abstinence rates (OR = 1.91) in participants with lower scores on depressive symptoms, whereas in participants with higher scores, it did not (OR = 1.17). Moreover, the BA condition predicted greater abstinence rates in participants with lower scores on anhedonia. When examining days of abstinence during the one-year follow-up period, a significant interaction was found between depressive symptoms and treatment condition, favoring the BA condition.

CONCLUSION
BA implemented as part of a cognitive behavioral intervention to quit smoking improves long-term abstinence rates, especially among those with fewer depressive symptoms.

Martínez-Vispo|Carmela|C|
López-Durán|Ana|A|
Senra|Carmen|C|
Rodríguez-Cano|Rubén|R|
Fernández Del Río|Elena|E|
Becoña|Elisardo|E|

Behavioral activation
Smoking cessation
Anhedonia
Depressive symptomatology


QTL analysis for eating quality-related traits in an F2:3 population derived from waxy corn × sweet corn cross.

Abstract: In order to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the eating quality of waxy corn and sweet corn (Zea mays L.), QTL analysis was conducted on an F2 population derived from a cross between a waxy corn inbred line and a sweet corn inbred line. Ten QTLs for pericarp thickness (PER), amylose content (AMY), dextrose content (DEX) and sucrose content (SUC) were found in the 158 F2 families. Among them, four QTLs, qAMY4 (10.43%), qAMY9 (19.33%), qDEX4 (21.31%) and qSUC4 (30.71%), may be considered as major QTLs. Three of these, qAMY4, qDEX4 and qSUC4, were found to be located within a region flanked by two adjacent SSR markers on chromosome 4 (umc1088 and bnlg1265), making this SSR marker pair a useful selection tool for screening the eating quality traits of AMY, DEX and SUC. The QTL for amylose content was found to be located between markers phi027 and umc1634, raising the possibility of its identity being the Wx1 gene, which encodes a granule-bound amylose synthase. The new QTLs identified by the present study could serve as useful molecular markers for selecting important eating quality traits in subsequent waxy corn breeding studies.

Park|Ki Jin|KJ|
Sa|Kyu Jin|KJ|
Koh|Hee-Jong|HJ|
Lee|Ju Kyong|JK|

QTL analysis
waxy corn
sweet corn
eating quality
F2 population
marker assisted selection


Long-Range But Not Short-Range Attraction of Male Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes to Humans.

Abstract: Female Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) mosquitoes integrate multiple sensory cues to locate human hosts for blood meals. Although male Ae. aegypti swarm around and land on humans in nature to mate, direct evidence of attraction to humans is limited. Male mosquito attraction to human host cues is often undetectable in confined laboratory assays, leading to a misconception that male mosquitoes are not attracted to humans. We used semifield experiments to demonstrate robust attraction of male Ae. aegypti to humans. Human-baited traps captured up to 25% of released males within 15 min, whereas control traps without humans as bait failed to capture males. Rapid attraction to humans was further demonstrated through videography. Males swarmed around and landed on human subjects, with no activity recorded in paired unbaited controls. Finally, we confirm the lack of discernible male attraction to humans in small laboratory cages. Our experiments demonstrate that both male and female Ae. aegypti show attraction to humans, but with clear sex-specific behavioral differences at short-range. Male mosquito attraction to humans is likely to be important for mating success in wild populations and its basis should be further explored. Our results highlight the importance of arena size and assay design for mosquito behavioral research. A better understanding of host cues that attract males could help us to improve mosquito surveillance and control.

Amos|Brogan A|BA|
Hoffmann|Ary A|AA|
Staunton|Kyran M|KM|0000-0001-6812-3320
Lau|Meng-Jia|MJ|0000-0003-2943-7022
Burkot|Thomas R|TR|
Ross|Perran A|PA|0000-0001-7645-7523


Changes in the physicochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of honeydew honey subjected to heat and ultrasound pretreatments.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of different treatments on the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties of honeydew honey. Honeydew honey was subjected to heat treatment and 9 different ultrasound treatments. Our results showed that the following parameters were significantly changed: water content, pH, electrical conductivity, diastase activity, HMF content and water activity. The ultrasound resulted in an increase in the total phenol content and the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS tests) in comparison with the conventional thermal technique. In most cases, the samples subjected to ultrasound improved the antibacterial activity; the heat treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the antibacterial activity, and sample 4 (ultrasound 30 °C, 5 min) showed the best antibacterial activity. The ultrasound treatment, especially at lower temperatures, represents a technique that enables the preservation and improvement of the biological properties of honeydew honey.

Stojković|Maja|M| Cvetković|Dragoljub|D| Savić|Aleksandar|A|0000-0002-2475-6764 Topalić-Trivunović|Ljiljana|L| Velemir|Ana|A|0000-0003-2152-5183 Papuga|Saša|S| Žabić|Mirjana|M|

Antioxidant and antibacterial properties


'And so I took up residence': The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit.

Abstract: It is estimated that a quarter of acute hospital beds are in use by older people with dementia at any one time. Little empirical research has been carried out that has specifically examined the day-to-day input of family members into the care of people with dementia during an acute hospital admission. In this article, we present the results of analysis of interviews with 26 family members of people with dementia about their experiences of supporting an admission of a person with dementia to an acute hospital unit in New Zealand. For all family members, the desire to support the person with dementia during their admission was at the forefront and was their primary focus. The theme, 'And so I took up residence', exemplifies fully the experiences of all of the family member participants. This study provides evidence that family members are a resource that may be unrecognised, untapped and unsupported in the event of hospitalisation of people with dementia.

de Vries|Kay|K|
Drury-Ruddlesden|Jenny|J|
Gaul|Chris|C|

family members
dementia
acute hospital
dignity
neglect


Evaluating wildlife as a potential source of Salmonella serotype Newport (JJPX01.0061) contamination for tomatoes on the eastern shore of Virginia.

Abstract: Eastern Shore of Virginia red, round tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella serotype Newport pattern JJPX01.0061 have been a source of several multistate outbreaks within the last 10 years. No source of the contamination has yet been identified. The goal of this study was to evaluate wildlife as a potential source of contamination. Faecal samples from deer, turtles and birds were collected between November 2010 and July 2011 from seventeen locations on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A total of 262 samples were tested for the presence of Salmonella using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 23 (8.8%) samples tested positive for Salmonella spp. and were further characterized by serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtyping. Overall, twelve serotypes were identified, including Salmonella serotype Javiana, another common serotype associated with tomato-related outbreaks. Only one avian sample collected in July 2011 was determined to be positive for S. Newport pattern 61. This sample was collected from the ground at a site where birds, mostly gulls, were congregating. Although many of the avian samples from this site were dry, the site yielded eleven positive Salmonella samples. This suggests that certain Salmonella serotypes may persist in the environment despite extreme conditions. The recovery of one Newport pattern 61 isolate alone does not yield much information regarding the environmental reservoirs of this pathogen, but when combined with other data including the recovery of several isolates of Javiana from birds, it suggests that birds might be a potential source of Salmonella contamination for tomatoes on the Eastern Shore.

Gruszynski|K|K|
Pao|S|S|
Kim|C|C|
Toney|D|D|
Wright|K|K|
Ross|P G|PG|
Colon|A|A|
Levine|S|S|

wildlife
tomato
virginia
ELISA
PFGE
Salmonella Newport


Standard Deviations: The Biological Bases of Transmission Ratio Distortion.

Abstract: The rule of Mendelian inheritance is remarkably robust, but deviations from the equal transmission of alternative alleles at a locus [a.k.a. transmission ratio distortion (TRD)] are also commonly observed in genetic mapping populations. Such TRD reveals locus-specific selection acting at some point between the diploid heterozygous parents and progeny genotyping and therefore can provide novel insight into otherwise-hidden genetic and evolutionary processes. Most of the classic selfish genetic elements were discovered through their biasing of transmission, but many unselfish evolutionary and developmental processes can also generate TRD. In this review, we describe methodologies for detecting TRD in mapping populations, detail the arenas and genetic interactions that shape TRD during plant and animal reproduction, and summarize patterns of TRD from across the genetic mapping literature. Finally, we point to new experimental approaches that can accelerate both detection of TRD and characterization of the underlying genetic mechanisms.

D060436:Self-Incompatibility in Flowering Plants

selfish genetic element
hybrid incompatibility
inbreeding depression
meiotic drive
non-Mendelian inheritance
segregation distortion


Atomic Structure of GRK5 Reveals Distinct Structural Features Novel for G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinases.

Abstract: G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) are members of the protein kinase A, G, and C families (AGC) and play a central role in mediating G protein-coupled receptor phosphorylation and desensitization. One member of the family, GRK5, has been implicated in several human pathologies, including heart failure, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer disease. To gain mechanistic insight into GRK5 function, we determined a crystal structure of full-length human GRK5 at 1.8 Å resolution. GRK5 in complex with the ATP analog 5'-adenylyl β,γ-imidodiphosphate or the nucleoside sangivamycin crystallized as a monomer. The C-terminal tail (C-tail) of AGC kinase domains is a highly conserved feature that is divided into three segments as follows: the C-lobe tether, the active-site tether (AST), and the N-lobe tether (NLT). This domain is fully resolved in GRK5 and reveals novel interactions with the nucleotide and N-lobe. Similar to other AGC kinases, the GRK5 AST is an integral part of the nucleotide-binding pocket, a feature not observed in other GRKs. The AST also mediates contact between the kinase N- and C-lobes facilitating closure of the kinase domain. The GRK5 NLT is largely displaced from its previously observed position in other GRKs. Moreover, although the autophosphorylation sites in the NLT are >20 Å away from the catalytic cleft, they are capable of rapid cis-autophosphorylation suggesting high mobility of this region. In summary, we provide a snapshot of GRK5 in a partially closed state, where structural elements of the kinase domain C-tail are aligned to form novel interactions to the nucleotide and N-lobe not previously observed in other GRKs.

Komolov|Konstantin E|KE|
Bhardwaj|Anshul|A|
Benovic|Jeffrey L|JL|

D054774:G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5

D054730:Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs

G protein-coupled receptor kinase
protein kinase
phosphorylation
G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
crystallography
receptor regulation
signal transduction


Tackling the Radiological Society of North America Pneumonia Detection Challenge.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE. We provide overviews of deep learning approaches used by two top-placing teams for the 2018 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Pneumonia Detection Challenge. CONCLUSION. Practical applications of deep learning techniques, as well as insights into the annotation of the data, were keys to success in accurately detecting pneumonia on chest radiographs for the competition.

Pan|Ian|I|
Cadrin-Chênevert|Alexandre|A|
Cheng|Phillip M|PM|

pneumonia
detection
deep learning
artificial intelligence
convolutional neural network


Bacterial Tropone Natural Products and Derivatives: Overview of their Biosynthesis, Bioactivities, Ecological Role and Biotechnological Potential.

Abstract: Tropone natural products are non-benzene aromatic compounds of significant ecological and pharmaceutical interest. Herein, we highlight current knowledge on bacterial tropones and their derivatives such as tropolones, tropodithietic acid, and roseobacticides. Their unusual biosynthesis depends on a universal CoA-bound precursor featuring a seven-membered carbon ring as backbone, which is generated by a side reaction of the phenylacetic acid catabolic pathway. Enzymes encoded by separate gene clusters then further modify this key intermediate by oxidation, CoA-release, or incorporation of sulfur among other reactions. Tropones play important roles in the terrestrial and marine environment where they act as antibiotics, algaecides, or quorum sensing signals, while their bacterial producers are often involved in symbiotic interactions with plants and marine invertebrates (e. g., algae, corals, sponges, or mollusks). Because of their potent bioactivities and of slowly developing bacterial resistance, tropones and their derivatives hold great promise for biomedical or biotechnological applications, for instance as antibiotics in (shell)fish aquaculture.

Duan|Ying|Y| Petzold|Melanie|M| Saleem-Batcha|Raspudin|R| Teufel|Robin|R|0000-0001-5863-7248

natural products
tropolones
tropodithietic acid
roseobacticides
symbiosis


Acidity-Activatable Dynamic Nanoparticles Boosting Ferroptotic Cell Death for Immunotherapy of Cancer.

Abstract: Immunotherapy shows promising therapeutic potential for long-term tumor regression. However, current cancer immunotherapy displays a low response rate due to insufficient immunogenicity of the tumor cells. To address these challenges, herein, intracellular-acidity-activatable dynamic nanoparticles for eliciting immunogenicity by inducing ferroptosis of the tumor cells are engineered. The nanoparticles are engineered by integrating an ionizable block copolymer and acid-liable phenylboronate ester (PBE) dynamic covalent bonds for tumor-specific delivery of the ferroptosis inducer, a glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibitor RSL-3. The nanoparticles can stably encapsulate RSL-3 inside the hydrophobic core via π-π stacking interaction with the PBE groups at neutral pH (pH = 7.4), while releasing the payload in the endocytic vesicles (pH = 5.8-6.2) by acidity-triggered cleavage of the PBE dynamic covalent bonds. Furthermore, the nanoparticles can perform acid-activatable photodynamic therapy by protonation of the ionizable core, and significantly recruit tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes for interferon gamma secretion, and thus sensitize the tumor cells to RSL-3-inducible ferroptosis. The combination of nanoparticle-induced ferroptosis and blockade of programmed death ligand 1 efficiently inhibits growth of B16-F10 melanoma tumor and lung metastasis of 4T1 breast tumors, suggesting the promising potential of ferroptosis induction for promoting cancer immunotherapy.

cancer immunotherapy
ferroptosis
T lymphocytes
immune resistance
immunogenic cell death


Result of Internal Fixation for Stable Femoral Neck Fractures in Elderly Patients.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
This study was conducted to evaluate the results of internal fixation for stable femoral neck fractures occurring in patients over 65 years old.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between 2008 and 2014, we evaluated 25 patients over 65 years old with Garden type 1 and 2 femoral neck fractures that were treated with internal fixation after a minimum follow up of 1 year. There were 5 males and 20 females and the average age was 72.3 years (range, 65-84 years) at the time of surgery. Fracture site union, horizontal shortening and complications were evaluated as radiographic parameters and change of walking ability (as measured using Koval walking ability score) was investigated as a clinical parameter.

RESULTS
Union of fracture site was achieved in 24 out of the 25 cases (96.0%). The average length of horizontal shortening was 6.5 mm (range, 0.2-19.7 mm). At final follow up, 3 cases experienced complications: nonunion (n=1), avascular necrosis (n=1), and subtrochanteric fracture after minor trauma (n=1). Walking ability decreased an average of 1 step at the final follow up.

CONCLUSION
Internal fixation for stable femoral neck fractures occurring in patients over 65 years showed satisfactory union rates. However, care should be taken with this technique given the possibility of decreased walking ability resulting from horizontal shortening.

Min|Byung-Woo|BW| Lee|Kyung-Jae|KJ| Bae|Ki-Cheor|KC| Lee|Si-Wuk|SW| Lee|Seok-Jung|SJ| Choi|Jung-Hoon|JH|

Femur
Internal fracture fixation
Stable fracture


Nodule-associated microbiome diversity in wild populations of Sulla coronaria reveals clues on the relative importance of culturable rhizobial symbionts and co-infecting endophytes.

Abstract: The culturable bacteria from root nodules of Sulla coronaria growing in spontaneous conditions in Sardinia were characterized. This plant's peculiarity is to represent a legume still found in both wild and cropped statuses. We tested whether culturable bacteria would differ from those commonly isolated from its field-cropped varieties, to date exclusively represented by Rhizobium sullae. 63 isolates from 60 surface-sterilized nodules were analyzed by ARDRA and 16S rDNA sequencing. The official nitrogen-fixing symbiont Rhizobium sullae was found only in 25 nodules out of 60. The remaining nodules did not yield culturable rhizobia but a number of different endophytic genera including Pseudomonas sp. (17 nodules), Microbacterium sp. (15 nodules), Pantoea agglomerans (5 nodules). The situation appears therefore a hybrid between what is commonly observed in other Mediterranean legumes occurring only in wild status (featuring non-culturable rhizobia and arrays of culturable endophytes within nodules), as opposed to cropped legumes (endowed with fully culturable rhizobia and minimal endophytic occurrence). These findings, within a species bridging the ecology between native and cropped conditions, suggest insights on the relative importance of endophytic co-occupancy vs. true N-fixing symbiont culturability within nodules. The latter trait thus appears to accompany the domestication path of plants with a main trade-off of renouncing to interactions with a diversity of endophytic co-invaders; the relationships with those being critical in the non-cropped status. In fact, endophytes are known to promote plant growth in harsh conditions, which can be particularly stressful in the Mediterranean due to drought, highly calcareous soils, and pathogens outbreaks.

Muresu|Rosella|R| Porceddu|Andrea|A| Sulas|Leonardo|L| Squartini|Andrea|A|

Sulla coronaria
Endophytes
Bacteria
Root nodules
Rhizobium sullae
Hedysarumcoronarium


Perceived damage and areas of needed research for wildlife pests of California agriculture.

Abstract: Many wildlife species cause extensive damage to a variety of agricultural commodities in California, with estimates of damage in the hundreds of millions annually. Given the limited availability of resources to solve all human-wildlife conflicts, we should focus management efforts on issues that provide the greatest benefit to agricultural commodities in California. This survey provides quantitative data on research needs to better guide future efforts in developing more effective, practical and appropriate methods for managing these species. We found that ground squirrels, pocket gophers, birds, wild pigs, coyotes and voles were the most common agricultural wildlife pest species in California. The damage caused by these species could be quite high, but varied by agricultural commodity. For most species, common forms of damage included loss of crop production and direct death of the plant, although livestock depredation was the greatest concern for coyotes. Control methods used most frequently and those deemed most effective varied by pest species, although greater advancements in control methods were listed as a top research priority for all species. Collectively, the use of toxicants, biocontrol and trapping were the most preferred methods for control, but this varied by species. In general, integrated pest management practices were used to control wildlife pests, with a special preference for those approaches that were efficacious and quick and inexpensive to apply. This information and survey design should be useful in establishing research and management priorities for wildlife pest species in California and other similar regions.

Baldwin|Roger A|RA|
Salmon|Terrell P|TP|
Schmidt|Robert H|RH|
Timm|Robert M|RM|

California
agriculture
human-wildlife conflict
survey
integrated pest management


Predicting judging-perceiving of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) in online social forum.

Abstract: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a well-known personality test that assigns a personality type to a user by using four traits dichotomies. For many years, people have used MBTI as an instrument to develop self-awareness and to guide their personal decisions. Previous researches have good successes in predicting Extraversion-Introversion (E/I), Sensing-Intuition (S/N) and Thinking-Feeling (T/F) dichotomies from textual data but struggled to do so with Judging-Perceiving (J/P) dichotomy. J/P dichotomy in MBTI is a non-separable part of MBTI that have significant inference on human behavior, perception and decision towards their surroundings. It is an assessment on how someone interacts with the world when making decision. This research was set out to evaluate the performance of the individual features and classifiers for J/P dichotomy in personality computing. At the end, data leakage was found in dataset originating from the Personality Forum Café, which was used in recent researches. The results obtained from the previous research on this dataset were suggested to be overly optimistic. Using the same settings, this research managed to outperform previous researches. Five machine learning algorithms were compared, and LightGBM model was recommended for the task of predicting J/P dichotomy in MBTI personality computing.

Choong|En Jun|EJ|
Varathan|Kasturi Dewi|KD|

Judging-Perceiving
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
MBTI
Personality Computing
Light Gradient Boosting
Natural Language Processing


Ultrasound of the elbow with emphasis on detailed assessment of ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

Abstract: The high resolution and dynamic capability of ultrasound make it an excellent tool for assessment of superficial structures. The ligaments, tendons, and nerves about the elbow can be fully evaluated with ultrasound. The medial collateral ligament consists of an anterior and posterior band that can easily be identified. The lateral ligament complex consists of the radial collateral ligament, ulnar insertion of the annular ligament, and lateral ulnar collateral ligament, easily identified with specialized probe positioning. The lateral ulnar collateral ligament can best be seen in the cobra position. On ultrasound medial elbow tendons can be followed nearly up to their common insertion. The pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, and flexor digitorum superficialis can be identified. The laterally located brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus insert on the supracondylar ridge. The other lateral tendons can be followed up to their common insertion on the lateral epicondyle. The extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digiti minimi, and extensor carpi ulnaris can be differentiated. The distal biceps tendon is commonly bifid. For a complete assessment of the distal biceps tendon specialized views are necessary. These include an anterior axial approach, medial and lateral approach, and cobra position. In the cubital tunnel the ulnar nerve is covered by the ligament of Osborne. Slightly more distally the ulnar nerve courses between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. An accessory muscle, the anconeus epitrochlearis can cover the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel, and is easily identified on ultrasound. The radial nerve divides in a superficial sensory branch and a deep motor branch. The motor branch, the posterior interosseous nerve, courses under the arcade of Frohse where it enters the supinator muscle. At the level of the dorsal wrist the posterior interosseous nerve is located at the deep aspect of the extensor tendons. The median nerve may be compressed at various sites, including the lacertus fibrosis, between the pronator teres heads, and the sublimis bridge. These compression sites can be identified with ultrasound.

De Maeseneer|Michel|M|
Brigido|Monica Kalume|MK|
Antic|Marijana|M|
Lenchik|Leon|L|
Milants|Annemieke|A|
Vereecke|Evie|E|
Jager|Tjeerd|T|
Shahabpour|Maryam|M|