Work Activities and Compensation of Male and Female Cardiologists.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Much remains unknown about experiences, including working activities and pay, of women in cardiology, which is a predominantly male specialty.

OBJECTIVES
The goal of this study was to describe the working activities and pay of female cardiologists compared with their male colleagues and to determine whether sex differences in compensation exist after accounting for differences in work activities and other characteristics.

METHODS
The personal, job, and practice characteristics of a national sample of practicing cardiologists were described according to sex. We applied the Peters-Belson technique and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate whether gender differences in compensation existed after accounting for differences in other measured characteristics. The study used 2013 data reported by practice administrators to MedAxiom, a subscription-based service provider to cardiology practices. Data regarding cardiologists from 161 U.S. practices were included, and the study sample included 2,679 subjects (229 women and 2,450 men).

RESULTS
Women were more likely to be specialized in general/noninvasive cardiology (53.1% vs. 28.2%), and a lower proportion (11.4% vs. 39.3%) reported an interventional subspecialty compared with men. Job characteristics that differed according to sex included the proportion working full-time (79.9% vs. 90.9%; p < 0.001), the mean number of half-days worked (387 vs. 406 days; p = 0.001), and mean work relative value units generated (7,404 vs. 9,497; p < 0.001) for women and men, respectively. Peters-Belson analysis revealed that based on measured job and productivity characteristics, the women in this sample would have been expected to have a mean salary that was $31,749 (95% confidence interval: $16,303 to $48,028) higher than that actually observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed the direction and magnitude of the independent association between sex and salary.

CONCLUSIONS
Men and women practicing cardiology in this national sample had different job activities and salaries. Substantial sex-based salary differences existed even after adjusting for measures of personal, job, and practice characteristics.

Jagsi|Reshma|R|
Biga|Cathie|C|
Poppas|Athena|A|
Rodgers|George P|GP|
Walsh|Mary N|MN|
White|Patrick J|PJ|
McKendry|Colleen|C|
Sasson|Joseph|J|
Schulte|Phillip J|PJ|
Douglas|Pamela S|PS|


A Two-Phase Stochastic Dynamic Model for COVID-19 Mid-Term Policy Recommendations in Greece: A Pathway towards Mass Vaccination.

Abstract: From 7 November 2020, Greece adopted a second nationwide lockdown policy to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the first took place from 23 March to 4 May 2020), just as the second wave of COVID-19 was advancing, as did other European countries. To secure the full benefits of mass vaccination, which started in early January 2021, it is of utmost importance to complement it with mid-term non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The objective was to minimize human losses and to limit social and economic costs. In this paper a two-phase stochastic dynamic network compartmental model (a pre-vaccination SEIR until 15 February 2021 and a post-vaccination SVEIR from 15 February 2021 to 30 June 2021) is developed. Three scenarios are assessed for the first phase: (a) A baseline scenario, which lifts the national lockdown and all NPIs in January 2021; (b) a "semi-lockdown" scenario with school opening, partial retail sector operation, universal mask wearing, and social distancing/teleworking in January 2021; and (c) a "rolling lockdown" scenario combining a partial lifting of measures in January 2021 followed by a third nationwide lockdown in February 2021. In the second phase three scenarios with different vaccination rates are assessed. Publicly available data along with some first results of the SHARE COVID-19 survey conducted in Greece are used as input. The results regarding the first phase indicate that the "semi-lockdown" scenario clearly outperforms the third lockdown scenario (5.7% less expected fatalities); the second phase is extremely sensitive on the availability of sufficient vaccine supplies and high vaccination rates.

COVID-19
stochastic dynamic network
compartmental models


A comprehensive approach in diagnosing the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract: The polycystic ovary syndrome is the commonest hyperandrogenic and dysmetabolic disorder in women that, by definition, may present with different phenotypes, including the classic forms and those with a milder presentation. Its diagnosis is mainly based on careful clinical judgment, although it may require additional investigation by blood testing or imaging techniques in the differential diagnosis of androgen excess. This article summarizes the most important aspects of the diagnostic procedure and suggests how to apply them in clinical practice.

polycystic ovary syndrome
androgens
Type 2 diabetes
infertility
insulin resistance
obesity


Oxygen doped g-C3 N4 with nitrogen vacancy for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Abstract: Generally, bulk graphic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) suffers from fast photogenerated charge carrier combination, inferior light absorption and insufficient active sites. Herein, we developed a defect engineering approach which can simultaneously realize O dopant and N defects in the g-C3 N4 framework via an acid-assisted thermal treatment route. The modified g-C3 N4 demonstrated greatly enhanced photocatalytic H2 activity with a H2 evolution rate of 2.20 mmol ⋅ g-1  ⋅ h-1 , which is more than three times higher than that of bulk g-C3 N4 . The mechanism of the enhanced activity was investigated and proposed that the introduction of O dopants and N defects in the g-C3 N4 could optimize the electron structure, up-shift the conduction band, increase the surface area, and thus achieve more efficient separation of photogenerated carriers, stronger reduction ability and abundant active sites for photocatalytic H2 evolution. Thus, defect engineering has been demonstrated to be a prospective strategy to modify the performance of g-C3 N4 for future photocatalytic energy generation.

g-C3N4
hydrogen production
nitrogen defect
oxygen dopant
photocatalysis


Whole-genome sequence analysis of the naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate A118.

Abstract: Recent studies have demonstrated a high genomic plasticity in Acinetobacter baumannii, which may explain its high capacity to acquire multiple antibiotic resistance determinants and to survive in the hospital environment. Acinetobacter baumannii strain A118 (Ab A118) was isolated in the year 1995 from a blood culture of an intensive care unit patient. As this particular strain showed some peculiar characteristic such as being naturally competent and susceptible to numerous antibiotics, we performed whole-genome comparison (WGC) studies to gain insights into the nature and extent of the genomic differences. The Ab A118 genome is approximately 3,824 kb long with a 38.4% GC content and contains 3,520 coding sequences. WGC studies showed that the Ab A118 genome has 98% average nucleotide identity with that of A. baumannii ATCC 17978, and 96% average nucleotide identity with that of strains AYE and ACICU. At least 12 inversions, 275 insertions, and 626 deletions were identified when the Ab A118 genome was compared with those of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU using MAUVE WGC. Multiple gene order arrangements were observed among the analyzed strains. MAUVE WGC analysis identified 19 conserved segments, known as locally colinear blocks. The number of single nucleotide polymorphisms found when comparing the Ab A118 genome with that of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU was 43,784 (1.1496%), 44,130 (1.158%), and 43,914 (1.153%), respectively. Genes comEA, pilQ, pilD, pilF, comL, pilA, comEC, pilI, pilH, pilO, pilN, pilY1(comC), pilE, pilR, and comM, potentially involved in natural competence were found in the Ab A118 genome. In particular, unlike in most strains where comM is interrupted by an insertion of a resistance island (AbaR), in strain Ab A118 it is uninterrupted.

Traglia|German M|GM|
Chua|Katherina|K|
Centrón|Daniela|D|
Tolmasky|Marcelo E|ME|
Ramírez|María Soledad|MS|

D000151:Acinetobacter Infections
D040981:Acinetobacter baumannii
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
D001483:Base Sequence
D016680:Genome, Bacterial
D023281:Genomics
D006801:Humans
D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D009154:Mutation
D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA

Acinetobacter baumannii
SNPs
genome analysis


Phytohormone Mediation of Interactions Between Plants and Non-Symbiotic Growth Promoting Bacteria Under Edaphic Stresses.

Abstract: The capacity of rhizoshere bacteria to influence plant hormonal status, by bacterial production or metabolism of hormones, is considered an important mechanism by which they promote plant growth, and productivity. Nevertheless, inoculating these bacteria into the plant rhizosphere may produce beneficial or detrimental results depending on bacterial effects on hormone composition and quantity in planta, and the environmental conditions under which the plants are growing. This review considers some effects of bacterial hormone production or metabolism on root growth and development and shoot physiological processes. We analyze how these changes in root and shoot growth and function help plants adapt to their growth conditions, especially as these change from optimal to stressful. Consistent effects are addressed, along with plant responses to specific environmental stresses: drought, salinity, and soil contamination (with petroleum in particular).

Kudoyarova|Guzel|G|
Arkhipova|Tatiana|T|
Korshunova|Tatiana|T|
Bakaeva|Margarita|M|
Loginov|Oleg|O|
Dodd|Ian C|IC|

plant hormones
drought
salinity
petroleum pollution
plant growth promoting rhizobacteria


Cost, risk, and avoidance of inbreeding in a cooperatively breeding bird.

Abstract: Inbreeding is often avoided in natural populations by passive processes such as sex-biased dispersal. But, in many social animals, opposite-sexed adult relatives are spatially clustered, generating a risk of incest and hence selection for active inbreeding avoidance. Here we show that, in long-tailed tits (Aegithalos caudatus), a cooperative breeder that risks inbreeding by living alongside opposite-sex relatives, inbreeding carries fitness costs and is avoided by active kin discrimination during mate choice. First, we identified a positive association between heterozygosity and fitness, indicating that inbreeding is costly. We then compared relatedness within breeding pairs to that expected under multiple mate-choice models, finding that pair relatedness is consistent with avoidance of first-order kin as partners. Finally, we show that the similarity of vocal cues offers a plausible mechanism for discrimination against first-order kin during mate choice. Long-tailed tits are known to discriminate between the calls of close kin and nonkin, and they favor first-order kin in cooperative contexts, so we conclude that long-tailed tits use the same kin discrimination rule to avoid inbreeding as they do to direct help toward kin.

Leedale|Amy E|AE|0000-0001-6017-8247
Simeoni|Michelle|M|0000-0001-9396-2353
Sharp|Stuart P|SP|
Green|Jonathan P|JP|0000-0001-8728-2810
Slate|Jon|J|0000-0003-3356-5123
Lachlan|Robert F|RF|
Robinson|Elva J H|EJH|
Hatchwell|Ben J|BJ|

inbreeding
cooperative breeder
kin discrimination
mate choice


Aortocavitary fistula secondary to vegetative endocarditis in a rabbit.

Abstract: A 4-year-old intact male mini lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented with a 2-week history of severe progressive lethargy. A right parasternal continuous heart murmur and an irregular rhythm were detected on physical examination. Echocardiography identified vegetative aortic and tricuspid valve (TV) endocarditis. There was an aortocavitary fistula between the right sinus of Valsalva into the right ventricle, creating a left-to-right intracardiac shunt. Based on the echocardiographic findings, it was suspected that the infection originated in the aortic valve, eroded through the periannular tissue, and secondarily infected the TV. Pleural and peritoneal effusion secondary to right-sided congestive heart failure was also found during the echocardiogram. Atrial fibrillation, conducted with a left bundle branch block morphology, was identified using electrocardiography. Necropsy findings directly correlated with the echocardiographic diagnosis; marked periodontal disease was also identified. Aerobic culture of the aortic and tricuspid vegetations resulted in significant growth of Haemophilus parainfluenzae. Haemophilus spp. belong to a group of similar gram-negative coccobacillus bacteria (HACEK group), which can act as an uncommon cause of endocarditis in humans. HACEK endocarditis is most commonly associated with oral infection and/or dental procedures in people. This is the first case report of a rabbit with periannular complications of infective endocarditis. It remains unknown whether dental disease resulted in endocarditis in this patient.

Martel-Arquette|A|A|
Tjostheim|S S|SS|
Miller|J|J|
Carlson|J|J|
Mans|C|C|

Left-to-right intracardiac shunt
Heart failure
Atrial fibrillation
Haemophilus parainfluenzae
Periaortic infection


Prevalence of pain and associated factors in Brazilian civil servants: an introductory analysis using baseline data from the ELSA-Brasil cohort.

Abstract:
Introduction
In Brazil, the prevalence and costs of pain will increase substantially with population ageing. Understanding of pain epidemiology is needed for the development of health care policies that can minimize this projected burden.

Objective
To investigate the prevalence of pain and associated factors at baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

Methods
Data were collected in public institutions of higher education/research (2008-2010). Pain in the past 30 days and pain attributed to psychological distress ("with psychological attributions"-PPA) were evaluated by the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R). The independent t-test and χ2 test investigated associations between sociodemographic/clinical factors and each pain episode. Multivariable analyses including age, sex, leisure-time physical activity, depression, and arthritis/rheumatism, and factors showing univariate associations at the P < 0.10 level, were performed.

Results
Fifteen thousand ninety-five civil servants were included (52.1 ± 9.1 years, 54.4% female). The prevalence of any pain was 62.4% (95% confidence interval 61.6%-63.2%), and of PPA was 22.8% (95% confidence interval 22.2%-23.5%). Factors associated with any pain and PPA in multivariable analyses included age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97), female sex (OR 1.86-2.01), moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity (OR 0.60-0.84), excessive drinking (OR 0.68-0.83), depressive symptoms (OR 1.28-1.96), anxiety symptoms (OR 1.63-2.45), sleep disturbance (OR 1.62-1.79), and arthritis/rheumatism (OR 1.32-2.18). Nonroutine nonmanual occupation (manual occupation as reference), body mass index, and smoking were independently associated with either any pain or PPA.

Conclusion
This study provided preliminary information on the epidemiology of pain at baseline of the largest Latin American cohort on chronic noncommunicable diseases.

Machado|Luciana A C|LAC|
Telles|Rosa W|RW|
Benseñor|Isabela M|IM|
Barreto|Sandhi M|SM|

Pain
Epidemiology
Developing countries
Prevalence studies


Restoration of Kv7 Channel-Mediated Inhibition Reduces Cued-Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking.

Abstract: Cocaine addicts display increased sensitivity to drug-associated cues, due in part to changes in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC). The cellular mechanisms underlying cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking remain unknown. Reinforcement learning for addictive drugs may produce persistent maladaptations in intrinsic excitability within sparse subsets of PFC pyramidal neurons. Using a model of relapse in male rats, we sampled >600 neurons to examine spike frequency adaptation (SFA) and afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs), two systems that attenuate low-frequency inputs to regulate neuronal synchronization. We observed that training to self-administer cocaine or nondrug (sucrose) reinforcers decreased SFA and AHPs in a subpopulation of PL-PFC neurons. Only with cocaine did the resulting hyperexcitability persist through extinction training and increase during reinstatement. In neurons with intact SFA, dopamine enhanced excitability by inhibiting Kv7 potassium channels that mediate SFA. However, dopamine effects were occluded in neurons from cocaine-experienced rats, where SFA and AHPs were reduced. Pharmacological stabilization of Kv7 channels with retigabine restored SFA and Kv7 channel function in neuroadapted cells. When microinjected bilaterally into the PL-PFC 10 min before reinstatement testing, retigabine reduced cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Last, using cFos-GFP transgenic rats, we found that the loss of SFA correlated with the expression of cFos-GFP following both extinction and re-exposure to drug-associated cues. Together, these data suggest that cocaine self-administration desensitizes inhibitory Kv7 channels in a subpopulation of PL-PFC neurons. This subpopulation of neurons may represent a persistent neural ensemble responsible for driving drug seeking in response to cues.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Long after the cessation of drug use, cues associated with cocaine still elicit drug-seeking behavior, in part by activation of the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC). The underlying cellular mechanisms governing these activated neurons remain unclear. Using a rat model of relapse to cocaine seeking, we identified a population of PL-PFC neurons that become hyperexcitable following chronic cocaine self-administration. These neurons show persistent loss of spike frequency adaptation, reduced afterhyperpolarizations, decreased sensitivity to dopamine, and reduced Kv7 channel-mediated inhibition. Stabilization of Kv7 channel function with retigabine normalized neuronal excitability, restored Kv7 channel currents, and reduced drug-seeking behavior when administered into the PL-PFC before reinstatement. These data highlight a persistent adaptation in a subset of PL-PFC neurons that may contribute to relapse vulnerability.

cocaine
prefrontal cortex
afterhyperpolarization
dopamine
Kv7 ion channels
spike-frequency adaptation


Exposure of Breast and Lung Cancer Cells to a Novel Estrone Analog Prior to Radiation Enhances Bcl-2-Mediated Cell Death.

Abstract: Following exposure of cells to gamma-radiation, a cascade of intracellular consequences may be observed in a semitemporal manner. This includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation initially, with consequent signaling for DNA repair and facilitative regulation of the cell cycle. Failure to rectify the damage or ROS levels leads to induction of senescence or apoptosis. 2-Ethyl-3-O-sulfamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-ol (ESE-15-ol), a 2-methoxyestradiole analog designed in silico for superior pharmacokinetics, was investigated for its potential to enhance apoptotic signaling and decrease the long-term survival of cells exposed to radiation. Sequential early intracellular effects within radiation-treated MCF-7 breast- and A549 lung cancer cells pre-exposed to low-dose ESE-15-ol were investigated using various flow cytometric protocols, spectrophotometry, and microscopy. Long-term cellular survival and proliferation was examined using clonogenic studies, which demonstrated a significant decrease in the presensitized cells. Combination-treated cells exhibited increased superoxide formation, and decreased Bcl-2 expression and -phosphorylation. Induction of apoptosis and elevation of the sub-G₁ phase was evident in the pre-exposed MCF-7 cells, although only minimally in the A549 cells at 48-h. These results indicate that low-dose ESE-15-ol may increase tumor response to radiation. Future studies will investigate the effect of ESE-15-ol pre-exposure on radiation-induced DNA damage and repair mechanisms.

Nolte|Elsie M|EM|0000-0002-0435-7416
Joubert|Anna M|AM|
Lakier|Roy|R|
van Rensburg|Ado|A|
Mercier|Anne E|AE|

D017209:Apoptosis
D001943:Breast Neoplasms
D002453:Cell Cycle
D004249:DNA Damage
D004260:DNA Repair
D004958:Estradiol
D005720:Gamma Rays
D006801:Humans
D008175:Lung Neoplasms
D010766:Phosphorylation
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
D013449:Sulfonamides
D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured

cancer
reactive oxygen species
apoptosis
ESE-15-ol
2-methoxyestradiol
clonogenic studies
Bcl-2
radiation therapy
radiosensitization


Development and validation of the HNC-LL score for predicting the severity of coronavirus disease 2019.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Information regarding risk factors associated with severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is limited. This study aimed to develop a model for predicting COVID-19 severity.

METHODS
Overall, 690 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were recruited between 1 January and 18 March 2020 from hospitals in Honghu and Nanchang; finally, 442 patients were assessed. Data were categorised into the training and test sets to develop and validate the model, respectively.

FINDINGS
A predictive HNC-LL (Hypertension, Neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, Lymphocyte count, Lactate dehydrogenase) score was established using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The HNC-LL score accurately predicted disease severity in the Honghu training cohort (area under the curve [AUC]=0.861, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.800-0.922; P<0.001); Honghu internal validation cohort (AUC=0.871, 95% CI: 0.769-0.972; P<0.001); and Nanchang external validation cohort (AUC=0.826, 95% CI: 0.746-0.907; P<0.001) and outperformed other models, including CURB-65 (confusion, uraemia, respiratory rate, BP, age ≥65 years) score model, MuLBSTA (multilobular infiltration, hypo-lymphocytosis, bacterial coinfection, smoking history, hypertension, and age) score model, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio model. The clinical significance of HNC-LL in accurately predicting the risk of future development of severe COVID-19 was confirmed.

INTERPRETATION
We developed an accurate tool for predicting disease severity among COVID-19 patients. This model can potentially be used to identify patients at risks of developing severe disease in the early stage and therefore guide treatment decisions.

FUNDING
This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81972897) and Guangdong Province Universities and Colleges Pearl River Scholar Funded Scheme (2015).

Xiao|Lu-Shan|LS| Zhang|Wen-Feng|WF| Gong|Meng-Chun|MC| Zhang|Yan-Pei|YP| Chen|Li-Ya|LY| Zhu|Hong-Bo|HB| Hu|Chen-Yi|CY| Kang|Pei|P| Liu|Li|L| Zhu|Hong|H|


New records of the land and freshwater molluscs of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain).

Abstract: "Land and freshwater molluscs of Gran Canaria (Spain)" is an occurrence dataset containing 389 observations of 59 different taxa of land and freshwater molluscs encountered on Gran Canaria, an island central in the Canarian archipelago (Spain). Of these 59 different (sub)species, 27 are with certainty currently endemic to the island of Gran Canaria. Various sites were inspected in a period between 1988 and 2020. The dataset is published as a standardized Darwin Core Archive and includes for each observation a stable occurrence ID, scientific name, date, and location of the observation, as well as information on life stage and organism quantity. It also contains supplementary remarks on the determination and the observation itself and links to associated media. We have released this dataset to the public domain under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. The aim is to contribute to the knowledge on the ecology and distribution of these species on the island, such that it may aid conservation and research of these organisms in the future. Issues with the dataset can be reported at https://github.com/BelgianBiodiversityPlatform/landsnails-occurrences.

freshwater
Gran Canaria
occurrence
observation
open data
snails
terrestrial


DNA Damage Changes Distribution Pattern and Levels of HP1 Protein Isoforms in the Nucleolus and Increases Phosphorylation of HP1β-Ser88.

Abstract: The family of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) isoforms is essential for chromatin packaging, regulation of gene expression, and repair of damaged DNA. Here we document that γ-radiation reduced the number of HP1α-positive foci, but not HP1β and HP1γ foci, located in the vicinity of the fibrillarin-positive region of the nucleolus. The additional analysis confirmed that γ-radiation has the ability to significantly decrease the level of HP1α in rDNA promoter and rDNA encoding 28S rRNA. By mass spectrometry, we showed that treatment by γ-rays enhanced the HP1β serine 88 phosphorylation (S88ph), but other analyzed modifications of HP1β, including S161ph/Y163ph, S171ph, and S174ph, were not changed in cells exposed to γ-rays or treated by the HDAC inhibitor (HDACi). Interestingly, a combination of HDACi and γ-radiation increased the level of HP1α and HP1γ. The level of HP1β remained identical before and after the HDACi/γ-rays treatment, but HDACi strengthened HP1β interaction with the KRAB-associated protein 1 (KAP1) protein. Conversely, HP1γ did not interact with KAP1, although approximately 40% of HP1γ foci co-localized with accumulated KAP1. Especially HP1γ foci at the periphery of nucleoli were mostly absent of KAP1. Together, DNA damage changed the morphology, levels, and interaction properties of HP1 isoforms. Also, γ-irradiation-induced hyperphosphorylation of the HP1β protein; thus, HP1β-S88ph could be considered as an important marker of DNA damage.

Legartová|Soňa|S| Lochmanová|Gabriela|G| Zdráhal|Zbyněk|Z| Kozubek|Stanislav|S| Šponer|Jiří|J| Krepl|Miroslav|M| Pokorná|Pavlína|P| Bártová|Eva|E|

D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer

HP1
nucleolus
phosphorylation
mass spectrometry
FLIM-FRET
epigenetics
irradiation


Pattern of antibiotics use, incidence and predictors of surgical site infections in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Surgical site infections (SSIs) were the most common healthcare-associated infection mainly in developing countries. Inappropriate use of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, in terms of antibiotic choice, timing, and duration, can lead to the selection of resistant microorganisms and high costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of antibiotic use, incidence and predictors of SSIs at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

RESULTS
From 131 patients, 55.7% were male study participants. Ninety (68.7%) patients received preoperative prophylaxis. Ceftriaxone was the most 76 (84.5%) prescribed agent for prophylaxis. Twenty-seven (20.6%) patients developed surgical site infection. Previous surgery AOR = 3.22 (95% CI [1.14-9.13]) and alcohol use AOR = 7.04 (95% CI [2.56-23.12, p = 0.000]) were independent predictors of SSIs in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Pre and postoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis


Subcutaneous and intramuscular fat transcriptomes show large differences in network organization and associations with adipose traits in pigs.

Abstract: Subcutaneous fat (SCF) and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition is relevant to health in humans, as well as meat production and quality in pigs. In this study, we generated RNA sequence data for 122 SCF, 120 IMF, and 87 longissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) samples using 155 F6 pigs from a specially designed heterogeneous population generated by intercrossing four highly selected European commercial breeds and four indigenous Chinese pig breeds. The phenotypes including waist back fat thickness and intramuscular fat content were also measured in the 155 F6 pigs. We found that the genes in SCF and IMF differed largely in both expression levels and network connectivity, and highlighted network modules that exhibited strongest gain of connectivity in SCF and IMF, containing genes that were associated with the immune process and DNA double-strand repair, respectively. We identified 215 SCF genes related to kinase inhibitor activity, mitochondrial fission, and angiogenesis, and 90 IMF genes related to lipolysis and fat cell differentiation, displayed a tissue-specific association with back fat thickness and IMF content, respectively. We found that cis-expression QTL for trait-associated genes in the two adipose tissues tended to have tissue-dependent predictability for the two adipose traits. Alternative splicing of genes was also found to be associated with SCF or IMF deposition, but the association was much less extensive than that based on expression levels. This study provides a better understanding of SCF and IMF gene transcription and network organization and identified critical genes and network modules that displayed tissue-specific associations with subcutaneous and intramuscular fat deposition. These features are helpful for designing breeding programs to genetically improve the two adipose traits in a balanced way.

Zhang|Yifeng|Y| Sun|Yingchun|Y| Wu|Zhongzi|Z| Xiong|Xinwei|X| Zhang|Junjie|J| Ma|Junwu|J| Xiao|Shijun|S| Huang|Lusheng|L| Yang|Bin|B|

intramuscular fat
transcriptome
network
pig
subcutaneous fat
gene connectivity
gene splicing


NPC-phagy: selective autophagy of the nuclear pore complexes.

Abstract:
Selective autophagy is critical for the regulation of cellular homeostasis in organisms from yeast to humans. This process is a specific degradation pathway for a wide variety of substrates including unwanted cytosolic components, such as protein aggregates, damaged and/or superfluous organelles, and pathogens. However, it has been less clear as to whether a protein complex or substructure of an organelle can be targeted for removal by selective autophagy. One example of such a substrate is the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a large macromolecular assembly that is present throughout the nuclear envelope. Here, we highlight two recent studies that demonstrate for the first time that NPCs are targeted for vacuolar degradation through selective autophagy.

ABBREVIATIONS
AIM: Atg8-interacting motif; NE: nuclear envelope; NPC: nuclear pore complex; Nup: nucleoporin; PMN/micronucleophagy: piecemeal microautophagy of the nucleus.

NPC-phagy
selective autophagy
Autophagy
nuclear pore complex
Nup159
cargo receptor


Apheresis education in pathology residency.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Physicians from diverse training backgrounds practice apheresis medicine. Pathology residents' exposure to apheresis may vary depending on which department performs these procedures. Milestones for Apheresis education were published in 2012, but the degree of utilization in residency curriculum development is unknown. This study describes the current state of apheresis education for pathology residents.

METHODS
We sent a 15 question electronic survey to 141 pathology programs identified through the American Medical Association Residency and Fellowship Database.

RESULTS
Forty-three (30.5%) of the 141 programs responded. Pathology performed apheresis procedures in 29 (67.4%) programs. In the remaining 14 programs, apheresis was performed by nephrology (10), hematology (4), and a regional blood center (1); in one program, both nephrology and hematology performed apheresis procedures. For combined anatomic and clinical pathology (AP/CP) residents, 26 of 28 (93%) were required to train in apheresis medicine when pathology performed the procedures compared to only 5 of 14 (36%) when they were performed by another department (P = 0.0002). For CP-only residents, 18 of 19 (95%) were required to train in apheresis medicine when pathology performed the procedures compared to 5 of 7 (71%) when they were performed by another department (P = 0.1669). Thirty (68.9%) respondents had a written apheresis medicine curriculum. Seventeen (39.5%) of the 43 respondents were aware of the Milestones for Apheresis education, and 8 (18.6%) used the milestones in creating their apheresis curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS
The pathology department performed apheresis procedures in two-thirds of pathology residency programs surveyed. AP/CP residents were more likely to be required to train in apheresis medicine if the pathology department performed these procedures at their institution. Apheresis medicine practitioners should review the Milestones for Apheresis education with their residency program director to optimize learning and clinical skills development.

apheresis
education
pathology residency
clinical pathology
transfusion medicine


MRI to predict nipple-areola complex (NAC) involvement: An automatic method to compute the 3D distance between the NAC and tumor.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
To assess the role in predicting nipple-areola complex (NAC) involvement of a newly developed automatic method which computes the 3D tumor-NAC distance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Ninety-nine patients scheduled to nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) underwent magnetic resonance (MR) examination at 1.5 T, including sagittal T2w and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MR imaging. An automatic method was developed to segment the NAC and the tumor and to compute the 3D distance between them. The automatic measurement was compared with manual axial and sagittal 2D measurements. NAC involvement was defined by the presence of invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma and/or ductal carcinoma in situ or ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DIN1c - DIN3).

RESULTS
Tumor-NAC distance was computed on 95/99 patients (25 NAC+), as three tumors were not correctly segmented (sensitivity = 97%), and 1 NAC was not detected (sensitivity = 99%). The automatic 3D distance reached the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.830) with respect to the manual axial (0.676), sagittal (0.664), and minimum distances (0.664). At the best cut-off point of 21 mm, the 3D distance obtained sensitivity = 72%, specificity = 80%, positive predictive value = 56%, and negative predictive value = 89%.

CONCLUSIONS
This method could provide a reproducible biomarker to preoperatively select breast cancer patients candidates to NSM, thus helping surgical planning and intraoperative management of patients.

mastectomy
breast cancer
3D automatic distance
magnetic resonance imaging
nipple-areola sparing
tumor segmentation


Long-term successful liver-kidney transplantation in a child with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by homozygous factor H deficiency.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Rational options for the treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in children are still open to discussion. In the case of human complement factor H (CFH) deficiency, the choice is either kidney transplantation in combination with eculizumab, a humanized anti-C5 monoclonal antibody, or a combined liver-kidney transplantation.

CASE-DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT
A child with a homozygous CFH deficiency underwent a successful liver-kidney transplantation. CFH levels normalized within days. After 6 years of follow-up, the graft function (Cockroft clearance 100 ml min-1 1.73 m-2) and the liver functions were normal.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The results of this long-term follow-up confirm that combined liver-kidney transplantation remains a reasonable option in patients with ESRD due to aHUS when an identified genetic abnormality of the C3 convertase regulator synthesized in the liver has been identified.

Gonzales|Emmanuel|E| Ulinski|Tim|T| Habes|Dalila|D| Deschênes|Georges|G| Frémeaux-Bacchi|Véronique|V| Bensman|Albert|A|0000-0001-9083-7469

D065766:Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

D000081208:Hereditary Complement Deficiency Diseases

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
End-stage renal disease
Combined liver–kidney transplantation
Complement factor H deficiency


Gender differences in pre-attentive change detection for visual but not auditory stimuli.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
Despite ongoing debate about gender differences in pre-attention processes, little is known about gender effects on change detection for auditory and visual stimuli. We explored gender differences in change detection while processing duration information in auditory and visual modalities.

METHOD
We investigated pre-attentive processing of duration information using a deviant-standard reverse oddball paradigm (50 ms/150 ms) for auditory and visual mismatch negativity (aMMN and vMMN) in males and females (n=21/group).

RESULT
In the auditory modality, decrement and increment aMMN were observed at 150-250 ms after the stimulus onset, and there was no significant gender effect on MMN amplitudes in temporal or fronto-central areas. In contrast, in the visual modality, only increment vMMN was observed at 180-260 ms after the onset of stimulus, and it was higher in males than in females.

CONCLUSION
No gender effect was found in change detection for auditory stimuli, but change detection was facilitated for visual stimuli in males.

SIGNIFICANCE
Gender effects should be considered in clinical studies of pre-attention for visual stimuli.

Yang|Xiuxian|X| Yu|Yunmiao|Y| Chen|Lu|L| Sun|Hailian|H| Qiao|Zhengxue|Z| Qiu|Xiaohui|X| Zhang|Congpei|C| Wang|Lin|L| Zhu|Xiongzhao|X| He|Jincai|J| Zhao|Lun|L| Yang|Yanjie|Y|

Gender
Pre-attentive processing
Auditory MMN
Visual MMN


Comparison between male and female Sprague-Dawley rats in the response of urinary biomarkers to injury induced by gentamicin.

Abstract: Differences were examined between male and female Sprague-Dawley rats in the response of 16 urinary biomarkers (measured using several assay platforms) to renal injury produced by gentamicin administered subcutaneously for 10 days at a dosage of 75 mg/kg. Urinary biomarkers expressed as fold difference from contemporaneous controls and renal histopathology were assessed after 3 and 10 doses. On day 4, minimal proximal tubular changes were observed microscopically in all males but no females; on day 11, more extensive and more severe injury was observed to a similar extent in all animals of both sexes. Modest increases (maximum 5-fold) in all urinary biomarkers (except epidermal growth factor [EGF], which was decreased) on day 4 and marked elevations (maximum 271-fold) on day 11 were seen consistently in both sexes. However, the magnitude of the increases differed between the sexes. On day 4, despite the lack of tubular injury, many biomarkers were more elevated in females than males but this rarely led to statistically significant sex differences; only 2 biomarkers (β2-microglobulin and total protein) showed a greater increase in males than females in line with the histopathology. On day 11, there were many more biomarkers that showed a statistically significant difference between the sexes in fold change with treatment; in line with the results on day 4, the majority of biomarkers were more increased in females than males. It remains unresolved if sex differences in the magnitude of biomarker response at injury threshold would lead to any difference in diagnostic interpretation between the sexes. These data highlight the need for publication of more studies using animals of both sexes to fully explore the influence of sex on the diagnostic performance of the novel biomarkers.

Gautier|Jean-Charles|JC| Gury|Thierry|T| Guffroy|Magali|M| Masson|Régis|R| Khan-Malek|Richard|R| Hoffman|David|D| Pettit|Syril|S| Harpur|Ernie|E|

urinary biomarkers
assay platforms
sex differences
Sprague-Dawley rats.
gentamicin nephrotoxicity
kidney


Comprehensive behavioral analysis of mice deficient in Rapgef2 and Rapgef6, a subfamily of guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rap small GTPases possessing the Ras/Rap-associating domain.

Abstract: Rapgef2 and Rapgef6 define a subfamily of guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Rap small GTPases, characterized by the possession of the Ras/Rap-associating domain. Previous genomic analyses suggested their possible involvement in the etiology of schizophrenia. We recently demonstrated the development of an ectopic cortical mass (ECM), which resembles the human subcortical band heterotopia, in the dorsal telencephalon-specific Rapgef2 conditional knockout (Rapgef2-cKO) brains. Additional knockout of Rapgef6 in Rapgef2-cKO mice resulted in gross enlargement of the ECM whereas knockout of Rapgef6 alone (Rapgef6-KO) had no discernible effect on the brain morphology. Here, we performed a battery of behavioral tests to examine the effects of Rapgef2 or Rapgef6 deficiency on higher brain functions. Rapgef2-cKO mice exhibited hyperlocomotion phenotypes. They showed decreased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and the open-field tests as well as increased depression-like behavior in the Porsolt forced swim and tail suspension tests. They also exhibited increased sociability especially in novel environments. They showed defects in cognitive function as evidenced by reduced learning ability in the Barnes circular maze test and by impaired working memory in the T maze tests. In contrast, although Rapgef6 and Rapgef2 share similarities in biochemical roles, Rapgef6-KO mice exhibited mild behavioral abnormalities detected with a number of behavioral tests, such as hyperlocomotion phenotype in the open-field test and the social interaction test with a novel environment and working-memory defects in the T-maze test. In conclusion, although there were differences in their brain morphology and the magnitude of the behavioral abnormalities, Rapgef2-cKO mice and Rapgef6-KO mice exhibited hyperlocomotion phenotype and working-memory defect, both of which could be recognized as schizophrenia-like behavior.

Maeta|Kazuhiro|K|
Hattori|Satoko|S|
Ikutomo|Junji|J|
Edamatsu|Hironori|H|
Bilasy|Shymaa E|SE|
Miyakawa|Tsuyoshi|T|
Kataoka|Tohru|T|

D020662:Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors

Behavioral analysis
Rapgef2
Rapgef6
Guanine nucleotide exchange factors
Rap small GTPases
Schizophrenia


Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis: Clinical implications for etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complicated autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory and demyelinating events in the central nervous system. The exact etiology and pathogenesis of MS have not been elucidated. However, a set of metabolic changes and their effects on immune cells and neural functions have been explained. This review highlights the contribution of carbohydrates and lipids metabolism to the etiology and pathogenesis of MS. Then, we have proposed a hypothetical relationship between such metabolic changes and the immune system in patients with MS. Finally, the potential clinical implications of these metabolic changes in diagnosis, prognosis, and discovering therapeutic targets have been discussed. It is concluded that research on the pathophysiological alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism may be a potential strategy for paving the way toward MS treatment.

Pashaei|Somayeh|S|
Mohammadi|Pantea|P|
Yarani|Reza|R|
Haghgoo|Seyyed Mortaza|SM|
Emami Aleagha|Mohammad Sajad|MS|

Multiple sclerosis
Etiology
Pathogenesis
Diagnosis
Therapy
Carbohydrate/lipid metabolism


Spontaneous Bilateral Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy: Incidental Finding During Laparoscopy - Brief Report and Review of Literature.

Abstract: Objective: Bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancies are rare; the reported incidence is only 1 in 200 000 pregnancies. Detecting bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy is urgent because of the associated morbidity and mortality. The appropriate fertility-preserving surgery must also be considered, as preservation of both tubes is presumed to offer better fertility prospects. Case Report: A 39-year-old gravida 2, para 1 presented with vaginal bleeding at 8 + 4 weeks of gestation. An approximately 18 mm adnexal mass in the right fallopian tube was detected on ultrasound. Laparoscopy was performed because ectopic pregnancy was suspected. This suspicion was confirmed during laparoscopy; the right fallopian tube was found to contain a mass measuring 20 mm in the isthmic part. Ultrasound of the left fallopian tube also showed a mass in the ampullary region (diameter: 10 mm), also suspicious for ectopic pregnancy. Bilateral salpingotomy was performed laparoscopically. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusions for Practice: Although ectopic tubal pregnancy is seen more often after assisted reproductive techniques, bilateral spontaneous ectopic pregnancies must also be considered in other cases. Laparoscopic surgery is effective to confirm the diagnosis and treat heterotopic pregnancies. Further studies will be needed to confirm whether unilateral or bilateral conservative fertility-preserving surgery is more appropriate.

ectopic pregnancy
assisted reproductive technology (ART)
infertility


The morphology and symptom history of the Achilles tendons of figure skaters: an observational study.

Abstract: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of Achilles tendinopathy symptoms and ultrasound (US) abnormalities in male and female ice skaters, and compared this to age-matched controls. The 20 skaters of mean (sd) age 17.3 (7.9) were recruited from British figure skating clubs. The 17 non-skaters of mean age 18.0 (3.7) were recruited from a secondary school and university. Each group had 12 females. All participants completed a questionnaire, and Achilles tendons were ultrasound-scanned for thickening, hypoechoic areas, paratenon blurring and neovascularization. Skaters experienced significantly more lifetime symptoms (p=0.012) than the control group but there were no differences in present symptoms. Mid-tendon longitudinal thickness and the coefficient of variation (CoV) for longitudinal tendon thickness were significantly greater in the skaters (p=0.001 and p=0.017 respectively). No other ultrasound abnormalities were detected in either group. Figure skaters may be at a greater risk of Achilles tendon problems than the general population and have adaptive changes in their tendons.

Perry|Mark|M| Tillett|Eleanor|E| Mitchell|Sophie|S| Maffulli|Nicola|N| Morrissey|Dylan|D|

Achilles tendinopathy skating sonography ultrasonography


Vesatolimod, a Toll-like Receptor 7 Agonist, Induces Immune Activation in Virally Suppressed Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Treatment with vesatolimod, an investigational, oral, toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist, leads to sustained viral remission in some non-human primates when combined with anti-envelope antibodies or therapeutic vaccines. We report results of a Phase Ib study evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of vesatolimod in adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1.

METHODS
In this double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial, participants on antiretroviral therapy with screening plasma HIV-1 RNA levels <50 copies/mL were randomized (6:2) to receive 6-10 doses of vesatolimod (1-12 mg) or matching placebo orally every other week in sequential dose-escalation cohorts. The primary study objectives included establishing the safety and virologic effects of vesatolimod (change from baseline in plasma HIV-1 RNA). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic/immunologic activity were assessed as secondary objectives.

RESULTS
A total of 48 individuals were randomly assigned to vesatolimod (n = 36) or placebo (n = 12). Vesatolimod was generally well tolerated, with no study drug-related serious adverse events or adverse events leading to study drug discontinuation. There were no statistically significant changes from baseline in plasma HIV-1 RNA in the vesatolimod groups, compared to placebo.Vesatolimod plasma exposures increased dose proportionally; consistent responses in cytokines, interferon-stimulated gene expression, and lymphocyte activation were observed with increasing dose levels above 4 mg. Peak elevations 24 hours after receipt of a 6 mg dose were >3.9-fold higher for interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (ITAC) when compared to baseline values.

CONCLUSIONS
Vesatolimod was well tolerated at doses ranging from 1 to 12 mg. Immune stimulation was observed at doses above 4 mg, providing rationale for future combination trials in people living with HIV.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
NCT02858401.

Riddler|Sharon A|SA|
Para|Michael|M|
Benson|Constance A|CA|
Mills|Anthony|A|
Ramgopal|Moti|M|
DeJesus|Edwin|E|
Brinson|Cynthia|C|
Cyktor|Joshua|J|
Jacobs|Jana|J|
Koontz|Dianna|D|
Mellors|John W|JW|
Laird|Gregory M|GM|
Wrin|Terri|T|
Patel|Heena|H|
Guo|Susan|S|
Wallin|Jeffrey|J|
Boice|Jillian|J|
Zhang|Liao|L|
Humeniuk|Rita|R|
Begley|Rebecca|R|
German|Polina|P|
Graham|Hiba|H|
Geleziunas|Romas|R|
Brainard|Diana M|DM|
SenGupta|Devi|D|

vesatolimod
HIV-1
TLR7 agonist
immune modulator


Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Difficulties and Associated Distress Among Partnered, Sexually Active Older Women in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal.

Abstract: There has been little comparative, cross-cultural research on sexual difficulties and associated distress, and factors associated with these, among older women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate prevalence rates of sexual difficulties, distress related to these difficulties, and associated sociodemographic, relational, and health factors, among sexually active older women (60-75 years) in committed relationships across four European countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal). These data could inform us about what differentiates women who do and do not experience distressing sexual difficulties and facilitate the identification of older women who might benefit from clinical interventions as well as the development of new interventions. In total, 1057 women (357 Norwegian; 322 Danish; 237 Belgian; 141 Portuguese) completed a cross-sectional questionnaire assessing six sexual difficulties-vaginal dryness, orgasmic difficulties, lacking interest in sex, lacking enjoyment in sex, pain during sex, and no excitement/arousal during sex-and associated distress. We found a high prevalence of sexual difficulties lasting 3 months or longer in the past year (between 23.5 and 50.2%, depending on the specific difficulty). With the exception of vaginal dryness and pain during sex, however, the majority of women reporting sexual difficulties (50.0% to 86.1%, depending on the specific difficulty) reported no or mild distress. There were relatively few cross-country differences, either in the prevalence of sexual difficulties or related distress. Few sociodemographic or health variables were associated with distressing sexual difficulties, but higher sexual intimacy, higher emotional intimacy, and better mental health were associated with less distress about some sexual difficulties. The findings underline the importance of healthcare professionals asking older women about sexual function and especially associated distress, and suggest that careful attention to the psychological and relationship context of these sexual difficulties is needed, as these could be important targets in the treatment process.

Graham|Cynthia A|CA|0000-0002-7884-599X
Štulhofer|Aleksandar|A|
Lange|Theis|T|
Hald|Gert Martin|GM|
Carvalheira|Ana A|AA|
Enzlin|Paul|P|
Træen|Bente|B|

Older women
Cross-cultural
Sexual function
DSM-5
Sexual distress
Sexual problems


Discovering mutated driver genes through a robust and sparse co-regularized matrix factorization framework with prior information from mRNA expression patterns and interaction network.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Discovery of mutated driver genes is one of the primary objective for studying tumorigenesis. To discover some relatively low frequently mutated driver genes from somatic mutation data, many existing methods incorporate interaction network as prior information. However, the prior information of mRNA expression patterns are not exploited by these existing network-based methods, which is also proven to be highly informative of cancer progressions.

RESULTS
To incorporate prior information from both interaction network and mRNA expressions, we propose a robust and sparse co-regularized nonnegative matrix factorization to discover driver genes from mutation data. Furthermore, our framework also conducts Frobenius norm regularization to overcome overfitting issue. Sparsity-inducing penalty is employed to obtain sparse scores in gene representations, of which the top scored genes are selected as driver candidates. Evaluation experiments by known benchmarking genes indicate that the performance of our method benefits from the two type of prior information. Our method also outperforms the existing network-based methods, and detect some driver genes that are not predicted by the competing methods.

CONCLUSIONS
In summary, our proposed method can improve the performance of driver gene discovery by effectively incorporating prior information from interaction network and mRNA expression patterns into a robust and sparse co-regularized matrix factorization framework.

Driver gene
Matrix factorization
Cancer
Bioinformatics
Network regularization


The occurrence and co-occurrence of aflatoxin and fumonisin along the maize value chain in southwest Nigeria.

Abstract: Aflatoxin and fumonisin are two major foodborne mycotoxins: toxic chemicals produced by fungi that contaminate food commodities including maize, a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa. Aflatoxin causes liver cancer, and is associated with acute liver toxicity and immunotoxicity; while fumonisin is associated with neural tube defects in infants and esophageal cancer. Both mycotoxins have been associated with child growth impairment. Previous studies suggest that co-occurrence of these mycotoxins may have potentially synergistic toxicological effects. Despite health risks associated with co-occurrence of these mycotoxins, no study has examined their co-occurrence along key food supply chains in Africa. This study is the first report that examines the occurrence and co-occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisins along the maize value chain in Nigeria. All samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. About 52% and 21% of the samples had aflatoxin levels above the Nigerian and US standards for human food, respectively. Though no regulatory limits exist for fumonisin in Nigeria, 13% of the samples contained fumonisin levels higher than the US regulatory limit. Aflatoxin levels can become dangerously high in maize stored four months or longer. Adequately addressing mycotoxin risk requires consideration of the entire maize value chain and associated value chains for food production.

Liverpool-Tasie|Lenis Saweda O|LSO|
Turna|Nikita Saha|NS|
Ademola|Oluwatoyin|O|
Obadina|Adewale|A|
Wu|Felicia|F|

Co-occurrence
Aflatoxin
Fumonisin
Maize
Value chains
Nigeria


Myb permits multilineage airway epithelial cell differentiation.

Abstract: The epithelium of the pulmonary airway is specially differentiated to provide defense against environmental insults, but also subject to dysregulated differentiation that results in lung disease. The current paradigm for airway epithelial differentiation is a one-step program whereby a p63(+) basal epithelial progenitor cell generates a ciliated or secretory cell lineage, but the cue for this transition and whether there are intermediate steps are poorly defined. Here, we identify transcription factor Myb as a key regulator that permits early multilineage differentiation of airway epithelial cells. Myb(+) cells were identified as p63(-) and therefore distinct from basal progenitor cells, but were still negative for markers of differentiation. Myb RNAi treatment of primary-culture airway epithelial cells and Myb gene deletion in mice resulted in a p63(-) population with failed maturation of Foxj1(+) ciliated cells as well as Scbg1a1(+) and Muc5ac(+) secretory cells. Consistent with these findings, analysis of whole genome expression of Myb-deficient cells identified Myb-dependent programs for ciliated and secretory cell differentiation. Myb(+) cells were rare in human airways but were increased in regions of ciliated cells and mucous cell hyperplasia in samples from subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Together, the results show that a p63(-) Myb(+) population of airway epithelial cells represents a distinct intermediate stage of differentiation that is required under normal conditions and may be heightened in airway disease.

Pan|Jie-Hong|JH|
Adair-Kirk|Tracy L|TL|
Patel|Anand C|AC|
Huang|Tao|T|
Yozamp|Nicholas S|NS|
Xu|Jian|J|
Reddy|E Premkumar|EP|
Byers|Derek E|DE|
Pierce|Richard A|RA|
Holtzman|Michael J|MJ|
Brody|Steven L|SL|

D000818:Animals
D002454:Cell Differentiation
D019070:Cell Lineage
D002478:Cells, Cultured
D004847:Epithelial Cells
D004848:Epithelium
D006801:Humans
D051379:Mice
D020598:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myb
D020545:Respiratory Mucosa
D012137:Respiratory System
D013234:Stem Cells

Cells
Cell lineage
Chronic obstructive
Pulmonary disease
Cilia
Cultured
Respiratory system
Secretoglobins


Knowledge and Geo-Object Based Graph Convolutional Network for Remote Sensing Semantic Segmentation.

Abstract: Pixel-based semantic segmentation models fail to effectively express geographic objects and their topological relationships. Therefore, in semantic segmentation of remote sensing images, these models fail to avoid salt-and-pepper effects and cannot achieve high accuracy either. To solve these problems, object-based models such as graph neural networks (GNNs) are considered. However, traditional GNNs directly use similarity or spatial correlations between nodes to aggregate nodes' information, which rely too much on the contextual information of the sample. The contextual information of the sample is often distorted, which results in a reduction in the node classification accuracy. To solve this problem, a knowledge and geo-object-based graph convolutional network (KGGCN) is proposed. The KGGCN uses superpixel blocks as nodes of the graph network and combines prior knowledge with spatial correlations during information aggregation. By incorporating the prior knowledge obtained from all samples of the study area, the receptive field of the node is extended from its sample context to the study area. Thus, the distortion of the sample context is overcome effectively. Experiments demonstrate that our model is improved by 3.7% compared with the baseline model named Cluster GCN and 4.1% compared with U-Net.

Cui|Wei|W| Yao|Meng|M| Hao|Yuanjie|Y| Wang|Ziwei|Z| He|Xin|X| Wu|Weijie|W| Li|Jie|J| Zhao|Huilin|H| Xia|Cong|C| Wang|Jin|J|

semantic segmentation
remote sensing images
graph neural network
geo-object prior knowledge


Evaluation of recombinant Neospora caninum antigens purified from silkworm larvae for the protection of N. caninum infection in mice.

Abstract: Three antigens (NcSAG1, NcSRS2 and NcMIC3) from Neospora caninum were expressed using the BmNPV bacmid system in silkworm larvae and purified from the hemolymph. From 20 silkworm larvae, 1.5, 1.2 and 1.4 mg of purified recombinant NcSAG1, NcSRS2 and NcMIC3 were obtained, respectively. When each purified recombinant antigen was immunized with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) to mice, recombinant NcSAG1 induced a Th2 immune response in immunized mice and produced a SAG1-specific antibody. In the experiment where NcSAG1-immunized mice were challenged with N. caninum, the cerebral N. caninum burden was significantly reduced compared with that of either the FIA- or PBS-immunized mice. Recombinant NcSRS2 or NcMIC3 induced both Th1 and Th2 immune responses, but NcMIC3-immunization did not induce significant production of NcMIC3-specific antibodies. These results suggest that the silkworm can produce recombinant antigens of N. caninum, which can be used as a recombinant vaccine against N. caninum.

Yoshimoto|Mai|M|
Otsuki|Takahiro|T|
Itagaki|Kohei|K|
Kato|Tatsuya|T|
Kohsaka|Tetsuya|T|
Matsumoto|Yumino|Y|
Ike|Kazunori|K|
Park|Enoch Y|EY|

Antigen
Silkworm
BmNPV bacmid
Neospora caninum
Subunit vaccine


Minimizing clearance issues with prone breast patients on Varian linear accelerators through isocenter placement.

Abstract: The prone position is frequently used for breast irradiation in an effort to minimize dose to normal tissue and reduce skin toxicities. Immobilization required for prone breast irradiation can cause collision issues with the linear accelerator, disrupting treatment and negatively affecting the patient experience. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if an isocenter location guideline could be developed to prevent collisions with the prone breast immobilization device and gantry head, while still creating a clinically acceptable treatment plan. Clearance isocenter guidelines were established by measuring clearance between the Civco Horizon breast board and Varian linear accelerator. Fourteen patients with known clearance issues at a single institution were selected for this study and re-planned using clearance isocenter guidelines. Collision plans were compared to clearance plans created within the established clearance threshold through the institutions breast treatment guidelines based on arm II of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 1005 recommendations. Researchers in this study demonstrated clinical relevance by establishing that a clearance isocenter location guideline can be developed to prevent collisions with the prone breast immobilization and gantry head, while still creating a clinically acceptable treatment plan.

Wilson|Lauren|L| Rohe|Rob|R| Lenards|Nishele|N| Hunzeker|Ashley|A| Tobler|Matt|M| Zeiler|Sabrina|S| Fellows|Ashley|A|

Clearance
Varian Linear Accelerator
Prone Breast Irradiation
Isocenter Guidelines
Radiotherapy


Behavioural and Electrophysiological Correlates of Aided Performance in Individuals with Late Onset Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: A Review.

Abstract: Hearing aids are one of the rehabilitative options for individuals with late onset auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). There is a growing body of evidence that supports the effectiveness of hearing aids among these individuals. The objective of the study was to review the behavioural and electrophysiological factors that determine the effectiveness of amplification in individuals with late onset ANSD. An intensive search was carried out using the PubMed, SpringerLink and Google Scholar databases using the following keywords: auditory neuropathy, late onset ANSD, hearing aids and amplification. There were both retrospective and experimental research studies that showed aided improvement in individuals with late onset ANSD. The aided improvement in these studies has been attributed to preserved neural synchrony. Hence, it was concluded that, hearing aids are effective in improving speech perception in a sub-group of individuals with late onset ANSD. Measures that evaluate neural synchrony are promising tools to identify the sub-group of such individuals. Speech identification scores at higher sensation levels and cortical potentials are the two clinical measures that indicate aided performance in individuals with late onset ANSD.

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
Hearing aids
Speech identification score
Cortical potential


Clinical characteristics and outcome of critically ill patients with bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and non-producing Escherichia coli.

Abstract: The number of patients infected with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms has increased dramatically worldwide, and high mortality rates are seen in severely ill patients. This study retrospectively compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) at the Tsuyama Chuo Hospital (Okayama, Japan) who were hospitalized for bacteremia caused by ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) or non-ESBL-producing E. coli (non-ESBL-EC) between January 2006 and December 2016 (11 years). We analyzed the patients' age, sex, underlying disease(s), sequential organ failure assessment scores, primary focus of bacteremia, empiric antibiotics, rate of appropriateness of empiric antibiotics, and treatment duration, with 28-day mortality being the primary outcome. The study included 24 patients with ESBL-EC bacteremia and 77 with non-ESBL-EC bacteremia. The rate of appropriate initial antibiotic treatment was significantly lower (54.2% vs. 96.1%, respectively; P < 0.01) and the mortality due to bacteremia significantly higher (37.5% vs. 15.6%, respectively; P = 0.04) in the ESBL-EC than in the non-ESBL-EC bacteremia group. A subgroup analysis focusing on patients who were administered appropriate empiric antibiotics showed that the 28-day mortality rate did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.23). To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the outcomes of patients with ESBL-EC and non-ESBL-EC bacteremia in a Japanese ICU setting. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy covering ESBL-producing pathogens should be considered for critically ill patients in the ICU.

Haruki|Yuto|Y| Hagiya|Hideharu|H| Haruki|Mai|M| Sugiyama|Tetsuhiro|T|

Bacteremia
Escherichia coli
Intensive care unit
Antimicrobial resistance
Carbapenem
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase


A. actinomycetemcomitans profile and red complex bacterial species of an Afro-Brazilian community: A comparative study.

Abstract:
PURPOSES
The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the levels of red complex bacteria between Afro-Brazilian and non Afro-Brazilian cohort. The secondary aim was to compare the distribution of both Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype b and its JP2 strains among participants who harboured this bacterial species.

METHODS
A total of 84 individuals were included in this study: 42 Afro-descendants (mean age 35.9 ± 13.1 years) and 42 non-Afro-descendants (mean age 36.2 ± 13.1 years) matched (1:1) by periodontal diagnosis, age and gender. All participants received clinical examinations of periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and plaque and gingival indices. Subgingival samples were taken for microbial analysis. First, genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted and purified and the quantification of total number of bacterial cells, A. actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola was carried out by qPCR. Then, A. actinomycetemcomitans strains were classified according to serotype b and JP2 profiles by conventional PCR.

RESULTS
Clinically, mean PD, mean CAL and percentage of CAL ≥ 3 mm differed between groups (Student's t-test p<0.05). The levels of red complex bacteria between Afro-Brazilian and non-Afro-Brazilian populations were similar. The exception was verified to A. actinomycetemcomitans showing significantly higher levels among Afro-Brazilian descendants in comparison to non-Afro-Brazilian descendants. Afro-Brazilian descendants were clearly infected by more virulent serotype b and JP2 strains.

CONCLUSIONS
Despite no statistically significant differences related to the red complex species, Afro-Brazilian descendants harboured higher levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Also, our findings confirm that Afro-descendant populations are preferably colonised by A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype b as well as JP2 strains.

de Araujo Neris|Murilo|M|
Cortelli|Sheila Cavalca|SC|
Aquino|Davi Romeiro|DR|
de Miranda|Taís Browne|TB|
Costa|Fernando de Oliveira|Fde O|
Cortelli|José Roberto|JR|

Bacteria
Serotype
Periodontitis
Ethnic groups
Leucotoxin


A review of weight loss and sarcopenia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.

Abstract:
Background
Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation (CTRT) improves disease-free survival in locally advanced head and neck cancer but is associated with numerous acute and chronic toxicities resulting in substantial alterations in body mass and composition. We aim to summarize the current evidence on body composition changes experienced by patients undergoing CTRT, examine the impact of these changes on clinical outcomes and address potential interventions aimed at mitigating the loss.

Main Body
Loss of 20 % of pre-CTRT weight predicts poorer treatment tolerance and 30-day mortality. While clinical practice focuses on body weight, emerging data indicates that CTRT causes profound adverse changes in lean body mass (sarcopenia). Higher prevalence of sarcopenia predicts poorer disease-free survival as well as overall survival, lower quality of life and functional performance. The magnitude of CTRT-induced sarcopenia is the equivalent to that observed in a decade of aging in a healthy adult. Alterations in body composition are only explained, in part, by decreased caloric intake; other significant predictors include body mass index, stage, and dysphagia. Lifestyle interventions aimed at preventing loss of whole-body and especially lean mass include nutritional counseling, nutritional supplements, dietary supplements and exercise training. Personalized nutritional counseling has been associated with improvement in quality of life, while the benefits of feeding tube placement are inconsistent. There are inconsistently reported benefits of resistance training in this population.

Conclusion
Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing CTRT therapy experience dramatic shifts in body composition, including sarcopenia, which can negatively impact clinical outcomes. Efforts to understand the magnitude, clinical importance and mechanisms of sarcopenia are needed to inform a more personalized approach to mitigating the body composition changes associated with CTRT.

Baxi|Shrujal S|SS|0000-0002-8411-0658
Schwitzer|Emily|E|
Jones|Lee W|LW|

Sarcopenia
Head and neck cancer
Chemoradiation
Quality of life
Nutrition
Cardiopulmonary fitness


Fluorescent Nanoparticles Synthesized from DNA, RNA, and Nucleotides.

Abstract: Ubiquitous on Earth, DNA and other nucleic acids are being increasingly considered as promising biomass resources. Due to their unique chemical structure, which is different from that of more common carbohydrate biomass polymers, materials based on nucleic acids may exhibit new, attractive characteristics. In this study, fluorescent nanoparticles (biodots) were prepared by a hydrothermal (HT) method from various nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, nucleotides, and nucleosides) to establish the relationship between the structure of precursors and fluorescent properties of biodots and to optimize conditions for preparation of the most fluorescent product. HT treatment of nucleic acids results in decomposition of sugar moieties and depurination/depyrimidation of nucleobases, while their consequent condensation and polymerization gives fluorescent nanoparticles. Fluorescent properties of DNA and RNA biodots are drastically different from biodots synthesized from individual nucleotides. In particular, biodots synthesized from purine-containing nucleotides or nucleosides show up to 50-fold higher fluorescence compared to analogous pyrimidine-derived biodots. The polymeric nature of a precursor disfavors formation of a bright fluorescent product. The reported effect of the structure of the nucleic acid precursor on the fluorescence properties of biodots should help designing and synthesizing brighter fluorescent nanomaterials with broader specification for bioimaging, sensing, and other applications.

Wang|Maofei|M|
Tsukamoto|Masaki|M|
Sergeyev|Vladimir G|VG|
Zinchenko|Anatoly|A|0000-0002-9257-0881

nanoparticles
DNA
RNA
nucleotides
biodots
fluorescent nanomaterial
hydrothermal synthesis


Supporting children of parents with intellectual disability: A scoping review.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Parents with intellectual disability live normal lives and have children, but many of them lose custody of their children. However, little is known about the support, if any, that these children receive. Here, the present authors review the literature on the help and support given to children of parents with intellectual disability.

METHOD
A scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted, covering 1997 to November 2017.

RESULTS
Thirteen publications were identified. The children benefited from help and support received through informal networks. They also benefited from formal support if it focused on the children's needs and interests.

CONCLUSIONS
The review shows that even though support from informal networks might be an influential factor in supporting children, there is a need for more research addressing the formal support these children receive and how they benefit from it.

D019989:Persons with Mental Disabilities

support
children
parents
intellectual disability
scoping review


Pancreatic carcinosarcoma: first literature report on computed tomography imaging.

Abstract: Carcinosarcoma of the pancreas is an extremely rare tumor and has a dismal prognosis. To the best of our knowledge, the histopathological features of the lesion have been illustrated in the literature but to date no reported cases have been documented on imaging characteristics. We report a female case of pancreatic carcinosarcoma presenting as a mucinous cystadenoma on computed tomography (CT). We also summarize the CT characteristics according to the appended CT images in the reported cases. This is the first report of CT features of pancreatic carcinosarcoma in the English literature.

Carcinosarcoma
Computed tomography
Pancreas
Neoplasm


Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy reduces clinical symptoms, but do not change frontal alpha asymmetry in people with major depression disorder.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVES
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has demonstrated to be successful in the reduction of relapse rates in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD). Little is known if MBCT is effective for treating individuals with current MDD episode and about underlying psychophysiological mechanisms of symptoms reduction. The aim of the present study was to assess effects of MBCT on depressed individuals in terms of reduction of depressive and anxiety symptoms and to evaluate if this therapeutic improvement would be reflected on neurophysiological level by shift in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA).

PARTICIPANTS
We studied 20 individuals with current MDD.

DESIGN
Participants were randomly assigned either to waiting list or 8-week MBCT. Before and after the treatment we have assessed depression, anxiety, and FAA in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) - an indicator of approach vs. withdrawal-related response dispositions and a vulnerability factor of MDD.

RESULTS
In line with previous findings, reduction of depressive and anxiety symptoms, but no change in mean values of FAA in MBCT group was found.

CONCLUSIONS
These results provide a support for the beneficial effects of MBCT in current MDD treatment, however, they do not support the hypothesis on alpha asymmetry change as a neural correlate of MDD improvement.

Szumska|Izabela|I|
Gola|Mateusz|M|
Rusanowska|Marzena|M|
Krajewska|Martyna|M|
Żygierewicz|Jarosław|J|
Krejtz|Izabela|I|
Nezlek|John B|JB|
Holas|Paweł|P|

frontal alpha asymmetry
depression
EEG
electrophysiology
mindfulness


The non-Darwinian evolution of behavers and behaviors.

Abstract: Many readers of this journal have been schooled in both Darwinian evolution and Skinnerian psychology, which have in common the vision of powerful control of their subjects by their sequalae. Individuals of species that generate more successful offspring come to dominate their habitat; responses of those individuals that generate more reinforcers come to dominate the repertoire of the individual in that context. This is unarguable. What is questionable is how large a role these forces of selection play in the larger landscape of existing organisms and the repertoires of their individuals. Here it is argued that non-Darwinian and non-Skinnerian selection play much larger roles in both than the reader may appreciate. The argument is based on the history of, and recent advances in, microbiology. Lessons from that history re-illuminate the three putative domains of selection by consequences: The evolution of species, response repertoires, and cultures. It is argued that before, beneath, and after the cosmically brief but crucial epoch of Darwinian evolution that shaped creatures such as ourselves, non-Darwinian forces pervade all three domains.

Non-Darwinian evolution
Selection by consequences
Lateral gene transfer
Meme
Microbes
Tree of life


Transcriptional Inhibitors Identified in a 160,000-Compound Small-Molecule DUX4 Viability Screen.

Abstract: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is a genetically dominant, currently untreatable muscular dystrophy. It is caused by mutations that enable expression of the normally silent DUX4 gene, which encodes a pathogenic transcription factor. A screen based on Tet-on DUX4-induced mouse myoblast death previously uncovered compounds from a 44,000-compound library that protect against DUX4 toxicity. Many of those compounds acted downstream of DUX4 in an oxidative stress pathway. Here, we extend this screen to an additional 160,000 compounds and, using greater stringency, identify a new set of DUX4-protective compounds. From 640 hits, we performed secondary screens, repurchased 46 of the most desirable, confirmed activity, and tested each for activity against other cell death-inducing insults. The majority of these compounds also protected against oxidative stress. Of the 100 repurchased compounds identified through both screens, only SHC40, 75, and 98 inhibited DUX4 target genes, but they also inhibited dox-mediated DUX4 expression. Using a target gene readout on the 640-compound hit set, we discovered three overlooked compounds, SHC351, 540, and 572, that inhibit DUX4 target gene upregulation without nonspecific effects on the Tet-on system. These novel inhibitors of DUX4 transcriptional activity may thus act on pathways or cofactors needed by DUX4 for transcriptional activation in these cells.

Choi|Si Ho|SH|
Bosnakovski|Darko|D|
Strasser|Jessica M|JM|
Toso|Erik A|EA|
Walters|Michael A|MA|
Kyba|Michael|M|

DUX4
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
high-throughput screening
small-molecule inhibitors


BTNL2-Ig Protein Attenuates Type 1 Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mice.

Abstract: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease in which insulin-producing β-cells are destroyed. Although butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) has been shown to be a negative T cell regulator in vitro, its ability to inhibit T cell responses in vivo has not been determined. In this study, the effect of a recombinant BTNL2-IgG2a Fc (rBTNL2-Ig) fusion protein on T1D development in vivo is determined. It is shown here that in vivo administration of rBTNL2-Ig ameliorates T1D in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. This is associated with the ability of rBTNL2-Ig to inhibit the proliferation, activation, and inflammatory cytokine production from autoreactive T cells in vivo. In addition, rBTNL2-Ig treatment increases the generation of regulatory T cells. The results suggest that targeting the BTNL2 pathway has the potential to be used in the prevention and treatment of patients with T1D.

Tian|Xiaohong|X| Lin|Yujun|Y| Cui|Cheng|C| Su|Min|M| Lai|Laijun|L|0000-0002-4581-7642

Type 1 diabetes
BTNL2
autoreactive T cells
regulatory T cells


The accuracy of heartbeat detection using photoplethysmography technology in cardiac patients.

Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
Photoplethysmography (PPG) in wearable sensors potentially plays an important role in accessible heart rhythm monitoring. We investigated the accuracy of a state-of-the-art bracelet (Corsano 287) for heartbeat detection in cardiac patients and evaluated the efficacy of a signal qualifier in identifying medically useful signals.

METHODS
Patients from an outpatient cardiology clinic underwent a simultaneous resting ECG and PPG recording, which we compared to determine accuracy of the PPG sensor for detecting heartbeats within 100 and 50 ms of the ECG-detected heart beats and correlation and Limits of Agreement for heartrate (HR) and RR-intervals. We defined subgroups for skin type, hair density, age, BMI and gender and applied a previously described signal qualifier.

RESULTS
In 180 patients 7914 ECG-, and 7880 (99%) PPG-heartbeats were recorded. The PPG-accuracy within 100 ms was 94.6% (95% CI 94.1-95.1) and 89.2% (95% CI 88.5-89.9) within 50 ms. Correlation was high for HR (R = 0.991 (95% CI 0.988-0.993), n = 180) and RR-intervals (R = 0.891 (95% CI 0.886-0.895), n = 7880). The 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA) were -3.89 to 3.77 (mean bias 0.06) beats per minute for HR and -173 to 171 (mean bias -1) for RR-intervals. Results were comparable across all subgroups. The signal qualifier led to a higher accuracy in a 100 ms range (98.2% (95% CI 97.9-98.5)) (n = 143).

CONCLUSION
We showed that the Corsano 287 Bracelet with PPG-technology can determine HR and RR-intervals with high accuracy in cardiovascular at-risk patient population among different subgroups, especially with a signal quality indicator.

Blok|S|S|
Piek|M A|MA|
Tulevski|I I|II|
Somsen|G A|GA|
Winter|M M|MM|

Photoplethysmography
Continuous monitoring
Wearable diagnostics


Facile Synthesis of Luminescent Ir-Pt-Ir Trimetallic Complexes.

Abstract: A new class of luminescent, heterotrimetallic supramolecular constructs partnering two bis-cyclometalated iridium centers with a diimine platinum acetylide center is introduced. Whereas most supramolecular constructs featuring cyclometalated iridium involve elaborate bridging ligands and are prepared under forcing conditions with low to moderate yields, the three Ir-Pt-Ir complexes described here are prepared at room temperature from simple precursors and isolated in near-quantitative yields. ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and diffusion ordered spectroscopy confirm the identity and homogeneity of the trimetallic products. In comparison with monometallic model complexes, analysis of UV/Vis absorption, steady-state photoluminescence and time-resolved emission reveals the impacts of supramolecular assembly on the photophysical properties. UV/Vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry suggest perturbation of some frontier orbital energies as a result of assembly, and the emission spectra and lifetimes reveal efficient excited-state energy transfer via a Dexter mechanism, and show that the site of luminescence (platinum or iridium) depends on the identity of the cyclometalating ligand bound to iridium.

luminescence
iridium
platinum
energy transfer
supramolecular chemistry


Individual, expected diameters of the ascending aorta and prevalence of dilations in a study-population aged 60-74 years: a DANCAVAS substudy.

Abstract: To determine individual, expected normal diameters of the ascending aorta (AAo) and prevalence of dilations based upon an absolute cut-off point (≥ 40 mm) and individual cut-off point (≥ 25% than expected normal). Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 14,993 individuals (95.0% male, mean age 67.8 ± 3.8). A sub-group (n = 291) had AAo diameter measured by transthoracic echocardiography. A prediction formula for AAo diameters was created from multivariate linear regression analysis based upon gender, age, and body surface area. An index was made by dividing observed diameters with predicted diameters. A size-index ≥ 1.25 was defined as dilated. Prevalence of AAo dilations among males and females using 40 mm as cut-off point were 10.6% and 2.1% (p < 0.001), respectively, while 3.3% and 2.6% (p = 0.305) using the size-index ≥ 1.25, respectively. Proportion of agreement between cases of AAo dilations from the size-index and 40 mm was 93.0%. Using the size-index as 'golden standard' for dilation, the sensitivity and specificity using 40 mm as cut-off point for males were 100.0% and 92.4%, respectively, while 75.0% and 99.9%, respectively, for females. For males and females, the positive predicted values were 31.3% and 93.8%, respectively; the negative predicted values were 100.0% and 99.3%, respectively. An absolute echocardiographic size-criterion of 40 mm entails a significant number of females with missed AAo dilation, and a large number of males are mistaken to have dilated AAo. Thus, AAo diameters should be evaluated in relation to gender, age and BSA. This study provides a formula for potential clinical implementation.

Prevalence
Ascending aortic dilation
Ascending aortic size
General population


Pathophysiology of Hypertensive Heart Disease: Beyond Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Abstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Given that the life expectancy and the burden of hypertension are projected to increase over the next decade, hypertensive heart disease (HHD) may be expected to play an even more central role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). A broader understanding of the features and underlying mechanisms that constitute HHD therefore is of paramount importance.

RECENT FINDINGS
HHD is a condition that arises as a result of elevated blood pressure and constitutes a key underlying mechanism for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Historically, studies investigating HHD have primarily focused on left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH), but it is increasingly apparent that HHD encompasses a range of target-organ damage beyond LVH, including other cardiovascular structural and functional adaptations that may occur separately or concomitantly. HHD is characterized by micro- and macroscopic myocardial alterations, structural phenotypic adaptations, and functional changes that include cardiac fibrosis, and the remodeling of the atria and ventricles and the arterial system. In this review, we summarize the structural and functional alterations in the cardiac and vascular system that constitute HHD and underscore their underlying pathophysiology.

Nwabuo|Chike C|CC|0000-0002-7888-9781
Vasan|Ramachandran S|RS|

Hypertension
Cardiac fibrosis
Arterial stiffness
Left atrium
Left ventricle
Right ventricle


Low-risk planned caesarean versus planned vaginal delivery at term: early and late infantile outcomes.

Abstract:
Background
Understanding the impact of delivery mode on neonatal morbidity becomes essential in the context of rising Caesarian delivery rates.

Aims
We aimed to compare the selected outcomes in neonates born by low-risk planned Caesarian delivery versus planned normal vaginal delivery (NVD).

Methods
This prospective cohort study examined early, and late neonatal complications among 1071 neonates born through low-risk planned Caesarian delivery and 1367 neonates born through planned NVD, in Fars, Islamic Republic of Iran, during 2012-2014.

Results
Gestational age of neonates born through Caesarian delivery was significantly lower than their counterparts in NVD group. Accordingly, babies' birth weights were 3166 (±442.4) grams in Caesarian delivery group and 3213 (±454.8) grams in NVD group. Normal skin colour at birth was more prevalent in the Caesarian delivery group compared to the NVD group (85% vs. 81.3%, P = 0.04). No significant differences were detected between the two groups regarding birth trauma, birth height and head circumference, and developing infection, icterus and convulsion during neonatal period. Also, height and weight at two years of age did not significantly differ in both groups.

Conclusion
The results of this study show that neonates born by Caesarian delivery and NVD had the same early and late outcomes.

Maharlouei|Najmeh|N|
Mansouri|Parisa|P|
Zahmatkeshan|Mozhgan|M|
Lankarani|Kamran B|KB|

D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care

vaginal delivery
outcome
cohort study
Iran
caesarean delivery


Premacular membrane formation after scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: prospective study and pathophysiological insights.

Abstract:
PURPOSE
To investigate the incidence, clinical features and risk factors of premacular membrane (PMM) formation after primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with scleral buckling (SB) alone.

METHODS
This institutional, prospective and consecutive case series included phakic eyes with RRD, treated with SB alone within 7 days from the occurrence of symptoms, with a follow-up of 6 months. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were reviewed. The association of PMM development and morphology with preoperative and intraoperative RRD features was analysed.

RESULTS
Ninety-two patients with a mean age of 56±13 years completed the 6 months follow-up period. Postoperatively, eyes with any PMM stage were 30 out of 92 (32.6%) at 1 month and 47 out of 92 (51,1%) at both 3 months and 6 months. Over the follow-up period, 17 out of 47 PMMs (36.2%) progressed to later stages. Progression of PMMs to later stages were observed only in RRDs involving the macular region (17 out of 35 eyes, 48.5%), while none of the PMMs in macula-sparing detachments progressed to later stages (p=0.020). The risk factors significantly associated with postoperative new onset of PMM were preoperative RRDs involving the macular region (p=0.001), cryopexy time (p=0.045), presence of horseshoe tears (p=0.003), worse preoperative visual acuity (p=0.004) and subretinal fluid drainage (p=0.047).

CONCLUSION
The incidence of postoperative PMM formation after RRD repair with SB alone was high. In retinal detachments involving the macular region PMM were more severe, tending to anatomical progression and functional deterioration. Activation of foveal Müller cell in detachments involving the macula may be a key factor in PMM progression.

Cacioppo|Viviana|V| Govetto|Andrea|A|0000-0003-2192-810X Radice|Paolo|P| Virgili|Gianni|G| Scialdone|Antonio|A|

Premacular membrane
scleral buckling
rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Müller cells
ectopic inner foveal layers.


Tungsten Nitride Nanodots Embedded Phosphorous Modified Carbon Fabric as Flexible and Robust Electrode for Asymmetric Pseudocapacitor.

Abstract: Owing to the excellent physical properties of metal nitrides such as metallic conductivity and pseudocapacitance, they have recently attracted much attention as competitive materials for high-performance supercapacitors (SCs). However, the voltage window for metal nitride-based symmetric SCs is limited (0.6-0.8 V) in aqueous electrolyte due to the oxidation at high negative potentials. In this respect, ultra-small tungsten nitride particles onto the phosphorous modified carbon fabric (W2 N@P-CF) are engineered as a promising hybrid electrode for pseudocapacitors. Additionally, the fact that the W2 N@P-CF electrode can operate in the negative potential region is exploited to design asymmetric pseudocapacitors by coupling with a polypyrrole on carbon fabric (PPy@CF) as the positive electrode. Remarkably, the W2 N@P-CF//PPy@CF asymmetric cell can be cycled in a wide voltage window of 1.6 V that is almost two times higher than that of metal nitrides symmetric SCs. The pseudocapacitive behavior with matching different potential regions of W2 N@P-CF and PPy@CF, considerably enhance performance of asymmetric device. The device delivers high volumetric capacity (7.1 F cm-3 ), high energy (2.54 mWh cm-3 ), power densities, and good cycling stability (88%) over 20 000 cycles. Thus, pseudocapacitive metal nitride-based devices hold a great promise to provide high voltage and improved energy density in aqueous electrolyte.

asymmetric pseudocapacitors
metal nitrides
flexible supercapacitors
high energy density


Effect of lipase incorporation on gelling properties of catfish (Clarias lazera) surimi and its mechanism.

Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Recently, fatty fish have been utilized as a potential approach for the fabrication of surimi products, with the yield of fatty fish surimi being > 10 000 tons in 2019. However, the gelling properties of catfish surimi can be influenced by intermuscular lipid. Lipase could effectively enhance the gel quality of catfish surimi gels, although the chemical forces involved in gel formation and alteration in lipid and protein oxidation status are not well understood. The present study investigated the gelation-enhancing effects of lipase on catfish surimi based on changes in chemical oxidation interactions.

RESULTS
The addition of 7.5 g kg-1 lipase significantly increased the hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bond contents, both of which facilitated gel formation, in surimi gels. The 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and carbonyl concentrations demonstrated that lipase promoted lipid and protein oxidations. Furthermore, an appropriate dose of malondialdehyde accelerated protein oxidation, thereby resulting in the covalent cross-linking of proteins. Consequently, the gel strength increased from 55.72 to 127.71 g × cm with lipase contents of up to 7.5 g kg-1 , and strong chemical cross-linking and a compact network were observed via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and scanning electron microscopy. However, excessive oxidation led to the degeneration of the gel matrix. A schematic mechanism, mainly based on the chemical changes, is proposed.

CONCLUSION
The present study revealed the gelation mechanism of catfish surimi gels with lipase, and suggested that lipase treatments may be an effective approach for improving the textural properties of fatty fish surimi gels. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions

lipase
catfish
surimi gel
chemical interactions
lipid oxidation


Food Worry in the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract:
OBJECTIVE
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) pandemic has highlighted preexisting health disparities, including food insecurity, in the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) population. We examined factors associated with food worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS
We collected survey data on worry about food shortages, worry about contracting COVID-19, and concerns about DHH people staying home and being lonely from April 17 through May 1, 2020, via a bilingual American Sign Language/English online survey platform. The sample consisted of 537 DHH adults living in the United States. We examined the relationship between demographic characteristics and food worry. We used logistic regression and model fitting to predict the likelihood of experiencing food worry.

RESULTS
The mean (SD) age of survey respondents was 47 (16), and 25% of the sample identified as people of color. Forty-two percent of survey respondents had a high level of food worry. Increased worry about contracting COVID-19 and concerns about DHH people staying home and being lonely among DHH younger adults or those without a college degree predicted food worry. Gender and race/ethnicity did not contribute to the model for food worry.

CONCLUSIONS
Food worry was explained by multiple, intersecting factors, including demographic variables, worry about contracting COVID-19, and concerns about loneliness. Interventions or programs implemented by DHH-serving organizations as well as government programs, social service providers, and food banks should be fully accessible to subgroups of DHH young adults without a college degree who are at risk for food insecurity.

D019986:Persons With Hearing Impairments

worry
deaf
COVID-19
sign language
food security


Prenatal Exposure to Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Hemodynamic Effects on the Newborn.

Abstract: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are potent antihypertensive agents that block the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAS). Their use in pregnancy may cause malformations, oligoanuria, hypotension, and death. Hypotension is observed up to 15% of cases and is described as refractory to volume and inotropic support, although its pathophysiology is unknown. We present a case of prenatal exposure to ARBs in order to characterize the hemodynamic compromise in the newborn, help in decision-making, and guide the therapeutic approach to these patients.

Rodríguez-Castaño|MaJosé|M| Corredera|Araceli|A| Aleo|Esther|E| Arruza|Luis|L|

D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers

D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

angiotensin II receptor blockers
newborn
hypotension
refractory


How should recent endovascular trials for femoropopliteal artery disease be interpreted?

Abstract: Most cases of femoral-popliteal disease require aggressive medical treatment, but patients with severe lifestyle-limiting symptoms and limb-threatening disease are increasingly receiving endovascular treatment. The femoropopliteal artery is the longest vessel in the thigh and the unique physical forces involved in this vessel are considered to cause high rates of restenosis and stent fracture. Endovascular therapy for superficial artery (SFA) disease is still a challenge in terms of long-term patency and clinical effectiveness. The purpose of this brief review is to reexamine previously published key trials in order to identify and compare the differences of each study. Discussion of how to interpret the results of these studies is vital for the incorporation of the data into actual real-life cases.

D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic
D057510:Endovascular Procedures
D005263:Femoral Artery
D006801:Humans
D011150:Popliteal Artery

Stent
Angioplasty
Prospective randomized study
Superficial femoral artery


Morphology and the gradient of a symmetric potential predict gait transitions of dogs.

Abstract: Gaits and gait transitions play a central role in the movement of animals. Symmetry is thought to govern the structure of the nervous system, and constrain the limb motions of quadrupeds. We quantify the symmetry of dog gaits with respect to combinations of bilateral, fore-aft, and spatio-temporal symmetry groups. We tested the ability of symmetries to model motion capture data of dogs walking, trotting and transitioning between those gaits. Fully symmetric models performed comparably to asymmetric with only a [Formula: see text] increase in the residual sum of squares and only one-quarter of the parameters. This required adding a spatio-temporal shift representing a lag between fore and hind limbs. Without this shift, the symmetric model residual sum of squares was [Formula: see text] larger. This shift is related to (linear regression, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) dog morphology. That this symmetry is respected throughout the gaits and transitions indicates that it generalizes outside a single gait. We propose that relative phasing of limb motions can be described by an interaction potential with a symmetric structure. This approach can be extended to the study of interaction of neurodynamic and kinematic variables, providing a system-level model that couples neuronal central pattern generator networks and mechanical models.

Wilshin|Simon|S|
Haynes|G Clark|GC|
Porteous|Jack|J|
Koditschek|Daniel|D|
Revzen|Shai|S|
Spence|Andrew J|AJ|

Gait transitions
Gaits
Dogs
Symmetry
Dynamical systems