Category: Nevin Manimala

J Phycol. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1111/jpy.13273. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The introduction of invasive macrophyte species can affect submerged macrophyte community composition and abundance, which in turn can alter the functions of lake ecosystems. Knowing when and how invasive macrophytes arrive and spread can help disentangle the effects of invasive species from other stressors on lake ecosystems. This requires a long-term (decades) perspective of macrophyte community composition, which is rarely available. An alternative is paleolimnological inferences of macrophyte community composition from fossil diatom assemblages, which requires knowledge of epiphytic diatom communities. Here, we investigated the epiphytic diatom community composition of three common submerged macrophyte species (Chara sp., Potamogeton robbinsii, and the invasive Myriophyllum spicatum) in a typical temperate, mixed forest lake, Chandos Lake, Ontario, Canada, to provide a basis for future paleolimnological research. Non-parametric, multivariate analysis of variance indicated a statistically significant difference in the epiphytic diatom communities of different macrophyte species, despite principal components analysis showing some overlap among the diatom communities. Diatom community composition of all macrophytes had abundant Achnanthidium minutissimum and Cocconeis placentula. Generalised linear models and univariate analysis of variance identified six diatoms (Encyonopsis microcephala, Epithemia turgida, Gomphonema pavulum var. parvulius, Navicula gerloffi, Rhopalodia gibba, and Rossithidium anastasiae) that were significantly different among macrophyte species. Although it remains uncertain whether these differences are sufficient to infer historical macrophyte community composition from epiphytic diatom fossil assemblages, our results indicate the potential of such an approach and offer suggestions for future research.

PMID:35689727 | DOI:10.1111/jpy.13273

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s10695-022-01089-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Extrinsic factors play a significant role during aquaculture feed manufacturing practices. Herein, a 90-day feeding trial was designed in triplicate under controlled environmental conditions to evaluate the efficiency of different chemical forms of dietary cobalt at different dosage levels on growth performance, hematological, and immunological indices of Tor putitora fingerlings. Firstly, cobalt chloride nanoparticles (Co-NPs) and cobalt methionine chelated complex (Co-Met) were synthesized via physical and chemical methods respectively and then characterized for their size, surface morphology, and elemental composition analysis by using X-rays diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Results indicated the crystalline nature of Co-NPs with spherical shape having an average size < 20 nm while Co-Met appeared as an amorphous complex with a honey-comb-like octahedral structure with an average size of 82.69 nm. Afterward, a feeding experiment was executed and fish were divided into three groups, i.e., control group (CG; fed 40% crude protein diet with no mineral added), while the other two groups were fed graded levels (0.5-3 mg/kg; increment of 0.5 mg Co/group) of Co-NPs and Co-Met supplemented diets. Statistical analysis of results by using two-way ANOVA indicated significant (P < 0.001) effect of both chemical forms, dosage levels, and their interaction level on fish indicating a dose-dependent significant effect of different chemical forms of dietary cobalt on fish. Additionally, Co-Met supplemented group of fish at supplementation level of 3 mg/kg diet showed highest growth performance, and improved hemato-immunological as compared to other experimental and control group of fish.

PMID:35689710 | DOI:10.1007/s10695-022-01089-x

Eur Radiol. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00330-022-08925-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ultra-high-resolution (UHR) imaging of large joints using an investigational photon-counting detector (PCD) CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing clinical shoulder or pelvis energy-integrating-detector (EID) CT exam were scanned using the UHR mode of the PCD-CT system. Axial EID-CT images (1-mm sections) and PCD-CT images (0.6-mm sections) were reconstructed using Br62/Br64 and Br76 kernels, respectively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists rated visualization of anatomic structures using a 5-point Likert scale. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis of reader scores, and paired t-test was used for comparing bone CT numbers and image noise from PCD-CT and EID-CT.

RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (17 shoulders and 15 pelvis) were prospectively recruited for this feasibility study. Mean age for shoulder exams was 67.3 ± 15.5 years (11 females) and 47.2 ± 15.8 years (11 females) for pelvis exams. The mean volume CT dose index was lower on PCD-CT compared to that on EID-CT (shoulders: 18 mGy vs. 34 mGy, pelvis: 11.6 mGy vs. 16.7 mGy). PCD-CT was rated significantly better than EID-CT (p < 0.001) for anatomic-structure visualization. Trabecular delineation in shoulders (mean score = 4.24 ± 0.73) and femoroacetabular joint visualization in the pelvis (mean score = 3.67 ± 1.03) received the highest scores. PCD-CT demonstrated significant increase in bone CT number (p < 0.001) relative to EID-CT; no significant difference in image noise was found between PCD-CT and EID-CT.

CONCLUSION: The evaluated PCD-CT system provided improved visualization of osseous structures in the shoulders and pelvises at a 31-47% lower radiation dose compared to EID-CT.

KEY POINTS: • A full field-of-view PCD-CT with 0.151 mm × 0.176 mm detector pixel size (isocenter) facilitates bilateral, high-resolution imaging of shoulders and pelvis. • The evaluated investigational PCD-CT system was rated superior by two musculoskeletal radiologists for anatomic structure visualization in shoulders and pelvises despite a 31-47% lower radiation dose compared to EID-CT. • PCD-CT demonstrated significantly higher bone CT number compared to EID-CT, while no significant difference in image noise was observed between PCD-CT and EID-CT despite a 31-47% dose reduction on PCD-CT.

PMID:35689699 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-022-08925-x

Int J Legal Med. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00414-022-02837-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Temperature-based methods are widely accepted as the gold standard for death time estimation. In the absence of any other information, the nomogram method generally assumes that a person died with a core body temperature of approximately 37.2 °C. Nevertheless, several external and internal factors may alter the body temperature during agony. A retrospective medical record analysis was carried out on in-hospital death cases from two consecutive years of surgical intensive care units to determine the effects of factors influencing the core body temperature at the point of death. Data from 103 case files were included in the statistical data evaluation. The body temperature fluctuated between and within individuals over time. No clear correlation to certain death groups was observed. Even primary cardiac deaths showed broad intervals of temperatures at the point of death. Men seem to die with higher body temperatures than women. The presented data highlight potential biases for death time estimations when generally assuming a core body temperature of 37.2 °C. In conclusion, the estimation of the time of death should include various methods, including a non-temperature-dependent method. Any uncertainties regarding the body temperature at point of death need to be resolved (e.g. by identifying fever constellations) and elucidated if elimination is not possible.

PMID:35689684 | DOI:10.1007/s00414-022-02837-7

World J Urol. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00345-022-04059-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Uric acid renal lithiasis has a high prevalence and a high rate of recurrence. Removal of uric acid stones can be achieved by several surgical techniques (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, endoscopy, laparoscopy, open surgery). These stones can also be eliminated by dissolution within the kidneys, because the solubility of uric acid is much greater when the pH is above 6. At present, N-acetylcysteine with a urinary basifying agent is the only treatment proposed to increase the dissolution of uric acid stones. In this paper, we compare the effect of theobromine and N-acetylcysteine on the in vitro dissolution of uric acid calculi in artificial urine at pH 6.5.

METHODS: The dissolution of uric acid renal calculi was performed in a temperature-controlled (37 °C) chamber. A peristaltic pump was used to pass 750 mL of synthetic urine (pH 6.5) through a capsule every 24 h. Stone dissolution was evaluated by measuring the change in weight before and after each experiment.

RESULTS: N-acetylcysteine increased the dissolution of uric acid calculi, but the effect was not statistically significant. Theobromine significantly increased the dissolution of uric acid calculi. Both substances together had the same effect as theobromine alone. The addition of theobromine to a basifying therapy that uses citrate and/or bicarbonate is a potential new strategy for the oral chemolysis of uric acid stones.

CONCLUSION: Theobromine may prevent the formation of new stones and increase the dissolution of existing stones.

PMID:35689678 | DOI:10.1007/s00345-022-04059-3

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s00404-022-06565-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of manifold ovarian stimulation protocols for patients with poor ovarian response.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were systematically searched until February 14, 2021. Primary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate per initiating cycle and low risk of cycle cancellation. Secondary outcomes included number of oocytes retrieved, number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes, number of embryos obtained, number of transferred embryos, endometrial thickness on triggering day and estradiol (E₂) level on triggering day. The network plot, league table, rank probabilities and forest plot of each outcome measure were drawn. Therapeutic effects were displayed as risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: This network meta-analysis included 15 trials on 2173 participants with poor ovarian response. Delayed start GnRH antagonist was the best regimen in terms of clinical pregnancy rate per initiating cycle (74.04% probability of being the optimal), low risk of cycle cancellation (75.30%), number of oocytes retrieved (68.67%), number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes (97.98%) and endometrial thickness on triggering day (81.97%), while for E₂ level on triggering day, microdose GnRH agonist (99.25%) was the most preferred. Regarding number of embryos obtained and number of transferred embryos, no statistical significances were found between different ovarian stimulation protocols.

CONCLUSION: Delayed start GnRH antagonist and microdose GnRH agonist were the two superior regimens in the treatment of poor ovarian response, providing favorable clinical outcomes. Future investigation is needed to confirm and enrich our findings.

PMID:35689674 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-022-06565-6

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2022 Jun 11:gfac170. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfac170. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis treatment causes significant reductions in quality of life (QoL). When enrolled in a clinical trial, some patients are lost prior to follow-up either because they die or receive a kidney transplant. It is unclear how these patients are dealt with in the analysis of QoL data. There are questions surrounding the consistency of how QoL measures are used, reported and analysed.

METHODS: A systematic search of electronic databases for trials measuring QoL in hemodialysis patients using any variation of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQoL) Questionnaire. The review was conducted in Covidence version2. Quantitative analysis was conducted in STATA version16.

RESULTS: We included 61 trials in the review, of which 82% reported dropouts. The methods to account for missing data due to dropouts include imputation (7%) and complete case analysis (72%). Few trials (7%) conducted sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of missing data on the study results. Single imputation techniques were used which are only valid under strong assumptions regarding the type and pattern of missingness. There was inconsistency in the reporting of the KDQoL, with many papers (54%) amending the validated questionnaires or reporting only statistically significant results.

CONCLUSIONS: Missing data are not dealt with according to the missing data mechanism, which may lead to biased results. Inconsistency in the use of patient reported outcome measures raises questions about the validity of these trials. Methodological issues in nephrology trials could be a contributing factor to why there are limited effective interventions to improve QoL in this patient group.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020223869.

PMID:35689670 | DOI:10.1093/ndt/gfac170

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2022 Jun 11:keac337. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac337. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) carry increased atherosclerotic risk, while B cell activating factor holds a vital role in disease pathogenesis and atherosclerosis. We aimed to compare subclinical atherosclerosis profiles between the two clinical entities and define whether BAFF genetic variants alter atherosclerotic risk.

METHODS: DNA from 166 RA, 148 primary SS patients and 200 healthy controls of similar age and sex distribution was subjected to PCR-based assay for the detection of five single nucleotide polymorphisms of the BAFF gene (rs1224141, rs12583006, rs9514828, rs1041569, and rs9514827). Genotype and haplotype frequencies were determined by SNPStats software and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS and Graphpad Software. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined by the presence of carotid/femoral plaque formation and arterial wall thickening.

RESULTS: Atherosclerotic plaque formation was more frequently detected in the RA vs primary SS group (80.7% vs 62.2%, p-value <0.001), along with higher rates of family CVD history, current steroid dose, and serum inflammatory markers. The TT genotype of the rs1224141 variant was more prevalent in RA but not primary SS patients with plaque and arterial wall thickening vs their counterparts without. Regarding the rs1014569 variant, among RA patients the TT genotype increased the risk for plaque formation while in primary SS patients the AT genotype conferred increased risk. Haplotype GTTTT was protective in the RA cohort, while TATTT and TTCTT haplotypes increased susceptibility for arterial wall thickening in the primary SS cohort.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased inflammatory burden, higher steroid doses and distinct BAFF gene variations imply chronic inflammation and B cell hyperactivity as key contributors for the augmented atherosclerotic risk among autoimmune patients.

PMID:35689637 | DOI:10.1093/rheumatology/keac337

Syst Biol. 2022 Jun 11:syac040. doi: 10.1093/sysbio/syac040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Whole-genome duplication (WGD) occurs broadly and repeatedly across the history of eukaryotes, and is recognized as a prominent evolutionary force, especially in plants. Immediately following WGD, most genes are present in two copies as paralogs. Due to this redundancy, one copy of a paralog pair commonly undergoes pseudogenization and is eventually lost. When speciation occurs shortly after WGD, however, differential loss of paralogs may lead to spurious phylogenetic inference resulting from the inclusion of pseudoorthologs-paralogous genes mistakenly identified as orthologs because they are present in single copes within each sampled species. The influence and impact of including pseudoorthologs versus true orthologs as a result of gene extinction (or incomplete laboratory sampling) is only recently gaining empirical attention in the phylogenomics community. Moreover, few studies have yet to investigate this phenomenon in an explicit coalescent framework. Here, using mathematical models, numerous simulated data sets, and two newly assembled empirical data sets, we assess the effect of pseudoorthologs on species tree estimation under varying degrees of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and differential gene loss scenarios following WGD. When gene loss occurs along the terminal branches of the species tree, alignment-based (BPP) and gene-tree-based (ASTRAL, MP-EST, and STAR) coalescent methods are adversely affected as the degree of ILS increases. This can be greatly improved by sampling a sufficiently large number of genes. Under the same circumstances, however, concatenation methods consistently estimate incorrect species trees as the number of genes increases. Additionally, pseudoorthologs can greatly mislead species tree inference when gene loss occurs along the internal branches of the species tree. Here, both coalescent and concatenation methods yield inconsistent results. These results underscore the importance of understanding the influence of pseudoorthologs in the phylogenomics era.

PMID:35689633 | DOI:10.1093/sysbio/syac040

Genetics. 2022 Jun 11:iyac088. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyac088. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We develop a computationally efficient alternative, TwinEQTL, to a linear mixed-effects model (LMM) for twin genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Instead of analyzing all twin samples together with LMM, TwinEQTL first splits twin samples into two independent groups on which multiple linear regression analysis can be validly performed separately, followed by an appropriate meta-analysis-like approach to combine the two non-independent test results. Through mathematical derivations, we prove the validity of TwinEQTL algorithm and show that the correlation between two dependent test statistics at each single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) are independent of its minor allele frequency (MAF). Thus the correlation is constant across all SNPs. Through simulations, we show empirically that TwinEQTL has well controlled type I error with negligible power loss compared to the gold-standard linear mixed effects models. To accommodate eQTL analysis with twin subjects, we further implement TwinEQTL into a R package with much improved computational efficiency. Our approaches provide a significant leap in terms of computing speed for GWAS and eQTL analysis with twin samples.

PMID:35689615 | DOI:10.1093/genetics/iyac088