Common Access Research Articles

Magnesium- a Forgotten Element: Phenotypic Variation and Genome Wide Association Study in Turkish Common Bean Germplasm.

Magnesium (Mg) is the fourth most abundant element in the human body and plays the role of cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. In plants, Mg is involved in various key physiological and biochemical processes like growth, development, photophosphorylation, chlorophyll formation, protein synthesis, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Keeping in view the importance of this element, the present investigation aimed to explore the Mg contents diversity in the seeds of Turkish common bean germplasm and to identify the genomic regions associated with this element. A total of 183 common bean accessions collected from 19 provinces of Turkey were used as plant material. Field experiments were conducted according to an augmented block design during 2018 in two provinces of Turkey, and six commercial cultivars were used as a control group. Analysis of variance depicted that Mg concentration among common bean accessions was statistically significant (p < 0.05) within each environment, however genotype × environment interaction was non-significant. A moderate level (0.60) of heritability was found in this study. Overall mean Mg contents for both environments varied from 0.33 for Nigde-Dermasyon to 1.52 mg kg−1 for Nigde-Derinkuyu landraces, while gross mean Mg contents were 0.92 mg kg−1. At the province level, landraces from Bolu were rich while the landraces from Bitlis were poor in seed Mg contents respectively. The cluster constellation plot divided the studied germplasm into two populations on the basis of their Mg contents. Marker-trait association was performed using a mixed linear model (Q + K) with a total of 7,900 DArTseq markers. A total of six markers present on various chromosomes (two at Pv01, and one marker at each chromosome i.e., Pv03, Pv07, Pv08, Pv11) showed statistically significant association for seed Mg contents. Among these identified markers, the DArT-3367607 marker present on chromosome Pv03 contributed to maximum phenotypic variation (7.5%). Additionally, this marker was found within a narrow region of previously reported markers. We are confident that the results of this study will contribute significantly to start common bean breeding activities using marker assisted selection regarding improved Mg contents.

A Systematic Review and Single-center Experience of Azygos Vein Defibrillator Lead Insertion.

Defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing is performed in individuals with higher predicted risks of defibrillation failure. Many strategies have been explored to overcome the challenge of high DFT, including an insertion of a defibrillator lead into the azygos vein. We performed a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azygos vein implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion for high DFT combined with the analysis of a single-center experience of the procedure at our institution. The literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase from database inception to December 2020 to identify all case reports and case series related to azygos vein defibrillator lead insertion. Our search identified 291 records. After excluding duplicate studies and those without DFT thresholds and non-azygos vascular destinations, 12 studies (23 cases) were reviewed from the current database. We also conducted a retrospective analysis of 5 cases performed at our institution, and a total of 28 patients were included in our final analysis. The mean age of the pooled cohort was 47 years (range, 17–88 years). Men composed 92% of the total cases, and the average body mass index was 34 kg/m2. The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 25%, with 78% having non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. The left axillary (36%) or subclavian (48%) vein was the common percutaneous access point. The mean duration of azygos vein access and lead delivery was 22 min (range, 13–60 min). The average DFT prior to azygos coil insertion was 35 J (range, 20–45 J). Fifty-seven percent of cases achieved substantial DFT improvement, whereas 18% achieved relative improvement compared to the pre-procedural threshold. No immediate or remote procedure-related complications were reported in 24 cases where data were available. During an average follow-up period of 18 months, 5 patients had ventricular arrhythmic events requiring device therapy and 4 had successful cardioversion from the device. One patient died from cardiac arrest with variable device therapies of both unsuccessful and successful events. In conclusion, azygos vein defibrillator lead insertion has a considerable rate of success, ease of vascular access with minimal procedural time, and lower risks and complications. Larger studies and longer follow-up periods are warranted to establish its efficacy and safety.

Evaluation of South African common bermudagrass germplasm for shade tolerance

AbstractCommon bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) is a widely grown warm‐season turfgrass species characterized by a dense, deep‐rooted canopy and high levels of traffic tolerance. However, most cultivars have poor shade tolerance, which limits the use of these grasses in partly‐shaded areas. The identification of new sources of genetic resistance to shade will expand the germplasm pool available to breeders for developing improved bermudagrass cultivars. In this study, 24 common bermudagrass accessions recently introduced from South Africa were evaluated for their ability to persist under shade. Entries were established in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Lake Wheeler Turfgrass Field Lab (Raleigh, NC) in the spring of 2019. Following full green‐up in summer 2020, entries were evaluated for performance under full sun, and then a 63% shade cloth was installed over the plots. Traits evaluated under shade included: turfgrass quality, turfgrass density, genetic color, ground coverage, turfgrass regrowth and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). A turfgrass performance index (TPI) was calculated to identify the top performers across all traits. Under full sun, seven accessions had comparable performance with ‘Celebration’ and ‘TifTuf’ across traits. Under shade, ‘Stil03’, ‘Q 47620’, ‘TifGrand’, ‘WIN10F’, Celebration, and TifTuf exhibited the highest TPI. Accessions with superior shade tolerance identified in this study represent novel germplasm that can be used in future breeding efforts to improve shade tolerance in bermudagrass.

Carotid ultrasound following transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BackgroundTranscarotid (TC) is a common alternative access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) when the transfemoral route is not suitable. However, scarce data exist on systematic ultrasound (US) follow-up of these patients. This study aims to evaluate the safety of TC-TAVR using pre-and post-procedure carotid artery US assessment. MethodsWe performed an observational prospective study including 50 consecutive patients who underwent TC-TAVR that had a follow-up at our institution between September 2016 and July 2020. ResultsAll patients had a carotid US examination at a median time of 13 months (IQR: 5–17) following the procedure. Thirty-six (71%) patients also had a US examination prior to the procedure. Mean pre-procedural access route common carotid artery (AR-CCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) was 62.9 cm/s (SD:16.8) vs. 69.0 cm/s (SD: 53.4) in the contralateral CCA (CL-CCA), p = 0.562). There was a significant increase in post-procedural PSV values in the AR-CCA (30.3 cm/s (SD: 36.3), p < 0.001) but not in the CL-CCA (5.8 cm/s (SD: 51.7), p = 0.503). Two new carotid stenoses (4%) were diagnosed after the procedure. No baseline or procedural variables were associated with a higher increase in carotid flow velocities at follow-up. There were no cerebrovascular events related to these findings after a median follow-up of 29 months (IQR:13–33). ConclusionsTC-TAVR was associated with a mild but significant increase in carotid flow velocities, with new significant (>50%) carotid stenosis diagnosed in 4% of patients. These findings were not associated with clinical events after a median follow-up of 2 years. Further studies are warranted.

The Use of an Inflatable Adhesive External Compression Device for Maintenance of Hemostasis following Angiography in Children

PurposeTo assess the safety and efficacy of the posthemostasis use of an inflatable adhesive external compression device (SafeGuard) following angiography in children performed under general anesthesia. Materials and MethodsMedical records of 74 children (43 females) with a mean age of 8.9 years (range, 0.4–18.0 years) and mean weight of 44.0 kg (range, 7.3–115.7 kg) in whom an inflatable adhesive external compression device was used for maintaining hemostasis following angiography under general anesthesia were retrospectively reviewed. After establishing hemostasis with manual compression, the device was applied and inflated over the arteriotomy. The patients were assessed for access-related adverse events in the recovery unit and during postprocedural follow-up. ResultsThe inflatable adhesive external compression device was utilized to maintain hemostasis following 181 angiography procedures. The mean length of the procedure was 396 minutes. The common femoral artery (n = 170, 93.9%) was the most common access, using 4–5-F vascular sheath (n = 118, 65.2%) or 3–5-F sheathless (n = 8, 12.7%) catheters. The mean time to deflation was 93 minutes. There were no adverse events other than minor bleeding from the arteriotomy after deflation (n = 2, 1.1%) and early deflation of the device because of pain (n = 1, <1%). Follow-up ultrasonography (n = 109 procedures, 60.2% at a mean follow-up of 2.2 years) demonstrated patency of the access artery. ConclusionsThe use of an inflatable adhesive external compression device following angiography in children to maintain hemostasis during the emergence phase of anesthesia and recovery period is safe and effective. The use of this simple device may reduce the need for postprocedural sedation and facilitate early discharge.

Genetic diversity and marker trait association for yield attributing traits in accessions of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) in India

AbstractCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) is a highly economically important crop worldwide and a particularly important source of protein and minerals for people in less developed countries. Improving yield is a vital objective to meet the increasing demand for food due to the expanding human population. The present study was undertaken to study the genetic architecture of agronomic traits of common bean in India, particularly in the north-western Himalayan region. Marker-trait association (MTA) analysis was performed in a population of 100 common bean accessions using polymorphic microsatellite markers.Population structure analysis based on SSR markers divided the accessions into three main subpopulations. Ten significant MTAs were found using general linear model (GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) approaches. We found two markers i.e. BM142 and J04555 associated with 100 seed weight and pods per plant common in both the GLM and MLM approach markers. All the MTAs were considered as major MTAs contributing more than 25% phenotypic variation. The significant quantitative trait loci identified in this study could be used in marker-assisted breeding to accelerate the genetic improvement of yield and development of high yielding common beans lines.

Assessment of phenotypic diversity and multi-locational screening against bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) disease resistance in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) germplasm

AbstractAssessing genetic diversity and identifying trait-specific germplasm within germplasm collections is necessary for a varietal development programme. Agronomic features were investigated in 318 diverse dry bean germplasm accessions, including check varieties. We observed a lot of genetic variability for the traits studied. A wide range of variations was noticed for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, pod length, the number of seeds per pod and 100-seed weight (HSW). For eight of the agronomic features evaluated, the analysis of variance revealed substantial differences among the accessions. For all characters, phenotypic coefficient of variation estimations were more significant than genotypic coefficient of variation. Plant height, days to 50% flowering, seed yield (q/ha) and HSW had high heritability and genetic advance as a per cent of the mean. Association analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between HSW, plant height, pod length and seed yield (q/ha). According to a hierarchical clustering analysis based on agronomic features, the diversity of dry bean germplasm has no significant association with their geographical origin. The number of pods per plant, plant height, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and seed yield had relatively long vectors based on principal components 1 and 2, indicating that genotypes differ significantly. Additionally, the trait-specific donors and bean common mosaic virus disease-resistant accessions, IC360831, ET4515, EC150250, IC340947, IC564797B, EC565693 and ET8409 could be of value for dry bean improvement.

Effect of SARs-CoV-2 pandemic on infection prevention behaviors and bacterial burden of high touch surfaces in a medical/surgical setting

This study aimed to determine the longitudinal efficacy of ultraviolet germicidal disinfection (UV-C) in a non-terminal disinfection context. Moreover, factors influencing enhanced infection prevention behaviors during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were evaluated. Sixty nursing staff from three medical/surgical wards in a large military hospital were recruited for a survey and microbiological sampling of high-touch surfaces (stethoscope, personal electronic device, common access card, and hospital ID badge) and portable medical equipment (wheelchairs and mobile commodes). Surveys included hand hygiene estimates, frequency/method of cleaning items of interest, perception of UV-C, and factors influencing the use of enhanced disinfection tools. Surveys and microbiological samples were performed prior to and after the installation of a rapid, automated ultraviolet disinfection enclosure for staff use. Both time points preceded the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the United States. A final survey/sampling time point was carried out eight months after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants’ hand hygiene frequency did not increase throughout the study, with > 80% reporting a minimum of 4 hand hygiene events per patient hour. The cleaning frequency of high-touch surfaces (non-clinical) but not portable medical equipment increased after installation of a UV-C disinfection tool and was sustained eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic. While a modest decrease in bacterial burden was observed after UV-C intervention, a more significant reduction was observed across all surfaces during pandemic time sampling, though no detectable decrease in pathogenic contamination was observed at either time point. Motivators of UV-C use included fear of SARS-CoV-2 contamination and transmission, ease of device use, and access to rapid, automated disinfection tools while deterrents reported included technical concerns, lack of time, and preference for other disinfection methods. Automated, rapid-cycle UV-C disinfection can be efficacious for high-touch surfaces not currently governed by infection prevention and control guidelines. The introduction of enhanced disinfection tools like UV-C can enhance the overall cleaning frequency and is correlated with mild decreases in bacterial burden of high-touch surfaces, this is enhanced during periods of heightened infection threat. Evidence from this study offers insights into the factors which prompt healthcare workers to internalize/dismiss enhanced infection prevention procedures.

Water: The Most Undervalued Resource on Earth

In developed countries, due to common access to drinkingwater, the value of water is often underestimated. On the contrary,some nations suffer from water scarcity and struggle toobtain fresh water every day. For decades, due to increasingenvironmental impacts, the quality of water resources hasbeen constantly deteriorating. Moreover, only 3% of globalwater resources are considered as freshwater, of which 23%are surface and ground waters, which in total means thatonly 0.3% is available for consumption (U.S. Geological Survey,2019). Water use differs between regions of the world,but in general, it is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, energyindustry, mining, services and public supply. In developedcountries, households use less than 5% of water for drinkingor cooking while in some developing countries water usefor consumption needs reaches 100%. It has been estimatedthat by 2025 approx. 2.8 billion people will suffer from waterscarcity due to high water stress and lack of sustainability inwater use and by 2050 half of the global population will live inwater-stress regions (United Nations, 2015).

Vascular access complications in patients undergoing veno-arterial ecmo and their impact on survival in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock: A retrospective 8-year study.

Introduction:Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is well-recognized treatment modality for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. Uncomplicated cannulation is a prerequisite and basis for achieving a successful outcome in ECMO. Vascular access is obtained either by surgical cut-down. Common vascular access complications are bleeding and limb ischemia.Objective:To evaluate cannulation technique, the incidence of vascular complications, and their impact on the outcome.Methods:A retrospective data analysis conducted on 95 patients receiving ECMO from 2013 to 2020 was done. The patients were divided into two groups: no vascular access complications (non-VAC group) and vascular access complications (VAC group). The groups were compared related to the hospital and ICU stays and blood transfusion.Results:The patients in both groups were demographically and clinically comparable. The Non-VAC group had 75 patients, whereas the VAC group had a total of 20 patients. The main complication observed in the VAC group was bleeding from the cannulation site which required more blood transfusion than the non-VAC group (6.8 ± 1.02 vs 4.2 ± 1.26). Limb ischemia was another complication seen in the VAC group (4.2%, n = 4). Two patients had delayed bleeding after decannulation. The overall average length of stay in the hospital was statistically similar in both the groups (22 days in the VAC group vs 18 days in the non-VAC group), but the average ICU stay was more in the VAC group compared to the non-VAC group (18 days vs 12.06 days).Conclusion:Bleeding and limb ischemia are the important vascular access site complications, which increase blood transfusion requirements, ICU stay, and overall hospital stay.

Analysis of genetic diversity among common bean germplasm by start codon targeted (SCoT) markers.

Breeding strategies to improve modern varieties having high yield, high nutritional value and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, etc. is very important to make up for the food deficiencies. Molecular studies as a tool in breeding programs for the characterization of germplasm have been performed with several DNA marker systems. In the present study, the genetic diversity of 53 common bean landraces and 22 registered varieties from Turkey, and 12 genotypes from USDA was investigated using start codon targeted (SCoT) markers for the first time worldwide. The 8 primers having stronger and more polymorphic bands were used for PCR amplification. The mean polymorphic band of all primers was found as 13.13. The average of polymorphic information content and resolving power values was 0.34 and 7.55, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) explored the existence of higher genetic diversity within populations accounting for 92% compared to among populations variations. According to cluster analysis (UPGMA) and genetic structure based on SCoT data, accessions were separated into Andean (PopA) and Mesoamerican PopB) gene pools. Moreover, accessions were mostly placed in the same groups/subgroups according to their geographical origin. A high level of genetic diversity was observed between the investigated accessions in this work. The findings will help to plant breeders to characterize common bean accessions.

Closure of Transsplenic Access Tracts Using Tract Embolics: Success, Clinical Outcomes, and Complications in a Tertiary Center

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transsplenic venous access closure. Materials and Methods Twenty patients (mean age: 51.8 years; range: 28–72), underwent 21 transsplenic venous access procedures over 4 years in this retrospective study. Comorbidities, active hemorrhage, anticoagulation, coagulation parameters, platelets, indications for transsplenic access, needle gauge, sheath size, variceal embolization method, tract embolization method, bleeding complications, and transfusion requirements and additional procedures to manage bleeding complications were recorded. Results Preprocedure comorbidities included portal hypertension (n = 18/20, 90%), portal vein thrombosis (n = 14/20, 70%), hemorrhage (n = 6/20, 30%), splenic vein thrombosis (n = 7/20, 35%), anticoagulation (n = 2/20, 10%), and sinistral portal hypertension (n = 2/20,10%). Mean baseline international normalized ratio was 1.3 (range: 1–1.9), platelets 122 (range: 18–492). Most common transsplenic access indications were gastric varices with nonpatent portosystemic shunt (n = 11/21, 52%) and portal vein targeting for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (n = 8, 38%). Most common access sheath sizes were 4-French (n = 5, 24%) and 6-French (n = 6, 29%). Fifteen procedures (71%) involved variceal embolization. Transsplenic tracts were embolized with microfibrillar collagen alone (n = 7), coils and microfibrillar collagen (n = 8), or others (n = 6). Based on the Society of Interventional Radiology adverse event classification system, embolization complications included one major (splenic artery pseudoaneurysm and a splenic vein pseudoaneurysm) and three moderate (19%) adverse bleeding events, which required blood transfusion. Conclusion Transsplenic venous access tract embolization is a safe and moderately effective method to achieve tract hemostasis, with an overall clinical failure rate of 20%.

Antegrade Access for Peripheral Vascular Disease Intervention of the Lower Limb – Our Experience at a Tertiary Center

Purpose: Antegrade superficial femoral artery (SFA) access for peripheral artery disease reduces the time, radiation, and contrast required as compared with contralateral common femoral access (CFA). However, this technique remains underutilized and understudied in the treatment of SFA, popliteal and tibial disease, and there remains limited data on the safety and efficacy of antegrade SFA access. Materials and Methods: An observational review of lower extremity peripheral arterial interventions was conducted from January 2014 to July 2021. Interventions necessitating CFA access such as iliac, common femoral, or deep femoral artery revascularization were excluded. In addition, interventions potentially requiring large sheaths were excluded. Relevant demographic and treatment variables including postoperative complications were abstracted. Results: We identified 482 patients, who underwent revascularization of the SFA, popliteal and tibial arteries. Antegrade SFA access was chosen in all these patients. Access was attained either through ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance in 94.6% of patients. The overall rate of complications was low (access site complications, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, etc.). Conclusions: Percutaneous antegrade SFA access can be performed safely and remains an effective alternative to retrograde CFA access with significantly less complications and is also associated with lesser utilization of fluoroscopy and contrast.

The modified interventional method of antegrade common femoral artery access closure using the Angio-Seal device: modified Angio-Seal haemostasis technique: Modified Angio-Seal haemostasis technique.

Antegrade femoral puncture is frequently performed in endovascular therapy, with haemostasis achieved through manual compression. The aim of this paper is to report the novel method of achieving haemostasis using the Angio-Seal device for antegrade punctures of the femoral artery. Between September 2017 and March 2018, a total of 50 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular therapies (EVT) through the common femoral artery with an antegrade puncture using a 6 Fr introducer sheath were retrospectively analysed. After EVT, all patients received a 6 Fr Angio-Seal STS Plus Vascular Closure Device. All procedures were performed using the following new technique. First, we inserted the Angio-Seal guidewire from the inserted EVT sheath into the artery. Second, we removed the EVT sheath and inserted the Angio-Seal sheath and then removed the dilator and Angio-Seal guidewire. Under angiography using an 18 G needle sheath, we pulled back the Angio-Seal sheath as near to the insertion site of the vessel as possible. Finally, a collagen sponge and plug were inserted as per the standard technique. In all patients, the Angio-Seal was successfully deployed, and haemostasis was achieved within several minutes. No major complications occurred. We demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of achieving haemostasis using the Angio-Seal device in an antegrade femoral puncture using the novel method.

Rapid identification of adult plant wheat stripe rust resistance gene &amp;lt;italic&amp;gt;YrC271&amp;lt;/italic&amp;gt; using high-throughput SNP array-based bulked segregant analysis

<p id="C3">Wheat cultivar C271 registered as PI 210904 in the USDA National Small Grains Collection was developed from Punjab Pakistan in 1953 and it confers adult plant resistance (APR) to stripe rust both in the United States and China for many years. In the present study, we dissected the genetic basis of stripe rust resistance on 229 F_2:3 populations produced by crossing Jinmai 79 and C271 in the fields of Yangling and Jiangyou. Bulked segregant analysis coupled with wheat 660K SNP array placed the majority of SNPs differences on chromosome arm 3BS. After using allele-specific quantitative PCR based genotyping assay (AQP) to confirm the SNPs, a linkage map was constructed and a major locus was detected across all environments based on IciMapping v4.1 software. The QTL, designated as <italic>YrC271</italic>, was flanked by SNP markers <italic>AX-109001377 </italic>and <italic>AX-111087256</italic> with a genetic interval of 1.9 cM corresponding to a physical distance of 1.9 Mb in RefSeq v.1.0 (positions 6.1-8.0 Mb). Comparative genomics analysis was performed to detect the collinear genomic regions of different hexaploid wheat accessions (<italic>Triticum aestivum</italic>), <italic>T</italic>. <italic>dicoccoides</italic>, and <italic>T. turgidum. </italic>More than 340 SNPs in the physical region were extracted for haplotype analysis in a panel of over 1484 worldwide common wheat accessions, and five major haplotypes (Hap1, Hap2, Hap3, Hap4, and Hap5) were identified. And the favorable haplotype Hap1 was highly associated with stripe rust resistance. <italic>YrC271</italic> appeared to be similar to <italic>YrC271</italic> based on comparison of relative distance, stripe rust responses, and pedigree analyses, but allelism tests, cloning or precise phenotypic comparisons would be needed for confirmation. The <italic>YrC271</italic> region provided the opportunity for further map-based cloning and haplotypes analysis enabled pyramiding favorable alleles into commercial cultivars by marker-assisted selection.

Part II : Statistics in practice: Study design and application of inferential statistics—Interventional research

Part <scp>II</scp> : Statistics in practice: Study design and application of inferential statistics—Interventional research

Genome-wide association studies dissect the genetic architecture of seed shape and size in common bean.

Seed weight and size are important yield components. Thus, selecting for large seeds has been a key objective in crop domestication and breeding. In common bean, seed shape is also important since it influences industrial processing and plays a vital role in determining the choices of consumers and farmers. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies on a core collection of common bean accessions to dissect the genetic architecture and identify genomic regions associated with seed morphological traits related to weight, size, and shape. Phenotypic data were collected by high-throughput image-based approaches, and utilized to test associations with 10,362 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers using multilocus mixed models. We searched within genome-associated regions for candidate genes putatively involved in seed phenotypic variation. The collection exhibited high variability for the entire set of seed traits, and the Andean gene pool was found to produce larger, heavier seeds than the Mesoamerican gene pool. Strong pairwise correlations were verified for most seed traits. Genome-wide association studies identified marker–trait associations accounting for a considerable amount of phenotypic variation in length, width, projected area, perimeter, and circularity in 4 distinct genomic regions. Promising candidate genes were identified, e.g. those encoding an AT-hook motif nuclear-localized protein 8, type 2C protein phosphatases, and a protein Mei2-like 4 isoform, known to be associated with seed size and weight regulation. Moreover, the genes that were pinpointed are also good candidates for functional analysis to validate their influence on seed shape and size in common bean and other related crops.

Reduction system “vitamin C/glycerol” promoted copper(II)‐catalyzed N‐arylation

AbstractThe common access to forming CN bond is the copper‐catalyzed Ullmann‐type reaction. The relatively expensive and easily oxidized copper(I) is usually used in the reaction. Our group discovered that the “vitamin C/glycerol” reduction system could convert cheap and stable CuO to active low valence state copper species, as measured via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to promote the CN coupling reaction. In particular, 2‐phenylindole, pyrrolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline, 1,2,4‐triazole and 4‐amino‐7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine derivative were obtained in the presence of CuO and reduction system “vitamin C/glycerol.” This method provided a simple and cost‐effective approach to the preparation of N‐arylation products.

Translingual, Transcultural, and Transboundary Sceneries: Aesthetic Ideas and Discursive Practice in Yu Dafu’s Landscape Writing

The ways in which nature is watched and represented have changed rapidly alongside modernization in 20th-century China. This can be regarded as the product of an epistemological transformation led by the encounter of Chinese and Western cultures. One of the representatives in this transformation and fusion of seeing is Yu Dafu, who, although generally known for his fiction, penned many travel writings and descriptions of nature in the 1930s. Regarding Yu’s travelogue as an embodiment of his translingual and transcultural reflections, this paper reviews previous studies on Yu’s travelogue and investigates its latent creativity and antinomy. This article delves into the stylistic and aesthetic features of Yu’s travelogue to uncover the conservatism and misogyny obscured beneath the seemingly value-neutral landscapes, arguing that Yu’s travelogue is a twofold amalgamation of genres and aesthetics. On the one hand, his travel writing is an adaption and combination of the German Baedeker guidebooks and traditional Chinese travel notes (Youji ??). On the other hand, Yu’s texts incorporate aesthetic criteria influenced by different natural concepts, demonstrating both his broad vision ahead of time and his conservatism. Yu’s writing on nature and landscapes, as a discursive practice motivated by the emergence of tourism in his era, is a transboundary dialogue between literature and commerce, and the elite and the general public, while also implicitly denying the common people access to the scenery space. Through a close reading of Yu’s frequently employed tropes—picturesque and feminized scenes—I establish an isomorphic relationship between his views on nature, art, and female. Finally, the antinomy inherent in Yu’s landscape imaginary constructed by creativity and conservatism points to the ambiguity of the New Culture.

Perioperative complications after pacemaker implantation: higher complication rates with subclavian vein puncture than with cephalic vein cutdown

PurposeThe cephalic vein cutdown (CVC) and the subclavian puncture (SP) is the most common access for pacemaker implantation. The purpose of this study was to compare the peri-/postoperative complications of these approaches.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the quality assurance data of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia was performed to evaluate the peri-/postoperative complications of first pacemaker implantation according to the venous access. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of one of the following: asystole, ventricular fibrillation, pneumothorax, hemothorax, pericardial effusion, pocket hematoma, lead dislocation, lead dysfunction, postoperative wound infection or other complication requiring intervention. Descriptive analysis was done via absolute, relative frequencies and Odds Ratio. Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of the both study groups.ResultsFrom 139,176 pacemaker implantations from 2010 to 2014, 15,483 cases were excluded due to other/double access. The median age was 78 years and the access used was CVC for 75,251 cases (60.8%) and SP for 48,442 cases (39.2%). The implanted devices were mainly dual-chamber pacemakers (73.9% in the CVC group and 78.4% in the SP group), followed by single-chamber pacemakers VVI (24.9% and 19.9% in the CVC and SP group respectively). There were significantly fewer peri/postoperative complications in the CVC group compared to the SP group (2.49% vs. 3.64%, p = 0.0001, OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.38–1.57).ConclusionsCVC as venous access for pacemaker implantation has significantly fewer peri/postoperative complications than SP and appears to be an advantageous technique.