bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple occurrences of Callinectes sapidus larvae on Gulf of Mexico Chrysaora chesapeakei
Authors: Frolova Alexandra , Muffett Kaden , Miglietta Maria Pia
Published: September 2022

The commercially important Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, recruits to bays and estuarine habitats from planktonic megalopal larvae throughout the eastern United States. These megalopae engage in vertical and horizontal swimming to reach a location of primary settlement, most commonly seagrass beds. These benthic habitats provide food and shelter for the megalopae as they metamorphose into juveniles. These benefits may be gained from planktonic association as well. Across 4 years and multiple sites in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico, we record Callinectes megalopae and small juveniles actively clinging to Chrysaora chesapeakei (the Chesapeake Bay Nettle) medusae. Up to 301 individual megalopae were recorded on a single jellyfish. This establishes that C. chesapeakei is used as transport and temporary nursery habitat by the C. sapidus megalopae. This report brings light to a mid-water interaction of a commercially valuable crustacean and a seasonal scyphozoan that may facilitate juvenile recruitment.
A Closer Look at Localized and Distant Pressure Pain Hypersensitivity in People With Lower Extremity Overuse Soft-Tissue Painful Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Plaza-Manzano Gustavo , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Cleland Joshua A , Arias-Buría José L , Jayaseelan Dhinu J , Navarro-Santana Marcos J
Published: September 2022

Objective

The nociceptive pain processing of soft-tissue overuse conditions is under debate because no consensus currently exists. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in symptomatic and distant pain-free areas in 2 groups: participants with symptomatic lower extremity overuse soft-tissue conditions and controls who were pain free.

Methods

Five databases were searched from inception to December 1, 2021, for case–control studies comparing PPTs between individuals presenting with symptomatic lower extremity tendinopathy/overuse injury and controls who were pain free. Data extraction included population, diagnosis, sample size, outcome, type of algometer, and results. The methodological quality (Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale) and evidence level (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) were assessed. Meta-analyses of symptomatic, segmental related, and distant pain-free areas were compared.

Results

After screening 730 titles and abstracts, a total of 19 studies evaluating lower extremity overuse conditions (Achilles or patellar tendinopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and iliotibial band syndrome) were included. The methodological quality ranged from fair (32%) to good (68%). Participants with lower extremity overuse injury had lower PPTs in both the painful and nonpainful areas, mirrored test-site, compared with controls (affected side: mean difference [MD] = −262.92 kPa, 95% CI = 323.78 to −202.05 kPa; nonaffected side: MD = −216.47 kPa, 95% CI = −304.99 to −127.95 kPa). Furthermore, people with plantar fasciitis showed reduced PPTs in the affected and nonaffected sides at segmental-related (MD = −176.39 kPa, 95% CI = −306.11 to −46.68 kPa) and distant pain-free (MD = −97.27 kPa, 95% CI = 133.21 to −61.33 kPa) areas compared with controls.

Conclusion

Low- to moderate-quality evidence suggests a reduction of PPTs at the symptomatic area and a contralateral/mirror side in lower extremity tendinopathies and overuse conditions compared with pain-free controls, particularly in plantar fasciitis and greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Participants with plantar fasciitis showed a reduction of PPTs on the affected and non-affected sides at a segmental-related area (very low-quality evidence) and at a remote asymptomatic area (moderate-quality evidence).

Impact

Some overuse peripheral pain conditions may be more associated with pressure pain sensitivity than others. Accordingly, examination and identification of conditions more peripherally, centrally, or mixed mediated could potentially lead to more specific and different treatment strategies.
Physical Therapist Telehealth Delivery at 1 Year Into COVID-19
Authors: Miller Matthew J , Pak Sang S , Keller Daniel R , Gustavson Allison M , Barnes Deborah E
Published: September 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine telehealth physical therapy utilization 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors that influence physical therapists’ delivery of telehealth in an urban academic medical center.

Methods

Electronic medical record data were extracted within the dates of interest (March 22, 2021 to May 15, 2021), the proportion of physical therapy sessions delivered via telehealth were identified, and patient characteristics were compared by telehealth volume (0 vs ≥1 session, 1 vs >1 session). Qualitative data also were collected from physical therapists via semi-structured interviews, and a directed content analysis was conducted, informed by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior model, to identify factors influencing telehealth delivery.

Results

Telehealth was used for 3793 of 8038 (47.2%) physical therapist sessions, and 1028 unique patients had at least 2 physical therapist sessions (without telehealth: 6.6% [n = 68], telehealth once: 39.1% [n = 402], telehealth more than once: 54.3% [n = 558]). Patients without telehealth were older, non-English speaking, had non-commercial insurance, and had at least 1 chronic health condition. Patients with telehealth more than once had a neurologic diagnosis and lived farther from the treating clinic. Capabilities that influenced telehealth delivery were physical therapist clinical skills and knowledge, technical proficiency, telehealth-specific interpersonal skills, and cognitive flexibility. Factors external to physical therapists—including the environment, patient equipment and technology proficiency, physical therapist equipment, clinic factors, and patient and referring provider perspectives—also influenced telehealth delivery. Finally, patient needs and telehealth as a beneficial tool guided physical therapist intention to use telehealth.

Conclusion

Sustained telehealth utilization outcomes 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic and an interaction among physical therapist, patient, and environmental factors support the long-term potential of telehealth physical therapy in an urban academic medical center.

Impact

These findings support the long-term potential of telehealth approaches and can be used to inform telehealth physical therapist training programs and clinical implementation, future research, and health policy.
Individual participant data meta-analysis of metabolomics on sustained knee pain in primary osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Costello Christie A , Rockel Jason S , Liu Ming , Gandhi Rajiv , Perruccio Anthony V , Rampersaud Y Raja , Mahomed Nizar N , Rahman Proton , Randell Edward W , Furey Andrew , Kapoor Mohit , Zhai Guangju
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Knee pain is the major driver for OA patients to seek healthcare, but after pursuing both conservative and surgical pain interventions, ∼20% of patients continue to report long-term pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to identify a metabolomic signature for sustained knee pain after TKA to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Two independent cohorts from St John’s, NL, Canada (n = 430), and Toronto, ON, Canada (n = 495) were included in the study. Sustained knee pain was assessed using the WOMAC pain subscale (five questions) at least 1 year after TKA for primary OA. Those reporting any pain on all five questions were considered to have sustained knee pain. Metabolomic profiling was performed on fasted pre-operative plasma samples using the Biocrates Absolute IDQ p180 kit. Associations between metabolites and pair-wise metabolite ratios with sustained knee pain in each individual cohort were assessed using logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Random-effects meta-analysis using inverse variance as weights was performed on summary statistics from both cohorts.

Results

One metabolite, phosphatidylcholine (PC) diacyl (aa) C28:1 (odds ratio = 0.66, P = 0.00026), and three metabolite ratios, PC aa C32:0 to PC aa C28:1, PC aa C28:1 to PC aa C32:0, and tetradecadienylcarnitine (C14:2) to sphingomyelin C20:2 (odds ratios = 1.59, 0.60 and 1.59, respectively; all P < 2 × 10−5), were significantly associated with sustained knee pain.

Conclusions

Though further investigations are needed, our results provide potential predictive biomarkers and drug targets that could serve as a marker for poor response and be modified pre-operatively to improve knee pain and surgical response to TKA.
Association Between Human Blood Metabolome and the Risk of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Jia Yiming , Hui Li , Sun Lulu , Guo Daoxia , Shi Mengyao , Zhang Kaixin , Yang Pinni , Wang Yu , Liu Fanghua , Shen Ouxi , Zhu Zhengbao
Published: September 2022

Background and Hypothesis

To identify promising drug targets for psychiatric disorders, we applied Mendelian randomization (MR) design to systematically screen blood metabolome for potential mediators of psychiatric disorders and further predict target-mediated side effects.

Study Design

We selected 92 unique blood metabolites from 3 metabolome genome-wide association studies (GWASs) with totally 147 827 participants. Summary statistics for bipolar disorder (BIP), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), panic disorder (PD), autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and anorexia nervosa (AN) originated from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, involving 1 143 340 participants. Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to estimate associations of blood metabolites with psychiatric disorders. Phenome-wide MR analysis was further performed to predict side effects mediated by metabolite-targeted interventions.

Results

Eight metabolites were identified associated with psychiatric disorders, including five established mediators: N-acetylornithine (BIP: OR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66–0.79]; SCZ: OR, 0.74 [0.64–0.84]), glycine (BIP: OR, 0.62 [0.50–0.77]), docosahexaenoic acid (MDD: OR, 0.96 [0.94–0.97]), 3-Hydroxybutyrate (MDD: OR, 1.14 [1.08–1.21]), butyrylcarnitine (SCZ: OR, 1.22 [1.12–1.32]); and three novel mediators: 1-arachidonoylglycerophosphocholine (1-arachidonoyl-GPC)(BIP: OR, 0.31 [0.23–0.41]), glycoproteins (BIP: OR, 0.94 [0.92–0.97]), sphingomyelins (AN: OR, 1.12 [1.06–1.19]). Phenome-wide MR analysis showed that all identified metabolites except for N-acetylornithine and 3-Hydroxybutyrate had additional effects on nonpsychiatric diseases, while glycine, 3-Hydroxybutyrate, N-acetylornithine, and butyrylcarnitine had no adverse side effects.

Conclusions

This MR study identified five established and three novel mediators for psychiatric disorders. N-acetylornithine, glycine, 3-Hydroxybutyrate, and butyrylcarnitine might be promising targets against psychiatric disorders with no predicted adverse side effects.
Whose Rights? Domestic Workers Organizing in Massachusetts
Authors: Rosińska Anna
Published: September 2022

Household-based care work is a particular labor sector that presents challenges to organizing politically, including isolation and lack of coverage by labor laws. In the United States, domestic workers’ organizations have since the 1990s been led by immigrants of color, and in ten states they were successful at establishing state regulations on domestic work. This article examines the collective identity of these organizations against the background of the claims, frames, and alliances established in domestic workers’ activism at the state level, with a particular focus on the campaign for the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Based on interviews with organizers and other experts carried out in 2018–2020, I analyze the discrepancy between the demographics of the organizations led by immigrants of color, and the claims these organizations were making, which largely avoided making direct reference to the issue of immigration or race for strategic purposes.
Tanshinone IIA-Loaded Nanoparticle and Neural Stem Cell Therapy Enhances Recovery in a Pig Ischemic Stroke Model
Authors: Kaiser Erin E , Waters Elizabeth S , Yang Xueyuan , Fagan Madison M , Scheulin Kelly M , Sneed Sydney E , Cheek Savannah R , Jeon Julie Heejin , Shin Soo K , Kinder Holly A , Kumar Anil , Platt Simon R , Duberstein Kylee J , Park Hea Jin , Xie Jin , West Franklin D
Published: September 2022

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem cells (iNSCs) are a multimodal stroke therapeutic that possess neuroprotective, regenerative, and cell replacement capabilities post-ischemia. However, long-term engraftment and efficacy of iNSCs is limited by the cytotoxic microenvironment post-stroke. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a therapeutic that demonstrates anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects in rodent ischemic stroke models and stroke patients. Therefore, pretreatment with Tan IIA may create a microenvironment that is more conducive to the long-term survival of iNSCs. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Tan IIA drug-loaded nanoparticles (Tan IIA-NPs) to improve iNSC engraftment and efficacy, thus potentially leading to enhanced cellular, tissue, and functional recovery in a translational pig ischemic stroke model. Twenty-two pigs underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and were randomly assigned to a PBS + PBS, PBS + iNSC, or Tan IIA-NP + iNSC treatment group. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), modified Rankin Scale neurological evaluation, and immunohistochemistry were performed over a 12-week study period. Immunohistochemistry indicated pretreatment with Tan IIA-NPs increased iNSC survivability. Furthermore, Tan IIA-NPs increased iNSC neuronal differentiation and decreased iNSC reactive astrocyte differentiation. Tan IIA-NP + iNSC treatment enhanced endogenous neuroprotective and regenerative activities by decreasing the intracerebral cellular immune response, preserving endogenous neurons, and increasing neuroblast formation. MRI assessments revealed Tan IIA-NP + iNSC treatment reduced lesion volumes and midline shift. Tissue preservation and recovery corresponded with significant improvements in neurological recovery. This study demonstrated pretreatment with Tan IIA-NPs increased iNSC engraftment, enhanced cellular and tissue recovery, and improved neurological function in a translational pig stroke model.
The competition-democracy nexus unpacked—competition law, republican liberty, and democracy
Authors: Deutscher Elias
Published: September 2022

The proposition that competitive markets and competition law promote democracy constitutes a fundamental normative prior, if not a foundational myth, of US and EU competition law. This article purports to unpack this notion of a competition-democracy nexus. It argues that the idea of a competition-democracy nexus can only be explained by the normative commitment to a specific understanding of liberty: namely, the republican concept of liberty as non-domination. On this basis, the article makes three contributions. First, on a conceptual level, it is the first to pin down a clear and theoretically consistent answer to the question of how competition and competition law further democracy. Second, on a historical level it traces how iterations of the ideal of republican liberty and the associated notion of a competition-democracy nexus shaped competition law in the US and Europe and why both disappeared from our modern competition law landscape. The third contribution is practical. The article sheds light on how the ideal of republican liberty and the competition-democracy nexus can be operationalised through concrete competition law tools and how they could inform ongoing debates on the future of competition law in light of the current challenges posed by the rise of industry concentration notably in digital markets. A revival of the idea of a competition-democracy nexus, the article concludes, must not inevitably conflict with a consumer-oriented competition policy, but requires a radical rethink of the role of competition law.
Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Very Young Children Improves Adaptability and Social Skills: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Ying , Li Yun , Jia Huan , Gu Wenxi , Wang Zhaoyan , Zhang Zhihua , Xue Minbo , Li Jingjie , Shi Wentao , Jiang Linlin , Yang Lu , Sterkers Olivier , Wu Hao
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

To investigate the value of using the Gesell Development Diagnosis Scale (GDDS) to predict developmental outcomes in very young children who undergo simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation.

Design:

In this prospective cohort study, a repeated-measures investigation was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. A total of 62 children receiving simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantations were enrolled from April 2017 to August 2018. They were divided into 2 groups depending on the operative age: “Infants” group (6 to 12 months, N = 38) or “Children” group (12 to 36 months, N = 24). Data on the surgical outcomes, auditory development, speech production, and developmental indicators were collected until 2 years after the initial fitting. The primary outcome measure was the GDDS, a neuropsychological development examination. Secondary outcomes included the following: complication rate, aided pure-tone average, Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale, Categories of Auditory Performance-II, Meaningful Use of Speech Scale, Speech Intelligibility Rating, and the LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire.

Results:

The mean ages at implantation in infants and children groups were 9.2 ± 1.17 and 16.6 ± 3.60 months, respectively. Significant differences were found in the social skills (p = 0.001) and adaptability (p = 0.031) domains of GDDS. The younger the age of bilateral cochlear implants surgery, the higher developmental quotient of language, social skills, and adaptability the child could achieve after 2 years. The complication rates in the infants and children groups were 0% versus 2.1% (p = 0.57). There was no surgical complication in the infants group. In the children group, 1 case with enlarged vestibular aqueduct and Mondini malformation had a receiver-implant misplacement on the right side (2%, 1/48). In the two groups, auditory performance and speech production had improved similarly. In the infants group, social skills developmental quotient at baseline had a significant positive relationship with Meaningful Use of Speech Scale after 2 years.

Conclusions:

Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation in younger children improves adaptability and social skills. GDDS is a sensitive tool of evaluating short-term effect of bilateral cochlear implants in neuropsychological development and constitutes a reliable predictor of speech production for the very younger pediatric cochlear implant users.
HPV Test as Test of Cure After Conization for CIN2+: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Bruhn Lærke Valsøe , Hyldig Nana , Schledermann Doris
Published: September 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess if cytology can be omitted in the follow-up after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and if human papillomavirus (HPV) test can be used alone as test of cure (TOC) after stratifying for resection margins.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective register-based study, women who had a conization performed in Denmark between January 1 and December 31, 2013, were included. Histology, cytology, and HPV test results were obtained from The Danish Pathology Data Bank for a 3-year follow-up.

Results

A total of 5,174 women were included, of whom 6.1% (318/5,174) had histological residual/recurrent disease in the follow-up period. In the group with free margins, 2.6% (73/2,780) had residual/recurrent disease in contrast to 10.2% (245/2,394) in the group with involved margins. In the group with free resection margins and negative HPV test results, residual/recurrent disease was found in 0.5% (13/2,780) compared with 0.3% (9/2,780) in the group with negative HPV test results and normal cytology at 6 months′ follow-up. Based on margin status and HPV test result as follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 95.9%, 43.2%, 10.0%, and 99.4% respectively, and for combined testing (margin status, HPV, and cytology), 97.2%, 41.2%, 9.8%, and 99.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Using the HPV test at the first post-treatment control as TOC for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse after stratifying for resection margins in cone resections yields an equally high sensitivity and negative predictive value as cotesting with cytology. We suggest that women with free resection margins return to the routine screening program after negative HPV test result as TOC at 6 months.
Weight Gain Among Treatment-Naïve Persons With HIV Receiving Dolutegravir in Kenya
Authors: Bourgi Kassem , Ofner Susan , Musick Beverly , Griffith Bradley , Diero Lameck , Wools-Kaloustian Kara , Yiannoutsos Constantin T. , Gupta Samir K.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Several recent studies have linked integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTI) with increased weight gain.

Setting:

The effects of sex on weight gain with dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) among treatment-naïve participants in a lower-income, sub-Saharan population with high rates of pre-ART underweight and tuberculosis (TB) coinfection are unknown.

Methods:

Our analysis included treatment-naïve participants in Kenya and starting their first treatment regimen between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2018. Participants were grouped into 2 cohorts based on the initial treatment regimen [DTG vs. nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI)]. We modelled weight changes over time using a multivariable nonlinear mixed-effect model, with participant as a random effect. Logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between different variables with extreme increase in body mass index (≥10% increase).

Results:

Seventeen thousand forty-four participants met our inclusion criteria. Sixty-two percent of participants were women, 6% were receiving active TB therapy, and 97% were on NNRTI-based regimens. Participants starting DTG-based regimens were more likely to gain weight when compared with participants starting NNRTI-based regimens. Female participants starting DTG-based regimens experienced the highest weight gain compared with other participants (mean gain of 6.1 kgs at 18 months). Female participants receiving DTG-based regimens, along with participants with lower CD4 cell counts, underweight at baseline, and those receiving active TB therapy were also at higher risk for extreme body mass index increase.

Conclusions:

Our study in a lower-income sub-Saharan African population confirms higher weight gain with DTG-based regimens compared with traditional ART for treatment-naïve patients.
The Association Between Hypouricemia and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Authors: Koto Ruriko , Sato Izumi , Kuwabara Masanari , Seki Tomotsugu , Kawakami Koji
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between hypouricemia and cardiometabolic diseases, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and reduced kidney function, and to explore the sex-specific optimal range for serum uric acid (sUA) associated with the lowest risk for these diseases.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we identified individuals with sUA data between April 2018 and March 2019 and recorded the frequency of cardiometabolic comorbidities according to sUA. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for the overall population and after classifying by sex to assess the association between sUA and cardiometabolic comorbidities.

Results

Among 796,508 individuals, a J-shaped association was observed between the sUA level and cardiometabolic diseases in the overall population. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and reduced renal function in individuals with sUA ≤1.0 mg/dL compared with those with sUA ranging between 2.1 and 3.0 mg/dL were 1.38 (1.13–1.69), 1.52 (1.30–1.78), and 2.17 (1.47–3.20), respectively. A J-shaped association between sUA and hypertension was observed only in women. The optimal range of sUA associated with the lowest risk for hypertension was assumed to be <6 mg/dL in men and 1–4 mg/dL in women. A J-shaped association between the sUA and dyslipidemia and reduced renal function was observed in both men and women. The optimal range of sUA for dyslipidemia and reduced renal function was approximately 2–5 mg/dL in men and 1–4 mg/dL in women.

Conclusions

Excess and extremely low uric acid levels may be related to an increased cardiometabolic risk.
Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Mortality Among COVID-19 Positive Patients: Results of 3027 Operations and Procedures
Authors: Yilmaz Sumeyye , Sapci Ipek , Jia Xue , Argalious Maged , Taylor Mark A. , Ridgeway Beri M. , Haber Georges-Pascal , Steele Scott R.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

To investigate the predictors of postoperative mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–positive patients.

Background:

COVID-19–positive patients have more postoperative complications. Studies investigating the risk factors for postoperative mortality in COVID-19–positive patients are limited.

Methods:

COVID-19–positive patients who underwent surgeries/procedures in Cleveland Clinic between January 2020 and March 2021 were identified retrospectively. The primary outcome was postoperative/procedural 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and 30-day readmission.

Results:

A total of 2543 patients who underwent 3027 surgeries/procedures were included. Total 48.5% of the patients were male. The mean age was 57.8 (18.3) years. A total of 71.2% had at least 1 comorbidity. Total 78.7% of the cases were elective. The median operative time was 94 (47.0–162) minutes and mean length of stay was 6.43 (13.4) days. Postoperative/procedural mortality rate was 4.01%. Increased age [odds ratio (OR): 1.66, 95% CI, 1.4–1.98; P<0.001], being a current smoker [2.76, (1.3–5.82); P=0.008], presence of comorbidity [3.22, (1.03–10.03); P=0.043], emergency [6.35, (3.39–11.89); P<0.001] and urgent versus [1.78, (1.12–2.84); P=0.015] elective surgery, admission through the emergency department [15.97, (2.00–127.31); P=0.009], or inpatient service [32.28, (7.75–134.46); P<0.001] versus outpatients were associated with mortality in the multivariable analysis. Among all specialties, thoracic surgery [3.76, (1.66–8.53); P=0.002] had the highest association with mortality. Total 17.5% of the patients required intensive care unit admission with increased body mass index being a predictor [1.03, (1.01–1.05); P=0.005].

Conclusions:

COVID-19–positive patients have higher risk of postintervention mortality. Risk factors should be carefully evaluated before intervention. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of pandemic on long-term surgical/procedural outcomes.
Worldwide prevalence of DSM-5 eating disorders among young people
Authors: Silén Yasmina , Keski-Rahkonen Anna
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders) affect young people worldwide. This narrative review summarizes key studies conducted on the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) eating disorders among young people in 2013-22.

Recent findings

In Western settings, a substantial proportion of young people have reported an eating disorder. Overall, 5.5--17.9% of young women and 0.6–2.4% of young men have experienced a DSM-5 eating disorder by early adulthood. Lifetime DSM-5 anorexia nervosa was reported by 0.8–6.3% of women and 0.1–0.3% of men, bulimia nervosa by 0.8–2.6% of women and 0.1–0.2% of men, binge eating disorder by 0.6–6.1% of women and 0.3–0.7% of men, other specified feeding or eating disorders by 0.6–11.5% of women and 0.2–0.3% of men, and unspecified feeding or eating disorders 0.2–4.7% of women and 0–1.6% of men. Gender and sexual minorities were at particularly high risk. Emerging studies from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America show similar high prevalences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of eating disorders has still increased.

Eating disorders are a global health concern among young people. Improved detection, management, and prevention methods are urgently needed.
The naturalistic approach to laughter in humans and other animals: towards a unified theory
Authors: Palagi Elisabetta , Caruana Fausto , de Waal Frans B. M.
Published: September 2022

This opinion piece aims to tackle the biological, psychological, neural and cultural underpinnings of laughter from a naturalistic and evolutionary perspective. A naturalistic account of laughter requires the revaluation of two dogmas of a longstanding philosophical tradition, that is, the quintessential link between laughter and humour, and the uniquely human nature of this behaviour. In the spirit of Provine's and Panksepp's seminal studies, who firstly argued against the anti-naturalistic dogmas, here we review compelling evidence that (i) laughter is first and foremost a social behaviour aimed at regulating social relationships, easing social tensions and establishing social bonds, and that (ii) homologue and homoplasic behaviours of laughter exist in primates and rodents, who also share with humans the same underpinning neural circuitry. We make a case for the hypothesis that the contagiousness of laughter and its pervasive social infectiousness in everyday social interactions is mediated by a specific mirror mechanism. Finally, we argue that a naturalistic account of laughter should not be intended as an outright rejection of classic theories; rather, in the last part of the piece we argue that our perspective is potentially able to integrate previous viewpoints—including classic philosophical theories—ultimately providing a unified evolutionary explanation of laughter.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
Robert Provine: the critical human importance of laughter, connections and contagion
Authors: Scott Sophie K. , Cai Ceci Qing , Billing Addison
Published: September 2022

Robert Provine made several critically important contributions to science, and in this paper, we will elaborate some of his research into laughter and behavioural contagion. To do this, we will employ Provine's observational methods and use a recorded example of naturalistic laughter to frame our discussion of Provine's work. The laughter is from a cricket commentary broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation in 1991, in which Jonathan Agnew and Brian Johnston attempted to summarize that day's play, at one point becoming overwhelmed by laughter. We will use this laughter to demonstrate some of Provine's key points about laughter and contagious behaviour, and we will finish with some observations about the importance and implications of the differences between humans and other mammals in their use of contagious laughter.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
The web of laughter: frontal and limbic projections of the anterior cingulate cortex revealed by cortico-cortical evoked potential from sites eliciting laughter
Authors: Zauli F. M. , Del Vecchio M. , Russo S. , Mariani V. , Pelliccia V. , d'Orio P. , Sartori I. , Avanzini P. , Caruana F.
Published: September 2022

According to an evolutionist approach, laughter is a multifaceted behaviour affecting social, emotional, motor and speech functions. Albeit previous studies have suggested that high-frequency electrical stimulation (HF-ES) of the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) may induce bursts of laughter—suggesting a crucial contribution of this region to the cortical control of this behaviour—the complex nature of laughter implies that outward connections from the pACC may reach and affect a complex network of frontal and limbic regions. Here, we studied the effective connectivity of the pACC by analysing the cortico-cortical evoked potentials elicited by single-pulse electrical stimulation of pACC sites whose HF-ES elicited laughter in 12 patients. Once these regions were identified, we studied their clinical response to HF-ES, to reveal the specific functional target of pACC representation of laughter. Results reveal that the neural representation of laughter in the pACC interacts with several frontal and limbic regions, including cingulate, orbitofrontal, medial prefrontal and anterior insular regions—involved in interoception, emotion, social reward and motor behaviour. These results offer neuroscientific support to the evolutionist approach to laughter, providing a possible mechanistic explanation of the interplay between this behaviour and emotion regulation, speech production and social interactions.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
Mu-opioid receptor system modulates responses to vocal bonding and distress signals in humans
Authors: Sun Lihua , Lukkarinen Lasse , Putkinen Vesa , Karlsson Henry K. , Hirvonen Jussi , Tiihonen Jari , Lauerma Hannu , Scott Sophie , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: September 2022

Laughter is a contagious prosocial signal that conveys bonding motivation; adult crying conversely communicates desire for social proximity by signalling distress. Endogenous mu-opioid receptors (MORs) modulate sociability in humans and non-human primates. In this combined PET–fMRI study (
n
= 17), we tested whether central MOR tone is associated with regional brain responses to social signals of laughter and crying. MOR availability was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) using the high-affinity agonist radioligand [
11
C]carfentanil. Haemodynamic responses to social laughter and crying vocalizations were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Social laughter evoked activation in the auditory cortex, insula, cingulate cortex, amygdala, primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, and primary and secondary motor cortex; crying sounds led to more restricted activation in the auditory cortex and nearby areas. MOR availability was negatively correlated with the haemodynamic responses to social laughter in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex, primary and secondary motor cortex, posterior insula, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, cuneus, temporal gyri and lingual gyrus. For crying-evoked activations, MOR availability was negatively correlated with medial and lateral prefrontal haemodynamic responses. Altogether our findings highlight the role of the MOR system in modulating acute brain responses to both positive and negative social signals.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
Tendency to laugh is a stable trait: findings from a round-robin conversation study
Authors: Wood Adrienne , Templeton Emma , Morrel Jessica , Schubert Frederick , Wheatley Thalia
Published: September 2022

People often laugh during conversation. Who is more responsible for the laughter, the person laughing or their partner for eliciting it? We used a round-robin design where participants (
N
= 66) engaged in 10 different conversations with 10 same-gender strangers and counted the instances of laughter for each person in each conversation. After each conversation, participants rated their perceived similarity with their partner and how much they enjoyed the conversation. More than half the variability in the amount a person laughed was attributable to the person laughing—some people tend to laugh more than others. By contrast, less than 5% of the variability was attributable to the laugher's partner. We also found that the more a person laughed, the more their partners felt similar to them. Counterintuitively, laughter
negatively
predicted conversation enjoyment. These findings suggest that, in conversations between strangers, laughter may not be a straightforward signal of amusement, but rather a social tool. We did not find any personality predictors of how much a person laughs or elicits laughter. In summary, how much a person laughs in conversation appears to be a stable trait associated with being relatable, and is not necessarily reflective of enjoyment.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
Degenerate pathway for processing smile and other emotional expressions in congenital facial palsy: an hdEEG investigation
Authors: Sessa Paola , Schiano Lomoriello Arianna , Duma Gian Marco , Mento Giovanni , De Stefani Elisa , Ferrari Pier Francesco
Published: September 2022

Influential theoretical models argue that an internal simulation mechanism (motor or sensorimotor simulation) supports the recognition of facial expressions. However, despite numerous converging sources of evidence, recent studies testing patients with congenital facial palsy (i.e. Moebius syndrome) seem to refute these theoretical models. However, these results do not consider the principles of neuroplasticity and degeneracy that could support the involvement of an alternative neural processing pathway in these patients. In the present study, we tested healthy participants and participants with Moebius syndrome in a highly sensitive facial expression discrimination task and concomitant high-density electroencephalographic recording. The results, both at the scalp and source levels, indicate the activation of two different pathways of facial expression processing in healthy participants and participants with Moebius syndrome, compatible, respectively, with a dorsal pathway that includes premotor areas and a ventral pathway. Therefore, these results support the reactivation of sensorimotor representations of facial expressions (i.e. simulation) in healthy subjects, in the place of an alternative processing pathway in subjects with congenital facial palsy.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
Real-time magnetic resonance imaging reveals distinct vocal tract configurations during spontaneous and volitional laughter
Authors: Belyk Michel , McGettigan Carolyn
Published: September 2022

A substantial body of acoustic and behavioural evidence points to the existence of two broad categories of laughter in humans: spontaneous laughter that is emotionally genuine and somewhat involuntary, and volitional laughter that is produced on demand. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these are also physiologically distinct vocalizations, by measuring and comparing them using real-time magnetic resonance imaging (rtMRI) of the vocal tract. Following Ruch and Ekman (Ruch and Ekman 2001 In
Emotions, qualia, and consciousness
(ed. A Kaszniak), pp. 426–443), we further predicted that spontaneous laughter should be relatively less speech-like (i.e. less articulate) than volitional laughter. We collected rtMRI data from five adult human participants during spontaneous laughter, volitional laughter and spoken vowels. We report distinguishable vocal tract shapes during the vocalic portions of these three vocalization types, where volitional laughs were intermediate between spontaneous laughs and vowels. Inspection of local features within the vocal tract across the different vocalization types offers some additional support for Ruch and Ekman's predictions. We discuss our findings in light of a dual pathway hypothesis for the neural control of human volitional and spontaneous vocal behaviours, identifying tongue shape and velum lowering as potential biomarkers of spontaneous laughter to be investigated in future research.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
A deep neural network model of the primate superior colliculus for emotion recognition
Authors: Méndez Carlos Andrés , Celeghin Alessia , Diano Matteo , Orsenigo Davide , Ocak Brian , Tamietto Marco
Published: September 2022

Although sensory processing is pivotal to nearly every theory of emotion, the evaluation of the visual input as ‘emotional’ (e.g. a smile as signalling happiness) has been traditionally assumed to take place in supramodal ‘limbic’ brain regions. Accordingly, subcortical structures of ancient evolutionary origin that receive direct input from the retina, such as the superior colliculus (SC), are traditionally conceptualized as passive relay centres. However, mounting evidence suggests that the SC is endowed with the necessary infrastructure and computational capabilities for the innate recognition and initial categorization of emotionally salient features from retinal information. Here, we built a neurobiologically inspired convolutional deep neural network (DNN) model that approximates physiological, anatomical and connectional properties of the retino-collicular circuit. This enabled us to characterize and isolate the initial computations and discriminations that the DNN model of the SC can perform on facial expressions, based uniquely on the information it directly receives from the virtual retina. Trained to discriminate facial expressions of basic emotions, our model matches human error patterns and above chance, yet suboptimal, classification accuracy analogous to that reported in patients with V1 damage, who rely on retino-collicular pathways for non-conscious vision of emotional attributes. When presented with gratings of different spatial frequencies and orientations never ‘seen’ before, the SC model exhibits spontaneous tuning to low spatial frequencies and reduced orientation discrimination, as can be expected from the prevalence of the magnocellular (M) over parvocellular (P) projections. Likewise, face manipulation that biases processing towards the M or P pathway affects expression recognition in the SC model accordingly, an effect that dovetails with variations of activity in the human SC purposely measured with ultra-high field functional magnetic resonance imaging. Lastly, the DNN generates saliency maps and extracts visual features, demonstrating that certain face parts, like the mouth or the eyes, provide higher discriminative information than other parts as a function of emotional expressions like happiness and sadness. The present findings support the contention that the SC possesses the necessary infrastructure to analyse the visual features that define facial emotional stimuli also without additional processing stages in the visual cortex or in ‘limbic’ areas.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Cracking the laugh code: laughter through the lens of biology, psychology and neuroscience’.
In silico identification of bacterial seaweed-degrading bioplastic producers
Authors: Leadbeater Daniel R. , Bruce Neil C. , Tonon Thierry
Published: September 2022

There is an urgent need to replace petroleum-based plastic with bio-based and biodegradable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are attractive prospective replacements that exhibit desirable mechanical properties and are recyclable and biodegradable in terrestrial and marine environments. However, the production costs today still limit the economic sustainability of the PHA industry. Seaweed cultivation represents an opportunity for carbon capture, while also supplying a sustainable photosynthetic feedstock for PHA production. We mined existing gene and protein databases to identify bacteria able to grow and produce PHAs using seaweed-derived carbohydrates as substrates. There were no significant relationships between the genes involved in the deconstruction of algae polysaccharides and PHA production, with poor to negative correlations and diffused clustering suggesting evolutionary compartmentalism. We identified 2 987 bacterial candidates spanning 40 taxonomic families predominantly within Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria and Burkholderiales with enriched seaweed-degrading capacity that also harbour PHA synthesis potential. These included highly promising candidates with specialist and generalist specificities, includingAlteromonas,Aquisphaera,Azotobacter,Bacillus,Caulobacter,Cellvibrionaceae,Duganella,Janthinobacterium,Massilia,Oxalobacteraceae,Parvularcula,Pirellulaceae,Pseudomonas,Rhizobacter,Rhodanobacter,Simiduia,Sphingobium,Sphingomonadaceae,Sphingomonas,Stieleria,VibrioandXanthomonas. In this enriched subset, the family-level densities of genes targeting green macroalgae polysaccharides were considerably higher (n=231.6±68.5) than enzymes targeting brown (n=65.34±13.12) and red (n=30.5±10.72) polysaccharides. Within these organisms, an abundance ofFabGgenes was observed, suggesting that the fatty acidde novosynthesis pathway supplies (R)−3-hydroxyacyl-CoA or 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA from core metabolic processes and is the predominant mechanism of PHA production in these organisms. Our results facilitate extending seaweed biomass valorization in the context of consolidated biorefining for the production of bioplastics.
Single-cell genomics reveals population structures from in vitro evolutionary studies of Salmonella
Authors: Bawn Matt , Hernandez Johana , Trampari Eleftheria , Thilliez Gaetan , Quince Christopher , Webber Mark A. , Kingsley Robert A. , Hall Neil , Macaulay Iain C.
Published: September 2022

Single-cell DNA sequencing has the potential to reveal detailed hierarchical structures in evolving populations of cells. Single cell approaches are increasingly used to study clonal evolution in human ageing and cancer but have not yet been deployed to study evolving clonal microbial populations. Here, we present an approach for single bacterial genomic analysis for in vitro evolution experiments using FACS isolation of individual bacteria followed by whole-genome amplification and sequencing. We apply this to the experimental evolution of a hypermutator strain of

Salmonella

in response to antibiotic stress (ciprofloxacin). By analysing sequence polymorphisms in individual cells from populations we identified the presence and prevalence of sub-populations which have acquired polymorphisms in genes previously demonstrated to be associated with ciprofloxacin susceptibility. We were also able to identify that the population exposed to antibiotic stress was able to develop resistance whilst maintaining diversity. This population structure could not be resolved from bulk sequence data, and our results show how high-throughput single-cell sequencing can enhance experimental studies of bacterial evolution.