bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Outcomes of a Community of Practice for Dietitians Working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: A Multimethod, Follow-up Study
Authors: Wynn Ellen , Palermo Claire , Delbridge Robyn , Wilson Annabelle
Published: June 2021

Introduction:

Dietitians are in an important position to work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their health and may play a role in reducing the burden of disease experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many dietitians do not feel confident to practice effectively in these settings and require improved workforce development opportunities. Communities of Practice can improve dietitians' confidence and practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; however, evidence for long-term impacts is limited. This study aims to determine if a Community of Practice can have long-term impacts on dietitians working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Methods:

Data were collected through semistructured interviews and a cultural awareness self-assessment tool. Analysis was through a multimethod approach and combined qualitative inductive thematic analysis, social network analysis, and descriptive statistics.

Results:

Three main areas of long-term impact were identified including development of a social and professional network, career progression and retention, and a fundamental change in thinking and practice. All participants experienced feelings of support and increased confidence.

Discussion:

Communities of practice may be a feasible, low-cost workforce development strategy that can reduce dietitians' feelings of professional isolation when working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Further research is required to identify the mechanisms underlying sustained impacts. Social network analysis, combined with realist evaluation may be an appropriate research design, to answer future and more in-depth questions about the effectiveness of communities of practice.
PolliRS: A 3D-printed Pollicization Retractor System that Improves Access and Autonomy during the Surgical Procedure
Authors: Papavasiliou Theodora , Chatzimichail Stelios , Yoshimura Ryo , Sivakumar Branavan
Published: June 2021

We demonstrate the design, manufacture, and deployment of the first custom-made 3-dimensional (3D)-printed hand retractor for the pollicization procedure. Radiological images of the patient’s hand were taken preoperatively to measure anatomical dimensions and guide the design of the device in a patient-precise manner. The 3D-printed, sterilizable, device was autoclaved and successfully used on a patient that underwent a pollicization procedure in our unit. The radiolucency of the device and the fluency enabled by the ability to exchange between different positions demonstrated the potential of this device in increasing the overall autonomy afforded to the lead-surgeon during the operation and demonstrated the potential of rapid-prototyping techniques such as 3D printing for producing patient-precise tools on-the-fly that taken account the specific needs of the patient.
POSTOPERATIVE POSTERIOR SEGMENT COMPLICATIONS AFTER BOSTON TYPE 1 KERATOPROSTHESIS
Authors: Bonnet Clémence , Chehaibou Ismael , Chen Angela , Bourges Jean-Louis , Markovic Daniela , Hubschman Jean-Pierre , Aldave Anthony J.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

To identify the incidence of, risk factors for, and outcomes of posterior segment complications (PSC) after Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation.

Methods:

Retrospective, consecutive case series of KPro procedures at the Stein Eye Institute. Data regarding ocular history, intraoperative details, postoperative management, and outcomes were collected. Eyes with at least one PSC (PSC group) were compared with eyes without PSC (No PSC group), and risk factors for PSC were determined.

Results:

Ninety-five PSC occurred in 69/169 eyes (40.8%), at a mean of 20.1 months after KPro implantation (0.01 complications/eye month). The median follow-up after KPro implantation was 44.0 months (range 3.0–174.4). The most common PSC were epiretinal membrane (16.6%), cystoid macular edema (12.4%), vitritis (11.2%), and retinal detachment (9.5%). Previous retinal detachment repair, concomitant intraocular lens removal, postoperative aphakia, and vitritis were risk factors for retinal detachment. Postoperative infectious keratitis was a risk factor for epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, and vitritis. The posterior segment complication group had a significantly higher rate of eyes failing to maintain visual acuity ≥20/200 (HR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.35–3.85) and KPro retention failure rate (HR = 1.66; 95% CI = 0.95–2.91).

Conclusion:

Posterior segment complications occur in approximately 40% of eyes after KPro implantation, resulting in reduced visual outcomes and KPro retention.
Intraocular lens extraction using the cartridge pull-through technique
Authors: Fukuoka Sachiko , Kinoshita Taiga , Morita Shinichi , Sakurai Toshiya
Published: June 2021

Current intraocular lens (IOL) explantation techniques are limited to cutting the optic and removing the pieces through a small incision or folding single-piece acrylic IOLs using a 2-handed technique. Poor execution of IOL explantation can result in injury to intraocular structures, including the corneal endothelium and iris. The minimally invasive cartridge pull-through technique uses a cartridge for IOL implantation and new forceps optimized for secure grasping of the IOL for removal. This method involved less manipulation in the anterior chamber, thereby reducing the risks for complications such as corneal and iris injuries. A dropped IOL lying on the retinal surface can be extracted directly without lifting it onto the iris first. The cartridge pull-through technique offers a more streamlined and potentially safer approach for IOL explantation.
A differential privacy protection query language for medical data: a proof-of-concept system validation
Authors: Wang Huanhuan , Zhang Yongting , Yin Hongsheng , Li Ruirui , Wu Xiang
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Medical data mining and sharing is an important process in E-Health applications. However, because these data consist of a large amount of personal private information of patients, there is the risk of privacy disclosure when sharing and mining. Therefore, ensuring the security of medical big data in the process of publishing, sharing, and mining has become the focus of current research. The objective of our study is to design a framework based on a differential privacy protection mechanism to ensure the secure sharing of medical data. We developed a privacy protection query language (PQL) that integrates multiple data mining methods and provides a secure sharing function.

Methods:

This study is mainly performed in Xuzhou Medical University, China and designs three sub-modules: a parsing module, mining module, and noising module. Each module encapsulates different computing methods, such as a composite parser and a noise theory. In the PQL framework, we apply the differential privacy theory to the results of the computing between modules to guarantee the security of various mining algorithms. These computing devices operate independently, but the mining results depend on their cooperation. In addition, PQL is encapsulated in MNSSp3 that is a data mining and security sharing platform and the data comes from public data sets, such as UCBI. The public data set (NCBI database) was used as the experimental data, and the data collection time was January 2020.

Results:

We designed and developed a query language that provides functions for medical data mining, sharing, and privacy preservation. We theoretically proved the performance of the PQL framework. The experimental results show that the PQL framework can ensure the security of each mining result and the availability of the output results is above 97%.

Conclusion:

Our framework enables medical data providers to securely share health data or treatment data and develops a usable query language, based on a differential privacy mechanism, that enables researchers to mine information securely using data mining algorithms.
Antipsychotic Polypharmacy Is Associated With Adverse Drug Events in Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Ayani Nobutaka , Morimoto Takeshi , Sakuma Mio , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Watanabe Koichiro , Narumoto Jin
Published: June 2021

Background

Antipsychotic (AP) polypharmacy (APP), the coprescription of more than 1 AP, is frequently practiced in psychiatric inpatients and is considered to be a risk factor for adverse drug events (ADEs). However, the association between APP and ADEs among psychiatric inpatients has not been well investigated.

Methods

The Japan Adverse Drug Events (JADE) study was a series of cohort studies conducted in several clinical settings. In particular, the JADE study for psychiatric inpatients was a retrospective cohort study of 448 psychiatric inpatients with a cumulative 22,733 patient-days. We investigated the relationship between APP, defined as a concurrent prescription of 2 or more APs and ADEs. We also assessed the relationship between potential risk factors for ADEs due to APs.

Results

Among the 448 patients included in this study, 106 patients (24%) had APP and the remaining 342 patients were prescribed 1 AP or none. Risperidone was the most frequent drug (25%, 109/442 AP prescriptions) used, and levomepromazine was most frequently prescribed as a concurrent medication with other APs (91%, 29/32). The median number of ADEs among the patients with APP was significantly higher than in those without APP (P = 0.001). Antipsychotic polypharmacy was a risk factor for the occurrence of first (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.04) and second (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.40–2.79) ADEs.

Conclusions

Antipsychotic polypharmacy was a risk factor for the occurrence of single and multiple ADEs. Antipsychotic polypharmacy should be conservatively and minimally practiced.
Effectiveness of Physical Therapy on Ataxia-Telangiectasia: A Case Report
Authors: Unes Sefa , Tuncdemir Merve , Eroglu-Ertugrul Nesibe Gevher , Kerem Gunel Mintaze
Published: June 2021

Background and Purpose:

This case report investigated the benefits of a 12-week physical therapy program for a child with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT).

Case Description:

A 9-year-old girl with a diagnosis of AT participated. The physical therapy program consisted of balance and strength exercise and Wii Fit Balance-based video games training with a pediatric physical therapist for 12 weeks.

Measurements:

The motor performance, Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), participation as measured by the Life Habits Questionnaire (LIFE-H), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).

Outcomes:

Positive changes were observed in the TCMS, PBBS, GMFM, and motor performance, participation, and quality of life.

Conclusions:

Notable improvements were observed in both body structure and function, and activities and participation level.

What This Adds to Evidence:

This case report is the first to support the effectiveness of physical therapy in a child with AT.
Migrated Bulking Material (Solesta) Presenting as a Vaginal “Cyst”: Histopathologic and Chemical Analytical Features
Authors: Zhu Caroline S. , Matz Rebecca N. , Lewin-Smith Michael , Strausborger Stacy , Wohltmann Wendi E.
Published: June 2021

Performing injections with a bulking agent consisting of nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid and dextranomer is a well-tolerated and efficacious treatment for mild to moderate fecal incontinence. Here, we discuss a case of a patient with a history of a bulking procedure for fecal incontinence who presented to the obstetrics/gynecology clinic for evaluation of a new vaginal “cyst,” which was excised. Histopathologic examination revealed migrated bulking agent within the excised specimen.
Association of Maternal Viral Load and CD4 Count With Perinatal HIV-1 Transmission Risk During Breastfeeding in the PROMISE Postpartum Component
Authors: Flynn Patricia M. , Taha Taha E. , Cababasay Mae , Butler Kevin , Fowler Mary G. , Mofenson Lynne M. , Owor Maxensia , Fiscus Susan , Stranix-Chibanda Lynda , Coutsoudis Anna , Gnanashanmugam Devasena , Chakhtoura Nahida , McCarthy Katie , Frenkel Lisa , Beck Ingrid , Mukuzunga Cornelius , Makanani Bonus , Moodley Dhayendre , Nematadzira Teacler , Kusakara Bangani , Patil Sandesh , Vhembo Tichaona , Bobat Raziya , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Masenya Maysseb , Nyati Mandisa , Theron Gerhard , Mulenga Helen , Shapiro David E. ,   the PROMISE Study Team
Published: June 2021

Background:

Breastfeeding mothers with HIV infection not qualifying for antiretroviral therapy (ART) based on country-specific guidelines at the time of the Promoting Maternal-Infant Survival Everywhere trial and their uninfected neonates were randomized to maternal ART (mART) or infant nevirapine prophylaxis (iNVP) postpartum. HIV transmission proportions were similar (<1%) in the 2 arms. We assessed whether maternal viral load (MVL) and CD4 cell counts were associated with breastfeeding HIV transmission.

Methods:

MVL was collected at entry (7–14 days postpartum) and at weeks 6, 14, 26, and 50 postpartum. CD4 cell counts were collected at entry and weeks 14, 26, 38, and 50 postpartum. Infant HIV-1 nucleic acid test was performed at weeks 1 and 6, every 4 weeks until week 26, and then every 12 weeks. The associations of baseline and time-varying MVL and CD4 cell counts with transmission risk were assessed using time-to-event analyses by randomized treatment arm.

Results:

Two thousand four hundred thirty-one mother–infant pairs were enrolled in the study. Baseline MVL (P = 0.11) and CD4 cell counts (P = 0.51) were not significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection. Time-varying MVL was significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection {hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 13.96 (3.12 to 62.45)} in the mART arm but not in the iNVP arm [hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.04 (0.20 to 5.39)]. Time-varying CD4 cell counts were also significantly associated with infant HIV-1 infection [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.18 (0.03 to 0.93)] in the mART arm but not in the iNVP arm [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.38 (0.08 to 1.77)].

Conclusions:

In women receiving mART, increased MVL and decreased CD4 cell counts during breastfeeding were associated with increased risk of infant HIV-1 infection.
Extracellular vesicles derived from cardiosphere-derived cells as a potential antishock therapeutic
Authors: Chance Tiffani C. , Wu Xiaowu , Keesee Jeffrey D. , Garcia-Marcano Josue , Salgado Christi L. , Liu Bin , Moseley Jennifer J. , Peck Kiel A. , R.-Borlado Luis , Atai Nadia A. , Gould Stephen J. , Marban Linda S. , Cap Andrew P. , Rathbone Christopher R. , Bynum James A.
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from cardiosphere-derived cells (CDC-EVs) are coming to light as a unique cell-free therapeutic. Because of their novelty, however, there still exist prominent gaps in knowledge regarding their therapeutic potential. Herein the therapeutic potential of CDC-EVs in a rat model of acute traumatic coagulopathy induced by multiple injuries and hemorrhagic shock is outlined.

METHODS

Extracellular vesicle surface expression of procoagulant molecules (tissue factor and phosphatidylserine) was evaluated by flow cytometry. Extracellular vesicle thrombogenicity was tested using calibrated thrombogram, and clotting parameters were assessed using a flow-based adhesion model simulating blood flow over a collagen-expressing surface. The therapeutic efficacy of EVs was then determined in a rat model of acute traumatic coagulopathy induced by multiple injuries and hemorrhagic shock.

RESULTS

Extracellular vesicles isolated from cardiosphere-derived cells are not functionally procoagulant and do not interfere with platelet function. In a rat model of multiple injuries and hemorrhagic shock, early administration of EVs significantly reduced the elevation of lactate and creatinine and did not significantly enhance coagulopathy in rats with acute traumatic coagulopathy.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study are of great relevance to the development of EV products for use in combat casualty care, as our studies show that CDC-EVs have the potential to be an antishock therapeutic if administered early. These results demonstrate that research using CDC-EVs in trauma care needs to be considered and expanded beyond their reported cardioprotective benefits.
Surgeon-performed ultrasound for the staging of acute diverticulitis: Preliminary results of a prospective study
Authors: Zago Mauro , Biloslavo Alan , Mariani Diego , Pestalozza Maria Alessandra , Poillucci Gabriele , Bellio Gabriele
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION

Although contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CEACT) is still considered the criterion standard for the assessment of suspected acute diverticulitis, in recent years, the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been spreading more and more in this setting. The aim of this study was to compare CEACT to POCUS for the diagnosis and staging of suspected acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

This is a prospective study conducted on 55 patients admitted to the emergency department of two Italian Hospitals with a clinical suspicion of acute diverticulitis between January 2014 and December 2017. All the patients included underwent POCUS first and CEACT immediately afterward, with the diagnosis and the staging reported according to the Hinchey (H) classification modified by Wasvary et al. [Wasvary H, Turfah F, Kadro O, Beauregard W. Same hospitalization resection for acute diverticulitis. Am Surg. 1999;65:632–635.] Three surgeons performed all the POCUS, and the same two radiologists retrospectively analyzed all the CEACT images. The radiologists were informed of the clinical suspicion but unaware of the POCUS findings. The CEACT was used as the criterion standard for the comparison.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 30 females (55%) and 25 males (45%). The median age was 62 years (range, 24–88 years), and the median body mass index was 26 kg/m2 (range, 19–42 kg/m2). Forty-six of 55 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of acute diverticulitis on both POCUS and CEACT, whereas, in 7 patients, the diagnosis was not confirmed by both methods. Point-of-care ultrasound sensitivity and specificity were 98% and 88%, respectively. Point-of-care ultrasound positive and negative predictive values were 98% and 88%, respectively. Point-of-care ultrasound accuracy was 96%. Point-of-care ultrasound classified 33 H1a, 11 H1b, 1 H2, and 1 H3 acute diverticulitis. This staging was confirmed in all patients but three (93%) by CEACT.

CONCLUSION

Point-of-care ultrasound appeared a reliable technique for the diagnosis and the staging of clinically suspected H1 and H2 acute diverticulitis. It could contribute in saving time and resources and in avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure to most patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Diagnostic test, level III.
Perceived social support is strongly associated with recovery after injury
Authors: Orlas Claudia P. , Herrera-Escobar Juan P. , Hau Ka Man , Velmahos Andriana , Patel Nikita , Sanchez Sabrina , Kaafarani Haytham M.A. , Salim Ali , Nehra Deepika
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

The strength of one’s social support network is a potentially modifiable factor that may have a significant impact on recovery after injury. We sought to assess the association between one’s perceived social support (PSS) and physical and mental health outcomes 6 months to 12 months postinjury.

METHODS

Moderate to severely injured patients admitted to one of three Level I trauma centers were asked to complete a phone-based survey assessing physical and mental health outcomes in addition to return to work and chronic pain 6 months to 12 months postinjury. Patients were also asked to rate the strength of their PSS on a 5-point Likert scale. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were built to determine the association between PSS and postdischarge outcome metrics.

RESULTS

Of 907 patients included in this study, 653 (72.0%) identified themselves as having very strong/strong, 182 (20.1%) as average, and 72 (7.9%) as weak/nonexistent PSS. Patients who reported a weak/nonexistent PSS were younger and were more likely to be male, Black, and to have a lower level of education than those who reported a very strong/strong PSS. After adjusting for potential confounders, patients with a weak/nonexistent PSS were more likely to have new functional limitations and chronic pain in addition to being less likely to be back at work/school and being more likely to screen positive for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety at 6 months to 12 months postinjury than those with a strong/very strong PSS.

CONCLUSION

Lower PSS is strongly correlated with worse functional and mental health outcome metrics postdischarge. The strength of one’s social support network should be considered when trying to identify patients who are at greatest risk for poor postdischarge outcomes after injury. Our data also lend support to creating a system wherein we strive to build a stronger support network for these high-risk individuals.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic/epidemiologic, level III
Certification in endovascular hemostasis for trauma surgeons: Possible and practical?
Authors: Herrold Joseph Alden , Adnan Sakib , Romagnoli Anna , Madurska Marta J. , Betzold Richard , DuBose Joseph , Scalea Thomas , Morrison Jonathan J.
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Endovascular hemostasis is commonplace with many practitioners providing services. Accruing sufficient experience during training could allow acute care surgeons (ACSs) to expand their practice. We quantified case load and training opportunities at our center, where dedicated dual-trained ACS/vascular surgery faculty perform these cases. Our aim was to assess whether ACS fellows could obtain sufficient experience in 6 months of their fellowship in order to certify in these techniques, per the requirements of other specialties.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective case series where we reviewed 6 years (2013–2018) of endovascular activity at an academic, level I trauma center quantifying arterial access, angiography, embolization, stent and stent graft placement, and IVC filter procedures. This was compared with the certification requirements for interventional radiology, vascular surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and interventional cardiology.

RESULTS

Between 2013 and 2018, 1,179 patients with a mean ± SD Injury Severity Score of 22.47 ± 13.24, underwent 4960 procedures. Annual rates per procedure, expressed as median (interquartile range), were arterial access 193.5 (181–195.5), diagnostic angiography 352 (321.5–364.5), embolization 90.5 (89.25–93.25), stent placement 24 (13.5–29.25), and IVC filter procedures 16.5 (10–23.75). Our 6-month case volume exceeded or was within 85% of the required number of cases for vascular surgery and interventional radiology training, with the exception of stent-graft deployment for both specialties, and therapeutic procedures for vascular surgery.

CONCLUSION

The case volume at a large trauma center with a dedicated endovascular trauma service is sufficient to satisfy the case requirements for endovascular certification. Our trainees are already acquiring this experience informally. An endovascular trauma curriculum should now be developed to support certification within ACS fellowship training.
Kidney Transplant Recipient Attitudes Toward a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine
Authors: Ou Michael T. , Boyarsky Brian J. , Zeiser Laura B. , Po-Yu Chiang Teresa , Ruddy Jake , Van Pilsum Rasmussen Sarah E. , Martin Jennifer , St. Clair Russell Jennifer , Durand Christine M. , Avery Robin K. , Werbel William A. , Cooper Matthew , Massie Allan B. , Segev Dorry L. , Garonzik-Wang Jacqueline M.
Published: June 2021

Background.

A widely accepted severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine could protect vulnerable populations, but the willingness of solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) to accept a potential vaccine remains unknown.

Methods.

We conducted a national survey of 1308 SOTRs and 1617 non-SOTRs between November 11 and December 2, 2020 through the network of the National Kidney Foundation.

Results.

Respondents were largely White (73.2%), female (61.1%), and college graduates (56.2%). Among SOTRs, half (49.5%) were unsure or would be unwilling to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once available. Major concerns included potential side effects (85.2%), lack of rigor in the testing and development process (69.7%), and fear of incompatibility with organ transplants (75.4%). Even after the announcement of the high efficacy of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna Inc.) at the time of survey distribution, likeliness to receive a vaccine only slightly increased (53.5% before announcement versus 57.8% after the announcement). However, 86.8% of SOTRs would accept a vaccine if recommended by a transplant provider.

Conclusions.

SOTRs reported skepticism in receiving a potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, even after announcements of high vaccine efficacy. Reassuringly, transplant providers may be the defining influence in vaccine acceptance and will likely have a critical role to play in promoting vaccine adherence.
Optic Neuritis–Independent Retinal Atrophy in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Filippatou Angeliki G. , Vasileiou Eleni S. , He Yufan , Fitzgerald Kathryn C. , Kalaitzidis Grigorios , Lambe Jeffrey , Mealy Maureen A. , Levy Michael , Liu Yihao , Prince Jerry L. , Mowry Ellen M. , Saidha Shiv , Calabresi Peter A. , Sotirchos Elias S.
Published: June 2021

Background:

A limited number of studies have investigated the presence of ongoing disease activity independent of clinical relapses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and data are conflicting. The objective of our study was to examine whether patients with aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG seropositive NMOSD exhibit progressive retinal neuroaxonal loss, independently of optic neuritis (ON) attacks.

Methods:

In this single-center, longitudinal study, 32 AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD patients and 48 healthy controls (HC) were followed with serial spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and visual acuity (VA) assessments. NMOSD patients with ON less than 6 months before baseline were excluded, whereas data from patients with ON during follow-up were censored at the last visit before ON. VA worsening was defined as a decrease in monocular letter acuity ≥5 letters for high-contrast VA and ≥7 letters for low-contrast VA. Analyses were performed with mixed-effects linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, and race.

Results:

The median follow-up duration was 4.2 years (interquartile range: 1.8–7.5). Relative to HC, NMOSD eyes had faster peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) (β = −0.25 µm/year faster, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.45 to −0.05, P = 0.014) and GCIPL thinning (β = −0.09 µm/year faster, 95% CI: −0.17 to 0, P = 0.05). This difference seemed to be driven by faster pRNFL and GCIPL thinning in NMOSD eyes without a history of ON compared with HC (GCIPL: β = −0.15 µm/year faster; P = 0.005; pRNFL: β = −0.43 µm/year faster, P < 0.001), whereas rates of pRNFL (β: −0.07 µm/year, P = 0.53) and GCIPL (β = −0.01 µm/year, P = 0.90) thinning did not differ between NMOSD-ON and HC eyes. Nine NMOSD eyes had VA worsening during follow-up.

Conclusions:

In this longitudinal study, we observed progressive pRNFL and GCIPL atrophy in AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD eyes unaffected by ON. These results support that subclinical involvement of the anterior visual pathway may occur in AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD.
Archived dengue serum samples produced false-positive results in SARS-CoV-2 lateral flow-based rapid antibody tests
Authors: Nath Himadri , Mallick Abinash , Roy Subrata , Sukla Soumi , Basu Keya , De Abhishek , Biswas Subhajit
Published: June 2021

Co-endemicity of SARS-CoV-2 and dengue virus (DV) infection is becoming a matter of serious concern as it has been already reported that antibodies (Ab) elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection can produce false-positive results in dengue IgG and IgM rapid tests and vice versa. Here we communicate that five of thirteen DV antibody-positive serum samples from Kolkata, archived in 2017 (predating the COVID-19 outbreak), produced false-positive results in SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM lateral flow-based rapid tests. Our results emphasize the importance of implementing tests with higher specificity to conduct sero-surveillance for accurate estimation of SARS-CoV-2/DV prevalence in regions where both viruses now co-exist.
Wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking COVID-19 trend and variants of concern in Ohio, United States
Authors: Ai Yuehan , Davis Angela , Jones Danial , Lemeshow Stanley , Tu Huolin , He Fan , Ru Peng , Pan Xiaokang , Bohrerova Zuzana , Lee Jiyoung
Published: June 2021

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in more than 129 million confirm cases. Many health authorities around the world have implemented wastewater-based epidemiology as a rapid and complementary tool for the COVID-19 surveillance system and more recently for variants of concern emergence tracking. In this study, three SARS-CoV-2 target genes (N1, N2, and E) were quantified from wastewater influent samples (n = 250) obtained from the capital city and 7 other cities in various size in central Ohio from July 2020 to January 2021. To determine human-specific fecal strength in wastewater samples more accurately, two human fecal viruses (PMMoV and crAssphage) were quantified to normalize the SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater. To estimate the trend of new case numbers from SARS-CoV-2 gene levels, different statistical models were built and evaluated. From the longitudinal data, SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations in wastewater strongly correlated with daily new confirmed COVID-19 cases (average Spearman’s r = 0.70, p < 0.05), with the N2 gene being the best predictor of the trend of confirmed cases. Moreover, average daily case numbers can help reduce the noise and variation from the clinical data. Among the models tested, the quadratic polynomial model performed best in correlating and predicting COVID-19 cases from the wastewater surveillance data, which can be used to track the effectiveness of vaccination in the later stage of the pandemic. Interestingly, neither of the normalization methods using PMMoV or crAssphage significantly enhanced the correlation with new case numbers, nor improved the estimation models. Whole-genome sequencing result showed that those detected SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern from the wastewater matched with the clinical isolates from the communities. The findings from this study suggest that wastewater surveillance is effective in COVID-19 trend tracking and variant emergence and transmission within a community.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on influenza transmission: molecular and epidemiological evidence
Authors: Tran Leon King , Huang Dai-Wei , Li Nien-Kung , Li Lucy M. , Palacios Julia A. , Chang Hsiao-Han
Published: June 2021

To quantify the impact of COVID-19-related control measures on the spread of human influenza virus, we analyzed case numbers, viral molecular sequences, personal behavior data, and policy stringency data from various countries, and found consistent evidence of decrease in influenza incidence after the emergence of COVID-19.

Article Summary

We quantify a noticeable decrease in H1N1 and H3N2 cases and genetic diversity in selected countries since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Endosperm evolution by duplicated and neofunctionalized Type I MADS-box transcription factors
Authors: Qiu Yichun , Köhler Claudia
Published: June 2021

MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) are present in nearly all major eukaryotic groups. They are divided into Type I and Type II that differ in domain structure, functional roles, and rates of evolution. In flowering plants, major evolutionary innovations like flowers, ovules and fruits have been closely connected to Type II MADS-box TFs. The role of Type I MADS-box TFs in angiosperm evolution remains to be identified. Here, we show that the formation of angiosperm-specific Type I MADS-box clades of Mγ and Mγ-interacting Mα genes (Mα*) can be tracked back to the ancestor of all angiosperms. Angiosperm-specific Mγ and Mα* genes were preferentially expressed in the endosperm, consistent with their proposed function as heterodimers in the angiosperm-specific embryo-nourishing endosperm tissue. We propose that duplication and diversification of Type I MADS-genes underpins the evolution of the endosperm, a developmental innovation closely connected to the origin and success of angiosperms.
Measuring Mitochondrial Electron Transfer Complexes in Previously Frozen Cardiac Tissue from the Offspring of Sow: A Model to Assess Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Changes
Authors: Barrera Daniel , Upton Sierra , Rauch Megan , Notarianni Tara , Eum Ki Suk , Liberty Megan , Sah Sarmila Venkoba , Liu Robert , Newcomer Sean , May Linda E. , Agbas Emre , Sage Jessica , Kosa Edina , Agbas Abdulbaki
Published: June 2021

Measuring the mitochondrial electron transfer complex (ETC) profile from previously frozen heart tissue samples from offspring born to an exercised sow provided descriptive data about exercise-induced mitochondrial biochemical changes in heart tissue from the offspring born to the exercised sow. The hypothesis proposed and tested was that a regular maternal exercise of a sow during pregnancy would increase the mitochondrial efficiency of offspring heart bioenergetics. This hypothesis was tested by isolating mitochondria using a mild-isolation procedure to assess mitochondrial ETC and supercomplex profiles. The procedure described here allowed for the processing of previously frozen archived heart tissues and eliminated the necessity of fresh mitochondria preparation for the assessment of mitochondrial ETC complexes, supercomplexes, and ETC complex activity profiles. This protocol describes the optimal ETC protein complex measurement in multiplexed antibody-based immunoblotting and super complex assessment using blue-native gel electrophoresis.

Preparation of mitochondria-enriched samples from previously frozen archived solid tissues allowed the investigators to perform both functional and analytical assessments of mitochondria in various experimental modalities. This study demonstrates how to prepare mitochondria-enriched preparations from frozen heart tissue and perform analytical assessments of mitochondria.
Transcriptomics of developing wild sunflower seeds from the extreme ends of a latitudinal gradient differing in seed oil composition
Authors: Barnhart Max H. , McAssey Edward V. , Dittmar Emily L. , Burke John M.
Published: June 2021

Seed oil composition, an important agronomic trait in cultivated sunflower, varies latitudinally across the native range of its wild progenitor. This pattern is thought to be driven by selection for a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids in southern populations compared to northern populations, likely due to the different temperatures experienced during seed germination. To investigate whether these differences in fatty acid composition between northern and southern populations correspond to transcriptional variation in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, we sequenced RNA from developing seeds of sunflowers from Texas, USA and Saskatchewan, Canada (the extreme ends of sunflower’s latitudinal range) grown in a common garden. Over 4,000 genes were found to be differentially expressed between Texas and Canada, including several genes involved in lipid metabolism. Many differentially expressed oil metabolism genes colocalized with known oil QTL. The genes producing stearoyl-ACP-desaturases (SAD) were of particular interest because of their known role in the conversion of fully saturated into unsaturated fatty acids. Two SAD genes were more highly expressed in seeds from Canadian populations, consistent with the observation of increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids in seeds from that region. We also constructed a gene co-expression network to investigate regional variation in network modules. The results of this analysis revealed regional differentiation for eight of twelve modules, but no clear relationship with oil biosynthesis. Overall, the differential expression of SAD genes offers a partial explanation for the observed differences in seed oil composition between Texas and Canada, while the expression patterns of other metabolic genes suggest complex regulation of fatty acid production and usage across latitudes.
Multi-domain touchscreen-based cognitive assessment of C57BL/6J female mice shows whole body exposure to56Fe particle space radiation in maturity improves discrimination learning yet impairs stimulus-response habit learning
Authors: Soler Ivan , Yun Sanghee , Reynolds Ryan P. , Whoolery Cody W. , Tran Fionya H. , Kumar Priya L. , Rong Yuying , DeSalle Matthew J. , Gibson Adam D. , Stowe Ann M. , Kiffer Fred C. , Eisch Amelia J.
Published: June 2021

Astronauts during interplanetary missions will be exposed to galactic cosmic radiation, including charged particles like56Fe. Preclinical studies with mature, “astronaut-aged” rodents suggest space radiation diminishes performance in classical hippocampal- and prefrontal cortex-dependent tasks. However, a rodent cognitive touchscreen battery unexpectedly revealed56Fe radiation improves the performance of C57BL/6J male mice in a hippocampal-dependent task (discrimination learning) without changing performance in a striatal-dependent task (rule-based learning). As other preclinical work suggests the female rodent brain may be relatively resistant to charged particle-induced injury, and as the proportion of female vs. male astronauts is increasing, further study on how charged particles influence the touchscreen cognitive performance of female mice is warranted. We hypothesized that, similar to mature male mice, mature female C57BL/6J mice exposed to whole-body56Fe irradiation (3 × 6.7cGy56Fe over 5 days, 600MeV/n) would improve performance vs.Sham conditions in touchscreen tasks relevant to hippocampal and prefrontal cortical function (e.g. location discrimination reversal [LDR] and extinction, respectively). In LDR,56Fe female mice more accurately discriminated two discrete conditioned stimuli relative to Sham mice, suggesting improved hippocampal function. However,56Fe and Sham female mice acquired a new simple stimulus-response behavior and extinguished this acquired behavior at similar rates, suggesting similar prefrontal cortical function. Based on prior work on multiple memory systems, we next tested whether improved hippocampal-dependent function (discrimination learning) came at the expense of striatal rule-based learning (visuomotor conditional learning). Interestingly,56Fe female mice took more days to reach criteria in this striatal-dependent rule-based test relative to Sham mice. Together, our data support the idea of competition between memory systems, as an56Fe-induced decrease in striatal-based learning is associated with enhanced hippocampal-based learning. These data emphasize the power of using a touchscreen-based battery to advance our understanding of the effects of space radiation on mission critical cognitive function in females, and underscore the importance of preclinical space radiation risk studies measuring multiple cognitive processes, thereby preventing NASA’s risk assessments from being based on a single cognitive domain.
Oral subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induces systemic neutralizing IgG, IgA and cellular immune responses and can boost neutralizing antibody responses primed by an injected vaccine
Authors: Pitcovski Jacob , Gruzdev Nady , Abzach Anna , Katz Chen , Ben-Adiva Ran , Schwartz Michal Brand , Yadid Itamar , Haviv Hadar , Rapoport Irena , Bloch Itai , Shadmon Roy , Eitan Zohar , Eliahu Dalia , Hilel Talia , Laster Morris , Tal Sigal Kremer , Tennenbaum Tamara Byk , Shahar Ehud
Published: June 2021

The rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its devastating medical and economic impacts, triggered an unprecedented race toward development of effective vaccines. The commercialized vaccines are parenterally administered, which poses logistic challenges, while adequate protection at the mucosal sites of virus entry is questionable. Furthermore, essentially all vaccine candidates target the viral spike (S) protein, a surface protein that undergoes significant antigenic drift. This work aimed to develop an oral multi-antigen SARS-CoV-2 vaccine comprised of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral S protein, two domains of the viral nucleocapsid protein (N), and heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB), a potent mucosal adjuvant. The humoral, mucosal and cell-mediated immune responses of both a three-dose vaccination schedule and a heterologous subcutaneous prime and oral booster regimen were assessed in mice and rats, respectively. Mice receiving the oral vaccine compared to control mice showed significantly enhanced post-dose-3 virus-neutralizing antibody, anti-S IgG and IgA production and N-protein-stimulated IFN-γ and IL-2 secretion by T cells. When administered as a booster to rats following parenteral priming with the viral S1 protein, the oral vaccine elicited markedly higher neutralizing antibody titres than did oral placebo booster. A single oral booster following two subcutaneous priming doses elicited serum IgG and mucosal IgA levels similar to those raised by three subcutaneous doses. In conclusion, the oral LTB-adjuvanted multi-epitope SARS-CoV-2 vaccine triggered versatile humoral, cellular and mucosal immune responses, which are likely to provide protection, while also minimizing technical hurdles presently limiting global vaccination, whether by priming or booster programs.

Highlights

MigVax-101 is a multi-epitope oral vaccine for SARS-CoV-2.

MigVax-101 elicits neutralizing IgG and IgA production and cellular responses in mice

MigVax-101 serves as an effective booster in rats to a parenteral anti-S1 vaccine.
Phase-specific pooling of sparse assembly activity by respiration-related brain oscillations
Authors: Folschweiller Shani , Sauer Jonas-Frederic
Published: June 2021

Nasal breathing affects cognitive functions, but it has remained largely unclear how respiration-driven inputs shape information processing in neuronal circuits. Current theories emphasize the role of neuronal assemblies, coalitions of transiently active pyramidal cells, as the core unit of cortical network computations. Here, we show that respiration-related oscillations (RROs) directly pace the activation of neuronal assemblies in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice. Neuronal assemblies are more efficiently entrained than single neurons and activate preferentially during the descending phase of RROs. At the same time, overlap between individual assemblies is minimized during descending RRO due to the efficient recruitment of GABAergic neurons by assemblies. Our results thus suggest the RROs support cortical operations by defining time windows of enhanced yet segregated assembly activity.
The role of migration in mutant evolution in fragmented populations
Authors: Kreger Jesse , Brown Donovan , Komarova Natalia L. , Wodarz Dominik , Pritchard Justin
Published: June 2021

Mutant evolution in fragmented populations has been studied extensively in evolutionary biology. With an increased focus on evolutionary dynamics in medical research, quantification of mutant load in fragmented populations with varying levels of migration has become especially important. Examples of fragmented populations are hematopoietic stem cell niches in the bone marrow where cells can re-circulate between niches through the blood, or colonic crypts where movement of cells across different crypts is not thought to be common. Here we use a combination of experiments and theory to investigate the role of migration in mutant distribution. In the case of neutral mutants, the experiments confirmed that while the mean number of mutants is not influenced by migration, the probability distribution is, which manifested itself in a change in the skewedness of the distribution of the mutant numbers in the demes. In the case of disadvantageous mutants, we investigated the phenomenon of the increase in the expected number of mutants compared to that of the selection-mutation balance. In a single deme, this increase is observed when the deme size is lower than the critical size,Nc. In a fragmented system that consists of connected demes with a probability of migration, the increase in mutant numbers above the selection-mutation balance can be maintained in small (N < Nc) demes as long as the migration rate is sufficiently small. The migration rate above which the mutants approach the selection-mutation balance decays exponentially withN/Nc. These findings are relevant in the context of the complex and poorly understood processes that may lead to changes in the clonal composition in tissues and tumors.
Muscope: A miniature on-chip lensless microscope
Authors: Prajapati Ekta , Kumar Saurav , Kumar Shishir
Published: June 2021

In the past few decades, a significant amount of effort has been put into developing different lensless microscope designs. The existing lensless microscopes are capable of offering high resolution and wide field-of-view using super-resolution and computational techniques. But, the employment of macroscopic illumination system and unscalable opto-mechanical components limit their cost-effectiveness, scalability, mass production and on-chip integration. In this work, we report Muscope, an on-chip microscope, which fixes these issues. It extends a few mm in each dimension and comprises of an off-the-shelf electronic assembly. The futuristic microLED display chip is utilised as the light source. Each microLED on the chip functions as a microscopic light source whose position and brightness can be electronically controlled. To demonstrate Muscope, we imaged human blood smear and microbeads of diameter upto 1 μm. We also provide a proof-of-concept of its suitability with super-resolution and field-of-view enhancement techniques, without additional hardware compulsions.
Single cell chronoatlas of regenerating mouse livers reveals early Kupffer cell proliferation
Authors: Sánchez-Taltavull Daniel , Brodie Tess , Zindel Joel , Dommann Noëlle , Surewaard Bas G.J. , Keogh Adrian , Mélin Nicolas , Büchi Isabel , Tombolini Riccardo , Kubes Paul , Candinas Daniel , Beldi Guido , Stroka Deborah
Published: June 2021

The liver is exemplar to study tissue regeneration due to its inherent ability of repair and regrowth. It replaces its lost or injured tissue by the proliferation, interaction and temporal coordination of multiple residential cell types. Until now we lacked a detailed description of the specific contributions of each cell type to the regenerative process, and therefore analyzed mouse livers 0, 3, 6, and 24 hours following two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) by single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and mass cytometry. Our resulting genome wide temporal atlas contains the time dependent transcriptional changes in hepatocytes, endothelial cells, bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and Kupffer cells. In addition, it describes the cell specific contribution of mitogenic growth factors from biliary epithelial, endothelial and stellate cells as well as chemokines and cytokines from BMDM and granulocytes. And interestingly, Kupffer cells as opposed to hepatocytes emerged as the first cell to proliferate presenting a new dynamic in the liver following PHx. Here, we provide a robust data set at cellular resolution to uncover new elements and revisit current dogmas on the mechanisms underlying liver regeneration. To facilitate access to the data, we have launched the portal www.phxatlas.ch in which the scRNA-seq data can be visualized.