bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchrony with distress in affective empathy and compassion
Authors: Dor‐Ziderman Yair , Cohen Daniela , Levit‐Binnun Nava , Golland Yulia
Published: July 2021

Sensitivity to suffering of others is a core factor in social cohesion and evolutionary success. The emergence of such sensitivity may occur via two neuro‐functional mechanisms. One is sharing the pain and distress of others, which relies onaffective empathy. The other involves a caring concern for others' wellbeing, termedcompassion. Both affective empathy and compassion are triggered by cues of pain and distress, exhibited by suffering targets. Yet, the mechanisms underlying distress processing in empathy and compassion are not clear. In the current research, we investigated synchrony with a target's distress, as a putative mechanism for continuous processing of distress cues. Participants viewed a video of a target in distress when given two different instructions: they were asked to continuously rate their distress in theaffective empathycondition, or their feelings of care in thecompassioncondition. We used these dynamic ratings as well as participants' autonomic and facial responses to assess multi‐channel synchrony with the target's self‐rated distress fluctuations. Dynamic ratings and facial corrugator responses were significantly positively synchronized with the target's distress. For the corrugator responses, synchrony with the target was more pronounced than synchrony with participants' own ratings. Autonomic responses exhibited negative synchrony with the target's distress. Synchrony was higher in the affective empathy than in the compassion condition, across channels. These results point to the key role of subjective and physiological synchrony with the target's distress in empathic sharing of negative experiences. They also highlight the attenuation of embodied resonance with distress in compassionate experiences.
Serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in sick dogs after chronic administration of supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids
Authors: Cocker Sarah E. , Lawrence Yuri A. , Lidbury Jonathan A. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. , Richter Keith P.
Published: July 2021

Background

Glucocorticoids (GC) are commonly used for a long term to treat a multitude of immune‐mediated, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases in dogs. Conflicting results of published studies on the effects of exogenous and endogenous GCs on serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) raise the question of whether cPLI concentrations can be reliably interpreted in patients receiving GCs.

Objective

We sought to determine the effect of long‐term GC administration at supraphysiologic doses on serum cPLI concentrations in sick dogs.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from 35 client‐owned dogs. Dogs were administered prednisone at a dose of ≥0.5 mg/kg per day for ≥3 weeks. Serum cPLI was measured prior to the initiation and after ≥3 weeks of GC therapy.

Results

There was a significant increase in serum cPLI between baseline (median 101 μg/L; range 30‐1997 μg/L) and following the administration of ≥0.5 mg/kg/day of prednisone (median 173 μg/L; range 30‐2000 μg/L) in dogs (P = 0.025). However, the median change was small (31 μg/L). There was no suspicion of pancreatitis in any of the dogs. Diagnostic interpretation changed in 6/35 dogs, with no apparent dose‐response relationship.

Conclusions

There was a statistically significant difference from baseline in serum cPLI measurements in sick dogs receiving long‐term prednisone. Although the change was small and often clinically insignificant, it could pose a clinical interpretation dilemma in some dogs. It is unknown whether these observations are coincidental due to subclinical pancreatitis or caused by another effect of GCs on pancreatic acinar cells.
Psychometric Properties of the Short Versions of the EBP Beliefs Scale, the EBP Implementation Scale, and the EBP Organizational Culture and Readiness Scale
Authors: Melnyk Bernadette Mazurek , Hsieh Andreanna Pavan , Gallagher‐Ford Lynn , Thomas Bindu , Guo Jinhong , Tan Alai , Buck Jacalyn
Published: July 2021

Background

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is a problem‐solving approach to clinical decision making that leads to a higher quality and safety of health care. Three valid and reliable scales that measure EBP attributes, including the EBP Beliefs Scale, the EBP Implementation Scale, and the Organizational Culture and Readiness Scale for System‐Wide Integration of EBP, are widely used but require approximately 5 min each to complete. Shorter valid and reliable versions of these scales could offer the benefit of less time for completion, thereby decreasing participant burden.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the three shortened EBP scales, adapted from the longer versions.

Methods

This study used a descriptive survey design with 498 nurses who completed the three original EBP scales along with a shortened version of each scale. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted with principal components extracted to examine the factor structure of each EBP measure for the three shortened EBP scales. Item intercorrelations and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) were used to confirm the validity of using factor analysis. Reliability of each scale using Cronbach’s α was examined. Convergent validity of the three shortened EBP scales was assessed by correlating each shortened scale with its longer scale.

Results

Factor analysis supported the construct validity of each of the three shortened scales, as all item intercorrelations were greater than 0.40, and KMO values were 0.62 to 0.74. The shortened scales Cronbach alphas were 0.81 for the EBP Beliefs Scale, 0.89 for the EBP Implementation Scale, and 0.87 for the EBP Culture and Readiness Scale. The three shortened EBP scales had acceptable convergent validity (r = 0.42–.072) for the correlations between the shortened and longer scales.

Linking Evidence to Action

The three shortened EBP scales, which are valid and reliable, can be used as an alternative to the longer three scales to decrease participant burden when conducting program evaluations, research, or organizational assessments.
An Extended Three-Dimensional Finite Strain Constitutive Model for Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Zhang M. , Baxevanis T.
Published: July 2021

A 3D finite-strain constitutive model for shape memory alloys (SMAs) is proposed. The model can efficiently describe reversible phase transformation from austenite to self-accommodated and/or oriented martensite, (re)orientation of martensite variants, minor loops, latent heat effects, and tension–compression asymmetry based on the Eulerian logarithmic strain and the corotational logarithmic objective rate. It further accounts for smooth thermomechanical response; temperature dependence of the critical force required for (re)orientation, temperature, and load dependence of the hysteresis width; and asymmetry between forward and reverse phase transformation, and it is flexible enough to address the deformation response in the concurrent presence of several phases, i.e., when austenite, self-accommodated, and oriented martensite co-exist in the microstructure. The ability of the proposed model to describe the aforementioned deformation response characteristics of SMAs under multiaxial, thermomechanical, and nonproportional loading relies on the set of three independent internal variables, i.e., the average volume fraction of martensite variants, their preferred direction, and the magnitude of the induced inelastic strain, which further allow for an implicit description of a fourth internal variable, the volume fraction of oriented as opposed to self-accommodated martensite. The calibration of the model and its numerical implementation in an efficient scheme are presented. The model is validated against experimental results associated with complex thermomechanical paths, including tension/compression/torsion experiments, and the efficiency of its numerical implementation is verified with simulations of the response of a biomedical superelastic SMA stent and an SMA spring actuator.
Classical behavior of a quantum particle in a refringent medium
Authors: Kuzmichev V. E. , Kuzmichev V. V.
Published: July 2021

Conditions under which a quantum particle can be described using classical quantities are studied. We investigate the wavefunction of a quantum particle submitted to a potential field for which all quantum effects vanish, even if Planck's constant is non-negligible. This problem is equivalent to the problem of the motion of a particle in a refringent medium. The indices of refraction of such media are found. In these media, quantum particles have classical momenta, while their wave properties are described by the wave-optics equation with a characteristic length equal to the de Broglie wavelength ƛ. In the 1D case, the particle cannot be found in the region near the origin, since the index of refraction tends to infinity there. For the 3D case with central symmetry, the wave properties are determined by a function that has a resonance of width about 2ƛ. Experimental verification of theoretical predictions is discussed.
On the consistency of the Lagrange multiplier method in classical mechanics
Authors: Lemos Nivaldo A. , Moriconi Marco
Published: July 2021

Problems involving rolling without slipping or no sideways skidding, to name a few, introduce velocity-dependent constraints that can be efficiently treated by the method of Lagrange multipliers in the Lagrangian formulation of the classical equations of motion. In doing so, one finds, as a bonus, the constraint forces, which must be independent of the solution of the equations of motion and can only depend on the generalized coordinates and velocities, as well as time. In this paper, we establish conditions the Lagrangian and the constraints should obey in order to guarantee that the constraint forces can be obtained consistently.
A recursive approach for aeroacoustic phased array measurements in wind tunnels
Authors: Ji Jianchao , Wang Cong , Wang Liang , Fu Song
Published: July 2021

Noise-interference suppression and data-processing acceleration are crucial to aeroacoustic measurements with phased array in wind tunnels. In this paper, we develop a “multi-window” beamforming algorithm that recursively processes data based on an array-acquisition model. This spatial filtering algorithm is derived from the Kalman filter theory for signal processing. The simulated results show that by using recursive operations, accurate signal estimation is acquired with incoherent and coherent background noise removed in the presence of both channel noise and phase noise. The convergence rate of this recursive algorithm is faster than the existing algorithms. As a result, considerable storage space and computational resources are saved, while testing defects in wind tunnel measurement are revealed and corrected immediately on-site. It has a great potential for real-time localization of sound sources in a noisy environment.
Tapering of the interventricular septum can affect ultrasound shear wave elastography: An in vitro and in silico study
Authors: Sabbadini A. , Caenen A. , Keijzer L. B. H. , van Neer P. L. M. J. , Vos H. J. , de Jong N. , Verweij M. D.
Published: July 2021

Shear wave elastography (SWE) has the potential to determine cardiac tissue stiffness from non-invasive shear wave speed measurements, important, e.g., for predicting heart failure. Previous studies showed that waves traveling in the interventricular septum (IVS) may display Lamb-like dispersive behaviour, introducing a thickness-frequency dependency in the wave speed. However, the IVS tapers across its length, which complicates wave speed estimation by introducing an additional variable to account for. The goal of this work is to assess the impact of tapering thickness on SWE. The investigation is performed by combining in vitro experiments with acoustic radiation force (ARF) and 2D finite element simulations, to isolate the effect of the tapering curve on ARF-induced and natural waves in the heart. The experiments show a 11% deceleration during propagation from the thick to the thin end of an IVS-mimicking tapered phantom plate. The numerical analysis shows that neglecting the thickness variation in the wavenumber-frequency domain can introduce errors of more than 30% in the estimation of the shear modulus, and that the exact tapering curve, rather than the overall thickness reduction, determines the dispersive behaviour of the wave. These results suggest that septal geometry should be accounted for when deriving cardiac stiffness with SWE.
Accelerating frequency-domain numerical methods for weakly nonlinear focused ultrasound using nested meshes
Authors: Groth Samuel P. , Gélat Pierre , Haqshenas Seyyed R. , Saffari Nader , van 't Wout Elwin , Betcke Timo , Wells Garth N.
Published: July 2021

The numerical simulation of weakly nonlinear ultrasound is important in treatment planning for focused ultrasound (FUS) therapies. However, the large domain sizes and generation of higher harmonics at the focus make these problems extremely computationally demanding. Numerical methods typically employ a uniform mesh fine enough to resolve the highest harmonic present in the problem, leading to a very large number of degrees of freedom. This paper proposes a more efficient strategy in which each harmonic is approximated on a separate mesh, the size of which is proportional to the wavelength of the harmonic. The increase in resolution required to resolve a smaller wavelength is balanced by a reduction in the domain size. This nested meshing is feasible owing to the increasingly localised nature of higher harmonics near the focus. Numerical experiments are performed for FUS transducers in homogeneous media to determine the size of the meshes required to accurately represent the harmonics. In particular, a fast volume potential approach is proposed and employed to perform convergence experiments as the computation domain size is modified. This approach allows each harmonic to be computed via the evaluation of an integral over the domain. Discretising this integral using the midpoint rule allows the computations to be performed rapidly with the FFT. It is shown that at least an order of magnitude reduction in memory consumption and computation time can be achieved with nested meshing. Finally, it is demonstrated how to generalise this approach to inhomogeneous propagation domains.
Effect of Head Accelerations on Dynamic Balance in Collegiate Women’s Rugby
Authors: Schussler Eric , McCann Ryan S. , Reilly Nicholas , Campbell Thomas R. , Martinez Jessica C.
Published: July 2021

The effect of subconcussive impacts on balance are not well known. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of subconcussive impacts on dynamic balance over the course of a rugby season. Significant negative linear correlations were found between total peak linear acceleration and dominant leg (r = −.585, p = .046) and bilateral score (r = −.615, p = .033); also between total impacts over 10g and dominant leg (r = −.653, p = .021), nondominant leg (r = −.687, p = .014), and the combined total (r = −.731, p = .007). Results indicate subconcussive impacts may affect dynamic balance over the course of a competitive season of women’s collegiate rugby.
Acute Effects of Dietary Nitrate on Exercise Tolerance, Muscle Oxygenation, and Cardiovascular Function in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: van der Avoort Cindy M.T. , van Loon Luc J.C. , Verdijk Lex B. , Poyck Paul P.C. , Thijssen Dick T.J. , Hopman Maria T.E.
Published: July 2021

Previous studies have used supplements to increase dietary nitrate intake in clinical populations. Little is known about whether effects can also be induced through vegetable consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of dietary nitrate, through nitrate-rich vegetables (NRV) and beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation, on plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations, exercise tolerance, muscle oxygenation, and cardiovascular function in patients with peripheral arterial disease. In a randomized crossover design, 18 patients with peripheral arterial disease (age: 73 ± 8 years) followed a nitrate intake protocol (∼6.5 mmol) through the consumption of NRV, BRJ, and nitrate-depleted BRJ (placebo). Blood samples were taken, blood pressure and arterial stiffness were measured in fasted state and 150 min after intervention. Each intervention was followed by a maximal walking exercise test to determine claudication onset time and peak walking time. Gastrocnemius oxygenation was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Blood samples were taken and blood pressure was measured 10 min after exercise. Mean plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations increased (nitrate; Time × Intervention interaction; p < .001), with the highest concentrations after BRJ (494 ± 110 μmol/L) compared with NRV (202 ± 89 μmol/L) and placebo (80 ± 19 μmol/L; p < .001). Mean claudication onset time and peak walking time did not differ between NRV (413 ± 187 s and 745 ± 220 s, respectively), BRJ (392 ± 154 s and 746 ± 176 s), and placebo (403 ± 176 s and 696 ± 222 s) (p = .762 and p = .165, respectively). Gastrocnemius oxygenation, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness were not affected by the intervention. NRV and BRJ intake markedly increase plasma nitrate and nitrite, but this does not translate to improved exercise tolerance, muscle oxygenation, and/or cardiovascular function.
Throttling thermogenesis with neurotensin
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: July 2021

Lymphatic endothelial cells release neurotensin to block thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.
Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in the Shadow of COVID-19
Authors: Patel Ami
Published: July 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a challenge for ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. As we learn more about COVID-19 disease and drug stewardship evolves, there is likely to be a lasting impact of increased use of antimicrobial agents and antibiotics, as well as a lack of consistent access to health care across many populations.
FKBP3 Induces Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Latency by Recruiting Histone Deacetylase 1/2 to the Viral Long Terminal Repeat
Authors: Yang Xinyi , Zhao Xiaying , Zhu Yuqi , Shen Yinzhong , Wang Yanan , Lu Panpan , Jiang Zhengtao , Pan Hanyu , Yang Jinlong , Xun Jingna , Zhao Lin , Wang Jing , Liang Zhiming , Shen Xiaoting , Liang Yue , Lin Qinru , Liang Huitong , Jin Lu , Zhang Dengji , Liu Jun , Wang Bin , Jiang Shibo , Xu Jianqing , Wu Hao , Lu Hongzhou , Zhu Huanzhang
Published: July 2021

The primary reason why AIDS cannot be completely cured is the existence of a latent HIV-1 reservoir. Currently, the facts of HIV-1 latency, including its establishment and maintenance, are incomplete.
Dynamic Colonization of Microbes and Their Functions after Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Chu Nathaniel D. , Crothers Jessica W. , Nguyen Le T. T. , Kearney Sean M. , Smith Mark B. , Kassam Zain , Collins Cheryl , Xavier Ramnik , Moses Peter L. , Alm Eric J.
Published: July 2021

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—transferring fecal microbes from a healthy donor to a sick patient—has shown promise for gut diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. However, unlike pharmaceuticals, fecal transplants are complex mixtures of living organisms, which must then interact with the microbes and immune system of the recipient.
Chained Structure of Dimeric F
1
-like ATPase in Mycoplasma mobile Gliding Machinery
Authors: Toyonaga Takuma , Kato Takayuki , Kawamoto Akihiro , Kodera Noriyuki , Hamaguchi Tasuku , Tahara Yuhei O. , Ando Toshio , Namba Keiichi , Miyata Makoto
Published: July 2021

F
1
F
o
-ATPase, a rotary ATPase, is widespread in the membranes of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and bacteria and converts ATP energy with a proton motive force across the membrane by its physical rotation. Homologous protein complexes play roles in ion and protein transport.
Mycoplasma mobile
, a pathogenic bacterium, was recently suggested to have a special motility system evolutionarily derived from F
1
-ATPase.
Comparative Genomics Reveals Thermal Adaptation and a High Metabolic Diversity in “
Candidatus
Bathyarchaeia”
Authors: Qi Yan-Ling , Evans Paul N. , Li Yu-Xian , Rao Yang-Zhi , Qu Yan-Ni , Tan Sha , Jiao Jian-Yu , Chen Ya-Ting , Hedlund Brian P. , Shu Wen-Sheng , Hua Zheng-Shuang , Li Wen-Jun
Published: July 2021

Ca
. Bathyarchaeia MAGs from terrestrial hot spring habitats are poorly revealed, though they have been studied extensively in marine ecosystems.
Forming Consensus To Advance Urobiome Research
Authors: Brubaker Linda , Gourdine Jean-Philippe F. , Siddiqui Nazema Y. , Holland Amanda , Halverson Thomas , Limeria Roberto , Pride David , Ackerman Lenore , Forster Catherine S. , Jacobs Kristin M. , Thomas-White Krystal J. , Putonti Catherine , Dong Qunfeng , Weinstein Michael , Lukacz Emily S. , Karstens Lisa , Wolfe Alan J.
Published: July 2021

Urobiome research has the potential to advance the understanding of a wide range of diseases, including lower urinary tract symptoms and kidney disease. Many scientific areas have benefited from early research method consensus to facilitate the greater, common good.
Central eastern China hydrological changes and ENSO-like variability over the past 1800 yr
Authors: Jiang Shiwei , Zhou Xin , Sachs Julian P. , Luo Wuhong , Tu Luyao , Liu Xuanqiao , Zeng Lingyuan , Peng Shuzhen , Yan Qing , Liu Fei , Zheng Jianqiu , Zhang Juzhong , Shen Yanan
Published: July 2021

Variations in East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) precipitation impact agriculture, water resources, electricity generation, and economic development in the densely populated region of central eastern China. However, uncertainties remain in the history and driving mechanisms of precipitation changes in this region over the past two millennia. We present an 1800 yr multiproxy reconstruction of monsoon precipitation based on hydroclimate variations inferred from Lake Nvshan sediments in the Jiang-Huai region of central eastern China. We find that rainfall in the Jiang-Huai region was higher during the Little Ice Age (LIA) than during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), and that these changes were modulated by the mean state of the tropical Pacific Ocean on centennial time scales. We infer that an El Niño–like (La Niña–like) mean state caused a strengthening and westward displacement (weakening and eastward displacement) of the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) and a weakening (strengthening) of the EASM, causing more (less) rainfall in the Jiang-Huai region during the LIA (MWP). These hydroclimate changes are likely to have been a response to changes in effective radiative forcing.
Acute myocardial infarction in a young patient with triple valve replacement
Authors: Sharma Yash Paul , Prasad Krishna , Patel Nitin , Panda Prashant Kumar
Published: July 2021

Rheumatic heart disease is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries, and is the leading cause of triple valve replacement. Myocardial infarction (MI) in such cases can be due to the coronary embolism from the prosthetic valves or due to atherosclerotic vascular disease. Intravascular imaging helps in delineating the cause. We present a case of a 34-year-old premenopausal woman with no conventional cardiovascular risk factors and had triple valve replacement 4 years ago and anterior wall MI with cardiogenic shock and left ventricular failure. She was managed with mechanical ventilation, thrombolysis, diuretics, double antiplatelets and anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin. Intravascular ultrasound showed a lipid-rich plaque with associated plaque rupture and thrombosis. Intravascular imaging helps in delineating the cause of MI and further management. Atherosclerotic MI in a patient with no conventional risk factors is rare and needs to be considered.
Papillorenal syndrome: a systemic diagnosis not to be missed on fundoscopy
Authors: Ng Benjamin , De Silva Samantha R , Bindra Mandeep S
Published: July 2021

A 45-year-old man presented to the ophthalmology department with visual symptoms in his left eye. Almost two decades ago, he required a renal transplant for focal segmental glomerular sclerosis and a detailed enquiry revealed a strong family history of renal and ocular disease. Fundus examination demonstrated significant optic disc dysplasia in his left eye and optical coherence tomography showed intraretinal fluid bilaterally. The diagnosis of papillorenal syndrome was suspected and genetic testing identified a heterozygous pathogenic variant in thePAX2gene c.76dupG, p.Val26Glyfs*28, confirming the diagnosis. The patient was treated conservatively, and his vision eventually improved and stabilised. His renal disease and transplant were concurrently monitored by nephrologists. In this case, history-taking and ophthalmic examination raised suspicion of this rare systemic condition, which led to genetic testing and molecular confirmation of the diagnosis. We therefore highlight this case to raise awareness of papillorenal syndrome, which has significant systemic implications and also impacts familial screening and genetic counselling.
Persistent hiccups – A rare complication of suprahepatic inferior vena cava stenting
Authors: Sebastian Jithin Jagan , Raju Radhakrishnan , Mathur Kapil , Ayyappan Makkathai Kanakasabai
Published: July 2021

Persistent hiccups has not been reported previously with suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) stenting. Persistent hiccups after palliative oesophageal stenting has been reported. We present a case of a 41-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary Budd-Chiari syndrome who underwent IVC stenting for suprahepatic IVC stenosis. Patient developed transient hiccups post procedure which settled immediately with medications. Patient developed a recurrence of symptoms after a year due to stent migration which led to redo stenting. Post-procedure, the patient developed persistent hiccups which could not be controlled by physiological methods or chlorpromazine and needed baclofen at a dose of 10 mg three times a day. The patient has been symptom-free for the past 2 years. Persistent hiccups may present as a rare complication of suprahepatic IVC stenting due to extrinsic phrenic nerve compression or by direct irritation of the diaphragm. Baclofen has been effective in terminating persistent hiccups in our case.
Retracing the tracks for SIAD: hyponatraemia due to post-traumatic brain injury hypopituitarism
Authors: Awan Nusrat Mehmood , Mat Arimin , Canavan Ronan
Published: July 2021

Hyponatraemia is common in hospital practice, with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD) being the most common underlying aetiology. A relatively less frequent but important cause is adrenal insufficiency (AI). We describe the case of a 63-year-old man who presented with symptomatic hyponatraemia and hypoglycaemia associated with abnormal body movements (ballism). The recent commencement of levothyroxine for newly diagnosed hypothyroidism, followed by fluid restriction for presumed SIAD, led to the worsening of a previously undiagnosed AI. His investigations confirmed central AI in association with thyroid and growth hormone deficiencies. The underlying cause of hypopituitarism, in this case, was a traumatic brain injury He responded well to steroid replacement and fluids. This case highlights that SIAD remains a diagnosis of exclusion, and other causes of hyponatraemia, including AI, should always be considered. Second, levothyroxine treatment without steroid replacement can lead to an adrenal crisis in patients with underlying AI.
Arterial hypertension as an inaugural sign of myomatous uterus
Authors: Ascensão Tânia , Leite Helena Barros , Matias Sidónio , Águas Fernanda
Published: July 2021

Uterine fibroids can be large enough to cause mechanical obstruction of pelvic ureters, which may result in hydroureters and hydronephrosis. Renal impairment frequently results in hypertension due to increased activity of the tubuloglomerular feedback system and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone axis. This process, however, seems reversible because normalisation of blood pressure is possible after the relief of renal obstruction. We report a rare case of a nulliparous woman with a myomatous uterus and an isolated initial complaint of high blood pressure. After proper diagnostic investigation, a uterine mass of 20 cm causing bilateral hydronephrosis was discovered. A successful myomectomy was conducted, which achieved an intact endometrium lining with posterior normalisation of blood pressure.
Para-adrenal schwannoma mimicking a giant adrenal lesion
Authors: Montebello Annalisa , Psaila Alison , Fava Stephen
Published: July 2021

A 57-year-old man was incidentally diagnosed with a 7 cm left-sided retroperitoneal mass. The mass was presumed to be arising from the left adrenal gland on a CT scan of the adrenal glands. Thus, a thorough workup ensued, looking into the possible functionality of the lesion. All investigations resulted in the negative. Subsequently, the patient was referred for surgery to fully characterise the tumour. Histology proved that the lesion was a benign retroperitoneal schwannoma with no relation to the adrenal gland.
Reporting of adverse events, conflict of interest and funding in randomised controlled trials of antibiotics: a secondary analysis
Authors: Bakhit Mina , Jones Mark , Baker Jenalle , Nair Ramil , Yan Kylie , Del Mar Chris , Scott Anna Mae
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Transparent reporting of trials is necessary to assess their internal and external validity. Currently, little is known about the quality of reporting in antibiotics trials. Our study investigates the reporting of adverse events, conflicts of interest and funding information in trials of penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides.

Design

A secondary analysis of trials included in a convenience sample of three systematic reviews.

Methods

All randomised controlled trials included in the systematic reviews were included, although duplicates were removed. Eligible trials compared the specified antibiotics to placebo, for any indication. Author pairs independently extracted the data on reporting of adverse events from parent reviews, and data on funding and conflict of interest information from the trial reports. We calculated the overall proportion of trials reporting adverse events, conflict of interest information and funding information, and their proportion before and after the publication of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2001 Statement.

Results

We included 432 trials. Overall, 62% of trials reported adverse events of any kind, although reporting of deaths or antibiotic resistance was less frequent (20% and 37%, respectively). Conflict-of-interest information was provided in 26% of the trials, and funding information was provided in 66% of the trials. There was no significant difference in reporting of adverse events before and after the publication of CONSORT 2001 Statement (62% vs 62%, p=0.92). Conflict of interest statements were provided more frequently (2% vs 55%, p<0.001) and conflict was present more often (0% vs 14%, p<0.001). There was no difference in the provision of the information about trial funding before (62%) and after (70%) CONSORT 2001 publication.

Conclusions

Information about adverse events, conflict of interest and funding, remains under-reported in trials of antibiotics.
Familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children: a transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Scanferla Elisabetta , Gorwood Philip , Fasse Léonor
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To capture the subjective experience of close family ascendants of acute bacterial meningitis survivors and to explore how they give meaning to this specific experience.

Design

A qualitative study of indepth interviews using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Primary outcome

Main meaning-making processes of participants’ experience.

Settings

Participants were recruited through two associations of people affected by meningitis and their family ascendants.

Participants

Convenience sampling of 11 women whose children or grandchildren were between 0.2 and 20 years old at the time of their meningitis diagnosis (M=4.06, SD=7.3). On average, 9.39 (SD=5.4) years had passed between the onset of illness and the interview.

Results

Six superordinate themes (meningitis disease; healthcare services and professionals; knowledge/ignorance; repercussions of the meningitis experience: ‘life afterwards’; sick child attitudes/behaviour; and sibling attitudes/behaviour) and two main meaning-making processes in relation to participants’ experience of meningitis were identified: (1) the sick child becoming a ‘hero’: comparison with other children; and (2) engaging action/attitude: finding the ‘positive’ of the traumatic experience and engaging action to improve the care system. These two processes underpin the psychological adjustment to meningitis and its consequences.

Conclusions

This study provides a unique insight into close family members’ first-hand experience with acute bacterial meningitis. Findings highlighted factors characterising the disease experience, the psychological adjustment of meningitis survivors’ families and their meaning-making processes. These findings are important for research and clinical practice, demonstrating the multidimensional impact of the disease on family ascendants, their need for professional psychological support and the importance of direct involvement of parents in identifying key aspects of care.
Incidence of depression and depressive symptoms and their predictive factors in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Brasileiro Lízie Emanuelle Eulálio , Paiva Aílla Lorenna de Medeiros , de Medeiros Maria Yasmin Dantas , Jerez-Roig Javier , de Souza Dyego Leandro Bezerra
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Faced with the continuous growth in the number of older people at a global level, some concerns are raised about the way people age. Health conditions such as depressive symptoms and depression have a direct or indirect impact on the quality of life of this population segment. The objective of this study is to verify the incidence of the various presentations of the depressive spectrum in the community-dwelling older population, as well as to analyse the predictive factors.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol follows the recommendation of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Latin-American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences, Scientific Electronic Library Online and Cochrane databases, as well as grey literature. The search strategy involves terms related to ageing and the depressive spectrum found in observational studies. There will be no language restriction and the material included will be the ones whose publications took place until December 2020.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethical approval is not required on this research, since it only aims secondary data. After publishing the results in a scientifically supported journal, our findings may be disseminated to fill in the gaps and guide the production of more effective public policies directed at a more adequate care to the older population at a global level. The search process began in January 2021 and it is expected that all stages of the review will be completed by 30 November 2021.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019121616.
Early clinical and haemodynamic matched comparison of balloon-expandable valves
Authors: Delgado-Arana Jose R , Gordillo-Monge María X , Halim Jonathan , De Marco Federico , Trani Carlo , Martin Pedro , Infusino Fabio , Ancona Marco , den Heijer Peter , Bedogni Francesco , Nombela Franco Luis , Moreno Raul , Sargella Gennaro , Montorfano Matteo , Aristizabal-Duque Cristhian , Romero-Delgado Teresa , Santos Sandra , Barrero Alejandro , Gomez Salvador Itziar , IJsselmuiden Sander , Redondo Diéguez Alfredo , San Román Calvar José Alberto , Amat-Santos Ignacio J
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The balloon-expandable Sapien-3 valve demonstrated superior results in terms of residual aortic regurgitation when compared with self-expandable devices. We aimed to compare for the first-time early outcomes of Sapien-3 transcatheter heart valve (THV) with the balloon-expandable Myval device.

Methods

Consecutive real-world patients from nine European institutions with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis treated either with Sapien-3 or Myval THV devices after June 2018 were compared. Early clinical outcomes were prospectively gathered and blinded analysis of 30-day echocardiography was conducted. Matching for the following variables was performed: age, body surface area, Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, left ventricular function, mean gradient, transfemoral approach, aortic valvular calcium, aortic annulus mean diameter, area and eccentricity index.

Results

A total of 416 patients treated either with the Sapien-3 (n=286, 68.7%) or with Myval THV (n=130, 31.3%) were included and 103 pairs compared after matching. Baseline characteristics were similar. Procedural success rate (Sapien-3: 94.2%; Myval: 93.2%, p=0.219), 30-day mortality (Sapien-3: 2.9%; Myval: 0.97%, p=0.625), clinical efficacy (12.6 vs 4.9%, p=0.057) and early safety (12.6 vs 4.9%, p=0.096) were comparable. There was a lower need for new permanent pacemaker (15.5 vs 5.8% p=0.020) with Myval. No significant differences were found in terms of ≥moderate aortic regurgitation (1% for Sapien-3, 0% for Myval, p=0.314), but mean gradients were higher following Sapien-3 than after Myval (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The new Myval balloon-expandable THV was favourable in terms of safety, with low rate of permanent pacemaker and with favourable residual gradients and paravalvular leak rate according to blinded echocardiographic analysis.
GD2-directed bispecific trifunctional antibody outperforms dinutuximab beta in a murine model for aggressive metastasized neuroblastoma
Authors: Zirngibl Felix , Ivasko Sara M , Grunewald Laura , Klaus Anika , Schwiebert Silke , Ruf Peter , Lindhofer Horst , Astrahantseff Kathy , Andersch Lena , Schulte Johannes H , Lode Holger N , Eggert Angelika , Anders Kathleen , Hundsdoerfer Patrick , Künkele Annette
Published: July 2021

Background

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood. Patients with high-risk disease undergo extremely aggressive therapy and nonetheless have cure rates below 50%. Treatment with the ch14.18 monoclonal antibody (dinutuximab beta), directed against the GD2 disialoganglioside, improved 5-year event-free survival in high-risk patients when administered in postconsolidation therapy and was recently implemented in standard therapy. Relapse still occurred in 57% of these patients, necessitating new therapeutic options. Bispecific trifunctional antibodies (trAbs) are IgG-like molecules directed against T cells and cancer surface antigens, redirecting T cells (via their CD3 specificity) and accessory immune cells (via their functioning Fc-fragment) toward tumor cells. We sought proof-of-concept for GD2/CD3-directed trAb efficacy against neuroblastoma.

Methods

We used two GD2-specific trAbs differing only in their CD3-binding specificity: EKTOMUN (GD2/human CD3) and SUREK (GD2/mouse Cd3). This allowed trAb evaluation in human and murine experimental settings. Tumor-blind trAb and the ch14.18 antibody were used as controls. A coculture model of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neuroblastoma cell lines was established to evaluate trAb antitumor efficacy by assessing expression of T-cell surface markers for activation, proinflammatory cytokine release and cytotoxicity assays. Characteristics of tumor-infiltrating T cells and response of neuroblastoma metastases to SUREK treatment were investigated in a syngeneic immunocompetent neuroblastoma mouse model mimicking minimal residual disease.

Results

We show that EKTOMUN treatment caused effector cell activation and release of proinflammatory cytokines in coculture with neuroblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, EKTOMUN mediated GD2-dependent cytotoxic effects in human neuroblastoma cell lines in coculture with PBMCs, irrespective of the level of target antigen expression. This effect was dependent on the presence of accessory immune cells. Treatment with SUREK reduced the intratumor Cd4/Cd8 ratio and activated tumor infiltrating T cells in vivo. In a minimal residual disease model for neuroblastoma, we demonstrated that single-agent treatment with SUREK strongly reduced or eliminated neuroblastoma metastases in vivo. SUREK as well as EKTOMUN demonstrated superior tumor control compared with the anti-GD2 antibody, ch14.18.

Conclusions

Here we provide proof-of-concept for EKTOMUN preclinical efficacy against neuroblastoma, presenting this bispecific trAb as a promising new agent to fight neuroblastoma.
Non-Fellowship regional anesthesia training and assessment: an international Delphi study on a consensus curriculum
Authors: Chuan Alwin , Jeyaratnam Bahaven , Fathil Shah , Ferraro Leonardo HC , Kessow Aneet , Lim Yean Chin , O’Rourke Michael J , Ponde Vrushali , Raft Julien , Segurado Arthur , Tangwiwat Suwimon , Torborg Alexandra , Turbitt Lloyd , Lansdown Andrew K , Mariano Edward R , McCartney Colin JL , Macfarlane Alan JR , Mok Louis YH , Orebaugh Steven L , Pawa Amit , Suresh Santhanam , Subramanian J Balavenkat , Volk Thomas , Woodworth Glenn , Ramlogan Reva
Published: July 2021

Background and objectives

While there are several published recommendations and guidelines for trainees undertaking subspecialty Fellowships in regional anesthesia, a similar document describing a core regional anesthesia curriculum for non-fellowship trainees is less well defined. We aimed to produce an international consensus for the training and teaching of regional anesthesia that is applicable for the majority of worldwide anesthesiologists.

Methods

This anonymous, electronic Delphi study was conducted over two rounds and distributed to current and immediate past (within 5 years) directors of regional anesthesia training worldwide. The steering committee formulated an initial list of items covering nerve block techniques, learning objectives and skills assessment and volume of practice, relevant to a non-fellowship regional anesthesia curriculum. Participants scored these items in order of importance using a 10-point Likert scale, with free-text feedback. Strong consensus items were defined as highest importance (score ≥8) by ≥70% of all participants.

Results

469 participants/586 invitations (80.0% response) scored in round 1, and 402/469 participants (85.7% response) scored in round 2. Participants represented 66 countries. Strong consensus was reached for 8 core peripheral and neuraxial blocks and 17 items describing learning objectives and skills assessment. Volume of practice for peripheral blocks was uniformly 16–20 blocks per anatomical region, while ≥50 neuraxial blocks were considered minimum.

Conclusions

This international consensus study provides specific information for designing a non-fellowship regional anesthesia curriculum. Implementation of a standardized curriculum has benefits for patient care through improving quality of training and quality of nerve blocks.
Advances in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke from large vessel occlusions
Authors: Guo Xu , Miao Zhongrong
Published: July 2021

Advances in endovascular treatment of acute ischaemic stroke from intracranial large vessel occlusions have continued in the past decade. Here, we performed a detailed review of all the new trials and studies that had the highest evidence, the guidelines for mechanical thrombectomy, the selection of the particular population outside the guidelines and endovascular therapeutic strategies for acute ischemic stroke from occluded intracranial arteries.
The stabilized iminium catalyzed (E)-polyene cyclization: trapping of non-activated terminating groups enabled by cation–π interactions
Authors: Warnica Josephine M. , Gleason James L.
Published: July 2021

A cyclic hydrazide catalyst bearing a pendant anthracene catalyzes the polyene cyclization of 1,5-hexadiene-2-carboxaldehydes. Bicyclic closure proceeds in substrates with non-activated terminating groups that fail to react with simple hydrazide catalysts. Computational analysis shows that stabilization through cation–π interactions throughout the reaction sequence leads to the enhanced reactivity of the catalyst.
Dynamical nonequilibrium molecular dynamics reveals the structural basis for allostery and signal propagation in biomolecular systems
Authors: Oliveira A. Sofia F. , Ciccotti Giovanni , Haider Shozeb , Mulholland Adrian J.
Published: July 2021

A dynamical approach to nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (D-NEMD), proposed in the 1970s by Ciccotti et al., is undergoing a renaissance and is having increasing impact in the study of biological macromolecules. This D-NEMD approach, combining MD simulations in stationary (in particular, equilibrium) and nonequilibrium conditions, allows for the determination of the time-dependent structural response of a system using the Kubo–Onsager relation. Besides providing a detailed picture of the system’s dynamic structural response to an external perturbation, this approach also has the advantage that the statistical significance of the response can be assessed. The D-NEMD approach has been used recently to identify a general mechanism of inter-domain signal propagation in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and allosteric effects in $$\upbeta $$
β
-lactamase enzymes, for example. It complements equilibrium MD and is a very promising approach to identifying and analysing allosteric effects. Here, we review the D-NEMD approach and its application to biomolecular systems, including transporters, receptors, and enzymes.

Graphic abstract
Dialogue on analytical and ab initio methods in attoscience
Authors: Armstrong Gregory S. J. , Khokhlova Margarita A. , Labeye Marie , Maxwell Andrew S. , Pisanty Emilio , Ruberti Marco
Published: July 2021

The perceived dichotomy between analytical and ab initio approaches to theory in attosecond science is often seen as a source of tension and misconceptions. This Topical Review compiles the discussions held during a round-table panel at the ‘Quantum Battles in Attoscience’ cecam virtual workshop, to explore the sources of tension and attempt to dispel them. We survey the main theoretical tools of attoscience—covering both analytical and numerical methods—and we examine common misconceptions, including the relationship between ab initio approaches and the broader numerical methods, as well as the role of numerical methods in ‘analytical’ techniques. We also evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of analytical as well as numerical and ab initio methods, together with their role in scientific discovery, told through the case studies of two representative attosecond processes: non-sequential double ionisation and resonant high-harmonic generation. We present the discussion in the form of a dialogue between two hypothetical theoreticians, a numericist and an analytician, who introduce and challenge the broader opinions expressed in the attoscience community.