bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Health Literacy and Symptom Self-management in Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Campbell Julie K. , Erickson Jeanne M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients with lung cancer experience multiple symptoms requiring self-management. Little is known about how self-management is influenced by interactive health literacy, defined as communicating with healthcare providers to obtain and process information.

Objective

This study explored how interactive health literacy relates to symptom self-management among patients with lung cancer. A second aim explored how interactive health literacy might be integrated into the Individual and Family Self-management Theory.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional mixed-methods design. Quantitative data included demographics, the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment–Short Form. Qualitative data were collected using semistructured interviews. Data analysis followed a critical realist model.

Results

Twelve adults who recently received treatment for lung cancer reported an average of 14 symptoms that caused moderate distress. Average interactive health literacy of the sample was in the moderate range. Participants’ experiences of self-management differed based on their interactive health literacy. A generative mechanism proposes that those with higher interactive health literacy who accessed online information used this information as a basis for engaging with providers regarding potential symptom self-management strategies.

Conclusions

Interactive health literacy skills may play a role in patients’ ability and confidence in symptom self-management through interactions with oncology providers. Further research should clarify the relationship between interactive health literacy, self-efficacy, and collaboration with oncology providers.

Implications for Practice

The patient-provider relationship is a key factor influencing how patients obtain and process symptom self-management information. Oncology providers should implement patient-centered strategies to engage patients in symptom self-management.
Appropriateness of Diagnosis and Management for Otitis Media With Effusion in Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics
Authors: Wyly Donna R. , DeSchepper Ashley , Nedved Amanda , Lee Brian R. , El Feghaly Rana E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Otitis media with effusion (OME)’s clinical presentation is often confused with acute otitis media (AOM) by clinicians. Despite OME guidelines recommending watchful waiting with no antibiotics, rates of antibiotic use remain elevated. The aim of this study was to determine the clinician diagnosis validity and the rates of antibiotics prescribed among pediatric OME patients evaluated in 3 urgent care clinics within a pediatric health care system.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a random sample of encounters for children aged 0 to 18 years with a billing diagnosis of OME in 2019. We recorded clinical symptoms, antibiotic prescribed, and the clinicians' diagnosis. We used the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines to assign an AOM diagnosis and compared those with the clinicians' final diagnoses using Pearson χ2.

Results

Of the 912 eligible charts, clinicians' final diagnoses were as follows: AOM for 271 (29.7%) patients, OME for 638 (70.0%) patients, and no ear pathology for 3 (0.3%) patients. Antibiotics were prescribed for 519 (56.9%) patients; of those, only 242 (46.6%) had a final clinician diagnosis of AOM. Antibiotic prescribing rates were higher when a clinician diagnosed AOM compared with OME (89.3% vs 43.2%; P < 0.001). Per American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, up to 273 (29.9%) patients qualified for an AOM diagnosis, but those were not the same as those diagnosed with AOM by clinicians (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

When evaluating children with a billing diagnosis of OME, a third fit a diagnosis of AOM. Clinicians commonly misdiagnosed AOM, but also prescribed antibiotics to almost half of those they diagnose with OME.
Brief Report: Task-Shifting “Gold Standard” Clinical Assessment and Safety Planning for Suicide Risk Among People Living With HIV: A Feasibility and Fidelity Evaluation in Tanzania
Authors: Knettel Brandon A. , Amiri Ismail , Minja Linda , Martinez Alyssa J. , Knippler Elizabeth T. , Madundo Kim , Staton Catherine , Vissoci Joao Ricardo N. , Mwobobia Judith , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Kaaya Sylvia , Relf Michael V. , Goldston David B.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Suicide is a leading cause of death among people living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide, with suicide deaths occurring twice as frequently among PLWH than among the general public. In Tanzania, resources for mental health care are sorely lacking, with 55 psychiatrists and psychologists providing treatment for 60 million people. In light of this shortage, nonspecialists play a crucial role. The objective of this study was to assess feasibility of implementing task-shifted screening, assessment, and safety planning for suicide risk among PLWH.

Setting:

Two adult HIV clinics in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Methods:

Registered professional nurses in the HIV clinics were trained to administer brief screening of suicidal ideation in the past month. Patients experiencing suicidal ideation were referred to bachelor's-level counselors for further assessment and safety planning, supervised by specialist providers who reviewed audio recordings for quality assurance.

Results:

During 180 days of implementation, nurses screened patients attending 2745 HIV appointments. Sixty-one (2.2%) endorsed suicidal ideation and were linked to further assessment and safety planning. We cross-checked screening with clinic attendance logs on 7 random days and found high fidelity to screening (206 of 228 screened, 90%). Quality assurance ratings demonstrated key assessment pieces were consistently completed (mean = 9.3/10 possible), with “Good” to “Excellent” counseling skills (mean = 23.7/28) and “Good” to “Excellent” quality (mean = 17.1/20), including appropriate referral for higher levels of care.

Conclusions:

Brief screening can be implemented and paired with task-shifted counseling to facilitate high-quality assessment of suicide risk. This model shows excellent potential to extend mental health services for PLWH in low-resource settings.
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Role of Total Pancreatectomy as an Alternative to Pancreatoduodenectomy in Patients at High Risk for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula
Authors: Stoop Thomas F. , Bergquist Erik , Theijse Rutger T. , Hempel Sebastian , van Dieren Susan , Sparrelid Ernesto , Distler Marius , Hackert Thilo , Besselink Marc G. , Del Chiaro Marco , Ghorbani Poya ,   Collaborators
Published: May 2023

Objective:

Examine the potential benefit of total pancreatectomy (TP) as an alternative to pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in patients at high risk for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF).

Summary Background Data:

TP is mentioned as an alternative to PD in patients at high risk for POPF, but a systematic review is lacking.

Methods:

Systematic review and meta-analyses using Pubmed, Embase (Ovid), and Cochrane Library to identify studies published up to October 2022, comparing elective single-stage TP for any indication versus PD in patients at high risk for POPF. The primary endpoint was short-term mortality. Secondary endpoints were major morbidity (i.e., Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIa) on the short-term and quality of life.

Results:

After screening 1212 unique records, five studies with 707 patients (334 TP and 373 high-risk PD) met the eligibility criteria, comprising one randomized controlled trial and four observational studies. The 90-day mortality after TP and PD did not differ (6.3% vs. 6.2%; RR=1.04 [95%CI 0.56-1.93]). Major morbidity rate was lower after TP compared to PD (26.7% vs. 38.3%; RR=0.65 [95%CI 0.48-0.89]), but no significance was seen in matched/randomized studies (29.0% vs. 36.9%; RR = 0.73 [95%CI 0.48-1.10]). Two studies investigated quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) at a median of 30-52 months, demonstrating comparable global health status after TP and PD (77% [±15] vs. 76% [±20]; P=0.857).

Conclusions:

This systematic review and meta-analysis found no reduction in short-term mortality and major morbidity after TP as compared to PD in patients at high risk for POPF. However, if TP is used as a bail-out procedure, the comparable long-term quality of life is reassuring.
Modeling the Effects of IL-1β-mediated Inflammation During Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion Using a Split Human Donor Model
Authors: Pither Thomas , Wang Lu , Bates Lucy , Morrison Morvern , Charlton Catriona , Griffiths Chelsea , Macdonald Jamie , Bigley Venetia , Mavridou Maria , Barsby Joseph , Borthwick Lee , Dark John , Scott William , Ali Simi , Fisher Andrew J.
Published: May 2023

Background.

The association between interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentrations during ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) with donor organ quality and post-lung transplant outcome has been demonstrated in several studies. The mechanism underlying IL-1β-mediated donor lung injury was investigated using a paired single-lung EVLP model.

Methods.

Human lung pairs were dissected into individual lungs and perfused on identical separate EVLP circuits, with one lung from each pair receiving a bolus of IL-1β. Fluorescently labeled human neutrophils isolated from a healthy volunteer were infused into both circuits and quantified in perfusate at regular timepoints. Perfusates and tissues were subsequently analyzed, with perfusates also used in functional assays.

Results.

Neutrophil numbers were significantly lower in perfusate samples collected from the IL-1β-stimulated lungs consistent with increased neutrophil adhesion (P = 0.042). Stimulated lungs gained significantly more weight than controls (P = 0.046), which correlated with soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (R2 = 0.71, P = 0.0043) and von-Willebrand factor (R2 = 0.39, P = 0.040) in perfusate. RNA expression patterns for inflammatory genes were differentially regulated via IL-1β. Blockade of IL-1β significantly reduced neutrophil adhesion in vitro (P = 0.025).

Conclusion.

These data illustrate the proinflammatory functions of IL-1β in the context of EVLP, suggesting this pathway may be susceptible to therapeutic modulation before transplantation.
Camouflaged plants are shorter than non-camouflaged plants in the alpine zone
Authors: Huang Tao , Chen Zhe , Xu Bo , Sun Hang , Niu Yang
Published: May 2023

Camouflage has been reported as a defensive strategy in plants, while our understanding of the evolution of such defensive coloration is still limited. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that camouflaged plants are shorter than non-camouflaged ones in the same habitat. Based on a species list from the subnival zone from the Hengduan Mountains, SW China and the herbarium collection, we measured the plant heights of 2915 individuals from 621 species (either camouflaged or not), with elevation information as a reference. We show that camouflaged plants were significantly shorter than non-camouflaged ones, though the effects of phylogeny and elevation were considered. Interestingly, a negative correlation between plant height and elevation was found in non-camouflaged plants, but not in camouflaged ones. These results revealed the correlation between defensive coloration and plant height. Camouflage may have evolved from shorter ancestors because they may suffer stronger selection and provide a more efficient defence.
Developmental environments do not affect thermal physiological traits in reptiles: an experimental test and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Rose Y. , Wild Kristoffer H. , Pottier Patrice , Carrasco Maider Iglesias , Nakagawa Shinichi , Noble Daniel W. A.
Published: May 2023

On a global scale, organisms face significant challenges due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. In many ectotherms, developmental and physiological processes are sensitive to changes in temperature and resources. Developmental plasticity in thermal physiology may provide adaptive advantages to environmental extremes if early environmental conditions are predictive of late-life environments. Here, we conducted a laboratory experiment to test how developmental temperature and maternal resource investment influence thermal physiological traits (critical thermal maximum: CT
max
and thermal preference:
T
pref
) in a common skink (
Lampropholis delicata
). We then compared our experimental findings more broadly across reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) using meta-analysis. In both our experimental study and meta-analysis, we did not find evidence that developmental environments influence CT
max
or
T
pref
. Furthermore, the effects of developmental environments on thermal physiology did not vary by age, taxon or climate zone (temperate/tropical). Overall, the magnitude of developmental plasticity on thermal physiology appears to be limited across reptile taxa suggesting that behavioural or evolutionary processes may be more important. However, there is a paucity of information across most reptile taxa, and a broader focus on thermal performance curves themselves will be critical in understanding the impacts of changing thermal conditions on reptiles in the future.
Carrying eggs uphill: are costs of reproduction stronger on steeper slopes?
Authors: Gilbert Anthony L. , Shine Richard , Warner Daniel A.
Published: May 2023

Locomotor impairment during pregnancy is a well-documented cost of reproduction, but most empirical studies have not incorporated ecological complexity, such as locomotion on sloping inclines rather than horizontal surfaces. Biomechanical factors suggest that carrying a heavy burden—including shifts in the body's centre of mass—may impair locomotor ability even more when an animal is running uphill. If so, then measuring costs of reproduction on horizontal racetracks may underestimate these costs in nature for arboreal species. To evaluate this prediction, we measured the pregnancy-induced reduction in speed for jacky dragons (
Amphibolurus muricatus
) at inclines ranging from 0 to 45°. Both pregnancy and steeper slopes reduced lizard performance, but pregnancy did not exacerbate the locomotor decrement on steeper racetracks. An ability to maintain mobility on steep slopes during pregnancy may be a target of selection in arboreal taxa. To understand the evolutionary context of locomotion-based costs of reproduction, we also need studies on the relationship between organismal performance and ecologically relevant measures such as predation risk.
Delay eyeblink conditioning performance and brain-wide c-Fos expression in male and female mice
Authors: Oyaga Maria Roa , Serra Ines , Kurup Devika , Koekkoek Sebastiaan K. E. , Badura Aleksandra
Published: May 2023

Delay eyeblink conditioning has been extensively used to study associative learning and the cerebellar circuits underlying this task have been largely identified. However, there is a little knowledge on how factors such as strain, sex and innate behaviour influence performance during this type of learning. In this study, we used male and female mice of C57BL/6J (B6) and B6CBAF1 strains to investigate the effect of sex, strain and locomotion in delay eyeblink conditioning. We performed a short and a long delay eyeblink conditioning paradigm and used a c-Fos immunostaining approach to explore the involvement of different brain areas in this task. We found that both B6 and B6CBAF1 females reach higher learning scores compared to males in the initial stages of learning. This sex-dependent difference was no longer present as the learning progressed. Moreover, we found a strong positive correlation between learning scores and voluntary locomotion irrespective of the training duration. c-Fos immunostainings after the short paradigm showed positive correlations between c-Fos expression and learning scores in the cerebellar cortex and brainstem, as well as previously unreported areas. By contrast, after the long paradigm, c-Fos expression was only significantly elevated in the brainstem. Taken together, we show that differences in voluntary locomotion and activity across brain areas correlate with performance in delay eyeblink conditioning across strains and sexes.
Dispersal ability and niche breadth influence interspecific variation in spider abundance and occupancy
Authors: Suárez Daniel , Arribas Paula , Macías-Hernández Nuria , Emerson Brent C.
Published: May 2023

The relationship between species local abundance and their regional distribution (occupancy) is one of the most extensively recognized and investigated patterns in ecology. While exceptions exist, the generally held model is that locally abundant species also tend to be more widespread geographically. However, there is only a limited understanding of both the mechanisms driving this relationship, and their scale dependency. Here we use occupancy and abundance data for 123 species of spider from across the Canary Islands to understand how both dispersal ability and niche breadth might mediate variation among species for local abundance and occupancy. We test the predictions that (i) dispersal ability explains variation among species for both abundance and occupancy, and (ii) species with a higher degree of habitat specialization, reflecting more limited niche breadth, will have both higher occupancy and abundance. We find no evidence within habitat patches for an effect of dispersal ability on either local abundance or site occupancy, while across all patches species with higher dispersal ability tend to occupy more sites. Species largely restricted to laurel forests have higher abundance than species with broader niche breadth, but similar occupancy. The study revealed that dispersal ability and niche breadth were significant predictors of the abundance–occupancy relationship, highlighting the importance of both factors for understanding patterns of abundance and occupancy among spider species.
Genetics of behavioural evolution in giant mice from Gough Island
Authors: Stratton Jered A. , Nolte Mark J. , Payseur Bret A.
Published: May 2023

The evolution of behaviour on islands is a pervasive phenomenon that contributed to Darwin's theory of natural selection. Island populations frequently show increased boldness and exploration compared with their mainland counterparts. Despite the generality of this pattern, the genetic basis of island-associated behaviours remains a mystery. To address this gap in knowledge, we genetically dissected behaviour in 613 F2s generated by crossing inbred mouse strains from Gough Island (where they live without predators or human commensals) and a mainland conspecific. We used open field and light/dark box tests to measure seven behaviours related to boldness and exploration in juveniles and adults. Across all assays, we identified a total of 41 quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing boldness and exploration. QTL have moderate effects and are often unique to specific behaviours or ages. Function-valued trait mapping revealed changes in estimated effects of QTL during assays, providing a rare dynamic window into the genetics of behaviour often missed by standard approaches. The genomic locations of QTL are distinct from those found in laboratory strains of mice, indicating different genetic paths to the evolution of similar behaviours. We combine our mapping results with extensive phenotypic and genetic information available for laboratory mice to nominate candidate genes for the evolution of behaviour on islands.
Singing humpback whales respond to wind noise, but not to vessel noise
Authors: Girola E. , Dunlop R. A. , Noad M. J.
Published: May 2023

Animal communication systems evolved in the presence of noise generated by natural sources. Many species can increase the source levels of their sounds to maintain effective communication in elevated noise conditions, i.e. they have a Lombard response. Human activities generate additional noise in the environment creating further challenges for these animals. Male humpback whales are known to adjust the source levels of their songs in response to wind noise, which although variable is always present in the ocean. Our study investigated whether this Lombard response increases when singing males are exposed to additional noise generated by motor vessels. Humpback whale singers were recorded off eastern Australia using a fixed hydrophone array. The source levels of the songs produced while the singers were exposed to varying levels of wind noise and vessel noise were measured. Our results show that, even when vessel noise is dominant, singing males still adjust the source levels of their songs to compensate for the underlying wind noise, and do not further increase their source levels to compensate for the additional noise produced by the vessel. Understanding humpback whales' response to noise is important for developing mitigation policies for anthropogenic activities at sea.
Human fertility after a disaster: a systematic literature review
Authors: Lee D. Susie , Batyra Ewa , Castro Andres , Wilde Joshua
Published: May 2023

Fertility is a key demographic parameter influenced by disaster. With the growing risk of disasters, interest in the fertility response to a disaster is increasing among the public, policy makers and researchers alike. As yet, a synthesis of the current evidence on how fertility changes after disaster does not exist. We reviewed 50 studies retrieved from a systematic search based on a pre-registered protocol. We found an overall negative impact of disasters on fertility. If any, increases in fertility were mostly linked with weather-related physical disasters. We also identified 13 distinct mechanisms which researchers have considered as underlying the fertility effects of disaster. By contrast to the common belief that disasters are more likely to increase fertility in contexts with already high fertility, we found little evidence to suggest that the total fertility rate of the studied populations was an important predictor of the direction, timing or size of fertility impacts. While this may be because no relationship exists, it may also be due to biases we observed in the literature towards studying high-income countries or high-cost disasters. We summarize the methodological limitations identified from the reviewed studies into six practical recommendations for future research. Our findings inform both the theories behind the fertility effects of disasters and the methods for studying them.
The more numerous the longer: how the integration between numerosity and time leads to a common neural response
Authors: Fortunato Gianfranco , Togoli Irene , Bueti Domenica
Published: May 2023

If you are stuck in a traffic jam, the more numerous the queuing cars are, the longer you expect to wait. Time and numerosity are stimulus dimensions often associated in the same percept and whose interaction can lead to misjudgements. At brain level it is unclear to which extent time and numerosity recruit same/different neural populations and how their perceptual integration leads to changes in these populations' responses. Here we used high-spatial-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging with neural model-based analyses to investigate how the topographic representations of numerosity and time change when these dimensions are varied together on the same visual stimulus in a congruent (the more numerous the items, the longer the display time) or incongruent manner. Compared to baseline conditions, where only one dimension was changed at a time, the variation of both stimulus dimensions led to changes in neural population responses that became more sensitive either to the two features or to one of them. Magnitude integration led also to degradation of topographies and shifts in response preferences. These changes were more pronounced in the comparison between parietal and frontal maps. Our results while pointing to partially distinct representations of time and numerosity show a common neural response to magnitude integration.
The long-lasting legacy of reproduction: lifetime reproductive success shapes expected genetic contributions of humans after 10 generations
Authors: Young Euan A. , Chesterton Ellie , Lummaa Virpi , Postma Erik , Dugdale Hannah L.
Published: May 2023

An individual's lifetime reproductive success (LRS) measures its realized genetic contributions to the next generation, but how well does it predict this over longer periods? Here we use human genealogical data to estimate expected individual genetic contributions (IGC) and quantify the degree to which LRS, relative to other fitness proxies, predicts IGC over longer periods. This allows an identification of the life-history stages that are most important in shaping variation in IGC. We use historical genealogical data from two non-isolated local populations in Switzerland to estimate the stabilized IGC for 2230 individuals approximately 10 generations after they were born. We find that LRS explains 30% less variation in IGC than the best predictor of IGC, the number of grandoffspring. However, albeit less precise than the number of grandoffspring, we show that LRS does provide an unbiased prediction of IGC. Furthermore, it predicts IGC better than lifespan, and accounting for offspring survival to adulthood does not improve the explanatory power. Overall, our findings demonstrate the value of human genealogical data to evolutionary biology and suggest that reproduction—more than lifespan or offspring survival—impacts the long-term genetic contributions of historic humans, even in a population with appreciable migration.
Rapid evolution during climate change: demographic and genetic constraints on adaptation to severe drought
Authors: Benning John W. , Faulkner Alexai , Moeller David A.
Published: May 2023

Populations often vary in their evolutionary responses to a shared environmental perturbation. A key hurdle in building more predictive models of rapid evolution is understanding this variation—why do some populations and traits evolve while others do not? We combined long-term demographic and environmental data, estimates of quantitative genetic variance components, a resurrection experiment and individual-based evolutionary simulations to gain mechanistic insights into contrasting evolutionary responses to a severe multi-year drought. We examined five traits in two populations of a native California plant,Clarkia xantiana, at three time points over 7 years. Earlier flowering phenology evolved in only one of the two populations, though both populations experienced similar drought severity and demographic declines and were estimated to have considerable additive genetic variance for flowering phenology. Pairing demographic and experimental data with evolutionary simulations suggested that while seed banks in both populations likely constrained evolutionary responses, a stronger seed bank in the non-evolving population resulted in evolutionary stasis. Gene flow through time via germ banks may be an important, underappreciated control on rapid evolution in response to extreme environmental perturbations.
Fast visual adaptation to dim light in a cavity-nesting bird
Authors: Chaib Sandra , Lind Olle , Kelber Almut
Published: May 2023

Many birds move fast into dark nest cavities forcing the visual system to adapt to low light intensities. Their visual system takes between 15 and 60 min for complete dark adaptation, but little is known about the visual performance of birds during the first seconds in low light intensities. In a forced two-choice behavioural experiment we studied how well budgerigars can discriminate stimuli of different luminance directly after entering a darker environment. The birds made their choices within about 1 s and did not wait to adapt their visual system to the low light intensities. When moving from a bright facility into an environment with 0.5 log unit lower illuminance, the budgerigars detected targets with a luminance of 0.825 cd m
−2
on a black background. When moving into an environment with 1.7 or 3.5 log units lower illuminance, they detected targets with luminances between 0.106 and 0.136 cd m
−2
. In tests with two simultaneously displayed targets, the birds discriminated similar luminance differences between the targets (Weber fraction of 0.41–0.54) in all light levels. Our results support the notion that partial adaptation of bird eyes to the lower illumination occurring within 1 s allows them to safely detect and feed their chicks.
Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB subvariants in Singapore
Authors: Pung Rachael , Kong Xin Peng , Cui Lin , Chae Sae-Rom , Chen Mark I-Cheng , Lee Vernon J. , Marc Ho Zheng Jie
Published: May 2023

Several XBB subvariants such as XBB.1.5, XBB.1.9, XBB.1.16 and XBB.2.3 co-circulate in Singapore. Despite the different viral properties of XBB.1.16 as compared to other XBB subvariants, comparison on their severity is limited. In this study, we investigate the outcomes of hospitalisation and severe COVID-19 infection in individuals infected with different XBB subvariants, adjusted for potential confounders such as age and vaccination history. Overall, our preliminary analysis showed no difference in the severity of different XBB variants.
Virulence factors’ contribution to the pathogenicity ofCandidaspecies: a study based on the clinical isolates of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Authors: Pamnani Tamanna , Seervi Rekha , Parasmani  , Jose Blessy , Kalra Aakanksha
Published: May 2023

In present era, both the Health Care Associated and community acquired infections are increasing steadily. The Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE) has observed that more than ∼80% of world’s population is affected by serious fungal infections.Candidaspecies can colonize biotic or abiotic surfaces and transmit via them.Candidagenus consist more than 200 species with few of infection causing species.Candida albicansis one of the species which causes the majority of infections (∼80%) while other species such asC. glabrata, C. dubliniensis, C. parapsilosisandC. kruseihave recently been emerging in these infections. They reside within the body and become pathogenic as the immunity compromised of individual. Virulence factors contribute to spread, transmit and enhance the pathogenicity of the species. The study is focused on analyzing virulence factors of theCandidaisolates obtained from patients of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Isolates were screened for germ tube formation and production of extracellular enzyme. Results of the study show that along with albican species, non-albicans are also emerging as pathogens. Observations state that blood sample type is most infectious. The study concludes with the statistical analysis of population crucial for preparation of prevention methods and cures to deal this life-threatening disease.
Tracking the prevalence and emergence of SARS CoV2 variants of concern using a regional genomic surveillance program
Authors: Jung Ana , Droit Lindsay , Febles Binita , Fronick Catarina , Cook Lisa , Handley Scott A. , Parikh Bijal A , Wang David
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing coupled with whole genome sequencing is instrumental for real-time genomic surveillance. Genomic surveillance is critical for monitoring the spread of variants of concern (VOC) as well as novel variant discovery. Since the beginning of the pandemic millions of SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been deposited into public sequence databases. This is the result of efforts of both national and regional diagnostic laboratories. Here we describe the results of SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance from February 2021 to June 2022 at a metropolitan hospital in the USA. We demonstrate that consistent daily sampling is sufficient to track the regional prevalence and emergence of VOC. Similar sampling efforts should be considered a viable option for local SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance at other regional laboratories.
Klf9 plays a critical role in GR –dependent metabolic adaptations in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Thakkar Chandni , Alikunju Saleena , Rizvi Wajiha , Abbas Ali , Sayed Danish
Published: May 2023

Glucocorticoids (GCs) through activation of the Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) play an essential role in cellular homeostasis during physiological variations and in response to stress. GC-GR signaling has been involved in regulating several cellular processes including metabolism, circadian rhythm and inflammation for diurnal adaptations. Our genomic GR binding (ChIP) and transcriptome (RNAseq) data from Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment in cardiomyocytes show an early (1hr) differential regulation of mostly transcription factors, followed by sequential change in downstream signaling pathways (6-24hr). Here, we examine the role of an early direct target of GR, Krüppel-like factor 9 (Klf9) in cardiomyocyte metabolic homeostasis. Our Klf9-ChIPseq identified 2150 genes with increase in promoter Klf9 binding in response to Dex. Functional annotation of these genes lists metabolic pathway on the top of KEGG pathway, along with genes regulating transcription and survival. Further, our transcriptome analysis of Dex treated cardiomyocytes with or without knockdown of Klf9 reveal differential regulation of 1777 genes, of which a reversal in expression is seen in 1640 (∼92%) genes with knockdown of Klf9 compared to Dex. Conversely, only 137 (∼8%) genes show further dysregulation in expression with siKLf9 as Dex treated cardiomyocytes. Gene ontology of these 1640 genes show metabolic genes on the top, including genes involved in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Expectedly, knockdown of Klf9 in cardiomyocytes inhibits Dex induced increase in glycolysis and spare respiratory capacity, as measured by glycolysis and mito stress tests, respectively. Thus, we conclude that cyclic, diurnal GC mediated GR activation, through Klf9 -dependent feedforward signaling plays a central role in maintaining cellular homeostasis through metabolic adaptations in quiescent and stressed cardiomyocytes.
Detection of a geminate photoproduct of bovine cytochrome c oxidase by time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography
Authors: Ishigami Izumi , Carbajo Sergio , Zatsepin Nadia , Hikita Masahide , Conrad Chelsie E. , Nelson Garrett , Coe Jesse , Basu Shibom , Grant Thomas , Seaberg Matthew H. , Sierra Raymond G. , Hunter Mark S. , Fromme Petra , Fromme Raimund , Rousseau Denis L. , Yeh Syun-Ru
Published: May 2023

Cytochromecoxidase (CcO) is a large membrane-bound hemeprotein that catalyzes the reduction of dioxygen to water. Unlike classical dioxygen binding hemeproteins with a hemebgroup in their active sites, CcO has a unique binuclear center (BNC) comprised of a copper atom (CuB) and a hemea3iron, where O2binds and is reduced to water. CO is a versatile O2surrogate in ligand binding and escape reactions. Previous time-resolved spectroscopic studies of the CO complexes of bovine CcO (bCcO) revealed that photolyzing CO from the hemea3iron leads to a metastable intermediate (CuB-CO), where CO is bound to CuB, before it escapes out of the BNC. Here, with a time-resolved serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography-based pump-probe method, we detected a geminate photoproduct of the bCcO-CO complex, where CO is dissociated from the hemea3iron and moved to a temporary binding site midway between the CuBand the hemea3iron, while the locations of the two metal centers and the conformation of the Helix-X, housing the proximal histidine ligand of the hemea3iron, remain in the CO complex state. This new structure, combined with other reported structures of bCcO, allows the full definition of the ligand dissociation trajectory, as well as the associated protein dynamics.
Dynamics of macrophage polarization supportSalmonellapersistence in a whole living organism
Authors: Leiba Jade , Sipka Tamara , Begon-Pescia Christina , Bernardello Matteo , Tairi Sofiane , Bossi Lionello , Gonzalez Anne-Alicia , Mialhe Xavier , Gualda Emilio J. , Loza-Alvarez Pablo , Blanc-Potard Anne , Lutfalla Georges , Nguyen-Chi Mai
Published: May 2023

Numerous intracellular bacterial pathogens interfere with macrophage function, including macrophage polarization, to establish a niche and persist. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophage polarization during infection within host remain to be investigated. Here, we implement a model of persistentSalmonellaTyphimurium infection in zebrafish, which allows visualization of polarized macrophages and bacteria in real time at high-resolution. While macrophages polarize toward M1-like phenotype to control early infection, during later stages,Salmonellapersists inside non-inflammatory clustered macrophages. Transcriptomic profiling of macrophages confirmed a highly dynamic signature during infection characterized by a switch from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory/pro-regenerative status and revealed a shift in adhesion program. In agreement with this specific adhesion signature, macrophage trajectory tracking identifies motionless macrophages as a permissive niche for persistentSalmonella. Our results demonstrate that zebrafish model provides a unique platform to explore, in a whole organism, the versatile nature of macrophage functional programs during bacterial acute and persistent infections.
Metagenomic analysis of milk microbiota in the bovine subclinical mastitis
Authors: Alessandri Giulia , Sangalli Elena , Facchi Mario , Fontana Federico , Mancabelli Leonardo , Donofrio Gaetano , Ventura Marco
Published: May 2023

Subclinical mastitis is one of the most widespread diseases affecting dairy herds with detrimental effects on animal health as well as on milk productivity and quality. Despite the multi-factorial nature of this intramammary infection, the presence of pathogenic bacteria is regarded one of the main drivers of subclinical mastitis, leading to a disruption of the homeostasis of the bovine milk microbial community. However, the bovine milk microbiota alterations associated with subclinical mastitis still represents a largely unexplored research area. In this context, the species-level milk microbiota of a total of 75 milk samples, collected from both healthy and subclinical mastitis-affected cows from two different stables, was deeply profiled through an ITS, rather than a traditional, and less informative, 16S rRNA gene microbial profiling-based sequencing. Surprisingly, the obtained data of the present pilot study, not only revealed that subclinical mastitis is characterized by a reduced number of species in the bovine milk microbiota, but also that this disease does not induce standard alterations of the milk microbial community across stables. In addition, a flow cytometry-based total bacterial cell enumeration highlighted that subclinical mastitis is accompanied by a significant increment in the number of milk microbial cells. Furthermore, the combination of the metagenomic approach and total bacterial cell enumeration allowed to identify different potential microbial marker strictly correlated with subclinical mastitis across stables.
Focal vs Diffuse: Mechanisms of attention mediated performance enhancement in a hierarchical model of the visual system
Authors: Wang Xiang , Jadi Monika P.
Published: May 2023

Spatial attention is an essential cognitive process for visual perception, especially in complex scenes with poor luminance. Attentional modulation of neural activity has been documented across the visual cortex. However, how these changes in neural response lead to better behavioral performance on challenging tasks remain unknown. In our study, we implemented spatial attention in a deep convolutional neural network model of the ventral visual hierarchy and measured its impact on categorization performance on cluttered images with varying contrast levels. We applied attention to network units in three ways: enhancement in attended region (EAR), suppression in unattended region (SUAR) or both. When focally applied to a single convolutional layer, SUAR is more effective in boosting performance than EAR, especially in the presence of high contrast distractors. SUAR is also effective in recovering degraded performance due to low contrast targets, whereas EAR fails to recover. These results predict a novel mechanism of suppression of neural activity corresponding to the unattended parts of visual space. Intriguingly, EAR in our model achieves the same performance as SUAR when attention is diffusely applied to stacks of successive convolutional layers, irrespective of target contrast. This suggests an alternate mechanism of attention wherein enhancement of attended neural activity alone, when applied to successive cortical encoding stages, is an effective strategy for boosting performance in challenging object recognition tasks. Our results indicate that the two alternative attentional mechanisms are functionally equivalent in tackling challenging object recognition tasks.
Radiotherapy induces persistent innate immune reprogramming of microglia into a primed state
Authors: Voshart Daniëlle C. , Oshima Takuya , Jiang Yuting , van der Linden Gideon P. , Ainslie Anna P. , Nazario Luiza Reali , van Buuren-Broek Fleur , Scholma Ayla C. , Brouwer Nieske , Sewdihal Jeffrey , Brouwer Uilke , Coppes Rob P. , Holtman Inge R. , Eggen Bart J.L. , Kooistra Susanne M. , Barazzuol Lara
Published: May 2023

More than half of all brain tumour survivors experience debilitating and often progressive cognitive decline after treatment with radiotherapy. Microglia, the resident macrophages in the brain, have been implicated in this decline. In response to various insults microglia can develop innate immune memory (IIM), which can either enhance (priming) or repress (tolerance) the response to subsequent inflammatory challenges. Here, we investigated whether radiation affects the IIM of microglia by irradiating the brains of rats and later exposing them to a secondary inflammatory stimulus. Comparative transcriptomic profiling and protein validation of microglia isolated from irradiated rats showed a stronger immune response to a secondary inflammatory insult demonstrating that radiation can lead to long-lasting molecular reprogramming of microglia. Transcriptomic analysis of post-mortem normal-appearing non-tumour brain tissue of glioblastoma patients indicates that radiation-induced microglial priming is conserved in humans. Targeting microglial priming after radiotherapy or avoiding further inflammatory insults could decrease radiotherapy-induced neurotoxicity.
Clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS)-associated reversion of donor-derived, transient αβ T-cell large granular clonal lymphocytosis, emerging post-transplant in a patient with a history of γδ T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: El Hussein Siba , Evans Andrew G. , Fitzsimmons John M. , Leong Nufatt , Buldo Meghan , Segal Jeremy P. , Jajosky Audrey N. , Rothberg Paul G. , Liesveld Jane L. , Oltvai Zoltán N.
Published: May 2023

Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has revolutionized the therapy of hematolymphoid malignancies. Yet, how to best detect or predict the emergence of HSCT-related complications remain unresolved. Here, we describe a case of donor-derived, transient Alpha Beta (αβ) T-cell large granular clonal lymphocytosis and cytopenia that emerged post-HSCT in a patient with a history of gamma delta (γδ) T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL). Clonal unrelatedness of post-transplant T-LGL lymphocytosis to the patient's pretransplant T-LGLL was first identified by T-cell receptor (TCR) PCR showing different sized fragments of rearranged gamma chains, in addition to shift from γδ to αβ TCR expression by flow cytometry analyses. Donor-derivation of the patient's post-transplant clonal lymphocytosis was confirmed by serial chimerism analyses of recipient's blood specimens demonstrating 100% donor DNA. Moreover, oncogenicDNMT3AandRUNX1mutations were detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) only in post-transplant specimens. Intriguingly, despite continued increase inDNMT3AandRUNX1mutation load, the patient's clonal lymphocytosis and anemia eventually largely resolved; yet, the observed mutation profile with persistent thrombocytopenia indicated secondary clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) in the absence of overt morphologic evidence of myeloid neoplasm in the marrow. This case illustrates the utility of longitudinal chimerism analysis and NGS testing combined with flow cytometric immunophenotyping to evaluate emerging donor-derived hematolymphoid processes and to properly interpret partial functional engraftment. It may also support the notion that driver mutation-induced microenvironmental changes may paradoxically contribute to reestablishing tissue homeostasis.
Evolution of organizational agility research: a retrospective view
Authors: Tanushree  , Sahoo Chandan Kumar , Chaubey Akriti
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In recent years, organizational agility (OA) has garnered significant attention from the academic community. Despite a substantial rise in the academic literature on OA, the nuanced understanding of OA among academicians, practitioners and policymakers is limited. To address this research gap, the current study attempts to synthesize the academic literature on organizational literature, understand the evolution of OA literature and state the potential research gaps that may open multiple research avenues.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study critically evaluates academic literature published in peer-reviewed journals using the bibliometric approach to map the intellectual structure of identified 224 articles on published literature on OA between 2001 and 2022.

Findings

The findings outline OA's evolutionary trend, most prolific authors, journals, affiliations and countries. Further, network analysis is deployed to unearth prominent OA themes. After that, four key themes of OA from each cluster have been identified and evaluated.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on the literature drawn from the SCOPUS database. Although the SCOPUS database is one of the largest databases, the authors believe that the SCOPUS does not contain some publications that might have offered some different insights. Secondly, the bibliometric analysis does not offer the opportunity to provide critical insights into published literature, which is one of the main limitations of bibliometric-based studies. However, despite some of these limitations, the authors believe that the study is a useful guide for scholars, practitioners and policymakers who do not have much information related to OA literature.

Originality/value

This article provides a pioneering review of the OA literature using bibliometrics and network analysis. The results and potential directions for further research may assist researchers in increasing the relevance of OA in the current uncertain and ambiguous environment.
Tinkering toward teacher learning: a case for critical playful literacies in teacher education
Authors: McBride Cherise , Smith Anna , Kalir Jeremiah Holden
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to re-center playfulness as a humanizing approach in teacher education. As teachers navigate the current moment of heightened control, surveillance, and systemic inequity, these proposed moves in teacher education can be transgressive. Rather than play as relegated to childhood or infancy, what does it look like to continue to be “playful” in teaching and teacher education?

Design/methodology/approach

To examine how teacher educators may design for teachers’ critical playful literacies, the authors offer three “worked examples” (Gee, 2009) of preservice teachers’ playful practices in an English literacies teacher education course.

Findings

The authors highlight instructional design elements pertinent to co-designing for teachers’ play and playful literacies in teacher education: generative constraints to practice everyday ingenuity, figuring it out to foster teacher agency and debriefs to interrupt the teaching’s perpetual performance.

Originality/value

The term “playful,” as a descriptor of practice and qualifier of activity appears frequently in educational literature across domains. The relationship of play to critical literacies – and, more specifically, educators’ literacies and learning – is less frequently explored.