bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-intensity focused ultrasound ameliorates depression-like behaviors associated with improving the synaptic plasticity in the vCA1-mPFC pathway
Authors: Wang Faqi , Cai Qiuquan , Ju Rongfang , Wang Sutong , Liu Lu , Pan Meiyi , Sun Ning , Wang Xiunan , Wang Ling , Yang Jiajia , Zheng Chenguang , Ming Dong
Published: April 2023

It is of great social significance and clinical value to explore new effective treatments for depression. Low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) has been indicated to have notable neuroprotective effects on depression. However, little is known about how different strategies of LIFUS affect the therapeutic effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether the effects of LIFUS on depression-like behaviors are associated with the intensity and the underlying mechanisms. We established the depression rats model using the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and applied the LIFUS with high/low intensity (Ispta = 500 and 230 mW/cm2, respectively) to the left medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) after CUS. We found that two intensities of LIFUS both could significantly improve depression-like behaviors to a comparable degree. We further found that theta oscillation synchronization and synaptic functional plasticity in the hippocampal vCA1-mPFC pathway were significantly improved by chronic LIFUS which mainly due to the alternation of synaptic structural plasticity and the expression of post-synaptic proteins in the mPFC. These results suggest that LIFUS ameliorates the depression-like behaviors associated with improving the synaptic plasticity in the vCA1-mPFC pathway. Our study provides preclinical evidence and a theoretical basis for applying LIFUS for depression treatment.
Comparison of the predictive power of two models of cortico-cortical connections in primates: the distance rule model and the structural model
Authors: Aparicio-Rodríguez Gonzalo , García-Cabezas Miguel Ángel
Published: April 2023

Synaptic tract-tracing studies in macaques have provided a wealth of data about cortico-cortical connections that have been used to identify regularities and propose models and theories to explain cortical connectivity. The two most relevant of these models are the distance rule model (DRM) and the structural model (SM). They relate the strength and laminar pattern of cortico-cortical connections to two different factors: Euclidean distance (according to the DRM) and cortical type distance (according to the SM). If both predictive factors were correlated, the DRM and the SM would be compatible, but quite often, two cortical areas of similar cortical type are far apart from each other. In the present article, we have performed a conceptual analysis of the DRM and the SM to obtain predictions from each of the two models about strength and laminar pattern of cortico-cortical connections. We then tested the predictive power of each model with analyses of several cortico-cortical connectivity databases to check which of them provide the most accurate predictions. We conclude that the DRM and the SM capture the decrease in connection strength with increasing Euclidean and cortical type distances, respectively; but, for laminar pattern, type distance is a better predictor than Euclidean distance.
Diversity and composition of beetle assemblages attracted to dung in cloud forests under active and passive restoration practices
Authors: Gelviz-Gelvez Sandra Milena , Ramírez-Hernández Alfredo , Barragán Felipe , Flores-Cano Jorge Alberto , Amador-Cázares Stephanie Guadalupe
Published: April 2023

Ecosystem loss and degradation has become a worldwide concern. The implementation of ecological restoration plans has been proposed to facilitate the recovery of ecosystems. It is imperative that once restoration strategies have been implemented, the effects of these actions in the medium and long term be evaluated, particularly the structure and functioning of the ecosystem. Diversity (α- and β-diversity) of beetles attracted to dung was assessed and compared in 3 habitat conditions (conserved forest, passive restoration, and active restoration) at 2 different seasons during the year (dry vs. rainy season) in cloud forest in San Luis Potosí (central Mexico). We found that the dry season was slightly richer than the rainy season, but the latter was significantly more diverse. Species diversity and composition in active restoration were more similar to passive restoration, and both differed greatly from the conserved forest. In contrast, conserved and passive restoration conditions exhibited similar patterns in β-diversity of insects likely because they maintain more species associated with the original vegetation of the cloud forest. Beetle assemblages could be of more habitat generalists, as they actively distribute across the restoration sites. Beetles attracted to dung provide an overview of the effect of restoration in early faunal recovery, even though we monitored this entomofauna for a short period (31 months after the restoration plots were established). These beetles can be a useful indicator for exploring the main forces driving species diversity for the management and conservation status of cloud forests, a threatened ecosystem.
Income distribution in Warsaw in the 1830s
Authors: Wroński Marcin
Published: April 2023

In this paper, I estimate income inequality in Warsaw in the early XIX century, using the 1833 tax census as the data source. I compare the income of Jews and Christians and investigate the spatial dimension of income inequality in the city. In 1833, income inequality in Warsaw was very high by modern standards and medium by contemporary standards. The Gini index stood at 0.59, and the share of the top 1% was 19%. The inequality extraction ratio was 76%. The mean income of Jews was significantly higher than the mean income of Christians. Mean income varied strongly across districts of the city.
Are we looking at crises through polarized lenses? Predicting public assessments of the official early responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in eight countries
Authors: Lobera Josep , Santana Andrés , Gross Catherine
Published: April 2023

Understanding public appraisal of the governments’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic has extensive implications for the political management of crises that require a substantial amount of civil collaboration. Using open data from a comparative online survey in eight countries (Australia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States), we have run mixed multilevel fixed-effects models for the pooled data and linear regression models for each country to investigate which factors are associated with respondents’ evaluations (i.e. assessments of the effectiveness) of their governments’ responses to the pandemic. Results show that political orientations, including left-right ideology and interventionist values, are strongly associated with evaluations. Their associations with government evaluations are remarkably similar in all eight countries, indicating that the pattern of influence persists across different contexts. In some countries, personal experiences with the crisis and socio-demographic characteristics also condition the evaluation of governments’ responses. Our results show that political ideology serves as a shortcut for the assessment of urgent and controversial measures by governments. This has implications for the ability of governments to elicit citizens’ cooperation with the policies confronting the crisis and can impact the effectiveness of government responses to protect people from harm.
Generating Older Adult Multimorbidity Trajectories Using Various Comorbidity Indices and Calculation Methods
Authors: Newman Michael G , Porucznik Christina A , Date Ankita P , Abdelrahman Samir , Schliep Karen C , VanDerslice James A , Smith Ken R , Hanson Heidi A
Published: April 2023

Background and Objectives

Older adult multimorbidity trajectories are helpful for understanding the current and future health patterns of aging populations. The construction of multimorbidity trajectories from comorbidity index scores will help inform public health and clinical interventions targeting those individuals that are on unhealthy trajectories. Investigators have used many different techniques when creating multimorbidity trajectories in prior literature, and no standard way has emerged. This study compares and contrasts multimorbidity trajectories constructed from various methods.

Research Design and Methods

We describe the difference between aging trajectories constructed with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI). We also explore the differences between acute (single-year) and chronic (cumulative) derivations of CCI and ECI scores. Social determinants of health can affect disease burden over time; thus, our models include income, race/ethnicity, and sex differences.

Results

We use group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to estimate multimorbidity trajectories for 86,909 individuals aged 66–75 in 1992 using Medicare claims data collected over the following 21 years. We identify low-chronic disease and high-chronic disease trajectories in all 8 generated trajectory models. Additionally, all 8 models satisfied prior established statistical diagnostic criteria for well-performing GBTM models.

Discussion and Implications

Clinicians may use these trajectories to identify patients on an unhealthy path and prompt a possible intervention that may shift the patient to a healthier trajectory.
Source mechanisms and induced seismicity in the Val d'Agri Basin (Italy)
Authors: Roselli P , Improta L , Kwiatek G , Martínez-Garzón P , Saccorotti G , Lombardi A M
Published: April 2023

We present the results from a fully unconstrained moment tensor inversion of induced seismic events in a complex and high seismic hazard region (Val d'Agri basin, Southern Italy). The study area hosts two well-documented cases of induced microseismicity linked to (i) a wastewater injection well of a giant oilfield (the largest in onshore Europe), and (ii) severe seasonal level changes of an artificial lake. In order to gather information on the non-double-couple components of the source and to better understand the rupture mechanisms, we analyse seismic events recorded during daily injection tests in the disposal well. The computed moment tensors have significant non-double-couple components that correlate with the well-head injection pressure. The injection parameters strongly influence the rupture mechanism that can be interpreted as due to the opening/closing of a fracture network inside a fault zone of a pre-existing thrust fault. For the case of the reservoir-induced seismicity, no direct correlations are observed with the loading/unloading of the reservoir.
Characterizing the molecular impact of KMT2D variants on the epigenetic and transcriptional landscapes in Kabuki syndrome
Authors: Jung Youngsook L , Hung Christina , Choi Jaejoon , Lee Eunjung A , Bodamer Olaf
Published: April 2023

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare, multisystem disorder with a variable clinical phenotype. The majority of KS is caused by dominant loss-of-function mutations in KMT2D (lysine methyltransferase 2D). KMT2D mediates chromatin accessibility by adding methyl groups to lysine residue 4 of histone 3, which plays a critical role in cell differentiation and homeostasis. The molecular underpinnings of KS remain elusive partly because of a lack of histone modification data from human samples. Consequently, we profiled and characterized alterations in histone modification and gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 33 patients with KMT2D mutations and 36 unaffected healthy controls. Our analysis identified unique enhancer signatures in H3K4me1 and H3K4me2 in KS compared with controls. Reduced enhancer signals were present for promoter-distal sites of immune-related genes for which co-binding of PBMC-specific transcription factors was predicted; 31% of super-enhancers of normal blood cells overlapped with disrupted enhancers in KS, supporting an association of reduced enhancer activity of immune-related genes with immune deficiency phenotypes. In contrast, increased enhancer signals were observed for promoter-proximal regions of metabolic genes enriched with EGR1 and E2F2 motifs, whose transcriptional levels were significantly increased in KS. Additionally, we identified ~100 de novo enhancers in genes, such as in MYO1F and AGAP2. Together, our results underscore the effect of KMT2D haploinsufficiency on dysregulation of enhancer states and gene transcription and provide a framework for the identification of therapeutic targets and biomarkers in preparation for clinical trial readiness.
Prevalence of Extraintestinal Manifestations in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Kilic Yakup , Kamal Shahed , Jaffar Farah , Sriranganathan Danujan , Quraishi Mohammed Nabil , Segal Jonathan P
Published: April 2023

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multisystem disease impacting various body systems including musculoskeletal, ocular, skin, hepatobiliary, pulmonary, cardiac, and haematological systems. The extraintestinal manifestations of IBD are frequent, common in both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), and impact the morbidity and mortality of patients.

Methods

The Embase, Embase classic, and PubMed databases were searched between January 1979 and December 2021. A random effects model was performed to find the pooled prevalence of joint, ocular, and skin extraintestinal manifestations of UC and CD.

Results

Fifty-two studies were included that reported on 352 454 patients. The prevalence of at least 1 joint, ocular, or skin extraintestinal manifestation in all IBD, UC, and CD was 24%, 27%, and 35% respectively. The prevalence between UC and CD were similar for pyoderma gangrenosum and axial joint manifestations. Ocular manifestations were found to be more common in CD than in UC. Peripheral joint manifestations and erythema nodosum were found to be more common in CD than UC.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that reports on the prevalence of at least 1 joint, ocular, or skin extraintestinal manifestation in IBD. Our results are largely consistent with figures and statements quoted in the literature. However, our findings are based on significantly larger cohort sizes. Thus, our results have the potential to better power studies and more accurately counsel patients.
Dual Biologic or Small Molecule Therapy in Refractory Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (DOUBLE-PIBD): A Multicenter Study from the Pediatric IBD Porto Group of ESPGHAN
Authors: Yerushalmy-Feler Anat , Olbjorn Christine , Kolho Kaija-Leena , Aloi Marina , Musto Francesca , Martin-de-Carpi Javier , Lozano-Ruf Ana , Yogev Dotan , Matar Manar , Scarallo Luca , Bramuzzo Matteo , de Ridder Lissy , Kang Ben , Norden Christoph , Wilson David C , Tzivinikos Christos , Turner Dan , Cohen Shlomi
Published: April 2023

Background

Current data on dual biologic therapy in children are limited. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dual therapy in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

A retrospective study from 14 centers affiliated with the Pediatric IBD Interest and Porto Groups of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Included were children with IBD who underwent combinations of biologic agents or biologic and small molecule therapy for at least 3 months. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and imaging data were collected. Adverse events were recorded.

Results

Sixty-two children (35 Crohn’s disease, 27 ulcerative colitis; median age 15.5 [interquartile range, 13.1-16.8] years) were included. They had all failed previous biologic therapies, and 47 (76%) failed at least 2 biologic agents. The dual therapy included an anti-tumor necrosis factor agent and vedolizumab in 30 children (48%), anti-tumor necrosis factor and ustekinumab in 21 (34%) children, vedolizumab and ustekinumab in 8 (13%) children, and tofacitinib with a biologic in 3 (5%) children. Clinical remission was observed in 21 (35%), 30 (50%), and 38 (63%) children at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Normalization of C-reactive protein and decrease in fecal calprotectin to <250 µg/g were achieved in 75% and 64%, respectively, at 12 months of follow-up. Twenty-nine (47%) children sustained adverse events, 8 of which were regarded as serious and led to discontinuation of therapy in 6.

Conclusions

Dual biologic therapy may be effective in children with refractory IBD. The potential efficacy should be weighed against the risk of serious adverse events.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling to characterize the effect of chronic kidney disease on tenofovir exposure after tenofovir alafenamide administration
Authors: Thoueille Paul , Alves Saldanha Susana , Desfontaine Vincent , Kusejko Katharina , Courlet Perrine , Andre Pascal , Cavassini Matthias , Decosterd Laurent A , Buclin Thierry , Guidi Monia ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Published: April 2023

Background

Tenofovir alafenamide is gradually replacing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, both prodrugs of tenofovir, in HIV prevention and treatment. There is thus an interest in describing tenofovir pharmacokinetics (PK) and its variability in people living with HIV (PLWH) under tenofovir alafenamide in a real-life setting.

Objectives

To characterize the usual range of tenofovir exposure in PLWH receiving tenofovir alafenamide, while assessing the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

We conducted a population PK analysis (NONMEM®) on 877 tenofovir and 100 tenofovir alafenamide concentrations measured in 569 PLWH. Model-based simulations allowed prediction of tenofovir trough concentrations (Cmin) in patients having various levels of renal function.

Results

Tenofovir PK was best described using a one-compartment model with linear absorption and elimination. Creatinine clearance (CLCR, estimated according to Cockcroft and Gault), age, ethnicity and potent P-glycoprotein inhibitors were statistically significantly associated with tenofovir clearance. However, only CLCR appeared clinically relevant. Model-based simulations revealed 294% and 515% increases of median tenofovir Cmin in patients with CLCR of 15–29 mL/min (CKD stage 3), and less than 15 mL/min (stage 4), respectively, compared with normal renal function (CLCR = 90–149 mL/min). Conversely, patients with augmented renal function (CLCR > 149 mL/min) had a 36% decrease of median tenofovir Cmin.

Conclusions

Kidney function markedly affects circulating tenofovir exposure after tenofovir alafenamide administration in PLWH. However, considering its rapid uptake into target cells, we suggest only a cautious increase of tenofovir alafenamide dosage intervals to 2 or 3 days only in case of moderate or severe CKD, respectively.
Long-term treatment outcome and mutational analysis of patients on third-line antiretroviral therapy in programmatic conditions
Authors: Chakravarty Jaya , Srivastva Shweta , Kushwaha Anurag Kumar , Pal Arijit
Published: April 2023

Background

In low- and middle-income countries where most patients receive standardized third-line ART through national programmes, real-world data are scarce. This study was done to assess the long-term survival, and virological and mutational outcomes of people living with HIV receiving third-line ART between July 2016 and December 2019 in an ART centre in India.

Methods

Eighty-five patients were started on third-line ART. Genotypic resistance testing to identify drug resistance mutations in the integrase, reverse transcriptase and protease genes was done at the start of third-line therapy, as well as in those who did not attain virological suppression after 12 months of therapy.

Results

Survival was 85% (72/85) at 12 months and 72% (61/85) at the end of follow-up in March 2022. Virological suppression was present in 82% (59/72) and 88% (59/67) at 12 months and at the end of follow-up, respectively. Five out of 13 patients who had virological failure at 12 months showed virological suppression at the end of the study. At the start of third-line therapy, 35% (14/40) and 45% (17/38) of patients had major integrase- and protease-associated mutations, respectively, even though they had never been on integrase inhibitor-based regimens. At 1 year follow-up, among those failing third-line therapy, 33% (4/12) of patients had major integrase mutations, but none had major protease mutations.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates good long-term outcome in patients on standardized third-line ART in programmatic conditions with very few mutations in those failing the therapy.
Longitudinal Predictors of Pain in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Karlson Cynthia W , Barajas Kimberly G , Seals Samantha R , Britt Anna B , Schlenz Alyssa M , Jackson Erin A , Davis Dereck B , Morris Matthew C , Valrie Cecelia R
Published: April 2023

Objective

Despite the identified pathophysiology of vaso-occlusive pain in sickle cell disease (SCD), predictors of pain in youth with SCD remain elusive. In this study, we measured changes in pain frequency, intensity, and interference over 1 year and examined biopsychosocial risk factors (SCD disease severity, age, female, depression, and sleep quality) as possible longitudinal predictors.

Methods

Medical history was obtained from retrospective chart review for 79 children with SCD (ages 2–18 years; 48.1% female; 100% Black/African American; 83.5% SCD, SS genotype). As part of a clinical screening protocol, caregivers (n = 79) and youth 8–18 years (n = 43) completed psychosocial questionnaires approximately 1 year apart (M = 15.52 months, SD = 5.69). Zero-order correlations, paired t-tests, and hierarchical linear models examined longitudinal predictors of pain. The longitudinal bidirectional relationship between pain and sleep was also examined.

Results

The rate of severe SCD disease increased from 41.8% to 55.7% across the year, while most hematologic medical parameters remained stable. Increased depression and pain interference at survey 1 significantly predicted increased pain interference at survey 2. Poor sleep quality and increased pain frequency at survey 1 predicted increased pain frequency at survey 2. Finally, increased pain interference at survey 1 predicted poor sleep quality at survey 2.

Discussion

History of pain, depression, and sleep quality were longitudinal predictors of pain over 1 year in youth with SCD. Identifying longitudinal predictors of pain may lead to earlier identification of patients with a high-risk SCD pain phenotype and earlier medical, psychological, and behavioral interventions.
Reproduction number of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, China, December 2022–January 2023
Authors: Bai Yuan , Shao Zengyang , Zhang Xiao , Chen Ruohan , Wang Lin , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Chen Tianmu , Lau Eric H Y , Jin Dong-Yan , Du Zhanwei
Published: April 2023

China adjusted the zero-COVID strategy in late 2022, triggering an unprecedented Omicron wave. We estimated the time-varying reproduction numbers of 32 provincial-level administrative divisions from December 2022 to January 2023. We found that the pooled estimate of initial reproduction numbers is 4.74 (95% confidence interval: 4.41, 5.07).
Learning ‘The Customs of their Fathers’: Irish Villages in Chicago’s Columbian Exposition, 1893
Authors: Akhtar Shahmima
Published: April 2023

This article examines how a transnational vision of Ireland was created in the United States by two philanthropic women in Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Lady Aberdeen and Alice Hart each used accessible images of Ireland and the bodies of white exhibited women to authenticate their narrative of dying rural industries that needed to be revived. Their specific visions of Irish development and survival were located against the backdrop of significant Irish migration to the United States and capitalized on feelings of nostalgia popular among the newly settled Irish-American population. By trading on discourse of an Irish whiteness, a Scotswoman and Englishwoman foregrounded Ireland’s place in the imagined hierarchy of civilizations popular in the nineteenth century. They materially, physically and performatively manufactured Ireland as being at the apex of civilization narratives – positioned as the Irish Villages were at the start of the Midway Plaisance. If the Irish only laboured enough, produced enough, and consumed enough, their symbolic place in the fairground would ascend to the main arena of industry, technology, and capitalism – ensuring the survival of Ireland’s people and land. Through interrogating the multiple ways in which women’s bodies, rural industries, and commerce interacted in the space of the Fair, the article contributes to studies of Irish identities in Ireland, England, and the United States at the interface of race, gender, and class.
Nodular Syphilis Seen in an HIV-Positive Man: A Case Study
Authors: Burchak Andrew , Rivera Robert , Douglas Mark
Published: April 2023

Syphilis is becoming an increasingly concerning sexually transmitted infection in the primary care setting with a precipitous rise in cases in the USA over the past decade according to the CDC surveillance data. This rise in cases is particularly relevant in military medicine as the greatest increase in cases is among adults in their 20s. Nodular syphilis is a rare presentation of the secondary stage of syphilis, and contrary to the well-known maculopapular rash seen with syphilis infection, little is known about effective treatment of nodular manifestations of the disease. We present a case of a 54-year-old HIV-positive man with nodular secondary syphilis effectively treated with an empiric 2-week course of oral doxycycline. Initial differential diagnosis included erythema nodosum, arthropod vector disease, skin infection, and erythema elevatum diutinum. Biopsy demonstrated granulomatous dermatitis, and serology revealed positive Treponema pallidum antibodies with a rapid plasma reagin of 1:256, confirming the diagnosis of secondary syphilis with granulomatous dermatitis. This case indicates that clinicians should consider this unusual cutaneous presentation of secondary syphilis when evaluating patients with nodular skin lesions, especially in high-risk individuals.
Radio galaxy zoo EMU: towards a semantic radio galaxy morphology taxonomy
Authors: Bowles Micah , Tang Hongming , Vardoulaki Eleni , Alexander Emma L , Luo Yan , Rudnick Lawrence , Walmsley Mike , Porter Fiona , Scaife Anna M M , Slijepcevic Inigo Val , Adams Elizabeth A K , Drabent Alexander , Dugdale Thomas , Gürkan Gülay , Hopkins Andrew M , Jimenez-Andrade Eric F , Leahy Denis A , Norris Ray P , Rahman Syed Faisal ur , Ouyang Xichang , Segal Gary , Shabala Stanislav S , Wong O Ivy
Published: April 2023

We present a novel natural language processing (NLP) approach to deriving plain English descriptors for science cases otherwise restricted by obfuscating technical terminology. We address the limitations of common radio galaxy morphology classifications by applying this approach. We experimentally derive a set of semantic tags for the Radio Galaxy Zoo EMU (Evolutionary Map of the Universe) project and the wider astronomical community. We collect 8486 plain English annotations of radio galaxy morphology, from which we derive a taxonomy of tags. The tags are plain English. The result is an extensible framework, which is more flexible, more easily communicated, and more sensitive to rare feature combinations, which are indescribable using the current framework of radio astronomy classifications.
A semi-analytical model for coorbital motion
Authors: Tan Pan , Hou Xi-yun , Liao Xin-hao
Published: April 2023

A globally valid analytically averaged Hamiltonian model for the coorbital motion is hard to construct because the analytical expansions of the disturbing function usually diverge in the quasi-satellite domain that is close to collision singularity. In this paper, an analytically averaged model for the coorbital motion is proposed in case of the circular restricted three-body problem, which can describe properly the transitions that occur at small eccentricities and inclinations, such as the transition between the horseshoe orbit and the quasi-satellite orbit. With the help of the numerical averaging method, numerical experiments are carried out to show the validity and accuracy of the analytically averaged model. The averaged model proposed here can be easily extended to more complicated cases such as the elliptic three-body problem or the planetary three-body problem.
Concurrent Choice Assessment of Preference and Substitutability of E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products for Combustible Cigarettes Among African American and White Smokers
Authors: Funk Olivia L , Nollen Nicole L , Wagener Theodore L , Ahluwalia Jasjit S , Mayo Matthew S , Mahmud Kazi Md Farhad , Lambart Leah , Leavens Eleanor L S
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Alternative nicotine delivery products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), contain fewer toxicants than combustible cigarettes and offer a potential for harm reduction. Research on the substitutability of e-cigarettes and HTPs is crucial for understanding their impact on public health. This study examined subjective and behavioral preferences for an e-cigarette and HTP relative to participants’ usual brand combustible cigarette (UBC) in African American and White smokers naïve to alternative products.

Aims and Methods

Twenty-two adult African American (n = 12) and White (n = 10) smokers completed randomized study sessions with their UBC and study provided e-cigarette and HTP. A concurrent choice task allowed participants to earn puffs of the products but placed UBC on a progressive ratio schedule, making puffs harder to earn, and e-cigarette and HTP on a fixed ratio schedule to assess behavioral preference for the products. Behavioral preference was then compared to self-reported subjective preference.

Results

Most participants had a subjective preference for UBC (n = 11, 52.4%), followed by an equal preference for e-cigarette (n = 5, 23.8%) and HTP (n = 5, 23.8%). During the concurrent choice task, participants showed a behavioral preference (i.e., more earned puffs) for the e-cigarette (n = 9, 42.9%), followed by HTP (n = 8, 38.1%), and UBC (n = 4, 19.1%). Participants earned significantly more puffs of the alternative products compared to UBC (p = .011) with no difference in earned puffs between e-cigarettes and HTP (p = .806).

Conclusions

In a simulated lab setting, African American and White smokers were willing to substitute UBC for an e-cigarette or HTP when the attainment of UBC became more difficult.

Trial Registration

NCT04646668.

Implications

Findings suggest that African American and White smokers are willing to substitute their UBC for an alternative nicotine delivery product (e-cigarette or HTP) when the attainment of cigarettes became more difficult in a simulated lab setting. Findings require confirmation among a larger sample under real-world conditions but add to growing evidence suggesting the acceptability of alternative nicotine delivery products among racially diverse smokers. These data are important as policies that limit the availability or appeal of combustible cigarettes are considered or enacted.
Effectiveness of Peer-Support Interventions for Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Yuan Patrick , Westmaas J Lee , Thrul Johannes , Toussaert Séverine , Hilton Joan F , White Justin S
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Peer support has been recommended to promote smoking cessation, but results from prior meta-analyses have not established its efficacy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess current evidence and identify potential modifiers of efficacy.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials of peer-support interventions with a smoking cessation outcome were identified in January 2022 from PubMed and references listed in identified studies. The meta-analysis outcome measure was mean risk ratio (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) for abstinence at the longest follow-up timepoint between 3 and 9 months from baseline. Potential modifiers tested were peer smoking status (former, current, or unknown), follow-up timepoint, abstinence measure, and cumulative engagement time between peers and smokers (“dose”). Studies were assessed for risk of bias and certainty of evidence.

Results

We identified 16 trials, which varied in abstinence effect size (RR 0.61–3.07), sample size (23–2121), dose (41–207 minutes), and follow-up timepoint (<1–15 months). Across 15 trials with follow-up between 3 and 9 months (N = 8573 participants; 4565 intervention, 4008 control), the pooled Mantel-Haenszel RR was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.11–1.62). Effect sizes were greatest among interventions with formerly smoking peers (RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.17–1.74; five trials). We found positive effects for follow-up timepoints ≥3 months but no effect of intervention dose. The overall quality of evidence was deemed “very low.”

Conclusions

Peer-support interventions increased smoking abstinence. There remains a lack of consensus about how to define a peer. Intervention features such as peer smoking status appear to have explanatory power. Additional high-quality and more comparable trials are needed.

Implications

This study reviewed the latest evidence from randomized controlled trials and found that peer-support interventions enhance smoking cessation. Efficacy varies with key intervention features such as peer smoking status and follow-up timepoint, which may be used to facilitate development of more effective peer-support interventions. Future trials and reviews would benefit from careful consideration and clear reporting of peer smoking status, length of follow-up, abstinence measures, and intervention dose.
The Arabidopsis Target of Rapamycin kinase regulates ammonium assimilation and glutamine metabolism
Authors: Ingargiola Camille , Jéhanno Isabelle , Forzani Céline , Marmagne Anne , Broutin Justine , Clément Gilles , Leprince Anne-Sophie , Meyer Christian
Published: April 2023

In eukaryotes, a target of rapamycin (TOR) is a well-conserved kinase that controls cell metabolism and growth in response to nutrients and environmental factors. Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for plants, and TOR functions as a crucial N and amino acid sensor in animals and yeast. However, knowledge of the connections between TOR and the overall N metabolism and assimilation in plants is still limited. In this study, we investigated the regulation of TOR in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) by the N source as well as the impact of TOR deficiency on N metabolism. Inhibition of TOR globally decreased ammonium uptake while triggering a massive accumulation of amino acids, such as Gln, but also of polyamines. Consistently, TOR complex mutants were hypersensitive to Gln. We also showed that the glutamine synthetase inhibitor glufosinate abolishes Gln accumulation resulting from TOR inhibition and improves the growth of TOR complex mutants. These results suggest that a high level of Gln contributes to the reduction in plant growth resulting from TOR inhibition. Glutamine synthetase activity was reduced by TOR inhibition while the enzyme amount increased. In conclusion, our findings show that the TOR pathway is intimately connected to N metabolism and that a decrease in TOR activity results in glutamine synthetase-dependent Gln and amino acid accumulation.
A non-cell-autonomous circadian rhythm of bioluminescence reporter activities in individual duckweed cells
Authors: Watanabe Emiri , Muranaka Tomoaki , Nakamura Shunji , Isoda Minako , Horikawa Yu , Aiso Tsuyoshi , Ito Shogo , Oyama Tokitaka
Published: April 2023

The circadian clock is responsible for the temporal regulation of various physiological processes in plants. Individual cells contain a circadian oscillator consisting of a clock gene circuit that coordinates physiological rhythms within the plant body in an orderly manner. The coordination of time information has been studied from the perspective of cell–cell local coupling and long-distance communication between tissues based on the view that the behavior of circadian oscillators represents physiological rhythms. Here, we report the cellular circadian rhythm of bioluminescence reporters that are not governed by the clock gene circuit in expressing cells. We detected cellular bioluminescence rhythms with different free-running periods in the same cells using a dual-color bioluminescence monitoring system in duckweed (Lemna minor) transfected with Arabidopsis CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1::luciferace+ (AtCCA1::LUC+) and Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S::modified click-beetle red-color luciferase (CaMV35S::PtRLUC) reporters. Co-transfection experiments with the two reporters and a clock gene-overexpressing effector revealed that the AtCCA1::LUC+ rhythm, but not the CaMV35S::PtRLUC rhythm, was altered in cells with a dysfunctional clock gene circuit. This indicated that the AtCCA1::LUC+ rhythm is a direct output of the cellular circadian oscillator, whereas the CaMV35S::PtRLUC rhythm is not. After plasmolysis, the CaMV35S::PtRLUC rhythm disappeared, whereas the AtCCA1::LUC+ rhythm persisted. This suggests that the CaMV35S::PtRLUC bioluminescence has a symplast/apoplast-mediated circadian rhythm generated at the organismal level. The CaMV35S::PtRLUC-type bioluminescence rhythm was also observed when other bioluminescence reporters were expressed. These results reveal that the plant circadian system consists of both cell-autonomous and noncell-autonomous rhythms that are unaffected by cellular oscillators.
Intestinal uric acid excretion contributes to serum uric acid decrease during acute gout attack
Authors: Zhao Tianyi , Cao Ling , Lin Cong , Xu Rui , Du Xingchen , Zhou Mengmeng , Yang Xue , Wan Weiguo , Zou Hejian , Zhu Xiaoxia
Published: April 2023

Objective

Spontaneous serum uric acid (SUA) decrease has been found in many patients during acute gout attacks, but its mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

The spontaneous regulation of SUA during a gout attack and its possible causes were evaluated in patients with gout. The mechanism of the spontaneous SUA decrease was further studied in Caco2 cells and a monosodium urate (MSU)-induced gout model of wild-type mice and ABCG2−/− mice. The urate transport function of intestinal epithelial cells was detected by transwell culture of Caco2 cells. Expression of ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2), IL-1β and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was analysed using real-time PCR, western blotting, or immunofluorescence assays.

Results

SUA decreased during acute gout attacks in both the gout patients and MSU-induced gouty mice. Increased serum CRP and IL-1β levels were correlated with the SUA decrease. Intestinal uric acid excretion and expression of ABCG2 were upregulated in the mice during acute gout attacks. In the ABCG2−/− mice, intestinal uric acid excretion significantly decreased during gout attacks. In an in vitro study of a transwell culture, ABCG2 and its upstream PI3K/Akt pathway were significantly upregulated in intestinal epithelial cells. However, ABCG2 expression and its associated intestinal uric acid transport were inhibited when PI3K/Akt was blocked by a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002.

Conclusions

Increased intestinal urate excretion resulted in spontaneous SUA downregulation during acute gout attacks. Inflammation-induced PI3K/Akt activation and ABCG2 expression in epithelial cells might contribute to the upregulation of intestinal uric acid excretion.
Evaluation of research proposals by peer review panels: broader panels for broader assessments?
Authors: Abma-Schouten Rebecca , Gijbels Joey , Reijmerink Wendy , Meijer Ingeborg
Published: April 2023

Panel peer review is widely used to decide which research proposals receive funding. Through this exploratory observational study at two large biomedical and health research funders in the Netherlands, we gain insight into how scientific quality and societal relevance are discussed in panel meetings. We explore, in ten review panel meetings of biomedical and health funding programmes, how panel composition and formal assessment criteria affect the arguments used. We observe that more scientific arguments are used than arguments related to societal relevance and expected impact. Also, more diverse panels result in a wider range of arguments, largely for the benefit of arguments related to societal relevance and impact. We discuss how funders can contribute to the quality of peer review by creating a shared conceptual framework that better defines research quality and societal relevance. We also contribute to a further understanding of the role of diverse peer review panels.
A Day in the Life
Authors: Scism Ashley
Published: April 2023

Implementing experiential learning strategies in a concept-based curriculum offers a transformative opportunity for students to gain a patient’s perspective when living with a chronic condition. This article discusses an experiential learning activity that engages learners in an immersive way as they learn the concepts of adherence and self-management in a chronic disease-focused nursing course.
Application of the Ohio Nurse Competency Model in a BSN Leadership/Management Course
Authors: Keib Carrie , Barnett Carolyn , Huang Chu-Yu
Published: April 2023

Strategically preparing students to meet practice expectations is a priority for nursing educators. The Ohio Nurse Competency Model (ONCM) was applied as the organizing framework for a senior baccalaureate leadership/management course. The purpose of this pretest/posttest descriptive study was to evaluate changes in students’ confidence in understanding, applying, and valuing the ONCM. Paired t-tests found statistically significant increases in confidence levels for all ONCM competencies among 56 students with greatest increases in systems-based practice and informatics and technology. Nurse educators are encouraged to intentionally structure and organize course content and curricula according to state and national competency models/guidelines.
Translating Scientific Discovery Into Health Policy Impact: Innovative Bibliometrics Bridge Translational Research Publications to Policy Literature
Authors: Llewellyn Nicole M. , Weber Amber A. , Pelfrey Clara M. , DiazGranados Deborah , Nehl Eric J.
Published: April 2023

To understand how translational science efforts lead to outcomes, it is common to examine publications as a key step in the translational process. The National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program aims to accelerate that process by providing support to investigators. Although it is challenging to measure the impact of such support on translational outcomes, CTSA-supported research that arises in research publications can advance translation through use of these publications in public policy and guideline documents from government health agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and other outlets. Using cutting-edge bibliometric tools, the authors evaluated how CTSA-supported research has extended its impact beyond academic silos to influence public policy literature. The authors identified approximately 118,490 publications that acknowledged receiving support from a CTSA hub, from the inception of the program in 2006 through 2021. Articles were queried in the Overton policy database, which indexes references to publications in global policy literature. The search revealed 13% of CTSA-supported articles were referenced in policy documents, significantly more than the expected proportion (10%) calculated by Overton. References came from 576 policy source outlets across 87 countries, predominantly the United States and Europe. The most frequent sources included guidelines in PubMed Central, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The authors illustrate the bridge from translational research to public policy with case studies of 6 articles based on CTSA-supported research and having notable policy impact. They found articles with greater clinical relevance, altmetric attention (i.e., nonacademic community/public attention), and academic citation influence were more likely to be referenced in policy literature. Study findings help to characterize the kinds of research that have influenced and may be expected to influence health policy in the future.
What can we learn about selective attention processes in individuals with chronic pain using reaction time tasks? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abudoush Ahmad N. , Noureen Amna , Panagioti Maria , Poliakoff Ellen , Van Ryckeghem Dimitri M.L. , Hodkinson Alexander , Husain Nusrat
Published: April 2023

Information-processing biases such as attentional, interpretation, and memory biases are believed to play a role in exacerbating and maintaining chronic pain (CP). Evidence suggests that individuals with CP show attentional bias toward pain-related information. However, the selective attentional processes that underpin this bias are not always well outlined in the literature. To improve current understanding, a systematic review was performed using a descriptive synthesis of reaction time-based studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was added to explore whether the results of previous meta-analyses would be confirmed using studies with a larger sample size. For this review, 2008 studies were screened from 4 databases, of which 34 (participant n = 3154) were included in the review and a subset of 15 (participant n = 1339) were included in the meta-analysis. Review results were summarised by producing a descriptive synthesis for all studies. Meta-analysis results indicated a mild significant attentional bias toward sensory pain-related information (k = 15, g = 0.28, 95% CI [0.16, 0.39], I2 = 43.2%, P = 0.038), and preliminary evidence of significant moderate bias towards affective pain-related information (k = 3, g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.23, 0.72], I2 = 7.1%, P = 0.341) for CP groups compared with control groups. We explored the main tasks, stimuli, and CP subtypes used to address attentional biases and related processes. However, variation across studies did not allow for a decisive conclusion about the role of stimulus, task type, or related attentional processes. In addition, a table of CP attention-related models was produced and tested for reliability. Finally, other results and recommendations are discussed.
Best Practices for Implementation of an Employee Health COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic—A Model for Future Pandemic Preparedness
Authors: Green-McKenzie Judith , Field-Flowers Catherine , Peairs Kimberly , Barnes Kenneth , Shofer Frances , Kuter Barbara J.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The aims of the study are to determine best practices from two large-scale, academic medical centers’ employee coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination clinics and to apply them to create scalable modules for rapid administration of 10,000 vaccinations.

Methods

The weekly number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered was captured. Processes were compared to determine best practices, which informed the scalable financial model.

Results

Within the first 3 months, more than 60,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered, and 70% of employees were fully vaccinated in 4 months with more than 95% by the vaccine mandate deadline. The estimated cost of delivering one dose was $29.95 ($299,505/10,000) compared with $35–$39 per dose when delivered by an on-site retail pharmacy.

Conclusions

Successful, safe, and rapid delivery of more than 60,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses in 3 months is practical and scalable. Learnings go beyond COVID-19 and can be applied to future outbreaks/pandemics.