bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for calculating galaxy rotation curves using spaxel cross-correlation and iterative smoothing
Authors: Bag Satadru , Shafieloo Arman , Smith Rory , Chung Haeun , Linder Eric V , Park Changbom , Abylkairov Y Sultan , Yelshibekov Khalykbek
Published: May 2022

Precise measurements of the internal dynamics of galaxies have proven of great importance for understanding the internal dark matter distribution of galaxies. We present a novel method for measuring the line-of-sight (LOS) velocities across the face of galaxies by cross-correlation of spectral pixels (spaxels) and an iterative method of smoothing. On simulated data the method can accurately recover the input LOS velocities for different types of spectra (absorption-line dominated, emission-line dominated, and differing shapes of the continuum), and can handle stellar population radial gradients. Most important of all, it continues to provide reliable measurements of LOS velocities with reasonable uncertainties even when the spectra are very low signal-to-noise ratio (approaching ∼1), which is a challenge for traditional template-fitting approaches. We apply our method to data from a real MaNGA galaxy as a demonstration and find promising results with good precision. This novel approach can be complementary to existing methods primarily based on template fitting.
Discovery of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in the X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4−1754 and identification of an optical companion
Authors: Salganik Alexander , Tsygankov Sergey S , Lutovinov Alexander A , Djupvik Anlaug A , Karasev Dmitri I , Molkov Sergey V
Published: May 2022

In this work, the temporal and spectral properties of the poorly studied X-ray pulsar Swift J1808.4−1754 were investigated in the 0.8–79 keV energy range based on the data from the NuSTAR and Swift observatories collected during the 2014 outburst. Strong pulsations with a period of 909.73 ± 0.03 s were detected in the source light curve, with the pulsed fraction demonstrating a non-monotonic dependence on the energy with a local minimum around 17–22 keV. Phase lags in one of the pulse profile components, reaching the maximal value approximately at the same energy, were discovered. The pulse phase-averaged spectrum of the source has a power-law shape with an exponential cutoff at high energies, which is typical of X-ray pulsars. Pulse phase-resolved spectroscopy revealed the presence of a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron absorption line at ∼21 keV, allowing us to estimate the neutron star magnetic field of 2.4 × 1012 G. This makes Swift J1808.4−1754 a member of very small family of X-ray pulsars with a pulse-phase-transient cyclotron line in a narrow phase range. The data from the Nordic Optical Telescope allowed us to study the properties of the infrared companion in the system and to conclude that most probably it is a Be-type star located at a distance of 5–8 kpc.
Scaling relations of convective granulation noise across the HR diagram from 3D stellar atmosphere models
Authors: Rodríguez Díaz Luisa Fernanda , Bigot Lionel , Aguirre Børsen-Koch Víctor , Lund Mikkel N , Rørsted Jakob Lysgaard , Kallinger Thomas , Sulis Sophia , Mary David
Published: May 2022

High-precision photometric data from space missions have improved our understanding of stellar granulation. These observations have shown with precision the stochastic brightness fluctuations of stars across the Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram, allowing us to better understand how stellar surface convection reacts to a change in stellar parameters. These fluctuations need to be understood and quantified in order to improve the detection and characterization of exoplanets. In this work, we provide new scaling relations of two characteristic properties of the brightness fluctuations time series: the standard deviation (σ) and the autocorrelation time ($\tau_{\rm ACF}$). This was done by using long time series of 3D stellar atmosphere models at different metallicities and across the HR diagram, generated with a 3D radiative hydrodynamical code: the stagger code. We compared our synthetic granulation properties with the values of a large sample of Kepler stars, and analysed selected stars with accurate stellar parameters from the Kepler LEGACY sample. Our 3D models showed that σ $\propto \nu_{\rm max}^{-0.567\pm 0.012}$ and $\tau_{\rm ACF} \propto \nu_{\rm max}^{-0.997\pm 0.018}$ for stars at solar metallicity. We showed that both σ and $\tau_{\rm ACF}$ decrease with metallicity, although the metallicity dependence is more significant on σ. Unlike previous studies, we found very good agreement between σ from Kepler targets and the 3D models at $\log g$ ≤ 3.5, and a good correlation between the stars and models with $\log g$ ≥ 3.5. For $\tau_{\rm ACF}$, we found that the 3D models reproduced well the Kepler LEGACY star values. Overall, this study shows that 3D stellar atmosphere models reproduce the granulation properties of stars across the HR diagram.
Orbits and adiabatic contraction in scalar-field dark matter halos: revisiting the cusp-core problem in dwarf galaxies
Authors: Pils Kevin , Rindler-Daller Tanja
Published: May 2022

Bose–Einstein-condensed dark matter, also called scalar field dark matter (SFDM), has become a popular alternative to cold dark matter (CDM), because it predicts galactic cores, in contrast to the cusps of CDM halos (‘cusp-core problem’). We continue the study of SFDM with a strong, repulsive self-interaction; the Thomas–Fermi (TF) regime of SFDM (SFDM-TF). In this model, structure formation is suppressed below a scale related to the TF radius RTF, which is close to the radius of central cores in these halos. We investigate for the first time the impact of baryons onto realistic galactic SFDM-TF halo profiles by studying the process of adiabatic contraction (AC) in such halos. In doing so, we first analyse the underlying quantum Hamilton–Jacobi framework appropriate for SFDM and calculate dark matter orbits, in order to verify the validity of the assumptions usually required for AC. Then, we calculate the impact of AC onto SFDM-TF halos of mass $\sim 10^{11}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$, with various baryon fractions and core radii, RTF ∼ (0.1–4) kpc, and compare our results with observational velocity data of dwarf galaxies. We find that AC-modified SFDM-TF halos with kpc-size core radii reproduce the data well, suggesting stellar feedback may not be required. On the other hand, halos with sub-kpc core radii face the same issue than CDM, in that they are not in accordance with galaxy data in the central halo parts.
Ghostly stellar haloes and their relationship to ultrafaint dwarfs
Authors: Ricotti Massimo , Polisensky Emil , Cleland Emily
Published: May 2022

Ghostly stellar haloes are extended haloes of stars composed solely of debris of pre-reionization fossil galaxies and should exist in dwarf galaxies with total masses <1010 M⊙. Fossil galaxies are even smaller mass dwarf galaxies that stopped forming stars after the epoch of reionization and have been identified in the Local Group as the ultrafaint dwarf satellites. Using cosmological N-body simulations, we present an empirical model for the shape and mass of ghostly stellar haloes. We compare the model to available observations of stellar haloes in six isolated dwarf galaxies in the Local Group (Leo T, Leo A, IC 10, WLM, IC 1613, NGC 6822) to infer the star formation efficiency in dwarf galaxies at the epoch of reionization. We find an efficiency of star formation in dark matter haloes with masses 106−108 M⊙ at z ∼ 7 in rough agreement with independent methods using data on the luminosity function of ultrafaint dwarf galaxies but systematically higher by a factor of 3–5. The systematic uncertainty of our results is still large, mainly because available observations of stellar halo profiles do not extend over a sufficiently large distance from the centre of the host dwarf galaxy. Additional observations, easily within reach of current telescopes, can significantly improve the accuracy of this method and can also be used to constrain the present-day dark matter masses of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group. Our method is based on a set of observations never used before; hence, it is a new independent test of models of hierarchical galaxy formation.
The interacting pair of galaxies Arp 82: integral field spectroscopy and numerical simulations
Authors: Karera Prime , Drissen Laurent , Martel Hugo , Iglesias-Páramo Jorge , Vilchez Jose M , Duc Pierre-Alain , Plana Henri
Published: May 2022

Spectral data cubes of the interacting pair of galaxies NGC 2535 and NGC 2536 (the Arp 82 system) targeting bright emission lines in the visible band, obtained with the imaging Fourier transform spectrometer (iFTS) SITELLE attached to the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), are presented. Analysis of H$\alpha $ velocity maps reveals a bar in $\rm NGC\, 2536$. In $\rm NGC\, 2535$, we find strong non-circular motions outside the ocular ring, in the elliptical arc and tidal tails of $\rm NGC\, 2535$, and a misalignment between the kinematic and photometric position angles. We detect 155 H ii region complexes in the interacting pair of galaxies and determine oxygen abundances for 66 of them using different calibrators. We find, regardless of the indicator used, that the oxygen abundance distribution in $\rm NGC\, 2536$ is shallow, whereas in $\rm NGC\, 2535$, it is best fitted by two slopes, the break occurring beyond the ocular ring. The inner slope is comparable to the one observed in isolated normal star-forming galaxies, but the outer slope is shallow. We present a numerical simulation of the interaction that reproduces the observed tidal features, kinematics, and metallicity distribution, to investigate the effect of the interaction on the galaxies. The model indicates that the galaxies have undergone a close encounter, strongly prograde for the primary, and are halfway in their course to a second close encounter.
Genomic Signatures of Divergent Ecological Strategies in a Recent Radiation of Neotropical Wild Cats
Authors: Ramirez Jorge L. , Lescroart Jonas , Figueiró Henrique V. , Torres-Florez Juan Pablo , Villela Priscilla M. S. , Coutinho Luiz L. , Freitas Patricia D. , Johnson Warren E. , Antunes Agostinho , Galetti Pedro M. , Eizirik Eduardo
Published: May 2022

Ecological differentiation among diverging species is an important component of the evolutionary process and can be investigated in rapid and recent radiations. Here, we use whole genome sequences of five species from the genus Leopardus, a recently diversified Neotropical lineage with species bearing distinctive morphological, ecological, and behavioral features, to investigate genome-wide diversity, comparative demographic history and signatures of positive selection. Our results show that divergent ecological strategies are reflected in genomic features, for example a generalist species shows historically larger effective population size and higher heterozygosity than habitat specialists. The demographic history of these cats seems to have been jointly driven by climate fluctuations and habitat specialization, with different ecological adaptations leading to distinct trajectories. Finally, a gene involved in vertebrate retinal neurogenesis (POU4F2) was found to be under positive selection in the margay, a cat with notoriously large eyes that are likely associated with its nocturnal and arboreal specializations.
Elevated prohibitin 1 expression mitigates glucose metabolism defects in granulosa cells of infertile patients with endometriosis
Authors: Mao Jingqin , Zhang Jingyi , Cai Lingbo , Cui Yugui , Liu Jiayin , Mao Yundong
Published: May 2022

Endometriosis is a common disease in women of childbearing age and is closely associated with female infertility. However, the pathogenesis of endometriosis-related infertility is still not fully understood. Prohibitin 1 (PHB1), a highly conserved protein related to mitochondrial function, is differentially expressed in the endometrium of patients with endometriosis. However, the role of PHB1 in glucose metabolism in granulosa cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether PHB1 expression and glucose metabolism patterns differ in the granulosa cells of patients with endometriosis and those of patients serving as controls. We then evaluated these changes after PHB1 was upregulated or downregulated in the human granulosa cell line (KGN) using a lentivirus construct. In the granulosa cells of patients with endometriosis, significantly elevated PHB1 expression, increased glucose consumption and lactic acid production, as well as aberrant expression of glycolysis-related enzymes were found compared to those without endometriosis (P < 0.05). After PHB1 expression was upregulated in KGN cells, and the expression of enzymes related to glucose metabolism, glucose consumption and lactic acid production was strikingly increased compared to controls (P < 0.05). The opposite results were found when PHB1 expression was downregulated in KGN cells. Additionally, the cell proliferation and apoptosis rates, ATP synthesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were significantly altered after down-regulation of PHB1 expression in KGN cells (P < 0.05). This study suggested that PHB1 plays a pivotal role in mitigating the loss of energy caused by impaired mitochondrial function in granulosa cells of patients with endometriosis, which may explain, at least in part, why the quality of oocytes in these patients is compromised.
3DGenBench: a web-server to benchmark computational models for 3D Genomics
Authors:   International Nucleome Consortium, Belokopytova Polina , Viesná Emil , Chiliński Mateusz , Qi Yifeng , Salari Hossein , Di Stefano Marco , Esposito Andrea , Conte Mattia , Chiariello Andrea M , Teif Vladimir B , Plewczynski Dariusz , Zhang Bin , Jost Daniel , Fishman Veniamin
Published: May 2022

Modeling 3D genome organisation has been booming in the last years thanks to the availability of experimental datasets of genomic contacts. However, the field is currently missing the standardisation of methods and metrics to compare predictions and experiments. We present 3DGenBench, a web server available at https://inc-cost.eu/benchmarking/, that allows benchmarking computational models of 3D Genomics. The benchmark is performed using a manually curated dataset of 39 capture Hi-C profiles in wild type and genome-edited mouse cells, and five genome-wide Hi-C profiles in human, mouse, and Drosophila cells. 3DGenBench performs two kinds of analysis, each supplied with a specific scoring module that compares predictions of a computational method to experimental data using several metrics. With 3DGenBench, the user obtains model performance scores, allowing an unbiased comparison with other models. 3DGenBench aims to become a reference web server to test new 3D genomics models and is conceived as an evolving platform where new types of analysis will be implemented in the future.
Catchet-MS identifies IKZF1-targeting thalidomide analogues as novel HIV-1 latency reversal agents
Authors: Ne Enrico , Crespo Raquel , Izquierdo-Lara Ray , Rao Shringar , Koçer Selin , Górska Alicja , van Staveren Thomas , Kan Tsung Wai , van de Vijver David , Dekkers Dick , Rokx Casper , Moulos Panagiotis , Hatzis Pantelis , Palstra Robert-Jan , Demmers Jeroen , Mahmoudi Tokameh
Published: May 2022

A major pharmacological strategy toward HIV cure aims to reverse latency in infected cells as a first step leading to their elimination. While the unbiased identification of molecular targets physically associated with the latent HIV-1 provirus would be highly valuable to unravel the molecular determinants of HIV-1 transcriptional repression and latency reversal, due to technical limitations, this has been challenging. Here we use a dCas9 targeted chromatin and histone enrichment strategy coupled to mass spectrometry (Catchet-MS) to probe the differential protein composition of the latent and activated HIV-1 5′LTR. Catchet-MS identified known and novel latent 5′LTR-associated host factors. Among these, IKZF1 is a novel HIV-1 transcriptional repressor, required for Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 recruitment to the LTR. We find the clinically advanced thalidomide analogue iberdomide, and the FDA approved analogues lenalidomide and pomalidomide, to be novel LRAs. We demonstrate that, by targeting IKZF1 for degradation, these compounds reverse HIV-1 latency in CD4+ T-cells isolated from virally suppressed people living with HIV-1 and that they are able to synergize with other known LRAs.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with central nervous system involvement from HER2-positive breast cancer: The DEBBRAH trial
Authors: Pérez-García José Manuel , Vaz Batista Marta , Cortez Patricia , Ruiz-Borrego Manuel , Cejalvo Juan Miguel , de la Haba-Rodriguez Juan , Garrigós Laia , Racca Fabricio , Servitja Sonia , Blanch Salvador , Gion María , Nave Monica , Fernández-Abad María , Martinez-Bueno Alejandro , Llombart-Cussac Antonio , Sampayo-Cordero Miguel , Malfettone Andrea , Cortés Javier , Braga Sofía
Published: May 2022

Background

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown durable antitumor activity in pretreated patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC), but its efficacy has not yet been evaluated in patients with active brain metastases (BMs). DEBBRAH aims to assess T-DXd in patients with HER2-positive or HER2-low ABC and central nervous system involvement.

Methods

This ongoing, five-cohort, phase II study (NCT04420598) enrolled patients with pretreated HER2-positive or HER2-low ABC with stable, untreated, or progressing BMs, and/or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. Here, we report findings from HER2-positive ABC patients with non-progressing BMs after local therapy (n = 8; cohort 1), asymptomatic untreated BMs (n = 4; cohort 2), or progressing BMs after local therapy (n = 9; cohort 3). Patients received 5.4 mg/kg T-DXd intravenously once every 21 days. The primary endpoint was 16-week progression-free survival (PFS) for cohort 1 and intracranial objective response rate (ORR-IC) for cohorts 2 and 3.

Results

As of October 20, 2021, 21 patients received T-DXd. In cohort 1, 16-week PFS rate was 87.5% (95%CI, 47.3-99.7; P < .001). ORR-IC was 50.0% (95%CI, 6.7-93.2) in cohort 2 and 44.4% (95%CI, 13.7-78.8; P < .001) in cohort 3. Overall, the ORR-IC in patients with active BMs was 46.2% (95%CI, 19.2-74.9). Among patients with measurable intracranial or extracranial lesions at baseline, the ORR was 66.7% (12 out of 18 patients; 95%CI, 41.0-86.7), 80.0% (95%CI, 28.4-99.5) in cohort 1, 50.0% (95%CI, 6.7-93.2) in cohort 2, and 66.7% (95%CI, 29.9-92.5) in cohort 3. All responders had partial responses. The most common adverse events included fatigue (52.4%; 4.8% grade ≥3), nausea (42.9%; 0% grade ≥3), neutropenia (28.6%; 19% grade ≥3), and constipation (28.6%; 0% grade ≥3). Two (9.5%) patients suffered grade 1 interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis.

Conclusions

T-DXd showed intracranial activity with manageable toxicity and maintained the quality of life in pretreated HER2-positive ABC patients with stable, untreated, or progressing BMs. Further studies are needed to validate these results in larger cohorts.
SKI-INTERACTING PROTEIN interacts with SHOOT MERISTEMLESS to regulate shoot apical meristem formation
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Wei Zhifeng , Li Yan , Shang Xudong , Cao Ying , Duan Liusheng , Ma Ligeng
Published: May 2022

The shoot apical meristem (SAM), which is formed during embryogenesis, generates leaves, stems, and floral organs during the plant life cycle. SAM development is controlled by SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM), a conserved Class I KNOX transcription factor that interacts with another subclass homeodomain protein, BELL, to form a heterodimer, which regulates gene expression at the transcriptional level in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Meanwhile, SKI-INTERACTING PROTEIN (SKIP), a conserved protein in eukaryotes, works as both a splicing factor and as a transcriptional regulator in plants to control gene expression at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by interacting with distinct partners. Here, we show that, similar to plants with a loss of function of STM, a loss of function of SKIP or the specific knockout of SKIP in the SAM region resulted in failed SAM development and the inability of the mutants to complete their life cycle. In comparison, Arabidopsis mutants that expressed SKIP specifically in the SAM region formed a normal SAM and were able to generate a shoot system, including leaves and floral organs. Further analysis confirmed that SKIP interacts with STM in planta and that SKIP and STM regulate the expression of a similar set of genes by binding to their promoters. In addition, STM also interacts with EARLY FLOWERING 7 (ELF7), a component of Polymerase-Associated Factor 1 complex, and mutation in ELF7 exhibits similar SAM defects to that of STM and SKIP. This work identifies a component of the STM transcriptional complex and reveals the mechanism underlying SKIP-mediated SAM formation in Arabidopsis.
High-energy-level metabolism and transport occur at the transition from closed to open flowers
Authors: Borghi Monica , Perez de Souza Leonardo , Tohge Takayuki , Mi Jianing , Melandri Giovanni , Proost Sebastian , Martins Marina C M , Al-Babili Salim , Bouwmeester Harro J , Fernie Alisdair R
Published: May 2022

During the maturation phase of flower development, the onset of anthesis visibly marks the transition from buds to open flowers, during which petals stretch out, nectar secretion commences, and pollination occurs. Analysis of the metabolic changes occurring during this developmental transition has primarily focused on specific classes of metabolites, such as pigments and scent emission, and far less on the whole network of primary and secondary metabolites. To investigate the metabolic changes occurring at anthesis, we performed multi-platform metabolomics alongside RNA sequencing in individual florets harvested from the main inflorescence of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ecotype Col-0. To trace metabolic fluxes at the level of the whole inflorescence and individual florets, we further integrated these studies with radiolabeled experiments. These extensive analyses revealed high-energy-level metabolism and transport of carbohydrates and amino acids, supporting intense metabolic rearrangements occurring at the time of this floral transition. These comprehensive data are discussed in the context of our current understanding of the metabolic shifts underlying flower opening. We envision that this analysis will facilitate the introgression of floral metabolic traits promoting pollination in crop species for which a comprehensive knowledge of flower metabolism is still limited.
Meeting the challenge of health system transformation in European countries
Authors: Hunter David J , Bengoa Rafael
Published: May 2022

Transforming health systems is a complex, messy business with no quick or simple solutions. Countries struggle to make it happen with policy failure often the result. Reporting on a World Health Organization Europe project aimed at understanding how health system transformation can succeed, the paper draws on three European country case studies to offer insights and lessons for policy-makers elsewhere engaged in similar efforts. Critical to success in implementation is the adoption of a receptive context for change. Building on the policy capacity literature, it emphasizes the importance of environmental pressure, the quality and coherence of policy, leadership style, supportive organizational culture, and managerial-health profession relations.
Boswell’s Self-hatred
Authors: Leonard-Roy Thomas
Published: May 2022

While scholars often mention the influence of James Boswell’s strict Presbyterian upbringing on his emotional life, his voluminous journals are typically approached in secular psychological terms This essay puts the journals in conversation with Calvinist-Christian theology and reads Boswell’s feelings, specifically his self-directed hateful ones, as religious in nature. Beginning with the vexed issue of hatred in Calvin and later seventeenth- and eighteenth-century religious writers, who exhort the believer to hate his sin while acknowledging the dangers posed by hatred, the essay then turns to Boswell’s religious attitudes and feelings. Boswell’s melancholy, shame after a night of drunkenness or prostitution, and statements such as ‘I despised myself’ or ‘my wretched existence’ demonstrate a mode of self-hatred that is distinctly Calvinist. ‘Correct’ Calvinist self-hatred—hating your sin and inclination to sinfulness—should provoke love of God, yet Boswell struggles to find any consolation in his hateful feelings. The journals prove to be powerful examples of the Calvinist degradation of the self, as well as important texts in the culture of the ‘long Reformation’.
Strong response after fourth dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in autoimmune rheumatic diseases patients with poor response to inactivated vaccine
Authors: Aikawa Nadia E , Kupa Leonard V K , Silva Clovis A , Saad Carla G S , Pasoto Sandra G , Yuki Emily F N , Fusco Solange R G , Shinjo Samuel K , Andrade Danieli C O , Sampaio-Barros Percival D , Pereira Rosa M R , Chasin Anna C S , Shimabuco Andrea Y , Luppino-Assad Ana P , Leon Elaine P , Lopes Marta H , Antonangelo Leila , Medeiros-Ribeiro Ana C , Bonfa Eloisa
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To assess immunogenicity of a heterologous fourth dose of an mRNA (BNT162b2) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) patients with poor/non-response to inactivated vaccine (Sinovac-CoronaVac).

Methods

A total of 164 ARD patients who were coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poor/non-responders (negative anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG and/or neutralizing antibodies—NAb) to the third dose of Sinovac-CoronaVac received an additional heterologous dose of mRNA (BNT162b2) 3 months after last dose. IgG and NAb were evaluated before and after the fourth dose.

Results

Significant increases were observed after the fourth dose in IgG (66.4 vs 95.1%, P < 0.001), NAb positivity (5.5 vs 83.5%, P < 0.001) and geometric mean titre (29.5 vs 215.8 AU/ml, P < 0.001), and 28 (17.1%) remained poor/non-responders. Patients with negative IgG after a fourth dose were more frequently under rituximab (P = 0.001). Negative NAb was associated with older age (P = 0.015), RA (P = 0.002), SSc (P = 0.026), LEF (P = 0.016) and rituximab use (P = 0.007). In multiple logistic regression analysis, prednisone dose ≥7.5 mg/day (OR = 0.34; P = 0.047), LEF (OR = 0.32, P = 0.036) and rituximab use (OR = 0.19, P = 0.022) were independently associated with negative NAb after the fourth vaccine dose.

Conclusions

This is the largest study to provide evidence of a remarkable humoral response after the fourth dose of heterologous mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in ARD patients with poor/non-response to the third dose of an inactivated vaccine. We further identified that treatment, particularly rituximab and prednisone, impaired antibody response to this additional dose.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, CoronavRheum #NCT04754698.
A new tool supporting the diagnosis of childhood-onset Behçet’s disease: venous wall thickness
Authors: Atalay Erdal , Oguz Berna , Sener Seher , Ozcan H Nursun , Sag Erdal , Kaya Akca Ummusen , Kasap Cuceoglu Muserref , Balik Zeynep , Karakaya Jale , Karadag Omer , Basaran Ozge , Batu Ezgi Deniz , Bilginer Yelda , Ozen Seza
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The lower extremity venous wall thickness (VWT) of Behçet’s disease (BD) patients was reported to be significantly increased in adults, suggesting its use for the support of BD diagnosis. This prospective study aimed to investigate the lower extremity VWT in childhood-onset definite and incomplete BD patients and compare it to healthy age-matched controls.

Methods

Paediatric patients classified with BD according to the 2015 international paediatric BD criteria in our centre were included in the study. Intima-media thickness of the lower extremity veins to evaluate VWT was measured by ultrasonography, including common femoral vein (CFV), femoral vein (FV), vena saphena magna, vena saphena parva and popliteal vein (PV).

Results

In this cross-sectional study, VWT was measured in 35 patients (63% male) and 27 healthy controls (55% male). Thirteen (37%) of 35 patients met the criteria for the diagnosis of BD. The remaining 22 (63%) had incomplete BD and met two criteria. The median VWT values of both definite and incomplete BD patients were significantly higher than the control group in all veins on both sides. Regarding the best cut-off values of VWT for all lower extremity veins, the sensitivity rates were between 63% and 86%, while specificity rates were between 71% and 100%.

Conclusion

Increased VWT was present not only in BD patients with vascular involvement but also in those without. We suggest that VWT may be a new criterion in supporting the diagnosis of childhood BD both in definite and incomplete BD patients.
Nailfold capillaroscopy: a survey of current UK practice and ‘next steps’ to increase uptake among rheumatologists
Authors: Eden Martin , Wilkinson Sarah , Murray Andrea , Bharathi Praveen Gurunath , Vail Andy , Taylor Chris J , Payne Katherine , Herrick Ariane L
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To identify barriers to the use of nailfold capillaroscopy as a diagnostic tool for patients presenting with Raynaud’s phenomenon in UK rheumatology centres and to obtain rheumatologists’ views on a proposed internet-based standardized system for clinical reporting of nailfold capillaroscopy images.

Methods

An online survey was developed using expert opinion from clinicians, scientists and health service researchers. The survey was piloted and sent to UK-based rheumatologists using established electronic mailing lists between October 2020 and March 2021. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 104 rheumatologists representing rheumatology centres across the UK responded to the survey. Wide variations in terms of workloads and practices were described. Thirty-four (33%) respondents reported using nailfold capillaroscopy only at their own centre, 33 (32%) referred to other centres, 9 (9%) did both and 28 (27%) did not use capillaroscopy at all. Of the 43 respondents using capillaroscopy on site, 25 (58%) used either a dermatoscope or universal serial bus microscope and 9 (21%) used videocapillaroscopy. Among the 61 respondents not undertaking capillaroscopy on site, barriers included lack of equipment (85%), lack of experience in acquiring images (69%) and lack of expertise in interpreting images (67%). Sixty-six respondents (63%) expressed interest in an internet-based, standardized automated system for reporting images.

Conclusion

Most UK rheumatologists currently do not perform nailfold capillaroscopy on site. An internet-based nailfold capillaroscopy system for use with low-cost microscopes as well as with videocapillaroscopy could help increase uptake of capillaroscopy and thereby facilitate early diagnosis of SSc across the UK.
2021 NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR PAEDIATRIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN EGYPT
Authors: Abdou Sayed E , Salama Dina H , Ahmad Khaled A , Sallam Abdelsattar M , El-Sayed El-Sayed Mahmoud , Talaat M S , El-Farrash Rania A , Vassileva J
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVE. To establish national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) for most common paediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations in Egypt. METHODS: This was a prospective study that included all dedicated paediatric imaging centers in Egypt. Data from 1680 individual paediatric patients undergoing CT scanning of the head, chest and abdomen–pelvis were collected. Computed tomography dose indices were recorded, data were analysed and compared with the internationally published paediatric DRLs in14 countries. RESULTS: The Egyptian NDRLs of the CTDIvol (mGy) for head, chest and abdomen–pelvis scans among four paediatric age groups were found to be (23, 27, 28, 32, 4, 5, 6, 8, 5, 6, 7, 9) mGy, respectively; and the corresponding NDRLs of the DLP (mGycm) for head, chest and abdomen–pelvis scans were found to be (345, 428, 499, 637, 67, 85, 145, 215, 97, 135, 240, 320) mGycm, respectively. There were variations in the radiation doses between CT centers and identical scanners indicating the need for dose optimization. The NDRLs of the CTDIvol (mGy) and the DLP (mGycm) values were similar to or lower than international DRLs. CONCLUSION: This study summarizes the results of the first Egyptian Computed Tomography survey that provides national diagnostic reference levels for paediatric patients in Egypt. Despite the reasonable NDRLs values, the study depicted certain pros and cons concerning CT practice, and identified some problems that hinder the process of optimization as well as justification in children.
0019 Drowsy Driving in a Community Sample: Associations with Sleep Duration, Insomnia Severity, Daytime Sleepiness, and Fatigue
Authors: Hamze Mohi , Kennedy Kathryn , Hale Lauren , Branas Charles , Killgore William , Wills Chloe , Grandner Michael
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Drowsy driving is an important public health concern. Yet, real-world data on drowsy driving patterns remains relatively scarce. The present study aimed to investigate reports of drowsy driving in a general community sample and whether these are associated with daytime and nighttime sleep health risk factors.

Methods

Data were obtained through the Sleep and Health Activity, Diet, Environment, and Socialization (SHADES) study, which recruited N=1,007 working-age adults from the Philadelphia area. Drowsy driving was assessed with the item from the CDC BRFSS, “During the past 30 days, have you ever nodded off or fallen asleep, even just for a brief moment, while driving?” Responses were coded as “yes” or “no” (or “don’t drive,” which was excluded). Sleep-related factors included sleep duration (NHANES item, assessed in hours), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]), and sleep medication use (PSQI item). Covariates included age, sex, education, income, race/ethnicity, employment, body mass index, and stress (Perceived Stress Scale).

Results

The sample consisted of N=738 adults, excluding those who did not drive in the past 30 days. After adjustment for covariates, each hour of sleep duration was associated with a 23% reduction in likelihood of drowsy driving (OR=0.77; 95%CI[0.66,0.89]; p<0.0005). Likelihood of drowsy driving increased with each point on the ISI by 8% (OR=1.08; 95%CI[1.04,1.13]; p<0.0005), with each point on the ESS by 19% (OR=1.19; 95%CI[1.13,1.26]; p<0.0005), and with each point on the FSS by 4% (OR=1.04; 95%CI[1.02,1.06]; p<0.0005). Sleep medication use was not associated with drowsy driving. In a post-hoc model that combined duration, insomnia, sleepiness, and fatigue, unique effects were seen for sleepiness (OR=1.17; 95%CI[1.10.1.23]; p<0.0005) and sleep duration (OR=0.82; 95%CI[0.70,0.98]; p=0.026).

Conclusion

Drowsy driving in a community sample is associated with less sleep duration and more insomnia, sleepiness, and fatigue. These effects may overlap, though daytime sleepiness emerged as the most robust risk factor. The combined model showed that sleep duration also contributed variance that was otherwise unexplained by the other factors. Drowsy driving prevention efforts should focus on sufficient sleep and daytime sleepiness as screening and prevention targets.

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0051 The Role of Perceived Control in Buffering Against Poor Sleep in Essential Workers During COVID-19
Authors: Meyer Mia , Hamm Jeremy , Garcia Odalis , Tan Jaron , Delaney Rachel , Duggan Katherine
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sleep, with some populations such as essential workers reporting insomnia and poor sleep health. Prior research has suggested (but not tested) that this worsening of sleep may be tied to a lack of control over one’s health or safety during the pandemic. This study tests this prediction and examines the role of perceived control as a protective factor against poor sleep in essential workers.

Methods

This study uses data from the NDSU National COVID Study, which has followed 301 nationally-representative American adults across four waves of data collection since April 2020. The current analysis includes data from wave 1 (April 2020) in 279 participants who had complete demographic, essential worker, perceived control (including domain general perceived control as well as health, COVID, work-specific control), and sleep health (RU SATED) data. Using t-tests and correlations, we hypothesized: (1) sleep health would be worse in essential workers compared with others; (2) perceived control would relate to better sleep health; and (3) perceived control would be a stronger predictor of sleep health in essential workers relative to others.

Results

There were no significant differences in sleep health between essential workers (N=44, M=8.27, SD=2.72) and others (N=235, M=8.46, SD=2.54; t=-0.44, p=.66). In the full sample, all indices of perceived control were significantly related to better sleep health (rs=.17-.31, ps<.004). Associations were stronger in essential workers (N=44, rs=.30-.56, ps<.05) than in others (N=235, rs=.13-.31, ps<.04). In sensitivity analyses that excluded participants not working for pay (e.g., people who were unemployed, retired, or receiving disability) from the other category, moderation effects were stronger; only COVID-related perceived control was significantly related to sleep health (N=110; r=.24, p=.01) in non-essential workers.

Conclusion

This is the first study to demonstrate links between perceived control and sleep. Although sleep health was not significantly different between essential and non-essential workers, we found that perceived control was especially beneficial for essential workers’ sleep. Our results suggest interventions to improve perceived control, a modifiable psychosocial resource, might improve sleep health for essential workers.

Support (If Any)

L30 HL143741 to KAD from NHLBI; Research and Creative Activity Award to KAD and JMH from NDSU.
0065 Geographic Association Between Neighborhood Sleep Health and Child Opportunity Index: Data at the Census Tract Level
Authors: Phan Sydney , Gorovoy Suzanne , Begay Tommy , Valencia Dora , Hale Lauren , Robbins Rebecca , Killgore William , Wills Chloe , Grandner Michael
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Sleep health impacts the community in many ways. Regional sleep health may reflect other important indicators of health and well-being. Few studies have examined sleep health at the regional level, though.

Methods

Data on neighborhood sleep health values were obtained from the “500 Cities” data collected by the CDC that includes census tract and proportion of the population in that region that report values associated with health, as assessed with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data include the population of each census tract as well as census-estimated proportion of the population in each census tract that report obtaining at least 7 hours of sleep. Additional variables included as covariates in analyses included the proportion with healthcare access, that were obese, had high blood pressure, had diabetes, and were smokers. The Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a publicly-available index (DiversityDataKids.org) reported at the census tract level. It provides indices for “Education,” “Health & Environment,” and “Social & Economic” domains, as well as a global score. The present analysis merged the 500 Cities data with the COI data, using census tract as the matching variable. Linear regression analyses examined COI global and subscale scores as outcome variable and proportion of the population obtaining 7 hours of sleep as the independent variable, unadjusted and adjusted for covariates. When data were merged, 27,130 census tracts were included.

Results

Sleep sufficiency was associated with global COI, such that for each additional percent of the population that obtains >=7 hours of sleep, COI increases by 3.6 points (95%CI[3.57,3.64]; p<0.0001); this was attenuated in adjusted analyses (B=1.58; 95%CI[1.53,1.63]; p<0.0001). Each component of COI was related to sleep sufficiency, including education (B=3.06; 95%CI[1.19,1.33]; <0.0001), health & environment (B=3.61; 95%CI[3.57,3.64]; p<0.0001), and social & economic (B=2.23; 95%CI[2.19,2.28]; p<0.0001). All associations were attenuated but significant in adjusted analyses.

Conclusion

Regional prevalence of insufficient sleep was linearly associated with Child Opportunity Index, which itself is an important predictor of a wide range of health and economic outcomes. Community sleep health interventions may have wide-ranging benefits.

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0079 Feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of a mobile wellness meditation intervention to improve sleep quality among a racially/ethnically diverse population
Authors: Johnson Leslie , Aiello Jacob , Jagtiani Ashna , Gujral Unjali , Johnson Dayna
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Although sleep is fundamental to health and wellness, it is largely ignored from lifestyle modification recommendations to improve health. Stress and anxiety are associated with poor sleep quality, thus intervening on these factors is needed. This study evaluated the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of using a mobile application-based wellness program to improve sleep quality among a diverse group of adults.

Methods

Individuals (n=18) enrolled in the Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Sleep and Reduce Diabetes Risk Among a Diverse Sample in Atlanta (MINDS) study completed modules focused on stress and anxiety reduction for 30-days via a mobile phone application. This explanatory qualitative study used online focus group discussions (N=4 with 17 individuals) to collect information about user experiences. A rapid analyses approach was used to descriptively compare motivators of app use, barriers and facilitators to app use, and perceived tailoring needs across participants.

Results

Participants on average were 30 years old, 88.2% female, and identified as Black/African American (52.9%), White (23.5%), Asian (11.8%), and Hispanic (11.8%). All participants felt the app was acceptable and appreciated the ability to customize meditation sessions in length. Individuals with 50 percent or greater app adherence (daily use for 30 days) reported being motivated to use the app as a stress relief tool throughout the day with barriers related to app functionality, versus the remainder of individuals who used the sessions when already relaxed and who faced external barriers to app use (e.g., lack of time). Only those participants who used the app exclusively in the evenings reported falling asleep faster and staying asleep. Suggestions for tailoring the app differed by race and age. Only Black or African American participants chose to try different instructors, preferring to use the Black instructor, and wanted to have additional sleep education components integrated into the app alongside further options to personalize app functions.

Conclusion

Using a mobile wellness meditation app to enhance sleep quality is acceptable and feasible. Timing of the app use in the evening had the greatest improvement on sleep. Culturally tailoring the app for Black and African American may improve uptake in this population.

Support (If Any)

This work was supported in part by grant P30DK111024 from the Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research funded by the NIDDK.
0086 Unobtrusive Sensing of Skin Temperature During Sleep Using a Mattress Sensor
Authors: Makaram Nikhil , Chernega Pavlo , Rao Megha Rajam , Ashrith Sai , Shcherbakov Yehor , Barr Shawn , Garcia-Molina Gary
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Sleep is associated with temperature changes in the human body. At sleep onset, distal (hands and feet) and proximal (abdomen) temperatures increase by ~1°C and ~0.5°C, respectively, forming a distal-to-proximal gradient that increases throughout the first half of a night’s sleep. However, core temperature decreases during this period. Few devices can measure these temperatures unobtrusively. Our aim was to estimate distal skin temperature unobtrusively during sleep using a temperature sensor array on a mattress.

Methods

Three male volunteers participated in the study. Skin temperatures were measured using an array of 5 equally spaced thermistors distributed laterally across the mattress region aligning with the torso. Participants wore an Empatica smart watch to provide benchmark distal skin temperatures.Data from 249 sleep hours were used to build predictive models estimating distal skin temperature. The preprocessed data were grouped by participant and segmented into training and test sets (~60%/40%, respectively), with earlier sleep sessions selected for training and later sessions selected for testing. Using the Automated Machine Learning (AutoML) feature in Databricks, a model was developed that optimized R2. This model was applied to the test set and its performance evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis, using predicted and benchmark distal temperatures.

Results

The AutoML selected an XGBoost decision-tree model to predict distal skin temperature for each minute. The mean difference in temperature between predicted and benchmark readings was 0.13°C (R2=0.35), with lower and upper limits of agreement (LOA) of -1.59 and 1.84, respectively. Next, all minute-level data were averaged by sleep session, and model performance was re-evaluated across all sleep sessions. This approach resulted in smaller LOAs (-0.58, 0.91), with a mean difference in temperature of 0.16°C (R2=0.73).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that a temperature sensor array, coupled with an optimized decision-tree model, can predict mean distal skin temperature for each sleep session with reasonable accuracy. Our system enabled unobtrusive, ecologically valid collection of distal skin temperatures during sleep and may be useful for future studies of overnight temperature dynamics.

Support (If Any)

This study was funded by Sleep Number Corporation. Medical writing support, by Sandra J. Page, PhD, Oxford PharmaGenesis Inc., was funded by Sleep Number Corporation.