bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthcare quality assessments: no guarantees of same outcomes for different socio-economic stroke patients
Authors: Kim Jayeun , Yang Ki Hwa , Choi Ah Rum , Kang Mi Yeon , Kim Hyun Joo , Lee Hyejin , Lee Jin Yong
Published: May 2021

Background

Healthcare quality assessment is being conducted in many countries. Although improving health equity is one of the major objectives of medical quality assessment, it is not clear whether different socio-economic statuses show the same health outcomes even in the same medical quality hospitals. No study has directly compared the health outcomes of different socio-economic statuses in the same hospitals nationwide.

Objective

To determine whether the mortality rate of acute stroke patients differs according to socioeconomic status.

Methods

This study was a retrospective, observational study of patients who were subject to acute stroke quality assessment in 2013. A total of 10 399 stroke cases were included in the study. When evaluating the mortality rate, the researchers analysed 10 228 cases, after excluding 171 cases that were measured twice for the same person. The levels of socio-economic status were divided according to the use of medical benefits, either National Health Insurance (NHI) for general population or Medical Aid (MA) for the vulnerable. The primary outcomes measured according to socio-economic status were in-hospital mortality rate and 1-year follow-up mortality rate of stroke patients. The secondary outcome was the composite performance score.

Results

MA recipients had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (12.5 vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001) and 1-year follow-up mortality rate (14.9 vs. 10.8%, P < 0.001) than NHI subscribers. MA recipients had slightly lower scores than NHI subscribers (83.2 vs. 84.4, P = 0.02). In hospitals of the same grade, MA recipients had lower performance scores than NHI subscribers, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

There is a difference in mortality and healthcare performance according to socio-economic status in stroke patients in Korea. Efforts to improve equity are needed, including the development and monitoring of equality indicators and developing policies for healthcare equity.
Comparative in vivo activity of human-simulated plasma and epithelial lining fluid exposures of WCK 5222 (cefepime/zidebactam) against KPC- and OXA-48-like-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model
Authors: Lasko Maxwell J. , Abdelraouf Kamilia , Nicolau David P.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

This was a comparative assessment of WCK 5222 (cefepime/zidebactam 2/1 g as a 1 h infusion every 8 h) efficacy using human-simulated plasma and ELF exposures against serine-carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model.

Methods

Ten clinical isolates were utilized: eight were serine-carbapenemase-producing (KPC, n = 4; OXA-48-like, n = 4) Enterobacterales with WCK 5222 MICs (1:1) ranging from 1 to 4 mg/L; and two were previously studied MDR isolates serving as quality controls. Lungs of mice were inoculated with 50 μL of 107 cfu/mL. Treatment mice received human-simulated regimens of cefepime, zidebactam or WCK 5222 derived from plasma or epithelial lining fluid (ELF) profiles obtained from healthy subjects. Lung bacterial densities resulting from the humanized exposures in plasma and ELF were compared.

Results

Initial lung bacterial densities ranged from 6.06 to 6.87 log10 cfu/lungs, with a mean bacterial burden increase to 9.06 ± 0.42 after 24 h. Human-simulated plasma and ELF exposures of cefepime and zidebactam monotherapy had no activity. Human-simulated WCK 5222 plasma exposures resulted in a >1 log10 cfu/lungs reduction in bacterial burden for all isolates. Humanized WCK 5222 ELF exposures achieved a >1 log10 cfu/lungs reduction for all isolates. While statistically significant differences in bacterial burden reduction were observed between the plasma and ELF exposures for WCK 5222 in 5/8 isolates, all treatments achieved the translational kill target of a >1 log10 cfu reduction.

Conclusions

Clinically achievable WCK 5222 plasma and ELF exposures produced in vivo killing of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model that is predictive of efficacy in humans.
A longer adaptation period to a functional amino acid-supplemented diet improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium-challenged pigs
Authors: Rodrigues Lucas A , Wellington Michael O , González-Vega Jolie Caroline , Htoo John K , Van Kessel Andrew G , Columbus Daniel A
Published: May 2021

We recently showed that dietary supplementation with key functional amino acids (FAA) improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-challenged pigs. It is not known if ST-challenged pigs will benefit from a longer adaptation period to FAA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different adaptation periods to diets containing FAA above requirements for growth on performance and immune response of weaned pigs subsequently challenged with ST. A total of 32 mixed-sex weanling pigs (11.6 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments, being a basal amino acid (AA) profile fed throughout the experimental period (FAA−) or a functional AA profile (FAA+; Thr, Met, and Trp at 120% of requirements) fed only in the postinoculation (FAA+0), for 1 wk pre- and postinoculation (FAA+1), or throughout the experimental period (FAA+2). After a 14-d adaptation period, pigs were inoculated with ST (2.15 × 109 CFU/mL). Growth performance, body temperature, fecal score, acute-phase proteins, oxidant/antioxidant balance, score for ST shedding in feces and intestinal colonization, and fecal and digesta myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured pre- and postinoculation. Postinoculation body temperature and fecal score, serum haptoglobin, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and fecal MPO were increased while serum albumin and plasma reduced glutathione (GSH):oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were reduced compared to pre-inoculation (P < 0.05). Average daily gain and G:F were greater in FAA+2 pigs compared to FAA− pigs (P < 0.05). Serum albumin was higher in FAA+2 and FAA+1 compared to FAA+0 and FAA− pigs (P < 0.05) while FAA+2 pigs had lower haptoglobin compared to FAA− (P < 0.05). Plasma SOD was increased and GSH:GSSG was decreased in FAA− pigs compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Score for ST shedding in feces was progressively lower from d 1 to 6 regardless of treatment (P < 0.05) and was lower in FAA+2 pigs compared to FAA− and FAA+0 (P < 0.05). Counts of ST in colon digesta were higher in FAA− and FAA+0 pigs compared to FAA+2 (P < 0.05). Fecal and colonic digesta MPO were lower in FAA+2 and FAA+1 pigs compared to FAA− (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate a positive effect of a longer adaptation period to FAA-supplemented diets on performance and immune status of weaned pigs challenged with Salmonella.
Development of a novel human adrenomedullin derivative: human serum albumin-conjugated adrenomedullin
Authors: Kuroishi Nobuko , Nagata Sayaka , Akashi Emiko , Ashizuka Shinya , Kato Johji , Yamasaki Motoo , Kitamura Kazuo
Published: May 2021

Adrenomedullin is a biologically active peptide with multiple functions. Here, we have developed a novel human serum albumin-adrenomedullin (HSA-AM) conjugate, which was synthesized by the covalent attachment of a maleimide derivative of adrenomedullin to the 34th cysteine residue of HSA via a linker. Denaturing gel electrophoresis and western blotting for HSA-AM yielded a single band with adrenomedullin immunoreactivity at the position corresponding to a molecular weight (MW) of 73 kDa. Following gel-filtration chromatography, the purified HSA-AM showed a single main peak corresponding with an MW of 73 kDa, indicating that HSA-AM is a monomer. Both adrenomedullin and HSA-AM stimulated the intracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in HEK-293 cells stably expressing the adrenomedullin 1 receptor. The pEC50 values for adrenomedullin and HSA-AM were 8.660 and 7.208 (equivalent to 2.19 and 61.9 nM as EC50), respectively. The bioavailability of HSA-AM compared with that of adrenomedullin was much improved after subcutaneous administration in the rat, which was probably due to the superior resistance of HSA-AM towards endogenous proteases and its reduced clearance from the blood. HSA-AM may be a promising drug candidate for clinical application.
Can AI Enhance People’s Support for Online Moderation and Their Openness to Dissimilar Political Views?
Authors: Wojcieszak Magdalena , Thakur Arti , Ferreira Gonçalves João Fernando , Casas Andreu , Menchen-Trevino Ericka , Boon & Miriam
Published: May 2021

Although artificial intelligence is blamed for many societal challenges, it also has underexplored potential in political contexts online. We rely on six preregistered experiments in three countries (N = 6,728) to test the expectation that AI and AI-assisted humans would be perceived more favorably than humans (a) across various content moderation, generation, and recommendation scenarios and (b) when exposing individuals to counter-attitudinal political information. Contrary to the preregistered hypotheses, participants see human agents as more just than AI across the scenarios tested, with the exception of news recommendations. At the same time, participants are not more open to counter-attitudinal information attributed to AI rather than a human or an AI-assisted human. These findings, which—with minor variations—emerged across countries, scenarios, and issues, suggest that human intervention is preferred online and that people reject dissimilar information regardless of its source. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Lay Summary

In the era of unprecedented political divides and misinformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are often seen as the culprits. In contrast to these dominant narratives, we argued that AI might be seen as being less biased than a human in online political contexts. We relied on six preregistered experiments in three countries (the United Sates, Spain, Poland) to test whether internet users perceive AI and AI-assisted humans more favorably than simply humans; (a) across various distinct scenarios online, and (b) when exposing people to opposing political information on a range of contentious issues. Contrary to our expectations, human agents were consistently perceived more favorably than AI except when recommending news. These findings suggest that people prefer human intervention in most online political contexts.
In search of the still unknown function of FW2.2/CELL NUMBER REGULATOR, a major regulator of fruit size in tomato
Authors: Beauchet Arthur , Gévaudant Frédéric , Gonzalez Nathalie , Chevalier Christian
Published: May 2021

The FW2.2 gene is associated with the major quantitative trait locus (QTL) governing fruit size in tomato, and acts by negatively controlling cell division during fruit development. FW2.2 belongs to a multigene family named the CELL NUMBER REGULATOR (CNR) family. CNR proteins harbour the uncharacterized PLAC8 motif made of two conserved cysteine-rich domains separated by a variable region that are predicted to be transmembrane segments, and indeed FW2.2 localizes to the plasma membrane. Although FW2.2 was cloned more than two decades ago, the molecular mechanisms of action remain unknown. In particular, how FW2.2 functions to regulate cell cycle and fruit growth, and thus fruit size, is as yet not understood. Here we review current knowledge on PLAC8-containing CNR/FWL proteins in plants, which are described to participate in organogenesis and the regulation of organ size, especially in fruits, and in cadmium resistance, ion homeostasis, and/or Ca2+ signalling. Within the plasma membrane FW2.2 and some CNR/FWLs are localized in microdomains, which is supported by recent data from interactomics studies. Hence FW2.2 and CNR/FWL could be involved in a transport function of signalling molecules across membranes, influencing organ growth via a cell to cell trafficking mechanism.
The Meloidogyne graminicola effector MgMO289 targets a novel copper metallochaperone to suppress immunity in rice
Authors: Song Handa , Lin Borong , Huang Qiuling , Sun Longhua , Chen Jiansong , Hu Lili , Zhuo Kan , Liao Jinling
Published: May 2021

Recent studies have reported that plant-parasitic nematodes facilitate their infection by suppressing plant immunity via effectors, but the inhibitory mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study found that a novel effector MgMO289 is exclusively expressed in the dorsal esophageal gland of Meloidogyne graminicola and is up-regulated at parasitic third-/fourth-stage juveniles. In planta silencing of MgMO289 substantially increased plant resistance to M. graminicola. Moreover, we found that MgMO289 interacts with a new rice copper metallochaperone heavy metal-associated plant protein 04 (OsHPP04), and that rice cytosolic COPPER/ZINC -SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE 2 (cCu/Zn-SOD2) is the target of OsHPP04. Rice plants overexpressing OsHPP04 or MgMO289 exhibited an increased susceptibility to M. graminicola and a higher Cu/Zn-SOD activity, but lower O2•− content, when compared with wild-type plants. Meanwhile, immune response assays showed that MgMO289 could suppress host innate immunity. These findings reveal a novel pathway for a plant pathogen effector that utilizes the host O2•−-scavenging system to eliminate O2•− and suppress plant immunity.
The X-SHOOTER Lyman α survey at z = 2 (XLS-z2) I: what makes a galaxy a Lyman α emitter?
Authors: Matthee Jorryt , Sobral David , Hayes Matthew , Pezzulli Gabriele , Gronke Max , Schaerer Daniel , Naidu Rohan P , Röttgering Huub , Calhau João , Paulino-Afonso Ana , Santos Sérgio , Amorín Ricardo
Published: May 2021

We present the first results from the X-SHOOTER Lyman α survey at z = 2 (XLS-z2). XLS-z2 is a deep spectroscopic survey of 35 Lyman α emitters (LAEs) utilizing ≈90 h of exposure time with Very Large Telescope/X-SHOOTER and covers rest-frame Ly α to H α emission with R ≈ 4000. We present the sample selection, the observations, and the data reduction. Systemic redshifts are measured from rest-frame optical lines for 33/35 sources. In the stacked spectrum, our LAEs are characterized by an interstellar medium with little dust, a low metallicity, and a high ionization state. The ionizing sources are young hot stars that power strong emission lines in the optical and high-ionization lines in the ultraviolet (UV). The LAEs exhibit clumpy UV morphologies and have outflowing kinematics with blueshifted Si ii absorption, a broad [O iii] component, and a red-skewed Ly α line. Typically, 30 per cent of the Ly α photons escape, of which one quarter on the blue side of the systemic velocity. A fraction of Ly α photons escape directly at the systemic suggesting clear channels enabling an ≈10 per cent escape of ionizing photons, consistent with an inference based on Mg ii. A combination of a low effective H i column density, a low dust content, and young starburst determines whether a star-forming galaxy is observed as an LAE. The first is possibly related to outflows and/or a fortunate viewing angle, while we find that the latter two in LAEs are typical for their stellar mass of 109 M⊙.
Search for gamma rays from SNe with a variable-size sliding-time-window analysis of the Fermi-LAT data
Authors: Prokhorov D A , Moraghan A , Vink J
Published: May 2021

We present a systematic search for γ-ray emission from supernovae (SNe) in the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) Pass 8 data. The sample of targets consists of 55,880 candidates from the Open Supernova Catalogue. We searched for γ rays from SNe by means of a variable-size sliding-time-window analysis. Our results confirm the presence of transient γ-ray emission from the sources of non-AGN classes, including transitional pulsars, solar flares, γ-ray bursts, novae, and the Crab Nebula, which are projected near some of these SN’s positions, and also strengthen support to the variable signal in the direction of SN iPTF14hls. The analysis is successful in finding both short (e.g. solar flares) and long (e.g. transitional pulsars) high flux states. Our search reveals two new γ-ray transient signals occurred in 2019 in the directions of optical transients that are SN candidates, AT2019bvr and AT2018iwp, with their flux increases within 6 months after the dates of SN’s discoveries. These signals are bright and their variability is at a higher statistical level than that of iPTF14hls. An exploration of archival multiwavelength observations towards their positions is necessary to establish their association with SNe or other classes of sources. Our analysis, in addition, shows a bright transient γ-ray signal at low Galactic latitudes in the direction of PSR J0205+6449. In addition, we report the results of an all-sky search for γ-ray transient sources. This provided two additional candidates to gamma-ray transient sources.
LAMOST J0140355 + 392651: an evolved cataclysmic variable donor transitioning to become an extremely low-mass white dwarf
Authors: El-Badry Kareem , Quataert Eliot , Rix Hans-Walter , Weisz Daniel R , Kupfer Thomas , Shen Ken J , Xiang Maosheng , Yang Yong , Liu Xiaowei
Published: May 2021

We present LAMOST J0140355 + 392651 (hereafter J0140), a close (Porb = 3.81 h) binary containing a bloated, low-mass ($M \approx 0.15 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) proto-white dwarf (WD) and a massive ($M \approx 0.95\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) WD companion. The system’s optical light curve is dominated by large-amplitude ellipsoidal variability but also exhibits additional scatter, likely driven by pulsations. The proto-WD is cooler (Teff = 6800 ± 100 K) and more puffy ($\log \left[g/\left({\rm cm\, s^{-2}}\right)\right]=4.74\pm 0.07$) than any known extremely low-mass (ELM) WD, but hotter than any known cataclysmic variable (CV) donor. It either completely or very nearly fills its Roche lobe ($R/R_{{\rm Roche\, lobe}}=0.99\pm 0.01$), suggesting ongoing or recently terminated mass transfer. No dwarf nova-like outbursts have been observed. The spectrum is dominated by the proto-WD but shows tentative hints of H α emission, perhaps due to accretion on to the massive WD. The properties of the system are well-matched by mesa binary evolution models of CVs with donors that underwent significant nuclear evolution before the onset of mass transfer. In these models, the bloated proto-WD is either still losing mass via stable Roche lobe overflow or was doing so until very recently. In either case, it is evolving towards higher temperatures at near-constant luminosity to become an ELM WD. If the system is detached, mass transfer likely ended when the donor became too hot for magnetic braking to remain efficient. Evolutionary models predict that the binary will shrink to Porb ≲ 10 min within a few Gyr, when it will either merge or become an AM CVn binary. J0140 provides an observational link between the formation channels of CVs, ELM WDs, detached ultracompact WD binaries, and AM CVn systems.
Type Ia supernovae in the star formation deserts of spiral host galaxies
Authors: Hakobyan A A , Karapetyan A G , Barkhudaryan L V , Gevorgyan M H , Adibekyan V
Published: May 2021

Using a sample of nearby spiral galaxies hosting 185 supernovae (SNe) Ia, we perform a comparative analysis of the locations and light-curve decline rates (Δm15) of normal and peculiar SNe Ia in the star formation deserts (SFDs) and beyond. To accomplish this, we present a simple visual classification approach based on the UV/H α images of the discs of host galaxies. We demonstrate that, from the perspective of the dynamical time-scale of the SFD, where the star formation is suppressed by the bar evolution, the Δm15 of SN Ia and progenitor age can be related. The SFD phenomenon gives an excellent possibility to separate a subpopulation of SN Ia progenitors with ages older than a few Gyr. We show, for the first time, that the SFDs contain mostly faster declining SNe Ia (Δm15 > 1.25). For the galaxies without SFDs, the region within the bar radius, and outer disc contain mostly slower declining SNe Ia. To better constrain the delay times of SNe Ia, we encourage new studies (e.g. integral field observations) using the SFD phenomenon on larger and more robust datasets of SNe Ia and their host galaxies.
Sample Sequence Analysis Uncovers Recurrent Horizontal Transfers of Transposable Elements among Grasses
Authors: Park Minkyu , Christin Pascal-Antoine , Bennetzen Jeffrey L
Published: May 2021

Limited genome resources are a bottleneck in the study of horizontal transfer (HT) of DNA in plants. To solve this issue, we tested the usefulness of low-depth sequencing data generated from 19 previously uncharacterized panicoid grasses for HT investigation. We initially searched for horizontally transferred LTR-retrotransposons by comparing the 19 sample sequences to 115 angiosperm genome sequences. Frequent HTs of LTR-retrotransposons were identified solely between panicoids and rice (Oryza sativa). We consequently focused on additional Oryza species and conducted a nontargeted investigation of HT involving the panicoid genus Echinochloa, which showed the most HTs in the first set of analyses. The comparison of nine Echinochloa samples and ten Oryza species identified recurrent HTs of diverse transposable element (TE) types at different points in Oryza history, but no confirmed cases of HT for sequences other than TEs. One case of HT was observed from one Echinochloa species into one Oryza species with overlapping geographic distributions. Variation among species and data sets highlights difficulties in identifying all HT, but our investigations showed that sample sequence analyses can reveal the importance of HT for the diversification of the TE repertoire of plants.
Multiplexed single-cell profiling of chromatin states at genomic loci by expansion microscopy
Authors: Woodworth Marcus A , Ng Kenneth K H , Halpern Aaron R , Pease Nicholas A , Nguyen Phuc H B , Kueh Hao Yuan , Vaughan Joshua C
Published: May 2021

Proper regulation of genome architecture and activity is essential for the development and function of multicellular organisms. Histone modifications, acting in combination, specify these activity states at individual genomic loci. However, the methods used to study these modifications often require either a large number of cells or are limited to targeting one histone mark at a time. Here, we developed a new method called Single Cell Evaluation of Post-TRanslational Epigenetic Encoding (SCEPTRE) that uses Expansion Microscopy (ExM) to visualize and quantify multiple histone modifications at non-repetitive genomic regions in single cells at a spatial resolution of ∼75 nm. Using SCEPTRE, we distinguished multiple histone modifications at a single housekeeping gene, quantified histone modification levels at multiple developmentally-regulated genes in individual cells, and evaluated the relationship between histone modifications and RNA polymerase II loading at individual loci. We find extensive variability in epigenetic states between individual gene loci hidden from current population-averaged measurements. These findings establish SCEPTRE as a new technique for multiplexed detection of combinatorial chromatin states at single genomic loci in single cells.
Cooperative DNA looping by PRC2 complexes
Authors: Lin Xingcheng , Leicher Rachel , Liu Shixin , Zhang Bin
Published: May 2021

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is an essential protein complex that silences gene expression via post-translational modifications of chromatin. This paper combined homology modeling, atomistic and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, and single-molecule force spectroscopy experiments to characterize both its full-length structure and PRC2-DNA interactions. Using free energy calculations with a newly parameterized protein-DNA force field, we studied a total of three potential PRC2 conformations and their impact on DNA binding and bending. Consistent with cryo-EM studies, we found that EZH2, a core subunit of PRC2, provides the primary interface for DNA binding, and its curved surface can induce DNA bending. Our simulations also predicted the C2 domain of the SUZ12 subunit to contact DNA. Multiple PRC2 complexes bind with DNA cooperatively via allosteric communication through the DNA, leading to a hairpin-like looped configuration. Single-molecule experiments support PRC2-mediated DNA looping and the role of AEBP2 in regulating such loop formation. The impact of AEBP2 can be partly understood from its association with the C2 domain, blocking C2 from DNA binding. Our study suggests that accessory proteins may regulate the genomic location of PRC2 by interfering with its DNA interactions.
Effects on Smoking Behavior of Switching Menthol Smokers to Non-menthol Cigarettes
Authors: Kotlyar Michael , Shanley Ryan , Dufresne Sheena R , Corcoran Gretchen A , Okuyemi Kolawole S , Mills Anne M , Hatsukami Dorothy K
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Bans of menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes have been implemented in some localities and have been proposed more broadly. One proposed benefit of such a ban is to increase cessation rates among current menthol smokers. There is currently relatively limited data regarding how smoking behavior changes if menthol smokers switch to non-menthol cigarettes.

Aims and Methods

African American menthol smokers interested in quitting smoking were randomized to either continue smoking menthol (n = 60) or switch to non-menthol cigarettes (n = 62) for 1 month prior to a cessation attempt. Cessation results were reported previously; this analysis reports the results from the pre-cessation visits at which amount smoked, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, urinary cotinine concentrations, and subjective measures were assessed.

Results

Over the 4-week study period, those switching to non-menthol (vs. continuing to smoke menthol) cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes per day (mean ratio: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 0.98; p = .02), reported lower withdrawal symptom severity (mean difference −1.29; 95% CI: −2.6 to −0.01; p = .05) and higher perceived effectiveness of their skills for quitting smoking (mean difference 0.56; 95% CI: 0.02–1.10; p = .05). No significant differences were found between groups in exhaled CO, urinary cotinine concentrations, or most other subjective effects including support for a ban on menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes.

Conclusions

These results suggest that were menthol cigarettes no longer available, those that switch to non-menthol cigarettes would not change their smoking behavior in a way that is likely to be more hazardous, with some indicators suggesting that there may be some benefit.

Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02342327.

Implications

A ban on menthol characterizing flavor in cigarettes has been proposed as a potential means by which to increase smoking cessation rates among current menthol cigarette smokers. This study evaluated how African American menthol cigarette smokers adjusted their smoking behavior after switching to non-menthol cigarettes. Although the overall differences between groups were modest, they were in a direction consistent with decreased smoking suggesting that current smokers would not adjust their behavior in a way that is likely to be more hazardous, with some indicators suggesting that there may be some benefits.
Giant cell reparative granuloma of the phalanx in a violinist
Authors: Ventura-Parellada C , Martínez-Ruiz A , Subirà-i-Álvarez T
Published: May 2021

Giant cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is a rare, pseudotumoural intraosseous lesion, considered a reactive injury after repeated trauma. Reactive lesions and benign bone tumours may show aggressive clinical and radiographic findings. Differential diagnosis must be performed in order to offer suitable treatment to the patient. Excisional biopsy and curettage of the lesion are the preferred methods of treatment. We present the first case of a GCRG of the distal phalanx of the left little finger in a professional violinist.
Hand–arm vibration and outcomes of surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture
Authors: Stirling P H C , Ng N , Jenkins P J , Clement N D , Duckworth A D , McEachan J E
Published: May 2021

Background

Dupuytren’s contracture was recently designated a prescribed occupational disease when it occurs in patients with previous hand–arm vibration (HAV) exposure.

Aims

The aims of this study were to describe the impact of self-reported HAV exposure on upper limb function and satisfaction following surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture.

Methods

Paired pre- and postoperative Quick version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and patient satisfaction questionnaires were prospectively collected from all patients undergoing surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture over a 6-year period. Patients self-reported HAV exposure duration.

Results

Results were available for 425 hands (65%) at mean 13 months postoperatively. There were 111 patients (26%) that reported HAV exposure. The prevalence of HAV exposure was significantly greater in male compared with female patients (32% versus 4%; P < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in preoperative (difference 7.47; 95% confidence interval 4.78–10.17; P < 0.001) and postoperative QuickDASH score (difference 6.78; 95% confidence interval 2.69–10.88; P < 0.001) was observed between the two groups, but difference in QuickDASH improvement was not significantly different (difference 1.76; 95% confidence interval −1.58 to 5.10; P > 0.05). No significant difference in satisfaction rate or return to work was observed between the two groups.

Conclusions

Previous HAV exposure influenced the pre and postoperative function in patients undergoing surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture, but had no effect on satisfaction or return to work. Further prospective research will be required to determine whether the introduction of a compensatory framework will have a more profound effect on the functional outcomes of surgery.
Impact of Routine Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery on Subjective Olfaction and Gustation Outcomes
Authors: Hura Nanki , Orlov Cinthia P , Khalafallah Adham M , Mukherjee Debraj , Rowan Nicholas R
Published: May 2021

BACKGROUND

As endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EESBS) for sellar pathology has become routine, there is increasing awareness of quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes related to this approach. Similarly, there is a growing interest in postoperative chemosensory function, with notable emphasis on olfaction and the corresponding psychosocial implications of olfactory dysfunction. Meanwhile, there has been minimal direct investigation into gustatory outcomes, and the association between these 2 chemosensory functions remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate patient-reported chemosensory function and rhinologic-specific QOL following EESBS for routine sellar pathologies.

METHODS

Comprehensive clinical characteristics and sinonasal QOL assessments, measured using Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory-12 (ASK Nasal-12), were collected from 46 patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathology.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were included: 65.2% female, average age 52.8 yr (range: 27-89). The most common pathology was nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (n = 28). Preoperative ASK Nasal-12 scores (mean = 0.81) demonstrated postoperative worsening at 2 wk (mean = 2.52, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 1.33, P = .0031), with no difference at 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 0.89, P = .92). Meanwhile, there was significant worsening of preoperative subjective smell (mean = 0.62) and taste function (mean = 0.42) at 2 wk (mean = 3.48, P < .0001; mean = 2.69, P < .0001) and 1 mo (mean = 2.40, P < .0001; mean = 2.03, P < .0001) postoperatively, which persisted at approximately 3 mo postoperatively (mean = 1.26, P = .04; mean = 1.15, P = .0059).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing EESBS for sellar pathologies experience anticipated, temporary disruptions in sinonasal QOL but may have longer lasting perturbations in subjective olfaction and gustation. Given the increasing use of the endoscopic endonasal corridor, further investigation in postoperative chemosensory function is essential.
Combined Endovascular and Microsurgical Management of a Tentorial Arteriovenous Malformation in a Hybrid Neurovascular Operating Room: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Glauser Gregory , Detchou Donald K E , Arena John , Choudhri Omar
Published: May 2021

Tentorial margin arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) at the cerebello-mesencephalic fissure are deep lesions, which can be safely resected via a lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach. This video illustrates the case of a patient who presented with hemorrhage from a tentorial AVM. He was managed in the hybrid neurovascular operating room with Onyx (Medtronic) embolization of a superior cerebellar artery feeder followed by resection of the AVM, which included cerebellar relaxation from lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage and lateral positioning. Wide cisternal arachnoid dissection at the quadrigeminal cistern allowed for a straight trajectory to the AVM without fixed retraction. Intraoperative transradial angiography confirmed complete AVM exclusion. This video was deemed Institutional Review Board (IRB) exempt by the University of Pennsylvania IRB as it is considered a case report, which does not require IRB approval or patient consent.

 The patient consented to the procedure.
‘Non-criteria antiphospholipid antibodies’: bridging the gap between seropositive and seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Truglia Simona , Mancuso Silvia , Capozzi Antonella , Recalchi Serena , Riitano Gloria , Longo Agostina , De Carolis Sara , Spinelli Francesca Romana , Alessandri Cristiano , Ceccarelli Fulvia , De Carolis Caterina , Misasi Roberta , Sorice Maurizio , Conti Fabrizio
Published: May 2021

Objective

We aimed to analyse the prevalence of non-criteria anti-phospholipid (aPL) antibodies and their role in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in a cohort of patients with clinical features consistent with a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), but persistently negative for criteria aPL – anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL), anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2-GPI) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) – named seronegative APS (SN-APS).

Methods

Sera from SN-APS patients were tested for aCL by TLC-immunostaining, anti-vimentin/cardiolipin (aVim/CL) and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (anti-PS/PT) by ELISA. Control groups of our study were APS patients and healthy controls.

Results

We enrolled 114 consecutive SN-APS patients, 69 (60.5%) resulted positive for at least one non-criteria test in two occasions 12 weeks apart. Among the persistently positive patients to these tests, 97% resulted positive for aCL by TLC-immunostaining, 52.3% for aVim/CL and 17.4% for aPS/PT. SN-APS patients with double positivity (aCL by TLC-immunostaining and aVim/CL) showed a likelihood positive ratio of 8 to present mixed thrombotic and obstetrical features. Among SN-APS patients tested positive, after the therapeutic changes, three cases of recurrent thrombosis were observed [median follow-up 41 months (IQR 39.5)]. Twenty pregnancies were recorded in 17 SN-APS patients after the detection of unconventional aPL and 12 of them (60%) experienced a good outcome under conventional treatment for APS.

Conclusions

This is the largest monocentric study demonstrating that aCL tested by TLC-immunostaining and aVim/CL can detect aPL positivity in SN-APS. It may encourage clinicians to monitor and provide adequate targeted therapy, which improve SN-APS prognosis.
Reduced neural responsiveness to looming stimuli is associated with increased aggression
Authors: Blair R James , Zhang R u , Bashford-Largo Johannah , Bajaj Sahil , Mathur Avantika , Ringle Jay , Schwartz Amanda , Elowsky Jaimie , Dobbertin Matthew , Blair Karina S , Tyler Patrick M
Published: May 2021

While neuro-cognitive work examining aggression has examined patients with conditions at increased risk for aggression or individuals self-reporting past aggression, little work has attempted to identify neuro-cognitive markers associated with observed/recorded aggression. The goal of the current study was to determine the extent to which aggression by youth in the first three months of residential care was associated with atypical responsiveness to threat stimuli. This functional MRI study involved 98 (68 male; mean age = 15.96 [sd = 1.52]) adolescents in residential care performing a looming threat task involving images of threatening and neutral human faces or animals that appeared to be either loom or recede. Level of aggression was negatively associated with responding to looming stimuli (irrespective of whether these were threatening or neutral) within regions including bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, right inferior parietal lobule, right superior/middle temporal gyrus and a region of right uncus proximal to the amygdala. These data indicate that aggression level is associated with a decrease in responsiveness to a basic threat cue-looming stimuli. Reduced threat responsiveness likely results in the individual being less able to represent the negative consequences that may result from engaging in aggression, thereby increasing the risk for aggressive episodes.
Sex-specific interaction between cortisol and striato-limbic responses to psychosocial stress
Authors: Henze Gina-Isabelle , Konzok Julian , Kreuzpointner Ludwig , Bärtl Christoph , Giglberger Marina , Peter Hannah , Streit Fabian , Kudielka Brigitte M , Kirsch Peter , Wüst Stefan
Published: May 2021

Although women and men differ in psychological and endocrine stress responses as well as in the prevalence rates of stress-related disorders, knowledge on sex differences regarding stress regulation in the brain is scarce. Therefore, we performed an in-depth analysis of data from 67 healthy participants (31 women, taking oral contraceptives), who were exposed to the ScanSTRESS paradigm in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Changes in cortisol, affect, heart rate and neural activation in response to psychosocial stress were examined in women and men as well as potential sex-specific interactions between stress response domains. Stress exposure led to significant cortisol increases, with men exhibiting higher levels than women. Depending on sex, cortisol elevations were differently associated with stress-related responses in striato-limbic structures: higher increases were associated with activations in men but with deactivations in women. Regarding affect or heart rate responses, no sex differences emerged. Although women and men differ in their overall stress reactivity, our findings do not support the idea of distinct neural networks as the base of this difference. Instead, we found differential stress reactions for women and men in identical structures. We propose considering quantitative predictors such as sex-specific cortisol increases when exploring neural response differences of women and men.
OpenTree: A Python Package for Accessing and Analyzing Data from the Open Tree of Life
Authors: Mctavish Emily Jane , Sánchez-Reyes Luna Luisa , Holder Mark T
Published: May 2021

The Open Tree of Life project constructs a comprehensive, dynamic, and digitally available tree of life by synthesizing published phylogenetic trees along with taxonomic data. Open Tree of Life provides web-service application programming interfaces (APIs) to make the tree estimate, unified taxonomy, and input phylogenetic data available to anyone. Here, we describe the Python package opentree, which provides a user friendly Python wrapper for these APIs and a set of scripts and tutorials for straightforward downstream data analyses. We demonstrate the utility of these tools by generating an estimate of the phylogenetic relationships of all bird families, and by capturing a phylogenetic estimate for all taxa observed at the University of California Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve.[Evolution; open science; phylogenetics; Python; taxonomy.]
Estimation of endogenous intestinal losses of acid hydrolyzed ether extract in growing and finishing pigs using the linear regression method
Authors: Acosta Jesus A , Boyd R Dean , Patience John F
Published: May 2021

The approach of this experiment was to apply the regression method for the estimation of endogenous intestinal losses of ether extract (EEE) when pigs are fed complete diets ad libitum and using dietary levels of fat typical of those employed in commercial situations. A total of 40 gilts (PIC 337 sires × C22 or C29) were allotted to individual pens and randomly assigned to diets (8 pigs per treatment) with 5 different levels of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE). The dietary treatments consisted of a corn-soybean meal diet with no added fat (L1); a corn-soy diet with 6% each of corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn germ meal, and wheat middlings (L2); the L2 diet but with 12% each of corn DDGS, corn germ meal, and wheat middlings (L3); the L2 diet plus soybean oil to equalize the NE concentration of the L2 diet with L1 (L4); and the L3 diet plus soybean oil to equalize the NE concentration of the L3 diet with L1 (L5). Pigs received feed and water ad libitum for the growing period (initial BW = 38.5 ± 1.2 kg) and the finishing period (initial BW = 73.82 ± 2.9 kg). A quadratic broken-line model was employed to estimate the response of apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of AEE to dietary AEE level. The average true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of AEE and endogenous losses of AEE were estimated using regression analysis of dietary AEE intake (g/kg of DM) against apparent digested AEE (g/kg of DMI). The ATTD of AEE increased in curvilinear fashion as dietary AEE level increased in growing and in finishing pigs (P < 0.001). This suggests an influence of EEE on the ATTD of AEE estimates. The linear regression of apparent digested AEE against dietary AEE intake (L1–L5; P < 0.001, R2 = 0.99 for growing pigs and P < 0.001, R2 = 0.99 for finishing pigs) estimated greater EEE (P < 0.05) and TTTD of AEE (P < 0.05) for growing than finishing pigs. Estimated EEE from growing pigs ranged between 18.1 and 20.2 g/kg of DMI, while TTTD of AEE ranged between 96.40% and 100.70%. In finishing pigs, EEE ranged between 21.6 and 23.8 g/kg of DMI and TTTD of AEE ranged between 91.30% and 95.25%. In conclusion, EEE under practical conditions is estimated to be 19.2 g/kg of DMI in growing and 22.7 g/kg of DMI in finishing pigs.
Effects of Wheat Cultivar Mixtures on Population Genetic Structure of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Chu Bingyao , Yuan Kai , Wang Cuicui , Yang Lujia , Jiang Bingbing , Gu Yilin , Ma Zhanhong
Published: May 2021

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most destructive wheat diseases worldwide. Understanding the effects of cultivar mixture on disease control and population genetic structure of Pst could promote the effective application of cultivar mixtures. This study designed nine cultivar mixtures composed of different component cultivars with field experiments in Zitong County, Sichuan Province in two seasons from 2016 to 2018. Diseased leaves were collected in each plot of treatment in the spring and, in total, 835 and 568 isolates were obtained and genotyped with 10 pairs of simple sequence repeat markers in the 2 years, respectively. The observed and theoretical values of the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), wheat yield, Pst genotypic diversity, and the frequency of Pst dominant genetic groups were compared among cultivar mixtures. With the 2 years’ experiments, there were three and two cultivar mixtures, respectively, showing significant effect on the relative reduction of AUDPC; there were no significant effects on the relative yield increase in all mixtures in the 2 years. There were four and five cultivar mixtures showing positive effects on the relative increase of Pst genotypic diversity in the 2 years, respectively. Moreover, all cultivar mixtures could decrease the frequencies of Pst dominant genetic groups on highly susceptible component cultivar compared with their theoretical frequencies.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Using Kern’s 6-Step Approach to Integrate Health Systems Science Curricula Into Medical Education
Authors: Singh Mamta K. , Gullett Heidi L. , Thomas Patricia A.
Published: May 2021

The term “health systems science” (HSS) has recently emerged as a unifying label for competencies in health care delivery and in population and community health. Despite strong evidence that HSS competencies are needed in the current and future health care workforce, heretofore the integration of HSS into medical education has been slow or fragmented—due, in part, to a lack of evidence that these curricula improve education or population outcomes. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the national reckoning with racial inequities in the United States further highlight the time-sensitive imperative to integrate HSS content across the medical education continuum. While acknowledging challenges, the authors highlight the unique opportunities inherent in an HSS curriculum and present an elaborated curricular framework for incorporating health care delivery and population health into undergraduate medical education. This framework includes competencies previously left out of medical education, increases the scope of faculty development, and allows for evidence of effectiveness beyond traditional learner-centric metrics. The authors apply a widely adopted 6-step approach to curriculum development to address the unique challenges of incorporating HSS. Two examples—of a module on quality improvement (health care delivery) and of an introductory course on health equity (population and community health)—illustrate how the 6-step approach can be used to build HSS curricula. The Supplemental Digital Appendix (at http://links.lww.com/ACADMED/B106) outlines this approach and provides specific examples and resources. Adapting these resources within local environments to build HSS curricula will allow medical educators to ensure future graduates have the expertise and commitment necessary to effect health systems change and to advocate for their communities, while also building the much-needed evidence for such curricula.