bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic versus ecological prey traits among arthropodophagous bats: implications for surveying trophic partitioning patterns
Authors: Segura-Trujillo Cintya A , Álvarez-Castañeda Sergio Ticul , Castañeda-Rico Susette , Maldonado Jesús E
Published: February 2022

Species can coexist spatially and temporally by partitioning the niche space and forming complex assemblages made up of different species that share the prey resource. Chiroptera is the second most species-rich mammalian order and about 75% of bat species feed on arthropods, which makes these bats a good model group for studying complex trophic interactions. Next-generation parallel sequencing techniques allow a detailed analysis of arthropod resource partitioning patterns in bats. However, previous studies have not reached a consensus on the concordance between diet composition, habitat use, and segregation of trophic resources in bats. We analyzed diet composition in terms of taxonomy of the insect prey, and the prey characteristics. Feces of 16 bat species were examined in the Mexican Neotropics. We carried out a SIMPER (similarity percentage) test, nonmetric multidimensional scaling, and principal component analyses to identify general segregation patterns of trophic resources in relation to the habitat-use guild of bats and computed Pianka’s niche overlap index between species and Levin’s index to estimate the niche width of each species. Bats from the same locality tend to partition their diet, with a niche overlap ranging between 0.5 and 0.8. The highest values were found between species with different foraging behaviors. We suggest that future bat diet studies should incorporate the ecological and taxonomic information of arthropod prey to better understand the trophic interactions with bats.
Origin of young accreting neutron stars in high-mass X-ray binaries in supernova remnants
Authors: Khokhriakova A D , Popov S B
Published: February 2022

Recently, several accreting neutron stars (NSs) in X-ray binary systems inside supernova remnants have been discovered. They represent a puzzle for the standard magnetorotational evolution of NSs, as their ages (≲105 yr) are much shorter than the expected duration of Ejector and Propeller stages preceding the onset of wind accretion. To explain appearance of such systems, we consider rotational evolution of NSs with early fallback accretion and asymmetry in forward/backward transitions between Ejector and Propeller stages (so-called hysteresis effect proposed by V. Shvartsman in 1970). It is shown that after a successful fallback episode with certain realistic values of the initial spin period, stellar wind properties, and magnetic field, a young NS may not enter the Ejector stage during its evolution which results in a relatively rapid initiation of accretion within the lifetime of a supernova remnant. For a standard magnetic field ∼1012 G and initial spin period ∼0.1–0.2 s accretion rate ≳1014–1015 g s−1 is enough to avoid the Ejector stage.
Forward and back: kinematics of the Palomar 5 tidal tails
Authors: Kuzma P B , Ferguson A M N , Varri A L , Irwin M J , Bernard E J , Tolstoy E , Peñarrubia J , Zucker D B
Published: February 2022

The tidal tails of Palomar 5 (Pal 5) have been the focus of many spectroscopic studies in an attempt to identify individual stars lying along the stream and characterize their kinematics. The well-studied trailing tail has been explored out to a distance of 15○ from the cluster centre, while less than 4° have been examined along the leading tail. In this paper, we present results of a spectroscopic study of two fields along the leading tail that we have observed with the AAOmega spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian telescope. One of these fields lies roughly 7○ along the leading tail, beyond what has been previously been explored spectroscopically. Combining our measurements of kinematics and line strengths with Pan-STARRS1 photometric data and Gaia EDR3 astrometry, we adopt a probabilistic approach to identify 16 stars with a high probability of belonging to the Pal 5 stream. Eight of these stars lie in the outermost field and their sky positions confirm the presence of ‘fanning’ in the leading arm. We also revisit previously published radial velocity studies and incorporate Gaia EDR3 astrometry to remove interloping field stars. With a final sample of 109 bona fide Pal 5 cluster and tidal stream stars, we characterize the 3D kinematics along the the full extent of the system. We provide this catalogue for future modeling work.
The completed SDSS-IV extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: cosmological implications from multitracer BAO analysis with galaxies and voids
Authors: Zhao Cheng , Variu Andrei , He Mengfan , Forero-Sánchez Daniel , Tamone Amélie , Chuang Chia-Hsun , Kitaura Francisco-Shu , Tao Charling , Yu Jiaxi , Kneib Jean-Paul , Percival Will J , Shan Huanyuan , Zhao Gong-Bo , Burtin Etienne , Dawson Kyle S , Rossi Graziano , Schneider Donald P , de la Macorra Axel
Published: February 2022

We construct cosmic void catalogues with the dive void finder upon SDSS BOSS DR12 and eBOSS DR16 galaxy samples with BAO reconstruction, and perform a joint BAO analysis using different types of galaxies and the corresponding voids. The BAO peak is evident for the galaxy–galaxy, galaxy–void, and void–void correlation functions of all data sets, including the ones cross-correlating LRG and ELG samples. Two multitracer BAO fitting schemes are tested, one combining the galaxy and void correlation functions with a weight applied to voids, and the other using a single BAO dilation parameter for all clustering measurements. Both methods produce consistent results with mock catalogues, and on average ∼10 per cent improvements of the BAO statistical uncertainties are observed for all samples, compared to the results from galaxies alone. By combining the clustering of galaxies and voids, the uncertainties of BAO measurements from the SDSS data are reduced by 5–15 per cent, yielding 0.9 per cent, 0.8 per cent, 1.1 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 2.9 per cent constraints on the distance $D_{_{\rm V}}(z)$, at effective redshifts 0.38, 0.51, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.85, respectively. When combined with BAO measurements from SDSS MGS, QSO, and Lyα samples, as well as the BBN results, we obtain $H_0 = 67.58 \pm 0.91\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}^{-1}$, Ωm = 0.290 ± 0.015, and $\Omega _\Lambda h^2 = 0.3241 \pm 0.0079$ in the flat-ΛCDM framework, where the 1σ uncertainties are around 6 per cent, 6 per cent, and 17 per cent smaller respectively, compared to constraints from the corresponding anisotropic BAO measurements without voids and LRG–ELG cross-correlations.
Connecting galaxy evolution in clusters with their radial profiles and phase space distribution: results from the IllustrisTNG hydrodynamical simulations
Authors: Dacunha Tara , Belyakov Matthew , Adhikari Susmita , Shin Tae-hyeon , Goldstein Samuel , Jain Bhuvnesh
Published: February 2022

We study the population of galaxies around galaxy clusters in the hydrodynamic simulation suite IllustrisTNG 300-1 to study the signatures of their evolutionary history on observable properties. We measure the radial number density profile, phase space distribution, and splashback radius for galaxies of different masses and colours over the redshift range z = 0−1. The three primary physical effects which shape the galaxy distribution within clusters are the galaxy quenching, angular momentum distribution, and dynamical friction. We find three distinct populations of galaxies by applying a Gaussian mixture model to their distribution in colour and mass. They have distinct evolutionary histories and leave distinct signatures on their distribution around cluster haloes. We find that low-mass red galaxies show the most concentrated distribution in clusters and the largest splashback radius, while high-mass red galaxies show a less concentrated distribution and a smaller splashback radius. Blue galaxies, which mostly quench into the low-mass red population, have the shallowest distribution within the clusters, with those on radial orbits quenched rapidly before reaching pericentre. Comparison with the distribution of galaxies from the Dark Energy Survey survey around Sunyaev–Zeldovich clusters from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and South Pole Telescope surveys shows evidence for differences in galaxy evolution between simulations and data.
AstroSat detection of a quasi-periodic oscillation at ∼42 Hz in Cygnus X-2
Authors: Chhangte Vanzarmawii , Roy Jayashree , Misra Ranjeev , Zadeng Lalthakimi
Published: February 2022

We report the results of AstroSat observations of Cygnus X-2 during 2016 February. The source’s power density spectrum generated using Large Area X-ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) data revealed the presence of a prominent quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) at ∼42 Hz with broad-band continuum noise at lower frequencies at ∼10 Hz. The large effective area of LAXPC at ≳30 keV allowed for an unprecedented study of the energy dependence of the QPO and the broad noise continuum. The fractional rms increases with energy, and its shape is similar for both the QPO and the continuum noise, suggesting a common radiative origin. However, while the QPO exhibits hard time-lags, with the high-energy photons lagging the low ones by a few milliseconds, the continuum noise shows the opposite behaviour. The photon spectrum from Soft X-ray Imaging Telescope and LAXPC in 0.7–30 keV band comprises the soft component from a disc and a hard Comptonized component from a hot corona. While the energy dependence of the rms shows that the QPO and the continuum noise variability are dominated by the Comptonized component, the change in sign of the time-lag suggests that the dynamic origin of the QPO may be in the disc while the noise continuum may originate from the corona.
Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles induced genotoxicity in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells through modulation of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Lugun Onila , Singh Jagreeti , Thakur Ravindra Singh , Pandey Alok Kumar
Published: February 2022

Incessant production, pervasive applications in different fields, and eventually unintended exposure of cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) lead to rise in their toxicity studies toward human health. However, the information regarding the potential toxicity mechanisms of Co3O4 NPs especially genotoxicity is still sparse with missing interconnections. So far, only solitary reports on Co3O4 NPs are at hand, bearing witness to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated DNA damage in lung cells. To address this, we evaluated the Co3O4 NP-induced cytotoxic and genotoxic potential in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line (V79). Our preliminary results demonstrate that Co3O4 NPs at concentrations of 20–100 µg/ml induced moderate mortality after 24-h exposure. However, these low concentrations caused a significant reduction in various organelles’ activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Mitochondrial activity and membrane potential were found to be compromised due to NP exposure in a concentration-dependent manner. The study affirms that Co3O4 NPs inhibited lysosomal activity in V79 cells. In addition to this, Co3O4 NPs are also found to stimulate free oxygen radical generation. Genotoxicity studies revealed a potent and dose-dependent effect of non-cytotoxic concentrations of Co3O4 NPs in the induction of DNA lesions. Interestingly, N-acetylcysteine, a free oxygen radical scavenger (5, 10 mM, pretreatment) inhibited the progression of free oxygen radicals and induction of Co3O4 NP-mediated DNA lesions. This suggests the ROS-mediated genotoxic potential of Co3O4 NPs.
RadD is a RecA-dependent accessory protein that accelerates DNA strand exchange
Authors: Bonde Nina J , Romero Zachary J , Chitteni-Pattu Sindhu , Cox Michael M
Published: February 2022

In rapidly growing cells, with recombinational DNA repair required often and a new replication fork passing every 20 min, the pace of RecA-mediated DNA strand exchange is potentially much too slow for bacterial DNA metabolism. The enigmatic RadD protein, a putative SF2 family helicase, exhibits no independent helicase activity on branched DNAs. Instead, RadD greatly accelerates RecA-mediated DNA strand exchange, functioning only when RecA protein is present. The RadD reaction requires the RadD ATPase activity, does not require an interaction with SSB, and may disassemble RecA filaments as it functions. We present RadD as a new class of enzyme, an accessory protein that accelerates DNA strand exchange, possibly with a helicase-like action, in a reaction that is entirely RecA-dependent. RadD is thus a DNA strand exchange (recombination) synergist whose primary function is to coordinate closely with and accelerate the DNA strand exchange reactions promoted by the RecA recombinase. Multiple observations indicate a uniquely close coordination of RadD with RecA function.
Molecular basis of crosstalk in nuclear receptors: heterodimerization between PXR and CAR and the implication in gene regulation
Authors: Bwayi Monicah N , Garcia-Maldonado Efren , Chai Sergio C , Xie Boer , Chodankar Shirish , Huber Andrew D , Wu Jing , Annu Kavya , Wright William C , Lee Hyeong-Min , Seetharaman Jayaraman , Wang Jingheng , Buchman Cameron D , Peng Junmin , Chen Taosheng
Published: February 2022

The 48 human nuclear receptors (NRs) form a superfamily of transcription factors that regulate major physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidence suggests that NR crosstalk can fundamentally change our understanding of NR biology, but detailed molecular mechanisms of crosstalk are lacking. Here, we report the molecular basis of crosstalk between the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), where they form a novel heterodimer, resulting in their mutual inhibition. PXR and CAR regulate drug metabolism and energy metabolism. Although they have been broadly perceived as functionally redundant, a growing number of reports suggests a mutual inhibitory relation, but their precise mode of coordinated action remains unknown. Using methods including RNA sequencing, small-angle X-ray scattering and crosslinking mass spectrometry we demonstrate that the mutual inhibition altered gene expression globally and is attributed to the novel PXR–CAR heterodimerization via the same interface used by each receptor to heterodimerize with its functional partner, retinoid X receptor (RXR). These findings establish an unexpected functional relation between PXR, CAR and RXR, change the perceived functional relation between PXR and CAR, open new perspectives on elucidating their role and designing approaches to regulate them, and highlight the importance to comprehensively investigate nuclear receptor crosstalk.
Recent progress in the interaction between energetic particles and tearing modes
Authors: Cai Huishan , Li Ding
Published: February 2022

The dynamics of energetic particles and tearing modes and the interactions between them are of great significance for magnetically confined fusion plasmas. In this review, we focus on these issues in the context of tokamak plasmas. The interaction between energetic particles and tearing modes is considered from two perspectives: (i) the influence of energetic particles on tearing modes and (ii) the transport of energetic particles by tearing modes. The influence of energetic particles on tearing modes is described on the basis of a general dispersion relation for tearing modes. The effects of energetic particles are considered separately in the outer region and the island region of a tearing mode. The physics mainly results from the modification of the perturbed parallel current by energetic particles without wave–particle resonance. In addition, the resonance between energetic particles and tearing modes is also reviewed. For the transport of energetic particles, transport of both circulating and trapped energetic particles by tearing mode is reviewed. Our descriptions of physical phenomena here are based on an analytical approach, while the experiments and simulations are used to illustrate and confirm our results. Finally, a number of open issues are discussed.
Phase I Study of JNJ-74699157 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors Harboring the KRAS G12C Mutation
Authors: Wang Judy , Martin-Romano Patricia , Cassier Philippe , Johnson Melissa , Haura Eric , Lenox Laurie , Guo Yue , Bandyopadhyay Nibedita , Russell Michael , Shearin Elizabeth , Lauring Josh , Dahan Laetitia
Published: February 2022

Background

Patients with KRAS-mutant cancers have limited treatment options. Here we present a phase I study of JNJ-74699157, an oral, selective, covalent inhibitor of the KRAS G12C isoform, in patients with advanced cancer harboring the KRAS G12C mutation.

Methods

Eligible patients (aged ≥18 years) who had previously received or were ineligible for standard treatment received JNJ-74699157 once daily on a 21-day cycle. Dose escalation was guided by a modified continual reassessment method.

Results

Ten patients (100 mg: 9 and 200 mg: 1) were enrolled. Tumor types included non–small cell lung cancer (n = 5), colorectal cancer (n = 4), and carcinoma of unknown primary site (n = 1). The median age was 65 (range: 36-74) years and median treatment duration was 2.91 (range: 0.5-7.5) months. Dose-limiting toxicities of grades 3–4 increased blood creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) were observed in 100 mg and 200 mg dose levels. The most common adverse event was increased blood CPK (6 patients). No significant clinical benefit was observed; the best response was stable disease in 4 patients (40%).

Conclusion

Based on dose-limiting skeletal muscle toxicities and the lack of efficacy at the 100 mg dose, further enrollment was stopped. The safety profile of JNJ-74699157 was not considered favorable for further clinical development.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier

NCT04006301
Immune-Desert Tumor Microenvironment in Thoracic SMARCA4-Deficient Undifferentiated Tumors with Limited Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Gantzer Justine , Davidson Guillaume , Vokshi Bujamin , Weingertner Noëlle , Bougoüin Antoine , Moreira Marco , Lindner Véronique , Lacroix Guillaume , Mascaux Céline , Chenard Marie-Pierre , Bertucci François , Davidson Irwin , Kurtz Jean-Emmanuel , Sautès-Fridman Catherine , Fridman Wolf H , Malouf Gabriel G
Published: February 2022

Background

Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors (SMARCA4-UT) are aggressive neoplasms. Data linking BAF alterations with tumor microenvironment (TME) and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are contradictory. The TME of SMARCA4-UT and their response to ICI are unknown.

Materials and Methods

Patients diagnosed with SMARCA4-UT in our institution were included. Immunostainings for tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), immune cell markers, and checkpoints were assessed. Validation was performed using an independent transcriptome dataset including SMARCA4-UT, non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) with/without SMARCA4 mutations, and unclassified thoracic sarcomas (UTS). CXCL9 and PD-L1 expressions were assessed in NSCLC and thoracic fibroblast cell lines, with/without SMARCA4 knockdown, treated with/without interferon gamma.

Results

Nine patients were identified. All samples but one showed no TLS, consistent with an immune desert TME phenotype. Four patients received ICI as part of their treatment, but the only one who responded, had a tumor with a TLS and immune-rich TME. Unsupervised clustering of the validation cohort using immune cell scores identified 2 clusters associated with cell ontogeny and immunity (cluster 1 enriched for NSCLC independently of SMARCA4 status (n = 9/10; P = .001); cluster 2 enriched for SMARCA4-UT (n = 11/12; P = .005) and UTS (n = 5/5; P = .0005). SMARCA4 loss-of-function experiments revealed interferon-induced upregulation of CXCL9 and PD-L1 expression in the NSCLC cell line with no effect on the thoracic fibroblast cell line.

Conclusion

SMARCA4-UT mainly have an immune desert TME with limited efficacy to ICI. TME of SMARCA4-driven tumors varies according to the cell of origin questioning the interplay between BAF alterations, cell ontogeny and immunity.
The Palaeoproterozoic Gallujavri Ultramafic Intrusion, Karasjok Greenstone Belt; Petrogenesis of a Trans-Crustal Magma System
Authors: Orvik Alf Andre , Slagstad Trond , Hansen Harald , Nilsson Lars Petter , Sørensen Bjørn Eske
Published: February 2022

The modern concepts of magmatic plumbing systems have evolved from simple models of melt-dominated crustal magma chambers to magmatic systems that span the continental crust. The geochemistry of these systems is challenging to model numerically because of a complex polybaric and multiphase evolution, which is not well described by mathematic end-member formulas. We propose that a recent modelling tool, the Magma Chamber Simulator (MCS), can reveal part of the petrological complexities of such systems. The MCS numerically models phase equilibria, mineral chemistry and major and trace elements in multicomponent–multiphase systems by finding the extremes of the appropriate state functions. This study presents new petrographical and geochemical data from the Palaeoproterozoic Gallujavri ultramafic intrusion in the Karasjok Greenstone Belt, Arctic Norway. Our data indicate that (1) the intrusion is affected by crustal assimilation, (2) phase equilibria require polybaric crystallisation and (3) spinel compositions are similar to sub-volcanic intrusions of continental flood basalt provinces. We utilise the MCS to simulate the petrogenesis of the intrusion and test the model by comparing it against our reported petrological and geochemical data. Our modelling shows that the parental magma of the intrusion is consistent with coeval Karasjok-type komatiites observed at various places throughout the greenstone belt. First, the komatiitic primary magma intruded Archaean lower crust (c. 700 MPa), where fractionation and assimilation resulted in a hybrid melt. Second, the hybrid melt migrated and accumulated in a mid-crustal magma chamber (c. 400 MPa), where it continued to fractionate and assimilate while remaining open to recharge of mantle-derived komatiitic melts, forming the Gallujavri intrusion. We interpret the Gallujavri intrusion as part of a Palaeoproterozoic trans-crustal magma plumbing system, with many similarities to other Fennoscandian ultramafic-mafic layered intrusions.
Sex in the wild: repeated observations of planktonic ciliate conjugation from field samples
Authors: Romano Filomena , Symiakaki Katerina , Pitta Paraskevi
Published: February 2022

Ciliate conjugation is considered a rare event to encounter in the field and it is mostly reported from cultures. In this work, we describe a synchronized conjugation event of planktonic ciliates that was discovered twice; in September 2019, at two different locations in the Cretan Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and in October 2020. In 2019, first, at 2 m depth of the coastal station POSEIDON-HCB, in samples fixed with acid Lugol and formaldehyde, we found 340 and 200 mating pairs L−1of different ciliate species, respectively; and second, at the Heraklion port, we found 220 mating pairs L−1 of Strombidinopsis sp. and 1960 mating pairs L−1 of Strombidium sp. At the Heraklion port visited again in 2020, we found 800 mating pairs L−1 of Strombidinopsis sp. and 200 mating pairs L−1 of Strombidium sp. Since detailed descriptions of conjugation in pelagic oligotrich ciliates are missing, our observations indicate that ciliate conjugation could be a frequent and periodic phenomenon, under specific conditions.
Defining imaging sub-phenotypes of psoriatic arthritis: integrative analysis of imaging data and gene expression in a PsA patient cohort
Authors: Eder Lihi , Li Quan , Rahmati Sara , Rahman Proton , Jurisica Igor , Chandran Vinod
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To define imaging sub-phenotypes in patients with PsA; determine their association with whole blood gene expression and identify biological pathways characterizing the sub-phenotypes.

Methods

Fifty-five patients with PsA ready to initiate treatment for active disease were prospectively recruited. We performed musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment of the extent of inflammation in the following domains: synovitis, peritenonitis, tenosynovitis and enthesitis. Peripheral whole blood was profiled with RNAseq, and gene expression data were obtained. First, unsupervised cluster analysis was performed to define imaging sub-phenotypes that reflected the predominant tissue involved. Subsequently, principal component analysis was used to determine the association between imaging-defined sub-phenotypes and peripheral blood gene expression profile. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify underlying mechanisms that characterize individual sub-phenotypes.

Results

Cluster analysis revealed three imaging sub-phenotypes: (i) synovitis predominant [n = 31 (56%)]; (ii) enthesitis predominant [n = 13 (24%)]; (iii) peritenonitis predominant [n = 11 (20%)]. The peritenonitis-predominant sub-phenotype had the most severe clinical joint involvement, whereas the enthesitis-predominant sub-phenotype had the highest tender entheseal count. Unsupervised clustering of gene expression data identified three sub-phenotypes that partially overlapped with the imaging sub-phenotypes suggesting biological and clinical relevance of these sub-phenotypes. We therefore characterized enriched differential pathways, which included: immune system (innate system, B cells and neutrophil degranulation), complement system, platelet activation and coagulation function.

Conclusions

We identified three sub-phenotypes based on the predominant tissue involved in patients with active PsA. Distinct biological pathways may underlie these imaging sub-phenotypes seen in PsA, suggesting their biological and clinical importance.
Biologic therapy in refractory neurobehçet’s disease: a multicentre study of 41 patients and literature review
Authors: Herrero-Morant Alba , Martín-Varillas José Luis , Castañeda Santos , Maíz Olga , Sánchez Julio , Ortego Norberto , Raya Enrique , Prior-Español Águeda , Moriano Clara , Melero-González Rafael B , Graña-Gil Jenaro , Urruticoechea-Arana Ana , Ramos-Calvo Ángel , Loredo-Martínez Marta , Salgado-Pérez Eva , Sivera Francisca , Torre Ignacio , Narváez Javier , Andreu José Luis , Martínez-González Olga , Torre Ricardo Gómez-de la , Fernández-Aguado Sabela , Romero-Yuste Susana , González-Mazón Íñigo , Álvarez-Reguera Carmen , Hernández José Luis , González-Gay Miguel Ángel , Blanco Ricardo ,   the Neurobehçet Spanish Collaborative Group, Blanco Ana , Callejas José Luis , Brandy-García Anahy , Olivé Alejandro , Díez Elvira , Seijas-López Álvaro , Delgado-Beltrán Concepción
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To assess efficacy and safety of biologic therapy (BT) in neurobehçet’s disease (NBD) refractory to glucocorticoids and at least one conventional immunosuppressive drug.

Methods

Open-label, national, multicentre study. NBD diagnosis was based on the International Consensus Recommendation criteria. Outcome variables were efficacy and safety. Main efficacy outcome was clinical remission. Other outcome variables analysed were glucocorticoid-sparing effect and improvement in laboratory parameters.

Results

We studied 41 patients [21 women; age 40.6 (10.8) years]. Neurological damage was parenchymal (n = 33, 80.5%) and non-parenchymal (n = 17, 41.5%). First BTs used were infliximab (n = 19), adalimumab (n = 14), golimumab (n = 3), tocilizumab (n = 3) and etanercept (n = 2). After 6 months of BT, neurological remission was complete (n = 23, 56.1%), partial (n = 15, 37.6%) and no response (n = 3, 7.3%). In addition, median (IQR) dose of oral prednisone decreased from 60 (30–60) mg/day at the initial visit to 5 (3.8–10) mg/day after 6 months (P < 0.001). It was also the case for mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate [31.5 (25.6)–15.3 (11.9) mm/1st h, P = 0.011] and median (IQR) C-reactive protein [1.4 (0.2–12.8) to 0.3 (0.1–3) mg/dl, P = 0.001]. After a mean follow-up of 57.5 months, partial or complete neurological remission persisted in 37 patients (90.2%). BT was switched in 22 cases (53.6%) due to inefficacy (n = 16) or adverse events (AEs) (n = 6) and discontinued due to complete prolonged remission (n = 3) or severe AE (n = 1). Serious AEs were observed in two patients under infliximab treatment.

Conclusions

BT appears to be effective and relatively safe in refractory NBD.
Arabidopsis GOLD36/MVP1/ERMO3 Is Required for Powdery Mildew Penetration Resistance and Proper Targeting of the PEN3 Transporter
Authors: Underwood William
Published: February 2022

The Arabidopsis PENETRATION 3 (PEN3) ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter contributes to penetration resistance against nonadapted powdery mildew fungi and is targeted to papillae deposited at sites of interaction with the fungus. Timely recruitment of PEN3 and other components of penetration resistance to the host–pathogen interface is important for successful defense against this biotrophic pathogen. A forward genetic screen was previously carried out to identify Arabidopsis mutants that mistarget the PEN3 transporter or fail to accumulate PEN3 at sites of attempted powdery mildew penetration. This study focuses on PEN3 mistargeting in the aberrant localization of PEN3 4 (alp4) mutant and identification of the causal gene. In the alp4 mutant, PEN3 accumulates within the endomembrane system in an apparently abnormal endoplasmic reticulum and is not exported into papillae at powdery mildew penetration sites. This targeting defect compromises defenses at the host–pathogen interface, resulting in increased penetration success by a nonadapted powdery mildew. Genetic mapping identified alp4 as an allele of GOLGI DEFECTS 36 (GOLD36), a gene encoding a GDSL-lipase/esterase family protein that is involved in maintaining normal morphology and organization of multiple endomembrane compartments. Genetic complementation confirmed that mutation in GOLD36 is responsible for the PEN3 targeting and powdery mildew penetration resistance defects in alp4. These results reinforce the importance of endomembrane trafficking in resistance to haustorium-forming phytopathogens such as powdery mildew fungi.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Bowel Obstruction After Sacrocolpopexy: A Case Series
Authors: Wadensweiler Paul , Whitcomb Emily L. , Jeney Sarah E. S. , Meller Daniel , Moran Katherine , Guaderrama Noelani M. , Brueseke Taylor
Published: February 2022

(Abstracted from Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2021;27:e677–e680)

It is estimated that more than 30 million women in the United States are affected by pelvic floor disorders. Of these, 3 million experience pelvic organ prolapse.
Association of Expanded Prenatal Care Coverage for Immigrant Women With Postpartum Contraception and Short Interpregnancy Interval Births
Authors: Rodriguez Maria I. , Kaufman Menolly , Lindner Stephan , Caughey Aaron B. , DeFede Ana Lopez , McConnell K. John
Published: February 2022

(Abstracted from JAMA Network Open 2021;4:e2118912)

In the United States, many immigrant women with low incomes are reliant on Medicaid for obstetric care. However, prenatal and postpartum care is not covered for a large segment of this group who have been in the United States for <5 years.
Placental Growth Factor in Assessment of Women With Suspected Pre-eclampsia to Reduce Maternal Morbidity: A Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Control Trial (PARROT Ireland)
Authors: Hayes-Ryan D. , Khashan A. S. , Hemming K. , Easter C. , Devane D. , Murphy D. J. , Hunter A. , Cotter A. , McAuliffe F. M. , Morrison J. J. , Breathnach F. M. , Dempsey E. , Kenny L. C. , O'Donoghue K.
Published: February 2022

(Abstracted from BMJ 2021;374:n1857)

Placental growth factor (PlGF) has been suggested as a diagnostic biomarker of preeclampsia or placental dysfunction. PIGF typically circulates in maternal plasma and increases as placenta develops.
Early Delivery or Expectant Management for Late Preterm Preeclampsia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chatzakis Christos , Liberis Anastasios , Zavlanos Apostolos , Petousis Stamatis , Tsakmaki Evangelia , Dinas Konstantinos , Sotiriadis Alexandros
Published: February 2022

(Abstracted from Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021;100:1392–1400)

Worldwide, preeclampsia affects approximately 4.5% of pregnancies. Weighing the maternal benefit of immediate delivery with the risk of severe neonatal complications is important to determine the appropriate time to deliver in cases of preeclampsia.
Personalized Surgical Transfusion Risk Prediction Using Machine Learning to Guide Preoperative Type and Screen Orders
Authors: Lou Sunny S. , Liu Hanyang , Lu Chenyang , Wildes Troy S. , Hall Bruce L. , Kannampallil Thomas
Published: February 2022

Background

Accurate estimation of surgical transfusion risk is essential for efficient allocation of blood bank resources and for other aspects of anesthetic planning. This study hypothesized that a machine learning model incorporating both surgery- and patient-specific variables would outperform the traditional approach that uses only procedure-specific information, allowing for more efficient allocation of preoperative type and screen orders.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use File was used to train four machine learning models to predict the likelihood of red cell transfusion using surgery-specific and patient-specific variables. A baseline model using only procedure-specific information was created for comparison. The models were trained on surgical encounters that occurred at 722 hospitals in 2016 through 2018. The models were internally validated on surgical cases that occurred at 719 hospitals in 2019. Generalizability of the best-performing model was assessed by external validation on surgical cases occurring at a single institution in 2020.

Results

Transfusion prevalence was 2.4% (73,313 of 3,049,617), 2.2% (23,205 of 1,076,441), and 6.7% (1,104 of 16,053) across the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The gradient boosting machine outperformed the baseline model and was the best- performing model. At a fixed 96% sensitivity, this model had a positive predictive value of 0.06 and 0.21 and recommended type and screens for 36% and 30% of the patients in internal and external validation, respectively. By comparison, the baseline model at the same sensitivity had a positive predictive value of 0.04 and 0.144 and recommended type and screens for 57% and 45% of the patients in internal and external validation, respectively. The most important predictor variables were overall procedure-specific transfusion rate and preoperative hematocrit.

Conclusions

A personalized transfusion risk prediction model was created using both surgery- and patient-specific variables to guide preoperative type and screen orders and showed better performance compared to the traditional procedure-centric approach.

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Effectiveness of electro-press needle for menopause-associated hot flashes
Authors: Yu Shudan , He Xin , Shi Hangyu , Chen Yu , Liu Zhishun
Published: February 2022

Background:

Hot flashes (HF) are a prevalent symptom associated with menopause affecting up to 85% of women aged 40 to 65 years. Previous studies indicated that acupuncture might relieve the symptom of HF significantly; however, its effectiveness has not been clarified quantitatively. Electro-press needles (EPN) is a novel acupuncture that combines a shallow tiny needle with an electrical transdermal stimulator. Either the needle or the electrical stimulator could function in the treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EPN in comparison with no intervention in relieving HF of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods/Design:

This study will be a 2-arm randomized waitlist controlled trial. According to the ratio of 1:1 and block randomization, a total of 122 patients with moderate or severe HF will be randomly allocated to either EPN group or waitlist control group. The EPN group will receive 3 sessions of EPN treatment each week in consecutive 6 weeks, 18 sessions in total. The waitlist control group will get no intervention over the first 6 weeks. All the patients will be followed up in the next 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the percentage of the participants whose 24-hour mean HF is 50% less than the baseline at Week 6. Secondary outcomes will include HF score, HF frequency, HF severity, the Menopause Rating Scale and Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire Score.

Discussion:

This study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of EPN treatment to alleviate HF symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, excluding self-healing factors. The limitations of the trial design are its single-center scope, lack of placebo control and impossible to blind the acupuncturists and patients.

Trial registration: This clinical trial has been registered in Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: NCT04995107; date of registration: Aug 6, 2021).
Comprehensive traditional East Asian medicine treatment strategy for obesity considering the therapeutic effects and adverse events
Authors: Chu Hongmin , Kang Byungsoo , Youn Bo-Young , Kim Kwan-il , Park Jinbong , Leem Jungtae
Published: February 2022

Background:

Obesity has become a serious global health problem due to its increasing prevalence. Because of several limitations or adverse events associated with conventional western medicine therapies, there has been an increase in demand for alternative therapies such as traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM). This study aims to provide comprehensive evidence-based information assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of TEAM treatment for obesity as the basis for reliable clinical strategies for patients with obesity.

Methods:

Electronic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, OASIS, and Korea Citation Index will be performed. Methodological quality will be assessed using the “risk of bias” tool. The primary outcome for efficacy will be weight loss. The secondary outcomes will be response rate, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. We will also evaluate the rates of adverse events and mortality for safety assessment. First, we will conduct a conventional pairwise meta-analysis. Next, we will conduct network meta-analysis using the frequentist approach. We shall verify the assumption of network meta-analysis and provide network geometry, P-score, net league table, and intervention-based forest plot. A subgroup analysis will be conducted to ascertain the factors that affect treatment, such as dosage, treatment duration, and severity of obesity.

Results:

The results of this study will provide high-quality systematic reviews that can assist decision making in obesity management. Our network meta-analysis results can provide direct and indirect comparison evidence on comparative efficacy and safety.

Conclusion:

This study will provide fundamental data for prospective research on the application of TEAM in patients with obesity.

Protocol registry number of online registry:

This study protocol was registered in open Science framework (OSF) (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/ETWDS)

URL of the online registry:

https://osf.io/etwds.
Acupuncture and massage combined with rehabilitation therapy for hemiplegia after stroke
Authors: Liu Chang , Pang Tingting , Yao Junjie , Li Jiahui , Lei Siyuan , Zhang Jiangchun , Wang Yufeng , Bian Jing
Published: February 2022

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and massage combined with rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiplegia after stroke.

Methods:

To collect relevant literature, we will research following databases: Medicine, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan-Fang Database, Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodicaols Database, and China Biomedical Database; the time is from its creation to May 2021, and the language is limited to Chinese and English. In addition, we will retrieve other literature resources, including the Chinese Clinical Trial Register and conference articles. Two reviewers will independently complete the literature screen and data extraction and quality assessment of the included studies will be independently completed by two other researchers. The primary outcomes included the Modified Ashworth scale and the simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale. The Modified Barthel Index, the China Stroke Scale, and adverse reactions as secondary outcomes were assessed. RevMan V.5.4.1 software will be used for meta-analysis, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) will be used to assess the quality of evidence.

Results:

This systematic review will provide a high-quality synthesis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and massage combined with rehabilitation in the treatment of hemiplegia after stroke, providing a reference for the safe and effective treatment of hemiplegia after stroke.

Conclusion:

This study provides evidence that acupuncture and massage combined with rehabilitation therapy is effective.

Ethics and dissemination:

The protocol of the systematic review does not require ethical approval because it does not involve humans. This article will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant conferences.

Systematic review registration:

INPLASY202210026.
Ossifying pilomatricoma and a novel hypothesis for its pathogenesis
Authors: Sung Kun-Yong , Lee Seungkoo , Jeong Yeonjin , Lee Sang-Yeul
Published: February 2022

Rationale:

Pilomatricoma is a benign skin appendageal tumor derived from hair follicle matrix cells that commonly affects the head, neck, and upper extremities of the pediatric population. Since the original tumor description, diverse variants have been reported in the literature. Pilomatricoma with florid osseous metaplasia is described as an ossifying pilomatricoma and is recognized as a distinct variant of this benign tumor. However, the pathogenesis of this variant remains unclear. In this study, we present an uncommon case of ossifying pilomatricoma and address the pathogenesis of metaplastic ossification through a comprehensive literature review.

Patient concerns:

A 14-year-old boy presented with an asymptomatic protuberant mass in the preauricular region.

Diagnosis:

Based on its clinicopathological features, we diagnosed the lesion as an ossifying pilomatricoma.

Interventions and outcomes:

The lesion was surgically removed under local anesthesia. The postoperative course was uneventful during the 6-month postoperative follow-up.

Lessons:

We suggest that metaplastic ossification in ossifying pilomatricoma represents another feature of foreign body reaction to keratinous materials containing shadow cells in old lesions and a walling-off phenomenon to prevent exposure of surrounding tissues to keratinous materials.
The effects of intravascular photobiomodulation on sleep disturbance caused by Guillain-Barré syndrome after Astrazeneca vaccine inoculation
Authors: Chang Yuan-Ling , Chang Shin-Tsu
Published: February 2022

Rationale:

Sleep disturbance is commonly noted after Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and is often caused by persistent discomfort after disease survival. Intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB) has been shown to be effective in pain modulation owing to the influence of nociceptive signals in the peripheral nervous system. We investigated the application of ILIB on post-Oxford –AstraZeneca vaccination GBS and evaluated its effect on sleep quality.

Patient concerns:

A 48-year-old woman was subsequently diagnosed with GBS after Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccination. The patient was discharged after a 5-day course of intravenous immunoglobulin administration. However, 1 week after discharge, the previously relieved symptoms flared with accompanying sleep disturbance.

Diagnosis and interventions:

The patient was diagnosed with post-vaccination GBS, and persistent pain and sleep disturbances persisted after disease survival. ILIB was performed.

Outcomes:

We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after intravascular laser irradiation. There was a marked improvement in the sleep duration, efficiency, and overall sleep quality. The initial score was 12 out of 21 and the final score was 7 out of 21.

Lessons:

We found that ILIB was effective in pain modulation in post-vaccination GBS and significantly improved sleep quality.
Tuina combined with physical therapy for spasticity of poststroke
Authors: Ji Yuanyuan , Wang Yufeng , Lou Huijuan , Zhang Yuxin , Liu Yangshengjie , Zheng Xu , Jia Xiushuang , Yang Kang , Zhang Hongshi , Cong Deyu
Published: February 2022

Background:

Limb spasms are a common complication of stroke. It not only affects the quality of life of stroke survivors, but also brings an economic burden. Tuina combined with physical therapy is widely used in the rehabilitation of poststroke spasticity. However, there is no supporting evidence for its efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tuinas combined with physical therapy in the treatment of spasticity after stroke.

Methods:

Literature will be collected from the following databases: China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science; We will include randomized controlled trials of Tuina combined with physical therapy for poststroke spasticity range from the establishment to May 1, 2021. There were no limitations to the publication time, and the language was limited to Chinese and English. The primary outcome was evaluated using the Modified Ashworth scale, and the secondary outcomes were the simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale, Modified Barthel Index, Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Visual Analog Scale. RevMan V.5.4.1 software was used for the meta-analysis. The Cochrane Intervention System Evaluation Manual analyzes the risk of bias, and the recommended grading assessment, development and evaluation are used to assess the quality of evidence.

Ethics and dissemination:

This study will be based on published systematic review studies, no ethical approval is required and the results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Systematic review registration:

INPLASY2021110064.
Redesigning doctor–patient relationship in the private health care during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bertozzi Serena , Taricani Roberta , Tulissi Irene , Patusso Fabio , Amura Stefano , Londero Ambrogio P.
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is experiencing pandemic diffusion. The experience of an Italian private health care structure was reviewed.

We retrospectively collected data about services provided in a single medium complexity private health care structure. Furthermore, we classified specialties within 4 categories, based on the performance of urgent non-deferrable services and possible provision of services without a necessary contact with the patient.

The structure canceled/postponed almost every deferrable service, providing only 3% of services that could be performed without direct contact with patients. Regarding non-deferrable services requiring the presence of the patient, about 42% of booked services have been autonomously canceled/postponed by patients for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) fear. The administrative services have been remotely performed by smart working as far as possible.

Private health care structures may safely continue to provide non-deferrable services while respecting the restrictive measures imposed by the government, encouraging telehealth and smart working modalities.