bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Preliminary Validation of a Multidimensional Psychosocial Assessment Strategy for Young Adults With Cancer
Authors: McGrady Meghan E , Mara Constance A , Beal Sarah J , Chan Sherilynn F , Sorge Caryn E , Pai Ahna L H
Published: March 2022

Objective

Regular psychosocial assessment is a best-practice guideline for young adult oncology care, but multipurpose, multidimensional, developmentally appropriate patient-reported outcome measurement strategies for young adults with cancer are lacking. This study reported on the development and preliminary validation of the Young Adult Psychosocial Assessment Strategy (YA-PAS), a tool designed to meet this clinical need.

Methods

The YA-PAS was developed based on the literature and clinician feedback. 20 young adults with cancer participated in cognitive interviews to provide feedback on complexity, readability, and applicability to inform measure refinement. Following refinements, 100 young adults with a history of cancer participated in an observational study including a preliminary evaluation of YA-PAS factor structure, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, construct and criterion validity, feasibility, and acceptability.

Results

Cognitive interviews and psychometric evaluation informed modifications and resulted in a measure with 9 domains (anxiety, depression, cognitive functioning, post-traumatic stress, family stressors, support, social isolation, self-efficacy for symptom management, and self-efficacy for medication management) and nonscoring items assessing substance use, life stressors, resources, educational/vocational status, and relationship status. 8 of 9 domains demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.70), substantial (r = 0.61–0.80) or almost perfect (r > 0.80) test–retest reliability, and evidence of domain and cut-point validity. 89% of participants were able to complete the YA-PAS within 20 min and 87% were satisfied with the measure.

Conclusions

The YA-PAS demonstrated promising psychometric properties, feasibility, and acceptability. Clinical implications and research recommendations are discussed.
Anomalous vascular perforator of the internal thoracic artery supplying a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap—a case report
Authors: Neblett Carlos , Logan Leighton , Appiah Kenneth , Knight Kadeem
Published: March 2022

The pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap is an infrequently performed procedure relative to the more current microsurgical free tissue transfers in most centres around the world. However, in resource-limited centres where procedures requiring microsurgical intervention are rarely employed, the pedicled TRAM whose vascular axis is that of the superior epigastric artery, is an invaluable tool in the plastic surgeon’s armamentarium both for breast reconstruction and chest wall soft tissue resurfacing. This a report of a case of variable anatomical vascular perforating branch of the internal thoracic artery, which was encountered while using a TRAM to resurface a chest wall defect after mastectomy was performed for locally advanced breast cancer.
Minilaparoscopic over conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy: is it worth it? A case series and review of literature
Authors: Perini Davina , Giordano Alessio , Guagni Tommaso , Cantafio Stefano
Published: March 2022

Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy was proposed with the aim to improve the cosmesis and reduce the impact on the abdominal wall. Our aim was to analyze the knowledge currently available on this topic with a review of literature and with our experience to suggest patient-centered approach over the use of minilaparoscopic cholecystectomies and appendectomies. From January 2021 to October 2021, we performed 21 minilaparoscopic cholecystectomies and 12 minilaparoscopic appendectomies. Within the established 1-month and 3-month follow-up intervals, clinical examination and scar evaluation were assessed and a satisfaction questionnaire was completed by all the patients. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded. Patients’ pain decreases significantly during hospital stay and 30 patients (90,1%) were discharged with VAS 0. The same happened with aesthetic score, that was 2,23 the postoperative-day-1, decrease to 1,87 1 week later and was 1,12 at 1- and 3-month follow-up.
Stellar collisions in globular clusters: the origin of multiple stellar populations
Authors: Kravtsov Valery , Dib Sami , Calderón Francisco A , Belinchón José Antonio
Published: March 2022

Two generations of stars, G1 and G2, typically populate Galactic globular clusters (GCs). The origin of G2 stars is unclear. We uncover two empirical dependencies between GC characteristics, which can be explained by the formation of G2 main-sequence (MS) stars due to collision/merging of their primordial counterparts (G1). A similar genesis of both G2 stars and peculiar objects like low-mass X-ray binaries and millisecond pulsars is also implied. Indeed, we find a significant (at a confidence level ${\gt} 99.9{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) anticorrelation between the fraction of G1 red giants (NG1/Ntot) and stellar encounter rates among 51 GCs. Moreover, a Milky Way-like initial mass function requires at least ∼50 per cent of MS stars located in the mass range [0.1–0.5] M⊙. Unlike cluster mass loss, stellar collisions/merging retain these G1 stars by converting them into more massive G2 ones, with mainly MMS > 0.5 M⊙. This process coupled with a decreasing relative mass loss with increasing GC masses implies a smaller (NG1/Ntot) in more massive GCs with a shallower present-day mass function. From data for 35 GCs, we find that such an anticorrelation is significant at 98.3 per cent confidence level (Spearman’s correlation) for the 12 most massive GCs (MGC > 105.3 M⊙) and it is at a confidence level of 89 per cent for the 12 least massive GCs (MGC < 105.1 M⊙). Other fractions of G1 and G2 stars observed at the bottom of the MS as compared with the red giant branch in a few GCs are consistent with the scenario proposed.
On the kinematic cosmic dipole tension
Authors: Dalang Charles , Bonvin Camille
Published: March 2022

Our motion through the Universe generates a dipole in the temperature anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and also in the angular distribution of sources. If the cosmological principle is valid, these two dipoles are directly linked, such that the amplitude of one determines that of the other. However, it is a longstanding problem that number counts of radio sources and of quasars at low and intermediate redshifts exhibit a dipole that is well aligned with that of the CMB but with about twice the expected amplitude, leading to a tension reaching up to 4.9σ. In this paper, we revisit the theoretical derivation of the dipole in the sources number counts, explicitly accounting for the redshift evolution of the population of sources. We argue that if the spectral index and magnification bias of the sources vary with redshift, the standard theoretical description of the dipole may be inaccurate. We provide an alternative expression which does not depend on the spectral index, but instead on the time evolution of the population of sources. We then determine the values that this evolution rate should have in order to remove the tension with the CMB dipole.
The impact hazard of near-Sun comets
Authors: Neslušan Luboš , Tomko Dušan
Published: March 2022

There are several groups of comets with perihelion near the solar surface known. Of these, the Marsden and Kracht groups move in orbits situated in a spatial corridor of the daytime Arietid meteoroid stream. The orbits of comets of the Meyer group are not very different from those of the Marsden and Kracht groups; for the purpose of our study, we thus consider a common Meyer–Marsden–Kracht (MMK) group. Since Arietids pass close to the Earth’s orbit, comets of the MMK group must also do so. We study the close approaches of the orbits of these comets with regard to the proximity of the orbit of our planet and estimate an impact hazard. We found a concentration of approaches within an interval of solar longitude from ∼72○–84○ (between June 2 and June 15). The mean time between two collisions of an MMK comet and Earth is estimated to be one to two million years, assuming a steady state during that period.
Impact of a quasi-molecular mechanism of cosmological recombination on the population of the 2s-level of hydrogen
Authors: Kereselidze Tamaz , Noselidze Irakli , Khetsuriani Shota
Published: March 2022

The population of the 2s-level of hydrogen formed in the early Universe is studied within a standard and a non-standard quasi-molecular mechanism of recombination. We demonstrate that, if hydrogen molecular ion $H_2^+$ temporarily formed during a collision directly dissociates into a hydrogen atom and a proton, both mechanisms of recombination lead to the same probabilities of population. These probabilities differ significantly, however, when attractive quasi-molecular channels are uninvolved and only repulsive channels remain in the treatment. The probabilities of the direct and indirect radiative transitions into the 2s-level of hydrogen are evaluated. The dominant process in the population of 2s-level of hydrogen is the direct free–bound radiative transition.
On the stability of shocks in isothermal black hole accretion discs
Authors: Hester Eric W , Vasil Geoffrey M , Wechselberger Martin
Published: March 2022

Most black holes possess accretion discs. Models of such discs inform observations and constrain the properties of the black holes and their surrounding medium. Here, we study shocks in a thin isothermal black hole accretion flow. Modelling infinitesimal viscosity allows the use of multiple-scales matched asymptotic methods. We thus derive the first explicit calculations of isothermal shock stability. We find that the inner shock is always unstable, and the outer shock is always stable. The growth/decay rates of perturbations depend only on an effective potential and the incoming–outgoing flow difference at the shock location. We give a prescription of accretion regimes in terms of angular momentum and black hole radius. Accounting for viscous angular momentum dissipation implies unstable outer shocks in much of parameter space, even for realistic viscous Reynolds numbers of the order ≈1020.
Extracting the 21-cm power spectrum and the reionization parameters from mock data sets using artificial neural networks
Authors: Choudhury Madhurima , Datta Abhirup , Majumdar Suman
Published: March 2022

Detection of the H i  21-cm power spectrum is one of the key science drivers of several ongoing and upcoming low-frequency radio interferometers. However, the major challenge in such observations come from bright foregrounds, whose accurate removal or avoidance is key to the success of these experiments. In this work, we demonstrate the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to extract the H i  21-cm power spectrum from synthetic data sets and extract the reionization parameters from the H i  21-cm power spectrum. For the first time, using a suite of simulations, we present an ANN-based framework capable of extracting the H i  signal power spectrum directly from the total observed sky power spectrum (which contains the 21-cm signal, along with the foregrounds and effects of the instrument). We have used a combination of two ANNs sequentially. In the first step, ANN1 predicts the 21-cm power spectrum directly from foreground corrupted synthetic data sets. In the second step, ANN2 predicts the reionization parameters from the predicted H i  power spectra from ANN1. The two-step ANN framework can be used as an alternative method to extract the 21-cm power spectrum and the reionization parameters directly from foreground dominated data sets. Our ANN-based framework is trained at a redshift of 9.01, and for $\boldsymbol {k}$ modes in the range, $\rm {0.17\lt {\boldsymbol {k}}\lt 0.37~Mpc^{-1}}$. We have tested the network’s performance with mock data sets corrupted with thermal noise corresponding to 1080 h of observations of the SKA-1 LOW and HERA. We have recovered the H i  power spectra from foreground dominated synthetic data sets, with an accuracy of $\approx 95{\!-\!}99{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. We have achieved an accuracy of $\approx ~81{\!-\!}90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and $\approx ~50{\!-\!}60{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for the predicted reionization parameters, for test sets corrupted with thermal noise corresponding to the SKA-1 LOW and HERA, respectively.
The relation between X-ray and ultraviolet variability of quasars
Authors: Sou Hao , Wang Jun-Xian , Xie Zhang-Liang , Kang Wen-Yong , Cai Zhen-Yi
Published: March 2022

The relation between X-ray and UV/optical variability in AGNs has been explored in many individual sources, however a large sample study is yet absent. Through matching the XMM-Newton serendipitous X-ray and UV source catalogs with SDSS quasars, we build a sample of 802 epoch-pairs of 525 quasars showing clear variability in logFX − logFUV space. After correcting for the effect of photometric noise, we find 35.6 ± 2.1 per cent of the epoch-pairs show asynchronous variability between X-ray and UV (brightening in one band but dimming in the other). This indicates only in 28.8 ± 4.2 per cent of the epoch-pairs the X-ray and UV variability are intrinsically coordinated. The variability synchronicity exhibits no dependence on physical parameters of quasars or the time lag of the epoch-pairs, except for stronger variability tends to have stronger synchronicity. Switches between synchronous and asynchronous variability are also seen in individual sources. The poor coordination clearly contradicts both the X-ray reprocessing model and the accretion rate variation model for AGN variability. The ratios of the observed X-ray variability amplitude to that in UV span a broad range and peak at ∼2. The dominant fraction of the ratios appear too small to be attributed to X-ray reprocessing, and too large for accretion rate variation. The inhomogeneous disc model which incorporates both X-ray and UV/optical variability in AGNs is favoured by the observed stochastic relation between X-ray and UV variations.
The large landscape of supernova, GRB, and cocoon interactions
Authors: De Colle Fabio , Kumar Pawan , Hoeflich Peter
Published: March 2022

Long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) are associated to the collapse of a massive star and the formation of a relativistic jet. As the jet propagates through the star, it forms an extended, hot cocoon. The dynamical evolution of the jet/cocoon system and its interaction with the environment has been studied extensively both analytically and numerically. On the other hand, the role played by the supernova (SN) explosion associated with LGRBs in determining the outcome of the system has been barely considered. In this paper, we discuss the large landscape of outcomes resulting from the interaction of the SN, jet, and cocoon. We show that the outcome depends mainly on three time-scales: the times for the cocoon and SN shock wave to break through the surface of the progenitor star, and the time needed for the cocoon to engulf completely the progenitor star. The delay between the launch of the SN shock moving through the progenitor star and the jet can be related to these three time-scales. Depending on the ordering of these time-scales, the jet-cocoon might propagate inside the SN ejecta or the other way around, and the outcome for the properties of the explosion would be different. We discuss the imprint of the complex interaction between the jet-cocoon and the SN shock on the emergent thermal and non-thermal radiation.
Some aspects of rotation and magnetic-field morphology in the infrared dark cloud G34.43+00.24
Authors: Vahdanian Hamed , Nejad-Asghar Mohsen
Published: March 2022

The infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) are molecular clouds with relatively greater values in their magnetic-field strengths. For example, the IRDC G34.43+00.24 (G34) has magnetic-field strength of the order of a few hundred micro-Gauss. In this study, we investigate if the dynamic motions of charged particles in an IRDC such as G34 can produce this magnetic-field strength inside it. The observations show that the line-of-sight velocity of G34 has global gradient. We assume that the measured global velocity gradient can correspond to the cloud rotation. We attribute a large-scale current density to this rotating cloud by considering a constant value for the incompleteness of charge neutrality and the velocity differences between the positive and negative particles with very low ionization fractions. We use the numerical package fishpack to obtain the magnetic-field strength and its morphology on the plane-of-sky within G34. The results show that the magnetic-field strengths are of the order of several hundred micro-Gauss, and its morphology in the plane-of-sky is somewhat consistent with the observational results. We also obtain the relationship between magnetic-field strength and density in G34. The results show that with increasing density, the magnetic-field strength increases approximately as a power-law function. The amount of power is approximately equal to 0.45, which is suitable for molecular clouds with strong magnetic fields. Therefore, we can conclude that the dynamical motion of IRDCs, and especially their rotations, can amplify the magnetic-field strengths within them.
Gattaca: Base-Pair Resolution Mutation Tracking for Somatic Evolution Studies using Agent-based Models
Authors: Schenck Ryan O. , Brosula Gabriel , West Jeffrey , Leedham Simon , Shibata Darryl , Anderson Alexander R.A.
Published: March 2022

Research over the past two decades has made substantial inroads into our understanding of somatic mutations. Recently, these studies have focused on understanding their presence in homeostatic tissue. In parallel, agent-based mechanistic models have emerged as an important tool for understanding somatic mutation in tissue; yet no common methodology currently exists to provide base-pair resolution data for these models. Here, we present Gattaca as the first method for introducing and tracking somatic mutations at the base-pair resolution within agent-based models that typically lack nuclei. With nuclei that incorporate human reference genomes, mutational context, and sequence coverage/error information, Gattaca is able to realistically evolve sequence data, facilitating comparisons between in silico cell tissue modeling with experimental human somatic mutation data. This user-friendly method, incorporated into each in silico cell, allows us to fully capture somatic mutation spectra and evolution.
DNA metabarcoding reveals broad woodpecker diets in fire-maintained forests
Authors: Stillman Andrew N , Caiafa Marcos V , Lorenz Teresa J , Jusino Michelle A , Tingley Morgan W
Published: March 2022

Ecological disturbance is a key agent shaping the spatial and temporal landscape of food availability. In forests of western North America, disturbance from fire can lead to resource pulses of deadwood-associated arthropods that provide important prey for woodpeckers. Although the foraging strategies among woodpecker species often demonstrate pronounced differences, little is known about the ways in which woodpeckers exploit and partition prey in disturbed areas. In this study, we employed DNA metabarcoding to characterize and compare the arthropod diets of 4 woodpecker species in Washington and California, USA—Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus), Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus), Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), and White-headed Woodpecker (Dryobates albolarvatus)—primarily using nestling fecal samples from burned forests 1–13 years postfire. Successful sequencing from 78 samples revealed the presence of over 600 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) spanning 32 arthropod orders. The nestling diets of two species in particular—Northern Flicker and Black-backed Woodpecker—proved to be much broader than previous observational studies suggest. Northern Flicker nestlings demonstrated significantly higher diet diversity compared to other focal species, all of which displayed considerable overlap in diversity. Wood-boring beetles, which colonize dead and dying trees after fire, were particularly important diet items for Black-backed, Hairy, and White-headed woodpeckers. Diet composition differed among species, and diets showed limited differences between newer (≤5 yr) and older (>5 yr) postfire forests. Our results show mixed evidence for dietary resource partitioning, with three of the four focal species exhibiting relatively high diet overlap, perhaps due to the pulsed subsidy of deadwood-associated arthropods in burned forests. Woodpeckers are frequently used as management indicator species for forest health, and our study provides one of the first applications of DNA metabarcoding to build a more complete picture of woodpecker diets.
Extensions and limitations of MacArthur (1958): A review of ecological and evolutionary approaches to competition and diet in the New World wood warblers (Parulidae)
Authors: Sherry Thomas W , Kent Cody M
Published: March 2022

The extent to which interspecific competition structures species interactions and coexistence within communities, and the relevant mechanisms, are still debated. We focus on New World wood warblers (Parulidae), beginning with Robert MacArthur’s iconic 1958 paper in which he shows how subtle foraging behaviors, purportedly linked to dietary differences, within spruce trees contribute to the coexistence of 5 spruce-woods warbler species. MacArthur coined the phrase “resource partitioning”, and profoundly impacted the field of Ecology for subsequent decades in diverse ways. To understand what MacArthur got right and what he missed, we reviewed both ecological and evolutionary approaches to questions of the origin and coexistence of competing species in the context of diet. We argue that an important, underappreciated, mechanism of competition among coexisting migratory warbler species, particularly in winter, is diffuse exploitation competition, based in part on our own studies of warbler diets in relation to foraging behavior, substrate use, bird morphology, and other traits. Our review and synthesis of interspecific competition and coexistence in warblers have important consequences, including our questioning of the importance and effectiveness of resource partitioning in birds. We also suggest a novel hypothesis for the success of warblers today in the Caribbean and other habitats, beginning with their relatively recent adaptive radiation and the ecological opportunity on Caribbean islands.
An artificial host system enables the obligate parasite Cuscuta campestris to grow and reproduce in vitro
Authors: Bernal-Galeano Vivian , Beard Keely , Westwood James H
Published: March 2022

Cuscuta campestris is an obligate parasitic plant that requires a host to complete its life cycle. Parasite–host connections occur via a haustorium, a unique organ that acts as a bridge for the uptake of water, nutrients, and macromolecules. Research on Cuscuta is often complicated by host influences, but comparable systems for growing the parasite in the absence of a host do not exist. We developed an axenic method to grow C. campestris on an artificial host system (AHS). We evaluated the effects of nutrients and phytohormones on parasite haustoria development and growth. Haustorium morphology and gene expression were also characterized. The AHS consists of an inert, fibrous stick that mimics a host stem, wicking water and nutrients to the parasite. It enables C. campestris to exhibit a parasitic habit and develop through all stages of its life cycle, including production of new shoots and viable seeds. The phytohormones 1-naphthaleneacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine affect haustoria morphology and increase parasite fresh weight and biomass. Unigene expression in AHS haustoria reflects processes similar to those in haustoria on living host plants. The AHS is a methodological improvement for studying Cuscuta biology by avoiding specific host effects on the parasite and giving researchers full control of the parasite environment.
Salt stress alters membrane lipid content and lipid biosynthesis pathways in the plasma membrane and tonoplast
Authors: Guo Qi , Liu Lei , Rupasinghe Thusitha W T , Roessner Ute , Barkla Bronwyn J
Published: March 2022

Plant cell membranes are the sites of sensing and initiation of rapid responses to changing environmental factors including salinity stress. Understanding the mechanisms involved in membrane remodeling is important for studying salt tolerance in plants. This task remains challenging in complex tissue due to suboptimal subcellular membrane isolation techniques. Here, we capitalized on the use of a surface charge-based separation method, free flow electrophoresis, to isolate the tonoplast (TP) and plasma membrane (PM) from leaf tissue of the halophyte ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L.). Results demonstrated a membrane-specific lipidomic remodeling in this plant under salt conditions, including an increased proportion of bilayer forming lipid phosphatidylcholine in the TP and an increase in nonbilayer forming and negatively charged lipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine) in the PM. Quantitative proteomics showed salt-induced changes in proteins involved in fatty acid synthesis and desaturation, glycerolipid, and sterol synthesis, as well as proteins involved in lipid signaling, binding, and trafficking. These results reveal an essential plant mechanism for membrane homeostasis wherein lipidome remodeling in response to salt stress contributes to maintaining the physiological function of individual subcellular compartments.
Reliability assessment of the definition of ultrasound enthesitis in SpA: results of a large, multicentre, international, web-based study
Authors: Di Matteo Andrea , Cipolletta Edoardo , Destro Castaniti Giulia Maria , Smerilli Gianluca , Airoldi Carla , Aydin Sibel Zehra , Becciolini Andrea , Bonfiglioli Karina , Bruns Alessandra , Carrara Greta , Cazenave Tomas , Ciapetti Alessandro , Cosatti Micaela Ana , de Agustín Juan José , Di Carlo Marco , Di Donato Eleonora , Di Geso Luca , Duran Emine , Elliott Ashley , Estrach Cristina , Farisogulları Bayram , Fiorenza Alessia , Fodor Daniela , Gabba Alessandra , Hernández-Díaz Cristina , Huang Feng , Hurnakova Jana , Li Ling , Jesus Diogo , Karadag Omer , Martire Maria Victoria , Massarotti Marco , Michelena Xabier , Musca Alice Andreea , Nair Jagdish , Okano Tadashi , Papalopoulos Ioannis , Rosemffet Marcos , Rovisco João , Rozza Davide , Salaffi Fausto , Satulu Iulia , Scioscia Crescenzio , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Sun Fei , Tamas Maria-Magdalena , Tanimura Shun , Ventura-Rios Lucio , Voulgari Paraksevi V , Vreju Florentin Ananu , Vukatana Gentiana , Wong Ernest , Yang Jinshui , Zacariaz Hereter Johana , Zanetti Anna , Grassi Walter , Filippucci Emilio
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To investigate the reliability of the OMERACT US Task Force definition of US enthesitis in SpA.

Methods

In this web exercise, based on the evaluation of 101 images and 39 clips of the main entheses of the lower limbs, the elementary components included in the OMERACT definition of US enthesitis in SpA (hypoechoic areas, entheseal thickening, power Doppler signal at the enthesis, enthesophytes/calcifications, bone erosions) were assessed by 47 rheumatologists from 37 rheumatology centres in 15 countries. Inter- and intra-observer reliability of the US components of enthesitis was calculated using Light’s kappa, Cohen’s kappa, Prevalence And Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) and their 95% CIs.

Results

Bone erosions and power Doppler signal at the enthesis showed the highest overall inter-reliability [Light’s kappa: 0.77 (0.76–0.78), 0.72 (0.71–0.73), respectively; PABAK: 0.86 (0.86–0.87), 0.73 (0.73–0.74), respectively], followed by enthesophytes/calcifications [Light’s kappa: 0.65 (0.64–0.65), PABAK: 0.67 (0.67–0.68)]. This was moderate for entheseal thickening [Light’s kappa: 0.41 (0.41–0.42), PABAK: 0.41 (0.40–0.42)], and fair for hypoechoic areas [Light’s kappa: 0.37 (0.36–0.38); PABAK: 0.37 (0.37–0.38)]. A similar trend was observed in the intra-reliability exercise, although this was characterized by an overall higher degree of reliability for all US elementary components compared with the inter-observer evaluation.

Conclusions

The results of this multicentre, international, web-based study show a good reliability of the OMERACT US definition of bone erosions, power Doppler signal at the enthesis and enthesophytes/calcifications. The low reliability of entheseal thickening and hypoechoic areas raises questions about the opportunity to revise the definition of these two major components for the US diagnosis of enthesitis.
Infection is associated with increased risk of MPO- but not PR3-ANCA-associated vasculitis
Authors: Rathmann Jens , Stamatis Pavlos , Jönsson Göran , Englund Martin , Segelmark Mårten , Jayne David , Mohammad Aladdin J
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To determine whether development of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) shows a relationship with a prior infection and if prior infection affects disease characteristics and outcome.

Methods

All incident cases of AAV diagnosed in a defined region of Sweden from 2000 through 2016 were identified. For each case, 10 individuals from the general population, matched for age, sex and area of residence, were selected. Infections occurring in AAV patients and controls prior to the date of AAV diagnosis (index date for respective controls) were identified using an administrative database. Conditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) of developing AAV. Occurrence, clinical characteristics and outcome of AAV were analysed with respect to prior infection.

Results

Two-hundred and seventy patients with AAV (48% female) and 2687 controls were included. Prior to diagnosis/index date, 146 (54%) AAV patients had been diagnosed with infection vs 1282 (48%) controls, with OR for AAV 1.57 (95% CI 1.18, 2.19) in those with infections of the upper respiratory tract and 1.68 (1.02, 2.77) in those with pneumonia. Difference from controls was significant in patients with MPO-ANCA 1.99 (95% CI 1.25, 3.1) but not in those with PR3-ANCA 1.0 (0.61, 1.52). Patients with prior infection showed higher disease activity at AAV diagnosis. No differences in disease characteristics, comorbidities or outcome in those with and without prior infections were observed.

Conclusions

Respiratory tract infections are positively associated with development of MPO- but not PR3-ANCA vasculitis. Prior infection is associated with higher disease activity at AAV diagnosis.
Syrian Refugees’ Homemaking in Gaziantep: Uncertainty, Legality and Temporality
Authors: Sengul Irem
Published: March 2022

Temporary protection has long been formulated and debated in policy circles as a practical interim response for large-scale refugee movements, awaiting durable solutions. This article critically engages with the top-down formulations of temporary protection by focusing on one of its latest and most comprehensive application in Turkey for Syrian refugees since 2011. The conceptual framework adopts a bottom-up approach in questioning how Syrian refugees interpret, conceive, and shape the category of temporary protection. By building upon empirical work conducted in the city of Gaziantep, which has become one of the important sites of refuge for Syrian refugees, and a hub for protection activities since the beginning of the Syrian displacement, this article uncovers Syrian refugees’ urges and attempts of “homemaking” in Turkey as a crucial aspect of understanding the dynamics of temporary protection. The article unpacks the interplay between the inherent uncertainties of the Turkish temporary protection regime, the legality of its Syrian beneficiaries, and homemaking practices of Syrian refugees during their protracted displacement. It concludes that it is only through a bottom-up understanding of the many dimensions of temporary protection—and its impacts on the refugees—that a truly workable framework will emerge, that focuses on protection rather than temporality.
Exogenous application of acetic acid enhances drought tolerance by influencing the MAPK signaling pathway induced by ABA and JA in apple plants
Authors: Sun Tingting , Zhang Junke , Zhang Qiang , Li Xingliang , Li Minji , Yang Yuzhang , Zhou Jia , Wei Qinping , Zhou Beibei
Published: March 2022

The external application of acetic acid (AA) has been shown to improve drought survival in plants, such as Arabidopsis, rice, maize, wheat, rapeseed and cassava, and the application of AA also increased drought tolerance in perennial woody apple (Malus domestica) plants. An understanding of AA-induced drought tolerance in apple plants at the molecular level will contribute to the development of technology that can be used to enhance drought tolerance. In this study, the morphological, physiological and transcriptomic responses to drought stress were analyzed in apple plants after watering without AA (CK), watering with AA (AA), drought treatment (D) and drought treatment with AA (DA). The results suggested that the AA-treated apple plants had a higher tolerance to drought than water-treated plants. Higher levels of chlorophyll and carotenoids were found under the DA conditions than under D stress. The levels of abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate were increased in AA-treated apple plants. Transcriptomic profiling indicated the key biological pathways involved in metabolic processes, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, plant hormone signal transduction and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in response to different drought conditions. The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase, (9S,13S)-cis-oxophytodienoic acid reductase, allene oxide synthase, allene oxide cyclase and lipoxygenase genes participate in the synthase of ABA and JA under drought and AA treatments. Collectively, the results showed that external application of AA enhanced drought tolerance in apple plants by influencing the ABA- and JA-induced MAPK signaling pathways. These data indicated that the application of AA in plants is beneficial for enhancing drought tolerance and decreasing growth inhibition in agricultural fields.
Phylogenetic estimation of the viral fitness landscape of HIV-1 set-point viral load
Authors: Zhao Lele , Wymant Chris , Blanquart François , Golubchik Tanya , Gall Astrid , Bakker Margreet , Bezemer Daniela , Hall Matthew , Ong Swee Hoe , Albert Jan , Bannert Norbert , Fellay Jacques , Grabowski M Kate , Gunsenheimer-Bartmeyer Barbara , Günthard Huldrych F , Kivelä Pia , Kouyos Roger D , Laeyendecker Oliver , Meyer Laurence , Porter Kholoud , van Sighem Ard , van der Valk Marc , Berkhout Ben , Kellam Paul , Cornelissen Marion , Reiss Peter , Fraser Christophe , Ferretti Luca
Published: March 2022

Set-point viral load (SPVL), a common measure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 virulence, is partially determined by viral genotype. Epidemiological evidence suggests that this viral property has been under stabilising selection, with a typical optimum for the virus between 104 and 105 copies of viral RNA per ml. Here we aimed to detect transmission fitness differences between viruses from individuals with different SPVLs directly from phylogenetic trees inferred from whole-genome sequences. We used the local branching index (LBI) as a proxy for transmission fitness. We found that LBI is more sensitive to differences in infectiousness than to differences in the duration of the infectious state. By analysing subtype-B samples from the Bridging the Evolution and Epidemiology of HIV in Europe project, we inferred a significant positive relationship between SPVL and LBI up to approximately 105 copies/ml, with some evidence for a peak around this value of SPVL. This is evidence of selection against low values of SPVL in HIV-1 subtype-B strains, likely related to lower infectiousness, and perhaps a peak in the transmission fitness in the expected range of SPVL. The less prominent signatures of selection against higher SPVL could be explained by an inherent limit of the method or the deployment of antiretroviral therapy.
Does early life phthalate exposure mediate racial disparities in children’s cognitive abilities?
Authors: Patti Marisa A. , Eliot Melissa , Li Nan , Yolton Kimberly , Lanphear Bruce P. , Chen Aimin , Braun Joseph M.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Early life exposure to phthalates may be associated with reduced cognition. However, it is unknown if disproportionate exposure to phthalates contributes to racial disparities in children’s intellectual abilities.

Methods:

We used data from 253 mother-child pairs in Cincinnati, OH (the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment study, 2003–2006). We measured urinary concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites twice during pregnancy and up to six times in childhood. We evaluated children’s cognitive abilities at ages 5 and 8 years. Using mediation models, we quantified covariate-adjusted direct and indirect effects of race on children’s Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores for individual phthalate metabolite concentrations during gestation and childhood.

Results:

Average IQ scores among Black children (n = 90) were 7.0 points lower (95% confidence interval [CI] = −12, −1.8) than among White children (n = 145) after adjustment for socioeconomic factors. Urinary monobenzyl phthalate and monoethyl phthalate (MEP) concentrations during gestation and childhood were higher among Black than White children. We did not observe evidence that phthalate concentrations mediated the race-IQ association, with the exception of MEP. Childhood MEP concentrations partially mediated the race-IQ association. For instance, each 10-fold increase in MEP concentrations at age 2 years contributed to a 1.9-point disparity in IQ scores between Black and White children (95% CI = −4.7, 0.7). Other phthalate metabolite concentrations during pregnancy or childhood did not mediate the race-IQ association.

Conclusions:

Despite observing racial disparities in exposure to some phthalates and IQ, we found little evidence that phthalates contribute to IQ disparities.
Orbital Compartment Syndrome Following Incisional Biopsy of Orbital Natural Killer/T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Takahashi Yasuhiro , Vaidya Aric , Kakizaki Hirohiko
Published: March 2022

A 73-year-old man presented with a swelling in the left upper eyelid and decreased vision for 3 weeks before referral to us. On the first examination, his left best-corrected visual acuity was 0.4. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an orbital lesion on the left side. He consulted with us on 6 days post-incisional biopsy after noticing left eye vision loss at the postoperative 4 days. His left eye visual acuity was no light perception. Funduscopic and optical coherence tomographic examinations indicated left central retinal artery occlusion. Imaging studies demonstrated a left globe tenting with a posterior globe angle of 90°. Although steroid pulse therapy was started on the same day, the left eye vision loss did not recover. Four days later, the pathological result was obtained, which corresponded to natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy using the CHOP regimen responded poorly, and the patient died 2 months after the biopsy.
Assessment of Skeletal Maturation in Male Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Yang Chenjie , Shi Jiajun , Chen Zhenqi , Yu Quan
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

To assess the skeletal maturation in male children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in comparison to that of noncleft peers using the cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method.

Methods:

A sample of 149 male UCLP patients aged from 8- to 16-year-old and 447 age-matched orthodontic individuals without clefts was retrospectively compiled. Cervical vertebral maturation was assessed based on the cephalometric radiographs.

Results:

The proportion of children in CVMSI and CVMSII was higher in the UCLP group compared to that in the noncleft group, but there was no significant difference in the CVM stage of the cleft patients compared to their noncleft peers. In the 12- to 14-year-old group, children with UCLP showed significantly delayed skeletal maturity in comparison with their noncleft peers. No significant difference was found in the other 3 age groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between the skeletal age and chronological age in both the UCLP group and the noncleft group. There was no significant difference in the mean age at CVMII and CVMIII between the cleft patients and noncleft peers.

Conclusions:

Males with UCLP aged 12- to 14-year-old have a statistically significant increased risk of delayed skeletal maturity in comparison with their noncleft peers. The chronological age is not an accurate indicator to assess the degree of skeletal maturation.
Predicted serotype distribution in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among children less than five years prior to the introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in Nigeria
Authors: Adamu Aishatu L , Ojal John. , Abubakar Isa S. , Bello Musa M. , Odeyemi Kofo , Okoromah Christy A.N. , Inem Victor , Karia Boniface , Karani Angela , Akech Donald. , Gallagher Katherine , Scott J. Anthony G , Adetifa Ifedayo M.O.
Published: March 2022

Background

The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced in Nigeria without any baseline data on serotype distribution in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). To estimate the proportion of IPD attributable to different serotypes, in children aged <5 years, we used statistical models based on the serotype-specific nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence and invasive capacity (IC).

Methods

We used the carriage data from one urban and one rural setting in Nigeria, collected within five months of PCV10 introduction (2016). For Model A, we used serotype-specific adult case-fatality ratios from Denmark as proxy for IC. In the second model, we used the ratio of IPD proportions to carriage prevalence (case-carrier ratios) from Kenya (Model B) and the ratio of IPD incidence to carriage acquisition (attack rates) from the UK (Model C) as measures of serotype IC.

Results

The models predict that serotypes with high carriage prevalence (6A, 6B, 19F and 23F) will dominate IPD. Additionally, Models B and C predictions emphasize serotypes 1, 4, 5, and 14, which were not prevalent in carriage but had high IC estimates. Non-PCV10 serotypes,6A and 19A, also dominated IPD predictions across models and settings. The predicted proportion of IPD attributed to PCV10 serotypes varied between 56% and 74% by model and setting.

Conclusion

Carriage data can provide preliminary insights into IPD serotypes in settings that lack robust IPD data. The predicted PCV10-serotype coverage for IPD was moderately high. However, predictions for non-PCV10 serotypes indicate that higher-valency PCVs that cover serotypes 6A and 19A may have a larger impact on IPD reductions.
Broad Cross-reactive IgA and IgG Against Human Coronaviruses in Milk Induced by COVID-19 Vaccination and Infection
Authors: Wang Jiong , Young Bridget E. , Li Dongmei , Seppo Antti E. , Zhou Qian , Wiltse Alexander , Nowak-Wegrzyn Anna , Murphy Katherine , Widrick Kaili , Diaz Nicole , Cruz-Vasquez Joseline , Järvinen Kirsi M. , Zand Martin S.
Published: March 2022

It is currently unclear if SARS-CoV-2 infection or mRNA vaccination can also induce IgG and IgA against common human coronaviruses (HCoVs) in lactating parents. Here we prospectively analyzed human milk (HM) and blood samples from lactating parents to measure the temporal patterns of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific and anti-HCoV cross-reactive IgA and IgG responses. Two cohorts were analyzed: a vaccination cohort (n=30) who received mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2), and an infection cohort (n=45) with COVID-19 disease. Longitudinal HM and fingerstick blood samples were collected pre- and post-vaccination or, for infected subjects, at 5 time-points 14 - 28 days after confirmed diagnosis. The anti-spike(S) and antinucleocapsid(N) IgA and IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 and HCoVs were measured by multiplex immunoassay (mPlex-CoV). We found that vaccination significantly increased the anti-S IgA and IgG levels in HM. In contrast, while IgG levels increased after a second vaccine dose, blood and HM IgA started to decrease. Moreover, HM and blood anti-S IgG levels were significantly correlated, but anti-S IgA levels were not. SARS2 acute infection elicited anti-S IgG and IgA that showed much higher correlations between HM and blood compared to vaccination. Vaccination and infection were able to significantly increase the broadly cross-reactive IgG recognizing HCoVs in HM and blood than the IgA antibodies in HM and blood. In addition, the broader cross-reactivity of IgG in HM versus blood indicates that COVID-19 vaccination and infection might provide passive immunity through HM for the breastfed infants not only against SARS-CoV-2 but also against common cold coronaviruses.

IMPORTANCE

It is unknown if COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and infection in lactating mothers results in cross-reactive antibodies against other common human coronaviruses. Our study demonstrates that mRNA vaccination and COVID-19 infection increase anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG in both blood and milk. IgA and IgG antibody concentrations in milk were more tightly correlated with concentrations in blood after infection compared to mRNA vaccination. Notably, both infection and vaccination resulted in increased IgG against common seasonalβ-coronaviruses. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection in a lactating parent may result in passive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal coronaviruses for the recipient infant.
A Genetic History of Continuity and Mobility in the Iron Age Central Mediterranean
Authors: Moots Hannah M. , Antonio Margaret , Sawyer Susanna , Spence Jeffrey P. , Oberreiter Victoria , Weiß Clemens L. , Lucci Michaela , Cherifi Yahia Mehdi Seddik , La Pastina Francesco , Genchi Francesco , Praxmeier Elisa , Zagorc Brina , Cheronot Olivia , Özdoğan Kadir T. , Demetz Lea , Amrani Selma , Candilio Francesca , De Angelis Daniela , Gasperetti Gabriella , Fernandes Daniel , Gao Ziyue , Fantar Mounir , Coppa Alfredo , Pritchard Jonathan K. , Pinhasi Ron
Published: March 2022

The Iron Age was a dynamic period in central Mediterranean history, with the expansion of Greek and Phoenician colonies and the growth of Carthage into the dominant maritime power of the Mediterranean. These events were facilitated by the ease of long-distance travel following major advances in seafaring. We know from the archaeological record that trade goods and materials were moving across great distances in unprecedented quantities, but it is unclear how these patterns correlate with human mobility. To investigate population mobility and interactions directly, we sequenced the genomes of 30 ancient individuals from coastal cities around the central Mediterranean, in Tunisia, Sardinia, and central Italy. We observe a meaningful contribution of autochthonous populations, as well as highly heterogeneous ancestry including many individuals with non-local ancestries from other parts of the Mediterranean region. These results highlight both the role of local populations and the extreme interconnectedness of populations in the Iron Age Mediterranean. By studying these trans-Mediterranean neighbors together, we explore the complex interplay between local continuity and mobility that shaped the Iron Age societies of the central Mediterranean.