bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of canonical trophic levels in a microbial mat
Authors: Gonzalez‐Nayeck Ana C. , Mohr Wiebke , Tang Tiantian , Sattin Sarah , Parenteau M. Niki , Jahnke Linda L. , Pearson Ann
Published: July 2022

In modern ecosystems, the carbon stable isotope (δ13C) ratios of consumers generally conform to the principle “you are what you eat, +1‰.” However, this metric may not apply to microbial mat systems where diverse communities, using a variety of carbon substrates via multiple assimilation pathways, live in close physical association and phagocytosis is minimal or absent. To interpret the δ13C record of the Proterozoic and early Paleozoic, when mat‐based productivity likely was widespread, it is necessary to understand how a microbially driven producer–consumer structure affects the δ13C compositions of biomass and preservable lipids. Protein Stable Isotope Fingerprinting (P‐SIF) is a recently developed method that allows measurement of the δ13C values of whole proteins, separated from environmental samples and identified taxonomically via proteomics. Here, we use P‐SIF to determine the trophic relationships in a microbial mat sample from Chocolate Pots Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA. In this mat, proteins from heterotrophic bacteria are indistinguishable from cyanobacterial proteins, indicating that “you are what you eat, +1‰” is not applicable. To explain this finding, we hypothesize that sugar production and consumption dominate the net ecosystem metabolism, yielding a community in which producers and consumers share primary photosynthate as a common resource. This idea was validated by confirming that glucose moieties in exopolysaccharide were equal in δ13C composition to both cyanobacterial and heterotrophic proteins, and by confirming that highly 13C‐depleted fatty acids (FAs) of Cyanobacteria dominate the lipid pool, consistent with flux‐balance expectations for systems that overproduce primary photosynthate. Overall, the results confirm that the δ13C composition of microbial biomass and lipids is tied to specific metabolites, rather than to autotrophy versus heterotrophy or to individual trophic levels. Therefore, we suggest that aerobic microbial heterotrophy is simply a case of “you are what you eat.”
Scale Conversion and Uncertainty Calculations in Isotope Delta Measurements
Authors: Vogl Jochen , Rienitz Olaf , Pramann Axel , Flierl Lukas
Published: July 2022

Isotope ratio applications are on the increase and a major part of which are delta measurements, because they are easier to perform than the determination of absolute isotope ratios while offering lower measurement uncertainties. Delta measurements use artefact‐based scales and therefore scale conversions are required due to the lack of the scale defining standards. Such scale conversions often form the basis for comparing data being generated in numerous projects and therefore need to be as accurate as possible. In practice, users are tempted to apply linear approximations, which are not sufficiently exact, because delta values are defined by nonlinear relationships. The bias of such approximations often is beyond typical measurement uncertainties and its extent can hardly be predicted. Therefore, exact calculations are advised. Here, the exact equations and the bias of the approximations are presented, and calculations are illustrated by real‐world examples. Measurement uncertainty is indispensable in this context and therefore, its calculation is described as well for determining delta values but also for scale conversions. Approaches for obtaining a single delta measurement and for repeated measurements are presented. For the latter case, a new approach for calculating the measurement uncertainty is presented, which considers covariances between the isotope ratios.
Genetic and environmental influences on temperament development across the preschool period
Authors: Liu Chang , Zheng Yao , Ganiban Jody M. , Saudino Kimberly J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Preschoolers' temperament characteristics are associated with children's long‐term development. Such links underscore the importance of understanding factors that shape temperament during preschool. This is the first study to examine genetic and environmental sources of developmental growth in three temperament dimensions: surgency, negative affectivity, and effortful control, during the preschool period.

Methods

Biometric latent growth curve modeling was used to examine genetic, shared, and nonshared environmental contributions to the invariant level of and developmental growth in temperament, using a sample of 310 same‐sex twin pairs (MZ = 123, DZ = 187) assessed at 3, 4, and 5 years of age. Temperament was assessed using primary caregiver's report on the Child Behavior Questionnaire‐Short Form.

Results

All three temperament dimensions demonstrated linear increases from ages 3 to 5 years. The invariant levels of all three temperament dimensions were explained by genetic and nonshared environmental factors. Growth in surgency was fully explained by nonshared environmental factors, while growth in negative affectivity was mainly explained by genetic factors. Growth in effortful control was explained by genetic and nonshared environmental factors, although neither were significant due to large bootstrap standard errors. For negative affectivity and effortful control, the genetic factors that contributed to developmental growth were independent from those associated with their invariant levels.

Conclusions

Collectively, these findings indicate that both genetic and nonshared environmental factors play important roles in the invariant levels of temperament. Findings also accord a critical role of children's nonshared environment in the development of surgency and to a lesser extent negative affectivity and effortful control. It is also notable that novel genetic effects contribute to developmental growth in negative affectivity and effortful control as children age, emphasizing the importance of integrating developmental models in genetic research.
No butts about it: using urogenital disparity in a deep‐water snapper, Etelis carbunculus (Lutjanidae), for field‐based sexual identification
Authors: Nichols Ryan S. , DeMartini Edward E. , Franklin Erik C.
Published: July 2022

In this study, the authors describe a process that consistently identified sex based on differences in the length and characteristics of the urogenital papilla septum of Etelis carbunculus, a deep‐water snapper (Lutjanidae, Etelinae). These characteristics, regardless of fish size, were found to be accurate for 96% of 157 specimens evaluated. The application of this external sex determination technique expedites the collection of sex‐specific data and may perform well for other morphologically similar lutjanid snappers. The non‐invasive method also minimizes damage to the fish, thereby allowing either its return to the ocean or landing as a valuable whole fish.
Hind limb muscles influence the architectural properties of long bones in frogs
Authors: Vera Miriam Corina , Ferretti José Luis , Cointry Gustavo Roberto , Abdala Virginia
Published: July 2022

The Mechanostat Theory states that osteocytes sense both the intensity and directionality of the strains induced by mechanical usage and modulate the bone design accordingly. In long bones, this process may adapt anterior‐posterior and lateral‐medial strength to their mechanical environment showing regional specificity. Anuran species are ideal for analyzing the muscle‐bone relationships related to the different mechanical stresses induced by their many locomotor modes and habitat uses. This work aimed to explore the relationships between indicators of the force of the most relevant muscles to locomotion and the mechanical properties of femur and tibia fibula in preserved samples of three anuran species with different habitat use (aquatic, arboreal) and locomotion modes (swimmer, jumper, walker/climber). For that purpose, we measured the anatomical cross‐sectional area of each dissected muscle and correlated it with the moments of inertia and bone strength indices. Significant, species‐specific covariations between muscle and bone parameters were observed. Pseudis platensis, the aquatic swimmer, showed the largest muscles, followed by Boana faber, the jumper and Phyllomedusa sauvagii, the walker/climber. As we expected, bigger muscles correlate with bone parameters in all the species. Nevertheless, smaller muscles also play an important role in bone design. In aquatic species, muscle interaction enhances mostly lateral bending strength throughout the femur and lateral and antero‐posterior bending strength in the tibia fibula. In the jumper species, muscles affected the femur and tibia fibula mostly in anterior‐posterior bending. In the walker/climber species, responses involving both antero‐posterior and lateral bending strengths were observed in the femur and tibia fibula. These results show that bones will be more or less resistant to lateral and antero‐posterior bending according to the different mechanical challenges of locomotion in aquatic vs. arboreal habitats. This study provides new evidence of the muscle‐bone relationships in three frog species associated with their different locomotion and habitat uses, highlighting the crucial role of muscle in determining the architectural properties of bones.
Once again on the Empress Zoe: Women, dermatology, cosmetics, and materia medica (medical matter) in the ancient world
Authors: Cilione Marco , Cavarra Berenice , Gazzaniga Valentina
Published: July 2022

Background

An article published in 2012 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology discussed the historical sources presenting the Byzantine Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita as an expert in cosmetic and pharmacological remedies that could give their users a youthful appearance and a kind of eternal youth. However, it did not take into account a dermatological recipe attributed to Zoe which text transmission has preserved.

Aims

To examine some ingredients of Zoe's recipe from a historical medical point of view and contextualize the text in the tradition of ancient medical matter, physiology of aging, and gender pharmacological skills.

Methods

After contextualizing the recipe from the historical medical point of view, some of its ingredients have been analyzed in relation not only to their use in the most authoritative pharmacological and medical sources of antiquity but also to their symbolic meaning.

Results

The analysis of Zoe's dermatological recipe allowed to highlight:

The links between cosmetics and medicine in Greek and Roman Antiquity.

The reason why ancient sources dealing with medical matter attributed to certain substances and plants the power to save the human body from old age and decay.

The consistency between the ingredients of Zoe's recipe and the humoral physiology by genders and by age of Hippocrates.

The existence of a female tradition in pharmacological competence.

Conclusion

Cosmetic dermatology of antiquity is the perfect point in which survival of the myth and rational pharmacology overlap.
The role of circadian phase in sleep and performance during Antarctic winter expeditions
Authors: Sletten Tracey L. , Sullivan Jason P. , Arendt Josephine , Palinkas Lawrence A. , Barger Laura K. , Fletcher Lloyd , Arnold Malcolm , Wallace Jan , Strauss Clive , Baker Richard J. S. , Kloza Kate , Kennaway David J. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , Ayton Jeff , Lockley Steven W.
Published: July 2022

The Antarctic environment presents an extreme variation in the natural light‐dark cycle which can cause variability in the alignment of the circadian pacemaker with the timing of sleep, causing sleep disruption, and impaired mood and performance. This study assessed the incidence of circadian misalignment and the consequences for sleep, cognition, and psychological health in 51 over‐wintering Antarctic expeditioners (45.6 ± 11.9 years) who completed daily sleep diaries, and monthly performance tests and psychological health questionnaires for 6 months. Circadian phase was assessed via monthly 48‐h urine collections to assess the 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) rhythm. Although the average individual sleep duration was 7.2 ± 0.8 h, there was substantial sleep deficiency with 41.4% of sleep episodes <7 h and 19.1% <6 h. Circadian phase was highly variable and 34/50 expeditioners had sleep episodes that occurred at an abnormal circadian phase (acrophase outside of the sleep episode), accounting for 18.8% (295/1565) of sleep episodes. Expeditioners slept significantly less when misaligned (6.1 ± 1.3 h), compared with when aligned (7.3 ± 1.0 h; p < .0001). Performance and mood were worse when awake closer to the aMT6s peak and with increased time awake (all p < .0005). This research highlights the high incidence of circadian misalignment in Antarctic over‐wintering expeditioners. Similar incidence has been observed in long‐duration space flight, reinforcing the fidelity of Antarctica as a space analog. Circadian misalignment has considerable safety implications, and potentially longer term health risks for other circadian‐controlled physiological systems. This increased risk highlights the need for preventative interventions, such as proactively planned lighting solutions, to ensure circadian alignment during long‐duration Antarctic and space missions.
Effect of purified fish oil supplementation on growth performance, meat quality and blood profile in broilers
Authors: Wahid Sumaya Tanzin , Lee Byung Gill , Kim In Ho
Published: July 2022

The present research experimented with the view of observing the effect of supplementing purified fish oil (FO) on growth performance, organ weight, meat quality, along with blood profile of broilers. The experiment was conducted upon 1600 male Ross 308, each aged 1 day, broiler strains with an average body weight of 43.15 ± 1.35 g were randomly allotted into four dietary treatment groups where CON, basal diet; TRT1, CON + 0.05% FO; TRT2, CON + 0.10% FO; and TRT3, CON + 0.15% FO respectively. Each treatment group consisted of 20 replication pens, with each pen containing 20 broiler chicks. The 4‐week long experiment was divided into two phases. The first phase (Days 7–21), the second phase (Days 22–35) and the overall (Days 7–35). On Day 21, the body weight of broilers in TRT2 and TRT3 was higher than the control. Increasing doses of purified FO supplementation showed a linear (p < 0.05) increase in body weight on Day 21. At the end of Phase 1, FO supplementation improved the body weight gain (BWG) of TRT2 and TRT3 group birds compared to CON. Increasing doses of FO supplementation increased the BWG linearly in all phases. Increasing doses of FO increased chicks' breast muscle weight with the highest value in the TRT3 group. Moreover, liver weight was linearly decreased in FO supplementation groups compared to the CON group. Abdominal fat was linearly decreased in FO supplemented groups. FO supplementation caused the lowest cholesterol and triglyceride in TRT3 than the CON group with a linear reduction. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was reduced by FO supplemental groups. In addition, FO supplementation increased the red blood cell (RBC) in the TRT3 group compared to the CON group. In conclusion, refined FO increased BWG, breast muscle weight and RBC and reduced cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL in broilers' blood.
Granal thylakoid structure and function: explaining an enduring mystery of higher plants
Authors: Gu Lianhong , Grodzinski Bernard , Han Jimei , Marie Telesphore , Zhang Yong‐Jiang , Song Yang C. , Sun Ying
Published: July 2022

In higher plants, photosystems II and I are found in grana stacks and unstacked stroma lamellae, respectively. To connect them, electron carriers negotiate tortuous multi‐media paths and are subject to macromolecular blocking. Why does evolution select an apparently unnecessary, inefficient bipartition? Here we systematically explain this perplexing phenomenon. We propose that grana stacks, acting like bellows in accordions, increase the degree of ultrastructural control on photosynthesis through thylakoid swelling/shrinking induced by osmotic water fluxes. This control coordinates with variations in stomatal conductance and the turgor of guard cells, which act like an accordion's air button. Thylakoid ultrastructural dynamics regulate macromolecular blocking/collision probability, direct diffusional pathlengths, division of function of Cytochrome  b6f complex between linear and cyclic electron transport, luminal pH via osmotic water fluxes, and the separation of pH dynamics between granal and lamellar lumens in response to environmental variations. With the two functionally asymmetrical photosystems located distantly from each other, the ultrastructural control, nonphotochemical quenching, and carbon‐reaction feedbacks maximally cooperate to balance electron transport with gas exchange, provide homeostasis in fluctuating light environments, and protect photosystems in drought. Grana stacks represent a dry/high irradiance adaptation of photosynthetic machinery to improve fitness in challenging land environments. Our theory unifies many well‐known but seemingly unconnected phenomena of thylakoid structure and function in higher plants.
Toward a new political democracy index: Construction, validation, and calculation for individual societies and types of society
Authors: Zafirovski Milan
Published: July 2022

The article proposes a new composite index of political democracy. It first constructs, elaborates, and rationalizes a comprehensive democracy index composed of 20 indicators and covariates. It then describes data on the democracy indicators and their sources and properties, including their metrics and range or scale which it makes uniform and detailed for precision and discrimination in index computation and estimation. It reports the results of an empirical analysis. Preliminary statistical analyses test for validation and their results indicate that the democracy indicators and index have high validity and reliability and confirm that its dimensions express the same latent variable. Exploratory substantive analyses compute present absolute and standardized democracy indexes both for individual societies such as 36 OECD countries and for types of society, specifically varieties of modern capitalism. The findings indicate wide variations among both individual societies and types of society, notably that coordinated, welfare capitalism surpasses the other varieties of capitalism in liberal political democracy. The article seeks to contribute to a better conceptualization, representation, and measurement of democracy in relation to society and its types.

Related Articles

Collins, Stephen D. 2010. “Regional Trade Agreements and Democracy Promotion: Measuring the Influence of Democracy Requirements in Regional Trade Agreements.” Politics & Policy 38(4): 737–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00256.x.

Davidsson, Simon. 2020. “Modeling the Impact of a Model: The (Non)Relationship between China's Economic Rise and African Democracy.” Politics & Policy 48(5): 859–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12375.

Pelizzo, Riccardo, and Zim Nwokora. 2018. “Party System Change and the Quality of Democracy in East Africa.” Politics & Policy 46(3): 505–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12255.
Minimalism, Trivialism, Aristotelianism
Authors: Sereni Andrea , Zanetti Luca
Published: July 2022

Minimalism and Trivialism are two recent forms of lightweight Platonism in the philosophy of mathematics: Minimalism is the view that mathematical objects arethinin the sense that “very little is required for their existence”, whereas Trivialism is the view that mathematical statements have trivial truth‐conditions, that is, that “nothing is required of the world in order for those conditions to be satisfied”. In order to clarify the relation between the mathematical and the non‐mathematical domain that these views envisage, it has recently been proposed that both Linnebo's notion of sufficiency and Rayo's “just is”‐operator can, or even should, be interpreted in terms of metaphysicalgrounding. This interpretation makes Minimalism and Trivialism akin to Aristotelianism in the philosophy of mathematics, according to which mathematical entities depend for their existence and their properties on non‐mathematical ones. In this paper we raise a general objection to this interpretation. We highlight a tension – a “Big Picture” Problem – between the metaphysical picture underlying both Minimalism and Trivialism, on the one side, and the metaphysics of Platonism and Aristotelianism on the other. We then consider various ways in which Linnebo and Rayo could respond. We finally argue that Minimalism and Trivialism are closer to Aristotelianism than to Platonism; however, even though these positions are not forms of traditional Platonism, they are not standard forms of Aristotelianism either.
Efficacy of a commercial dry sleeve cryotherapy system for cooling the equine metacarpus
Authors: Jacobs Carrie C. , O'Neil Erin , Prange Timo
Published: July 2022

Objective

To determine the ability of a commercial cryotherapy system (Game Ready Equine) to cool the metacarpal subcutaneous tissue and the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in horses.

Study design

Experimental study.

Animals or sample population

Six healthy adult horses.

Methods

Thermocouples were implanted into the metacarpal subcutaneous tissues and the SDFT of six horses. Two treatments (cryotherapy or cryotherapy with 5–50 mmHg intermittent compression) were randomly assigned to forelimbs and performed for 20 minutes. Temperatures were compared to the target range of 10–19°C and between groups.

Results

Only one limb in the cryotherapy/compression group reached the target range after cryotherapy. Temperatures did not differ between treatment groups at time 0. Lowest temperatures achieved in the subcutaneous tissue (p = .0043) and SDFT (p = .005) were 4.9 and 7.6°C lower when intermittent compression was applied. Similarly, applying compression induced a maximum change in temperature of approximately 7.0°C in the subcutaneous tissue (p = .014) and 10.2°C in the SDFT (p = .0001).

Conclusion

The cryotherapy system did not cool equine subcutaneous tissue or SDFT to the target temperature range, except in one limb. Combining cryotherapy with intermittent compression did result in lower temperatures and a greater change in temperature of the subcutaneous tissue and SDFT.

Clinical significance

When using this cryotherapy system, the addition of intermittent compression should be considered to achieve lower temperatures and potentially greater reduction in inflammation. Further studies are warranted to determine the effect of longer treatment times, higher compression settings, and the optimal temperature for benefits in normal and diseased equine tissues.
Understanding Resilience Optimization Architectures: Alignment and Coupling in Multilevel Decomposition Strategies
Authors: Hulse Daniel , Hoyle Christopher
Published: July 2022

Including resilience in an overall systems optimization process is challenging because the space of hazard-mitigating features is complex, involving both inherent and active prevention and recovery measures. Many resilience optimization approaches have thus been put forward to optimize a system’s resilience while systematically managing these complexities. However, there has been little study about when to apply or how to adapt architectures (or their underlying decomposition strategies) to new problems, which may be formulated differently. To resolve this problem, this article first reviews the literature to understand how choice of optimization architecture flows out of problem type and, based on this review, creates a conceptual framework for understanding these architectures in terms of their underlying decomposition strategies. To then better understand the applicability of alternating and bilevel decomposition strategies for resilience optimization, their performance is compared over two demonstration problems. These comparisons show that while both strategies can solve resilience optimization problem effectively, the alternating strategy is prone to adverse coupling relationships between design and resilience models, while the bilevel strategy is prone to increased computational costs from the use of gradient-based methods in the upper level. Thus, when considering how to solve a novel resilience optimization problem, the choice of decomposition strategy should flow out of problem coupling and efficiency characteristics.
AK-HMC-IS: A Novel Importance Sampling Method for Efficient Reliability Analysis Based on Active Kriging and Hybrid Monte Carlo Algorithm
Authors: Li Gang , Jiang Long , Lu Bin , He Wanxin
Published: July 2022

Sampling methods are powerful tools for structural reliability analysis with complex failure domains due to their stability and accuracy. One of the most frequently used sampling methods is the importance sampling (IS) method, which can markedly reduce the sampling variance and computational costs. The pivotal problem in IS method is the determination of the IS probability density function (ISPDF), which influences the accuracy and efficiency of reliability analysis greatly. This study proposes an effective method for constructing the ISPDF, combining the hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm (HMC) with the Gaussian mixture model. The HMC is superior to the common Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm in convergence, which is helpful in improving sampling efficiency. Our ISPDF is generated adaptively and does not require the most probable failure point (MPFP); therefore, it can also work well for multiple MPFPs and high-nonlinear problems. To release the computational burden further, the performance function is replaced with the Kriging model, and the well-known U criterion is used for its refinement. In the proposed method, the process of the refinement of the Kriging model is coupled with the HMC sampling for constructing the ISPDF, which is the difference between some common methods; thus, no samples are vain. We verify the proposed method using three classical numerical examples and one practical engineering problem. Results show that the proposed method is accurate and superior to common IS methods in efficiency.
Selectivity in single-molecule reactions by tip-induced redox chemistry
Authors: Albrecht Florian , Fatayer Shadi , Pozo Iago , Tavernelli Ivano , Repp Jascha , Peña Diego , Gross Leo
Published: July 2022

Controlling selectivity of reactions is an ongoing quest in chemistry. In this work, we demonstrate reversible and selective bond formation and dissociation promoted by tip-induced reduction-oxidation reactions on a surface. Molecular rearrangements leading to different constitutional isomers are selected by the polarity and magnitude of applied voltage pulses from the tip of a combined scanning tunneling and atomic force microscope. Characterization of voltage dependence of the reactions and determination of reaction rates demonstrate selectivity in constitutional isomerization reactions and provide insight into the underlying mechanisms. With support of density functional theory calculations, we find that the energy landscape of the isomers in different charge states is important to rationalize the selectivity. Tip-induced selective single-molecule reactions increase our understanding of redox chemistry and could lead to novel molecular machines.
A cellular switchboard in memory circuits
Authors: Craig Michael T. , Witton Jonathan
Published: July 2022

Neurogliaform cells can direct the flow of information through the hippocampus
Catching fire
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: July 2022

Past efforts to coax geothermal energy from hot, dry rock deep underground have faltered. But new techniques could crack the problem
In Science Journals
Authors: Smith Keith T. , Stajic Jelena , Wickström Sara A. , Suleymanov Yury , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Malo Courtney S. , Lavine Marc S. , Szuromi Phil , Ash Caroline , Kelly Priscilla N. , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Alderton Gemma , Stern Peter , VanHook Annalisa M. , Williams Ifor
Published: July 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
France introduces research integrity oath
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: July 2022

Mandatory pledge will be part of Ph.D. defense
SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells in unexposed adults display broad trafficking potential and cross-react with commensal antigens
Authors: Bartolo Laurent , Afroz Sumbul , Pan Yi-Gen , Xu Ruozhang , Williams Lea , Lin Chin-Fang , Tanes Ceylan , Bittinger Kyle , Friedman Elliot S. , Gimotty Phyllis A. , Wu Gary D. , Su Laura F.
Published: July 2022

The baseline composition of T cells directly affects later response to pathogens, but the complexity of precursor states remains poorly defined. Here, we examined the baseline state of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–specific T cells in unexposed individuals. SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4
+
T cells were identified in prepandemic blood samples by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II tetramer staining and enrichment. Our data revealed a substantial number of SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells that expressed memory phenotype markers. Integrated phenotypic analyses demonstrated diverse preexisting memory states that included cells with distinct polarization features and trafficking potential to barrier tissues. T cell clones generated from tetramer-labeled cells cross-reacted with antigens from commensal bacteria in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. Direct ex vivo tetramer staining for one spike-specific population showed a similar level of cross-reactivity to sequences from endemic coronavirus and commensal bacteria. These data highlight the complexity of precursor T cell repertoire and implicate noninfectious exposures to common microbes as a key factor that shapes human preexisting immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
Excreted Antibiotics May Be Key to Emergence of Increasingly Efficient Antibiotic Resistance in Food Animal Production
Authors: Avillan Johannetsy J. , Ahmadvand Parvaneh , Lu Shao-Yeh , Horton Jennifer , Liu Jinxin , Lofgren Eric , Davis Margaret A. , Kang ChulHee , Call Douglas R.
Published: July 2022

We studied the relative fitness benefits of a cephalosporin resistance enzyme (CTX-M-15) that is displacing a similar enzyme (CMY-2), which is extant inE. colifrom dairy cattle in Washington State.In vitroexperiments demonstrated that CTX-M-15 provides a significant fitness advantage, but only in the presence of very high concentrations of antibiotic that are only found when the antibiotic ampicillin, and to a lesser extent ceftiofur, is excreted in urine from treated animals. As such, the increasing prevalence of bacteria withblaCTX-M-15is likely occurringex vivo.
Mutagenesis of the Loop 3 α-Helix of Neisseria gonorrhoeae TdfJ Inhibits S100A7 Binding and Utilization
Authors: Maurakis Stavros A. , Stoudenmire Julie L. , Rymer Jeffrey K. , Chazin Walter J. , Cornelissen Cynthia Nau
Published: July 2022

Gonorrhea is a global threat to public health due to the increasing incidence of antimicrobial drug resistance, rising treatment costs, and lack of a protective vaccine. The prospect of untreatable gonococcal infections has spurred efforts to identify targets for novel therapeutic and prevention strategies, and members of the family of outer membrane TonB-dependent metal transporters have emerged as promising candidates.
Comprehensive Evaluation of RNA and DNA Viromic Methods Based on Species Richness and Abundance Analyses Using Marmot Rectal Samples
Authors: Sun Yue , Qu Yonggang , Yan Xiaomin , Yan Guangzhi , Chen Junjie , Wang Guoshuai , Zhao Zihan , Liu Yang , Tu Changchun , He Biao
Published: July 2022

Viral metagenomics can be roughly divided into species richness-based studies and species abundance-based analyses. Viromic methods with different principles have been developed, but rational selection of these techniques according to different purposes requires comprehensive understanding of their properties.
Alterations of the Gut Microbiota in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Lili , Wang Zhisheng , Zhang Xiaona , Zhao Lu , Chu Jinjin , Li Haibo , Sun Wenchang , Yang Chunjuan , Wang Hui , Dai Wenqing , Yan Shushan , Chen Xiaohua , Xu Donghua
Published: July 2022

Gut microbiota imbalance is found in fecal samples from DN patients, in which
Roseburia intestinalis
is significantly decreased, while
Bacteroides stercoris
is increased. There is a significant correlation between gut microbiota imbalance and clinical indexes related to lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and renal function. The gut microbiota may be predictive factors for the development and progression of DN, although further studies are warranted to illustrate their regulatory mechanisms.
Detecting Waning Serological Response with Commercial Immunoassays: 18-Month Longitudinal Follow-up of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antibodies
Authors: Nakagama Yu , Komase Yuko , Kaku Natsuko , Nitahara Yuko , Tshibangu-Kabamba Evariste , Tominaga Tomoyo , Tanaka Hiroko , Yokoya Tomoaki , Hosokawa Minako , Kido Yasutoshi
Published: July 2022

Past SARS-CoV-2 infection is an important determinant of protection from reinfection and of postvaccine immune responses. Our results show that different immunoassays, by design, harbor variable capability of tracking SARS-CoV-2 infection under waning antibody concentrations.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae among Hospitalized Patients with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections in an Indian Tertiary Care Hospital: an Underreported Health Problem
Authors: Sreenath K. , Kabra S. K. , Dey A. B. , Chandolia Amita , Sagar Tanu , Singh Vishwajeet , Ghimire Jagat Jeevan , Guleria Randeep , Chaudhry Rama
Published: July 2022

M. pneumoniae
(Mp) is a significant pathogen causing atypical pneumonia but by far these infections are underreported clinical entities in India. In the present study, we report the prevalence of Mp and describe the demographic and baseline clinical data of Mp-positive cases in an Indian tertiary care hospital.
Intrapulmonary mature cystic teratoma presenting with haemoptysis treated with right middle lobectomy in a low-resource setting
Authors: Ismavel Vijay Anand , Miriam Ann
Published: July 2022

A teenage girl presented to our remote rural hospital with history of massive haemoptysis. A CT scan showed a spherical lesion in the right lung. Exploratory thoracotomy was performed with a provisional diagnosis of pulmonary hydatid cyst. Intraoperative findings were consistent with intrapulmonary teratoma and this was confirmed by a histopathological diagnosis of mature teratoma. Four years later, the patient presented again with recurrence of haemoptysis and a right middle lobectomy was performed. We present a report of successful management of this patient with 20-year follow-up since the first surgery, describe the pathology of this rare condition and the procedures used to treat it. We also discuss the social and economic factors that affect decision making in the management of rare conditions in remote rural areas among poor communities that are usually referred to tertiary hospitals and suggest modifications to protocols to provide effective treatment in spite of resource constraints.
Use of a synthetic biodegradable temporising matrix after necrotising fasciitis infection of the thigh
Authors: ALNafisee Daniah , Casey Maire-Caitlin , Kelly Jack L
Published: July 2022

Biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM NovoSorb; PolyNovo, Melbourne, Australia) is a novel synthetic polyurethane dermal substitute. Licensed in Europe in 2020, it was developed primarily for reconstruction of infected wounds. We present a case of a healthy man in his 60s with necrotising fasciitis of his left thigh. His medical history was significant for recurrent left thigh liposarcoma that was treated years earlier with surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. The affected area was within the previously irradiated tissue, debrided down to fascia and dressed with a vacuum-assisted closure to help regenerate the wound bed. Reconstruction options were limited by having a circumferential thigh defect that was infected. Following the use of NovoSorb BTM, the area was dressed with Acticoat Flex 7 antimicrobial barrier dressing for 5 weeks. Patient mobilisation was permitted. The material integrated very well and formed a soft, pliable healthy dermal layer that was autografted with split thickness skin grafts. This resulted in durable cover of the thigh with good aesthetic contour and minimal contracture.
Child requiring tracheostomy for removal of an airway foreign body at the tracheal bifurcation
Authors: Yogo Naoki , Mizutari Sachiko , Honda Kei , Asai Hidetoshi
Published: July 2022

Airway foreign bodies are typically removed orally using a rigid bronchoscope. We present a rare case of a foreign body at the tracheal bifurcation that required removal via tracheostomy. A child turned pale while eating nuts and was suspected to have choked on a foreign body. CT revealed a foreign body at the tracheal bifurcation. As his respiratory condition was unstable, tracheal intubation and removal were attempted using a rigid bronchoscope. Tracheal obstruction during oral removal resulted in respiratory failure and bradycardia. Following emergency tracheostomy, the foreign body was removed via the tracheal stoma after his respiratory condition stabilised. The patient was discharged 21 days later without neurological sequelae. To avoid hypoxaemia during airway foreign body removal, as in this case, assessing the size of the upper airway and foreign body is necessary. Tracheostomy and foreign body removal through the tracheal opening should be considered proactively.
Self-injected contraceptives: does the investment reflect women’s preferences?
Authors: Wood Shannon N. , Magalona Sophia , Zimmerman Linnea A. , OlaOlorun Funmilola , Omoluabi Elizabeth , Akilimali Pierre , Guiella Georges , Gichangi Peter , Anglewicz Philip
Published: July 2022

Subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) is an innovative contraceptive method aimed at meeting women’s unique circumstances and needs, largely due to its ability to be self-injected. Substantial research and advocacy investments have been made to promote roll-out of DMPA-SC across sub-Saharan Africa. To date, research on the demand for DMPA-SC as a self-injectable method has been conducted largely with healthcare providers, via qualitative research, or with highly specific subsamples that are not population based. Using three recent rounds of data from Performance Monitoring for Action, we examined population-representative trends in demand, use, and preference for self-injection among current non-users in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa and Kongo Central regions), Kenya, and Nigeria (Lagos and Kano States). We found that while over 80.0% of women had heard of injectables across settings, few women had heard of self-injection (ranging from 13.0% in Kenya to 24.8% in Burkina Faso). Despite initial increases in DMPA-SC prevalence, DMPA-SC usage began to stagnate or even decrease in all settings in the recent three years (except in Nigeria-Kano). Few (0.0%–16.7%) current DMPA-SC users were self-injecting, and the majority instead were relying on a healthcare provider for administration of DMPA-SC. Among current contraceptive non-users wishing to use an injectable in the future, only 1.5%–11.4% preferred to self-inject. Our results show that self-injection is uncommon, and demand for self-injection is very limited across six settings, calling for further qualitative and quantitative research on women’s views on DMPA-SC and self-injection and, ultimately, their contraceptive preferences and needs.
Effect of surgical modality on visual outcomes for young patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Duong Ryan T , Elghawy Omar , Nigussie Amen B , Bogaard Joseph D , Patrie James T , Shildkrot Yevgeniy (Eugene)
Published: July 2022

Objective

To examine outcomes of different surgical modalities for correcting primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in patients younger than 50 years of age.

Methods and analysis

A single-centre, retrospective, cohort study of 754 patients who underwent retinal surgery at the University of Virginia Hospital between 1 July 2012 and 1 July 2020 was conducted. Exclusion criteria were patients less than 18 or over 50 years of age, repeat detachments, second eyes of patients with bilateral detachments and follow-up less than 3 months. A multivariate regression model was used to compare overall outcomes in patients.

Results

86 patients met inclusion criteria and of those, 38 (44%) underwent vitrectomy, 22 (26%) underwent scleral buckling, 13 (15%) underwent pneumatic retinopexy and 13 (15%) underwent combined scleral buckle and vitrectomy repair. Comparison of eye-level parameters among the procedure groups shows difference with respect to macular involvement (p<0.05) but not regarding clock hour involvement or giant tear status (p>0.05). Preoperative visual acuity was superior in the scleral buckle group compared with vitrectomy (p<0.001). Mean postoperative visual acuity improved with all procedures and all repair procedures had comparable rates of complication. The mean overall anatomical success rate was 73% (n=63) and comparable among all modalities.

Conclusions

Vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy or combined procedures are viable repair options for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in patients younger than 50 years of age. Selection of the repair modality should be guided on baseline clinical features of the patient and detachment.
Interlaboratory Gleason grading variation affects treatment: a Dutch historic cohort study in 30 509 patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Flach Rachel N , van Dooijeweert Carmen , Aben Katja K H , Suelmann Britt B M , Willemse Peter-Paul M , van Diest Paul J , Meijer Richard P
Published: July 2022

Aim

Substantial variation in Gleason grading (GG) of prostate cancer (PCa) exists between Dutch pathology laboratories. This study investigates its impact on treatment strategies.

Methods

Pathology reports of prostate needle biopsies and clinical data of patients with PCa diagnosed between 2017 and 2019 were retrieved from the Dutch nationwide network and registry of histopathology and cytopathology and The Netherlands Cancer Registry. We investigated the impact of grading variation on treatment strategy for patients whose grade was decisive in treatment choice. First, we evaluated the effect of grading practice (low, average or high grading) on active treatment (AT) versus active surveillance in patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) <10 ng/mL and cT1c/cT2a disease. Second, we assessed the association of grading practice with performance of pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) in patients with PSA 10–20 ng/mL or cT2b disease. We used multivariable logistic regression to analyse the relation between laboratories’ grading practices and AT or PLND.

Results

We included 30 509 patients. GG was decisive in treatment strategy for 11 925 patients (39%). AT was performed significantly less often in patients diagnosed by laboratories that graded lower than average (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.88). Conversely, patients received AT significantly more often when diagnosed in high-grading laboratories versus average-grading laboratories (OR=1.21, 95% CI 1.03 to1.43). PLND was performed significantly less often in patients diagnosed by low-grading versus average-grading laboratories (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.90).

Conclusion

Our study shows that the odds that a patient undergoes AT or PLND, depends on laboratories’ grading practices in a substantial number of patients. This likely influences patient prognosis and outcome, necessitating standardisation of GG to prevent suboptimal patient outcome.
Thrombus imaging characteristics within acute ischemic stroke: similarities and interdependence
Authors: Arrarte Terreros Nerea , Bruggeman Agnetha AE , Kappelhof Manon , Tolhuisen Manon L , Brouwer Josje , Hoving Jan W , Konduri Praneeta R , van Kranendonk Katinka R , Dutra Bruna G , Alves Heitor CBR , Dippel Diederik WJ , van Zwam Wim H , Beenen Ludo FM , Yo Lonneke SF , van Bavel Ed , Majoie Charles BLM , Marquering Henk A
Published: July 2022

Background

The effects of thrombus imaging characteristics on procedural and clinical outcomes after ischemic stroke are increasingly being studied. These thrombus characteristics – for eg, size, location, and density – are commonly analyzed as separate entities. However, it is known that some of these thrombus characteristics are strongly related. Multicollinearity can lead to unreliable prediction models. We aimed to determine the distribution, correlation and clustering of thrombus imaging characteristics based on a large dataset of anterior-circulation acute ischemic stroke patients.

Methods

We measured thrombus imaging characteristics in the MR CLEAN Registry dataset, which included occlusion location, distance from the intracranial carotid artery to the thrombus (DT), thrombus length, density, perviousness, and clot burden score (CBS). We assessed intercorrelations with Spearman’s coefficient (ρ) and grouped thrombi based on 1) occlusion location and 2) thrombus length, density and perviousness using unsupervised clustering.

Results

We included 934 patients, of which 22% had an internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion, 61% M1, 16% M2, and 1% another occlusion location. All thrombus characteristics were significantly correlated. Higher CBS was strongly correlated with longer DT (ρ=0.67, p<0.01), and moderately correlated with shorter thrombus length (ρ=−0.41, p<0.01). In more proximal occlusion locations, thrombi were significantly longer, denser, and less pervious. Unsupervised clustering analysis resulted in four thrombus groups; however, the cohesion within and distinction between the groups were weak.

Conclusions

Thrombus imaging characteristics are significantly intercorrelated – strong correlations should be considered in future predictive modeling studies. Clustering analysis showed there are no distinct thrombus archetypes – novel treatments should consider this thrombus variability.
Clinical value of cell-based assays in the characterisation of seronegative myasthenia gravis
Authors: Damato Valentina , Spagni Gregorio , Monte Gabriele , Woodhall Mark , Jacobson Leslie , Falso Silvia , Smith Thomas , Iorio Raffaele , Waters Patrick , Irani Sarosh R , Vincent Angela , Evoli Amelia
Published: July 2022

Objective

Patients with myasthenia gravis without acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies detected by radioimmunoprecipitation assays (RIAs) are classified as seronegative myasthenia gravis (SNMG). Live cell-based assays (l-CBAs) can detect additional antibodies to clustered AChR, MuSK and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4), but positivity rates are variable and both clinical relevance and utility of CBA platforms remain unclear.

Methods

Sera from 82 patients with SNMG were tested by l-CBAs. Human embryonic kidney cells were transfected to individually express clustered AChR, MuSK or LRP4; or transfected to jointly express both clustered adult AChR and MuSK. Sera from 30 and 20 patients positive by RIA for AChR or MuSK antibodies were used as comparators.

Results

53 of 82 (72%) patients with SNMG had generalised and 29 (28%) had ocular disease. The clustered AChR CBA detected antibodies in 16 of 82 patients (19.5%; including 4 patients with solely fetal AChR antibodies), while 7 of 82 (8.5%) patients had MuSK antibodies. A novel exploratory combined adult AChR-MuSK l-CBA efficiently detected all these antibodies in a subset of the SNMG cohort. No LRP4 antibodies were identified. Overall, patients with SNMG with clustered AChR antibodies, CBA-positive MuSK-MG or triple seronegative were younger, had less severe disease than patients with RIA-positive MG and had a better clinical outcome when immunotherapy was started soon after disease onset, although the time interval from onset to immunotherapy was not different when compared with patients with RIA-positive MG.

Conclusion

Around one-third of patients with SNMG had AChR or MuSK antibodies by l-CBAs, which were efficiently detected with a combined l-CBA. The results in this large and unselected cohort of patients with MG demonstrate the diagnostic usefulness of performing CBAs and the importance of making these tests more widely available.