bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk-adjusted analysis of long-term outcomes after on- versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Deutsch Marcus-André , Zittermann Armin , Renner André , Schramm René , Götte Julia , Börgermann Jochen , Fox Henrik , Rojas Sebastian V , Gyoten Takayuki , Morshuis Michiel , Koster Andreas , Hulde Nikolai , Hinse Dennis , Hakim-Meibodi Kavous , Gummert Jan F
Published: June 2021

OBJECTIVES

Recent data suggested that off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) may carry a higher risk for mortality in the long term when compared to on-pump coronary artery bypass (ONCAB). We, therefore, compared long-term survival and morbidity in patients undergoing ONCAB versus OPCAB in a large single-centre cohort.

METHODS

A total of 8981 patients undergoing isolated elective/urgent coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2009 and December 2019 were analysed. Patients were stratified into 2 groups (OPCAB n = 6649/ONCAB n = 2332). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included repeat revascularization, stroke and myocardial infarction. To adjust for potential selection bias, 1:1 nearest neighbour propensity score (PS) matching was performed resulting in 1857 matched pairs. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was applied in the entire study cohort using multivariable- and PS-adjusted Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the PS-matched cohort, 10-year mortality was similar between study groups [OPCAB 36.4% vs ONCAB 35.8%: hazard ratio (HR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.12; P = 0.84]. While 10-year outcomes of secondary endpoints did not differ significantly, risk of stroke (OPCAB 1.50% vs ONCAB 2.8%: HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.32–0.83; P = 0.006) and mortality (OPCAB 3.1% vs ONCAB 4.8%: HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.91; P = 0.011) at 1 year was lower in the OPCAB group. In the multivariable- and the PS-adjusted model, mortality at 10 years was not significantly different (OPCAB 34.1% vs ONCAB 35.7%: HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.87–1.08; P = 0.59 and HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.90–1.13; P = 0.91, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Data do not provide evidence that elective/urgent OPCAB is associated with significantly higher risks of mortality, repeat revascularization, or myocardial infarction during late follow-up when compared to ONCAB. Patients undergoing OPCAB may benefit from reduced risks of stroke and mortality within the first year postoperatively.
Emergency Politics After Globalization
Authors: Heupel Monika , Koenig-Archibugi Mathias , Kreuder-Sonnen Christian , Patberg Markus , Séville Astrid , Steffek Jens , White Jonathan
Published: June 2021

Exceptional times call for exceptional measures—this formula is all too familiar in the domestic setting. Governments have often played loose with their state's constitution in the name of warding off an urgent threat. But after decades of increasing interconnectedness and emerging transnational governance, today one sees new forms of emergency politics that are cross-border in range. From the European Union to the World Health Organization, from supranational institutions to state governments acting in concert, the logic of emergency is embraced in international contexts, with Covid-19 the latest occasion. This Forum offers an entry-point into this emerging phenomenon. Taking as its point of departure two recent books, it examines the origins, forms, effects and normative stakes of emergency politics beyond the state. Among the matters discussed are the concept of emergency politics, the historical context of its contemporary forms, the patterns of decision-making associated with it, the implications for the legitimacy of transnational institutions, and the constitutional and political ways in which it might be contained. Transnational emergency politics seems likely to remain a central feature of the coming years, and our aim is to further its study in international relations.
Effect of arginine supplementation on the morphology and function of intestinal epithelia and serum concentrations of amino acids in pigs exposed to heat stress
Authors: Morales Adriana , González Fernanda , Bernal Hugo , Camacho Reyna L , Arce Néstor , Vásquez Nydia , González-Vega Jolie C , Htoo John K , Viana María T , Cervantes Miguel
Published: June 2021

The exposure of pigs to heat stress (HS) appears to damage their intestinal epithelia, affecting the absorption of amino acids (AAs). Arg is involved in the restoration of intestinal epithelial cells but HS reduces Arg intake. The effect of dietary supplementation with Arg on the morphology of intestinal epithelia, AA transporter gene expression, and serum concentration (SC) of free AAs in HS pigs was analyzed. Twenty pigs (25.3 ± 2.4 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: Control (0.81% Arg), wheat–soybean meal diet supplemented with l-Lys, l-Thr, dl-Met, and l-Trp, and the experimental diet where 0.16% free l-Arg was supplemented to a similar Control diet (+Arg). All pigs were individually housed and exposed to HS, fed ad libitum with full access to water. The ambient temperature (AT), recorded at 15-min intervals during the 21-d trial, ranged on average from 29.6 to 39.4 °C within the same day. Blood samples were collected on day 18 at 1600 hours (AT peak); serum was separated by centrifugation. At the end of the trial, five pigs per treatment were sacrificed to collect samples of mucosa scratched from each small intestine segment. The expression of AA transporters in intestinal mucosa and the SC of AAs were analyzed. Villi height (VH) was higher (P < 0.01) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum but the crypt depth did not differ between the Control and the +Arg pigs. Supplementation of l-Arg increased the mRNA coding for the synthesis of the cationic AA transporter b0,+ (P < 0.01) and the neutral AA transporter B0 (P < 0.05) in the duodenum by approximately 5-fold and 3-fold, respectively, but no effect on mRNA abundance was observed in the jejunum and ileum. The supplementation of l-Arg increased serum Arg, His, Met, Thr, Trp, and urea (P < 0.05) and also tended to increase Val (P < 0.10) but did not affect Ile, Lys, Leu, and Phe. These results indicate that supplementing 0.16% l-Arg to the Control diet may help to improve the function of the small intestine epithelium, by increasing the VH, the abundance of AA transporters, and the SC of most indispensable AAs in pigs exposed to HS conditions. However, the lack of effect of supplemental Arg on both Lys SC and weight gain of pigs suggests that increasing the Lys content in the +Arg diet might be needed to improve the performance of HS pigs.
In-Field Evaluation of Drone-Released Lacewings for Aphid Control in California Organic Lettuce
Authors: Del Pozo-Valdivia Alejandro I , Morgan Eric , Bennett Chandler
Published: June 2021

Aphids are one of the most economically important pests to California’s Central Coast lettuce industry. Aphids vector the lettuce mosaic virus and are crop contaminants in the packaging of the product. Lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the predominant aphid species in lettuce, and it poses unique management challenges forming colonies inside the lettuce head. Current management practices rely on repeated foliar insecticide applications to reduce aphid densities per plant. Some organic growers have explored the release of laboratory-reared beneficial insects to manage aphids in their commercial fields. This project sought to document the effects of drone-released lacewing eggs on lettuce aphid densities in organic romaine lettuce fields. Commercially reared lacewing eggs were released at a rate of 74,131 eggs/ha and organic-certified insecticides were sprayed following their respective label recommendations. Our results could be interpreted as preliminary evidence that drone release of lacewings could reduce aphid densities (15.6–150.0 aphids/lettuce head) when compared to the untreated plots (32.1–257.9 aphids/lettuce head). Aphid densities were also decreased after the application of foliar organic-certified insecticides (11.77–143.5). Traditionally, the cost of labor has limited the use of beneficials in the lettuce production system, but the use of drones for these releases may make this strategy more attractive. Based on our calculations, spraying an organic-certified insecticide is less expensive (direct operational costs of U.S. $ 116.36/ha) than releasing beneficial insects by hand ($ 185.40) or by drone ($ 176.00) when mimicking the conditions of this study.
The eclipsing binary systems with δ Scuti component – I. KIC 10661783
Authors: Miszuda A , Szewczuk W , Daszyńska-Daszkiewicz J
Published: June 2021

We present a comprehensive study of the eclipsing binary system KIC 10661783. The analysis of the whole Kepler light curve, corrected for the binary effects, reveals a rich oscillation spectrum with 590 significant frequency peaks, 207 of which are independent. In addition to typical δ Scuti (δ Sct) frequencies, we find small-amplitude signals in the low-frequency range that, most probably, are a manifestation of gravity-mode pulsations. We perform binary-evolution computations for this system in order to find an acceptable model describing its current stage. Our models show that the binary KIC 10661783 was formed by a rapid, almost conservative, mass transfer that heavily affected the evolution of both components in the past. One of the most important effects of binary evolution is the enormous enrichment of the outer layers of the main component with helium. This fact profoundly influences the pulsational properties of δ Sct star models. For the first time, we demonstrate the effect of binary evolution on pulsational instability. We construct pulsational models of the main component in order to account for the mode instability of the observed frequencies. Whereas the single-star evolution model is pulsational stable in the whole frequency range, its binary-evolution counterpart has unstable modes in both high- and low-frequency ranges. However, to obtain instability in almost a whole range of the observed frequencies, the modification of the mean opacity at the depth corresponding to temperatures log T = 4.69 K and log T = 5.06 K was necessary.
Non-parametric spatial curvature inference using late-Universe cosmological probes
Authors: Dhawan Suhail , Alsing Justin , Vagnozzi Sunny
Published: June 2021

Inferring high-fidelity constraints on the spatial curvature parameter, ΩK, under as few assumptions as possible, is of fundamental importance in cosmology. We propose a method to non-parametrically infer ΩK from late-Universe probes alone. Using Gaussian processes (GPs) to reconstruct the expansion history, we combine cosmic chronometers (CCs) and type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) data to infer constraints on curvature, marginalized over the expansion history, calibration of the CC and SNe Ia data, and the GP hyper-parameters. The obtained constraints on ΩK are free from parametric model assumptions for the expansion history and are insensitive to the overall calibration of both the CC and SNe Ia data (being sensitive only to relative distances and expansion rates). Applying this method to Pantheon SNe Ia and the latest compilation of CCs, we find ΩK = −0.03 ± 0.26, consistent with spatial flatness at the $\mathcal {O}(10^{-1})$ level, and independent of any early-Universe probes. Applying our methodology to future baryon acoustic oscillations and SNe Ia data from upcoming Stage IV surveys, we forecast the ability to constrain ΩK at the $\mathcal {O}(10^{-2})$ level.
Dynamic Rearrangement and Directional Migration of Tubular Vacuoles are Required for the Asymmetric Division of the Arabidopsis Zygote
Authors: Matsumoto Hikari , Kimata Yusuke , Higaki Takumi , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Ueda Minako
Published: June 2021

In most flowering plants, the asymmetric cell division of zygotes is the initial step that establishes the apical–basal axis. In the Arabidopsis zygote, vacuolar accumulation at the basal cell end is crucial to ensure zygotic division asymmetry. Despite the importance, it was unclear whether this polar vacuolar distribution was achieved by predominant biogenesis at the basal region or by directional movement after biogenesis. Here, we found that apical and basal vacuolar contents are dynamically exchanged via a tubular vacuolar network and the vacuoles gradually migrate toward the basal end. The mutant of a vacuolar membrane protein, SHOOT GRAVITROPISM2 (SGR2), failed to form tubular vacuoles, and the mutant of a putative vacuolar fusion factor, VESICLE TRANSPORT THROUGH INTERACTION WITH T-SOLUBLE N-ETHYLMALEIMIDE-SENSITIVE FUSION PROTEIN ATTACHMENT PROTEIN RECEPTORS (SNARES) 11 (VTI11), could not flexibly rearrange the vacuolar network. Both mutants failed to exchange the apical and basal vacuolar contents and to polarly migrate the vacuoles, resulting in a more symmetric division of zygotes. Additionally, we observed that in contrast to sgr2, the zygotic defects of vti11 were rescued by the pharmacological depletion of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI3P), a distinct phospholipid in the vacuolar membrane. Thus, SGR2 and VTI11 have individual sites of action in zygotic vacuolar membrane processes. Further, a mutant of YODA (YDA) mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase, a core component of the embryonic axis formation pathway, generated the proper vacuolar network; however, it failed to migrate the vacuoles toward the basal region, which suggests impaired directional cues. Overall, we conclude that SGR2- and VTI11-dependent vacuolar exchange and YDA-mediated directional migration are necessary to achieve polar vacuolar distribution in the zygote.
Species Differences between Mouse and Human PPARα in Modulating the Hepatocarcinogenic Effects of Perinatal Exposure to a High-Affinity Human PPARα Agonist in Mice
Authors: Foreman Jennifer E , Koga Takayuki , Kosyk Oksana , Kang Boo-Hyon , Zhu Xiaoyang , Cohen Samuel M , Billy Laura J , Sharma Arun K , Amin Shantu , Gonzalez Frank J , Rusyn Ivan , Peters Jeffrey M
Published: June 2021

Evidence suggests that species differences exist between rodents and humans in their biological responses to ligand activation of PPARα. Moreover, neonatal/postnatal rodents may be more sensitive to the effects of activating PPARα. Thus, the present studies examined the effects of chronic ligand activation of PPARα initiated during early neonatal development and continued into adulthood on hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. Wild-type, Ppara-null, or PPARA-humanized mice were administered a potent, high-affinity human PPARα agonist GW7647, and cohorts of mice were examined over time. Activation of PPARα with GW7647 increased expression of known PPARα target genes in liver and was associated with hepatomegaly, increased hepatic cytotoxicity and necrosis, increased expression of hepatic MYC, and a high incidence of hepatocarcinogenesis in wild-type mice. These effects did not occur or were largely diminished in Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice, although background levels of hepatocarcinogenesis were also noted in both Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice. More fatty change (steatosis) was also observed in both Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice independent of GW7647 administration. Results from these studies indicate that the mouse PPARα is required to mediate hepatocarcinogenesis induced by GW7647 in mice and that activation of the human PPARα with GW7647 in PPARA-humanized mice are diminished compared with wild-type mice. Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice are valuable tools for examining species differences in the mechanisms of PPARα-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, but background levels of liver cancer observed in aged Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice must be considered when interpreting results from studies that use these models. These results also demonstrate that early life exposure to a potent human PPARα agonist does not enhance sensitivity to hepatocarcinogenesis.
Novel therapies and the potential for a personalized approach to atopic dermatitis
Authors: Balakirski Galina , Novak Natalija
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

To provide a cutting-edge overview of recent developments in topical and systemic therapeutic approaches for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD).

Recent findings

Growing knowledge about key pathways in AD and stratification of patient's subgroups have set the basis for a new era of targeted topical and systemic therapy in AD.

Different aspects have to be considered in the decision process for topical versus systemic therapy. Further on, co-factors from the patient's side as well as the side of the substances determine the choice of a particular drug/drug type.

Tailored medicine in AD treatment comprises drugs of the group of small molecules such as topical Janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) inhibitors or phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, and JAK-STAT inhibitors for oral use, as well as monoclonal antibodies for subcutaneous use, which target key cytokines or cytokine receptors in AD pathogenesis.

The current stepwise treatment approaches, which are settled on basic therapy and structured patient education and gradually expanded depending on the severity of the disease by stronger topical or even systemic measures, will have to be adapted to the rapid development in the therapeutic field, mirrored by an impressive high number of ongoing clinical studies as well as novel drugs at late stages of clinical trials with so far quite promising results.
Prehospital administration of blood and plasma products
Authors: Roehl Anna , Grottke Oliver
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

Posttraumatic bleeding following major trauma is life threatening for the patient and remains a major global health issue. Bleeding after major trauma is worsened by trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). TIC consists of acute trauma coagulopathy and resuscitation coagulopathy. The early diagnosis and management of prehospital TIC management are challenging.

Recent findings

Concepts for early diagnosis and management of civilian prehospital TIC management are evolving. The feasibility of prehospital blood component as well as coagulation factor transfusion has been proven.

Due to different national guidelines and regulations of blood component therapies there is a wide heterogeneity in concepts of prehospital damage control resuscitation. Tranexamic acid administration is widely accepted, whereas the transfusion of whole blood, blood components, or coagulations factors needs further examination in the civilian setting.
Incidence trends in lung and bladder cancers in the Nordic Countries before and after the smoking epidemic
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Försti Asta , Hemminki Akseli , Ljungberg Börje , Hemminki Otto
Published: June 2021

Cigarette smoking epidemic, which started before the World War II, completely changed the cancer landscape. Reliable incidence data spanning the stepwise spreading epidemic are rare, but the Nordic cancer registries are unique sources in being able to catch the pre-epidemic situation in the female population where smoking became more prevalent after the War. For Swedish men, smoking prevalence has decease early and cancer rates may herald postsmoking rates. We used data from the NORDCAN database, constructed by the cancer registries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, for the analysis of incidence changes in lung and bladder cancers from year 1943 (Denmark), from 1953 (Finland and Norway) and from 1960 (Sweden) until year 2016. The analyses revealed four novel observation relevant to the smoking epidemic. (1) The incidence of lung cancer in Norwegian women in the 1950s, when the smoking prevalence was very low, was 1.8/100 000 (world standard rate), which is at the level of lowest global female rates known to-date; (2) the earliest lung-to-bladder incidence ratio among Norwegian women was 0.64, probably benchmarking the incidence rates prior to the smoking epidemic; (3) bladder cancer incidence for Finnish women diagnosed in the 1950s was 1.2/100 000 which is at the level of the lowest rates currently known and (4) Swedish men with the lowest smoking prevalence in Europe, showed an epochal crossing of lung and bladder cancer incidence rates before year 2015. The data suggest that the approaching of the incidence rates for lung and bladder cancer can be expected in the course of the abating smoking epidemic.
Is the Story Over? Progression After Bracing in AIS
Authors: Thompson Rachel M. , Hubbard Elizabeth W. , Jo Chan-Hee , Virostek Don , Karol Lori A.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Despite successful bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), some curves progress after brace cessation. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence, rate, and risk factors for progression after successful brace management of AIS.

Materials and Methods

Patients treated with orthoses for AIS were prospectively enrolled at brace initiation, followed through successful brace completion and, on average, for 33 months (range 12–95) after brace cessation. Inclusion criteria were curves 25° to 45° and Risser 0 to II at brace initiation with cessation at Risser IV with curves measuring <50°. Exclusion criteria were cessation before Risser IV or curve progression >50° during bracing. Demographics and radiographic measures were collected. Brace compliance was measured using Thermachron temperature sensor. Postbrace progressors were compared with nonprogressors using Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher exact test, and two-sample t-test.

Results

Eighty-five patients who completed bracing with final curves <50° were followed after brace discontinuation >1 year. Twenty-seven/85 (31.8%) progressed postbracing to surgical curve magnitude >50° (n = 12) or progressed >5° after brace cessation without progression to surgical magnitude (n = 15). There was no difference between progressors and nonprogressors in age or menarchal status at brace initiation or completion, nor was there a difference in curve magnitude or morphology at initiation. There was no difference in duration of or compliance with bracing. Patients with postbrace surgical progression completed bracing at 46° on average compared with 33° for those who did not progress to surgical magnitude (P < 0.0001). Patients who completed bracing at >45° had an incidence of postbrace surgical progression of 67%. No patients who completed bracing with curves <40° showed progression after brace cessation.

Conclusions

A total of 14.1% of patients successfully treated for AIS with bracing later progressed to surgical magnitude, and an additional 17.6% progressed >5° after brace completion. Findings suggest that patients with curves measuring >40° at brace completion should be followed into young adulthood. Counseling regarding the potential future need for surgery is warranted once a curve exceeds 45° in braced patients.

Level of Evidence

Level 2 prospective cohort study
Facing Acromegaly During Rhinoplasty Procedure
Authors: Dissaux Caroline , Bruant-Rodier Catherine , Ruffenach Laetitia
Published: June 2021

Acromegaly is a rare pathology linked to a pituitary adenoma responsible for excessive secretions of growth hormone and insulin growth factor 1 inducing an overgrowth of most tissues, especially those which are visible in the face. Main problem stands in the usual delayed diagnosis. The authors report the case of a patient operated twice of a rhinoplasty before and after the acromegaly diagnosis for a very excessive nose. They emphasize the technical difficulties to efficiently reduce all the nasal dimensions, the importance of the soft tissues quality, as they cover the nasal cartilaginous framework, and the absolute necessity of biological normalization to provide a stable and satisfactory result.
Predictors for Surgeries With the Endoscope-Navigation System for Traumatic Optic Neuropathy and its Clinical Assessment
Authors: Song Xuefei , Wang Yefei , Li Lunhao , Pan Hui , Li Yinwei , Chen Huifang , Yang Xiaoxuan , Xiao Caiwen , Fan Xianqun
Published: June 2021

Background:

To assess surgeries with the endoscope-navigation system (ENS) in patients who underwent traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) and find predictors for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes.

Methods:

The clinical data of 96 consecutive TON patients (96 eyes) who underwent decompression surgery with ENS in the Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, from January 2013 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. A binary logistic regression was performed to establish a predictive model for BCVA after treatment as TON outcome.

Results:

By practicing ENS, 49/96 (51.0%) TON patients got improvement in BCVA, whereas the improvement rate of patients with BCVA of light perception or better was 72.5% (29/40). Hemorrhage within the postethmoid and/or sphenoid sinus, orbital fracture, time interval between trauma and treatment, and BCVA before treatment were predictors for BCVA improvement in TON patients by practicing ENS surgery. The area under raw current curves of the predictive model was 0.826.

Conclusions:

Surgeries with the ENS showed positive outcomes for TON patients, especially for those with better BCVA before treatment, shorter time interval between trauma and treatment, without orbital fracture or hemorrhage within the postethmoid and/or sphenoid sinus.
Complementary Phenomena: Phantom Hand and Phantom Face
Authors: Uysal Hilmi , Şavkliyildiz Ayhan , Özkan Özlenen , Çolak Ömer H. , Barçin Ebru , Şenol Utku , Göztepe Mehmet Berke , Özkan Ömer
Published: June 2021

After tissue or limb loss, the development of sensation and perception of the lost or deafferent tissue is defined as a phantom phenomenon. We investigated the presence of phantom phenomena in individuals who underwent a full face transplant as well as those who had a hand transplant. Specifically, we investigated sensory perception of the face on the fingers and sensory perception of the fingers on the face in three full face and four hand transplant patients. In all seven individuals, we used a brush to separately stimulate the right and left sides of the face or the palmar and dorsal faces of the hand. We then asked the individuals if they felt a sensation of touch on any other part of their body and, if so, to describe their perceptions. Changes in the regions of the primary sensory cortex representing the hand and face were defined using fMRI obtained via tactile sensory stimulation of the clinical examination areas. Two of the full face transplant patients reported sensory perceptions such as a prominent sensation of touch on their faces during sensory stimulation of their fingers. Three of the hand transplant patients reported sensory perceptions, which we referred to as finger patches, during sensory stimulation of the face area. In fMRI, overlaps were observed in the cortical hand and face representation areas. We consider the phantom hand and phantom face phenomena we observed to be complementary due to the neighborhood of the representations of the hand and face in the somatosensory cortex.
An Exploratory Study of Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Individuals With Chronic Stroke Aphasia
Authors: DeMarco Andrew T. , Dvorak Elizabeth , Lacey Elizabeth , Stoodley Catherine J. , Turkeltaub Peter E.
Published: June 2021

Background:

Aphasia is a common, debilitating consequence of stroke, and speech therapy is often inadequate to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Neuromodulation techniques have emerged as a potential augmentative treatment for improving aphasia outcomes. Most studies have targeted the cerebrum, but there are theoretical and practical reasons that stimulation over the cerebral hemispheres might not be ideal. On the other hand, the right cerebellum is functionally and anatomically linked to major language areas in the left hemisphere, making it a promising alternative target site for stimulation.

Objective:

To provide preliminary effect sizes for the ability of a short course of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeted over the right cerebellum to enhance language processing in individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia.

Method:

Ten individuals received five sessions of open-label anodal tDCS targeting the right cerebellum. The effects of the tDCS were compared with the effects of sham tDCS on 14 controls from a previous clinical trial. In total, 24 individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia participated in the study. Behavioral testing was conducted before treatment, immediately following treatment, and at the 3-month follow-up.

Results:

Cerebellar tDCS did not significantly enhance language processing measured either immediately following treatment or at the 3-month follow-up. The effect sizes of tDCS over sham treatment were generally nil or small, except for the mean length of utterance on the picture description task, for which medium to large effects were observed.

Conclusion:

These results may provide guidance for investigators who are planning larger trials of tDCS for individuals with chronic poststroke aphasia.
First evidence of SARS-CoV-2 genome detection in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)
Authors: Le Guernic Antoine , Palos Ladeiro Mélissa , Boudaud Nicolas , Do Nascimento Julie , Gantzer Christophe , Inglard Jean-Christophe , Mouchel Jean-Marie , Pochet Cécile , Moulin Laurent , Rocher Vincent , Waldman Prunelle , Wurtzer Sébastien , Geffard Alain
Published: June 2021

The uses of bivalve molluscs in environmental biomonitoring have recently gained momentum due to their ability to indicate and concentrate human pathogenic microorganisms. In the context of the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 epidemic, the objective of this study was to determine if the SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid genome can be detected in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) exposed to raw and treated urban wastewaters from two separate plants to support its interest as bioindicator of the SARS-CoV-2 genome contamination in water. The zebra mussels were exposed to treated wastewater through caging at the outlet of two plants located in France, as well as to raw wastewater at laboratory scale in controlled conditions. Within their digestive tissues, our results showed that SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected in zebra mussels, whether in raw and treated wastewaters. Moreover, the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in such bivalve molluscans appeared even with low concentrations in raw wastewaters. This is the first detection of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in the tissues of a sentinel species exposed to raw and treated urban wastewaters. Despite the need for development for quantitative approaches, these results support the importance of such invertebrate organisms, especially zebra mussel, for the active surveillance of pathogenic microorganisms and their indicators in environmental waters.

Graphical abstract
Pulsed electromagnetic fields may be effective for the management of primary osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Siyi , Li Yi , Wang Liqiong , Huang Jinming , Song Kangping , Gan Xinling , Xiang Xiaona , He Chengqi , Yang Lin
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) for the management of primary osteoporosis in older adults.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL and CCTR, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CNKI, VIP, Wan Fang,ClinicalTrials.govand Current controlled trials from the inception dates to April 30, 2021.

Eligibility criteria for study selection

Randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised trials examining the effects of PEMFs compared to placebo or sham or other agents for the management of primary osteoporosis (including those with previous fractures).

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data. Primary outcomes were bone mass and number of incident fractures. Secondary outcomes were functional assessments, quality of life, and adverse events. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and certainty of evidence with the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) framework. A random effects model was used to calculate mean differences and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Eight trials including 396 participants met the inclusion criteria. Low certainty evidence showed that PEMFs was non-inferior to conventional pharmacological agents in preventing the decline of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at the lumbar (MD 0.01; CI -0.04 to 0.06) and femur neck (MD 0.01; CI -0.02 to 0.04), and improving balance function measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD 0.01; CI -0.09 to 0.11) and Timed Up and Go test (MD -0.04; CI -0.80 to 0.72), directly after intervention. The similar effects were observed in BMD and BBS at 12- and 24-weeks follow-up from baseline with moderate certainty evidence. Very low certainty evidence showed that PEMFs (versus exercise) had small but significant effect on BMD at the femur neck (MD 0.10; CI 0.01 to 0.20), and no effect on BMD at the lumbar (MD 0.15; CI -0.04 to 0.35).

Conclusion

PEMFs had positive effects non-inferior to first-line treatment on BMD and balance function in older adults with primary osteoporosis, but with low to very low certainty evidence and short-term follow-ups. There is a need for high-quality randomised controlled trials evaluating PEMFs for the management of primary osteoporosis.

Registration

PROSPERO CRD42018099518.
Stopping the misinformation: BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine has no negative effect on women’s fertility
Authors: Safrai Myriam , Rottenstreich Amihai , Herzberg Shmuel , Imbar Tal , Reubinoff Benjamin , Ben-Meir Assaf
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the possible impact of Pfizer-BioNTech’s mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine on women’s fertility.

Methods

A retrospective single-center study examining women’s IVF treatment parameters and pregnancies before and after their vaccination between February and May 2021. Each woman served as a self-control before and after vaccination. Additionally, in order to neutralize the effect of the sperm on fertilization, only Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) patients who were currently being treated with an ICSI cycle and had an earlier ICSI cycle available were included in the study. The study outcomes compared between the PRE and POST vaccination groups and consisted of: the IVF cycle outcomes, including the number of oocytes retrieved; the number of matured oocytes; the fertilization rate; and the number and quality of embryos at day 3. Clinical pregnancy was based on the first hCG value reported if the data were available for both cycles.

Results

A final total of 47 women were eligible for inclusion with a mean interval of 362 ±368 days between the two ovum pick ups. The characteristics of their ICSI cycles before and after the vaccination were similar for all the parameters. Additionally, the number and percentage of clinical pregnancies did not significantly differ between the PRE and POST vaccination groups (n=15).

Conclusion

This study is the first to evaluate the impact of the BNT162b2 vaccine on women’s fertility. From our findings, the vaccine appears to have no impact on women’s fertility. This study is the first step in abolishing the misinformation derived from unreliable sources and reassuring patients in order to improve compliance and promote COVID-19 eradication.
Pediatric intensive care hybrid-style clinical round during COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study
Authors: Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Alhboob Ali , Ammo Noura Abou , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , Aljamaan Fadi , Alsohime Fahad , Alabdulhafid Majed , Ashry Ahmad , Bukhari Ahmad , ElTahir Omer , Jamal Amr , Halwani Rabih , Alhasan Khalid , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Barry Mazin
Published: June 2021

Background

With the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the emphasis on social distancing to decrease the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers (HCWs), our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) piloted utilization of Zoom online into the clinical rounds to enhance communication among the treating team. We aimed to explore the feasibility of these hybrid virtual and physical clinical rounds for PICU patients from the HCWs’ perspective.

Methods

A mixed quantitative and qualitative deductive thematic content analysis of narrative responses from pediatric intensive care HCWs were analyzed, descriptive statistics were used

Results

A total of 31 HCW were included in the analysis; the mean time of the virtual round was 72.45 minutes vs. 34.68 for physical rounds, the most shared component in the virtual round was CXR (93.5%). Some of the HCWs’ perceived advantages of the hybrid rounds were enabling the multidisciplinary discussions, lesser round interruptions, and practicality of the virtual discussions. The perceived challenges were the difficulty of the bedside nurse to attend the virtual round, decreased teaching opportunities for the trainees, and decreased interactions among the team members, especially if the video streaming was not utilized.

Conclusion

Hybrid virtual and physical clinical rounds in PICU were perceived as feasible by HCWs. The virtual rounds decreased the physical contact between the HCWs, which could decrease the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 spread among the treating team. Still, several components of the hybrid round could be optimized to facilitate the virtual team-members’ interactions and enhance the teaching experience.
A remarkably specific ligand reveals ghrelinO-acyltransferase interacts with extracellular peptides and exhibits unexpected cellular localization for a secretory pathway enzyme
Authors: Campaña Maria B. , Davis Tasha R. , Cleverdon Elizabeth R. , Bates Michael , Krishnan Nikhila , Curtis Erin R. , Childs Marina D. , Pierce Mariah R. , Novak Sadie X. , Morales-Rodriguez Yasandra , Sieburg Michelle A. , Hehnly Heidi , Luyt Leonard G. , Hougland James L.
Published: June 2021

GhrelinO-acyltransferase (GOAT) plays a central role in the maturation and activation of the peptide hormone ghrelin, which performs a wide range of endocrinological signaling roles. Using a tight-binding fluorescent ghrelin-derived peptide designed for high selectivity for GOAT over the ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a, we demonstrate that GOAT interacts with extracellular ghrelin and facilitates ligand cell internalization in both transfected cells and prostate cancer cells endogenously expressing GOAT. Coupled with enzyme mutagenesis, ligand uptake studies provide the first direct evidence supporting interaction of the putative histidine general base within GOAT with the ghrelin peptide acylation site. Our work provides a new understanding of GOAT’s catalytic mechanism, establishes a key step required for autocrine/paracrine ghrelin signaling involving local reacylation by GOAT, and raises the possibility that other peptide hormones may exhibit similar complexity in their intercellular and organismal-level signaling pathways.
Transcriptomic changes highly similar to Alzheimer’s disease are observed in a subpopulation of individuals during normal brain aging
Authors: Peng Shouneng , Zeng Lu , Haure-mirande Jean-vianney , Wang Minghui , Huffman Derek M. , Haroutunian Vahram , Ehrlich Michelle E. , Zhang Bin , Tu Zhidong
Published: June 2021

Aging is a major risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). How aging contributes to the development of LOAD remains elusive. In this study, we examined multiple large-scale transcriptomic data from both normal aging and LOAD brains to understand the molecular interconnection between aging and LOAD. We found that shared gene expression changes between aging and LOAD are mostly seen in the hippocampal and several cortical regions. In the hippocampus, the expression of phosphoprotein, alternative splicing and cytoskeleton genes are commonly changed in both aging and AD, while synapse, ion transport, and synaptic vesicle genes are commonly down-regulated. Aging-specific changes are associated with acetylation and methylation, while LOAD-specific changes are more related to glycoprotein (both up- and down-regulations), inflammatory response (up-regulation), myelin sheath and lipoprotein (down-regulation). We also found that normal aging brain transcriptomes from relatively young donors (45-70 years old) clustered into several subgroups and some subgroups showed gene expression changes highly similar to those seen in LOAD brains. Using brain transcriptomic data from another cohort of older individuals (> 70 years), we found that samples from cognitively normal older individuals clustered with the “healthy aging” subgroup while AD samples mainly clustered with the “AD similar” subgroups. This may imply that individuals in the healthy aging subgroup will likely remain cognitively normal when they become older and vice versa. In summary, our results suggest that on the transcriptome level, aging and LOAD have strong interconnections in some brain regions in a subpopulation of cognitively normal aging individuals. This supports the theory that the initiation of LOAD occurs decades earlier than the manifestation of clinical phenotype and it may be essential to closely study the “normal brain aging” to identify the very early molecular events that may lead to LOAD development.
Estimation of the probability of epidemic fade-out from multiple outbreak data
Authors: Alahakoon Punya , McCaw James M. , Taylor Peter G.
Published: June 2021

Deterministic epidemic models, such as the SIRS model or an SIR model with demography, that allow for replenishment of susceptibles typically display damped oscillatory behaviour. If the population is initially fully susceptible, once an epidemic takes off a distinct trough will exist between the first and second waves of infection where the number of infectious individuals falls to a low level. Epidemic dynamics are, however, influenced by stochastic effects, particularly when the number of infectives is low. At the beginning of an epidemic, stochastic die-out is possible and well characterised through use of a branching process approximation to the full non-linear stochastic dynamics. Conditional on an epidemic taking off, stochastic extinction is highly unlikely during the first epidemic wave, but the probability of extinction increases again as the wave declines. Extinction during this period, prior to a potential second wave of infection, is defined as ‘epidemic fade-out’. We consider a set of observed epidemics, each distinct and having evolved independently, in which some display fade-out and some do not. While fade-out is necessarily a stochastic phenomenon, in general the probability of fade-out will depend on the model parameters associated with each epidemic. Accordingly, we ask whether time-series data for the epidemics contain sufficient information to identify the key driver(s) of different outcomes—fade-out or otherwise—across the sub-populations supporting each epidemic. We apply a Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework to synthetic data from an SIRS model of epidemic dynamics and demonstrate that we can 1) identify when the sub-population specific model parameters supporting each epidemic have significant variability and 2) estimate the probability of epidemic fade-out for each sub-population. We demonstrate that a hierarchical analysis can provide more accurate and precise estimates of the probability of fade-out than is possible if considering each epidemic in isolation. Our methods may be applied more generally, to both epidemiological and other biological data to identify where differences in outcome—fade-out or recurrent infection/waves are purely due to chance or driven by underlying changes in the parameters driving the dynamics.
Extremely bright, near-IR emitting spontaneously blinking fluorophores enable ratiometric multicolor nanoscopy in live cells
Authors: Tyson Jonathan , Hu Kevin , Zheng Shuai , Kidd Phylicia , Dadina Neville , Chu Ling , Toomre Derek , Bewersdorf Joerg , Schepartz Alanna
Published: June 2021

New bright, photostable, emission-orthogonal fluorophores that blink without toxic additives are needed to enable multi-color, live-cell, single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), especially for experiments that demand ultra-high-resolution live imaging. Here we report the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of Yale676sb, a photostable, near-IR emitting fluorophore that achieves these goals in the context of an exceptional quantum yield (0.59). When used alongside HMSiR, Yale676sb enables simultaneous, live-cell, two-color SMLM of two intracellular organelles (ER + mitochondria) with only a single laser and no chemical additives.
The pre-history of sustainability reporting: a constructivist reading
Authors: Larrinaga Carlos , Bebbington Jan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to provide an account of the period prior to the creation of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): a body that was critical to the institutionalization of sustainability reporting (SR). By examining this “pre-history,” we bring to light the actors, activities and ways of thinking that made SR more likely to be institutionalized once the GRI entrepreneurship came to the fore.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper revisits a time period (the 1990s) that has yet to be formally written about in any depth and traces the early development of what became SR. This material is examined using a constructivist understanding of regulation.

Findings

The authors contend that a convergence of actors and structural conditions were pivotal to the development of SR. Specifically, this paper demonstrates that a combination of actors (such as epistemic communities, carriers, regulators and reporters) as well as the presence of certain conditions (such as the societal context, analogies with financial reporting, environmental reporting and reporting design issues) contributed to the development of SR which was consolidated (as well as extended) in 1999 with the advent of the GRI.

Research limitations/implications

This paper theorizes (through a historical analysis) how SR is sustained by a network of institutional actors and conditions which can assist reflection on future SR development.

Originality/value

This paper brings together empirical material from a time that (sadly) is passing from living memory. The paper also extends the use of a conceptual frame that is starting to influence scholarship in accounting that seeks to understand how norms develop.
Managerial support, work–family conflict and employee outcomes: an Australian study
Authors: Tran Phuong Anh , Mansoor Sadia , Ali Muhammad
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Derived from leader–member exchange theory, this study hypothesises the relationships between work–family related managerial support and affective commitment and job satisfaction, and advocates that these relationships are mediated by work–family conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested in an Australian manufacturing organisation using survey data from employees, using structural equation modelling in Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS).

Findings

The findings suggest that enhanced work–family related managerial support will decrease work–family conflict, eventually enhancing employees' affective commitment and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study provides important insights into the impact of managerial support on improvements in employees' work–family conflict, and, in turn, its impact on affective commitment and job satisfaction, in the Australian context.