bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hemorrhagic Stroke in Pregnancy
Authors: Wang Amanda , Saad Antonio F.
Published: August 2022

Hemorrhagic stroke carries a high risk of disability and mortality. The obstetrical population is at increased risk. Prompt diagnosis and maternal stabilization with a multidisciplinary approach are the mainstays in management. Computed tomography head is the diagnostic imaging of choice and is considered safe in pregnancy. Fetal status optimization before neurosurgery and delivery should be considered if the fetus is viable or if worsening maternal condition. Obstetric indications guide the mode of delivery. Cesarean delivery may be indicated to reduce increasing intracranial pressure. Neuraxial anesthesia should be considered to minimize catecholamine surges, reduce sedation, and control blood pressures.
Novel Antithrombotic Agents in Pregnancy Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents
Authors: James Andra H. , Sugrue Ronan , Federspiel Jerome J.
Published: August 2022

Increasing rates of thromboembolic complications have required increasing use of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents during and after pregnancy. Furthermore, thromboembolism is both a cause and a complication of severe maternal morbidity requiring intensive care. As a consequence, almost all patients admitted to intensive care units receive an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet agent (or both) for either treatment or prevention of thromboembolism. In this review, we summarize commonly used anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents and outline the potential role of newly developed (novel) antithrombotic agents for pregnant and postpartum patients.
Using Simulation to Improve and Maintain Obstetrical Skills in Rural Hospitals
Authors: Thenuwara Kokila , Dunbar Amy
Published: August 2022

Rural obstetric providers have differing educational needs, compared with those in large urban settings based on challenges faced when delivering maternal health care. There are 2 groups of rural obstetric providers, those with and without previous obstetric training, which dictates for each group, differing goals for skills improvement and maintenance. Training in rural hospitals should focus on infrequent high-risk events, constrained by systems deficiencies, all which are ideally addressed with in-situ simulation. Using a mobile simulation approach, visiting each facility with a single set of high-fidelity equipment and experts seems a cost-effective way to provide education to rural obstetric providers.
Feasibility and efficacy of a nurse practitioner-and pharmacist-led hypertension clinic
Authors: Speed Shelley , Schneider Nathan , Stutzman Sonja E. , Olson DaiWai M. , Higbea Ashley
Published: August 2022

Hypertension (HTN) affects over one third of adults in the United States. Blood pressure (BP) management and patient education are provided by physicians, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists, and nurses. In the traditional medical/clinic model, physicians have provided and directed HTN care. However, advanced practice nurses and pharmacists are also well trained and positioned to manage HTN. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of an HTN clinic, led by a nurse practitioner (NP) and PharmD, specifically analyzing if targeted HTN can be achieved in this setting. Registry data were used to analyze the initial and the most recent visit BP levels in patients who were seen in an NP/PharmD-led HTN clinic. Measures of central tendency and differences between initial and most recent visit were also compared. A total of 46 patients were included in this analysis. Data showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the first visit (144/86) and the most recent visit (138/84) BP (p = .26), but that there was a clinical trend in decreasing BP as well as narrowing of BP ranges and interquartile ranges between visit. The NP/PharmD-led clinic is feasible and can help lower BP and narrow ranges toward targeted BP.
Collagen peptide supplementation for pain and function: is it effective?
Authors: Kviatkovsky Shiloah A. , Hickner Robert C. , Ormsbee Michael J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of review

Connective tissue injuries are prevalent in active and aging populations, leading to chronic pain and decreased function. Turnover of this tissue is not well understood, especially as it relates to aging and injury. Supplementation of collagen peptides has been shown to improve connective tissue recovery and pain through increased collagen production.

Recent findings

Collagen peptide supplementation improves pain and function, and upregulates metabolic pathways associated with muscle and tendon growth. Literature from the past 12–18 months supports that these pathways are also involved with increased synthesis and degradation of collagen and other elements of the extracellular matrix. Improvements in body composition and strength have been noted with collagen peptide supplementation when paired with resistance training. Collagen peptide supplements are hydrolyzed into small peptides, termed bioactive peptides, and individual amino acids. These bioactive peptides are associated with the benefits observed with collagen peptide supplementation and may play a critical role in the collagen turnover.

Collagen peptide supplementation has been shown to promote recovery, decrease pain, and improve strength and body composition when paired with resistance training. These benefits may be attributed to bioactive peptides in collagen peptide supplements. Additional research is warranted to examine the specific effects of these bioactive peptides.
Clinical Impact and Risk Factors of Mortality in Hospitalized Children and Adolescents With Hematological Diseases and COVID-19: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Oliveira Maria Christina L. , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina , Colosimo Enrico A. , Campos Marcia K. , Martelli-Júnior Hercílio , Silva Ludmila R. , Pinhati Clara C. , Mak Robert H. , Oliveira Eduardo A.
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for COVID-19-related death in a large cohort of hospitalized children with hematological disorders. We performed an analysis of all pediatric patients with COVID-19 registered in a Brazilian nationwide surveillance database between February 2020 and May 2021. The primary outcome was time to death, which was evaluated considering discharge as a competitive risk by using the cumulative incidence function. Among 21,591 hospitalized pediatric patients with COVID-19, 596 cases (2.8%) had hematological diseases. Sixty-one children (27.4%) with malignant hematological diseases had a fatal outcome as compared with 4.2% and 7.4% of nonmalignant hematological and nonhematological cohorts, respectively (P<0.0001). Children with hematological diseases had a significant increased hazard of death compared with those without these conditions (hazard ratio [HR],=2.40, 95% confidence interval, 1.98 – 2.91). In multivariable analysis, the factors associated with death were the presence of malignant hematological disease (HR, 2.22, 95% CI 1.47 – 3.36), age >10 years (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.46 – 3.19), male (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02 – 2.27), oxygen saturation <95% (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.38 – 2.96), and abdominal pain at admission (HR 2.75, 95% CI 1.76 – 4.27). Children with malignant hematological diseases had a higher risk of death compared with those without these disorders.
Vaccine Adherence and Postvaccination Serological Status of Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A Single-center Experience
Authors: Ozboru Askan Oyku , Ozden Tulin Ayse , Karasu Tezcan Gulsun , Keskindemirci Gonca , Bakir Alev , Tugcu Deniz , Pekun Fugen , Yesilipek Akif , Gokcay Emine Gulbin
Published: August 2022

Despite developing consensus guidelines addressing immunization after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), studies showed deviations from recommended immunization practices commonly occur. Difference between the ideal scenario presented in guidelines and real-life scenarios is one of the most recognized barriers to implementing recommended practices. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients’ adherence to revaccination schedule and evaluate the serological status after immunization. Transplant and vaccination records of children who were followed up at least 2 years after HSCT, postvaccination antibody results of vaccine-preventable diseases were evaluated retrospectively. Total of 173 patients have enrolled in this study. Median revaccination onset time was post-transplant 15 months. Adherence to revaccination program was 30% for inactive and 11.4% for live vaccines. Oral polio vaccine was given to 22 patients, and Bacille-Calmette-Guerin vaccine was applied to 3. Seropositivity after revaccination was >90% for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, pertussis, and measles, and it was 88.5% for rubella, 80% for mumps and varicella. Measles seropositivity was low in children with hemoglobinopathy. In subgroup assessments of pertussis, patients vaccinated with low antigen-containing pertussis vaccine (Tdap) had higher seropositivity of adenylate cyclase toxin. Our findings revealed the importance of careful monitoring of current practices in pediatric HSCT recipients.
Ovarian Microcystic Stromal Tumor With Intraovarian Recurrence and Peritoneal and Omental Spread: A Case Report With Morphological, Immunohistochemical, and Molecular Analysis
Authors: Donthi Deepak , Chen Hao , Peng Yan , Niu Shuang
Published: August 2022

Microcystic stromal tumors (MCSTs) are rare ovarian stromal tumors. They harbor CTNNB1 or APC mutations, resulting in β-catenin nuclear expression. To date, all MCST cases treated with oophorectomy or more extensive surgery have followed benign clinical courses. However, 1 of the 3 cases treated with ovarian cystectomy/tumor resection recurred in the residual ovary and iliac fossa 9 years after ovarian cystectomy. Here, we report a case of recurrent MCST in a 38-year-old woman. The patient underwent ovarian cystectomy for a 7.5 cm solid-cystic right ovarian mass, which showed classic morphological and immunophenotypical features of MCST. Four years later, the tumor recurred in the residual right ovary as a 21 cm mass, involving the pelvic peritoneum and omentum. Molecular analysis using next-generation sequencing revealed a single CTNNB1 exon 3 S37A mutation in the recurrent tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of recurrent MCST, which presents more evidence that MCST has the potential to recur and spread locally. Rather than ovarian cystectomy/tumor resection, more aggressive surgery, such as unilateral oophorectomy, may be necessary to decrease the risk of recurrence. Long-term postsurgery follow up is needed, especially after simple ovarian cystectomy/tumor resection.
Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia of the Skull Assisted by Virtual Surgical Planning
Authors: Ainuz Bar Y. , Rizvi Imran , Kane Alex A.
Published: August 2022

Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (FD) involves thickening of the skull and facial bones, causing asymmetry and distortion of overlying soft tissues. Surgical contouring is often performed with rotary bur or osteotome, with the goal of matching contralateral unaffected anatomy. This is made technically challenging by having no direct visualization of contralateral structures, and the desire to control depth of resection to match the contour of the unaffected side. In our report, a 13-year-old male presented for surgical evaluation of craniofacial FD affecting the right parietal/temporal bones. A novel virtual surgical planning approach of premade drilling template with numerous pilot guide holes was used to assist bone debulking. The pilot holes allowed precise burring of the dysplastic bone. The patient achieved excellent calvarial contour symmetry without unintended intracranial extension. We believe that virtual surgical planning and drilling depth guides are effective tools in the reconstruction of craniofacial FD.
Systematic Review of Syndrome of the Trephined and Reconstructive Implications
Authors: Mustroph Christian M. , Stewart Christopher M. , Mann Laura M. , Saberian Sepehr , Deibert Christopher P. , Thompson Peter W.
Published: August 2022

Syndrome of the trephined (SoT) is a severe complication following decompressive craniectomy resulting in neurological decline which can progress to aphasia, catatonia, and even death. While cranioplasty can reverse neurological symptoms of SoT, awareness of SoT is poor outside of the neurosurgery community. The authors performed a systematic review of the literature on SoT with a focus on reconstructive implications. Search terms “syndrome of the trephined” and “sunken flap syndrome” were applied to PubMed to identify primary studies through October 2021. Full-text review yielded 11 articles discussing SoT and reconstructive techniques or implications with 56 patients undergoing cranial reconstruction. Average age of the patients was 41.8±9.5 years. Sixty-three percent of the patients were male. The most common indication for craniectomy was traumatic brain injury (43%), followed by tumor resection (23%), intracerebral hemorrhage (11%), and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (2%). Patients most commonly suffered from motor deficits (52%), decreased wakefulness (30%), depression or anxiety (21%), speech deficits (16%), headache (16%), and cognitive difficulties (2%). Time until presentation of symptoms following decompression was 4.4±8.9 months. Patients typically underwent cranioplasty with polyetheretherketone (48%), titanium mesh (21%), split thickness calvarial bone (16%), full thickness calvarial bone (14%), or split thickness rib graft (4%). Eight percent of patients required free tissue transfer for soft tissue coverage. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) was a risk factor for development of SoT when adjusting for age and sex (odds ratio: 8.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–8.9). No difference significant difference was observed between length until initial improvement of neurological symptoms following autologous versus allograft reconstruction (P=0.47). SoT can be a neurologically devastating complication of decompressive craniectomy which can resolve following urgent cranioplasty. Familiarity with this syndrome and its reconstructive implications is critical for the plastic surgery provider, who may be called upon to assist with these urgent cases.
Efficacy of Different Methods of Bone-Anchored Maxillary Protraction in Cleft Lip and Palate Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jahanbin Arezoo , Shafaee Hooman , Pahlavan Hesam , Bardideh Erfan , Entezari Mostafa
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) is an effective option for adolescent cleft patients with maxillary hypoplasia. Hence, this study was conducted to access the effectiveness of the many techniques of BAMP in cleft lip and palate patients.

Methods and Materials:

Data was compiled through a global search of random and nonrandom studies that investigated the efficacy of various techniques of BAMP in cleft lip and palate patients. The searches were conducted in ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from the beginning until October 12, 2021. The pertinent data of the comprised studies were extracted using predetermined extraction forms. Meta-analysis results were obtained by using inverse-variance to calculate the pooled results of the outcome measures.

Results:

Five studies were submitted for meta-analysis. The BAMP therapeutic methods investigated in the studies were facemask attached to miniplates (FM-MP) and class III elastics attached to maxillary and mandibular miniplates (C3-IE: class III intermaxillary elastic). The mean differences of A-VRP, A-N Prep., ANB, wits, overjet, and SNA landmarks indicated posttreatment was encouraging, showing maxillary protrusion, and correction of class III malocclusion. SNB landmark showed no statistically significant alterations posttreatment. Subgroup analysis of the C3-IE and FM-MP subgroups indicated that the changes in ANB, SNA, and overjet parameters in the FM-MP subgroup were more pronounced than in the C3-IE subgroup. No statistically significant differences were found when the results of these 2-treatment method were compared, except for in the overjet subgroup.

Conclusion:

After undergoing BAMP treatment, the maxilla showed a more horizontal growth, but no changes in the vertical dimension were observed and the mandible did not rotate clockwise. In addition, using facemask-miniplates was more effective in increasing overjet compared with using class III elastics with bone anchors. In conclusion, BAMP treatment is a suitable alternative for adolescents with cleft lip and palate malformation.
Urgent Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure in Pregnant Women: The Optimum Timing for Delivery
Authors: Ichai Philippe , Bouchghoul Hanane , Laurent-Bellue Astrid , Sacleux Sophie-Caroline , Boudon Marc , Cherqui Daniel , Tortajada Pauline , Braun Marius , Lemaitre Elise , Pittau Gabriella , Ordan Marie-Amélie , Levi Sharon , Azoulay Daniel , Fernandez Herve , Guettier Catherine , Samuel Didier , Saliba Faouzi
Published: August 2022

Background.

The occurrence of acute liver failure (ALF) in pregnant women due to an etiology unrelated to pregnancy (pregALF) that leads to liver transplantation (LT) has rarely been reported. The objective was to report the outcome of pregnant women and fetus and propose a strategy for the timing of delivery and of LT in these patients.

Methods.

Five consecutive pregnant patients with ALF were admitted to our center between 1986 and 2018 and underwent an LT. A systematic review of case reports concerning patients with pregALF who underwent LT was extracted from the literature.

Results.

Three with gestational ages (GA) at admission of 15, 22, and 31 weeks of gestation (WG) were transplanted after delivery (n = 1) or intrauterine demise (n = 2) and 2 with GA of 16 and 23 WG before delivery. One infant survived in each group. Among the 32 cases published previously, 11 (34%) had been transplanted after delivery (median GA:31 [28–33]); 10 of these 11 infants were alive at birth. The other 21 mothers were transplanted before delivery (GA:21 WG [18–22]). The median GA at delivery was 30 WG [27.75–37]. Twelve of 21 infants were alive at birth. One-year survival among the ALF patients in our series and in the literature was 100%. Overall, the perinatal survival rate was low (64.8%).

Conclusions.

In pregnant patients presenting with ALF not related to the pregnancy, the LT lifesaving procedure had an excellent outcome. Overall, 65% of the infants were alive at delivery with major mortality in those fetus <22 WG despite continued pregnancy.
Impact of Donor Liver Macrovesicular Steatosis on Deceased Donor Yield and Posttransplant Outcome
Authors: Kwong Allison J. , Kim W. Ray , Lake John , Stock Peter G. , Wang Connie J. , Wetmore James B. , Melcher Marc L. , Wey Andrew , Salkowski Nicholas , Snyder Jon J. , Israni Ajay K.
Published: August 2022

Background.

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) had not traditionally considered biopsy results in risk-adjustment models, yet biopsy results may influence outcomes and thus decisions regarding organ acceptance.

Methods.

Using SRTR data, which includes data on all donors, waitlisted candidates, and transplant recipients in the United States, we assessed (1) the impact of macrovesicular steatosis on deceased donor yield (defined as number of livers transplanted per donor) and 1-y posttransplant graft failure and (2) the effect of incorporating this variable into existing SRTR risk-adjustment models.

Results.

There were 21 559 donors with any recovered organ and 17 801 liver transplant recipients included for analysis. Increasing levels of macrovesicular steatosis on donor liver biopsy predicted lower organ yield: ≥31% macrovesicular steatosis on liver biopsy was associated with 87% to 95% lower odds of utilization, with 55% of these livers being discarded. The hazard ratio for graft failure with these livers was 1.53, compared with those with no pretransplant liver biopsy and 0% to 10% steatosis. There was minimal change on organ procurement organization–specific deceased donor yield or program-specific posttransplant outcome assessments when macrovesicular steatosis was added to the risk-adjustment models.

Conclusions.

Donor livers with macrovesicular steatosis are disproportionately not transplanted relative to their risk for graft failure. To avoid undue risk aversion, SRTR now accounts for macrovesicular steatosis in the SRTR risk-adjustment models to help facilitate use of these higher-risk organs. Increased recognition of this variable may also encourage further efforts to standardize the reporting of liver biopsy results.
Heart Transplantation From DCD Donors in Australia: Lessons Learned From the First 74 Cases
Authors: Joshi Yashutosh , Scheuer Sarah , Chew Hong , Ru Qiu Min , Soto Claudio , Villanueva Jeanette , Gao Ling , Doyle Aoife , Takahara Shingo , Jenkinson Charles , Vaidhya Nikunj , Matsumoto Yorihiko , Hwang Bridget , Zhao Christine , Iyer Arjun , Connellan Mark , Watson Alasdair , Granger Emily , Muthiah Kavitha , Jabbour Andrew , Kotlyar Eugene , Keogh Anne , Bart Nicole K. , Hayward Chris , Dhital Kumud , Jansz Paul , Macdonald Peter S.
Published: August 2022

Heart transplantation from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors has the potential to substantially increase overall heart transplant activity. The aim of this report is to review the first 8 y of our clinical heart transplant program at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, to describe how our program has evolved and to report the impact that changes to our retrieval protocols have had on posttransplant outcomes. Since 2014, we have performed 74 DCD heart transplants from DCD donors utilizing a direct procurement protocol followed by normothermic machine perfusion. Changes to our retrieval protocol have resulted in a higher retrieval rate from DCD donors and fewer rejections of DCD hearts during normothermic machine perfusion. Compared with our previously reported early experience in the first 23 transplants, we have observed a significant reduction in the incidence of severe primary graft dysfunction from 35% (8/23) to 8% (4/51) in the subsequent 51 transplant recipients (P < 0.01). The only withdrawal time interval significantly associated with severe primary graft dysfunction was the asystolic warm ischemic time: 15 (12–17) versus 13 (11–14) min (P < 0.05). One- and 5-y survival of DCD heart transplant recipients was 94% and 88%, comparable to that of a contemporary cohort of donation after brain death recipients: 87 and 81% (P-value was not significant). In conclusion, heart transplantation from DCD donors has become a major contributor to our overall transplant activity accounting for almost 30% of all transplants performed by our program in the last 2 y, with similar DCD and donation after brain death outcomes.
Clamping of the Aortic Arch Vessels During Normothermic Regional Perfusion Does Not Negatively Affect Donor Cardiac Function in Donation After Circulatory Death
Authors: Moeslund Niels , Zhang Zhang Long , Dalsgaard Frederik Flyvholm , Glenting Sif Bay , Ilkjaer Lars Bo , Ryhammer Pia , Palmfeldt Johan , Pedersen Michael , Erasmus Michiel , Eiskjaer Hans
Published: August 2022

Background.

The hemodynamic effects of aortic arch vessel (AAV) clamping during normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) in donation after circulatory death is unknown. We investigated effects of AAV clamping during NRP compared with no clamping in a porcine model.

Methods.

In 16 pigs, hemodynamic parameters were recorded including biventricular pressure–volume measurements and invasive blood pressure. Additionally, blood gas parameters and inflammatory cytokines were used to assess the effect of AAV clamping. The animals were centrally cannulated for NRP, and baseline measurements were obtained before hypoxic circulatory arrest was induced by halting mechanical ventilation. During an 8-min asystole period, the animals were randomized to clamp (n = 8) or no-clamp (n = 8) of the AAV before commencement of NRP. During NRP, circulation was supported with norepinephrine (NE) and dobutamine. After 30 min of NRP, animals were weaned and observed for 180 min post-NRP.

Results.

All hearts were successfully reanimated and weaned from NRP. The nonclamp groups received significantly more NE to maintain a mean arterial pressure >60 mm Hg during and after NRP compared with the clamp group. There were no between group differences in blood pressure or cardiac output. Pressure–volume measurements demonstrated preserved cardiac function‚ including ejection fraction and diastolic and systolic function. No between group differences in inflammatory markers were observed.

Conclusions.

AAV clamping did not negatively affect donor cardiac function or inflammation after circulatory death and NRP. Significantly less NE was used to support in the clamp group than in the nonclamp group.
Host genetics and pathogen species modulate infection-induced changes in social aggregation behaviour
Authors: Romano Valéria , Lussiana Amy , Monteith Katy M. , MacIntosh Andrew J. J. , Vale Pedro F.
Published: August 2022

Identifying how infection modifies host behaviours that determine social contact networks is important for understanding heterogeneity in infectious disease dynamics. Here, we investigate whether group social behaviour is modified during bacterial infection in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) according to pathogen species, infectious dose, host genetic background and sex. In one experiment, we find that systemic infection with four different bacterial species results in a reduction in the mean pairwise distance within infected female flies, and that the extent of this change depends on pathogen species. However, susceptible flies did not show any evidence of avoidance in the presence of infected flies. In a separate experiment, we observed genetic- and sex-based variation in social aggregation within infected, same-sex groups, with infected female flies aggregating more closely than infected males. In general, our results confirm that bacterial infection induces changes in fruit fly behaviour across a range of pathogen species, but also highlight that these effects vary between fly genetic backgrounds and can be sex-specific. We discuss possible explanations for sex differences in social aggregation and their consequences for individual variation in pathogen transmission.
A synthetic ancestral kinesin-13 depolymerizes microtubules faster than any natural depolymerizing kinesin
Authors: Belsham Hannah R. , Alghamdi Hanan M. , Dave Nikita , Rathbone Alexandra J. , Wickstead Bill , Friel Claire T.
Published: August 2022

The activity of a kinesin is largely determined by the approximately 350 residue motor domain, and this region alone is sufficient to classify a kinesin as a member of a particular family. The kinesin-13 family are a group of microtubule depolymerizing kinesins and are vital regulators of microtubule length. Kinesin-13s are critical to spindle assembly and chromosome segregation in both mitotic and meiotic cell division and play crucial roles in cilium length control and neuronal development. To better understand the evolution of microtubule depolymerization activity, we created a synthetic ancestral kinesin-13 motor domain. This phylogenetically inferred ancestral motor domain is the sequence predicted to have existed in the common ancestor of the kinesin-13 family. Here we show that the ancestral kinesin-13 motor depolymerizes stabilized microtubules faster than any previously tested depolymerase. This potent activity is more than an order of magnitude faster than the most highly studied kinesin-13, MCAK and allows the ancestral kinesin-13 to depolymerize doubly stabilized microtubules and cause internal breaks within microtubules. These data suggest that the ancestor of the kinesin-13 family was a ‘super depolymerizer’ and that members of the kinesin-13 family have evolved away from this extreme depolymerizing activity to provide more controlled microtubule depolymerization activity in extant cells.
Effects of reverberation on speech intelligibility in noise for hearing-impaired listeners
Authors: Cueille Raphael , Lavandier Mathieu , Grimault Nicolas
Published: August 2022

Reverberation can have a strong detrimental effect on speech intelligibility in noise. Two main monaural effects were studied here: the temporal smearing of the target speech, which makes the speech less understandable, and the temporal smearing of the noise, which reduces the opportunity for listening in the masker dips. These phenomena have been shown to affect normal-hearing (NH) listeners. The aim of this study was to understand whether hearing-impaired (HI) listeners are more affected by reverberation, and if so to identify which of these two effects is responsible. They were investigated separately and in combination, by applying reverberation either on the target speech, on the noise masker, or on both sources. Binaural effects were not investigated here. Intelligibility scores in the presence of stationary and modulated noise were systematically compared for both NH and HI listeners in these situations. At the optimal signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) (that is to say, the SNRs with the least amount of floor and ceiling effects), the temporal smearing of both the speech and the noise had a similar effect for the HI and NH listeners, so that reverberation was not more detrimental for the HI listeners. There was only a very limited dip listening benefit at this SNR for either group. Some differences across group appeared at the SNR maximizing dip listening, but they could not be directly related to an effect of reverberation, and were rather due to floor effects or to the reduced ability of the HI listeners to benefit from dip listening, even in the absence of reverberation.
Chemodrug-gated mesoporous nanoplatform for new near-infrared light controlled drug release and synergistic chemophotothermal therapy of tumours
Authors: Fu Cuiping , Lu Jialin , Wu Yihan , Li Yong , Liu Jinliang
Published: August 2022

Controlled drug release and synergistic therapies have an important impact on improving therapeutic efficacy in cancer theranostics. Herein, a new near-infrared (NIR) light-controlled multi-functional nanoplatform (GNR@mSiO
2
-DOX/PFP@PDA) was developed for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumours. In this nano-system, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and perfluoro-
n
-pentane (PFP) were loaded into the channels of mesoporous SiO
2
simultaneously as a first step. A polydopamine (PDA) layer as the gatekeeper was coated on their surface to reduce premature release of drugs at physiological temperature. Upon 808 nm NIR irradiation, the gold nanorods (GNR) in the core of the nanoplatform show high photothermal conversion efficiency, which not only can provide the heat for PTT, but also can decompose the polymer PDA to allow DOX release from the channels of mesoporous SiO
2
. Most importantly, the photothermal conversion of GNR can also lead the liquid–gas phase transition of PFP to generate bubbles to accelerate the release of DOX, which can realize the chemotherapy of tumours. The subsequent synergistic chemo-PTT (contributed by the DOX and GNR) shows good anti-cancer activity. This work shows that the NIR-triggered multi-functional nanoplatform is of capital significance for future potential applications in drug delivery and cancer treatment.
Shewanella putrefaciens: a rare cause of purulent otorrhea !
Authors: BENAISSA ELMOSTAFA , Maleb Adil , Elouennass Mostafa
Published: August 2022

Shewanella putrefaciens is a Gram-negative, non-fermenting, motile and oxidase-positive bacillus. Its incrimination in human pathology is very rare with a resurgence of Shewanella infections in recent years.We report the first case in Morocco of a purulent otorrhea caused by Shewanella putrefaciens, rebel to conventional treatment occurring in a 25-year-old female, afebrile, without deterioration of the general state and with a notion of sea bathing. We also describe the bacteriological characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility results of the isolate.
Recent SARS-CoV-2 infection abrogates antibody and B-cell responses to booster vaccination
Authors: Buckner Clarisa M. , Kardava Lela , Merhebi Omar El , Narpala Sandeep R. , Serebryannyy Leonid , Lin Bob C. , Wang Wei , Zhang Xiaozhen , de Assis Felipe Lopes , Kelly Sophie E.M. , Teng I-Ting , McCormack Genevieve E. , Praiss Lauren H. , Seamon Catherine A. , Rai M. Ali , Kalish Heather , Kwong Peter D. , Proschan Michael A. , McDermott Adrian B. , Fauci Anthony S. , Chun Tae-Wook , Moir Susan
Published: August 2022

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA booster vaccines provide protection from severe disease, eliciting strong immunity that is further boosted by previous infection. However, it is unclear whether these immune responses are affected by the interval between infection and vaccination. Over a two-month period, we evaluated antibody and B-cell responses to a third dose mRNA vaccine in 66 individuals with different infection histories. Uninfected and post-boost but not previously infected individuals mounted robust ancestral and variant spike-binding and neutralizing antibodies, and memory B cells. Spike-specific B-cell responses from recent infection were elevated at pre-boost but comparatively less so at 60 days post-boost compared to uninfected individuals, and these differences were linked to baseline frequencies of CD27lo B cells. Day 60 to baseline ratio of BCR signaling measured by phosphorylation of Syk was inversely correlated to days between infection and vaccination. Thus, B-cell responses to booster vaccines are impeded by recent infection.
Genome-resolved insight into the reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes in an aquatic microbial community
Authors: Goodarzi Zahra , Asad Sedigheh , Mehrshad Maliheh
Published: August 2022

Aquatic microbial communities are an important reservoir of Antibiotic Resistance Genes. However, distribution and diversity of different ARG categories in environmental microbes with different ecological strategies is not yet well studied. Despite the potential exposure of the southern part of the Caspian Sea to the release of antibiotics, little is known about its natural resistome profile. We used a combination of Hidden Markov model (HMM), homology alignment and a deep learning approach for comprehensive screening of the diversity and distribution of ARGs in the Caspian Sea metagenomes at a genome resolution. Detected ARGs were classified into five antibiotic resistance categories including Prevention of access to target (44%), Modification/protection of targets (30%), Direct modification of antibiotics (22%), Stress resistance (3%), and Metal resistance (1%). The 102 detected ARG containing metagenome-assembled genomes of the Caspian Sea were dominated by representatives of Acidimicrobiia, Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria classes. Comparative analysis revealed that the highly abundant, oligotrophic, and genome streamlined representatives of taxa Acidimicrobiia and Actinobacteria modify the antibiotic’s target via mutation to develop antibiotic resistance rather than carrying extra resistance genes. Our results help with understanding how the encoded resistance categories of each genome are aligned with their ecological strategies.
Structural basis for intrinsic transcription termination
Authors: You Linlin , Omollo Expery , Yu Chengzhi , Mooney Rachel A. , Shi Jing , Shen Liqiang , Wu Xiaoxian , Wen Aijia , He Dingwei , Zeng Yuan , Feng Yu , Landick Robert , Zhang Yu
Published: August 2022

Efficient and accurate termination is required for gene transcription in all living organisms. Cellular RNA polymerases (RNAP) in both bacteria and eukaryotes can terminate their transcription through a factor-independent termination pathway (called intrinsic termination transcription in bacteria), in which RNAP recognizes terminator sequences, stops nucleotide addition, and releases nascent RNA spontaneously. Here we report a set of single-particle cryo-EM structures of E. coli transcription intrinsic termination complexes representing key intermediate states of the event. The structures show how RNAP pauses at terminator sequences, how the terminator RNA hairpin folds inside RNAP, and how RNAP rewinds the transcription bubble to release RNA and then DNA. These macromolecular snapshots define a structural mechanism for bacterial intrinsic termination and a pathway for RNA release and DNA collapse relevant for factor-independent termination by all RNA polymerases.
Rapid reversible osmoregulation of cytoplasmic biomolecular condensates of human interferon-α-induced antiviral MxA GTPase
Authors: Sehgal Pravin B. , Yuan Huijuan , Jin Ye
Published: August 2022

Cellular and tissue-level edema is a common feature of acute viral infections such as covid-19, and of many hyponatremic hypoosmolar disorders. However, there is little understanding of the effects of cellular edema on antiviral effector mechanisms. We previously discovered that cytoplasmic human MxA, a major antiviral effector of Type I and III interferons against several RNA- and DNA-containing viruses, existed in the cytoplasm in phase-separated membraneless biomolecular condensates of varying sizes and shapes. In this study we investigated how hypoosmolar conditions, mimicking cellular edema, might affect the structure and antiviral function of MxA condensates. Cytoplasmic condensates of both IFN-α-induced endogenous MxA and of exogenously expressed GFP-MxA in human A549 lung and Huh7 hepatoma cells rapidly disassembled within 1-2 min when cells were exposed to hypotonic buffer (∼ 40-50 mOsm), and rapidly reassembled into new structures within 1-2 min of shifting of cells to isotonic culture medium (∼ 330 mOsm). MxA condensates in cells continuously exposed to culture medium of moderate hypotonicity (in the range one-fourth, one-third or one-half isotonicity; range 90-175 mOsm) first rapidly disassembled within 1-3 min, and then, in most cells, spontaneously reassembled 7-15 min later into new structures. Condensate reassembly, whether induced by isotonic medium or occurring spontaneously under continued moderate hypotonicity, was preceded by “crowding” of the cytosolic space by large vacuole-like dilations (VLDs) derived from internalized plasma membrane. Remarkably, the antiviral activity of GFP-MxA against vesicular stomatitis virus survived hypoosmolar disassembly. Overall, the data highlight the exquisite sensitivity of MxA condensates to rapid reversible osmoregulation.
Two distinct lipid transporters together regulate invasive filamentous growth in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Basante-Bedoya Miguel A. , Bogliolo Stéphanie , Garcia-Rodas Rocio , Zaragoza Oscar , Arkowitz Robert A. , Bassilana Martine
Published: August 2022

Flippases transport lipids across the membrane bilayer to generate and maintain asymmetry. The human fungal pathogen Candida albicans has 5 flippases, including Drs2, which is critical for filamentous growth and phosphatidylserine (PS) distribution. Furthermore, a drs2 deletion mutant is hypersensitive to the antifungal drug fluconazole and copper ions. We show here that such a flippase mutant also has an altered distribution of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PI(4)P], and ergosterol. Analyses of additional lipid transporters, i.e. the flippases Dnf1-3, and all the oxysterol binding protein (Osh) family lipid transfer proteins, i.e. Osh2-4 and Osh7, indicate that they are not critical for filamentous growth. However, deletion of Osh4 alone, which exchanges PI(4)P for sterol, in a drs2 mutant can bypass the requirement for this flippase in invasive filamentous growth. In addition, deletion of the lipid phosphatase Sac1, which dephosphorylates PI(4)P, in a drs2 mutant results in a synthetic growth defect, suggesting that Drs2 and Sac1 function in parallel pathways. Together, our results indicate that a balance between the activities of two different classes of lipid transporters regulates invasive filamentous growth, via PI(4)P. In contrast, deletion of OSH4 in drs2 does not restore growth on fluconazole, nor on papuamide A, a toxin that binds PS in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, suggesting that Drs2 has additional role(s) in plasma membrane organization, independent of Osh4. As we show that C. albicans Drs2 localizes to different structures, including the Spitzenkörper, we sought to determine if a specific localization of Drs2 is critical for different functions, using a synthetic physical interaction approach to restrict/stabilize Drs2 at the Spitzenkörper. Our results suggest that Drs2 plasma membrane localization is critical for C. albicans growth on fluconazole and papuamide A, but not for invasive filamentous growth.
The effects of perceived value, environmental concern and attitude on recycled fashion consumption
Authors: Şener Tuğba , Bişkin Ferdi , Dündar Neşe
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to determine the effects of consumers' perceptions of value and environmental concerns toward recycled content clothing on consumers' attitudes and purchase intentions toward these products.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology consisted of consumer survey. Female consumers registered in the labor market in the province of Konya in Turkey constituted the sample of the study. A total of 296 female consumers selected by a simple random sampling method, and taking into account time, cost and accessibility criteria, constituted the sample of the study.

Findings

Perceived customer values and environmental concerns were found to be much more effective on purchase intentions, although they were weak in positively affecting customers' attitudes toward recycled content clothing. Findings show that emotional, epistemic and conditional values and environmental concerns positively affect purchase intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The sample in this study consisted of just female consumers with income in the city of Konya, Turkey. The results might be different in different demographic groups and different cities of Turkey.

Practical implications

Consumers have positive attitude toward the idea of using recycled fibers in their clothes.

Originality/value

The literature generally includes research examining consumers' behavior toward sustainable fashion. This research focuses on the value perceptions and attitudes of Turkish consumers toward recycled content clothing – a market and topic that have not been studied much before.
Consumer emotional experience research on online clothing tactile attributes: evidence from physiological polygraph
Authors: Mo Xiaohong , Luh Ding-Bang
Published: August 2022

Purpose

For online experiential products, tactile attributes are important but hard-to-achieve features. This research aims to explore consumers' emotional experiences by incorporating tactile attributes into the online clothing shopping scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents two online shopping experiments by consumers who purchase online clothing: one experiment involves subjects browsing clothing products on a computer screen; the other one involves subjects touching the clothing fabric while browsing a corresponding product on a computer screen. Based on the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) model, a physiological polygraph was used to record the emotional experience of subjects under the stimuli of “sight” and “sight + touch.”

Findings

(1) Subjects had a more positive emotional arousal under the stimuli of “sight + touch”; (2) the visual merchandising of clothing and expected touch task affect subjects' overall emotional experience with clothing, and with a good visual experience and expected tactile experience, the subjects showed a more positive emotional valence under the stimuli of “sight + touch”; (3) differing from previous research, this experimental data only supports the hypothesis that the skin conductance indicator is related to the level of emotional arousal, without supporting its correlation with emotional valence. However, the heart rate indicator is correlated with emotional valence but not with emotional arousal.

Originality/value

This work proposes a way to study the tactile attributes of online clothing and enriches the theoretical framework of polygraph and the S-O-R model for the research of online experiential products, and in terms of application, it sheds light on sales strategies of online experiential products for retailers and brand owners.
Heterogeneity evaluation of pore types based on dipole shear sonic imager logs by means of statistical parameters, the central Persian Gulf
Authors: Jamalian Adeleh , Tavakoli Vahid
Published: August 2022

Heterogeneity analysis in carbonate reservoirs is of great importance for the interpretation of their characteristics. This study focuses on the evaluation of pore‐type heterogeneity by means of the sonic wave velocities in the carbonate–evaporite series of Permian–Triassic sequences in the Persian Gulf. Thin section petrography and laboratory measured the porosity and permeability of 1576 samples, as well as routine wire‐line logs, were employed. To manage heterogeneity, six electrofacies (EF) were determined based on an integrated analysis of compressional, shear and Stoneley waves as well as three routine logs (gamma, neutron and density). The frequency of pore types in each electrofacies was calculated. Then, the heterogeneity of pore‐type distribution in each electrofacies was measured by standard error and coefficient of variation. Sonic velocity has been compared with the geological properties of electrofacies. Results indicated that velocity is affected by factors other than the amount of porosity, facies or lithology. The standard error values in all electrofacies were close to zero. The coefficient of variation values ranges from 1.08 to 4.60. The lowest amount of coefficient of variation was observed in EF6 in the Khuff (K) 4 zone for moldic porosity. This value for intercrystalline porosity distribution in EF1 in the K1 zone was low, too. These results indicate the lowest standard deviation and the highest homogeneity in the distribution of intercrystalline and moldic porosities in K1 and K4. Also, comparing the mean values of sonic logs in each electrofacies with the total mean value in the whole sequence indicated that there is a relationship between sonic velocity logs and the type of porosity. High values of sonic velocity correspond to intercrystalline porosity in K1 and low values of velocity correspond to moldic porosity in K4. Results show that integrated pore‐type studies should be carried out to understand the sonic velocities in carbonate reservoir rocks.
Consent, mutuality and respect for persons as standards for ethical sex and for sex education
Authors: Reiss Michael J
Published: August 2022

This article examines Lamb, Gable & de Ruyter's critique of consent as the standard by which one can determine if a sexual encounter is ethical in their ‘Mutuality in sexual relationships: a standard of ethical sex?’. Their examination of this issue is to be welcomed for a number of reasons, including growing criticism of ‘consent’ as the gold standard in medical and social science research ethics. The focus of this article is specifically on school sex education (principally, for 11–16-year-olds). Contrary to Lamb et al., I argue that it is difficult to maintain that ‘The standard of mutuality should be taught in all schools and the government should indeed demand or support this, even with checks to see if children have learned this standard, at least in attitudes about sexual behavior’ for three reasons. First, while there are good arguments in favour of school children being introduced to the ideal of mutuality, it seems too high a bar to require children to ‘have learned’—a phrase that can be taken to mean to ‘have come to accept’ rather than merely to ‘understand’—this; consent is a more appropriate requirement and is itself a sufficiently rich term that it merits analysis by students, aided by their teachers. Second, my judgement as a sex educator is that sex education is more effective when students are given the opportunity to explore what is good and what is right, rather than simply being told. Third, if we have to adopt a single principle, there is much to be said for ‘respect for others’ to trump both ‘consent’ and ‘mutuality’.