bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Universal Design for Learning
Authors: Davis Diane , McLaughlin Maureen Kirkpatrick , Anderson Kelley M.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Blended learning (BL), the combining of face-to-face and online learning, is gaining prominence in nursing education in response to advances in evidence-based learning using technology, the diverse and evolving needs of nursing learners, and unpredictable events impacting nursing education.

Problem:

Blended learning requires nursing learners and educators to adapt to new modalities and educators to re-envision learning environments. However, BL lacks an educational framework to guide implementation and is not well explored in the nursing literature.

Approach:

Universal design for learning (UDL) is applied as a framework for BL in nursing education.

Conclusions:

Universal design for learning provides a framework for BL to enable nursing educators, learners, and educational institutions to reimagine teaching and learning in novel ways that incorporate emerging evidence and address new challenges. Blended learning, within the context of UDL, offers opportunities for diverse and inclusive learning. Research is needed to guide the implementation of BL best practices within a UDL framework.
An Examination of Factors Associated With Student Resiliency
Authors: Hand Mikel W. , Evans Jennifer , Swenty Constance , White Ann , Chen Chen
Published: October 2021

Background:

Student resiliency, success, and retention are top priorities for nursing programs.

Purpose:

The purpose of the cross-sectional descriptive study was to identify factors associated with the resiliency level and physical and mental health of nursing students.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used with a convenience sample of 199 nursing students from organizations that comprise the Community Patient Safety Coalition Nursing Research Consortium. Resiliency was measured with the Connor Davidson Resiliency Scale. Physical and mental health was measured with the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global Health Short Form.

Results:

Most of the nursing students in the sample were female (92%), White (94%), and in BSN programs (74.4%). Students had low resiliency (P < .0001) and low physical and mental health (P < .0001) compared with the general population.

Conclusions:

Student resilience was positively correlated to self-perception of physical and mental health.
Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in an Observational Cohort of Women With Mycoplasma genitalium Infections
Authors: Perin Jamie , Coleman Jenell S. , Ronda Jocelyn , Neibaur Erica , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Trent Maria
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite evidence that Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in pregnancy, screening in pregnant women is not currently recommended.

Methods

Pregnant women between the ages of 13 and 29 years were recruited during their routine prenatal visits, screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and followed for 1 year. We compared women with MG to those with no STIs, excluding women with STIs other than MG (Chlamydia trachomatis [CT], Neisseria gonorrhoeae [NG], or Trichomonas vaginalis [TV]) unless they were also codiagnosed with MG. Adverse outcomes were extracted from participants' medical records and compared between women with MG and those without STIs using exact or nonparametric approaches. Estimated differences were also adjusted for demographics using propensity scores with linear and logistic regression, where appropriate. We exclude women with MG and CT, NG, or TV diagnosis for primary analysis.

Results

Of 281 participants enrolled from September 2015 until July 2019, 51 (18.1%) were diagnosed with MG. Of 51 women with MG, 12 (24%) were also diagnosed with CT, NG, or TV. All women with MG were offered treatment with azithromycin; however, only 28 (55%) were documented to receive treatment. Women with MG had similar outcomes to those with no STIs with a few exceptions. Average birth weight was lower among women with MG alone compared with women with no STIs when excluding coinfections (169-g difference, 15–323).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that MG is common in pregnant women and often presents as a coinfection. More research using population-based designs is needed to determine whether screening or treatment for women at risk for low birth weight or coinfections is warranted.
Childhood Maltreatment and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disorders
Authors: Wan Anthony , Bernstein Charles N. , Graff Lesley A. , Patten Scott B. , Sareen Jitender , Fisk John D. , Bolton James M. , Hitchon Carol , Marriott James J. , Marrie Ruth Ann ,   for the CIHR Team in Defining the Burden and Managing the Effects of Immune-mediated Inflammatory Disease
Published: October 2021

Objective

To determine whether childhood maltreatment is associated with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs; multiple sclerosis [MS], inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], and rheumatoid arthritis [RA]). We further aimed to determine the relationship between maltreatment and psychiatric comorbidity in IMIDs and whether these relationships differed across IMID.

Methods

Six hundred eighty-one participants (MS, 232; IBD, 216; RA, 130; healthy controls, 103) completed a structured psychiatric interview to identify psychiatric disorders, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to evaluate five types of maltreatment: emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect. We evaluated associations between maltreatment, IMID, and psychiatric comorbidity using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of having ≥1 maltreatment was similar across IMID but higher than in controls (MS, 63.8%; IBD, 61.6%; RA, 62.3%; healthy controls, 45.6%). Emotional abuse was associated with having an IMID (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.37; 1.15–4.89). In the sex-specific analysis, this association was only present in women. History of childhood maltreatment was associated with a lifetime diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder in the IMID cohort (OR = 2.24; 1.58–3.16), but this association did not differ across diseases. In those with IMID, total types of maltreatments (aOR = 1.36; 1.17–1.59) and emotional abuse (aOR = 2.64; 1.66–4.21) were associated with psychiatric comorbidity.

Conclusions

Childhood maltreatment is more common in IMID than in a healthy population and is associated with psychiatric comorbidity. Given the high burden of psychiatric disorders in the IMID population, clinicians should be aware of the contribution of maltreatment and the potential need for trauma-informed care strategies.
Effect of a Biofeedback Intervention on Heart Rate Variability in Individuals With Panic Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Herhaus Benedict , Siepmann Martin , Kahaly George J. , Conrad Rupert , Petrowski Katja
Published: October 2021

Objective

Some individuals with panic disorder (PD) display reduced heart rate variability (HRV), which may result in an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Heart rate variability–biofeedback (HRV-BF) training has been shown to improve the modulation of the autonomic activity. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of a 4-week HRV-BF intervention in individuals with PD. HRV-BF training improved the modulation of the autonomic activity. Therefore, with this randomized controlled trial, we aimed to investigate the effect of a 4-week HRV-BF intervention in people with PD.

Methods

Thirty-six women and 16 men with PD (mean age = 35.85 [15.60] years) were randomly allocated either to HRV-BF with 0.1-Hz breathing as intervention group or to HRV-Sham-BF as active control group. HRV-BF was performed for 4 weeks, whereas HRV was measured both during a short-term resting condition and during a paced breathing condition before and after intervention.

Results

HRV-BF with 0.1-Hz breathing increased HRV and reduced panic symptoms in individuals with PD. HRV-BF with 0.1-Hz breathing demonstrated an increase in the time and frequency domain parameters of HRV during the short-term resting condition (ΔPost-Pre root mean square successive differences: 5.87 [14.03] milliseconds; ΔPost-Pre standard deviation of all NN intervals: 11.63 [17.06] milliseconds; ΔPost-Pre total power: 464.88 [1825.47] milliseconds2; ΔPost-Pre power in low-frequency range 0.04–0.15 Hz: 312.73 [592.71] milliseconds2), a decrease in the heart rate during the paced breathing condition (ΔPost-Pre: −5.87 [9.14] beats/min), and a decrease in the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (ΔPost-Pre: −3.64 [6.30]). There was no intervention effect in the HRV-Sham-BF group.

Conclusions

HRV-BF as a noninvasive and nonpharmacological treatment seems to be an important intervention option to improve reduced HRV and decrease panic symptoms in individuals with PD. Future studies are needed to establish whether these effects translate to reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease in PD.
Systemic Inflammation and Cognitive Decrements in Patients With Stage B Heart Failure
Authors: Redwine Laura S. , Hong Suzi , Kohn Jordan , Martinez Claudia , Hurwitz Barry E. , Pung Meredith A. , Wilson Kathleen , Pruitt Christopher , Greenberg Barry H. , Mills Paul J.
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the role of systemic inflammation in reduced cognitive functioning in patients with early-stage heart failure (HF) while determining associations with other cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Patients with stage B HF (n = 270; mean [standard deviation] age = 66.1 [10.1] years) were examined cross-sectionally for relationships among cardiovascular disease (CVD) and psychological risk factors, C-reactive protein (CRP), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. A subsample (n = 83) at high risk for stage C HF (B-type natriuretic peptide levels ≥65 pg/ml) were followed up for 12 months for relationships between CRP levels and cognitive function.

Results

Baseline smoking (χ
2 = 6.33), unmarried (χ
2 = 12.0), hypertension (χ
2 = 5.72), greater body mass index (d = 0.45), and physical fatigue (d = 0.25) were related to higher CRP levels (p values < .05). Cross-sectionally, CRP levels were negatively related to MoCA scores, beyond CVD (ΔR
2 = 0.022, β = −0.170, p < .010) and psychological risk factors (ΔR
2 = 0.016, β = 0.145, p < .027), and related to mild cognitive impairment criteria (odds ratio = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.81, p = .046). Across 12 months, B-type natriuretic peptide high-risk patients with CRP levels ≥3 mg/L had lower MoCA scores (23.6; 95% CI = 22.4–24.8) than did patients with CRP levels <3 mg/L (25.4; 95% CI = 24.4–26.5; p = .024).

Conclusions

Patients with stage B HF and heightened CRP levels had greater cognitive impairment at baseline and follow-up, independent of CVD and potentially psychological risk factors. Low-grade systemic inflammation may be one mechanism involved in cognitive dysfunction at early stages of HF.
Single Oral Doses of MK-8507, a Novel Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, Suppress HIV-1 RNA for a Week
Authors: Schürmann Dirk , Jackson Rudd Deanne , Schaeffer Andrea , De Lepeleire Inge , Friedman Evan J. , Robberechts Martine , Zhang Saijuan , Liu Yang , Kandala Bhargava , Keicher Christian , Däumer Martin , Hofmann Jörg , Grobler Jay A. , Stoch S. Aubrey , Iwamoto Marian , Ankrom Wendy
Published: October 2021

Background:

MK-8507 is a novel HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor being developed for treatment of HIV-1 infection. MK-8507 has high antiviral potency in vitro and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties that support once-weekly dosing.

Setting:

A phase 1, open-label, proof-of-concept study was conducted in treatment-naive adults with HIV-1 infection to assess monotherapy antiviral activity.

Methods:

In 3 sequential panels, participants aged 18–60 years with baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA ≥10,000 copies/mL and CD4+ T-cell count >200/mm3 received a single oral dose of 40, 80, or 600 mg MK-8507 in the fasted state. Participants were assessed for HIV-1 RNA for at least 7 days, PKs for 14 days, and safety and tolerability for 21 days postdose.

Results:

A total of 18 participants were enrolled (6 per panel). The mean 7-day postdose HIV-1 RNA reduction ranged from ∼1.2 to ∼1.5 log10 copies/mL across the doses assessed. One patient had a viral rebound associated with emergence of an F227C reverse transcriptase variant (per chain-termination method sequencing) 14 days postdose; this variant was found in a second participant by ultra-deep sequencing as an emerging minority variant. MK-8507 PKs were generally dose-proportional and similar to observations in participants without HIV-1 infection in prior studies; mean MK-8507 half life was 56–69 hours in this study. MK-8507 was generally well tolerated at all doses.

Conclusions:

The robust antiviral activity, PK, and tolerability of MK-8507 support its continued development as part of a complete once weekly oral regimen for HIV-1 treatment; combination therapy could mitigate the emergence of resistance-associated variants.
FDG PET/CT Image of a Solitary Rib Hamartoma
Authors: Xiao Liu , Yang Liu , Li Lin
Published: October 2021

Hamartoma of the rib is very rare in adults. Herein, we report a 49-year-old woman who complained of chest pain for 1 month. FDG PET/CT revealed focal osteolytic bone destruction in the right 11th rib with elevated FDG uptake. The postoperative pathology supported the diagnosis of hamartoma. Our case shows that hamartoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis when there is solitary osteolytic bone destruction in the rib with intense FDG uptake.
18F-FDG Versus 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT in Visualizing Primary Hepatic Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue
Authors: Pang Yizhen , Zhao Long , Shang Qihang , Meng Tinghua , Chen Haojun
Published: October 2021

The prevalence of primary hepatic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas is extremely low. In this case, we present 18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT findings in a 76-year-old man with pathologically confirmed primary hepatic extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT showed a better tumor-to-background ratio than 18F-FDG PET/CT in the hepatic lesion because there is little 68Ga-FAPI uptake in the liver parenchyma. This case indicates that 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT may be an alternate method for evaluating hepatic involvement of lymphoma, especially for the non–FDG-avid lymphomas.
Prominent Cognitive Impairment Sequelae in Adult Survivors of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Peach Brian C. , Cooney Samantha , Richards Sadie
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The primary objective of this scoping review was to identify prominent cognitive impairment sequelae in adult survivors of an intensive care unit admission for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Design

A scoping review was performed.

Methods

Search terms were entered into multiple EBSCOhost databases. Articles pertaining to pediatric survivors, not in English, lacking cognitive impairment sequelae, or focused on a single sequela were excluded; 12 articles remained.

Results

Cognitive impairment developed in 83.5% of patients with ARDS prior to discharge and persisted in 51.3% (n = 300/585) of survivors at the 1 year mark after discharge (range: 16.7%–100% across studies). Prominent sequelae included impairments in executive function, mental processing speed, immediate memory, and attention/concentration.

Conclusions

Survivors of an intensive care unit stay for ARDS often develop cognitive impairment persisting long after their admission. Clinicians in rehabilitation facilities should screen for these sequelae and connect survivors with treatment to improve cognitive outcomes.

Clinical Relevance

Early recognition of prominent cognitive impairment sequelae by rehabilitation clinicians and referrals to neuropsychologists by providers are critical to limiting the severity of impairment.
Genetics in prostate cancer: implications for clinical practice
Authors: Szymaniak Brittany , Ross Ashley E. , Morgans Alicia K.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

Recent advances in our understanding of prostate cancer genetics have transformed the field. However, challenges in implementation and clinical application remain. The aim of this review is to discuss recent noteworthy publications in prostate cancer germline testing, genetically informed treatment, and polygenetic risk.

Recent findings

The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of two poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose inhibitors (olaparib and rucaparib) for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with mutations in DNA damage repair genes and updates to the National Cancer Center Network testing guidelines that expand the eligibility criteria for germline and somatic genetic testing in men with prostate cancer provide an opportunity for a larger portion of the prostate cancer population to access genetic testing and targeted therapies. Due to this, clinicians have needed to rapidly adapt their clinical workflows. Further, the field has renewed efforts to evaluate polygenetic risk profiles to better understand the complex genetic landscape beyond single genes.

This review highlights advances in the understanding of prostate cancer genetics, and areas that remain less well defined. Collaboration between multidisciplinary team members is necessary to move this field forward and provide quality, optimal care.
One-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Symptomatic COVID-19 in a vulnerable community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: test-negative design study
Authors: Ranzani Otavio T , Silva Amanda A B , Peres Igor T , Antunes Bianca B P , Gonzaga-da-Silva Thiago W , Soranz Daniel R , Cerbino-Neto José , Hamacher Silvio , Bozza Fernando A
Published: October 2021

We conducted a test-negative study design at the community “Complexo da Maré”, the largest group of favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when Gamma and Delta were the predominant variants circulating. We estimated 42.4% (95% CI, 24.6, 56.0) protection against symptomatic COVID-19 after 21 days of one dose of ChAdOx1.
Impact of routine asymptomatic screening on COVID-19 incidence in a highly vaccinated university population
Authors: Falcão Rebeca C. , Otterstatter Michael , Ahmed May A. , Spencer Michelle , Iyaniwura Sarafa , Janjua Naveed Z. , McKee Geoff , Irvine Michael A.
Published: October 2021

Background

With the return of in-person classes, an understanding of COVID-19 transmission in vaccinated university campuses is essential. Given the context of high anticipated vaccination rates and other measures, there are outstanding questions of the potential impact of campus-based asymptomatic screening.

Methods

We estimated the expected number of cases and hospitalizations in one semester using rates derived for British Columbia (BC), Canada up to September 15th, 2021 and age-standardizing to a University population. To estimate the expected number of secondary cases averted due to routine tests of unvaccinated individuals in a BC post-secondary institution, we used a probabilistic model based on the incidence, vaccination effectiveness, vaccination coverage and R0. We examined multiple scenarios of vaccine coverage, screening frequency, and pre-vaccination R0.

Results

For one 12 week semester, the expected number of cases is 67 per 50,000 for 80% vaccination coverage and 37 per 50,000 for 95% vaccination coverage. Screening of the unvaccinated population averts an expected 6-16 cases per 50,000 at 80% decreasing to 1-2 averted cases per 50,000 at 95% vaccination coverage for weekly to daily screening. Further scenarios can be explored using a web-based application.

Interpretation

Routine screening of unvaccinated individuals may be of limited benefit if vaccination coverage is 80% or greater within a university setting.
Molecular atlas of the human brain vasculature at the single-cell level
Authors: Wälchli Thomas , Ghobrial Moheb , Schwab Marc , Takada Shigeki , Zhong Hang , Suntharalingham Samuel , Vetiska Sandra , Rodrigues Rodrigues Daymé , Rehrauer Hubert , Wu Ruilin , Yu Kai , Bisschop Jeroen , Farnhammer Fiona , Regli Luca , Schaller Karl , Frei Karl , Ketela Troy , Bernstein Mark , Kongkham Paul , Carmeliet Peter , Valiante Taufik , Dirks Peter B. , Suva Mario L. , Zadeh Gelareh , Tabar Viviane , Schlapbach Ralph , De Bock Katrien , Fish Jason , Monnier Philippe , Bader Gary , Radovanovic Ivan
Published: October 2021

A broad range of brain pathologies critically relies on the vasculature, and cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. However, the cellular and molecular architecture of the human brain vasculature remains poorly understood. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of 599,215 freshly isolated endothelial, perivascular and other tissue-derived cells from 47 fetuses and adult patients to construct a molecular atlas of the developing fetal, adult control and diseased human brain vasculature. We uncover extensive molecular heterogeneity of healthy fetal and adult human brains and across eight vascular-dependent CNS pathologies including brain tumors and brain vascular malformations. We identify alteration of arteriovenous differentiation and reactivated fetal as well as conserved dysregulated pathways in the diseased vasculature. Pathological endothelial cells display a loss of CNS-specific properties and reveal an upregulation of MHC class II molecules, indicating atypical features of CNS endothelial cells. Cell-cell interaction analyses predict numerous endothelial-to-perivascular cell ligand-receptor crosstalk including immune-related and angiogenic pathways, thereby unraveling a central role for the endothelium within brain neurovascular unit signaling networks. Our single-cell brain atlas provides insight into the molecular architecture and heterogeneity of the developing, adult/control and diseased human brain vasculature and serves as a powerful reference for future studies.
Explosive Synchronization-Based Brain Modulation Reduces Hypersensitivity in The Brain Network: A Computational Model Study
Authors: Kim MinKyung , Harris Richard E. , DaSilva Alexandre F. , Lee UnCheol
Published: October 2021

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by hypersensitivity to multi-modal sensory stimuli, widespread pain, and fatigue. We have previously proposed explosive synchronization (ES), a phenomenon wherein a small perturbation to a network can lead to an abrupt state transition, as a potential mechanism of the hypersensitive FM brain. Therefore, we hypothesized that converting a brain network from ES to general synchronization (GS) may reduce the hypersensitivity of FM brain. To find an effective brain network modulation to convert ES into GS, we constructed a large-scale brain network model near criticality (i.e., an optimally balanced state between order and disorders), which reflects brain dynamics in conscious wakefulness, and adjusted two parameters: local structural connectivity and signal randomness of target brain regions. The network sensitivity to global stimuli was compared between the brain networks before and after the modulation. We found that only increasing the local connectivity of hubs (nodes with intense connections) changes ES to GS, reducing the sensitivity, whereas other types of modulation such as decreasing local connectivity, increasing and decreasing signal randomness are not effective. This study would help to develop a network mechanism-based brain modulation method to reduce the hypersensitivity in FM.

Author summary

Phase transitions, the physical processes of transition between system states in nature, are divided into two broad categories: first and second-order phase transitions. For example, boiling water presents abrupt transition (a first-order) along with high sensitivity to temperature change, distinct from gradual magnetization near Curie temperature (a second-order). Recently, we found that chronic pain shows specific brain network configurations that can induce the first-order transition, so-called ‘explosive synchronization.’ In this modeling study, we tried to identify a modulation method that can convert a first-order transition into a second-order transition in the brain network, expecting that it may inhibit the hypersensitivity in chronic pain. We found that increasing structural connectivity of hubs changes the type of phase transition in the brain network, significantly reducing network sensitivity.
Putting pesticides on the map for pollinator research and conservation
Authors: Douglas Margaret R. , Baisley Paige , Soba Sara , Kammerer Melanie , Lonsdorf Eric V. , Grozinger Christina M.
Published: October 2021

Wild and managed pollinators are essential to food production and the function of natural ecosystems; however, their populations are threatened by multiple stressors including pesticide use. Because pollinator species can travel hundreds to thousands of meters to forage, recent research has stressed the importance of evaluating pollinator decline at the landscape scale. However, scientists’ and conservationists’ ability to do this has been limited by a lack of accessible data on pesticide use at relevant spatial scales and in toxicological units meaningful to pollinators. Here, we synthesize information from several large, publicly available datasets on pesticide use patterns, land use, and toxicity to generate novel datasets describing pesticide use by active ingredient (kg, 1997-2017) and aggregate insecticide load (kg and honey bee lethal doses, 1997-2014) for state-crop combinations in the contiguous U.S. Furthermore, by linking pesticide datasets with land-use data in the contiguous United States, we describe a method to map pesticide indicators at spatial scales relevant to pollinator research and conservation.
Visual Motion Coherence Responses in Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Rina Andriani , Papanikolaou Amalia , Xiaopeng Zong , Papageorgiou Dorina T. , Keliris Georgios A. , Smirnakis Stelios M.
Published: October 2021

1

Random dot kinematograms (RDKs) have recently been used to train subjects with cortical scotomas to perform direction of motion discrimination, partially restoring visual motion perception. To study recovery of visual perception, it is important to understand how visual areas in normal subjects and subjects with cortical scotomas respond to RDK stimuli. Studies in normal subjects have shown that Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) responses in human area hV5/MT+ increase monotonically with coherence, in general agreement with electrophysiology studies in primates. However, RDK responses in prior studies were obtained while the subject was performing fixation, not a motion discrimination condition. Furthermore, BOLD responses were gauged against a baseline condition of uniform illumination or static dots, potentially decreasing the specificity of responses for the spatial integration of local motion signals (motion coherence). Here we revisit this question starting from a baseline RDK condition of no coherence, thereby isolating the component of BOLD response due specifically to the spatial integration of local motion signals. In agreement with prior studies, we found that responses in area hV5/MT+ of healthy subjects were monotonically increasing when subjects fixated without performing a motion discrimination task. In contrast, when subjects were performing an RDK direction of motion discrimination task, responses in area hV5/MT+ remained flat, changing minimally, if at all, as a function of motion coherence. A similar pattern of responses was seen in area hV5/MT+ of subjects with dense cortical scotomas performing direction of motion discrimination for RDKs presented inside the scotoma. Passive RDK presentation within the scotoma elicited no significant hV5/MT+ responses. These observations shed further light on how visual cortex responses behave as a function of motion coherence, helping to prepare the ground for future studies using these methods to study visual system recovery after injury.
An improved vector for baculovirus-mediated protein production in mammalian cells
Authors: Guo Wenjun , Wang Mengmeng , Chen Lei
Published: October 2021

BacMam system utilizes baculovirus to deliver exogenous genes into mammalian cells and is extensively used for recombinant production of eukaryotic proteins. Here, we described an improved BacMam vector (pBMCL1, Addgene#178203) which allows convenient tracing of virus production, provides higher infection efficiency towards mammalian cells, minimizes unwanted transcription of toxic genes in insect cells, and provides the capability for co-expression of multiple proteins via a single virus. We demonstrate the successful application of the pBMCL1 vector for the expression of not only the human TRPC3 channel but also the heteromeric KATP channel.
Freestanding hydrogel lumens for modeling blood vessels and vasodilation
Authors: Dostie Ashley M. , Lea Hannah G. , Lee Ulri N. , van Neel Tammi L. , Berthier Erwin , Theberge Ashleigh B.
Published: October 2021

Lumen structures exist throughout the human body, and the vessels of the circulatory system are essential for carrying nutrients and oxygen and regulating inflammation. Vasodilation, the widening of the blood vessel lumen, is important to the immune response as it increases blood flow to a site of inflammation, raises local temperature, and enables optimal immune system function. A common method for studying vasodilation uses excised vessels from animals; major drawbacks include heterogeneity in vessel shape and size, time-consuming procedures, sacrificing animals, and differences between animal and human biology. We have developed a simple, user-friendly in vitro method to form freestanding cell-laden hydrogel rings from collagen and quantitatively measure the effects of vasodilators on ring size. The hydrogel rings are composed of collagen I and can be laden with human vascular smooth muscle cells, a major cellular and structural component of blood vessels, or lined with endothelial cells in the lumen. The methods presented include a 3D printed device (which is amenable to future fabrication by injection molding) and commercially available components (e.g., Teflon tubing or a syringe) to form hydrogel rings between 2.6-4.6 mm outer diameter and 0.79-1.0 mm inner diameter. Here we demonstrate a significant difference in ring area in the presence of a known vasodilator, fasudil (p<0.0001). Our method is easy to implement and provides a foundation for a medium-throughput solution to generating vessel model structures for future investigations of the fundamental mechanisms of vasodilation (e.g., studying uncharacterized endogenous molecules that may have vasoactivity) and testing vasoactive drugs.
Major complex trait for early de novo programming ‘CoV-MAC-TED’ detected in human nasal epithelial cells infected by two SARS-CoV-2 variants is promising for designing therapeutic strategies
Authors: Costa José Hélio , Aziz Shahid , Noceda Carlos , Arnholdt-Schmitt Birgit
Published: October 2021

Background

Early metabolic reorganization was only recently recognized as essentially integrated part of immunology. In this context, unbalanced ROS/RNS levels that connected to increased aerobic fermentation, which linked to alpha-tubulin-based cell restructuration and control of cell cycle progression, was identified as major complex trait for early de novo programming (‘CoV-MAC-TED’) during SARS-CoV-2 infection. This trait was highlighted as critical target for developing early anti-viral/anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies. To obtain this result, analyses had been performed on transcriptome data from diverse experimental cell systems. A call was released for wide data collection of the defined set of genes for transcriptome analyses, named ‘ReprogVirus’, which should be based on strictly standardized protocols and data entry from diverse virus types and variants into the ‘ReprogVirus Platform’. This platform is currently under development. However, so far an in vitro cell system from primary target cells for virus attacks that could ideally serve for standardizing data collection of early SARS-CoV-2 infection responses was not defined.

Results

Here, we demonstrate transcriptome level profiles of the most critical ‘ReprogVirus’ gene sets for identifying ‘CoV-MAC-TED’ in cultured human nasal epithelial cells. Our results (a) validate ‘Cov-MAC-TED’ as crucial trait for early SARS-CoV-2 reprogramming for both tested virus variants and (b) demonstrate its relevance in cultured human nasal epithelial cells.

Conclusion

In vitro-cultured human nasal epithelial cells proved to be appropriate for standardized transcriptome data collection in the ‘ReprogVirus Platform’. Thus, this cell system is highly promising to advance integrative data analyses by help of Artificial Intelligence methodologies for designing anti-SARS-CoV-2 strategies.
Differences in spike generation instead of synaptic inputs determine the feature selectivity of two retinal cell types
Authors: Wienbar Sophia , Schwartz Gregory William
Published: October 2021

The output of spiking neurons depends both on their synaptic inputs and on their intrinsic properties. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the spiking projection neurons of the retina, comprise over 40 different types in mice and other mammals, each tuned to different features of visual scenes. The circuits providing synaptic input to different RGC types to drive feature selectivity have been studied extensively, but there has been substantially less research aimed at understanding how the intrinsic properties of RGCs differ and how those differences impact feature selectivity. Here, we introduce an RGC type in the mouse, the Bursty Suppressed-by-Contrast (bSbC) RGC, whose contrast selectivity is shaped by its intrinsic properties. Surprisingly, when we compare the bSbC RGC to the OFF sustained alpha (OFFsA) RGC that receives similar synaptic input, we find that the two RGC types exhibit starkly different responses to an identical stimulus. We identified spike generation as the key intrinsic property behind this functional difference; the bSbC RGC undergoes depolarization block in conditions where the OFFsA RGC maintains a high spike rate. Pharmacological experiments, imaging, and compartment modeling demonstrate that these differences in spike generation are the result of differences in voltage-gated sodium channel conductances. Our results demonstrate that differences in intrinsic properties allow these two RGC types to detect and relay distinct features of an identical visual stimulus to the brain.
Pseudomonas aeruginosacytochrome P450 CYP168A1 is a fatty acid hydroxylase that metabolizes arachidonic acid to the vasodilator 19-HETE
Authors: Tooker Brian C. , Kandel Sylvie E. , Work Hannah M. , Lampe Jed N.
Published: October 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen that is highly prevalent in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). A major problem in treating CF patients infected withP. aeruginosais the development of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the identification of novelP. aeruginosaantibiotic drug targets is of the upmost urgency. The genome ofP. aeruginosacontains four putative cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) of unknown function that have never before been characterized. Analogous to some of the CYPs fromM. tuberculosis, theP. aeruginosaCYPs may be important for growth and colonization of the CF patient’s lung. In this study, we cloned, expressed, and characterized CYP168A1 fromP. aeruginosaand identified it as a sub-terminal fatty acid hydroxylase. Spectral binding data and computational modeling of substrates and inhibitors suggest that CYP168A1 has a large, expansive active site preferring long chain fatty acids and large hydrophobic inhibitors. Furthermore, metabolism experiments confirm that the enzyme is capable of hydroxylating arachidonic acid, an important inflammatory signaling molecule present in abundance in the CF lung, to 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (19-HETE;Km= 41.1 µM,Vmax= 222 pmol/min/nmol P450), a potent vasoconstrictor which may play a role in the pathogen’s ability to colonize the mammalian lung. Metabolism of arachidonic acid is subject to substrate inhibition and is also inhibited by the presence of ketoconazole. This study points to the discovery of a new potential drug target that may be of utility in treating drug resistantP. aeruginosa.
Expression level of the reprogramming factor NeuroD1 is critical for neuronal conversion efficiency from different cell types
Authors: Matsuda-Ito Kanae , Matsuda Taito , Nakashima Kinichi
Published: October 2021

Several transcription factors, including NeuroD1, have been shown to act as neuronal reprogramming factors (RFs) that induce neuronal conversion from somatic cells. However, it remains unexplored whether expression levels of RFs in the original cells affect reprogramming efficiency. Here, we show that the neuronal reprogramming efficiency from two distinct glial cell types, microglia and astrocytes, is substantially dependent on the expression level of NeuroD1: low expression failed to induce neuronal reprogramming, whereas elevated NeuroD1 expression dramatically improved reprogramming efficiency in both cell types. Moreover, even under conditions where NeuroD1 expression was too low to induce effective conversion by itself, combined expression of three RFs (Ascl1, Brn2, and NeuroD1) facilitated the breaking down of cellular barriers, inducing neuronal reprogramming. Thus, our results suggest that a sufficiently high expression level of RFs or alternatively their combinatorial expression, is the key to achieving efficient neuronal reprogramming from different cells.

Highlights

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High expression of NeuroD1 is required for neuronal conversion.

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Multiple infections with NeuroD1-expressing virus enhance neuronal reprogramming

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Combinatorial expression of NeuroD1 with other RFs facilitates neuronal conversion

eTOC blurb

In this article, Matsuda-Ito et al. demonstrate that the efficacy of conversion into neurons from two distinct glial cells, microglia and astrocytes, depends on the NeuroD1 expression level. They also show that increased NeuroD1 expression alone enables efficient neuronal reprogramming in non-reactive astrocytes that were previously shown to be difficult to convert into neurons.
Barriers to environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies in Ghana: an institutional complexity perspective
Authors: Amoah Prince , Eweje Gabriel
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the barriers to the environmental sustainability practices of large-scale mining companies throughout a mine lifecycle, analysed in the context of the plural and competing logics and tensions in the broader institutional environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a qualitative methodology based on multiple cases involving multinational mining companies, regulators and other major stakeholder groups, as it offers an opportunity for analytical generalisations where the empirical results are compared to previously established theories.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that the environmental sustainability barriers are embedded within gaps in Ghana’s natural resources governance framework. The gaps arise out of contradictory interests and values, which hinder the direction and practices of large-scale mining companies.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may only apply to the context of this study and is inadequate as the basis for assessing the effectiveness or otherwise of specific initiatives of large-scale mining firms in Ghana.

Practical implications

This study have implications on how large-scale mining companies and their stakeholders define their values and goals, and engage in a dynamic process to accommodate the multiple and competing logics by implementing effective structures at the organisational and institutional levels.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the sustainability and institutional complexity perspective by showing that plural logics are often contradictory, but may also be complementary in situations of complicit commonality, hindering sustainable outcomes. The authors argue that this is one of the few studies that have examined the barriers to environmental sustainability explicated in the context of institutional complexity.
Towards real-time magnetic dosimetry simulations for inductive charging systems
Authors: Haussmann Norman , Zang Martin , Mease Robin , Clemens Markus , Schmuelling Benedikt , Bolten Matthias
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Inductive charging systems for electrically powered cars produce a magneto-quasistatic field and organism in the vicinity might be exposed to that field. Magneto-quasistatic fields induce electric fields in the human body that should not exceed limits given by the International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation protection (ICNIRP) to ensure that no harm is done to the human body. As these electric fields cannot be measured directly, they need to be derived from the measured magnetic flux densities. To get an almost real-time estimation of the harmfulness of the magnetic flux density to the human body, the electric field needs to be calculated within a minimal computing time. The purpose of this study is to identify fast linear equations solver for the discrete Poisson system of the Co-Simulation Scalar Potential Finite Difference scheme on different graphics processing unit systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The determination of the exposure requires a fast linear equations solver for the discrete Poisson system of the Co-Simulation Scalar Potential Finite Difference (Co-Sim. SPFD) scheme. Here, the use of the AmgX library on NVIDIA GPUs is presented for this task.

Findings

Using the AmgX library enables solving the equation system resulting from an ICNIRP recommended human voxel model resolution of 2 mm in less than 0.5 s on a single NVIDIA Tesla V100 GPU.

Originality/value

This work is one essential advancement to determine the exposure of humans from wireless charging system in near real-time from in situ magnetic flux density measurements.
University archives: the research road travelled and the one ahead
Authors: Chrysanthopoulos Christos , Drivas Ioannis , Kouis Dimitrios , Giannakopoulos Georgios
Published: October 2021

Purpose

University archives (UA) are the bridge between the past and the present and serve as a beacon for highlighting the contribution of academic institutions to society. Although the UA topic was introduced and formalized in the 1950s, the scientific research interest has increased significantly in the past two decades. This paper aims to provide insights into the UA research topic during the previous 15 years.

Design/methodology/approach

The combination of two well-established methods for performing literature review was deployed, aiming to identify, select and assess the research documents. Based on the selection criteria, 49 documents presenting research efforts around the UA topic were finally examined from the Scopus citation index. The selected studies have been classified into three main topics: strategic management of UA and the derived challenges, the educational contribution of UA and the strategic information systems for UA.

Findings

Some of the main findings are the lack of well-defined administrative policies, the low level of awareness and archival consciousness within the universities, the inadequacy of university archivists’ educational and training background, the need to use UA for building relationships with alumni and society, and finally, the need for metadata standardization by the UA management systems.

Originality/value

As a literature review around UA has not been conducted before, the reader will gain insights into the methods and research designs that other scholars had already applied to designate useful findings and results.
Self-compassion: the influences on the university students’ life satisfaction during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Abdel Azeem Hani Abdel Hafeez , Al-Abyadh Mohammed Hasan Ali
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between self-compassion and life satisfaction, and there is a significant statistical correlation between some dimensions of the self-compassion scale (family, self-kindness, common human feelings and mental alertness).

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher used the Self-Compassion scale prepared by Neff (2003) translated by the researchers, in a sample of 150 students in Egypt, and Multidimensional Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale, developed by Huebner et al. (1998) translated by the researchers.

Findings

The results of the study showed that self-compassion is high in university students. The study also showed a negative correlation with the dimension of psychological self-judgment and life satisfaction, as it indicated the possibility of predicting life satisfaction through the dimensions of self-compassion, except for the dimensions of isolation and autism, and excessive communication with the self. It also indicated that there are no differences between males and females as far as the variable of self-compassion, as well as the absence of differences between males and females as far as the variable of satisfaction with life is concerned. However, the family dimension showed a difference in favor of males.

Originality/value

The inclusion of extension programs to develop self-compassion for various segments of society in light of the continuing corona pandemic, and paying attention to religious counseling programs that support the use of spiritual values in self-strengthening which is reflected in the strengthening of psychological resilience and thus a sense of satisfaction with life.
Transactions of the National Pension Service of Korea in the KOSPI200 futures market
Authors: Kim Meong Ae , Woo Mincheol
Published: October 2021

It is known that the National Pension Service (NPS) of Korea contributes to the market stability because it tends to pursue the negative feedback trading strategy in the Korean stock market. While many studies deal with institutional investors’ trading in the financial derivatives market, the NPS’s trading in the derivatives market is rarely studied. Using the NPS’s trading data for the period from January 2010 to March, 2020, the authors examine the transactions of the NPS in the KOSPI200 futures market. We find that the NPS’s net investment flow (NIF) in KOSPI200 futures is negatively associated with the past returns of KOSPI200 futures and the KOPI200 index. However, we also find that the NPS’s NIF of KOSPI200 futures is positively associated with its NIF in KOSPI200 stocks. Along with the legal restriction on the NPS’s trading in the derivatives market, the result suggests that the NPS uses KOSPI200 futures to deviate the problems related to non-synchronous trading in the spot market. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first study of the NPS’s transactions of KOSPI200 futures. The paper suggests that the NPS does not trade KOSPI200 futures for hedging or arbitrage profit but for complementing its transactions in the spot market of KOSPI200 stocks.