bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Routine-biased technological change and employee outcomes after mass layoffs: evidence from Brazil
Authors: Martins-Neto Antonio , Cirera Xavier , Coad Alex
Published: November 2023

We investigate the impact of “routinization” on the labor outcomes of displaced workers. We use a rich Brazilian panel dataset and an occupation-task mapping to examine the effect of job displacement in different groups, classified according to their tasks. Our main result is that following a layoff, workers previously employed in routine-intensive occupations suffer a more significant decline in wages and more extended periods of unemployment. As expected, job displacement has a negative and lasting impact on wages. Still, workers in routine-intensive occupations are more impacted than those in non-routine occupations in terms of wages (an increase of one point in the routine-intensity index results in a further decline of 2% in workers’ relative wages) and employment. Furthermore, our results indicate that workers in routine-intensive occupations are more likely to change occupations after the shock, and those who do not switch occupational fields suffer a more significant decline in wages. Lastly, even though the loss of employer-specific wage premiums explains 13% of displaced workers’ drop in wages, it does not explain routine-intensive workers’ more substantial losses.
Adaptive VEM for variable data: convergence and optimality
Authors: Beirão da Veiga L , Canuto C , Nochetto R H , Vacca G , Verani M
Published: November 2023

We design an adaptive virtual element method (AVEM) of lowest order over triangular meshes with hanging nodes in 2d, which are treated as polygons. AVEM hinges on the stabilization-free a posteriori error estimators recently derived in Beirão da Veiga et al. (2023, Adaptive VEM: stabilization-free a posteriori error analysis and contraction property. SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 61, 457–494). The crucial property, which also plays a central role in this paper, is that the stabilization term can be made arbitrarily small relative to the a posteriori error estimators upon increasing the stabilization parameter. Our AVEM concatenates two modules, GALERKIN and DATA. The former deals with piecewise constant data and is shown in the above article to be a contraction between consecutive iterates. The latter approximates general data by piecewise constants to a desired accuracy. AVEM is shown to be convergent and quasi-optimal, in terms of error decay versus degrees of freedom, for solutions and data belonging to appropriate approximation classes. Numerical experiments illustrate the interplay between these two modules and provide computational evidence of optimality.
Prosurvival Pathway Protects From Clostridioides difficile Toxin-Mediated Cell Death
Authors: Tornel William , Sharma Ishrya , Osmani Hiba , Moonah Shannon
Published: November 2023

There is an urgent need for new nonantibiotic-based treatment strategies for Clostridioides difficile infection. C. difficile toxin B (TcdB) is a virulent factor that is essential for causing disease. Here, we investigated whether a survival-signaling pathway could protect against TcdB. We found significant increase in caspase-3 apoptotic activity in intestinal epithelial cells of mice exposed to TcdB. Subsequently, activation of the MIF-CD74-Akt prosurvival signaling pathway blocked TcdB-induced caspase-3 activity and intestinal epithelial cell death. This brief report provides proof-of-concept that targeting prosurvival pathways may represent a unique antibiotic-independent strategy for protecting against C. difficile toxin-mediated cell death.
Making Memorials to the Future
Authors: Sylvester Christine
Published: November 2023

This article foregrounds the work of well-known American memorial architect, Maya Lin. She does not figure in International Relations (IR) knowledge lists, yet started her career by looking back at the American War in Vietnam from the perspective of a forward-looking aesthetic that wins the competition for a memorial in Washington, DC. Later, Lin launches future-oriented memorials that commemorate natural abundance increasingly threatened by that most dangerous war taking place against the planet. Like others contributing to making an academic field and political practice by thinking differently, I take my bearings these days from aesthetic journeys, in my case, to edgy war memorials first, and then to gentle landscape architectures that praise or kill no one, offer no massive focal point or built structure to interpret, and have no particular shooting war to commemorate. Both put viewers into disrupted present times that speak to concerns that could make fruitful futures.
The detection of Japanese encephalitis virus in municipal wastewater during an acute disease outbreak
Authors: Fanok Stella , Monis Paul T , Keegan Alexandra R , King Brendon J
Published: November 2023

Aim

To demonstrate the capability of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) as a tool for detecting potential cases of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) infection in the community.

Methods and results

In this study, we explore the potential of WBS to detect cases of JEV infection by leveraging from an established SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance program. We describe the use of two reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) assays targeting JEV to screen archived samples from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). JEV was detected in wastewater samples collected during a timeframe coinciding with a cluster of acute human encephalitis cases, alongside concurrent evidence of JEV detection in mosquito surveillance and the sentinel chicken programs within South Australia's Riverland and Murraylands regions.

Conclusions

Current surveillance measures for JEV encounter multiple constraints, which may miss the early stages of JEV circulation or fail to capture the full extent of transmission. The detection of JEV in wastewater during a disease outbreak highlights the potential WBS has as a complementary layer to existing monitoring efforts forming part of the One Health approach required for optimal disease response and control.
Economic framework to assess the impact of banning pesticides, with application to sulfuryl fluoride for drywood termites (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) in California
Authors: Zilberman David , Lewis Vernard R
Published: November 2023

Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) is a fumigant used to eliminate drywood termites (DWT: Kalotermitidae; Froggatt) and other structural pests. Because of its global warming potential, it has been suggested that SF be restricted as a greenhouse gas (GHG). We present an economic model to assess the net social cost of restricting SF. We consider 3 approaches to address DWT control- no treatment, allowing SF fumigation and localized treatments, and only local treatment. Each approach generates private and public benefits and costs. We estimate that the annual damage and home equity loss by DWT in California is US$4.5–16.8 billion without treatment. If fumigation is used on 20% of the houses and local treatments on the others, the combined social cost of treatment, damage, and GHG emissions are between US$1–US$2 billion annually. The annual cost of local treatments only would be between US$3.2 and US$4.9 billion. If the application of SF is severely restricted or banned, the social costs will increase between US$1.43 and US$4.31 billion annually. The implied cost per ton of CO2 eliminated is between US$624 and US$1,465, much above the price range of CO2 in other applications. The restriction/ban has significant equity and environmental effects, impacting low-income individuals living in rented properties and replacing damaged wood in housing will increase GHG emissions. We further recommend the continued use of SF until a comparable whole-structure alternative is developed that fits the parameters of our model.
Nesting cavity diameter has implications for management of the alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Rinehart Joshua D , Grula Courtney C , Rinehart Joseph P , Bowsher Julia H
Published: November 2023

Body size influences performance in many bee species and may be influenced by nesting cavity diameter in cavity-nesting bees. Megachile rotundata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a commercially-managed, solitary cavity-nesting bee. In M. rotundata body size has low heritability and is strongly influenced by the size of the larval provision and the diameter of the nesting cavity. Commercial nesting boxes have cavities that are 7 mm in diameter. Our goal was to examine the effects that nesting cavity diameter has on M. rotundata body size and performance by manipulating the size of cavities that are available for nesting. We provided bees with nesting cavities that ranged in size from 4 to 9 millimeters in 1 mm increments. To assess body size we measured mass and intertegular span. To assess performance we measured wing area, wing loading, sex, overwintering survival, pollen ball occurrence, and diapause status in the offspring. We also examined the reproductive output from the different nest cavity diameters. We found that the 8 mm cavities reared bees with the largest mass, and 4 mm cavities reared bees with the smallest mass. We determined that the 7 mm nesting cavity is optimal for offspring yield, the 8 mm nesting cavity is optimal for performance, and the 5 mm nesting cavity may be optimal for conservation efforts of other cavity-nesting bees. Based on the desired outcome of the bee managers, nest sizes differing from the standard may provide an advantage.
Environmental Challenges to UK Public Authorities: The Impact of the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022
Authors: Kenny Patrick
Published: November 2023

The UK’s Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 introduced into statute certain remedies for use where unlawfulness had been found on the part of a public authority or decision-maker carrying out public functions. These remedies allow for such unlawfulness to be deemed lawful, including where the courts consider that remedying an unlawful decision would negatively impact third parties or good administration. When this legislation was under consideration in the UK’s Parliament, there was considerable concern from a number of environmental organisations that such remedies would prohibit the obtaining of redress where environmental harm had occurred. This analysis examines the nature of the new remedies introduced by the Act, how domestic courts may use them, and how those involved in environmental or climate litigation against public authorities might adapt their approach in light of these new statutory powers.
Icariside I reduces breast cancer proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis probably through inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Hou Manting , Li Hui , He Tingting , Hui Siwen , Dai Wenzhang , Hou Xiaorong , Zhao Jing , Zhao Jia , Wen Jincai , Kan Wen , Xiao Xiaohe , Zhan Xiaoyan , Bai Zhaofang
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women. More than 90% of breast cancer deaths are caused by metastasis. Epimedii Folium (EF) is a commonly used herb with anti-tumor benefits, but its underlying mechanisms and active components for breast cancer prevention are little understood. This study assessed the therapeutic role of Icariside I (ICS I) in Epimedium flavonoids (EF) on lung metastasis of breast cancer, including the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Western blot, RT-qPCR, wound healing assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry were used to investigate the inhibition of breast cancer cells growth and migration by EF and ICS I through disrupting the IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Combined with 4T1 breast cancer model in mice, Western blot, RT-qPCR, Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the therapeutic role of ICS I in proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis of breast cancer.

Key findings

EF can inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation and reduce the colony formation and migration of breast cancer cells. Detecting the active ingredients in EF, we found ICS I can reduce the activation of STAT3 in 4T1 breast cancer cells, impair colony formation and migration. Moreover, ICS I induced cells G1 phase arrest and modulated Cyclin D1, CDK4, bcl-2, and bax to inhibit proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells. Similarly, the in vivo studies demonstrated that ICS I significantly suppressed tumor development and lung metastasis in the 4T1 mouse model. Tumor cells in vehicle group were arranged in a spoke-like pattern with obvious heterogeneity, and multinucleated tumor giant cells were seen. But, the tumor cells in the ICS I group were disorganized and necrotic lysis was seen in some areas. In ICS I-treated group, tumors’ STAT3 phosphorylation level, IL-6, Cyclin D1, CDK4, bcl-2, and vimentin expression were downregulated, bax and cleaved caspase 3 expression were upregulated. In the lung tissue, we could find less metastasis of breast cancer cells and less lung injury in the ICS I group. Besides, the expression of metastasis-related genes MMP9 and vimentin was decreased in the lung tissue of ICS I group.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that ICS I can inhibit breast cancer proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis probably via targeting IL-6/STAT3 pathway. Therefore, ICS I has the potential to become an innovative therapeutic candidate to breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Polar-ring galaxies in the Illustris TNG50 simulation
Authors: Smirnov Daniil V , Mosenkov Aleksandr V , Reshetnikov Vladimir P
Published: November 2023

Polar-ring galaxies (PRGs) are an outstanding example of galaxies with misaligned kinematics where a typically red central galaxy is surrounded by a large-scale ring or disc of stars, gas, and dust oriented almost perpendicular to the main body. It is believed that polar structures (PSs) are formed in a secondary event after the assembly of a central galaxy, but due to their scarcity, their formation paths are not well constrained yet. We present a study of PRGs from TNG50 cosmological simulations, focusing on the origin of their PSs. Based on the synthetic images and baryonic mass distribution, we found six galaxies with stellar polar rings. Using Supplementary Data Catalogues and available particle data, we confirm that the selected galaxies are direct analogues of real PRGs. In our sample, the PSs are a result of the close interaction between the host galaxy and its companion. We track two formation paths for the stellar polar rings in our sample: (i) star formation in the accreted gas and (ii) tidal disruption of the satellite’s stellar component. Rings formed during the first scenario are, on average, bluer and younger than ones formed due to the satellite disruption. We report a steady increase of the ring’s inclination around the two most massive galaxies across a few billion years with a rate of ≈8° Gyr−1. The formation of a PS in some cases can increase the nuclear activity of the central galaxy and/or turn the active nucleus off completely.
DDBJ update in 2023: the MetaboBank for metabolomics data and associated metadata
Authors: Ara Takeshi , Kodama Yuichi , Tokimatsu Toshiaki , Fukuda Asami , Kosuge Takehide , Mashima Jun , Tanizawa Yasuhiro , Tanjo Tomoya , Ogasawara Osamu , Fujisawa Takatomo , Nakamura Yasukazu , Arita Masanori
Published: November 2023

The Bioinformation and DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) Center (https://www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp) provides database archives that cover a wide range of fields in life sciences. As a founding member of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), DDBJ accepts and distributes nucleotide sequence data as well as their study and sample information along with the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the United States and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). Besides INSDC databases, the DDBJ Center provides databases for functional genomics (GEA: Genomic Expression Archive), metabolomics (MetaboBank) and human genetic and phenotypic data (JGA: Japanese Genotype-phenotype Archive). These database systems have been built on the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) supercomputer, which is also open for domestic life science researchers to analyze large-scale sequence data. This paper reports recent updates on the archival databases and the services of the DDBJ Center, highlighting the newly redesigned MetaboBank. MetaboBank uses BioProject and BioSample in its metadata description making it suitable for multi-omics large studies. Its collaboration with MetaboLights at EBI brings synergy in locating and reusing public data.
The Patent and Literature Antibody Database (PLAbDab): an evolving reference set of functionally diverse, literature-annotated antibody sequences and structures
Authors: Abanades Brennan , Olsen Tobias H , Raybould Matthew I J , Aguilar-Sanjuan Broncio , Wong Wing Ki , Georges Guy , Bujotzek Alexander , Deane Charlotte M
Published: November 2023

Antibodies are key proteins of the adaptive immune system, and there exists a large body of academic literature and patents dedicated to their study and concomitant conversion into therapeutics, diagnostics, or reagents. These documents often contain extensive functional characterisations of the sets of antibodies they describe. However, leveraging these heterogeneous reports, for example to offer insights into the properties of query antibodies of interest, is currently challenging as there is no central repository through which this wide corpus can be mined by sequence or structure. Here, we present PLAbDab (the Patent and Literature Antibody Database), a self-updating repository containing over 150,000 paired antibody sequences and 3D structural models, of which over 65 000 are unique. We describe the methods used to extract, filter, pair, and model the antibodies in PLAbDab, and showcase how PLAbDab can be searched by sequence, structure, or keyword. PLAbDab uses include annotating query antibodies with potential antigen information from similar entries, analysing structural models of existing antibodies to identify modifications that could improve their properties, and facilitating the compilation of bespoke datasets of antibody sequences/structures that bind to a specific antigen. PLAbDab is freely available via Github (https://github.com/oxpig/PLAbDab) and as a searchable webserver (https://opig.stats.ox.ac.uk/webapps/plabdab/).
Evaluation of Multisite Programmatic Bundle to Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescribing for Respiratory Infections: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ilges Dan , Jensen Kelsey , Draper Evan , Dierkhising Ross , Prigge Kimberly A , Vergidis Paschalis , Virk Abinash , Stevens Ryan W
Published: November 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for Tier 3 upper respiratory infection (URI) syndromes across the Mayo Clinic Enterprise before and after a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention, and to determine ongoing factors associated with antibiotic prescribing and repeat respiratory healthcare contact in the postintervention period.

Methods

This was a quasi-experimental, pre/post, retrospective cohort study from 1 January 2019 through 31 December 2022, with 12-month washout during implementation from 1 July 2020 through 30 June 2021. All outpatient encounters, adult and pediatric, from primary care, urgent care, and emergency medicine specialties with a Tier 3 URI diagnosis were included. The intervention was a multifaceted outpatient antibiotic stewardship bundle. The primary outcome was the rate of antibiotic prescribing in Tier 3 encounters. Secondary outcomes included 14-day repeat healthcare contact for respiratory indications and factors associated with persistent unnecessary prescribing.

Results

A total of 165 658 Tier 3 encounters, 96 125 in the preintervention and 69 533 in the postintervention period, were included. Following intervention, the prescribing rate for Tier 3 encounters decreased from 21.7% to 11.2% (P < .001). Repeat 14-day respiratory healthcare contact in the no antibiotic group was lower postintervention (9.9.% vs 9.4%; P = .004). Multivariable models indicated that increasing patient age, Charlson comorbidity index, and primary diagnosis selected were the most important factors associated with persistent unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.

Conclusions

Outpatient antibiotic stewardship initiatives can reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing for Tier 3 URIs without increasing repeat respiratory healthcare contact. Advancing age and number of comorbidities remain risk factors for persistent unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.
Clinical Features, Genome Epidemiology, and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Aeromonas spp. Causing Human Infections: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sakurai Aki , Suzuki Masahiro , Ohkushi Daisuke , Harada Sohei , Hosokawa Naoto , Ishikawa Kazuhiro , Sakurai Takayuki , Ishihara Takuma , Sasazawa Hiroki , Yamamoto Takeru , Takehana Kazumi , Koyano Saho , Doi Yohei
Published: November 2023

Background

The genus Aeromonas is increasingly implicated in human infections, but knowledge of its clinical characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles has been limited owing to its complex taxonomy.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with Aeromonas infections at hospitals across Japan. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had an Aeromonas spp. strain in a clinical culture and were considered infected at the culture site. Clinical data were collected, and isolates underwent susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing.

Results

A total of 144 patients were included. Hepatobiliary infection accounted for a majority of infections (73% [105 of 144]), which mostly occurred in elderly patients with comorbid conditions, including hepatobiliary complications. The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 10.0% (95% confidence interval, 4.9%–14.8%). By whole-genome sequencing, 141 strains (98%) belonged to 4 Aeromonas species—A caviae, A hydrophila, A veronii, and A dhakensis—with significant intraspecies diversity. A caviae was predominant in all infection sites except skin and soft tissue, for which A hydrophila was the prevailing species. The genes encoding chromosomally mediated class B, C, and D β-lactamases were harbored by 92%–100% of the isolates in a species-specific manner, but they often lacked association with resistance phenotypes. The activity of cefepime was reliable. All isolates of A hydrophila and A dhakensis carried an mcr-3-like colistin resistance gene and showed reduced susceptibility to colistin.

Conclusions

Hepatobiliary tract was the most common infection site of Aeromonas spp., with A caviae being the dominant causative species. The resistance genotype and phenotype were often incongruent for β-lactam agents.
Stress Testing and Bank Lending
Authors: Shapiro Joel , Zeng Jing
Published: November 2023

Stress tests convey information about the strictness of future tests, creating incentives for banks to alter their future lending behavior. Regulators recognize and use this influence: they may conduct softer stress tests to encourage lending or tougher stress tests to reduce risk-taking. This information management can lead to inefficiencies when (a) the test loses credibility or (b) the test becomes self-fulfilling. In addition, banks may distort their lending behavior in anticipation of the stress test design, leading to further surplus losses. The analysis applies to banking supervision and regulation more broadly.
Soil surface roughness impacts the risk arising from a hypothetical urban radiological dispersive device activation
Authors: Bonfim Carlos E S , Silva Vitor W L , Rodrigues Lucas D , Curzio Rodrigo C , Santos Avelino , Profeta William H S , Xavier Larissa R P , de Mello Luiz A , Stenders Ricardo M , Andrade Edson R
Published: November 2023

This study considers a deliberate hypothetical release of radioactive material over an inhabited urban zone. The event is initiated by the activation of a radiological dispersion device. The main threat is the deposition of radioactive material onto the soil’s surface. The radiation represents the threat-defining risks, which depend on the main variables, i.e. soil surface roughness, sex, age of the exposed individuals and the moment of the release (day or nighttime). This study aims to evaluate the effect of soil surface roughness on the radiological risk. The simulation was performed by an analytical method using the HotSpot Health Physics code within the first 100 h. The results found relevant elements that allow for differentiating consequences as a function of the time of release (whether daytime or nighttime), thus allowing decision-makers to be supported with a little more detail about the situation, although in a critical initial phase.
When Legal Inclusion is not Enough: the “Uganda Model” of Refugee Protection on the Brink of Failure
Authors: Grześkowiak Maciej
Published: November 2023

This article develops the existing literature on the challenges facing the Ugandan refugee protection system by showing the interrelatedness of these challenges and linking them to the core assumptions of the “Uganda Model” of refugee protection. To that effect, it presents primary, qualitative data gathered in the field. This empirical evidence reveals profound marginalisation of refugees within Uganda and the difficulties of the authorities to remedy it in the face of the status quo, where the international community’s support has been disproportionately small. This reality, being strikingly at odds with the promise of Uganda’s refugee protection architecture, has led the government and UNHCR officials who were interviewed for this research to doubt whether it is possible to uphold this architecture. This, together with the outcomes of a desk study utilising existing quantitative and qualitative data, suggests that the Uganda Model might, at the time of writing, be approaching its threshold of viability. The findings suggest that a substantial rethink of the model’s assumptions might be in order.
Anterior Distal Femoral Hemiepiphysiodesis Does Not Change Pelvic Tilt in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hanson Alison M. , Wren Tishya A.L. , Rethlefsen Susan A. , Ciccodicola Eva , Rubel Boris , Kay Robert M.
Published: November 2023

Background:

Anterior distal femoral hemiepiphysiodesis (ADFH) is a surgical treatment choice to correct flexed knee gait and fixed knee flexion deformities in children with cerebral palsy who are skeletally immature. Increased anterior pelvic tilt has been reported after surgeries that correct knee flexion deformities, including hamstring lengthening (HSL) and distal femoral extension osteotomies, but anterior pelvic tilt has not been studied after ADFH. We hypothesized that anterior pelvic tilt would increase after ADFH, especially when combined with HSL, and it would correlate with the change in minimum knee flexion in stance and dynamic hamstring lengths.

Methods:

Thirty-four eligible participants (age: 13.0, SD: 2.0) were included. Change in mean pelvic tilt across the gait cycle was compared as a function of clinical and gait parameters using linear mixed models. The relationship of change in pelvic tilt to change in other variables was examined using Pearson correlation

Results:

Overall, anterior pelvic tilt increased significantly after ADFH by 4.4 degrees (P = 0.02). Further, the analysis revealed anterior pelvic tilt only increased significantly in the group that had concurrent HSL (11.1 degrees, P < 0.001). Overall, minimum knee flexion significantly decreased (increase in knee extension) in stance (−19.1 degrees, P < 0.001) and there was an increase in maximum normalized dynamic hamstring lengths (0.03, P < 0.001). The anterior pelvic tilt increased significantly in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to IV (5.9 degrees, P = 0.02) but did not change significantly in Gross Motor Function Classification System I to II (2.5 degrees, P = 0.37). Change in pelvic tilt was correlated with change in maximum dynamic hamstring lengths (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001) and change in minimum knee flexion in stance (r = −0.71, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Anterior distal hemiepiphysiodesis without concurrent HSL for flexion knee deformities does not result in increased anterior pelvic tilt. Surgeons should consider anterior distal hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with cerebral palsy and flexed knee gait, who preoperatively have long dynamically modeled hamstrings, are skeletally immature, and when maintenance of pelvic tilt is desired.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective comparative study.
Musculofascial Z-Lengthening for the Management of Chronic Medial Epicondylitis: Technique and Early Results
Authors: Tummala Sailesh V. , Lin Eugenia , Gill Vikram , Renfree Kevin J.
Published: November 2023

Medial epicondylitis is a common elbow pathology secondary to flexor-pronator tendinosis associated with repetitive wrist flexion activities. Though often responsive to nonoperative management, recalcitrant symptomatology is not uncommon. Surgical intervention for chronic medial epicondylitis most commonly involves open debridement of degenerative tendon which can be difficulty to identify and with a notably risk of iatrogenic complication. We present a reproducible musculofascial z-lengthening of the flexor-pronator mass for management of chronic medial epicondylitis and report the mid-term results of this intervention.
Maternal Group B Streptococcus Infection Correlates Inversely With Preeclampsia in Pregnant African American Women
Authors: Kwon Keun Soo , Cheng Tzu Hsuan , Reynolds Simone A. , Zhou Jordan , Cai Huchong , Lee Sharon , Velickovic Ivan , Dalloul Mudar , Wlody David , Zhang Ming
Published: November 2023

Objective

To determine whether an association exists between group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and preeclampsia among pregnant Black women.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study involved Black women who gave birth at State University of New York Downstate Hospital between January 2010 and December 2017. Data were collected from the Obstetric Department, including delivery date, time, mode of delivery, age of the mother, weeks of gestation at delivery, and antepartum complications. The GBS test results were originally determined using the eSwab transport system. Preeclampsia was defined based on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria for the periods 2010–2012 and 2013–2017. The primary outcome was whether GBS was associated with the outcome of preeclampsia in the population of Black women. Covariates, including smoking status, gestational age, parity, body mass index, maternal age, and presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were examined as potential confounders. Chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used, presenting odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (P < 0.050), analyzed with SAS on Demand for Academics (SAS Institute, Inc., NY).

Results

Among the 8,019 Black women included in this study, GBS-positive women (n = 977) had a 53% reduction in the likelihood of being diagnosed with preeclampsia compared to GBS-negative women (adjusted odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–0.70). We did not find evidence of differences in the distribution of smoking habits (P = 0.783) or maternal age (P = 0.107) between GBS-positive and GBS-negative women. However, the GBS-positive women tended to be less likely to have a preterm delivery (9.62% (94/977) vs. 24.24% (1707/7042), P < 0.001), less likely to be nulliparous (33.37% (326/977) vs. 37.87% (2667/7042), P = 0.006), and less likely to be obese (51.38% (502/977) vs. 55.30% (3894/7042), P < 0.001) compared with GBS-negative women. In contrast, GBS-positive women were more likely to have a comorbid infection than their counterparts: HSV (5.94% (58/977) vs. 2.63% (185/7042), P < 0.001) and HIV (1.54% (15/977) vs. 0.82% (58/7042), P = 0.028).

Conclusion

We found a reduced likelihood of preeclampsia among women who were positive for GBS at delivery. Given the cross-sectional nature of our study, more research is needed to further explore this association.
Treating Hand High-voltage Electrical Burn by Combination of Radial Artery Perforator Flap, Artificial Dermis, and Vacuum Sealing Drainage
Authors: Guo Yibin , Liu Xiaofei , Chen Liping
Published: November 2023

Severe high-voltage electrical burns (HVEBs) to the hand can result in significant injuries, requiring early use of skin flaps or grafts for reconstruction to optimize hand function recovery. However, there is currently a lack of consensus on strategies to improve aesthetics and hand function. We reported a case of severe HVEB on the left hand that was successfully treated by a radial artery perforator flap assisted by artificial dermis (AD) and vacuum sealing drainage (VSD). In phase I, necrotic tissue was removed through debridement while preserving parabiotic tissue. The left thumb was fixed with a Kirschner wire, and the wound was covered with AD and VSD. After 2 weeks, phase II repair surgery was performed using a radial artery perforator flap to cover the wound surface. At 2 weeks after surgery, the skin flap showed good tension and no blood circulation disorders or blister formation. At 12 months after surgery, the flap had not shrunk, and its texture and color closely resembled the surrounding normal tissues. The flap also demonstrated resistance to friction, and there was nearly normal wrist joint mobility. The use of a radial artery perforator flap assisted by AD and VSD provides a simple and effective reconstruction method that preserves important vessels in the forearm, minimizes damage to local cutaneous nerves, and eliminates the need for vascular anastomosis. Therefore, this technique offers advantages in terms of aesthetics and functional improvement for severe HVEBs to the hand, although it has been rarely reported before.
The Incidence of Retained Objects in Intraoperative X-rays for Missing Counts in Plastic Surgery: We Should Do Better
Authors: Trieu Nhan , Ockerman Kyle M. , Kerekes David , Han Sabrina H. , Moser Patricia , Heithaus Evans , Satteson Ellen , Spiguel Lisa P. , Momeni Arash , Sorice-Virk Sarah
Published: November 2023

Background:

In the event of incorrect surgical counts, obtaining X-rays to rule out retained surgical items (RSI) is standard practice. However, these safeguards also carry risk. This study investigates the actual incidence of RSI in plastic reconstructive surgery (PRS) cases as measured on intraoperative X-rays and its associated modifiable risk factors.

Methods:

X-rays with indication of “foreign body” in PRS procedures from 2012 to 2022 were obtained. Reports with “incorrect surgical counts” and associated perioperative records were retrospectively analyzed to determine the incidence of retained surgical items.

Results:

Among 257 X-rays, 21.4% indicated incorrect counts during PRS operations. None were positive for RSIs. The average number of staff present was 12.01. This correlated to an average of 6.98 staff turnovers. The average case lasted 8.42 hours. X-rays prolonged the time under anesthesia by an average of 24.3 minutes. Free flap surgery had 49.1% prevalence of missing counts (lower extremity 25.5%, breast 20%, craniofacial 3.6%), followed by hand (14.5%), breast (10.9%), abdominal reconstruction (10.9%), craniofacial (9.1%), and cosmetic (5.4%).

Conclusions:

Although X-rays for incorrect counts intend to prevent catastrophic sequela of inadvertent RSIs, our results suggest the true incidence of RSI in PRS is negligible. However, intraoperative X-rays have potentially detrimental and pervasive consequences for patients, including increased anesthesia time, radiation exposure, and higher overall cost. Addressing modifiable risk factors to minimize unnecessary intraoperative X-rays is imperative while also considering whether this modality is an effective and appropriate tool in PRS procedures with incorrect surgical counts.
Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Outbreak in NICU: An Observational Study on a Debilitating Neuroinfection in Neonates
Authors: Swami Manish , Mude Praneetha , Kar Shrutiprajna , Sarathi Sushree , Mohapatra Ashoka , Devi Usha , Mohanty Pankaj K. , Som Tapas K. , Bijayini Behera , Sahoo Tanushree
Published: November 2023

Background:

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an emerging nosocomial pathogen implicated in neonatal sepsis with high mortality and morbidities. However, there is very limited data regarding the characteristics as well as outcomes following this infection, particularly in developing countries.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective observational study of all infants with culture-positive Elizabethkingia sepsis as part of an outbreak, to study their clinical and epidemiological characteristics, as well as their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, using a structured proforma from the neonatal intensive care unit database. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics and predictors of mortality and hydrocephalus were also identified.

Results:

Of the 21 neonates enrolled, 9 (42.9%) were male, with a mean gestational age and birth weight of 31.7 ± 3.4 weeks and 1320 ± 364 g, respectively. The median (interquartile range) age of onset of illness was 7 (5–12) days. The overall mortality rate was 23.8%, and among survivors, 50% had neurologic complications requiring intervention. Vancomycin and ciprofloxacin were the most used antibiotics for treatment in our series, with a median duration of 26 (17–38) days. On univariate analysis, shock at presentation was significantly associated with increased mortality (P = 0.04) while, seizures (P = 0.04) and elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein levels (P = 0 .01) at onset of illness predicted progressive hydrocephalus in surviving neonates.

Conclusion:

E. meningoseptica sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of appropriate antibiotics are critical for improving survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Though isolation of the organism by environmental surveillance is always not possible, with proper infection control measures, the infection can be controlled.
Hypophosphatemia as a Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Lee Joshua P. , Darlington Kimberly , Henson Jacqueline B. , Kothari Darshan , Niedzwiecki Donna , Farooq Ahmad , Liddle Rodger A.
Published: November 2023

Objective

Phosphate is crucial for cellular repair after injury and may be important in recovery following acute pancreatitis (AP). This study aimed to evaluate the association between hypophosphatemia and severity of AP.

Methods

Patients admitted with AP between 2014–2018 were identified and their records were retrospectively reviewed. Pancreatitis severity was defined using the modified Atlanta Criteria. Hypophosphatemia was defined as phosphate <2 mg/dL and was assessed at three time points: within one day, within two days, at any time during admission. The proportion of patients who developed severe AP was compared between patients with and without hypophosphatemia.

Results

Of 312 patients, 30.1% (n = 94) developed severe AP. Hypophosphatemia occurred in 25.0% overall, within one day in 19.7%, and within two days in 20.0%. A higher proportion of patients with hypophosphatemia developed severe AP (overall: 47.4% vs. 24.4%, P < 0.001; one day: 47.4% vs. 23.9%, P = 0.004; two days: 42.9% vs. 24.5%, P = 0.01). Patients with hypophosphatemia within one day were also more likely to have ICU admission (P < 0.001) and longer length of stay (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Early hypophosphatemia during an admission for AP was associated with increased AP severity, ICU admission, and longer length of stay.
Work Engagement, Burnout, and Well-being in Nursing Professional Development Practitioners
Authors: Porter Marlene T. , Urban Regina W.
Published: November 2023

Work engagement, burnout, and well-being in nursing professional development practitioners during the second year of COVID-19 were explored. Increased levels of work engagement were associated with decreased burnout and higher levels of well-being. Significant differences were noted in work engagement and burnout among those with more than 1 year of nursing professional development experience. Examining the health of the specialty highlights current concerns and provides insight into developing interventions to address the consequences of the pandemic.
Single-molecule tracking-based drug screening
Authors: Watanabe Daisuke , Hiroshima Michio , Yasui Masato , Ueda Masahiro
Published: November 2023

The single-molecule tracking of transmembrane receptors in living cells has provided significant insights into signaling mechanisms, such as mobility and clustering upon their activation/inactivation, making it a potential screening method for drug discovery. Here we show that single-molecule tracking-based screening can be used to explore compounds both detectable and undetectable by conventional methods for disease-related receptors. Using an automated system for a fast large-scale single-molecule analysis, we screened for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) from 1,134 of FDA approved drugs. The 18 hit compounds included all EGFR-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the library that suppressed any phosphorylation-dependent mobility shift of EGFR, proving the concept of this approach. The remaining hit compounds are not reported as EGFR-targeted drugs and did not inhibit EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation. These non-TKI compounds affected the mobility and/or clustering of EGFR without EGF and induced EGFR internalization, to impede EGFR-dependent cell growth. Thus, single-molecule tracking provides a new modality for discovering novel therapeutics on various receptor functions with previously untargeted mechanisms.
Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis Reveals Four Stages of Replicative Senescence in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ahn Minseo , Kim Junil , Seo Jae Ho
Published: November 2023

Cellular senescence is a phenomenon marked by an irreversible growth arrest with altered physiological properties. Many studies have focused on the characteristics of cells that have already entered a senescent state. However, to elucidate the mechanisms of cellular aging, it is essential to investigate the gradual transition of proliferative cells into senescent cells. We assumed that cellular senescence is a complex and multi-step process, and each stage exhibits unique traits. To test this hypothesis, we utilized publicly available single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) data from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) undergoing replicative senescence. We employed Seurat and Monocle 3 to capture the transition from proliferating to senescent states in HUVECs. Four clusters were identified, and each cluster displayed distinct expression patterns of cellular senescence markers and the senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs). We also employed SCENIC to identify the expression patterns of core transcription factors (TFs) during replicative senescence. While the majority of TFs exhibited a linear trend, HMGB1, FOSL1, SMC3, RAD21, SOX4, and XBP1 showed fluctuating expression patterns during replicative senescence. Furthermore, the expression patterns of these TFs exhibited slight differences in the ionizing radiation (IR) model of senescence. Overall, our study unveils the distinct characteristics of each phase during replicative senescence and identifies expression trends in TFs that may play pivotal roles in this process. These findings highlight the intricate nature of cellular senescence and provide new insights into the process of cellular aging.
Deciphering fitness trade-offs in metabolite exchange at the origin of a bacterial cross-feeding community
Authors: Zhu Dongxuan , Pawar Samraat
Published: November 2023

Obligate cross-feeding is a common type of interaction among microbial communities, yet gaps persist in understanding its maintenance and limit practical applications. In particular, little is known about how contextualised metabolite exchange intensities affect community fitness, despite their influential role in shaping interdependencies1, diversities2, and lifespan3of cross-feeding community members.

Here I computationally test how amino acids isoleucine (ile) and lysine (lys) exchange intensities affect individual and community fitness of a two-strain auxotroph cross-feeding community. I innovatively integrated metabolite exchange intensities and multi-strain growth using Flux Balance Analysis (FBA) and evolutionary game theory, and showed that crossfeeding communities have the highest fitness when the metabolite exchange intensity is slightly above individual amino acid uptake demands, stimulated by cheaters’ presence. Using FBA with different metabolite uptake / secretion combinations, I discovered the individual amino acid demands are linearly correlated with sole carbon source (glucose) availability. Additionally, as cheating mutants emerge, costly exchange intensities can be better sustained when accumulated shared metabolites are accessible.

This is the first study linking metabolite exchange intensities and cross-feeding community fitness considering all known metabolic reactions of a bacterial strain. The fittest metabolite exchange range and its relationships with glucose and shared metabolite availability shed lights on resilient microbial community engineering as well as metabolite exchange parameter constraints for multi-species population / metabolism models4–6.
AutoPeptideML: A study on how to build more trustworthy peptide bioactivity predictors
Authors: Fernandez-Diaz Raul , Cossio-Pérez Rodrigo , Agoni Clement , Lam Hoang Thanh , Lopez Vanessa , Shields Denis C.
Published: November 2023

Motivation

Automated machine learning (AutoML) solutions can bridge the gap between new computational advances and their real-world applications by enabling experimental scientists to build their own custom models. We examine different steps in the development life-cycle of peptide bioactivity binary predictors and identify key steps where automation can not only result in a more accessible method, but also more robust and interpretable evaluation leading to more trustworthy models.

Results

We present a new automated method for drawing negative peptides that achieves better balance between specificity and generalisation than current alternatives. We study the effect of homology-based partitioning for generating the training and testing data subsets and demonstrate that model performance is overestimated when no such homology correction is used, which indicates that prior studies may have overestimated their performance when applied to new peptide sequences. We also conduct a systematic analysis of different protein language models as peptide representation methods and find that they can serve as better descriptors than a naive alternative, but that there is no significant difference across models with different sizes or algorithms. Finally, we demonstrate that an ensemble of optimised traditional machine learning algorithms can compete with more complex neural network models, while being more computationally efficient. We integrate these findings into AutoPeptideML, an easy-to-use AutoML tool to allow researchers without a computational background to build new predictive models for peptide bioactivity in a matter of minutes.

Availability

Source code, documentation, and data are available athttps://github.com/IBM/AutoPeptideMLand a dedicated webserver athttp://peptide.ucd.ie/AutoPeptideML.