bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of soil carbon storage under mono-specific Enhalus acoroides meadows in Pari Island, Indonesia
Authors: Rifai H , Rahmawati S , Nurdiansah D , Afdal
Published: December 2021

Large seagrass meadows in Indonesia are predicted to have a significant ability in capturing and storing carbon and are useful to mitigate global climate change. However, most of the available data are derived from short-term carbon storage of living biomass, whereas data on long-term carbon storage in the soil is still limited. This study, therefore, aims to measure soil carbon storage in mono-specific Enhalus acoroides meadows in Pari Island. A total of nine soil cores was collected in a 100×100 m2 area. The parameters were soil depth, dry bulk density (DBD), and Corg content. We applied a PVC corer with 7.4 cm in diameter and 80 cm in length to collect the soil. The length of the soil core varied between 8 and 67 cm. The mean (±SE) of soil dry bulk density is 0.98±0.04 gr/cm3 and the median is 1.1 gr/cm3, while Corg content is 2.1±0.1% soil DW (mean±SE) and 1.9% (median). E. acoroides vegetation in Pari Island stores around 63 Mg Corg/ha organic carbon in 8-67cm or 34cm (mean depth) of topsoil. Carbon storage of these mono-specific meadows is comparable to soil carbon storage in the seagrass ecosystems per hectare areas on national, regional, and global levels.
Additive manufacturing of cartilage-mimetic scaffolds as off-the-shelf implants for joint regeneration
Authors: Wang Bin , Chariyev-Prinz Farhad , Burdis Ross , Eichholz Kian , Kelly Daniel J
Published: December 2021

Biomimetic scaffolds that provide a tissue-specific environment to cells are particularly promising for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. The goal of this study was to integrate emerging additive manufacturing and biomaterial design strategies to produce articular cartilage (AC) mimetic scaffolds that could be used as ‘off-the-shelf’ implants for joint regeneration. To this end alginate sulfate, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) mimic, was used to functionalize porous alginate-based scaffolds and to support the sustained release of transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3). Covalent crosslinking dramatically improved the elasticity of the alginate/alginate sulfate scaffolds, while scaffold architecture could be tailored using a directional freezing technique. Introducing such an anisotropic architecture was found to promote mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infiltration into the scaffold and to direct the orientation of the deposited extracellular matrix, leading to the development of cartilage tissue with a biomimetic zonal architecture. In vitro experiments also demonstrated the capacity of the sulfated scaffolds to both enhance chondrogenesis of MSCs and to control the release of TGF-β3, leading to the development of a tissue rich in sGAG and type II collagen. The scaffolds were further reinforced with a 3D printed poly(lactide-co-ϵ-caprolactone) (PLCL) framework, leading to composite implants that were more elastic than those reinforced with polycaprolactone, and which better mimicked the bulk mechanical properties of native cartilage tissue. The ability of this composite scaffold to support chondrogenesis was then confirmed within a dynamic culture system. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the potential of such biomimetic scaffolds as putative ‘single-stage’ or ‘off-the-shelf’ strategies for AC regeneration.
Fast-sweeping Langmuir probes: what happens to the I
–V trace when sweeping frequency is higher than the ion plasma frequency?
Authors: JIN Chenyao , YIP Chi-shung , ZHANG Wei , JIANG Di , XU Guosheng
Published: December 2021

Limited particle transit time is one of several limiting factors which determine the maximum temporal resolution of a Langmuir probe. In this work, we have revisited the known fast sweep Langmuir probe techniques in a uniform, quiescent multi-dipole confined hot cathode discharge with two operation scenarios: one in which the probe sweeping frequency f
sweep is much lower than the ion plasma frequency f
pi, another one where f
sweep is much greater than f
pi, respectively. This allows investigation into the effect of limited ion-motion on I–V traces. Serious distortions of I–V traces at high frequencies, previously claimed to be an ion-motion limitation effect, were not found unless shunt resistance is sufficiently high, despite a f
sweep/f
pi ratio of ∼3. On the other hand, evidences of sheath capacitance on the I–V traces have been observed. Distortions of I–V traces qualitatively agree with predictions of sheath capacitance response to the sweeping voltage. Additionally, techniques in fast sweep Langmuir probe are briefly discussed. The comparison between the high-speed dual Langmuir probe (HDLP) and the single probe setup shows that the capacitive response can be removed via subtracting a leakage current for the single probe setup almost as effectively as using the HDLP setup, but the HDLP setup does remain advantageous in its facilitation of better recovery of weak current signal commonly in low density plasma.
The quantum solitons atomtronic interference device
Authors: Polo Juan , Naldesi Piero , Minguzzi Anna , Amico Luigi
Published: December 2021

We study a quantum many-body system of attracting bosons confined in a ring-shaped potential and interrupted by a weak link. With such architecture, the system defines atomtronic quantum interference devices harnessing quantum solitonic currents. We demonstrate that the system is characterized by the specific interplay between the interaction and the strength of the weak link. In particular, we find that, depending on the operating conditions, the current can be a universal function of the relative size between the strength of the impurity and interaction. The low lying many-body states are studied through a quench dynamical protocol that is the atomtronic counterpart of Rabi interferometry. With this approach, we demonstrate how our system defines a two level system of coupled solitonic currents. The current states are addressed through the analysis of the momentum distribution.
Angular momenta in fields from a rotational mechanical antenna‡
Authors: Mao Yu , Liu Y , Lin Hai
Published: December 2021

Mechanic antennas provide opportunities for human portable, VLF communications, where a rotational dipole emits EM signals with angular momenta. In this paper we analytically derive the electromagnetic fields from a rotational electric dipole using Fourier transform method, and find that the radiated fields from the rotational electric dipole carries nonzero energy flow density in both orbital and spin angular momentum (AM) parts by their flux tensors. Intuitively, a dipole circulating on the transverse plane induces a longitudinal orbital angular momentum and a longitudinal spin angular momentum. And the binding force for the rotational electric dipole is then shown to result mainly from the Coulomb fields. We believe that our work will contributes to novel communication designs for portable mechanic antennas.
Prevalence and diagnostic agreement of sarcopenic obesity with different definitions among Chinese community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Mo Yi-Han , Yang Chen , Su Yi-Dong , Dong Xin , Deng Wen-Yu , Liu Bei-Bei , Yao Xue-Mei , Wang Xiu-Hua
Published: December 2021

Objective

this retrospective study aims to compare the prevalence and diagnostic agreement of sarcopenic obesity (SO) using different obesity diagnostic methods among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

SO was diagnosed with sarcopenia and obesity diagnostic methods. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria 2019 (AWGS2019). Four widely used indicators were used to define obesity: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percent of body fat (PBF) and visceral fat area (VFA). Cohen’s kappa was used to analyse the diagnosis agreement of SO between different diagnostic methods.

Results

a total of 1,050 participants were included, including 347 men (71.3 ± 7.4 years) and 703 women (69.9 ± 7.5 years). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 25% in total participants, there was no difference between men (24.2%) and women (25.5%), (P = 0.705). With different obesity diagnostic methods, the obesity prevalence ranged from 4.1 to 42.2%, the SO prevalence was 0.1–7.9%. The diagnosis agreement of SO was poor-to-moderate (κ ranged from −0.002 to 0.682). Among the four diagnostic methods, AWGS combined with BMI had the poorest agreement (κ = −0.002 with other methods), AWGS combined with VFA had the best agreement (κ = 0.641 and 0.682 with AWGS combined with PBF and with AWGS combined with WC, respectively).

Conclusion

the prevalence of SO vary considerably and the diagnostic agreement is poor-to-moderate with non-uniform diagnostic methods. BMI has the lowest sensitivity, whereas VFA has the highest sensitivity in diagnosis of SO, and VFA has a relatively good diagnostic agreement with other diagnostic methods.
Association of longitudinal trends in thyroid function with incident carotid atherosclerosis in middle-aged and older euthyroid subjects: the Tianjin Chronic Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) cohort study
Authors: Gu Yeqing , Meng Ge , Zhang Qing , Liu Li , Wu Hongmei , Zhang Shunming , Wang Yawen , Zhang Tingjing , Wang Xuena , Sun Shaomei , Wang Xing , Jia Qiyu , Song Kun , Liu Qiang , Niu Kaijun
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous studies have posited that an association exists between thyroid function and the heart and vasculature. It remains unclear, however, whether longitudinal trends in thyroid function contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. We conducted a cohort study to examine the association of longitudinal trends in thyroid function with incident carotid atherosclerosis (CA) in middle-aged and older euthyroid subjects.

Methods

This cohort study’s participants were recruited from the Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health Cohort Study in Tianjin, China. Free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay. CA was assessed using carotid ultrasonography. Thyroid function and ultrasonography were assessed yearly during follow-up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between thyroid function and incident CA.

Results

A total of 3,181 participants were enrolled in the cohort study. Within 7,762 person-years of follow-up, 944 participants developed CA, the incidence rate of CA was 122 per 1,000 person-years. The fully adjusted hazards ratios (95% confidence interval) of CA for per 1-unit increase in changes of FT3, FT4 and TSH were 1.34(1.22–1.47), 1.22(1.19–1.26) and 0.92 (0.77–1.09) (P < 0.0001, <0.0001 and = 0.32, respectively), respectively. Similar significant associations between mean levels of FT3 and FT4 and incident CA were observed. However, baseline thyroid function was not associated with incident CA.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that higher mean levels and higher values of changes in thyroid hormones were associated with a higher risk of incident CA in middle-aged and older euthyroid subjects.
III—Doxastic Wrongs, Non-Spurious Generalizations and Particularized Beliefs
Authors: Fabre Cécile
Published: December 2021

According to the doxastic wrongs thesis, holding certain beliefs about others can be morally wrongful. Beliefs which take the form of stereotypes based on race and gender (or sexual orientation, disability, and so on) and which turn out to be false and are negatively valenced are prime candidates for the charge of doxastic wronging: it is no coincidence that most of the cases discussed in the literature involve false beliefs. My aim in this paper is to show that the thesis of doxastic wrongs does not turn on the truth-value or valence of beliefs.
Dehydrated males are less likely to dive into the mating pool
Authors: Friesen Christopher R , Uhrig Emily J , Mason Robert T
Published: December 2021

The hydration state of animals vying for reproductive success may have implications for the tempo and mode of sexual selection, which may be salient in populations that experience increasing environmental fluctuations in water availability. Using red-sided garter snakes as a model system, we tested the effect of water supplementation on courtship, mating behavior, and copulatory plug (CP) production during a drought year. Over 3 days of mating trials, water-supplemented males (WET males, n = 45) outperformed a control group that was not supplemented with water (DRY males, n = 45). Over 70% of WET males mated but just 33% of DRY males did so. As a group, WET males mated 79 times versus 28 times by DRY males. On the last day of mating trials, over 70% of WET males were still courting, with 19 of them mating, whereas less than 25% of DRY males were courting and only one mated. CP deposition accounted for 4–6% of the mass lost by mating males, but hydration did not affect CP mass or water content. These findings suggest that, in years of low water availability, the number of courting males and the intensity of their courtship declines, thereby affecting sexual selection and conflict, at least within that year.
PHIST: fast and accurate prediction of prokaryotic hosts from metagenomic viral sequences
Authors: Zielezinski Andrzej , Deorowicz Sebastian , Gudyś Adam
Published: December 2021

Phage–Host Interaction Search Tool (PHIST) predicts prokaryotic hosts of viruses based on exact matches between viral and host genomes. It improves host prediction accuracy at species level over current alignment-based tools (on average by 3 percentage points) as well as alignment-free and CRISPR-based tools (by 14–20 percentage points). PHIST is also two orders of magnitude faster than alignment-based tools making it suitable for metagenomics studies.

Availability and implementation

GNU-licensed C++ code wrapped in Python API available at: https://github.com/refresh-bio/phist.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mesenteric SParIng versus extensive mesentereCtomY in primary ileocolic resection for ileocaecal Crohn’s disease (SPICY): study protocol for randomized controlled trial
Authors: van der Does de Willebois E M L ,   SPICY study group, Bemelman W A , Buskens C J , D'Haens G R A M , D'Hoore A , Danese S , Duijvestein M , Gecse K B , Hompes R , Koot B , Indemans F , Lightner A L , Mundt M W , Spinelli A , van der Bilt J D W , van Dongen K W A , Vermeire S , Zwaveling S
Published: December 2021

Background

There is emerging evidence to suggest that Crohn’s disease (CD) may be a disease of the mesentery, rather than of the bowel alone. A more extensive mesenteric resection, removing an increased volume of mesentery and lymph nodes to prevent recurrence of CD, may improve clinical outcomes. This study aims to analyse whether more extensive ‘oncological’ mesenteric resection reduces the recurrence rate of CD.

Methods

This is an international multicentre randomized controlled study, allocating patients to either group 1—mesenteric sparing ileocolic resection (ICR), the current standard procedure for CD, or group 2—extensive mesenteric ICR, up to the level of the ileocolic trunk. To detect a clinically relevant difference of 25 per cent in endoscopic recurrence at 6 months, a total of 138 patients is required (including 10 per cent dropout). Patients aged over 16 with CD undergoing primary ICR are eligible. Primary outcome is 6-month postoperative endoscopic recurrence rate (modified Rutgeerts score of greater than or equal to i2b). Secondary outcomes are postoperative morbidity, clinical recurrence, quality of life, and the need for (re)starting immunosuppressive medication. For long-term results, patients will be followed up for up to 5 years to determine the reoperation rate for recurrence of disease at the anastomotic site.

Conclusion

Analysing these two treatment strategies in a head-to-head comparison will allow an objective evaluation of the clinical relevance of extensive mesenteric resection in CD. If a clinical benefit can be demonstrated, this could result in changes to guidelines which currently recommend close bowel resection.

Registration number

NCT00287612 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)
Physician Assistance in Dying: An Option for Christians?
Authors: Steffen Lloyd
Published: December 2021

Opposition to physician-assisted suicide is widespread in Christian ethics. However, on a topic as controversial as physician-assisted suicide, no one can reasonably speak for “the Christian” perspective. Natural-law and, specifically, just-war thinking are claimed in the Christian tradition, yet the natural-law contribution to a Christian ethical analysis of physician-assisted suicide requires explanation and defense. Natural-law ethical theory affirms the central role of reason in moral thinking and provides a theoretical resource in contemporary ethics to assist in analyzing specific moral issues, problems, and conflicts. This essay seeks to demonstrate how just-war thinking, derived from natural-law tradition, allows movement from the theoretical world of natural-law theory to the practical world of normative ethics. Here the case is made that the just-war model of ethics helps elucidate the moral problematic involved in physician-assisted suicide while clarifying direction on this particularly thorny and controversial problem.
Effect of Oral Streptococci Expressing Pneumococcus-like Cross-Reactive Capsule Types on World Health Organization Recommended Pneumococcal Carriage Detection Procedure
Authors: Ganaie Feroze , Branche Angela R , Peasley Michael , Rosch Jason W , Nahm Moon H
Published: December 2021

Background

Carriage studies are fundamental to assessing the effects of pneumococcal vaccines. Because a large proportion of oral streptococci carry homologues of pneumococcal genes, non–culture-based detection and serotyping of upper respiratory tract (URT) samples can be problematic. In the current study, we investigated whether culture-free molecular methods could differentiate pneumococci from oral streptococci carried by adults in the URT.

Methods

Paired nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) samples were collected from 100 older adults twice a month for 1 year. Extracts from the combined NP + OP samples (n = 2400) were subjected to lytA real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were subjected to pure culture isolation, followed by species confirmation using multiple approaches. Multibead assays and whole-genome sequencing were used for serotyping.

Results

In 20 of 301 combined NP + OP extracts with positive lytA PCR results, probable pneumococcus-like colonies grew, based on colony morphology and biochemical tests. Multiple approaches confirmed that 4 isolates were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 3 were Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae, 12 were Streptococcus mitis, and 1 were Streptococcus oralis. Eight nonpneumococcal strains carried pneumococcus-like cps loci (approximate size, 18–25 kb) that showed >70% nucleotide identity with their pneumococcal counterparts. While investigating the antigenic profile, we found that some S. mitis strains (P066 and P107) reacted with both serotype-specific polyclonal (type 39 and FS17b) and monoclonal (Hyp10AG1 and Hyp17FM1) antisera, whereas some strains (P063 and P074) reacted only with polyclonal antisera (type 5 and FS35a).

Conclusion

The extensive capsular overlap suggests that pneumococcal vaccines could reduce carriage of oral streptococci expressing cross-reactive capsules. Furthermore, direct use of culture-free PCR-based methods in URT samples has limited usefulness for carriage studies.
Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Exebacase in an Infant With Disseminated Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Moorthy Ganga S , Greenberg Rachel G , Hornik Chi D , Cassino Cara , Ghahramani Parviz , Kumar Karan R , Fowler Vance G , Cohen-Wolkowiez Michael
Published: December 2021

Exebacase, an antistaphylococcal lysin produced from a bacteriophage-encoded gene, is a promising adjunctive therapy for severe methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. We describe the first infant to receive exebacase, dosing, and pharmacokinetics. Exebacase may be safe and efficacious in children; however, further clinical trials are needed to optimize dosing.
Longitudinal Analysis of Memory T-Cell Responses in Survivors of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Authors: Shin Hyoung Shik , Kim Yeonjae , Kang Jihye , Um Jihye , Park Jun Sun , Park Wan Beom , Kim Yeon Sook , Choi Jae Phil , Rhee Ji Young , Joh Joon Sung , Cho Nam Hyuk , Yang Jeong Sun , Lee Joo Yeon , Lim Dong Gyun
Published: December 2021

Background

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a highly lethal respiratory disease caused by a zoonotic betacoronavirus. The development of effective vaccines and control measures requires a thorough understanding of the immune response to this viral infection.

Methods

We investigated cellular immune responses up to 5 years after infection in a cohort of 59 MERS survivors by performing enzyme-linked immunospot assay and intracellular cytokine staining after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with synthetic viral peptides.

Results

Memory T-cell responses were detected in 82%, 75%, 69%, 64%, and 64% of MERS survivors from 1–5 years post-infection, respectively. Although the frequency of virus-specific interferon gamma (IFN-γ)–secreting T cells tended to be higher in moderately/severely ill patients than in mildly ill patients during the early period of follow-up, there was no significant difference among the different clinical severity groups across all time points. While both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were involved in memory T-cell responses, CD4+ T cells persisted slightly longer than CD8+ T cells. Both memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells recognized the E/M/N proteins better than the S protein and maintained their polyfunctionality throughout the period examined. Memory T-cell responses correlated positively with antibody responses during the initial 3–4 years but not with maximum viral loads at any time point.

Conclusions

These findings advance our understanding of the dynamics of virus-specific memory T-cell immunity after MERS-coronavirus infection, which is relevant to the development of effective T cell–based vaccines.
Incidence of Invasive Fungal Infections in Patients Initiating Ibrutinib and Other Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors—United States, July 2016–June 2019
Authors: Gold Jeremy A W , Tolu Seda S , Chiller Tom , Benedict Kaitlin , Jackson Brendan R
Published: December 2021

We analyzed administrative data to determine the 1-year incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients beginning small molecule kinase inhibitor (SMKI) therapy. The incidence of IFIs by small molecule kinase inhibitor ranged from 0.0% to 10.6%, with patients taking midostaurin having the highest incidence. An IFI developed in 38 of 1286 patients taking ibrutinib (3.0%).
Selective Targeting of Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 Induces Stable Protection from Crohn’s-Like Ileitis in TNFΔARE Mice
Authors: Chakraborty Rajrupa , Maltz Mia R , Del Castillo Diana , Tandel Purvi N , Messih Nathalie , Anguiano Martha , Lo David D
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Crohn’s disease is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disorder of the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. Current interventions using anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] biologics show long-term benefit in only half of patients. This study focused on the role of the TNF receptor 1 [TNFR1] in pathogenesis in a TNF-driven model of ileitis.

Methods

We studied TNFΔAU-rich element [ARE]/+ [TNFdARE] mice, which develop progressive ileitis similar to Crohn’s ileitis. Histopathological analysis and gene expression profiling were used to characterize disease progression from 5 to 16 weeks. Mice with TNFR1 hemizygosity [TNFdARE/R1het] allowed us to assess gene dosage effects. Transcriptional profiling established inflection points in disease progression; inflammatory gene expression increased at 8 weeks with a plateau by 10 weeks, so these were selected as endpoints of treatment using the TNF biologic infliximab and the TNFR1-specific XPro1595. Differences in recruitment of cells in the lamina propria were assessed using flow cytometry.

Results

TNFdARE/R1het mice displayed stable long-term protection from disease, associated with decreased recruitment of CD11bhiF4/80lo monocytes and CD11bhiLy6Ghi neutrophils, suggesting an important role of TNFR1 signalling in pathogenesis, and indicating potential benefit from TNFR1-specific intervention. Treatment with infliximab and XPro1595 both showed a similar impact on disease in TNFdARE mice. Importantly, these beneficial effects were greatly surpassed by hemizygosity at the TNFR1 locus.

Conclusions

Treatment with either infliximab or XPro1595 produced moderate protection from ileitis in TNFdARE mice. However, hemizygosity at the TNFR1 locus in TNFdARE mice showed far better protection, implicating TNFR1 signalling as a key mediator of TNF-driven disease.
Long-term outcomes in a randomized controlled trial of multimodality imaging-guided left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Fyenbo Daniel Benjamin , Sommer Anders , Nørgaard Bjarne Linde , Kronborg Mads Brix , Kristensen Jens , Gerdes Christian , Jensen Henrik Kjærulf , Jensen Jesper Møller , Nielsen Jens Cosedis
Published: December 2021

Aims

This study aims to investigate the long-term occurrence of the composite endpoint of heart failure (HF) hospitalization or all-cause death (primary endpoint) in patients randomized to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using individualized multimodality imaging-guided left ventricular (LV) lead placement compared with a routine fluoroscopic approach. Furthermore, this study aims to evaluate whether inter-lead electrical delay (IED) is associated with improved response rate of this endpoint.

Methods and results

We reviewed follow-up data until November 2020 for all 182 patients included in the ImagingCRT trial for the occurrence of HF hospitalization and all-cause death. During median (inter-quartile range) time to primary endpoint/censuring of 6.7 (3.3–7.9) years, the rate of the primary endpoint was 60% (n = 53) in the imaging group compared with 52% (n = 48) in the control group [hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83–1.81, P = 0.31]. Neither the risk of HF hospitalization (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.62–1.99, P = 0.72) nor of all-cause death differed between treatment groups (HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.82–1.85, P = 0.32). The risk of the primary endpoint was significantly reduced among those with IED ≥100 ms when compared with those with IED <100 ms (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.98, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

In this study, an individualized multimodality imaging-guided strategy targeting LV lead placement towards the latest mechanically activated non-scarred myocardial segment during CRT implantation did not reduce HF hospitalization or all-cause death when compared with routine LV lead placement during long-term follow-up. Targeting the latest electrical activation should be studied as an alternative individualized strategy for optimizing LV lead placement in CRT recipients.
Doctors and patients’ perspectives on obesity. A Q-methodology study
Authors: Shahed Qays , Baranowska Karolina , Galavazi Marije C , Cao Yang , van Nieuwenhoven Michiel A
Published: December 2021

Background

Obesity is associated with stigma and discrimination. Health care providers should approach these patients professionally and without stigma, since treatment of obesity requires a relationship with mutual understanding between the doctor and patient.

Objective

To explore how patients and general practitioners (GPs) perceive obesity, using Q-methodology, which allows quantitative analysis of qualitative data.

Methods

A Q-methodology study, comprising 24 patients with obesity and 24 GPs. We created 48 statements with viewpoints on obesity. All participants sorted these statements in a forced grid with a quasi-normal distribution ranking from −5 (most disagree) to +5 (most agree). Subsequently, factor analysis was performed. Six patients were interviewed to explain their viewpoints.

Results

Analysis yielded 3 dominant groups (factors) of patients: (i) They acknowledge the importance of healthy lifestyle and feel mistreated by health care. (ii) They have a decreased quality of life, but do not blame health care, and (iii) They don’t need treatment and don’t have an impaired quality of life. For the GPs, the 3 dominant factors were: (i) They have understanding for the patients and feel that health care is insufficient, (ii) They believe that obesity may be hereditary but mainly is a lifestyle problem, and (iii) They believe obesity can be treated but is very difficult.

Conclusions

Viewpoints on obesity were different, both within and between the groups. Some GPs consider obesity mainly as a lifestyle problem, rather than a chronic disease. If patients and doctors can find mutual viewpoints on obesity, both patient satisfaction and a treatment strategy will be more effective.
The H2A N-terminal tail is required to alleviate copper-induced stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Singh Sakshi , Sahu Rakesh Kumar , Sugathan Anaswara , Tomar Raghuvir Singh
Published: December 2021

Histone tail residues drive many biological processes by regulating genome-wide transcription. Functions of histone H3 and H4 tail residues in stress-responsive gene transcriptional programs have been extensively studied. The H2A tail residues have been shown to regulate DNA damage repair and oxidative stress response, but the involvement of N-terminal tail of H2A (H2ANtT) in proteostasis regulation is unknown. The unfolded protein response pathway (UPR) is an essential mechanism adopted by cells to prevent protein toxicity in response to ER stress. The disturbance in ER can occur by various factors such as heat stress, redox imbalance, exposure to xenobiotics and metals. Copper is utilized as a cofactor by cellular enzymes, but excessive copper affects ER homeostasis. We found that cells lacking 1–20 residues of H2ANtT are intolerant to copper stress, owing to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the mutant cells. H2A 1–20 truncation also reduces the physiological UPR, and copper exposure further aggravates this effect. Furthermore, the expression of a spliced version of HAC1 mRNA in H2A∆(1–20) cells, encoding the downstream transcription factor of UPR signalling, rescues their growth under copper stress. Altogether these results provide evidence that H2ANtT reduces copper-induced ER stress by regulating UPR signalling.
The De Novo Genome Sequencing of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera)
Authors: Li Xue-Juan , Wang Xiao-Yang , Yang Chao , Lin Li-Liang , Zhao Le , Yu Xiao-Ping , Lei Fu-Min , Huang Yuan
Published: December 2021

Silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) belongs to Phasianidae, Galliformes, which exhibits high subspecific differentiation. In this study, we assembled a novel genome based on 98.42 Gb of Illumina sequencing data and 30.20 Gb of PacBio sequencing data. The size of the final assembled genome was 1.01 Gb, with a contig N50 of 6.96 Mb. Illumina paired-end reads (94.96%) were remapped to the contigs. The assemble genome shows high completeness, with a complete BUSCO score of 92.35% using the avian data set. A total of 16,747 genes were predicted from the generated assembly, and 16,486 (98.44%) of the genes were annotated. The average length of genes, exons, and introns were 19,827.53, 233.69, and 1841.19 bp, respectively. Noncoding RNAs included 208 miRNAs, 40 rRNAs, and 264 tRNAs, and a total of 189 pseudogenes were identified; 116.31 Mb (11.47%) of the genome consisted of repeat sequences, with the greatest proportion of LINEs. This assembled genome provides a valuable reference genome for further studies on the evolutionary history and conversion genetics of L. nycthemera and the phylogenomics of the Galliformes lineage.
Orthotropic anisotropy analysis and parameter estimation from 3-D vertical seismic profile data
Authors: Asgharzadeh Mehdi , Ahmadi Pouya , Bóna Andrej , Urosevic Milovan
Published: December 2021

Orthotropic velocity models are commonly considered as to have the lowest complexity (or highest symmetry) that can realistically describe the combined effect of Earth’s velocity heterogeneity in the vertical and in the horizontal (radial) directions. Velocity heterogeneity in the vertical direction is commonly caused by horizontal stratification of subsurface rock layers with different elastic properties or caused intrinsically by microlayered rocks such as shales. In the horizontal direction, azimuthal variation of the Earth’s stress field can initially lead to preferential deformation of pore space in the rocks and eventual development of aligned (vertical) fractures that are commonly regarded as the main cause for seismic azimuthal anisotropy. Building an appropriate orthotropic velocity model that can explain seismic velocity variations in vertical planes and along any azimuthal direction can therefore enhance the quality of seismic data processing and imaging. This, however, requires knowledge of several anisotropy parameters defined in the three symmetry planes of the orthotropic model and also the orientation of these planes. A combination of P- and S-wave slowness and polarization data derived from vertical seismic profile (VSP) measurements has been routinely used to estimate parameters of less complex anisotropic media such as transverse isotropy with vertical axes of symmetry (VTI). The accuracy of anisotropy parameter estimation by these methods depends primarily on the availability of data that are used in the inversion and the size of anisotropy parameters. In this study, we develop a benchmark for the accuracy of orthotropic parameters that are estimated from 3-D VSP measurements using P-wave slowness only method. Through numerical analysis, we model a wide range of fracture-induced orthotropic symmetries by adding vertical fractures to a background VTI media and show that the accuracy of our orthotropic parameter estimation method is dependent on anisotropy in the host media, intensity of fracturing, noise level in slowness data and slowness data coverage in both the dip and azimuthal planes. We then expand our accuracy analysis work to multilayer media by examining the accuracy of P-wave slowness method for orthotropic anisotropy parameter estimation by inverting finite-difference data generated in a pseudo 3-D VSP experiment. We show that, for a typical 3-D VSP experiment, reasonable estimates of orthotropic parameters in the model can only be obtained with slowness data taken from Xmax/Z ≥ 1 and line azimuth interval ϕ ≤ 10° where Xmax is the maximum source to receiver offset and Z is the receiver depth. We finally describe how field VSP measurements can be inverted for orthotropic anisotropy parameters.
Zooming in and out: a holistic framework for research on maternal, late foetal and newborn survival and health
Authors: Singh Neha S , Blanchard Andrea K , Blencowe Hannah , Koon Adam D , Boerma Ties , Sharma Sudha , Campbell Oona M R
Published: December 2021

Research is needed to understand why some countries succeed in greater improvements in maternal, late foetal and newborn health (MNH) and reducing mortality than others. Pathways towards these health outcomes operate at many levels, making it difficult to understand which factors contribute most to these health improvements. Conceptual frameworks provide a cognitive means of rendering order to these factors and how they interrelate to positively influence MNH. We developed a conceptual framework by integrating theories and frameworks from different disciplines to encapsulate the range of factors that explain reductions in maternal, late foetal and neonatal mortality and improvements in health. We developed our framework iteratively, combining our interdisciplinary research team’s knowledge, experience and review of the literature. We present a framework that includes health policy and system levers (or intentional actions that policy-makers can implement) to improve MNH; service delivery and coverage of interventions across the continuum of care; and epidemiological and behavioural risk factors. The framework also considers the role of context in influencing for whom and where health and non-health efforts have the most impact, to recognize ‘the causes of the causes’ at play at the individual/household, community, national and transnational levels. Our framework holistically reflects the range of interrelated factors influencing improved MNH and survival. The framework lends itself to studying how different factors work together to influence these outcomes using an array of methods. Such research should inform future efforts to improve MNH and survival in different contexts. By re-orienting research in this way, we hope to equip policy-makers and practitioners alike with the insight necessary to make the world a safer and fairer place for mothers and their babies.
Politicians’ views on societal responsibility and possibility to promote newly arrived migrants’ health in Sweden
Authors: Svanholm Sara , Carlerby Heidi , Viitasara Eija
Published: December 2021

Newly arrived migrants in Sweden risk facing ill health. Politicians at the local and regional levels are involved in many decisions regarding the social determinants of health. The aim of this study was to explore politicians’ views on different societal actors’ responsibility and possibility to promote newly arrived migrants’ health. Data were collected through online questionnaires completed by 667 politicians from municipality and regional councils in northern Sweden. Bivariate analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed using cluster analysis and binary logistic regression analysis. The results show that politicians generally rate societal actors’ responsibility and possibility to promote the general population’s health higher than newly arrived migrants’ health. Moreover, they consider societal actors’ responsibility to be greater than their possibility to promote health. Factors significantly contributing to politicians’ high ratings of societal responsibility and possibility are attitude (odds ratio [OR] = 2.156, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.306–3.558), specific knowledge of newly arrived migrants’ health status (OR = 1.528, 95% CI: 1.005–2.323), personal interest in public health (OR = 2.452, 95% CI: 1.460–4.119), being a municipality politician (OR = 1.659, 95% CI: 1.031–2.670) and being female (OR = 1.934, 95% CI: 1.333–2.806). This study shows that politicians generally rate societal responsibility and possibility to promote newly arrived migrants’ health rather high. Personal characteristics are important for politicians’ high or low ratings of responsibility and possibility, suggesting insufficient structural support for politicians in health promotion.
Filing the world: Archives as cultural heritage and the power of remembering
Authors: Ghezzi Agnese
Published: December 2021

This article analyzes the relationship of archives to law and history, taking a critical look at the complex interplay between preservation, memory, and forgetting. Going beyond the idea of the archive as fixed and immovable, the article considers the archive in its dynamism, its chronological evolution, and its changing relations to both the state and the private individual. The article draws on examples from both national legislation and international bodies to highlight different problems arising from crucial dichotomies. The case of Italy shows how the significance of archives oscillates between historical and administrative; the French case underlines the clash between state secrecy and public access; and English-speaking countries bring about a discussion on the contrasts between private and public property. Cases of national as well as international bodies provide examples of archives’ relationship to memory and oblivion, as well as of global and local management. The article considers how the establishment of dedicated institutions, guidelines, and constraints shapes the process of document preservation and access, enabling or frustrating the dissemination of historical awareness, administrative transparency, and human rights recognition.
The Human Rights Approach to the Refugee Definition: Rising Sun or Falling Star?
Authors: Storey Hugo
Published: December 2021

Until recently, the human rights approach to the refugee definition appeared destined to become a permanent feature of international refugee law. Now, however, doubts have set in. The object of this article is to address the main criticisms that have been levelled and to seek to put them in a wider perspective, reflecting briefly on where the law on refugee status is heading now that the 1951 Refugee Convention has entered its eighth decade. To this end, this article commences with a description of the human rights approach and a brief summary of how and why it came to become the ‘dominant’ approach and its underlying justifications. It then turns to consider the major criticisms raised, breaking these down into three clusters. The first cluster seeks to argue that such an approach is not warranted by proper application of the rules of treaty interpretation enjoined by the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. The second cluster identifies a number of other conceptual concerns: that such an approach depends on extraneous standards that lack refugee specificity; that it substitutes one set of indeterminate terms for another (for example, torture as one form of persecution); that it is unduly complex and unwieldy; that it wrongly assumes an equivalency between international refugee law and international human rights norms; and that it promotes a ‘principle of surrogacy’ that lacks any clear foundation. A third cluster dwells on the deficiencies of the human rights approach as a paradigm when examined from an empirical and comparative perspective: its failure to have become entrenched at a global level; its ‘sheer variety’ and lack of any clear contents; and its failure to help with difficult questions of refugee law. The article seeks to rebut these criticisms one by one and, in the course of doing so, to highlight the ways in which, far from being in decline, the human rights approach is a rising sun rather than a falling star.
Sequential Delivery of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Ferret Model Can Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Shedding and Does Not Result in Enhanced Lung Pathology
Authors: Ryan Kathryn A , Schewe Katarzyna E , Crowe Jonathan , Fotheringham Susan A , Hall Yper , Humphreys Richard , Marriott Anthony C , Paterson Jemma , Rayner Emma , Salguero Francisco J , Watson Robert J , Whittaker Catherine J , Carroll Miles W , Dibben Oliver
Published: December 2021

Cocirculation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses could pose unpredictable risks to health systems globally, with recent studies suggesting more severe disease outcomes in coinfected patients. The initial lack of a readily available coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine has reinforced the importance of influenza vaccine programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is an important tool in protecting against influenza, particularly in children. However, it is unknown whether LAIV administration influences the outcomes of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection or disease. To investigate this, quadrivalent LAIV was administered to ferrets 3 days before or after SARS-CoV-2 infection. LAIV administration did not exacerbate the SARS-CoV-2 disease course or lung pathology with either regimen. In addition, LAIV administered before SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication and shedding in the upper respiratory tract. This study demonstrated that LAIV administration in close proximity to SARS-CoV-2 infection does not exacerbate mild disease and can reduce SARS-CoV-2 shedding.
COVID-19 Cluster Linked to Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via Floor Drains
Authors: Han Taewon , Park Heedo , Jeong Yungje , Lee Jungmin , Shon Eungyeong , Park Man-Seong , Sung Minki
Published: December 2021

Background

Recently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission through exposure to aerosols has been suggested. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of aerosol SARS-CoV-2 transmission within an apartment complex where residents reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 despite having no direct contact with other SARS-CoV-2–infected people.

Methods

Information on symptom onset and exposure history of the patients was collected by global positioning system (GPS) tracking to investigate possible points of contact or spread. Samples collected from patients and from various areas of the complex were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed.

Results

Of 19 people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 5 reported no direct contact with other residents and were from apartments in the same vertical line. Eight environmental samples tested positive for the virus. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 3 of the positive cases and 1 environmental sample belonged to the B.1.497 lineage. Additionally, 3 clinical specimens and 1 environmental sample from each floor of the complex had the same amino acid substitution in the ORF1ab region.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 transmission possibly occurs between different floors of an apartment building through aerosol transmission via nonfunctioning drain traps.
An open randomized multicentre Phase 2 trial to assess the safety of DAV132 and its efficacy to protect gut microbiota diversity in hospitalized patients treated with fluoroquinolones
Authors: Vehreschild Maria J. G. T. , Ducher Annie , Louie Thomas , Cornely Oliver A. , Feger Celine , Dane Aaron , Varastet Marina , Vitry Fabien , de Gunzburg Jean , Andremont Antoine , Mentré France , Wilcox Mark H.
Published: December 2021

Background

DAV132 (colon-targeted adsorbent) has prevented antibiotic-induced effects on microbiota in healthy volunteers.

Objectives

To assess DAV132 safety and biological efficacy in patients.

Patients and methods

An open-label, randomized [stratification: fluoroquinolone (FQ) indication] multicentre trial comparing DAV132 (7.5 g, 3 times a day, orally) with No-DAV132 in hospitalized patients requiring 5–21 day treatment with FQs and at risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). FQ and DAV132 were started simultaneously, DAV132 was administered for 48 h more, and patients were followed up for 51 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of adverse events (AEs) independently adjudicated as related to DAV132 and/or FQ. The planned sample size of 260 patients would provide a 95% CI of ±11.4%, assuming a 33% treatment-related AE rate. Plasma and faecal FQ concentrations, intestinal microbiota diversity, intestinal colonization with C. difficile, MDR bacteria and yeasts, and ex vivo resistance to C. difficile faecal colonization were assessed.

Results

Two hundred and forty-three patients (median age 71 years; 96% with chronic comorbidity) were included (No-DAV132, n = 120; DAV132, n = 123). DAV132- and/or FQ-related AEs did not differ significantly: 18 (14.8%) versus 13 (10.8%) in DAV132 versus No-DAV132 patients (difference 3.9%; 95% CI: −4.7 to 12.6). Day 4 FQ plasma levels were unaffected. DAV132 was associated with a >98% reduction in faecal FQ levels (Day 4 to end of treatment; P < 0.001), less impaired microbiota diversity (Shannon index; P = 0.003), increased ex vivo resistance to C. difficile colonization (P = 0.0003) and less frequent FQ-induced VRE acquisition (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

In FQ-treated hospitalized patients, DAV132 was well tolerated, and FQ plasma concentrations unaffected. DAV132 preserved intestinal microbiota diversity and C. difficile colonization resistance.