bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrative Review of Measuring Caregiver Burden in Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Tyo Mirinda Brown , McCurry Mary K.
Published: June 2020

Background

Family caregivers contribute to engagement in treatment and adherence, reduced substance misuse and relapse, and increased well-being of recipients with substance use disorder. However, providing care has also been associated with negative emotional and physical health outcomes for caregivers. The purpose of this integrative review was to determine what instruments are used to measure caregiver burden in informal caregivers of individuals with substance use disorder.

Methods

An integrative review framework was applied to examine empirical and theoretical literature to answer the guiding research question, “How is caregiver burden measured in caregivers of individuals with substance use disorder?” PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsychINFO were searched using a combination of search terms. The initial 1,198 articles were narrowed to 32 that fit the search criteria and purpose of the review.

Results

A variety of scales have been used to measure caregiver burden. Caregiver burden is operationalized as objective or subjective burden. Objective burden refers to changes in the home, finances, employment, social life, and leisure, whereas subjective burden refers to the emotional reaction of the caregiver in coping with providing care. Caregiver burden was most often reported as moderate to severe in populations with substance use disorder. Attributes measured included anxiety, depression, stress, worry, displeasure, care recipient behavioral problems and substance abuse, stigma, relationship strain, financial expenses, social support, family disruption, and the effect on caregiver physical and emotional health.

Conclusions

Specific instruments that can accurately evaluate objective and subjective caregiver burden are needed to measure the quality of caregiver health. More research is necessary to better understand the physical and emotional health of caregivers of persons with substance use disorder and the factors that contribute to increased quality of life. Understanding the relationship between outcomes and protective factors could help nurses to develop prevention strategies and treatment interventions aimed at decreasing the psychosocial trauma and stress associated with caregiver burden.
Early Inflammatory Measures and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants
Authors: Nist Marliese Dion , Shoben Abigail B. , Pickler Rita H.
Published: June 2020

Background

Inflammation may be an important predictor of long-term neurodevelopment in preterm infants. The identification of specific inflammatory biomarkers that predict outcomes is an important research goal.

Objectives

The purpose of this analysis was to identify associations between an early measure of inflammation and neurodevelopment in very preterm infants and to identify differences in the relationship between inflammation and neurodevelopment based on infant gender and race.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial of a caregiving intervention for preterm infants born less than 33 weeks postmenstrual age. Plasma was collected with a clinically indicated laboratory draw by neonatal intensive care unit nurses and analyzed by multiplex assay for cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Neurobehavior was assessed by research nurses at the time of discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit using the motor development and vigor and alertness/orientation clusters from the Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 6 months corrected age by the developmental specialist in the hospital’s neonatal follow-up clinic using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Third Edition. We used linear regressions to estimate the effect of cytokine levels on neurodevelopment and allowed the effects to differ by infant gender and race.

Results

In a sample of 62 preterm infants with discharge neurobehavioral assessments and a sample of 40 preterm infants with 6-month neurodevelopmental assessments, we found inconsistent associations between single-time point inflammatory measures and neurobehavior or neurodevelopment in analyses of the total sample. However, regressions with interactions revealed effects for multiple inflammatory measures on early neurobehavior and neurodevelopment that differed by infant gender and race.

Discussion

Although early single-time point measures of inflammation may be insufficient to predict neurodevelopment for all preterm infants, the effect of inflammation appears to differ by infant gender and race. These demographic factors may be important considerations for future studies of inflammation and neurodevelopment as well was the development of future interventions to optimize outcomes.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Septic Arthritis With Contiguous Infection Consistent With Acute Osteomyelitis
Authors: Russ-Friedman Courtney , Coates Kevin , Torabi Maha , Palavecino Elizabeth L. , McNeil Candice J.
Published: June 2020

Neisseria gonorrhoeae osteomyelitis is a rare complication of disseminated gonococcal infection. As the rates of N. gonorrhoeae continue to increase in the United States, clinicians may encounter patients with disseminated gonococcal infection complicated by gonococcal osteomyelitis. Screening and appropriate treatment of N. gonorrhoeae remains paramount, especially with growing antibiotic resistance.
Passing a Healthy Homes Initiative: Using Modeling to Inform Evidence-Based Policy Decision Making in Kansas City, Missouri
Authors: Rhoads Natalie , Martin Sarah , Zimmerman Frederick J.
Published: June 2020

Context and Setting:

Kansas City, Missouri, experiences substantial racial/ethnic health disparities, particularly associated with that city's high level of residential segregation. Among the risk factors for poor health are substandard housing, particularly common in African American neighborhoods, which lead to asthma and therefore to school absences. A 2018 ballot initiative in Kansas City, Missouri, would allow health inspectors to investigate complaints of poor or hazardous conditions in rental housing.

Objectives:

Because the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department cannot legally advocate directly for voter support of public health policies, department staff used outside consultants to demonstrate the potential positive impact of environmental initiatives.

Design:

The Win-Win model provides a standardized, unbiased economic analysis of interventions to help public health officials make informed policy and program decisions and engage in cross-sectoral collaboration.

Results:

The Win-Win model found that if an asthma home remediation program were provided for almost 7000 low-income children in Kansas City, it would result in 55 000 fewer days of missed school annually among other promising outcomes. The model also showed a $1.67 return-on-investment to local and state government for each dollar spent and a 3-year breakeven point. The results from the Win-Win model were integrated into Kansas City's Community Health Improvement Plan and made available on the Win-Win Project Web site. The proposed law to promote rental inspections passed with 57% of the vote.

Conclusions:

The model results allowed for an informed, unbiased point of evidence that the health department could present to community groups and elected officials leading up to the vote on the health inspection initiative.
Breast Implant Imaging Surveillance among U.S. Plastic Surgeons: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Recommendations versus Clinical Reality
Authors: Carr Logan W. , Roberts John , Mericli Alex F. , Liu Jun , Arribas Elsa M. , Clemens Mark W.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Device rupture is considered a major complication associated with breast implants. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) surveillance 3 years after implantation and then every 2 years, but adherence to these recommendations is poor. The authors identified current practice management for breast implant rupture surveillance by surveying practicing U.S. plastic surgeons.

Methods:

An online survey of all active members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons was performed. Questions analyzed imaging practice patterns related to breast implants. Logistic regression models were used to analyze determinants for radiographic imaging in breast implant patients.

Results:

The survey had a response rate of 16.5 percent. For patients with breast implants, 37.7 percent of respondents recommended MRI at the recommended intervals. Fifty-five percent perform imaging only if there is a problem with the implant. Academic surgeons more frequently recommended MRI (56.3 percent and 39.3 percent; p = 0.0002). Surgeons with less than 5 years of experience are four times more likely to order MRI than surgeons with over 25 years’ experience (60.8 percent and 28.1 percent; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, lower volume surgeons recommend significantly more MRI (45.2 percent and 27.3 percent; p = 0.001). Respondents are almost two times more likely to recommend MRI in reconstructive versus cosmetic patients (51.2 percent and 35.6 percent; p = 0.0004).

Conclusions:

MRI limitations include high costs, time commitments, and equipment constraints. Fewer than 40 percent of survey respondents suggest the recommended screening frequency to their patients; however, academic, low-volume, early-career surgeons are more likely to recommend MRI implant monitoring. Screening recommendations need to be evidence based and align with common practices to prevent undue system, provider, and patient burden.
Contemporary Analysis of Rhytidectomy Using the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons Database with 13,346 Patients
Authors: Chopan Mustafa , Samant Sonja , Mast Bruce A.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Rhytidectomy is a popular procedure for facial rejuvenation, but an up-to-date, comprehensive, and broadly representative appraisal is lacking.

Methods:

A cohort of patients undergoing rhytidectomy between 2008 and 2016 was identified from the Tracking Outcomes in Plastic Surgery database. Perioperative data and patient characteristics were analyzed with respect to adverse events. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify association of complications with various risk factors.

Results:

A total of 13,346 patients with a mean age of 60 years underwent rhytidectomies and a total of 31,206 Current Procedural Terminology procedures. Most were healthy women with an American Society of Anesthesiologists class of 1 or 2 (98 percent). On average, 2.3 procedures were performed in 3.8 hours per patient, and blepharoplasty was the most common adjunctive procedure. Fifty percent of operations were performed in office-based settings, and general anesthesia utilized in 63 percent of cases. The incidence of adverse events was 5.1 percent, with hematomas and infections as the most frequent surgical complications. Male gender, obesity, current smoker, duration, combined procedures, general anesthesia, and office-based surgery were associated with increased odds of adverse events.

Conclusions:

This is the largest outcomes analysis of face-lift surgery in a patient population solely representative of board-certified plastic surgeons. Rhytidectomy is a very safe procedure when performed by board-certified plastic surgeons. Nevertheless, risk factors for complications are identified, several of which can be affected by surgeon choice of surgical venue, additive procedures, duration of operation, and type of anesthetic. The study provides a standard reference for professionals when counseling patients and in guiding clinical practices.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Risk, III.
Simultaneous Midface Advancement and Orthognathic Surgery: A Powerful Technique for Managing Midface Hypoplasia and Malocclusion
Authors: Hammoudeh Jeffrey A. , Goel Pedram , Wolfswinkel Erik M. , Fahradyan Artur , Vartanian Emma , Garg Ravi , Williams Madeleine S. , Khansa Ibrahim , Urata Mark M.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Midface hypoplasia dramatically affects the normative facial cascade. Simultaneous Le Fort III and Le Fort I procedures (Le Fort III/I) provide a powerful tool for achieving significant midface advancement. This study presents the authors’ approach for addressing midface hypoplasia in the setting of class III malocclusion using Le Fort III/I advancement.

Methods:

This was an institutional review board–approved retrospective review of patients who underwent Le Fort III/I advancement at the authors’ institution from 2009 to 2019. Demographic, surgical, and postoperative data were recorded. The authors’ operative technique and surgical pearls are described.

Results:

Twenty-five patients met inclusion criteria, 15 male patients (60 percent) and 10 female patients (40 percent). Patient age ranged from 14.9 to 21.6 years. Diagnoses included Crouzon syndrome, nonsyndromic developmental skeletal dysplasia, cleft lip/palate, Klippel-Feil syndrome, Apert syndrome, Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome, and Pfeiffer syndrome. Le Fort III advancements averaged 6.18 ± 1.38 mm and Le Fort I advancements averaged 6.70 ± 2.48 mm. Thirteen patients underwent simultaneous bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with average movement of 5.85 ± 1.21 mm. Average follow-up was 1.3 ± 1.0 years. One patient experienced intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak that resolved with expectant management. Three patients experienced major complications (12 percent) postoperatively necessitating repeated orthognathic operations. Ten patients experienced minor complications (40 percent). Average length of stay was 10 days, with all patients achieving improvement of their facial profile.

Conclusions:

The authors’ experience reaffirms the relative safety of simultaneous Le Fort III/I advancement. This technique should be considered in select patients with global midface retrusion and class III malocclusion.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Thirty Years Later: What Has Craniofacial Distraction Osteogenesis Surgery Replaced?
Authors: Hopper Richard A. , Ettinger Russell E. , Purnell Chad A. , Dover M. Stephen , Pereira Alberto Rocha , Tunçbilek Gökhan
Published: June 2020

Learning Objectives:

After studying this article and viewing the video, the participant should be able to: 1. Compare the relative stability and neurosensory changes following mandible distraction osteogenesis with those after traditional advancement and fixation. 2. Describe the condylar changes that can occur after mandible distraction osteogenesis and list three ways to mitigate these changes. 3. Propose clinical situations where segmental or rotational movements of the midface may allow improved outcomes compared to en bloc linear distraction advancement. 4. Summarize the advantages and risks associated with anterior and posterior cranial distraction osteogenesis compared to traditional one-stage expansion.

Over the past 30 years, distraction forces have been applied to the spectrum of craniofacial osteotomies. It is now time to assess critically the current understanding of distraction in craniofacial surgery, identifying both traditional procedures it has replaced and those it has not. This article provides a review of comparative studies and expert opinion on the current state of craniofacial distraction compared with traditional operations. Through this critical evaluation, the reader will be able to identify when distraction techniques are appropriate, when traditional techniques are more favorable, and what the future of distraction osteogenesis is.
Actinomyces wuliandei sp. nov., Corynebacterium liangguodongii sp. nov., Corynebacterium yudongzhengii sp. nov. and Oceanobacillus zhaokaii sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelope in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China
Authors: Zhu Wentao , Li Junqin , Wang Xiaoxia , Yang Jing , Lu Shan , Lai Xin-He , Jin Dong , Huang Yuyuan , Zhang Sihui , Pu Ji , Zhou Juan , Ren Zhihong , Huang Ying , Wu Xiaomin , Xu Jianguo
Published: June 2020

Eight Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelopes on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau of China. Genomic sequence analysis showed that the strains belong to the genera

Actinomyces

(strains 299T and 340),

Corynebacterium

(strains 2184T, 2185, 2183T and 2189) and

Oceanobacillus

(strains 160T and 143), respectively, with a percentage of similarity for the 16S rRNA gene under the species threshold of 98.7 % except for strains 160T and 143 with

Oceanobacillus arenosus

CAU 1183T (98.8 %). The genome sizes (and genomic G+C contents) were 3.1 Mb (49.4 %), 2.5 Mb (64.9 %), 2.4 Mb (66.1 %) and 4.1 Mb (37.1 %) for the type strains 299T, 2183T, 2184T and 160T, respectively. Two sets of the overall genome relatedness index values between our isolates and their corresponding closely related species were under species thresholds (95 % for average nucleotide identity, and 70 % for digital DNA–DNA hybridization). These results, together with deeper genotypic, genomic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, indicate that these eight isolates should be classified as representing four novel species. Strain 299T (=CGMCC 1.16320T=JCM 33611T) is proposed as representing Actinomyces wuliandei sp. nov.; strain 2184T (=CGMCC 1.16417T=DSM 106203T) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium liangguodongii sp. nov.; strain 2183T (=CGMCC 1.16416T=DSM 106264T) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium yudongzhengii sp. nov.; and strain 160T (=CGMCC 1.16367T=DSM 106186T) is proposed as representing Oceanobacillus zhaokaii sp. nov.
Assessing the genomic relatedness and evolutionary rates of persistent verotoxigenic Escherichia coli serotypes within a closed beef herd in Canada
Authors: Wang Lu Ya Ruth , Jokinen Cassandra C. , Laing Chad R. , Johnson Roger P. , Ziebell Kim , Gannon Victor P. J.
Published: June 2020

Verotoxigenic

Escherichia coli

(VTEC) are food- and water-borne pathogens associated with both sporadic illness and outbreaks of enteric disease. While it is known that cattle are reservoirs of VTEC, little is known about the genomic variation of VTEC in cattle, and whether the variation in genomes reported for human outbreak strains is consistent with individual animal or group/herd sources of infection. A previous study of VTEC prevalence identified serotypes carried persistently by three consecutive cohorts of heifers within a closed herd of cattle. This present study aimed to: (i) determine whether the genomic relatedness of bovine isolates is similar to that reported for human strains associated with single source outbreaks, (ii) estimate the rates of genome change among dominant serotypes over time within a cattle herd, and (iii) identify genomic features of serotypes associated with persistence in cattle. Illumina MiSeq genome sequencing and genotyping based on allelic and single nucleotide variations were completed, while genome change over time was measured using Bayesian evolutionary analysis sampling trees. The accessory genome, including the non-protein-encoding intergenic regions (IGRs), virulence factors, antimicrobial-resistance genes and plasmid gene content of representative persistent and sporadic cattle strains were compared using Fisher’s exact test corrected for multiple comparisons. Herd strains from serotypes O6:H34 (n=22), O22:H8 (n=30), O108:H8 (n=39), O139:H19 (n=44) and O157:H7 (n=106) were readily distinguishable from epidemiologically unrelated strains of the same serotype using a similarity threshold of 10 or fewer allele differences between adjacent nodes. Temporal-cohort clustering within each serotype was supported by date randomization analysis. Substitutions per site per year were consistent with previously reported values for

E. coli

; however, there was low branch support for these values. Acquisition of the phage-encoded Shiga toxin 2 gene in serotype O22:H8 was observed. Pan-genome analyses identified accessory regions that were more prevalent in persistent serotypes (P≤0.05) than in sporadic serotypes. These results suggest that VTEC serotypes from a specific cattle population are highly clonal with a similar level of relatedness as human single-source outbreak-associated strains, but changes in the genome occur gradually over time. Additionally, elements in the accessory genomes may provide a selective advantage for persistence of VTEC within cattle herds.
Role of quorum sensing in UVA-induced biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pezzoni Magdalena , Pizarro Ramón A. , Costa Cristina S.
Published: June 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a versatile bacterium present in terrestrial and aquatic environments and a relevant opportunistic human pathogen, is largely known for the production of robust biofilms. The unique properties of these structures complicate biofilm eradication, because they make the biofilms very resistant to diverse antibacterial agents. Biofilm development and establishment is a complex process regulated by multiple regulatory genetic systems, among them is quorum sensing (QS), a mechanism employed by bacteria to regulate gene transcription in response to population density. In addition, environmental factors such as UVA radiation (400–315 nm) have been linked to biofilm formation. In this work, we further investigate the mechanism underlying the induction of biofilm formation by UVA, analysing the role of QS in this phenomenon. We demonstrate that UVA induces key genes of the Las and Rhl QS systems at the transcriptional level. We also report thatpelAandpslAgenes, which are essential for biofilm formation and whose transcription depends in part on QS, are significantly induced under UVA exposure. Finally, the results demonstrate that in arelAstrain (impaired for ppGpp production), the UVA treatment does not induce biofilm formation or QS genes, suggesting that the increase of biofilm formation due to exposure to UVA inP. aeruginosacould rely on a ppGpp-dependent QS induction.
Whi5 is diluted and protein synthesis does not dramatically increase in pre-StartG1
Authors: Schmoller Kurt M. , Lanz Michael C. , Kim Jacob , Koivomagi Mardo , Qu Yimiao , Tang Chao , Kukhtevich Igor V. , Schneider Robert , Rudolf Fabian , Moreno David F. , Aldea Martí , Lucena Rafael , Kellogg Doug , Skotheim Jan M.
Published: June 2020

In their manuscript, Litsios et al.1report a new model for how cell growth and biosynthetic activity control the G1/S transition in budding yeast. In essence, Litsios et al. claim thatStartis driven by an increasing concentration of the G1 cyclin Cln3 due to a dramatic acceleration of protein synthesis in pre-StartG1 and not by the dilution of the cell cycle inhibitor Whi5. While we previously reported thatStartwas in part driven by cell growth during G1 diluting out theStartinhibitor Whi52, Litsios et al. report that Whi5 remains at constant concentration during G1, and changes in Whi5 concentration therefore do not contribute toStart.

Since Litsios et al. directly contradict several key points of our own model of how cell growth triggersStart, we decided to investigate their claims and data. More specifically, we decided to investigate Litsios et al.’s three major claims:

Whi5 concentration remains constant during G1

Cln3 concentration strongly increases prior toStart

Global protein synthesis rates increase by 2-3 fold prior toStart

We investigated each of these three claims and found that the evidence presented by Litsios et al. does not support their claims due to inadequate analysis methods and flaws in their experiments.
A globally threatened shark,Carcharias taurus, shows no population decline in South Africa
Authors: Klein Juliana D. , Bester-van der Merwe Aletta E. , Dicken Matthew L. , Emami-Khoyi Arsalan , Mmonwa Kolobe L. , Teske Peter R.
Published: June 2020

Knowledge about the demographic histories of natural populations helps to evaluate their conservation status, and potential impacts of natural and anthropogenic pressures. In particular, estimates of effective population size obtained through molecular data can provide useful information to guide management decisions for vulnerable populations. The spotted ragged-tooth sharkCarcharias taurus(also known as the sandtiger or grey nurse shark) is widely distributed in warm-temperate and subtropical waters, but has suffered severe population declines across much of its range as a result of overexploitation. Here, we used multilocus genotype data to investigate the demographic history of the South AfricanC. tauruspopulation. Using approximate Bayesian computation and likelihood-based importance sampling, it was found that the population underwent a historical range expansion that may have been linked to climatic changes during the late Pleistocene. There was no evidence for a recent anthropogenic decline. Together with census data suggesting a stable population, these results support the idea that fishing pressure and other threats have so far not been detrimental to the localC. Tauruspopulation. The results reported here indicate that South Africa could possibly harbour the last remaining, relatively pristine population of this widespread but vulnerable top predator.
Genetic analysis confirms the presence ofDicrocoelium dendriticumin the Himalaya ranges of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asim , Afshan Kiran , Nazar Muddassar , Firasat Sabika , Chaudhry Umer , Sargison Neil D.
Published: June 2020

Lancet liver flukes of the genusDicrocoelium(Trematoda: Digenea) are recognised parasites of domestic and wild herbivores. The aim of the present study was to address a lack of knowledge of lancet flukes in the Himalaya ranges of Pakistan by characterisingDicrocoeliumspecies collected from the Chitral valley. The morphology of 48 flukes belonging to eight host populations was examined in detail and according to published keys, they were identified as eitherD. dendriticumorDicrocoelium chinensis. PCR and sequencing of fragments of ribosomal cistron DNA, and cytochrome oxidase-1 (COX-1) and NADH dehydrogenase-1 (ND-1) mitochondrial DNA from 34, 14 and 3 flukes revealed 10, 4 and 1 unique haplotypes, respectively. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in these haplotypes were used to differentiate betweenD. chinensisandD. dendriticum, and confirm the molecular species identity of each of the lancet flukes asD. dendriticum. Phylogenetic comparison of theD. dendriticumrDNA, COX-1 and ND-1 sequences with those fromD. chinensis, Fasciola hepaticaandFasciola giganticaspecies was performed to assess within and between species variation and validate the use of species-specific markers forD. dendriticum. Genetic variations betweenD. dendriticumpopulations derived from different locations in the Himalaya ranges of Pakistan illustrate the potential impact of animal movements on gene flow. This work provides a proof of concept for the validation of species-specificD. dendriticummarkers and is the first molecular confirmation of this parasite species from the Himalaya ranges of Pakistan. The characterisation of this parasite will allow research questions to be addressed on its ecology, biological diversity, and epidemiology.
Carcass Scavenging Relaxes Chemical-Driven Female Interference Competition
Authors: Bagchi Basabi , Seal Srijan , Raina Manasven , Nath Basu Dipendra , Khan Imroze
Published: June 2020

Female-female nonsexual interference competition is rapidly emerging as a major fitness determinant of biased sex-ratio groups with high female density. How do females overcome such competition? We used adult flour beetleTribolium castaneumto answer this question, where females from female-biased groups suppressed each other’s fecundity by secreting toxic quinones from their stink glands, revealing a chemical-driven interference competition. The added natal resource did not alleviate these fitness costs. Females also did not disperse more at high female-density. Hence, the competition was neither limited by the total resource availability nor the inability to avoid chemical interference. Instead, protein sequestered via scavenging of nutrient-rich carcasses relaxed the female competition, by increasing their fecundity and reducing the quinone content. Even infected carcasses were scavenged to extract fitness benefits, despite the infection-risk. Finally, individual stink gland components triggered carcass-scavenging to increase fecundity, indicating a potentially novel chemical feedback loop to reduce the competition.
The rise and fall of novel ecological communities
Authors: Pandolfi John M. , Staples Timothy L. , Kiessling Wolfgang
Published: June 2020

Local and global environmental change is transforming ecological assemblages into new configurations, resulting in ecosystems with novel communities. Here we develop a robust methodology for the identification of novel communities, examine patterns in their natural chance of occurrence, and quantify the probability of local extinction, emigration, local origination and immigration in transitions to and from novel communities. Using a global dataset of Cenozoic marine plankton communities, we found the probability of local extinction, origination and emigration during transitions to a novel community increased up to four times that of background community changes, with the probability of species loss about equal to that of species gain. Although rare, once a novel community state emerged, the chance of shifting into another novel community state was five times greater than expected by chance. Thus, for marine planktonic communities at 100K year time scales, novel communities are particularly sensitive to further extinctions and community shift.

One Sentence Summary

Once developed, novel ecological communities face increased susceptibility to further shifts in species composition, with heightened extinction risk.
Are adversities and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic related to sleep quality? Longitudinal analyses of 48,000 UK adults
Authors: Wright Liam , Steptoe Andrew , Fancourt Daisy
Published: June 2020

There are concerns that both the experience of adversities during the COVID-19 pandemic and worries about experiencing adversities will have substantial and lasting effects on mental health. One pathway through which both experience of and worries about adversity may impact health is through effects on sleep. We used data from 48,723 UK adults in the COVID-19 Social Study assessed weekly from 01/04/2020-12/05/2020 to study the association between adversities and sleep quality. We studied six categories of adversity including both worries and experiences of: illness with COVID-19, financial difficulty, loss of paid work, difficulties acquiring medication, difficulties accessing food, and threats to personal safety. We used random-effect within-between models to account for all time-invariant confounders. Both the total number of adversity experiences and total number of adversity worries were associated with lower quality sleep. Each additional experience was associated with a 1.16 (95% CI = 1.10, 1.22) times higher odds of poor quality sleep while each additional worry was associated with a 1.20 (95% CI = 1.17, 1.22) times higher odds of poor quality sleep. When considering specific experiences and worries, all worries and experiences were significantly related to poorer quality sleep except experiences relating to employment and finances. Having a larger social network offered some buffering effects on associations but there was limited further evidence of moderation by social or psychiatric factors. Poor sleep may be a mechanism by which COVID-19 adversities are affecting mental health. This highlights the importance of interventions that support adaptive coping strategies during the pandemic.
Comparative assessment of multiple COVID-19 serological technologies supports continued evaluation of point-of-care lateral flow assays in hospital and community healthcare settings
Authors: Pickering Suzanne , Betancor Gilberto , Galão Rui Pedro , Merrick Blair , Signell Adrian W. , Wilson Harry D. , Ik Mark Tan Kia , Seow Jeffrey , Graham Carl , Acors Sam , Kouphou Neophytos , Steel Kathryn J.A. , Hemmings Oliver , Patel Amita , Nebbia Gaia , Douthwaite Sam , O’Connell Lorcan , Luptak Jakub , McCoy Laura E. , Brouwer Philip , Gils Marit J. van , Sanders Rogier W. , Nunez Rocio Martinez , Bisnauthsing Karen , O’Hara Geraldine , MacMahon Eithne , Batra Rahul , Malim Michael H. , Neil Stuart J.D. , Doores Katie J. , Edgeworth Jonathan D.
Published: June 2020

There is a clear requirement for an accurate SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, both as a complement to existing diagnostic capabilities and for determining community seroprevalence. We therefore evaluated the performance of a variety of antibody testing technologies and their potential as diagnostic tools. A highly specific in-house ELISA was developed for the detection of anti-spike (S), -receptor binding domain (RBD) and -nucleocapsid (N) antibodies and used for the cross-comparison of ten commercial serological assays – a chemiluminescence-based platform, two ELISAs and seven colloidal gold lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) – on an identical panel of 110 SARS-CoV-2-positive samples and 50 pre-pandemic negatives. There was a wide variation in the performance of the different platforms, with specificity ranging from 82% to 100%, and overall sensitivity from 60.9% to 87.3%. However, the head-to-head comparison of multiple sero-diagnostic assays on identical sample sets revealed that performance is highly dependent on the time of sampling, with sensitivities of over 95% seen in several tests when assessing samples from more than 20 days post onset of symptoms. Furthermore, these analyses identified clear outlying samples that were negative in all tests, but were later shown to be from individuals with mildest disease presentation. Rigorous comparison of antibody testing platforms will inform the deployment of point-of-care technologies in healthcare settings and their use in the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Testing the effects of the timing of application of preventative procedures against COVID-19: An insight for future measures such as local emergency brakes
Authors: Scullion Francis , Scullion Geraldine
Published: June 2020

As many countries plan to lift lockdown measures aimed at suppression of COVID-19, data from early regional epidemics in Italy were analysed to ascertain the effectiveness of the timing of preventative measures. The cumulative caseload data were extracted from regional epidemics in Italy. Epidemic features in regions where lockdown was applied early were compared to those where lockdown was applied later for statistical differences. There were statistically significant differences in the timing of the peak, the cumulative incidence at peak and the case/km2 at peak between regions where the lockdown had been applied early and those where it was applied late. The peak occurred 7 days earlier with four times less cases/km2 in regions where the lockdown was applied within 10 days of the start of the epidemic. Cumulative caseloads, cases/km2 and/or the number of days into an epidemic can be used to plan future localised suppression measures as part of a national post-lockdown policy. There were 350 (95% confidence interval (CI) 203) cumulative cases and 2.4 (CI 1.1) cases/km2 on day 8 of the regional epidemics.
Serological assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in northern Sweden by the use of at-home sampling to meet geographical challenges in rural regions
Authors: Byström Julia Wigren , Vikström Linnea , Rosendal Ebba , Gröning Remigius , Gwon Yong-Dae , Nilsson Emma , Sharma Atin , Espaillat Akbar , Hanke Leo , McInerney Gerald , Puhar Andrea , Cava Felipe , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B , Thunberg Therese , Monsen Tor , Elgh Fredrik , Evander Magnus , Johansson Anders , Överby Anna K , Ahlm Clas , Normark Johan , Forsell Mattias NE
Published: June 2020

The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted a need for easy and safe blood sampling in combination with accurate serological methodology. Venipuncture is usually performed by trained staff at health care centers. Long travel distances may introduce a bias of testing towards relatively large communities with close access to health care centers. Rural regions may thus be overlooked. Here, we demonstrate a sensitive method to measure antibodies to the S-protein of SARS-CoV-2. We adapted and optimized this assay for clinical use together with capillary blood sampling to meet the geographical challenges of serosurveillance. Finally, we tested remote at-home capillary blood sampling together with centralized assessment of S-specific IgG in a rural region of northern Scandinavia that encompasses 55,185 sq kilometers. We conclude that serological assessment from capillary blood sampling gives comparable results as analysis of venous blood. Importantly, at-home sampling enabled citizens living in remote rural areas access to centralized and sensitive laboratory antibody tests.
Consumption of breast milk, formula and other non-human milk by children aged under two years: analysis of 86 low and middle income countries
Authors: Neves Paulo A. R. , Barros Aluisio J.D. , Baker Phillip , Piwoz Ellen , Santos Thiago M. , Gatica-Domínguez Giovanna , Vaz Juliana S. , Rollins Nigel , Victora Cesar G.
Published: June 2020

Background

Consumption of breast milk substitutes (BMS) by children aged under six months in low and middle income countries (LMICs) is directly driven by country income and family wealth. Multi-country investigations on the consumption of BMS by older children (6–23 months) are lacking.

Methods

Using data from 86 nationally representative surveys carried out in LMICs from 2010 onwards, we analyzed the prevalence of continued breastfeeding at one and two years, and frequency of consumption of formula and other non-human milk by age in months. Indicators were estimated through 24-hour dietary recall. Absolute and relative wealth indicators were used to describe within- and between-country socioeconomic inequalities. Results were stratified by country income groups.

Findings

Breastfeeding declined sharply as children became older in all LMICs, especially in upper-middle income countries. Formula consumption peaked at six months of age in low and lower-middle income countries, and at around 12 months in upper-middle income countries. Consumption of formula at any age higher in children from wealthier families in all countries, while breastfeeding was more common among poor children. Multilevel linear regression analysis showed that consumption of formula was positively associated while breastfeeding was negatively associated with absolute national income. Factors at country level explained a substantial proportion of overall variability in formula use and breastfeeding.

Interpretation

Infant and young child feeding practices vary strongly according to wealth, both within and between countries. Breastfeeding falls sharply as children become older, especially in wealthier families living in upper-middle income countries; this is also the group with highest formula consumption at any age. Country-level factors play an important role in explaining BMS consumption by all family wealth groups in LMICs, suggesting that formula marketing at national level may be partly responsible for the observed differences.

Funding

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through the WHO
Assessing capacity to social distance and neighborhood-level health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Carrión Daniel , Colicino Elena , Pedretti Nicolo Foppa , Arfer Kodi B. , Rush Johnathan , DeFelice Nicholas , Just Allan C.
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has yielded disproportionate impacts on communities of color in New York City (NYC). Researchers have noted that social disadvantage may result in limited capacity to socially distance, and consequent disparities. Here, we investigate the role of neighborhood social disadvantage on the ability to socially distance, infections, and mortality. We combine Census Bureau and NYC open data with SARS-CoV-2 testing data using supervised dimensionality-reduction with Bayesian Weighted Quantile Sums regression. The result is a ZIP code-level index with relative weights for social factors facilitating infection risk. We find a positive association between neighborhood social disadvantage and infections, adjusting for the number of tests administered. Neighborhood infection risk is also associated with capacity to socially isolate, as measured by NYC subway data. Finally, infection risk is associated with COVID-19-related mortality. These analyses support that differences in capacity to socially isolate is a credible pathway between disadvantage and COVID-19 disparities.
Characterizing the Theory of Mind Network in Schizophrenia Reveals a Sparser Network Structure
Authors: Bitsch Florian , Berger Philipp , Nagels Arne , Falkenberg Irina , Straube Benjamin
Published: June 2020

Impaired social functioning is a hallmark of schizophrenia and altered functional integration between distant brain regions are expected to account for signs and symptoms of the disorder. The functional neuroarchitecture of a network relevant for social functioning, the mentalizing network, is however poorly understood. In this study we examined dysfunctions of the mentalizing network in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls via dynamic causal modelling and an interactive social decision-making game. Network characteristics were analyzed on a single subject basis whereas graph theoretic metrics such as in-degree, out-degree and edge-connectivity per network node were compared between the groups. The results point to a sparser network structure in patients with schizophrenia and highlight the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex as a disconnected network hub receiving significantly less input from other brain regions in the network. Further analyses suggest that integrating pathways from the right and the left temporo-parietal junction into the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex were less frequently found in patients with schizophrenia. Brain and behavior analyses further suggest that the connectivity-intactness within the entire network is associated with functional interpersonal behavior during the task. Thus, the neurobiological alterations within the mentalizing network in patients with schizophrenia point to a specific integration deficit between core brain regions underlying the generation of higher-order representations and thereby provide a potential treatment target.
Using a bistable animal opsin for switchable and scalable optogenetic inhibition of neurons
Authors: Rodgers Jessica , Bano-Otalora Beatriz , Belle Mino DC , Paul Sarika , Hughes Rebecca , Wright Phillip , McDowell Richard , Milosavljevic Nina , Orlowska-Feuer Patrycja , Martial Franck , Wynne Jonathan , Ballister Edward R , Storchi Riccardo , Allen Annette E , Brown Timothy , Lucas Robert J
Published: June 2020

There is no consensus on the best optogenetic tool for neuronal inhibition. Lamprey parapinopsin (‘Lamplight’) is a Gi/o-coupled bistable animal opsin that can be activated and deactivated by short and long wavelength light, respectively. Since native mechanisms of neuronal inhibition frequently employ Gi/o signalling, we asked here whether Lamplight could be used for optogenetic silencing. We show that short (405nm) and long (525nm) wavelength pulses repeatedly switch Lamplight between stable signalling active and inactive states, and that combining these wavelengths can be used to achieve intermediate levels of activity. We demonstrate that these properties can be applied to produce switchable and scalable neuronal hyperpolarisation, and suppression of spontaneous spike firing in the mouse hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. We show that expressing Lamplight in (predominantly) ON bipolar cells can photosensitise retinas following advanced photoreceptor degeneration, and that 405 and 525nm stimuli can produce responses of opposite sign in output neurons of the retina. Lamplight-driven responses to both activating (405nm) and deactivating (525nm) light can occur within 500ms and be elicited by intensities at least 10x below threshold for available inhibitory optogenetic tools. We conclude that Lamplight can co-opt endogenous signalling mechanisms to allow optogenetic inhibition that is scalable, sustained and rapidly reversible.
Closing coronavirus spike glycoproteins by structure-guided design
Authors: McCallum Matthew , Walls Alexandra C. , Corti Davide , Veesler David
Published: June 2020

The recent spillover of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population resulted in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has already caused 4.9 million infections and more than 326,000 fatalities. To initiate infection the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein promotes attachment to the host cell surface, determining host and tissue tropism, and fusion of the viral and host membranes. Although SARS-CoV- 2 S is the main target of neutralizing antibodies and the focus of vaccine design, its stability and conformational dynamics are limiting factors for developing countermeasures against this virus. We report here the design of a prefusion SARS-CoV-2 S ectodomain trimer construct covalently stabilized in the closed conformation. Structural and antigenicity analysis showed we successfully shut S in the closed state without otherwise altering its architecture. Finally, we show that this engineering strategy is applicable to other β-coronavirus S glycoproteins and might become an important tool for vaccine design, structural biology, serology and immunology studies.
Enteropathy-induced regulatory T cells inhibit intestinal CD4+ T cell responses against oral vaccines
Authors: Bhattacharjee Amrita , Burr Ansen H.P. , Overacre-Delgoffe Abigail E. , Tometich Justin T. , Yang Deyi , Huckestein Brydie R. , Linehan Jonathan L. , Spencer Sean P. , Hall Jason A. , Harrison Oliver J. , da Fonseca Denise Morais , Norton Elizabeth B. , Belkaid Yasmine , Hand Timothy W.
Published: June 2020

Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is an intestinal disease caused by malnutrition and infection that leads to malabsorption and stunting. EED is also associated with a reduced efficacy of oral vaccines. We show in a microbiota and diet-dependent model of EED that oral vaccine-specific CD4+T cell responses fail in the small intestine but responses in the draining lymph node were unaffected. Accordingly, the number of immunosuppressive RORγT+FOXP3+Tregsin the small intestine inversely correlated with the response to oral vaccination. Depletion of RORγT+FOXP3+Tregsindicated that they were necessary for EED-associated inhibition of the vaccine response. Additionally, RORγT+FOXP3+Tregsare important to regulate EED-associated inflammation as their depletion significantly worsened stunting. We have shown that EED-associated intestinal inflammation leads to a localized intestinal blockade of CD4 T cell immunity. These results support a modular model for immunity where tissue responses can be regulated independently of systemic immunity to prevent autoinflammation.
Structural elucidation of the heterodimericcis-prenyltransferase NgBR/DHDDS complex reveals novel insights in regulation of protein glycosylation
Authors: Edani Ban , Grabińska Kariona A. , Zhang Rong , Park Eon Joo , Siciliano Benjamin , Surmacz Liliana , Ha Ya , Sessa William C.
Published: June 2020

Cis-prenyltransferase (cis-PTase) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of glycosyl carrier lipids required for protein glycosylation in the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. Here we report the crystal structure of the human NgBR/DHDDS complex, which represents the first atomic resolution structure for any heterodimericcis-PTase. The crystal structure sheds light on how NgBR stabilizes DHDDS through dimerization, participates in the enzyme’s active site through its C-terminal -RXG- motif, and how phospholipids markedly stimulatecis-PTase activity. Comparison of NgBR/DHDDS with homodimericcis-PTase structures leads to a model where the elongating isoprene chain extends beyond the enzyme’s active site tunnel, and an insert within the α3 helix helps to stabilize this energetically unfavorable state to enable long chain synthesis to occur. These data provide unique insights into how heterodimericcis-PTases have evolved from their ancestral, homodimeric forms to fulfill their function in long chain polyprenol synthesis.