bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maxillary basal arch forms in operated adult patients with cleft lip and palate using root apices: A pilot study
Authors: Kim Yong‐Il , Kim Seong‐Sik , Park Soo‐Byung , Kim Sung‐Hun
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The purpose was to identify the maxillary basal arch forms utilizing the root apices and compare the maxillary basal arch form of groups with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and normal group.

Materials and Methods

This study included 30 patients (21.8 ± 3.5 years old) with unilateral CLP (ULCP group) and 30 patients (20.9 ± 2.2 years old) with bilateral CLP (BCLP group). The normal group consisted of 30 non‐cleft patients (21.2 ± 2.3 years old) with normal occlusion. Three‐dimensional (3D) Cartesian coordinates of the root apices of each tooth were determined using cone‐beam computed tomography. The 3D coordinates were projected onto the palatal plane to create the 2D coordinates. Thereafter, the basal arch forms were constructed by the Procrustes superimposition. Finally, For the basal arch form comparisons among groups, the inter‐root widths were measured.

Results

Both CLP groups had a narrower inter‐root width than the normal group. The BCLP group had significantly narrower premolar and molar widths than the UCLP group (P < .05). Especially, the inter‐first molar width of the UCLP and BCLP groups was 3.7 ± 0.7 (P < .001) and 6.6 ± 0.8 (P < .001) mm smaller than that of the normal group, respectively.

Conclusions

We used the root apices to identify the basal arch forms. The basal arch form of patients with CLP was narrower than that of the normal group. The basal arch form of patients with BCLP was narrower than that of patients with UCLP. Our findings may help clinicians better comprehend basal arch forms in patients with CLP and transverse discrepancies.
Hyperopia in schoolchildren: Investigating the impact on vision and determining appropriate methods for screening
Authors: Hopkins Shelley , Read Scott A. , Cox Rebecca A. , Oduro Bright A. , Strang Niall , Wood Joanne M.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Hyperopia is associated with reduced vision and educational outcomes in schoolchildren. This study explored the impact of clinically significant hyperopia (≥+2.00 D) on visual function in schoolchildren and compared the ability of different screening tests (alone and in combination) to detect this level of hyperopia.

Methods

Vision testing including monocular logMAR visual acuity (VA) measured to threshold (distance [DVA], near [NVA] and DVA through a plus lens [+2.50 D]), stereoacuity and cycloplegic autorefraction (tropicamide 1%) were undertaken on 263 schoolchildren (mean age: 11.76 years ± 3.38) in Queensland, Australia. Vision measures were compared between children with clinically significant hyperopia in at least one meridian (≥+2.00 D) and emmetropia/low hyperopia (>0.00 and <+2.00 D). Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed to identify optimal pass/fail criteria for each test and the diagnostic accuracy of individual and combinations of tests.

Results

Thirty‐two children had clinically significant hyperopia and 225 had emmetropia/low hyperopia. DVA and NVA were worse (p < 0.01), while the difference in DVA through a plus lens was less in children with clinically significant hyperopia (p < 0.01). ROC analysis for individual tests resulted in areas under the curve (AUCs) ranging from 0.65 to 0.85. Combining screening tests revealed that failing one or more of the following tests was most effective for detecting hyperopia: DVA, NVA and difference in DVA through a plus lens, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 81%, respectively.

Conclusion

Significant differences in visual function existed between schoolchildren with clinically significant hyperopia and emmetropia/low hyperopia. Combining measures of DVA and NVA and the difference in DVA through a plus lens demonstrated good discriminative ability for detecting clinically significant hyperopia in this population.
Catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, when AVNRT presented as a fetus or infant
Authors: Jimenez Erick , El‐Bokl Amr , Aggarwal Varun , Cortez Daniel
Published: October 2023

Background

Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) does not commonly present during infancy. Although relative safety of catheter ablation of AVNRT has been demonstrated in pediatrics, this procedure is rarely indicated in children <15 kg.

Methods

Retrospective review of seven cases of AVNRT that presented in children younger than 1 year of age and required catheter ablation for definitive management. Electrophysiology (EP) study was planned with two or three catheters. Area of ablation determined by voltage mapping, propagation sinus wave collision and slow pathway potential location. Ablation performed with cryothermal energy. No fluoroscopy was used.

Results

Presentation ranged from 36 weeks of gestation to 11 months of age. Two presented in fetal life and two in the neonatal period. The median age of ablation was 20 months (range 17–31 months). The median weight at ablation was 11.4 kg (range 8.9–14.9 kg). Median follow‐up time was 16 months. All had typical AVNRT. The median tachycardia cycle length was 216 ms. 100% successful rate using cryoablation. No complications. No recurrence of tachycardia during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Slow AV nodal pathway cryoablation may be safely performed, with good short and medium‐term outcomes in patients under 15 kg.
Left bundle branch area pacing too far away from the tricuspid annulus may cause pacing induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Meyers Michael , Liu Xiaoke
Published: October 2023

Background

Physiologic pacing through left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently been shown to be a very promising alternative for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and to avoid pacing induced cardiomyopathy. However, it is not clear whether the position of LABBP lead may affect the clinical outcomes.

Case Report

We here report a case of likely LBBAP induced worsening heart failure and cardiomyopathy reversed by re‐positioning of the pacing lead towards a more annular position. A 70‐year‐old male with a previous history of non‐ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 40%) who developed intermittent complete heart block and required permanent ventricular pacing. LBBAP was performed with the lead positioned to a position relatively far away from the tricuspid annulus (3.7 cm), due to difficulty in fixating the lead deep into the septum at a more annular position. One month post procedure, the patient's heart failure symptoms worsened, and his EF decreased to 31% despite good heart failure management. He underwent CRT upgrade with successful revision of the originally implanted LBBAP lead to a more annular position, using a deflectable delivery sheath. This resulted in further narrowing of the paced QRS duration from 135 to 106 ms. Two months post procedure, his heart failure symptoms improved by one functional class, and EF improved to 41% by echocardiogram.

Conclusions

LBBAP may be harmful when the lead is placed too far away from the annulus and may cause paced induced cardiomyopathy.
Developing a prediction model of children asthma risk using population‐based family history health records
Authors: Hamad Amani F. , Yan Lin , Jafari Jozani Mohammad , Hu Pingzhao , Delaney Joseph A. , Lix Lisa M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Identifying children at high risk of developing asthma can facilitate prevention and early management strategies. We developed a prediction model of children's asthma risk using objectively collected population‐based children and parental histories of comorbidities.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective population‐based cohort study using administrative data from Manitoba, Canada, and included children born from 1974 to 2000 with linkages to ≥1 parent. We identified asthma and prior comorbid condition diagnoses from hospital and outpatient records. We used two machine‐learning models: least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression (LR) and random forest (RF) to identify important predictors. The predictors in the base model included children's demographics, allergic conditions, respiratory infections, and parental asthma. Subsequent models included additional multiple comorbidities for children and parents.

Results

The cohort included 195,666 children: 51.3% were males and 17.7% had asthma diagnosis. The base LR model achieved a low predictive performance with sensitivity of 0.47, 95% confidence interval (0.45–0.48), and specificity of 0.67 (0.66–0.67) using a predicted probability threshold of 0.20. Sensitivity significantly improved when children's comorbidities were included using LASSO LR: 0.71 (0.69–0.72). Predictive performance further improved by including parental comorbidities (sensitivity = 0.72 [0.70–0.73], specificity = 0.69 [0.69–0.70]). We observed similar results for the RF models. Children's menstrual disorders and mood and anxiety disorders, parental lipid metabolism disorders and asthma were among the most important variables that predicted asthma risk.

Conclusion

Including children and parental comorbidities to children's asthma prediction models improves their accuracy.
CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome editing of 14 lipid metabolic genes reveals a sporopollenin metabolon ZmPKSB‐ZmTKPR1‐1/‐2 required for pollen exine formation in maize
Authors: An Xueli , Zhang Shaowei , Jiang Yilin , Liu Xinze , Fang Chaowei , Wang Jing , Zhao Lina , Hou Quancan , Zhang Juan , Wan Xiangyuan
Published: October 2023

Lipid biosynthesis and transport are essential for plant male reproduction. Compared with Arabidopsis and rice, relatively fewer maize lipid metabolic genic male‐sterility (GMS) genes have been identified, and the sporopollenin metabolon in maize anther remains unknown. Here, we identified two maize GMS genes, ZmTKPR1‐1 and ZmTKPR1‐2, by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of 14 lipid metabolic genes with anther stage‐specific expression patterns. Among them, tkpr1‐1/‐2 double mutants displayed complete male sterility with delayed tapetum degradation and abortive pollen. ZmTKPR1‐1 and ZmTKPR1‐2 encode tetraketide α‐pyrone reductases and have catalytic activities in reducing tetraketide α‐pyrone produced by ZmPKSB (polyketide synthase B). Several conserved catalytic sites (S128/130, Y164/166 and K168/170 in ZmTKPR1‐1/‐2) are essential for their enzymatic activities. Both ZmTKPR1‐1 and ZmTKPR1‐2 are directly activated by ZmMYB84, and their encoded proteins are localized in both the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclei. Based on protein structure prediction, molecular docking, site‐directed mutagenesis and biochemical assays, the sporopollenin biosynthetic metabolon ZmPKSB‐ZmTKPR1‐1/‐2 was identified to control pollen exine formation in maize anther. Although ZmTKPR1‐1/‐2 and ZmPKSB formed a protein complex, their mutants showed different, even opposite, defective phenotypes of anther cuticle and pollen exine. Our findings discover new maize GMS genes that can contribute to male‐sterility line‐assisted maize breeding and also provide new insights into the metabolon‐regulated sporopollenin biosynthesis in maize anther.
Nurse and midwife navigator resilience, well‐being, burnout, and turnover intent: A multi‐methods study
Authors: Brown Janie A. , Harvey Clare L. , Byrne Amy‐Louise , Hegney Desley G.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To explore levels of Navigator resilience, well‐being, burnout, and turnover intent.

Design

A longitudinal, multi‐methods study concurrently collected quantitative and qualitative data over three years.

Methods

A survey and Action Learning Groups.

Findings

No statistically significant change in resilience, well‐being, burnout, or turnover intent. Supports, self‐care and leaving the position, were used to maintain well‐being.

Conclusions

While quantitative measures did not change, qualitative data demonstrated how adaptive coping mechanisms maintain well‐being. Recommendations for nurses working in Navigator, or similar community/public health roles include work‐based programs targeting support, good leadership, governance systems including their impact on turnover intent.

Clinical evidence

Job turnover intent can be used as a mechanism to monitor resilience and well‐being.
Uncertainty and risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis
Authors: Johnson Angela E. , Hua Jacqueline , Hinojosa Bianca , Meese William B. , Gray Avia , Howell Jennifer L.
Published: October 2023

In the present study, we examine how subgroups of people are characterized by different profiles of uncertainty surrounding COVID‐19, susceptibility, and recovery. Participants (N = 199) were U.S. residents recruited online for a longitudinal study during the summer of 2020. We first, identified groups using latent profile analysis (LPA) and then examined whether these profiles predicted differences in COVID‐related risky and preventative behaviors. LPA identified five distinct profiles of people representing a combination of low and high uncertainty and low, moderate, and high risk perceptions. Results revealed that latent‐profile group membership predicted intention to interact with others outside of the household, intention to engage in non‐essential shopping, intention to attend an in‐person religious gathering, intention to wear a mask in public, and self‐reported physical distancing in the past week. Profile membership did not predict intentions to: dine out, go to the nail/hair salon, go to the gym, nor physically distance from others in the future, nor did it predict handwashing in the past week.
Implicit and explicit COVID‐19‐vaccine harmfulness/helpfulness associations predict vaccine beliefs, intentions, and behaviors
Authors: Hinojosa Bianca M. , Meese William B. , Howell Jennifer L. , Lindgren Kristen P. , O’Shea Brian , Teachman Bethany A. , Werntz Alexandra
Published: October 2023

We investigated the role of implicit and explicit associations between harm and COVID‐19 vaccines using a large sample (N = 4668) of online volunteers. The participants completed a brief implicit association test and explicit measures to evaluate the extent to which they associated COVID‐19 vaccines with concepts of harmfulness or helpfulness. We examined the relationship between these harmfulness/helpfulness COVID‐19 vaccine associations and vaccination status, intentions, beliefs, and behavior. We found that stronger implicit and explicit associations that COVID‐19 vaccines are helpful relate to vaccination status and beliefs about the COVID‐19 vaccine. That is, stronger pro‐helpful COVID‐19 vaccine associations, both implicitly and explicitly, related to greater intentions to be vaccinated, more positive beliefs about the vaccine, and greater vaccine uptake.
Objective conditions, political knowledge, and perceptions of electoral competition in U.S. mayoral elections
Authors: Holbrook Thomas M. , Heideman Amanda , Weinschenk Aaron
Published: October 2023

Objective

This article investigates the extent to which perceptions of the competitive context of mayoral elections reflect actual levels of competition and how that relationship is shaped by political expertise.

Methods

We use a unique survey data set of more than 6000 respondents interviewed in 40 separate mayoral elections.

Results

In broad strokes, people living in competitive cities are more likely than others to predict competitive outcomes. However, in keeping with the knowledge gap hypothesis, the relationship between objective levels of competition and perceived levels of competition is much stronger among those with relatively high levels of political knowledge than those with low levels of political knowledge.

Conclusions

The connection between actual and perceived conditions does not hold evenly for all segments of society—the information‐rich respond to their political environment, while the information‐poor are relatively unmoved by that environment. This pattern of asymmetric information acquisition is a familiar one in American politics and provides further evidence of an important source of political inequality.
Molecular detection of Bartonella quintana, Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter haemolyticus in Pediculus humanus lice in Nigeria, West Africa
Authors: Kamani Joshua , Nachum‐Biala Yaarit , Bukar Laminu , Shand Mike , Harrus Shimon
Published: October 2023

The human lice Pediculus humanus is distributed worldwide but, it thrives and flourishes under conflict situations where people are forced to live in crowded unhygienic conditions. Molecular methods were used to identify and screen human lice for the DNA of pathogens of public health importance in an area that has been under insurgency related to religious and political conflicts with tens of thousands of internally displaced people (IDP). DNA of Bartonella quintana, Acinetobacter baumannii and Acinetobacter haemolyticus was detected in 18.3%, 40.0% and 1.7%, respectively, of human lice collected from children in Maiduguri, Nigeria. More body lice than head lice were positive for pathogen's DNA (64.3% vs. 44.4%; χ2 = 1.3, p = 0.33), but the difference was not significant. Two lice samples were found to harbour mixed DNA of B. quintana and A. baumannii. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene sequences of the positive lice specimens placed them into clades A and E. This is the first report on the molecular identification of human lice and the detection of the DNA of pathogens of public health importance in lice in Nigeria, West Africa. The findings of this study will assist policy makers and medical practitioners in formulating a holistic healthcare delivery to IDPs.
Finiteness theorems on elliptical billiards and a variant of the dynamical Mordell–Lang conjecture
Authors: Corvaja Pietro , Zannier Umberto
Published: October 2023

We offer some theorems, mainly finiteness results, for certain patterns in elliptical billiards, related to periodic trajectories; these seem to be the first finiteness results in this context. For instance, if two players hit a ball at a given position and with directions forming a fixed angle in , there are only finitely many directions for both trajectories being periodic. Another instance is the finiteness of the billiard shots which send a given ball into another one so that this falls eventually in a hole. These results (which are shown not to hold for general billiards) have their origin in ‘relative’ cases of the Manin–Mumford conjecture and constitute instances of how arithmetical content may affect chaotic behaviour (in billiards). We shall also interpret the statements through a variant of the dynamical Mordell–Lang conjecture. In turn, this variant embraces cases, which, somewhat surprisingly, sometimes can be treated (only) by completely different methods compared to the former ones; here we shall offer an explicit example related to diophantine equations in algebraic tori.
Medicine communication between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and health professionals: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Speare Tobias , Rissel Chris , Hughes Jaquelyne , Ryder Courtney , Bower Madeleine , Stothers Kylie , Mackean Tamara
Published: October 2023

Objective:

This scoping review will describe strategies to support communication between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and health professionals about medicines.

Introduction:

Poor communication is a well-established risk factor contributing to adverse medicine events. Communication challenges are exacerbated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples due to their poorer health status, greater use of medicines, a first language that may not be English, cultural bias and systemic racism in health services, and lower health literacy resulting from ongoing colonization. A scoping review will assist in summarizing strategies to support the communication process.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider studies describing strategies related to medicine communication between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and health professionals.

Methods:

The proposed review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The review will include all published and unpublished literature in English since 2000, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods study designs, systematic reviews, text and opinion pieces, and gray literature. Databases to be searched will include CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Informit, Indigenous HealthInfoNet, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar. Two researchers will screen titles and abstracts independently and assess the full text of selected citations against inclusion criteria. Extracted data will be presented in narrative format accompanied by tables that reflect the objective of the review.
A Deep Anomaly Detection With Same Probability Distribution and Its Application in Rolling Bearing
Authors: Yuxiang Kang , Guo Chen , Wenping Pan , Hao Wang , Xunkai Wei
Published: October 2023

An innovative deep-learning-based model, namely, deep anomaly detection with the same probability distribution (DADSPD) is proposed to improve the accuracy of anomaly detection (AD) of rolling bearings driven only by normal data. First, the main framework of feature extraction based on a residual network was established, and a three-layer encoder structure was used to extract multidimensional features. Second, a new loss function based on the same probability distribution is designed, and the function of its probability distribution is to complete the training of the model by calculating the similarity between the outputs. Subsequently, the vibration data were preprocessed using wavelet and envelope analysis, and the processed data are converted into two-dimensional image signals and used as the input of the DADSPD. Finally, the model is verified on three sets of run-to-failure experimental datasets of rolling bearing. The results demonstrate that the proposed DADSPD model reaches more than 99%, which indicates that the DADSPD model has a high fault early warning and AD capability.
Chatter Avoidance by Spindle Speed and Orientation Planning in Five-Axis Ball-End Milling of Thin-Walled Blades
Authors: Karimi Behnam , Altintas Yusuf
Published: October 2023

Selecting suitable cutting conditions is crucial in maintaining chatter stability and achieving acceptable surface quality. However, the selection of a constant set of cutting parameters is not feasible due to the time-varying dynamics of highly flexible thin-walled blades. This paper presents an optimal selection of tool orientation and spindle speed along the tool path as the metal is removed during the ball-end milling of blades. The effects of tool orientation and speed on the mechanics and dynamics of the ball-end milling process are formulated. Test case simulations are used to demonstrate the impact of tool orientation and speed on chatter stability and forced vibrations. The proposed algorithm identifies the optimal spindle speed and tool orientation by continuously updating the workpiece dynamics as a function of time and tool position to achieve improved stability and surface quality. Stability simulations are conducted to assess the optimization approach's performance, and the results are compared with experiments by machining a series of thin-walled twisted fan blades.
Comments and illustrations of the WFUMB CEUS liver guidelines: Peliosis hepatis and porphyria
Authors: Moller Kathleen , Hoffmann Oliver , Zadeh Ehsan Safai , Gorg Christian , Jenssen Christian , Hocke Michael , De Molo Chiara , Serra Carla , Dong Yi , Cui Xin Wu , Lim Adrian , Dirks Klaus , Faiss Siegbert , Srivastava David , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: October 2023

In this series of articles on comments and illustrations of the World Federation for Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) guidelines on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), the topics on very rare focal liver lesions (FLL) are discussed. This article describes the diverse changes of focal liver lesions in peliosis hepatis and the typical changes in porphyria. Although the focus is on the appearance on ultrasound and CEUS, the clinical context is always considered. While peliosis may be a surprising finding on puncture, lesions in porphyria cutanea tarda may be typical visual diagnoses that obviate the need for biopsy. If only you knew. This article aims to sharpen the clinician’s eye. It provides knowledge of the clinical presentation and US and CEUS imaging of peliosis hepatis and porphyria.
Viscosity experiments of slag-spinel suspensions: The effect of volume fraction, particle size, and shear rate
Authors: Vergote Olivier , Bellemans Inge , Van den Bulck Amy , Shevchenko Maksym , Starykh Roman , Jak Evgueni , Verbeken Kim
Published: October 2023

Heterogeneous slag viscosity measurements have a wide variety of parameters, such as particle size, shape, solid volume fraction, and shear rate, which affect the final measured viscosity. Often, some of these parameters are neglected or predicted via models, since it is experimentally difficult to determine them during high-temperature slag viscosity measurements. In this work, a viscosity apparatus was used, which allows quenching of the sample after measurement. This way, all relevant parameters could be experimentally determined. The viscosities of three datasets were studied with various spinel sizes: small (13 μm), medium (34 μm), and large particles (76 μm). Within each dataset, the composition of the liquid slag matrix was kept constant to uniquely measure the effect of solids. Shear thinning, i.e., a decreasing viscosity with increasing shear rate, was observed for all samples, even at a low vol. % of 1.8. Moreover, stronger shear thinning was observed at a higher vol. % and for smaller spinel particles. On the basis of these results, the phenomenon of shear thinning was discussed and mainly attributed to the particle–particle orientation in the suspension. The obtained viscosity values were used to optimize a Krieger–Dougherty equation, which describes the viscosity increase caused by the presence of a certain vol. % of spinel particles, with a certain size and at a specific shear rate.
Morality- and Norm-Based Subgroups of Disability-Sport Athletes Differ on Their Anticipated Guilt and Intentions Toward Doping
Authors: Harris Tyler S. , Smith Alan L. , Boardley Ian
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine whether subgroups of disability-sport athletes exist on morality- and norm-based doping cognitions and whether these groups differ in anticipated guilt or doping intentions. A survey was completed by 186 athletes (Mage = 37.5 years, 78.0% male, 45.1% wheelchair basketball) assessing norms, doping moral disengagement, anticipated guilt, and intentions to dope. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct subgroups of athletes, including one potentially high-risk subgroup characterized by relatively high scores on doping moral disengagement, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. One-way analysis of variance revealed significantly lower anticipated guilt in two athlete subgroups characterized by relatively higher doping moral disengagement than the other two subgroups. Moreover, the potentially high-risk group had a greater proportion of athletes showing some presence of intention to dope. This study suggests there is a small subgroup of disability-sport athletes at elevated risk of doping who might benefit from targeted antidoping interventions.
Quantitative Muscle Fascicle Tractography Using Brightness-Mode Ultrasound
Authors: Kilpatrick Hannah , Bush Emily , Lockard Carly , Zhou Xingyu , Coolbaugh Crystal , Damon Bruce
Published: October 2023

A muscle’s architecture, defined as the geometric arrangement of its fibers with respect to its mechanical line of action, impacts its abilities to produce force and shorten or lengthen under load. Ultrasound and other noninvasive imaging methods have contributed significantly to our understanding of these structure–function relationships. The goal of this work was to develop a MATLAB toolbox for tracking and mathematically representing muscle architecture at the fascicle scale, based on brightness-mode ultrasound imaging data. The MuscleUS_Toolbox allows user-performed segmentation of a region of interest and automated modeling of local fascicle orientation; calculation of streamlines between aponeuroses of origin and insertion; and quantification of fascicle length, pennation angle, and curvature. A method is described for optimizing the fascicle orientation modeling process, and the capabilities of the toolbox for quantifying and visualizing fascicle architecture are illustrated in the human tibialis anterior muscle. The toolbox is freely available.
The South American monsoon approaches a critical transition in response to deforestation
Authors: Bochow Nils , Boers Niklas
Published: October 2023

The Amazon rainforest is threatened by land-use change and increasing drought and fire frequency. Studies suggest an abrupt dieback of large parts of the rainforest after partial forest loss, but the critical threshold, underlying mechanisms, and possible impacts of forest degradation on the monsoon circulation remain uncertain. Here, we use a nonlinear dynamical model of the moisture transport and recycling across the Amazon to identify several precursor signals for a critical transition in the coupled atmosphere-vegetation dynamics. Guided by our simulations, we reveal both statistical and physical precursor signals of an approaching critical transition in reanalysis and observational data. In accordance with our model results, we attribute these characteristic precursor signals to the nearing of a critical transition of the coupled Amazon atmosphere-vegetation system induced by forest loss due to deforestation, droughts, and fires. The transition would lead to substantially drier conditions, under which the rainforest could likely not be maintained.
History of primary-series and booster vaccination and protection against Omicron reinfection
Authors: Chemaitelly Hiam , Ayoub Houssein H. , Tang Patrick , Coyle Peter V. , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Thani Asmaa A. , Al-Khatib Hebah A. , Hasan Mohammad R. , Al-Kanaani Zaina , Al-Kuwari Einas , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Abdul-Rahim Hanan F. , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith , Butt Adeel A. , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Bertollini Roberto , Abu-Raddad Laith J.
Published: October 2023

Laboratory evidence suggests a possibility of immune imprinting for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We investigated the differences in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a cohort of persons who had a primary Omicron infection, but different vaccination histories using matched, national, retrospective, cohort studies. Adjusted hazard ratio for reinfection incidence, factoring adjustment for differences in testing rate, was 0.43 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39 to 0.49] comparing history of two-dose vaccination to no vaccination, 1.47 (95% CI: 1.23 to 1.76) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to two-dose vaccination, and 0.57 (95% CI: 0.48 to 0.68) comparing history of three-dose vaccination to no vaccination. Divergence in cumulative incidence curves increased markedly when the incidence was dominated by BA.4/BA.5 and BA.2.75* Omicron subvariants. The history of primary-series vaccination enhanced immune protection against Omicron reinfection, but history of booster vaccination compromised protection against Omicron reinfection. These findings do not undermine the public health utility of booster vaccination.
Combining bioengineered human skin with bioprinted cartilage for ear reconstruction
Authors: Zielinska Dominika , Fisch Philipp , Moehrlen Ueli , Finkielsztein Sergio , Linder Thomas , Zenobi-Wong Marcy , Biedermann Thomas , Klar Agnes S.
Published: October 2023

Microtia is a congenital disorder that manifests as a malformation of the external ear leading to psychosocial problems in affected children. Here, we present a tissue-engineered treatment approach based on a bioprinted autologous auricular cartilage construct (EarCartilage) combined with a bioengineered human pigmented and prevascularized dermo-epidermal skin substitute (EarSkin) tested in immunocompromised rats. We confirmed that human-engineered blood capillaries of EarSkin connected to the recipient’s vasculature within 1 week, enabling rapid blood perfusion and epidermal maturation. Bioengineered EarSkin displayed a stratified epidermis containing mature keratinocytes and melanocytes. The latter resided within the basal layer of the epidermis and efficiently restored the skin color. Further, in vivo tests demonstrated favorable mechanical stability of EarCartilage along with enhanced extracellular matrix deposition. In conclusion, EarCartilage combined with EarSkin represents a novel approach for the treatment of microtia with the potential to circumvent existing limitations and improve the aesthetic outcome of microtia reconstruction.
The fundamental mechanisms of the Korotkoff sounds generation
Authors: Baranger Jerome , Villemain Olivier , Goudot Guillaume , Dizeux Alexandre , Le Blay Heiva , Mirault Tristan , Messas Emmanuel , Pernot Mathieu , Tanter Mickael
Published: October 2023

Blood pressure measurement is the most widely performed clinical exam to predict mortality risk. The gold standard for its noninvasive assessment is the auscultatory method, which relies on listening to the so-called “Korotkoff sounds” in a stethoscope placed at the outlet of a pneumatic arm cuff. However, more than a century after their discovery, the origin of these sounds is still debated, which implies a number of clinical limitations. We imaged the Korotkoff sound generation in vivo at thousands of images per second using ultrafast ultrasound. We showed with both experience and theory that Korotkoff sounds are paradoxically not sound waves emerging from the brachial artery but rather shear vibrations conveyed in surrounding tissues by the nonlinear pulse wave propagation. When these shear vibrations reached the stethoscope, they were synchronous, correlated, and comparable in intensity with the Korotkoff sounds. Understanding this mechanism could ultimately improve blood pressure measurement and provide additional understanding of arterial mechanical properties.
Human cytomegalovirus UL36 inhibits IRF3-dependent immune signaling to counterbalance its immunoenhancement as apoptotic inhibitor
Authors: Ren Yujie , Wang An , Zhang Bowen , Ji Wenting , Zhu Xiao-Xu , Lou Jing , Huang Muhan , Qiu Yang , Zhou Xi
Published: October 2023

Apoptotic inhibition and immune evasion have particular importance to efficient viral infection, while a dilemma often faced by viruses is that inhibiting apoptosis can up-regulate antiviral immune signaling. Herein, we uncovered that in addition to inhibiting caspase-8/extrinsic apoptosis, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)–encoded UL36 suppresses interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3)–dependent immune signaling by directly targeting IRF3 to abrogate IRF3 interaction with stimulator of interferon genes or TANK-binding kinase 1 and inhibit IRF3 phosphorylation/activation. Although UL36-mediated caspase-8/extrinsic apoptosis inhibition enhances immune signaling, the immunosuppressing activity of UL36 counterbalances this immunoenhancing “side effect” undesirable for virus. Furthermore, we used mutational analyses to show that only the wild-type, but not the UL36 mutant losing either inhibitory activity, is sufficient to support effective HCMV replication in cells, showing the functional importance of the dual inhibition by UL36 for the HCMV life cycle. Together, our findings demonstrate a sophisticated mechanism by which HCMV tightly controls innate immune signaling and extrinsic apoptosis for efficient infection.
Synechococcus elongatus
Argonaute reduces natural transformation efficiency and provides immunity against exogenous plasmids
Authors: Taton Arnaud , Gilderman Tami S. , Ernst Dustin C. , Omaga Carla A. , Cohen Lucas A. , Rey-Bedon Camilo , Golden James W. , Golden Susan S.
Published: October 2023

The cyanobacterium
Synechococcus elongatus
PCC 7942 produces an active prokaryotic Argonaute nuclease, SeAgo, whose function is unknown. Here, we show that SeAgo reduces natural transformation and prevents the maintenance of RSF1010 replicons in
S. elongatus
. In addition, a Cas4-like nuclease and two other proteins, UvrD and RecJ
cy
(cyanobacterial lineage), were found to reduce the transfer or maintenance of RSF1010 replicons. Like other prokaryotic Argonautes, our results indicate that SeAgo provides defense against invading DNA. An
S. elongatus ago
deletion strain shares the same morphology, growth rate, and circadian gene expression as the wild type, has higher transformation efficiency, and enables the use of RSF1010-based plasmids for genetic engineering.

IMPORTANCE

S. elongatus
is an important cyanobacterial model organism for the study of its prokaryotic circadian clock, photosynthesis, and other biological processes. It is also widely used for genetic engineering to produce renewable biochemicals. Our findings reveal an SeAgo-based defense mechanism in
S. elongatus
against the horizontal transfer of genetic material. We demonstrate that deletion of the
ago
gene facilitates genetic studies and genetic engineering of
S. elongatus
.
Systematic mapping of chemoreceptor specificities for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Xu Wenhao , Cerna-Vargas Jean Paul , Tajuelo Ana , Lozano-Montoya Andrea , Kivoloka Melissa , Krink Nicolas , Monteagudo-Cascales Elizabet , Matilla Miguel A. , Krell Tino , Sourjik Victor
Published: October 2023

The chemotaxis network, one of the most prominent prokaryotic sensory systems, is present in most motile bacteria and archaea. Although the conserved signaling core of this network is well characterized, ligand specificities of a large majority of diverse chemoreceptors encoded in bacterial genomes remain unknown. Here, we performed a systematic identification and characterization of new chemoeffectors for the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, which has 26 chemoreceptors possessing most of the common types of ligand binding domains. By performing capillary chemotaxis assays for a library of growth-promoting compounds, we first identified a number of novel chemoattractants of varying strength. We subsequently mapped specificities of these ligands by performing Förster resonance energy transfer and microfluidic measurements for 16 hybrid chemoreceptors that combine the periplasmic ligand binding domains of
P. aeruginosa
receptors and the cytoplasmic signaling domain of the
Escherichia coli
Tar receptor. Direct binding of putative ligands to chemoreceptors was further confirmed using thermal shift assay and microcalorimetry. Altogether, the combination of methods enabled us to assign several new attractants, including methyl 4-aminobutyrate, 5-aminovalerate, L-ornithine, 2-phenylethylamine, and tyramine, to previously characterized chemoreceptors and to annotate a novel purine-specific receptor PctP. Responses of hybrid receptors to changes in pH further revealed a complex bidirectional pH sensing mechanism in
P. aeruginosa
, which involves at least four chemoreceptors PctA, PctC, TlpQ, and PctP. Our screening strategy could be applied for the systematic characterization of unknown sensory domains in a wide range of bacterial species.

IMPORTANCE

Chemotaxis of motile bacteria has multiple physiological functions. It enables bacteria to locate optimal ecological niches, mediates collective behaviors, and can play an important role in infection. These multiple functions largely depend on ligand specificities of chemoreceptors, and the number and identities of chemoreceptors show high diversity between organisms. Similar diversity is observed for the spectra of chemoeffectors, which include not only chemicals of high metabolic value but also bacterial, plant, and animal signaling molecules. However, the systematic identification of chemoeffectors and their mapping to specific chemoreceptors remains a challenge. Here, we combined several
in vivo
and
in vitro
approaches to establish a systematic screening strategy for the identification of receptor ligands and we applied it to identify a number of new physiologically relevant chemoeffectors for the important opportunistic human pathogen
P. aeruginosa
. This strategy can be equally applicable to map specificities of sensory domains from a wide variety of receptor types and bacteria.
The heterogenous and diverse population of prophages in
Mycobacterium
genomes
Authors: Abad Lawrence , Gauthier Christian H. , Florian Isabella , Jacobs-Sera Deborah , Hatfull Graham F.
Published: October 2023

Bacterial genomes commonly carry one or more integrated prophages, although prophage prevalence varies greatly in different bacterial genera and species. We have used the recently developed DEPhT software to discover prophages present in sequenced
Mycobacterium
genomes. Prophages are unevenly distributed among mycobacteria;
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains are devoid of intact prophages, whereas 75% of
Mycobacterium abscessus-chelonae
strains carry at least one prophage, and some have up to nine. Newly discovered prophage sequences are generally distinct from those of lytic phages isolated using
Mycobacterium smegmatis
as a host, although assembly of over 3,800 phage and prophage genomes into clusters based on shared sequence similarity yields seven clusters containing both phage and prophage genomes.
M. abscessus
prophages use a usually large repertoire of
attB
sites for prophage integration, and new integration-proficient vectors demonstrate the functionality of integration systems identified
in silico
and provide tools useful for advancing
M. abscessus
genetics. Genomic analysis reveals additional accessory and likely mobile parts of
Mycobacterium
genomes including defective prophages, prophage-like regions, and satellite elements proposed to be candidate phage-inducible chromosomal islands (PICIs).
M. abscessus
prophages and PICIs are unusual in that they often encode phage-encoded ESX-secreted toxin (PEST) systems that are located adjacent to the phage integration functions and are lysogenically expressed and likely provide a fitness advantage to their host.

IMPORTANCE

Mycobacterium
species include several human pathogens and mycobacteriophages show potential for therapeutic use to control
Mycobacterium
infections. However, phage infection profiles vary greatly among
Mycobacterium abscessus
clinical isolates and phage therapies must be personalized for individual patients.
Mycobacterium
phage susceptibility is likely determined primarily by accessory parts of bacterial genomes, and we have identified the prophage and phage-related genomic regions across sequenced
Mycobacterium
strains. The prophages are numerous and diverse, especially in
M. abscessus
genomes, and provide a potentially rich reservoir of new viruses that can be propagated lytically and used to expand the repertoire of therapeutically useful phages.
Efficacy of ceftaroline and rifampin, alone or combined, in a rat model of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
osteomyelitis without implant
Authors: Albac S. , Anzala N. , Bonnot D. , Mirfendereski H. , Chavanet P. , Croisier D.
Published: October 2023

The
in vivo
efficacy of ceftaroline and rifampin alone or in combination was investigated in an experimental rat model of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MRSE) osteomyelitis. After a 3-day treatment, the mean tibial bacterial load was significantly reduced in animals receiving rifampin alone or combined with ceftaroline (1.89 and 1.68 log
10
CFU/g, respectively,
P
< 0.0001), whereas ceftaroline alone did not show any significant reduction at this early stage. After a 7-day treatment, the mean tibial bacterial load was reduced for ceftaroline alone compared to control animals (3.6 log
10
CFU/g versus 4.4 log
10
CFU/g, respectively,
P
< 0.05) and reached the limit of detection in almost all animals receiving rifampin alone or combined with ceftaroline (
P
< 0.0001). Finally, after a 14-day treatment the efficacy of ceftaroline alone was enhanced (
P
< 0.0001), and no MRSE was recovered from the tibias of animals receiving rifampin alone or combined with ceftaroline. No emergence of rifampin resistance was observed, regardless of the treatment group (monotherapy or combined therapy) or the timepoint of interest. Ceftaroline administered with rifampin could represent a valuable therapeutic option in the management of MRSE osteomyelitis.

IMPORTANCE

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MRSE) contributes to a high percentage of orthopedic infections, and their treatment represents a huge challenge. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ceftaroline alone or combined with rifampin in a rat MRSE osteomyelitis model and the bone penetration of ceftaroline. A ceftaroline monotherapy showed a significant bacterial reduction in infected bones after a 7-day period of treatment. The combination ceftaroline plus rifampin leveraged rifampin’s bactericidal activity, shortening the duration of positive culture in infected animals. These results suggest that ceftaroline and rifampin combination therapy could represent a valuable therapeutic option for human MRSE osteomyelitis and deserves further preclinical and clinical evaluation.
Rapid and sensitive on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from environmental surfaces using portable laboratory devices
Authors: Kitamura Kouichi , Ueno Minami Kikuchi , Yoshida Hiromu
Published: October 2023

Monitoring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on inanimate surfaces plays a crucial role in environmental surveillance, enabling the indirect detection of infected individuals and facilitating rapid infection control responses. However, developing a practical on-site, end-to-end method for detection remains a challenge. In this study, we established protocols for on-site detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces using two portable laboratory devices: The PicoGene PCR1100 and Bento Lab. Test particles comprised of inactivated viral particles containing partial sequences of SARS-CoV-2, type 1 poliovirus, coxsackie virus A16, and norovirus genogroups I and II were applied to reference materials as simulated contaminants. The direct detection method with the PicoGene PCR1100 achieved a recovery efficiency of 35.1% for the dried reference material. Furthermore, the Bento Lab, equipped with a microcentrifuge for on-site RNA purification, successfully detected a low concentration of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 reference standard. The recovery efficiency of the on-site RNA purification method on plastic, stainless steel, glass, and polyvinyl chloride surfaces ranged from 15.5% to 21.2%. Through the combination of these portable devices, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected within 1 h of swab sampling. This study contributes to the on-site risk assessment of infectious diseases by enabling the rapid detection of viral genomes.

IMPORTANCE

This study presents the development of a highly sensitive on-site method for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA on various surfaces, including doorknobs and tables. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 RNA on these surfaces can be crucial in guiding decision-making for implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as zoning strategies, improving ventilation, maintaining physical distancing, and promoting increased hand hygiene practices. Moreover, the on-site detection system can facilitate the swift initiation of mitigation responses in non-laboratory settings, including long-term care facilities and schools. The protocols established in this study offer a comprehensive approach for achieving both sensitivity and rapidity in on-site SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Furthermore, since the RT-qPCR assay serves as the gold standard for detecting viral RNAs, the developed protocol holds potential for application to other viruses, including enteroviruses and noroviruses.