bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Jejunal Diverticulosis Complicated by Perforation: Case Report and a Brief Literature Review
Authors: Carmo Luiz Carlos Benjamin do , Campos Fábio Guilherme , Barreto Renato , Fontes Diogo , Ibiapina Thiago , Gontscharow Sérgio
Published: November 2021

Background Multiple small-bowel diverticulosis comprises a rare entity with probable underestimated incidence, and that may be the reason why it is sometimes overlooked when managing cases with peritonitis.

Case report In the present paper, we report the case of a 76-year-old male presenting abdominal pain and fever in an acute setting. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed jejunal thickening and numerous images of saccular addition that were interpreted as jejunoileal diverticulitis. After an initial period of clinical treatment, surgical management was indicated based on a worsening clinical picture and the presence of an extraluminal focus of gas detected in a subsequent CT scan. Through a laparoscopic approach, multiple small-bowel diverticula and a tamponade perforation were found. A segmental intestinal resection was performed, and the patient was discharged after a ten days.

Conclusions Multiple jejunal diverticulosis is a rare condition that should be remembered in the setting of an acute abdomen. As it prevails among older patients, early diagnosis with radiological aid is crucial to establish the most adequate management, including intestinal resection, if necessary.
Primary Adenocarcinoma at Colostomy Site: Report of a Clinical Case
Authors: Sardiñas Carlos , Nouri Bagher , Cifuentes Andrea , Oropeza María Eugenia
Published: November 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States and it is found in 17% of patients thought to have complicated diverticular disease. However, primary adenocarcinoma rarely occur in the colostomy site and the risk of developing malignancy is similar to that of any other colonic segment. Polyps found in CRC screenings can be divided into the following types: hyperplastic polyps, polyps with no malignant potential, adenomatous polyps, polyps with malignant potential, and malignancies. Local complications of the colostomy can appear in the immediate, early, or late postoperative period, with an incidence ranging from 15 to 30%; neoplasia is even less common.
Cardiac Tuberculosis on 18F-FDG PET Imaging—A Great Masquerader of Cardiac Sarcoidosis
Authors: Sundaraiya Sumati , Sulaiman Abubacker , Rajendran Adhithyan
Published: November 2021

A young gentleman with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis and LV dysfunction whose CMR revealed multifocal subepicardial to mid myocardial linear enhancement in the left ventricular myocardium underwent cardiac 18F-FDG PET imaging. The images revealed patchy regions of increased FDG uptake involving the apical to mid anterolateral, mid to basal anteroseptal/ right ventricular and mildly increased FDG uptake in apical inferior segments of the LV myocardium concordant with CMR findings. Whole body PET CT imaging showed multiple hypermetabolic supra and infra diaphragmatic lymphadenopathy, with no pulmonary lesion identified. Biopsy from the left para aortic lymph node revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation consistent with tuberculosis. Based on the histopathological findings of the lymph nodes, diagnosis of cardiac tuberculosis was made, given the similar imaging appearances in both sarcoidosis and TB. This case highlights that cardiac TB although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with suspected infiltrative cardiomyopathy, particularly in TB endemic regions.
A Case Report on Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma of the Anterior Mandible with Brief Review on Advanced Imaging Diagnosis
Authors: Chinam Nivedita , Vaidya Aniket , Khorate Manisha , Khurana Sonam
Published: November 2021

Ameloblastoma is the most common benign odontogenic tumor of epithelial origin. It exhibits a locally aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate with multitude of factors involving in its molecular pathogenesis. This article reports a case of acanthomatous ameloblastoma involving the mandible in a 60-year-old male patient with peculiar imaging characteristics. The role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of conventional ameloblastoma has been elaborately emphasized in the discussion. Although the final diagnosis is based on histopathological features, physicians should be aware of the role of advanced imaging for diagnosis of ameloblastoma and for better surgical management.
Serial Inhibin B Measurements in Boys with Congenital Monorchism Indicate Compensatory Testicular Hypertrophy in Early Infancy
Authors: Hildorf Simone , Clasen-Linde Erik , Cortes Dina , Fossum Magdalena , Thorup Jorgen
Published: November 2021

Aim Congenital monorchism is considered a condition in which an initially normal testis has existed but subsequently atrophied and disappeared due to a third trimester catastrophe (presumably torsion). Since inhibin B concentrations appear related to Sertoli and germ cells number, we evaluated pre- and postoperative inhibin B of boys with congenital monorchism to determine whether the well-known hypertrophy of the contralateral testis was reflected in inhibin B concentrations.

Materials and Methods Twenty-seven boys consecutively diagnosed with congenital monorchism (median age 12 months) underwent follow-up with reproductive hormones 1 year postoperatively (median age 25 months). The results were compared with inhibin B of 225 boys with congenital nonsyndromic unilateral cryptorchidism, by converting values to multiple of the median (MoM) for age in normal boys.

Results Ten boys (37%) had blind-ending vessels and ductus deferens (vanished testis) and the remaining (63%) had testicular remnants. At the time of diagnostic procedure, monorchid boys did not have significantly lower inhibin B (median 114, range 20–208) than unilateral cryptorchid boys (136, 47–393) (p = 0.27). During follow-up, MoM values of inhibin B increased in monorchid boys (median 0.59 to 0.98) and in unilateral cryptorchid boys (0.69 to 0.89) (both p < 0.0001). Compared with the concentration at surgery, an additional 44% monorchid boys had inhibin B MoM values higher than 1.0, whereas only additional 23% of unilateral cryptorchid boys exhibited such values (p = 0.04).

Conclusion Generally, inhibin B MoM values were normalized during follow-up in boys with congenital monorchism, reflecting compensatory hypertrophy within the first 2.5 years of life. The compensatory capacity to increase was better in monorchism than in unilateral cryptorchidism.
Assessment of behavioral modification techniques through immersed boundary method simulation of binary particle interactions in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Mortimer L. F. , Fairweather M.
Published: November 2021

Behavioral modification effects for particle-laden turbulent flows are developed and assessed through high-fidelity modeling using an implementation of the mirroring ghost-cell based immersed boundary method in conjunction with direct numerical simulation. The continuous phase uses the open-source spectral element method-based solver, Nek5000. A dynamic form of the mirroring immersed boundary method is described that also solves for interparticle attraction and repulsion forces allowing for nontrivial collision outcomes such as agglomeration. The solid-phase solver is validated against empirical drag coefficient data as well as spherical bouncing experiments with excellent agreement obtained at low particle Reynolds numbers. Periodic boxes of homogeneous isotropic turbulence are generated using the linear forcing method at Reλ=29, 51, and 120. Ensembles of structure-resolved binary particle collisions are then studied within these boxes, considering the variation of six key mechanical and chemical parameters. These are the coefficient of restitution, Hamaker constant, surface charge potential, inverse Debye length, temperature, and Reynolds number. It is established that the coefficient of restitution, inverse Debye length, and Reynolds number have the greatest impact on the resulting particle motion and interaction by considering probability density functions of intersurfacial distance and relative particle velocities. Suggestions for real-world procedures that modify these parameters in order to either encourage or discourage particle interaction and potential agglomeration are discussed.
Opportunities in electrically tunable 2D materials beyond graphene: Recent progress and future outlook
Authors: Vincent Tom , Liang Jiayun , Singh Simrjit , Castanon Eli G. , Zhang Xiaotian , McCreary Amber , Jariwala Deep , Kazakova Olga , Al Balushi Zakaria Y.
Published: November 2021

The interest in two-dimensional and layered materials continues to expand, driven by the compelling properties of individual atomic layers that can be stacked and/or twisted into synthetic heterostructures. The plethora of electronic properties as well as the emergence of many different quasiparticles, including plasmons, polaritons, trions, and excitons with large, tunable binding energies that all can be controlled and modulated through electrical means, has given rise to many device applications. In addition, these materials exhibit both room-temperature spin and valley polarization, magnetism, superconductivity, piezoelectricity that are intricately dependent on the composition, crystal structure, stacking, twist angle, layer number, and phases of these materials. Initial results on graphene exfoliated from single bulk crystals motivated the development of wide-area, high purity synthesis and heterojunctions with atomically clean interfaces. Now by opening this design space to new synthetic two-dimensional materials “beyond graphene,” it is possible to explore uncharted opportunities in designing novel heterostructures for electrically tunable devices. To fully reveal the emerging functionalities and opportunities of these atomically thin materials in practical applications, this review highlights several representative and noteworthy research directions in the use of electrical means to tune these aforementioned physical and structural properties, with an emphasis on discussing major applications of beyond graphene 2D materials in tunable devices in recent years and an outlook of what is to come in the next decade.
Dual-frequency electrically driven nematic microstructures confined to biaxial porous polymer membranes
Authors: Dubtsov A. V. , Pasechnik S. V. , Shmeliova D. V. , Umanskii B. A. , Kralj Samo
Published: November 2021

We report the study of internal ordering and electro-optical response of dual-frequency nematic liquid crystals (DFNLCs) confined to microporous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes. The DFNLCs are characterized by positive/negative signs of dielectric anisotropy in low/high-frequency electric fields E. Microscopic observations assisted by numerical simulations identified the escaped radial (ER) configurations of the nematic director field within the porous membrane for E = 0. Low/high-frequency electric fields were applied to the PET-DFNLC membrane to manipulate the internal nematic configuration. We found that the low/high-frequency electric fields transform the ER structure to the quasi axial/planar radial, resulting in the suppressed/increased propagation of near-infrared electromagnetic radiation through the composite material. The results are discussed for photonic applications.
Non-Hermitian electromagnetic double-near-zero index medium in a two-dimensional photonic crystal
Authors: Xu Changqing , Farhat Mohamed , Wu Ying
Published: November 2021

We report a general method to design a unique type of a non-Hermitian electromagnetic double-near-zero index medium by a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The synergy of a nonsymmorphic glide symmetry of the lattice, a period-doubling of the unit cell, and the non-Hermitian perturbation of the photonic crystal induces a phase transition in the eigenvalue spectrum. Near the Brillouin zone center, such a photonic crystal is effectively an anisotropic double-near-zero index medium. Along the direction of interest, the real parts of its effective permittivity and permeability are simultaneously near zero, while the imaginary parts of the effective parameters are nonzero values with opposite signs, leading to a real and positive effective refractive index. This medium enables many fascinating applications such as an angular sensor, a coherent perfect absorber, and a laser.
Study of the output beam spatial characteristics of a cascade Raman laser with multimode diode pumping
Authors: Kuznetsov A.G. , Kablukov S.I. , Podivilov E.V. , Babin S.A.
Published: November 2021

We report a study of the spatial characteristics of the beam output from a multimode-pumped SRS cascade laser. The intensity profiles of transmitted pump radiation beams, as well as of the first and second orders Stokes SRS generation, is measured in two different laser configurations: in a classical laser with two pairs of reflectors and in a scheme with a half-open cavity for the second order Stokes component. The dynamics of changes in the intensity profiles of the radiation beams in the two considered resonators is shown to differ significantly. The data obtained for the beam profiles are analysed together with the power characteristics of the cascade Raman laser within the framework of a balance model of interaction between pump radiation and the Stokes components of the SRS.
Divergence features of laser beams with angular momentum
Authors: Niziev V.G. , Nesterov-Mueller A.
Published: November 2021

The physical features of the divergence of laser beams with angular momentum are investigated. The beams are presented in the form of a coherent superposition of two modes without angular momentum. Analytical formulas are used that satisfy Maxwell’s equations for all components of the electric and magnetic fields of the initial modes. This allows one to describe the superposition of modes in terms of the components of the Umov–Poynting vector. The relationship between the beam divergence and its angular momentum, caused by the dependence of the radial and azimuthal components of the Umov–Poynting vector on the longitudinal components of the fields, is demonstrated. The components of this vector are analysed for an annular beam obtained using the superposition of azimuthally and radially polarised modes at various phase shifts between them. According to the analysis, beams with angular momentum can propagate without divergence. A method for generating such beams is discussed.
Peripheral tolerance by Treg via constraining OX40 signal in autoreactive T cells against desmoglein 3, a target antigen in pemphigus
Authors: Iriki Hisato , Takahashi Hayato , Wada Naoko , Nomura Hisashi , Mukai Miho , Kamata Aki , Ito Hiromi , Yamagami Jun , Matsui Takeshi , Kurebayashi Yutaka , Mise-Omata Setsuko , Nishimasu Hiroshi , Nureki Osamu , Yoshimura Akihiko , Hori Shohei , Amagai Masayuki
Published: November 2021

Significance

Immune tolerance is crucial to prevent harmful immune reactions against self-antigens and well operated by central thymic tolerance and peripheral tissue tolerance. However, peripheral tolerance had been investigated under influence from thymic tolerance. We successfully decoupled peripheral tolerance from thymic tolerance by utilizing autoantigen-deficient thymus. Experiments revealed that self-antigen presentation in steady state initiated proliferation but subsequent disappearance of autoreactive CD4+T cells in draining lymph nodes. After screening of representative candidates, including Ctla4, autoimmune regulator, and Pd-1, the mechanism was found to depend on regulatory T cell (Treg) function that constrained OX40 signaling of the T cells. This study presented fundamental, but potent, Treg-mediated tolerance mechanisms of peripheral tissues to prevent autoimmunity as compensatory roles for central tolerance.
Nanchung and Inactive define pore properties of the native auditory transduction channel in
Drosophila
Authors: Li Bingxue , Li Songling , Zheng Honglan , Yan Zhiqiang
Published: November 2021

Significance

Chordotonal (Cho) neurons are responsible for auditory perception in
Drosophila
, but the molecules/ion channels mediating the primary subthreshold currents that transduce the sound/mechanical stimulation to electrical signal remain unclear. Here, we overcame the technical limitation of direct recording from auditory receptor neurons and explored the functions of candidate molecules in auditory transduction. The mechanically induced subthreshold currents showed high sensitivity, dose-dependent response, and desensitization characteristics. By analyzing point mutations, we revealed that the TRP channels Nanchung and Inactive are essential pore-forming subunits of the native auditory transduction channel in Cho neurons. Additionally, another TRP family member, NompC, plays a role in regulating the kinetics of auditory transduction currents.
Individual variation in acquisition of voicing contrasts by classroom learners of French
Authors: Hutchinson Amy E. , Dmitrieva Olga
Published: November 2021

The present study examines the production of voicing by English-speaking learners of French in a traditional classroom environment, focusing on the juxtaposition between group patterns and individual tendencies. Thirty-one intermediate-level learners completed word-reading production tasks in French and English, and voice onset time was measured in word-initial bilabial stops. At the group level, results demonstrated strong interference from English in participants’ French, especially in the production of voiceless stops. In contrast, voiced stops overall were more target-like, revealing an asymmetry in the acquisition of the two members of the phonological distinction. At the individual level, much variability was observed both in the relative attainment of pronunciation targets and in the alignment between participants first and second language pronunciation patterns, ultimately highlighting the need for future research to consider individual trends in order to understand L2 speech acquisition in a more comprehensive manner.
Microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of the AZ91–Mg2Si–SiC hybrid composites
Authors: Zarghami Mohammad , Emamy Massoud , Malekan Mehdi
Published: November 2021

The present study investigates the effect of different amounts of SiC particles on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behaviour of the cast and extruded AZ91–Mg2Si composite. The microstructural analysis of the cast samples showed the primary α-Mg, semicontinuous networks of the Mg17Al12 intermetallics and scattered Mg2Si and SiC particles. The hot extrusion resulted in a refined grain structure and homogenously distributed particles. More SiC particles had a positive influence on the microstructural refinement and decrement of the grain size. Increasing the SiC particles improved the hardness and compressive strength and decreased compressive elongation. Furthermore, the wear tests exhibited that more SiC particles enhanced the wear properties. However, at the highest loads, the extruded composite with large SiC particles displayed weak wear resistance.
Detecting spatially co-expressed gene clusters with functional coherence by graph-regularized convolutional neural network
Authors: Song Tianci , Markham Kathleen K , Li Zhuliu , Muller Kristen E , Greenham Kathleen , Kuang Rui
Published: November 2021

Motivation

Clustering spatial-resolved gene expression is an essential analysis to reveal gene activities in the underlying morphological context by their functional roles. However, conventional clustering analysis does not consider gene expression co-localizations in tissue for detecting spatial expression patterns or functional relationships among the genes for biological interpretation in the spatial context. In this article, we present a convolutional neural network (CNN) regularized by the graph of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network to cluster spatially resolved gene expression. This method improves the coherence of spatial patterns and provides biological interpretation of the gene clusters in the spatial context by exploiting the spatial localization by convolution and gene functional relationships by graph-Laplacian regularization.

Results

In this study, we tested clustering the spatially variable genes or all expressed genes in the transcriptome in 22 Visium spatial transcriptomics datasets of different tissue sections publicly available from 10× Genomics and spatialLIBD. The results demonstrate that the PPI-regularized CNN constantly detects gene clusters with coherent spatial patterns and significantly enriched by gene functions with the state-of-the-art performance. Additional case studies on mouse kidney tissue and human breast cancer tissue suggest that the PPI-regularized CNN also detects spatially co-expressed genes to define the corresponding morphological context in the tissue with valuable insights.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at https://github.com/kuanglab/CNN-PReg.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
TreeAndLeaf: an R/Bioconductor package for graphs and trees with focus on the leaves
Authors: Cardoso Milena A , Rizzardi Luis E A , Kume Leonardo W , Groeneveld Clarice S , Trefflich Sheyla , Morais Diego A A , Dalmolin Rodrigo J S , Ponder Bruce A J , Meyer Kerstin B , Castro Mauro A A
Published: November 2021

Motivation

Dendrogram is a classical diagram for visualizing binary trees. Although efficient to represent hierarchical relations, it provides limited space for displaying information on the leaf elements, especially for large trees.

Results

Here, we present TreeAndLeaf, an R/Bioconductor package that implements a hybrid layout strategy to represent tree diagrams with focus on the leaves. The TreeAndLeaf package combines force-directed graph and tree layout algorithms using a single visualization system, allowing projection of multiple layers of information onto a graph-tree diagram. The Supplementary Information provides two case studies that use breast cancer data from epidemiological and experimental studies.

Availability and implementation

TreeAndLeaf is written in the R language, and is available from the Bioconductor project at http://bioconductor.org/packages/TreeAndLeaf/ (version≥1.4.2).

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Some Scheduling Problems With Job Rejection And A Learning Effect
Authors: Toksari M Duran , Atalay Berrin
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we examined single and parallel machine scheduling problems with a learning effect and job rejection simultaneously. In real life, job processing times decrease when there is a learning effect. In some cases, producers cannot process all the jobs and pay the penalty cost for these jobs that they do not process. In our study, learning effect and job rejection are considered at the same time. We examined four different objective functions. Our objectives for single-machine scheduling problems are makespan and rejection cost minimization, total completion time and rejection cost minimization and total absolute deviation of completion times (TADC) and rejection cost minimization. Our objective for parallel machines is makespan and rejection cost minimization. The problems are solved by mathematical models, and four different algorithms are proposed for the problems. From these algorithms, the same results are obtained with single-machine makespan and rejection cost minimization, parallel machine makespan and rejection cost minimization and total completion time and rejection cost minimization. The accuracy for these models is obtained as 100%. The proposed algorithm for TADC and rejection cost minimization yielded close-to-optimal results. Mathematical model and algorithm results for 10 jobs, 20 jobs and 30 jobs are compared and the results are presented. The obtained solutions are obtained in polynomial time.
Genome-resolved metagenomics provides insights into the functional complexity of microbial mats in Blue Holes, Shark Bay
Authors: Kindler Gareth S , Wong Hon Lun , Larkum Anthony W D , Johnson Michael , MacLeod Fraser I , Burns Brendan P
Published: November 2021

The present study describes for the first time the community composition and functional potential of the microbial mats found in the supratidal, gypsum-rich and hypersaline region of Blue Holes, Shark Bay. This was achieved via high-throughput metagenomic sequencing of total mat community DNA and complementary analyses using hyperspectral confocal microscopy. Mat communities were dominated by Proteobacteria (29%), followed by Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi group (11%) and Planctomycetes (10%). These mats were found to also harbour a diverse community of potentially novel microorganisms, including members from the DPANN, Asgard archaea and candidate phyla radiation, with highest diversity found in the lower regions (∼14–20 mm depth) of the mat. In addition to pathways for major metabolic cycles, a range of putative rhodopsins with previously uncharacterized motifs and functions were identified along with heliorhodopsins and putative schizorhodopsins. Critical microbial interactions were also inferred, and from 117 medium- to high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes, viral defence mechanisms (CRISPR, BREX and DISARM), elemental transport, osmoprotection, heavy metal resistance and UV resistance were also detected. These analyses have provided a greater understanding of these distinct mat systems in Shark Bay, including key insights into adaptive responses and proposing that photoheterotrophy may be an important lifestyle in Blue Holes.
Slowdown in Mortality Improvement in the Past Decade: A US/UK Comparison
Authors: Murphy Michael J , Grundy Emily M D
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To investigate the slowdown in mortality improvement in the United States, United Kingdom, and comparator countries observed in the first decade of the twenty-first century and critically evaluate proposed explanations.

Methods

Change-point analysis to identify the year of change in comparison of national mortality trends and linear spline models in the investigation of subnational differences using data from the Human Mortality Database, Global Burden of Disease cause-specific data, and, for the United Kingdom, national statistics data. Consideration of the impact of using different methods to estimate overall mortality is also concluded together with a review of methodological assumptions made in previous studies.

Results

The results confirm the slowdown in mortality improvement observed in the early twenty-first century but indicate that proposed explanations for this are inadequate on a range of counts.

Discussion

Mortality improvement slowed down in the early twenty-first century but the explanations advanced, such as opioid use in the United States or influenza epidemics and austerity programs in the United Kingdom, seem unlikely to account for this. Further research considering longer-term life course and cohort influences is needed.
A spectral element approach to computing normal modes
Authors: Kemper J , van Driel M , Munch F , Khan A , Giardini D
Published: November 2021

We introduce a new approach to the computation of gravito-elastic free oscillations or normal modes of spherically symmetric bodies based on a spectral element discretization of the radial ordinary differential equations. Our method avoids numerical instabilities often encountered in the classical method of radial integration and root finding of the characteristic function. To this end, the code is built around a sparse matrix formulation of the eigenvalue problem taking advantage of state-of-the-art parallel iterative solvers. We apply the method to toroidal, spheroidal and radial modes and we demonstrate its versatility in the presence of attenuation, fluid layers and gravity (including the purely elastic case, the Cowling approximation, and full gravity). We demonstrate higher-order convergence and verify the software by computing seismograms and comparing these to existing numerical solutions. Finally, to emphasize the general applicability of our code, we show spectra and eigenfunctions of Earth, Mars and Jupiter’s icy moon Europa and discuss the different types of modes that emerge.
Subvalvular tissue mimicking valve detachment-like pathology by vertical aneurysm in Takayasu’s arteritis
Authors: Kiryu Kentaro , Igarashi Itaru , Wada Takuya , Yamamoto Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

A 74-year-old woman with Takayasu’s arteritis previously underwent aortic valve replacement at 59 years old. She was initially diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis and valve detachment. Moreover, preoperative computed tomography revealed ∼40 mm distance between the coronary artery ostium and the prosthetic valve (PV) and an aneurysm at the sinus of Valsalva. A Bentall procedure was subsequently performed. Intraoperative findings revealed no detachment of the PV. Following PV removal, the subvalvular tissue was noted to protrude into the left ventricular outflow tract. Subsequently, it was revealed that the tissue could have interfered with the PV; however, the PV appeared to have been detached considering the imaging findings.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–Specific Memory B Cells From Individuals With Diverse Disease Severities Recognize SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Authors: Lyski Zoe L , Brunton Amanda E , Strnad Matt I , Sullivan Peter E , Siegel Sarah A R , Tafesse Fikadu G , Slifka Mark K , Messer William B
Published: November 2021

The unprecedented severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has called for substantial investigations into the capacity of the human immune system to protect against reinfection and keep pace with the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. We evaluated the magnitude and durability of the SARS-CoV-2–specific antibody responses against parental WA-1 SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and a representative variant of concern (VoC) RBD using antibodies from 2 antibody compartments: long-lived plasma cell–derived plasma antibodies and antibodies encoded by SARS-CoV-2–specific memory B cells (MBCs). Thirty-five participants naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 were evaluated; although only 25 of 35 participants had VoC RBD–reactive plasma antibodies, 34 of 35 (97%) participants had VoC RBD–reactive MBC-derived antibodies. Our finding that 97% of previously infected individuals have MBCs specific for variant RBDs provides reason for optimism regarding the capacity of vaccination, prior infection, and/or both, to elicit immunity with the capacity to limit disease severity and transmission of VoCs as they arise and circulate.
Coronary artery bypass graft for stent occlusion in a patient with essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Al-Sarraf Nael
Published: November 2021

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder characterized by pathologic expansion of the megakaryocytic elements in the bone marrow leading to persistent thrombocytosis and platelet dysfunction. The incidence of coronary artery disease can reach 9.4% and this is accompanied by high incidence of acute myocardial infractions. There are no clear guidelines for best management approach to these patients when cardiac surgery is planned. A case of ET required coronary artery bypass graft surgery for stent occlusion is presented with careful preoperative planning leading to full recovery with no complications.
On the fragility of Alfvén waves in a stratified atmosphere
Authors: Cally Paul S
Published: November 2021

Complete asymptotic expansions are developed for slow, Alfvén, and fast magnetohydrodynamic waves at the base of an isothermal 3D plane stratified atmosphere. Together with existing convergent Frobenius series solutions about z = ∞, matchings are numerically calculated that illuminate the fates of slow and Alfvén waves injected from below. An Alfvén wave in a two-dimensional model is 2.5D in the sense that the wave propagates in the plane of the magnetic field but its polarization is normal to it in an ignorable horizontal direction, and the wave remains an Alfvén wave throughout. The rotation of the plane of wave propagation away from the vertical plane of the magnetic field pushes the plasma displacement vector away from horizontal, thereby coupling it to stratification. It is shown that potent slow–Alfvén coupling occurs in such 3D models. It is found that about 50 per cent of direction-averaged Alfvén wave flux generated in the low atmosphere at frequencies comparable to or greater than the acoustic cut-off can reach the top as Alfvén flux for small magnetic field inclinations θ, and this increases to 80 per cent or more with increasing θ. On the other hand, direction-averaged slow waves can be 40 per cent effective in converting to Alfvén waves at small inclination, but this reduces sharply with increasing θ and wave frequency. Together with previously explored fast–slow and fast–Alfvén couplings, this provides valuable insights into which injected transverse waves can reach the upper atmosphere as Alfvén waves, with implications for solar and stellar coronal heating and solar/stellar wind acceleration.
Galactic H ii region IRAS 17149 − 3916 – a multiwavelength study
Authors: Potdar Ajay , Das Swagat R , Issac Namitha , Tej Anandmayee , Vig Sarita , Chandra C H Ishwara
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a multiwavelength investigation of the Galactic H ii region IRAS 17149 − 3916. Using the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope, India, first low-frequency radio continuum observations at 610 and 1280 MHz for this region are presented. The ionized gas emission displays an interesting cometary morphology, which is likely powered by the early-type source, E4 (IRS-1). The origin of the cometary morphology is discussed under the framework of the widely accepted bow shock, champagne flow, and clumpy cloud mechanisms. The mid- and far-infrared data from Spitzer-GLIMPSE and Herschel-Hi-GAL reveal a complex network of pillars, clumps, bubble, filaments, and arcs suggesting the profound influence of massive stars on the surrounding medium. Triggered star formation at the tip of an observed pillar structure is reported. High-resolution ALMA continuum data show a string of cores detected within the identified clumps. The core masses are well explained by thermal Jeans fragmentation and support the hierarchical fragmentation scenario. Four ‘super-Jeans’ cores are identified which, at the resolution of the present data set, are suitable candidates to form high-mass stars.
Orbital dynamics of two circumbinary planets around misaligned eccentric binaries
Authors: Chen Cheng , Lubow Stephen H , Martin Rebecca G
Published: November 2021

We investigate the orbital dynamics of circumbinary planetary systems with two planets around a circular or eccentric orbit binary. The orbits of the two planets are initially circular and coplanar to each other, but misaligned with respect to the binary orbital plane. The binary–planet and planet–planet interactions result in complex planet tilt oscillations. We use analytical models and numerical simulations to explore the effects of various values of the planet semimajor axes, binary eccentricity, and initial inclination. Around a circular orbit binary, secular tilt oscillations are driven by planet–planet interactions and are periodic. In that case, planets undergo mutual libration if close together and circulation if far apart with an abrupt transition at a critical separation. Around an eccentric orbit binary, secular tilt oscillations are driven by both planet–planet interactions and binary–planet interactions. These oscillations generally display more than one frequency and are generally not periodic. The transition from mutual planet libration to circulation is not sharp and there is a range of separations for which the planets are on orbits that are sometimes mutually librating and sometimes circulating. In addition, at certain separations, there are resonances for which tilt oscillations are complicated but periodic. For planets that are highly misaligned with respect to an eccentric orbit binary, there are stationary (non-oscillating) tilt configurations that are generalizations of polar configurations for the single planet case. Tilt oscillations of highly inclined planets occur for initial tilts that depart from the stationary configuration.
Testing planet formation from the ultraviolet to the millimetre
Authors: Choksi Nick , Chiang Eugene
Published: November 2021

Gaps imaged in protoplanetary discs are suspected to be opened by planets. We compute the present-day mass accretion rates $\dot{M}_{\rm p}$ of seven hypothesized gap-embedded planets, plus the two confirmed planets in the PDS 70 disc. The accretion rates are based on disc gas surface densities Σgas from C18O observations, and planet masses Mp from simulations fitted to observed gaps. Assuming accretion is Bondi-like, we find in eight out of nine cases that $\dot{M}_{\rm p}$ is consistent with the time-averaged value given by the current planet mass and system age, Mp/tage. As system ages are comparable to circumstellar disc lifetimes, these gap-opening planets may be undergoing their last mass doublings, reaching final masses of $M_{\rm p} \sim 10\rm{\!-\!}10^2 \, M_\oplus$ for the non-PDS 70 planets, and $M_{\rm p} \sim 1\!-\!10 \, M_{\rm J}$ for the PDS 70 planets. For another 15 gaps without C18O data, we predict Σgas by assuming their planets are accreting at their time-averaged $\dot{M}_{\rm p}$. Bondi accretion rates for PDS 70b and c are orders of magnitude higher than accretion rates implied by measured U-band and H α fluxes, suggesting most of the accretion shock luminosity emerges in as yet unobserved wavebands, or that the planets are surrounded by dusty, highly extincting, quasi-spherical circumplanetary envelopes. Thermal emission from such envelopes or from circumplanetary discs, on Hill sphere scales, peaks at wavelengths in the mid-to-far-infrared and can reproduce observed mm-wave excesses.
HIRA complex presets transcriptional potential through coordinating depositions of the histone variants H3.3 and H2A.Z on the poised genes in mESCs
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Liwei , Xiong Chaoyang , Chen Jun , Wang Li , Wen Zengqi , Yu Juan , Chen Ping , Xu Yanhui , Jin Jingji , Cai Yong , Li Guohong
Published: November 2021

Histone variants have been implicated in regulating chromatin dynamics and genome functions. Previously, we have shown that histone variant H3.3 actively marks enhancers and cooperates with H2A.Z at promoters to prime the genes into a poised state in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). However, how these two important histone variants collaboratively function in this process still remains elusive. In this study, we found that depletion of different components of HIRA complex, a specific chaperone of H3.3, results in significant decreases of H2A.Z enrichment at genome scale. In addition, CUT&Tag data revealed a genomic colocalization between HIRA complex and SRCAP complex. In vivo and in vitro biochemical assays verified that HIRA complex could interact with SRCAP complex through the Hira subunit. Furthermore, our chromatin accessibility and transcription analyses demonstrated that HIRA complex contributed to preset a defined chromatin feature around TSS region for poising gene transcription. In summary, our results unveiled that while regulating the H3.3 incorporation in the regulatory regions, HIRA complex also collaborates with SRCAP to deposit H2A.Z onto the promoters, which cooperatively determines the transcriptional potential of the poised genes in mESCs.
Mutation enrichment in human DNA samples via UV-mediated cross-linking
Authors: Leong Ka Wai , Yu Fangyan , Makrigiorgos G Mike
Published: November 2021

Detection of low-level DNA mutations can reveal recurrent, hotspot genetic changes of clinical relevance to cancer, prenatal diagnostics, organ transplantation or infectious diseases. However, the high excess of wild-type (WT) alleles, which are concurrently present, often hinders identification of salient genetic changes. Here, we introduce UV-mediated cross-linking minor allele enrichment (UVME), a novel approach that incorporates ultraviolet irradiation (∼365 nm UV) DNA cross-linking either before or during PCR amplification. Oligonucleotide probes matching the WT target sequence and incorporating a UV-sensitive 3-cyanovinylcarbazole nucleoside modification are employed for cross-linking WT DNA. Mismatches formed with mutated alleles reduce DNA binding and UV-mediated cross-linking and favor mutated DNA amplification. UV can be applied before PCR and/or at any stage during PCR to selectively block WT DNA amplification and enable identification of traces of mutated alleles. This enables a single-tube PCR reaction directly from genomic DNA combining optimal pre-amplification of mutated alleles, which then switches to UV-mediated mutation enrichment-based DNA target amplification. UVME cross-linking enables enrichment of mutated KRAS and p53 alleles, which can be screened directly via Sanger sequencing, high-resolution melting, TaqMan genotyping or digital PCR, resulting in the detection of mutation allelic frequencies of 0.001–0.1% depending on the endpoint detection method. UV-mediated mutation enrichment provides new potential for mutation enrichment in diverse clinical samples.
Alcohol and Vaporized Nicotine Co-exposure During Adolescence Contribute Differentially to Sex-Specific Behavioral Effects in Adulthood
Authors: Ruffolo Jessica , Frie Jude A , Thorpe Hayley H A , Talhat Malik Asfandyaar , Khokhar Jibran Y
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Co-occurrence of e-cigarette use and alcohol consumption during adolescence is frequent. Here, we examined whether adolescent co-exposure to alcohol drinking and vaporized nicotine would impact reward- and cognition-related behaviors in adult male and female rats during adulthood.

Aims and Methods

Four groups of male and female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 8–11/group/sex) received either nicotine (JUUL 5% nicotine pods) or vehicle vapor for 10 minutes daily between postnatal days 30–46, while having continuous voluntary access to ethanol and water during this time in a two-bottle preference design. Upon reaching adulthood, all rats underwent behavioral testing (ie, Pavlovian conditioned approach testing, fear conditioning and a two-bottle alcohol preference).

Results

A sex-dependent effect, not related to adolescent nicotine or alcohol exposure, on alcohol drinking in adulthood was found, such that females had a higher intake and preference for alcohol compared to males; both male and female adult rats also had greater alcohol preference compared to their alcohol preference as adolescents. Male rats exposed to vaporized nicotine with or without alcohol drinking during adolescence exhibited altered reward-related learning in adulthood, evidenced by enhanced levels of sign-tracking behavior. Male rats that drank alcohol with or without nicotine vapor in adolescence showed deficits in associative fear learning and memory as adults. In contrast, these effects were not seen in female rats exposed to alcohol and nicotine vapor during adolescence.

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence that co-exposure to alcohol and vaporized nicotine during adolescence in male, but not female, rats produces long-term changes in reward- and cognition-related behaviors.

Implications

These findings enhance our understanding of the effects of alcohol drinking and nicotine vapor exposure in adolescence. Moreover, they highlight potential sex differences that exist in the response to alcohol and nicotine vapor, underscoring the need for follow-up studies elucidating the neurobiological mechanisms that drive these sex differences, as well as the long-term effects of alcohol and nicotine vapor use.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Sugar Beet in Montana, U.S.A.
Authors: Khan M. F. R. , Bhuiyan M. Z. R. , Lakshman Dilip K. , Mosher P. , Cymbaluk Timothy , Peters Duane
Published: November 2021

In this contribution, we report on a survey of leaf blight on sugar beet in the Sidney factory district of Montana caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. In addition to morphological and pathological characterization of the pathogen on sugar beet, we confirmed the molecular identity of the fungus by DNA sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region. Our findings are significant because the sugar beet production in south-central and eastern Montana contributes more than $100 million in economic activities. The incidence of this emerging disease will require changes in conventional disease management.
Lateral-extra articular tenodesis vs. anterolateral ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Moreno Mateo Fernando , Perea Sofia Hidalgo , Green Daniel W.
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review

The aim of this study was to review the most recent available evidence about lateral-extra articular tenodesis (LET) and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction in young patients treated for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

Recent findings

The ALL of the knee acts as a secondary stabilizer of the knee preventing anterior translation and internal rotation. In vitro and in vivo biomechanical studies as well as prospective clinical trials have shown the importance of the ALL in knee biomechanics. The ALL injury has a synergetic impact on the knee stability in patients with acute ACL injury. ALL augmentation of ACL provides reduction of knee instability and graft failure and higher return to sport rates in high-risk patients. It has not been demonstrated that extra-articular procedures increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis secondary to knee over-constriction. Both Iliotibial band (ITB) ALL reconstruction and modified Lemaire LET have been shown safe and effective. Minimal biomechanical or clinical differences have been found between the two reconstruction methods.

Young patients with ACL tears and risk factors such as laxity or pivot shift willing to return to sports may benefit from ALL augmentation. Therefore, it is essential to identify these high-risk patients to individualize treatment.
Pyrocarbon Arthroplasty Implants in the Upper Extremity: A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Pooled Analysis of Complications
Authors: Abi-Rafeh Jad , ElHawary Hassan , Azzi Alain J. , Thibaudeau Stephanie
Published: November 2021

Background:

Growing use of pyrocarbon implants in upper extremity arthroplasty has culminated in a breadth of literature ascertaining outcomes and complications at long-term follow-up. However, at present, the literature remains devoid of studies synthesizing the available evidence for upper extremity surgeons to adequately assess the safety and utility of these implants relative to other available options.

Methods:

A systematic search of the National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE, and Embase databases was performed to determine clinical outcomes and complication and reoperation rates following pyrocarbon arthroplasties in the upper extremity. A breakdown of complication and reoperation rates for each independent joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand joints), and according to specific causes necessitating surgery, was also compiled.

Results:

A comprehensive summary of functional outcomes following upper extremity pyrocarbon arthroplasties is presented. Overall complication and reoperation rates in the hand and wrist were determined to be 28.2 percent and 17 percent, respectively. The proximal interphalangeal joint was associated with the highest complication rate (42.7 percent), followed by carpometacarpal joint (18.8 percent), metacarpophalangeal joint (17.6 percent), wrist (16 percent), elbow (15.7 percent), and shoulder (12.9 percent). In the hand and wrist, major complications included dislocations and subluxations (8.4 percent), stiffness and limited motion (4.4 percent), deformity (3.1 percent), hardware failure (1.9 percent), fractures (1.7 percent), persistent pain (1.7 percent), and infections (0.9 percent).

Conclusion:

In the absence of large clinical trials, systematic reviews such as these can help inform clinical guidelines and provide practitioners with an evidence-based reference to improve informed consent.