bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planet formation and disc mass dependence in a pebble-driven scenario for low-mass stars
Authors: Dash Spandan , Miguel Yamila
Published: October 2020

Measured disc masses seem to be too low to form the observed population of planetary systems. In this context, we develop a population synthesis code in the pebble accretion scenario, to analyse the disc mass dependence on planet formation around low-mass stars. We base our model on the analytical sequential model presented by Ormel, Liu, and Schoonenberg and analyse the populations resulting from varying initial disc mass distributions. Starting out with seeds the mass of Ceres formed by streaming instability inside the ice-line, we grow the planets using the pebble accretion process and migrate them inwards using type I migration. The next planets are formed sequentially after the previous planet crosses the ice line. We explore different initial distributions of disc masses to show the dependence of this parameter with the final planetary population. Our results show that compact close-in resonant systems can be pretty common around M dwarfs between 0.09 and 0.2 M⊙ only when the discs considered are more massive than what is being observed by sub-mm disc surveys. The minimum disc mass to form a Mars-like planet is found to be about 2 × 10−3 M⊙. Small variations in the disc mass distribution also manifest in the simulated planet distribution. The paradox of disc masses might be caused by an underestimation of the disc masses in observations, by a rapid depletion of mass in discs by planets growing within 1 million years, or by deficiencies in our current planet formation picture.
Simple recipes for compact remnant masses and natal kicks
Authors: Mandel Ilya , Müller Bernhard
Published: October 2020

Based on recent results from three-dimensional supernova simulations and semi-analytical parametrized models, we develop analytical prescriptions for the dependence of the mass of neutron stars and black holes and the natal kicks, if any, on the pre-supernova carbon–oxygen core and helium shell masses. Our recipes are probabilistic rather than deterministic in order to account for the intrinsic stochasticity of stellar evolution and supernovae. We anticipate that these recipes will be particularly useful for rapid population synthesis, and we illustrate their application to distributions of remnant masses and kicks for a population of single stars.
Periodic brightening of Kepler light curves: investigating the possibility of forward scattering due to dust clouds
Authors: van Kooten M A M , Kenworthy M , Doelman N
Published: October 2020

Dedicated transiting surveys, such as the Kepler space telescope, have provided the astronomy community with a rich data set resulting in many new discoveries. In this paper, we look at eight Kepler objects identified by Wheeler & Kipping with a periodic, broad increase in flux, that look distinctly different from intrinsic star variability. We consider two physical phenomena as explanations for these observed Kepler light curves; the first being the classical explanation while the second being an alternative scenario: (i) tidal interactions in a binary star system, and (ii) forward scattering from an optically thin cloud around an exoplanet. We investigate the likelihood of each model by modelling and fitting to the observed data. The binary system qualitatively does a good job of reproducing the shape of the observed light curves due to the tidal interaction of the two stars. We do, however, see a mismatch in flux right before or after the peak brightness. We find that six out of the eight systems require an F-type primary star with a K-type companion with large eccentricities. At the same time, we find that optically thin discs, modelled using a Henyey–Greenstein phase function are also able to generate these broad brightening events. Five of the eight observed objects can be described with this new hypothesis in the absence of RV observations. As the other three are not well-described by the disc model, we conclude that they are indeed heartbeat stars.
A robust CRISPR–Cas9-based fluorescent reporter assay for the detection and quantification of DNA double-strand break repair
Authors: Eki Rebeka , She Jane , Parlak Mahmut , Benamar Mouadh , Du Kang-Ping , Kumar Pankaj , Abbas Tarek
Published: October 2020

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are highly cytotoxic lesions that can lead to chromosome rearrangements, genomic instability and cell death. Consequently, cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to efficiently repair DSBs to preserve genomic integrity. We have developed a DSB repair assay system, designated CDDR (CRISPR–Cas9-based Dual-fluorescent DSB Repair), that enables the detection and quantification of DSB repair outcomes in mammalian cells with high precision. CDDR is based on the introduction and subsequent resolution of one or two DSB(s) in an intrachromosomal fluorescent reporter following the expression of Cas9 and sgRNAs targeting the reporter. CDDR can discriminate between high-fidelity (HF) and error-prone non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), as well as between proximal and distal NHEJ repair. Furthermore, CDDR can detect homology-directed repair (HDR) with high sensitivity. Using CDDR, we found HF-NHEJ to be strictly dependent on DNA Ligase IV, XRCC4 and XLF, members of the canonical branch of NHEJ pathway (c-NHEJ). Loss of these genes also stimulated HDR, and promoted error-prone distal end-joining. Deletion of the DNA repair kinase ATM, on the other hand, stimulated HF-NHEJ and suppressed HDR. These findings demonstrate the utility of CDDR in characterizing the effect of repair factors and in elucidating the balance between competing DSB repair pathways.
CoBold: a method for identifying different functional classes of transient RNA structure features that can impact RNA structure formation in vivo
Authors: Martín Adrián López , Mounir Mohamed , Meyer Irmtraud M
Published: October 2020

RNA structure formation in vivo happens co-transcriptionally while the transcript is being made. The corresponding co-transcriptional folding pathway typically involves transient RNA structure features that are not part of the final, functional RNA structure. These transient features can play important functional roles of their own and also influence the formation of the final RNA structure in vivo. We here present CoBold, a computational method for identifying different functional classes of transient RNA structure features that can either aid or hinder the formation of a known reference RNA structure. Our method takes as input either a single RNA or a corresponding multiple-sequence alignment as well as a known reference RNA secondary structure and identifies different classes of transient RNA structure features that could aid or prevent the formation of the given RNA structure. We make CoBold available via a web-server which includes dedicated data visualisation.
EWS-FLI1 regulates and cooperates with core regulatory circuitry in Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Shi Xianping , Zheng Yueyuan , Jiang Liling , Zhou Bo , Yang Wei , Li Liyan , Ding Lingwen , Huang Moli , Gery Sigal , Lin De-Chen , Koeffler H Phillip
Published: October 2020

Core regulatory circuitry (CRC)-dependent transcriptional network is critical for developmental tumors in children and adolescents carrying few gene mutations. However, whether and how CRC contributes to transcription regulation in Ewing sarcoma is unknown. Here, we identify and functionally validate a CRC ‘trio’ constituted by three transcription factors (TFs): KLF15, TCF4 and NKX2-2, in Ewing sarcoma cells. Epigenomic analyses demonstrate that EWS-FLI1, the primary fusion driver for this cancer, directly establishes super-enhancers of each of these three TFs to activate their transcription. In turn, KLF15, TCF4 and NKX2-2 co-bind to their own and each other's super-enhancers and promoters, forming an inter-connected auto-regulatory loop. Functionally, CRC factors contribute significantly to cell proliferation of Ewing sarcoma both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CRC factors exhibit prominent capacity of co-regulating the epigenome in cooperation with EWS-FLI1, occupying 77.2% of promoters and 55.6% of enhancers genome-wide. Downstream, CRC TFs coordinately regulate gene expression networks in Ewing sarcoma, controlling important signaling pathways for cancer, such as lipid metabolism pathway, PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. Together, molecular characterization of the oncogenic CRC model advances our understanding of the biology of Ewing sarcoma. Moreover, CRC-downstream genes and signaling pathways may contain potential therapeutic targets for this malignancy.
Cross-Sectional Association of Lifetime Electronic Cigarette Use with Wheezing and Related Respiratory Symptoms in U.S. Adults
Authors: Li Dongmei , Xie Zidian
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Electronic cigarette use (vaping) has been found to be associated with respiratory symptoms like wheezing or whistling in the chest. Whether or not lifetime vaping occurrences are associated with wheezing has not yet been investigated.

Methods

Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 4 data with 22,233 adults collected from December 2016 to January 2018 were used. The cross-sectional association of lifetime vaping occurrences with wheezing and related respiratory symptoms was examined using multivariable weighted logistic regression models considering the complex sampling design.

Results

According to the weighted PATH Wave 4 data, about 89.9% adults never vaped, 3.2% adults vaped one time, 3.2% vaped 2–10 times, 1.3% vaped 11–20 times, 1.1% vaped 21–50 times, 0.4% vaped 51–99 times, and 0.9% vaped 100 or more times in their entire life. Compared to adults who never vaped, adults who vaped 2–10 times had a significantly higher association with ever wheezing (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.6), past 12-month wheezing (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9) and the number of wheezing attacks in the past 12 months (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.8). Adults who vaped 11–20 times and 100 or more times had similar associations with wheezing as that for adults who vaped 2–10 times. Controlling other tobacco use attenuated the associations.

Conclusions

Lifetime vaping occurrences were found to be associated with some definitions of self-reported wheezing in cross-sectional analyses adjusted for other tobacco use.

Implications

Using the cross-sectional PATH Wave 4 data with 22,233 adults, we found significant associations between lifetime vaping occurrences and ever wheezing or whistling in the chest, past 12 months wheezing or whistling in the chest, as well as the number of wheezing attacks in the past 12 months. The study results suggest that larger studies with more precise time frames and measures are needed to further understand possible connections between vaping experimentation and wheezing symptoms that could inform our understanding of the health effects of electronic cigarettes and resultant policy decisions.
The Genetic and Environmental Influences Contributing to the Association between Electronic and Conventional Cigarette Initiation
Authors: Prom-Wormley Elizabeth C , Clifford James S , Cooke Megan E , Cecilione Jennifer , Maes Hermine H , Do Elizabeth , Roberson-Nay Roxann
Published: October 2020

Introduction

As the use of electronic cigarette (EC) continues to rise in the United States, especially among adolescents and young adults, it is necessary to better understand the factors associated with EC initiation. Specifically, it is unclear how genetic and environmental contributions influence the initiation of EC. Furthermore, the degree to which genetic and environmental influences are shared between EC initiation and conventional cigarette (CC) initiation is unknown.

Methods

A sample of young adult twins ages 15–20 (N = 858 individuals; 421 complete twin pairs) was used to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the liability of initiation unique to EC and CC as well as the degree to which these factors are shared between the two. Approximately 24% of participants initiated the use of EC, 19% initiated the use of CC, and 11% initiated the dual use.

Results

Combined contributions of additive genetic and shared environmental influences were significant for CC (ACC = 0.19 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 0–0.79], p = 0.57; CCC = 0.42 [95% CI = 0–0.70], p = 0.13) and EC (AEC = 0.25 [95% CI = 0–0.83, p = 0.44; CEC = 0.42 [95% CI = 0–0.73], p = 0.12), whereas unique environmental influences were significant (ECC = 0.39 [95% CI = 0.18–0.57], p < 0.001; EEC = 0.32 [95% CI = 0.14–0.56], p < 0.001). Results also demonstrated a significant overlap of the unique environmental (rE = 0.87, p < 0.001) and familial influences contributing to correlation between the two phenotypes in the bivariate analysis.

Conclusions

These preliminary results suggest that both genes and environmental influences are potential drivers of EC initiation among adolescents and young adults.

Implications

This article is the first to use a sample of twin to estimate the contributions of genetic and environmental influences toward EC initiation and estimate the potential for overlapping influences with CC initiation. This study has implications for future debate about the etiology of EC and CC use with respect to potential overlapping genetic and environmental influences.
Assessing Young Adults’ ENDS Use via Ecological Momentary Assessment and a Smart Bluetooth Enabled ENDS Device
Authors: Li Zehan , Benowitz-Fredericks Carson , Ling Pamela M , Cohen Joanna E , Thrul Johannes
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The assessment of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use poses unique challenges that go beyond established assessment methods for tobacco cigarettes. Recent studies have proposed using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), a method to collect self-reported data on mobile devices, or data passively collected by “smart” Bluetooth enabled ENDS to assess use. The current study sought to compare ENDS use data using EMA and puff counts collected from a smart device.

Aims and Methods

We recruited 18 young adult ENDS users (age M = 23.33; 44.4% female) from the San Francisco Bay Area. For a total of 30 days, participants completed daily diaries by EMA and used a second-generation smart Bluetooth enabled ENDS that collected puff data. Repeated measures correlations, multilevel regressions, and paired t tests assessed concordance of EMA reports and ENDS data. A subset of four highly compliant participants were selected for sensitivity analyses.

Results

Among all 18 participants, completion of EMA daily diaries was high (77.4%). The ENDS device collected approximately twice as many puffs per day as participants reported. Compared with self-reported number of sessions and amount of e-liquid used, self-reported puff counts had the highest correlation with device-collected puff counts (rrm = 0.49; p < .001). Correlations between self-reported and device-collected puff counts improved among the subset of four highly compliant participants (rrm = 0.59; p < .001).

Conclusions

Self-reports potentially underestimate use of ENDS. Puff counts appear to be the best self-reported measure to assess ENDS use compared with number of sessions or liquid volume.

Implications

The comparison of EMA self-reports and passively collected ENDS device data can inform future efforts to assess ENDS use. Self-reported puff counts are preferable over number of sessions or amount of liquid used, but compared with objective usage data, self-reported puff counts may still underestimate actual use. ENDS use behavior is likely higher than users estimate and report. Future research on improved measures of ENDS use is needed.
Semantic Memory Impairment Across the Schizophrenia Continuum: A Meta-Analysis of Category Fluency Performance
Authors: Tan Eric Josiah , Neill Erica , Tomlinson Kiandra , Rossell Susan Lee
Published: October 2020

Semantic memory (SM) impairments are a core feature of schizophrenia and are present along the psychosis continuum. It is, however, unclear whether the degree of SM impairments vary along this continuum and if demographic and clinical factors affect impairment severity. This study performed meta-analyses of category fluency task performance (a task commonly used to assess SM) in 4 groups along the schizophrenia continuum: high schizotypes (HSZT), first-degree relatives (FDR), recent-onset patients (≤2 y; ROP) and chronic patients (CSZ). Electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published up to October 2019 resulting in the inclusion of 48 articles. The main analyses assessed fluency productivity scores in 2978 schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients, 340 first-degree relatives of schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients, and 3204 healthy controls. Further analyses assessed errors, mean cluster size, and switching data that were available in the CSZ group only. Results revealed significant impairments in fluency productivity were present in the FDR, ROP, and CSZ groups relative to healthy controls, but not in HSZT. In the CSZ group, significant differences relative to healthy controls were also observed in non-perseverative errors, mean cluster size, and number of switches. The findings collectively suggest that SM deficits are present at each stage of the continuum and are exacerbated post-illness onset. They also support the centrality of SM impairments in schizophrenia and most elevated risk groups. Future studies with more diverse measures of SM function are needed to replicate and extend this research.
Molecular mechanisms for magnesium-deficiency-induced leaf vein lignification, enlargement and cracking in Citrus sinensis revealed by RNA-Seq
Authors: Ye Xin , Huang Hui-Yu , Wu Feng-Lin , Cai Li-Ya , Lai Ning-Wei , Deng Chong-Ling , Guo Jiu-Xin , Yang Lin-Tong , Chen Li-Song
Published: October 2020

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck seedlings were fertigated with nutrient solution containing 2 [magnesium (Mg)-sufficiency] or 0 mM (Mg-deficiency) Mg(NO3)2 for 16 weeks. Thereafter, RNA-Seq was used to investigate Mg-deficiency-responsive genes in the veins of upper and lower leaves in order to understand the molecular mechanisms for Mg-deficiency-induced vein lignification, enlargement and cracking, which appeared only in the lower leaves. In this study, 3065 upregulated and 1220 downregulated, and 1390 upregulated and 375 downregulated genes were identified in Mg-deficiency veins of lower leaves (MDVLL) vs Mg-sufficiency veins of lower leaves (MSVLL) and Mg-deficiency veins of upper leaves (MDVUL) vs Mg-sufficiency veins of upper leaves (MSVUL), respectively. There were 1473 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MDVLL vs MSVLL and MDVUL vs MSVUL, 1463 of which displayed the same expression trend. Magnesium-deficiency-induced lignification, enlargement and cracking in veins of lower leaves might be related to the following factors: (i) numerous transciption factors and genes involved in lignin biosynthesis pathways, regulation of cell cycle and cell wall metabolism were upregulated; and (ii) reactive oxygen species, phytohormone and cell wall integrity signalings were activated. Conjoint analysis of proteome and transcriptome indicated that there were 287 and 56 common elements between DEGs and differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) identified in MDVLL vs MSVLL and MDVUL vs MSVUL, respectively, and that among these common elements, the abundances of 198 and 55 DAPs matched well with the transcript levels of the corresponding DEGs in MDVLL vs MSVLL and MDVUL vs MSVUL, respectively, indicating the existence of concordances between protein and transcript levels.
Peroneal Nerve Function Before and Following Surgical Excision of a Proximal Fibular Osteochondroma
Authors: Birch Craig M. , Smit Kevin M. , Sucato Daniel J.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Osteochondromas occur most commonly in the distal femur, proximal tibia, and humerus. There are no large studies reviewing the outcome of treatment for patients with an osteochondroma involving the proximal fibula. The purpose of this study is to specifically understand the manifestations of a proximal fibular osteochondroma (PFO) on the preoperative peroneal nerve function, and how surgical management of the osteochondroma affects function immediately postoperatively and at long-term follow-up.

Methods:

This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with a PFO treated operatively at a single institution. The medical record was carefully reviewed to identify demographic data, clinical data especially the status of the peroneal function at various time points.

Results:

There were 25 patients with 31 affected extremities who underwent surgical excision of the PFO at an average age of 12.4 years (range, 3.0 to 17.9 y). There were 16 males and 9 females. The underlying diagnosis was isolated PFO in 2 (8%) patients and multiple hereditary exostosis in 23 (92%) patients. Preoperatively, 9 (29%) had a foot drop and 22 (71%) did not. Those with a preoperative foot drop underwent surgery at a younger age (9.1 vs. 13.8 y) (P<0.004) and postoperatively 5 (55.5%) had complete resolution, 3 (33.3%) had improvement, and 1 (11.1%) persisted requiring an ankle foot orthosis. Of the 22 who were normal preoperatively, 5 (22.7%) developed an immediate postoperative foot drop, 3 (60%) completely resolved, 1 (20%) improved, and 1 (20%) persisted and was found to have a transected nerve at exploration. In total, 23 of the 25 (92%) patients who had a PFO excision, had a normal or near-normal peroneal nerve function including those who had poor function preoperatively.

Conclusions:

Patients with a PFO have a preoperative peroneal nerve dysfunction 30% of the time and 23% of those who were normal preoperatively have postoperative dysfunction. Fortunately, nearly all patients have a complete recovery following excision of the osteochondroma.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
A Study of Associations Between Plasma Metformin Concentration, Lactic Acidosis, and Mortality in an Emergency Hospitalization Context
Authors: Bennis Youssef , Bodeau Sandra , Batteux Benjamin , Gras-Champel Valérie , Masmoudi Kamel , Maizel Julien , De Broe Marc E. , Lalau Jean-Daniel , Lemaire-Hurtel Anne-Sophie
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

To determine the plasma metformin concentration threshold associated with lactic acidosis and analyze the outcome in metformin-treated patients with lactic acidosis hospitalized in an emergency context.

Design:

A retrospective, observational, single-center study.

Setting:

Emergency department and ICUs at Amiens University Hospital (Amiens, France).

Patients:

All consecutive patients with data on arterial lactate and pH up to 12 hours before or after a plasma metformin assay within 24 hours of admission, over a 9.7-year period.

Intervention:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

The study population consisted of 194 metformin-treated diabetic patients (median age: 68.6; males: 113 [58.2%]); 163 (84%) had acute kidney injury, which was associated variously with dehydration (45.4%), sepsis (41.1%), cardiogenic shock (20.9%), and diabetic ketoacidosis (16%). Eighty-seven patients (44.8%) had lactic acidosis defined as an arterial blood pH less than 7.35 and a lactate concentration greater than or equal to 4 mM, and 38 of them (43.7%) died in the ICU. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a metformin concentration threshold of 9.9 mg/L was significantly associated with the occurrence of lactic acidosis (specificity: 92.9%; sensitivity: 67.1%; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.83; p < 0.0001). Among lactic acidosis-positive patients, however, in-ICU death was less frequent when the metformin concentration was greater than or equal to 9.9 mg/L (33.9% vs 61.3% for < 9.9 mg/L; p = 0.0252). After adjustment for the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, in-ICU death was positively associated with prothrombin activity less than 70% and negatively associated with the initiation of renal replacement therapy at admission.

Conclusions:

In metformin-treated patients admitted in an emergency context, a plasma metformin concentration greater than or equal to 9.9 mg/L was strongly associated with the presence of lactic acidosis. This threshold may assist with the delicate decision of whether or not to initiate renal replacement therapy. Indeed, the outcome of lactic acidosis might depend on the prompt initiation of renal replacement therapy—especially when liver failure reduces lactate elimination.
Bacterial Pneumonia in Brain-Dead Patients: Clinical Features and Impact on Lung Suitability for Donation*
Authors: Poignant Simon , Boutrot Maxime , Ehrmann Stephan , Remerand Francis , Venhard Jean-Christophe , Wolf Manuel , Boulain Thierry , Barbier François
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

To appraise the epidemiological features of bacterial pneumonia and its impact on lung suitability for donation in brain-dead patients managed with protective ventilatory settings.

Design:

Retrospective observational study.

Setting:

Six ICUs from two university-affiliated hospitals.

Patients:

Brain-dead adult patients managed in the participating ICUs over a 4-year period.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Among the 231 included patients, 145 (62.8%) were classified as ideal or extended-criteria potential lung donors at ICU admission and the remaining 86 patients having baseline contraindication for donation. Culture-proven aspiration pneumonia and early-onset ventilator-associated pneumonia occurred in 54 patients (23.4%) and 15 patients (6.5%), respectively (overall pneumonia incidence, 29.9%). Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacterales were the most common pathogens. Using mixed-effects Cox proportional hazard models, age (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI [0.96–0.99]), anoxic brain injury (3.55 [1.2–10.5]), aspiration (2.29 [1.22–4.29]), and not receiving antimicrobial agents at day 1 (3.56 [1.94–6.53]) were identified as independent predictors of pneumonia occurrence in the whole study population. Analyses restricted to potential lung donors yielded similar results. Pneumonia was associated with a postadmission decrease in the Pao
2/Fio
2 ratio and lower values at brain death, in the whole study population (estimated marginal mean, 294 [264–323] vs 365 [346–385] mm Hg in uninfected patients; p = 0.0005) as in potential lung donors (299 [248–350] vs 379 [350–408] mm Hg; p = 0.04; linear mixed models). Lungs were eventually retrieved in 31 patients (34.4%) among the 90 potential lung donors with at least one other organ harvested (pneumonia prevalence in lung donors (9.7%) vs nondonors (49.2%); p = 0.0002).

Conclusions:

Pneumonia occurs in one-third of brain-dead patients and appears as the main reason for lung nonharvesting in those presenting as potential lung donors. The initiation of antimicrobial prophylaxis upon the first day of the ICU stay in comatose patients with severe brain injury could enlarge the pool of actual lung donors.
Clostridium tertium Peritonitis and Bacteremia in a Neonate With Congenital Intestinal Atresia: A Case Report
Authors: Morikawa Kazue , Nozaki Masatoshi , Hirata Katsuya , Abe Takatoshi , Yanagihara Itaru , Wada Kazuko
Published: October 2020

We report a 1-day-old girl who was affected by peritonitis and bacteremia caused by Clostridium tertium following perforation of congenital intestinal atresia. Splenic infarction was also suspected during C. tertium bacteremia. C. tertium was identified by using mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA sequencing. This patient was successfully treated with emergency laparotomy and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
What Do Kayaking and a Hog Have in Common? Two Cases of Aeromonas Hydrophila infection in Georgia
Authors: Vega Melanie D. , Awad Lilian E. , Tran Patricia A. , Bird Kristin M. , Katner Harold , Wagner Lauren
Published: October 2020

We highlight 2 cases of immunocompetent pediatric patients diagnosed with osteomyelitis and cellulitis attributed to Aeromonas hydrophila. One case had a direct water source; however, the second case occurred following a wild hog bite. Both required fluoroquinolone treatment and demonstrated the need to consider A. hydrophila in patients with water exposure, animal bites and initial antibiotic failure.
Sequelae of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Children: A 4-Months Follow-Up
Authors: Denina Marco , Pruccoli Giulia , Scolfaro Carlo , Mignone Federica , Zoppo Marisa , Giraudo Isaac , Silvestro Erika , Bertolotti Luigi , Rosati Sergio , Ramenghi Ugo , Garazzino Silvia
Published: October 2020

Little is known about the sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children. In a COVID-19 dedicated clinic, we followed-up for 4 months 25 children previously hospitalized for COVID-19, performing clinical, laboratory, and lung ultrasound evaluation. Mid-term sequelae were rarely observed in our COVID-19 children’s cohort.
IL-5 mediates monocyte phenotype and pain outcomes in fibromyalgia
Authors: Merriwether Ericka N. , Agalave Nilesh M. , Dailey Dana L. , Rakel Barbara A. , Kolker Sandra J. , Lenert Melissa E. , Spagnola William H. , Lu Ying , Geasland Katharine M. , Allen Lee-Ann H. , Burton Michael D. , Sluka Kathleen A.
Published: October 2020

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by widespread chronic pain, fatigue, and somatic symptoms. The influence of phenotypic changes in monocytes on symptoms associated with FM is not fully understood. The primary aim of this study was to take a comprehensive whole-body to molecular approach in characterizing relationships between monocyte phenotype and FM symptoms in relevant clinical populations. Lipopolysaccharide-evoked and spontaneous secretion of IL-5 and other select cytokines from circulating monocytes was higher in women with FM compared to women without pain. In addition, greater secretion of IL-5 was significantly associated with pain and other clinically relevant psychological and somatic symptoms of FM. Furthermore, higher levels of pain and pain-related symptoms were associated with a lower percentage of intermediate monocytes (CD14++/CD16+) and a greater percentage of nonclassical monocytes (CD14+/CD16++) in women with FM. Based on findings from individuals with FM, we examined the role of IL-5, an atypical cytokine secreted from monocytes, in an animal model of widespread muscle pain. Results from the animal model show that IL-5 produces analgesia and polarizes monocytes toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype (CD206+). Taken together, our data suggest that monocyte phenotype and their cytokine profiles are associated with pain-related symptoms in individuals with FM. Furthermore, our data show that IL-5 has a potential role in analgesia in an animal model of FM. Thus, targeting anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-5 secreted by circulating leukocytes could serve as a promising intervention to control pain and other somatic symptoms associated with FM.
At-Home Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Carnevale Caroline , Richards Paul , Cohall Renee , Choe Joshua , Zitaner Jenna , Hall Natalie , Cohall Alwyn , Whittier Susan , Green Daniel A. , Sobieszczyk Magdalena E. , Gordon Peter , Zucker Jason
Published: October 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provided HIV prevention patients with gonorrhea/chlamydia testing kits at home. This report describes the program implementation to provide other sexual health clinics with a roadmap in adapting to a “new normal” in providing comprehensive sexual health care virtually to patients.
Combination therapy with tocilizumab and corticosteroids for aged patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: López-Medrano Francisco , Pérez-Jacoiste Asín María Asunción , Fernández-Ruiz Mario , Carretero Octavio , Lalueza Antonio , de la Calle Guillermo Maestro , Caro José Manuel , de la Calle Cristina , Catalán Mercedes , García-García Rocío , Martínez-López Joaquín , Origüen Julia , Ripoll Mar , Juan Rafael San , Trujillo Hernando , Sevillano Ángel , Gutiérrez Eduardo , de Miguel Borja , Aguilar Fernando , Gómez Carlos , Silva José Tiago , de Morales Daniel García-Ruiz , Saro-Buendía Miguel , Marrero-Sánchez Ángel , Chiara-Graciani Guillermo , Bueno Héctor , Paz-Artal Estela , Lumbreras Carlos , Pablos José L. , Aguado José María
Published: October 2020

Background

The role of combination immunomodulatory therapy with systemic corticosteroids and tocilizumab (TCZ) for aged patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine release syndrome remains unclear.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single-center study including consecutive patients ≥65 years that developed severe COVID-19 between March 3 and May 1, 2020 and were treated with corticosteroids at various doses (methylprednisolone [0.5 mg/Kg/12 hours to 250 mg/24 hours]), either alone (“CS group”) or associated to intravenous tocilizumab (400-600 mg, one to three doses) (“CS-TCZ group”). Primary outcome was all-cause mortality by day +14, whereas secondary outcomes included mortality by day +28 and clinical improvement (discharge and/or a ≥2-point decrease on a six-point ordinal scale) by day +14. Propensity score (PS)-based adjustment and inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) were applied.

Results

Overall, 181 and 80 patients were included in the CS and CS-TCZ groups. All-cause 14-day mortality was lower in the CS-TCZ group, both in the PS-adjusted (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17 – 0.68;P-value = 0.002) and IPTW-weighted models (odds ratio [OR]: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.21 – 0.68;P-value = 0.001). This protective effect was also observed for 28-day mortality (PS-adjusted HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.21 – 0.72;P-value = 0.003). Clinical improvement by day +14 was higher in the CS-TCZ group in the IPTW analysis only (OR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.49 – 3.41;P-value <0.001). The occurrence of secondary infection was similar between both groups.

Conclusions

The combination of corticosteroids and TCZ was associated with better outcomes among patients ≥65 years with severe COVID-19.
Psychological distress during the COVID-19 epidemic in Chile: the role of economic uncertainty
Authors: Duarte Fabián , Jiménez-Molina Álvaro
Published: October 2020

Previous research has shown that the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing and lockdown can affect people’s psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to estimate the extent to which perceptions and expectations regarding the social, economic and domestic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak are associated with psychological distress, and identify some demographic, psychosocial and economic factors associated with increased vulnerability to psychological distress during the COVID-19 outbreak in Chile. 1078 people participated in a telephone survey between May 30 and June 10, 2020. The sample is representative of the Chilean adult population. Psychological distress was assessed through a questionnaire of anxious and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-4). We analyze the data set using ordinary least-squares regression models, first estimating models for the entire sample, and then stratifying the sample into different groups to explore differences by gender and age. 19.2% participants displayed significant psychological distress (PHQ-4 ≥ 6), with moderate to severe anxiety-depression symptoms being more prevalent in women than in men (23.9% vs 14.09%, χ2 6.89, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that being a woman, feeling lonely and isolated, living in the areas hit hardest by the pandemic and lockdown, expecting a lack of income due to having to stop working as a consequence of the pandemic, and having a history of mental health diagnosis are significantly associated with psychological distress (p < 0.05). The results of this study highlight the need to implement psychosocial programs to protect people’s psychological well-being and social policies to address economic uncertainty during the current COVID-19 outbreak in Chile.
Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Weeks Related to Pain Self-Management, Emotion and Self-Efficacy: A Secondary Analysis of a Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Lucas Ruth , Zhang Yiming , Russell Beth , Srisopa Pornpan , Boyle Julianna , Francis Jimi
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) outcomes can vary by concomitant emotions, ongoing pain, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of ongoing pain with breastfeeding, concomitant emotions and breastfeeding self-efficacy scores (BSES) with EBF outcomes at 6 weeks postpartum.

Design

A secondary analysis of a randomized pilot trial of a home-based breastfeeding pain self-management (BSM) intervention for 56 mothers (26 BSM, 30 Control). The BSM intervention provided self-management strategies for breastfeeding and breastfeeding pain. Effect modification of EBF and associated symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep, well-being pain severity scores, BSES, and group assignment was assessed using the likelihood ratio test.

Results

EBF at 6 weeks controlling for demographic covariates, the group, pain severity, anxiety and sleep were significant predictors. Mothers with every one point increase in their pain severity score and sleep score, had a decrease of 9% (OR = .91, 95%CI = [.79, .98]) and 25% (OR = .75, 95% CI = [.52, .95]) respectively and with a one point increase in the anxiety score, a 58% (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = [1.13, 2.72]) increase in the odds of EBF at week 6.

Conclusion

Examinations of EBF at 6 weeks should include evaluation of mothers’ ongoing pain and emotional distress, as mothers continue breastfeeding even at personal cost. Early identification and validation of breastfeeding challenges, ongoing pain, and emotional distress are needed to bolster mothers’ confidence in their breastfeeding skills, thus supporting their EBF goals.

Quick points

Unresolved pain during breastfeeding may affect breastfeeding self-efficacy, maternal self-efficacy and bonding

The effect of maternal emotion on breast and nipple pain and breastfeeding outcomes is not consistently evaluated during breastfeeding

Mothers who received breastfeeding pain self-management strategies reported higher breastfeeding self-efficacy scores and lower pain and anxiety scores

Providing breastfeeding pain self-management is a pathway to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy and exclusive breastfeeding

Empowering women with the skills needed to self-manage anxiety and pain by providing real-time support in the first weeks after birth support mother to reach their breastfeeding goals
Catastrophic Health Expenditure Before and After of the Implementation of Health Sector Evolution Plan
Authors: Ahmadi Razieh , Shafiei Milad , Ameri Hosein , Askari Roohollah , Fallahzadeh Hossein
Published: October 2020

Objective

One of the fundamental goals of health sector evolution plan (HSEP) in Iran is to improve household’s financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). The aim of this study was to calculate the percentage of CHE after implementing the plan and compare that with CHE before the plan at the same households.

Methods

The data was collected through face-to-face interview during a single visit. The World Health Survey (WHS) questionnaire was completed by 400 households. The relationships between CHE and variables were examined by the Fisher exact tests, and the impacts of variables on CHE were assessed by logistic regression model.

Results

The exposure of the households to CHE increased from 8.2% in 2011 to 14.25% in 2020, and percentage of the impoverished households due to health expenditures in 2020 was more than that in 2011(4.3% vs. 7.5%). The economic status, dental services and inpatients services were the key factor determining CHE. The most important determinant affecting the exposure to CHE was dental service utilization in 2011(92.64) and 2020(122.68).

Conclusion

The results showed a negative incremental change for the households facing CHE in this period. The dental and inpatients services, as well as the presence of member ≥65 years and economic status were the key determining factors for CHE. The services need to be more widely covered by the basic health insurance and households having members ≥65 years and the poor households should be exempted from paying some of the healthcare expenditures for improving financial protection against CHE.
Selecting stimulation intensity in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation studies: A systematic review between 1991 and 2020
Authors: Turi Zsolt , Lenz Maximilian , Paulus Walter , Mittner Matthias , Vlachos Andreas
Published: October 2020

Background

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an increasingly used, non-invasive brain stimulation technique in neuroscience research and clinical practice with a broad spectrum of suggested applications. Among other parameters, the choice of stimulus intensity and intracranial electric field strength substantially impact rTMS outcome. This review provides a systematic overview of the intensity selection approaches and stimulation intensities used in human rTMS studies. We also examined whether studies report sufficient information to reproduce stimulus intensities in basic science research models.Methods. We performed a systematic review by focusing on original studies published between 1991 and 2020. We included conventional (e.g., 1 Hz or 10 Hz) and patterned protocols (e.g., continuous or intermittent theta burst stimulation). We identified 3,784 articles in total, and we manually processed a representative portion (20%) of randomly selected articles.Results. The majority of the analyzed studies (90% of entries) used the motor threshold (MT) approach and stimulation intensities from 80 to 120% of the MT. For continuous and intermittent theta burst stimulation, the most frequent stimulation intensity was 80% of the active MT. Most studies (92% of entries) did not report sufficient information to reproduce the stimulation intensity. Only a minority of studies (1.03% of entries) estimated the rTMS-induced electric field strengths.Conclusion. We formulate easy-to-follow recommendations to help scientists and clinicians report relevant information on stimulation intensity. Future standardized reporting guidelines may facilitate the use of basic science approaches aiming at better understanding the molecular, cellular, and neuronal mechanisms of rTMS.
RNAi gene knockdown in the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer 1778), a tool for functional genomics
Authors: Chen Wan , Bartley Kathryn , Nunn Francesca , Bowman Alan S. , Sternberg Jeremy M. , Burgess Stewart , Nisbet Alasdair J. , Price Daniel R. G.
Published: October 2020

Background: The avian haematophagous ectoparasite, Dermanyssus gallinae or the poultry red mite, causes significant economic losses to the egg laying industry worldwide and also represents a significant welfare threat. Current acaricide-based controls are unsustainable due to the mite's ability to rapidly develop resistance, thus developing a novel sustainable means of control for D. gallinae is a priority. RNA interference (RNAi) mediated gene silencing is a valuable tool for studying gene function in non-model organisms, but is also emerging as a novel tool for parasite control.

Methods: Here we use an in silico approach to identify core RNAi pathway genes in the recently sequenced D. gallinae genome. In addition we utilise an in vitro feeding device to deliver dsRNA to D. gallinae targeting the D. gallinae vATPase subunit A (Dg vATPase A) gene and monitor gene knockdown using quantitive PCR (qPCR).

Results: We identified core components of the small interfering RNA (siRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA) pathways in D. gallinae, which indicate these gene silencing pathways are likely functional. Strikingly, the Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway was absent in D. gallinae. In addition, we demonstrate that feeding Dg vATPase A dsRNA to adult female D. gallinae results in silencing of the targeted gene compared to control mites fed non-specific lacZ dsRNA. In D. gallinae, dsRNA mediated gene knockdown is rapid, detectable 24 hours after oral delivery of dsRNA and persisted for at least 120 hours.

Conclusions: This study has shown the presence of core RNAi machinery components in the D. gallinae genome. In addition, we have developed a robust RNAi methodology for targeting genes in D. gallinae, which will be of value for studying genes of unknown function and validating potential control targets in D. gallinae.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in patients with aggressive haematological malignancies
Authors: O’Nions J. , Muir L. , Zheng J. , Rees-Spear C. , Rosa A. , Earl C. , Cherepanov P. , Gupta R. , Khwaja A. , Jolly C. , McCoy L.E.
Published: October 2020

The development of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 is an indicator of seroprevalence and may afford protection from infection. It has been presumed that antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 will be impaired in patients with aggressive haematological malignancy (PHM) due to underlying immunological dysfunction caused by malignancy or systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT), placing them at increased risk. Here we analysed longitudinal serum samples from ten hospitalised PHM with aggressive disease and on SACT, collected up to 103 days post-onset of COVID-19 symptoms. We found that the majority (8/9) of PHM with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection seroconverted and developed antibodies to the major SARS-CoV-2 antigens (S1 and N) with most (6/8) produced neutralising antibody responses. Furthermore, the dynamics of antibody responses were broadly similar to that reported for the general population, except for a possible delay to seroconversion. Our finding that PHM on SACT can make functional antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 has important implications for patient management and serological monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in high-risk groups.
Alzheimer’s Disease variant portal (ADVP): a catalog of genetic findings for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kuksa Pavel P. , Liu Chia-Lun , Fu Wei , Qu Liming , Zhao Yi , Katanic Zivadin , Kuzma Amanda B , Ho Pei-Chuan , Tzeng Kai-Teh , Valladares Otto , Chou Shin-Yi , Naj Adam C , Schellenberg Gerard D , Wang Li-San , Leung Yuk Yee
Published: October 2020

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) genetics has made substantial progress through genome-wide association studies (GWASs). An up-to-date resource providing harmonized, searchable information on AD genetic variants with linking to genes and supporting functional evidence is needed.

We developed the Alzheimer’s Disease Variant Portal (ADVP), an extensive collection of associations curated from >200 GWAS publications from Alzheimer’s Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC) and other researchers. Publications are reviewed systematically to extract top associations for harmonization and genomic annotation.

ADVP V1.0 catalogs 6,990 associations with disease-risk, expression quantitative traits, endophenotypes and neuropathology across >900 loci, >1,800 variants, >80 cohorts, and 8 populations. ADVP integrates with NIAGADS Alzheimer’s GenomicsDB where investigators can cross-reference other functional evidence.

ADVP is a valuable resource for investigators to quickly and systematically explore high-confidence AD genetic findings and provides insights into population- and tissue-specific AD genetic architecture. ADVP is continually maintained and enhanced by NIAGADS and is freely accessible (https://advp.niagads.org).