bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nontraumatic Neurosurgical Emergencies
Authors: Ashraf Obaid , Bajwa Omer , Leonardo Jody , Altenbaugh Mary
Published: November 2022

Most neurosurgical emergencies involve management of intracranial pressure, decompression of brain parenchyma, or diversion of cerebrospinal fluid. These interventions aim to prevent progression and reverse damage to neural structures. The pathologies that require emergent treatment either develop acutely or may progress over days until they reach a critical point causing decompensation. The risk of any intervention need to be weighed against potential benefits and should involve discussions with the family. Interventions have shown to be effective and facilitate patients' return to improved functionality. However, while neurosurgical interventions are lifesaving, surviving patients may have a severe residual disability. This article presents an overview of commonly seen nontraumatic neurosurgical emergencies. Each section presents key facets of presentation, initial workup, management, and role of surgical intervention.
Obstetric Emergencies
Authors: Baltaji Stephanie , Noronha Shaun F. , Patel Samir , Kaura Amit
Published: November 2022

Human gestation and birthing result in many deviations from usual physiology that are nonetheless normal to be seen. However, on occasion, certain complications in the obstetric patient can be life-threatening to both mother and fetus. Timely recognition of these disorders and allocation of the appropriate resources are especially important. These conditions often require an intensive care unit admission for closer monitoring and supportive care. They can affect an array of physiological systems and can lead to significant morbidity. Such complications are discussed in greater detail in this article.
Piezoelectric Osteotomy versus Conventional Osteotomy in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Khajuria Ankur , Krzak Ada M. , Reddy Rohin K , Lai Kenneth , Wignakumar Thirushan , Rohrich Rod J.
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Previous systematic reviews evaluating piezoelectric osteotomy are of critically low quality. We conducted a high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate outcomes for piezoelectric versus conventional osteotomy.

Methods:

The study protocol was published a priori (PROSPERO: CRD42021287877). MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CENTRAL were searched for studies comparing piezoelectric versus conventional osteotomes and reporting at least one outcome of interest (clinical or patient-reported outcomes, PROs). Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using GRADE and Cochrane’s RoB-2/ROBINS-I tools, respectively. Random effects models were applied.

Results:

Of 347 articles, 10 studies (nine randomized controlled trials; one prospective cohort study) including 554 patients were included. Piezoelectric osteotomy was associated with significantly reduced edema [standardized mean difference (SMD), −0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), −1.03 to −0.30; P < 0.0004], ecchymosis (SMD, −0.93; 95% CI, −1.13 to −0.73; P < 0.00001), and pain (SMD, −1.48; 95% CI, −2.07 to −0.88; P < 0.00001) compared with standard osteotomy. Odds of mucosal injury were significantly lower following piezoelectric osteotomy (odds ratio, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.52; P = 0.01). There was no difference in duration of osteotomy (SMD, 3.15; 95% CI, −1.82 to 8.12; P = 0.22) or total procedure duration (SMD, 0.46; 95% CI, −0.43 to 1.36; P = 0.31). One study reported PROs, favoring piezoelectric osteotomy.

Conclusion:

This systematic review and meta-analysis provides support (albeit weak, due to low-quality evidence) for piezoelectric over conventional osteotomy, for reducing morbidity in the early postoperative period. High-quality level I data reporting PROs will optimize shared decision-making/informed consent.
Professional Preparation, Growth, and Recognition in the Service Coordination Workforce
Authors: Nichols Sarah L. , Connor Susan M. , Kastanis Maria P. , Corso Robert M.
Published: November 2022

A survey was distributed to Part C early intervention (EI) service coordination (SC) stakeholders in one state in order to gain a deeper understanding of service coordinator knowledge, skills, and motivators for professional growth and recognition. Survey participants (N = 107), including dedicated service coordinators, program managers, social emotional consultants, parent liaisons, local interagency council coordinators, and developmental pediatric consultants, identified knowledge and skills required for the role of service coordinators. Key motivators for professional growth within the SC role were also identified, including monetary, award/acknowledgment, and varied levels of responsibility. Data collected were analyzed, reviewed with Part C administrators, system point of entry leadership, and shared with EI stakeholders. Findings are being used to guide systems planning and decision-making to ensure service coordinators have opportunities for professional growth and are well prepared with the knowledge, skills, and supports necessary to partner with families and other professionals in EI. Information gained may also inform other state Part C programs and professional development entities as they (1) create and assess systems to support SC personnel; (2) build service coordinators' capacity to implement evidence-informed practices; (3) recognize service coordinators' critical role and expertise; and (4) foster the retention of well-trained, well-supported service coordinators.
Reflective Journaling as Preparation for Spiritual Care of Patients
Authors: Hansen Dana M. , Stephenson Pam , Lalani Nasreen , Shanholtzer Jennifer
Published: November 2022

Death is a human experience; however, an understanding of dying, grief, and loss continues to elude many cultures, even more elusive is the understanding of complicated grief for families and burnout for providers caring for the dying patient and their families. To prepare students taking care of dying patients and their families, the Catalyzing Relationships at the End of Life program included addressing perceptions of one's own death through journal reflection. The Catalyzing Relationships at the End of Life program utilized journals to ascertain student understanding of issues surrounding family communication at the end of life. Journal reflections were embedded in an online learning management system and utilized structured prompts as the journaling method. These prompts addressed what students desire for their own family relationships during their own death. Results from the qualitative descriptive analysis included 4 themes: meaning, beliefs, connections, and good death. Reflections about their own death were a powerful experience for student participants. Although questions about spirituality were not specifically asked, themes relating to spirituality emerged from the data.
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction in Adults With Exstrophy of the Bladder
Authors: Ete Geley , Cordelia MJ Felix , Kingsly Paul M. , Akamanchi Anirudha K. , Agarwal Shwetha
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Abdominal wall reconstruction in an adult patient with exstrophy bladder is challenging. A variety of local and regional flaps are described. We describe our experience with a 3-layer technique with the differential reconstruction of the fascial and cutaneous layer.

Patient and Methods

Three adult patients with untreated bladder exstrophy were included in the study period from 2017 and 2019. The surgical technique involved 3-layer abdominal reconstruction involving closure with unilateral anterior rectus sheath turnover and a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap for skin cover reinforced with a mesh between the two.

Results

All three were male patients with an average age of 22.3 years. The average size of the defect was 10 × 9 cm. The mean period of follow-up was 6 months (range, 2–18 months). In all 3 patients, the flaps settled well with no complications.

Conclusions

Although rare as they may be, the management of untreated bladder exstrophy presenting in adulthood has evolved over the years. The goals of the management have changed from simple defect closure to the dynamic reconstruction of the abdominal wall covering a continent neobladder. Our technique of a 3-layer closure can provide good functional integrity to the abdominal wall even in large defects.
Functional Thenar Reconstruction
Authors: Tadisina Kashyap K. , Kareh Aurora M. , Hasan Samir , Frojo Gianfranco , Xu Kyle Y.
Published: November 2022

Reconstruction of the thumb is among the most complex challenges faced by hand surgeons. Meaningful functional recovery of the thumb is dependent mainly on thumb opposition and palmar abduction. Free functional muscle transfer provides neurotized, robust soft tissue coverage that can achieve dynamic reconstruction of thenar musculature in a single stage.

We present a case of a free neurotized segmental gracilis muscle transfer for thenar reconstruction and a systematic review of thenar reconstruction with free functional muscle transfer in the literature. A teenage male patient with a gunshot-induced thenar defect was reconstructed using a free neurotized gracilis muscle measuring 5 × 11 cm. The obturator nerve was coapted to the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve. The patient reached M4 strength at 10 months with functional use of his thumb. A systematic review of options for functional thenar reconstruction revealed 14 studies describing functional thenar reconstruction in 44 patients. Successful functional flaps described included gracilis muscle, pronator quadratus muscle, pectoralis minor muscle, abductor hallucis muscle, extensor digitorum brevis muscle, and serratus anterior muscle. Microsurgical transfer of a functional muscle is an excellent option for single-stage thenar reconstruction of both form and function. There are a number of available donor sites with equivalent size and bulk to that of native thenar musculature.
The Impact of Oncoplastic Reduction on Initiation of Adjuvant Radiation and Need for Reexcision
Authors: Shah Jennifer K. , Lipman Kelsey , Pedreira Rachel , Makarewicz Nathan , Nazerali Rahim
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Partial breast reconstruction with oncoplastic reduction can provide breast cancer patients with improved aesthetic outcomes after breast conservation therapy. This study evaluates the implications of simultaneous oncoplastic reduction with lumpectomy on complication rates, time to adjuvant radiation therapy, and rates of margin reexcision compared with lumpectomy alone.

Methods

The Clinformatics Data Mart Database is a national deidentified commercial claims data warehouse. From 2003 to 2020, adult female patients were queried to identify patients with a breast cancer diagnosis with International Classification of Disease codes. Among those, current procedural terminology codes were used to identify those who underwent lumpectomy alone versus lumpectomy with oncoplastic reduction. Patient demographics, complications, adjuvant oncologic therapies, and need for reexcision were recorded. Patients not continuously enrolled for at least 6 months before and after the index procedure were excluded. Multivariable regression and χ2 tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Of 53,165 patients meeting criteria (mean age, 61.4 ± 11.6 years), 1552 (2.9%) underwent oncoplastic reduction. Diagnoses of most nonsurgical complications (seroma, wound dehiscence, postoperative infection, fat necrosis, tissue necrosis, and nonspecified complications of surgical care) were significantly higher in the oncoplastic reduction group, as were rates of some surgical complications (hematoma, seroma, and tissue debridement). However, undergoing oncoplastic reduction did not impact time to adjuvant radiation (P = 0.194) and protected against positive margins requiring repeat lumpectomy or completion mastectomy (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing breast conservation therapy, simultaneous oncoplastic reduction decreased occurrence of positive margins and did not impact time to adjuvant radiation therapy despite increased rates of surgical and nonsurgical complications.
Lesion Site Is the Key Prognostic Factor for Keloid Patients Receiving Surgery With Adjuvant Radiotherapy
Authors: Chen Frank , Kuo Yur-Ren , Huang Chih-Jen , Tang Jen-Yang , Chiang Chen-Han , Huang Ming-Yii
Published: November 2022

Background

Keloid is a benign tumor with high recurrence rate; accordingly, complete surgical excision with adjuvant radiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments. This study reviewed outcomes of keloid patients receiving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

Materials and Methods

All patients received radiation dose with 15 Gy, with their first radiotherapy within 24 hours after surgical excision. The end points were recurrence rate and local recurrence-free interval (LRFI), defined clinically as palpable gross tumor over the treatment site and duration from the last day of radiotherapy to disease recurrence.

Results

From May 2017 to July 2020, 32 patients with 40 keloid lesions were included. The mean age for these patients was 37.6 years, and the median follow-up time was 15.3 months. The overall recurrence rate was 52.5%, and the median LRFI was 9.7 months. Recurrence rates for males and females were 46.7% and 56% (P = 0.567), respectively; for head and ear, chest, shoulder and upper extremities, and abdomen and back were 12.5%, 61.5%, 63.6%, and 62.5% (P = 0.093); for lesions over 20 cm2 and below 20 cm2 were 62.5% and 50% (P = 0.527); and for megavoltage electron beam and kilovoltage photon beam were 56.7% and 40% (P = 0.361), respectively. Patients were further classified into 2 groups by lesion sites, which showed lower recurrence rate (P = 0.011) and longer LRFI (P = 0.028) with lesions over the head and ear than other sites.

Conclusions

We found that lesion site might be a prognostic factor for keloid recurrence. Adjuvant radiation dose escalation for high-recurrence risk areas (other than the head and ear) might be required.
Outcomes Analysis of Textured Versus Smooth Tissue Expanders in Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Di Valerio Elizabeth , Rao Aditya Narayan , Leyngold Mark , Carlson Jacob , O'Neill Daniel , Virk Sarah , Mast Bruce , Satteson Ellen
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Because of concerns related to the correlation of breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and textured implants, the use of smooth devices in breast reconstruction has been increasing. Currently, there is a paucity of literature evaluating the safety of smooth tissue expanders (STEs), which are now being used more frequently in first-stage breast reconstruction. This study sought to compare the safety and outcomes associated with STEs compared with textured tissue expanders in prosthesis-based breast reconstruction.

Methods

A single-institution retrospective review of 394 patients undergoing tissue expander-based breast reconstruction (147 smooth and 247 textured) between 2015 and 2019 was conducted. Patient demographics, comorbidities, treatment characteristics, complications, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. Data analysis was performed using Fisher exact and t tests.

Results

No significant difference in demographics or complication rates were identified, including rates of hematoma, seroma, wound dehiscence, delayed wound healing, infection, tissue expander malposition, nipple necrosis, mastectomy flap necrosis, reoperation, readmission, and explantation. Average follow-up was 19 and 22 months for the smooth and textured groups, respectively. No cases of BIA-ALCL were identified in either group.

Conclusions

With equivocal safety profiles and no demonstrated risk in BIA-ALCL associated with STEs, this study supports the safety of using STEs compared with textured tissue expanders in prosthesis-based breast reconstruction with the advantage in preventing BIA-ALCL and concludes that there is no role for textured breast expanders.
Computational modelling of multi-temporal ventricular–vascular interactions during the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Pourmodheji Reza , Jiang Zhenxiang , Tossas-Betancourt Christopher , Dorfman Adam L. , Figueroa C. Alberto , Baek Seungik , Lee Lik-Chuan
Published: November 2022

A computational framework is developed to consider the concurrent growth and remodelling (G&R) processes occurring in the large pulmonary artery (PA) and right ventricle (RV), as well as ventricular–vascular interactions during the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This computational framework couples the RV and the proximal PA in a closed-loop circulatory system that operates in a short timescale of a cardiac cycle, and evolves over a long timescale due to G&R processes in the PA and RV. The framework predicts changes in haemodynamics (e.g. 68.2% increase in mean PA pressure), RV geometry (e.g. 38% increase in RV end-diastolic volume) and PA tissue microstructure (e.g. 90% increase in collagen mass) that are consistent with clinical and experimental measurements of PAH. The framework also predicts that a reduction in RV contractility is associated with long-term RV chamber dilation, a common biomarker observed in the late-stage PAH. Sensitivity analyses on the G&R rate constants show that large PA stiffening (both short and long term) is affected by RV remodelling more than the reverse. This framework can serve as a foundation for the future development of a more predictive and comprehensive cardiovascular G&R model with realistic heart and vascular geometries.
Opportunistic soaring by birds suggests new opportunities for atmospheric energy harvesting by flying robots
Authors: Mohamed A. , Taylor G. K. , Watkins S. , Windsor S. P.
Published: November 2022

The use of flying robots (drones) is increasing rapidly, but their utility is limited by high power demand, low specific energy storage and poor gust tolerance. By contrast, birds demonstrate long endurance, harvesting atmospheric energy in environments ranging from cluttered cityscapes to open landscapes, coasts and oceans. Here, we identify new opportunities for flying robots, drawing upon the soaring flight of birds. We evaluate mechanical energy transfer in soaring from first principles and review soaring strategies encompassing the use of updrafts (thermal or orographic) and wind gradients (spatial or temporal). We examine the extent to which state-of-the-art flying robots currently use each strategy and identify several untapped opportunities including slope soaring over built environments, thermal soaring over oceans and opportunistic gust soaring. In principle, the energetic benefits of soaring are accessible to flying robots of all kinds, given atmospherically aware sensor systems, guidance strategies and gust tolerance. Hence, while there is clear scope for specialist robots that soar like albatrosses, or which use persistent thermals like vultures, the greatest untapped potential may lie in non-specialist vehicles that make flexible use of atmospheric energy through path planning and flight control, as demonstrated by generalist flyers such as gulls, kites and crows.
Roseicella aerolata sp. nov., isolated from bioaerosols of electronic waste
Authors: Qin Tian , Pan Yi-min , Ren Qiao-qiao , Liu Yu-qi , Chen Ling-yun , Zhang Guo-xia
Published: November 2022

A novel Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, spherical-shaped and facultatively anaerobic bacterial strain, designated as GB24T was isolated from bioaerosols of an E-waste dismantling site in Guiyu, Guangdong Province, South PR China. Growth occurred at 15–40 °C (optimum 37 °C), pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum 7.0), and up to 0.5 % NaCl (w/v) under aerobic conditions, GB24T was characterized taxonomically and phylogenetically. The sole isoprenoid quinone detected was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified phospholipid, and one unidentified aminolipid. Carotenoid pigments were produced. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10 % of total fatty acids) were C17 : 1ω6c (51.5 %) and summed feature 8 (13.5 %, comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and draft genome grouped strain GB24T into the genus

Roseicella

. GB24T was most closely related to

Roseicella frigidaeris

DB1506T with 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The draft genome of GB24T comprised 6 153 170 bp with a DNA G+C content of 71.5 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between GB24T and DB1506T were 83.2 % (Ortho ANI), 83.3 % [ANI by blast (ANIb)] and 27.0 %, respectively. Further genomic analysis of GB24T revealed the secondary metabolite clusters of terpene and phosphonate, which indicate the capacity for malleobactin (14 %) and phosphinothricin (6 %) tripeptide production. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic results, GB24T represents a novel species, for which the name Roseicella aerolata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Roseicella aerolata is GB24T (= GDMCC 1.2169T = JCM 34449T).
Replacing non-emergency bleeps and long-range pagers with a hospital-wide, EHR-integrated secure messaging system: an implementer report
Authors: Ercole Ari , Tolliday Claire , Gelson William , Rudd James , Cameron Ewen , Chaudhry Afzal , Hamer Fiona , Davies Justin
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Obsolete bleep/long-range pager equipment remains firmly embedded in the NHS.

Objective

To introduce a secure, chart-integrated messaging system (Epic Secure Chat™) in a large NHS tertiary referral centre to replace non-emergency bleeps/long-range pagers.

Methods

The system was socialised in the months before go-live. Operational readiness was overseen by an implementation group with stakeholder engagement. Cutover was accompanied by a week of Secure Chat and bleeps running in parallel.

Results

Engagement due to socialisation was high with usage stabilising approximately 3 months after go-live. Contact centre internal call activity fell significantly after go-live. No significant patient safety concerns were reported.

Discussion

Staff engagement and uptake was excellent. The majority of those who previously carried bleeps were content to use personal devices for messaging because of user convenience after reassurance about privacy.

Conclusion

An integrated secure messaging system can replace non-emergency bleeps with beneficial impact on service.
Right amygdala lesions are associated with improved mood after epilepsy surgery
Authors: Albazron Fatimah M. , Tranel Daniel , Howard Matthew A. , Boes Aaron D.
Published: November 2022

Neuroimaging studies in healthy and clinical populations strongly associate the amygdala with emotion, especially negative emotions. The consequences of surgical lesions of the amygdala on mood are not well characterized. We tested the hypothesis that amygdala lesions would result in mood improvement. In this study we evaluated a cohort of 52 individuals with medial temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy who had resections variably involving the amygdala. All individuals achieved good post-surgical seizure control and had pre- and post-surgery mood assessment with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) ratings. We manually segmented the surgical resection cavities and performed multivariate lesion-symptom mapping of change in BDI. Our results showed a significant improvement in average mood ratings from pre- to post-surgery across all patients. In partial support of our hypothesis, resection of the right amygdala was significantly associated with mood improvement (r = 0.5, p = 0.008). The lesion-symptom map also showed that resection of the right hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus was associated with worsened post-surgical mood. Future studies could evaluate this finding prospectively in larger samples while including other neuropsychological outcome measures.
The burden of mortality due to injury in Cabo Verde, 2018
Authors: Fernandes Ngibo Mubeta , Mendonça Maria da Luz Lima , Gomez Lara Ferrero
Published: November 2022

External causes continue to be one of the main causes of mortality in the world and Cabo Verde is no exception. Economic evaluations can be used to demonstrate the disease burden of public health problems such as injuries and external causes and support prioritization of interventions aimed at improving the health of the populations. The study objective was to estimate the indirect costs of premature mortality in 2018 due to injuries and other consequences of external causes in Cabo Verde. Years of potential life lost, years of potential productive life lost and human capital approach were used to estimate the burden and indirect costs of premature mortality in 2018. In 2018, 244 deaths were registered due to injury and other consequences of external causes. Males were responsible for 85.4% and 87.73% of years of potential life lost and years of potential productive life lost, respectively. The cost of productivity lost due to premature death caused by injury was 4,580,225.91 USD. The was social and economic burden due to trauma was significant. There is a need for more evidence on the burden of disease due to injuries and their consequences, to support the implementation of targeted multi-sectoral strategies and policies for the prevention, management, and reduction of costs due to injuries in Cabo Verde.
A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations
Authors: Saldana-Guerrero Ingrid M. , Montano-Gutierrez Luis F. , Boswell Katy , Hafemeister Christoph , Poon Evon , Shaw Lisa E. , Stavish Dylan , Lea Rebecca A. , Wernig-Zorc Sara , Bozsaky Eva , Fetahu Irfete S. , Zoescher Peter , Pötschger Ulrike , Bernkopf Marie , Wenninger-Weinzierl Andrea , Sturtzel Caterina , Souilhol Celine , Tarelli Sophia , Shoeb Mohamed R. , Bozatzi Polyxeni , Rados Magdalena , Guarini Maria , Buri Michelle C. , Weninger Wolfgang , Putz Eva M. , Huang Miller , Ladenstein Ruth , Andrews Peter W. , Barbaric Ivana , Cresswell George D. , Bryant Helen E. , Distel Martin , Chesler Louis , Taschner-Mandl Sabine , Farlik Matthias , Tsakiridis Anestis , Halbritter Florian
Published: November 2022

Early childhood tumours arise from transformed embryonic cells, which often carry large copy number alterations (CNA). However, it remains unclear how CNAs contribute to embryonic tumourigenesis due to a lack of suitable models. Here we employ female human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and single-cell transcriptome and epigenome analysis to assess the effects of chromosome 17q/1q gains, which are prevalent in the embryonal tumour neuroblastoma (NB). We show that CNAs impair the specification of trunk neural crest (NC) cells and their sympathoadrenal derivatives, the putative cells-of-origin of NB. This effect is exacerbated upon overexpression ofMYCN, whose amplification co-occurs with CNAs in NB. Moreover, CNAs potentiate the pro-tumourigenic effects ofMYCNand mutant NC cells resemble NB cells in tumours. These changes correlate with a stepwise aberration of developmental transcription factor networks. Together, our results sketch a mechanistic framework for the CNA-driven initiation of embryonal tumours.
Magnetic resonance imaging datasets with anatomical fiducials for quality control and registration
Authors: Taha Alaa , Gilmore Greydon , Abbass Mohamad , Kai Jason , Kuehn Tristan , Demarco John , Gupta Geetika , Zajner Chris , Cao Daniel , Chevalier Ryan , Ahmed Abrar , Hadi Ali , Karat Bradley , Stanley Olivia W. , Park Patrick , Ferko Kayla M. , Hemachandra Dimuthu , Vassallo Reid , Jach Magdalena , Thurairajah Arun , Wong Sandy , Tenorio Mauricio C. , Ogunsanya Feyi , Khan Ali R. , Lau Jonathan C.
Published: November 2022

Tools available for reproducible, quantitative assessment of brain correspondence have been limited. We previously validated the anatomical fiducial (AFID) placement protocol for point-based assessment of image registration with millimetric (mm) accuracy. In this data descriptor, we release curated AFID placements for some of the most commonly used structural magnetic resonance imaging templates and datasets. The release of our accurate placements allows for rapid quality control of image registration, teaching neuroanatomy, and clinical applications such as disease diagnosis and surgical targeting. We release placements on individual subjects from four datasets (n = 132 subjects for a total of 15,232 fiducials) and more than 10 brain templates (4,288 fiducials), compiling over 300 human rater hours of annotation. We also validate human rater accuracy of released placements to be within 1-2 mm (using a total of 50,336 Euclidean distances), consistent with prior studies. Our data is compliant with the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) allowing for facile incorporation into modern neuroimaging analysis pipelines. Data is accessible on GitHub (https://github.com/afids/afids-data).
Adaptive biasing of action-selective cortical build-up activity by stimulus history
Authors: Braun A. , Donner T.H.
Published: November 2022

Decisions under uncertainty are often biased by the history of preceding sensory input, behavioral choices, or received outcomes. Behavioral studies of perceptual decisions suggest that such history-dependent biases affect the accumulation of evidence and can be adapted to the correlation structure of the sensory environment. Here, we systematically varied this correlation structure while human participants performed a canonical perceptual choice task. We tracked the trial-by-trial variations of history biases via behavioral modeling and of a neural signature of decision formation via magnetoencephalography (MEG). The history bias was flexibly adapted to the environment and exerted a selective effect on the build-up (not baseline level) of action-selective motor cortical activity during decision formation. This effect added to the impact of the current stimulus. We conclude that the build-up of action plans in human motor cortical circuits is shaped by dynamic prior expectations that result from an adaptive interaction with the environment.
Effort Foraging Task reveals positive correlation between individual differences in the cost of cognitive and physical effort in humans
Authors: Bustamante Laura A. , Oshinowo Temitope , Lee Jeremy R. , Tong Elizabeth , Burton Allison R. , Shenhav Amitai , Cohen Jonathan D. , Daw Nathaniel D.
Published: November 2022

Effort-based decisions, in which people weigh potential future rewards against effort costs required to achieve those rewards, have largely been studied separately for cognitive or physical effort, yet most real-world actions incur both effort costs. What is the relationship between cognitive and physical effort costs? Here we attempt to formalize the mechanisms underlying effort-based decisions and address methodological challenges to isolate and measure these mechanisms. Patch foraging is an ecologically valid reward rate maximization problem with well-developed theoretical tools to understand choices. We developed the Effort Foraging Task, which embedded cognitive or physical effort into a patch foraging sequential decision task, to isolate and quantify the cost of both cognitive and physical effort using a computational model. Participants chose between harvesting a depleting patch, or traveling to a new patch that was costly in time and effort. Participants’ exit thresholds (reflecting the reward they expected to receive by harvesting when they chose to travel to a new patch) were sensitive to cognitive and physical effort demands, allowing us to quantify the perceived effort cost in monetary terms. Individual differences in cognitive and physical effort costs were positively correlated, suggesting that these are perceived and processed in common terms across different domains. We found patterns of correlation of both cognitive and physical effort costs with self-reported anxiety, cognitive function, behavioral activation, and self-efficacy. This suggests the task captures decision mechanisms associated with real-world motivation and can be used to study individual variation in effort-based decisions across domains of cost.
A tRNA Modification-based strategy for Identifying amiNo acid Overproducers (AMINO)
Authors: Guo Hao , Ma Xiaoyan , Wang Ning , Ding Tingting , Zheng Bo , Guo Liwei , Huang Chaoyong , Zhang Wuyuan , Sun Lichao , Huo Yi-Xin
Published: November 2022

Amino acids have a multi-billion-dollar market with rising demand, prompting the development of high-performance microbial factories. However, a general screening strategy applicable to all proteinogenic and non-proteinogenic amino acids is still lacking. Modification of the critical structure of tRNA could decrease the aminoacylation level of tRNA catalyzed by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Involved in a two-substrate sequential reaction, amino acids with increased concentration could elevate the reduced aminoacylation rate caused by specific tRNA modification. Here, we developed a selection system for overproducers of specific amino acids using corresponding engineered tRNAs and reporter genes. As a proof-of-concept, overproducers of five amino acids such as L-tryptophan were screened out by growth-based and/or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based screening from random mutation libraries ofEscherichia coliandCorynebacterium glutamicum, respectively. This study provided a universal strategy that could be applied to screen overproducers of proteinogenic and non-proteinogenic amino acids in amber-stop-codon-recoded or non-recoded hosts.
Factors governing attachment ofRhizobium leguminosarumto legume roots
Authors: Parsons Jack D. , Cocker Clare R. , East Alison K. , Wheatley Rachel M. , Ramachandran Vinoy K. , Kaschani Farnusch , Kaiser Markus , Poole Philip S.
Published: November 2022

Primary attachment of rhizobia to host legume roots depends on pH and is the first physical interaction during nodulation. Genome-wide insertion sequencing, luminescence-based attachment assays and proteomic analysis demonstrate primary attachment ofRhizobium leguminosarumbiovarviciae3841 toPisum sativum(pea) roots is more complex than previously thought. In total, 115 proteins are needed for initial attachment under one or more test conditions (acid, neutral or alkaline pH), with 22 required under all conditions. These include cell-surface filamentous hemagglutinin adhesin (RL4382) and its transporter (RL4381), transmembrane protein RL2400, RL3752 (PssA, glycosyl transferase) affecting capsular polysaccharide and transcriptional regulator RL4145 (PckR). RNASeq was used to determine targets of RL4145 (PckR) and regulator RL3453. The 54 proteins required for attachment at pH 7.0 were investigated for nodulation phenotypes. Glucomannan biosynthesis protein A (GmsA) is needed at pH 6.5 and pH 7.0. Membrane proteins DgkA and ImpA are required specifically at pH 6.5, and RpoZ at pH 7.5. Sonicated cell surface fractions inhibited root attachment at alkaline pH but no overlap between proteins identified by proteomic and INseq analysis, suggests there is no single rhicadhesin needed for alkaline attachment. Our results demonstrate the complexity of primary root attachment and diversity of mechanisms involved.
Longitudinal associations between stroke and psychosis: a population-based study
Authors: Richards-Belle Alvin , Poole Norman , Osborn David P.J. , Bell Vaughan
Published: November 2022

Background

The co-occurrence of stroke and psychosis is a serious neuropsychiatric condition, but little is known about the course of this comorbidity.

Aims

To estimate longitudinal associations between stroke and psychosis over 10 years.

Methods

A 10-year population-based study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. A structured health assessment recorded i) first-occurrence stroke and ii) psychosis, at each wave. Each were considered exposures and outcomes in separate analyses. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used. Models were adjusted for demographic and health behaviour covariates, with missing covariates imputed using random forest multiple imputation.

Results

Of 19,808 participants, 24 reported both stroke and psychosis (median Wave 1 age 63, 71% female, 50% lowest quintile of net financial wealth) at any point during follow-up. By 10 years, the probability of an incident first stroke in participants with psychosis was 21.4% (95% CI, 12.1 to 29.6) compared to 8.3% (95% CI, 7.8 to 8.8) in those without psychosis (absolute difference: 13.1%; 95% CI, 20.8 to 4.3, log rankp<0.001; fully-adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 3.63; 95% CI, 2.25 to 5.87). The probability of reporting incident psychosis in participants with stroke was 2.3% (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.2) compared to 0.9% (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.1) in those without (absolute difference: 1.4%; 95% CI, 0.7 to 2.1, log rankp<0.001; fully-adjusted HR: 5.81; 95% CI, 2.89 to 11.70).

Conclusions

Stroke is an independent predictor of psychosis (and vice versa), after adjustment for potential confounders.
Modeling COVID-19 in different countries as sequences of SI waves
Authors: Janssen Rainer , Mimkes Juergen
Published: November 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge challenge worldwide for many institutions, researchers, national health organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry. As natural scientists and engineers, we attempted to contribute by calculating models and analyzing data to keep track of the pandemic.

While a frequent goal is to predict the next pandemic wave by considering all influencing parameters, we examined methods to calculate a model course of the entire pandemic. This is done by reconstructing the course of infections into multiple model waves that sum up into a pandemic model that is close to the real course. The model wave parameters are varied by an algorithm, such as the Excel solver, to minimize the difference between the real and model courses.

By reconstructing the course of infections using the commonly known SIR model, we found that the calculated model parameters were ambiguous and difficult to interpret. In contrast, we found that sequenced SI model waves provide an astonishing precise digital representation of the pandemic course. Until November 2022, we found between six and 16 waves (depending on the country) in each of the 14 countries investigated.

The calculated parameters are easy to interpret and are comparable between different waves and countries. These wave parameters may be correlated with the virus types and measures in each country by other researchers. New waves are detectable early as they show a certain deviation from the actual model wave. After the maximum of the last real wave, the model indicates the further procedure for the pandemic course.
The role of short-chain fatty acids on insulin sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pham Nhan H.T. , Joglekar Mugdha V. , Wong Wilson K.M. , Nassif Najah T. , Simpson Ann M. , Hardikar Anandwardhan A.
Published: November 2022

Context

There is substantial evidence that reduced gut short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, although findings from clinical interventions that could increase SCFAs are inconsistent.

Objective

This work aimed to assess the effect of SCFA intervention on fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Relevant published articles up to 28thJuly 2022 were extracted from PubMed and EMBASE using the medical subject heading (MeSH) of the defined keywords [(short-chain fatty acids AND (obesity OR diabetes OR insulin sensitivity)] and their synonyms. Data analyses were performed using recommended Cochrane meta-analysis checklist and PRISMA guidelines and were registered in the PROSPERO system (ID: CRD42021257248).

Data extraction

Clinical studies and trials that measured SCFAs along with reporting glucose homeostasis parameters were included in the analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model in the data extraction tool Review Manager version 5.4 (RevMan 5.4). The risk of bias assessment was performed following the Cochrane checklist for randomised and crossover studies.

Data analysis

We identified 6,040 non-duplicate studies; 23 met defined criteria and reported fasting insulin, fasting glucose, or HOMA-IR as well as a measured post-intervention change in SCFA concentrations. Our meta-analyses indicated that fasting insulin concentrations significantly reduced (overall effect: SMD = -0.15; 95% CI = -0.29, -0.01, p = 0.04) between placebo and treatment groups at the end of the intervention. Post-intervention increase in SCFAs had an even significant effect on lowering fasting insulin (p=0.008). Elevated levels of SCFAs were also associated with beneficial effects on HOMA-IR (p < 0.00001) compared to their baseline. Fasting glucose concentrations did not show any significant change.

Conclusions

Increased post-intervention SCFA is associated with lower fasting insulin, offering a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity.
Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase substrate promiscuity limits the potential for development of substrate reduction therapy in disorders of valine and isoleucine metabolism
Authors: Houten Sander M. , Dodatko Tetyana , Dwyer William , Chen Hongjie , Stauffer Brandon , DeVita Robert J. , Vaz Frédéric M. , Yu Chunli , Leandro João
Published: November 2022

Toxicity of accumulating substrates is a significant problem in several disorders of valine and isoleucine degradation notably short-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECHS1 or crotonase) deficiency, 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase (HIBCH) deficiency, propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic aciduria (MMA). Isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACAD8) and short/branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SBCAD,ACADSB) function in the valine and isoleucine degradation pathways, respectively. Deficiencies of these acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACAD) enzymes are considered biochemical abnormalities with limited or no clinical consequences. We investigated whether substrate reduction therapy through inhibition of ACAD8 and SBCAD can limit the accumulation of toxic metabolic intermediates in disorders of valine and isoleucine metabolism. Using analysis of acylcarnitine isomers, we show that 2-methylenecyclopropaneacetic acid (MCPA) inhibited SBCAD, isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, but not ACAD8. MCPA treatment of wild-type and PA HEK-293 cells caused a pronounced decrease in C3-carnitine. Furthermore, deletion ofACADSBin HEK-293 cells led to an equally strong decrease in C3-carnitine when compared to wild-type cells. Deletion ofECHS1in HEK-293 cells caused a defect in lipoylation of the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, which was not rescued byACAD8deletion. MCPA was able to rescue lipoylation inECHS1KO cells, but only in cells with priorACAD8deletion. SBCAD was not the sole ACAD responsible for this compensation, which indicates substantial promiscuity of ACADs in HEK-293 cells for the isobutyryl-CoA substrate. Substrate promiscuity appeared less prominent for 2-methylbutyryl-CoA at least in HEK-293 cells. We suggest that pharmacological inhibition of SBCAD to treat PA should be investigated further.
A human mitofusin 2 mutation causes mitophagic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Franco Antonietta , Li Jiajia , Kelly Daniel P. , Hershberger Ray E. , Marian Ali J. , Lewis Renate M. , Song Moshi , Dang Xiawei , Schmidt Alina D. , Mathyer Mary E. , de Guzman Strong Cristina , Dorn Gerald W.
Published: November 2022

Cardiac muscle has the highest mitochondrial density of any human tissue, but mitochondrial dysfunction is not a recognized cause of isolated cardiomyopathy. Here, we determined that the rare mitofusin (MFN) 2 R400Q mutation is ~20x over-represented in clinical cardiomyopathy, whereas this specific mutation is not reported as a cause of the MFN2 mutant-induced peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A). Accordingly, we interrogated the enzymatic, biophysical and functional characteristics of MFN2 Q400 versus wild-type and representative CMT2A-causing MFN2 mutants. All MFN2 mutants we studied suppressed mitochondrial fusion, the canonical MFN2 function. Compared to CMT2A mutants MFN2 R94Q and T105M that lacked catalytic GTPase activity and exhibited normal activation-induced changes in conformation, MFN2 Q400 had normal GTPase activity with impaired conformational shifting. GTPase-defective MFN2 mutants, but not MFN2 Q400, suppressed mitochondrial motility, provoked mitochondrial depolarization and reduced mitochondrial respiration. By contrast, MFN2 Q400 was uniquely defective in recruiting Parkin to mitochondria. CRISPR editing of the R400Q mutation into the mouseMfn2gene induced perinatal cardiomyopathy with no other organ involvement. RNA sequencing and metabolomics of cardiomyopathic Mfn2 Q400 hearts revealed signature abnormalities recapitulating experimental mitophagic cardiomyopathy. Indeed, cardiomyoblasts expressing MFN2 Q400 exhibited multiple mitophagy defects, but normal mitochondrial respiration. MFN2 Q400 is the first known natural mitophagy- and shape change-defective MFN2 mutant. Its unique profile of dysfunction evokes mitophagic cardiomyopathy, suggesting a mechanism for its enrichment in clinical cardiomyopathy.
A termination-aware vector design improves heterologous gene expression inPseudomonas putida
Authors: de Siqueira Guilherme Marcelino Viana , Guazzaroni María-Eugenia
Published: November 2022

Transcriptional terminators are key players in the flow of genetic information, but are often overlooked in circuit design. In this work, we used the Standard European Vector Architecture (SEVA) as a scaffold to investigate the effects of different terminators in the output of a reporter construct expressed in two bacterial species and found that replacing the conventional T1 and T0 transcriptional terminators of the SEVA vector format with a set of broad-host metagenomic terminators resulted in a significant improvement in the signal of a fluorescent device inPseudomonas putidaKT2440. Interestingly, this new vector design displayed the same performance as pSEVA231 inEscherichia coliDH10B. Our results support the notion that transcriptional terminators may affect the interconnected mesh of biological processes taking place in gene expression, leading to a host-dependent output that should be heeded for optimal circuit expression in different microbial hosts.