bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of active forced air warming during induction of anesthesia to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in intraoperative warming patients
Authors: Yoo Jae Hwa , Ok Si Young , Kim Sang Ho , Chung Ji Won , Park Sun Young , Kim Mun Gyu , Cho Ho Bum , Song Sang Hoon , Cho Chae Yeon , Oh Hong Chul
Published: March 2021

Background:

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of peri-induction forced air warming to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, defined as a reduction in body temperature to <36.0°C during the perioperative period, in intraoperatively warmed patients receiving major surgery lasting >120 minutes.

Methods:

In total, 130 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia lasting >120 minutes were divided into 2 groups: peri-induction warming (n = 65) and control (n = 65). Patients in the peri-induction warming group were warmed during the anesthetic induction period using a forced-air warmer set at 47°C, whereas patients in the control group were covered passively with a cotton blanket. All patients were warmed with a forced-air warmer during surgery. Body temperature was measured using a tympanic membrane thermometer in the pre- and postoperative periods and using a nasopharyngeal temperature probe during surgery. Patients were evaluated for shivering scale score, thermal comfort scale score, and satisfaction score in the post-anesthesia care unit.

Results:

The incidence rates of intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia were lower in the peri-induction warming group than in the control group (19.0% vs 57.1%, P < .001; 3.3% vs 16.9%, P = .013, respectively). Body temperature was higher in the peri-induction warming group (P < .001). However, intraoperative blood loss, as well as postoperative thermal comfort scale score, shivering scale score, and patient satisfaction score, were similar between groups. Post-anesthesia care unit duration was also similar between groups.

Conclusions:

Peri-induction active forced air warming is an effective, simple, and convenient method to prevent inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in intraoperatively warmed patients undergoing major surgery lasting >120 minutes.
Improvement in the cardiovascular profile of patients with morbid obesity following bariatric surgery
Authors: Marco Ana , Marco Pascual
Published: March 2021

Obesity is an inflammatory state related to vascular endothelium dysfunction. It generates a biological situation of hypercoagulability increasing the risk of thrombosis. This prothrombotic condition could be improved by bariatric surgery.

The main objective was to analyze the impact of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with changes in thrombin generation and procoagulant activity of microparticles (MP).

We present a prospective longitudinal study including consecutive patients candidate for bariatric surgery. We performed 3 sequential clinical visits: at inclusion, before surgery after completing the modified fasting phase, and 6 months after surgery. We analyzed CVRF, thrombin generation, and MP activity. The data analysis was performed using a logistic regression model to determine changes over time of hemostatic parameters and body mass index (BMI). McNemar test for binary variables was used to analyze the CVRF.

We included 94 patients (66 women), with an average age of 45.7 ± 10.1 years. The mean BMI reduction at the end of the follow-up was 15.5 ± 4.2 kg/m2. We detected a statistically significant improvement in CVRF: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as a significant reduction in thrombin generation capacity and procoagulant MP activity.

Massive weight loss induced by bariatric surgery improves the cardiovascular profile, associated with a reduction in the hypercoagulable status.
Comparison of rotational atherectomy and modified balloons prior to drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions
Authors: Hong Xu-Lin , Li Ya , Zhou Bin-Quan , Fu Guo-Sheng , Zhang Wen-Bin
Published: March 2021

The optimal strategy for lesion preparation in heavily calcified coronary lesions (HCCL) prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains debatable. This study sought to compare the performance of rotational atherectomy (RA) and modified balloon (MB)-based strategy in patients with HCCL receiving current-generation DES.

This retrospective study comprised 564 consecutive patients who underwent RA (n = 229) or MB (n = 335) for HCCL at our hospital and were treated with DES. Baseline clinical and angiographic data was obtained from our database. Patients were clinically monitored for the occurrence of any adverse events during the hospitalization. One-year follow-up was conducted by either telephone contact or outpatient visits. 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline covariates. After PSM, the clinical outcomes between the 2 groups were compared.

After PSM, except more target lesion in right coronary artery existing in the RA group (P = .008), no significant statistical differences were shown in regard of the other angiographic and procedural characteristics of the 2 groups. Strategy success rates were all 100% in both groups. In the unadjusted Cox proportional hazard analysis, participants with RA had a significantly lower risk of target lesion revascularization (TLR) (hazard ratio, HR 0.275, 95% confidence intervals, CI 0.119–0.635, P = .003) and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (HR 0.488, 95% 0.277–0.859, P = .013). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, RA was significantly associated with TLR (HR 0.32, 95% 0.12–0.853, P = .023), but no longer significantly associated with MACE (HR 0.674, 95% 0.329–1.381, P = .282).

In patients with HCCL, lesion preparation with RA was safe and could improve strategy success rate. There was lower rate of TLR with RA, however, no significant difference was found in the MACE rate at 1-year follow-up between RA and MB-based strategy.
Age‐Dependent Trends in the Celiac Disease
Authors: Krauthammer Alexander , Guz‐Mark Anat , Zevit Noam , Marderfeld Luba , Waisbourd‐Zinman Orith , Silbermintz Ari , Mozer‐Glassberg Yael , Nachmias Friedler Vered , Rozenfeld Bar Lev Michal , Matar Manar , Assa Amit , Shamir Raanan
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

Celiac disease (CD) is a common intestinal autoimmune disorder with diverse presenting features. We aimed to determine age‐dependent patterns in CD presentation, diagnosis and management at a large tertiary referral center.

Methods:

A retrospective review of electronic medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with CD between January 1999 and December 2018 at Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. We compared demographics, clinical and laboratory parameters between four age groups at CD presentation.

Results:

A cohort of 932 children was divided into four groups by age (in years) at diagnosis: 0–3 (17.9%), 3–6 (31.8%), 6–12 (34.5%), 12–18 (15.8%). The youngest age group presented more frequently with diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal distention, vomiting and lower weight z scores, P < 0.01. Hypoalbuminemia and zinc deficiency were also more frequent in this age group, compared to older patients (P < 0.05, each). Rates of anemia were higher in younger age groups (0–3 and 3–6 years), compared to older age groups, P < 0.05. Patients in the younger age groups (0–3 and 3–6 years) presented more frequently with tissue transglutaminase (TTG) levels above 10 times the upper limit of normal (ULN; P < 0.05), and more often normalized their CD serologies by 24 months of gluten‐free diets (GFD) compared to older age groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

There is an age‐dependent variation in CD presentation during childhood. Younger patients present more often with malabsorptive features, and higher TTG levels, yet normalize TTG while on GFD more rapidly than older patients. Clinicians should be aware of the diversity in CD presentation and course at the various presentation age.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Ultrasonography in the Hand Clinic
Authors: Huynh Kristine A. , Yoon Alfred P. , Seyferth Anne V. , Chung Kevin C.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Despite previous studies demonstrating the benefit of office-based ultrasonography for musculoskeletal evaluation, many hand surgery clinics have yet to adopt this practice. The authors conducted a cost-benefit analysis of establishing an ultrasound machine in a hand clinic.

Methods:

The authors used the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary, and Physician Compare National Downloadable File databases to estimate provider reimbursement and annual frequency of office-based upper extremity–related ultrasound procedures. Ultrasound machine cost, maintenance fees, and consumable supply prices were gleaned from the literature. The primary outcomes were net cost-benefit difference and benefit-cost ratio at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years after implementation. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying factors that influence the net cost-benefit difference.

Results:

The estimated total initial expense to establish ultrasonography in the clinic was $53,985. The overall cost-benefit difference was −$49,530 per practice at the end of the first year (benefit-cost ratio, 0.3), −$1049 after 5 years (benefit-cost ratio, 1.0), and $52,022 after 10 years (benefit-cost ratio, 1.4). Benefits primarily accrued because of physician reimbursements. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed machine price, annual procedure volume, and reimbursement rate as the most influential parameters in determining the benefit-cost ratio. Ultrasonography was cost beneficial when the machine price was less than $46,000 or if the billing frequency exceeded six times per week. A societal perspective analysis demonstrated a large net benefit of $218,162 after 5 years.

Conclusions:

Implementation of office-based ultrasound imaging can result in a positive financial return on investment. Ultrasound machine cost and procedural volume were the most critical factors influencing benefit-cost ratio.
Does The Use of Ethyl Chloride Improve Patient-Reported Pain Scores With Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Dressing Changes? A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tank Jason C. , Georgiadis Gregory M. , Bair Jeffrey M. , Rice Alexi , O’Mara Gardner Kristin , Chen John T. , Redfern Roberta E.
Published: March 2021

Background

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is commonly used for surgical incisions and large wounds, particularly in the context of trauma. Research has shown that patients report that the most painful aspect of NPWT is related to foam dressing changes. This study aimed to determine whether topical use of the vapocoolant anesthetic ethyl chloride would impact patient-reported pain during these procedures.

Methods

This study was a single-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial in patients who were undergoing NPWT foam dressing change following surgery performed by the orthopedic trauma team. A total of 100 patients were randomized to receive ethyl chloride topical anesthetic spray or placebo (tissue culture grade water) during dressing change. The outcome measure specified prior to enrollment was a mean decrease in patient-reported pain of 1.7 points using a numeric rating scale. Baseline and procedural characteristics were collected to investigate contributions to patient-reported pain. We hypothesized that the use of ethyl chloride would decrease patient reported pain scores.

Results

Significantly more females were randomized to the receive vapocoolant; remaining baseline and procedural characteristics were similar between groups. The median time for NPWT drape removal was 2.0 minutes in both groups (p = 0.66). The postprocedural pain reported by patients was significantly lower in the experimental group compared with placebo (median, 5.0 vs. 7.0; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders showed treatment group to be the strongest predictor of postprocedure pain (p = 0.002). Additionally, a generalized linear model suggests that treatment group was the strongest predictor of change in pain score as reported by patients prior to and immediately following dressing change.

Conclusions

Use of vapocoolant spray during NPWT dressing change for orthopedic trauma wounds and surgical incisions was feasible and resulted in significant reduction in patient-reported pain associated with the procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, Level I
Myeloid and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies for Solid Organ Transplant Tolerance
Authors: Li Jennifer , Thomson Angus W. , Rogers Natasha M.
Published: March 2021

Transplantation is now performed globally as a routine procedure. However, the increased demand for donor organs and consequent expansion of donor criteria has created an imperative to maximize the quality of these gains. The goal is to balance preservation of allograft function against patient quality-of-life, despite exposure to long-term immunosuppression. Elimination of immunosuppressive therapy to avoid drug toxicity, with concurrent acceptance of the allograft—so-called operational tolerance—has proven elusive. The lack of recent advances in immunomodulatory drug development, together with advances in immunotherapy in oncology, has prompted interest in cell-based therapies to control the alloimmune response. Extensive experimental work in animals has characterized regulatory immune cell populations that can induce and maintain tolerance, demonstrating that their adoptive transfer can promote donor-specific tolerance. An extension of this large body of work has resulted in protocols for manufacture, as well as early-phase safety and feasibility trials for many regulatory cell types. Despite the excitement generated by early clinical trials in autoimmune diseases and organ transplantation, there is as yet no clinically validated, approved regulatory cell therapy for transplantation. In this review, we summarize recent advances in this field, with a focus on myeloid and mesenchymal cell therapies, including current understanding of the mechanisms of action of regulatory immune cells, and clinical trials in organ transplantation using these cells as therapeutics.
Age-related changes in the upper respiratory microbiome are associated with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and illness severity
Authors: Hurst Jillian H. , McCumber Alexander W. , Aquino Jhoanna N. , Rodriguez Javier , Heston Sarah M. , Lugo Debra J. , Rotta Alexandre T. , Turner Nicholas A. , Pfeiffer Trevor S. , Gurley Thaddeus C. , Moody M. Anthony , Denny Thomas N. , Rawls John F. , Woods Christopher W. , Kelly Matthew S.
Published: March 2021

Children are less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and typically have milder illness courses than adults. We studied the nasopharyngeal microbiomes of 274 children, adolescents, and young adults with SARS-CoV-2 exposure using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We find that higher abundances ofCorynebacteriumspecies are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2-associated respiratory symptoms, while higher abundances ofDolosigranulum pigrumare present in SARS-CoV-2-infected individualswithoutrespiratory symptoms. We also demonstrate that the abundances of these bacteria are strongly, and independently, associated with age, suggesting that the nasopharyngeal microbiome may be a potentially modifiable mechanism by which age influences SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and severity.

Evaluation of nasopharyngeal microbiome profiles in children, adolescents, and young adults with a SARS-CoV-2-infected close contact identified specific bacterial species that vary in abundance with age and are associated with SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and the presence of SARS-CoV-2-associated respiratory symptoms.
Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination uptake in an elderly sample in Poland
Authors: Malesza Marta , Bozym Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Backgrounds

This research represents an investigation into potential predictors for the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination in Poland, following the instigation of policies to encourage the over-seventies to be vaccinated.

Methods

Individuals participated in cross-sectional structured interviews. 1427 respondents were questioned for determining vaccination uptake, revealing attitudes regarding vaccination, where information was sourced from, health status and behavior, demographics and socio-economic profiles.

Results

Selected predictors for acceptance of the vaccination were: being talked through the importance of the vaccination and potential side-effects by a medical professional; sharing living space with others; having a high ranking occupation; suffering from chronic illnesses; being able to access medical services by driving or walking rather than using public transport or relying on others. Those who opted not to be vaccinated most frequently justify their decision by saying that they were concerned about the efficacy of the vaccine or that they were worried about side-effects.

Conclusions

It appears that the current nationwide campaign has successfully raised awareness regarding the vaccine, but this research indicates that a more information-based campaign, focusing on evidence of the vaccine’s efficacy and the non-serious nature of all side-effects, could lead to improved uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs reduce viral infection by SARS-CoV-2 and fluoxetine show antiviral activity against the novel variants in vitro
Authors: Fred Senem Merve , Kuivanen Suvi , Ugurlu Hasan , Casarotto Plinio Cabrera , Levanov Lev , Saksela Kalle , Vapalahti Olli , Castrén Eero
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Repurposing of currently available drugs is a valuable strategy to tackle the consequences of COVID-19. Recently, several studies have investigated the effect of psychoactive drugs on SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture models as well as in clinical practice. Our aim was to expand these studies and test some of these compounds against newly emerged variants.

Experimental Approach

Several antidepressant drugs and antipsychotic drugs with different primary mechanisms of action were tested in ACE2/TMPRSS2-expressing human embryonic kidney cells against the infection by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-dependent pseudoviruses. Some of these compounds were also tested in human lung epithelial cell line, Calu-1, against the first wave (B.1) lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and the variants of concern, B.1.1.7 and B.1.351.

Key Results

Several clinically used antidepressants, including fluoxetine, citalopram, reboxetine, imipramine, as well as antipsychotic compounds chlorpromazine, flupenthixol, and pimozide inhibited the infection by pseudotyped viruses with minimal effects on cell viability. The antiviral action of several of these drugs was verified in Calu-1 cells against the (B.1) lineage of SARS-CoV-2. By contrast, the anticonvulsant carbamazepine, and novel antidepressants ketamine and its derivatives as well as MAO and phosphodiesterase inhibitors phenelzine and rolipram, respectively, showed no activity in the pseudovirus model. Furthermore, fluoxetine remained effective against pseudo viruses with N501Y, K417N, and E484K spike mutations, and the VoC-1 (B.1.1.7) and VoC-2 (B.1.351) variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusion and Implications

Our study confirms previous data and extends information on the repurposing of these drugs to counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection including different variants of concern.
Biophysical properties governing septin assembly
Authors: Woods Benjamin L. , Seim Ian , Liu Jessica , McLaughlin Grace , Cannon Kevin S. , Gladfelter Amy S.
Published: March 2021

Septin filaments build structures such as rings, lattices and gauzes that serve as platforms for localizing signaling and organizing cell membranes. How cells control the geometry of septin assemblies in poorly understood. We show here that septins are isodesmic polymers, in contrast to cooperative polymerization exhibited by F-actin and microtubules. We constructed a physical model to analyze and interpret how septin assemblies change in the presence of regulators in yeast extracts. Notably filaments differ in length and curvature in yeast extract compared to pure protein indicating cellular regulators modulate intrinsic biophysical features. Combining analysis of extracts from regulatory mutants with simulations, we found increased filament flexibility and reduced filament fragmentation promote assembly of septin rings, whereas reduced flexibility in crowded environments promotes local filament alignment. This work demonstrates how tuning of intrinsic features of septin filament assembly by regulatory proteins yields a diverse array of structures observed in cells.
Model estimates of metazoans’ contributions to the biological carbon pump
Authors: Pinti Jérôme , DeVries Tim , Norin Tommy , Serra-Pompei Camila , Proud Roland , Siegel David A. , Kiørboe Thomas , Petrik Colleen M. , Andersen Ken H. , Brierley Andrew S. , Visser André W.
Published: March 2021

The daily vertical migrations of fish and other metazoans actively transport organic carbon from the ocean surface to depth, contributing to the biological carbon pump. We use an oxygen-constrained, game-theoretic food-web model to simulate diel vertical migrations and estimate global carbon fluxes and sequestration by fish and zooplankton due to respiration, fecal pellets, and deadfalls. Our model provides estimates of the carbon export and sequestration potential for a range of pelagic functional groups, despite uncertain biomass estimates of some functional groups. While the export production of metazoans and fish is modest (~20% of global total), we estimate that their contribution to carbon sequestered by the biological pump (~ 800 PgC) is conservatively more than 50% of the estimated global total (~1300 PgC) and have a significantly longer sequestration time scale (~250 years) than previously reported for other components of the biological pump. Fish and multicellular zooplankton contribute about equally to this sequestered carbon pool. This essential ecosystem service could be at risk from both unregulated fishing on the high seas and ocean deoxygenation due to climate change.
Symmetry relations in wurtzite nitrides and oxide nitrides and the curious case of Pmc21
Authors: Breternitz Joachim , Schorr Susan
Published: March 2021

Binary III–V nitrides such as AlN, GaN and InN in the wurtzite-type structure have long been considered as potent semiconducting materials because of their optoelectronic properties, amongst others. With rising concerns over the utilization of scarce elements, a replacement of the trivalent cations by others in ternary and multinary nitrides has led to the development of different variants of nitrides and oxide nitrides crystallizing in lower-symmetry variants of wurtzite. This work presents the symmetry relationships between these structural types specific to nitrides and oxide nitrides and updates some prior work on this matter. The non-existence of compounds crystallizing in Pmc21, formally the highest subgroup of the wurtzite type fulfilling Pauling's rules for 1:1:2 stoichiometries, has been puzzling scientists for a while; a rationalization is given, from a crystallographic basis, of why this space group is unlikely to be adopted.
Crystal structure of (E)-1-(3-benzyl-5-phenyl-1,3-thiazol-2-ylidene)-2-[(E)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-ylidene]hydrazin-1-ium bromide
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Elgarhy Sahar M. I. , Hassan Alaa A. , Demirtaş Güneş , Mague Joel. T. , Ramli Youssef
Published: March 2021

In the title molecular salt, C26H24N3S+·Br−, the dihedral angles between the thiazole ring and its attached phenyl and benzoyl rings are 54.81 (7) and 85.51 (7)°, respectively. In the crystal, ion pairs are linked by C—H...Br and N—H...Br hydrogen bonds and are connected into helical chains extending along the c-axis direction by weak, electrostatic S...Br− interactions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed, which showed the dominant role of H...H contacts (51.3%).
Bank of America: Consumers Fight Back
Authors: Walker Russell
Published: March 2021

On October 6, 2011, President Barack Obama publicly scolded Bank of America for developing a new revenue stream: a $5 monthly fee for all Bank of America debit card holders, which the bank had announced a month earlier. It was a strategy for replacing lost “swipe fee” revenue following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act and accompanying Durbin Amendment, which capped swipe fees at 21 cents per transaction. This was the culmination of three tumultuous years for the world's largest financial services firm, but would not be the end of its public affairs challenges.

The president's public critique of Bank of America came in response to and helped exacerbate consumer anger about the bank's monthly fee, changes across the banking sector, and general discontent with Wall Street. Bank of America's situation was complicated further by ongoing legal action following acquisitions of Merrill Lynch and Countrywide, which hurt the firm's shareholders and led to large-scale employee layoffs.

In this case study, students will be challenged to analyze how Bank of America could have better managed the competing interests of different stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, regulators, customers, and the public.
Kaffee Kostuum: A Dilemma in Retail Financials
Authors: Boute Robert N. , Mieghem Jan A. Van
Published: March 2021

John Dong, the founder and CEO of Kaffee Kostuum developed the idea of Kaffee Kostuum in his own MBA capstone project five years ago. Shortly after graduation, he received seed money from business angels, as well as a favorable bank loan. His value proposition was clear from the beginning: “Be a provider of an unlimited variety of affordable suits, directly available from stock.” The idea sprang from his frustration with two less-than-ideal circumstances: He either had to wait four weeks to get a pricey tailor-made suit or purchase from among the limited selection of affordable suits in his local department store. To keep his company's prices down, Dong worked with a production unit in Vietnam.
Interrelated impacts of climate and land‐use change on a widespread waterbird
Authors: Saunders Sarah P. , Piper Walter , Farr Matthew T. , Bateman Brooke L. , Michel Nicole L. , Westerkam Henrik , Wilsey Chad B.
Published: March 2021

Together climate and land‐use change play a crucial role in determining species distribution and abundance, but measuring the simultaneous impacts of these processes on current and future population trajectories is challenging due to time lags, interactive effects and data limitations. Most approaches that relate multiple global change drivers to population changes have been based on occurrence or count data alone.

We leveraged three long‐term (1995–2019) datasets to develop a coupled integrated population model‐Bayesian population viability analysis (IPM‐BPVA) to project future survival and reproductive success for common loons Gavia immer in northern Wisconsin, USA, by explicitly linking vital rates to changes in climate and land use.

The winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), a broad‐scale climate index, immediately preceding the breeding season and annual changes in developed land cover within breeding areas both had strongly negative influences on adult survival. Local summer rainfall was negatively related to fecundity, though this relationship was mediated by a lagged interaction with the winter NAO, suggesting a compensatory population‐level response to climate variability.

We compared population viability under 12 future scenarios of annual land‐use change, precipitation and NAO conditions. Under all scenarios, the loon population was expected to decline, yet the steepest declines were projected under positive NAO trends, as anticipated with ongoing climate change. Thus, loons breeding in the northern United States are likely to remain affected by climatic processes occurring thousands of miles away in the North Atlantic during the non‐breeding period of the annual cycle.

Our results reveal that climate and land‐use changes are differentially contributing to loon population declines along the southern edge of their breeding range and will continue to do so despite natural compensatory responses. We also demonstrate that concurrent analysis of multiple data types facilitates deeper understanding of the ecological implications of anthropogenic‐induced change occurring at multiple spatial scales. Our modelling approach can be used to project demographic responses of populations to varying environmental conditions while accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty, an increasingly pressing need in the face of unprecedented global change.
Overcoming diverse homologous recombinations and single chimeric guide RNA competitive inhibition enhances Cas9‐based cyclical multiple genes coediting in filamentous fungi
Authors: Miao Youzhi , Xia Yanwei , Kong Yanqiong , Zhu Han , Mei Huiling , Li Pan , Feng Haichao , Xun Weibing , Xu Zhihui , Zhang Nan , Liu Dongyang , Shen Qirong , Zhang Ruifu
Published: March 2021

Deciphering the complex cellular behaviours and advancing the biotechnology applications of filamentous fungi increase the requirement for genetically manipulating a large number of target genes. The current strategies cannot cyclically coedit multiple genes simultaneously. In this study, we firstly revealed the existence of diverse homologous recombination (HR) types in marker‐free editing of filamentous fungi, and then, demonstrated that sgRNA efficiency‐mediated competitive inhibition resulted in the low integration of multiple genetic sites during coediting, which are the two major obstacles to limit the efficiency of cyclically coediting of multiple genes. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a biased cutting strategy by Cas9 to greatly enhance the desired HR type and applied a new selection marker labelling strategy for multiple donor DNAs, in which only the donor DNA with the lowest sgRNA efficiency was labelled. Combined with these strategies, we successfully developed a convenient method for cyclically coediting multiple genes in different filamentous fungi. In addition, diverse HRs resulted in a useful and convenient one‐step approach for gene functional study combining both gene disruption and complementation. This research provided both a useful one‐step approach for gene functional study and an efficient strategy for cyclically coediting multiple genes in filamentous fungi.
Institutions or the Societal Setting? Explaining Invalid Voting in Local Elections in Sweden
Authors: Lundell Krister , Högström John
Published: March 2021

Research on invalid voting has expanded over the past few years. Scholars largely agree on the most important determinants of invalid voting, foremost compulsory voting, quality of democracy, and ballot structure. However, disagreement prevails concerning several factors; more exactly, whether the effect is positive or negative. We examine determinants of invalid voting in the four most recent local elections in a single country, Sweden, all municipalities included. Applying a subnational research design allows us to control for several determinants that have been reported to be of significance in explaining varying levels of invalid voting, and, consequently, to examine factors with theoretically contradictory directions of effects. Two theoretical models of invalid voting are tested, an institutional and a societal model, each consisting of four variables. The latter explains considerably more of the variation in the dependent variable than the former. The most important determinant is education: higher levels of education among the population decrease the share of invalid votes. Concerning the institutional model, only district magnitude significantly affects the dependent variable, indicating that larger district magnitude depresses invalid voting. However, the effect disappears when societal variables are included, due to higher levels of education among the population in municipalities with high district magnitudes. Proportion of the electorate born abroad also significantly affects levels of invalid voting; higher proportions decrease invalid voting. We suggest that this is a consequence of political sophistication, interest, and being politically informed combined with who decides to vote and who decides to abstain amongst immigrants.
Safety and immunogenicity of a new glycoengineered vaccine against Acinetobacter baumannii in mice
Authors: Li Xin , Pan Chao , Liu Zhicheng , Sun Peng , Hua Xiaoting , Feng Erling , Yu Yunsong , Wu Jun , Zhu Li , Wang Hengliang
Published: March 2021

Acinetobacter baumannii poses a serious threat to human health, mainly because of its widespread distribution and severe drug resistance. However, no licensed vaccines exist for this pathogen. In this study, we created a conjugate vaccine against A. baumannii by introducing an O‐linked glycosylation system into the host strain. After demonstrating the ability of the vaccine to elicit Th1 and Th2 immune responses and observing its good safety in mouse a model, the strong in vitro bactericidal activity and prophylactic effects of the conjugate vaccine against infection were further demonstrated by evaluating post‐infection tissue bacterial loads, observing suppressed serum pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, the broad protection from the vaccine was further proved via lethal challenge with A. baumannii. Overall, these results indicated that the conjugate vaccine could elicit an efficient immune response and provide good protection against A. baumannii infection in murine sepsis models. Thus, the conjugate vaccine can be considered as a promising candidate vaccine for preventing A. baumannii infection.
Abundance and phenology of two pest species, Cacoecimorpha pronubana and Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Zielonka Marcin W. , Harris W. Edwin , Pope Tom W. , Leather Simon R.
Published: March 2021

Cacoecimorpha pronubana (Hübner, [1799]) and Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) are economically important polyphagous pest species. The larvae of these moths affect a wide range of horticultural crops. We evaluated the seasonal abundance and population dynamics of these two species, hypothesising that both species of moth exhibit similar patterns in their seasonal abundance and respond to abiotic factors. The study was carried out on a wide range of protected ornamental crops grown on a total area of 1 ha at a commercial nursery. The study was completed over five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019, where both populations were monitored weekly during the months of moth activity, from April to November, using sex pheromone traps to trap the males of both species. The timing and abundance of catches were analysed in relation to local meteorological data. The mean yearly abundance of adult males was 604 ± 23.89 (mean ± SE; C. pronubana) and 1706 ± 167.18 (E. postvittana) also differing significantly between years for both species. There was no influence of any weather measures on the abundance of E. postvittana, but sunshine duration (4.84 ± 0.26 hr) and temperature (13.04 ± 0.57°C) affected the mean seasonal abundance of C. pronubana. There was an overall difference in the seasonal pattern of abundance between the species studied. While we demonstrate a seasonal abundance difference between years for C. pronubana, we found no significant seasonal differences for E. postvittana. Improved understanding of seasonal abundance, phenological patterns and inter‐seasonal variations in population dynamics of these two species may be useful in developing forecasting models that can be used in improving integrated pest management strategies for these two pests.
Phenological development of subterranean clover cultivars under contrasting environments
Authors: Teixeira Carmen , Hampton John , Moot Derrick
Published: March 2021

Six subterranean clover cultivars (representing early and late flowering genotypes from three subspecies) were used to describe and quantify their phenological development. The vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) development phases, in response to different environments created by eight sowing dates were quantified. The period from sowing to emergence was constant in thermal time at 110°Cd and the first trifoliate appeared at ~300°Cd. Crops sown in autumn had the longest period from runner initiation until floral bud initiation (R1), which would allow an extended period of grazing, particularly for later flowering cultivars like ‘Denmark’. To maximise seed set (particularly in year 1) a maximum period between R3 and R11 is required (seed set window). This ranged from 319 ± 42.3°Cd for ‘Leura’ to 661 ± 73.1°Cd for ‘Narrikup’. The complete crop life cycle from sowing (V0) to maturity (R11) ranged from 1269 ± 31°Cd (equivalent of 123 ± 6.3 days) for ‘Antas’ sown in July to 2799 ± 47°Cd (300 ± 3.9 days) for ‘Woogenellup’. When sowing occurred in an increasing photoperiod (June–November) the life cycle of all cultivars was 59% shorter than when sown in a decreasing photoperiod. The numeric scale was able to describe all the variation in the phenological phases and could be used to quantify thermal time requirements for specific phenophases. This would allow subterranean clover management to be optimised (husbandry, grazing and seed harvest) at a local level, and provides the basic parameters for inclusion in annual pasture simulation models.
Physiological and metabolic characteristics of novel double‐mutant female mice with targeted disruption of both growth hormone‐releasing hormone and growth hormone receptor
Authors: Icyuz Mert , Zhang Fang , Fitch Michael P. , Joyner Matthew R. , Challa Anil K. , Sun Liou Y.
Published: March 2021

Mice with disruptions of growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH) or growth hormone receptor (GHR) exhibit similar phenotypes of prolonged lifespan and delayed age‐related diseases. However, these two models respond differently to calorie restriction indicating that they might carry different and/or independent mechanisms for improved longevity and healthspan. In order to elucidate these mechanisms, we generated GHRH and GHR double‐knockout mice (D‐KO). In the present study, we focused specifically on the characteristics of female D‐KO mice. The D‐KO mice have reduced body weight and enhanced insulin sensitivity compared to wild‐type (WT) controls. Growth retardation in D‐KO mice is accompanied by decreased GH expression in pituitary, decreased circulating IGF‐1, increased high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) adiponectin, and leptin hormones compared to WT controls. Generalized linear model‐based regression analysis, which controls for body weight differences between D‐KO and WT groups, shows that D‐KO mice have decreased lean mass, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content, but increased adiposity. Indirect calorimetry markers including oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and energy expenditure were significantly lower in D‐KO mice relative to the controls. In comparison with WT mice, the D‐KO mice displayed reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) values only during the light cycle, suggesting a circadian‐related metabolic shift toward fat utilization. Interestingly, to date survival data suggest extended lifespan in D‐KO female mice.
Changes in Alcohol Use and Drinking Context due to the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Multimethod Study of College Student Drinkers
Authors: Jackson Kristina M. , Merrill Jennifer E. , Stevens Angela K. , Hayes Kerri L. , White Helene R.
Published: March 2021

Background

In spring 2020, U.S. universities closed campuses to limit the transmission of COVID‐19, resulting in an abrupt change in residence, reductions in social interaction, and in many cases, movement away from a heavy drinking culture. The present mixed‐methods study explores COVID‐19‐related changes in college student drinking. We characterize concomitant changes in social and location drinking contexts and describe reasons attributed to changes in drinking.

Methods

We conducted two studies of the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on drinking behavior, drinking context, and reasons for both increases and decreases in consumption among college students. Study 1 (qualitative) included 18 heavy‐drinking college students (Mage = 20.2; 56% female) who completed semi‐structured interviews. Study 2 (quantitative) included 312 current and former college students who reported use of alcohol and cannabis (Mage = 21.3; 62% female) and who completed an online survey.

Results

In both studies, COVID‐19‐related increases in drinking frequency were accompanied by decreases in quantity, heavy drinking, and drunkenness. Yet, in Study 2, although heavier drinkers reduced their drinking, among non‐heavy drinkers several indices of consumption increased or remained stable . Both studies also provided evidence of reductions in social drinking with friends and roommates and at parties and increased drinking with family. Participants confirmed that their drinking decreased due to reduced social opportunities and/or settings, limited access to alcohol, and reasons related to health and self‐discipline. Increases were attributed to greater opportunity (more time) and boredom and to a lesser extent, lower perceived risk of harm and to cope with distress.

Conclusion

This study documents COVID‐19‐related changes in drinking among college student drinkers that were attributable to changes in context, particularly a shift away from heavy drinking with peers to lighter drinking with family. Given the continued threat of COVID‐19, it is imperative for researchers, administrators, and parents to understand these trends as they may have lasting effects on college student drinking behaviors.
The addition of fetal scalp blood lactate measurement as an adjunct to cardiotocography to reduce caesarean sections during labour: The Flamingo randomised controlled trial
Authors: East Christine E. , Davey Mary‐Ann , Kamlin C. Omar F. , Davis Peter G. , Sheehan Penelope M. , Kane Stefan C. , Brennecke Shaun P. ,   The Flamingo Study Group
Published: March 2021

Background

Fetal scalp blood sampling for lactate measurement (FBSLM) is sometimes used to assist in identification of the need for expedited birth in the presence of an abnormal cardiotocograph (CTG). However, there is no randomised controlled trial evidence to support this.

Aim

To determine whether adding FBSLM reduces the risk of birth by emergency caesarean section in labours complicated by an abnormal CTG, compared with CTG without FBS.

Material and Methods

Labouring women at a tertiary maternity hospital in Melbourne, Australia with a singleton, cephalic presentation, at ≥37 weeks gestation with an abnormal CTG pattern were randomised to the intervention (n = 61), with intermittent FBSLM in addition to CTG monitoring, or control (CTG without FBS, n = 62). The primary outcome was rate of birth by caesarean section. Secondary outcomes included overall operative birth and fetal and neonatal safety endpoints. Trial registration: ACTRN12611000172909.

Results

The smaller than anticipated sample was unable to demonstrate an effect from adding FBSLM to CTG monitoring on birth by caesarean section vs monitoring by CTG without FBS (25/61 and 28/62 respectively, P = 0.64, risk ratio 0.91, 95% confidence intervals 0.60–1.36). One newborn infant in the CTG group met the criteria for the composite neonatal outcome of death or serious outcome, neonatal encephalopathy, five‐minute Apgar score < 4, neonatal resuscitation, admission to neonatal intensive care unit for 96 h or more.

Conclusion

We were unable to provide robust evidence of the effectiveness of FBSLM to improve the specificity of the CTG in the assessment of fetal wellbeing.
Editorial Perspective: Cabin fever – the impact of lockdown on children and young people
Authors: Crawford Paul
Published: March 2021

This article debates the impact of the pandemic lockdown on the mental health of children and young people. It proposes that children and young people have been subject to the kind of psychological distress that has featured as the folk syndrome, cabin fever. Drawing on the evidence about the impact of prolonged confinement and isolation on mental health, not least in penal and spaceflight contexts, the article points to a long tail of mental health challenges for children and young people through and in the wake of the pandemic. Finally, the article summarizes some of the antidotes for cabin fever and new, exciting, creative digital interventions that may assist upstream mental health literacy and complement and support the work of child and adolescent mental health services.
Pembrolizumab‐induced hypophysitis with acute progression of Rathke’s cyst
Authors: Gamblin Austin S. , Twitchell Spencer , Kundu Bornali , Couldwell William T. , Menacho Sarah T.
Published: March 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitor–induced hypophysitis is a rare complication of pembrolizumab, but the effects of drug‐induced hypophysitis on preexisting pituitary lesions are unknown. The authors treated an unusual case of pembrolizumab‐induced hypophysitis that resulted in acute exacerbation of a preexisting pituitary cystic lesion causing severe intractable headaches. Before initiation of pembrolizumab therapy, magnetic resonance imaging should be carefully reviewed for sellar pathology. Patients demonstrating a Rathke's cleft cyst should consider other forms of treatment first or be carefully counseled before pembrolizumab initiation, because the advent of hypophysitis could result in symptomatic progression of an existing lesion, necessitating urgent surgical intervention.
Marginal bone loss and the risk indicators of fixed screw‐retained implant‐supported prostheses and fixed telescopic‐retained implant‐supported prostheses in full arch: A retrospective case–control study
Authors: Oda Yukari , Mori Gentaro , Honma Shinya , Ito Taichi , Iijima Toshikazu , Yajima Yasutomo
Published: March 2021

Objectives

This study compared full‐arch screw‐retained implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (FSI‐FDPs) and full‐arch telescopic‐retained implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses with a professional retrieval system (FTI‐FDPs) on marginal bone loss (MBL), the risk indicators and peri‐implantitis rate after 7–13 years.

Material and methods

Sixty five edentulous patients were treated with 86 prostheses and 592 implants. The FSI‐FDP group comprised 26 patients (32 prostheses, 202 implants), and the FTI‐FDP group comprised 39 patients (54 prostheses, 390 implants). MBL and the risk indicators of MBL ≥1 mm were assessed. Peri‐implantitis rates at 13 years were also calculated.

Results

Full‐arch screw‐retained implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses and FTI‐FDP implants exhibited comparable mean MBLs of 0.60 ± 0.51 and 0.41 ± 1.03 mm, respectively. MBL ≥1 mm was noted for 25% of FSI‐FDP implants and 6.9% of FTI‐FDP implants. Superstructure–abutment connection (screw retention:FSI‐FDPs >telescopic retention:FTI‐FDPs) and implant–abutment connection (External butt joint, Internal butt joint >Morse taper joint) were associated with MBL ≥1 mm. Peri‐implantitis rates at the implant level were 3.99% (95%CI = 3.93–20.5) in FSI‐FDP group and 3.85% (95%CI = 3.85–34.3) in FTI‐FDP group with no significance.

Conclusions

It was concluded that FSI‐FDP and FTI‐FDP implants exhibited comparable MBL; however, the risk of MBL ≥1 mm in FTI‐FDPs was lower than in FSI‐FDPs. Besides, implant–abutment connection was the risk indicator of MBL ≥1 mm. In peri‐implantitis rate, FSI‐FDPs and FTI‐FDPs behave similarly.