bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New species and records of Neanurinae (Collembola: Neanuridae) from Mazandaran Province (Northeastern Iran), with a key to Iranian species of the subfamily
Authors: YAHYAPOUR ELIYE , SHAYANMEHR MASOUMEH , VAFAEI-SHOUSHTARI REZA , ARBEA JAVIER I.
Published: January 2022

Four new species of the subfamily Neanurinae, namely Cryptonura dohezarensis sp. nov., Cryptonura abmalensis sp. nov., Cryptonura sariensis sp. nov. and Neanura persica sp. nov. from different forests in the Northern Iranian province of Mazandaran are described and illustrated. C. dohezarensis sp. nov. is characterized by body without pigment, dorsal tubercles rounded, mandible with 3 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head separate, tubercles Di on Th II–III with 3 chaetae and tubercle L on Abd III with 3 chaetae; C. abmalensis sp. nov.—by body with bluish pigment, dorsal tubercles triangular, mandible with 4 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head fused, chaetae A on head absent, tubercles L on Abd II and III with 4 chaetae and tubercle De+Dl+L on Abd V with 5 ordinary chaetae; C. sariensis sp. nov.—by body with bluish pigment, dorsal tubercles rounded, mandible with 5 teeth, tubercles Cl and Af on head separate and a reduced dorsal chaetotaxy; N. persica sp. nov. belongs to the group of Neanura with ventral chaetae L’ on Abd V, without chaetae Ocp on the head and tubercles Di on Th I absent, and is characterized by one character unknown in other members of the genus, e.g., the fusion of cephalic tubercles Cl and Af. In addition four other taxa have been found in the same forests: Cryptonura persica Smolis et al., 2012 and three species that may represent new species but there is insufficient material available to prepare full descriptions (one species in the genus Cryptonura, one in Vitronura and one in Endonura). An identification key of the genus and species of Neanurinae recorded so far from Iran is given.
New species and new distributional records of the hygropetric water scavenger beetle genus Oocyclus Sharp (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) from the Brazilian Shield
Authors: ALENCAR JANDERSON BATISTA R. , SHORT ANDREW EDWARD Z. , HAMADA NEUSA
Published: January 2022

Nine new species of the water scavenger beetle genus Oocyclus Sharp, 1882 are described from the Brazilian Shield: O. ecolab sp. n., O. espinhacu sp. n., O. giganteus sp. n., O. humboldti sp. n., O. lacia sp. n., O. ovalis sp. n., O. sulcatus sp. n., O. thrixdiastematus sp. n., and O. thysanus sp. n. New locality records are provided for four species previously known from Brazil: O. rotundus Clarkson & Short, 2012, O. pilosus Jordão, Clarkon & Ferreira-Jr, 2018, O. xanthus Clarkson & Short, 2012 and O. yubai Clarkson & Short, 2012. All species are associated with rock-face seepages such as wet rocks, waterfalls, and seepages. An updated key to the Brazilian species of Oocyclus is provided.
Seasonal Variability in the Mechanisms behind the 2020 Siberian Heatwaves
Authors: Collow Allison B. Marquardt , Thomas Natalie P. , Bosilovich Michael G. , Lim Young-Kwon , Schubert Siegfried D. , Koster Randal D.
Published: January 2022

Record-breaking heatwaves and wildfires immersed Siberia during the boreal spring of 2020 following an anomalously warm winter. Springtime heatwaves are becoming more common in the region, with statistically significant trends in the frequency, magnitude, and duration of heatwave events over the past four decades. Mechanisms by which the heatwaves occur and contributing factors differ by season. Winter heatwave frequency is correlated with the atmospheric circulation, particularly the Arctic Oscillation, while the frequency of heatwaves during the spring months is highly correlated with aspects of the land surface including snow cover, albedo, and latent heat flux. Idealized AMIP-style experiments are used to quantify the contribution of suppressed Arctic sea ice and snow cover over Siberia on the atmospheric circulation, surface energy budget, and surface air temperature in Siberia during the winter and spring of 2020. Sea ice concentration contributed to the strength of the stratospheric polar vortex and Arctic Oscillation during the winter months, thereby influencing the tropospheric circulation and surface air temperature over Siberia. Warm temperatures across the region resulted in an earlier-than-usual recession of the winter snowpack. The exposed land surface contributed to up to 20% of the temperature anomaly during the spring through the albedo feedback and changes in the ratio of the latent and sensible heat fluxes. This, in combination with favorable atmospheric circulation patterns, resulted in record-breaking heatwaves in Siberia in the spring of 2020.
Experience of Parents of Children with Genetically Determined Leukoencephalopathies Regarding the Adapted Health Care Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Amir Yazdani Pouneh , St-Jean Marie-Lou , Matovic Sara , Spahr Aaron , Tran Luan T. , Boucher Renée-Myriam , Poulin Chantal , Osterman Bradley , Srour Myriam , Rosenblatt Bernard , Chenier Sébastien , Soucy Jean-Francois , Laberge Anne-Marie , Braverman Nancy , D’Agostino Maria Daniela , Nguyen Cam-Tu Emilie , Morsa Maxime , Bernard Geneviève
Published: January 2022

Parents of children with genetically determined leukoencephalopathies play a major role in their children's health care. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many health care services were suspended, delayed or delivered remotely with telemedicine. We sought to explore the experience of parents of children with genetically determined leukoencephalopathies during the pandemic given the adapted health care services. We conducted semistructured interviews with 13 parents of 13 affected children. Three main themes were identified using thematic analysis: perceived impact of COVID-19 on health care services, benefits and challenges of telemedicine, and expectations of health care after the pandemic. Parents perceived a loss/delay in health care services while having a positive response to telemedicine. Parents wished telemedicine would remain in their care after the pandemic. This is the first study assessing the impact of COVID-19 on health care services in this population. Our results suggest that parents experience a higher level of stress owing to the shortage of services and the children's vulnerability.
Backstepping sliding mode control strategy of non-contact 6-DOF Lorentz force platform
Authors: Zhang Quan , Xian Yang , Xiao Qing , Xu Liang , Li Zhuo , Yi Sicheng , Li Long
Published: January 2022

With the development of aerospace technology, more and more scientific activities are carried out in the universe. Due to the microgravity environment of space, the control of the 6-DOF platform is different from those on the earth. First, a virtual prototype model of the 6-DOF non-contact platform was built in ADAMS. The dynamics model was developed based on the Newton–Euler method. Then, the 6-DOF backstepping sliding mode controller and disturbance observer were designed in MATLAB/Simulink. Finally, by combining the virtual prototype model in ADAMS and the control system in MATLAB, the co-simulation model was proposed. According to the simulation results, the 6-DOF backstepping sliding mode controller can well complete the positioning, 3D trajectory tracking, and vibration isolation tasks of non-contact 6-DOF platform. Quantitatively, the spatial error of backstepping sliding mode controller’s 3D trajectory tracking is only 50% of the ordinary sliding mode control and it is 20% of the nonlinear propotional-derivative-integral.
Does Journalism Still Matter? The Role of Journalistic and non-Journalistic Sources in Young Peoples’ News Related Practices
Authors: Wunderlich Leonie , Hölig Sascha , Hasebrink Uwe
Published: January 2022

In today's hybrid media environment new content creators challenge the status of professionally produced journalism and blur the lines between professional and non-professional content. Growing up in this information landscape, younger generations have developed news-related practices and attitudes that lie in stark contrast to those of previous generations. In addition, discrepancies exist between news definitions and the use practices of young people. We conducted focus groups with German adolescents (15–17 years), young adults (18–24 years) and adults (40–53 years) in August 2020 to uncover young peoples’ orientation toward news and journalism. Our study indicates that the boundaries of what journalism is and what it is not are becoming increasingly indistinct. However, distinctions do emerge between the journalistic and non-journalistic sources that adolescents and young adults use and the functions they associate with them according to their information needs. Differences between the age groups become apparent in their motivations to stay informed which highlights the important role non-journalistic sources play in information behaviour and opinion formation. For teenage participants especially, Social Media Influencers (SMIs) are relevant within these processes, which are linked to a perceived social duty-to-keep-informed. Moreover, findings from the focus groups highlight cohort-specific differences regarding the understanding of journalism and, consequently, differences in the assessment of trust and reliability as well as the verification strategies that are applied. In sum, for young participants journalism is a reliable source of information, especially in the case of current events and for crosschecking online information, while non-journalistic sources fulfil social needs.
Physical and Mental Health Differences Reported by Three Age Groups of Older Adults With Diabetes
Authors: Lee Jungjoo , Kim Junhyung , Holden Richard
Published: January 2022

Most studies have classified older adults with diabetes into one group despite substantial variation in health status across different stages of late adulthood. In this study, we examined difference in self-reported physical and mental health among three age groups of older adults with diabetes. Using data from the 2016 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, Wave 3, we classified 424 individuals diagnosed with diabetes into three age groups, young-old (YO): 50–64 years; middle-old (MO): 65–74; and oldest old (OO): 75+ years. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess group differences, followed by univariate analyses. The results indicate that the YO group reported significantly lower physical health and higher depression than the MO group and higher levels of loneliness than the MO and OO groups. These findings indicate that physical and mental health may differ among different age groups of older adults with diabetes and suggest that the YO might be more vulnerable to diminished physical and mental health than the other age groups.
Spontaneous Breathing for Panendoscopy? Retrospective Cohort and Results of a French Practice Survey
Authors: Habrial Pierre , Léger Maxime , Costerousse Fabienne , Debiasi Julie , Breheret Renaud , Vacheron Charles‐Hervé , Rineau Emmanuel , Lasocki Sigismond
Published: January 2022

Objective

Avoiding tracheal intubation by using general anesthesia with spontaneous breathing (GASB) is attractive for upper airway panendoscopy. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of adverse events during panendoscopy under GASB and to assess the practices of French anesthesiologists.

Study Design

Two‐phase study: monocentric retrospective study and national survey.

Setting

University hospital center.

Methods

Patients who underwent a panendoscopy under GASB at the University Hospital of Angers between January 1 and December 31, 2014, were reviewed. Failure of GASB was defined as an episode of hypoxemia (SpO2 ≤88%) or the need for face mask ventilation with or without tracheal intubation. Then, we sent an electronic survey to all members of the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.

Results

Among the 95 included patients, 22 (23%) experienced a failure of GASB: 3 tolerated hypoxemia, 15 had face mask ventilation episodes, and 4 were intubated. Three factors were associated with failure: obesity (odds ratio, 11.94; 95% CI, 3.20‐44.64), history of difficult intubation defined as a Cormack score ≥3 (odds ratio, 6.20; 95% CI, 1.51‐25.41), and laryngeal tumor (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.04‐7.56). Among the 3930 members of the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care in 2018, 662 (16.8%) responded to the survey. The 2 preferred techniques to perform panendoscopy were intubation (62%) and intravenous sedation with spontaneous breathing (37%).

Conclusion

Although general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation remains the preferred technique for panendoscopy in France, GASB is an attractive alternative with a low failure rate. Risk factors for failure are obesity, history of difficult intubation, and laryngeal tumor.
Transcriptional analysis of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 cryptic species under the selection pressure of neonicotinoids imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam
Authors: Zhou Cheng Song , Lv Huan Huan , Guo Xiao Hu , Cao Qian , Zhang Rui Xingyue , Ma De Ying
Published: January 2022

Background

Neonicotinoids are widely applied in the control of the destructive agricultural pest Bemisia tabaci, and resistance against these chemicals has become a common, severe problem in the control of whiteflies. To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying resistance against nenonicotinoids in whiteflies, RNA-seq technology was applied, and the variation in the transcriptomic profiles of susceptible whiteflies and whiteflies selected by imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam treatment was characterized.

Results

A total of 90.86 GB of clean sequence data were obtained from the 4 transcriptomes. Among the 16,069 assembled genes, 584, 110 and 147 genes were upregulated in the imidacloprid-selected strain (IMI), acetamiprid-selected strain (ACE), and thiamethoxam (THI)-selected strain, respectively, relative to the susceptible strain. Detoxification-related genes including P450s, cuticle protein genes, GSTs, UGTs and molecular chaperone HSP70s were overexpressed in the selected resistant strains, especially in the IMI strain. Five genes were downregulated in all three selected resistant strains, including 2 UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B18-like genes (LOC 109030370 and LOC 109032577).

Conclusions

Ten generations of selection with the three neonicotinoids induced different resistance levels and gene expression profiles, mainly involving cuticle protein and P450 genes, in the three selected resistant whitefly strains. The results provide a reference for research on resistance and cross-resistance against neonicotinoids in B. tabaci.
Fatal pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy in patient with ovarian adenocarcinoma: review and a case report
Authors: Neverauskaite-Piliponiene Gintare , Cesas Kristijonas , Pranys Darius , Miliauskas Skaidrius , Padervinskiene Lina , Laukaitiene Jolanta , Baksyte Giedre , Sakalyte Gintare , Ereminiene Egle
Published: January 2022

Background

Pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a fatal disease in which tumour cells embolize to the pulmonary vasculature leading to pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure. Early diagnosis is essential for timely treatment which can reduce intimal pulmonary vascular proliferation and prolong survival, improve the symptoms. Due to rare occurrences and no clear diagnostic guidelines the disorder usually is found post-mortem. We present a review of this rare disease and a case of post-mortem diagnosed pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy in a young female.

Case presentation

51 years old woman presented with progressively worsening dyspnea, right ventricular failure signs and symptoms. Computerized tomography denied pulmonary embolism. 2D transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated right ventricle dilatation and dysfunction, severely increased systolic pulmonary pressure. Right heart catheterization revealed pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension with mean pulmonary artery pressure of 78 mmHg, pulmonary wedge pressure of 15 mmHg, reduced cardiac output to 1.78 L/min with a calculated pulmonary vascular resistance of 35 Wood units, and extremely low oxygen saturation (26%) in pulmonary artery. Because of worsening ascites, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging was performed, tumours in both ovaries were diagnosed. Due to the high operative risk, detailed tumour diagnosis surgically was not established. The patient developed progressive cardiorespiratory failure, unresponsive to optimal heart failure drug treatment. A postmortem morphology analyses revealed tumorous masses in pre-capillary lung vessels, right ventricle hypertrophy, ovary adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

An early diagnosis of PTTM is essential. Most cases are lethal due to respiratory failure progressing rapidly. Patients with a history of malignancy, symptoms and signs implying of PH should be considered of having PTTM. If detected early enough, combination of chemotherapy with specific PH therapy is believed to be beneficial in reducing intimal proliferation and prolonging survival, along with improving the symptoms.
Mental health characteristics and their associations with childhood trauma among subgroups of people living with HIV in China
Authors: Wang Dongfang , Deng Qijian , Ross Brendan , Wang Min , Liu Zhening , Wang Honghong , Ouyang Xuan
Published: January 2022

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) carry a high risk for mental health problems, which has been extensively reported in the literature. However, an understanding of mental health characteristics in different subgroups of PLWH is still limited. In the present study, we conducted a cross-sectional survey to explore mental health characteristics and their associations with childhood trauma in two major subgroups of PLWH in China.

Methods

A total of 533 PLWH (213 prisoners in the prison system, and 320 outpatients) were assessed using the 8-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-P8), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).

Results

From the total sample, 22.0% PLWH frequently experienced psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), 21.8% had clinically significant anxiety syndrome, 34.0% had clinically significant depressive syndrome, and 63.6% experienced at least one type of traumatic exposure during their childhood, with physical neglect being the most common. Compared to outpatients with HIV, prisoners living with HIV reported more severe mental health problems and a higher frequency of childhood trauma, with childhood trauma in turn predicting higher risk for mental health problems. Similarly, among outpatients living with HIV, both childhood emotional and sexual abuse had predictive effects on all the three mental health problems.

Conclusions

The study suggests that PLWH have higher risk of anxiety, depression and PLEs, and childhood trauma could serve as predicting factors for such risks. In addition, childhood trauma may play distinct roles in predicting the risk for the mental health problems, depending on different subgroup of PLWH.
Association between social capital and sleep duration among rural older adults in China
Authors: Yang Le , Wang Hongman , Cheng Jingmin
Published: January 2022

Objective

Sleep disturbances are great challenges to older adults’ health promotion. The study tested gender differences in the association between different dimensions of social capital and self-reported sleep duration of Chinese rural older adults.

Design

The data of rural older adults were extracted from a national cross-sectional survey of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and analyzed in this study.

Setting

CLHLS covered 23 provinces in China.

Participants

The 6552 rural respondents aged ≥65 years old were involved.

Main outcome measures

Generalized trust, informal social participation, formal social participation and social support were used to assess social capital. Self-reported sleep duration was measured as health outcome.

Results

Low level of generalized trust had harmful effect on insufficient sleep (AOR 1.110, 95% CI 1.018-1.324), and having no formal or informal social participation was significantly positively associated with long sleep (AORformal1.424, 95% CI 1.007-2.013; AORinformal1.241, 95% CI 1.016-1.516). Rural older female adults with no emotional social support had higher odds of insufficient sleep (AOR 1.502, 95% CI 1.258-1.978). Meanwhile, both informal and formal social participation showed inverse association with long sleep for females.

Conclusions

This study found the relationship between social capital, sleep duration and the gender differences in Chinese rural older adults. More targeted sleep disturbance interventions could be taken in social capital of rural older adults, and gender differences should be considered when making social capital-embedded health promotion policies and interventions.
Technical performance analysis of different types of spirometers
Authors: Wu Zhongping , Huang Ruibo , Zhong Liping , Gao Yi , Zheng Jinping
Published: January 2022

Background

The spirometer is an important element in lung function examinations, and its accuracy is directly related to the accuracy of the results of these examinations and to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Our aim was to conduct a performance analysis of the detection techniques of differential pressure and ultrasonic portable spirometers commonly used in China.

Methods

A standard flow/volume simulator was used to analyze the performance (accuracy, repeatability, linearity, impedance, and so on) of portable spirometers, 4 imported and 6 domestic, based on 13 curves generated by different air sources in the ISO 26782:2009 standard. A Bland–Altman diagram was used to evaluate the consistency between the values measured by the spirometers and the simulator.

Results

The pass rates for accuracy, repeatability, linearity, and impedance for the 10 different portable spirometers were 50%, 100%, 70%, and 70%, respectively. Only 30% (3/10) of the spirometers—2 domestic and 1 imported—met all standards of quality and performance evaluation, while the rest were partially up to standard. In the consistency evaluation, only 3 spirometers were within both the consistency standard range and the acceptability range.

Conclusion

The quality and performance of different types of portable spirometers commonly used in the clinic differ. The use of a standard flow/volume simulator is helpful for the standard evaluation of the technical performance of spirometers.
Volar versus combined dorsal and volar plate fixation of complex intraarticular distal radius fractures with small dorsoulnar fragment – a biomechanical study
Authors: Hadzhinikolova Mariya , Zderic Ivan , Ciric Daniel , Barcik Jan P. , Enchev Dian , Baltov Asen , Rusimov Lyubomir , Varga Peter , Stoffel Karl , Richards Geoff , Gueorguiev Boyko , Rashkov Mihail
Published: January 2022

Complex intraarticular distal radius fractures (DRFs), commonly managed with volar locking plates, are challenging. Combined volar and dorsal plating is frequently applied for treatment, however, biomechanical investigations are scant. The aim of this biomechanical study was to investigate volar plating versus double plating in DRFs with different degrees of lunate facet comminution.

Thirty artificial radii with simulated AO/OTA 23-C2.1 and C3.1 DRFs, including dorsal defect and lunate facet comminution, were assigned to 3 groups: Group 1 with two equally-sized lunate facet fragments; Group 2 with small dorsal and large volar fragment; Group 3 with three equally-sized fragments. The specimens underwent volar and double locked plating and non-destructive ramped loading in 0° neutral position, 40° flexion and 40° extension.

In each tested position, stiffness: (1) did not significantly differ among groups with same fixation method (p ≥ 0.15); (2) increased significantly after supplemental dorsal plating in Group 2 and Group 3 (p ≤ 0.02).

Interfragmentary displacements between styloid process and lunate facet in neutral position were below 0.5 mm, being not significantly different among groups and plating techniques (p ≥ 0.63).

Following volar plating, angular displacement of the lunate facet to radius shaft was significantly lower in Group 1 versus both Group 2 and Group 3 (p < 0.01). It decreased significantly after supplemental dorsal plating in Group 2 and Group 3 (p < 0.01), but not in Group 1 (p ≥ 0.13), and did not differ significantly among the three groups after double plating (p ≥ 0.74).

Comminution of the lunate facet within its dorsal third significantly affected the biomechanical outcomes related to complex intraarticular DRFs treated with volar and double locked plates.

Double plating demonstrates superior stability versus volar plating only for lunate facet comminution within its dorsal third. In contrast, volar plating could achieve stability comparable with double plating when the dorsal third of the lunate facet is not separated by the fracture pattern. Both fixation methods indicated achievable absolute stability between the articular fragments.
Glenohumeral joint dislocation is rare in children with proximal humeral fractures: a descriptive study and literature review
Authors: Hong Pan , Rai Saroj , Liu Ruikang , Tang Xin , Li Jin
Published: January 2022

Background

Glenohumeral dislocation combined with fracture of the proximal humerus is extremely rare in children, and this study aims to investigate its incidence in the pediatric population and review the treatment strategy for this condition.

Methods

Between Jan 2014 and Jan 2019, 280 patients with unilateral proximal humeral fractures were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging and follow-up notes were reviewed for patients with a predilection for glenohumeral joint dislocation. Six (2.14%) patients between the ages of 5 and 10 years were confirmed as glenohumeral joint dislocation and included in the study. All these patients underwent closed reduction and external fixation under general anesthesia.

Results

Out of 280 patients with proximal humeral fractures, only 6 patients, including 4 males and 2 females, were confirmed as glenohumeral joint dislocation. ROM was normal compared with the contralateral shoulder in every patient at the last follow-up. There was no case of radiological abnormality, including avascular necrosis or devascularization of the humeral head.

Conclusions

Glenohumeral dislocation is a rare entity associated with the proximal humerus fracture in children, with an overall incidence in our case series was 2.14%.

Reduction and stabilization of such injury using an external fixator is a suitable choice for pediatric patients that failed closed reduction.
Differing risk factors for new onset and recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus in multipara women: a cohort study
Authors: Zhang Li , Zheng Wei , Huang Wenyu , Zhang Lirui , Liang Xin , Li Guanghui
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To assess whether recurrent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and newly diagnosed GDM share similar risk factors.

Methods

The study recruited a cohort of 10,151 multipara women with singleton pregnancy who delivered between 2016 and 2019 in Beijing, China. The prevalence of recurrent GDM and associated risk factors were analyzed between women with and without prior GDM history.

Results

Eight hundred and seventy-five (8.6%) multipara women had a diagnosis of GDM during previous pregnancies. The prevalence of GDM and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus were 48.34% (423/875) and 7.89% (69/875) if the women were diagnosed with GDM during previous pregnancies, as compared to 16.00% (1484/9276) and 0.50% (46/9276) if the women were never diagnosed with GDM before. In women without a history of GDM, a variety of factors including older maternal age, higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (PPBMI), prolonged interval between the two pregnancies, higher early pregnancy weight gain, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), maternal low birth weight, and higher early pregnancy glycemic and lipid indexes were generally associated with an increased risk of GDM at subsequent pregnancy. In women with a history of GDM, higher PPBMI, higher fasting glucose level and maternal birthweight ≥4000 g were independent risk factors for recurrent GDM.

Conclusions

GDM reoccurred in nearly half of women with a history of GDM. Risk factors for recurrent GDM and newly diagnosed GDM were different. Identifying additional factors for GDM recurrence can help guide clinical management for future pregnancies to prevent GDM recurrence.
PglB function and glycosylation efficiency is temperature dependent when the pgl locus is integrated in the Escherichia coli chromosome
Authors: Terra Vanessa S. , Mauri Marta , Sannasiddappa Thippeswamy H. , Smith Alexander A. , Stevens Mark P. , Grant Andrew J. , Wren Brendan W. , Cuccui Jon ,   the Glycoengineering of Veterinary Vaccines consortium (GoVV)
Published: January 2022

Background

Campylobacter is an animal and zoonotic pathogen of global importance, and a pressing need exists for effective vaccines, including those that make use of conserved polysaccharide antigens. To this end, we adapted Protein Glycan Coupling Technology (PGCT) to develop a versatile Escherichia coli strain capable of generating multiple glycoconjugate vaccine candidates against Campylobacter jejuni.

Results

We generated a glycoengineering E. coli strain containing the conserved C. jejuni heptasaccharide coding region integrated in its chromosome as a model glycan. This methodology confers three advantages: (i) reduction of plasmids and antibiotic markers used for PGCT, (ii) swift generation of many glycan-protein combinations and consequent rapid identification of the most antigenic proteins or peptides, and (iii) increased genetic stability of the polysaccharide coding-region. In this study, by using the model glycan expressing strain, we were able to test proteins from C. jejuni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (both Gram-negative), and Clostridium perfringens (Gram-positive) as acceptors. Using this pgl integrant E. coli strain, four glycoconjugates were readily generated. Two glycoconjugates, where both protein and glycan are from C. jejuni (double-hit vaccines), and two glycoconjugates, where the glycan antigen is conjugated to a detoxified toxin from a different pathogen (single-hit vaccines). Because the downstream application of Live Attenuated Vaccine Strains (LAVS) against C. jejuni is to be used in poultry, which have a higher body temperature of 42 °C, we investigated the effect of temperature on protein expression and glycosylation in the E. coli pgl integrant strain.

Conclusions

We determined that glycosylation is temperature dependent and that for the combination of heptasaccharide and carriers used in this study, the level of PglB available for glycosylation is a step limiting factor in the glycosylation reaction. We also demonstrated that temperature affects the ability of PglB to glycosylate its substrates in an in vitro glycosylation assay independent of its transcriptional level.
STK25 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma progression through the STRN/AMPK/ACC1 pathway
Authors: Zhang Yichao , Xu Junhui , Qiu Zhendong , Guan Yongjun , Zhang XiaoYi , Zhang Xin , Chai Dongqi , Chen Chen , Hu Qinyong , Wang Weixing
Published: January 2022

Background

Serine/threonine protein kinase 25 (STK25) plays an important role in regulating glucose and insulin homeostasis and in ectopic lipid accumulation. It directly affects the progression and prognosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the effects of STK25 on lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of STK25 in HCC and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of STK25 in hepatic tissues of HCC patients, and public datasets were used as supplementary material for predicting the expression of STK25 and the prognosis of patients with HCC. The interaction between STK25 and striatin (STRN) was determined by the STRING database, immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. The involved signaling pathway was detected by the KEGG database and western blot. Moreover, the biological behaviors of the HCC cells were detected by wound healing assays, Transwell invasion assays and oil red O staining. Finally, it was verified again by xenograft model.

Results

STK25 is highly expressed in HCC patients and is associated with poor prognosis. STK25 knockdown inhibited the HCC cell invasion and proliferation, promotes apoptosis. Consistently, STK25 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in xenograft mouse model. Besides, STK25 deficiency decreased lipid synthesis, energy reserve, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by down-regulating lipid metabolism signaling pathway. STRN could reverse the change of lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that STK25 interacted with STRN to regulates the energy reserve and EMT via lipid metabolism reprogramming. Accordingly, high expression of STK25 may be associated with HCC patients and poor prognosis, which implicates STK25 could be a potential target for lipid metabolism in cancer therapy.
Factors associated with contraceptive use among women living with HIV in Canada: a controlled, cross-sectional study
Authors: Khondoker Chadni C. , Kaida Angela , Marquez Anna , Campbell Amber R. , Côté Hélène C. F. , Albert Arianne Y. , Pick Neora , Maan Evelyn J. , Russell Emilie A. B. , Prior Jerilynn C. , Elwood Chelsea , Brophy Jason , Murray Melanie C. M. ,   for the CIHR team grant on Cellular Aging, H. I. V. Comorbidities in Women, Children (CARMA), (CIHR HIV Clinical Trials Network study 277)
Published: January 2022

Background

Multiple contraindications to combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) use exist. The impact of these factors on contraceptive choice, particularly among women living with HIV (WLWH), is not well understood. We measured and compared the prevalence of contraceptive use and contraindications among WLWH and women not living with HIV (controls).

Methods

We examined cross-sectional survey and medical chart data from 83 WLWH and 62 controls, aged 16–49 and sexually active, from 2013–2017. We compared the age-adjusted prevalence and types of contraceptives used in the last month and the proportion of women with CHC contraindications, including drug interactions, medical comorbidities, and smoking at ≥ 35 years old. All WLWH received care at an interdisciplinary, women-centred HIV clinic.

Results

Compared to controls, WLWH were older (median [IQR)] 39 [34–43] vs 31 [23–41] years; p = 0.003), had less post-secondary education (37% vs 73%; p < 0.001), and more often had household income < $15,000/year (49% vs 30%; p = 0.006). WLWH trended to higher contraceptive prevalence than controls (80% vs 63%; p = 0.06 adjusted for age). Overall hormonal contraceptive use was similar. However, despite controlling for age, WLWH used CHC less (4% vs 18%; p = 0.006) than controls, and had more frequently undergone tubal ligation (12% vs 2%; p = 0.03). WLWH also experienced more CHC contraindications (54% vs 13%; p = 0.0001), including smoking at ≥ 35 years old (30% vs 6%; p = 0.0003) or a CHC-related drug interaction (all antiretroviral related) (25% vs 0%; p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

WLWH attending our interdisciplinary clinic used hormonal contraception at similar rates as controls, though with different types. Differences may reflect different distributions of CHC contraindications. CHC contraindications present barriers to accessing the full range of contraceptive choices for WLWH. Guidelines and education for care providers and WLWH regarding contraceptive choices and drug interactions are needed, especially when care is provided without the benefit of an interdisciplinary women-centered healthcare team.
Vitamin C for ≥ 5 days is associated with decreased hospital mortality in sepsis subgroups: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jung Sun-Young , Lee Min-Taek , Baek Moon Seong , Kim Won-Young
Published: January 2022

Background

Previous randomized trials of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine on sepsis were limited by short-term vitamin C administration, heterogeneous populations, and the failure to evaluate each component’s effect. The purpose of this study was to determine whether vitamin C alone for ≥ 5 days or in combination with corticosteroids and/or thiamine was associated with decreased mortality across the sepsis population and subpopulation.

Methods

Nationwide population-based study conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. A total of 384,282 adult patients with sepsis who were admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled from January 2017 to December 2019. The primary outcome was hospital mortality, while the key secondary outcome was 90-day mortality.

Results

The mean [standard deviation] age was 69.0 [15.4] years; 57% were male; and 36,327 (9%) and 347,955 did and did not receive vitamin C, respectively. After propensity score matching, each group involved 36,327 patients. The hospital mortality was lower by − 0.9% in the treatment group (17.1% vs 18.0%; 95% confidence interval, − 1.3 to − 0.5%;p < 0.001), a significant but extremely small difference. However, mortality decreased greater in patients who received vitamin C for ≥ 5 days (vs 1–2 or 3–4 days) (15.8% vs 18.8% vs 18.3%;p < 0.001). Further, vitamin C was associated with a lower hospital mortality in patients with older age, multiple comorbidities, pneumonia, genitourinary infection, septic shock, and mechanical ventilation. Consistent findings were found for 90-day mortality. Moreover, vitamin C alone or in combination with thiamine was significantly associated with decreased hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Intravenous vitamin C of ≥ 5 days was significantly associated with decreased hospital and 90-day mortality in sepsis patients. Vitamin C combined with corticosteroids and/or thiamine in specific sepsis subgroups warrants further study.
Two different presentations of de novo variants of CSNK2B: two case reports
Authors: Wilke Matheus V. M. B , Oliveira Bibiana M. , Pereira Alessandra , Doriqui Maria Juliana R. , Kok Fernando , Souza Carolina F. M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Poirier–Bienvenu neurodevelopmental syndrome is a neurologic disorder caused by mutations in the CSNK2B gene. It is mostly characterized by early-onset seizures, hypotonia, and mild dysmorphic features. Craniodigital syndrome is a recently described disorder also related to CSNK2B, with a single report in the literature.

Objective

To report two unrelated cases of children harboring CSNK2B variants (NM_001320.6) who presented with distinct diseases.

Case report

Case 1 is a 7-month-old, Caucasian, female patient with chief complaints of severe hypotonia and drug-refractory myoclonic epilepsy, with a likely pathogenic de novo variant c.494A>G (p.His165Arg). Case 2 is a 5-year-old male, Latino patient with craniodigital intellectual disability syndrome subjacent to a de novo, likely pathogenic variant c.94G>T (p.Asp32Tyr). His dysmorphic features included facial dysmorphisms, supernumerary nipples, and left-hand postaxial polydactyly.

Conclusion

This report suggest that the CSNK2B gene may be involved in the physiopathology of neurodevelopmental disorders and variable dysmorphic features.
How COVID-19 affects the use of evidence informed policymaking among iranian health policymakers and managers
Authors: Bastani Peivand , Bahmaei Jamshid , Kharazinejad Ebrahim , Samadbeik Mahnaz , Liang Zhanming , Schneider Carmen Huckel
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic increased the need for new valid scientific evidence to support urgent clinical and policy decision making; as well as improved processes for the rapid synthesis, uptake and application of that evidence. Evidence informed policymaking (EIPM) can be considered as a way to access and use the results of evidence in practice. This study aimed to determine what effects COVID-19 had on the way Iranian health managers and policymakers use evidence in their decisions.

Methods

This study was conducted in 2021 applying a qualitative research design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Thirty health care managers, policy makers and medical university faculty members were recruited as the study participants, initially via a purposive sample, followed by snowballing. A conventional content analysis presented by Hsieh and Shannon (2005) was applied for data analysis.

Results

Ten main themes emerged from the data including: 1) roles and duties of knowledge brokers (KBs); 2-5) the roles, benefits, barriers and necessities of applying Knowledge Translation Exchange (KTE) tools; 6-8) the facilitators, benefits and barriers to the application of evidence during COVID-19; 9) challenges of rapid evidence production evidence during COVID-19 and 10) consequences of not applying evidence during COVID-19. According to the present conceptual framework, KBs act as an intermediator between the large amounts of knowledge produced and decision makers. KTE tools should be applied to enhance EIPM during COVID-19. Attention should be paid to the facilitators, barriers, benefits and necessities of evidence application during COVID-19 to avoid negative consequences for the health system.

Conclusions

Results of this study show that developing KTE tools and activating KBs can be among the main strategies to produce applied actionable messages for policymakers to move toward EIPM; and that this applies even when rapid decision making is required, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is strongly recommended to reinforce the local capacities through supporting scientific networks and relationships between research centers and local and national policymakers. At the same time, attention to local barriers to and facilitators of the application of evidence while facing a pandemic can pave the way to better identification of health system`s problems and rapid responses.
Teaching radiology in Egyptian medical schools: Where do we stand and how can we start?
Authors: Badawy Mohamed , Rohren Scott , Elhatw Ahmed , Negm Ahmed S. , Ahmed Amr , Khalifa Islam , Shehata Mostafa Ahmed , ElHefnawi Yara , Saenz Florentino , Kamel Serageldin , Saad Mariam Ahmed , Fahmy Mohamed Ismael , Ghannam Sammar , Abusaif Abdelrahman , Hussein Mohamed Yasser , Elbatal Mariam , Shalaby Nada , Hammad Mahmoud F. , Elfeel Amany , Choucair Ferial , Patel Parth , Elsayes Khaled M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Radiology serves in the diagnosis and management of many diseases. Despite its rising importance and use, radiology is not a core component of a lot of medical school curricula. This survey aims to clarify current gaps in the radiological education in Egyptian medical schools. In February–May 2021, 5318 students enrolled in Egyptian medical schools were recruited and given a 20-multiple-choice-question survey assessing their radiology knowledge, radiograph interpretation, and encountered imaging experiences. We measured the objective parameters as a percentage. We conducted descriptive analysis and used Likert scales where values were represented as numerical values. Percentages were graphed afterwards.

Results

A total of 5318 medical students in Egypt answered our survey. Gender distribution was 45% males and 54% females. The results represented all 7 class years of medical school (six academic years and a final training year). In assessing students’ knowledge of radiology, most students (75%) reported that they received ‘too little’ education, while 20% stated the amount was ‘just right’ and only 4% reported it was ‘too much.’ Sixty-two percent of students stated they were taught radiology through medical imaging lectures. Participants’ future career plans were almost equally distributed. Near half of participants (43%) have not heard about the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACR-AR), while 39% have heard about it but are not familiar with.

Conclusions

Radiology is a novel underestimated field. Therefore, medical students need more imaging exposure. To accomplish this, attention and efforts should be directed toward undergraduate radiology education to dissolve the gap between radiology and other specialties during clinical practice. A survey answered by medical students can bridge between presence of any current defect in undergraduate radiology teaching and future solutions for this topic.
Geophysics Bright Spots
Authors: Behura Jyoti
Published: January 2022

Welcome to the latest installment of Geophysics Bright Spots. There are a number of interesting research articles in the latest issue of Geophysics. Here is a list of what piqued the editors’ interests.
Revisiting Horizontal Stratification in Higher Education: College Prestige Hierarchy and Educational Assortative Mating in China
Authors: Feng Acton Jiashi
Published: January 2022

Existing research on assortative mating has examined marriage between people with different levels of education, yet heterogeneity in educational assortative mating outcomes of college graduates has been mostly ignored. Using data from the 2010 Chinese Family Panel Study and log-multiplicative models, this study examines the changing structure and association of husbands' and wives' educational attainment between 1980 and 2010, a period in which Chinese higher education experienced rapid expansion and stratification. Results show that the graduates of first-tier institutions are less likely than graduates of lower-ranked colleges to marry someone without a college degree. Moreover, from 1980 to 2010, female first-tier-college graduates were increasingly more likely to marry people who graduated from similarly prestigious colleges, although there is insufficient evidence to draw the same conclusion about their male counterparts. This study thus demonstrates the extent of heterogeneity in educational assortative mating patterns among college graduates and the tendency for elite college graduates to marry within the educational elite.
Preventive tract embolization with gelatin sponge slurry is safe and considerably reduces pneumothorax after CT-guided lung biopsy with use of large 16–18 coaxial needles
Authors: Grange Rémi , Sarkissian Robin , Bayle-Bleuez Sophie , Tissot Claire , Tiffet Olivier , Barral Fabrice-Guy , Flaus Anthime , Grange Sylvain
Published: January 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the clinical impact of the tract embolization technique using gelatin sponge slurry after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy.

Methods:

We retrospectively compared coaxial needle CT-guided lung biopsies performed without embolization (100 patients) and with the tract embolization technique using a mixture of iodine and gelatin sponge slurry (105 patients) between June 2012 and July 2020. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed between groups to determine risk factors of pneumothorax.

Results:

Patients with gelatin sponge slurry tract embolization had statistically lower rates of pneumothorax ((17.1% vs 39%, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, tract embolization (OR = 0.32, CI = 0.17–0.61 p<0.001) and nodule size >2 cm (OR = 0.33 CI = 0.14–0.8 p = 0.013) had a protective effect on pneumothorax. The puncture path lengths > 2–20 mm and >20 mm were risk factors for pneumothorax (OR = 3.35 IC = 1.44–8.21 p = 0.006 and OR = 4.36 CI = 1.98–10.29 p<0.001, respectively). In multivariate regression analysis, tract embolization had a protective effect of pneumothorax (OR = 0.25, CI = 0.12–0.51, p < 0.001). The puncture path lengths > 2–20 mm and >20 mm were risk factors for pneumothorax (p = 0.030 and p = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusions:

The tract embolization technique using iodinated gelatin sponge slurry is safe and considerably reduces pneumothorax after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy. Our results suggest that it could be use in clinical routine.

Advances in knowledge:

The systemic use of gelatin sponge slurry is safe and reduces considerably the rate of pneumothorax upon needle removal when CT-guided core biopsies are performed using large 16–18G coaxial needles.