bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unsteady Interaction Mechanisms of Axial-Slot Casing Treatment With Tip Region Flow in a Highly-Loaded Mixed-Flow Compressor
Authors: Du Juan , Qiu Jiahui , Zhang Qianfeng , Ba Dun , Maroldt Niklas , Seume Joerg R.
Published: July 2022

The influences of axial-slot casing treatment (ASCT) on the performance and unsteady tip region flow are experimentally and numerically investigated in a highly-loaded mixed-flow compressor. The total pressure ratio, stall margin, and efficiency of the compressor are improved with ASCT. Static wall pressure was measured using unsteady pressure taps installed on the casing to identify the stall inception and resolve the tip region flow. The compressor stalls through spike-stall inception with the spillage of tip leakage flow (TLF). FFT analysis of dynamic pressure data shows that unsteady tip clearance flow (TCF) characterized by a frequency band of 0.4–0.6 blade passing frequency exists for both cases with and without ASCT. The addition of ASCT alleviates fluctuating amplitude of TCF in the blade passage but enhances oscillating strength of the main flow located upstream of blade leading-edge. Time-averaged solutions of unsteady simulations indicate that ASCT suppresses the spillage of TLF through suction and injection effects. However, flow separation located downstream of slots is enlarged by ASCT, which is attributed to the increased blade tip load. To reveal the underlying mechanisms, the tip flow field was further studied at various time instants. The fluids with high enthalpy are injected from slots and then divided into two parts by the rotor blade. One part of the fluids attaches on blade pressure side causing the local high static pressure spot, which leads to the increment of pressure loading at blade tip. The other part interacts with TLF periodically, thus pushing it into passage and delaying rotating stall.
Fan Stability With Leading Edge Damage: Blind Prediction and Validation
Authors: Gunn E. J. , Brandvik T. , Wilson M. J. , Maxwell R.
Published: July 2022

This paper considers the impact of a damaged leading edge (LE) on the stall margin and stall inception mechanisms of a transonic, low-pressure ratio fan. The damage takes the form of a squared-off leading edge over the upper half of the blade. Full-annulus, unsteady CFD simulations are used to explain the stall inception mechanisms for the fan at low- and high-speed operating points. A combination of steady and unsteady simulations shows that the fan is predicted to be sensitive to leading edge damage at low-speed, but insensitive at high-speed. This blind prediction aligns well with rig test data. The difference in response is shown to be caused by the change between subsonic and supersonic flow regimes at the leading edge. Where the inlet relative flow is subsonic, rotating stall is initiated by the growth and propagation of a subsonic leading edge flow separation. This separation is shown to be triggered at higher mass flow rates when the leading edge is damaged, reducing the stable flow range. Where the inlet relative flow is supersonic, the flow undergoes a supersonic expansion around the leading edge, creating a supersonic flow patch terminated by a shock on the suction surface. Rotating stall is triggered by the growth of this separation, which is insensitive to the leading edge shape. This creates a considerable difference in sensitivity to damage at low- and high-speed operating points.
Difficult to hear but easy to see: Audio-visual perception of the /r/-/w/ contrast in Anglo-English
Authors: King Hannah , Chitoran Ioana
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the influence of visual cues in the perception of the /r/-/w/ contrast in Anglo-English. Audio-visual perception of Anglo-English /r/ warrants attention because productions are increasingly non-lingual, labiodental (e.g., [ʋ]), possibly involving visual prominence of the lips for the post-alveolar approximant [ɹ]. Forty native speakers identified [ɹ] and [w] stimuli in four presentation modalities: auditory-only, visual-only, congruous audio-visual, and incongruous audio-visual. Auditory stimuli were presented in noise. The results indicate that native Anglo-English speakers can identify [ɹ] and [w] from visual information alone with almost perfect accuracy. Furthermore, visual cues dominate the perception of the /r/-/w/ contrast when auditory and visual cues are mismatched. However, auditory perception is ambiguous because participants tend to perceive both [ɹ] and [w] as /r/. Auditory ambiguity is related to Anglo-English listeners' exposure to acoustic variation for /r/, especially to [ʋ], which is often confused with [w]. It is suggested that a specific labial configuration for Anglo-English /r/ encodes the contrast with /w/ visually, compensating for the ambiguous auditory contrast. An audio-visual enhancement hypothesis is proposed, and the findings are discussed with regard to sound change.
Quantifying partisan news diets in Web and TV audiences
Authors: Muise Daniel , Hosseinmardi Homa , Howland Baird , Mobius Markus , Rothschild David , Watts Duncan J.
Published: July 2022

Partisan segregation within the news audience buffers many Americans from countervailing political views, posing a risk to democracy. Empirical studies of the online media ecosystem suggest that only a small minority of Americans, driven by a mix of demand and algorithms, are siloed according to their political ideology. However, such research omits the comparatively larger television audience and often ignores temporal dynamics underlying news consumption. By analyzing billions of browsing and viewing events between 2016 and 2019, with a novel framework for measuring partisan audiences, we first estimate that 17% of Americans are partisan-segregated through television versus roughly 4% online. Second, television news consumers are several times more likely to maintain their partisan news diets month-over-month. Third, TV viewers’ news diets are far more concentrated on preferred sources. Last, partisan news channels’ audiences are growing even as the TV news audience is shrinking. Our results suggest that television is the top driver of partisan audience segregation among Americans.
Recombinant DTβ4-inspired porous 3D vascular graft enhanced antithrombogenicity and recruited circulating CD93
+
/CD34
+
cells for endothelialization
Authors: Xiao Weiwei , Chen Wanli , Wang Yinggang , Zhang Cun , Zhang Xinchi , Zhang Siqian , Wu Wei
Published: July 2022

Matching material degradation with host remodeling, including endothelialization and muscular remodeling, is important to vascular regeneration. We fabricated 3D PGS-PCL vascular grafts, which presented tunable polymer components, porosity, mechanical strength, and degrading rate. Furthermore, highly porous structures enabled 3D patterning of conjugated heparin-binding peptide, dimeric thymosin β4 (DTβ4), which played key roles in antiplatelets, fibrinogenesis inhibition, and recruiting circulating progenitor cells, thereafter contributed to high patency rate, and unprecedentedly acquired carotid arterial regeneration in rabbit model. Through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and cell tracing studies, a subset of endothelial progenitor cells, myeloid-derived CD93
+
/CD34
+
cells, was identified as the main contributor to final endothelium regeneration. To conclude, DTβ4-inspired porous 3DVGs present adjustable physical properties, superior anticoagulating, and re-endothelializing potentials, which leads to the regeneration of small-caliber artery, thus offering a promising tool for vessel replacement in clinical applications.
Engineered ACE2-Fc counters murine lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection through direct neutralization and Fc-effector activities
Authors: Chen Yaozong , Sun Lulu , Ullah Irfan , Beaudoin-Bussières Guillaume , Anand Sai Priya , Hederman Andrew P. , Tolbert William D. , Sherburn Rebekah , Nguyen Dung N. , Marchitto Lorie , Ding Shilei , Wu Di , Luo Yuhong , Gottumukkala Suneetha , Moran Sean , Kumar Priti , Piszczek Grzegorz , Mothes Walther , Ackerman Margaret E. , Finzi Andrés , Uchil Pradeep D. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Pazgier Marzena
Published: July 2022

Soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) constitutes an attractive antiviral capable of targeting a wide range of coronaviruses using ACE2 as their receptor. Using structure-guided approaches, we developed a series of bivalent ACE2-Fcs harboring functionally and structurally validated mutations that enhance severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor binding domain recognition by up to ~12-fold and remove angiotensin enzymatic activity. The lead variant M81 potently cross-neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron, at subnanomolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration and was capable of robust Fc-effector functions, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, and complement deposition. When tested in a stringent K18-hACE2 mouse model, Fc-enhanced ACE2-Fc delayed death by 3 to 5 days or effectively resolved lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings via the combined effects of neutralization and Fc-effector functions. These data add to the demonstrated utility of soluble ACE2 as a valuable SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and indicate that Fc-effector functions may constitute an important component of ACE2-Fc therapeutic activity.
Genomic epidemiological models describe pathogen evolution across fitness valleys
Authors: Cárdenas Pablo , Corredor Vladimir , Santos-Vega Mauricio
Published: July 2022

Genomics is fundamentally changing epidemiological research. However, systematically exploring hypotheses in pathogen evolution requires new modeling tools. Models intertwining pathogen epidemiology and genomic evolution can help understand processes such as the emergence of novel pathogen genotypes with higher transmissibility or resistance to treatment. In this work, we present Opqua, a flexible simulation framework that explicitly links epidemiology to sequence evolution and selection. We use Opqua to study determinants of evolution across fitness valleys. We confirm that competition can limit evolution in high-transmission environments and find that low transmission, host mobility, and complex pathogen life cycles facilitate reaching new adaptive peaks through population bottlenecks and decoupling of selective pressures. The results show the potential of genomic epidemiological modeling as a tool in infectious disease research.
RASER MRI: Magnetic resonance images formed spontaneously exploiting cooperative nonlinear interaction
Authors: Lehmkuhl Sören , Fleischer Simon , Lohmann Lars , Rosen Matthew S. , Chekmenev Eduard Y. , Adams Alina , Theis Thomas , Appelt Stephan
Published: July 2022

The spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited by the width of Lorentzian point spread functions associated with the transverse relaxation rate 1/
T
2
*
. Here, we show a different contrast mechanism in MRI by establishing RASER (radio-frequency amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) in imaged media. RASER imaging bursts emerge out of noise and without applying radio-frequency pulses when placing spins with sufficient population inversion in a weak magnetic field gradient. Small local differences in initial population inversion density can create stronger image contrast than conventional MRI. This different contrast mechanism is based on the cooperative nonlinear interaction between all slices. On the other hand, the cooperative nonlinear interaction gives rise to imaging artifacts, such as amplitude distortions and side lobes outside of the imaging domain. Contrast mechanism and artifacts are explored experimentally and predicted by simulations on the basis of a proposed RASER MRI theory.
Nanocapping-enabled charge reversal generates cell-enterable endosomal-escapable bacteriophages for intracellular pathogen inhibition
Authors: Meng Lu , Yang Fengmin , Pang Yan , Cao Zhenping , Wu Feng , Yan Deyue , Liu Jinyao
Published: July 2022

Bacteriophages (phages) are widely explored as antimicrobials for treating infectious diseases due to their specificity and potency to infect and inhibit host bacteria. However, the application of phages to inhibit intracellular pathogens has been greatly restricted by inadequacy in cell entry and endosomal escape. Here, we describe the use of cationic polymers to selectively cap negatively charged phage head rather than positively charged tail by electrostatic interaction, resulting in charge-reversed phages with uninfluenced vitality. Given the positive surface charge and proton sponge effect of the nanocapping, capped phages are able to enter intestinal epithelial cells and subsequently escape from endosomes to lyse harbored pathogens. In a murine model of intestinal infection, oral ingestion of capped phages significantly reduces the translocation of pathogens to major organs, showing a remarkable inhibition efficacy. Our work proposes that simple synthetic nanocapping can manipulate phage bioactivity, offering a facile platform for preparing next-generation antimicrobials.
In situ bidirectional human-robot value alignment
Authors: Yuan Luyao , Gao Xiaofeng , Zheng Zilong , Edmonds Mark , Wu Ying Nian , Rossano Federico , Lu Hongjing , Zhu Yixin , Zhu Song-Chun
Published: July 2022

A prerequisite for social coordination is bidirectional communication between teammates, each playing two roles simultaneously: as receptive listeners and expressive speakers. For robots working with humans in complex situations with multiple goals that differ in importance, failure to fulfill the expectation of either role could undermine group performance due to misalignment of values between humans and robots. Specifically, a robot needs to serve as an effective listener to infer human users’ intents from instructions and feedback and as an expressive speaker to explain its decision processes to users. Here, we investigate how to foster effective bidirectional human-robot communications in the context of value alignment—collaborative robots and users form an aligned understanding of the importance of possible task goals. We propose an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) system in which a group of robots predicts users’ values by taking in situ feedback into consideration while communicating their decision processes to users through explanations. To learn from human feedback, our XAI system integrates a cooperative communication model for inferring human values associated with multiple desirable goals. To be interpretable to humans, the system simulates human mental dynamics and predicts optimal explanations using graphical models. We conducted psychological experiments to examine the core components of the proposed computational framework. Our results show that real-time human-robot mutual understanding in complex cooperative tasks is achievable with a learning model based on bidirectional communication. We believe that this interaction framework can shed light on bidirectional value alignment in communicative XAI systems and, more broadly, in future human-machine teaming systems.
Targeted inducible delivery of immunoactivating cytokines reprograms glioblastoma microenvironment and inhibits growth in mouse models
Authors: Birocchi Filippo , Cusimano Melania , Rossari Federico , Beretta Stefano , Rancoita Paola M. V. , Ranghetti Anna , Colombo Stefano , Costa Barbara , Angel Peter , Sanvito Francesca , Callea Marcella , Norata Rossana , Chaabane Linda , Canu Tamara , Spinelli Antonello , Genua Marco , Ostuni Renato , Merelli Ivan , Coltella Nadia , Naldini Luigi
Published: July 2022

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal brain tumor characterized by a strongly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that represents a barrier also for the development of effective immunotherapies. The possibility to revert this hostile TME by immunoactivating cytokines is hampered by the severe toxicity associated with their systemic administration. Here, we exploited a lentiviral vector–based platform to engineer hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo with the aim of releasing, via their tumor-infiltrating monocyte/macrophage progeny, interferon-α (IFN-α) or interleukin-12 (IL-12) at the tumor site with spatial and temporal selectivity. Taking advantage of a syngeneic GBM mouse model, we showed that inducible release of IFN-α within the TME achieved robust tumor inhibition up to eradication and outperformed systemic treatment with the recombinant protein in terms of efficacy, tolerability, and specificity. Single-cell RNA sequencing of the tumor immune infiltrate revealed reprogramming of the immune microenvironment toward a proinflammatory and antitumoral state associated with loss of a macrophage subpopulation shown to be associated with poor prognosis in human GBM. The spatial and temporal control of IL-12 release was critical to overcome an otherwise lethal hematopoietic toxicity while allowing to fully exploit its antitumor activity. Overall, our findings demonstrate a potential therapeutic approach for GBM and set the bases for a recently launched first-in-human clinical trial in patients with GBM.
NK cells with tissue-resident traits shape response to immunotherapy by inducing adaptive antitumor immunity
Authors: Kirchhammer Nicole , Trefny Marcel P. , Natoli Marina , Brücher Dominik , Smith Sheena N. , Werner Franziska , Koch Victoria , Schreiner David , Bartoszek Ewelina , Buchi Mélanie , Schmid Markus , Breu Daniel , Hartmann K. Patricia , Zaytseva Polina , Thommen Daniela S. , Läubli Heinz , Böttcher Jan P. , Stanczak Michal A. , Kashyap Abhishek S. , Plückthun Andreas , Zippelius Alfred
Published: July 2022

T cell–directed cancer immunotherapy often fails to generate lasting tumor control. Harnessing additional effectors of the immune response against tumors may strengthen the clinical benefit of immunotherapies. Here, we demonstrate that therapeutic targeting of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ)–interleukin-12 (IL-12) pathway relies on the ability of a population of natural killer (NK) cells with tissue-resident traits to orchestrate an antitumor microenvironment. In particular, we used an engineered adenoviral platform as a tool for intratumoral IL-12 immunotherapy (AdV5–IL-12) to generate adaptive antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that AdV5–IL-12 is capable of inducing the expression of CC-chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in CD49a
+
NK cells both in tumor mouse models and tumor specimens from patients with cancer. AdV5–IL-12 imposed CCL5-induced type I conventional dendritic cell (cDC1) infiltration and thus increased DC-CD8 T cell interactions. A similar observation was made for other IFN-γ–inducing therapies such as Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade. Conversely, failure to respond to IL-12 and PD-1 blockade in tumor models with low CD49a
+
CXCR6
+
NK cell infiltration could be overcome by intratumoral delivery of CCL5. Thus, therapeutic efficacy depends on the abundance of NK cells with tissue-resident traits and, specifically, their capacity to produce the DC chemoattractant CCL5. Our findings reveal a barrier for T cell–focused therapies and offer mechanistic insights into how T cell–NK cell–DC cross-talk can be enhanced to promote antitumor immunity and overcome resistance.
Miswiring of Merkel cell and pruriceptive C fiber drives the itch-scratch cycle
Authors: Feng Jing , Zhao Yonghui , Xie Zili , Zang Kaikai , Sviben Sanja , Hu Xueming , Fitzpatrick James A. J. , Wen Lu , Liu Yifei , Wang Ting , Lawson Katy , Liu Qin , Yan Yan , Dong Xinzhong , Han Liang , Wu Gregory F. , Kim Brian S. , Hu Hongzhen
Published: July 2022

Itch sensation provokes the scratch reflex to protect us from harmful stimuli in the skin. Although scratching transiently relieves acute itch through activation of mechanoreceptors, it propagates the vicious itch-scratch cycle in chronic itch by further aggravating itch over time. Although well recognized clinically, the peripheral mechanisms underlying the itch-scratch cycle remain poorly understood. Here, we show that mechanical stimulation of the skin results in activation of the Piezo2 channels on Merkel cells that pathologically promotes spontaneous itch in experimental dry skin. Three-dimensional reconstruction and immunoelectron microscopy revealed structural alteration of MRGPRA3
+
pruriceptor nerve endings directed toward Merkel cells in the setting of dry skin. Our results uncover a functional miswiring mechanism under pathologic conditions, resulting in touch receptors triggering the firing of pruriceptors in the skin to drive the itch-scratch cycle.
Genetic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 M
pro
Reveals High Sequence and Structural Conservation Prior to the Introduction of Protease Inhibitor Paxlovid
Authors: Lee Jonathan T. , Yang Qingyi , Gribenko Alexey , Perrin B. Scott , Zhu Yuao , Cardin Rhonda , Liberator Paul A. , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Hao Li
Published: July 2022

The recent authorization of oral severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antivirals, such as Paxlovid, has ushered in a new era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of new variants, as well as the selective pressure imposed by antiviral drugs themselves, raises concern for potential escape mutations in key drug binding motifs.
Draft Genome Sequences of Multidrug-Resistant Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O116:H25 Strains from Ready-to-Eat Foods Sold in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Makinde Oluwadamilola M. , Van Wyk Deidré , Ikhimiukor Odion O. , Bezuidenhout Carlos , Adeleke Rasheed A. , Ezekiel Chibundu N.
Published: July 2022

Draft genomes of multidrug-resistant Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains IPK9(1) and IKS1(2), which were isolated from ready-to-eat foods (kokoro and shawarma) sold in Lagos, Nigeria, are reported. The genomes possessed genetic determinants for virulence and the antibiotic resistance gene for macrolide-associated resistance
mdf(A)
. Ready-to-eat foods increase public health threats in Nigeria.
Coding-Complete Genome Sequence of a Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Isolated during the 2021 Thailand Outbreak
Authors: Paungpin Weena , Sariya Ladawan , Chaiwattanarungruengpaisan Somjit , Thongdee Metawee , Kornmatitsuk Bunlue , Jitwongwai Akarapong , Taksinoros Sarawut , Sutummaporn Kripitch , Boonmasawai Sookruetai , Nakthong Chowalit
Published: July 2022

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an economically devastating and transboundary disease in cattle. Here, we report the coding-complete genome sequence of the LSDV72/PrachuapKhiriKhan/Thailand/2021 strain, which was isolated from an affected cow during the first LSD outbreak in Thailand in 2021. The sequence will be beneficial for future genomic studies of the virus.
Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of 12 Types of Human Rhinoviruses Isolated from Pediatric Inpatients in Fukushima, Japan
Authors: Egawa Kazutaka , Kakizaki Masatoshi , Kume Yohei , Suwa Reiko , Kawase Miyuki , Ono Takashi , Chishiki Mina , Okabe Hisao , Norito Sakurako , Sato Masatoki , Sakuma Hiroko , Suzuki Shigeo , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Takeda Makoto , Hashimoto Koichi , Shirato Kazuya
Published: July 2022

We reported nearly complete genomic sequences of 12 serotypes of human rhinoviruses (HRVs) isolated from pediatric inpatients in Fukushima, Japan using an air-liquid interface culture of human bronchial tracheal epithelial cells. We found that various serotypes of HRV circulated locally and simultaneously from 2018 to 2021.
In Vitro
Effect of 5-Nitroimidazole Drugs against Trichomonas vaginalis Clinical Isolates
Authors: Mtshali Andile , Ngcapu Sinaye , Govender Kavitha , Sturm A. Willem , Moodley Prashini , Joubert Bronwyn C.
Published: July 2022

Trichomonas vaginalis
is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection associated with reproductive sequelae and HIV acquisition risk worldwide. Despite its role in reproductive health, a high prevalence in South Africa, and the reported metronidazole resistance worldwide, no alternative regimens have been tested against
T. vaginalis
in our setting.
Unplanned pregnancy in an HIV positive woman undergoing alectinib treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Carlier Séverine , Carestia Luciano , Marot Jean-Christophe , Wieërs Grégoire
Published: July 2022

We report an unplanned pregnancy in an HIV-positive woman in her 20s who was undergoing treatment for 6 months with alectinib (Alecensa) for stage IV non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor alectinib, a molecule that inhibits proteins involved in tumour cell growth, is the recommended first-line treatment option in case of ALK mutation. Although the patient was informed of the need for definitive contraception, she became pregnant during the treatment with alectinib. A complete tumour response was observed at the time the pregnancy was discovered. Treatment discontinuation was proposed as the patient wanted to keep the pregnancy. Alectinib was temporarily stopped throughout the remaining pregnancy period inline with the patient’s wishes. The pregnancy was uncomplicated. She delivered a healthy female baby vaginally, with treatment being resumed after delivery. After 34 follow-up months, the patient remained in oncological remission and the child’s physical development is normal.
Pyoderma gangrenosum in a patient with familial Mediterranean fever and chronic inflammatory seronegative arthropathy: a unique triad
Authors: Constantinou Maria , Parperis Konstantinos
Published: July 2022

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disorder characterised by recurrent fever attacks and serositis. Chronic inflammatory seronegative arthropathy affects the spine and peripheral joints and rarely coexists with FMF. Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis that manifests as an ulcerative skin disease that uncommonly occurs in patients with FMF. In this case report, we describe a male patient in his 60s with a history of FMF and chronic inflammatory seronegative arthropathy who developed ulcerative skin lesions consistent with PG. A genetic evaluation revealed a pathogenic variant (V726A) and two variants of uncertain significance (F479L and E167D) mutations in the MEFV gene. We hypothesised that the triad of FMF, chronic inflammatory seronegative arthropathy and PG might be linked to the V726A variant, while the presence of the other two variants may have amplified the clinical presentation. Further studies are warranted to confirm our observation.
Mapping the evidence on identity processes and identity-related interventions in the smoking and physical activity domains: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Penfornis Kristell M , Van Vliet Milon H M , Meijer Eline , Gebhardt Winifred A
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Smoking and insufficient physical activity (PA), independently but especially in conjunction, often lead to disease and (premature) death. For this reason, there is need for effective smoking cessation and PA-increasing interventions. Identity-related interventions which aim to influence how people view themselves offer promising prospects, but an overview of the existing evidence is needed first. This is the protocol for a scoping review aiming to aggregate the evidence on identity processes and identity-related interventions in the smoking and physical activity domains.

Methods

The scoping review will be guided by an adaption by Levacet alof the 2005 Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework, the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) and the 2017 Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. It will include scientific publications discussing identity (processes) and/or identity-related interventions in the context of smoking (cessation) and/or physical (in)activity, in individuals aged 12 and over. A systematic search will be carried out in multiple databases (eg, PubMed, Web of Science). Records will be independently screened against prepiloted inclusion/exclusion criteria by two reviewers, using the Active Learning for Systematic Reviews machine learning artificial intelligence and Rayyan QCRI, a screening assistant. A prepiloted charting table will be used to extract data from included full-text articles. Findings will be reported according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and include study quality assessment.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for scoping reviews. Findings will aid the development of future identity-related interventions targeting smoking and physical inactivity.
Virtual reality and speech analysis for the assessment of impulsivity and decision-making: protocol for a comparison with neuropsychological tasks and self-administered questionnaires
Authors: de Leon-Martinez Santiago , Ruiz Marta , Parra-Vargas Elena , Chicchi-Giglioli Irene , Courtet Philippe , Lopez-Castroman Jorge , Artes Antonio , Baca-Garcia Enrique , Porras-Segovia Alejandro Albán , Barrigon Maria Luisa
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Impulsivity is present in a range of mental disorders and has been associated with suicide. Traditional measures of impulsivity have certain limitations, such as the lack of ecological validity. Virtual reality (VR) may overcome these issues. This study aims to validate the VR assessment tool ‘Spheres & Shield Maze Task’ and speech analysis by comparing them with traditional measures. We hypothesise that these innovative tools will be reliable and acceptable by patients, potentially improving the simultaneous assessment of impulsivity and decision-making.

Methods and analysis

This study will be carried out at the University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Madrid, Spain). Our sample will consist of adults divided into three groups: psychiatric outpatients with a history of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours, psychiatric outpatients without such a history and healthy volunteers. The target sample size was established at 300 participants (100 per group). Participants will complete the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11; the Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency, Impulsive Behaviour Scale; Iowa Gambling Task; Continuous Performance Test; Stop signal Task, and Go/no-go task, three questions of emotional affect, the Spheres & Shield Maze Task and two satisfaction surveys. During these tasks, participant speech will be recorded. Construct validity of the VR environment will be calculated. We will also explore the association between VR-assessed impulsivity and history of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviour, and the association between speech and impulsivity and decision-making.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz (PIC128-21_FJD). Participants will be required to provide written informed consent. The findings will be presented in a series of manuscripts that will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication.

Trial registration number

NCT05109845; Pre-results.
Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis among surgical patients: results from a retrospective observational study at a public hospital in Liberia
Authors: Enriquez Kayla , Raouf Saned , Shakpeh John , Niescierenko Michelle , Mayah-Toto Finda
Published: July 2022

Background

Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is one of the most effective measures to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs). According to WHO SAP guidelines, SAP requires appropriate indication for administration and delivery of the antimicrobial agent to the operative site through intravenous administration within 60–120 min before the initial surgical incision is made. In Liberia, it is unknown how surgeons practice and there has been anecdotal observation of antibiotic overuse.

Objective

To elucidate baseline SAP compliance, particularly appropriate SAP use based on wound class and time of antibiotic administration.

Methods

An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2017. One-day training was provided on SAP/SSI to 24 health workers by the Ministry of Health and WHO. Following this training, surgical cases (general surgery and obstetrics and gynaecology (OB/GYN) underwent chart review with focus on time of SAP administration and appropriate SAP based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wound classification.

Results

A total of 143 charts were reviewed. Twenty-nine (20.3%) cases showed appropriate prophylaxis through administrations of antibiotics 120 min before surgical incision, resulting in SAP compliance. One hundred and fourteen cases (79.7%) showed SAP noncompliance with timing of antibiotic administration. Of the OB/Gyn cases, 109 wounds were classified as Class I (clean) and one wound was classified as Class III (contaminated). For General Surgical cases, 32 wounds were classified as Class I and one as Class III. Of the 109 Class I OB/Gyn surgeries, 24 (22%) were appropriately given antibiotics based on the CDC wound guidelines while 78% were non-compliant with recommendations. Of the 32 Class I General surgery cases, 4 (12.5%) were compliant with antibiotics guidelines while 28 (87.5%) were not.

Conclusion

Compliance with SAP is low. More studies need to be done to explore the contributing factors to this. Implementing mechanisms to achieve proper use of SAP is needed.
Thrombophilia screening in women with recurrent first trimester miscarriage: is it time to stop testing? – a cohort study and systematic review of the literature
Authors: Shehata Hassan , Ali Amanda , Silva-Edge Mariane , Haroon Shahla , Elfituri Abdullatif , Viswanatha Radhika , Jan Haider , Akolekar Ranjit
Published: July 2022

Objective

There are numerous studies reporting a disproportionally high prevalence of thrombophilia in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage (RM), which has led to overdiagnosis and treatment without an improvement in clinical outcomes. The objective of our study was to assess the prevalence of inherited and acquired thrombophilia in a large cohort of women with a history of early RM using internationally agreed diagnostic criteria and inclusion parameters and compare it to the meta-analysis results of existing literature.

Methods

Design

Retrospective cohort study and systematic review of literature.

Setting

This is a retrospective cohort study set-up in two dedicated tertiary centres for women with RM in Southwest London and Surrey. We reviewed all the available literature related to causes of RMs. We ascertained the prevalence of thrombophilia in the study population and compared it with historical and published prevalence in the general population.

Participants

1155 women between 2012 and 2017. All patients had three or more first trimester miscarriages and a full thrombophilia screen.

Results

The overall prevalence of thrombophilia in our study population is 9.2% (106/1155) with 8.1% (94/1155) of cases positive for inherited thrombophilia, which is similar to the general population; Factor V Leiden (4.9%; 57/1155) and prothrombin gene mutation (2.9%; 34/1155) were the most common inherited thrombophilias, while only 1% (12/1155) tested positive for acquired thrombophilia. Persistent positive lupus anticoagulant (LA) was found in 0.5% (6/1155) and persistent positive anticardiolipin (ACL) antibodies with a value ≥40 U/mL was found in 0.5% (6/1155) of patients. Tests for LA/ACL were performed a minimum of 12 weeks apart thus meeting the revised Sapporo criteria for a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Conclusion

The findings of our study demonstrate that the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia is similar in women with RM to that in the general population. Similarly, the prevalence of acquired thrombophilia, using the revised Sapporo criteria, in the cohort of RMs is similar to that in the general population. Therefore, we do not recommend investigation or treatment of inherited or acquired thrombophilia in women with RM.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020223554.
Reduction effect of oral pravastatin on the acute phase response to intravenous zoledronic acid: protocol for a real-world prospective, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Liu Qi , Han Gengyu , Li Runting , Fan Dongwei , Du Guohong , Zhang Min , Tao Liyuan , Li Haiyan , Liu Dongyang , Song Chunli
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Zoledronic acid (ZA) has been used as a first-line treatment in patients with osteoporosis (OP) who receive an annual injection of 5 mg. However, side effects of bone pain and fever, known as the acute phase response (APR), have often been observed after clinical usage. A meta-analysis reported that the incidence of APR was 49.4% among patients with OP who received ZA for the first time and that 30% of patients with these adverse effects refused treatment in the following year. As a clinically used hypolipidaemic drug, statins can inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase to block the pathway upstream of farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. This process can decrease the accumulation of isopentenyl pyrophosphate to prevent γδT-cell activation and inflammatory factor production, blocking APR occurrence. The aim of this study is to determine the reduction effect of oral pravastatin on APR and investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the effect in vivo.

Methods and analysis

This will be a single-centre, placebo-controlled trial. Female participants will be allocated at a 1:1 ratio to receive either oral pravastatin or a placebo at 1-hour predose and 24 and 48 hours post-administration of ZA. The primary outcome will be the incidence of APR within 72 hours after ZA infusion. The secondary outcomes will include the occurrence time and severity of APR and the frequency and amount of acetaminophen usage within 72 hours after ZA infusion. This study will determine the preventive effect of oral pravastatin on APR in Chinese patients with OP, supporting the clinical application of ZA to alleviate concerns regarding safety and increase patient compliance.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol has been registered with ClinicalTrials.gov. This study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Peking University Third Hospital Medical Science Research Ethics Committee. The results will be published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04719481.
Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy in severe male factor infertility: protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lin Xian-hua , Guo Meng-xi , Wu Dan-dan , Lu Yao , Zhang Jian-lin , Zhou Cheng-liang , Jin Li , Wang Li , Zhang Chen , Xu Chen-ming , Chen Song-chang , Zhang Song-ying , Sun Xiao-xi , Wu Yan-ting , Sun Yun , Huang He-feng
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a widely used treatment for couples with severe male infertility. However, there are controversies regarding the selection and the damage to gametes during the ICSI procedure. Although preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A) can give genetic information about embryos for transfer and improve fertility rate, and it is widely used in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion or advanced age, PGT-A is not only more expensive but also has unclear effectiveness with respect to the improvement of fertility rate among couples with severe male infertility. High-quality, well-powered randomised clinical trials (RCTs) comparing ICSI+PGT-A and ICSI are lacking.

Methods and analysis

This is a protocol for a multicenter, open-label RCT in four reproductive medical centers qualified for PGT technique in China. We will study couples with severe male infertility scheduled for their fertility treatment. After the blastocyst culture, eligible participants are randomised to the ICSI+PGT-A group or the conventional ICSI group in a 1:1 ratio. Other assisted reproductive procedures are similar and parallel between the two groups. The primary outcome will be live birth rate and cumulative live-birth rate . Secondary outcomes will be embryo implantation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, preterm birth rate, fetal chromosomal abnormality rate, birth defect rate and treatment complications. To demonstrate or refute a difference between the two groups, we plan to include 188 participants in each group; taking consideration of 20% of dropout, the total target sample size is 450.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical Science Research Ethics Committee (GKLW2016-16). Informed consent will be obtained from each participant. The findings will be disseminated to the public through conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02941965.
Peptic ulcer as mediator of the association between risk of gastric cancer and socioeconomic status, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and salt intake
Authors: Collatuzzo Giulia , Alicandro Gianfranco , Bertuccio Paola , Pelucchi Claudio , Bonzi Rossella , Palli Domenico , Ferraroni Monica , Ye Weimin , Plymoth Amelie , Zaridze David , Maximovich Dmitry , Aragones Nuria , Castaño-Vinyals Gemma , Vioque Jesus , Garcia de la Hera Manoli , Zhang Zuo-Feng , Hu Jinfu , Lopez-Carrillo Lizbeth , López-Cervantes Malaquías , Dalmartello Michela , Mu Lina , Ward Mary H , Rabkin Charles , Yu Guo-Pei , Camargo M Constanza , Curado Maria Paula , Lunet Nuno , Negri Eva , La Vecchia Carlo , Boffetta Paolo
Published: July 2022

Background

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer (GC) are more prevalent in individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) and share several risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of PUD in the association between established risk factors and GC.

Methods

We conducted a pooled analysis of 12 studies from the Stomach Cancer Pooling Project Consortium, including a total of 4877 GC cases and 11 808 controls. We explored the mediating role of PUD in the association between SES, tobacco smoking, heavy alcohol drinking and salt intake, and GC. Also, we assessed the ORs and 95% CIs of the risk factors and both PUD and GC.

Results

PUD mediated 36% of the smoking effect mainly among men. Other risk factors were only slightly mediated by PUD (SES, 5.3%; heavy alcohol drinking, 3.3%; and salt intake, 2.5%). No significant difference was found when excluding PUD diagnosed within 2 years from GC.

Conclusions

Our study provides innovative information on the mechanism of stomach mucosal damage leading to PUD and GC, with respect to the effect of tobacco smoking in particular.
Drug prescribing changes in the last year of life among homebound older adults: national retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hattori Yukari , Hamada Shota , Yamanaka Takashi , Kidana Kiwami , Iwagami Masao , Sakata Nobuo , Tamiya Nanako , Kojima Taro , Ogawa Sumito , Akishita Masahiro
Published: July 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the prescription patterns of drugs during the last year of life in homebound older adults who received home medical care.

Methods

We used a nationwide claims database in Japan and selected older adults aged ≥75 years who received home medical care services from ≥12 months before their death. We evaluated medications prescribed 12 months before death (month 12), 3 months before death (month 3) and in the last month of life (month 1). We explored the factors associated with the decreased number of cardiovascular preventive drugs from month 12 to both month 3 and month 1.

Results

A total of 118 661 participants were included, and the majority were aged ≥90 years and women. The prevalence of cardiovascular preventive drugs decreased but remained common in month 1, which included antihypertensives (34.7%), antiplatelets (15.9%), oral anticoagulants (7.6%), antidiabetic drugs (7.3%) and lipid-lowering drugs (6.1%). The relative decrease from month 12 to month 1 was the largest for lipid-lowering drugs (44.8%) and the smallest for oral anticoagulants (13.6%). Among other drugs, laxatives (enema), antiemetics, oral corticosteroids, analgesics, expectorants, bronchodilators and antibiotics showed a large relative increase. Older age, duration of home medical care services for <1 year and diagnoses of cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease were associated with a greater likelihood of a decreased number of cardiovascular preventive drugs.

Conclusions

There is room for deprescribing to avoid inappropriate polypharmacy by balancing preventive and symptom management drugs in those receiving home medical care with a limited life expectancy.
A re-evaluation of conflicting taxonomic structures of EurasianTriaenophorusspp. (Cestoda, Bothriocephalidea: Triaenophoridae) based on partialcox1mtDNA and 28S rRNA gene sequences
Authors: Vlasenko Pavel G. , Sokolov Sergey G. , Ieshko Evgeny P. , Frolov Evgeniy V. , Kalmykov Alexander P. , Parshukov Aleksey N. , Chugunova Yulia K. , Kashinskaya Elena N. , Shokurova Anastasiya V. , Bochkarev Nikolai A. , Andree Karl B. , Solovyev Mikhail M.
Published: July 2022

Cestodes of the genus Triaenophorus Rudolphi, 1793 are widely distributed parasites of Esocidae, Percidae, Salmonidae, Thimallidae, Cobitidae, Osmeridae, Cyprinidae, Cottiidae, Lotidae, and several others in the Holarctic. The taxonomic arrangements of different authors, based on morphological and ecological–biogeographic characters, suggest the presence of two to five species of this genus in Eurasia. The genetic variation of Eurasian Triaenophorus spp. was evaluated using DNA barcoding ( cox1 and 28S gene sequences). This confirmed the validity of five Triaenophorus species: T. amurensis, T. crassus, T. meridionalis, T. nodulosus, and T. orientalis. We demonstrated systematic concordance between traditional meristic criteria and DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic reconstructions support the monophyletic origin of the group of species with a long basal plate of the scolex hook ( T. crassus, T. meridionalis, and T. orientalis). Triaenophorus crassus is represented by two haplogroups, associated with Siberia and northwestern Russia. Our results show differences between T. nodulosus,  T. amurensis, and T. crassus in terms of the haplotype diversity level, which are probably related to the Quaternary history of the development of their ranges, as well as the degree of euryxeny to the second intermediate host.
Combined effects of cold snaps and agriculture on the growth rates of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)
Authors: Garrett Daniel R. , Lamoureux Stéphane , Rioux Paquette Sébastien , Pelletier Fanie , Garant Dany , Bélisle Marc
Published: July 2022

The decline of avian aerial insectivores has been greater than any other foraging guild and both climate change and agricultural intensification are leading hypotheses explaining this decline. Spring cold snaps are predicted to increase in frequency due to climate change, and factors associated with agricultural intensification (e.g., toxicological agents, simplification of agricultural landscapes, and reductions of insect prey) potentially exacerbates the negative effects of cold snaps on aerial insectivore nestling growth and body condition. We evaluated this hypothesis using repeated measures of Tree Swallow ( Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) nestling body mass and 9th primary length across an expansive gradient of agricultural intensification. Growth rate, asymptotic body mass, and near-fledging 9th primary length were lower for nestlings in landscapes consisting of more agro-intensive monocultures. This 14-year dataset of body measures occurring at 2, 6, 12, and 16 days of age showed that the negative impact of cold snaps on the growth of these two traits was stronger for nestlings reared in more agro-intensive landscapes. Our findings provide further evidence that two of the primary hypothesized drivers for the decline of many aerial insectivores may interact and aggravate their decline by reducing fledging survival.