bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The industry impact of the American Medical Association’s Digital Medicine Payment Advisory Group (DMPAG)
Authors: Kvedar Joseph C. , Mittermaier Mirja , Pritzker Jordan
Published: December 2022

Digital medicine interventions are currently transforming health care and have created new efficiencies in the delivery process. The business model along with physician payment models are crucial drivers for the adoption of innovations. In the U.S., physician payment is mostly codified in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). Until recently, CPT codes related to digital medicine activities were mainly limited to telephone services. To embrace the evolving implementation of the various modalities of digital medicine, the American Medical Association (AMA) determined that a more comprehensive codeset is needed. Thus, the Digital Medicine Payment Advisory Group (DMPAG) was initiated in late 2016. Since then, the DMPAG has achieved a significant and measurable impact on digital medicine intervention adoption by introducing CPT codes for remote physiologic monitoring, remote therapeutic monitoring, artificial intelligence, and other digital innovations.
Regulatory T cells infiltrate the tumor-induced tertiary lymphoïd structures and are associated with poor clinical outcome in NSCLC
Authors: Devi-Marulkar Priyanka , Fastenackels Solène , Karapentiantz Pierre , Goc Jérémy , Germain Claire , Kaplon Hélène , Knockaert Samantha , Olive Daniel , Panouillot Marylou , Validire Pierre , Damotte Diane , Alifano Marco , Murris Juliette , Katsahian Sandrine , Lawand Myriam , Dieu-Nosjean Marie-Caroline
Published: December 2022

On one hand, regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an immunosuppressive activity in most solid tumors but not all. On the other hand, the organization of tumor-infiltrating immune cells into tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) is associated with long-term survival in most cancers. Here, we investigated the role of Tregs in the context of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)-associated TLS. We observed that Tregs show a similar immune profile in TLS and non-TLS areas. Autologous tumor-infiltrating Tregs inhibit the proliferation and cytokine secretion of CD4+ conventional T cells, a capacity which is recovered by antibodies against Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related protein (GITR) but not against other immune checkpoint (ICP) molecules. Tregs in the whole tumor, including in TLS, are associated with a poor outcome of NSCLC patients, and combination with TLS-dendritic cells (DCs) and CD8+ T cells allows higher overall survival discrimination. Thus, Targeting Tregs especially in TLS may represent a major challenge in order to boost anti-tumor immune responses initiated in TLS.
Low-content SnO2 nanodots on N-doped graphene: lattice-confinement preparation and high-performance lithium/sodium storage
Authors: Liu Shuaipeng , Dong Yan , Deng Chengwei , Chen Feijiang , Su Yu , Li Sheng-Yi , Xu Sailong
Published: December 2022

A low-content SnO2 nanodot/N-rGO composite is prepared via a distinctive lattice confinement and delivers satisfactory lithium/sodium storage, due to its high capacitive contribution, as well as low electronic and ionic diffusion resistance.
Anticancer potential of flaxseed lignans, their metabolites and synthetic counterparts in relation with molecular targets: current challenges and future perspectives
Authors: Mueed Abdul , Deng Zeyuan , Korma Sameh A. , Shibli Sahar , Jahangir Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Lignans are known dietary polyphenols found in cereals, plants and seeds.
Capturing coacervate formation and protein partition by molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Xinyan , Wan Zhili , Ngai To , Tse Ying-Lung Steve
Published: December 2022

We carried out molecular dynamics simulation with the Martini 3.0 model to reproduce the experimental salt concentration and pH dependency of different complex coacervates. We showed that coacervates inside vesicles are able to change their shape.
Fluorine-free preparation of a superhydrophobic coating with anti-icing properties, mechanical durability and self-cleaning effect
Authors: Yu Meiling , Li Xu , Tan Xinyu , Chen Xiaobo
Published: December 2022

Superhydrophobic materials have become a feasible choice to solve related difficult problems because of their excellent anti-icing, anti-corrosion, and self-cleaning characteristics.
Optimal finite alphabet scheme for NOMA uplink channels
Authors: Zhen Jina , Wong Anzhong , Wong Kon Max , Yang Shouyi , Zhang Jiankang
Published: December 2022

The design of an optimal non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) transmission scheme with finite alphabet inputs for a typical two‐user uplink wireless communication system is investigated in which each terminal is equipped with a single antenna. Each of the two users utilises a four quadrature amplitude modulation (4‐QAM) constellation to transmit information data to a common base station, and the receiver employs a maximum likelihood (ML) detector to jointly estimate both transmitted signals. Assuming the availability of channel state information at both the transmitters and the receiver, it is aimed to design a pair of scalar beamformers for the two users such that the minimum Euclidean distance between elements of the received sum‐constellation is maximised subject to the power constraints on the users. A thorough consideration of all the different conditions results in the derivation of a closed‐form optimal beamformer design. As well, examination of the construction of sum‐constellation resulted from the optimum design directly leads to the unique decoding of the original transmitted signal of each user. To facilitate practical implementation, a fast decoding procedure of the optimum NOMA scheme is further developed. The corresponding theoretic probability of ML detection error is also derived. The theoretical development of an optimum sum‐constellation for the basic 2‐user 4‐QAM system provides a solid platform for the derivation of an optimum sum‐constellation for a K‐user and/or M‐QAM system. Indeed, a simple development of the basic sum‐constellation map facilitates such extensions. Numerical simulations not only demonstrate that the performance of the fast decoder agrees closely with the theoretical analysis, but also verify that it is superior in performance to other existing NOMA designs for the same system under high signal‐to‐noise ratio.
LSTM‐based adaptive robust nonlinear controller design of a single‐axis hydraulic shaking table
Authors: Wen Jiabao , Zhao Chengcheng , Shi Zhiguo
Published: December 2022

The shaking table has been used extensively in the structure test field to verify the structure's performance against various vibrations, for example earthquakes. In order to replicate the vibrations, which are measured by the acceleration signal, the model of the shaking table should be thoroughly constructed to design the controller. However, parametric uncertainty and strong nonlinearity, such as the nonlinear friction, make it an obstacle to obtaining an accurate model. A neural network‐based controller, specifically a long short‐term memory neural network‐based neural network controller, is designed in this paper to address this issue. The nonlinear systems are estimated by the neural network's universal approximation characteristics, and a long short‐term memory neural network is utilized to optimize the time‐series‐related errors. Furthermore, a robust sliding mode controller is utilized to compensate for the residual error of the neural network and other uncertainties. The semi‐global asymptotic stability of the controller is proved by Lyapunov analysis. Comparative experimental results indicate the superiority of the proposed controller.
Traffic signal priority control based on shared experience multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Zhiwen , Yang Kangkang , Li Long , Lu Yanrong , Tao Yufei
Published: December 2022

Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) has demonstrated its great potential for Adaptive Traffic Signal Control (ATSC) tasks at single‐intersection. In the transportation network multi‐agent environment, cooperative learning among multi‐agents has become a hot research topic. Based on the distributed control model, this paper presents a hybrid reward function model for the dynamic density method of intersections, which emphasizes the priority of emergency vehicles (EMV) while maximizing the traffic efficiency of social vehicles, and solves the problem of sparse reward due to the ambiguous guidance relationship between the multi‐agent Deep Reinforcement Learning (MDRL) state and reward function of the urban road network scenario. On the other hand, based on multi‐agent A2C (MA2C) algorithm, this paper presents Shared Experience MA2C (SEMA2C) between agents. In the transportation network, each intersection represented by an agent has similar task objectives. SMEA2C algorithm takes the current agent as the main body of self‐learning, and utilizes the principle of importance sampling to learn from the experience data of the agents located at adjacent intersections. The experimental results show that the proposed SEMA2C performs well in multi‐agent traffic signal control tasks, and has greater advantages than the similar algorithms.
Stochastic FDTD for stochastic problems with axial symmetry
Authors: Wang Xutong , Wang Wenbing , Mao Congguang , Zhao Mo , Liu Zheng , Zhou Yifu
Published: December 2022

The random parameters remain hard to tackle for a long time in electromagnetic (EM) computations. Aiming at the time‐dependent uncertainty in the axially symmetric structures, the formulations of the stochastic finite‐difference time‐domain (S‐FDTD) method are derived, and the effectiveness is verified by a cylindrical ring structure. The simulation results indicate that the efficiency of S‐FDTD method is much higher than that of the polynomial chaos (PC) method and the Monte Carlo (MC) method, that is, the S‐FDTD method only takes about 3% of the computation time of the PC method and 0.03% of the computation time of the MC method with slightly lower accuracy. Thus the uncertainty in the EM calculation of axisymmetric cylindrical coordinates is possible to tackle, such as the uncertainties in the calculations of lightning electromagnetic pulse, high altitude electromagnetic pulse and so on.
Eine Modifikation der inversen Membrana-limitans-interna-Lappentechnik ohne Einsatz schwerer Flüssigkeiten und Bauchlagerung
Authors: Kaiser Klemens Paul , Ernst Sophie-Christin , Somfai Gabor Mark , Becker Matthias Dieter , Heussen Florian Moritz
Published: December 2022

Der primäre Verschluss großer Makulaforamina ist nach wie vor eine Herausforderung, wobei verschiedene Varianten einer Operation mit einem inversen Lappen der Membrana limitans interna
(MLI) beschrieben worden sind. In der vorliegenden retrospektiven interventionellen Fallserie eines einzelnen Zentrums präsentieren wir eine Lappentechnik mit minimaler postoperativer
Lagerung. Acht Augen von 8 Patienten (4 Frauen und 4 Männer) unterzogen sich im Zeitraum zwischen Juli 2020 und März 2022 einer von demselben erfahrenen Chirurgen (FMH) durchgeführten
23-G-3-Port-Vitrektomie mit einem umgekehrten MLI-Lappen und einer 20%igen SF6-Endotamponade für ein durchgreifendes Makulaloch. Sieben Makulaforamina wurden als groß
(> 400 µm) und eines als mittelgroß (250 – 400 µm) eingestuft. Der mittlere minimale Durchmesser betrug 638,0 µm ± 166,4 µm (Bereich: 353 – 851 µm). Der Verschluss des Makulaforamens
wurde bei allen Patienten (8/8, 100%) mit einem einzigen Eingriff erreicht. Der mediane bestkorrigierte Visus (BCVA) verbesserte sich von 6/120 (Snellen; Bereich: Fingerzählung [FC]) bis
6/19) präoperativ auf 6/19 (Bereich: FC bis 6/9,5) nach der Operation ohne intra- oder postoperative Komplikationen. Die Technik des superioren invertierten MLI-Lappens scheint ein sicherer
und erfolgreicher Ansatz für den primären Verschluss großer Makulaforamina zu sein. In weiteren Studien sollte die von uns vorgeschlagene Operationstechnik an einer größeren Population
untersucht werden, möglicherweise als Weiterentwicklung ohne Einsatz einer Luft- oder Gasendotamponade.
Cysteamine Attenuate Intestinal Reperfusion Injury Induced by
Occlusion of Mesenteric Artery by Enhancing Intracellular Thiol
Activities
Authors: Alabi Babatunde , Iwalewa Olugbenga , Omobowale Temidayo , Adedapo Adeolu , Hammed Opeyemi , Ajike Richard , Afolabi Oladele
Published: December 2022

Background Ischemia/reperfusion has been reported to further
damage the intestine reperfusion injury (IRI) and cause multiple distal organ
dysfunction through oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Cysteamine is
known to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis. This
experiment was designed to evaluate the role of cysteamine against IRI in
rats

Methods Thirty-two Wistar rat strains were assigned to four groups: sham,
Intestinal-reperfusion injury (IRI), 50 mg/kg and
100 mg/kg cysteamine treatment IRI. A 5 cm segment of
terminal ileum was twisted 360° clockwise along the mesentery for
45 minutes to induce ischemia before detorsion. Tissues were preserved
for biochemical evaluation and histology 4 hours after detorsion.
Activities of GPx, GSH, protein and non-protein thiol,
H2O2, MDA were evaluated. Serum concentration of
nitrite, MPO, ALT, AST TNF-alpha and IL-6 were measured. Caspase 3 and bax were
evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Statistical significance was set as
p<0.05

Results Significant (p<0.05) increase in
H2O2, MDA and nitrite but reduction in GPx, GSH,
protein thiol and non-protein thiol in the IRI rats was reversed by 50 and
100 mg/kg cysteamine. Serum MPO, TNF-α, IL6, AST and ALT
was significantly elevated in IRI while the rats treated with cysteamine showed
a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the activities of these inflammatory
and hepatic injury markers.

Conclusion Cysteamine mitigate IRI by enhancing intracellular antioxidant
defense system, inhibiting inflammatory mediators and intestinal tissue
expression of pro-apoptotic protein.
Fundamentals of Microsurgery: A Novel Simulation Curriculum Based on Validated Laparoscopic Education Approaches
Authors: Chauhan Ruvi , Ingersol Christopher , Wooden William A. , Gordillo Gayle M. , Stefanidis Dimitrios , Hassanein Aladdin H. , Lester Mary E.
Published: December 2022

Background Microsurgical techniques have a steep learning curve. We adapted validated surgical approaches to develop a novel, competency-based microsurgical simulation curriculum called Fundamentals of Microsurgery (FMS). The purpose of this study is to present our experience with FMS and quantify the effect of the curriculum on resident performance in the operating room.

Methods Trainees underwent the FMS curriculum requiring task progression: (1) rubber band transfer, (2) coupler tine grasping, (3) glove laceration repair, (4) synthetic vessel anastomosis, and (5) vessel anastomosis in a deep cavity. Resident anastomoses were also evaluated in the operative room with the Stanford Microsurgery and Resident Training (SMaRT) tool to evaluate technical performance. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Short-Form Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) quantified learner anxiety and workload.

Results A total of 62 anastomoses were performed by residents in the operating room during patient care. Higher FMS task completion showed an increased mean SMaRT score (p = 0.05), and a lower mean STAI-6 score (performance anxiety) (p = 0.03). Regression analysis demonstrated residents with higher SMaRT score had lower NASA-TLX score (mental workload) (p < 0.01) and STAI-6 scores (p < 0.01).

Conclusion A novel microsurgical simulation program FMS was implemented. We found progression of trainees through the program translated to better technique (higher SMaRT scores) in the operating room and lower performance anxiety on STAI-6 surveys. This suggests that the FMS curriculum improves proficiency in basic microsurgical skills, reduces trainee mental workload, anxiety, and improves intraoperative clinical proficiency.
The Top 100 Cited Articles in the Microsurgical Treatment for Lymphedema
Authors: Cordero Justin J. , Eidelson Sarah , Frediani Tanner , Shakoori Pasha , Carré A. Lyonel , Klausmeyer Melissa A. , Chu Michael W.
Published: December 2022

Background Evidence-based medicine uses the current best evidence for decisions about patient care. Lymphedema is a chronic debilitating medical condition caused by a dysfunctional lymphatic system. This study analyzes the most cited articles, including the levels of evidence, for the surgical treatment of lymphedema.

Methods The Web of Science Sci-Expanded Index was utilized to search for surgical treatment of lymphedema. Articles were examined by three independent reviewers and the top 100 articles were determined. The corresponding author, citation count, publication year, topic, study design, level of evidence, journal, country, and institution were analyzed.

Results Since 1970, the top 100 articles have been cited 7,300 times. The average citation count was 68 and standard deviation was 55. The majority was case series (71), followed by retrospective cohort (8), prospective cohort (7), retrospective case–control (5), and randomized controlled trials (2). Based on the “Level of Evidence Pyramid,” 71 articles were level IV, 13 articles were level III, and 9 articles were level II. On the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation Scale, there were 71 articles with “very low,” 20 articles with “low,” and 2 articles with “moderate” quality of evidence.

Conclusion The top 100 cited articles were mostly case series and lacked high levels of evidence. Most studies are retrospective case series with short-term outcomes. However, low level evidence for new surgical procedures is to be expected. Current trends suggest the treatment and understanding of lymphedema will continue to improve.
Updating The General Practitioner on The Association Between Teeth Loss and Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review
Authors: Leal Marília da Cunha Feio , Castro Micaele Maria Lopes , Sosthenes Márcia Consentino Kronka
Published: December 2022

The belief about a possible association between the absence of one or more teeth and the presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), although old, is still present among the dental class. Although evidence points to a lack of association between loss of posterior support and the presence of TMD, we do not have critical studies on the extent, quantity, or location of these losses. In this sense, this systematic review aims to investigate the association between tooth loss and the presence of TMD signs or diagnostic subgroups. Search strategies using a combination of keywords tooth loss and TMDs were performed in six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Livivo, Lilacs, and Scopus) and gray literature from August to September 2020. Observational studies that investigated the association between tooth loss in TMD were considered. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Assessment Checklist for cross-sectional analytical studies, case–control, and cohort studies. Finally, the level of certainty measured by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was assessed. Six articles were included in the review according to the eligibility criteria. Of these, five had a high risk of bias and one had a moderate risk. Only one study showed an association between the loss of posterior teeth and the presence of joint sounds and joint pain, the others found no significant association with sign or TMD subgroups diagnostic.

There is no scientific evidence to support the association between one or more tooth loss and the presence of TMD signs and symptoms or diagnostic subgroups.
Mini-Perforated Craniotomy with Subperiosteal Drain for Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A New Technique and Clinical Study
Authors: Sirinoglu Deniz , Sarigul Buse , Aydin Mehmet Volkan
Published: December 2022

Background Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a frequent disease of the elderly with favorable outcomes. The main choice of treatment is surgery. Along with many surgical techniques described for evacuation of cSDH, we are presenting the preliminary outcomes of a novel surgical method, mini-perforated craniotomy with a subperiosteal drain.

Material and Methods Patients in whom cSDH with thickness of >10 mm was observed in computed tomography (CT) scans with parenchymal compression and/or midline shift were included in this study. Age, sex, complaint, neurological status, and medical history were recorded along with CT findings. Mini-perforated craniotomy was performed on all patients. A subperiosteal drain was used. The postoperative follow-up period was 3 months.

Results Ten cSDH patients who were admitted to Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital between December 2020 and May 2021 were included in this study. The mean age was 64.3 ± 6.272, and the most common admission complaint was a headache. Postoperatively, one patient showed acute rebleeding after the operation due to dual anticoagulant therapy. Besides, in 3 months follow-up, rebleeding, subdural or epidural effusion, wound infection, or cosmetic problems were not observed.

Conclusion Mini-perforated craniotomy with a subperiosteal drain may be an alternative method for evacuation of cSDH with low complication rates especially when the hematoma is suspected to be septated.
Dental Implant Osseointegration Inhibition by Nicotine through Increasing nAChR, NFATc1 Expression, Osteoclast Numbers, and Decreasing Osteoblast Numbers
Authors: Nilawati Nina , Widyastuti Widyastuti , Rizka Yoifah , Kurniawan Hansen
Published: December 2022

Objective The success of dental implants is determined by the osteointegration process. Many studies state that smoking cigarettes can inhibit osseointegration, but the inhibition mechanism is still unclear.

The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effect of nicotine on the inhibition of dental implant osseointegration through the expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), osteoclast, and osteoblast numbers.

Materials and Methods This study is an experimental study of 16 New Zealand rabbits, randomized across two groups. Group 1 (eight rabbits) was a control group, and group 2 (eight rabbits) was a treatment group. The treatment group was given 2.5 mg/kg body weight/day of nicotine by injection 1 week before placement of the implant until the end of research. Observations were made in the first and the eighth week by measuring the number of osteoblast and osteoclast by immunohistology test and the expression of nAChR and NFATc1 by immunohistochemistry test.

Statistical Analysis Data was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results Significant differences were found between the control and treatment groups (p < 0.05). Results showed that nicotine increases the expression of nAChR and decreases the number of osteoblasts and the expression of BMP2 and osteocalcin.

Conclusion Nicotine inhibits the osseointegration of dental implants by increasing nAChR, NFATc1, osteoclast numbers, and decreasing osteoblast numbers.
Evaluation of the Effect of Subciliary Approaches on Lower Eyelid Position in Infraorbital Rim Fractures
Authors: Aksam Ersin , Uyar Ilker , Turan Ozgur
Published: December 2022

Background Periorbital fractures are a condition encountered after high-energy trauma in the face region. In the follow-ups after surgical repair, some changes may occur in the lower eyelid. Scleral show, ectropion, entropion, and canthal malposition are the most common complications. In this study, the effect of subciliary soft tissue approaches on lower eyelid position in patients with infraorbital rim fracture was investigated.

Methods Patients admitted with orbital lower rim fracture between January 2017 and January 2021 were included in the study. A total of 90 patients, 15 patients in each group, were followed up for 6 months. Before the operation, the patients were randomly assigned to the groups by an impartial observer and the surgeons who would perform the operation were informed about the method. The patients were divided into six groups according to the type of soft tissue approach for fracture repair.

Results There were 6 groups in total and each group included 15 patients. The mean age was 41.4 in group 1, 50.6 in group 2, 38.2 in group 3, 36.4 in group 4, 38 in group 5, and 39.9 in group 6. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.090), gender distribution (p = 0.835), and smoking (p = 0.685). Ectropion was observed in 14 of 73 male patients and 5 of 17 female patients. Ectropion was observed in 9 of 38 smokers and 10 of 52 nonsmokers. When all groups were evaluated together, the scleral show measurement was 0.072 on the operated side and 0.034 on the healthy side. This measurement was statistically significant (p = 0.000).

Conclusion Subciliary skin-only or step incision approaches can be used safely in the exposure of infraorbital rim fractures, but both approaches must be supported by canthopexy.
Claude Syndrome in Childhood Associated with Probable Neuro-Behcet Disease
Authors: Yavuz Pinar , Solmaz Ismail , Kaya Ummusen Akca , Akgoz Ayca , Oguz Kader K. , Aytac Selin , Ozen Seza , Yalnizoglu Dilek
Published: December 2022

Claude syndrome is a rare midbrain stroke syndrome characterized by ipsilateral third cranial nerve palsy and contralateral hemiataxia. So far, only a few cases have been reported in childhood. We present two children with Claude syndrome at 9 and 15 years of age. The typical clinical picture was consistent with brain magnetic resonance imaging findings. A thorough investigation regarding the underlying etiology revealed no definite diagnosis but clues suggestive of probable neuro-Behcet disease. Awareness of pediatric neurologists on arterial ischemic stroke has been increasing over the past decades, enabling timely diagnosis and appropriate management of rare childhood cases with midbrain stroke.
Solution characterization of the dynamic conjugative entry exclusion protein TraG
Authors: Bragagnolo Nicholas , Audette Gerald F.
Published: December 2022

The R100 plasmid and the secretion system it encodes are representative of F-like conjugative type IV secretion systems for the transmission of mobile DNA elements in gram-negative bacteria, serving as a major contributor to the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. The TraG protein of F-like systems consists of a membrane-bound N-terminal domain and a periplasmic C-terminal domain, denoted TraG*. TraG* is essential in preventing redundant DNA transfer through a process termed entry exclusion. In the donor cell, it interacts with TraN to facilitate mating pair stabilization; however, if a mating pore forms between bacteria with identical plasmids, TraG* interacts with its cognate TraS in the inner membrane of the recipient bacterium to prevent redundant donor–donor conjugation. Structural studies of TraG* from the R100 plasmid have revealed the presence of a dynamic region between the N- and C-terminal domains of TraG. Thermofluor, circular dichroism, collision-induced unfolding–mass spectrometry, and size exclusion chromatography linked to multiangle light scattering and small angle x-ray scattering experiments indicated an N-terminal truncation mutant displayed higher stability and less disordered content relative to full-length TraG*. The 45 N-terminal residues of TraG* are hypothesized to serve as part of a flexible linker between the two independently functioning domains.
No evidence for persistent natural plague reservoirs in historical and modern Europe
Authors: Stenseth Nils Chr. , Tao Yuxin , Zhang Chutian , Bramanti Barbara , Büntgen Ulf , Cong Xianbin , Cui Yujun , Zhou Hu , Dawson Lorna A. , Mooney Sacha J. , Li Dong , Fell Henry G. , Cohn Samuel , Sebbane Florent , Slavin Philip , Liang Wannian , Tong Howell , Yang Ruifu , Xu Lei
Published: December 2022

Caused by
Yersinia pestis
, plague ravaged the world through three known pandemics: the First or the Justinianic (6th–8th century); the Second (beginning with the Black Death during c.1338–1353 and lasting until the 19th century); and the Third (which became global in 1894). It is debatable whether
Y. pestis
persisted in European wildlife reservoirs or was repeatedly introduced from outside Europe (as covered by European Union and the British Isles). Here, we analyze environmental data (soil characteristics and climate) from active Chinese plague reservoirs to assess whether such environmental conditions in Europe had ever supported “natural plague reservoirs”. We have used new statistical methods which are validated through predicting the presence of modern plague reservoirs in the western United States. We find no support for persistent natural plague reservoirs in either historical or modern Europe. Two factors make Europe unfavorable for long-term plague reservoirs: 1) Soil texture and biochemistry and 2) low rodent diversity. By comparing rodent communities in Europe with those in China and the United States, we conclude that a lack of suitable host species might be the main reason for the absence of plague reservoirs in Europe today. These findings support the hypothesis that long-term plague reservoirs did not exist in Europe and therefore question the importance of wildlife rodent species as the primary plague hosts in Europe.
Corporate Law and Political Economy in a Kleptocracy
Authors: Chen Vivien
Published: December 2022

Described by the U.S. Attorney General as “kleptocracy at its worst,” 1MDB, a Malaysian state-owned company, was a vehicle for theft of billions by the former prime minister for nine years. Malaysian corporate law is largely aligned with international standards, raising questions as to why it failed to effectively safeguard against the expropriation of corporate property. The Article investigates empirical evidence of the strength and implementation of Malaysian corporate law that ostensibly protects shareholders from expropriation. It examines the translation of global norms into local practice and highlights the contextual influences that have impeded effective enforcement.

The analysis draws on broader theoretical approaches to illuminate the evolution of Malaysian shareholder protection and explain the gap between law in the books and law in practice. While Malaysian corporate law has been modeled on benchmarks of international standards, its corporate ownership structures, political economy, and form of political governance have developed in a distinctly different manner from institutions in Western developed countries. This research explores the limitations of prescribing formal law based on global standards, highlighting the need to consider the implications of political economy. Broader implications for the discourse on legal transplants and global norms for corporate law are considered, along with potential reforms.
Inter-Professional Education and Collaborative Practice in Social Work: Associations between Youth Work Practitioners’ Experience in Inter-Professional Learning, Creative Self-Efficacy and Innovative Behaviour
Authors: Cheung Johnson Chun-Sing , To Siu-Ming , Liu Xiaoyu , Chan Adam Man-Yuk
Published: December 2022

A rising trend is being observed in enhancing Inter-Professional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) in health care settings. Empirical evidence on its effects, particularly in youth settings, remains limited. This study examined the moderating role of inter-professional learning in the relation between youth work practitioners’ self-efficacy in social work and their creative self-efficacy and innovative behaviour. A total of 227 youth work practitioners from sixteen district-based youth services in Hong Kong were invited to participate in a survey. The results of regression analyses indicate a positive association between practitioners’ sense of self-efficacy in social work and their creative self-efficacy and innovative behaviour. They also show a positive association between practitioners’ inter-professional learning experience and their creative self-efficacy and innovative behaviour. However, concerning the interaction effect between self-efficacy in social work and inter-professional learning, the results indicate that the positive relationship between self-efficacy in social work and creative self-efficacy and innovative behaviour was weaker for practitioners who had a higher level of inter-professional learning. The promotion of IPECP and the preparation of social workers to be collaboration-ready were deemed essential in fostering an effective multi-agency and multi-profession partnership, especially for seasoned practitioners who were more likely to possess a silo mentality.
Optogenetic stimulation reveals a latent tipping point in cortical networks during ictogenesis
Authors: Graham Robert T , Parrish R Ryley , Alberio Laura , Johnson Emily L , Owens Laura , Trevelyan Andrew J
Published: December 2022

Brain-state transitions are readily apparent from changes in brain rhythms,1 but are difficult to predict, suggestive that the underlying cause is latent to passive recording methods. Among the most important transitions, clinically, are the starts of seizures. We here show that an ‘active probing’ approach may have several important benefits for epileptic management, including by helping predict these transitions.

We used mice expressing the optogenetic actuator, channelrhodopsin, in pyramidal cells, allowing this population to be stimulated in isolation. Intermittent stimulation at frequencies as low as 0.033 Hz (period = 30 s) delayed the onset of seizure-like events in an acute brain slice model of ictogenesis, but the effect was lost if stimulation was delivered at even lower frequencies (1/min). Notably, active probing additionally provides advance indication of when seizure-like activity is imminent, revealed by monitoring the postsynaptic response to stimulation. The postsynaptic response, recorded extracellularly, showed an all-or-nothing change in both amplitude and duration, a few hundred seconds before seizure-like activity began—a sufficient length of time to provide a helpful warning of an impending seizure. The change in the postsynaptic response then persisted for the remainder of the recording, indicative of a state change from a pre-epileptic to a pro-epileptic network. This occurred in parallel with a large increase in the stimulation-triggered Ca2+ entry into pyramidal dendrites, and a step increase in the number of evoked postsynaptic action potentials, both consistent with a reduction in the threshold for dendritic action potentials. In 0 Mg2+ bathing media, the reduced threshold was not associated with changes in glutamatergic synaptic function, nor of GABAergic release from either parvalbumin or somatostatin interneurons, but simulations indicate that the step change in the optogenetic response can instead arise from incremental increases in intracellular [Cl−]. The change in the response to stimulation was replicated by artificially raising intracellular [Cl−], using the optogenetic chloride pump, halorhodopsin. By contrast, increases in extracellular [K+] cannot account for the firing patterns in the response to stimulation, although this, and other cellular changes, may contribute to ictal initiation in other circumstances.

We describe how these various cellular changes form a synergistic network of positive feedback mechanisms, which may explain the precipitous nature of seizure onset. This model of seizure initiation draws together several major lines of epilepsy research as well as providing an important proof-of-principle regarding the utility of open-loop brain stimulation for clinical management of the condition.
Three-Month Symptom Profiles Among Symptomatic Adults With Positive and Negative Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Tests: A Prospective Cohort Study From the INSPIRE Group
Authors: Spatz Erica S , Gottlieb Michael , Wisk Lauren E , Anderson Jill , Chang Anna Marie , Gentile Nicole L , Hill Mandy J , Huebinger Ryan M , Idris Ahamed H , Kinsman Jeremiah , Koo Katherine , Li Shu-Xia , McDonald Samuel , Plumb Ian D , Rodriguez Robert M , Saydah Sharon , Slovis Benjamin , Stephens Kari A , Unger Elizabeth R , Wang Ralph C , Yu Huihui , Hota Bala , Elmore Joann G , Weinstein Robert A , Venkatesh Arjun
Published: December 2022

Background

Long-term symptoms following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are a major concern, yet their prevalence is poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study comparing adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection (coronavirus disease-positive [COVID+]) with adults who tested negative (COVID−), enrolled within 28 days of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved SARS-CoV-2 test result for active symptoms. Sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (assessed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Person Under Investigation Symptom List), and symptoms of post-infectious syndromes (ie, fatigue, sleep quality, muscle/joint pains, unrefreshing sleep, and dizziness/fainting, assessed with CDC Short Symptom Screener for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) were assessed at baseline and 3 months via electronic surveys sent via text or email.

Results

Among the first 1000 participants, 722 were COVID+ and 278 were COVID−. Mean age was 41.5 (SD 15.2); 66.3% were female, 13.4% were Black, and 15.3% were Hispanic. At baseline, SARS-CoV-2 symptoms were more common in the COVID+ group than the COVID− group. At 3 months, SARS-CoV-2 symptoms declined in both groups, although were more prevalent in the COVID+ group: upper respiratory symptoms/head/eyes/ears/nose/throat (HEENT; 37.3% vs 20.9%), constitutional (28.8% vs 19.4%), musculoskeletal (19.5% vs 14.7%), pulmonary (17.6% vs 12.2%), cardiovascular (10.0% vs 7.2%), and gastrointestinal (8.7% vs 8.3%); only 50.2% and 73.3% reported no symptoms at all. Symptoms of post-infectious syndromes were similarly prevalent among the COVID+ and COVID− groups at 3 months.

Conclusions

Approximately half of COVID+ participants, as compared with one-quarter of COVID− participants, had at least 1 SARS-CoV-2 symptom at 3 months, highlighting the need for future work to distinguish long COVID.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT04610515.
Management of patients with electrical storm: an educational review
Authors: Dinov Borislav , Darma Angeliki , Nedios Sotirios , Hindricks Gerhard
Published: December 2022

Electrical storm (ES) is a medical emergency that is defined as ≥ 3 separate ventricular tachycardia (VT) episodes causing ICD therapy within 24 h. Patients with ES have high risk for hospitalization, heart failure (HF) decompensation, in-hospital death. Furthermore, it is associated with significant anxiety and distress for the patients. Frequent triggers of ES are myocardial ischaemia, acute decompensation of HF, metabolic and electrolyte disorders, drug side-effects, increased sympathetic tone. Acute management of ES requires sedation, antiarrhythmic drugs and correction of the precipitating factors; although, in severe refractory cases, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and circulatory support might be necessary. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is superior than antiarrhythmic drugs to suppress the ES and is also frequently required to terminate the ES, as well as to achieve acute and long-term freedom of VT. Optimization of the ICD programming is crucial to reduce the burden of further appropriate and inappropriate shocks. Use of appropriate discrimination criteria and algorithms, ATPs and extending the detection times are important measures to reduce the burden of ES. In patients with end-stage HF, ES can be a sign of failing heart and can be refractory of treatment. In such cases, deactivation of the ICD therapy should be considered and discussed with patients and their care givers.
Fatal coronary artery spasm triggered before transseptal puncture for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge-repair: a case report
Authors: Mo Yujing , Li Jie , Luo Jianfang , Dong Haojian
Published: December 2022

Background

Transient ST-segment elevation or coronary artery spasm during transseptal catheterization has been previously described. Most cases were either reversible or asymptomatic.

Case summary

We present a case of severe multiple coronary artery spasms with advanced atrioventricular block and ventricular fibrillation during compression of the fossa ovalis by a sheath catheter, before the performance of the transseptal puncture procedure for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge-repair.

Discussion

The mechanical effects of forward tension from transseptal puncture on the interatrial vagal network could be the most possible explanation for the occurrence of this phenomenon.
Ballot or Bullet: The Impact of the UK’s Representation of the People Act on Peace and Prosperity
Authors: Marcucci Andrea , Rohner Dominic , Saia Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Does democracy curb domestic political violence? To study this, we focus on the United Kingdom’s Representation of the People Act of 1867—which is a critical juncture in the history of democratisation. Constructing a novel borough (‘urban centre’) level dataset on social conflict events and economic performance around the 1868 elections (the first elections where newly enfranchised citizens could vote), we exploit arguably exogenous variation in enfranchisement intensity. We find a strong and robust peace-promoting effect of franchise extension and identify as a major channel of transmission the increase of the population’s political influence (voice) and local economic growth.
Illuminating the oral microbiome and its host interactions: tools and approaches for molecular ecological studies
Authors: Kreth Jens , Merritt Justin
Published: December 2022

A more comprehensive understanding of oral diseases like caries and periodontitis is dependent on an intimate understanding of the microbial ecological processes that are responsible for disease development. With this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of relevant molecular ecology techniques that have played critical roles in the current understanding of human oral biofilm development, interspecies interactions, and microbiome biogeography. The primary focus is on relevant technologies and examples available in the oral microbiology literature. However, most, if not all, of the described technologies should be readily adaptable for studies of microbiomes from other mucosal sites in the body. Therefore, this review is intended to serve as a reference guide used by microbiome researchers as they inevitably transition into molecular mechanistic studies of the many significant phenotypes observed clinically.
Integrating Strategic Culture and the Operational Code in Foreign Policy Analysis
Authors: Eidenfalk Joakim , Doeser Fredrik
Published: December 2022

This article contributes to theoretical integration in foreign policy analysis, by integrating two explanatory concepts that have mainly been used separately, namely the strategic culture of elites and the operational code of individual decision-makers. The explanatory power of using both concepts is illustrated in a case study of Australian foreign policy regarding the multinational coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The main argument is that strategic culture can provide a reasonable explanation for Australia's overall military engagement in the coalition. However, to explain Australia's approach to the coalition, strategic culture must be complemented with the operational code. The article suggests that the character of strategic culture can influence the opportunities for decision-makers to have an individual impact on foreign policy.
Determining Evidence for Family Caregiver Communication: Associating Communication Behaviors With Breakdown and Repair
Authors: Williams Kristine N , Coleman Carissa K , Hu Jinxiang
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Communication is fundamental for dementia care. The trouble source repair (TSR) framework can identify strategies that facilitate or impede communication in dyadic interactions.

Research Design and Methods

A secondary analysis of videos (N = 221) from a clinical trial of a family caregiver telehealth intervention was analyzed using sequential behavioral coding of communication behaviors and breakdowns for 53 caregiver and person with dementia dyads. Coded data from 3,642 30-s observations were analyzed using penalized regression for feature selection followed by Bayesian mixed-effects modeling to identify communication strategies associated with communication breakdown and repair.

Results

Breakdown (coded as 0) was associated with caregivers changing topic (median = −11.45, 95% credibility interval [CrI; −24.34, −4.37]), ignoring (median = −11.49, 95% CrI [−24.49, −4.72]), giving commands (median = −10.74, 95% CrI [−24.22, −3.38]), and taking over the task (median = −4.06, 95% CrI [−7.28, −1.77]). Successful repair of breakdown was associated with verbalizing understanding (median = 0.46, 95% CrI [0.09, 0.86]), tag questions, (median = 2.4, 95% CrI [0.33, 5.35]), and silence (median = 0.78, 95% CrI [0.42, 1.15]) and negatively associated with ignoring and changing topic (median = −3.63, 95% CrI [−4.81, −2.57] and −2.51 [−3.78, −1.33], respectively).

Discussion and Implications

The TSR was effective in identifying specific communication strategies to avoid (changing topic, ignoring, commands, and taking over the task) and to use to repair breakdown (verbalize understanding, tag questions, and silence). Future research is needed to test these strategies and explore the potential effects of dementia stage, diagnosis, and dyad characteristics in additional samples. Behavioral coding provides evidence of communication best practices as a basis for family caregiver communication training.
The impact of COVID-19 misinformation and trust in institutions on preventive behaviors
Authors: Lee Stella Juhyun , Lee Chul-Joo , Hwang Hyunjung
Published: December 2022

Misinformation related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has the potential to suppress preventive behaviors that mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Early research on the behavioral consequences of COVID-19 misinformation is mixed, and most rely on cross-sectional data. We examined whether believing in COVID-19 misinformation at one time point influences engaging in preventive behaviors later. In addition, we investigated the role of trust in institutions. We conducted a two-wave survey in South Korea and examined the association between belief in COVID-19 misinformation at Wave 1 and preventive behaviors at Wave 2 controlling for preventive behaviors at Wave 1. We also analyzed whether there is an interaction between belief in COVID-19 misinformation and trust in institutions. Belief in COVID-19 misinformation at Wave 1 significantly increased avoidance of preventive behaviors at Wave 2, but after accounting for trust in institutions, this effect disappeared. Rather, trust in institutions significantly decreased avoidance of preventive behaviors. In addition, misinformation increased avoidance of preventive behaviors among those who trusted institutions the most. Results suggest that building trust in institutions is essential in promoting COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Belief in COVID-19 misinformation may have harmful effects, but these effects were pronounced for those who highly trust institutions.