bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congressional Committees, Electoral Connections, and Legislative Speech
Authors: Alemán Eduardo , Micozzi Juan Pablo , Vallejo Vera Sebastián
Published: August 2022

This article examines the effects of committee specialization and district characteristics on speech participation by topic and congressional forum. It argues that committee specialization should increase speech participation during legislative debates, while district characteristics should affect the likelihood of speech participation in non-lawmaking forums. To examine these expectations, we analyze over 100,000 speeches delivered in the Chilean Chamber of Deputies between 1990 and 2018. To carry out our topic classification task, we utilize the recently developed state-of-the-art multilingual Transformer model XLM-RoBERTa. Consistent with informational theories, we find that committee specialization is a significant predictor of speech participation in legislative debates. In addition, consistent with theories purporting that legislative speech serves as a vehicle for the electoral connection, we find that district characteristics have a significant effect on speech participation in non-lawmaking forums.
Trusting the Facts: The Role of Framing, News Media as a (Trusted) Source, and Opinion Resonance for Perceived Truth in Statistical Statements
Authors: Lindgren Elina , Lindholm Torun , Vliegenthart Rens , Boomgaarden Hajo G. , Damstra Alyt , Strömbäck Jesper , Tsfati Yariv
Published: August 2022

Scholars have raised concerns that on many issues, citizens are reluctant to trust factual evidence and statistics. One factor that has been shown to impact the perceived truth in statistics is how they are presented, where negatively framed statistics are perceived as truer than positive. This study explores when this bias applies and not. Results from a survey experiment confirm the presence of a negativity bias in truth perceptions, but also that effects are heterogeneous and moderated by, in particular, the recipients’ preexisting opinions. These findings provide valuable information to public actors responsible for disseminating factual information to diverse publics.
Photography of the ancestral: visual narratives about Kankuamo people in Colombia
Authors: Plaza Zuñiga Jeannette , Campuzano Rodríguez Catalina , Gutiérrez Vásquez Martin Kanek
Published: August 2022

This article focuses on the analysis of some of the photographs belonging to the collection produced by researchers Gerardo Reichel-Dolmatoff and Alicia Dussan de Reichel, in the municipality of Atanquez, current Indigenous reservation Kankuamo (Colombia), between 1951 and 1952. The collection was published in their book The People of Aritama: The Cultural Personality of a Colombian Mestizo Village (1961). We ask the following question: Have these images served as a framework for looking at self-history or to perpetuate discourses defining what is to be Indigenous? The results include views from three categories: the connotation procedures of the image, the image statute, and polarizations between the top and the bottom.
“I definitely felt like I was there”: enacting empathy and negotiating a virtual reality Indian Residential School
Authors: Woolford Andrew , Starzyk Katherine B , Sinclair Struan , Muller Adam , MacDonald David B
Published: August 2022

We examine how 20 university students interacted with a virtual Residential School that was designed in partnership with a group of Indigenous Survivors of Canada’s Residential Schools system. We begin by offering a brief history of Canada’s Residential Schools system as well as the origins and ambitions of the Embodying Empathy project. We also reflect on the idea of empathy as it has been taken up both in the design and testing phases of the project and on how student participants enacted their empathy. We demonstrate how participants worked through their immersion in the virtual Residential School, selecting empathy frames that allowed them to grapple with its content and connect with the Survivor narratives presented therein.
Dual detection of COVID-19 antigens and antibodies using nanoscale fluorescent plasmonic substrates
Authors: Taubner Benjamin , Gibbons Ashley , Cady Nathaniel C
Published: August 2022

There is a continuing need for biosensors that can be used in the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and to measure a subject’s immune response to the virus itself (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, grating-coupled fluorescent plasmonic (GC-FP)-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigens was coupled with antibody detection to yield a dual-mode detection assay. Pairs of capture and detection antibodies were screened for direct detection of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (Nuc) antigen, which were then combined with an existing GC-FP antibody detection assay. Nuc could be detected as low as 1 µg/mL concentrations, while antibodies were detectable to 50 ng/mL. The dual detection assay was tested by adding purified Nuc antigen to serum from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive COVID-19-infected individual. Using this sample, co-detection of Nuc antigen and anti-spike protein antibodies was successfully performed on a single GC-FP chip. Total assay time was 1 h, making this the first known example of rapid dual antibody and antigen detection on the same biosensor chip.
Integration of nanocomposite finishing on polyester fabric for enhanced UV protection, performance, and comfort properties
Authors: Abo El-Ola Samiha M , Elshakankery Mahmoud H , Kotb Rehab M
Published: August 2022

This research focuses on the integration between functional finishing and the performance properties of polyester fabric for comfortable clothes. The effects of nanofinishing (zinc oxide nanoparticles and nano-polyurethane nanocomposite) on the ultraviolet protection properties of polyester fabric, the whiteness index, and the Kawabata Evaluation System were studied. Under the optimum finishing conditions, excellent protection (150) was achieved at lower concentrations of the nanocomposite, and zinc oxide nanoparticles individually enhanced the whiteness index (73). The results of the Kawabata Evaluation System showed that the finishing processes improved mechanical and performance properties (tensile, shearing, bending, compression, surface roughness, thermal, and hand properties), indicating that all the finished fabrics offered enhanced functionality, thermal and comfort properties. Enhanced total hand value properties (3.7 for summer and 5.1 for winter) were realized by finishing, assuming the finished fabrics were applied to men’s shirts and women’s dresses for summer and winter apparel. Scanning electron microscopy and energy disperse X-ray spectroscopy analyses showed a uniform layer of zinc oxide nanoparticles and nano polyurethane on the fiber surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the structural changes in the finished fabric.
Long-term results of wide-necked intracranial bifurcation aneurysms treated with stent-assisted coiling using low-profile acandis acclino stents
Authors: Melber Katharina , Boxberg Frederik W , Schlunz-Hendann Martin , Brassel Friedhelm , Grieb Dominik F J
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Little data exists on endovascular treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms with the Acandis Acclino low-profile self-expanding closed-cell stent systems and is mainly limited to short- or midterm results. We report our long-term, single-centre experience with three generations of Acclino stents treating complex intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

62 wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated electively using 88 Acclino stent systems. Single stent-assisted coiling was the preferred treatment in 38 cases and the kissing-Y stenting technique in 24 cases. We analysed demographic data and long-term follow-up results.

Results

All stents were successfully deployed with immediate complete (Raymond Roy occlusion classification, RROC I) or near-complete occlusion (RROC II) achieved in 93,5%. Follow-up was available in 55 cases with a mean follow-up of 36 months (range 9–80 months). Long-term RROC I or II was achieved in 49 cases (89,1%). Three cases of stable residual aneurysmal filling were observed (5,5%). Seven aneurysms (12,7%) demonstrated a worsening on follow-up leading either to a neck remnant (4 cases, 7,3%) or to an aneurysm recurrence (3 cases, 5,5%). One recurrent aneurysm was retreated with coilembolization (1,8%). The directly procedural-related complication rate was 4,8%. Seven cases of clinically silent in-stent stenosis (12,7%; morbidity n = 0) were detected on long-term follow-up, six of them using the kissing-Y stenting technique.

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment of various intracranial aneurysms using the Acandis Acclino stent systems is safe and efficient with high aneurysm occlusion rates combined with low complication rates on long-term follow-up. Overall, rates of in-stent stenosis are low but may depend on the treatment technique (single stent-assisted coiling versus kissing-Y stenting with coiling).
‘Class is Always a Matter of Morals’: Bourdieu and Dewey on Social Class, Morality, and Habit(us)
Authors: Halewood Michael
Published: August 2022

This article argues that all judgements or statements about social class are inherently moral in that they implicitly advocate how people should (or should not) act. The argument extends Bourdieu’s linking of social class and representation by introducing Dewey’s intertwining of morality and habit. It is suggested that Kant’s apparently distinct critiques have set up three domains – knowledge, morality, aesthetics – which modern thought has treated as radically discrete. Although successful in linking the objective and the aesthetic (social class and its representation), Bourdieu was unable to incorporate the moral. Dewey’s reconceptualization of morality and habit is presented as able to overcome this limitation. The introduction of morality is intended to reflect the contingent and complex operations of social class. The article aims to destabilize contemporary conceptions of social class by clarifying the enduring moral aspect which supports its conceptualization and existence.
Symptomatic atherosclerotic plaque accompanied by carotid web
Authors: Kasashima Kazuhiro , Fujimoto Motoaki , Tani Shoichi , Ogata Hideki , Shimizu Kampei , Itani Masahiko , Akiyama Yoshinori
Published: August 2022

Here, we describe a case of a 67-year-old man who was transferred to our hospital with complaints of sudden upper right limb weakness and ataxia. Scattered acute cerebral infarction was found in the watershed zone between the left anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery territories. A shelf-like structure at the origin of the left carotid artery and a vulnerable plaque distal to the lesion was found. Symptomatic atherosclerotic plaque with concomitant carotid web was diagnosed. Carotid endarterectomy resulted in good revascularization. Hemodynamic changes associated with vascular stenosis are involved in atherosclerosis. The current case is valuable and shows that carotid web can cause not only embolic infarction but also cerebral thrombosis due to atheroma formation in the carotid artery.
Analyzing Congressional Research Service Reports on Education: How Is Information Used at Congress’s Think Tank?
Authors: Rubin Paul G. , Ayscue Jennifer B. , Uzzell Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2022

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is the nonpartisan research and analytical arm of the U.S. Congress and is physically and structurally located within the Library of Congress. Despite the role of CRS as a critical information provider and technical assistant to actors crafting and implementing federal policy, CRS reports, which serve as a key mechanism of information dissemination and influence by the organization, only became widely available to the public following the adoption of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. This study uses content analysis to examine CRS’s education-related reports from the 115th Congress to explore what sources are directly and indirectly informing federal policymaking based on references in CRS reports. Findings offer insights into research utilization in the federal education policy process and contribute to the growing literature on intermediary organizations and knowledge brokering.
Effective Maps, Easily Done: Visualizing Geo-Psychological Differences Using Distance Weights
Authors: Ebert Tobias , Mewes Lars , Götz Friedrich M. , Brenner Thomas
Published: August 2022

Psychologists of many subfields are becoming increasingly interested in the geographical distribution of psychological phenomena. An integral part of this new stream of geo-psychological studies is to visualize spatial distributions of psychological phenomena in maps. However, most psychologists are not trained in visualizing spatial data. As a result, almost all existing geo-psychological studies rely on the most basic mapping technique: color-coding disaggregated data (i.e., grouping individuals into predefined spatial units and then mapping out average scores across these spatial units). Although this basic mapping technique is not wrong, it often leaves unleveraged potential to effectively visualize spatial patterns. The aim of this tutorial is to introduce psychologists to an alternative, easy-to-use mapping technique: distance-based weighting (i.e., calculating area estimates that represent distance-weighted averages of all measurement locations). We outline the basic idea of distance-based weighting and explain how to implement this technique so that it is effective for geo-psychological research. Using large-scale mental-health data from the United States ( N = 2,058,249), we empirically demonstrate how distance-based weighting may complement the commonly used basic mapping technique. We provide fully annotated R code and open access to all data used in our analyses.
Unmet needs for family planning and its determinants among women of reproductive age in Ilesha Southwest Nigeria: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Uthman Murithada Kadiri , Bello Ibrahim Sebutu , Fadugbagbe Akinyemi Olaleye , Olajubu Temitope Oluwafemi , Ismail Waheed Olalekan , Ibrahim Azeez Oyemomi
Published: August 2022

Background:

A high rate of unintended pregnancy is said to be driving population growth, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where approximately half of all pregnancies are unintended, coming too soon or even unwanted. Most of these unintended pregnancies could have been prevented with effective family planning services. There, however, remains an unmet gap between the women’s reproductive intention and their contraceptive behaviour.

Objectives:

This study determined the prevalence of unmet needs for family planning and examined its determinants among women of reproductive age group at a tertiary health facility in Southwest Nigeria.

Design:

This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Two hundred eighty-five sexually active women were recruited using a pre-tested, semi-structured, validated, interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed the respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics, obstetrics and gynaecological history, and contraceptive history. Relevant clinical parameters were measured and recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done using a 5% significance level to identify the determinants of unmet needs for family planning.

Results:

The prevalence of unmet family planning needs for prevention, spacing and limiting were 28.8%, 33.1% and 38.1%, respectively, with 58.2% overall prevalence of unmet needs. The commonest reason for the non-uptake of contraceptives among those with unmet need was the fear of side effects (66.3%). The odds of having unmet needs for family planning were higher for respondents with four or fewer children (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 7.731; 95% confidence interval (CI): 28.504–2.907, p = 0.002) and those with one partner (AOR: 2.008; 95% CI: 3.669–1.090, p = 0.025).

Conclusion:

A high rate of unmet family planning needs was found in the study. This requires specific interventions and policies towards increasing contraceptive uptake, such as intensified health education aimed at allaying fears related to the side effects.
Is the Influencer I Follow Human or Robot? The Value of Computer-generated Imagery Influencers to Luxury Brands
Authors: White Grace , Nafees Lubna
Published: August 2022

Influencer Marketing and Social Media Influencers (SMI) are becoming crucial to the success of brands, and companies can no longer ignore their significant role in shaping consumer attitudes towards brands. Influencer marketing has been traditionally studied and is not a new form of marketing, but with new-age technology, it is constantly evolving and taking a new shape. This article, by way of a case study, aims to study the use of Computer-generated Imagery (CGI) Influencers by luxury fashion brands and its implications for the future of luxury retail and marketing in general. Building upon parasocial relationship theory and narrative transportation theory, we suggest that CGI Influencers are a potentially perfect fit for promoting ‘luxury fashion brands’ as they create the necessary balance between relatable and unattainable that is ideal for the advertising of luxury fashion brands in this new age.
Non-functional bladder paraganglioma in a patient with complex hematological disorders: case report
Authors: Puia Dragos , Pricop Catalin
Published: August 2022

Background

Although bladder cancer is quite a common cancer, most common encounter being transitional cell carcinomas, paragangliomas with such localization, is a very rare histopathological finding. In addition, hematuria in a patient with a theoretically "hypercoagulable" condition is uncommon; in our case it was the single symptom.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 44-year-old female referred to our hospital for gross hematuria. The CT scan revealed an intraluminal enhancing bladder mass. Also, the XIII coagulation factor level was 36% and surprisingly genetic mutations suggesting inherited thrombophilia were found: MTHFR C677T negative, A1298C positive and PAI-1 gene polymorphism (675 4G/5G). The hematologist recommended folic acid 5 mgs daily. A TURBT was performed (macroscopically no residual tumor tissue). The immunohistochemical examination revealed tumor cells intensely positive to chromogranin and synaptophysin, negative for cytokeratin AE1/3, p63, 7, 20 or CDX2, and slight (less than 5%) positive for Ki-67. The combined examinations correspond to a bladder paraganglioma. Six months after surgery, the patient had no clinical symptoms and no relapse sonographically and cystoscopically.

Conclusions

Although a very rare entity, bladder paraganglioma should be suspected in patients with hematuria and unexplained hyperadrenalism symptoms such as hypertension, serious dizziness, headache or palpitation. The immunohistochemical examination is important not only for diagnosis but also for identifying the functionality of the tumors. In such cases the therapeutic management could be different as in transitional cell carcinomas.
Assessment of the frequency of sperm annulus defects in a large cohort of patients presenting asthenozoospermia
Authors: Dirami Thassadite , Rode Baptiste , Wolf Jean-Philippe , Gacon Gérard , Dulioust Emmanuel , Touré Aminata
Published: August 2022

Background

The annulus is a ring-shaped structure located beneath the plasma membrane that connects the midpiece and the principal piece of mammalian sperm flagellum. It has been suggested that the annulus acts as a morphological organizer, guiding flagellum assembly during spermiogenesis, and as a diffusion barrier, confining proteins to distinct compartments of the flagellum in mature sperm. Previous studies on small cohorts of patients have attempted to correlate annulus defects with the occurrence of human asthenozoospermia. An absence of the annulus has been shown to be frequently associated with asthenozoospermia.

Findings

We tried to obtain a more precise estimate of the frequency of annulus defects, by screening a large cohort of 254 men presenting asthenozoospermia (mean progressive motility of 24 %) by the immunodetection of SLC26A8, a transmembrane protein that has been shown to be specifically localized to the annulus. By contrast to previous reports, our results indicate that annulus defects are associated with asthenozoospermia in only 1.2 % of cases.

Conclusions

We conclude that defects or an absence of the annulus are not frequently associated with asthenozoospermia. The use of annulus defects as a diagnostic endpoint in patients is therefore not appropriate.
Studies on improving semen quality and increasing pregnancy chances through the in vitro addition of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 to semen in patients with asthenozoospermia
Authors: Gou Chengren , Zhou Zidong , Chen Zongping , Wang Kun , Chen Congcong , Chen Bo , Pan Ningrui , He Xu
Published: August 2022

Background

At present, L-carnitine (LC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), as used clinically to treat male infertility caused by asthenozoospermia (ASZ) is still mainly administered orally, but some patients with ASZ still show no significant improvement in sperm motility and spouse pregnancy rate. Prodom is a device used to assist reproduction, which is temporarily fitted onto the penis to facilitate conception by helping the wife inject a certain drug into the vagina. This study used Prodom-assisted LC/CoQ10 in the treatment of patients with ASZ and evaluated the effect of this method on sperm motility and clinical pregnancy, with the goal of finding a comfortable, low-cost, effective method.

Results

During the trial period, 232 cases completed the trial, while 25 cases did not. During in vitro testing, the progressive sperm motility in the LC group, CoQ10 group, LC combined with CoQ10 group, and the semen blank control group was 24.3 ± 4.6% and 38.1 ± 5.1%, 23.0 ± 4.8% and 36.9 ± 4.4%, 28.4 ± 5.0% and 43.8 ± 5.4%, 19.7 ± 4.4% and 26.0 ± 4.9%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in progressive sperm motility among the groups (all P values < 0.05). The pregnancy rates of the Prodom-assisted LC treatment group, Prodom-assisted CoQ10 treatment group, Prodom-assisted LC combined with CoQ10 treatment group, and oral LC combined with CoQ10 treatment group in the clinical treatment stage were 38.2, 35.4, 57.1, and 30.3%, respectively; the time to conception was 6.1 ± 1.8, 6.2 ± 1.8, 3.4 ± 0.9, and 7.9 ± 2.0, months respectively; and the treatment costs were $2350 ± 457, $2455 ± 434, $1348 ± 411, and $2684 ± 334, respectively. The differences in pregnancy rate, time to conception, and treatment costs among the groups were statistically significant (all P values < 0.05).

Conclusions

The supplementation of in vitro semen with LC/CoQ10 can improve sperm motility. LC/CoQ10 injected into the spouse’s vagina with the assistance of a Prodom can increase the pregnancy rate, shorten the time to conception, and reduce the cost of treatment in patients with ASZ.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2000040349 (registry: http://www.chictr.org.cn/).

Date of registration: November 28, 2020.
An evaluation of the population characteristics, semen quality, and utilization status of autologous sperm cryopreservation and fertility preservation in for 662 patients: a 6-year monocentric retrospective study
Authors: Tang Wenhao , Deng Chenyao , Gao Jiangman , Tian Senlin , Wei Nan , Li Bin , Song Jianfei , Zhang Liang , Wu Han , Jiang Hui
Published: August 2022

Background

Sperm cryopreservation is an effective method of fertility preservation for disease-related and social sperm freezing. In total, 662 subjects (range: 15–65 years-of-age; mean: 33.49 ± 8.79 years-of-age) were included in this study to investigate the population characteristics, semen quality, and usage of autologous sperm preservation patients in Beijing. Of these, 351 were cancer patients (53.02%, 31.14 ± 7.32 years-of-age) and 311 were non-cancer patients (46.98%, 36.14 ± 9.54 years-of-age).

Results

We found that the number of preservation cases increased steadily from 2015 to 2019; 89.73% of these had a bachelor's degree or above; 54.83%, 41.54%, and 3.63% were single, married, and divorced, respectively. The cases of cancers and oligozoospermia accounted for 71.30% of all patients; therefore, most patients required fertility preservation due to disease. The cancer group had a significantly lower sperm concentration, rate of progressive sperm after the frozen-thawed test, total progressive motility sperm count after the frozen-thawed test, and recovery rate of progressive motile sperm (RRPM) than the non-cancer group (all P < 0.05). Sperm count-related parameters were significantly affected by testicular cancer, while sperm motility-related parameters and RRPM were significantly affected by leukemia. The utilization rate of preserved sperm was 6.34% after 6 to 78 months of follow-up. In terms of fresh or frozen embryo transfer, the clinical pregnancy rate was 56.76% or 50.00%, and the live birth rate was 24.32% or 21.43%, respectively.

Conclusion

The need for autologous sperm preservation was dominated by patients with diseases, followed by the need for social sperm freezing. Tumors had a major negative impact on semen quality, and the usage rates of stored semen were at lower level compared to the number of sperm cryopreservation. Medical staff and patients should pay attention to both cognition-action consistency and cost-effectiveness in fertility preservation.
Improve the cytotoxic effects of megavoltage radiation treatment by Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles as a novel radiosensitizer in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Mohammadian Mahshid , Emamgholizadeh Minaei Soraya , Shiralizadeh Dezfuli Amin
Published: August 2022

Background

To enhance the performance of radiotherapy, emerging nanoparticles that can professionally enhance X-ray irradiation to destruct cancer cells are extremely necessary. Here, we examined the potential of PEG-coated magnetite copper sulfide hetero-nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Cus–PEG) as a radiosensitizer agent.

Methods

Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The toxicity of nanoparticles on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells was assessed by the MTT assay. The radio-sensitizing effects of Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles on HT-29 cancer cells were investigated by the MTT and colony formation assays. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms for Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles to improve the radiation sensitivity of cells were evaluated.

Results

The results demonstrated that nanoparticles enhanced the effects of X-ray irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of combined treatments (nanoparticles and X-ray radiation) were strongly synergistic. The sensitizing enhancement ratio (SER) of nanoparticles was 2.02. Our in vitro assays demonstrated that the nitric oxide production, the intracellular hydrogen peroxide concentration, and the expression level of Bax and Caspase-3 genes significantly increased in the cells treated with the combination of nanoparticles and radiation. Whereas, the Glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and the expression level of the Bcl-2 gene in the combined treatment significantly decreased compared to the radiation alone.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles are the promising nano radio-sensitizing agents for the treatment of cancer cells to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy through increasing the reactive oxygen species generation, nitric oxide production, and inducing apoptosis.

Graphical Abstract
Genomic features of Mycoplasma bovis subtypes currently circulating in France
Authors: Ambroset Chloé , Peticca Aurélie , Tricot Agnès , Tardy Florence
Published: August 2022

Background

Mycoplasma (M.) bovis is a major etiological agent of bovine respiratory disease, which is the most economically costly disease of cattle worldwide. Cattle disease surveillance on M. bovis is increasingly using gene-based techniques, such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST), or genome-based techniques such as core genome MLST that both require only partial genomic data. However, accurate up-to-date surveillance also demands complete, circular genomes that can be used as reference to track the evolution of the different lineages. Yet, in France, two of the main subtypes currently circulating still have no representing genome in public databases. Here, to address this gap, we provide and compare three new complete M. bovis genomes obtained from recent clinical isolates that represent major subtypes circulating in France and Europe.

Results

Genomes were obtained using a hybrid assembly strategy (Illumina and Nanopore) with fine-tuning of settings and inputs used in the Unicycler assembly pipeline, such as size selection of reads and quality trimming of the FASTQ files. The main characteristics and synteny of the genomes were compared. The three genomes mainly differed by their content in terms of mobile genetic elements, i.e. integrative conjugative elements (ICE) and insertion sequences (IS), a feature that impacts their structure. For instance, strain L15527, representing subtype3 (st3), harbours an exceptionally high number of ICEs, which results in a bigger-sized genome than all those previously described and could be associated with the propensity of st3 to gain and fix mutations through chromosomal transfer mechanisms. In contrast, strain F9160, of st1, is very close to the PG45 type strain isolated in 1961 in the USA, and harbours a huge number of IS. These features may be associated with an evolution towards a host-restricted state or in a “closed” host or environment reservoir until a recent re-emergence.

Conclusions

Whole-genome comparison of the three French M. bovis subtypes provides valuable resources for future studies combining epidemiology, phylogenetic data, and phylodynamic methods.
A tale of two lineages: how the strains of the earliest divergent symbiotic Frankia clade spread over the world
Authors: Berckx Fede , Nguyen Thanh Van , Bandong Cyndi Mae , Lin Hsiao-Han , Yamanaka Takashi , Katayama Sae , Wibberg Daniel , Blom Jochen , Kalinowski Jörn , Tateno Masaki , Simbahan Jessica , Liu Chi-Te , Brachmann Andreas , Pawlowski Katharina
Published: August 2022

It is currently assumed that around 100 million years ago, the common ancestor to the Fabales, Fagales, Rosales and Cucurbitales in Gondwana, developed a root nodule symbiosis with a nitrogen-fixing bacterium. The symbiotic trait evolved first inFrankiacluster-2; thus, strains belonging to this cluster are the best extant representatives of this original symbiont. Most cluster-2 strains could not be cultured to date, except forFrankia coriariae,and therefore many aspects of the symbiosis are still elusive. Based on phylogenetics of cluster-2 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), it has been shown that the genomes of strains originating in Eurasia are highly conserved. These MAGs are more closely related toFrankiacluster-2 in North America than to the single genome available thus far from the southern hemisphere, i.e., from Papua New Guinea.

To unravel more biodiversity withinFrankiacluster-2 and predict routes of dispersal from Gondwana, we sequenced and analysed the MAGs ofFrankiacluster-2 fromCoriaria japonicaandCoriaria intermediagrowing in Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. Phylogenetic analyses indicate there is a clear split withinFrankiacluster-2, separating a continental from an island lineage. Presumably, these lineages already diverged in Gondwana.

Based on fossil data on the host plants, we propose that these two lineages dispersed via at least two routes. While the continental lineage reached Eurasia together with their host plants via the Indian subcontinent, the island lineage spread towards Japan with an unknown host plant.
Comparing the effects of SMS-based education with group-based education and control group on diabetes management: a randomized educational program
Authors: Haghighinejad Hourvash , Liaghat Leila , Malekpour Fatemeh , Jafari Peyman , Taghipour Kaveh , Rezaie Mehrdad , Jooya Parisa , Ghazipoor Hamidreza , Ramzi Mani
Published: August 2022

Background

The high prevalence of diabetes and the importance of long-term follow-up of these patients encourage finding an inexpensive and applicable educational method to control the disease. Distance education based on mobile technology and Short message service (SMS) can be an effective way to manage this disease by eliminating time and place limitations. Due to the world’s high penetration rate, SMS is one of the best ways to transfer information and health education.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the effect of SMS- and group-based education in managing diabetes type 2 and compare them with a control group.

Method

A total of 168 patients with diabetes type 2 under the coverage of three family physician clinics were randomly allocated into three groups. The education was conducted in 12 one-hour sessions once a week in the group-based arm, and a daily short message was sent to the participants in the SMS group. The control group also underwent routine care at the family physician clinic. The duration of the education was 3 months. At baseline and 3 months later, fasting blood sugar (FBS), 2 hours postprandial sugar (2hppBS), and HBA1c, as well as diabetes self-management questionnaire score (DSMQ), were measured.

Results

The comparison of the three groups in terms of changes in FBS (P-value: 0.001), 2hppBS (8 P-value: < 0.001) and HbA1c (P-value: < 0.001) were significantly different after 3 months. In pairwise analysis, 2hppBS was the only significantly different parameter between the group- and SMS-based education (P-value: 0.035).

Conclusion

Although the effect of both educational methods via SMS or group education was better than the control group in controlling diabetes, these two methods were not statistically different. Due to spending a lot of time and money on group-based education, it is better to replace it with education by SMS.
Mixed genotypes of Orientia tsutsugamushi in conserved genes and a single immune-dominant tsa56 genotype discovered from a patient with scrub typhus in Hainan Island, China: a case report
Authors: Tang Chuanning , Zhang Liyuan , Huang Yi , Mai Wenhui , Xue Liying , Wang Gaoyu , Wen Shu , Peng Ruoyan , Wu Kunliang , Tian Xiuying , Pei Hua , Du Jiang , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Du Yongguo , Yin Feifei
Published: August 2022

Background

Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi), an obligate intracellular bacterium, is transmitted to humans through infected larval trombiculid mite bites, causing scrub typhus. Mixed genotypes of O. tsutsugamushi in canonical conserved genes were reported in 8–25% of blood samples from patients. Yet, there are few clinical descriptions of these mixed O. tsutsugamushi-infected patients.

Case presentation

We report a patient with scrub typhus complicated with pulmonary involvement and hepatic dysfunction, who carried mixed genotypes of the conserved genes but had a single immune-dominant 56-kDa type-specific antigen (tsa56) genotype. The patient was successfully recovered by doxycycline treatment.

Conclusions

In this reported case, both patient’s eschar and blood samples have repeatedly shown the same results, i.e., no variants were discovered in tsa56 gene that bears multiple hypervariable regions. Whereas the selected highly conserved genes were identified with up to 32 variants in a 2700 base-pair concatenated sequence. The prevalence, disease severity and mechanism of these single-tsa56-genotype mixed infections remain to be investigated on a large scale with more cases.
Further validation of the Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for psychosis
Authors: Samson Crystal , Achim Amélie M. , Sicard Veronik , Gilker Andy , Francoeur Audrey , Franck Nicolas , Cloutier Briana , Giguère Charles-Edouard , Jean-Baptiste Francelyne , Lecomte Tania
Published: August 2022

Background

Cognitive biases are recognized as important treatment targets for reducing symptoms associated with severe mental disorders. Although cognitive biases have been linked to symptoms in most studies, few studies have looked at such biases transdiagnostically. The Cognitive Bias Questionnaire for psychosis (CBQp) is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses cognitive biases amongst individuals with a psychotic disorder, as well as individuals with other severe mental disorders. The current study aims to validate a French version of the CBQp and to explore transdiagnostic cognitive biases in individuals with psychotic disorders, individuals with depression, and in healthy controls.

Methods

The CBQp was translated into French following a protocol based on international standards. Discriminant validity and internal consistency were determined for total score and each subscale score. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to test construct validity. Finally, cluster analyses were conducted to investigate cognitive biases across diagnostic groups.

Results

Our results were similar to those of the original authors, with the one-factor solution (assessment of a general thinking bias) being the strongest, but the two-factor solution (assessing biases within two themes relating to psychosis) and the five-factor solution (assessment of multiple distinct biases) being clinically more interesting. A six-cluster solution emerged, suggesting that individuals with similar diagnoses score differently on all cognitive biases, and that individuals with different diagnoses might have similar cognitive biases.

Conclusions

The current findings support the validity of the French translation of the CBQp. Our cluster analyses overall support the transdiagnostic presence of cognitive biases.
Protocol: evaluation of an optimised couples-focused intervention to increase testing for HIV in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the Igugu Lethu (‘Our treasure’) cohort study
Authors: McGrath Nuala , Ngcobo Nathi , Feng Zhixin , Joseph Phillip , Dladla Pumla , Ngubane Thulani , Hosegood Victoria , Morton Katherine , Van Rooyen Heidi , Van Heerden Alastair
Published: August 2022

Background

Between 2012 and 2015, the Uthando Lwethu (UL) study demonstrated that a theory-based behavioural couples-focused intervention significantly increased participation in couples HIV testing and counselling (CHTC) among South African couples who had never previously tested for HIV together or mutually disclosed their HIV status, 42% compared to 12% of the control group at 9 months follow-up. Although effective, we were nonetheless concerned that in this high prevalence setting the majority (58%) of intervention couples chose not to test together. In response we optimised the UL intervention and in a new study, ‘Igugu Lethu’, we are evaluating the success of the optimised intervention in promoting CHTC.

Methods

One hundred eighty heterosexual couples, who have been in a relationship together for at least 6 months, are being recruited and offered the optimised couples-focused intervention. In the Igugu Lethu study, we have expanded the health screening visit offered to couples to include other health conditions in addition to CHTC. Enrolled couples who choose to schedule CHTC will also have the opportunity to undertake a random blood glucose test, blood pressure and BMI measurements, and self-sample for STI testing as part of their health screening. Individual surveys are administered at baseline, 4 weeks and 4 months follow-up. The proportion of couples who decide to test together for HIV will be compared to the results of the intervention arm in the UL study (historical controls). To facilitate this comparison, we will use the same recruitment and follow-up strategies in the same community as the previous UL study.

Discussion

By strengthening communication and functioning within the relationship, the Igugu Lethu study, like the previous UL study, aims to transform the motivation of individual partners from a focus on their own health to shared health as a couple. The Igugu Lethu study findings will answer whether the optimised couples-focused behavioural intervention and offering CHTC as part of a broader health screening for couples can increase uptake of CHTC by 40%, an outcome that would be highly desirable in populations with high HIV prevalence.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered. ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN 46162564 Registered on 26th May 2022.
Cross-training needs among community-based clinicians in HIV and substance use
Authors: Claborn Kasey , Scott Kelli , Becker Sara J.
Published: August 2022

Background

People with double burden of HIV and substance use have poorer treatment engagement and worse treatment outcomes. Cross-training of HIV and substance use disorder clinicians can potentially enhance the scale up and quality of integrated care. Research is needed on clinicians’ areas of greatest training need in order to inform training development.

Methods

Data from semi-structured individual interviews with 16 HIV and 13 substance use disorder clinicians (N = 29) examining clinician perspectives on their training needs were analyzed using thematic analysis focused on both a priori and emergent subthemes.

Results

Several key emergent subthemes were identified across the a priori themes of: 1) past training experiences; 2) gaps in training; and 3) training and supervision format/structure. Both HIV and substance use clinicians reported they had received minimal formal cross-training and had mostly been trained “on the job.” Clinicians also emphasized gaps in training regarding sensitivity and anti-stigma, the latest medications for opioid use disorder, and HIV prevention/treatment and referral resources. Regarding training and supervision format, clinicians cited didactic workshops and ongoing supervision as appealing strategies.

Conclusions

Results show that lack of formal and updated training for clinicians is an important gap in providing integrated HIV and substance use treatment. Didactic workshops and ongoing support strategies that address stigma, medications for HIV and substance use disorder, and referral resources are likely to be particularly valuable.
Reliability of predictive models to support early decision making in the emergency department for patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19: the Pescara Covid Hospital score
Authors: Polilli Ennio , Frattari Antonella , Esposito Jessica Elisabetta , D’Amato Milena , Rapacchiale Giorgia , D’Intino Angela , Albani Alberto , Di Iorio Giancarlo , Carinci Fabrizio , Parruti Giustino
Published: August 2022

Background

The hospital management of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 can be hampered by heterogeneous characteristics at entry into the emergency department. We aimed to identify demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters associated with higher risks of hospitalisation, oxygen support, admission to intensive care and death, to build a risk score for clinical decision making at presentation to the emergency department.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective study using linked administrative data and laboratory parameters available in the initial phase of the pandemic at the emergency department of the regional reference hospital of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy, March–June 2020. Logistic regression and Cox modelling were used to identify independent predictors for risk stratification. Validation was carried out collecting data from an extended timeframe covering other variants of concern, including Alpha (December 2020–January 2021) and Delta/Omicron (January–March 2022).

Results

Several clinical and laboratory parameters were significantly associated to the outcomes of interest, independently from age and gender. The strongest predictors were: for hospitalisation, monocyte distribution width ≥ 22 (4.09; 2.21–7.72) and diabetes (OR = 3.04; 1.09–9.84); for oxygen support: saturation < 95% (OR = 11.01; 3.75–41.14), lactate dehydrogenase≥237 U/L (OR = 5.93; 2.40–15.39) and lymphocytes< 1.2 × 103/μL (OR = 4.49; 1.84–11.53); for intensive care, end stage renal disease (OR = 59.42; 2.43–2230.60), lactate dehydrogenase≥334 U/L (OR = 5.59; 2.46–13.84), D-dimer≥2.37 mg/L (OR = 5.18; 1.14–26.36), monocyte distribution width ≥ 25 (OR = 3.32; 1.39–8.50); for death, procalcitonin≥0.2 ng/mL (HR = 2.86; 1.95–4.19) and saturation < 96% (HR = 2.74; 1.76–4.28). Risk scores derived from predictive models using optimal thresholds achieved values of the area under the curve between 81 and 91%. Validation of the scoring algorithm for the evolving virus achieved accuracy between 65 and 84%.

Conclusions

A set of parameters that are normally available at emergency departments of any hospital can be used to stratify patients with COVID-19 at risk of severe conditions. The method shall be calibrated to support timely clinical decision during the first hours of admission with different variants of concern.
Knockdown of HSP110 attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in mice through suppression of YAP/TAZ-TEAD4 pathway
Authors: Liu Haitao , Zhang Sha , Liu Yi , Ma Jing , Chen Wei , Yin Tao , Li Tongbin , Liang Bin , Tao Ling
Published: August 2022

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and fatal cardiopulmonary disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling and increased pulmonary vascular resistance and artery pressure. Vascular remodeling is associated with the excessive cell proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). In this paper, the effects of heat shock protein-110 (HSP110) on PH were investigated.

Methods

The C57BL/6 mice and human PASMCs (HPASMCs) were respectively exposed to hypoxia to establish and simulate PH model in vivo and cell experiment in vitro. To HSP110 knockdown, the hypoxia mice and HPASMCs were infected with adeno-associated virus or adenovirus carring the shRNAs (short hairpin RNAs) for HSP110 (shHSP110). For HSP110 and yes-associated protein (YAP) overexpression, HPASMCs were infected with adenovirus vector carring the cDNA of HSP110 or YAP. The effects of HSP110 on PH development in mice and cell proliferation, migration and autophagy of PASMCs under hypoxia were assessed. Moreover, the regulatory mechanisms among HSP110, YAP and TEA domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) were investigated.

Results

We demonstrated that expression of HSP110 was significantly increased in the pulmonary arteries of mice and HPASMCs under hypoxia. Moreover, knockdown of HSP110 alleviated hypoxia-induced right ventricle systolic pressure, vascular wall thickening, right ventricular hypertrophy, autophagy and proliferation of PASMCs in mice. In addition, knockdown of HSP110 inhibited the increases of proliferation, migration and autophagy of HPASMCs that induced by hypoxia in vitro. Mechanistically, HSP110 knockdown inhibited YAP and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) activity and TEAD4 nuclear expression under hypoxia. However, overexpression of HSP110 exhibited the opposite results in HPASMCs. Additionally, overexpression of YAP partially restored the effects of shHSP110 on HPASMCs. The interaction of HSP110 and YAP was verified. Moreover, TEAD4 could promote the transcriptional activity of HSP110 by binding to the HSP110 promoter under hypoxia.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that HSP110 might contribute to the development of PH by regulating the proliferation, migration and autophagy of PASMCs through YAP/TAZ-TEAD4 pathway, which may help to understand deeper the pathogenic mechanism in PH development.
Is population frequency a useful criterion to assign pathogenicity to newly described mitochondrial DNA variants?
Authors: Bayona-Bafaluy M. Pilar , López-Gallardo Ester , Emperador Sonia , Pacheu-Grau David , Montoya Julio , Ruiz-Pesini Eduardo
Published: August 2022

Population frequency has been one of the most widely used criteria to help assign pathogenicity to newly described mitochondrial DNA variants. However, after sequencing this molecule in thousands of healthy individuals, it has been observed that a very large number of genetic variants have a very low population frequency, which has raised doubts about the utility of this criterion. By analyzing the genetic variation of mitochondrial DNA-encoded genes for oxidative phosphorylation subunits in 195,983 individuals from HelixMTdb that were not sequenced based on any medical phenotype, we show that rare variants are deleterious and, along with other criteria, population frequency is still a useful criterion to assign pathogenicity to newly described variants.