bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reusable Group Fuzzy Extractor and Group-Shared Bitcoin Wallet
Authors: Ma Jie , Qi Bin , Lv Kewei
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel cryptographic primitive named reusable group fuzzy extractor (RGFE) allowing any member of a group to extract and reproduce random strings from a fuzzy and non-uniform source of high entropy (called fingerprint). Any group member can anonymously generate a random string for the group using his fingerprint and can be traced when needed, whereas other members can reproduce the string using their own fingerprints. Moreover, a fingerprint can be repeatedly used to generate multiple random strings. Basing on RGFE, we present group-shared Bitcoin wallet, which can be used by a group of users to receive or spend coins via biometrics in a traceable way.
Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation vs. percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic coronary syndrome: impact on morbidity and mortality
Authors: Buckley Benjamin J R , de Koning Iris A , Harrison Stephanie L , Fazio-Eynullayeva Elnara , Underhill Paula , Kemps Hareld M C , Lip Gregory Y H , Thijssen Dick H J
Published: October 2021

Aims

Accumulating evidence questions the clinical value of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). We therefore compare the impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) vs. PCI in patients with CCS on 18-month mortality and morbidity, and evaluate the effects of combining PCI with exercise-based CR.

Methods and results

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in March 2021. An online, real-world dataset of CCS patients was acquired, utilizing TriNetX, a global federated health research network. Patients with CCS who received PCI were first compared with patients who were prescribed exercise-based CR. Second, we compared patients who received both CR + PCI vs. CR alone. For both comparisons, patients were propensity-score matched by age, sex, race, comorbidities, medications, and procedures. We ascertained 18-month incidence of all-cause mortality, rehospitalization, and cardiovascular comorbidity [stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and new-onset heart failure]. The initial cohort consisted of 18 383 CCS patients. Following propensity score matching, exercise-based CR was associated with significantly lower odds of all-cause mortality [0.37 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–0.47)], rehospitalization [0.29 (95% CI: 0.27–0.32)], and cardiovascular morbidities, compared to PCI. Subsequently, patients that received both CR + PCI did not have significantly different odds for all-cause mortality [1.00 (95% CI: 0.63–1.60)], rehospitalization [1.00 (95% CI: 0.82–1.23)], AMI [1.11 (95% CI: 0.68–1.81)], and stroke [0.71 (95% CI: 0.39–1.31)], compared to CR only.

Conclusions

Compared to PCI, exercise-based CR associated with significantly lower odds of 18-month all-cause mortality, rehospitalization, and cardiovascular morbidity in patients with CCS, whilst combining PCI and exercise-based CR associated with lower incident heart failure only.
Presence of Fe(II) and nitrate shapes aquifer-originating communities leading to an autotrophic enrichment dominated by an Fe(II)-oxidizing Gallionellaceae sp
Authors: Jakus Natalia , Blackwell Nia , Straub Daniel , Kappler Andreas , Kleindienst Sara
Published: October 2021

Autotrophic nitrate reduction coupled to Fe(II) oxidation is an important nitrate removal process in anoxic aquifers. However, it remains unknown how changes of O2 and carbon availability influence the community structure of nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing (NRFeOx) microbial assemblages and what the genomic traits of these NRFeOx key players are. We compared three metabolically distinct denitrifying assemblages, supplemented with acetate, acetate/Fe(II) or Fe(II), enriched from an organic-poor, pyrite-rich aquifer. The presence of Fe(II) promoted the growth of denitrifying Burkholderiaceae spp. and an unclassified Gallionellaceae sp. This Gallionellaceae sp. was related to microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizers; however, it did not grow under microoxic conditions. Furthermore, we explored a metagenome and 15 metagenome-assembled genomes from an aquifer-originating, autotrophic NRFeOx culture. The dominant Gallionellaceae sp. revealed the potential to oxidize Fe(II) (e.g. cyc2), fix CO2 (e.g. rbcL) and perform near-complete denitrification leading to N2O formation (e.g. narGHJI,nirK/S and norBC). In addition, Curvibacter spp.,Methyloversatilis sp. and Thermomonas spp. were identified as novel putative NRFeOx taxa. Our findings provide first insights into the genetic traits of the so far only known autotrophic NRFeOx culture originating from an organic-poor aquifer, providing the genomic basis to study mechanisms of nitrate removal in organic-poor subsurface ecosystems.
Antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic assessment of new Cu(II)–pq complexes against Aspergillus parasiticus, in dark conditions and under visible irradiation
Authors: Lioli Eutuxia , Kollia Eleni , Markaki Panagiota , Mitsopoulou Christiana A
Published: October 2021

The issue of food contamination by fungi and aflatoxins; constitutes a serious concern not only for human/animal health but also for agriculture and the economy. Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi and contaminate a variety of foodstuffs. In this context, control of fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination appears to be important. The present study aimed to investigate new Cu(I) and Cu(II)–quinoxaline complexes, namely [Cu(2,2´-pq)(NO3)](NO3) (1), [Cu(2,2´-pq)2(NO3)](NO3)·6H2O (2) and [Cu(2,2΄-pq)2](BF4) (3), where 2,2´-pq is 2-(2’-pyridyl quinoxaline), as antifungal agents against Aspergillus parasiticus. All complexes, the ligand and the starting material Cu(NO3)2–3H2O, regardless of the concentration used, caused inhibition of A. parasiticus growth ranged from 8.52 to 33.33%. The fungal growth inhibition was triggered when irradiation in visible (λ > 400 nm) was continuously applied (range 18.36–57.20%). The highest inhibitory activity was exhibited by the complex [Cu(2,2´-pq)2(NO3)](NO3)·6H2O and for this reason, it was selected to be studied for its ability to suppress aflatoxin B1 produced by A. parasiticus. AFB1 production after the irradiation process was found to be suppressed by 25% compared to AFB1 produced in dark conditions.
How much are sites affected by 2-D and 3-D site effects? A study based on single-station earthquake records and implications for ground motion modelling
Authors: Pilz Marco , Cotton Fabrice , Zhu Chuanbin
Published: October 2021

1-D site response analysis dominates earthquake engineering practice, while local 2-D/3-D models are often required at sites where the site response is complex. For such sites, the 1-D representation of the soil column can account neither for topographic effects or dipping layers nor for locally generated horizontally propagating surface waves. It then remains a crucial task to identify whether the site response can be modelled sufficiently precisely by 1-D analysis. In this study we develop a method to classify sites according to their 1-D or 2-D/3-D nature. This classification scheme is based on the analysis of surface earthquake recordings and the evaluation of the variability and similarity of the horizontal Fourier spectra. The taxonomy is focused on capturing significant directional dependencies and interevent variabilities indicating a more probable 2-D/3-D structure around the site causing the ground motion to be more variable. While no significant correlation of the 1-D/3-D site index with environmental parameters and site proxies seems to exist, a reduction in the within-site (single-station) variability is found. The reduction is largest (up to 20 per cent) for purely 1-D sites. Although the taxonomy system is developed using surface stations of the KiK-net network in Japan as considerable additional information is available, it can also be applied to any (non-downhole array) site.
A deep learning-based method to identify and count pelagic and mesopelagic fishes from trawl camera images
Authors: Allken Vaneeda , Rosen Shale , Handegard Nils Olav , Malde Ketil
Published: October 2021

Fish counts and species information can be obtained from images taken within trawls, which enables trawl surveys to operate without extracting fish from their habitat, yields distribution data at fine scale for better interpretation of acoustic results, and can detect fish that are not retained in the catch due to mesh selection. To automate the process of image-based fish detection and identification, we trained a deep learning algorithm (RetinaNet) on images collected from the trawl-mounted Deep Vision camera system. In this study, we focused on the detection of blue whiting, Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel, and mesopelagic fishes from images collected in the Norwegian sea. To address the need for large amounts of annotated data to train these models, we used a combination of real and synthetic images, and obtained a mean average precision of 0.845 on a test set of 918 images. Regression models were used to compare predicted fish counts, which were derived from RetinaNet classification of fish in the individual image frames, with catch data collected at 20 trawl stations. We have automatically detected and counted fish from individual images, related these counts to the trawl catches, and discussed how to use this in regular trawl surveys.
Pediatric Reference Intervals for Point-of-Care Random Glucose in Healthy Children and Adolescents
Authors: Wilson Siobhan , Earle Hannah , Bohn Mary Kathryn , Hall Alexandra , Adeli Khosrow
Published: October 2021

Background

Glucose testing at the point-of-care (POC) is routinely used in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of diabetic states and other clinical conditions. Accurate reference intervals (RIs) are essential in appropriate clinical decision-making. In this study, RIs were established for random glucose (whole blood) in the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference (CALIPER) cohort using 2 POC instruments: the Nova Biomedical StatStrip (handheld glucometer) and Radiometer ABL90 FLEX Plus (benchtop instrument). An analytical comparison was also completed between the 2 POC systems and a laboratory-based analyzer (Ortho Vitros 5600).

Methods

Approximately 400 healthy children and adolescents (birth to 18 years) were recruited with informed consent from community schools or clinics providing care to metabolically stable/healthy children. Random venous samples were collected and run sequentially on the Nova Biomedical StatStrip (whole blood), Radiometer ABL90 FLEX Plus (whole blood), and Ortho Vitros 5600 (serum). RIs and method comparisons between analytical platforms were completed according to CLSI guidelines.

Results

Significantly different glucose concentrations were observed in infancy, requiring age-specific partitioning (0–<1 month, 1–<6 months, 6 months–<19 years) on all platforms. Excellent concordance was observed between POC platforms (Pearson r > 0.90), with a small negative bias. Good comparability was observed between POC and laboratory-based platforms (Pearson r > 0.80).

Conclusion

This study established comprehensive pediatric RIs for random glucose (whole blood) on modern POC systems in the CALIPER cohort for the first time. Results demonstrate excellent concordance in glucose values between POC systems and good comparability with a laboratory-based analyzer. These data will assist in more accurate clinical decision-making in pediatric healthcare institutions.
Study of the Unique Characteristics of Multi-Elements of the Wild Astragali Radix from Shanxi Province by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Junjie , Lin Youming , Wei Xuehong , Li Zhenyu , Li Rongrong
Published: October 2021

Background

Astragali Radix (AR) is widely used because of its dual use in medicine and food. Wild Astragali Radix from Hunyuan county of Shanxi province in China is accepted as a geo-authentic medicine with high quality and good medicinal effects. Multi-elements of Astragali Radix partially reflect its efficacy and safety. However, there has been no systemic research about the elemental analysis of geo-authentic Astragali Radix until now.

Objective

In this paper, multi-elemental profiling of Astragali Radix from Gansu, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in China was carried out.

Methods

A microwave digestion coupled with inductively coupled plasma-MS (ICP-MS), principal component analysis (PCA), and partial-least square-discriminate analysis (PLS-DA) were used for analysis of the unique elemental accumulation ability of Shanxi wild AR.

Results

Compared to the samples from Gansu, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi provinces, and the cultivated samples from Shanxi, for 53 stably detected elements, the concentrations of most elements (Ba, Cs, Ga, La, Pr, and so on) were significantly higher while a few (Cd, Cu, P, W and Zn) were significantly lower in wild Astragali Radix from Shanxi. After binary logistic regression, combinational variable Ba-P was found to be a good marker to distinguish wild Astragali Radix of Shanxi province from the samples with other origins, and the total positive prediction probability of the test samples, both bought from the market and gathered from their original field, could reach 93.8% through external validation using the model.

Conclusion

Multi-elemental analysis coupled with PCA, PLS-DA, nonparametric analysis and binary logistic regression can be a good tool for the identification of wild Astragali Radix from Shanxi province.

Highlights

An ICP-MS method was developed and validated for multi-elements. Fifty-three elements in Astragali Radix from samples with different origins were compared. The wild Astragali Radix from Shanxi had unique elemental characteristics. Combinational variable Ba-P is a good marker to identify wild AR from Shanxi.
The Disposal of COVID-19 Dead Bodies: Impact of Sri Lanka’s Response on Fundamental Rights
Authors: Marsoof Althaf
Published: October 2021

In early 2020, the Government of Sri Lanka decided that all bodies of individuals who had (or were suspected to have) died of COVID-19 should be disposed of by cremation alone. Although this decision appears to be neutral and does not give rise to de jure discrimination, as a matter of fact, it has significantly impacted the religious rights of the Muslim community in Sri Lanka. This is because they firmly believe in the need to bury the dead in a dignified and decent manner—cremation being regarded as a repugnant practice amounting to a desecration of the human body. As such, the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to adopt a cremation-only policy interfered with the right of all Sri Lankan Muslims to manifest their religion or belief as guaranteed by the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. Despite there being no scientific evidence to suggest that the burial of COVID-19 victims could give rise to contamination of the surroundings and thereby cause the spread of the virus, the Government of Sri Lanka continued with the policy for almost a whole year. Thereafter, due to international pressure, the Sri Lankan Government decided to allow burials but in a very restrictive manner. The objective of this article is to consider the extent to which the aforementioned decisions of the Sri Lankan Government are consistent with the fundamental rights framework of the country’s Constitution.
Mobilizing Disabled Peoples’ Organizations to Implement Bangladesh’s Disability Law
Authors: Smith Matthew S , Siddiquee Md Rejaul Karim , Stein Michael Ashley , Lord Janet E
Published: October 2021

Six years after ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Bangladesh enacted the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013, which recognized enforceable rights for Bangladeshis with disabilities for the first time and created a novel complaints procedure for seeking remedies outside of court. Yet little had been done to raise awareness of the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act’s rights or its novel procedure, until a collaboration between BlueLaw International, an inclusive development firm, and three Bangladeshi organizations with national scope to empower local disabled peoples’ organizations to advocate for implementation of the law in 7 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts. After three years, this team had filed the first 22 complaints under the novel Section 36 procedure before district-level committees created by the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act. Although to date the outcomes of these complaints have been mixed, disabled peoples’ organization efforts to activate this mechanism have yielded valuable lessons regarding effective advocacy strategies that can inform future disabled peoples’ organization-led efforts. Although prospects for tangible governmental buy-in for effective, countrywide enforcement of the Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act may be dim for now, disabled peoples’ organizations have demonstrated their capacity to contribute meaningfully to operationalizing this important vehicle for domestic implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Cannabis Policy in the United States: Implications for Public Health
Authors: Schauer Gillian L
Published: October 2021

Introduction

As of January 2021, a total of 36 states and the District of Columbia (DC) have legalized medical cannabis use, and 14 states and DC have legalized adult nonmedical use. This manuscript qualitatively summarizes cannabis policies across states with legal adult use marketplaces.

Methods

Data are from state laws and regulations, collected through January 2021, and have been verified with state officials as part of ongoing state policy tracking efforts.

Results

State policies differ in how cannabis products are taxed, where revenues are allocated, restrictions on the types of available products, restrictions on additives and flavors, product packaging and labeling, advertising restrictions, where cannabis can be consumed, and approaches to social equity.

Conclusion

Timely, accurate, and longitudinal state and local cannabis policy data are needed to understand the implications of legalization. Careful study of policy differences across and within states is warranted, as differences may affect public health and consumer safety.
Kinetic simulations of strongly magnetized parallel shocks: deviations from MHD jump conditions
Authors: Haggerty Colby C , Bret Antoine , Caprioli Damiano
Published: October 2021

Shocks waves are a ubiquitous feature of many astrophysical plasma systems, and an important process for energy dissipation and transfer. The physics of these shock waves are frequently treated/modelled as a collisional, fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) discontinuity, despite the fact that many shocks occur in the collisionless regime. In light of this, using fully kinetic, 3D simulations of non-relativistic, parallel propagating collisionless shocks comprised of electron-positron plasma, we detail the deviation of collisionless shocks form MHD predictions for varying magnetization/Alfvénic Mach numbers, with particular focus on systems with Alfénic Mach numbers much smaller than sonic Mach numbers. We show that the shock compression ratio decreases for sufficiently large upstream magnetic fields, in agreement with theoretical predictions from previous works. Additionally, we examine the role of magnetic field strength on the shock front width. This work reinforces a growing body of work that suggest that modelling many astrophysical systems with only a fluid plasma description omits potentially important physics.
Revisiting the giant radio galaxy ESO 422−G028 – I. Discovery of a neutral inflow and recent star formation in a restarted giant
Authors: Zovaro Henry R M , Riseley Chris J , Taylor Philip , Nesvadba Nicole P H , Galvin Tim J , Malik Umang , Kewley Lisa J
Published: October 2021

Giant radio galaxies provide important clues into the life cycles and triggering mechanisms of radio jets. With large-scale jets spanning 1.8 Mpc, ESO 422−G028 (z = 0.038) is a giant radio galaxy that also exhibits signs of restarted jet activity in the form of pc-scale jets. We present a study of the spatially resolved stellar and gas properties of ESO 422−G028 using optical integral field spectroscopy from the Wide-Field Spectrograph (WiFeS). In addition to the majority ${\sim} 13\, \rm Gyr$ old stellar population, ESO 422−G028 exhibits a much younger (${\lesssim} 10\, \rm Myr$ old) component with an estimated mass of $10^{7.6}\, \rm M_\odot$ that is predominantly located in the north-west region of the galaxy. Unusually, the ionized gas kinematics reveal two distinct discs traced by narrow ($\sigma _{\rm H\alpha } \lt 100 \, \rm km\, s^{-1}$) and broad ($\sigma _{\rm H\alpha } \gt 150 \, \rm km\, s^{-1}$) Hα emission, respectively. Both ionized gas discs are misaligned with the axis of stellar rotation, suggesting an external origin. This is consistent with the prominent interstellar Na D absorption, which traces a $1 \!-\! 3 \, \rm M_\odot \, yr^{-1}$ inflow of neutral gas from the north. We posit that an inflow of gas – either from an accretion event or a gas-rich merger – has triggered both the starburst and the restarted jet activity, and that ESO 422−G028 is potentially on the brink of an epoch of powerful active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity.
Insights into the Ancient Adaptation to Intertidal Environments by Red Algae Based on a Genomic and Multiomics Investigation of Neoporphyra haitanensis
Authors: Chen Haimin , Chu Jeffrey Shih-Chieh , Chen Juanjuan , Luo Qijun , Wang Huan , Lu Rui , Zhu Zhujun , Yuan Gaigai , Yi Xinxin , Mao Youzhi , Lu Caiping , Wang Zekai , Gu Denghui , Jin Zhen , Zhang Caixia , Weng Ziyu , Li Shuang , Yan Xiaojun , Yang Rui
Published: October 2021

Colonization of land from marine environments was a major transition for biological life on Earth, and intertidal adaptation was a key evolutionary event in the transition from marine- to land-based lifestyles. Multicellular intertidal red algae exhibit the earliest, systematic, and successful adaptation to intertidal environments, with Porphyra sensu lato (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) being a typical example. Here, a chromosome-level 49.67 Mb genome for Neoporphyra haitanensis comprising 9,496 gene loci is described based on metagenome-Hi-C-assisted whole-genome assembly, which allowed the isolation of epiphytic bacterial genome sequences from a seaweed genome for the first time. The compact, function-rich N. haitanensis genome revealed that ancestral lineages of red algae share common horizontal gene transfer events and close relationships with epiphytic bacterial populations. Specifically, the ancestor of N. haitanensis obtained unique lipoxygenase family genes from bacteria for complex chemical defense, carbonic anhydrases for survival in shell-borne conchocelis lifestyle stages, and numerous genes involved in stress tolerance. Combined proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses revealed complex regulation of rapid responses to intertidal dehydration/rehydration cycling within N. haitanensis. These adaptations include rapid regulation of its photosynthetic system, a readily available capacity to utilize ribosomal stores, increased methylation activity to rapidly synthesize proteins, and a strong anti-oxidation system to dissipate excess redox energy upon exposure to air. These novel insights into the unique adaptations of red algae to intertidal lifestyles inform our understanding of adaptations to intertidal ecosystems and the unique evolutionary steps required for intertidal colonization by biological life.
Knockout of Zeb2 ameliorates progression of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a mouse model of renal ischemia–reperfusion injury
Authors: Inotani Satoshi , Taniguchi Yoshinori , Nakamura Keisyun , Nishikawa Hirofumi , Matsumoto Tatsuki , Horino Taro , Fujimoto Shimpei , Sano Shigetoshi , Yanagita Motoko , Terada Yoshio
Published: October 2021

Background

Zeb2, a zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox transcription factor, regulates transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway. However, its role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI) and AKI-to-chronic kidney disease (CKD) transition is unclear.

Methods

We evaluated Zeb2 function in a bilateral renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI)-induced AKI model using proximal tubule-specific Zeb2 conditional knockout (Zeb2-cKO) and wild-type (WT) mice, and in renal biopsy samples.

Results

In Zeb2-cKO mice, the levels of plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen post-IRI were significantly lower than that in WT mice. Immunohistological analysis revealed mild tubular injury, reduced neutrophil infiltration, fewer fibrotic changes and reduced expression of fibrotic proteins [collagen type IV, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)], at 3–14 days post-IRI. Zeb2 expression was upregulated in proximal tubular cells post-IRI in WT mice. Zeb2 siRNA transfection reduced TGF-β-stimulated mRNA and protein expression of collagen type IV, α-SMA, fibronectin and CTGF in cultured renal tubular cells. Patients with AKI-to-CKD transition exhibited high Zeb2 expression in renal tubules, as revealed by renal biopsy. Hypoxia and CoCl2-treatment upregulated Zeb2 promoter activity and mRNA and protein expression in cultured renal tubular epithelial cells, suggesting a regulatory role for hypoxia.

Conclusions

Zeb2 was upregulated in renal tissues in both mice and humans with AKI. Zeb2 regulates fibrotic pathways in the pathogenesis of AKI and AKI-to-CKD transition. Therefore, inhibition of Zeb2 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for AKI.
Highlights of light meson spectroscopy at the BESIII experiment
Authors: Jin Shan , Shen Xiaoyan
Published: October 2021

Hadron spectroscopy provides a way to understand the dynamics of the strong interaction. For light hadron systems, only phenomenological models or lattice quantum chromodynamics (QCD) are applicable, because of the failure of perturbation expansions for QCD at low energy. Experimental data on light hadron spectroscopy are therefore crucial to provide necessary constraints on various theoretical models. Light meson spectroscopy has been studied using charmonium decays with the Beijing Spectrometer Experiment (BES) at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider, operating at 2.0–4.6 GeV center-of-mass energy, for nearly three decades. Charmonium data with unprecedented statistics and well-defined initial and final states provide BESIII with unique opportunities to search for glueballs, hybrids and multi-quark states, as well as perform systematic studies of the properties of conventional light mesons. In this article, we review BESIII results that address these issues.
Blood Nicotine Predicts the Behavioral Economic Abuse Liability of Reduced-Nicotine Cigarettes
Authors: Kaplan Brent A , Crill Elisa M , Franck Christopher T , Bickel Warren K , Koffarnus Mikhail N
Published: October 2021

Background

Cigarette smoking continues to be a major health concern and remains the leading preventable cause of death in the US. Recent efforts have been made to determine the potential health and policy benefits of reducing nicotine in combustible cigarettes. The degree to which changes in blood nicotine relate to measures of the abuse liability of reduced-nicotine cigarettes is unknown. The current study examined the relation between blood nicotine and behavioral economic demand measures of cigarettes differing in nicotine content.

Methods

Using a within-subject design, participants smoked a single cigarette during each experimental session. Cigarettes included the participant’s usual-brand cigarette and SPECTRUM investigational cigarette differing in nicotine level (mg of nicotine to g of tobacco; 15.8 mg/g, 5.2 mg/g, 2.4 mg/g, 1.3 mg/g, and 0.4 mg/g). During each session, blood was collected at multiple timepoints and behavioral economic demand was assessed. Nonlinear mixed-effects models were used to estimate differences in derived intensity (Q0) and change in elasticity (α).

Results

Measures of blood nicotine decreased in an orderly fashion related to nicotine level and significantly predicted change in elasticity (α), but not derived intensity. No differences in demand parameters between the usual brand and 15.8mg/g cigarettes were observed. However, α was significantly higher (lower valuation) for 0.4mg/g than 15.8mg/g cigarettes.

Conclusions

The lowest nicotine level (0.4mg/g) corresponded with the lowest abuse liability (α) compared to the full-strength control (15.8mg/g), with the 1.3mg/g level also resulting in low abuse liability.

Implications

This is the first study examining the relative contributions of nicotine content in cigarettes and blood nicotine levels on the behavioral economic demand abuse liability of cigarettes ranging in nicotine content. Our results suggest blood nicotine and nicotine content both predict behavioral economic demand abuse liability. In addition, our results suggest a nicotine content of 1.3mg/g or lower may be effective at reducing cigarette uptake among first-time (naïve) smokers. Our results largely conform to previous findings suggesting a very low nicotine content cigarette maintains lower abuse liability than full-strength cigarettes.
Assessment and outcomes of firefighter applicants with possible asthma
Authors: Kabir T , Schofield S , Fitzgerald B , Cannon J , Szram J , Feary J
Published: October 2021

Background

Firefighter applicants (FFAs) with a history of asthma may be refused entry to the fire service because of potentially putting themselves and others at risk.

Aims

We undertook a service evaluation to identify respiratory and employment outcomes of FFAs with a history of asthma who had undergone additional respiratory assessment at our specialist occupational lung disease clinic during 2005–19.

Methods

We reviewed FFA medical records and categorized them as having either no current asthma or definite/probable asthma at the time of clinic assessment. ‘No current asthma’ was defined as negative non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) to histamine/methacholine, and no symptoms or treatment within the 2 years before clinic. ‘Definite/probable current asthma’ was defined as either positive BHR, or negative BHR with symptoms and/or treatment within the previous 2 years. Around 1 year later, we contacted FFAs to enquire about their application outcome and current respiratory symptoms.

Results

Data were available on 116 applicants; of whom, 45% (n = 52) had definite/probable current asthma and were significantly more likely to be older, atopic to common aeroallergens, report atopic disease and have a lower forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio compared with applicants with no current asthma. Only two individuals’ applications were rejected due to asthma. At follow-up, just 2 (2%) of the 90 operational firefighters reported any recent trouble with asthma.

Conclusions

A history of asthma alone is not sufficient to determine current asthma in FFAs. Even with a diagnosis of current asthma, FFAs are mostly successful in their application to join the fire service.
Phosphorylated B6 vitamer deficiency in SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE 4 mutants compromises shoot and root development
Authors: Gorelova Vera , Colinas Maite , Dell’Aglio Elisa , Flis Paulina , Salt David E , Fitzpatrick Teresa B
Published: October 2021

Stunted growth in saline conditions is a signature phenotype of the Arabidopsis SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE mutants (sos1-5) affected in pathways regulating the salt stress response. One of the mutants isolated, sos4, encodes a kinase that phosphorylates pyridoxal (PL), a B6 vitamer, forming the important coenzyme pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP). Here, we show that sos4-1 and more recently isolated alleles are deficient in phosphorylated B6 vitamers including PLP. This deficit is concomitant with a lowered PL level. Ionomic profiling of plants under standard laboratory conditions (without salt stress) reveals that sos4 mutants are perturbed in mineral nutrient homeostasis, with a hyperaccumulation of transition metal micronutrients particularly in the root, accounting for stress sensitivity. This is coincident with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, as well as enhanced lignification and suberization of the endodermis, although the Casparian strip is intact and functional. Further, micrografting shows that SOS4 activity in the shoot is necessary for proper root development. Growth under very low light alleviates the impairments, including salt sensitivity, suggesting that SOS4 is important for developmental processes under moderate light intensities. Our study provides a basis for the integration of SOS4 derived B6 vitamers into plant health and fitness.
RLB (RICE LATERAL BRANCH) recruits PRC2-mediated H3K27 tri-methylation on OsCKX4 to regulate lateral branching
Authors: Wang Huimei , Tong Xiaohong , Tang Liqun , Wang Yifeng , Zhao Juan , Li Zhiyong , Liu Xixi , Shu Yazhou , Yin Man , Adegoke Tosin Victor , Liu Wanning , Wang Shuang , Xu Huayu , Ying Jiezheng , Yuan Wenya , Yao Jialing , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2021

Lateral branches such as shoot and panicle are determining factors and target traits for rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield improvement. Cytokinin promotes rice lateral branching; however, the mechanism underlying the fine-tuning of cytokinin homeostasis in rice branching remains largely unknown. Here, we report the map-based cloning of RICE LATERAL BRANCH (RLB) encoding a nuclear-localized, KNOX-type homeobox protein from a rice cytokinin-deficient mutant showing more tillers, sparser panicles, defected floret morphology as well as attenuated shoot regeneration from callus. RLB directly binds to the promoter and represses the transcription of OsCKX4, a cytokinin oxidase gene with high abundance in panicle branch meristem. OsCKX4 over-expression lines phenocopied rlb, which showed upregulated OsCKX4 levels. Meanwhile, RLB physically binds to Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) components OsEMF2b and co-localized with H3K27me3, a suppressing histone modification mediated by PRC2, in the OsCKX4 promoter. We proposed that RLB recruits PRC2 to the OsCKX4 promoter to epigenetically repress its transcription, which suppresses the catabolism of cytokinin, thereby promoting rice lateral branching. Moreover, antisense inhibition of OsCKX4 under the LOG promoter successfully increased panicle size and spikelet number per plant without affecting other major agronomic traits. This study provides insight into cytokinin homeostasis, lateral branching in plants, and also promising target genes for rice genetic improvement.
New-onset inflammatory bowel diseases among IL-17 inhibitor-treated patients: results from the case–control MISSIL study
Authors: Letarouilly Jean-Guillaume , Pham Thao , Pierache Adeline , Acquacalda Émilie , Banneville Béatrice , Barbarot Sébastien , Baudart Pauline , Bauer Élodie , Claudepierre Pascal , Constantin Arnaud , Dernis Emmanuelle , Felten Renaud , Gaudin Philippe , Girard Céline , Gombert Bruno , Goupille Philippe , Guennoc Xavier , Henry-Desailly Isabelle , Jullien Denis , Karimova Elena , Lanot Sylvain , Le Dantec Loïc , Pascart Tristan , Plastaras Laurianne , Sultan Nathalie , Truchet Xavier , Varin Stéphane , Wendling Daniel , Gaboriau Louise , Staumont-Sallé Delphine , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Flipo René-Marc
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To describe new-onset IBD (new IBD) in patients treated with IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i), to assess their incidence and to identify their risk factors in real life.

Methods

A French national registry (MISSIL) aimed to report all cases of new IBD in patients treated with IL-17i from January 2016 to December 2019. Using the estimated number of patients treated by IL-17 in France during the study period, the annual incidence rates of new IBD was reported in IL-17i-treated patients. A case–control study was performed with two controls per new IBD case matched by gender, age and underlying inflammatory disease.

Results

Thirty-one cases of new IBD under IL-17i were collected: 27 patients treated for spondyloarthritis and four patients for psoriasis. All were observed with secukinumab (SEK). The median time to onset of new IBD symptoms was 4.0 (1.5–7.5) months. SEK was discontinued in all patients. The evolution was favourable with complete resolution (17/31), improvement (7/31) or stabilization (5/31). Two patients died: one due to a massive myocardial infarction and one due to post-colectomy complications. The incidence of new IBD decreased from 0.69/100 patient-years [PY] (7/1010) in 2016 to 0.08/100 PY (6/7951) in 2019. No previous treatment with etanercept (odds ratio [OR] = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.80, P = 0.014) and low number of previous biologic therapies (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.94, P = 0.021) were significantly associated with new IBD.

Conclusion

The incidence of new IBD was low and decreased from 2016 to 2019. The outcome was favourable in 24 out of 31 patients, but two patients died.
Long non-coding RNA expression profiling of subchondral bone reveals AC005165.1 modifying FRZB expression during osteoarthritis
Authors: Tuerlings Margo , van Hoolwerff Marcella , van Bokkum Jessica M , Suchiman H Eka D , Lakenberg Nico , Broekhuis Demiën , Nelissen Rob G H H , Ramos Yolande F M , Mei Hailiang , Cats Davy , Coutinho de Almeida Rodrigo , Meulenbelt Ingrid
Published: October 2021

Objective

To gain insight in the expression profile of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in OA subchondral bone.

Methods

RNA sequencing data of macroscopically preserved and lesioned OA subchondral bone of patients that underwent joint replacement surgery due to OA (N = 22 pairs; 5 hips, 17 knees, Research osteoArthrits Articular Tissue (RAAK study) was run through an in-house pipeline to detect expression of lncRNAs. Differential expression analysis between preserved and lesioned bone was performed. Spearman correlations were calculated between differentially expressed lncRNAs and differentially expressed mRNAs identified previously in the same samples. Primary osteogenic cells were transfected with locked nucleic acid (LNA) GapmeRs targeting AC005165.1 lncRNA, to functionally investigate its potential mRNA targets.

Results

In total, 2816 lncRNAs were well-expressed in subchondral bone and we identified 233 lncRNAs exclusively expressed in knee and 307 lncRNAs exclusively in hip. Differential expression analysis, using all samples (N = 22 pairs; 5 hips, 17 knees), resulted in 21 differentially expressed lncRNAs [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05, fold change (FC) range 1.19–7.39], including long intergenic non-protein coding RNA (LINC) 1411 (LINC01411, FC = 7.39, FDR = 2.20 × 10−8), AC005165.1 (FC = 0.44, FDR = 2.37 × 10−6) and empty spiracles homeobox 2 opposite strand RNA (EMX2OS, FC = 0.41, FDR = 7.64 × 10−3). Among the differentially expressed lncRNAs, five were also differentially expressed in articular cartilage, including AC005165.1, showing similar direction of effect. Downregulation of AC005165.1 in primary osteogenic cells resulted in consistent downregulation of highly correlated frizzled related protein (FRZB).

Conclusion

The current study identified a novel lncRNA, AC005165.1, being dysregulated in OA articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Downregulation of AC005165.1 caused a decreased expression of OA risk gene FRZB, an important member of the wnt pathway, suggesting that AC005165.1 could be an attractive potential therapeutic target with effects in articular cartilage and subchondral bone.
When can a trustee assert privilege against a beneficiary? The New Zealand Supreme Court on the joint interest exception to legal professional privilege: Lambie Trustee Ltd v Addleman [2021] NZSC 54
Authors: Halligan Jordan
Published: October 2021

The status of legal advice obtained by trustees in relation to litigation involving beneficiaries is something of a vexed issue. This article examines the recent decision in Lambie Trustee Ltd v Addleman [2021] NZSC 54, in which the New Zealand Supreme Court addressed the scope of the joint interest exception to legal professional privilege. The decision has clarified several points of principle, most notably that the focus should be on the purpose of obtaining the advice rather than the time it was obtained.
COVID-19 Therapeutics and Vaccines: A Race to Save Lives
Authors: Bebenek Ilona , Bannister Roy , Dubinion John , Fortin Marie , Liu Matt , Motter Arianne L , Rohde Cynthia M , Wrzesinski Claudia
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) is an ongoing global public health emergency. As understanding of the health effects of COVID-19 has improved, companies and agencies worldwide have worked together to identify therapeutic approaches, fast-track clinical trials and pathways for emergency use, and approve therapies for patients. This work has resulted in therapies that not only improve survival, reduce time of hospitalization, and time to recovery, but also include preventative measures, such as vaccines. This manuscript discusses development programs for 3 products that are approved or authorized for emergency use at the time of writing: VEKLURY (remdesivir, direct-acting antiviral from Gilead Sciences, Inc.), REGEN-COV (casirivimab and imdevimab antibody cocktail from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.), and Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine [Pfizer, Inc.-BioNTech]), and perspectives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Telemedicine for screening eye disease in the remote Peruvian Amazon: proof-of-concept
Authors: Nesemann John M , Muñoz Marleny , Talero Sandra L , Honorio-Morales Harvy A , Lescano Andres G , Keenan Jeremy D
Published: October 2021

Background

Improvements in technology could facilitate task-shifting and ocular disease screening in rural areas.

Methods

Visual acuity (VA) was tested using a Ministry of Health 3-m VA card. Anterior segment photographs were taken using a three-dimensional printed cellphone attachment and remotely graded.

Results

Of 326 photographed eyes, 1 was ungradable. Of 123 eyes with non-refractive visual impairment, cataract was identified in 35.8%, pterygium in 41.5%, corneal opacity in 5.7% and phthisis in 2.4%.

Conclusions

While the cause of visual impairment cannot be determined without a posterior segment examination, the smartphone attachment proved to be easy to use by non-specialist workers and identified anterior segment pathology in most cases.
Pseudarthrosis of the Cervical Spine
Authors: Zuckerman Scott L. , Devin Clinton J.
Published: October 2021

Pseudarthrosis of the cervical spine represents a common and challenging problem for spine surgeons. Rates vary greatly from as low as 0%–20% to >60% and depend heavily on patient factors, approach, and number of levels. While some patients remain asymptomatic from pseudarthrosis, many require revision surgery due to instability, continued neck pain, or radiculopathy/myelopathy. We aimed to provide a practical, narrative review of cervical pseudarthrosis to address the following areas: (1) definitions, (2) incidence, (3) risk factors, (4) presentation and workup, (5) treatment decision-making, and (6) postoperative care. It is our hope the current review provides a concise summary for how to diagnose and treat challenging cervical nonunions.
Rebalancing the Spastic Wrist by Transposition of Antagonistic Muscle-Tendon Complex
Authors: Schibli Silvia , Fridén Jan
Published: October 2021

Upper limb spasticity and spasticity-induced deformities after upper motor neuron lesions because of traumatic brain injury, encephalitis or cerebral palsy inhibit activities of daily living, result in impaired self-care and often dependence on assistance of carers. A key element of the dysfunction is wrist hyper-flexion and ulnar deviation deformity. Traditionally, this deformity has been corrected by transfer of the spastic flexor carpi ulnaris to the extensor carpi radialis brevis. Instead, this study emphasizes the causative role of the palmar subluxation of extensor carpi ulnaris and describes a surgical correction strategy detailing transfer of extensor carpi ulnaris-to-extensor carpi radialis brevis. This surgery re-establishes and maintains a more favorable muscle-tendon-joint mechanics and hand position. Patient satisfaction is high, time and effort in daily care for patients and caregivers are less, and incidence of complications is low.
Paving the Road for the Adoption of Normothermic Regional Perfusion in Canada
Authors: Basmaji John , Weijer Charles , Skaro Anton , Healey Andrew , Shemie Sam D. , Slessarev Marat
Published: October 2021

Donation after circulatory determination of death has increased the number of organs available but can result in worse recipient outcomes than organs recovered from donors after neurologic death. Normothermic regional perfusion is a novel tool that can circumvent the shortcomings of donation after circulatory determination of death. However, its implementation may pose a threat to existing laws surrounding death declaration. Here, we propose a research agenda that will allow this technology to be introduced within current Canadian organ donation frameworks.
Comparable prognosis in different neonatal histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate dosage management
Authors: Bai Li-Ting , Tong Yuan-Yuan , Liu Jin-Ping , Feng Zheng-Yi , Zhao Ju , Guo Sheng-Wen , Jin Yu , Zhang Pei-Yao , Li Yi-Xuan
Published: October 2021

Background:

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) is a solution commonly used for organ transplantation. However, there is no certified fixed regimen for on-pump heart surgery in neonates. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes related to different HTK dosages and to analyze the safety of high-dosage perfusion.

Methods:

A total of 146 neonates who underwent on-pump heart surgery with single-shot HTK perfusion were divided into two groups according to HTK dosages: a standard-dose (SD) group (n = 63, 40 mL/kg < HTK ≤ 60 mL/kg) and a high-dose (HD) group (n = 83, HTK >60 mL/kg). Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to control confounding bias.

Results:

The SD group had a higher weight (3.7 ± 0.4 vs. 3.4 ± 0.4 kg, P < 0.0001), a lower proportion of complete transposition of the great artery (69.8% vs. 85.5%, P = 0.022), a lower cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (123.5 [108.0, 136.0] vs. 132.5 [114.8, 152.5] min, P = 0.034), and a lower aortic x-clamp time (82.9 ± 27.1 vs. 95.5 ± 26.0 min, P = 0.005). After PSM, 44 patients were assigned to each group; baseline characteristics and CPB parameters between the two groups were comparable. There were no significant differences in peri-CPB blood product consumption after PSM (P > 0.05). The incidences of post-operative complications were not significantly different between the two groups. There were no significant differences in ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, and post-operative hospital stay (P > 0.05). Follow-up echocardiography outcomes at 1 month, 3 to 6 months, and 1 year showed that left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic dimension were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions:

In neonatal on-pump cardiac surgery patients, single-shot HD (>60 mL/kg) HTK perfusion had a comparable heart protection effect and short-term post-operative prognosis as standard dosage perfusion of 40 to 60 mL/kg. Thus, this study provides supporting evidence of the safety of HD HTK perfusion.