bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overexpression of TaSTT3b‐2B improves resistance to sharp eyespot and increases grain weight in wheat
Authors: Zhu Xiuliang , Rong Wei , Wang Kai , Guo Wei , Zhou Miaoping , Wu Jizhong , Ye Xingguo , Wei Xuening , Zhang Zengyan
Published: December 2021

STAUROSPORINE AND TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE3 (STT3) is a catalytic subunit of oligosaccharyltransferase, which is important for asparagine‐linked glycosylation. Sharp eyespot, caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia cerealis, is a devastating disease of bread wheat. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat defense against R. cerealis are still largely unclear. In this study, we identified TaSTT3a and TaSTT3b, two STT3 subunit genes from wheat and reported their functional roles in wheat defense against R. cerealis and increasing grain weight. The transcript abundance of TaSTT3b‐2B was associated with the degree of wheat resistance to R. cerealis and induced by both R. cerealis and exogenous jasmonic acid (JA). Overexpression of TaSTT3b‐2B significantly enhanced resistance to R. cerealis, grain weight, and JA content in transgenic wheat subjected to R. cerealis stress, while silencing of TaSTT3b‐2B compromised resistance of wheat to R. cerealis. Transcriptomic analysis showed that TaSTT3b‐2B affected the expression of a series of defense‐related genes and JA biosynthesis–related genes, as well as genes coding starch synthase and sucrose synthase. Application of exogenous JA elevated expression levels of the abovementioned defense‐ and grain weight–related genes, and rescuing the resistance of TaSTT3b‐2B–silenced wheat to R. cerealis, while pretreatment with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of JA synthesis, attenuated the TaSTT3b‐2B–mediated resistance to R. cerealis, suggesting that TaSTT3b‐2B played critical roles in regulating R. cerealis resistance and grain weight via JA biosynthesis. Altogether, this study reveals new functional roles of TaSTT3b‐2B in regulating plant innate immunity and grain weight, and illustrates its potential application value for wheat molecular breeding.
ZmERF21 directly regulates hormone signaling and stress‐responsive gene expression to influence drought tolerance in maize seedlings
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Zhao Xiang , Ren Zhenzhen , Abou‐Elwafa Salah Fatouh , Pu Xiaoyu , Zhu Yingfang , Dou Dandan , Su Huihui , Cheng Haiyang , Liu Zhixue , Chen Yanhui , Wang Ertao , Shao Ruixin , Ku Lixia
Published: December 2021

Drought stress adversely impacts crop development and yield. Maize frequently encounters drought stress during its life cycle. Improvement of drought tolerance is a priority of maize breeding programs. Here, we identified a novel transcription factor encoding gene, APETALA2 (AP2)/Ethylene response factor (ERF), which is tightly associated with drought tolerance in maize seedlings. ZmERF21 is mainly expressed in the root and leaf and it can be highly induced by polyethylene glycol treatment. Genetic analysis showed that the zmerf21 mutant plants displayed a reduced drought tolerance phenotype, accompanied by phenotypical and physiological changes that are commonly observed in drought conditions. Overexpression of ZmERF21 in maize significantly increased the chlorophyll content and activities of antioxidant enzymes under drought conditions. RNA‐Seq and DNA affinity purification sequencing analysis further revealed that ZmERF21 may directly regulate the expression of genes related to hormone (ethylene, abscisic acid) and Ca signaling as well as other stress‐response genes through binding to the promoters of potential target genes. Our results thereby provided molecular evidence of ZmERF21 is involved in the drought stress response of maize.
Evolving Motivation in Public Service: AThree‐PhaseLongitudinal Examination of Public Service Motivation, Work Values, and Academic Studies Among Israeli Students
Authors: Miller‐Mor‐Attias Rotem , Vigoda‐Gadot Eran
Published: December 2021

What are the impact of work values and academic training on public service motivation (PSM) over time? We present findings from a three‐phase longitudinal study on the evolvement of PSM of Israeli students who gradually enter the job market. A cohort of 2,799 students were surveyed in late 2012 and a surviving final cohort of 558 respondents took part in the third stage of data collection during early 2015. We analyzed this group's postgraduate career development when they joined various public and nonpublic organizations and professions. We tested several hypotheses about possible relationships between and effects of work values (intrinsic–extrinsic; individualistic–collectivistic), academic studies, and person‐organization fit and PSM over time. In general, individuals with higher levels of intrinsic and collectivistic values, and an academic background in core public service studies demonstrated stronger PSM over time. Implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Fuzzy-Based Adaptive Higher-Order Sliding Mode Control for Uncertain Steer-by-Wire System
Authors: Li Hongjuan , Zhang Tianliang , Tie Ming , Wang Yongfu
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes an adaptive higher-order sliding mode (AHOSM) control method based on the adaptive fuzzy logic system for steer-by-wire (SbW) system to achieve the tracking control of the front wheels steering angle. First, an adaptive fuzzy logic system is adopted to estimate the unknown dynamics of the SbW system. Then, the AHOSM control is constructed to overcome the lumped uncertainties including unknown external perturbation and fuzzy logic system approximation error and has the advantage of attenuating the chattering caused by the discontinuous control signal. Finally, the adaptation scheme is designed for the dynamic gain of the proposed AHOSM controller without a priori knowledge of the bounds of the uncertainties. In contrast to the existing controllers applied in the SbW system, this controller has a better control performance in practical application. By means of Lyapunov stability analysis, it is theoretically proved that the system trajectory converges to an adjustable neighborhood of the origin in finite time. Simulations and vehicle experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Hole selective nickel oxide as transparent conductive oxide
Authors: Tröger David , Reif Johanna , Mikolajick Thomas , Grube Matthias
Published: December 2021

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are essential for manufacturing perovskite and heterojunction solar cells. Specifically, nickel oxide (NiO) is of interest because it exhibits hole-selective behavior in conjunction with Si. Additionally, the bandgap of about 3.6 eV allows high transmission even at wavelengths below 500 nm. However, NiO is not yet ready for industrial implementation in solar cells. This study guides a simple, industry-compatible way to fabricate transparent conductive NiO thin films by evaporation and postdeposition annealing. The crystallization behavior of NiO is investigated intensively. The lattice parameter of cubic NiO decreases with increasing annealing temperature, probably caused by the loss of oxygen. Resistivity and absorption measurements were done to assess the suitability of NiO as TCO. A minimum resistivity of about 50 Ω cm with a corresponding absorption coefficient of 19 × 103 cm−1 is reached using an annealing temperature of 400 °C. A p-n junction was formed consisting of n-doped Si and p conducting NiO to prove the hole selectivity of NiO.
The Hippo signaling pathway effector YAP promotes salivary gland regeneration after injury
Authors: Rocchi Cecilia , Cinat Davide , Serrano Martinez Paola , Bruin Anne L. Jellema-de , Baanstra Mirjam , Brouwer Uilke , del Angel Zuivre Cinthya , Schepers Hein , van Os Ronald , Barazzuol Lara , Coppes Robert P.
Published: December 2021

YAP stimulates the proliferation and regenerative potential of ductal cells after salivary gland injury.
Transcriptomic Characterization of Tuberculous Sputum Reveals a Host Warburg Effect and Microbial Cholesterol Catabolism
Authors: Lai Rachel P. J. , Cortes Teresa , Marais Suzaan , Rockwood Neesha , Burke Melissa L. , Garza-Garcia Acely , Horswell Stuart , Sesay Abdul K. , O’Garra Anne , Young Douglas B. , Wilkinson Robert J.
Published: December 2021

Although a few studies have described the microbiome composition of TB sputa based on 16S ribosomal DNA, these studies did not compare to non-TB samples and the nature of the method does not allow any functional inference. This is the first study to apply such technology using clinical specimens and obtained functional transcriptional data on all three aspects simultaneously.
Previous Infection Combined with Vaccination Produces Neutralizing Antibodies with Potency against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Ibarrondo F. Javier , Hofmann Christian , Ali Ayub , Ayoub Paul , Kohn Donald B. , Yang Otto O.
Published: December 2021

As SARS-CoV-2 evolves to become better suited for circulating in humans, mutations have occurred in the spike protein it uses for attaching to cells it infects. Protective antibodies from prior infection or vaccination target the spike protein to interfere with its function.
A Hyperthermoactive-Cas9 Editing Tool Reveals the Role of a Unique Arsenite Methyltransferase in the Arsenic Resistance System of Thermus thermophilus HB27
Authors: Gallo Giovanni , Mougiakos Ioannis , Bianco Mauricio , Carbonaro Miriam , Carpentieri Andrea , Illiano Anna , Pucci Pietro , Bartolucci Simonetta , van der Oost John , Fiorentino Gabriella
Published: December 2021

We here describe the discovery of an unknown protein by using a proteomic approach with a functionally related protein as bait. Remarkably, we successfully obtained a novel type of enzyme through the interaction with a transcription regulator controlling the expression of this enzyme.
More Than Just a Spearhead: Diverse Functions of PAAR for Assembly and Delivery of Toxins of the Contractile Injection Systems
Authors: Zheng Hao-Yu , Yang Liang , Dong Tao
Published: December 2021

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) belongs to the evolutionarily related group of contractile injection systems that employ a contractile outer sheath to inject a rigid spear-like inner tube into target bacterial and eukaryotic cells. The tip of the rigid tube is often decorated by a PAAR-repeat protein as a key structural component.
Supplemental Material: Two-pronged kill mechanism at the end-Triassic mass extinction
Authors: Fox Calum , al. et
Published: December 2021

Details of the methodology, biomarker data, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, episodic versus persistent PZE, and full ecological changes relative to biomarker distributions.
Supplemental Material: Multi-proxy evidence of Caribbean-sourced marine incursions in the Neogene of Western Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Leandro Lilian M. , al. et
Published: December 2021

Additional information on geological settings; materials and methods; references; supplemental Figures S1–S5; a summary of samples processed and analyzed in this study by site and technique; and full age-calibrated microfossil and geochemical data sets.
Paediatric NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Services pilot: an observational study
Authors: Stilwell Philippa Anna , Stuttard Gareth , Scott-Jupp Robert , Boyle Adrian , Kenny Simon , Maconochie Ian
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine the feasibility and impact of having paediatric clinicians working in the Clinical Assessment Services (CAS) within NHS 111, a national telephone advice service.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

Six NHS 111 providers across England with CAS where volunteer paediatric clinicians (doctors and advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs)) worked between May and December 2020. A data reporting framework was used to compare the outcomes of calls taken by paediatric vs non-paediatric clinicians.

Patients

Under 16-year-olds prompting calls to NHS 111 over the study period.

Main outcome measures

The disposition (final outcome of calls) taken by paediatric versus non-paediatric clinicians, paediatric clinicians’ and patient experience.

Results

70 paediatric clinicians (66 doctors and 4 ANPs) worked flexible shifts in six NHS 111 providers’ CAS over the study period: 2535 calls for under 16-year-olds were taken by paediatric clinicians and 137 008 by non-paediatric clinicians. Overall, disposition rates differed significantly between the calls taken by paediatric versus (vs) non-paediatric clinicians: 69% vs 43% were advised on self-care only, 13% vs 18% to attend emergency departments (EDs), 13% vs 29% to attend primary care, 1% vs 4% to receive an urgent ambulance call out and 4% vs 6% referred to another health service, respectively. When compared with recent (all age) national whole data sets, the feedback from calls taken by paediatricians noted a greater proportion of patients/carers reporting that their problem was fully resolved (92% vs 27%).

Conclusions

Introducing paediatric specialists into NHS 111 CAS is likely to increase self-care dispositions, and reduce onward referrals to primary care, ED and ambulances. Future work will evaluate the impact of a national paediatric clinical assessment service to which specific case types are streamed.
Child mortality in England during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Odd David , Stoianova Sylvia , Williams Tom , Fleming Peter , Luyt Karen
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To quantify the relative risk (RR) of childhood deaths across the whole of England during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with a similar period of 2019.

Design

This work is based on data collected by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD). Deaths from 1 April 2020 until 31 March 2021 (2020–2021) were compared with those from the same period of 2019–2020. RR and excess mortality were derived for deaths in 2020–2021 vs 2019–2020.

Setting

All deaths reported to NCMD in England of children under 18 years of age, between April 2019 and March 2021.

Participants

6490 deaths of children, under the age of 18 years, reported to the NCMD over the study period.

Results

Children had similar demographics in the 2 years. There were 356 (198–514) fewer deaths in 2020–2021 than in 2019–2020 (RR 0.90 (0.85 to 0.94), p<0.001). Deaths from infection (RR 0.49 (0.38 to 0.64)) and from other underlying medical conditions (RR 0.75 (0.68 to 0.82)) were lower in 2020–2021 than 2019–2020, and weak evidence (RR 0.50 (0.23 to 1.07), p=0.074) that this was also true of deaths from substance abuse.

Conclusions

Childhood mortality in England during the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was lower than expected, with over 300 fewer deaths than the preceding 12 months. The greatest reduction was in children less than 10 years old. It is important that we learn from this effect that potentially offers alternative ways to improve the outcome for the most vulnerable children in our society.
Hamstring injury patterns in professional male football (soccer): a systematic video analysis of 52 cases
Authors: Gronwald Thomas , Klein Christian , Hoenig Tim , Pietzonka Micha , Bloch Hendrik , Edouard Pascal , Hollander Karsten
Published: December 2021

Objective

To closely describe the injury inciting events of acute hamstring injuries in professional male football (soccer) using systematic video analysis.

Methods

Video footage from four seasons (2014–2019) of the two highest divisions in German male football was searched for moderate and severe (ie, time loss of >7 days) acute non-contact and indirect contact match hamstring injuries. Two raters independently categorised inciting events using a standardised procedure to determine specific injury patterns and kinematics.

Results

52 cases of hamstring injuries were included for specific pattern analysis. The pattern analysis revealed 25 sprint-related (48%) and 27 stretch-related hamstring injuries (52%). All sprint-related hamstring injuries occured during linear acceleration or high-speed running. Stretch-related hamstring injuries were connected with closed chain movements like braking or stopping with a lunging or landing action and open chain movements like kicking. The kinematic analysis of stretch-related injuries revealed a change of movement involving knee flexion to knee extension and a knee angle of <45° at the assumed injury frame in all open and closed chain movements. Biceps femoris was the most affected muscle (79%) of all included cases.

Conclusion

Despite the variety of inciting events, rapid movements with high eccentric demands of the posterior thigh are likely the main hamstring injury mechanism. This study provides important data about how hamstring injuries occur in professional male football and supports the need for demand-specific multicomponent risk reduction programmes.
Device-measured physical activity, adiposity and mortality: a harmonised meta-analysis of eight prospective cohort studies
Authors: Tarp Jakob , Fagerland Morten W , Dalene Knut Eirik , Johannessen Jostein Steene , Hansen Bjørge H , Jefferis Barbara J , Whincup Peter H , Diaz Keith M , Hooker Steven , Howard Virginia J , Chernofsky Ariel , Larson Martin G , Spartano Nicole L , Vasan Ramachandran S , Dohrn Ing-Mari , Hagströmer Maria , Edwardson Charlotte , Yates Thomas , Shiroma Eric J , Dempsey Paddy C , Wijndaele Katrien , Anderssen Sigmund A , Lee I-Min , Ekelund Ulf
Published: December 2021

Background

The joint associations of total and intensity-specific physical activity with obesity in relation to all-cause mortality risk are unclear.

Methods

We included 34 492 adults (72% women, median age 62.1 years, 2034 deaths during follow-up) in a harmonised meta-analysis of eight population-based prospective cohort studies with mean follow-up ranging from 6.0 to 14.5 years. Standard body mass index categories were cross-classified with sample tertiles of device-measured total, light-to-vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time. In five cohorts with waist circumference available, high and low waist circumference was combined with tertiles of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Results

There was an inverse dose–response relationship between higher levels of total and intensity-specific physical activity and mortality risk in those who were normal weight and overweight. In individuals with obesity, the inverse dose–response relationship was only observed for total physical activity. Similarly, lower levels of sedentary time were associated with lower mortality risk in normal weight and overweight individuals but there was no association between sedentary time and risk of mortality in those who were obese. Compared with the obese-low total physical activity reference, the HRs were 0.59 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.79) for normal weight-high total activity and 0.67 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.94) for obese-high total activity. In contrast, normal weight-low total physical activity was associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with the obese-low total physical activity reference (1.28; 95% CI 0.99 to 1.67).

Conclusions

Higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower risk of mortality irrespective of weight status. Compared with obesity-low physical activity, there was no survival benefit of being normal weight if physical activity levels were low.
Bacteraemia, sepsis and antibiotic resistance in Australian patients with cirrhosis: a population-based study
Authors: Johnson Amy L , Ratnasekera Isanka U , Irvine Katharine M , Henderson Andrew , Powell Elizabeth E , Valery Patricia C
Published: December 2021

Objective

Multiple factors predispose patients with cirrhosis to sepsis and/or bacteraemia and this has a high mortality rate. Within different geographical regions there are marked differences in the prevalence of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDR). This study examined risk factors for and outcomes of sepsis/bacteraemia in public hospital admissions with cirrhosis in the state of Queensland, Australia, over the last decade, along with the bacterial pathogens responsible and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles.

Design

A population-based retrospective cohort study of public hospital admissions was conducted from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2017. Hospital admissions for patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis were categorised by the presence or absence of sepsis/bacteraemia. Clinical and sociodemographic information including cirrhosis aetiology, complications and comorbidities, and in-hospital mortality were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses. In patients with bacteraemia, the type and prevalence of bacteria and antibiotic resistance was assessed.

Results

Sepsis/bacteraemia was present in 3951 of 103 165 hospital admissions with a diagnosis of cirrhosis. Factors associated with sepsis/bacteraemia included disease aetiology, particularly primary sclerosing cholangitis (adj-OR 15.09, 95% CI 12.24 to 18.60), alcohol (adj-OR 2.90, 95% CI 2.71 to 3.09), Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3 (adj-OR 3.54, 95% CI 3.19 to 3.93) and diabetes (adj-OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.74 to 2.01). Overall case-fatality rate among admissions with sepsis/bacteraemia was 27.7% (95% CI 26.3% to 29.1%) vs 3.7% (95% CI 3.6% to 3.8%) without sepsis/bacteraemia. In-hospital death was significantly associated with sepsis/bacteraemia (adj-OR 6.50, 95% CI 5.95 to 7.11). The most common organisms identified wereEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus, present in 22.9% and 18.1%, respectively, of the 2265 admissions with a positive blood culture. The prevalence of MDR bacteria was low (5.6%)

Conclusion

Morbidity and mortality related to sepsis/bacteraemia in patients with cirrhosis remains a critical clinical problem.
If we build it, will they come? Results of a quasi-experimental study assessing the impact of maternity waiting homes on facility-based childbirth and maternity care in Zambia
Authors: Scott Nancy A , Kaiser Jeanette L , Ngoma Thandiwe , McGlasson Kathleen L , Henry Elizabeth G , Munro-Kramer Michelle L , Biemba Godfrey , Bwalya Misheck , Sakanga Viviane R , Musonda Gertrude , Hamer Davidson H , Boyd Carol J , Bonawitz Rachael , Vian Taryn , Kruk Margaret E , Fong Rachel M , Chastain Parker S , Mataka Kaluba , Ahmed Mdluli Eden , Veliz Philip , Lori Jody R , Rockers Peter C
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) aim to increase access to maternity and emergency obstetric care by allowing women to stay near a health centre before delivery. An improved MWH model was developed with community input and included infrastructure, policies and linkages to health centres. We hypothesised this MWH model would increase health facility delivery among remote-living women in Zambia.

Methods

We conducted a quasi-experimental study at 40 rural health centres (RHC) that offer basic emergency obstetric care and had no recent stockouts of oxytocin or magnesium sulfate, located within 2 hours of a referral hospital. Intervention clusters (n=20) received an improved MWH model. Control clusters (n=20) implemented standard of care. Clusters were assigned to study arm using a matched-pair randomisation procedure (n=20) or non-randomly with matching criteria (n=20). We interviewed repeated cross-sectional random samples of women in villages 10+ kilometres from their RHC. The primary outcome was facility delivery; secondary outcomes included postnatal care utilisation, counselling, services received and expenditures. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted. Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate ORs.

Results

We interviewed 2381 women at baseline (March 2016) and 2330 at endline (October 2018). The improved MWH model was associated with increased odds of facility delivery (OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.13 to 2.27); p<0.001) and MWH utilisation (OR 2.44 (1.62 to 3.67); p<0.001). The intervention was also associated with increased odds of postnatal attendance (OR 1.55 (1.10 to 2.19); p<0.001); counselling for family planning (OR 1.48 (1.15 to 1.91); p=0.002), breast feeding (OR 1.51 (1.20 to 1.90); p<0.001), and kangaroo care (OR 1.44 (1.15, 1.79); p=0.001); and caesarean section (OR 1.71 (1.16 to 2.54); p=0.007). No differences were observed in household expenditures for delivery.

Conclusion

MWHs near well-equipped RHCs increased access to facility delivery, encouraged use of facilities with emergency care capacity, and improved exposure to counselling. MWHs can be useful in the effort to increase delivery at advanced facilities in areas where substantial numbers of women live remotely.

Trial registration number

NCT02620436.
National health governance, science and the media: drivers of COVID-19 responses in Germany, Sweden and the UK in 2020
Authors: Hanson Claudia , Luedtke Susanne , Spicer Neil , Stilhoff Sörensen Jens , Mayhew Susannah , Mounier-Jack Sandra
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global crisis in which governments had to act in a situation of rapid change and substantial uncertainty. The governments of Germany, Sweden and the UK have taken different paths allowing learning for future pandemic preparedness. To help inform discussions on preparedness, inspired by resilience frameworks, this paper reviews governance structures, and the role of science and the media in the COVID-19 response of Germany, Sweden and the UK in 2020. We mapped legitimacy, interdependence, knowledge generation and the capacity to deal with uncertainty.

Our analysis revealed stark differences which were linked to pre-existing governing structures, the traditional role of academia, experience of crisis management and the communication of uncertainty—all of which impacted on how much people trusted their government. Germany leveraged diversity and inclusiveness, a ‘patchwork quilt’, for which it was heavily criticised during the second wave. The Swedish approach avoided plurality and largely excluded academia, while in the UK’s academia played an important role in knowledge generation and in forcing the government to review its strategies. However, the vivant debate left the public with confusing and rapidly changing public health messages. Uncertainty and the lack of evidence on how best to manage the COVID-19 pandemic—the main feature during the first wave—was only communicated explicitly in Germany. All country governments lost trust of their populations during the epidemic due to a mix of communication and transparency failures, and increased questioning of government legitimacy and technical capacity by the public.
Assessments of risk of bias in systematic reviews of observational nutritional epidemiologic studies are often not appropriate or comprehensive: a methodological study
Authors: Zeraatkar Dena , Kohut Alana , Bhasin Arrti , Morassut Rita E , Churchill Isabella , Gupta Arnav , Lawson Daeria , Miroshnychenko Anna , Sirotich Emily , Aryal Komal , Azab Maria , Beyene Joseph , de Souza Russell J
Published: December 2021

Background

An essential component of systematic reviews is the assessment of risk of bias. To date, there has been no investigation of how reviews of non-randomised studies of nutritional exposures (called ‘nutritional epidemiologic studies’) assess risk of bias.

Objective

To describe methods for the assessment of risk of bias in reviews of nutritional epidemiologic studies.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Jan 2018–Aug 2019) and sampled 150 systematic reviews of nutritional epidemiologic studies.

Results

Most reviews (n=131/150; 87.3%) attempted to assess risk of bias. Commonly used tools neglected to address all important sources of bias, such as selective reporting (n=25/28; 89.3%), and frequently included constructs unrelated to risk of bias, such as reporting (n=14/28; 50.0%). Most reviews (n=66/101; 65.3%) did not incorporate risk of bias in the synthesis. While more than half of reviews considered biases due to confounding and misclassification of the exposure in their interpretation of findings, other biases, such as selective reporting, were rarely considered (n=1/150; 0.7%).

Conclusion

Reviews of nutritional epidemiologic studies have important limitations in their assessment of risk of bias.
First report of CART treatment in AL amyloidosis and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Oliver-Caldes Aina , Jiménez Raquel , Español-Rego Marta , Cibeira Maria Teresa , Ortiz-Maldonado Valentín , Quintana Luis F , Castillo Paola , Guijarro Francesca , Tovar Natalia , Montoro Mercedes , Benitez-Ribas Daniel , Bataller Alex , González-Navarro E Azucena , Cid Joan , Lozano Miquel , Perez-Amill Lorena , Martin-Antonio Beatriz , Mena Mari-Pau , Moreno David F , Rodríguez-Lobato Luis Gerardo , Campistol Josep Maria , Calvo Gonzalo , Bladé Joan , Rosiñol Laura , Juan Manel , Pascal Mariona , Urbano-Ispizua Alvaro , Fernández de Larrea Carlos
Published: December 2021

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable despite the number of novel therapies that have become available in recent years. Occasionally, a patient with MM will develop an amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with organ dysfunction. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy has become a promising approach in treating hematological malignancies. Our institution has developed a second-generation B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)–CART which is currently being tested in a clinical trial for relapsed/refractory MM.

We present the first reported case, to our knowledge, of a patient with AL amyloidosis and renal involvement in the course of an MM, successfully treated with CART therapy targeting BCMA. The patient received a fractioned dose of 3×106/kg BCMA–CARTs after lymphodepletion. At 3 months from infusion, the patient had already obtained a deep hematological response with negative measurable residual disease by flow cytometry in the bone marrow. After 12 months, the patient remains in hematological stringent complete remission and has achieved an organ renal response with a decrease of 70% of proteinuria.

This case suggests that concomitant AL amyloidosis in the setting of MM can benefit from CART therapy, even in patients in which predominant symptoms at the time of treating are caused by AL amyloidosis.
Diagnostic workup in children with arthrogryposis: description of practices from a single reference centre, comparison with literature and suggestion of recommendations
Authors: Le Tanno Pauline , Latypova Xenia , Rendu John , Fauré Julien , Bourg Véronique , Gauthier Marjolaine , Billy-Lopez Gipsy , Jouk Pierre-Simon , Dieterich Klaus
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) refers to a clinical presentation of congenital contractures involving two or more body areas. More than 400 distinct conditions may lead to AMC, making the aetiological diagnosis challenging. The objective of this work was to set up evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of AMC by taking advantage of both data from our nation-wide cohort of children with AMC and from the literature.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective single-centre observational study. Patients had been evaluated at least once at a paediatric age in the AMC clinic of Grenoble University Hospital between 2007 and 2019. After gathering data about their diagnostic procedure, a literature review was performed for each paraclinical investigation to discuss their relevance.

Results

One hundred and twenty-five patients were included, 43% had Amyoplasia, 27% had distal arthrogryposis and 30% had other forms. A definitive aetiological diagnosis was available for 66% of cases. We recommend a two-time diagnostic process: first, non-invasive investigations that aim at classifying patients into one of the three groups, and second, selected investigations targeting a subset of patients.

Conclusion

The aetiological management for patients with AMC remains arduous. This process will be facilitated by the increasing use of next-generation sequencing combined with detailed phenotyping. Invasive investigations should be avoided because of their limited yield.
Association of hypertension with mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19
Authors: Bhatia Kunwardeep S , Sritharan Hari P , Ciofani Jonathan , Chia Justin , Allahwala Usaid K , Chui Karina , Nour Daniel , Vasanthakumar Sheran , Khandadai Dhanvee , Jayadeva Pavithra , Bhagwandeen Rohan , Brieger David , Choong Christopher , Delaney Anthony , Dwivedi Girish , Harris Benjamin , Hillis Graham , Hudson Bernard , Javorski George , Jepson Nigel , Kanagaratnam Logan , Kotsiou George , Lee Astin , Lo Sidney T , MacIsaac Andrew I , McQuillan Brendan , Ranasinghe Isuru , Walton Antony , Weaver James , Wilson William , Yong Andy S C , Zhu John , Van Gaal William , Kritharides Leonard , Chow Clara K , Bhindi Ravinay
Published: December 2021

Objective

To assess whether hypertension is an independent risk factor for mortality among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and to evaluate the impact of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use on mortality in patients with a background of hypertension.

Method

This observational cohort study included all index hospitalisations with laboratory-proven COVID-19 aged ≥18 years across 21 Australian hospitals. Patients with suspected, but not laboratory-proven COVID-19, were excluded. Registry data were analysed for in-hospital mortality in patients with comorbidities including hypertension, and baseline treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

Results

546 consecutive patients (62.9±19.8 years old, 51.8% male) hospitalised with COVID-19 were enrolled. In the multivariable model, significant predictors of mortality were age (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.09, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.12, p<0.001), heart failure or cardiomyopathy (aOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.13 to 6.53, p=0.026), chronic kidney disease (aOR 2.33, 95% CI 1.02 to 5.32, p=0.044) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.06 to 4.85, p=0.035). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (49.5%) but was not independently associated with increased mortality (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.77, p=0.81). Among patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitor (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 0.61 to 3.08, p=0.61) and ARB (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.49, p=0.30) use was not associated with mortality.

Conclusions

In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, pre-existing hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity but was not independently associated with mortality. Similarly, the baseline use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs had no independent association with in-hospital mortality.
Effect modification of greenness on PM2.5associated all-cause mortality in a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cohort
Authors: Ge Erjia , Gao Jianhui , Wei Xiaolin , Ren Zhoupeng , Wei Jing , Liu Xin , Wang Xiaomeng , Zhong Jieming , Lu Jingru , Tian Xiaomei , Fei Fangrong , Chen Bin , Wang Xiaolin , Peng Ying , Luo Ming , Lei Juan
Published: December 2021

Rationale

Evidence for the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and mortality among patients with tuberculosis (TB) is limited. Whether greenness protects air pollution-related mortality among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is completely unknown.

Methods

2305 patients reported in Zhejiang and Ningxia were followed up from MDR-TB diagnosis until death, loss to follow-up or end of the study (31 December 2019), with an average follow-up of 1724 days per patient. 16-day averages of contemporaneous Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the 500 m buffer of patient’s residence, annual average PM2.5and estimated oxidant capacity Oxwere assigned to patients regarding their geocoded home addresses. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate HRs per 10 μg/m3exposure to PM2.5and all-cause mortality among the cohort and individuals across the three tertiles, adjusting for potential covariates.

Results

HRs of 1.702 (95% CI 1.680 to 1.725) and 1.169 (1.162 to 1.175) were observed for PM2.5associated with mortality for the full cohort and individuals with the greatest tertile of NDVI. Exposures to PM2.5were stronger in association with mortality for younger patients (HR 2.434 (2.432 to 2.435)), female (2.209 (1.874 to 2.845)), patients in rural (1.780 (1.731 to 1.829)) and from Ningxia (1.221 (1.078 to 1.385)). Cumulative exposures increased the HRs of PM2.5-related mortality, while greater greenness flattened the risk with HRs reduced in 0.188–0.194 on average.

Conclusions

Individuals with MDR-TB could benefit from greenness by having attenuated associations between PM2.5and mortality. Improving greener space and air quality may contribute to lower the risk of mortality from TB/MDR-TB and other diseases.
Performance of QuantiFERON-TBGold Plus assays in children and adolescents at risk of tuberculosis: a cross-sectional multicentre study
Authors: Soler-Garcia Aleix , Gamell Anna , Pérez-Porcuna Tomàs , Soriano-Arandes Antonio , Santiago Begoña , Tórtola Teresa , Ruiz-Serrano María Jesús , Korta Murua José Javier , Bustillo-Alonso Matilde , Garrote-Llanos María Isabel , Rodríguez-Molino Paula , Piqueras Ana Isabel , Tagarro Alfredo , Monsonís Manuel , Tebruegge Marc , Noguera-Julian Antoni
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The QuantiFERON-TBGold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay, which features two antigen-stimulated tubes (TB1 and TB2) instead of a single tube used in previous-generation interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), was launched in 2016. Despite this, data regarding the assay’s performance in the paediatric setting remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the performance of QFT-Plus in a large cohort of children and adolescents at risk of tuberculosis (TB) in a low-burden setting.

Methods

Cross-sectional, multicentre study at healthcare institutions participating in the Spanish Paediatric TB Research Network, including patients <18 years who had a QFT-Plus performed between September 2016 and June 2020.

Results

Of 1726 patients (52.8% male, median age: 8.4 years), 260 (15.1%) underwent testing during contact tracing, 288 (16.7%) on clinical/radiological suspicion of tuberculosis disease (TBD), 649 (37.6%) during new-entrant migrant screening and 529 (30.6%) prior to initiation of immunosuppressive treatment. Overall, the sensitivity of QFT-Plus for TBD (n=189) and for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI, n=195) was 83.6% and 68.2%, respectively. The agreement between QFT-Plus TB1 and TB2 antigen tubes was excellent (98.9%, κ=0.961). Only five (2.5%) patients with TBD had discordance between TB1 and TB2 results (TB1+/TB2−, n=2; TB1−/TB2+, n=3). Indeterminate assay results (n=54, 3.1%) were associated with young age, lymphopenia and elevated C reactive protein concentrations.

Conclusions

Our non-comparative study indicates that QFT-Plus does not have greater sensitivity than previous-generation IGRAs in children in both TBD and LTBI. In TBD, the addition of the second antigen tube, TB2, does not enhance the assay’s performance substantially.
Blood withdrawal acutely impairs cardiac filling, output and aerobic capacity in proportion to induced hypovolemia in middle-aged and older women
Authors: Diaz-Canestro Candela , Pentz Brandon , Sehgal Arshia , Montero David
Published: December 2021

Blood donation entails acute reductions of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy men. Whether these effects can be extrapolated to blood donor populations comprising women remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the acute impact of blood withdrawal on cardiac function, central hemodynamics and aerobic capacity in women throughout the mature adult lifespan. Transthoracic echocardiography and O2 uptake were assessed at rest and throughout incremental exercise (cycle ergometry) in healthy women (n = 30, age: 47–77 yr). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q̇) and peak O2 uptake (V̇O2peak), and blood volume (BV) were determined with established methods. Measurements were repeated following a 10% reduction of BV within a week period. Individuals were non-smokers, non-obese and moderately fit (V̇O2peak = 31.4 ± 7.3 mL·min–1·kg–1). Hematocrit and BV ranged from 38.0 to 44.8% and from 3.8 to 6.6 L, respectively. The standard 10% reduction in BV resulted in 0.5 ± 0.1 L withdrawal of blood, which did not alter hematocrit (P = 0.953). Blood withdrawal substantially reduced cardiac LVEDV and SV at rest as well as during incremental exercise (≥10% decrements, P ≤ 0.009). Peak Q̇ was proportionally decreased after blood withdrawal (P < 0.001). Blood withdrawal induced a 10% decrement in V̇O2peak (P < 0.001). In conclusion, blood withdrawal impairs cardiac filling, Q̇ and aerobic capacity in proportion to the magnitude of hypovolemia in healthy mature women.

Novelty: The filling of the heart and therefore cardiac output are impaired by blood withdrawal in women. Oxygen delivery and aerobic capacity are reduced in proportion to blood withdrawal.
A preliminary investigation of the lichen biota associated with recently deglaciated terrain in southeastern Alaska
Authors: Fryday Alan M. , Dillman Karen L.
Published: December 2021

Glaciers worldwide are currently retreating at unprecedented rates, revealing large tracts of newly exposed rock and till. We present the results of a preliminary, qualitative investigation of the lichen diversity of transient habitats near three glaciers in southeastern Alaska: Muir Glacier within Glacier Bay National Park, and Baird and Patterson Glaciers in the Tongass National Forest. This work is noteworthy as it (i) documents previously undescribed lichen species and communities within rapidly changing glacier habitats, (ii) illustrates the importance of cryptogams (lichens, bryophytes, algae, and cyanobacteria) in the primary colonization of recently deglaciated terrain, (iii) sets apart the lichen biota of recently deglaciated terrain in southeastern Alaska from that of other glacial regions worldwide (e.g., the European Alps, Svalbard, and southern South America) and even other parts of Alaska (e.g., Brooks Range), and (iv) emphasizes the importance of more lichen studies that focus on this rapidly changing habitat. The lichen biotas found at different successional stages near these glaciers are described and compared. The role of lichens and other cryptogams in post-glacial vegetation initiation, the threats to the lichen biota, and suggestions for the possible origins of the lichen propagules that colonize these newly exposed surfaces are also discussed.
Leaf ontogenesis of Trembleya phlogiformis DC. (Microlicieae, Melastomataceae): functional aspects and indumentum characterization
Authors: Lima Jamile Fernandes , Silva Kleber Resende , Simão Daniela Guimarães , Kuster Vinícius Coelho , Oliveira Denis Coelho
Published: December 2021

Leaf ontogenesis is imperative for the establishment and regulation of its structural and functional properties, in addition to being an excellent tool for assigning specimens to different groups of angiosperms. Even though the importance of leaf morphology and anatomy for taxonomic use is well known, few studies have addressed the processes of leaf ontogeny in Melastomataceae. Herein, we sought to define the ontogenetic steps of leaves of Trembleya phlogiformis DC., highlighting the indumentum, to understand the main functional traits. Shoot apex, young, and fully expanded leaves were processed by typical light microscopy procedures. At the first node, leaf primordia are densely covered with trichomes and emergences. The adaxial layer of ground meristem gives rise to the palisade parenchyma, the procambium originates from median layers of ground meristem, and the spongy parenchyma develops from abaxial layers of ground meristem. The differentiation of isobilateral mesophyll on leaves of T. phlogiformis, a common feature in Microlicieae, comes from ground meristem stratification. However, T. phlogiformis stands out by showing cells with irregular shapes in the leaf mature spongy parenchyma. The leaf ontogeny reveals distinct mechanisms of cell differentiation and may be important for the establishment of functional adaptive traits.
Why do we monitor? Using seabird eggs to track trends in Arctic environmental contamination
Authors: Bianchini Kristin , Mallory Mark L. , Braune Birgit M. , Muir Derek C.G. , Provencher Jennifer F.
Published: December 2021

Contaminant levels and trends have been monitored in the eggs of seabirds from the Canadian Arctic since 1975. Nearly 50 years of monitoring have provided key information regarding the temporal and spatial variation of various contaminant classes in different seabird species. However, previous work has primarily assessed individual or related contaminant classes in isolation. There is therefore a need to collectively consider all of the contaminants monitored in seabird eggs to determine where monitoring has been successful, to find areas for improvement, and to identify opportunities for future research. In this review, we evaluated monitoring data for the major legacy and emerging contaminants of concern in five seabird species from three High Arctic and three Low Arctic colonies in Canada. We review the history of Canada’s Arctic seabird egg monitoring program and discuss how monitoring efforts have changed over time; we summarize temporal, spatial, and interspecies variations in Arctic seabird egg contamination and identify important knowledge gaps; and, we discuss future directions for ecotoxicology research using seabird eggs in Arctic Canada. Ultimately, this paper provides a high-level overview of the egg contaminant monitoring program and underscores the importance of long-term and continued seabird contaminant monitoring in Arctic Canada.
Controlling Infectious Diseases: The Decisive Phase Effect on a Seasonal Vaccination Strategy
Authors: Duarte Jorge , Januário Cristina , Martins Nuno , Seoane Jesús M. , Sanjuán Miguel A. F.
Published: December 2021

The study of epidemiological systems has generated deep interest in exploring the dynamical complexity of common infectious diseases driven by seasonally varying contact rates. Mathematical modeling and field observations have shown that, under seasonal variation, the incidence rates of some endemic infectious diseases fluctuate dramatically and the dynamics is often characterized by chaotic oscillations in the absence of specific vaccination programs. In fact, the existence of chaotic behavior has been precisely stated in the literature as a noticeable feature in the dynamics of the classical Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) seasonally forced epidemic model. However, in the context of epidemiology, chaos is often regarded as an undesirable phenomenon associated with the unpredictability of infectious diseases. As a consequence, the problem of converting chaotic motions into regular motions becomes particularly relevant. In this article, we consider the so-called phase control method applied to the seasonally forced SIR epidemic model to suppress chaos. Interestingly, this method of controlling chaos has a clear meaning as a weak perturbation on a seasonal vaccination strategy. Numerical simulations show that the phase difference between the two periodic forces — contact rate and vaccination — plays a very important role in controlling chaos.
On hyperelliptic Euclidean 3-manifolds
Authors: Mednykh A. D. , Vuong B.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we study closed orientable Euclidean manifolds which are also known as flat three-dimensional manifolds or just Euclidean 3-forms. Up to homeomorphism, there are six of them. The first one is the three-dimensional torus. In 1972, Fox showed that the 3-torus is not a double branched covering of the 3-sphere. So, it is not a hyperelliptic manifold. In this paper, we show that all the remaining Euclidean 3-forms are hyperelliptic manifolds.