bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AGE AND SITE DIFFERENCES IN PLANNED AND PERFORMED ACTIONS IN RESPONSE TO IDENTIFIED RISKS IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Finkel Deborah , Johansson Linda , Westerlind Björn , Lindmark Ulrika , Ernsth-Bravell Marie
Published: December 2022

The Swedish health care system focuses on allowing older adults to “age in place”; however, that approach assumes that home health services are adequate to support health and prevent unnecessary decline. Data from the Senior Alert national quality register in Sweden were examined to compare the quality of care across care locations. First registration in Senior Alert was available for 2914 adults aged 57–109 (median age = 81): 3.6% dementia unit, 7.8% home health care, 4.4% rehabilitation unit, 62.8% hospital, 21.4% care home. There were significant differences across units in the number of identified risks in 4 categories: falls, malnutrition, oral health, and pressure ulcer. Individuals in rehabilitation units averaged 2.4 risks, individuals in dementia and care homes averaged 2.0 risks, and individuals in home health care and hospitals averaged 1.4 risks. For individuals with identified risks, the differences between planned and performed actions for each risk independently were greatest for those in home health care. Moreover, the correlation between total planned and performed actions in home health care was .79 for adults aged 65–80 years and .39 for adults aged 81 and over. The correlation did not differ across age for the other care units. Results suggest that individuals most in need of actions to address health risks (older adults in home health care) are least likely to have the actions performed. Training and support of workers responsible for home health care need to be improved if the “age in place” policy is to continue.
LIKELIHOOD OF ADOPTION OF CAREMOBI: ADDRESSING COMMUNICATION GAPS BETWEEN ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTERS AND PRIMARY CARE
Authors: Ali Zuha , Sadarangani Tina
Published: December 2022

Adult Day Health Centers (ADHC) are non-residential congregate facilities that serve 250,000 cognitively and functionally impaired adults daily. These centers are effective platforms for chronic disease management and interdisciplinary care coordination, with serial observations on participants over multiple hours and days per week. However, previous research indicates that ADHCs experience challenges in communication with primary care providers (PCPs). This is because 92% of ADHCs lack interoperable EHRs (electronic health record systems) and do not have the financial and technical infrastructure to implement them. CareMOBI (Mhealth for Organizations to Bolster Interconnectedness) is a mobile application in development meant to streamline the information communication between ADHC, PCP, and family caregiver populations. The purpose of this study was to understand the likelihood of adoption of CareMOBI by primary care providers. Demographics of the study included 87.50% female and 12.5% male primary care providers with a median age of 38 years. Participants were recruited through parallel convergent design, and data was merged into a matrix defined by 4 major themes: perceived value in geriatric care, ease of use, fit within workflow, and likelihood of adoption. The results revealed that a majority percentage of providers were likely to adopt the app, saw the app as valuable, and easy to use. In response to fit within a provider’s workflow, apprehensions surrounding interoperability arose. These apprehensions regarding interoperability are the most important to address through a user-centered approach and as the app is pilot tested into adult day health centers.
ASSESSING THE NIH TOOLBOX EMOTION BATTERY AMONG PEOPLE AGING WITH HIV AND WHO USE METHAMPHETAMINES
Authors: Bender Alexis , Cooper Hannah L F , Moore David , Perkins Molly , Haardoerfer Regine
Published: December 2022

Measurement of social relationships is challenging because constructs have dimensions that can be assessed at multiple levels. Consequently, researchers often operationalize social relationships differently, making it difficult to compare results with the same outcome across studies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) commissioned the Toolbox Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function to create a set of harmonized measures to use across studies. The NIH Toolbox-Emotions Battery (NIHTB-EB) was normed in English and Spanish-speaking populations, which found support for a three-factor structure (negative affect, social satisfaction, and psychological well-being). Here we investigated the factor structure of the NIHTB-EB among a sample of 862 people aged 17 to 82 with and without HIV and methamphetamine use in comparison to the factor structure found in the NIH Toolbox norming project. Initial confirmatory factor analysis did not support the three-factor structure identified previously for the full sample or subsamples. Subsequent exploratory factor analyses showed a good model fit for a four-factor solution for the full sample, with slight variations in factor loading across subgroups. In addition to the three factors described in the norming project, our solution contains an additional factor, “rejection and hostility,” which includes scores from social satisfaction and negative affect in the normative population. The four-factor solution will be utilized for subsequent analyses using the NIHTB-EB in these study samples. Our analyses highlight the importance of assessing measures in distinct sub-populations to understand possible challenges to measurement invariance and ultimately allow the use of NIHTB-EB across groups.
LONELINESS IN LGBTQIA+ OLDER ADULTS: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Bowers Katherine , Carpenter Joan , Thornton Marleen , Fetting Hannah , Johnson Erin
Published: December 2022

Loneliness in older adulthood is responsible for poor mental and physical health, cognitive decline, and early mortality. Older adults in the LGBTQIA+ community experience additional layers of vulnerability, such as discrimination, higher rates of childlessness, health inequity, and economic disparity that place them at high risk for loneliness. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the existing literature on loneliness in LGBTQIA+ older adults and identify knowledge gaps to inform future research recommendations. Using the Arskey & O’Malley methodological framework, our team searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar using keywords related to older adults, sexual and gender minorities, and loneliness. We identified 61 articles from 1980 to 2022. Most of the research in this literature reflected studies using descriptive and qualitative approaches. Intervention studies were the least reported. One opinion piece is included. Initial findings highlight associations between discrimination and loneliness, poor mental health and loneliness, the challenges of HIV in older adulthood and loneliness, and loneliness experienced in caregiving and end of life in LGBTQIA+ older adults. Importantly, many studies emphasized the protective nature of strong social support and community ties against loneliness. Equally, the literature suggests that limited social support is a significant risk factor for loneliness in this population. Older gender non-binary and LGBTQIA+ people of color were underrepresented in many studies. Future research should include intervention research that targets loneliness in this population as well as studies focused on understanding loneliness more comprehensively in underrepresented LGBTQIA+ older adults.
HEALTH INFLUENCES OF UNIQUE AND INTERSECTING IDENTITIES: AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND RACE
Authors: Bernstein Laura , Patrick Julie
Published: December 2022

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults are an understudied group with limited research using nationally representative samples. Although there are known physical health disparities based on age, sexual orientation, and race, the effects of intersecting identities have not been fully examined. We were interested in how these identities individually influence health and whether they interact to effect physical health. Using the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (M age = 54.30, SD = 17.52), we examined whether sexual orientation was related to the number of poor physical health days experienced and whether that relation was moderated by age and race. The overall model was significant (F (5, 223356) = 511.86, p < .001, R2 = .0113). Significant direct effects of sexual orientation and race emerged, but these were qualified by a significant sexual orientation by race interaction (b = -.09) A significant main effect emerged for age (b = 1.08) but the sexual orientation by age interaction failed to reach significance. There was a significant three-way interaction between age, race, and sexual orientation (F (2, 223356) = 6.34, p < .01). Investigation into the means found that multiracial adults tend to report more poor health days than White, Black, or Hispanic adults, except for bisexual older and younger adults. These results highlight the importance of examining intersecting identities when trying to understand health disparities across the lifespan. Understanding how these identities interact helps to identify specific barriers these groups face and ultimately improve health equity, specifically in an aging population.
COMORBIDITIES ASSOCIATED WITH RISK OF MYOCARDITIS IN HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Crawford Andrew , Redondo Andres , Zadeh Ali Vaeli , Wong Alan , Carrero Ricardo Criado , Fleischhacker Alexander , Collado Elias , Larned Joshua
Published: December 2022

Background

Older adults are afflicted more severely by COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 can be complicated by myocarditis (MC), and the incidence of MC has been shown to correlate linearly with severity. However, data on comorbidities associated with MC in this population is scarce.

Methods

Data were obtained from the PearlDiver database (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN). The study used ICD codes to include patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, aged 65–75, and Elixhauser Comorbidity index(ECI)>4. Within this cohort, we identified patients diagnosed with MC 60 days after admission and compared their baseline comorbidities upon admission to those without MC. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used to compare groups. The strength of association was reported by Risk Ratios (RR). A p-value < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results

412,582 patients admitted with COVID-19 as the primary diagnosis were identified. 0.12% of this cohort developed MC over the following 60 days. The MC group was more likely to be male(57%, p=0.0001), with similar mean age(70.4, p=0.86) and mean ECI(9.4, p=0.07) to the no-MC group. Patients who developed MC have significantly higher rates of prior heart failure(RR= 1.30, CI95%=1.07–1.57, p=0.008). There was no difference between groups in terms of history of arrhythmias(p=0.36), cerebrovascular disease(p=0.09), chronic kidney disease(p=0.13), CAD(P=0.19), diabetes(p=0.48), ischemic heart disease(p=0.06), tobacco use(p=0.39), alcohol use(p=0.17), HIV(p=0.79), and severe liver disease(p=0.14).

Conclusion

A history of heart failure increased the likelihood of developing MC in older adults.
OLDER ADULT CAREGIVERS’ THOUGHTS ON WOUND CARE RESOURCES
Authors: Swartzell Kristen , Fulton Janet , Von Gaudecker Jane
Published: December 2022

As healthcare increasingly shifts to home and community-based settings, informal caregiver responsibilities are increasing beyond assistance with activities of daily living to include complex care procedures previously performed by licensed caregivers in clinical settings. With an aging population, increasing numbers of older adults are assuming a caregiving role and these older adult caregivers are performing complex care procedures such as wound care. The negative physical and mental health consequences of caregiving for older adult caregivers are well documented in the literature. However, access to and use of resources are associated with better physical and mental health. Past research on caregiving resources has utilized pre-determined resource variables. Little is known about older adult caregivers’ salient thoughts on resources important to caregiving and performing complex care procedures. This study utilized thematic analysis of qualitative interview data to identify themes and patterns related to resources as described by older adult caregivers. The following seven themes related to resources needed or utilized were identified: 1) expert guidance from healthcare professionals; 2) written instructions; 3) relationships with healthcare professionals for obtaining wound care supplies; 4) additional durable medical equipment; 5) financial resources; 6) coverage for caregiver personal time; and 7) select persons for social and emotional support. Older adult caregivers need and use a variety of resources when providing wound care. As increasing numbers of older adults choose to ‘age in place’, the importance of adequate resources to sustain care recipients and their caregivers in the home setting is critical.
A LIVE ONLINE EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS’ IMPROVED DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: A PILOT RCT
Authors: Coletta Giulia , McQuarrie Angelica , Delvecchio Julia , Bochnak Paula , Griffin Meridith , Tang Ada , Phillips Stuart
Published: December 2022

Exercise improves mental health and effectively alleviates cognitive and physical declines. Unfortunately, engagement in physical activity decreases as individuals age and this was likely exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New technologies to deliver live online home-based group exercise classes may help mitigate mental and physical health declines in older adults while maintaining social connectivity. We evaluated the feasibility of an age-appropriate and ability-modified at-home exercise program via live video stream. The impact on loneliness, anxiety, and depression in older adults were exploratory outcomes. In this two-arm pilot RCT, we randomly assigned sedentary community-dwelling adults (65-80 years) to a waitlist control (CON) or an active group (ACTIVE) of thrice-weekly, 8-wk online live exercise program delivered via Zoom by trained exercise professionals. Attendance was recorded, and participant satisfaction to ACTIVE was assessed. Pre- and post-intervention loneliness, anxiety, and depression were collected using the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). 32 participants were randomized (ACTIVE: n=16, mean age 70 ± 4, 69% women, 30 ± 5 kg/m2; CON: n=16, mean age 71 ± 5; 88% women; 29 ± 5 kg/m2). Attendance to online classes was >80% and all ACTIVE participants reported being satisfied with the exercise sessions. There was no intervention effect compared to CON on loneliness and anxiety. An effect of the intervention was observed for depression (ACTIVE: -1.94; CON: -0.07; p=0.015). We demonstrated good feasibility, satisfaction, and preliminary efficacy of a live online exercise program on older adults’ mental health.
Mechanisms by Which Cultural-Centric Narrative Influences Interest in ADRD Research Among African American Adults
Authors: Lingler Jennifer H , Ren Dianxu , Tamres Lisa K , Knox Melissa L , Mbawuike Uchenna , Williams Ishan C , Robinson Renã A S , Cameron Judy L , Terry Melita H , Garrett Marita
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Insufficient ethnoracial diversity is a pervasive challenge in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. The Recruitment Innovations for Diversity Enhancement (RIDE) is grounded in the premise that culturally informed narratives of research participation can inspire individuals from a given culture-sharing group to consider research enrollment. This study examines factors associated with interest in AD research among Black or African American adults following exposure to RIDE narrative campaign materials.

Research Design and Methods

A community-based sample of 500 Black or African American adults viewed RIDE narrative materials online and completed a survey of perceptions about research, AD risk, and likelihood of enrolling in AD research. Logistic regression examined predictors and mediators of self-reported likelihood of participating in AD research.

Results

Most (72%) participants reported interest in being contacted for AD research opportunities. After controlling for key variables, prior experience with clinical research and trust in medical researchers emerged as independent predictors of likelihood of enrolling in AD research. Perceived burden of AD research partially mediated the effects of prior research experience and trust on likelihood of enrollment. Perceived benefits of AD research also played a mediating role, accounting for over one third of the effect of trust on likelihood of enrollment.

Discussion and Implications

This study advances the field’s understanding of how narrative may function to enhance diversity in AD research. Findings suggest that participant narratives should address experiences regarding the burdens and potential benefits of AD research participation as these factors may influence decisions leading to subsequent research enrollment.
Laboratory Codes in Nomenclature and Scientific Communication (Advancing Organism Nomenclature in Scientific Communication to Improve Research Reporting and Reproducibility)
Authors: Brayton Cory F
Published: December 2022

Laboratory registration codes, also known as laboratory codes or lab codes, are a key element in standardized laboratory animal and genetic nomenclature. As such they are critical to accurate scientific communication and to research reproducibility and integrity. The original committee on Mouse Genetic Nomenclature published nomenclature conventions for mice genetics in 1940, and then conventions for inbred strains in 1952. Unique designations were needed, and have been in use since the 1950s, for the sources of animals and substrains, for the laboratories that identified new alleles or mutations, and then for developers of transgenes and induced mutations. Current laboratory codes are typically a 2- to 4-letter acronym for an institution or an investigator. Unique codes are assigned from the International Laboratory Code Registry, which was developed and is maintained by ILAR in the National Academies (National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine and previously National Academy of Sciences). As a resource for the global research community, the registry has been online since 1997. Since 2003 mouse and rat genetic and strain nomenclature rules have been reviewed and updated annually as a joint effort of the International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclature for Mice and the Rat Genome and Nomenclature Committee. The current nomenclature conventions (particularly conventions for non-inbred animals) are applicable beyond rodents, although not widely adopted. Ongoing recognition, since at least the 1930s, of the research relevance of genetic backgrounds and origins of animals, and of spontaneous and induced genetic variants speaks to the need for broader application of standardized nomenclature for animals in research, particularly given the increasing numbers and complexities of genetically modified swine, nonhuman primates, fish, and other species.
Amyloid deposition at the carotid artery in an ATTRwt amyloidosis patient: a case report
Authors: Ozaki Hirokazu , Mitsui Nobuyuki , Kinoshita Manabu , Tanino Mishie , Kimura Teruo
Published: December 2022

Systemic amyloidosis is a diseased condition where misfolded proteins deposit in various organs in the form of amyloids, and transthyretin deposition, termed ATTR amyloidosis, can be either an age-related amyloid formation from misfolded wild-type TTR (ATTRwt) or by hereditary TTR malfunction due to mutation in the TTR gene (ATTRv). Although ATTRwt amyloidosis can cause various diseases, such as cardiac failure, conduction disturbances, arrhythmias and carpal tunnel syndrome, it is still under-recognised considering its clinical significance. Here the authors report a case of ATTRwt amyloidosis leading to carotid stenosis requiring surgical intervention. To the best of our knowledge, the current report is the first that described histopathological evidence of amyloid deposition in the carotid artery due to ATTRwt amyloidosis.
Bowel perforation surgery due to fecal impaction immediately after hernia mesh surgery (TAPP)
Authors: Choi Jung Bum , Lee Byoung Chul , Han Jeong Hee , Noh Byeong Gwan , Park Jae Kyun , Park Young Mok , Jung Hyuk Jae , Jo Hong Jae
Published: December 2022

Inguinal hernia repair using prosthetic mesh is used as a standard treatment in most countries and considered superior to primary suture repair. Although prosthetic mesh has greatly reduced the risk of recurrence, the risk of mesh infection remains. A 71-year-old man was diagnosed with symptomatic bilateral inguinal hernias. He underwent successful laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and was discharged the same day. After 3 days, he was diagnosed with small bowel perforation, and underwent emergency surgery. We found perforation of the distal ileum caused by the fecal impaction and severe intra-abdominal contamination. We performed subtotal colectomy and ileosigmoid anastomosis, but did not remove the prosthetic mesh because the previous TAPP site was intact. The patient recovered well post-operatively. Therefore, contaminated or dirty surgery immediately after the hernia mesh surgery could be a feasible treatment.
Carbon and nitrogen remobilization during seed filling in Arabidopsis is strongly impaired in thepyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenasemutant
Authors: Dourmap Corentin , Marmagne Anne , Lebreton Sandrine , Clément Gilles , Guivarc’h Anne , Savouré Arnould , Masclaux-Daubresse Céline
Published: December 2022

Proline is an amino acid that is degraded in the mitochondria by the sequential action of proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase (P5CDH) to form glutamate. We investigated the phenotypes of Arabidopsis wild-type plants, the knockout prodh1 prodh2 double-mutant, and knockout p5cdh allelic mutants grown at low and high nitrate supplies. Surprisingly, only p5cdh presented lower seed yield and produced lighter seeds. Analyses of elements in above-ground organs revealed lower C concentrations in the p5cdh seeds. Determination of C, N, and dry matter partitioning among the above-ground organs revealed a major defect in stem-to-seed resource allocations in this mutant. Again surprisingly, defects in C, N, and biomass allocation to seeds dramatically increased in high-N conditions. 15N-labelling consistently confirmed the defect in N remobilization from the rosette and stem to seeds in p5cdh. Consequently, the p5cdh mutants produced morphologically abnormal, C-depleted seeds that displayed very low germination rates. The most striking result was the strong amplification of the N-remobilization defects in p5cdh under high nitrate supply, and interestingly this phenotype was not observed in the prodh1 prodh2 double-mutant irrespective of nitrate supply. This study reveals an essential role of P5CDH in carbon and nitrogen remobilization for reserve accumulation during seed development in Arabidopsis.
A rare case of POEMS syndrome presenting as essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Angeloudi Elena , Pappi Eleni , Liakos Aris , Mainou Maria , Vlachaki Efthymia , Bekiari Eleni
Published: December 2022

Polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes (POEMS) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, and its diagnosis is based on a series of clinical and laboratory findings. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman who was previously diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia. The patient complained about dyspnea on exertion, nausea, burning of the lower limbs, weight loss, recurrent episodes of lower back pain and polymenorrhea. Physical examination revealed hyperpigmentation, livedo reticularis of the lower limbs, sclerodermoid changes and plectrodactyly. A computed tomography-guided bone biopsy revealed the presence of plasmacytoma, and based on a combination of clinical features such as polyneuropathy, a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome has been established. The diagnosis of POEMS syndrome demands a high index of suspicion, especially in cases of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral edema or organomegaly of unknown origin. Since the syndrome can be fatal, early diagnosis is pivotal for patients’ survival and quality of life.
Subcutaneous-implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead dislodgement in a juvenile catecholamine-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia patient
Authors: Miyoshi Miwa , Saeki Hajime , Arita Yo , Iida Yoshinori , Fukui Tomoki , Yamamoto Shohei , Shichijo Kana , Suetani Yuto , Hirose Kosuke , Kuramoto Miho , Ogasawara Nobuyuki
Published: December 2022

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a relatively rare inherited arrhythmic disease that causes sudden cardiac death, and is caused by mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) or sarcoplasmic reticulum protein calsequestrin 2 gene (CASQ2). A 16-year-old man was diagnosed with CPVT and was implanted with a Subcutaneous-implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (S-ICD), but defibrillation electrode detachment occurred early after placement. We suspected that a two-incision technique was the possible cause. We also report on changes in surface ECG in remote monitoring of the device.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE 

Although two-incision techniques are becoming the mainstream method of S-ICD implantation, we should consider that the three-incision technique may be advantageous in highly active patients.

Remote monitoring may also be useful for early detection of S-ICD dislodgement.
Herpes zoster infection after rituximab induction therapy in patient with myeloperoxidase-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis: a case report
Authors: Chang Ho-Hsiang , Chen Hsuan , Lin Wei-Hung
Published: December 2022

Induction treatment with rituximab—an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody—may increase the risk of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in patients with antineutrophil-cytoplasmic-antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Our case report shows VZV reactivation following rituximab treatment in AAV patients. The recombinant zoster vaccine should be recommended before the start of induction treatment with rituximab.
Possible oral manifestation after vaccination against COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Heboyan Artak , Karobari Mohmed Isaqali , Marya Anand
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are not absolutely safe, and side effects might include oral manifestations, such as rash on the mucous membrane of the mouth and gingival hypertrophy. A 34-year-old male presented to the university dental clinic with malaise, high fever, weakness, tender gums, gingival hypertrophy, rashes on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and halitosis. Dental professionals must be able to identify and differentiate between lesions of different varieties. This manifestation may be a new feature that can be checked during the history recording and examination part of treatment for patients vaccinated against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus.
Obstructed Bochdalek hernia in an adult
Authors: Mohammed Salih , El-Basheir Hatim
Published: December 2022

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a common neonatal anomaly. Presentation beyond childhood, however, is rare. We report, here, the case of a woman in her 50s who presented with an acutely obstructed posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia. The initial physical exam and radiological results could have led to an erroneous diagnosis of pneumothorax. We wish to emphasize the importance of having a high index of suspicion for this condition when cases with similar gastro-respiratory symptoms are encountered.
Subclinical hyperthyroidism presenting with hypokalemic periodic paralysis in the emergency department
Authors: Kumar Nirdosh , Haider Sohaib , Tariq Anam , Afzal Sara
Published: December 2022

Subclinical hyperthyroidism (SH) is a condition in which blood levels of Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are normal in the presence of low levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Patients with SH have either no symptoms or mild nonspecific symptoms. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is one of the rare presentations of overt hyperthyroidism; however, only a few cases are reported to date to occur with SH. This case report presents a case of a young Asian male who was admitted to the emergency department (ED) with paralysis of the lower extremities that progressed to the upper extremities and neck muscles in 2 days. Clinically, he was euthyroid; however, his thyroid profile revealed normal levels of T3 and T4 with undetectable TSH levels. This case report aims to add to the limited literature on SH that presents with HPP in the ED.
Habitat connectivity and host relatedness influence virus spread across an urbanising landscape in a fragmentation-sensitive carnivore
Authors: Kozakiewicz Christopher P , Burridge Christopher P , Lee Justin S , Kraberger Simona J , Fountain-Jones Nicholas M , Fisher Robert N , Lyren Lisa M , Jennings Megan K , Riley Seth P D , Serieys Laurel E K , Craft Meggan E , Funk W Chris , Crooks Kevin R , VandeWoude Sue , Carver Scott
Published: December 2022

Spatially heterogeneous landscape factors such as urbanisation can have substantial effects on the severity and spread of wildlife diseases. However, research linking patterns of pathogen transmission to landscape features remains rare. Using a combination of phylogeographic and machine learning approaches, we tested the influence of landscape and host factors on feline immunodeficiency virus (FIVLru) genetic variation and spread among bobcats (Lynx rufus) sampled from coastal southern California. We found evidence for increased rates of FIVLru lineage spread through areas of higher vegetation density. Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation among FIVLru sequences was associated with host genetic distances and geographic location, with FIVLru genetic discontinuities precisely correlating with known urban barriers to host dispersal. An effect of forest land cover on FIVLru SNP variation was likely attributable to host population structure and differences in forest land cover between different populations. Taken together, these results suggest that the spread of FIVLru is constrained by large-scale urban barriers to host movement. Although urbanisation at fine spatial scales did not appear to directly influence virus transmission or spread, we found evidence that viruses transmit and spread more quickly through areas containing higher proportions of natural habitat. These multiple lines of evidence demonstrate how urbanisation can change patterns of contact-dependent pathogen transmission and provide insights into how continued urban development may influence the incidence and management of wildlife disease.
Assembly of Endophytic Communities of Setaria viridis Plants when Grown in Different Soils and Derived from Different Seeds
Authors: Escobar Rodríguez Carolina , Antonielli Livio , Mitter Birgit , Sessitsch Angela
Published: December 2022

The association of the plant microbiota is a successional process that starts with the seed and its intrinsic microbiota. The recently reported relevance of seeds as carriers of microbiota has encouraged investigations of the assembly of these communities in different tissues. Here, we address the contributions of both seed and soil bacterial microbiota in the assembly of communities within endospheres of adult plants by 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based Illumina sequencing. Surface-sterilized seeds of the model plant Setaria viridis were sown in sterile conditions and seedlings were transferred onto either their native soil or a foreign soil. Soil-derived bacterial colonizers contributed to the highest portion of endophytic microbiota, with varying community composition depending on the cultivation soil. In contrast, the contribution of seed microbiota in those of adult plants was less evident. Moreover, seedlings grown in their native soils resulted in plants with consistent endophytic assemblages, whereas a dramatic increase in variability was observed for rhizosphere and endophytic root communities of plants grown in foreign soils.
The Undergraduate to Graduate Medical Education Transition as a Systems Problem: A Root Cause Analysis
Authors: Swails Jennifer L. , Angus Steven , Barone Michael A. , Bienstock Jessica , Burk-Rafel Jesse , Roett Michelle A. , Hauer Karen E.
Published: December 2022

The transition from undergraduate medical education (UME) to graduate medical education (GME) constitutes a complex system with important implications for learner progression and patient safety. The transition is currently dysfunctional, requiring students and residency programs to spend significant time, money, and energy on the process. Applications and interviews continue to increase despite stable match rates. Although many in the medical community acknowledge the problems with the UME-GME transition and learners have called for prompt action to address these concerns, the underlying causes are complex and have defied easy fixes. This article describes the work of the Coalition for Physician Accountability’s Undergraduate Medical Education to Graduate Medical Education Review Committee (UGRC) to apply a quality improvement approach and systems thinking to explore the underlying causes of dysfunction in the UME-GME transition. The UGRC performed a root cause analysis using the 5 whys and an Ishikawa (or fishbone) diagram to deeply explore problems in the UME-GME transition. The root causes of problems identified include culture, costs and limited resources, bias, systems, lack of standards, and lack of alignment. Using the principles of systems thinking (components, connections, and purpose), the UGRC considered interactions among the root causes and developed recommendations to improve the UME-GME transition. Several of the UGRC’s recommendations stemming from this work are explained. Sustained monitoring will be necessary to ensure interventions move the process forward to better serve applicants, programs, and the public good.
Comparing and Contrasting the Experiences of U.S. Medical Students During the COVID-19 and 1918 Influenza Pandemics
Authors: Harrison Noah J. , Schaffer Andrew J. , Brady Donald W.
Published: December 2022

In March 2020, medical students across the United States were pulled from their in-person responsibilities and learning in response to COVID-19. Leaders in the U.S. medical education system then began the arduous task of determining when, and how, to restore their full scope of training. This challenge was complicated by a paucity of readily available historical information about U.S. medical students in pandemics. To fill this knowledge gap, the authors collaborated with a medical history archivist to describe the experience of U.S. medical students during the 1918 influenza pandemic and compare it with the modern day. The experiences and responsibilities of medical students differed tremendously between the 2 pandemics. In 1918, U.S. medical students typically were conscripted into clinical service if they did not volunteer, assuming the roles of physicians, physician assistants, and nurses, often with atypically high levels of autonomy. Medical students were at great risk during the 1918 pandemic; multiple medical schools recorded students dying from influenza. In contrast, during the early COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. medical students were removed from the clinical environment, even if they wanted to volunteer, assuming ancillary roles instead. Upon returning to the clinical environment, most were not permitted to care for COVID-19 patients. The few medical students who recorded personal narratives about 1918 felt that caring for patients with influenza significantly influenced their growth and development as future physicians. One of the few things U.S. medical education had in common between the 1918 and COVID-19 pandemics was a lack of preparedness that impaired readiness and increased confusion among medical students. As U.S. medical education reflects on its response to COVID-19, the authors hope that their findings will provide context for future discussions and decisions about the role of medical students in pandemics.
Long-Term Exposure to Dust and Noise Can Increase the Risk of Hypertension—A Population Based, Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Guo Jianqiang , Liu Yafeng , Hu Chunxiao , Zhang Wenting , Zhou Jiawei , Wang Qingsen , Xing Yingru , Hu Dong , Wu Jing
Published: December 2022

Objective

The aim of the study is to assess whether occupational groups exposed to dust and noise increase their risk of developing hypertension and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods

Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influence of exposure factors on the occurrence of hypertension, and confounding factors were adjusted to identify independent effects. Stratified analysis and smoothed curve fitting were used to explore the effects in different populations.

Results

Combined dust + noise exposure significantly increased the risk of hypertension in workers (model 1: odds ratio [OR], 2.75; model 2: OR, 2.66; model 3: OR, 2.85). Further analysis showed that when exposed to dust and noise for more than 17 years, the risk of hypertension increased by 15%.

Conclusions

The combined exposure of dust and noise significantly increases the risk of hypertension among occupational groups, especially among workers who have worked for more than 17 years.
Synergistic antimicrobial effect of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide with rifampicin and vancomycin against SCCmec type IV Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: AlSaleh Abdullah , Shahid Mohammed , Farid Eman , Kamal Nermin , Bindayna Khalid
Published: December 2022

Background : MRSA is a pathogenic bacteria involved in a wide spectrum of human diseases. Many virulence factors promote this widespread propagation. One important factor is acquiring antibiotic resistance genes which leads to a reduction in availability and efficacy of therapy options. Recently, research suggests antioxidants remarkable antimicrobial effect against superbugs like MRSA, showing synergistic effect when accompanied by antimicrobial therapy. Henceforth, the article is aimed to examine the synergistic effect of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide with a panel of antibiotics used in antimicrobial therapy of MRSA.
Material and Methods: 2 SCC mec type IV MRSA reference strains (EMRSA-15 and USA300) and 10 MRSA clinical isolates were used in this article. SCC mec typing was conducted on the 10 clinical isolates via multiplex PCR after identification. Synergy experiments of antioxidants and antibiotics were evaluated via checkerboard assay. MIC of each agent was conducted in accordance with CLSI M100 guidelines through 2-fold microdilution assay.
Results and Discussion: synergy (FIC<0.5) was demonstrated for ascorbic acid (1/2-1/4 MIC) with rifampicin (1/2-1/8 MIC), also, 1/2 to 1/16 MIC of ascorbic acid when associated with vancomycin at 1/2 MIC. Similarly, nicotinamide (1/2-1/16 MIC) showed synergistic response when paired with low concentrations of rifampicin (1/2-1/16 MIC), also, when associating nicotinamide (1/4-1/16 MIC) with vancomycin (1/2 MIC). All reduced MICs due to synergistic combinations demonstrated statistical significance (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The synergistic activity demonstrated in associating antioxidants and antibiotics is a promising notion in managing superbugs. However, more research required to better understand the synergy mechanism and for utilization in clinical care.
Nocardiopsis eucommiae sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.
Authors: Mo Ping , Chen Yazhi , Zou Fumin , Zhou Jinhua , Zou Wansheng , Gao Jian
Published: December 2022

A novel Gram-stain-positive, endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain HDS5T, was isolated from leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. collected from Changde City, Hunan Province, PR China. Strain HDS5T produced yellowish oil green substrate mycelia on Gause’s synthetic medium, which also carried yellowish oil green aerial hyphae, fragmenting into rod-shaped elements with smooth surfaces. Strain HDS5T grew at pH 5.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 7), at 20–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0–8.0% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0–1.0 %). Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic amino acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and C18 : 1
ω9c. The menaquinones were MK-10(H2), MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6). Strain HDS5T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Nocardiopsis prasina

DSM 43845T (99.72 %),

Nocardiopsis ganjiahuensis

DSM 45031T (99.31 %),

Nocardiopsis exhalans

JCM 11759T (99.17 %),

Nocardiopsis alba

DSM 43377T (99.11 %),

Nocardiopsis metallicus

KBS6T (99.11 %),

Nocardiopsis valliformis

DSM 45023T (99.04 %),

Nocardiopsis listeri

NBRC 13360T (98.97 %),

Nocardiopsis lucentensis

DSM 44048T (98.83 %),

Nocardiopsis terrae

YIM 90022T (98.83 %) and <98.7 % similarities to other type strains. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and whole-genome sequences showed that strain HDS5T was closely related to

N. prasina

DSM 43845T. However, the average nucleotide identity based on blast and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between them were determined to be 90.1 and 40.9 %, respectively, below the threshold of 95–96 and 70 % for the delineation of prokaryotic genomic species, suggesting that strain HDS5T represents a novel

Nocardiopsis

species. Furthermore, the morphological and physio-biochemical characteristics were sufficient to distinguish strain HDS5T from

N. prasina

DSM 43845T. Consequently, based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain HDS5T represents a new

Nocardiopsis

species, for which the name Nocardiopsis eucommiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HDS5T (=MCCC 1K06172T=JCM 34707T).
A Bayesian network approach to assess the influence of climate change and pesticide use practices on the ecological risks of pesticides in a protected Mediterranean wetland
Authors: Martínez-Megías Claudia , Mentzel Sophie , Fuentes-Edfuf Yasser , Moe S. Jannicke , Rico Andreu
Published: December 2022

Pollution by agricultural pesticides is one of the most important pressures affecting Mediterranean coastal wetlands. Pesticide risks are expected to be influenced by climate change, which will result in an increase of temperatures and a decrease in annual precipitation rates in this region. On the other hand, pesticide dosages are expected to change given the increase in pest resistance and the implementation of environmental policies like the European ‘Farm-to-Fork’ strategy, which aims for a 50% reduction in pesticide usage by 2030. The influence of climate change and pesticide use practices on the ecological risks of pesticides needs to be evaluated making use of realistic environmental scenarios. This study aimed to assess how different climate change and pesticide use practices affect the ecological risks of pesticides in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain), a protected Mediterranean coastal wetland. We performed a probabilistic risk assessment for nine pesticides applied in rice production using scenarios comprised of three climatic regimes (the 2008 record, and projections for 2050 and 2100), three pesticide application regimes (the recommended dose, and 50% increase and 50% decrease), and their combinations. The scenarios were used to simulate pesticide exposure concentrations in the water column of the rice paddies using the RICEWQ model. Pesticide effects were characterized using acute and chronic Species Sensitivity Distributions built with laboratory toxicity data for aquatic organisms. Risk quotients were calculated as probability distributions making use of a Bayesian network approach, and best fitting distributions for the calculated exposure data and the SSDs. Our results show that future climate projections will influence exposure concentrations for some of the studied pesticides, yielding higher dissipation and lower exposure in scenarios dominated by an increase of temperatures, and higher exposure for scenarios in which heavy precipitation events occur after pesticide application. Our case study shows that pesticides such as azoxystrobin, difenoconazole and MCPA are posing high ecological risks for aquatic organisms, and that the implementation of the ‘Farm-to-Fork’ strategy is crucial to reduce them, although will need additional measures to eliminate them.
The development of the relationship between auditory and visual neural sensitivity and autonomic arousal from 6m to 12m
Authors: Daubney K. , Suata Z. , Marriott Haresign I. , Thomas M.S.C. , Kushnerenko E. , Wass S.V.
Published: December 2022

The differential sensitivity hypothesis argues that environmental sensitivity has the bivalent effect of predisposing individuals to both the risk-inducing and development-enhancing influences of early social environments,. However, the hypothesis requires that this variation in environmental sensitivity be general across domains. In this study, we focused on neural sensitivity and autonomic arousal to test domain generality. Neural sensitivity can be assessed by correlating measures of perceptual sensitivity, as indexed by event-related potentials (ERP) in electrophysiology. The sensitivity of autonomic arousal can be tested via heart rate changes. Domain generality was tested by comparing associations in perceptual sensitivity across auditory and visual domains, and associations between sensitivity in sensory domains and heart rate We contrasted ERP components in auditory (P3) and visual (P1, N290 and P4) detection-of-difference tasks for N=68 infants longitudinally at 6 and 12 months of age. Domain generality should produce correlated individual differences in sensitivity across the two modalities, with higher levels of autonomic arousal associating with increased perceptual sensitivity. Having controlled for multiple comparisons, at 6 months of age, the difference in amplitude of the P3 component evoked in response to standard and deviant tones correlated with the difference in amplitude of the P1 N290 and P4 face-sensitive components evoked in response to fearful and neutral faces. However, this correlation was not found at 12 months of age. Similarly, autonomic arousal negatively correlated with neural sensitivity at 6 months but not at 12 months. The results suggest neural perceptual sensitivity is domain-general across auditory and visual domains, and is related to autonomic arousal at 6 months but not at 12 months of age. We interpret these findings within a neuroconstructivist framework and with respect to the concept of interactive specialisation. By 12 months of age, more experience of visual processing may have led to top-down endogenous attention mechanisms that process visual information in a way that no longer associates with auditory perceptual sensitivity.