bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent Size Expansions and Intron Proliferation in Red Algal Plastid and Mitochondrial Genomes
Authors: van Beveren Fabian , Eme Laura , López-García Purificación , Ciobanu Maria , Moreira David
Published: March 2022

Proliferation of selfish genetic elements has led to significant genome size expansion in plastid and mitochondrial genomes of various eukaryotic lineages. Within the red algae, such expansion events are only known in the plastid genomes of the Proteorhodophytina, a highly diverse group of mesophilic microalgae. By contrast, they have never been described in the much understudied red algal mitochondrial genomes. Therefore, it remains unclear how widespread such organellar genome expansion events are in this eukaryotic phylum. Here, we describe new mitochondrial and plastid genomes from 25 red algal species, thereby substantially expanding the amount of organellar sequence data available, especially for Proteorhodophytina, and show that genome expansions are common in this group. We confirm that large plastid genomes are limited to the classes Rhodellophyceae and Porphyridiophyceae, which, in part, are caused by lineage-specific expansion events. Independently expanded mitochondrial genomes—up to three times larger than typical red algal mitogenomes—occur across Proteorhodophytina classes and a large shift toward high GC content occurred in the Stylonematophyceae. Although intron proliferation is the main cause of plastid and mitochondrial genome expansion in red algae, we do not observe recent intron transfer between different organelles. Phylogenomic analyses of mitochondrial and plastid genes from our expanded taxon sampling yielded well-resolved phylogenies of red algae with strong support for the monophyly of Proteorhodophytina. Our work shows that organellar genomes followed different evolutionary dynamics across red algal lineages.
Excess mortality in Israel associated with COVID-19 in 2020–2021 by age group and with estimates based on daily mortality patterns in 2000–2019
Authors: Peretz Chava , Rotem Naama , Keinan-Boker Lital , Furshpan Avner , Green Manfred , Bitan Michal , Steinberg David M
Published: March 2022

Background

We aimed to build a basic daily mortality curve in Israel based on 20-year data accounting for long-term and annual trends, influenza-like illness (ILI) and climate factors among others, and to use the basic curve to estimate excess mortality during 65 weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021 stratified by age groups.

Methods

Using daily mortality counts for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2019, weekly ILI counts, daily climate and yearly population sizes, we fitted a quasi-Poisson model that included other temporal covariates (a smooth yearly trend, season, day of week) to define a basic mortality curve. Excess mortality was calculated as the difference between the observed and expected deaths on a weekly and periodic level. Analyses were stratified by age group.

Results

Between 23 March 2020 and 28 March 2021, a total of 51 361 deaths were reported in Israel, which was 12% higher than the expected number for the same period (expected 45 756 deaths; 95% prediction interval, 45 325–46 188; excess deaths, 5605). In the same period, the number of COVID-19 deaths was 6135 (12% of all observed deaths), 9.5% larger than the estimated excess mortality. Stratification by age group yielded a heterogeneous age-dependent pattern. Whereas in ages 90+ years (11% excess), 100% of excess mortality was attributed to COVID-19, in ages 70–79 years there was a greater excess (21%) with only 82% attributed to COVID-19. In ages 60–69 and 20–59 years, excess mortality was 14% and 10%, respectively, and the number of COVID-19 deaths was higher than the excess mortality. In ages 0–19 years, we found 19% fewer deaths than expected.

Conclusion

The findings of an age-dependent pattern of excess mortality may be related to indirect pathways in mortality risk, specifically in ages <80 years, and to the implementation of the lockdown policies, specifically in ages 0–19 years with lower deaths than expected.
Nonlinear dimension reduction for surrogate modeling using gradient information
Authors: Bigoni Daniele , Marzouk Youssef , Prieur Clémentine , Zahm Olivier
Published: March 2022

We introduce a method for the nonlinear dimension reduction of a high-dimensional function $u:{\mathbb{R}}^d\rightarrow{\mathbb{R}}$, $d\gg 1$. Our objective is to identify a nonlinear feature map $g:{\mathbb{R}}^d\rightarrow{\mathbb{R}}^m$, with a prescribed intermediate dimension $m\ll d$, so that $u$ can be well approximated by $f\circ g$ for some profile function $f:{\mathbb{R}}^m\rightarrow{\mathbb{R}}$. We propose to build the feature map by aligning the Jacobian $\nabla g$ with the gradient $\nabla u$, and we theoretically analyze the properties of the resulting $g$. Once $g$ is built, we construct $f$ by solving a gradient-enhanced least squares problem. Our practical algorithm uses a sample $\{{\textbf{x}}^{(i)},u({\textbf{x}}^{(i)}),\nabla u({\textbf{x}}^{(i)})\}_{i=1}^N$ and builds both $g$ and $f$ on adaptive downward-closed polynomial spaces, using cross validation to avoid overfitting. We numerically evaluate the performance of our algorithm across different benchmarks, and explore the impact of the intermediate dimension $m$. We show that building a nonlinear feature map $g$ can permit more accurate approximation of $u$ than a linear $g$, for the same input data set.
Factors associated with tungiasis among school-age children in Kwale County, rural Kenya
Authors: Mwai Judy , Nyole Diana , Abdi Mohamed H , Omogi Jarim
Published: March 2022

Background

The parasitic disease tungiasis, caused by the flea Tunga penetrans, remains an important public health problem among children and the elderly. The study assessed the factors influencing prevention and control of tungiasis infection among school-age children in Kwale County, Kenya.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in five villages in Lunga Lunga subcounty among 538 children ages 5–14 y. The study employed a mobile application tool in collecting sociodemographic, knowledge, perception and practice data on prevention and control of tungiasis with frequencies and bivariate and multivariate regression analysis used.

Results

The prevalence of tungiasis was found to be 62.1% (328/528), with fathers’ education level, place of residence and wearing shoes being factors associated with infection. Those who wore shoes were less likely to be infected compared with those who did not (odds ratio 0.059 [95% confidence interval 0.29 to 0.12]). Children living in Dzombo B and Kinyungu were less likely to be infected with tungiasis compared with those living in Bandu, holding other factors constant.

Conclusion

Creating awareness of the cause of tungiasis remains of key public importance. Hygiene promotion, including wearing of shoes and the general cleanliness of the environment at the community level, needs to be implemented.
Developing a COVID-19 WHO Clinical Progression Scale inpatient database from electronic health record data
Authors: Ramaswamy Priya , Gong Jen J , Saleh Sameh N , McDonald Samuel A , Blumberg Seth , Medford Richard J , Liu Xinran
Published: March 2022

Objective

There is a need for a systematic method to implement the World Health Organization’s Clinical Progression Scale (WHO-CPS), an ordinal clinical severity score for coronavirus disease 2019 patients, to electronic health record (EHR) data. We discuss our process of developing guiding principles mapping EHR data to WHO-CPS scores across multiple institutions.

Materials and Methods

Using WHO-CPS as a guideline, we developed the technical blueprint to map EHR data to ordinal clinical severity scores. We applied our approach to data from 2 medical centers.

Results

Our method was able to classify clinical severity for 100% of patient days for 2756 patient encounters across 2 institutions.

Discussion

Implementing new clinical scales can be challenging; strong understanding of health system data architecture was integral to meet the clinical intentions of the WHO-CPS.

Conclusion

We describe a detailed blueprint for how to apply the WHO-CPS scale to patient data from the EHR.
In or out of the game? Exploring the perseverance of female managers leaving consultancy and its implications
Authors: Taminiau Yvette , Teelken Christine , Berkhof Nina , Kuyt Tjarda
Published: March 2022

In the Big 4 accountancy/consultancy firms, many female consultants leave their organization at the (senior) management level. Based on 31 in-depth interviews with Dutch consultants and alumni consultants at various senior levels, we analyzed the main reasons why women leave before reaching the top of the organization, the so-called ‘leaking pipeline’. We found two main reasons for female consultants to drop out. First, at manager level, consultants are required to change their role and skillset, such as increasing their internal visibility (presenteeism) by self-promotion, strategies that evidently suit male consultants better, while secondly, the transition to a management function often coincides with a phase in which women start to have children. Since that period often coincides with reaching the function of (senior) manager, more women than men decide to leave the consultancy organizations, because they are not able to balance their work–life with further career progress. These outcomes are not new by themselves, but highlight once again the persistence of the promotion game, based on impression management and visibility. But what is new is that we discuss our findings critically, reflecting and contrasting this promotion game with the current needs of millennials with respect to work, career, and work–life balance. If this generation is not interested in ‘playing this game’, it means that the current HR policy of Big 4 accountancy/consultancy firms is obsolete. We propose a number of new approaches to reflect and reconsider this persistent problem.
Intrepid Spirit Centers: Considerations for Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves, and Retirees
Authors: Banaag Amanda , Korona-Bailey Jessica , Koehlmoos Tracey Pérez
Published: March 2022

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant concern to the military health system (MHS) and a signature wound of America’s current conflict. To address the influx of patients with military-related TBI, the Department of Defense has partnered with the Fisher Foundation and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to establish the National Intrepid Center of Excellence and satellite network of Intrepid Spirit Centers. The purpose of this study is to review the prevalence of disease and geographic density of TBI among active duty, National Guard, reservist, and retired military populations in order to inform decision-making around the development of additional Intrepid Spirit Centers.

Methods

We used the MHS Data Repository to perform a cross-sectional examination to assess the prevalence of TBI among active duty, National Guard, reservist, and retired military personnel from fiscal years (FY) 2016 to 2019. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics on patient demographics and the prevalence of TBI.

Results

We identified a total of 3,221,682 active duty, National Guard, reservists, and retired military personnel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps during FY 2016 to 2019; 59.5% were active duty personnel, 23.1% were Retirees, and 17.4% were National Guard and reservists. A total of 72,002 were found to have a TBI-related diagnosis. Texas, North Carolina, and California had the highest case counts for TBI. High prevalence of TBI was found in Bexar County, TX, Muscogee County, GA, Okaloosa County, FL, San Diego County, CA, and Virginia Beach City, VA.

Conclusions

Additional Intrepid Spirit Centers are warranted to better meet the needs of active duty, active and inactive National Guard and reservists, and retired military personnel in locations including San Antonio, TX, and Columbus, GA. These locations currently have the medical infrastructure necessary to facilitate the care of wounded warriors and return to duty ensuring the health of the Nation’s fighting force and veterans.
Overall Safety and Risks Associated with Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: A Literature Review
Authors: Anderson Kevin D , Rask Dawn M G , Bates Taylor J , Nuelle Julia A V
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Blood flow restriction therapy (BFRT) is used in scenarios ranging from muscle building in athletic performance to decreasing recovery time in postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation. The efficacy of BFRT for treating diseases has been increasingly researched; however, there has been less literature focused on establishing the safety of this therapy.

Materials and Methods

An extensive literature review pertaining to BFRT and any deleterious events related to its usage was completed by searching multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library using the terms “blood flow restriction therapy” or “KAATSU.”

Results

Ten case reports, five case series, two national surveys, two questionnaires, six randomized controlled studies, and one systematic review were included. A total of 1,672 individuals reported an adverse event following BFRT use out of 25,813 individuals. Commonly reported adverse events were numbness, dizziness, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and rhabdomyolysis. There were unique adverse effects of this therapy reported in individuals with comorbid conditions, such as hypertension and thoracic outlet syndrome, which included isolated cases of central retinal vein occlusion and Paget–Schroeder syndrome.

Conclusion

Blood flow restriction provides tremendous opportunity with a potential for accelerated exercise rehabilitation and injury prevention. This modality could be used in the military setting to help injured active duty personnel expeditiously return to deployable status. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to further support BFRT safety; however, from this literature review, it can be concluded that BFRT can be utilized safely in the proper patient population when administered by qualified professionals who have undergone the appropriate training.
The X-ray spectral-timing contribution of the stellar wind in the hard state of Cyg X-1
Authors: Lai E V , De Marco B , Zdziarski A A , Belloni T M , Mondal S , Uttley P , Grinberg V , Wilms J , Różańska A
Published: March 2022

The clumpy stellar wind from the companion star in high-mass X-ray binaries causes variable, partial absorption of the emission from the X-ray source. We studied XMM–Newton observations from a 7.22 d long monitoring campaign, in order to constrain the effects of the stellar wind on the short-time-scale X-ray spectral-timing properties of Cygnus X-1. We find these properties to change significantly in the presence of the wind. In particular, the longest sampled time-scales (corresponding to temporal frequencies of ν ∼ 0.1–1 Hz) reveal an enhancement of the fractional variability power, while on the shortest sampled time-scales (ν ∼ 1–10 Hz), the variability is suppressed. In addition, we observe a reduction (by up to a factor of ∼ 1.8) of the otherwise high coherence between soft and hard band light curves, as well as of the amplitude of the hard X-ray lags intrinsic to the X-ray continuum. The observed increase of low-frequency variability power can be explained in terms of variations of the wind column density as a consequence of motions of the intervening clumps. In this scenario (and assuming a terminal velocity of $v_{\infty }=2400\, {\rm km\ s^{-1}}$), we obtain an estimate of l ∼ 0.5–1.5 × 10−4R* for the average radial size of a clump. On the other hand, we suggest the behaviour at high frequencies to be due to scattering in an optically thicker medium, possibly formed by collision of the stellar wind with the edge of the disc.
Classification of core-collapse supernova explosions with learned dictionaries
Authors: Saiz-Pérez Ainara , Torres-Forné Alejandro , Font José A
Published: March 2022

Core-collapse supernovae (CCSNs) are a prime source of gravitational waves. Estimations of their typical frequencies make them perfect targets for the current network of advanced, ground-based detectors. A successful detection could potentially reveal the underlying explosion mechanism through the analysis of the waveform. This has been illustrated using the Supernova Model Evidence Extractor (SMEE), an algorithm based on principal component analysis and Bayesian model selection. Here, we present a complementary approach to SMEE based on (supervised) dictionary-learning and show that it is able to reconstruct and classify CCSN signals according to their morphology. Our waveform signals are obtained from (a) two publicly available catalogues built from numerical simulations of neutrino-driven (Mur) and magneto-rotational (Dim) CCSN explosions and (b) from a third ‘mock’ catalogue of simulated sine-Gaussian (SG) waveforms. All of these signals are injected into coloured Gaussian noise to simulate the background noise of Advanced LIGO in its broad-band configuration and scaled to a freely specifiable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We show that our approach correctly classifies signals from all three dictionaries. In particular, for SNR = 15–20, we obtain perfect matches for both Dim and SG signals and about 85 per cent true classifications for Mur signals. These results are comparable to those reported by SMEE for the same CCSN signals when those are injected in only one LIGO detector. We discuss the main limitations of our approach as well as possible improvements.
Mass segregation in the hyades cluster
Authors: Evans N Wyn , Oh Semyeong
Published: March 2022

Using the Gaia colour–magnitude diagram, we assign masses to a catalogue of 979 confirmed members of the Hyades cluster and tails. By fitting the cumulative mass profile, stars within the tidal radius have a Plummer-like profile with half-mass radius rh of 5.75 pc. The tails are extended with rh = 69.35 pc and fall off more slowly than Plummer with density proportional to distance−1.36. The cluster stars are separated into two groups at BP–RP = 2 or 0.56M⊙ to give a high mass (${\bar{M}} = 0.95 M_\odot$) and a low mass (${\bar{M}} = 0.32 M_\odot$) population. We show that: (i) the high mass population has a half-mass radius rh of 4.88 pc, whilst the low mass population has rh = 8.10 pc; (ii) despite the differences in spatial extent, the kinematics and binarity properties of the high and low mass populations are similar. They have isotropic velocity ellipsoids with mean 1d velocity dispersions σ of 0.427 and 0.415 km s−1, respectively. The dynamical state of the Hyades is far from energy equipartition ($\sigma \propto {\bar{M}}^{-1/2}$). We identify a new mass segregation instability for clusters with escape speed V. Populations with $V/\sigma \lesssim 2\sqrt{2}$ can never attain thermal equilibrium and equipartition. This regime encompasses many Galactic open and globular clusters. For the Hyades, there must be an outward energy flux of at least $9.5 \times 10^{-4} M_\odot \, {\rm km^2\, s^{-2} Myr^{-1}}$ to maintain its current configuration. The present mass-loss of 0.26M⊙Myr−1 due to tidal stripping by itself implies a substantial energy flow beyond the required magnitude.
XMM–Newton study of the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy
Authors: Saeedi Sara , Sasaki Manami
Published: March 2022

We analysed observations with XMM–Newton in the field of the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph). The aim of the study was the classification of X-ray binaries and accreting white dwarfs belonging to the Sculptor dSph. Using different methods of X-ray timing and spectral analyses, together with an extensive multiwavelength study of the optical and infrared counterparts of the X-ray sources, we classified the sources detected with XMM–Newton in the field of the Sculptor dSph. The long-term variability of the sources has been studied over two XMM–Newton observations. None of the members of the Sculptor dSph show significant long-term variability over these two observations. We also searched for periodicity and pulsation using the Lomb–Scargle and Rayleigh Z$^{2}_{n}$ techniques. No signals of pulsation or periodicity have been found for the X-ray sources. The results show the presence of a noticeable number of background X-ray sources in the field of this galaxy. We classified 43 sources as active galactic nuclei, galaxies, and galaxy candidates. Three Galactic foreground stars have been identified in the field of the Sculptor dSph, and one of them is an M-dwarf candidate. Moreover, we classified four symbiotic-star candidates and three quiescent low-mass X-ray binary candidates in the Sculptor dSph. The luminosity of these X-ray sources is ∼1033−35 erg s−1.
58 open clusters investigated with UBVRI andGaiaeDR3 data
Authors: Dias W S , Monteiro H , Caetano T , Hickel G , Alves G , Sacchi M , Lépine J R D , Amarinho N
Published: March 2022

We present the results of the investigation of 58 open clusters using UBVRI CCD photometry (Johnsons-Cousins system) and Gaia eDR3 data. The membership probability of the stars in the cluster’s field was determined from a maximum-likelihood method using Gaia eDR3 astrometric data. The fundamental parameters of the clusters were determined using a robust global optimization method to fit theoretical model isochrones to UBVRI ground-based and Gaia eDR3 photometric data, respectively. We estimated mean proper motion, mean parallax, and fundamental parameters considering the member stars for 25 clusters. Based on the high quality Gaia eDR3 data, the remaining objects of the sample were found to be likely not real. The real clusters are situated from 900 to 3000 pc with ages from about 6 Myr to 2.5 Gyr. The results of the distances and ages obtained for both independent sets of data are in agreement indicating that our method to determine distances and ages using GBP and GRPGaia eDR3 data is reliable.
3D hydrodynamic simulations for the formation of the Local Group satellite planes
Authors: Banik Indranil , Thies Ingo , Truelove Roy , Candlish Graeme , Famaey Benoit , Pawlowski Marcel S , Ibata Rodrigo , Kroupa Pavel
Published: March 2022

The existence of mutually correlated thin and rotating planes of satellite galaxies around both the Milky Way (MW) and Andromeda (M31) calls for an explanation. Previous work in Milgromian dynamics (MOND) indicated that a past MW–M31 encounter might have led to the formation of these satellite planes. We perform the first-ever hydrodynamical MOND simulation of the Local Group using phantom of ramses. We show that an MW–M31 encounter at z ≈ 1, with a perigalactic distance of about 80 kpc, can yield two disc galaxies at z = 0 oriented similarly to the observed galactic discs and separated similarly to the observed M31 distance. Importantly, the tidal debris are distributed in phase space similarly to the observed MW and M31 satellite planes, with the correct preferred orbital pole for both. The MW–M31 orbital geometry is consistent with the presently observed M31 proper motion despite this not being considered as a constraint when exploring the parameter space. The mass of the tidal debris around the MW and M31 at z = 0 compare well with the mass observed in their satellite systems. The remnant discs of the two galaxies have realistic radial scale lengths and velocity dispersions, and the simulation naturally produces a much hotter stellar disc in M31 than in the MW. However, reconciling this scenario with the ages of stellar populations in satellite galaxies would require that a higher fraction of stars previously formed in the outskirts of the progenitors ended up within the tidal debris, or that the MW–M31 interaction occurred at z > 1.
Successful switching treatment of adalimumab for refractory pyoderma gangrenosum in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with prior use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ohmura Shin-ichiro , Homma Yoichiro , Hanai Shiho , Otsuki Yoshiro , Miyamoto Toshiaki
Published: March 2022

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare chronic skin disease characterised by painful skin ulcers. There are no treatment guidelines for PG, but systemic treatments including biologics are often used. Recently, adalimumab (ADA), a fully human monoclonal antibody against tumour necrosis factor, was approved for refractory PG treatment in Japan. Herein, we report a case of rheumatoid arthritis with refractory PG 2 months after orthopaedic surgery of the foot during treatment with low-dose etanercept and methotrexate. Although adding a moderate dose of glucocorticoid did not improve her PG, the patient showed a remarkable response after switching from etanercept to ADA in a higher dose than that used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. This higher dose of ADA may be effective for the treatment of refractory PG after the failure of other tumour necrosis factor inhibitors.
Mechanisms of substrate recognition and N6-methyladenosine demethylation revealed by crystal structures of ALKBH5–RNA complexes
Authors: Kaur Simranjeet , Tam Nok Yin , McDonough Michael A , Schofield Christopher J , Aik Wei Shen
Published: March 2022

AlkB homologue 5 (ALKBH5) is a ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenase that demethylates RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a post-transcriptional RNA modification with an emerging set of regulatory roles. Along with the fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), ALKBH5 is one of only two identified human m6A RNA oxidizing enzymes and is a potential target for cancer treatment. Unlike FTO, ALKBH5 efficiently catalyzes fragmentation of its proposed nascent hemiaminal intermediate to give formaldehyde and a demethylated nucleoside. A detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms used by ALKBH5 for substrate recognition and m6A demethylation is lacking. We report three crystal structures of ALKBH5 in complex with an m6A-ssRNA 8-mer substrate and supporting biochemical analyses. Strikingly, the single-stranded RNA substrate binds to the active site of ALKBH5 in a 5′-3′ orientation that is opposite to single-stranded or double-stranded DNA substrates observed for other AlkB subfamily members, including single-stranded DNA bound to FTO. The combined structural and biochemical results provide insight into the preference of ALKBH5 for substrates containing a (A/G)m6AC consensus sequence motif. The results support a mechanism involving formation of an m6A hemiaminal intermediate, followed by efficient ALKBH5 catalyzed demethylation, enabled by a proton shuttle network involving Lys132 and Tyr139.
SWAN pathway-network identification of common aneuploidy-based oncogenic drivers
Authors: Bowers Robert R , Jones Christian M , Paz Edwin A , Barrows John K , Armeson Kent E , Long David T , Delaney Joe R
Published: March 2022

Haploinsufficiency drives Darwinian evolution. Siblings, while alike in many aspects, differ due to monoallelic differences inherited from each parent. In cancer, solid tumors exhibit aneuploid genetics resulting in hundreds to thousands of monoallelic gene-level copy-number alterations (CNAs) in each tumor. Aneuploidy patterns are heterogeneous, posing a challenge to identify drivers in this high-noise genetic environment. Here, we developed Shifted Weighted Annotation Network (SWAN) analysis to assess biology impacted by cumulative monoallelic changes. SWAN enables an integrated pathway-network analysis of CNAs, RNA expression, and mutations via a simple web platform. SWAN is optimized to best prioritize known and novel tumor suppressors and oncogenes, thereby identifying drivers and potential druggable vulnerabilities within cancer CNAs. Protein homeostasis, phospholipid dephosphorylation, and ion transport pathways are commonly suppressed. An atlas of CNA pathways altered in each cancer type is released. These CNA network shifts highlight new, attractive targets to exploit in solid tumors.
Perceptions of Nicotine Reduction Policy in the United States: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Henderson Katherine C , Loud Emily E , Duong Hue Trong , Reynolds Reed M , Yang Bo , Ntansah Charity A , Ashley David L , Thrasher James F , Popova Lucy
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Several countries are considering a reduced nicotine policy that would make cigarettes minimally or nonaddictive. This qualitative study documents reactions to the policy that should be addressed by future communication efforts.

Methods

In 2020, we recruited participants in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA (27 people who exclusively smoke, 25 who dual use cigarettes and e-cigarettes, 32 who formerly smoked, and 31 young adults who do not smoke). We held 16 focus groups: 2 focus groups for each smoking status in each city. Participants viewed messages about very low nicotine content cigarettes (VLNCs) and were asked about their reactions to each message and their overall response to the reduced nicotine policy.

Results

While responses to the policy were predominantly positive, focus group discussion also revealed concerns, questions, and misunderstandings (referred to here collectively as “perceptions”) that may need to be addressed if a reduced nicotine policy is enacted. Participants expressed perceptions related to the policy intent, including that the FDA has ulterior motives, adoption/ implementation, including that nicotine would have to be replaced with other chemicals if removed or that the policy would be unfeasible to implement, and effectiveness, including concern that VLNCs would still be addictive or the policy would backfire.

Conclusions

Addressing perceptions about reduced nicotine policy intent, adoption/implementation, and effectiveness could be key in creating public support and political motivation to move forward with such a policy. Countries contemplating adopting such a policy should consider pairing it with communications that address these perceptions.

Implications

This study is one of very few to use qualitative methods to explore potentially problematic perceptions about nicotine reduction policy among US adults. Results illuminated new policy-specific concerns, questions, and misunderstandings about the reduced nicotine policy intent, adoption/implementation, and effectiveness. Identifying, studying, and addressing relevant perceptions may play a key role in generating support in countries contemplating such a policy.
Re enhances anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin accumulation to produce red foliated cotton and brown fiber
Authors: Wang Nian , Zhang Beibei , Yao Tian , Shen Chao , Wen Tianwang , Zhang Ruiting , Li Yuanxue , Le Yu , Li Zhonghua , Zhang Xianlong , Lin Zhongxu
Published: March 2022

Red foliated cotton is a typical dominant mutation trait in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Although mutants have been described, few responsible genes have been identified and characterized. In this study, we performed map-based cloning of the red foliated mutant gene (Re) derived from the cross between G. hirsutum cv. Emian22 and G. barbadense acc. 3–79. Through expression profiling, metabolic pathway analysis, and sequencing of candidate genes, Re was identified as an MYB113 transcription factor. A repeat sequence variation in the promoter region increased the activity of the promoter, which enhanced the expression of Re. Re expression driven by the 35S promoter produced a red foliated phenotype, as expected. When the gene was driven by a fiber elongation-specific promoter, promoter of α-expansin 2 (PGbEXPA2), Re was specifically expressed in 5- to 10-day post-anthesis fibers rather than in other tissues, resulting in brown mature fibers. Re responded to light through phytochrome-interacting factor 4 and formed a dimer with transparent testa 8, which increased its expression as well as that of anthocyanin synthase and UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-o-glucosyl transferase, and thus activated the entire anthocyanin metabolism pathway. Our research has identified the red foliated mutant gene in cotton, which paves the way for detailed studies of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin metabolism and pigment accumulation in cotton and provides an alternative strategy for producing brown fiber.
Stabilized Morphological Evolution of Spiders Despite Mosaic Changes in Foraging Ecology
Authors: Wolff Jonas O , Wierucka Kaja , Paterno Gustavo B , Coddington Jonathan A , Hormiga Gustavo , Kelly Michael B J , Herberstein Marie E , Ramírez Martín J
Published: March 2022

A prominent question in animal research is how the evolution of morphology and ecology interacts in the generation of phenotypic diversity. Spiders are some of the most abundant arthropod predators in terrestrial ecosystems and exhibit a diversity of foraging styles. It remains unclear how spider body size and proportions relate to foraging style, and if the use of webs as prey capture devices correlates with changes in body characteristics. Here, we present the most extensive data set to date of morphometric and ecological traits in spiders. We used this data set to estimate the change in spider body sizes and shapes over deep time and to test if and how spider phenotypes are correlated with their behavioral ecology. We found that phylogenetic variation of most traits best fitted an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model, which is a model of stabilizing selection. A prominent exception was body length, whose evolutionary dynamics were best explained with a Brownian Motion (free trait diffusion) model. This was most expressed in the araneoid clade (ecribellate orb-weaving spiders and allies) that showed bimodal trends toward either miniaturization or gigantism. Only few traits differed significantly between ecological guilds, most prominently leg length and thickness, and although a multivariate framework found general differences in traits among ecological guilds, it was not possible to unequivocally associate a set of morphometric traits with the relative ecological mode. Long, thin legs have often evolved with aerial webs and a hanging (suspended) locomotion style, but this trend is not general. Eye size and fang length did not differ between ecological guilds, rejecting the hypothesis that webs reduce the need for visual cue recognition and prey immobilization. For the inference of the ecology of species with unknown behaviors, we propose not to use morphometric traits, but rather consult (micro-)morphological characters, such as the presence of certain podal structures. These results suggest that, in contrast to insects, the evolution of body proportions in spiders is unusually stabilized and ecological adaptations are dominantly realized by behavioral traits and extended phenotypes in this group of predators. This work demonstrates the power of combining recent advances in phylogenomics with trait-based approaches to better understand global functional diversity patterns through space and time. [Animal architecture; Arachnida; Araneae; extended phenotype; functional traits; macroevolution; stabilizing selection.]
Phylogenomics of Elongate-Bodied Springtails Reveals Independent Transitions from Aboveground to Belowground Habitats in Deep Time
Authors: Yu Daoyuan , Ding Yinhuan , Tihelka Erik , Cai Chenyang , Hu Feng , Liu Manqiang , Zhang Feng
Published: March 2022

Soil has become a major hotspot of biodiversity studies, yet the pattern and timing of the evolution of soil organisms are poorly known because of the scarcity of paleontological data. To overcome this limitation, we conducted a genome-based macroevolutionary study of an ancient, diversified, and widespread lineage of soil fauna, the elongate-bodied springtails (class Collembola, order Entomobryomorpha). To build the first robust backbone phylogeny of this previously refractory group, we sampled representatives of major higher taxa (6 out of 8 families, 11 out of 16 subfamilies) of the order with an emphasis on the most problematic superfamily Tomoceroidea, applied whole-genome sequencing methods, and compared the performance of different combinations of data sets (universal single-copy orthologs [USCO] vs. ultraconserved elements]) and modeling schemes. The fossil-calibrated timetree was used to reconstruct the evolution of body size, sensory organs, and pigmentation to establish a time frame of the ecomorphological divergences. The resultant trees based on different analyses were congruent in most nodes. Several discordant nodes were carefully evaluated by considering method fitness, morphological information, and topology test. The evaluation favored the well-resolved topology from analyses using USCO amino acid matrices and complex site-heterogeneous models (CAT$+$GTR and LG$+$PMSF (C60)). The preferred topology supports the monophyletic superfamily Tomoceroidea as an early-diverging lineage and a sister relationship between Entomobryoidea and Isotomoidea. The family Tomoceridae was recovered as monophyletic, whereas Oncopoduridae was recovered as paraphyletic, with Harlomillsia as a sister to Tomoceridae and hence deserving a separate family status as Harlomillsiidae Yu and Zhang fam. n. Ancestral Entomobryomorpha were reconstructed as surface-living, supporting independent origins of soil-living groups across the Paleozoic–Mesozoic, and highlighting the ancient evolutionary interaction between aboveground and belowground fauna. [Collembola; phylogenomics; soil-living adaptation; whole-genome sequencing.]
Reunion of Australasian Possums by Shared SINE Insertions
Authors: Doronina Liliya , Feigin Charles Y , Schmitz Jürgen
Published: March 2022

Although first posited to be of a single origin, the two superfamilies of phalangeriform marsupial possums (Phalangeroidea: brushtail possums and cuscuses and Petauroidea: possums and gliders) have long been considered, based on multiple sequencing studies, to have evolved from two separate origins. However, previous data from these sequence analyses suggested a variety of conflicting trees. Therefore, we reinvestigated these relationships by screening $\sim$200,000 orthologous short interspersed element (SINE) loci across the newly available whole-genome sequences of phalangeriform species and their relatives. Compared to sequence data, SINE presence/absence patterns are evolutionarily almost neutral molecular markers of the phylogenetic history of species. Their random and highly complex genomic insertion ensures their virtually homoplasy-free nature and enables one to compare hundreds of shared unique orthologous events to determine the true species tree. Here, we identify 106 highly reliable phylogenetic SINE markers whose presence/absence patterns within multiple Australasian possum genomes unexpectedly provide the first significant evidence for the reunification of Australasian possums into one monophyletic group. Together, our findings indicate that nucleotide homoplasy and ancestral incomplete lineage sorting have most likely driven the conflicting signal distributions seen in previous sequence-based studies. [Ancestral incomplete lineage sorting; possum genomes; possum monophyly; retrophylogenomics; SINE presence/absence.]
Evaluation and Management of Watercraft-Related Injuries for Acute Care Surgeons: Towards Improving Care and Implementing Effective Public Health Prevention Policies
Authors: Ehrhardt John D. , Newsome Kevin , Das Snigdha , McKenney Mark , Elkbuli Adel
Published: March 2022

Boating has exposed humans to elemental hazards for centuries. What was once a lifelong craft and time-honored skillset is now, with modern technology, a popular recreational activity. Boating safety has inherent limitations and has been historically challenging to enforce. These circumstances have given way to a rising number of watercraft-associated injuries and fatalities. This review aims to investigate the diagnosis, work-up, and management of watercraft-related injuries, including blunt mechanisms, propeller wounds, water-force trauma, associated marine infections, and submersion injuries, as well as outline gaps in current public health policy on watercraft injuries, potential interventions, and available solutions. Motorboats and personal watercraft differ in size, power modality, and differential risk for injury. Accidents aboard watercraft often share commonalities with motor vehicles and motorcycles, namely: rapid deceleration, ejection, and collision with humans. The complexity of care is added by the austere environment in which many watercraft accidents occur, as well as the added morbidity of drowning and hypothermia. Wounds can also become infected by marine organisms, which require wound care and antimicrobial therapy specific to the aquatic environment in which the injury occurred. The treatment of these patients can be further exacerbated by the prolonged transportation times due to complicated water rescue. There are many measures that can prevent or abate watercraft injuries, but inconsistent regulations and enforcement may impair the success of these interventions. Further research is needed to identify possible solutions to common causes of watercraft injuries, such as inconsistent lifejacket use and bow riding.
Predictive Patient Factors for Poor Outcomes Following Stapedotomy for Otosclerosis
Authors: Patel Shivam , Benyo Sarah , Saadi Robert , Liaw Jeffrey , King Tonya S. , Isildak Huseyin
Published: March 2022

Objective

To assess patient-related risk factors associated with poor outcomes following stapedotomy for otosclerosis.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Academic tertiary care center.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of 107 patients with otosclerosis who underwent stapedotomy between 2013 and 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and smoking history were obtained. Preoperative and postoperative audiogram data, including air-bone gap (ABG), and complications were collected. Data were analyzed using t test and Fischer’s exact test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

Among 107 patients, 29.5% were smokers and 70.1% non-smokers. Overall, the average ABG-gain 3-months postoperatively was 20.2 dB, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were 3.74 and 13.1%, respectively. Those with a history of otologic procedures had a lower mean ABG gain at 3 months compared with those without previous otologic surgery (14.4 dB versus 20.4 dB, p = 0.018). The average ABG gain at 3-months was not significantly different between those with current, former, or no smoking history, respectively (13.5 versus 18.1 versus 20.6, p = 0.08). Current smokers had 4.5 times greater odds of complications compared with non-smokers, although not statistically significant (95% CI 0.9–22.8, p = 0.1912).

Conclusion

Age and history of otologic procedures as independent risk factors did impact hearing outcomes among our patient cohort; however, smoking history did not. Future prospective studies are required to further investigate complication rates by various modifiable risk factors, such as smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, for stapedotomy surgeries.
Stimulating the Cochlear Apex Without Longer Electrodes: Preliminary Results With a New Approach
Authors: Landsberger David M. , Stupak Natalia , Spitzer Emily R. , Entwisle Lavin , Mahoney Laurel , Waltzman Susan B. , McMenomey Sean , Friedmann David R , Svirsky Mario A. , Shapiro William , Roland J. Thomas
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To investigate a new surgical and signal processing technique that provides apical stimulation of the cochlea using a cochlear implant without extending the length of the electrode array.

Patients:

Three adult patients who underwent cochlear implantation using this new technique.

Interventions:

The patients received a cochlear implant. The surgery differed from the standard approach in that a ground electrode was placed in the cochlear helicotrema via an apical cochleostomy rather than in its typical location underneath the temporalis muscle. Clinical fitting was modified such that low frequencies were represented using the apically placed electrode as a ground.

Main Outcome Measures:

Pitch scaling and speech recognition.

Results:

All surgeries were successful with no complications. Pitch scaling demonstrated that use of the apically placed electrode as a ground lowered the perceived pitch of electric stimulation relative to monopolar stimulation. Speech understanding was improved compared with preoperative scores.

Conclusions:

The new surgical approach and clinical fitting are feasible. A lower pitch is perceived when using the apically placed electrode as a ground relative to stimulation using an extracochlear ground (i.e., monopolar mode), suggesting that stimulation can be provided more apically without the use of a longer electrode array. Further work is required to determine potential improvements in outcomes and optimal signal processing for the new approach.
Emerging treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: White Perrin C.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of review

Although the basic treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is well established, there are active clinical research projects to more closely mimic the normal diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion and to reduce total glucocorticoid doses to minimize adverse metabolic effects.

Recent findings

We review clinical studies on CAH treatment published in the last 18 months or currently underway according to ClinicalTrials.gov listings. These can be grouped into several broad themes: alternative dosing forms of hydrocortisone with altered pharmacokinetics or easier dose titration; corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor antagonists that reduce corticotropin (ACTH) secretion and thereby reduce adrenal androgen secretion; androgen biosynthesis inhibitors; a first clinical trial of a gene therapy vector.

Alternative dosing forms of hydrocortisone are, or will shortly be, marketed, but cost may be a barrier to utilization, at least in the US market. Trials of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonists and androgen biosynthesis inhibitors are currently underway. The author believes that trials of gene therapy for CAH are premature.
Less Operating and More Overtriage: National Trends in Interfacility Transfer of Facial Fracture Patients
Authors: Wasicek Philip J. , Kantar Rami S. , Gebran Selim , Yoon Joshua , Kalsi Richa , Morrison Jonathan J. , Nam Arthur J.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The purpose of this study was to characterize demographics, injury patterns, and initial management trends of facial fracture patients who were subject to interfacility transfer.

Methods:

Using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2015, facial fracture patients arriving by interfacility transfer were included in the study.

Results:

Over 9 years, 171,618 patients were included, with 37.5 percent having an isolated facial injury. Isolated facial injury patients tended to be younger, less frequently white, more frequently assaulted, and more frequently underwent facial fracture operative repair during the index admission (all, p < 0.001). From 2007 to 2015, insurance coverage increased from 54.6 to 79.0 percent (R2
= 0.90, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a 45 percent proportional increase in patients 50 to 89 years of age compared to a 20 percent decrease in patients 0 to 39 years of age (both, R2
= 0.99, p < 0.001). The proportion of transfer patients with isolated facial injury increased over the study period (32.0 to 39.4 percent, R2
= 0.90, p < 0.001); however, there was a decline in operative intervention (29.5 to 22.1 percent, R2
= 0.94, p < 0.001) and a 151 percent increase in the proportion discharged from the emergency department upon transfer arrival (R2
= 0.99, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Facial fracture patients subject to interfacility transfer comprise a wide array of demographics and injury patterns, with most having concomitant injuries and only a minority undergoing immediate operative intervention. Over time, this demographic has become older, sustained more isolated facial injury, and undergone fewer immediate operative interventions and is more frequently insured and more frequently discharged from the emergency department upon transfer arrival, reflecting increasing rates of secondary overtriage.