bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrocardiographic imaging demonstrates electrical synchrony improvement by dynamic atrioventricular delays in patients with left bundle branch block and preserved atrioventricular conduction
Authors: Waddingham Peter H , Mangual Jan O , Orini Michele , Badie Nima , Muthumala Amal , Sporton Simon , McSpadden Luke C , Lambiase Pier D , Chow Anthony W C
Published: December 2022

Aims

Cardiac resynchronization therapy programmed to dynamically fuse pacing with intrinsic conduction using atrioventricular (AV) timing algorithms (e.g. SyncAV) has shown promise; however, mechanistic data are lacking. This study assessed the impact of SyncAV on electrical dyssynchrony across various pacing modalities using non-invasive epicardial electrocardiographic imaging (ECGi).

Methods and results

Twenty-five patients with left bundle-branch block (median QRS duration (QRSd) 162.7 ms) and intact AV conduction (PR interval 174.0 ms) were prospectively enrolled. ECGi was performed acutely during biventricular pacing with fixed nominal AV delays (BiV) and using SyncAV (optimized for the narrowest QRSd) during: BiV + SyncAV, LV-only single-site (LVSS + SyncAV), MultiPoint pacing (MPP + SyncAV), and LV-only MPP (LVMPP + SyncAV). Dyssynchrony was quantified via ECGi (LV activation time, LVAT; RV activation time, RVAT; LV electrical dispersion index, LVEDi; ventricular electrical uncoupling index, VEU; and biventricular total activation time, VVtat). Intrinsic conduction LVAT (124 ms) was significantly reduced by BiV pacing (109 ms) (P = 0.001) and further reduced by LVSS + SyncAV (103 ms), BiV + SyncAV (103 ms), LVMPP + SyncAV (95 ms), and MPP + SyncAV (90 ms). Intrinsic RVAT (93 ms), VVtat (130 ms), LVEDi (36 ms), VEU (50 ms), and QRSd (163 ms) were reduced by SyncAV across all pacing modes. More patients exhibited minimal LVAT, VVtat, LVEDi, and QRSd with MPP + SyncAV than any other modality.

Conclusion

Dynamic AV delay programming targeting fusion with intrinsic conduction significantly reduced dyssynchrony, as quantified by ECGi and QRSd for all evaluated pacing modes. MPP + SyncAV achieved the greatest synchrony overall but not for all patients, highlighting the value of pacing mode individualization during fusion optimization.
Genome assembly and isoform analysis of a highly heterozygous New Zealand fisheries species, the tarakihi (Nemadactylus macropterus)
Authors: Papa Yvan , Wellenreuther Maren , Morrison Mark A , Ritchie Peter A
Published: December 2022

Although being some of the most valuable and heavily exploited wild organisms, few fisheries species have been studied at the whole-genome level. This is especially the case in New Zealand, where genomics resources are urgently needed to assist fisheries management. Here, we generated 55 Gb of short Illumina reads (92× coverage) and 73 Gb of long Nanopore reads (122×) to produce the first genome assembly of the marine teleost tarakihi [Nemadactylus macropterus (Forster, 1801)], a highly valuable fisheries species in New Zealand. An additional 300 Mb of Iso-Seq reads were obtained to assist in gene annotation. The final genome assembly was 568 Mb long with an N50 of 3.37 Mb. The genome completeness was high, with 97.8% of complete Actinopterygii Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs. Heterozygosity values estimated through k-mer counting (1.00%) and bi-allelic SNPs (0.64%) were high compared with the same values reported for other fishes. Iso-Seq analysis recovered 91,313 unique transcripts from 15,515 genes (mean ratio of 5.89 transcripts per gene), and the most common alternative splicing event was intron retention. This highly contiguous genome assembly and the isoform-resolved transcriptome will provide a useful resource to assist the study of population genomics and comparative eco-evolutionary studies in teleosts and related organisms.
A Chromosome-level assembly of the Japanese eel genome, insights into gene duplication and chromosomal reorganization
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Wan Hin Ting , Wu Bin , Jian Jianbo , Ng Alice H M , Chung Claire Yik-Lok , Chow Eugene Yui-Ching , Zhang Jizhou , Wong Anderson O L , Lai Keng Po , Chan Ting Fung , Zhang Eric Lu , Wong Chris Kong-Chu
Published: December 2022

Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) are commercially important species, harvested extensively for food. Currently, this and related species (American and European eels) are challenging to breed on a commercial basis. As a result, the wild stock is used for aquaculture. Moreover, climate change, habitat loss, water pollution, and altered ocean currents affect eel populations negatively. Accordingly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists Japanese eels as endangered and on its red list. Here we presented a high-quality genome assembly for Japanese eels and demonstrated that large chromosome reorganizations occurred in the events of third-round whole-genome duplications (3R-WRDs). Several chromosomal fusions and fissions have reduced the ancestral protochromosomal number of 25 to 19 in the Anguilla lineage. A phylogenetic analysis of the expanded gene families showed that the olfactory receptors (group δ and ζ genes) and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels expanded significantly. Both gene families are crucial for olfaction and neurophysiology. Additional tandem and proximal duplications occurred following 3R-WGD to acquire immune-related genes for an adaptive advantage against various pathogens. The Japanese eel assembly presented here can be used to study other Anguilla species relating to evolution and conservation.
Novel cassette chromosome recombinases CcrA8B9 catalyse the excision and integration of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element
Authors: Xiao Jinhe , Huang Jianguo , Xue Xuemei , Wang Chen , Sun Yanting , Zheng Liangjun , Zhao Xu , Wang Xiaokun , Zhao Xin , Xue Huping
Published: December 2022

Objectives

A defining feature of MRSA is the SCCmec element. The excision and integration of SCCmec elements are catalysed by Ccr recombinases. Currently, seven ccrA, eight ccrB and two ccrC allotypes have been described. However, there have been no recent reports of a novel Ccr recombinase and thus this area should be explored.

Methods

According to the proposed criteria of the International Working Group on the Classification of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements (IWG-SCC) committee, novel ccr genes were explored by searching the genome of our laboratory staphylococcal strains, which were isolated from bovine mastitis in Northwest China. The biological activity of the novel Ccr recombinases to excise and integrate SCCmec elements was determined. The distribution of the novel ccr genes in staphylococci was conducted by querying the NCBI nr/nt database.

Results

We report a set of novel Ccr recombinases CcrA8B9, which share nucleotide identities of 46.6%–50.2% and 47.4%–52.8% with the ccrA and ccrB alleles, respectively. We used PCR to show that CcrA8B9 can excise and integrate the SCCmec element. Furthermore, using NCBI BLAST we showed that the ccrA8B9 genes exist in other staphylococcal strains. Unlike the common ccr genes, ccrA8B9 is located outside the SCCmec/SCC element.

Conclusions

The novel Ccr recombinases CcrA8B9 can help excise and integrate SCCmec/SCC from the genome and provide a new way to facilitate the transmission of SCCmec/SCC elements among staphylococci.
Pediatric Community-acquired Pneumonia: What is it, and How Do We Study It?
Authors: Bradley John S
Published: December 2022

Pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in pre-school aged children is a common diagnosis, frequently treated with antibiotics although most often caused by viruses. An accurate assessment of treatment-related clinical outcomes is dependent on identifying the pathogen(s) and their susceptibility to treatment interventions.
Incidental diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei by laparoscopy: a rare case from Syria
Authors: Brimo Alsaman Muhamad Zakaria , Anbar Ahmad , Nawlo Ahmad , Almooay Adeeb , Darwish Ahmad , Mohammad Mazen
Published: December 2022

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignancy of the abdomen, which is usually described as a gelatinous peritoneal fluid. A 33-year-old man came to the ER complaining of recurring abdominal pain with abdominal distention for the past 3 months. Abdominal ultrasound revealed moderate amount of turbulent ascitic fluid with septations, in addition to a mass with irregular margins consisting of liquid and cysts. Abdomen and pelvis computed tomography scan showed free abdominal fluid. A decision was made for abdominal diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsies from the peritoneum, mesenteries and the gelatinous fluid. We could not investigate all the abdominal cavities and appendix due to the presence of severe adhesions and tuberculosis suspension. The pathology report indicated PMP. The patient was referred to an oncologist for chemotherapy consultation. The diagnosis can be challenging, as the symptoms and signs vary from patient to another; most cases may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during laparoscopy.
Feasibility of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy for complete remission of metastatic renal cell carcinoma after long exposure to immune checkpoint inhibitors (UroCCR-106)
Authors: Mebroukine Samy , Yacoub Mokrane , Michiels Clément , Ravaud Alain , Gross-Goupil Marine , Bernhard Jean-Christophe
Published: December 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors used for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment show significant rates of complete response on metastatic sites. Feasibility of delayed surgery on primitive tumors remains questionable, especially regarding conservative procedures. We present here the first reported case of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and concomitant metastasectomy after long exposure to immunotherapy. We performed an imperative salvage RAPN and metastasectomy in a 79-year-old woman with history of right radical nephrectomy for oligometastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma, previous open partial nephrectomy and ablative treatment on the remaining left kidney. In fact, after complete response on the metastatic sites, the patient experienced progression on the solitary kidney despite immunotherapy. This limited experience of RAPN and metastasectomy after long exposure to immunotherapy appears to be feasible safe and efficient both on the oncological and functional point of view.
Huge adrenal schwannoma: a rare type of adrenal tumor, misconceived as adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Han Jeong Hee , Lee Byoung Chul , Park Young Mok , Jung Hyuk Jae , Choi Jung Bum
Published: December 2022

Schwannoma is a benign and uncommon neoplasm arising from the neural crest cells. The most common tumor sites are the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the head and neck. Retroperitoneal schwannomas account for 1–3% of all schwannomas and are predominantly female. In particular, adrenal schwannoma is very rare, and due to its large size at the time of diagnosis, adrenal schwannoma is frequently misdiagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma or pheochromocytoma. Adrenal schwannoma is difficult to distinguish it from other adrenal diseases based on imaging findings alone. In this report, we introduce the case of a huge left adrenal schwannoma.
Dependence-Robust Confidence Intervals for Capture–Recapture Surveys
Authors: Sun Jinghao , Van Baelen Luk , Plettinckx Els , Crawford Forrest W
Published: December 2022

Capture–recapture (CRC) surveys are used to estimate the size of a population whose members cannot be enumerated directly. CRC surveys have been used to estimate the number of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, people who use drugs, sex workers, conflict casualties, and trafficking victims. When k-capture samples are obtained, counts of unit captures in subsets of samples are represented naturally by a 2k contingency table in which one element—the number of individuals appearing in none of the samples—remains unobserved. In the absence of additional assumptions, the population size is not identifiable (i.e., point identified). Stringent assumptions about the dependence between samples are often used to achieve point identification. However, real-world CRC surveys often use convenience samples in which the assumed dependence cannot be guaranteed, and population size estimates under these assumptions may lack empirical credibility. In this work, we apply the theory of partial identification to show that weak assumptions or qualitative knowledge about the nature of dependence between samples can be used to characterize a nontrivial confidence set for the true population size. We construct confidence sets under bounds on pairwise capture probabilities using two methods: test inversion bootstrap confidence intervals and profile likelihood confidence intervals. Simulation results demonstrate well-calibrated confidence sets for each method. In an extensive real-world study, we apply the new methodology to the problem of using heterogeneous survey data to estimate the number of people who inject drugs in Brussels, Belgium.
Child support systems and government budgets: thorny policy choices to recover costs
Authors: Meyer Daniel R , Skinner Christine , Cook Kay , Fletcher Michael
Published: December 2022

Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA instituted child support agencies in the late 1900s and had some policies that resulted in having lowered governmental expenditures when child support was paid. Building on previous research comparing these four countries, this article examines the extent to which these countries currently use explicit cost recovery policies, implicit policies revealed in programme interactions, and fees. Using data from country informants on hypothetical families, we show the percentage of child support payments that are retained through these different tools. In addition to characterizing country approaches, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of different cost-recovery strategies.
Peripheral immune landscape and natural killer-like B cells in human Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease
Authors: Li He , Zhu Lei , Liu Xiuxing , Xie Lihui , Wang Rong , Li Zhaohuai , Huang Zhaohao , Yang Shizhao , Chen Binyao , Ye Jinguo , Zheng Yingfeng , Su Wenru
Published: December 2022

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a systemic autoimmune disorder threatening the eyesight. The pathogenic mechanisms and biomarkers reflecting disease severity and predicting treatment response require further exploration. Here, we performed a single-cell analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from eight patients with VKH disease and eight healthy controls to comprehensively delineate the changes in VKH disease. We showed a mixture of inflammation, effector, and exhausted states for PBMCs in VKH disease. Notably, our study implicated a newly identified B cell subset, natural killer-like B cells (K-BC) characterized by expressing CD19 and CD56, was correlated with VKH disease. K-BCs expanded in VKH disease, fell back after effective treatment, and promoted the differentiation of pathogenic T cells. Overall, we mapped the peripheral immune cell atlas in VKH disease and indicated the pathogenic role and potential value in predicting treatment response of K-BCs.
The transcription factor c-Jun inhibits RBM39 to reprogram pre-mRNA splicing during genotoxic stress
Authors: Lemaitre Florence , Chakrama Fatima , O’Grady Tina , Peulen Olivier , Rademaker Gilles , Deward Adeline , Chabot Benoit , Piette Jacques , Colige Alain , Lambert Charles , Dequiedt Franck , Habraken Yvette
Published: December 2022

Genotoxic agents, that are used in cancer therapy, elicit the reprogramming of the transcriptome of cancer cells. These changes reflect the cellular response to stress and underlie some of the mechanisms leading to drug resistance. Here, we profiled genome-wide changes in pre-mRNA splicing induced by cisplatin in breast cancer cells. Among the set of cisplatin-induced alternative splicing events we focused on COASY, a gene encoding a mitochondrial enzyme involved in coenzyme A biosynthesis. Treatment with cisplatin induces the production of a short isoform of COASY lacking exons 4 and 5, whose depletion impedes mitochondrial function and decreases sensitivity to cisplatin. We identified RBM39 as a major effector of the cisplatin-induced effect on COASY splicing. RBM39 also controls a genome-wide set of alternative splicing events partially overlapping with the cisplatin-mediated ones. Unexpectedly, inactivation of RBM39 in response to cisplatin involves its interaction with the AP-1 family transcription factor c-Jun that prevents RBM39 binding to pre-mRNA. Our findings therefore uncover a novel cisplatin-induced interaction between a splicing regulator and a transcription factor that has a global impact on alternative splicing and contributes to drug resistance.
Distinct contribution of two cyclic electron transport pathways to P700 oxidation
Authors: Zhou Qi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Shikanai Toshiharu
Published: December 2022

Cyclic electron transport (CET) around Photosystem I (PSI) acidifies the thylakoid lumen and downregulates electron transport at the cytochrome b6f complex. This photosynthetic control is essential for oxidizing special pair chlorophylls (P700) of PSI for PSI photoprotection. In addition, CET depending on the PROTON GRADIENT REGULATION 5 (PGR5) protein oxidizes P700 by moving a pool of electrons from the acceptor side of PSI to the plastoquinone pool. This model of the acceptor-side regulation was proposed on the basis of the phenotype of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) pgr5-1 mutant expressing Chlamydomonas (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) plastid terminal oxidase (CrPTOX2). In this study, we extended the research including the Arabidopsis chlororespiratory reduction 2-2 (crr2-2) mutant defective in another CET pathway depending on the chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex. Although the introduction of CrPTOX2 did not complement the defect in the acceptor-side regulation by PGR5, the function of the NDH complex was complemented except for its reverse reaction during the induction of photosynthesis. We evaluated the impact of CrPTOX2 under fluctuating light intensity in the wild-type, pgr5-1 and crr2-2 backgrounds. In the high-light period, both PGR5- and NDH-dependent CET were involved in the induction of photosynthetic control, whereas PGR5-dependent CET preferentially contributed to the acceptor-side regulation. On the contrary, the NDH complex probably contributed to the acceptor-side regulation in the low-light period but not in the high-light period. We evaluated the sensitivity of PSI to fluctuating light and clarified that acceptor-side regulation was necessary for PSI photoprotection by oxidizing P700 under high light.
A novel estrogen receptor 1: sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3B pathway mediates rituximab response in myositis patients
Authors: Parkes Joanna E , Boehler Jessica F , Li Ning , Kendra Ryan M , O’Hanlon Terrance P , Hoffman Eric P , Peterson Jennifer M , Miller Frederick W , Rider Lisa G , Nagaraju Kanneboyina
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The B-cell depleting biologic, rituximab, is used to treat refractory autoimmune myositis. However, the beneficial effects of rituximab appear to outweigh the known contribution of B cells in myositis. We aimed to elucidate how myositis patients respond differently to rituximab and possible alternative mechanisms of action.

Methods

Here we have: (i) comprehensively investigated concurrent mRNA and microRNA expression in muscle biopsies taken at baseline and 16 weeks post treatment in 10 patients who were part of the rituximab in myositis (RIM) trial; and (ii) investigated the beneficial effect of rituximab on myositis muscle cells.

Results

Our analyses identified an increased number of changes in gene expression in biopsies from patients who had a clinical response to rituximab (n = 5) compared with non-responders (n = 5). The two groups had completely different changes in microRNA and mRNA expression following rituximab therapy, with the exception of one mRNA, BHMT2. Networks of mRNA and microRNA with opposite direction of expression changes highlighted ESR1 as upregulated in responders. We confirmed ESR1 upregulation upon rituximab treatment of immortalized myotubes and primary human dermatomyositis muscle cells in vitro, demonstrating a direct effect of rituximab on muscle cells. Notably, despite showing a response to rituximab, human dermatomyositis primary muscle cells did not express the rituximab target, CD20. However, these cells expressed a possible alternative target of rituximab, sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3 b (SMPDL3B).

Conclusion

In addition to B-cell depletion, rituximab may be beneficial in myositis due to increased ESR1 signalling mediated by rituximab binding to SMPDL3B on skeletal muscle cells.
Tune in, Turn on: Religious Music and Spiritual Power in the History of Psychedelic Therapy
Authors: Lett Stephen , Dyck Erika
Published: December 2022

Psychedelic-assisted therapy has attracted considerable clinical attention in the past decade for its ability to bring therapeutic benefits to patients in treatment-resistant categories. In contradistinction from other psychopharmaco-therapies, contemporary psychedelic therapists, like their predecessors, paid close attention to the ‘set and setting’, and argued that the mind-set of the subject and the conditions or environment of the session was as influential as the pharmacological reaction itself. In this paper, we examine how religious sounds and music were both incorporated into and strategically avoided in the early psychedelic therapeutic sessions in an effort to achieve spiritual epiphanies at peak experiences. Prominent contemporary practices, we conclude, recapitulate many of the practices of the past, relying, we argue, on aesthetic premises that could hinder the therapy’s broader applicability.
Severe dengue associated withStaphylococcus aureussepsis in pediatric patients: a case series
Authors: Sudeep K C , Kumar Surjeet , Randhawa Manjinder Singh , Angurana Suresh Kumar , Nallasamy Karthi , Bansal Arun , Muralidharan Jayashree
Published: December 2022

Background

Staphylococcus aureus co-infection is seldom reported in children with severe dengue.

Methodology

In this retrospective study, we reported five children with severe dengue and S. aureus co-infection admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during July–December 2021.

Results

All children had prolonged fever, persistence of bilateral pleural effusion beyond the critical phase, thrombocytopenia and raised inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin]. S. aureus was isolated from pleural fluid (n = 2, 40%), blood (n = 2, 40%) and endotracheal aspirate (n = 1, 20%). Four children (80%) grew methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, while 1 (20%) had methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Two children (40%) had septic thromboemboli in skin, and 1 (20%) had limb cellulitis. One child required anterior thoracotomy, pericardiectomy and bilateral pleural decortication, while all other children required intercostal chest tube drainage. All children required prolonged targeted antibiotics, invasive mechanical ventilation and had prolong stay in PICU and all of them survived.

Conclusion

In children with severe dengue, persistence of fever, persistence of pleural effusion beyond critical phase and raised CRP and procalcitonin should raise suspicion of bacterial/S. aureus co-infection.
One-Step Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) Assay for the Detection of Canna Yellow Streak Virus
Authors: Lei Yunting , Yang Fuhan , Yu Zhaoyao , Xu Tengzhi , Zhang Wene , Tian Fenghua , Chen Xiangru
Published: December 2022

Canna yellow streak virus (CaYSV) is a potyvirus that causes severe damage to the ornamental plant canna in the United Kingdom and Brazil. Here, we identified CaYSV in China by isolating total RNA from an infected plant, amplifying the virus genome segments, and cloning and sequencing the amplicons. After assembly, the full-length genome of the virus was obtained and uploaded to the NCBI database. Phylogenetic analysis results showed that the Guizhou isolate (OL546222) was most closely related to the KS isolate (MG545919.1). Virus detection is essential for virus disease control but the subclinical infection of CaYSV on canna in its early development increases the difficulty of CaYSV diagnosis. The goal of this study was to develop an efficient method for detection of CaYSV. We designed the primers, optimized the reaction conditions, and finally established a one-step reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) method. The product of RT-LAMP can be analyzed by both agarose gel electrophoresis and visible color change. The established one-step RT-LAMP assay showed high specificity and sensitivity in detecting CaYSV. This RT-LAMP method was also applied in analysis of 61 field samples collected from Guizhou and Jiangsu Provinces. The results showed that the infection rates of CaYSV on canna samples from these two provinces were very high (63 and 96% respectively).
Effects of Three Essential Oil Fumigation Treatments on the Postharvest Control of Botrytis cinerea and Their Efficacy as Preservatives of Cherry Tomatoes
Authors: Jiang Lin-lin , Wang Jing-Bo , Wang Wen-hao , Lei Bin , Feng Jun-tao , Wu Hua , Ma Zhi-qing
Published: December 2022

Cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are becoming increasingly popular due to their nutrition and delicious flavor. However, cherry tomatoes are highly perishable and susceptible to various pathogenic microorganisms after harvest, such as Botrytis cinerea. In the pretest experiment, we screened out three kinds of plant essential oils (EOs) (Torreya grandis oil, Eriobotrya japonica oil, and Citrus medica oil) that have strong fungicidal activity on B. cinerea from cherry tomatoes. To further evaluate the postharvest preservation application prospect of these three oils for cherry tomatoes, the oils were extracted from different parts of three plants by hydrodistillation, and their chemical constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main representative components of T. grandis oil, E. japonica oil, and C. medica oil were δ-cadinene (11.76%), transnerolidol (9.70%), and 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (23.22%), respectively. These three EOs effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of B. cinerea in vitro, with EC50 values of 81.672, 144.046, and 221.500 μl/liter, respectively. Compared with the blank control and other oil treatments, the T. grandis oil (at a concentration of 200 µl/liter) fumigation treatment was more effective at inhibiting the growth rate of the pathogen. In addition, the phenolic content and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, and peroxidase activities of tomatoes significantly increased on the seventh day due to the T. grandis oil treatment. The present study shows that these three oils with high extraction rates have preservation potential for cherry tomatoes. Among these three EOs, T. grandis oil can be used to further develop preservative products as a fumigant.
Development of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method to Detect the Potato Zebra Chip Pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) and Differentiate Haplotypes A and B
Authors: Jiang Junye , Feindel Will , Swisher Grimm Kylie , Harding Michael , Feindel David , Bajema Stacey , Feng Jie
Published: December 2022

‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ (Lso) is the causal agent of zebra chip of potato (Solanum tuberosum), which can significantly reduce potato yield. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for the detection of Lso haplotypes A and B was developed and evaluated. Two sets of LAMP primers named LAMP-A and LAMP-B were designed and tested for specificity and sensitivity. Both LAMP-A and LAMP-B were specific to Lso in in silico analysis using the Primer-Blast tool. The LAMP-A and LAMP-B could only produce positive signals from DNA mixtures of Lso-infected tomato but not from the genomic DNA of 37 nontarget plant pathogens. The sensitivity of LAMP-A and LAMP-B on Lso haplotypes A and B were tested on gBlocks and genomic DNA from Lso-infected tomato. On the genomic DNA for LAMP-A, the lowest amount of template DNA for a positive LAMP reaction was 2 to 20 ng on four haplotype A strains and 20 to 80 ng on four haplotype B strains; for LAMP-B, the lowest amount of template DNA for a positive LAMP reaction was 0.02 to 2 ng on four haplotype B strains and 20 ng to no amplification on four haplotype A strains. On gBlocks for LAMP-A, the lowest number of copies for a positive LAMP reaction was 60 on haplotype A and 600 on haplotype B; for LAMP-B, the lowest number of copies for a positive LAMP reaction was 60 on haplotype B and 600 on haplotype A. Therefore, considering the convenience of the LAMP technique, as well as the high specificity and sensitivity, the LAMP-A and LAMP-B primers can be used together to test the probable Lso-infected plant or psyllid samples to rapidly, accurately, and directly differentiate haplotypes A and B. We highly recommend this LAMP system to plant pathology practitioners and diagnostic labs for routine detection of Lso and confirmation of zebra chip disease on potato or tomato.
Long-Term Auditory and Speech Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children With Cochlear Nerve Aplasia
Authors: Chao Xiuhua , Luo Jianfen , Wang Ruijie , Hu Fangxia , Wang Haibo , Fan Zhaomin , Xu Lei
Published: December 2022

Objectives:

In this study, we aimed to (1) review the long-term outcomes of cochlear implantation in children with cochlear nerve aplasia and (2) compare the development of their auditory and speech abilities to children with normal-sized cochlear nerves.

Design:

This is a retrospective case-control study. Patients who underwent unilateral cochlear implant (CI) surgery in a tertiary referral center from September 2012 to December 2018 were reviewed. The study group included 55 children with cochlear nerve aplasia diagnosed using preoperative images. The control group included 35 children with normal-sized cochlear nerves. The control group did not differ from the study group in terms of age at implantation, pre-implantation auditory and speech abilities, or the electrode array type. Cochlear implantation outcomes were assessed using a test battery, including the Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) score, the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) score, behavioral audiometry, and closed- or open-set speech recognition tests. The development of auditory and speech abilities was compared between the two groups using Generalized Linear Mixed-effect Models.

Results:

The mean duration of CI usage was 4.5 years (SD = 1.5, range = 2.0 to 9.5) in the study group. The CAP scores, SIR scores, and aided hearing thresholds improved significantly post-implantation in the study group, but were significantly poorer than those in the control group. Generalized Linear Mixed-effect Models showed that the development of CAP and SIR scores was significantly slower in the study group than in the control group. Overall, 27 (49%) children with cochlear nerve aplasia had some degree of open-set speech perception skills, but the monosyllabic and bisyllabic word recognition rates were significantly lower than those in the control group.

Conclusion:

For children with cochlear nerve aplasia, auditory perception and speech intelligibility continued to improve in the long-term follow-up, but this progress was significantly slower than in children with normal-sized cochlear nerves. Most children with cochlear nerve aplasia could obtain the ability of common phrase perception and understanding simple spoken language with consistent CI usage and auditory rehabilitation.
Inter-Subject Variability in the Dependence of Medial-Olivocochlear Reflex Strength on Noise Bandwidth
Authors: Lee Donguk , Lewis James D.
Published: December 2022

Objectives:

The objective of the study was to quantify inter-subject variability in the dependence of the medial-olivocochlear reflex (MOCR) on noise bandwidth. Of specific interest was whether inter-subject variability in MOCR dependence on bandwidth explained variability in the MOCR response elicited by wideband noise.

Design:

Thirty-two young adults with normal hearing participated in the study. Click-evoked otoacoustic emissions were measured in the ipsilateral ear with and without noise presented in the contralateral ear. Presentation of contralateral noise served to activate the MOCR. The MOCR was activated using five different noise stimuli with bandwidths ranging from 1- to 5-octaves wide (center frequency of 2 kHz; bandwidth incremented in 1-octave steps). Noise spectral levels (19.6 dB SPL/Hz) were held constant across all bandwidths. MOCR metrics included the normalized-percent change in the otoacoustic emission (OAE), the MOCR-induced OAE magnitude shift, and the MOCR-induced OAE phase shift. Linear mixed-effect models were fit to model the dependence of MOCR-induced OAE magnitude and phase changes on noise bandwidth. The use of a mixed-effect modeling approach allowed for the estimation of subject-specific model parameters that capture on- and off-frequency contributions to the MOCR effects. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive capacity of subject-specific model parameters on the MOCR response elicited by wideband noise.

Results:

All OAE-based MOCR metrics increased as the noise bandwidth increased from 1- to 5-octaves wide. The dependence of MOCR-induced OAE magnitude and phase shifts on activator bandwidth was well approximated using a linear model with intercept and slope terms. On average, MOCR-induced magnitude and phase shifts increased at a rate of 0.3 dB/octave and 0.01 cycles/octave, respectively, as bandwidth extended beyond the predicted region of OAE generation. A statistically significant random effect of subject was found for both the intercept and slope parameter of each model. Subject-specific slope estimates were statistically significant predictors of a repeated measure of the wideband MOCR response. A higher slope was predictive of larger wideband MOCR effects.

Conclusions:

MOCR-induced changes to the OAE are greatest when the MOCR is elicited using wideband noise. Variability in the process of spectral integration within the MOCR pathway appears to explain, in part, inter-subject variability in OAE-based estimates of the MOCR response elicited by wideband noise.
Family Presence on Rounds in Adult Critical Care: A Scoping Review
Authors: Calderone Alexander , Debay Vanessa , Goldfarb Michael J.
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES:

Family presence on rounds involves allowing family members to participate in daily healthcare team rounds and is recommended by critical care professional societies. Yet, family presence on rounds is not performed in many institutions. There is a need to synthesize the current evidence base for this practice to inform healthcare providers of the potential benefits and challenges of this approach. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of family presence on adult ICU rounds on family and healthcare providers.

DATA SOURCES:

Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library, and PubMed databases were last searched on January 28, 2022. Studies published during the COVID-19 pandemic were included.

STUDY SELECTION:

Studies involving family presence during rounds that included family or healthcare provider perspectives or outcomes were selected. There were no limitations on study design.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Qualitative and quantitative family and provider perspectives, barriers and challenges to family presence, and study outcomes were extracted from studies. The JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis published guidelines were followed.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

There were 16 studies included. Family reported family presence on rounds as a means of information transfer and an opportunity to ask care-related questions. Family presence on rounds was associated with increased family satisfaction with care, physician comfort, and improved physician-family relationship. Healthcare providers reported a positive perception of family presence on rounds but were concerned about patient confidentiality and perceived efficacy of rounds. Family presence was found to increase rounding time and was felt to negatively impact teaching and opportunities for academic discussions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Family presence on rounds has potential advantages for family and healthcare providers, but important challenges exist. Further studies are needed to understand how to best implement family presence on adult ICU rounds.
Echocardiographic Evidence of Cardiac Atrophy in the Critically Ill
Authors: Kumaresan Abirami , Pannu Ameeka , Mueller Ariel , De Lima Andres , Naseem Heba , O’Connor Sean P. , Valencia Juan , Garcia Daniela , Gosling Andre Fiche , Talmor Daniel , Shaefi Shahzad
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this explorative study is to determine if critically ill patients experience cardiac atrophy that can be quantified as a loss of left ventricular mass (LVM) and thus detected by echocardiography.

DESIGN:

Retrospective single-center cohort study.

SETTING:

Patients admitted to a tertiary medical center in Boston, MA.

PATIENTS:

Adult critically ill patients with ICU length of stay greater than or equal to 5 days.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 68 patients, of which 42 were included in the final analysis (mean age 60.9 ± 19.2 yr; 47.6% male). The median length of ICU stay was 11.3 days (interquartile range, 6.8–20.1 d). A decrease in mean LVM over the course of admission for critical illness was observed (median 189.11 g [162.82–240.20 g] vs 176.69 g [142.37–226.26 g]; p = 0.01). After adjusting for sex, age, fluid balance, ICU type, dietary orders, time between echocardiograms, and vasopressor use, this decrease in LVM remained consistent (mean difference, –21.30 g; 95% CI, –41.85 to –0.74; p = 0.04). Relative wall thickness (RWT) did not change during admission.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data reveal that a loss of LVM is present in patients over their ICU stay without a corresponding change in RWT, consistent with cardiac atrophy. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and identify possible sequelae of this finding.
Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening in Arab Muslim Women Living in the United States
Authors: Mataoui Fatma Zohra
Published: December 2022

Background:

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women, with mammography being the most efficient at detecting early-stage breast cancer. Arab Muslim women living in the United States are an understudied minority group with cultural differences that may influence their utilization of mammography.

Objective:

Guided by the Neuman Systems Model, this study aimed to determine correlates of using mammography, including acculturation, modesty, and breast cancer knowledge, of Arab Muslim women living in New England aged 40 years and older.

Interventions/Methods:

A correlational study design was used with 118 Arab Muslim women with a survey that included sociodemographic data, acculturation, Islamic modesty, and breast cancer knowledge scales.

Results:

The screening rate for women aged 50 years and older was statistically significant in comparison to the Center for Disease Control report (2018) (Z = −2.15, P < .01). Multivariate analysis revealed that modesty (odds ratio = 0.90; confidence interval [0.81-0.99]; P = 0.04), decreased length of stay in the United States (r = 0.34; P < .01), and the use of the Arabic language in the survey (r = −0.20; P < .05) were negatively associated with mammography use.

Conclusions:

Educational and cultural factors may influence use of mammography screening by Arab Muslim women living in the United States.

Implications for Practice:

The study findings underscore the need for a better understanding of modesty by health care providers to enhance use of mammography by Arab Muslim women.

What is Foundational:

Cultural, educational, and religious variables may be drivers of decreased mammography use in minority women. Barriers to breast cancer detection can be overcome by improving sensitivity to such variables.
Establishment of a Cancer Acute Care Clinic Within an Infusion Center
Authors: Alfaro Emely , Quinn Marisa , Baltic Tammy , Acebedo Christopher , Israni Manisha , Miaskowski Christine
Published: December 2022

Context:

With the release of an outcome-based quality measure from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that aimed to reduce emergency department (ED) and hospital admissions for patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, new models of care needed to be implemented.

Clinical Setting:

This case study describes development and implementation of a cancer acute care clinic (CACC) within an extremely busy infusion center located in a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Modifications that were necessary in the context of COVID-19 pandemic are described.

Process:

The development of the CACC involved a transdisciplinary team who determined CACC’s purpose; established patient admission criteria; created a nursing leadership and staffing plan; developed initial operating procedures; and made necessary adjustments to provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical pathways were developed to guide care. Informal patient and staff surveys were done to evaluate satisfaction with CACC’s services.

Outcomes:

Of the initial 142 visits, 75.4% of patients were discharged home, and 12.6% and 12.0% were admitted to the ED or hospital, respectively. Both patients and staff reported high levels of satisfaction with CACC services.

Conclusion:

While COVID-19 disrupted plans for an evaluation of reductions in ED visits, because of high levels of staff and patient satisfaction, plans are underway to expand CACC services and conduct more formal outcome evaluations.

Implications for Practice:

Description of the processes involved in the development and implementation of the CACC may serve as a model for other organization on how to provide acute care to oncology patients.
Clinical Predictors of Adherence to Exercise Training Among Individuals With Heart Failure
Authors: Collins Katherine A. , Reeves Gordon R. , Miller Nancy Houston , Whellan David J. , O'Connor Christopher M. , Marcus Bess H. , Kitzman Dalane W. , Kraus William E.
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

Suboptimal adherence is a major limitation to achieving the benefits of exercise interventions, and our ability to predict and improve adherence is limited. The purpose of this analysis was to identify baseline clinical and demographic characteristics predicting exercise training adherence in the HF-ACTION study cohort.

Methods:

Adherence to exercise training, defined by the total duration of exercise performed (min/wk), was evaluated in 1159 participants randomized to the HF-ACTION exercise intervention. More than 50 clinical, demographic, and exercise testing variables were considered in developing a model of the min/wk end point for 1-3 mo (supervised training) and 10-12 mo (home-based training).

Results:

In the multivariable model for 1-3 mo, younger age, lower income, more severe mitral regurgitation, shorter 6-min walk test distance, lower exercise capacity, and Black or African American race were associated with poorer exercise intervention adherence. No variable accounted for >2% of the variance and the adjusted R
2 for the final model was 0.14. Prediction of adherence was similarly limited for 10-12 mo.

Conclusions:

Clinical and demographic variables available at the initiation of exercise training provide very limited information for identifying patients with heart failure who are at risk for poor adherence to exercise interventions.
Research on Three-level Enrichment Method Based on 222Rn
Authors: Wang Yutao , Shan Jian , Yang Xiyu , Zhang Hao , Li Haoxuan
Published: December 2022

Various low-concentration inert gases, including 222Rn, 133Xe, and 85Kr, pollute the atmosphere near nuclear facilities (e.g., nuclear power plants or reprocessing plants). Owing to the detection limits of instruments, it has become urgent to determine the concentration of these gases efficiently and perform their online monitoring. However, current technologies are limited by low enrichment efficiencies. In this study, a high-pressure, low-flow, large-volume, and high-efficiency adsorption method has been proposed along with a high-temperature, low-pressure, high-flow, and small-volume rapid desorption and collection method, which are based on the gas enrichment principle of activated carbon. The results demonstrated that when dynamic adsorption was implemented using a two-level enrichment method, the final desorbed gas concentration was proportional to the volume ratio of both the large and small activated carbon beds. At a volume ratio of 15:1, 222Rn concentration increased from 110 to 21,016 Bq m−3 after the two-level enrichment; meanwhile, 222Rn concentration increased from 110 to 42,012 Bq m−3 after three-level enrichment. The three-level enrichment technology provides technical support for the enrichment of low-concentration inert gases in the environment, while offering an important technical foundation for improving the monitoring of low-concentration inert gases in specific environments as well as the atmospheric environment.
Efficacy and safety clinical trial with efavirenz in patients diagnosed with adult Niemann-pick type C with cognitive impairment
Authors: Gascón-Bayarri Jordi , Simon Petru Cristian , Llop Roser , Carnaval Thiago , Ledesma María Dolores , Rico Imma , Sánchez-Castañeda Cristina , Campdelacreu-Fumadó Jaume , Calvo-Malvar Nahum , Cos Mònica , de Lama Eugenia , Cortés-Romera Montserrat , Rodríguez-Bel Laura , Pérez-Sousa Celia , Cerdán Sánchez María , Muelas Nuria , Sevillano María Dolores , Mir Pablo , López de Munain Adolfo , Ferrer Anna , Videla Sebastián
Published: December 2022

Background:

Niemann-Pick disease Type C (NPC) is a genetic, incurable, neurodegenerative disorder. This orphan disease is most frequently caused by mutations in the NPC1 protein, resulting in intralysossomal cholesterol accumulation. NPC1 is found in neuronal cell bodies, axon terminals and synaptosomes, suggesting it plays a role in lysosomal degradation pathway and in synaptic transmission. Neuronal function is especially vulnerable to NPC1 deficiency and synaptic changes seem a key element in disease development. Currently, Miglustat (Zavesca®) is the only approved treatment for NPC. However, preclinical evidence showed that low-dose Efavirenz reverted synaptic defects through pharmacological activation of the enzyme CYP46.

Methods:

This is a single-center, phase II clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Efavirenz in addition to standard of care in patients diagnosed with adult or late juvenile-onset NPC with cognitive impairment. All enrolled patients will be treated orally with 25 mg/d of Efavirenz for 52 weeks (1 year). Secondary objectives include evaluating clinical (neurological and neuropsychological questionnaires) and biological (imaging and biochemical biomarkers) parameters.

Discussion:

NPC is still an unmet medical need. Although different therapeutic approaches are under study, this is the first clinical trial (to the best of our knowledge) studying the effects of Efavirenz in adult- and late-juvenile-onset NPC. Despite the small sample size and the single-arm design, we expect the results to show Efavirenz’s capacity of activating the CYP46 enzyme to compensate for NPC1 deficiency and correct synaptic changes, therefore compensating cognitive and psychiatric changes in these patients. This study may provide direct benefit to enrolled patients in terms of slowing down the disease progression.