bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-genome sequencing from the New Zealand Saccharomyces cerevisiae population reveals the genomic impacts of novel microbial range expansion
Authors: Higgins Peter , Grace Cooper A , Lee Soon A , Goddard Matthew R
Published: January 2021

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is extensively utilized for commercial fermentation, and is also an important biological model; however, its ecology has only recently begun to be understood. Through the use of whole-genome sequencing, the species has been characterized into a number of distinct subpopulations, defined by geographical ranges and industrial uses. Here, the whole-genome sequences of 104 New Zealand (NZ) S. cerevisiae strains, including 52 novel genomes, are analyzed alongside 450 published sequences derived from various global locations. The impact of S. cerevisiae novel range expansion into NZ was investigated and these analyses reveal the positioning of NZ strains as a subgroup to the predominantly European/wine clade. A number of genomic differences with the European group correlate with range expansion into NZ, including 18 highly enriched single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and novel Ty1/2 insertions. While it is not possible to categorically determine if any genetic differences are due to stochastic process or the operations of natural selection, we suggest that the observation of NZ-specific copy number increases of four sugar transporter genes in the HXT family may reasonably represent an adaptation in the NZ S. cerevisiae subpopulation, and this correlates with the observations of copy number changes during adaptation in small-scale experimental evolution studies.
Infertility due to defective sperm flagella caused by an intronic deletion inDNAH17that perturbs splicing
Authors: Nosková Adéla , Hiltpold Maya , Janett Fredi , Echtermann Thomas , Fang Zih-Hua , Sidler Xaver , Selige Christin , Hofer Andreas , Neuenschwander Stefan , Pausch Hubert
Published: January 2021

Artificial insemination in pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) breeding involves the evaluation of the semen quality of breeding boars. Ejaculates that fulfill predefined quality requirements are processed, diluted and used for inseminations. Within short time, eight Swiss Large White boars producing immotile sperm that had multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella were noticed at a semen collection center. The eight boars were inbred on a common ancestor suggesting that the novel sperm flagella defect is a recessive trait. Transmission electron microscopy cross-sections revealed that the immotile sperm had disorganized flagellar axonemes. Haplotype-based association testing involving microarray-derived genotypes at 41,094 SNPs of six affected and 100 fertile boars yielded strong association (P = 4.22 × 10−15) at chromosome 12. Autozygosity mapping enabled us to pinpoint the causal mutation on a 1.11 Mb haplotype located between 3,473,632 and 4,587,759 bp. The haplotype carries an intronic 13-bp deletion (Chr12:3,556,401–3,556,414 bp) that is compatible with recessive inheritance. The 13-bp deletion excises the polypyrimidine tract upstream exon 56 of DNAH17 (XM_021066525.1: c.8510–17_8510–5del) encoding dynein axonemal heavy chain 17. Transcriptome analysis of the testis of two affected boars revealed that the loss of the polypyrimidine tract causes exon skipping which results in the in-frame loss of 89 amino acids from DNAH17. Disruption of DNAH17 impairs the assembly of the flagellar axoneme and manifests in multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella. Direct gene testing may now be implemented to monitor the defective allele in the Swiss Large White population and prevent the frequent manifestation of a sterilizing sperm tail disorder in breeding boars.
The Effect of Simulation Method on Nursing Students’ Burn Patient Care Planning: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Onarıcı Müjgan , Karadağ Mevlüde
Published: January 2021

In nursing education, the rate of students to practice for burn patient care is low. This research was carried out as a single-blind randomized control group intervention trial to determine the effectiveness of simulation method performed using high-fidelity human patient simulator in nursing students’ burn patient care planning. The research was conducted with randomly selected 61 students including 31 in intervention and 30 in control groups. In the application process of the research, knowledge tests were administered as a pretest, second test, and posttest, and the first and second applications of burn patient care plans were performed with all students. In the research, the application of burn patient scenario was performed only with the intervention group. As a result of the research, it was found that the posttest knowledge scores of the students in the intervention group increased significantly compared with the control group (P < .05). According to the intergroup evaluations, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of care plan scores (P > .05), whereas the scores for the second burn patient care plan of the intervention group were higher compared with those of the control group. The simulation method was found to increase students’ knowledge levels, and the employment of the method in nursing education is recommended.
Comparison of Predictive Model of Care Requirements for Burn Patients With Operative Requirements Following Volcanic Burns
Authors: Locke Michelle , Wilton Sophie , Borowczyk Katherine , Stapelberg Francois , Wong She Richard
Published: January 2021

On December 9, 2019, Whakaari/White Island volcano in New Zealand erupted with 47 people on the island. Thirty-one people survived long enough to enter the New Zealand National Burn network—13 were repatriated to Australia within 72 hours and 14 of the remaining 18 were treated at the National Burn Center at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland. Our department has previously published a model to calculate the total operative requirements for any given burn surface area for the first 4 weeks of burn treatment. From this model, we calculated the predicted surgical time and operative visit requirements for each patient and compared this to their actual requirements. Actual requirements were also recorded beyond 4 weeks until discharge. Results show that the average variance for operative minutes was significantly above predicted with both the full-thickness burn model (average variance 3.24) and the electrical burn model (average variance 2.65). There was a wide range in both cases (0.54–6.17 and 0.44–5.06, respectively). There was less variance from predicted values of operative visits required than operative minutes (mean: 1.58; range 0.9–3.02). Overall, the values for patients with smaller burns showed the greatest variability from predictions with regard to the total number of operative visits during the first 4 weeks of care. Additionally, patients with burn size greater than 50% TBSA required significant theater access beyond 4 weeks. Analysis of these findings will assist with future planning in both disaster and non-disaster settings in the provision of burn care.
Proof Systems for 3-valued Logics Based on Gödel’s Implication
Authors: Avron Arnon
Published: January 2021

The logic $G3^{<}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$ was introduced in Robles and Mendéz (2014, Logic Journal of the IGPL, 22, 515–538) as a paraconsistent logic which is based on Gödel’s 3-valued matrix, except that Kleene–Łukasiewicz’s negation is added to the language and is used as the main negation connective. We show that $G3^{<}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$ is exactly the intersection of $G3^{\{1\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$ and $G3^{\{1,0.5\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$, the two truth-preserving 3-valued logics which are based on the same truth tables. (In $G3^{\{1\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$ the set ${\cal D}$ of designated elements is $\{1\}$, while in $G3^{\{1,0.5\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$  ${\cal D}=\{1,0.5\}$.) We then construct a Hilbert-type system which has (MP) for $\to $ as its sole rule of inference, and is strongly sound and complete for $G3^{<}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$. Then we show how, by adding one axiom (in the case of $G3^{\{1\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$) or one new rule of inference (in the case of $G3^{\{1,0.5\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$), we get strongly sound and complete systems for $G3^{\{1\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$ and $G3^{\{1,0.5\}}_{{{}^{\scriptsize{-}}}\!\!\textrm{L}}$. Finally, we provide quasi-canonical Gentzen-type systems which are sound and complete for those logics and show that they are all analytic, by proving the cut-elimination theorem for them.
Social Media Use and Adolescents’ Self-Esteem: Heading for a Person-Specific Media Effects Paradigm
Authors: Valkenburg Patti , Beyens Ine , Pouwels J Loes , van Driel Irene I , Keijsers Loes
Published: January 2021

Eighteen earlier studies have investigated the associations between social media use (SMU) and adolescents’ self-esteem, finding weak effects and inconsistent results. A viable hypothesis for these mixed findings is that the effect of SMU differs from adolescent to adolescent. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a preregistered three-week experience sampling study among 387 adolescents (13–15 years, 54% girls). Each adolescent reported on his/her SMU and self-esteem six times per day (126 assessments per participant; 34,930 in total). Using a person-specific, N = 1 method of analysis (Dynamic Structural Equation Modeling), we found that the majority of adolescents (88%) experienced no or very small effects of SMU on self-esteem (−.10 < β < .10), whereas 4% experienced positive (.10 ≤ β ≤ .17) and 8% negative effects (−.21 ≤ β ≤ −.10). Our results suggest that person-specific effects can no longer be ignored in future media effects theories and research.
Father– and Mother–Child Reminiscing About Past Pain and Young Children’s Cognitive Skills
Authors: Lund Tatiana , Pavlova Maria , Kennedy Madison , Graham Susan A , Peterson Carole , Dick Bruce , Noel Melanie
Published: January 2021

Objective Painful experiences are common, distressing, and salient in childhood. Parent-child reminiscing about past painful experiences is an untapped opportunity to process pain-related distress and, similar to reminiscing about other distressing experiences, promotes children’s broader development. Previous research has documented the role of parent-child reminiscing about past pain in children’s pain-related cognitions (i.e., memories for pain), but no study to date has examined the association between parent-child reminiscing about past painful experiences and children’s broader cognitive skills. Design and Methods One hundred and ten typically developing four-year-old children and one of their parents reminisced about a past painful autobiographical event. Children then completed two tasks from the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery, the Flanker Inhibitory Control & Attention Test and the Picture Sequence Memory Test, to measure their executive function and episodic memory, respectively. Results Results indicated that the relation between parental reminiscing style and children’s executive function was moderated by child sex, such that less frequent parental use of yes-no repetition questions was associated with boys’ but not girls’, greater performance on the executive function task. Children displayed greater episodic memory performance when their parents reminisced using more explanations. Conclusions The current study demonstrates the key role of parent-child reminiscing about pain in children’s broader development and supports the merging of developmental and pediatric psychology fields. Future longitudinal research should examine the directionality of the relation between parent-child reminiscing about past pain and children’s developmental outcomes.
Icariin ameliorates partial sciatic nerve ligation induced neuropathic pain in rats: an evidence of in silico and in vivo studies
Authors: Pokkula Swapna , Thakur Santh Rani
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic inflammation of the sciatic nerve, associated with complex pathophysiological events like neuronal ectopic discharge with changes in neurotransmitters, growth factors, receptors/ion channels including N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, Transient receptor cation channels, Voltage-gated calcium channels. All these events eventually lead to inflammation and apoptosis of the sciatic nerve in NP. Icariin (ICA), a natural flavonoid is well known for its anti-inflammatory potential. Hence, the present study is designed to evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential against neuropathic pain using in silico and in vivo studies.

Methods

In silico studies were conducted using targets of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subtype-2B (NR2B), The capsaicin receptor transient receptor cation channel subfamily-V member-1 (TRPV1), N-type voltage-gated calcium (CaV2.2) channels. In in vivo studies, after partial sciatic nerve ligation surgery to animals, received their respective treatment for 21 days, further TNF-α, IL-6, Bax (proapoptotic) and Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic) expressions were estimated.

Key findings

ICA decreased the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2. In silico studies revealed a good energy binding score towards NR2B, TRPV1 receptors and CaV2.2 ion Channel.

Conclusions

ICA could be a promising agent in alleviating neuropathic pain by inhibiting NR2B, TRPV1 receptors and Cav2.2 channels, which induces anti-apoptotic potential and inhibits inflammation.
Interstitial multicatheter HDR-brachytherapy as accelerated partial breast irradiation after second breast-conserving surgery for locally recurrent breast cancer
Authors: Chatzikonstantinou Georgios , Strouthos Iosif , Scherf Christian , Köhn Janett , Solbach Christine , Rödel Claus , Tselis Nikolaos
Published: January 2021

Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of interstitial multicatheter high dose rate brachytherapy (imHDR-BRT) as accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) after second breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). Between January 2010 and December 2019, 20 patients with IBTR who refused salvage mastectomy (sMT) were treated with second BCS and post-operative imHDR-BRT as APBI. All patients had undergone primary BCS followed by adjuvant external beam radiotherapy. Median imHDR-BRT dose was 32 Gy delivered in twice-daily fractions of 4 Gy. Five-year IBTR-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS) as well as toxicity and cosmesis were evaluated in the present retrospective analysis. Median age at recurrence and median time from the first diagnosis to IBTR was 65.1 years and 12.2 years, respectively. After a median follow-up of 69.9 months, two patients developed a second local recurrence resulting in 5-year IBTR free-survival of 86.8%. Five-year DMFS and 5-year OS were 84.6% and 92.3%, respectively. Grade 1–2 fibrosis was noted in 60% of the patients with no grade 3 or higher toxicity. Two (10%) cases of asymptomatic fat necrosis were documented. Cosmetic outcome was classified as excellent in 6 (37.5%), good in 6 (37.5%), fair in 3 (18.75%) and poor in 1 (6.25%) patient, respectively. We conclude that imHDR-BRT as APBI re-irradiation is effective and safe for IBTR and should be considered in appropriately selected patients.
Fenestration of the common iliac vein: an unusual cause of deep venous thrombus
Authors: Dinh Krystal , Manuel Lucy , McGill Alison , Daly Thomas
Published: January 2021

Iliac venous anomalies are reported in 20.9% of patients; however, fenestration or bifurcation of the common iliac vein only accounts for ~0.4% of patients [ 1]. Herein, we present and discuss the rare case of an iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis precipitated by a fenestrated left common iliac vein.
A ∼75 per cent occurrence rate of debris discs around F stars in the β Pic moving group
Authors: Pawellek Nicole , Wyatt Mark , Matrà Luca , Kennedy Grant , Yelverton Ben
Published: January 2021

Only 20 per cent of old field stars have detectable debris discs, leaving open the question of what disc, if any, is present around the remaining 80 per cent. Young moving groups allow to probe this population, since discs are expected to have been brighter early on. This paper considers the population of F stars in the 23 Myr-old β Pictoris moving group (BPMG) where we find that 9/12 targets possess discs. We also analyse archival ALMA data to derive radii for four of the discs, presenting the first image of the 63 au radius disc of HD 164249. Comparing the BPMG results to disc samples from ∼45-Myr and ∼150-Myr-old moving groups, and to discs found around field stars, we find that the disc incidence rate in young moving groups is comparable to that of the BPMG and significantly higher than that of field stars. The BPMG discs tend to be smaller than those around field stars. However, this difference is not statistically significant due to the small number of targets. Yet, by analysing the fractional luminosity versus disc radius parameter space, we find that the fractional luminosities in the populations considered drop by two orders of magnitude within the first 100 Myr. This is much faster than expected by collisional evolution, implying a decay equivalent to 1/age2. We attribute this depletion to embedded planets, which would be around 170 Mearth to cause a depletion on the appropriate time-scale. However, we cannot rule out that different birth environments of nearby young clusters result in brighter debris discs than the progenitors of field stars that likely formed in a more dense environment.
Mechanism of DNA cleavage by the endonuclease SauUSI: a major barrier to horizontal gene transfer and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Tumuluri Vinayak Sadasivam , Rajgor Vrunda , Xu Shuang-Yong , Chouhan Om Prakash , Saikrishnan Kayarat
Published: January 2021

Acquisition of foreign DNA by Staphylococcus aureus, including vancomycin resistance genes, is thwarted by the ATP-dependent endonuclease SauUSI. Deciphering the mechanism of action of SauUSI could unravel the reason how it singularly plays a major role in preventing horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in S. aureus. Here, we report a detailed biochemical and structural characterization of SauUSI, which reveals that in the presence of ATP, the enzyme can cleave DNA having a single or multiple target site/s. Remarkably, in the case of multiple target sites, the entire region of DNA flanked by two target sites is shred into smaller fragments by SauUSI. Crystal structure of SauUSI reveals a stable dimer held together by the nuclease domains, which are spatially arranged to hydrolyze the phosphodiester bonds of both strands of the duplex. Thus, the architecture of the dimeric SauUSI facilitates cleavage of either single-site or multi-site DNA. The structure also provides insights into the molecular basis of target recognition by SauUSI. We show that target recognition activates ATP hydrolysis by the helicase-like ATPase domain, which powers active directional movement (translocation) of SauUSI along the DNA. We propose that a pile-up of multiple translocating SauUSI molecules against a stationary SauUSI bound to a target site catalyzes random double-stranded breaks causing shredding of the DNA between two target sites. The extensive and irreparable damage of the foreign DNA by shredding makes SauUSI a potent barrier against HGT.
Tandem RNA binding sites induce self-association of the stress granule marker protein TIA-1
Authors: Loughlin Fionna E , West Danella L , Gunzburg Menachem J , Waris Saboora , Crawford Simon A , Wilce Matthew C J , Wilce Jacqueline A
Published: January 2021

TIA-1 is an RNA-binding protein that sequesters target RNA into stress granules under conditions of cellular stress. Promotion of stress granule formation by TIA-1 depends upon self-association of its prion-like domain that facilitates liquid-liquid phase separation and is thought to be enhanced via RNA binding. However, the mechanisms underlying the influence of RNA on TIA-1 self-association have not been previously demonstrated. Here we have investigated the self-associating properties of full-length TIA-1 in the presence of designed and native TIA-1 nucleic acid binding sites in vitro, monitoring phase separation, fibril formation and shape. We show that single stranded RNA and DNA induce liquid-liquid phase separation of TIA-1 in a multisite, sequence-specific manner and also efficiently promote formation of amyloid-like fibrils. Although RNA binding to a single site induces a small conformational change in TIA-1, this alone does not enhance phase separation of TIA-1. Tandem binding sites are required to enhance phase separation of TIA-1 and this is finely tuned by the protein:binding site stoichiometry rather than nucleic acid length. Native tandem TIA-1 binding sites within the 3′ UTR of p53 mRNA also efficiently enhance phase separation of TIA-1 and thus may potentially act as potent nucleation sites for stress granule assembly.
Smoking Status, Intensity of Smoking, and Their Relation to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Working Aged Korean Men
Authors: Park Sung Keun , Ryoo Jae-Hong , Kang Jeong Gyu , Jung Ju Young
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Smoking is an established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of smoking on left ventricular (LV) structure has been less studied. This study was designed to assess the association of smoking status and smoking intensity with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods

Study subjects were 53,666 working aged Korean men who received echocardiography as an item of health check up. They were grouped by smoking status (never, former, and current smokers), pack-year of smoking (never, <10, 10–19.9, and ≥20 pack-year), and urine cotinine excretion (<100, 100–999, ≥1000 ng/mL). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used in calculating adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval for LVH (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence interval]). The proportions of abnormal LV geometry patterns were compared among groups.

Results

Former and current smokers had the higher levels in LV mass index, relative wall thickness, and the prevalence of LVH than never smoker. The association with LVH increased in order of never (reference), former (1.44 [1.01–2.04]), and current smokers (2.10 [1.44–3.05]). LVH showed the proportional relationship with pack-year of smoking (never smoker: reference, <10: 1.45 [1.01–2.08], 10–19.9: 1.73 [1.17–2.57], ≥20: 2.43 [1.58–3.74]) and urine cotinine excretion (never smoker: reference, 100–999: 1.70 [1.21–2.37], >1000: 1.97 [1.43–2.72]). The proportions of abnormal LV geometry patterns were higher in smoking groups than never smoking group.

Conclusion

Exposure to tobacco use and intensity of smoking was associated with LVH in working aged population.

Implications

In working aged Koreans with mean age of 39.9 ± 7.0 years, former and current smokers are more likely to have LVH than never smoker. Dose-dependent relationship was found between the smoking status (never, former, and current smokers), pack-year of smoking, urine cotinine excretion, and LVH. These findings indicate that smoking has an adverse influence on LV structure even in relatively young age group.
Cranio-Orbital Pretemporal Approach for Resection of Right Superior Orbital Fissure/Orbital Renal Cell Metastasis: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Nguyen Vincent N , Khan Nickalus R , Arnautović Kenan I
Published: January 2021

Orbital metastatic lesions are rare entities
1-3
best treated with radical surgical resection with preservation/improvement of neurological and visual function.
1-9
Renal cell metastases, in particular, respond less favorably to radiation.
9
To our knowledge, an operative video of microsurgical resection of a renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the superior orbital fissure and orbit has not been reported.

A patient presented with worsening right eye vision as demonstrated on preoperative visual field testing and found to have a 3 × 1 × 1 cm lesion in the orbit and superior orbital fissure. The patient was placed supine and stealth neuronavigation was used to aid in tumor localization and extension. A cranio-orbital craniotomy and pretemporal exposure
2,10,11
were performed to allow extradural dissection of the dura propria off the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Right-sided extradural cranial nerves II, III, IV, V1, and V2 were identified, and a high-speed diamond drill was used to perform extradural anterior clinoidectomy and optic nerve decompression. Microsurgical resection of the intraorbital tumor components was performed by the senior author (KIA) to delineate the plane between tumor and periorbita. An oval-shaped dural opening was made to resect the dura involved by tumor, confirmed on histological analysis, followed by closure via dural allograft. The patient's right-sided visual field improved markedly after surgery.

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the orbit should be resected while preserving and improving preoperative neurological and visual function. The orbitocranial pretemporal approach offers wide visualization to achieve surgical resection.

The patient provided written consent and permission to publish her image.
Transvenous Coil Embolization of a Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Gomez-Paz Santiago , Akamatsu Yosuke , Salem Mohamed M , Moore Justin M , Thomas Ajith J , Ogilvy Christopher S
Published: January 2021

This case is a 66-yr-old woman with a 2-mo history of left-sided tinnitus. Workup with magnetic resonance angiography showed early opacification of the left sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein as well as asymmetric and abundant opacification of the left external carotid artery branches, suspicious for a dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). Diagnosis was confirmed with cerebral angiography, consistent with a left-sided Cognard type I dAVF.
1
Initial treatment attempt was made with transarterial 6% ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx 18) embolization of feeders from the occipital and middle meningeal arteries. However, embolization was not curative and there was a recurrence of a highly bothersome tinnitus 3 wk following treatment. Angiography redemonstrated the transverse sinus dAVF with new recruitment arising from several feeders, including the left external carotid artery, middle meningeal artery, and superficial temporal artery, now Cognard type IIa. Definitive treatment through a transvenous coil embolization provided permanent obliteration of the fistula without recrudescence of symptoms on follow-up. In this video, the authors discuss the nuances of treating a dAVF via a transvenous embolization. Patient consent was given prior to the procedure, and consent and approval for this operative video were waived because of the retrospective nature of this manuscript and the anonymized video material.
Direct Transverse Sinus Cannulation for Coil Embolization of a Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Gomez-Paz Santiago , Akamatsu Yosuke , Salem Mohamed M , Moore Justin M , Ogilvy Christopher S , Thomas Ajith J
Published: January 2021

A 65-yr-old male presented 2 mo after an episode of acute-onset headache associated with altered mental status. Imaging workup with cerebral angiography revealed a Cognard type IV right-sided transverse-sigmoid junction dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). The patient was treated with endovascular embolization of several pedicles from the middle meningeal (MMA) and occipital arteries. Residual filling and cortical venous reflux were noted on follow-up imaging. Therefore, definitive treatment of the persistent fistula was offered with a combined open and endovascular embolization approach.
1
This would provide direct access into the sinus followed by embolization of the fistula. In the accompanying video, we present the case in detail and provide a discussion of the rational and treatment nuances associated with this approach.

 Patient consent was given prior to the procedure and consent and approval for this operative video were waived due to the retrospective nature of this manuscript and the anonymized video material.
Endovascular Treatment of Aneurysms Using Flow-Diversion Embolization: 2-Dimensional Operative Video
Authors: Cavalcanti Daniel D , Nelson Peter Kim , Raz Eytan , Shapiro Maksim , Nossek Erez , Tanweer Omar , Riina Howard A ,   Endovascular Neurosurgery Research Group (ENRG), Bain Mark , Bendock Bernard , Boulos Alan S , Fessler Richard , Grande Andrew , Guterman Lee , Hanel Ricardo , Hoit Daniel , Nelson L Hopkins , Howington Jay , James Robert , Jankowitz Brian , Kan Peter , Khalessi Alex A , Kim Louis , Langer David , Lanzino Giuseppe , Levitt Michael , Lopes Demetrius , Mack William , Mericle Robert , Mocco J , Ogilvy Chris , Replogle Robert , Riina Howard , Rodriguez Rafael , Saugaveau Eric , Schirmer Clemens , Siddiqui Adnan , Spiotta Alex , Sultan Ali , Thomas Ajith , Raymond Turner , Welch Babu , White Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Initially developed for large and giant wide-necked aneurysms of the internal carotid artery, flow diverter devices are now used in almost every location safely and with effectiveness.
1-5
This video demonstrates a unique case of a giant aneurysm of the right petrous internal carotid artery in a 20-yr-old patient. This is an extremely rare location, and most of patients are asymptomatic.
3-6
Signs of compression of the seventh and eight cranial nerves can be present and even Horner syndrome and lower cranial nerves neuropathies. Nevertheless, rupture can lead to epistaxis and otorrhagia, and ultimately to hemorrhagic shock. The patient in the current report was otherwise healthy but presented with lightheadedness and dizziness for 10 d. The patient consented to the procedure. There was no history of major trauma or head and neck infection.

A transradial endovascular flow diversion embolization of a giant aneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery is herein demonstrated in a stepwise manner. A triaxial system was used to deploy 3 overlapping devices. Concepts of J-wire technique, multiple coverage,
1
and the so-called weld technique are emphasized. The role of adjunctive coiling and main reasons for failure are also discussed.
7,8
Brief cases of flow diversion embolization of aneurysms of different morphologies at different locations are used to highlight the importance of assessing vessel wall apposition and follow-up imaging.
Promoting Participation in Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome
Authors: Wentz Erin E , Looper Julia , Menear Kristi S , Rohadia Dipika , Shields Nora
Published: January 2021

Children with Down syndrome (DS) often have lower physical activity (PA) levels compared with their peers with typical development, and face challenges to being physically active such as medical comorbidities, access issues, and societal stigma. Physical therapists are experts in exercise prescription and PA and are thus uniquely qualified to successfully promote participation in children with DS, in spite of inherent challenges. Our perspective is that a shift in physical therapy service delivery is needed. We suggest that physical therapists change the focus of their interventions for children with DS from underlying impairments such as low tone or joint laxity or from developing motor skills in isolation and “correct” movement patterns. Instead, physical therapists should allow the PA preferences and the environmental contexts of the children and adolescents they are working with to direct the treatment plan. In this way, physical therapist intervention becomes more child centered by concentrating on developing the specific skills and strategies required for success in the child’s preferred PA. In this article, we consider the role of pediatric physical therapists in the United States, as well as in low- and middle-income countries, in promoting and monitoring PA in children with DS from infancy through adolescence. Examples of physical therapist interventions such as tummy time, movement exploration, treadmill training, bicycle riding, and strength training are discussed, across infancy, childhood, and adolescence, with a focus on how to successfully promote lifelong participation in PA.

Lay summary

Physical therapists are experts in exercise and physical activity and are thus uniquely qualified to promote participation in children with Down syndrome. Instead of focusing on impairments or “correct” movement patterns, physical therapists are encouraged to allow the child and the child’s environment to direct the treatment plan.
Does Strength Training for Chronic Ankle Instability Improve Balance and Patient-Reported Outcomes and by Clinically Detectable Amounts? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Luan Lijiang , Adams Roger , Witchalls Jeremy , Ganderton Charlotte , Han Jia
Published: January 2021

Objective

Strength training as a form of exercise therapy has long been used to maintain or promote strength, but its effectiveness as a treatment intervention in chronic ankle instability (CAI) is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of strength training compared with no exercise and neuromuscular control training on balance and self-reported function in people with CAI.

Methods

Eight databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EBSCO, PEDro, CNKI, and WanFang) were searched in June 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving strength training conducted on individuals with CAI were included. Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers using a standardized form. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed by using the PEDro Scale. In addition, the GRADE evaluation system (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) was used to determine the strength of evidence. A total of 554 studies were initially screened, resulting in a final selection of 11 RCTs involving 428 participants, and 8 RCTs were included in the final meta-analysis. Compared with no exercise, strength training demonstrated some benefits in the Star Excursion Balance Test (anterior: weighted mean difference [WMD] = 2.39, 95% CI = 0.60–4.18; posteromedial: WMD = 3.30, 95% CI = 0.24–6.35; posterolateral: WMD = 2.97, 95% CI = 0.37–5.57), but these intervention results did not reach the minimal detectable change values.

Conclusion

Available evidence showed that, compared with controls, strength training did not produce any minimal detectable changes on Star Excursion Balance Test or Foot and Ankle Ability Measure scores in individuals with CAI. Clinicians should use strength training cautiously for improving balance and symptoms in CAI.

Impact

The results of this study may have an impact on selecting effective physical therapy interventions for managing symptoms associated with CAI.
Buy-Side Competition and Momentum Profits
Authors: Hoberg Gerard , Kumar Nitin , Prabhala Nagpurnanand
Published: January 2021

We show that a new measure of buy-side competition explains momentum profits. The momentum quintile spread is 1.11% when competition is low and negligible when competition is high. Better alphas are attained with superior Sharpe and Sortino ratios, with no negative skewness, and in more investible strategies featuring value-weighted portfolios and large capitalization stocks. Stock characteristics traditionally related to momentum do not explain our results. Tests based on long-term reversals, the trading patterns of funds, their style peers, distant funds, and retail investors suggest that slow information diffusion explains the large momentum spreads and momentum reversals in low competition markets.
PATIENT-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATES IN DYNAMIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION EXAMINATION
Authors: Sundell V-M , Kortesniemi M , Siiskonen T , Kosunen A , Rosendahl S , Büermann L
Published: January 2021

The study aimed to implement realistic source models of a computed tomography (CT) scanner and Monte Carlo simulations to actual patient data and to calculate patient-specific organ and effective dose estimates for patients undergoing dynamic CT myocardial perfusion examinations. Source models including bowtie filter, tube output and x-ray spectra were determined for a dual-source Siemens Somatom Definition Flash scanner. Twenty CT angiography patient datasets were merged with a scaled International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 110 voxel phantom. Dose simulations were conducted with ImpactMC software. Effective dose estimates varied from 5.0 to 14.6 mSv for the 80 kV spectrum and from 8.9 to 24.7 mSv for the 100 kV spectrum. Significant differences in organ doses and effective doses between patients emphasise the need to use actual patient data merged with matched anthropomorphic anatomy in the dose simulations to achieve a reasonable level of accuracy in the dose estimation procedure.
Subsequent memory effects on event-related potentials in associative fear learning
Authors: Wiemer Julian , Leimeister Franziska , Pauli Paul
Published: January 2021

Studies of human fear learning suggest that a reliable discrimination between safe and threatening stimuli is important for survival and mental health. In the current study, we applied the subsequent memory paradigm in order to identify neurophysiological correlates of successful threat and safety learning. We recorded event-related potentials, while participants incidentally learned associations between multiple neutral faces and an aversive outcome [unconditioned stimulus (US)/conditioned stimulus (CS)+] or no outcome (noUS/CS−). We found that an enhanced late positive potential (LPP) to both CS+ and CS− during learning predicted subsequent memory. A quadratic relationship between LPP and confidence in memory indicates a possible role in both correct and false fear memory. Importantly, the P300 to the omission of the US (following CS−) was enhanced for remembered CS−, while there was a positive correlation between P300 amplitude to both US occurrence and omission and individual memory performance. A following re-exposure phase indicated that memory was indeed related to subjective fear of the CS+/CS−. These results highlight the importance of cognitive resource allocation to both threat and safety for the acquisition of fear and suggest a potential role of the P300 to US omission as an electrophysiological marker of successful safety learning.
Autonomic mechanisms of blood pressure alterations during sleep in orexin/hypocretin-deficient narcoleptic mice
Authors: Alvente Sara , Berteotti Chiara , Bastianini Stefano , Lo Martire Viviana , Matteoli Gabriele , Silvani Alessandro , Zoccoli Giovanna
Published: January 2021

Study Objectives

Increase in arterial pressure (AP) during sleep and smaller differences in AP between sleep and wakefulness have been reported in orexin (hypocretin)-deficient mouse models of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) and confirmed in NT1 patients. We tested whether these alterations are mediated by parasympathetic or sympathetic control of the heart and/or resistance vessels in an orexin-deficient mouse model of NT1.

Methods

Thirteen orexin knock-out (ORX-KO) mice were compared with 12 congenic wild-type (WT) mice. The electroencephalogram, electromyogram, and AP of the mice were recorded in the light (rest) period during intraperitoneal infusion of atropine methyl nitrate, atenolol, or prazosin to block muscarinic cholinergic, β 1-adrenergic, or α 1-adrenergic receptors, respectively, while saline was infused as control.

Results

AP significantly depended on a three-way interaction among the mouse group (ORX-KO vs WT), the wake–sleep state, and the drug or vehicle infused. During the control vehicle infusion, ORX-KO had significantly higher AP values during REM sleep, smaller decreases in AP from wakefulness to either non-rapid-eye-movement (non-REM) sleep or REM sleep, and greater increases in AP from non-REM sleep to REM sleep compared to WT. These differences remained significant with atropine methyl nitrate, whereas they were abolished by prazosin and, except for the smaller AP decrease from wakefulness to REM sleep in ORX-KO, also by atenolol.

Conclusions

Sleep-related alterations of AP due to orexin deficiency significantly depend on alterations in cardiovascular sympathetic control in a mouse model of NT1.
UV-Induced Neuronal Degeneration in the Rat Cerebral Cortex
Authors: Nakata Mariko , Shimoda Masayuki , Yamamoto Shinya
Published: January 2021

Irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light on the cortical surface can induce a focal brain lesion (UV lesion) in rodents. In the present study, we investigated the process of establishing a UV lesion. Rats underwent UV irradiation (365-nm wavelength, 2.0 mWh) over the dura, and time-dependent changes in the cortical tissue were analyzed histologically. We found that the majority of neurons in the lesion started to degenerate within 24 h and the rest disappeared within 5 days after irradiation. UV-induced neuronal degeneration progressed in a layer-dependent manner. Moreover, UV-induced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positivity and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) immunoreactivity were also detected. These findings suggest that UV irradiation in the brain can induce gradual neural degeneration and oxidative stress. Importantly, UV vulnerability may vary among cortical layers. UV-induced cell death may be due to apoptosis; however, there remains a possibility that UV-irradiated cells were degenerated via processes other than apoptosis. The UV lesion technique will not only assist in investigating brain function at a targeted site but may also serve as a pathophysiological model of focal brain injury and/or neurodegenerative disorders.
Comparison of gefitinib-induced skin adverse reactions (SAR) in C57BL/6 and FVB/N mice
Authors: Zhang Yali , Wang Yalei , Chen Ziwei , Cheng Shuo , Ding Chengcheng , Zhang Jiani , Peng Tiantian , Chen Weihang , Zhang Dingyang , Tan Yan , Wang Xu , Dong Ruijuan , Jiang Miao , Hua Qian
Published: January 2021

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib, are widely used in clinical practice and remarkably effective in treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, there are some adverse effects while taking EGFR-TKIs, among which skin adverse reactions (SAR) are the most common events. At present, the poor outcome of SAR and insufficient research on SAR models need to be addressed. In this study we focused on the SAR models to lay a foundation for mechanism researches. Gefitinib, one of the EGFR-TKIs, was used as SAR inducing agents. We chose C57BL/6 and FVB/N mice as experimental model and they were divided into four groups. The weight and skin moisture of mice were detected every 7 days, itching behavior and abnormal eyelids were tested at 35th day after gavage, and survival rate was also recorded. The weight of unit area hair, length of whiskers and inflammatory cells were evaluated after mice sacrificed. C57BL/6 animals treated with gefitinib showed significant differences in survival rate, weight of unit area hair, skin moisture changes, skin dryness, itching behavior, whisker irregular growth, abnormal eyelids, and inflammatory cells; FVB/N animals treated with gefitinib only showed significant differences in survival rate, whisker irregular growth and abnormal eyelids, compared with the control group, respectively. In this study, we compared the similarities and differences of gefitinib-induced SAR between C57BL/6 and FVB/N mice, which illustrated different patients probably showing different symptoms clinically and provided experimental basis for researching mechanism of EGFR-TKIs induced SAR.
What does 16S rRNA gene-targeted next generation sequencing contribute to the study of infective endocarditis in valve tissue?
Authors: Santibáñez Paula , Portillo Aránzazu , Santibáñez Sonia , García-Álvarez Lara , de Toro María , A. Oteo José
Published: January 2021

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe and life-threatening disease. Identification of infectious etiology is essential for establishing the appropriate antimicrobial treatment and decreasing mortality. The aim of this study was to explore potential utility of metagenomics for improving microbiological diagnosis of IE. In this work, next-generation sequencing (NGS) of V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed in 27 heart-valve tissues (18 natives, 5 intravascular devices, and 4 prosthetics) of patients diagnosed by IE. Initial microbiological diagnosis, blood culture (BC) and/or PCR, was compared with NGS-based diagnosis. Metagenomics matched with conventional techniques diagnosis in 24/27 cases (88.9%). The same bacterial family was assigned to 24 cases, the same genus to 23 cases, and the same specie for 13 cases. In 22 of them, the etiological agent was represented by percentages >99% of the reads and in two by ∼70%. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in a previously undiagnosed patient, making the microbiological diagnosis possible in one more sample than with previously used techniques. The remaining two patients showed no coincidence between traditional and NGS microbiological diagnoses. Minority records verified mixed infections in four cases and suggested confections in two cases, supported by clinical data. In conclusion: 16S rRNA gene-targeted NGS allowed to diagnose one case of IE without microbiological entity based on traditional techniques. However, the application of metagenomics to the study of IE in resected heart valves provides no benefits in comparison with BC and/or PCR. More studies are needed before implementation of NGS for the diagnosis of IE.
Trans-ethnic eQTL meta-analysis of human brain reveals regulatory architecture and candidate causal variants for brain-related traits
Authors: Zeng Biao , Bendl Jaroslav , Kosoy Roman , Fullard John F. , Hoffman Gabriel E. , Roussos Panos
Published: January 2021

While large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of loci associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative traits, identifying the variants, genes and molecular mechanisms underlying these traits remains challenging. Integrating GWAS results with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and identifying shared genetic architecture has been widely adopted to nominate genes and candidate causal variants. However, this integrative approach is often limited by the sample size, the statistical power of the eQTL dataset, and the strong linkage disequilibrium between variants. Here we developed the multivariate multiple QTL (mmQTL) approach and applied it to perform a large-scale trans-ethnic eQTL meta-analysis to increase power and fine-mapping resolution. Importantly, this method also increases power to identify conditional eQTL’s that are enriched for cell type specific regulatory effects. Analysis of 3,188 RNA-seq samples from 2,029 donors, including 444 non-European individuals, yields an effective sample size of 2,974, which is substantially larger than previous brain eQTL efforts. Joint statistical fine-mapping of eQTL and GWAS identified 301 variant-trait pairs for 23 brain-related traits driven by 189 unique candidate causal variants for 179 unique genes. This integrative analysis identifies novel disease genes and elucidates potential regulatory mechanisms for genes underlying schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.