bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacy-facilitated medication history program at a community teaching hospital: A pre-post study in an emergency department
Authors: Do Tina , Garlock Jenna , Williams Andrea , Mullen Chanda , Frazee Lawrence A
Published: November 2020

Purpose

A study was conducted to compare the accuracy of medication histories compiled by pharmacy technicians with histories obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a community teaching hospital from January 2017 through February 2018. Inclusion criteria included patient age of at least 18 years, use of 1 or more medications at the time of admission, and hospital admission through the emergency department. Each electronically documented medication history was assessed for accuracy. The objective was to compare the accuracy of pharmacy technician–collected medication histories to those obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process.

Results

Of 215 patients screened, 183 were included in the study: 91 patients whose medication histories were obtained through the usual multidisciplinary process and 92 whose medication histories were collected by pharmacy technicians. Overall, documentation for 1,773 medications listed in medication histories was reviewed. The primary outcome of medication history accuracy occurred 38% of the time with the usual multidisciplinary process and 70% of the time with pharmacy technician collection of medication histories (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study showed that the accuracy of medication histories was improved when histories were obtained by pharmacy technicians instead of via the usual multidisciplinary process.
The gradation puzzle of intellectual assurance
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxing
Published: November 2020

The Cartesian thesis that some justifications are infallible faces a gradation puzzle. On the one hand, infallible justification tolerates absolutely no possibility for error. On the other hand, infallible justifications can vary in evidential force: e.g. two persons can both be infallible regarding their pains while the one with stronger pain is nevertheless more justified. However, if a type of justification is gradable in strength, why can it always be absolute? This paper explores the potential of this gradation challenge by rejecting Fumerton's recent ‘semantic decision' solution. On Fumerton's suggestion, the putative gradation of infallible justifications is essentially semantic. It concerns only how we use the relevant term but not how well we perceive the truth. Regardless of its intuitive appeal, Fumerton's solution does not cover all the related situations. There is an irreducibly epistemic sense in which infallible justifications vary in degrees.
A comprehensive drug repurposing study for COVID19 treatment: novel putative dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors show association to serotonin–dopamine receptors
Authors: Berber Burak , Doluca Osman
Published: November 2020

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a key enzyme required for de novo pyrimidine synthesis and it is suggested as a target for COVID19 treatment due to high pyrimidine demand by the virus replication in the infected host cells as well as its proven effect of blocking of cytokine release by the immune cells to prevent inflammation leading to acute respiratory distress. There are a number of clinical trials underway for COVID19 treatment using DHODH inhibitors; however, there are only a small number of known DHODH antagonists available for testing.

Here, we have applied a methodology to identify DHODH antagonist candidates, and compared them using in silico target prediction tools. A large set of 7900 FDA-approved and clinical stage drugs obtained from DrugBank were docked against 20 different structures DHODH available in PDB. Drugs were eliminated according to their predicted affinities by Autodock Vina. About 28 FDA-approved and 79 clinical trial ongoing drugs remained. The mode of interaction of these molecules was analyzed by repeating docking using Autodock 4 and DS Visualiser. Finally, the target region predictions of 28 FDA-approved drugs were determined through PASS and SwissTargetPrediction tools.

Interestingly, the analysis of in silico target predictions revealed that serotonin–dopamine receptor antagonists could also be potential DHODH inhibitors. Our candidates shared a common attribute, a possible interaction with serotonin–dopamine receptors as well as other oxidoreductases, like DHODH. Moreover, the Bruton Tyrosine Kinase-inhibitor acalabrutunib and serotonin–dopamine receptor inhibitor drugs on our list have been found in the literature that have shown to be effective against Sars-CoV-2, while the path of activity is yet to be identified.

Identifying an effective drug that can suppress both inflammation and virus proliferation will play a crucial role in the treatment of COVID. Therefore, we suggest experimental investigation of the 28 FDA-approved drugs on DHODH activity and Sars-CoV-2 virus proliferation. Those who are found experimentally effective can play an important role in COVID19 treatment. Moreover, we suggest investigating COVID19 case conditions in patients using schizophrenia and depression drugs.
Classification and characterization of multigene family proteins of African swine fever viruses
Authors: Zhu Zhaozhong , Chen Huiting , Liu Li , Cao Yang , Jiang Taijiao , Zou Yuanqiang , Peng Yousong
Published: November 2020

African swine fever virus (ASFV) poses serious threats to the pig industry. The multigene family (MGF) proteins are extensively distributed in ASFVs and are generally classified into five families, including MGF-100, MGF-110, MGF-300, MGF-360 and MGF-505. Most MGF proteins, however, have not been well characterized and classified within each family. To bridge this gap, this study first classified MGF proteins into 31 groups based on protein sequence homology and network clustering. A web server for classifying MGF proteins was established and kept available for free at http://www.computationalbiology.cn/MGF/home.html. Results showed that MGF groups of the same family were most similar to each other and had conserved sequence motifs; the genetic diversity of MGF groups varied widely, mainly due to the occurrence of indels. In addition, the MGF proteins were predicted to have large structural and functional diversity, and MGF proteins of the same MGF family tended to have similar structure, location and function. Reconstruction of the ancestral states of MGF groups along the ASFV phylogeny showed that most MGF groups experienced either the copy number variations or the gain-or-loss changes, and most of these changes happened within strains of the same genotype. It is found that the copy number decrease and the loss of MGF groups were much larger than the copy number increase and the gain of MGF groups, respectively, suggesting the ASFV tended to lose MGF proteins in the evolution. Overall, the work provides a detailed classification for MGF proteins and would facilitate further research on MGF proteins.
Epidemiological and cohort study finds no association between COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome
Authors: Keddie Stephen , Pakpoor Julia , Mousele Christina , Pipis Menelaos , Machado Pedro M , Foster Mark , Record Christopher J , Keh Ryan Y S , Fehmi Janev , Paterson Ross W , Bharambe Viraj , Clayton Lisa M , Allen Claire , Price Olivia , Wall Jasmine , Kiss-Csenki Annamaria , Rathnasabapathi Devi Priya , Geraldes Ruth , Yermakova Tatyana , King-Robson Joshua , Zosmer Maya , Rajakulendran Sanjeev , Sumaria Sheetal , Farmer Simon F , Nortley Ross , Marshall Charles R , Newman Edward J , Nirmalananthan Niranjanan , Kumar Guru , Pinto Ashwin A , Holt James , Lavin Tim M , Brennan Kathryn M , Zandi Michael S , Jayaseelan Dipa L , Pritchard Jane , Hadden Robert D M , Manji Hadi , Willison Hugh J , Rinaldi Simon , Carr Aisling S , Lunn Michael P
Published: November 2020

Reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have emerged during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This epidemiological and cohort study sought to investigate any causative association between COVID-19 infection and GBS. The epidemiology of GBS cases reported to the UK National Immunoglobulin Database was studied from 2016 to 2019 and compared to cases reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were stratified by hospital trust and region, with numbers of reported cases per month. UK population data for COVID-19 infection were collated from UK public health bodies. In parallel, but separately, members of the British Peripheral Nerve Society prospectively reported incident cases of GBS during the pandemic at their hospitals to a central register. The clinical features, investigation findings and outcomes of COVID-19 (definite or probable) and non-COVID-19 associated GBS cases in this cohort were compared. The incidence of GBS treated in UK hospitals from 2016 to 2019 was 1.65–1.88 per 100 000 individuals per year. GBS incidence fell between March and May 2020 compared to the same months of 2016–19. GBS and COVID-19 incidences during the pandemic also varied between regions and did not correlate with one another (r = 0.06, 95% confidence interval: −0.56 to 0.63, P = 0.86). In the independent cohort study, 47 GBS cases were reported (COVID-19 status: 13 definite, 12 probable, 22 non-COVID-19). There were no significant differences in the pattern of weakness, time to nadir, neurophysiology, CSF findings or outcome between these groups. Intubation was more frequent in the COVID-19 affected cohort (7/13, 54% versus 5/22, 23% in COVID-19-negative) attributed to COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Although it is not possible to entirely rule out the possibility of a link, this study finds no epidemiological or phenotypic clues of SARS-CoV-2 being causative of GBS. GBS incidence has fallen during the pandemic, which may be the influence of lockdown measures reducing transmission of GBS inducing pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni and respiratory viruses.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in New York City: A Population-Level Analysis of Linked Surveillance Data
Authors: Braunstein Sarah L , Lazar Rachael , Wahnich Amanda , Daskalakis Demetre C , Blackstock Oni J
Published: November 2020

Background

New York City (NYC) was hard-hit by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and is also home to a large population of people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Methods

We matched laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case and death data reported to the NYC Health Department as of 2 June 2020 against the NYC HIV surveillance registry. We describe and compare the characteristics and COVID-19–related outcomes of PWH diagnosed with COVID-19 with all NYC PWH and with all New Yorkers diagnosed with COVID-19.

Results

Through 2 June, 204 583 NYC COVID-19 cases were reported. The registry match identified 2410 PWH with diagnosed COVID-19 eligible for analysis (1.06% of all COVID-19 cases). Compared with all NYC PWH and all New Yorkers diagnosed with COVID-19, a higher proportion of PWH with COVID-19 were older, male, Black, or Latino, and living in high-poverty neighborhoods. At least 1 underlying condition was reported for 58.9% of PWH with COVID-19. Compared with all NYC COVID-19 cases, a higher proportion of PWH with COVID-19 experienced hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and/or death; most PWH who experienced poor COVID-19–related outcomes had CD4 <500 cells/µL.

Conclusions

Given NYC HIV prevalence is 1.5%, PWH were not overrepresented among COVID-19 cases. However, compared with NYC COVID-19 cases overall, a greater proportion of PWH had adverse COVID-19–related outcomes, perhaps because of a higher prevalence of factors associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes. Given the pandemic’s exacerbating effects on health inequities, HIV public health and clinical communities must strengthen services and support for people living with and affected by HIV.
Detecting Cognitive Features of Videos Using EEG Signal
Authors: Qananwah Qasem , Alqudah Ali Mohammad , Alodat Moh’d , Dagamseh Ahmad , Hayden Oliver
Published: November 2020

Electroencephalography (EEG) emerged as a highly relevant signal to human emotion, brain diagnosing and brain–computer interfaces (BCI) applications. In this paper, the EEG signal is used to evaluate the cognitive response of subjects during watching test video clips. The measurements are performed with 25 subjects using eight channels while simultaneously running the video clips. The β and γ waves of the EEG signal are used to extract the features that represent the evoked activity in each group of frames using the Peak-Over-Threshold (POT) technique. Significant EEG patterns are derived from the time-correlated measurements, which can be related to the subjects’ interests. In addition, the conjunctions that represent the occurrence of segments-of-interest in more than one channel are determined. The results show that ~15% of the segments attracted the attention of the viewers in each test video clip. Such a technique can potentially be implemented in neuromarketing analysis or to develop a new video compression technique that depends on the human cognitive system.
Does community-based health insurance improve access to care in sub-Saharan Africa? A rapid review
Authors: Artignan Juliette , Bellanger Martine
Published: November 2020

In sub-Saharan African countries, out-of-pocket payments can be a major barrier to accessing appropriate healthcare services. Community-based health insurance (CBHI) has emerged as a context-appropriate risk-pooling mechanism to provide some financial protection to populations without access to formal health insurance. The aim of this rapid review was to examine the peer-reviewed literature on the impact of CBHI on the use of healthcare services as well as its capacity to improve equity in the use of healthcare between different socio-economic groups. A systematic search of three electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Littérature en Santé) was performed. Data were extracted on scheme and study characteristics, as well as the impact of the schemes on relevant outcomes. Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria, studying schemes from seven different countries. They provide strong evidence that community-based health insurance can contribute to improving access to outpatient care and weak evidence that they improve access to inpatient care. There was low evidence on their capacity to improve equity in access to healthcare among insured members. In the absence of sufficient public spending for healthcare, such schemes may be able to provide some valuable benefits for communities with limited access to primary-level care in sub-Saharan Africa. The overall high risk of bias of the studies and the wide existing variety of insurance arrangements suggest caution in generalizing these results. These findings need to be validated and further developed by rigorous studies.
Treatment for bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction using phrenic nerve reconstruction and diaphragm pacemakers
Authors: Kaufman Matthew R , Bauer Thomas , Onders Raymond P , Brown David P , Chang Eric I , Rossi Kristie , Elkwood Andrew I , Paulin Ethan , Jarrahy Reza
Published: November 2020

OBJECTIVES

Bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction results in severe dyspnoea, usually requiring oxygen therapy and nocturnal ventilatory support. Although treatment options are limited, phrenic nerve reconstruction (PR) offers the opportunity to restore functional activity. This study aims to evaluate combination treatment with PR and placement of a diaphragm pacemaker (DP) compared to DP placement alone in patients with bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction.

METHODS

Patients with bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction were prospectively enrolled in the following treatment algorithm: Unilateral PR was performed on the more severely impacted side with bilateral DP implantation. Motor amplitudes, ultrasound measurements of diaphragm thickness, maximal inspiratory pressure, forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity and subjective patient-reported outcomes were obtained for retrospective analysis following completion of the prospective database.

RESULTS

Fourteen male patients with bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction confirmed on chest fluoroscopy and electrodiagnostic testing were included. All 14 patients required nocturnal ventilator support, and 8/14 (57.1%) were oxygen-dependent. All patients reported subjective improvement, and all 8 oxygen-dependent patients were able to discontinue oxygen therapy following treatment. Improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure, forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume were 68%, 47% and 53%, respectively. There was an average improvement of 180% in motor amplitude and a 50% increase in muscle thickness. Comparison of motor amplitude changes revealed significantly greater functional recovery on the PR + DP side.

CONCLUSIONS

PR and simultaneous implantation of a DP may restore functional activity and alleviate symptoms in patients with bilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction. PR plus diaphragm pacing appear to result in greater functional muscle recovery than pacing alone.
Time-dependent acoustic scattering from generalized impedance boundary conditions via boundary elements and convolution quadrature
Authors: Banjai Lehel , Lubich Christian , Nick Jörg
Published: November 2020

Generalized impedance boundary conditions are effective approximate boundary conditions that describe scattering of waves in situations where the wave interaction with the material involves multiple scales. In particular, this includes materials with a thin coating (with the thickness of the coating as the small scale) and strongly absorbing materials. For the acoustic scattering from generalized impedance boundary conditions, the approach taken here first determines the Dirichlet and Neumann boundary data from a system of time-dependent boundary integral equations with the usual boundary integral operators, and then the scattered wave is obtained from the Kirchhoff representation. The system of time-dependent boundary integral equations is discretized by boundary elements in space and convolution quadrature in time. The well-posedness of the problem and the stability of the numerical discretization rely on the coercivity of the Calderón operator for the Helmholtz equation with frequencies in a complex half-plane. Convergence of optimal order in the natural norms is proved for the full discretization. Numerical experiments illustrate the behaviour of the proposed numerical method.
A framework for making predictive models useful in practice
Authors: Jung Kenneth , Kashyap Sehj , Avati Anand , Harman Stephanie , Shaw Heather , Li Ron , Smith Margaret , Shum Kenny , Javitz Jacob , Vetteth Yohan , Seto Tina , Bagley Steven C , Shah Nigam H
Published: November 2020

Objective

To analyze the impact of factors in healthcare delivery on the net benefit of triggering an Advanced Care Planning (ACP) workflow based on predictions of 12-month mortality.

Materials and Methods

We built a predictive model of 12-month mortality using electronic health record data and evaluated the impact of healthcare delivery factors on the net benefit of triggering an ACP workflow based on the models’ predictions. Factors included nonclinical reasons that make ACP inappropriate: limited capacity for ACP, inability to follow up due to patient discharge, and availability of an outpatient workflow to follow up on missed cases. We also quantified the relative benefits of increasing capacity for inpatient ACP versus outpatient ACP.

Results

Work capacity constraints and discharge timing can significantly reduce the net benefit of triggering the ACP workflow based on a model’s predictions. However, the reduction can be mitigated by creating an outpatient ACP workflow. Given limited resources to either add capacity for inpatient ACP versus developing outpatient ACP capability, the latter is likely to provide more benefit to patient care.

Discussion

The benefit of using a predictive model for identifying patients for interventions is highly dependent on the capacity to execute the workflow triggered by the model. We provide a framework for quantifying the impact of healthcare delivery factors and work capacity constraints on achieved benefit.

Conclusion

An analysis of the sensitivity of the net benefit realized by a predictive model triggered clinical workflow to various healthcare delivery factors is necessary for making predictive models useful in practice.
Pleistocene Ice Ages Created New Evolutionary Lineages, but Limited Speciation in Northeast Pacific Winged Kelp
Authors: Grant W Stewart , Bringloe Trevor T
Published: November 2020

The extent that Pleistocene climate variability promoted speciation has been much debated. Here, we surveyed genetic markers in winged kelp Alaria in the Gulf of Alaska, Northeast Pacific Ocean to understand how paleoclimates may have influenced diversity in this kelp. The study included wide geographic sampling over 2800 km and large sample sizes compared to previous studies of this kelp. Mitochondrial 5′-COI (664 bp), plastid rbcL-3′ (740 bp) and 8 microsatellite markers in 16 populations resolved 5 well-defined lineages. COI-rbcL haplotypes were distributed chaotically among populations around the Gulf of Alaska. Principal Coordinates Analysis of microsatellite genotypes grouped plants largely by organellar lineage instead of geography, indicating reproductive isolation among lineages. However, microsatellite markers detected hybrids at 3 sites where lineages co-occurred. Local adaptation on various time scales may be responsible for some genetic differences between populations located along wave-energy and salinity gradients, but the chaotic pattern of variability over hundreds of kilometers is likely due to isolations in northern refugia during Pleistocene ice ages. The range of divergences between populations indicates that episodic glaciations led to the creation of new lineages, but population turnover (local extinctions and recolonizations) limited the formation of new species in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean.
Mouse Hair Significantly Lightened Through Replacement of the Cysteine Residue in the N-Terminal Domain of Mc1r Using the CRISPR/Cas9 System
Authors: Suzuki Hitoshi , Kinoshita Gohta , Tsunoi Takeru , Noju Koki , Araki Kimi
Published: November 2020

A loss-of-function mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R), which switches off the eumelanin production, causes yellowish coat color variants in mammals. In a wild population of sables (Martes zibellina) in Hokkaido, Japan, the mutation responsible for a bright yellow coat color variant was inferred to be a cysteine replacement at codon 35 of the N-terminal extracellular domain of the Mc1r receptor. In the present study, we validated these findings by applying genome editing on Mc1r in mouse strains C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6N, altering the codon for cysteine (Cys33Phe). The resulting single amino acid substitution (Cys33Phe) and unintentionally generated frameshift mutations yielded a color variant exhibiting substantially brighter body color, indicating that the Cys35 replacement produced sufficient MC1R loss of function to confirm that this mutation is responsible for producing the Hokkaido sable yellow color variant. Notably, the yellowish mutant mouse phenotype exhibited brown coloration in subapical hair on the dorsal side in both the C3H/HeJ and C57BL/6N strains, despite the inability of the latter to produce the agouti signaling protein (Asip). This darker hair and body coloration was not apparent in the Hokkaido sable variant, implying the presence of an additional genetic system shaping yellowish hair variability.
Habitat suitability modeling based on remote sensing to realize time synchronization of species and environmental variables
Authors: Wang Da-Ju , Wei Hai-Yan , Zhang Xu-Hui , Fang Ya-Qin , Gu Wei
Published: November 2020

Aims

Remote sensing (RS) is a technical method for effectively capturing real-world data on a large scale. We aimed to (i) realize the time synchronization of species and environmental variables, and extract variables related to the actual growth of species based on RS in habitat suitability modeling, and (ii) provide a reference for species management.

Methods

Taking invasive species Ambrosia artemisiifolia in China as an example for habitat suitability modeling. Temperature and precipitation variables were calculated from the land surface temperature provided by the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), and climate station data, respectively. Besides, other variables that directly affect the growth or reproduction of A. artemisiifolia were also included, such as the relative humidity of the previous year’s flowering period (RHPFP), and the effective UV irradiance reaching the Earth’s surface (UVI). The random forest method was selected to model the habitat suitability. The environmental variables and samples were divided into four-time periods (i.e. 1990–2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010 and 2011–2016) based on sampling time. Variables from the long-time series of RS (1990–2016) and WorldClim (1960–1990) were also modeled.

Important Findings

It was feasible to extract environmental variables from RS for habitat suitability modeling, and was more accurate than that based on the variables from WorldClim. The potential distribution of A. artemisiifolia in 1990–2000 and 2006–2010 was smaller than that in 2001–2005 and 2011–2016. The precipitation of driest months (bio14), precipitation coefficient of variation (bio15), RHPFP and UVI were the important environmental variables that affect the growth and reproduction of A. artemisiifolia. The results indicated that the time synchronization of species and environmental variables improved the prediction accuracy of A. artemisiifolia, which should be considered in habitat suitability modeling (especially for annual species). This study can provide an important reference for the management and prevention of the spread of A. artemisiifolia.
Cosmic ray driven outflows to Mpc scales from L* galaxies
Authors: Hopkins Philip F , Chan T K , Ji Suoqing , Hummels Cameron B , Kereš Dušan , Quataert Eliot , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André
Published: November 2020

We study the effects of cosmic rays (CRs) on outflows from star-forming galaxies in the circum and intergalactic medium (CGM/IGM), in high-resolution, fully cosmological FIRE-2 simulations (accounting for mechanical and radiative stellar feedback, magnetic fields, anisotropic conduction/viscosity/CR diffusion and streaming, and CR losses). We showed previously that massive ($M_{\rm halo}\gtrsim 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$), low-redshift (z ≲ 1–2) haloes can have CR pressure dominate over thermal CGM pressure and balance gravity, giving rise to a cooler CGM with an equilibrium density profile. This dramatically alters outflows. Absent CRs, high gas thermal pressure in massive haloes ‘traps’ galactic outflows near the disc, so they recycle. With CRs injected in supernovae as modelled here, the low-pressure halo allows ‘escape’ and CR pressure gradients continuously accelerate this material well into the IGM in ‘fast’ outflows, while lower-density gas at large radii is accelerated in situ into ‘slow’ outflows that extend to >Mpc scales. CGM/IGM outflow morphologies are radically altered: they become mostly volume-filling (with inflow in a thin mid-plane layer) and coherently biconical from the disc to >Mpc. The CR-driven outflows are primarily cool ($T\sim \! 10^{5}\,$ K) and low velocity. All of these effects weaken and eventually vanish at lower halo masses ($\lesssim 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) or higher redshifts (z ≳ 1–2), reflecting the ratio of CR to thermal + gravitational pressure in the outer halo. We present a simple analytical model that explains all of the above phenomena. We caution that these predictions may depend on uncertain CR transport physics.
A Spitzer survey of Deep Drilling Fields to be targeted by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time
Authors: Lacy M , Surace J A , Farrah D , Nyland K , Afonso J , Brandt W N , Clements D L , Lagos C D P , Maraston C , Pforr J , Sajina A , Sako M , Vaccari M , Wilson G , Ballantyne D R , Barkhouse W A , Brunner R , Cane R , Clarke T E , Cooper M , Cooray A , Covone G , D’Andrea C , Evrard A E , Ferguson H C , Frieman J , Gonzalez-Perez V , Gupta R , Hatziminaoglou E , Huang J , Jagannathan P , Jarvis M J , Jones K M , Kimball A , Lidman C , Lubin L , Marchetti L , Martini P , McMahon R G , Mei S , Messias H , Murphy E J , Newman J A , Nichol R , Norris R P , Oliver S , Perez-Fournon I , Peters W M , Pierre M , Polisensky E , Richards G T , Ridgway S E , Röttgering H J A , Seymour N , Shirley R , Somerville R , Strauss M A , Suntzeff N , Thorman P A , van Kampen E , Verma A , Wechsler R , Wood-Vasey W M
Published: November 2020

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will observe several Deep Drilling Fields (DDFs) to a greater depth and with a more rapid cadence than the main survey. In this paper, we describe the ‘DeepDrill’ survey, which used the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) to observe three of the four currently defined DDFs in two bands, centred on 3.6 and 4.5 μm. These observations expand the area that was covered by an earlier set of observations in these three fields by the Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (SERVS). The combined DeepDrill and SERVS data cover the footprints of the LSST DDFs in the Extended Chandra Deep Field–South (ECDFS) field, the ELAIS-S1 field (ES1), and the XMM-Large-Scale Structure Survey field (XMM-LSS). The observations reach an approximate 5σ point-source depth of 2 μJy (corresponding to an AB magnitude of 23.1; sufficient to detect a 10$^{11} \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ galaxy out to z ≈ 5) in each of the two bands over a total area of $\approx 29\,$ deg2. The dual-band catalogues contain a total of 2.35 million sources. In this paper, we describe the observations and data products from the survey, and an overview of the properties of galaxies in the survey. We compare the source counts to predictions from the Shark semi-analytic model of galaxy formation. We also identify a population of sources with extremely red ([3.6]−[4.5] >1.2) colours which we show mostly consists of highly obscured active galactic nuclei.
Combined magnetic and gravity measurements probe the deep zonal flows of the gas giants
Authors: Galanti E , Kaspi Y
Published: November 2020

During the past few years, both the Cassini mission at Saturn and the Juno mission at Jupiter provided measurements with unprecedented accuracy of the gravity and magnetic fields of the two gas giants. Using the gravity measurements, it was found that the strong zonal flows observed at the cloud level of the gas giants are likely to extend thousands of kilometres deep into the planetary interior. However, the gravity measurements alone, which are by definition an integrative measure of mass, cannot constrain with high certainty the exact vertical structure of the flow. Taking into account the recent Cassini magnetic field measurements of Saturn, and past secular variations of Jupiter’s magnetic field, we obtain an additional physical constraint on the vertical decay profile of the observed zonal flows on these planets. Our combined gravity–magnetic analysis reveals that the cloud-level winds on Saturn (Jupiter) extend with very little decay, i.e. barotropically, down to a depth of around 7000 km (2000 km) and then decay rapidly in the semiconducting region, so that within the next 1000 km (600 km) their value reduces to about 1 per cent of that at the cloud level. These results indicate that there is no significant mechanism acting to decay the flow in the outer neutral region, and that the interaction with the magnetic field in the semiconducting region might play a central role in the decay of the flows.
Humanin regulates oxidative stress in the ovaries of polycystic ovary syndrome patients via the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Wang Yingying , Li Nianyu , Zeng Zhengyan , Tang Li , Zhao Shuhua , Zhou Fang , Zhou Liping , Xia Wei , Zhu Changhong , Rao Meng
Published: November 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological pathology among women of reproductive age, whereas the pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Systemic and ovarian oxidative stress (OS) imbalance is a pivotal feature of PCOS. Humanin, a mitochondria-derived peptide, has been reported to function as an antioxidant in cardiomyocytes, pancreatic beta cells and other cells, but how this function is regulated remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether humanin expression differs in the granulosa cells (GCs) of PCOS patients versus controls, and whether humanin alleviates OS in PCOS ovaries. Sixteen PCOS patients and 28 age- and BMI-matched controls undergoing IVF were recruited, and their serum, follicular fluid and GCs were collected for humanin analysis. Dehydroepiandrosterone-induced rat PCOS models, and vitamin K3-induced OS COV434 cell lines were applied to investigate the mechanism. Humanin expression was significantly down-regulated in the ovaries of PCOS patients relative to those of non-PCOS patients. Exogenous humanin supplementation significantly attenuated body weight gain, ovarian morphological abnormalities, endocrinological disorders and ovarian and systemic OS in PCOS rat models. Our study further demonstrated that this attenuation effect was involved in the modulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway. In summary, this study reported for the first time that decreased expression of humanin in the GCs was associated with oxidative imbalance in PCOS. Humanin alleviates OS in ovarian GCs of PCOS patients via modulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signalling pathway.
NAD+ is not utilized as a co-factor for DNA ligation by human DNA ligase IV
Authors: Zhao Bailin , Naila Tasmin , Lieber Michael R , Tomkinson Alan E
Published: November 2020

As nucleotidyl transferases, formation of a covalent enzyme-adenylate intermediate is a common first step of all DNA ligases. While it has been shown that eukaryotic DNA ligases utilize ATP as the adenylation donor, it was recently reported that human DNA ligase IV can also utilize NAD+ and, to a lesser extent ADP-ribose, as the source of the adenylate group and that NAD+, unlike ATP, enhances ligation by supporting multiple catalytic cycles. Since this unexpected finding has significant implications for our understanding of the mechanisms and regulation of DNA double strand break repair, we attempted to confirm that NAD+ and ADP-ribose can be used as co-factors by human DNA ligase IV. Here, we provide evidence that NAD+ does not enhance ligation by pre-adenylated DNA ligase IV, indicating that this co-factor is not utilized for re-adenylation and subsequent cycles of ligation. Moreover, we find that ligation by de-adenylated DNA ligase IV is dependent upon ATP not NAD+ or ADP-ribose. Thus, we conclude that human DNA ligase IV cannot use either NAD+ or ADP-ribose as adenylation donor for ligation.
The Impact of Including Cessation Resource Information on Health Warnings on Standardized Tobacco Packaging on Awareness and Use: A Longitudinal Online Survey in the United Kingdom
Authors: Moodie Crawford , Best Catherine , Critchlow Nathan , Stead Martine , McNeill Ann , Hitchman Sara
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Since May 2017, all cigarettes and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco in the United Kingdom must be sold in standardized packs with pictorial warnings displaying, for the first time, a stop-smoking website.

Aims and Methods

Data come from three waves of a longitudinal online survey with smokers and ex-smokers conducted pre- and post-standardized packaging, with Wave 1 (W1) in April–May 2016, Wave 2 (W2) in September–November 2017, and Wave 3 (W3) in May–July 2019. Only smokers are included in the analysis: W1 (N = 6233), W2 (N = 3629), and W3 (N = 2412). We explored any change in citing warnings on packs as a source of information about a stop-smoking website, and whether citing warnings as a source was associated with use of a stop-smoking website. As the warnings, and therefore the stop-smoking website, are larger on RYO packs than on cigarette packs due to the larger pack size, we explored differences in awareness of a stop-smoking website among exclusive cigarette smokers (W1 = 3142, W2 = 1884, W3 = 1247) and exclusive RYO smokers (W1 = 2046, W2 = 1119, W3 = 814).

Results

Among smokers recalling seeing information about a stop-smoking website, citing warnings as a source increased between waves (W1 = 14.0%, W2 = 24.2%, W3 = 25.1%) and was associated with having visited a stop-smoking website (odds ratio = 11.81, 95% confidence interval 8.47–16.46). Citing warnings as a source of a stop-smoking website increased among exclusive RYO smokers at each wave (W1 = 15.5%, W2 = 26.3%, W3 = 32.1%), while for exclusive cigarette smokers it only increased at W2 (W1 = 10.5%, W2 = 22.4%, W3 = 19.9%).

Conclusions

Warnings are an important source of cessation resource information. Making this information more prominent may help sustain awareness.

Implications

The findings support the inclusion of a stop-smoking website on warnings as awareness among smokers increased and citing warnings as a source of information about a stop-smoking website was associated with having visited a stop-smoking website. We also explored whether the stop-smoking website on warnings on RYO packs, which is larger than on cigarette packs as a function of the larger size of RYO packs, would have any impact on awareness of this information. That exclusive RYO smokers were more likely than exclusive cigarette smokers to notice a stop-smoking website on warnings suggests that this information should be more prominent.
Anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment for the prevention of ischaemic events in patients with deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2)
Authors: Cooray Samantha , Omyinmi Ebun , Hong Ying , Papadopoulou Charalampia , Harper Lorraine , Al-Abadi Eslam , Goel Ruchika , Dubey Shirish , Wood Mark , Jolles Stephen , Berg Stefan , Ekelund Maria , Armon Kate , Eleftheriou Despina , Brogan Paul A
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the impact of anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (anti-TNF) treatment on the occurrence of vasculitic ischaemic events in patients with deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of DADA2 patients referred from six centres to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children was conducted. Ischaemic events, vasculitic disease activity, biochemical, immunological, and radiological features were compared, before and after anti-TNF treatment.

Results

A total of 31 patients with genetically confirmed DADA2 were included in the study. The median duration of active disease activity prior to anti-TNF treatment was 73 months (inter-quartile range [IQR] 27.5–133.5 months). Twenty seven/31 patients received anti-TNF treatment for a median of 32 months (IQR 12.0–71.5 months). The median event rate of central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS ischemic events before anti-TNF treatment was 2.37 per 100 patient-months (IQR 1.25–3.63); compared with 0.00 per 100 patient-months (IQR 0.0–0.0) post-treatment (p< 0.0001). Paediatric vasculitis activity score (PVAS) was also significantly reduced: median score of 20/63 (IQR 13.0–25.8/63) pre-treatment vs. 2/63 (IQR 0.0–3.8/63) following anti-TNF treatment (p< 0.0001), with mild livedoid rash being the main persisting feature. Anti-TNF treatment was not effective for severe immunodeficiency or bone marrow failure, which required haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Conclusion

Anti-TNF treatment significantly reduced the incidence of ischaemic events and other vasculitic manifestations of DADA2, but was not effective for immunodeficiency or bone marrow failure.
CONDUCTION BAND-VALENCE BAND THEORY OF TL AND OSL: EMPHASIS ON DELOCALIZED TRANSITIONS AND EXPLANATION ON SOME UNUSUAL EFFECTS
Authors: Chen Reuven
Published: November 2020

We discuss some unusual thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence effects. We focus on luminescence due to transitions of electrons or holes through the conduction or valence band, respectively. We deal with non-linear dose dependence and non-monotonic dose dependence and also dose-rate effects sometimes reported. Also, is discussed the sensitisation of a sample due to the combined effect of irradiation and annealing, occurring in quartz samples and other materials. Another effect presented is the occurrence of anomalously high activation energies and frequency factors and its possible theoretical interpretation. Also, are considered the effects of anomalous fading and anomalous stability. Yet another phenomenon is concentration quenching. Here, the intensity of emitted TL depends non-monotonically on the concentration of the impurity responsible for the emission. The explanations given to these phenomena are based on the numerical solutions of the relevant sets of differential equations as well as approximate analytical treatment.
Heterogeneity and Classification of Recent Onset Psychosis and Depression: A Multimodal Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Lalousis Paris Alexandros , Wood Stephen J , Schmaal Lianne , Chisholm Katharine , Griffiths Sian Lowri , Reniers Renate L E P , Bertolino Alessandro , Borgwardt Stefan , Brambilla Paolo , Kambeitz Joseph , Lencer Rebekka , Pantelis Christos , Ruhrmann Stephan , Salokangas Raimo K R , Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Bonivento Carolina , Dwyer Dominic , Ferro Adele , Haidl Theresa , Rosen Marlene , Schmidt Andre , Meisenzahl Eva , Koutsouleris Nikolaos , Upthegrove Rachel ,   PRONIA Consortium
Published: November 2020

Diagnostic heterogeneity within and across psychotic and affective disorders challenges accurate treatment selection, particularly in the early stages. Delineation of shared and distinct illness features at the phenotypic and brain levels may inform the development of more precise differential diagnostic tools. We aimed to identify prototypes of depression and psychosis to investigate their heterogeneity, with common, comorbid transdiagnostic symptoms. Analyzing clinical/neurocognitive and grey matter volume (GMV) data from the PRONIA database, we generated prototypic models of recent-onset depression (ROD) vs. recent-onset psychosis (ROP) by training support-vector machines to separate patients with ROD from patients with ROP, who were selected for absent comorbid features (pure groups). Then, models were applied to patients with comorbidity, ie, ROP with depressive symptoms (ROP+D) and ROD participants with sub-threshold psychosis-like features (ROD+P), to measure their positions within the affective-psychotic continuum. All models were independently validated in a replication sample. Comorbid patients were positioned between pure groups, with ROP+D patients being more frequently classified as ROD compared to pure ROP patients (clinical/neurocognitive model: χ2 = 14.874; P < .001; GMV model: χ2 = 4.933; P = .026). ROD+P patient classification did not differ from ROD (clinical/neurocognitive model: χ2 = 1.956; P = 0.162; GMV model: χ2 = 0.005; P = .943). Clinical/neurocognitive and neuroanatomical models demonstrated separability of prototypic depression from psychosis. The shift of comorbid patients toward the depression prototype, observed at the clinical and biological levels, suggests that psychosis with affective comorbidity aligns more strongly to depressive rather than psychotic disease processes. Future studies should assess how these quantitative measures of comorbidity predict outcomes and individual responses to stratified therapeutic interventions.
Detecting Phylogenetic Signal and Adaptation in Papionin Cranial Shape by Decomposing Variation at Different Spatial Scales
Authors: Grunstra Nicole D S , Bartsch Silvester J , Le Maître Anne , Mitteroecker Philipp
Published: November 2020

Phylogenetic reconstruction based on morphometric data is hampered by homoplasies. For example, many similarities in cranial form between primate taxa more strongly reflect ecological similarities rather than phylogenetic relatedness. However, the way in which the different cranial bones constitute cranial form is, if at all, of less functional relevance and thus largely hidden from selection. We propose that these “constructional details” are better indicators of phylogenetic history than any large-scale shape feature or raw form variable. Within a geometric morphometric context, we show how to analyze the relative extent of bones independently of differences in overall shape. We also show how to decompose total shape variation into small-scale and large-scale shape variation. We apply both methods to the midsagittal cranial morphology of papionin monkeys, which are well known for the discrepancy between morphological similarities and phylogenetic relationships. We study phylogenetic signal and functional adaptation using a molecular phylogeny and contextual data on feeding ecology and locomotor behavior. As expected, total cranial shape, bone outline shape, and large-scale shape features were only weakly associated with phylogenetic distance. But the relative bone contributions and small-scale shape features were both highly correlated with phylogenetic distances. By contrast, the association with ecological and behavioral variables was strongest for the outline shape and large-scale shape features. Studies of morphological adaptation and phylogenetic history thus profit from a decomposition of shape variation into different spatial scales. [Adaptation; canalization; cranial shape; geometric morphometrics; papionini; partial warps; phylogeny.]
Multiple extensive Madurella mycetomatis eumycetoma lesions: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Zaid Dania M , Bakheet Osama E , Ahmed Eiman Siddig , Abdalati Fatima , Mhmoud Najwa A , Mohamed El Samani Wadaa , Bakhiet Sahar Mubarak , Siddig Emmanuel Edwar , Fahal Ahmed Hassan
Published: November 2020

In this communication, we report on the first-ever patient presenting with 17 lesions of Madurella mycetomatis eumycetoma in different parts of the body. The reported patient is a 15-y-old female who presented to the Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan, in 2017 with recurrent back and anterior abdominal wall eumycetoma lesions. They were surgically excised, and during the course of follow-up, she developed 15 other eumycetoma lesions, scattered mostly on her upper and lower limbs and gluteal region. The diagnosis of Madurella mycetomatis was confirmed by molecular identification of grains and culture, histopathological examination and ultrasound examination. The cause and the explanation of such a presentation in puzzling; it is not due to multiple subcutaneous implantations because of the lack of history of relevant local trauma. Lymphatic spread is unlikely as the distribution of the lesions is not in line with this. Haematogenous spread is a possible explanation. This rare presentation of eumycetoma poses a great challenge for diagnosis and management.
Extensive perineal Actinomadura pelletieri actinomycetoma-induced urethral stricture: a rare complication
Authors: Bakheet Osama Elhadi , Hassan Muawia Ahmed , Fahal Ahmed Hassan
Published: November 2020

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease that causes tremendous suffering and misery to affected patients. In Sudanese rural communities, many patients hide their lesions, especially those located in the perineal, scrotal, inguinal and genital regions, and they regard them as sources of social stigma. We report the case of a 45-year-old male from northern Kordofan State, Sudan, who presented with multiple discharging sinuses in the perineal region. Clinical diagnosis was actinomycetoma and fine-needle aspiration cytology was consistent with Actinomadura pelletieri, confirmed by culture and biochemical analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of A. pelletieri with urethral complications and subsequent implications for management.