bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding spontaneous dissolution of crystalline layered carbon nitride for tuneable photoluminescent solutions and glasses
Authors: Clancy Adam J. , Suter Theo M. , Taylor Alaric , Bhattacharya Sayantan , Miller Thomas S. , Brázdová Veronika , Aliev Abil E. , Chauvet Adrien A. P. , Corà Furio , Howard Christopher A. , McMillan Paul F.
Published: December 2020

The spontaneous dissolution of 2D carbon nitrides with polytriazine imide (PTI) diverges dramatically from the inherent insolubility of other 2D materials such as graphene. The dissolution may be controlled to give tuneable photoluminescence.
Coupling anodic/cathodic energy storage through in situ heterostructure regulation of ordered microporous carbon for sodium-ion hybrid capacitors
Authors: Li Juan , Wang Bo , Hu Tianzhao , Wang Yuzuo , Sun Zhenhua , Wang Chunzhong , Zhang Dong , Wang Zhuopeng , Li Feng
Published: December 2020

Two types of ordered microporous carbon are obtained through in situ heterostructure regulation and can realize anodic/cathodic energy storage. The assembled sodium-ion hybrid capacitor achieves high energy and power densities.
3D printing of robust and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate/nano-hydroxyapatite composites via continuous liquid interface production
Authors: Deng Xueyong , Huang Bingxue , Hu Rui , Chen Liling , Tang Yingying , Lu Canhui , Chen Zhenming , Zhang Wei , Zhang Ximu
Published: December 2020

This work demonstrates the first successful attempt on CLIP 3D printing of n-HA nanocomposites, providing a feasible, cost-effective and patient-specific solution for future bone tissue engineering.
Multiple emission bands NIR-persistent luminescence mSiO2@Zn0.6Ca0.4Ga2O4:Cr3+,Yb3+ nanoparticles for biological applications
Authors: Lin Yaling , Hu Jie , Wu Luyan , Zou Qilin , Chen Dejian , Huang Decai , Lu Hongyu , Wang Shi-Bin , Zhu Haomiao
Published: December 2020

Synthesis of multiple emission bands NIR-persistent luminescence nanoparticles with regular morphology using mesoporous silica as a template.
Radiation hardness and abnormal photoresponse dynamics of the CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite photodetector
Authors: Xiong Guodong , Qin Zilun , Li Bo , Wang Lei , Zhang Xuewen , Zheng Zhongshan , Zhu Huiping , Zhao Suling , Gao Jiantou , Li Binhong , Yang Jianqun , Li Xingji , Luo Jiajun , Han Zhengsheng , Liu Xinyu , Zhao Fazhan
Published: December 2020

Schematic diagram of the perovskite photodetector under proton irradiation and the degradation mechanism of the functional layer after irradiation.
A geometry‐based stochastic channel model and its application for intelligent reflecting surface assisted wireless communication
Authors: Dang Jian , Gao Shicheng , Zhu Yongdong , Guo Rongbin , Jiang Hao , Zhang Zaichen , Wu Liang , Zhu Bingcheng , Wang Lei
Published: December 2020

Intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is a new concept originating from metamaterials, which can achieve beamforming through controllable passive reflecting. This device makes it possible to engineer the wireless communication environment, and has drawn increasing attention. However, the associated channel models in current literature are mainly borrowed from conventional wireless channel models directly, omitting the unique features of IRS. In this paper, a geometry‐based stochastic channel model for IRS‐assisted wireless communication system is employed. The model has certain accuracy and low computational complexity. In particular, it captures the correlations of subchannels associated with different IRS elements, which is typically not considered in current works. Based on this channel model and the derived channel spatial correlation functions (CFs), an iterative reflection coefficients configuration method is proposed exploiting statistical channel state information to maximise the ergodic channel capacity. The impacts of the IRS spatial positions as well as the number of the IRS elements on the ergodic channel capacity is investigated through simulations. It is found that to obtain a larger ergodic channel capacity, the IRS should be placed in the vicinity of either the transmitter side or the receiver side, which is a useful guideline for practical deployment.
Adaptive memory‐event‐triggered H∞ control for network‐based T‐S fuzzy systems with asynchronous premise constraints
Authors: Shi Yucheng , Tian Engang , Shen Shibin , Zhao Xia
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a novel adaptive memory‐event‐triggered scheme (A‐METS) for network‐based T‐S fuzzy systems with asynchronous premise constraints. Different from the event‐triggered scheme (ETS), the proposed A‐METS has two characters. First, some recent released packets are applied in deciding whether the current packet is supposed to be released. Second, the triggering parameter can adjust itself according to the variation of the state. It should be pointed out that the proposed adaptive memory‐event‐triggered scheme can save network recourses and improve the system performance simultaneously when compared with ETS or adaptive ETS. Furthermore, considering the network environment, the asynchronous premise between the fuzzy plant and controller are considered. By resorting to the Lyapunov functional approach, sufficient conditions are derived for the stability and performance of the network‐based T‐S fuzzy systems. For the sake of illustrating the usefulness of the proposed adaptive memory‐event‐triggered scheme, a tunnel diode circuit example is demonstrated at the end of this paper.
Monitoring the radio emission of Proxima Centauri
Authors: Pérez-Torres M. , Gómez J. F. , Ortiz J. L. , Leto P. , Anglada G. , Gómez J. L. , Rodríguez E. , Trigilio C. , Amado P. J. , Alberdi A. , Anglada-Escudé G. , Osorio M. , Umana G. , Berdiñas Z. , López-González M. J. , Morales N. , Rodríguez-López C. , Chibueze J.
Published: December 2020

We present results from the most comprehensive radio monitoring campaign towards the closest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri. We report 1.1–3.1 GHz observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array over 18 consecutive days in April 2017. We detected radio emission from Proxima Centauri for most of the observing sessions, which spanned ~1.6 orbital periods of the planet Proxima b. The radio emission is stronger at the low-frequency band, centered around 1.6 GHz, and is consistent with the expected electron-cyclotron frequency for the known star’s magnetic field intensity of ~600 gauss. The 1.6 GHz light curve shows an emission pattern that is consistent with the orbital period of the planet Proxima b around the star Proxima, with its maxima of emission happening near the quadratures. We also observed two short-duration flares (a few minutes) and a long-duration burst (about three days) whose peaks happened close to the quadratures. We find that the frequency, large degree of circular polarization, change in the sign of circular polarization, and intensity of the observed radio emission are all consistent with expectations from electron cyclotron-maser emission arising from sub-Alfvénic star–planet interaction. We interpret our radio observations as signatures of interaction between the planet Proxima b and its host star Proxima. We advocate for monitoring other dwarf stars with planets to eventually reveal periodic radio emission due to star–planet interaction, thus opening a new avenue for exoplanet hunting and the study of a new field of exoplanet–star plasma interaction.
Overexpression of miR-127 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Contributes to the Progression of Papillary Thyroid Cancer by Targeting REPIN1
Authors: Sun Yinghe , Sun Wenhai , Hua Hui , Zhang Jianhua , Yu Qianqian , Wang Jueru , Liu Xiaomin , Dong Anbing
Published: December 2020

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a major kind of thyroid cancer with increasing recurrence and metastasis. MiR-127 has been demonstrated to play roles in many cancers with dysregulation. However, the function of miR-127 is still unknown. This study aimed to explore a novel biomarker for the progression and prognosis of PTC. A set of 118 patients with PTC were collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-127 in PTC tissues and cells. The association between miR-127 expression and the clinicopathological features of patients were evaluated by the χ2 test, and the prognostic value of miR-127 was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. The effect of miR-127 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of PTC was analyzed by CCK-8 and transwell assay. miR-127 was found to be upregulated in PTC tissues and cells correlated with the TNM stage and poor prognosis of PTC patients. MiR-127 and the TNM stage were considered as two independent prognostic indicators for PTC. Moreover, overexpression of miR-127 significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of PTC by targeting REPIN1. miR-127 may be involved in the progression of PTC, which provides a new therapeutic strategy for PTC.
Integrating Mental Practice into a COVID-19 Appropriate Virtual Reality Cataract Surgery Course for Ophthalmology Residents
Authors: Lin John C. , Paul Alfred A. , Scott Ingrid U. , Greenberg Paul B.
Published: December 2020

To present a revised, publicly available virtual reality cataract surgery course for ophthalmology residents that integrates a novel mental practice program into the curriculum, fulfills the six core competencies of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention educational recommendations for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Pediatric Ocular Myasthenia Gravis: A Review
Authors: Jain Reena , Aulakh Roosy
Published: December 2020

Pediatric ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) is difficult to diagnose and manage, owing to its rarity and low index of suspicion in the early stage of the disease. Also, many other conditions having similar presentation cause a further delay in diagnosis. In this review, we highlighted various pointers in history and described bedside clinical tests that can aid in its timely diagnosis. The antibody spectrum in myasthenia is ever increasing and includes anti-muscle specific kinase and low-density lipoprotein-receptor related protein 4 antibodies in addition to acetylcholine receptor antibodies besides many others. However, pediatric OMG patients often test negative for all three antibodies, making the diagnosis even more difficult in triple seronegative patients. Edrophonium and electrophysiological tests, which help in confirming myasthenia in adults, have a limited utility in diagnosing pediatric ocular myasthenia cases. Various practical difficulties are encountered like nonavailability of edrophonium, risk of bradycardia associated with neostigmine use and its lower sensitivity, noncooperative children, and limited technical expertise in performing electrophysiological tests in children. In this article, we described a pragmatic approach to diagnose pediatric OMG along with the important aspects of its management.
The number of Z-repeats and super-repeats in nebulin greatly varies across vertebrates and scales with animal size
Authors: Gohlke Jochen , Tonino Paola , Lindqvist Johan , Smith John E. , Granzier Henk
Published: December 2020

Nebulin is a skeletal muscle protein that associates with the sarcomeric thin filaments and has functions in regulating the length of the thin filament and the structure of the Z-disk. Here we investigated the nebulin gene in 53 species of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. In all species, nebulin has a similar domain composition that mostly consists of ∼30-residue modules (or simple repeats), each containing an actin-binding site. All species have a large region where simple repeats are organized into seven-module super-repeats, each containing a tropomyosin binding site. The number of super-repeats shows high interspecies variation, ranging from 21 (zebrafish, hummingbird) to 31 (camel, chimpanzee), and, importantly, scales with body size. The higher number of super-repeats in large animals was shown to increase thin filament length, which is expected to increase the sarcomere length for optimal force production, increase the energy efficiency of isometric force production, and lower the shortening velocity of muscle. It has been known since the work of A.V. Hill in 1950 that as species increase in size, the shortening velocity of their muscle is reduced, and the present work shows that nebulin contributes to the mechanistic basis. Finally, we analyzed the differentially spliced simple repeats in nebulin's C terminus, whose inclusion correlates with the width of the Z-disk. The number of Z-repeats greatly varies (from 5 to 18) and correlates with the number of super-repeats. We propose that the resulting increase in the width of the Z-disk in large animals increases the number of contacts between nebulin and structural Z-disk proteins when the Z-disk is stressed for long durations.
Chapter 44 ‘i suppose i must let you have it’
Authors: Trollope Anthony
Published: December 2020

Crosbie had been preparing the exact words with which he assailed Mr Butterwell for the last quarter of an hour, before they were uttered. There is always a difficulty in the choice, not only of the words with which money should be borrowed, but...
Chapter 59 a lady presents her compliments to miss l. d.
Authors: Trollope Anthony
Published: December 2020

One morning, while Lily Dale was staying with Mrs Thorne in London, there was brought up to her room, as she was dressing for dinner, a letter which the postman had just left for her. The address was written with a feminine hand, and...
Chapter 65 miss van siever makes her choice
Authors: Trollope Anthony
Published: December 2020

Clara Van Siever did stay all that night with Mrs Broughton. In the course of the evening she received a note from her mother, in which she was told to come home to breakfast. ‘You can go back to her afterwards,’ said Mrs Van...
Chapter 71 mr toogood at silverbridge
Authors: Trollope Anthony
Published: December 2020

We will now go back to Mr Toogood as he started for Silverbridge on the receipt of Mrs Arabin’s telegram from Venice. ‘I gave cheque to Mr Crawley. It was part of a sum of money. Will write to Archdeacon Grantly to-day, and return...
Chapter 77 the shattered tree
Authors: Trollope Anthony
Published: December 2020

When Mrs Arabin saw Johnny in the middle of that day she could hardly give him much encouragement. And yet she felt by no means sure that he might not succeed even yet. Lily had been very positive in her answers, and yet there...
Vibration Exposure Safety Guidelines for Surgeons Using Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
Authors: Wu Chaowen , Laswell Stephen , Mentz James A , Morales Rolando
Published: December 2020

Background

As power-assisted liposuction (PAL) gains in popularity, plastic surgeons operating these devices experience occupational exposure to hand-transmitted vibration, which can result in hand-arm vibration syndrome, a debilitating neurovasculopathy.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to determine vibration exposure from the utilization of a PAL device during surgery to generate recommendations for safe use.

Methods

Vibration emission of a commonly utilized PAL system (MicroAire-650, Surgical Instruments, Charlottesville, VA) was examined employing a vibration data logger under both controlled laboratory conditions and during 13 typical liposuction cases. Data were analyzed and compared with established safety limits of vibration exposure.

Results

The experiments demonstrated a mean vibration magnitude of typical liposuction surgeries to be 5.69 ± 0.77 m/s2 (range, 4.59-6.27 m/s2), which is significantly higher than the manufacturer declared value of 3.77 m/s2. Cannula size was shown to be the most significant contributor to vibration magnitude, with larger cannulas causing more vibration transmission.

Conclusions

These results indicate that recommendations must be made to prevent undue occupational exposure to vibration from PAL. The MicroAire-650 can generally be safely utilized for less than 1.5 h/d. At exposure levels >1.5 h/d, there is increased risk of developing vibration-related injuries, and vibration-reducing strategies should be implemented. At exposure levels >6 h/d, the safety limit is exceeded and there is significantly increased risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome and vibration exposure should be halted.

Level of Evidence: 4
Facial Plastic Surgery on Instagram: What Is Trending? What Is Working?
Authors: Basa Krystyne , Spiegel Jeffrey H
Published: December 2020

Background

Instagram has become a prominent way for facial plastic surgeons to advertise their work and communicate with patients. Some providers develop globally popular profiles, becoming “influencers” in their field.

Objectives

We sought to characterize posts found on top profiles by type and determine the degree of patient interaction within each type.

Methods

A social media tracking tool (Awario, Belarus) compiled a list of the top 33 facial plastic surgery Instagram profiles based on number of followers and “reach,” obtained on September 22, 2019. Profiles not belonging to American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS)-certified surgeons were excluded, leading to 20 profiles. The most recent 18 posts at the time of data extraction were categorized into: (1) clinical or professional, (2) lifestyle, and (3) patients. The average number of “likes,” as a percentage of total followers, was calculated for each category for each profile. Data were gathered from September to November 2019.

Results

Most top profiles belong to ABFPRS-certified surgeons and were not verified. Clinical pictures and patient posts were 42.78% and 41.94% of those sampled, respectively. Lifestyle content was 19.05%. Followers interacted with clinical posts the most, having an average of 6.79% of follower interaction. Patient and lifestyle posts had 2.88% and 3.81%, respectively.

Conclusions

Instagram is an important communication tool for facial plastic surgeons to engage in promotion and education. It is important to understand what trends tend to attract followers and engagement. Our study showed that more clinical content, separate from patient pictures, tended to be popular with both providers and followers.
Social Perception of Facial Feminization Surgery Outcomes: Does Gender Identity Alter Gaze?
Authors: Martin Shanique A , Morrison Shane D , Patel Viren , Capitán-Cañadas Fermín , Sánchez-García Anabel , Rodríguez-Conesa Marina , Bellinga Raúl J , Simon Daniel , Capitán Luis , Satterwhite Thomas , Nazerali Rahim
Published: December 2020

Background

The evaluation of gender-affirming facial feminization surgery (FFS) outcomes can be highly subjective, which has resulted in a limited understanding of the social perception of favorable gender and aesthetic facial appearance following FFS. Eye-tracking technology has introduced an objective measure of viewer subconscious gaze.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to use eye-tracking technology to measure attention and perception of surgery-naive cisgender female and feminized transgender faces, based on viewer gender identity.

Methods

Thirty-two participants (18 cisgender and 14 transgender) were enrolled and shown 5 photographs each of surgery-naive cisgender female and feminized transgender faces. Gaze was captured with a Tobii Pro X2-60 eye-tracking device (Tobii, Stockholm, Sweden) and participants rated the gender and aesthetic appearance of each face on Likert-type scales.

Results

Total image gaze fixation time did not differ by participant gender identity (6.00 vs 6.04 seconds, P = 0.889); however, transgender participants spent more time evaluating the forehead/brow, buccal/mandibular regions, and chin (P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed significant associations between viewer gender identity, age, race, and education, and the time spent evaluating gender salient facial features. Feminized faces were rated as more masculine with poorer aesthetic appearance than surgery-naive cisgender female faces; however, there was no significant difference in the distribution of gender appearance ratings assigned to each photograph by cisgender and transgender participants.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that gender identity influences subconscious attention and gaze on female faces. Nevertheless, differences in gaze distribution did not correspond to subjective rated gender appearance for either surgery-naive cisgender female or feminized transgender faces, further illustrating the complexity of evaluating social perception of favorable FFS outcomes.
PICKLE 3.0: enriching the human meta-database with the mouse protein interactome extended via mouse–human orthology
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos Georgios N , Klapa Maria I , Moschonas Nicholas K
Published: December 2020

The PICKLE 3.0 upgrade refers to the enrichment of this human protein–protein interaction (PPI) meta-database with the mouse protein interactome. Experimental PPI data between mouse genetic entities are rather limited; however, they are substantially complemented by PPIs between mouse and human genetic entities. The relational scheme of PICKLE 3.0 has been amended to exploit the Mouse Genome Informatics mouse–human ortholog gene pair collection, enabling (i) the extension through orthology of the mouse interactome with potentially valid PPIs between mouse entities based on the experimental PPIs between mouse and human entities and (ii) the comparison between mouse and human PPI networks. Interestingly, 43.5% of the experimental mouse PPIs lacks a corresponding by orthology PPI in human, an inconsistency in need of further investigation. Overall, as primary mouse PPI datasets show a considerably limited overlap, PICKLE 3.0 provides a unique comprehensive representation of the mouse protein interactome.

Availability and implementation

PICKLE can be queried and downloaded at http://www.pickle.gr.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Look Who’s Talking: The Snitching Paradox in a Representative Sample of Prisoners
Authors: Pyrooz David C , Mitchell Meghan M , Moule Richard K , Decker Scott H
Published: December 2020

Snitching refers to conveying inside and potentially incriminating information about others to authorities. In contrast to prior criminological accounts of snitching, which rely on small and purposive samples, we used a probability sample of 802 male prisoners in Texas to study the status, prevalence, acceptability and correlates of snitching. We arrive at several key quantitative findings. First, snitches are positioned at the bottom of the inmate hierarchy. Second, snitching is a rare behaviour (7.6 per cent) and even rarer identity (1.8 per cent), consistent with a snitching paradox. Third, about three-fourths of respondents endorsed contingencies where snitching was permissible, primarily those involving personal ties, self-protection, or violence prevention. Finally, characteristics such as age, civic engagement, education, gang status, and arrest and imprisonment history were associated with either snitching identity, behaviour, or contingencies. Snitching is a persistent feature of social life, yet violates a sacred norm central to many criminological theories, necessitating continued inquiry into its content, enforcement and consequences.
The human hippocampus and its subfield volumes across age, sex and APOE e4 status
Authors: Veldsman Michele , Nobis Lisa , Alfaro-Almagro Fidel , Manohar Sanjay , Husain Masud
Published: December 2020

Female sex, age and carriage of the apolipoprotein E e4 allele are the greatest risk factors for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. The hippocampus has a selective vulnerability to atrophy in ageing that may be accelerated in Alzheimer’s disease, including in those with increased genetic risk of the disease, years before onset. Within the hippocampal complex, subfields represent cytoarchitectonic and connectivity based divisions. Variation in global hippocampal and subfield volume associated with sex, age and apolipoprotein E e4 status has the potential to provide a sensitive biomarker of future vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we examined non-linear age, sex and apolipoprotein E effects, and their interactions, on hippocampal and subfield volumes across several decades spanning mid-life to old age in 36 653 healthy ageing individuals. FMRIB Software Library derived estimates of total hippocampal volume and Freesurfer derived estimates hippocampal subfield volume were estimated. A model-free, sliding-window approach was implemented that does not assume a linear relationship between age and subfield volume. The annualized percentage of subfield volume change was calculated to investigate associations with age, sex and apolipoprotein E e4 homozygosity. Hippocampal volume showed a marked reduction in apolipoprotein E e4/e4 female carriers after age 65. Volume was lower in homozygous e4 individuals in specific subfields including the presubiculum, subiculum head, cornu ammonis 1 body, cornu ammonis 3 head and cornu ammonis 4. Nearby brain structures in medial temporal and subcortical regions did not show the same age, sex and apolipoprotein E interactions, suggesting selective vulnerability of the hippocampus and its subfields. The findings demonstrate that in healthy ageing, two factors—female sex and apolipoprotein E e4 status—confer selective vulnerability of specific hippocampal subfields to volume loss.
Quality and Stability Profile Assessment of the Recent Antidiabetic Omarigliptin by Using Different Chromatographic Methods
Authors: Tantawy Mahmoud A , Hassan Amal M , Hegazy Maha A , Kelani Khadiga M
Published: December 2020

In a contribution to stability profiling of the recent antidiabetic drug, omarigliptin (OMR), two stability-indicating chromatographic methods were developed and validated. Stability profiling was performed for OMR under different stress conditions as acidic, alkaline, oxidative, photolytic and thermal degradations. Structures elucidation to all formed degradation products were identified using IR and mass spectrometry. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were used. In TLC-densitometric method, aluminum TLC plates precoated with silica gel G.F254 were used as stationary phase along with methanol: ethyl acetate: 33% ammonia (2:8:1,v/v/v) as mobile phase. The obtained chromatograms were scanned at 254 nm over concertation range of 5–70 μg band−1 for OMR. The second chromatographic method was an HPLC one with diode array detection and RP-C18 column with isocratic elution. Mobile phase used was composed of phosphate buffer pH 3.5: acetonitrile (80, 20, v/v), delivered at flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. Diode array detector was adjusted at 230 nm with linearity range of 15–180 μg mL−1 for OMR. Several factors affecting TLC and HPLC efficiency have been carefully studied. The developed methods were validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines and successfully applied for assessment of OMR in bulk powder and tablets.
Effect of Antigenic Drift on Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in the United States—2019–2020
Authors: Tenforde Mark W , Kondor Rebecca J Garten , Chung Jessie R , Zimmerman Richard K , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Jackson Michael L , Jackson Lisa A , Monto Arnold S , Martin Emily T , Belongia Edward A , McLean Huong Q , Gaglani Manjusha , Rao Arundhati , Kim Sara S , Stark Thomas J , Barnes John R , Wentworth David E , Patel Manish M , Flannery Brendan
Published: December 2020

Background

At the start of the 2019–2020 influenza season, concern arose that circulating B/Victoria viruses of the globally emerging clade V1A.3 were antigenically drifted from the strain included in the vaccine. Intense B/Victoria activity was followed by circulation of genetically diverse A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses that were also antigenically drifted. We measured vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the United States against illness from these emerging viruses.

Methods

We enrolled outpatients aged ≥6 months with acute respiratory illness at 5 sites. Respiratory specimens were tested for influenza by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using the test-negative design, we determined influenza VE by virus subtype/lineage and genetic subclades by comparing odds of vaccination in influenza cases versus test-negative controls.

Results

Among 8845 enrollees, 2722 (31%) tested positive for influenza, including 1209 (44%) for B/Victoria and 1405 (51%) for A(H1N1)pdm09. Effectiveness against any influenza illness was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32–44), 45% (95% CI: 37–52) against B/Victoria and 30% (95% CI: 21–39) against A(H1N1)pdm09-associated illness. Vaccination offered no protection against A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses with antigenically drifted clade 6B.1A 183P-5A+156K HA genes (VE 7%; 95% CI: –14 to 23%) which predominated after January.

Conclusions

Vaccination provided protection against influenza illness, mainly due to infections from B/Victoria viruses. Vaccine protection against illness from A(H1N1)pdm09 was lower than historically observed effectiveness of 40%–60%, due to late-season vaccine mismatch following emergence of antigenically drifted viruses. The effect of drift on vaccine protection is not easy to predict and, even in drifted years, significant protection can be observed.
Risks for Developing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in College Students Following Infectious Mononucleosis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jason Leonard A , Cotler Joseph , Islam Mohammed F , Sunnquist Madison , Katz Ben Z
Published: December 2020

Background

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) involves severe fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive impairment, leading to functional difficulties; prior studies have not evaluated risk factors with behavioral and immune data collected before developing ME/CFS. Up to 5% of university students develop infectious mononucleosis (IM) annually, and 9–12% meet criteria for ME/CFS 6 months later. We sought to determine predictors of ME/CFS.

Methods

We enrolled college students at the start of the school year (time 1), identified those who developed IM (time 2), and followed them for 6 months (time 3), identifying 3 groups: those who developed ME/CFS, severe ME/CFS (meeting >1 set of criteria), and who were asymptomatic. We conducted 8 behavioral and psychological surveys and analyzed cytokines at 3 time points.

Results

238 of the 4501 students (5.3%) developed IM; 6 months later, 55 of the 238 (23%) met criteria for ME/CFS and 157 (66%) were asymptomatic. 67 of the 157 asymptomatic students served as controls. Students with severe ME/CFS were compared with students who were asymptomatic at 3 time points. The former group was not different from the latter group at time 1 (prior to developing IM) in stress, coping, anxiety, or depression but were different in several behavioral measures and had significantly lower levels of IL-6 and IL-13. At time 2 (when they developed IM), the 2 ME/CFS groups tended to have more autonomic complaints and behavioral symptoms while the severe-ME/CFS group had higher levels of IL-12 and lower levels of IL-13 than the recovered group.

Conclusions

At baseline, those who developed ME/CFS had more physical symptoms and immune irregularities, but not more psychological symptoms, than those who recovered.
Relationship of Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Integument Coloration to Cuticular Hydrocarbon and Venom Alkaloid Profiles
Authors: Pandey M , Addesso K M , Alexander L W , Youssef N N , Oliver J B
Published: December 2020

Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren; RIFA) and black imported fire ant (Solenopsis richteri Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae); BIFA) are considered distinct species with introgression via a reproductively functional hybrid (HIFA). The RIFA and BIFA common names are based on relative coloration. Due to human color perception variation, using color to identify RIFA, BIFA or HIFA is challenging. Fire ant identification traditionally involves molecular or chemical techniques, but a colorimetric test could allow rapid and low-cost identification. In this study, ant integument coloration was measured by spectrophotometer, and color attributes were compared to a combined gas chromatography (GC) index derived from cuticular hydrocarbon and venom alkaloid indices. Significant Pearson Correlation coefficients were found for colony GC index versus color attributes red to green (a*), blue to yellow (b*), chroma (C*), and hue (h*), but not lightness (L*). The RIFA colonies were distinct from BIFA for four of five color attributes and plots of the a*b* and C*h* horizontal axis of the L*a*b* and L*C*h* color spaces. Color attributes for HIFA indices were not distinct from BIFA and RIFA parental species, but HIFA a*b* and C*h* plots were distinct from RIFA and a*b* plots from BIFA. Color attributes a*, b*, and C* increased and h* decreased with GC index in a sinusoidal pattern. In conclusion, most RIFA and BIFA color attributes were distinct and a*b* and C*h* color axes plots had potential to distinguish HIFA from parental species, but coloration of HIFA indices was variable and complicated identifications among HIFA phenotypes, RIFA and BIFA.
Infective endocarditis of an aortic bioprosthesis causing life-threatening incessant junctional tachycardia: a case report
Authors: Chatelain Quentin , Carcaterra Andrea , Rey Florian , Burri Haran
Published: December 2020

Background 

Infective endocarditis with paravalvular abscess can be complicated by atrioventricular block (AVB), but junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) has as yet never been described.

Case summary 

A 68-year-old male recently admitted with Staphylococcal aureus endocarditis of his aortic valve bioprosthesis, presented with a regular tachycardia at 240 b.p.m. with a pre-existent right bundle branch block pattern. Haemodynamic collapse necessitated electrical cardioversion, following which high-grade AVB was observed. Multiple recurrences of the same tachycardia required repeated electrical cardioversions and emergent electrophysiological study, which indicated JET. The tachycardia was unresponsive to overdrive pacing, adenosine and intravenous amiodarone, and external cardioversions. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node was performed emergently with interruption of the tachycardia. A temporary external pacemaker was implanted via a jugular route. The tachycardia recurred after 48 h at a slower rate, and the patient underwent redo ablation. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva probably corresponding to an evacuated abscess. A permanent pacemaker was implanted after active infection had been ruled out. At 3 months of follow-up, the patient had complete AVB, without arrhythmia recurrence.

Discussion 

This is the first case report of JET complicating a paravalvular abscess of the aortic valve with concomitant AVB. Junctional ectopic tachycardia is very rare arrhythmia which is usually seen in children as a congenital arrhythmia or following surgical correction of paediatric heart disease. The differential diagnosis is discussed in detail in the article.
Does a myocardial infarction boost your (B cell) memory?
Authors: Monaco Claudia , Cole Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Graphical abstract Establishment of an autoreactive B cell memory after myocardial infarction: a working hypothesis. The demise of cardiac cells leads to the release of cryptoantigens that induce a humoral immune response that leads to accumulation of immunoglobulins in plaques and eventually amplifies atherogenesis at remote sites.
67 Echocardiography vs. computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance for the detection of left heart thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Ntritsos Georgios , Masci Pier-Giorgio , Figliozzi Stefano , Klettas Dimitrios , Stamatelopoulos Kimon , Delialis Dimitrios , Emdin Michele , Georgiopoulos Georgios
Published: December 2020

Aims

Accurate and reproducible diagnostic techniques are essential to detect left-sided cardiac thrombi (either in the left ventricle [LV] or in the left atrial appendage [LAA]) and to guide the onset and duration of antithrombotic treatment while minimizing the risk for thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events.

Methods and results

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to compare the diagnostic performance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) vs. cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the detection of LV thrombi, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) vs. computed tomography (CT) for the detection of LAA thrombi. Six studies were included in the first meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivity and specificity values were 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37-81%) and 97% (95% CI, 94-99%). The shape of the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 suggested a high accuracy. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of CT vs. TEE. The pooled values of sensitivity and specificity were 97% (95% CI, 77-100%) and 94% (95% CI, 87-98%). The pooled DOR was 500 (95% CI, 52-4810), and the pooled LR+ and LR- values were 17% (95% CI, 7-40%) and 3% (95% CI, 0-28%). The shape of the HSROC curve and the 0.99 AUC suggested a high accuracy of CT vs. TEE.

Conclusion

TTE is a valid alternative to DE-CMR for the identification of LV thrombi, and CT has a good accuracy compared to TEE for the detection of LAA thrombosis.
270 Prevalence, prescriptions, outcomes and costs of type 2 diabetic patients with or without prior coronary artery disease or stroke: a longitudinal 5-year claims-data analysis of over 7 million inhabitants
Authors: Calabria Silvia , Dondi Letizia , Andreotti Felicita , Ronconi Giulia , Piccinni Carlo , Capponcelli Anna , Pedrini Antonella , Esposito Imma , Martini Nello , Maggioni Aldo P
Published: December 2020

Aims

Contemporary, real-world data on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are limited. We analysed prevalence, comorbidities, outcomes and costs of T2DM patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) or stroke in > 7 million inhabitants.

Methodsand results

T2DM patients were identified in 2015 (accrual period) from the Ricerca e Salute (ReS) database linking administrative records to demographics. From 2013 to 2015 information, four cohorts were considered: #1 with CAD and/or stroke; #2 without CAD and/or stroke; #3 with chronic CAD but no myocardial infarction or stroke; #4 with chronic CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Hospitalizations, drugs and other outpatient care were assessed from 2015 to 2017. Prevalence of T2DM was 6% (441,085/7,365,954). CAD and/or stroke in the previous 3 years affected 7.5% of T2DM patients (33,153); this cohort was generally older, male, comorbid, with more prescriptions, hospital admissions (50% vs. 13.4%) and recurrences compared to cohort #2. Yearly costs were >3-fold for cohort #1 vs. #2, main drivers being hospitalizations in the former and drugs in the latter. Unexpectedly, two-year cardiovascular events were significantly higher in cohort #4 compared to any other. Guideline-recommended therapies were suboptimal in all.

Conclusion

The present analysis points to three areas of potential improvement in T2DM management: (1) undertreatment of T2DM patients with recommended drugs; (2) three-fold event rates and costs in T2DM patients with, compared to those without, prior cardiovascular events; (3) highest risk of events in those with chronic CAD and PCI, warranting specific studies aimed at defining more effective preventive strategies.
342 Impact of temporary traffic bans on the risk of acute coronary syndromes in a large metropolitan area
Authors: De Luca Alessandra , Proietti Igino , Trani Carlo , Berni Andrea , Sergi Sonia Cristina , Speciale Giulio , Tanzilli Gaetano , Tomai Fabrizio , Di Giosa Alessandro , Marchegiani Giada , Zoccai Giuseppe Biondi , Versaci Francesco
Published: December 2020

Aims

Strong epidemiologic evidence has highlighted the role of pollution, on top of adverse climate features, as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. However, mechanistic proof that reducing pollution may be beneficial to prevent atherothrombotic events is limited. We aimed at appraising the impact of temporary traffic bans in a large metropolitan area on the risk of acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and results

Aggregate and anonymized data from 15 tertiary cardiac care centers were obtained detailing pre-coronarivus disease 2019 (COVID-19) daily cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including those treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on pollutants and climate were sought for the same days. Mixed level regression was used to compare the week before vs. after the traffic ban (Fortnight analysis), the 3 days before vs. after (Weekly analysis) and the Sunday before vs. after (Sunday analysis). A total of 8 days of temporary traffic bans were included, occurring between 2017 and 2020, totaling 802 STEMI and 1196 NSTEMI in the Fortnight analysis, 382 STEMI and 585 in the Weekly analysis, and 148 STEMI and 210 NSTEMI in the Sunday analysis. Fortnight and Sunday analysis did not disclose a significant impact of traffic ban on STEMI or NSTEMI (all P > 0.05). Conversely, Weekly analysis showed non-significant changes for STEMI but a significant decrease in daily NSTEMI when comparing the 3 days before the traffic ban with the ban day (P = 0.043), as well as the 3 days before vs. the 3 days after the ban (P = 0.025). No statistically significant effect of traffic ban was found at Fortnight, Weekly or Sunday analyses for daily mean concentrations of benzene, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM) <2.5 µm or PM < 10 µm (all P > 0.05). However, minimum daily concentrations showed a significant reduction of ozone during the ban in comparison to the week preceding it (P = 0.034), nitric oxide during the ban in comparison to the 3 days preceding it (P = 0.046), and an increase in benzene during the ban in comparison to the Sunday before (P = 0.039).

Conclusion

Temporary traffic bans may favorably reduce coronary atherothrombotic events, and in particular NSTEMI, even if not globally and immediately impacting on environmental pollution. Further controlled studies are required to confirm and expand this hypothesis-generating results.
70 Deep learning to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis from cardiac magnetic resonance findings
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Martini Nicola , Barison Andrea , Latta Daniele Della , Vergaro Giuseppe , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Ripoli Andrea , Emdin Michele , Chiappino Dante
Published: December 2020

Aims

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is part of the diagnostic work-up for cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Deep learning (DL) is an application of artificial intelligence that may allow to automatically analyze CMR findings and establish the likelihood of CA.

Methods and results

1.5 T CMR was performed in 187 subjects with suspected CA (n = 92, 49% with unexplained left ventricular—LV—hypertrophy; n = 95, 51% with blood dyscrasia and suspected light-chain amyloidosis). Patients were randomly assigned to the training (n = 121, 65%), validation (n = 28, 15%), and testing subgroups (n = 38, 20%). Short axis (SA), 2-chamber (2 C), 4-chamber (4 C) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were evaluated by 3 networks (DL algorithms). The tags “amyloidosis present” or “absent” were attributed when the average probability of CA from the 3 networks was ≥50% or < 50%, respectively. The DL strategy was compared to a machine learning (ML) algorithm considering all manually extracted features (LV volumes, mass and function, LGE pattern, early blood-pool darkening, pericardial and pleural effusion, etc.), to reproduce exam reading by an experienced operator. The DL strategy displayed good diagnostic accuracy (84%), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96. The precision (positive predictive value), recall score (sensitivity), and F1 score (a measure of test accuracy) were 78%, 94%, and 86% respectively. A ML algorithm considering all CMR features had a similar diagnostic yield to DL strategy (AUC 0.93 vs. 0.96; p = 0.45).

Conclusion

A DL approach evaluating LGE acquisitions displayed a similar diagnostic performance for CA to a ML-based approach, which simulates CMR reading by experienced operators.
77 Routine outpatients visits during SARS-CoV2 global pandemic
Authors: Fedele Teresa , Orefice Silvia , Fiorillo Ludovica , Cuomo Vittoria , Capone Valentina , Casciano Ofelia , Luciano Federica , Canonico Mario Enrico , Santoro Ciro , Esposito Roberta
Published: December 2020

Aims

The inability to carry office visits was collateral damage caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tele-health is a relatively new, and yet fundamental amid the current crisis, resource to bridge the gap between phisicians and patients.

Methods and results

We report our experience with telemedicine and describe the major events occured in our patients. 121 consecutive adult patients with arterial hypertension (F/M: 56/65; mean age: 66.8 years) were enrolled. 33 patients (27%) had also diabetes, 94 (78%) were also affected from dyslipidemia and 11 (9%) had CAD. They all referred to our ambulatory of hypertension, in most of case for several years. Given the impossibility to continue routine outpatient visits during lockdown, they were all phone called by three residents in order to detect their state of health or any events they could have experienced over this period. They were all asked about their own blood pressure values, the occurrence of new symptoms and of new-onset both cardiovascular and non cardiovascular events. We also followed a self-made preset form. 31 of them (26%) experienced cardiovascular symptoms/events during this period: 11 had hypertensive peaks, in one case associated with nausea and vomiting while 2 of them had hypotensive episodes; 10 had typical angina and/or dyspnoea while 4 had atypical angina; 6 had palpitations; 1 of them developed new onset atrial fibrillation resolved with pharmacologic cardioversion during hospitalization; 1 had syncope; 1 patient reported new onset peripheral oedema; 2 patients died during lockdown for non cardiovascular causes. 17 of them also developed non cardiovascular symptoms, 7 of whom were severe anxiety and/or panic attacks. Almost all patients had important lifestyle changes, in 15 cases (12.3%) associated with weight increase.

Conclusion

The impossibility to access to routine outpatient visits during lockdown due to global pandemic of SARS-CoV2, has brought out the risk of underestimating consequences of chronic disease, in absence of appropriate Follow-up. Nevertheless, the two deaths we report were not related to cardiovascular disease. The risk is that both the missing of cardiovascular control visit and the extension of the waiting list, could provoke serious complications in patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular disease.