bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The existing and expectations of BPP capacity in the strategic command for agricultural development program
Authors: Adawiyah C R , Anugrah I S , Wahyuni S , Syukur M , Suhartini S H , Indraningsih K S , Tarigan H , Pranadji T , Mulyono J , Hermawan H
Published: November 2021

The focus program of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019-2020 is the strategic command for agricultural development (KOSTRATANI), stated in the Minister of Agriculture No./Kpts/OT.050/I/02/2020. The expectations and targets to be achieved from BPP as KOSTRATANI are (1) data and information; (2) the agricultural development; (3) learning; (4) agribusiness consulting; and (5) partnership networks. To meet the expectation, research to know the capacity of BPP should be done. This paper presents information on the capacity of BPP (human resources, infrastructure and management). The research was conducted in Central Java Province, focused on BPP in Grobogan District, especially BPP in Pulokulon and Tegowanu Subdistrict. The research was done through a survey during March 2021, the data and information were collected based on group discussion and individual interview with total respondents of 31, then analyzed descriptively. Found that the human resources capacity at province level were only supported by 16% of extension officer. At subdistrict level, an extension officer responsible for 3-4 villages while at Tegowanu 4-5 villages.The infrastructure of Pulokulon was worse than Tegalwanu and Both BPP have some program out side the main responsibility as BPP. Concluded that KOSTRATANI should not be implemented in all BPPs simultaneously. The Ministry of Agriculture would decide which certain BPP is considered the appropriate mode for implementing KOSTRATANI. Therefore, suggested that further research on the capacity of more BPP with more samples with special characteristics such as agroecosystem and main commodity should be conducted.
The agricultural land distribution and used on various agroecosystems in Indonesia
Authors: Suryadi M , Sumaryanto  , Sumedi  , Sukarman  , Rusastra I W
Published: November 2021

The land resource is one of the mains production factors for farmer’s households and the agricultural economy. From the land use and transformation perspective, analyse the aspects related to the dynamics of land ownership and distribution, technical, socio-economy, institutional, and policy factors, and land accessibility are needed. The objectives of this study are (1) analyze diversity of agricultural land holding at the micro, region, and macro levels; (b) describe the main factors that influence the transformation of land use; and (c) formulate strategies and policies on land resources management. The approach used in this paper is to review the results of previous PATANAS research and deepening it with information from secondary data and literatures. The study shows that the transformation constraints are the high population growth and limitation of non-agricultural employment opportunities, the fragmentation and the loss of land transactions, and land conversion. This condition implies that the government needs strategies and policies to save and utilize the potential agricultural land reserves. This effort intends to create new agricultural lands and support infrastructure to increase production and income. It will enable to accelerate transformation in the agricultural sector.
Electrochemical properties of La9.33Si6O26(LSO)–La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.55(LSGM) electrolyte over NiO and La0.1Ca0.9MnO3(LCM) electrodes
Authors: Noviyanti Atiek Rostika , Malik Yoga Trianzar , Rahayu Iman , Eddy Diana Rakhmawaty , Pratomo Uji
Published: November 2021

The electrochemical properties of La9.33Si6O26(LSO)–La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.55(LSGM) electrolyte composites have been evaluated over NiO and La0.1Ca0.9MnO3 (LCM) electrodes using symmetric and asymmetrical cells of NiO/LSO–LSGM/NiO and NiO/LSO–LSGM/LCM, respectively. The Nyquist plot obtained from this study suggested that the new electrolyte system exhibits excellent performance over the NiO and LCM electrodes and shows an ideal Randel cell electrical circuit characteristic in both NiO/LSO–LSGM/NiO and NiO/LSO–LSGM/LCM cells. The area-specific resistance (ASR) and, the activation energy (Ea) of NiO/LSO–LSGM/NiO from the Arrhenius plot are lower than the NiO/LSO–LSGM/LCM, which is 0.30 Ω cm−2 and of 0.74 eV vs 0.40 Ω cm−2 with Ea of 0.76 eV, respectively.
Water soluble flexible and wearable electronic devices: a review
Authors: Bokka Naveen , Selamneni Venkatarao , Adepu Vivek , Jajjara Sandeep , Sahatiya Parikshit
Published: November 2021

Electronic devices that are biodegradable, water soluble and flexible and are fabricated using biodegradable materials are of great importance due to their potential application in biomedical implants, personal healthcare etc. Moreover, despite the swift growth of semiconductor technologies and considering a device’s shell life of two years, the subject of electronic waste (E-waste) disposal has become a major issue. Transient electronics is a rapidly expanding field that solves the issue of E-waste by destroying the device after usage. The device disintegration can be caused by a multitude of triggering events, an example is that the device totally dissolves and/or disintegrates when submerged in water. This technology enables us to utilize electronic devices for a set amount of time before quickly destroying them, lowering E-waste significantly. This review will highlight the recent advancement in water-soluble flexible electronic devices with more focus on functional materials (water insoluble), fabrication strategies and transiency understanding with special importance on areas where these devices exhibit potential application in flexible and wearable electronic devices which includes field effect transistors, photodetectors, memristors and sensors for personal healthcare monitoring.
A random-sampling method as an efficient alternative to variational Monte Carlo for solving Gutzwiller wavefunctions
Authors: Zhang Feng , Ye Zhuo , Yao Yong-Xin , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Ho Kai-Ming
Published: November 2021

We present a random-sampling (RS) method for evaluating expectation values of physical quantities using the variational approach. We demonstrate that the RS method is computationally more efficient than the variational Monte Carlo method using the Gutzwiller wavefunctions applied on single-band Hubbard models as an example. Non-local constraints can also been easily implemented in the current scheme that capture the essential physics in the limit of strong on-site repulsion. In addition, we extend the RS method to study the antiferromagnetic states with multiple variational parameters for 1D and 2D Hubbard models.
Learning protein subcellular localization multi-view patterns from heterogeneous data of imaging, sequence and networks
Authors: Wang Ge , Xue Min-Qi , Shen Hong-Bin , Xu Ying-Ying
Published: November 2021

Location proteomics seeks to provide automated high-resolution descriptions of protein location patterns within cells. Many efforts have been undertaken in location proteomics over the past decades, thereby producing plenty of automated predictors for protein subcellular localization. However, most of these predictors are trained solely from high-throughput microscopic images or protein amino acid sequences alone. Unifying heterogeneous protein data sources has yet to be exploited. In this paper, we present a pipeline called sequence, image, network-based protein subcellular locator (SIN-Locator) that constructs a multi-view description of proteins by integrating multiple data types including images of protein expression in cells or tissues, amino acid sequences and protein–protein interaction networks, to classify the patterns of protein subcellular locations. Proteins were encoded by both handcrafted features and deep learning features, and multiple combining methods were implemented. Our experimental results indicated that optimal integrations can considerately enhance the classification accuracy, and the utility of SIN-Locator has been demonstrated through applying to new released proteins in the human protein atlas. Furthermore, we also investigate the contribution of different data sources and influence of partial absence of data. This work is anticipated to provide clues for reconciliation and combination of multi-source data for protein location analysis.
Endothelial ARHGEF26 is an angiogenic factor promoting VEGF signalling
Authors: Zhu Qiuyu Martin , MacDonald Bryan T , Mizoguchi Taiji , Chaffin Mark , Leed Alison , Arduini Alessandro , Malolepsza Edyta , Lage Kasper , Kaushik Virendar K , Kathiresan Sekar , Ellinor Patrick T
Published: November 2021

Aims

Genetic studies have implicated the ARHGEF26 locus in the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the causal pathways by which DNA variants at the ARHGEF26 locus confer risk for CAD are incompletely understood. We sought to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the enhanced risk of CAD associated with the ARHGEF26 locus.

Methods and results

In a conditional analysis of the ARHGEF26 locus, we show that the sentinel CAD-risk signal is significantly associated with various non-lipid vascular phenotypes. In human endothelial cell (EC), ARHGEF26 promotes the angiogenic capacity, and interacts with known angiogenic factors and pathways. Quantitative mass spectrometry showed that one CAD-risk coding variant, rs12493885 (p.Val29Leu), resulted in a gain-of-function ARHGEF26 that enhances proangiogenic signalling and displays enhanced interactions with several proteins partially related to the angiogenic pathway. ARHGEF26 is required for endothelial angiogenesis by promoting macropinocytosis of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on cell membrane and is crucial to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-dependent murine vessel sprouting ex vivo. In vivo, global or tissue-specific deletion of ARHGEF26 in EC, but not in vascular smooth muscle cells, significantly reduced atherosclerosis in mice, with enhanced plaque stability.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that ARHGEF26 is involved in angiogenesis signaling, and that DNA variants within ARHGEF26 that are associated with CAD risk could affect angiogenic processes by potentiating VEGF-dependent angiogenesis.
Parental mental health, socioeconomic position and the risk of asthma in children—a nationwide Danish register study
Authors: Heuckendorff Signe , Johansen Martin Nygård , Overgaard Charlotte , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Kelly Yvonne , Fonager Kirsten
Published: November 2021

Background

Parental mental illness affects child health. However, less is known about the impact of different severities of maternal depression and anxiety as well as other mental health conditions. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of different severities of maternal and paternal mental health conditions on child asthma.

Methods

This nationwide, register-based cohort study included all children in Denmark born from 2000 to 2014. Exposure was parental mental health conditions categorized in three severities: minor (treated at primary care settings), moderate (all ICD-10 F-diagnoses given at psychiatric hospital) and severe (diagnoses of severe mental illness). The children were followed from their third to sixth birthday. Child asthma was identified by prescribed medication and hospital-based diagnoses. Incidence rate ratios were calculated using negative binomial regression analyses.

Results

The analyses included 925 288 children; 26% of the mothers and 16% of the fathers were classified with a mental health condition. Exposed children were more likely to have asthma (10.6–12.0%) compared with unexposed children (8.5–9.0%). The three severities of mental health conditions of the mother and the father increased the risk of child asthma, most evident for maternal exposure. Additive interaction between maternal mental health conditions and disadvantaged socioeconomic position was found.

Conclusion

We found an increased risk of asthma in exposed children, highest for maternal exposure. Not only moderate and severe, but also minor mental health conditions increased the risk of child asthma. The combination of mental health condition and disadvantaged socioeconomic position for mothers revealed a relative excess risk.
Application of the mixing length theory to assess the generation of melt in internally heated systems
Authors: Vilella K , Kamata S
Published: November 2021

Melting in planetary mantles plays a key role in their thermo-chemical evolution. Assessing the amount and location of melting generally requires the 3D temperature fields of the system, such that 3D numerical simulations are in principle necessary prohibiting us from exploring wide ranges of conditions. To overcome this issue, we propose a new 1D analytical framework estimating at first order the amount and depths of melting for a simplified convective system. To do so, we develop an approach, partly based on an extended version of the mixing length theory, able to estimate the distribution of the hottest temperatures in natural systems. The approach involves several free parameters that are calibrated by fitting 3D numerical simulations. We demonstrate that our algorithm produces melting profiles at steady-state and long-term evolutions in fairly good agreement with 3D numerical simulations. We then apply our framework to a wide variety of planetary sizes and heating rates. We find that an increase in planetary radius R increases the depth of melting for small planets (R < 800 km) but decreases it for larger planets. This is caused by the pressure dependence of the solidus.
Home as an Aid: Domestic Design for Disabled Polio Survivors
Authors: Myjak-Pycia Anna
Published: November 2021

This article examines domestic interior design developed and propagated by the home economics movement in post-war America for women physically disabled by the poliovirus and other causes resulting in similar impairments. It argues that domestic interior design was maximally assistive, facilitating the disabled in their everyday tasks, in particular domestic labour. This article shows that home economists fostered post-war efforts supporting the disabled in the following ways: 1) in addition to designing individual domestic aids, they developed more effective holistic spatial solutions, 2) in addition to devising and teaching bodily techniques to help the disabled in their daily tasks, they advanced the social notion of disability by addressing the disability circumstantially: creating accommodating environments that alleviated the effects of physical constraints, often by harnessing societal means (institutional, financial, and legislative), 3) they defied the stereotype portraying women with physical constraints as unproductive and unsuited for marriage, childcare, and housekeeping by presenting the disabled homemaker as being capable, especially when equipped with adequate aids, and deserving to have a family of their own. Furthermore, this article explains how and why the home economists did not undermine traditional gender roles.
Structural Features and Phylogenetic Implications of Three New Mitochondrial Genomes of Blister Beetles (Coleoptera: Meloidae)
Authors: Zhou Zhicheng , Liu Yangyang , Chen Xiangsheng
Published: November 2021

The mitochondrial genome sequences of Denierella emmerichi, Epicauta curvispina, and Meloe poggii were determined. Their mitochondrial genomes were found to contain 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes [PCGs], 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNAs), of which 4 PCGs, 8 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNAs are encoded by the N-strand, and the remaining genes are encoded by the J-strand. The mitochondrial genomes of D. emmerichi, E. curvispina, and M. poggii are 15,702 bp, 15,813 bp, and 15,626 bp in length, respectively, and their guanine–cytosine contents are 28%, 33%, and 36%, respectively. The 13 PCGs of D. emmerichi, E. curvispina, and M. poggii use ATN as the standard start codon and TAA, TAG, and T as the stop codons. The Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis results based on the 13 PCGs and 13 PCGs + 2rRNAs datasets of the mitochondrial genomes of the Meloidae support Epicauta (Coleoptera: Meloidae) ([D. emmerichi, E. curvispina, E. ruficeps, E. aptera] + [E. chinensis, E. impressicornis, E. gorhami, E. tibialis]). We believe that this research enriches the literature on the mitochondrial genomics of Meloidae and serves as a foundation for the further study of the phylogenetic relationships and characterization of Meloidae and Coleoptera.
Tissue dissection with saline injection: application in thyroid surgery
Authors: Stefanou Stefanos K , Koulas Spyros , Stefanou Christos K , Tepelenis Kostas , Paxinos Apostolos K , Tsiantis Thomas , Galani Vasiliki , Vlachos Konstantinos
Published: November 2021

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a thyroidectomy complication. The effect of this complication cannot be accurately quantified. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy has high variability in the literature, between 7 and 37%. Data from 78 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with Tissue Dissection with Solution Injection (TDSI group) from December 2018 to August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were compared with 78 patients to whom the technique was not applied (non-TDSI group), and they were treated from January 2018 to September 2018. All thyroidectomies were performed by the same surgeon. The mean duration of a thyroidectomy was 1 hour. The reduction of the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in the group of patients was applied in respect of the technique of tissue dissection with saline injection. TDSI technique paves the way for further application to other tissues and surgeries.
Cognitive preservation following awake mapping-based neurosurgery for low-grade gliomas: A longitudinal, within-patient design study
Authors: Lemaitre Anne-Laure , Herbet Guillaume , Ng Sam , Moritz-Gasser Sylvie , Duffau Hugues
Published: November 2021

Background

Awake surgery with intraoperative electrical mapping emerged as a gold-standard approach in newly diagnosed diffuse low-grade glioma (DLGG) to optimize the extent of resection (EOR) while sparing critical brain structures. However, no study has assessed to what extent cognitive recovery occurs following awake mapping-guided neurosurgery in a large, longitudinal, and homogeneous series of DLGG.

Methods

A longitudinal study on the cognitive status of 157 DLGG patients was performed. Neuropsychological assessments were done before and three months after awake mapping-based surgery. Z-scores and variations of Z-scores were computed to determine the number of patients with cognitive deficit(s) or decline. Clinical, surgical, and histopathological variables were studied to investigate factors contributing to neurocognitive outcomes.

Results

Eighty-seven patients (55.4%) had preoperative cognitive impairments. Statistical analysis between the preoperative (baseline) and postoperative assessments demonstrated a significant difference in three domains (Executive, Psychomotor Speed and Attention, Verbal Episodic Memory). Eighty-six percent of patients exhibited no postoperative cognitive decline, and among them, 10% exhibited cognitive improvement. The mean EOR was 92.3%±7.8%. The EOR, postoperative volume, and tumor lateralization had a significant association with cognitive decline. No patients demonstrated permanent postoperative neurologic deficits, but 5.8% did not resume their preoperative professional activities. The 5-year survival rate was 82.2%.

Conclusions

This is the largest series ever reported with systematic longitudinal neuropsychological assessment. 86% of patients demonstrated no cognitive decline despite large resections and only 5.8% did not return to work. This work supports the practice of awake surgery with cognitive mapping as safe and effective in DLGG patients.
Retail food outlets and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: de Albuquerque Fernanda Martins , Pessoa Milene Cristine , De Santis Filgueiras Mariana , Gardone Danielle Soares , de Novaes Juliana Farias
Published: November 2021

Context

The community food environment covers the type, quantity, density, location, and access to retail food outlets, and its influence on eating behavior, obesity, and metabolic syndrome has been investigated.

Objective

To evaluate the evidence on longitudinal associations between objectively measured retail food outlets and metabolic syndrome components in children, adolescents, and adults.

Data extraction

This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Data sources

The Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Scielo, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Lilacs databases were searched without any restriction on publication dates.

Data analysis

Of the 18 longitudinal studies included, significant associations were reported in 9 between retail food outlets and metabolic syndrome components in adults (6 positive associations, 2 negative, and 1 both positive and negative), and in 3 studies of children and adolescents (2 negative associations and 1 both positive and negative). Six studies with adults found no association.

Conclusion

Limited evidence was found for longitudinal associations between retail food outlets and metabolic syndrome components. In future studies, researchers should consider the use of standardized retail food outlet measurements and accurate analysis to better understand the influence of the community food environment on metabolic syndrome.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no: CRD42020177137.
Sequential use of niche and occupancy models identifies conservation and research priority areas for two data-poor endemic birds from the Colombian Andes
Authors: Botero-Delgadillo Esteban , Escudero-Páez Sandra , Sanabria-Mejía Jeyson , Caicedo Pilar , Bayly Nicholas J
Published: November 2021

The lack of high-quality information on data-poor species can hinder efforts to inform conservation actions via spatial distribution modeling. This is particularly true for tropical birds of conservation concern, for which ecological studies and assessments of their conservation status have received limited funding. Here we use a cost- and time-efficient protocol for assessing the distribution of range-restricted taxa and to identify priority areas for their conservation based on a sequential application of environmental niche models (ENMs) and occupancy-detection models. This approach first uses available geographical information and niche-theory to prioritize potential study sites, which can later be surveyed to obtain high-quality presence–absence data to accurately model distributional ranges with limited resources. We apply this protocol to identify priority areas for two Neotropical birds of conservation concern endemic to the Colombian Andes: Yellow-headed Brush-finch (Atlapetes flaviceps) and Tolima Dove (Leptotila conoveri). We first fitted ENMs using spatially filtered datasets containing all available records up to 2018. We then conducted field surveys across climatically suitable areas identified for both species, carrying out a total of 1,750 counts to generate input data for the occupancy models. Overall, our results suggested more extended and more continuous distribution ranges for both species than previously reported, but also identified population strongholds that are not currently represented within the national protected areas system. Both species occupied a narrow elevational belt (~1,300–2,600 m above sea level) of the Central Andes of Colombia primarily on the slopes of the Magdalena River valley, with isolated populations in the Western and Eastern Andes; these areas have undergone some of the most marked landscape transformations in Colombia. This straightforward protocol maximizes available information and minimizes costs, while allowing for estimation of occurrence probabilities for range-restricted, data-poor taxa.
Agency Deficits in a Human Genetic Model of Schizophrenia: Insights From 22q11DS Patients
Authors: Salomon Roy , Kannape Oliver Alan , Debarba Henrique Galvan , Kaliuzhna Mariia , Schneider Maude , Faivre Nathan , Eliez Stephan , Blanke Olaf
Published: November 2021

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental illness characterized by a disordered sense of self. Current theories suggest that deficiencies in the sense of control over one’s actions (Sense of Agency, SoA) may underlie some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, it is not clear if agency deficits are a precursor or a result of psychosis. Here, we investigated full body agency using virtual reality in a cohort of 22q11 deletion syndrome participants with a genetic propensity for schizophrenia. In two experiments employing virtual reality, full body motion tracking, and online feedback, we investigated SoA in two separate domains. Our results show that participants with 22q11DS had a considerable deficit in monitoring their actions, compared to age-matched controls in both the temporal and spatial domain. This was coupled with a bias toward erroneous attribution of actions to the self. These results indicate that nonpsychotic 22q11DS participants have a domain general deficit in the conscious sensorimotor mechanisms underlying the bodily self. Our data reveal an abnormality in the SoA in a cohort with a genetic predisposition for schizophrenia, but without psychosis, providing evidence that deficits in delineation of the self may be a precursor rather than a result of the psychotic state.
Checkpoint Inhibition Reduces the Threshold for Drug-Specific T-Cell Priming and Increases the Incidence of Sulfasalazine Hypersensitivity
Authors: Hammond Sean , Olsson-Brown Anna , Grice Sophie , Gibson Andrew , Gardner Joshua , Castrejón-Flores Jose Luis , Jolly Carol , Fisher Benjamin Alexis , Steven Neil , Betts Catherine , Pirmohamed Munir , Meng Xiaoli , Naisbitt Dean John
Published: November 2021

An emerging clinical issue associated with immune-oncology agents is the collateral effects on the tolerability of concomitant medications. One report of this phenomenon was the increased incidence of hypersensitivity reactions observed in patients receiving concurrent immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and sulfasalazine (SLZ). Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the T cells involved in the pathogenesis of such reactions, and recapitulate the effects of inhibitory checkpoint blockade on de-novo priming responses to compounds within in vitro platforms. A regulatory competent human dendritic cell/T-cell coculture assay was used to model the effects of ICIs on de novo nitroso sulfamethoxazole- and sulfapyridine (SP) (the sulfonamide component of SLZ) hydroxylamine-specific priming responses. The role of T cells in the pathogenesis of the observed reactions was explored in 3 patients through phenotypic characterization of SP/sulfapyridine hydroxylamine (SPHA)-responsive T-cell clones (TCC), and assessment of cross-reactivity and pathways of T-cell activation. Augmentation of the frequency of responding drug-specific T cells and intensity of the T-cell response was observed with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. Monoclonal populations of SP- and SPHA-responsive T cells were isolated from all 3 patients. A core secretory effector molecule profile (IFN-γ, IL-13, granzyme B, and perforin) was identified for SP and SPHA-responsive TCC, which proceeded through Pi and hapten mechanisms, respectively. Data presented herein provides evidence that drug-responsive T cells are effectors of hypersensitivity reactions observed in oncology patients administered ICIs and SLZ. Perturbation of drug-specific T-cell priming is a plausible explanation for clinical observations of how an increased incidence of these adverse events is occurring.
Heptad stereotypy, S/Q layering, and remote origin of the SARS-CoV-2 fusion core
Authors: Marchetti Chiara , Vaglietti Serena , Rizzo Francesca , Di Nardo Giovanna , Colnaghi Luca , Ghirardi Mirella , Fiumara Ferdinando
Published: November 2021

The fusion of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with cells, a key event in the pathogenesis of Covid-19, depends on the assembly of a six-helix fusion core (FC) formed by portions of the spike protein heptad repeats (HRs) 1 and 2. Despite the critical role in regulating infectivity, its distinctive features, origin, and evolution are scarcely understood. Thus, we undertook a structure-guided positional and compositional analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 FC, in comparison with FCs of related viruses, tracing its origin and ongoing evolution. We found that clustered amino acid substitutions within HR1, distinguishing SARS-CoV-2 from SARS-CoV-1, enhance local heptad stereotypy and increase sharply the FC serine-to-glutamine (S/Q) ratio, determining a neat alternate layering of S-rich and Q-rich subdomains along the post-fusion structure. Strikingly, SARS-CoV-2 ranks among viruses with the highest FC S/Q ratio, together with highly syncytiogenic respiratory pathogens (RSV, NDV), whereas MERS-Cov, HIV, and Ebola viruses display low ratios, and this feature reflects onto S/Q segregation and H-bonding patterns. Our evolutionary analyses revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 FC occurs in other SARS-CoV-1-like Sarbecoviruses identified since 2005 in Hong Kong and adjacent regions, tracing its origin to >50 years ago with a recombination-driven spread. Finally, current mutational trends show that the FC is varying especially in the FC1 evolutionary hotspot. These findings establish a novel analytical framework illuminating the sequence/structure evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 FC, tracing its long history within Sarbecoviruses, and may help rationalize the evolution of the fusion machinery in emerging pathogens and the design of novel therapeutic fusion inhibitors.
Precise Conclusions Regarding the Influence of Age Stereotypes Require Precise Operationalizations Thereof
Authors: Rudolph Cort W , Friedrich Jack C , Zacher Hannes
Published: November 2021

Murphy and DeNisi (2021) offer that there is scant evidence that age-based stereotypes affect personnel judgments and decisions. However, this conclusion is drawn from evidence that assumes that biased judgments follow from stereotypes, rather than from evidence suggesting that stereotypes precede biased judgments. In this reply to Murphy and DeNisi (2021), we point out the flaws in this argument and offer the counterpoint that we know very little about the influence that age-based stereotypes have for such judgments and decisions. Moreover, given this lack of evidence, we argue that any conclusions regarding the influence of age-based stereotypes in this regard are, at best, premature.
Updates on treatment options in aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Ramos Courtney L. , Woessner Katharine M.
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review

The aim is to describe why this review is timely and relevant. Acetylsalicylic acid exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a clinically significant disease affecting approximately 7% of all asthmatics or around 1,400,000 persons in the United States alone. A large portion of these patients remain undiagnosed. This review summarizes up to date knowledge on the pathophysiology, treatment opinions and provides an expert opinion on how to approach the AERD patient.

Recent findings

Findings describe the main themes in the literature covered by the article. Review of the current knowledge in terms of the key cells, cytokines/chemokines contributing to the acquired disease state of AERD. It also provides clinical approach toward the AERD patient with regards to current treatment options.

Summary describes the implications of the findings for clinical practice or research. This is an up-to-date review of the current literature, with insight into how to approach the management of an AERD patient.
Surgical Management of Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Ollero Rafael , Soldevila Anna , Fideliz de la Paz María , Martínez-Grau Ainhoa
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of the report was to describe the first successful tarsal fracture surgery in a 1-year-old boy diagnosed with cicatricial ocular pemphigoid whose visual and psychomotor development were notably limited.

Methods:

We present the case of a 1-year-old boy diagnosed with mucous membrane pemphigoid by biopsy who was treated with rituximab (375 mg/m2 intravenous infusion at 2-week interval administered twice) and stable with oral dapsone (2 mg·kg−1·d−1). His eyelid cicatricial entropion and trichiasis in both eyes prevented him from opening his eyes, impeding visual development. After 1 year of clinical stability, we performed a tarsal fracture procedure in both eyes to restore eyelid anatomy and functionality, with the aim to prevent an inflammatory reaction, administrating intravenous dexamethasone before and after surgery.

Results:

The intervention was successfully performed without postoperative complications. Excellent anatomic and functional results allowed him to develop normally in his daily life the first week after surgery. He is currently taking oral dapsone (2 mg·kg−1·d−1) as a maintenance treatment to stop the progression of the disease.

Conclusions:

Tarsal fracture surgery may be considered part of the treatment in pediatric patients with stable ocular cicatricial pemphigoid presenting with severe entropion and trichiasis.
Integration of Primary Care Teams Within the Examination Room
Authors: Johnson Sasha , Yañez Coraima , Panzer Jeff , Stiehl Emily
Published: November 2021

Multidisciplinary teams deliver high-quality care in complex primary care environments. Using qualitative interviews, we explored the interpersonal dynamics of care team members from 2 models—traditional team-based care and “advanced team-based care” (aTBC). Two differentiating themes emerged—the ways care teams learned and collaborated. aTBC participants described learning from each other and integrating their roles and tasks more so than the traditional model. These differences have implications for patient care and care team member well-being. Our results provide a framework for improving team-based care models and for further research on the impact of adaptive learning and integration in primary care settings.
The Quality of Otology and Neurotology Research in Otology Journals
Authors: O’ Byrne Lisa , Copperthwaite Amy , Rente Madalena , Fenton John E. , Coelho Daniel H.
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To establish the level of evidence and publishing trends in otology-specific journals over a 20-year period.

Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Methods:

The three O/N specific journals with the highest Eigenfactor scores were identified. All articles published in the years 1998, 2008, and 2018 were reviewed and level of evidence (LoE) based on standards set by the Oxford Centres for Evidence Based Medicine was assigned by two independent reviewers. One way analysis of variance and 95% bootstrap sensitivity analysis were performed.

Results:

A total of 1,062 studies were published over 20 years, of these 809 (76.2%) were eligible for inclusion in the present study. The average number of publications per year increased over time. The average LoE improved significantly over the total interval (–0.235, p = 0.027, [CI –0.45, –0.019]), however did not between 1998 and 2008 (p = 0.111) or between 2008 and 2018 (p = 1). When looking at just LoE 1 or 2, the number and percentage of higher quality papers improves over time—48/158 (30.4%) in 1998, rising to 94/250 (37.6%) in 2008, and 158/401 (39.4%) in 2008.

Conclusions:

Over the past two decades there has been an overall increase in the quantity and quality (as measured by LoE) of publications in O/N-specific journals. In general, quality of O/N studies is slightly better in O/N-specific journals compared with general OHNS journals. However, there are still improvements to be had in the proportion of high-evidence publications, as they still number less than half of all total publications in the subspecialty.
Using Functional Outcomes to Predict Vestibular Loss in Children
Authors: Janky Kristen L. , Thomas Megan LA. , Patterson Jessie , Givens Diane
Published: November 2021

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the relationship between vestibular loss severity and functional performance, (2) which functional performance outcomes best predict vestibular loss, and (3) which vestibular rate sensors (canals vs. otoliths) provide the most weighting during different functional measures.

Study Design:

Prospective.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

Fifty-seven children with normal hearing (mean age: 12.3 years, 32 males) and 55 children with cochlear implants (mean age 12.8 years, 29 males).

Intervention:

Diagnostic.

Main Outcome Measures:

Video head impulse test, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), ocular VEMP (oVEMP), single leg stance, Standing Balance Test, active and passive dynamic visual acuity, and the balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2).

Results:

Performance worsened as vestibular loss severity worsened for all functional outcomes except the standing balance test conditions 1 and 2. The best outcomes for classifying children with vestibular loss were the single leg stance (cut-off criterion: 5 seconds; sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 86%) and the BOT-2 balance subtest (cut-off criterion of 27.5 points; sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 88%). Average horizontal canal vHIT gain was a significant predictor of all functional outcomes while neither corrected cVEMP amplitude nor oVEMP amplitude predicted performance.

Conclusion:

Functional performance declines as vestibular loss severity worsens. Single leg stance is fast and efficient for predicting vestibular loss in school age children. Average horizontal canal vHIT best predicts functional performance; if using a tiered approach, horizontal canal vHIT should be completed first.
Using the Gensini score to estimate severity of STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina, and anginal syndrome
Authors: Charach Lior , Blatt Alex , Jonas Michael , Teodorovitz Nick , Haberman Dan , Gendelman Gera , Grosskopf Itamar , George Jacob , Charach Gideon
Published: November 2021

Gensini score (GS) provides valuable information on severity and prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

To evaluate the relationship between the severity of CAD determined by the GS and relation to ST-elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), unstable angina pectoris, chest pain (suspected angina syndrome on admission) and risk-factors for CAD and predictors of severity.

Observational cross-sectional study.

Consecutive patients who underwent clinically-indicated coronary angiography for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, NSTEMI, unstable angina pectoris or chest pain were enrolled.

Among 600 patients, 417 (average age 67.8 ± 12.2 years) had CAD–related symptoms. Mean GS was 66.7 ± 63.8. Patients presenting with NSTEMI had the highest GS (81.3 ± 42.3; P < .001) Regression analysis of risk-factors showed the best association of GS with multivessel disease and coronary artery bypass graft. Regression analysis of medications showed that clopidogrel, had the best association with low GS.

GS correlated with the severity of CAD, multivessel disease, coronary artery bypass graft, and troponin. GS was related to the cardiovascular risk-factors of diabetes, hypertension, and high-density cholesterol.
Polymyositis in a child with thalassemia after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tan Yonghong , Lin Jinzong , Hong Xiuli , Lu Jingyuan , Lu Quanyi
Published: November 2021

Rationale:

Polymyositis (PM) is a rare neuromuscular phenotype of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Although glucocorticoids have been shown to be effective in the treatment of PM, most people experience poor treatment response and poor prognosis.

Patient concerns:

A six-year-old boy with thalassemia received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and consequently developed sudden myasthenia of limbs 17 months after the transplant.

Diagnoses:

Medical history, current symptoms, laboratory examinations, and imaging findings of the patient indicated cGVHD complicated with PM.

Interventions:

He was then given high-dose corticosteroid therapy, including tacrolimus, ruxolitinib, and rituximab.

Outcomes:

Twenty-three months after transplantation, creatine kinase levels returned to normal range, and the MRI showed that the original muscle edema signal was significantly improved. The patient's muscle weakness continued to improve, and his overall condition was good.

Lessons:

This report suggests that glucocorticoids combined with immunosuppressants may be effective against polymyositis. Rituximab and ruxolitinib may be a good choice in treating polymyositis.
Comparison of therapeutic effects of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies on constipation after stroke treatment
Authors: Shang Jingwen , He Yongyang , Wang Rui , Xu Yifan , Xu Jia
Published: November 2021

Background:

Constipation is a common complication after stroke, which seriously affects patients’ quality of life and recovery. Many evidences show that acupuncture and moxibustion therapy has advantages in the treatment of constipation after stroke. But different types of acupuncture and moxibustion have different effects, and there is no research to prove which one is more effective.

Methods:

According to the search strategy, we will retrieve the randomized controlled studies of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of constipation after stroke from China Knowledge Network, Wanfang, VIP, China Biomedical medicine, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases. The retrieval time was from the establishment of the database to July 2021. Studies will be screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of the studies will be assessed using the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool. All data analyses will be performed using Revman 5.4, Gemtc 0.14.3, and Stata 14.0. Finally, we will evaluate the strength of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method.

Results:

In this study, the efficacy of different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in the treatment of constipation after stroke will be evaluated by evaluating defecation frequency, stool property score, constipation symptom score, quality of life score, adverse reactions, etc.

Conclusions:

This study will provide reliable evidence-based evidence for selecting the best acupuncture and moxibustion therapy for constipation after stroke.
Favorable colorectal cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios in countries with high expenditures on health and development index
Authors: Wang Chi-Chih , Sung Wen-Wei , Yan Pei-Yi , Ko Po-Yun , Tsai Ming-Chang
Published: November 2021

Background:

Global variation in the incidence and outcomes of colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with many factors, among which screening policies and early treatment play substantial roles. However, screening programs and intense treatment are expensive and require good health care systems. For CRC, no clear association has yet been established between clinical outcomes and health care disparities.

Method:

We used the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) of CRC as a measure of clinical outcomes for comparison with the Human Development Index (HDI), current health expenditure (CHE), and current health expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (CHE/GDP) using linear regression analyses. We included 171 countries based on data from the GLOBOCAN 2018 database.

Results:

We found that the regions with the lowest MIRs for CRC are Oceania and North America. A significant correlation was observed between incidence, mortality and HDI, CHE, and CHE/GDP among the countries enrolled. Furthermore, lower MIRs of CRC significantly correlated with higher HDI, CHE, and CHE/GDP (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

: CRC MIRs tend to be most favorable in countries with high health care expenditures and a high HDI.
Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) insertion/deletion polymorphism and cancer susceptibility in Asian populations
Authors: Gao Gan , Liu Chunming , Li Xueli , Guan Xiaoyong , Yang Xingxing , Qin Peixu
Published: November 2021

Background:

Previous studies have reported the association of an insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism (rs145204276 AGGCA/-) in the promoter region of growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) with the risk of cancer, such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the results are still controversial. We aimed to clarify the association of GAS5 rs145204276 polymorphism with cancer risk by meta-analysis.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies concerning GAS5 and cancer published up to November 25, 2019. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate cancer risk.

Results:

A total of 12 case–control studies with 8729 cases and 10,807 controls were included in this meta-analysis. We found that the GAS5 rs145204276 polymorphism was not significantly associated with cancer risk (Del vs Ins: OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.81–1.13; Del/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.70–1.43; Ins/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.78–1.08; Ins/Del and Del/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.76–1.13; Del/Del vs Ins/Del and Ins/Ins: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.78–1.38). In the stratified analyses, significant effects on gastric cancer were found (Del vs Ins: OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72–0.86; Del/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52–0.82; Ins/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.68–0.86; Ins/Del + Del/Del vs Ins/Ins: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.66–0.83; Del/Del vs Ins/Ins + Ins/Del: OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59–0.91).

Conclusion:

Our meta-analysis showed that GAS5 rs145204276 polymorphisms were not related to overall cancer risk. However, the GAS5 rs145204276 polymorphism may be a protective factor for gastric cancer in the stratification analyses.