bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optogenetic reduction of theta oscillations reveals that a single reliable time cell sequence is not required for working memory
Authors: Yong Hyun Choong , Chang HaoRan , Brandon Mark P.
Published: June 2022

In a delayed alternation spatial working memory task, hippocampal time cells fire during specific moments of the delay period to form a stable, sequential representation of the entire delay interval. The causal relationship between these sequences and working memory remains unclear. Similarly, hippocampal theta oscillations are thought to support working memory, primarily through the generation of time cell sequences. To causally examine these relationships, we optogenetically silenced the medial septal GABAergic theta-generating circuit during the delay portion of a delayed spatial alternation task. Without hippocampal theta oscillations, many time cells exhibited remapping, new time cells were recruited, and time cell information was increased; collectively resulting in a new time cell sequence during the delay period. Despite this remapping of time cells on random selection of theta-reduced trials, behavioral performance was unimpaired, demonstrating that working memory is not dependent on a single or unique time cell sequence during the delay period.
Multimodal Brain Signal Complexity Predicts Human Intelligence
Authors: Thiele Jonas A. , Richter Aylin , Hilger Kirsten
Published: June 2022

Spontaneous brain activity builds the foundation for human cognitive processing during external demands. Neuroimaging studies based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) identified specific characteristics of spontaneous (intrinsic) brain dynamics to be associated with individual differences in general cognitive ability, i.e., intelligence. However, fMRI research is inherently limited by low temporal resolution, thus, preventing conclusions about neural fluctuations within the range of milliseconds. Here, we used resting-state electroencephalographical (EEG) recordings from 144 healthy adults to test whether individual differences in intelligence (Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices scores) can be predicted from the complexity of temporally highly resolved intrinsic brain signals. We compared different operationalizations of brain signal complexity (multiscale entropy, Shannon entropy, Fuzzy entropy, and specific characteristics of microstates) regarding their relation to intelligence. The results indicate that associations between brain signal complexity measures and intelligence are of small effect sizes (r~ .20) and vary across different spatial and temporal scales. Specifically, higher intelligence scores were associated with lower complexity in local aspects of neural processing, and less activity in task-negative brain regions belonging to the defaultmode network. Finally, we combined multiple measures of brain signal complexity to show that individual intelligence scores can be significantly predicted with a multimodal model within the sample (10-fold cross-validation) as well as in an independent sample (external replication,N= 57). In sum, our results highlight the temporal and spatial dependency of associations between intelligence and intrinsic brain dynamics, proposing multimodal approaches as promising means for future neuroscientific research on complex human traits.

Significance Statement

Spontaneous brain activity builds the foundation for intelligent processing - the ability of humans to adapt to various cognitive demands. Using resting-state EEG, we extracted multiple aspects of temporally highly resolved intrinsic brain dynamics to investigate their relationship with individual differences in intelligence. Single associations were of small effect sizes and varied critically across spatial and temporal scales. However, combining multiple measures in a multimodal cross-validated prediction model, allows to significantly predict individual intelligence scores in unseen participants. Our study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that observable associations between complex human traits and neural parameters might be rather small and proposes multimodal prediction approaches as promising tool to derive robust brain-behavior relations despite limited sample sizes.
Habitat types and megabenthos composition from three sponge-dominated high-Arctic seamounts
Authors: Stratmann Tanja , Simon-Lledó Erik , Morganti Teresa Maria , Vedenin Andrey , Purser Autun
Published: June 2022

Seamounts are isolated underwater mountains often stretching >1,000 m above the seafloor. They are usually identified as biodiversity hotspots of marine life, and host benthos assemblages that may vary on regional (among seamounts) and local (within seamounts) scales. Here, we collected seafloor imagery of three seamounts at the Langseth Ridge in the central Arctic Ocean to assess habitats and megabenthos community composition at the Central Mount (CM), the Karasik Seamount (KS), and the Northern Mount (NM). The majority of seafloor across these seamounts comprised bare rock, covered with a mixed layer consisting of sponge spicule mat intermixed with detrital debris composed primarily of polychaete tubes as well as sand, gravel, and/ or rocks. The megabenthos assemblages consisted of in total 15 invertebrate epibenthos taxa and four fish taxa, contributing to mean megabenthos densities of 55,745 ind. ha-1 at CM, 110,442 ind. ha-1 at KS, and 65,849 ind. ha-1 at NM. The faunal assemblages at all three seamounts were dominated by demosponges of the order Tetractinellida that contributed between 66% (KS) and 85% (CM) to all megabenthos. Megabenthos assemblages living on bare rock or on mixed substrate differed among seamounts and across individual seamounts.
The Injured Sciatic Nerve Atlas (iSNAT), Insights into the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Neural Tissue Degeneration and Regeneration
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Feng , Huffman Lucas D. , Hafner Hannah , Athaiya Mitre , Finneran Matthew , Kalinski Ashley L. , Kohen Rafi , Flynn Corey , Passino Ryan , Johnson Craig , Kohrman David , Kawaguchi Riki , Yang Lynda , Twiss Jeff , Geschwind Daniel H. , Corfas Gabriel , Giger Roman J.
Published: June 2022

Upon trauma, the adult murine PNS displays a remarkable degree of spontaneous anatomical and functional regeneration. To explore extrinsic mechanisms of neural repair, we carried out single cell analysis of naïve mouse sciatic nerve, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and crushed sciatic nerves at 1-day, 3-days, and 7-days following injury. During the first week, monocytes and macrophages (Mo/Mac) rapidly accumulate in the injured nerve and undergo extensive metabolic reprogramming. Proinflammatory Mo/Mac in the injured nerve show high glycolytic flux compared to Mo/Mac in blood and dominate the early injury response. They subsequently give way to inflammation resolving Mac, programmed toward oxidative phosphorylation. Nerve crush injury causes partial leakiness of the blood-nerve-barrier, proliferation of endoneurial and perineurial stromal cells, and accumulation of select serum proteins. Micro-dissection of the nerve injury site and distal nerve, followed by single-cell RNA-sequencing, identified distinct immune compartments, triggered by mechanical nerve wounding and Wallerian degeneration, respectively. This finding was independently confirmed with Sarm1-/- mice, where Wallerian degeneration is greatly delayed. Experiments with chimeric mice showed that wildtype immune cells readily enter the injury site in Sarm1-/- mice, but are sparse in the distal nerve, except for Mo. We used CellChat to explore intercellular communications in the naïve and injured PNS and report on hundreds of ligand-receptor interactions. Our longitudinal analysis represents a new resource for nerve regeneration, reveals location specific immune microenvironments, and reports on large intercellular communication networks. To facilitate mining of scRNAseq datasets, we generated the injured sciatic nerve atlas (iSNAT): https://cdb-rshiny.med.umich.edu/Giger_iSNAT/
Habitat heterogeneity, environmental feedbacks, and species coexistence across timescales
Authors: Miller Zachary R. , Allesina Stefano
Published: June 2022

A large body of ecological theory explains the coexistence of multiple species in variable environments. While spatial variation is often treated as an intrinsic feature of a landscape, it may be shaped and even generated by the resident community. All species modify their local environment to some extent, driving changes that can feed back to affect the composition and coexistence of the community, potentially over timescales very different from population dynamics. We introduce a simple, nested modeling framework that describes species coexistence in heterogeneous environments, as well as the evolution of this heterogeneity over time due to feedbacks from the biotic community. We derive analytical conditions for the coexistence of any number of species in environments with intrinsic heterogeneity or feedbacks, and identify essential differences between these scenarios. Our model is naturally simplified in the limit of very fast or very slow environmental feedbacks, allowing us to treat these two scenarios – which bookend the full range of dynamics – in detail. Among other results, we demonstrate how dispersal and environmental specialization interact to shape realized patterns of habitat association. We also show that environmental feedbacks can tune landscape conditions to promote stable coexistence, although feedbacks can give rise to complex dynamics such as limit cycles, priority effects, and episodic dynamics, as well. Our flexible modeling framework helps explain how and when each of these behaviors arise, and offers a generic mathematical platform for exploring the interplay between species and landscape diversity.
Artificial upwelling leads to a large increase in surface dissolved organic matter concentrations
Authors: Gómez-Letona Markel , Sebastián Marta , Baños Isabel , Fernanda Montero María , Pérez Barrancos Clàudia , Baumann Moritz , Riebesell Ulf , Arístegui Javier
Published: June 2022

In the face of climate change there is a need to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Artificial upwelling of nutrient-rich deep waters has been proposed as a method to enhance the biological carbon pump in oligotrophic oceanic regions in order to increase carbon sequestration. However, the fate of the newly produced organic matter, and specifically of its resulting dissolved fraction, is not clearly understood. Here we examine the effect of different upwelling intensities and modes (single pulse versus recurring pulses) on the dissolved organic matter pool (DOM). We introduced nutrient-rich deep water to large scale mesocosms (∼44 m3) in the oligotrophic subtropical North Atlantic and found that artificial upwelling strongly increased DOM concentrations and changed its characteristics. The magnitude of the observed changes was related to the upwelling intensity: more intense treatments led to higher accumulation of dissolved organic carbon (>70 μM of excess DOC over ambient waters for the most intense) and to comparatively stronger changes in DOM characteristics (increased proportions of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) and humic-like fluorescent DOM), suggesting a transformation of the DOM pool at the molecular level. Moreover, the single upwelling pulse resulted in higher CDOM quantities with higher molecular weight than the recurring upwelling mode. Together, our results indicate that under artificial upwelling, large DOM pools may accumulate in the surface ocean without being remineralised in the short-term. Possible reasons for this persistence could be a combination of the molecular diversification of DOM due to microbial reworking, nutrient limitation and reduced metabolic capabilities of the prokaryotic communities inside the mesocosms. Our study demonstrates the importance of the DOC pool when assessing the carbon sequestration potential of artificial upwelling.
Accuracy of haplotype estimation and whole genome imputation affects complex trait analyses in complex biobanks
Authors: Appadurai Vivek , Grauholm Jonas , Krebs Morten , Rosengren Anders , Buil Alfonso , Ingason Andrés , Mors Ole , Børglum Anders D. , Hougaard David M. , Nordentoft Merete , Mortensen Preben B. , Delaneau Olivier , Werge Thomas , Schork Andrew J.
Published: June 2022

Sample recruitment for research consortia, hospitals, biobanks, and personal genomics companies span years, necessitating genotyping in batches, using different technologies. As marker content on genotyping arrays varies systematically, integrating such datasets is non-trivial and its impact on haplotype estimation (phasing) and whole genome imputation, necessary steps for complex trait analysis, remains under-evaluated. Using the iPSYCH consortium dataset, comprising 130,438 individuals, genotyped in two stages, on different arrays, we evaluated phasing and imputation performance across multiple phasing methods and data integration protocols. While phasing accuracy varied both by choice of method and data integration protocol, imputation accuracy varied mostly between data integration protocols. We demonstrate an attenuation in imputation accuracy within samples of non-European origin, highlighting challenges to studying complex traits in diverse populations. Finally, imputation errors can modestly bias association tests and reduce predictive utility of polygenic scores. This is the largest, most comprehensive comparison of data integration approaches in the context of a large psychiatric biobank.
Evaluating a novel, integrative dashboard for health professionals’ performance in managing deteriorating patients:quality improvement project
Authors: Alhmoud Baneen , Melley Daniel , khan Nadeem , Bonnici Timothy , Patel Riyaz , Banerjee Amitava
Published: June 2022

Background

The quality of recording and documentation of deteriorating patient management by health professionals has been challenged at health system level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-adherence to monitoring and escalation guidelines and poor documentation increases risk of serious adverse events. Electronic health record (EHR)-integrated dashboards are real-time auditing tools of patients’ status and clinicians’ performance, but neither the views nor the performance of health professionals have been assessed, relating to management of deteriorating patients..

Objective

To develop and evaluate a real-time dashboard of deteriorating patients’ assessment, referral, and therapy by examining the perception of the dashboard and the performance of nurses and physicians.

Settings

Five academic hospitals in the largest NHS trust in the UK (Barts Health NHS Trust).

Intervention

The dashboard was developed from EHR data to investigate patients with NEWS2>5, assessment, and escalation of deteriorating patients. We adopted the Plan, Do, Study, Act model and followed the SQUIRE framework to evaluate the dashboard.

Design

Mixed methods: (i) Virtual, face-to-face, key informant interviews and (ii) Retrospective descriptive EHR data analysis to measure performance change over time.

Results

We interviewed 3 nurses (2 quality and safety and 1 informatics specialists). Key themes were: (1) participants perceived the dashboard as a facilitator for auditing NEWS2 recording and escalation of care to improve clinicians practice; (2) There is a need for guiding clinicians and adjusting data sources and metrics which could enhance the functionality and usability. From EHR (2019 to 2022) data analysis showed: (1) NEWS2 recording has gradually improved in the implementation and evaluation phases (May 2021 to Apr 2022) from 64% to 83%; (2) Referral and nurses’ assessment forms completion increased (n: 170 to 6800 & 23 to 540, respectively).

Conclusion

The deterioration dashboard is an effective real time data-driven method for improving the quality of managing deteriorating patients. Improving the dashboard by integrating multiple health systems, a wider analysis of further NEWS2 and escalation of care metrics, clinicians’ learning of digital solutions will enhance functionality and experience, potentially boosting its value. There is a need to examine the generalizability of the dashboard through further validation and quality improvement studies.
Exercise-induced hypoalgesia following proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and resistance training among individuals with shoulder myofascial pain: a pilot study
Authors: Xu Zi-Han , An Nan , Wang Zi-Ru
Published: June 2022

Objective

The present study estimated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and resistance training on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) among patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Methods

A total of 76 female MPS patients (aged from 18-30) with a visual analog scale (VAS) score greater than 30/100 mm were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 intervention groups, including isometric (n=18), isotonic (n=19) and PNF (n=20) exercises, and 1 control group (n=19) with no intervention. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and the CPM responses at myofascial trigger point, arm and leg sites were assessed before and after exercise session.

Results

There was an increase in PPT and CPM responses at trigger point, arm and leg sites in participants performed PNF and isotonic exercise, while the isometric exercise only increased PPT at leg sites. Compared with control group, both isotonic and PNF group showed greater EIH responses at the trigger points. However, only the PNF exercise significantly improved PPT and CPM responses at arm and leg sites compared to the control group.

Conclusions

PNF, isotonic and isometric exercises could lead to local and global EIH effect. The increase in CPM response after PNF and isotonic exercises indicated that the EIH mechanisms of different resistance exercises may be attributed to the enhancement of the endogenous pain modulation through the motor-sensory interaction from the additional eccentric and dynamic muscle contraction.
Molecular genomic studies of the obesogenic effects of tributyltin during adipogenic differentiation implicate a primary role for cytoskeletal damage
Authors: Thompson Taylor V. , Greally John M.
Published: June 2022

Environmental obesogens are being studied for their potential role in the increasing prevalence of obesity globally. A major focus in this field of research has been on the mechanism by which these agents act. In this study we focused on the obesogenic organotin tributyltin (TBT), which is believed to act by binding to the PPARγ nuclear receptor in a heterodimer with RXR to alter gene regulation. To test whether this was the dominant mechanism for TBT activity, we performed time-course studies of transcription and chromatin accessibility in mesenchymal stem cells differentiating to adipocytes. We found limited evidence for PPARγ effects by TBT, but a strong response by Ras-related GTPases and evidence for the loss of TEAD transcription factor activity during differentiation. These observations combine to implicate a known property of organotins, to cause cytoskeletal cytoskeletal damage as the primary event in an updated model for TBT effects, leading to the loss of YAP co-regulator activity and the consequent failure of TEAD repression of adipogenesis.
Short-term Rho-associated kinase inhibitor treatment accelerates primary keratinocyte growth while preserving stem cell characteristics
Authors: Jayarajan Vignesh , Hall George T. , Xenakis Theodoros , Bulstrode Neil , Moulding Dale , Castellano Sergi , Di Wei-Li
Published: June 2022

Somatic stem cells can be cultured in-vitro and are attractive for cell and gene therapies, but their slow growth in in-vitro culture affects survival and stemness and hinders clinical applications. Rho-associated kinase inhibitor (ROCKi) has been used to overcome these obstacles. However, it risks changing the characteristics of stem cells. We found that primary keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) cultured with the ROCKi Y-27632 for six days exhibited rapid proliferation while maintaining the ability to differentiate. Importantly, after discontinuation of ROCKi treatment, KSC numbers and characteristics were indistinguishable from those in non-treated cultures. We further confirmed that ROCKi treatment resulted in the activation of AKT and ERK pathways, which could support cell survival and proliferation in keratinocytes. We thus concluded that accelerating keratinocyte expansion with short-term ROCKi treatment does not exhaust KSCs’ self-renewal and differentiation capacities, presenting a safe avenue for clinical applications.
Tissue specific LRRK2 interactomes reveal a distinct functional unit within the striatum
Authors: Zhao Yibo , Vavouraki Nikoleta , Lovering Ruth C , Escott-Price Valentina , Harvey Kirsten , Lewis Patrick A , Manzoni Claudia
Published: June 2022

Mutations in LRRK2 are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease. Despite substantial research efforts, the physiological and pathological role of this multidomain protein remains poorly defined. In this study, we used a systematic approach to construct the general protein-protein interactome around LRRK2, which was then differentiated into 15 tissue-specific interactomes taking into consideration the differential expression patterns and the co-expression behaviours of the LRRK2 interactors in different healthy tissues. The LRRK2 interactors exhibited distinct expression features in the brain as compared to the peripheral tissues analysed. Moreover, a high degree of similarity was found for the LRRK2 interactors in putamen, caudate and nucleus accumbens, thus defining a potential LRRK2 functional cluster within the striatum. We also explored the functions highlighted by the “core LRRK2 interactors” within each tissue and illustrated how the LRRK2 interactomes can be used as a tool to trace the relationship between LRRK2 and specific interactors of interest, here exemplified with a study focused on the LRRK2 interactors belonging to the Rab protein family.
Nanocontainer derived from silkworm carotenoprotein for carotenoid extraction and presentation in biotechnology and biomedical applications
Authors: Sluchanko Nikolai N. , Slonimskiy Yury B. , Egorkin Nikita A. , Varfolomeeva Larisa A. , Kleymenov Sergey Yu. , Minyaev Mikhail E. , Moysenovich Anastasia M. , Parshina Evgenia Yu. , Friedrich Thomas , Maksimov Eugene G. , Boyko Konstantin M. , Popov Vladimir O.
Published: June 2022

Found in many organisms, soluble carotenoproteins are considered as antioxidant nanocarriers for biomedical applications, although the structural basis for their carotenoid transfer function, a prerequisite for rational bioengineering, is largely unknown. We report crystal structures of the Carotenoid-Binding Protein from Bombyx mori (BmCBP) in apo- and zeaxanthin (ZEA)-bound forms. We use spectroscopy and calorimetry to characterize how ZEA and BmCBP mutually affect each other in the complex, identify key carotenoid-binding residues, confirm their roles by crystallography and carotenoid-binding capacity of BmCBP mutants and reconstitute BmCBP complexes with biomedically-relevant xanthophylls lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. By cost-effectively and scalably solubilizing xanthophylls from various crude herbal extracts, His-tagged BmCBP remains monomeric and forms a dynamic nanocontainer delivering carotenoids to liposomes and to other carotenoid-binding proteins, which in particular makes the Orange Carotenoid Protein, a promising optogenetic tool, photoactive. Furthermore, BmCBP(ZEA) administration stimulates fibroblast growth, which paves the way for its biomedical applications.
Naturally occurring mutations of SARS-CoV-2 main protease confer drug resistance to nirmatrelvir
Authors: Hu Yanmei , Lewandowski Eric M. , Tan Haozhou , Zhang Xiaoming , Morgan Ryan T. , Zhang Xiujun , Jacobs Lian M. C. , Butler Shane G. , Gongora Maura V. , Choy John , Deng Xufang , Chen Yu , Wang Jun
Published: June 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is the drug target of Pfizer’s oral drug Paxlovid. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in Mpro raised the alarm of potential drug resistance. In this study, we identified 100 naturally occurring Mpro mutations located at the nirmatrelvir binding site, among which 20 mutants, including S144M/F/A/G/Y, M165T, E166G, H172Q/F, and Q192T/S/L/A/I/P/H/V/W/C/F, showed comparable enzymatic activity to the wild-type (kcat/Km <10-fold change) and resistance to nirmatrelvir (Ki >10-fold increase). X-ray crystal structures were determined for seven representative mutants with and/or without GC-376/nirmatrelvir. Viral growth assay showed that Mpro mutants with reduced enzymatic activity led to attenuated viral replication. Overall, our study identified several drug resistant hot spots that warrant close monitoring for possible clinical evidence of Paxlovid resistance.

One Sentence Summary

Paxlovid resistant SARS-CoV-2 viruses with mutations in the main protease have been identified from clinical isolates.
Solution-based orientation as an element in selecting videos on social issues
Authors: Al Bulushi Zawan
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore students’ interests in multimodal texts by focusing on videos of social issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 50 students in a first-year multilingual composition course were analyzed in two phases. Phase One examined 14 students’ reasons for self-selecting videos for multimodal analysis essays in one section of the course. Phase Two explored 50 students’ selected videos in four sections of the course across four semesters. The videos were classified as either problem- or solution-oriented to examine the students’ interests.

Findings

Analyzing the students’ responses in Phase One revealed that most of the selected videos included solutions to a social problem, and the students advocated the compelling ways in which the characters therein dealt with those problems. The findings for Phase Two revealed that the students’ selections were equally divided between problem- and solution-oriented videos. Nevertheless, a gradual increase in the selection of solution-oriented videos was observed over time.

Practical implications

A significant implication of this study is that it can help teachers expand their understanding of interesting and meaningful texts and make more engaging and effective instructional decisions.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on text selection as it highlights students’ inclination toward what type of learning content interests them.
Post COVID-19 recovery for independent full-service restaurants using the salience theory: what will it take to get customers to return?
Authors: Sun Xiaodi , Ge Li , Marvil Charles
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to compare customers’ perceived importance of various post-COVID-19 recovery strategies (i.e. sanitary practices, discounts, menu modification and marketing strategies) adopted by independent full-service restaurants (casual dining versus upscale/fine dining) using the salience theory. It also assesses the associations between customers’ perceptions and their restaurant spending patterns.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered to assess 657 US adult participants’ restaurant spending behaviors at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic using recall questions. Higher-spending versus lower-spending participants’ perceived importance of restaurant recovery strategies were compared in the casual dining versus upscale/fine dining contexts.

Findings

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, sanitary practices were the most important factor in participants’ restaurant choices, and it was more important for independent casual dining restaurants than for upscale/fine dining restaurants. No significant difference was found in participants’ perceived importance of sanitary practices across different geographic regions. Higher-spending diners (HSD) perceived almost every restaurant recovery strategy as important. Lower-spending diners (LSD) only considered sanitary practices as important.

Practical implications

This study identified important strategies that restaurant operators and public health officials can adopt to help full-service restaurants recover from pandemic losses.

Originality/value

This study differs from previous consumer choice studies; in that it compared HSD with LSD regarding their perceived importance of various restaurant recovery strategies. This study also provides new insights for understanding the salience theory of choice under the impact of COVID-19.
Safety of a 24‐h‐or‐less break‐in period in elderly patients undergoing urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis: A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cheng Siyu , Yang Liming , Sun Zhanshan , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Zhu Xueyan , Meng Lingfei , Guo Shizheng , Zhuang Xiaohua , Luo Ping , Cui Wenpeng
Published: June 2022

Background

Several elderly patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) had to undergo urgent‐start peritoneal dialysis (USPD). This study aimed to determine whether break‐in period (BI) within 24 h was feasible in elderly patients undergoing USPD.

Methods

Patients with ESRD who underwent PD at five hospitals were screened. Patients were divided into the BI ≤24 h and >24 h groups. Complications were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine whether BI ≤24 h was associated with complications.

Results

A total of 175 elderly patients were included: BI ≤24 h group, 78; and BI >24 h group, 97. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, BI ≤24 h was not an independent risk factor for complications (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Starting PD within 24 h after PD catheter insertion was feasible in elderly ESRD patients.
Alcohol misuse in patients with alcohol‐related liver disease: How can we do better? A narrative review of the literature
Authors: Horrell Jane , Callaghan Lynne , Dhanda Ashwin
Published: June 2022

Background

Ongoing alcohol use is strongly associated with progressive liver damage and higher mortality in patients with alcohol‐related liver disease (ArLD). Reduction in alcohol use is therefore the cornerstone of treatment to improve the long‐term outcome of these patients. However, a large proportion of patients continue to use alcohol and do not access or engage with alcohol treatment services after a diagnosis of ArLD. We reviewed the literature on factors associated with ongoing alcohol consumption among patients with ArLD to identify barriers or facilitators to their accessing alcohol treatment.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted using search strategies relating to ArLD and the psychosocial factors hypothesized to influence alcohol reduction and/or abstinence.

Results

There were few relevant studies pertinent to this population group. Several studies reported a high prevalence of mental health diagnoses associated with the severity of alcohol dependence. Social and environmental factors were shown to be important determinants of alcohol use. Common themes perceived as barriers to treatment from qualitative interviews with ArLD patients across studies included poor communication between the clinical team and patient, lack of symptoms recognized by patients themselves, and perceived loss of control over their condition.

Conclusions

We recommend that future clinical studies of patient cohorts with ArLD include detailed psychosocial assessments to capture information on mental health and social factors. Qualitative studies are required to explore the patient journey pre and post hospital admission, which should focus on identifying facilitators and barriers to accessing treatment. Well‐designed, controlled studies are needed to identify patient, social, and environmental factors associated with relapse to alcohol use after a diagnosis of ArLD. These data will enable us to adapt our support for patients to enhance engagement with services and improve long‐term outcomes.
Perceptions of rural high school teachers ‐ on the frontline of youth suicide
Authors: Bowman Siann , McKinstry Carol , Howie Linsey , Hepworth Graham , McGorry Patrick
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and beliefs of rural high school teachers about student suicide completion in their school and their perceived self‐efficacy in identification of suicidality in students (suicidal ideation, plans and behaviours).

Design

A cross‐sectional survey methodology.

Setting

Gippsland and the Loddon Mallee regions of Victoria, Australia.

Participants

Rural high school teachers.

Outcome Measure

A survey that aimed to obtain participants' perceptions and self‐reports about students who had died by suicide in their school within the last 5 years, their perceived self‐efficacy in identifying suicidal students and barriers to helping students at risk.

Results

Two hundred and seventy‐seven rural high school teachers participated and 86% reported that a student from their school had died by suicide within the last 5 years. Sixty‐five per cent believed that more than one student had died by suicide and 70% perceived they were currently aware of students experiencing suicidality in their class. Receiving professional development about suicide and obtaining help from mental health clinicians predicted perceived self‐efficacy in identification of suicidality in students. Participants perceived the barriers to help students at risk included insufficient numbers of school‐based mental health professionals and community mental health services.

Conclusions

Many rural high school teachers perceive they are at the front line of the youth suicide crisis due to unmet service need in youth mental ill health. Increased access to effective services immediately after teachers become aware of suicidality may assist in reducing youth suicide in rural areas.
Dump Truck Destiny: Alberta Oil, “East Coast” Workers, and Attachment to Extraction
Authors: Mazer Katie
Published: June 2022

This paper considers how white, rural, working‐class men come to be seen, by employers and themselves, as a “natural fit” for mobile work in resource extraction. Examining mobility between eastern Canada and the Alberta petroleum industry, I trace longstanding racial, geographical, and gendered explanations of these workers as dependent and averse to work. I draw on interviews with employers, employment counsellors, and mobile workers, and media representations to consider how these narratives function to shape and constrain workers’ political imaginaries and understandings of themselves. The pervasive story of these workers as undeserving has enabled the emergence of a contrasting working subject: the hard‐working, flexible “east coast” worker who is a natural fit for mobile work in resource extraction. I argue that, despite the challenges of mobile resource work, the interplay of stories that pathologise and celebrate these workers has encouraged their attachment to resource extraction as the pathway to a better life.
Riot Platforms: Protest, Police, Planet
Authors: liu michelle corinne , Brenes Reyes Jaime R. , Sahoo Sananda , Dyer‐Witheford Nick
Published: June 2022

A wave of urban uprisings swept the planet from 2018 to 2021, throwing protesters into violent collisions with police, confrontations fought out both in the streets and on digital platforms. This paper proposes successive cycles of digitally‐mediated social unrest are passing into a phase marked by protesters’ assemblage of “riot platforms”. It examines the development of such platforms by movements in France, Hong Kong, Chile, Lebanon, Ecuador and elsewhere, and the responses of a police power which is itself increasingly digitalised, examines how these contending dynamics played out in 2020 Black Lives Matter rising, discusses the alt‐right’s Capitol Hill seizure as a digitally‐organised reactionary counter‐riot, and concludes by situating “riot platforms” in planet‐wide processes of political recomposition.
IMPACT study: Impact of adherence to anti‐VEGF intravitreal injections for macular disease during COVID 19‐related confinement in France
Authors: Hurand Victoire , Ducloyer Jean‐Baptiste , Baudin Florian , Aho Serge , Weber Michel , Kodjikian Laurent , Devin François , Gabrielle Pierre‐Henry , Creuzot‐Garcher Catherine , Massin Pascale ,   for the CFSR Research Net
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of adherence to French coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19)‐related guidelines for intravitreal injection (IVI) practice on the visual outcomes of patients treated with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for macular diseases during the first lockdown period.

Methods

Observational multicentre study including all patients from 18 centres with an IVI initially planned during the lockdown. Visual acuity (VA, ETDRS) was recorded at 1 and 4 months after lockdown. French COVID 19‐related guidelines recommended maintaining IVI practice. We defined three groups of patients: A, adherent to guidelines; NA+, non‐adherent with delayed IVIs; and NA−, non‐adherent without IVIs performed during the lockdown. Risk factors for non‐adherence and visual loss were studied.

Results

A total of 3020 eyes of 3020 patients, aged 77.8 ± 11.6 years, 59.8% women, were included. 59.3% were non‐adherent(46.7% NA+, 12.6% NA−). A smaller decrease in VA at 4 months was observed in the A group than the NA+ and NA− group (−0.2 ± 6.7, −0.3 ± 6.9 and −1.5 ± 6.9, respectively [p < 0.001]). Factors associated with non‐adherence were in multivariable analysis, older age, hospital practice, low‐density population areas, high viral incidence areas, longer intervals between injection and treat and extent protocol. Factors associated with visual loss at 4 months in multivariable analysis were, being in the NA− group, older age, T&E and fixed regimens.

Conclusion

Strict adherence to guidelines was associated with better visual outcome, although most of our patients did not attend as planned. Identification of patients at risk could help in the future in case of a new pandemic lockdown.
Creating stories for impact: Co‐producing knowledge with young people through story mapping
Authors: van Blerk Lorraine , Hunter Janine , Shand Wayne , Prazeres Laura
Published: June 2022

This paper explores co‐production of knowledge for impact with young people through the process of creating digital story maps, drawing on co‐produced research from two projects: with homeless youth in African cities; and with youth refugees in Uganda and Jordan. It examines the process of creating three story maps with the intention of enabling young people to co‐produce knowledge exchange and research impact. Participants were able to engage in the latter stages of research as part of research analysis, outcomes and outputs beyond the temporal and spatial confines of data collection. The story maps were therefore used not only to ‘bring life’ to reports produced for stakeholders and funders, but also to take young people's research stories beyond locally bound contexts to reach a variety of global audiences. The reflections in this paper also highlight that while the approach adopted was not without challenges, in all three story maps a knowledge exchange process was fostered that resulted in young people feeling they had been listened to; were able to contribute to debates that affect their own lives and to instil a desire to create change, influence policy and inform publics about their lives. The paper concludes that story mapping is a useful creative process for extending young people's input into knowledge exchange and longer‐term research impacts.
Hartman's quandary: Reconciling pluralism and realism for virtue ethics in business
Authors: Bhuyan Nisigandha , Chakraborty Arunima
Published: June 2022

There is considerable consensus on the idea that Aristotelian virtue ethics advocates moral realism. In numerous works, the well‐known business ethicist Edwin Hartman grapples with reconciling the unitary vision of life that a particular kind of moral realism advocates and the pluralist respect for diverse cultures and belief systems that comprise our world. This paper closely follows Hartman's efforts to reconcile his liberal values with his guarded support for Aristotelian moral realism. We argue that the realist interpretation of Aristotle's function argument can be employed to strengthen Hartman's critique of the concept of Homo economicus, which is often posited by its proponents and critics alike as the only viable position for a business manager. Drawing from Aristotle, the paper posits a novel notion of species‐excellence as the ultimate telos of human life and an objective basis for a critique of Homo economicus.
Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis associated with head/neck infection in children: Clues for improved management
Authors: Narcy Lucie , Durand Sabine , Grimaud Marion , Leboucq Nicolas , Grevent David , Cambonie Gilles , Couloigner Vincent , Rivier François , Meyer Pierre , Kossorotoff Manoelle
Published: June 2022

Aim

To compare paediatric patients with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) with and without head/neck infection to improve management of the condition.

Method

We conducted a bicentric retrospective study of consecutive children (neonates excluded) with radiologically confirmed CSVT, comparing children with a concurrent head/neck infection and children with other causes.

Results

A total of 84 consecutive patients (46 males and 38 females) with a median age of 4 years 6 months (range 3 months–17 years 5 months) were included. Associated head/neck infection was identified in 65.4% of cases and represented the main identified CSVT aetiology. Children in the head/neck infection group displayed a milder clinical presentation and less extensive CSVT. Median time to complete recanalization was significantly shorter in this group (89 days [interquartile range 35–101] vs 112.5 days [interquartile range 83–177], p = 0.005). These findings were even more pronounced in the subgroup of patients with otogenic infection and no neurological sign.

Interpretation

As CSVT in the setting of an otogenic infection and no neurological sign seems to represent a milder condition with a shorter course, these results suggest adapting current recommendations: consider earlier control imaging in paediatric otogenic CSVT, and shorter anticoagulant treatment if recanalization is obtained.

What this paper adds

Children with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis related to head/neck infections have a milder clinical presentation.

They also have a shorter recanalization time, especially if there is otogenic infection without neurological symptoms.
Functional characterization of Melampsora larici‐populina Hog1‐type MAPK in response to osmotic stress
Authors: Yu Dan , Yang Bing , Chen Kaiyue , Liu Yifei
Published: June 2022

The obligate biotrophic pathogen Melampsora larici‐populina, responsible for poplar foliar rust disease, causes annual epidemics and severe damages to poplar plantations worldwide. Flexible responses to external osmotic pressure changes are important for the growth and survival of pathogens. In a previous study, we suggested that the Hog1‐type MAPK MlpHog1 in M. larici‐populina may play a role in infectious growth and responses to various environmental stresses. In the present study, we analysed its biological characteristics. MlpHog1 displayed a conserved coding sequence pattern among five strains from different regions of China. MlpHog1 restored the Hog1‐orthologue mutant defects responding to hyperosmotic stress in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Magnaporthe oryzae. Transient expression in wheat protoplasts revealed that MlpHog1 is localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. These results indicate that MlpHog1 plays a positive role in responding to osmotic stress in the poplar rust M. larici‐populina.
UK dental students' ability and confidence in applying the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and determining appropriate orthodontic referral
Authors: Bouskandar Sherouq Yousif , Al Muraikhi Lina , Hodge Trevor M. , Barber Sophy K.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The aim was to assess the ability and confidence of UK undergraduate dental students in applying the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and determining appropriate orthodontic referral.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross‐sectional survey using a case‐based online questionnaire. Fourth and fifth year undergraduate dental students were recruited from UK dental schools through their university and social media. Six cases were presented and participants were asked to provide an IOTN score and judgement about referral. Participants were asked about their confidence, experience and orthodontic teaching.

Results

Sixty‐nine responses were returned. A quarter of participants reported having used IOTN before in a clinical setting. Clinical experience with IOTN influenced confidence. Familiarity with making orthodontic referrals was low and only one participant reported having made an orthodontic referral. Correct IOTN scores were given by 68% of participants for a large 14 mm overjet (5a) case, 43% of participants for an impacted canine (5i) case and 26% of participants for an impacted premolar (5i) case. Incorrect IOTN was most common in hypodontia cases with only 19% correctly identifying mild hypodontia (4h) and 28% identifying severe hypodontia (5h). For the majority of cases, incorrect answers about referral were due to confusion between specialist practitioner and orthodontic consultant pathways.

Conclusions

Dental students' ability and confidence in correctly applying the IOTN Dental Health Component and selecting the appropriate referral pathway was inadequate. Responses suggest a lack of clinical experience in assessing patients, applying the IOTN and making referrals. The low response rate is disappointing and limits the scope for making recommendations.
Suppression of phosphodiesterase IV enzyme by roflumilast ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in aged rats after sevoflurane anaesthesia via PKA‐CREB and MEK/ERK pathways
Authors: Liu Peirong , Wang Juan , Peng Sheng , Zhang Dan , Zhuang Lin , Liu Chunliang , Zhang Yu , Shi Xiaowei
Published: June 2022

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a prevalent disorder after anaesthesia in the elderly patients. Roflumilast (RF), a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE‐4) inhibitor, could improve cognition with no side effects. Here, we sought to explore the efficacy of RF in the improvement of cognitive dysfunction caused by sevoflurane (Sev). Sprague–Dawley rats were anaesthetized, and the hippocampal neurons were treated with Sev to develop in vivo and in vitro POCD models, followed by RF administration. The mechanism of the PKA‐CREB and MEK/ERK pathways in the pathogenesis of POCD was explored. Sev impaired the cognitive functions of rats, significantly reduced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations and blocked the PKA‐CREB and MEK/ERK pathways. Moreover, the Sev‐treated rats and neurons exhibited enhanced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). After treatment with RF, rats had better learning and memory function, and the activity of neurons in hippocampus and cortex was improved. Loss‐of‐function assay indicated that PKA‐CREB and MEK/ERK signalling impairment reduced cAMP levels and promoted apoptosis and ROS in rat hippocampus and neurons. Generally, RF promotes neuronal activity in rats after Sev treatment by maintaining cAMP levels and sustaining the activation of PKA‐CREB and MEK/ERK pathways. This might offer novel sights for POCD therapy.