bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic variables to predict fluid responsiveness in young children
Authors: Liu Ya‐Fei , Song Lin‐Lin , Ma Wei , Wang Dong‐Xin
Published: January 2023

Background

The evidence that dynamic variables predict fluid responsiveness in young children is limited by conflicting research results.

Methods

Sixty patients, 1–3 years of age, undergoing major neurosurgery, received 10 mL/kg of Ringer's solution over 10 min after anesthesia induction. Respiratory variation in aortic blood flow peak velocity (∆Vpeak), plethysmographic variability index (PVI), FloTrac/Vigileo‐derived stroke volume variation (SVV), dynamic arterial elastance (Eadyn), and pulse pressure variation (PPV) were measured before and following fluid loading. An increase in the cardiac index (CI) of ≥10% following fluid loading identified fluid “responders.”

Results

Twenty‐six patients (43.3%) were fluid responders. Baseline ∆Vpeak was an excellent predictor of a CI increase following fluid loading with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.982 (p < 0.001). The PVI showed fair diagnostic accuracy for CI‐fluid responsiveness (AUROC 0.775, p < 0.001). Baseline ∆Vpeak and PVI cutoff values were 9.6% and 15%, respectively. PPV, SVV, and Eadyn were not predictors or were poor predictors for CI‐fluid responsiveness (AUROC 0.669, 0.653, and 0.533, respectively).

Conclusion

Volume‐based PVI and ∆Vpeak showed acceptable reliability for fluid responsiveness prediction in young children undergoing major neurosurgery, whereas pressure‐based SVV using FloTrac/Vigileo, Eadyn, and PPV did not.
Water stress protection by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus irregulare involves physiological and hormonal responses in an organ‐specific manner
Authors: Fresno David H. , Solé‐Corbatón Helena , Munné‐Bosch Sergi
Published: January 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi may alleviate water stress in plants. Although several protection mechanisms have already been described, little information is available on how these fungi influence the hormonal response to water stress at an organ‐specific level. In this study, we evaluated the physiological and hormonal responses to water stress in above and below‐ground tissues of the legume grass Trifolium repens colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoglomus irregulare. Plants were subjected to progressive water stress and recovery. Different leaf and root physiological parameters, as well as phytohormone levels, were quantified. Water‐stressed mycorrhizal plants showed an improved water status and no photoinhibition compared to uncolonized individuals, while some stress markers like α‐tocopherol and malondialdehyde content, an indicator of the extent of lipid peroxidation, transiently increased in roots, but not in leaves. Water stress protection exerted by mycorrhiza appeared to be related to a differential root‐to‐shoot redox signaling, probably mediated by jasmonates, and mycorrhization enhanced the production of the cytokinin trans‐zeatin in both roots and leaves. Overall, our results suggest that mycorrhization affects physiological, redox and hormonal responses to water stress at an organ‐specific level, which may eventually modulate the final protection of the host from water stress.
An approach for accessibility assessment and vulnerability analysis of national multimodal transport systems
Authors: Zhang Hui , Ouyang Min , Sun Wenjing , Hong Liu
Published: January 2023

A series of ambitious accessibility‐oriented policies have been launched in the world, which center around improving accessibility via the national multimodal transport systems including road, airline, and railway. The national multimodal transport accessibility assessment is one of the “basic” analyses for the design and implementation of these policies, whereas existing national‐scale accessibility studies either focus on single‐mode or two‐mode transport or ignore the schedule‐dependent nature of railway and airline. This article models the integrated road, railway, airline, and walking transport as a four‐layer network with the consideration of their interdependencies. An algorithm is then developed to accurately assess the travel time‐based accessibility on the four‐layer network with the consideration of the daily schedule of trains and flights. The proposed approach is applied to map accessibility to 363 cities in mainland China and analyze the optimal travel modes. In addition, this article investigates the travel time‐based vulnerability of the national multimodal transport system in mainland China under the extreme storm recently occurred in Zhengzhou (July 2021). The findings in this work provide insightful suggestions for transport planners to design the national multimodal transport systems and for stakeholders to schedule travels.
The Structure of Dagbani Sentential Negation*
Authors: Issah Samuel Alhassan
Published: January 2023

The goal of this paper is to provide an account of the syntactic expression of sentential negation in Dagbani, a Mabia, Niger‐Congo language of West Africa. I show that Dagbani employs two strategies for the marking of sentential negation: negative markers/particles and negative verbs. The overtly expressed negative markers arekù/bìanddì,used for negating declaratives and imperatives, respectively. Besides, the inherently negative verbkáis used to negate possessive‐locative‐existential constructions. The paper further demonstrates that there is an incompatibility between the negative marker and the imperative morpheme in Dagbani and attempts to account for this empirical fact. In line with recent probe‐based Minimalist account of negation, I assume that the negative markers (heads) carry a [iNeg] feature, which is interpretable, and its interpretation triggers a negative polarity of the clause. I further offer a formal account for the incompatibility between the imperative negation markerdìand the imperative morpheme.
Mdm‐miR858 targets MdMYB9 and MdMYBPA1 to participate anthocyanin biosynthesis in red‐fleshed apple
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Liu Wenjun , Chen Qiaojing , Zhang Shuhui , Mei Zhuoxin , Yu Lei , Wang Chen , Mao Zhiquan , Chen Zijing , Chen Xuesen , Wang Nan
Published: January 2023

Anthocyanins are important secondary metabolites in plants. They are important for human health because of their antioxidant activities and because their dietary intake reduces the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and tumors. The biosynthesis of anthocyanins and its regulation in fruits and vegetables is a global research hotspot. Compared with cultivated apples, the red‐fleshed apple is a relatively new and popular commodity in the market. Previous studies on red‐fleshed apples have focused on the basis for the high anthocyanin content and the transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin synthesis. In the present study, we focused on the mechanism of microRNA‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin synthesis in red‐fleshed apples. We identified a microRNA (miRNA), designated mdm‐miR858, that is specifically expressed in the flesh of apple fruit. The expression level of miR858 was significantly lower in red‐fleshed apples than in white‐fleshed apples. The overexpression of mdm‐miR858 significantly inhibited anthocyanin accumulation, whereas the silencing of mdm‐miR858 promoted anthocyanin synthesis in STTM858 transgenic apple calli. Further analyses showed that mdm‐miR858 targets the transcription factor genes MdMYB9 and MdMYBPA1 to participate anthocyanin accumulation in apple. Our results also show that MdHY5, a transcription factor in the light signaling pathway, can bind to the promoter of mdm‐miR858 to inhibit its transcription, thereby regulating anthocyanin synthesis. Based on our results, we describe a novel HY5‐miR858‐MYB loop involved in the modulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. These findings provide new information about how plant miRNAs regulate anthocyanin anabolism and provide a basis for breeding new anthocyanin‐rich, red‐fleshed apple varieties.
Removal of leachate pollutants using flocculation method at simultaneous factors of optimum pH and Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF) dosage via face‐centred central composite design
Authors: Mohd Makhtar Nurul Shuhada , Idris Juferi , Musa Mohibah , Andou Yoshito , Ku Hamid Ku Halim , Puasa Siti Wahidah , Husen Rafidah
Published: January 2023

The effect of the interaction factor between pH and dosage is important in leachate wastewater treatment. This study aims to remove leachate pollutants such as turbidity, total suspended solid (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour using simultaneous factors of plant‐based Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF) dosage and leachate pH. The flocculation process was carried out through jar test by applying the perikinetic theory and statical analysis (face‐centred central composite design). The results found that the optimum leachate pH and TBPF dosage were pH 3 and 150 mg/L, respectively. The highest removal of leachate pollutants reached up to 69% with a second‐order perikinetic model; R2 = 0.9545 and k = 9 × 10−6 L/mg/min were obtained. Simultaneous interaction factors between leachate pH and TBPF dosage on turbidity and TSS removal were found significant and hence can be applied in the actual leachate wastewater treatment industry, particularly at the primary stage using the proposed model.
Labor Force and Human Capital
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Mesgaran Mohsen B. , Mirramezani Matin
Published: January 2023

the size and characteristics of the labor market in Iran have been affected by the interplay between demographic trends, the rise in the educational attainments of the society, macroeconomic factors, flows of migration from rural to urban areas, as well as international migration to and from Iran. This chapter describes the main characteristics of the labor market in Iran and its evolution since 1960. It also provides an analysis of the major developments in the area of education and human capital and evaluates their impact, or lack thereof, on economic growth in Iran.
A Comprehensive Analytical Model for Vortex Shedding From Low-Speed Axial Fan Blades
Authors: Daku Gábor , Vad János
Published: January 2023

The paper presents a comprehensive analytical model for the characterization of von Karman vortex shedding in the wake of models of low-speed axial fan blades. The elaborated minimal model is based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and continuity equations. For validation purposes, hot-wire measurements have been carried out in a wind tunnel on representative blade profiles. The measurement data obtained for various streamwise positions downstream of the blade trailing edge, i.e., transversal profiles of mean velocity as well as root-mean-square of fluctuating velocity, are evaluated. As the experimental validation demonstrates, the minimal model fairly localizes the transversal position of the vortex centers and represents the motion of the vortices along the wake. The validated minimal model serves the following benefits: (a) an extensive understanding of the underlying physics related to the flow field featuring vortex shedding in the near-wake region (easy-to-use quantitative correlation among the characteristics of wake flow affected by the shed vortices); (b) extension of the literature-based methodology for determination of the transversal distance between the shed vortex rows, being used as a scaling parameter for the Strouhal number utilized in calculation of vortex shedding frequency; and (c) modeling the behavior of rows of shed vortices farther away from the trailing edge. Such behavior may influence the acoustic signature of VS, and, as such, it is to be considered in fan noise modeling.
Impact of Build Direction, Infill Pattern and Raster Angle on Mechanical Properties and Damage Tolerance of 3D Printed PLA
Authors: Yadav Deepesh , Gupta Prerna , Jaya Balila Nagamani
Published: January 2023

Structures made by additive manufacturing processes are highly anisotropic and carry defects. Complete elimination of these defects is not possible, and these defects degrade the mechanical properties (such as elastic modulus, tensile strength, and fracture strain). In the present study, mechanical properties are quantified as a function of building parameters, in particular, filling patterns, raster angle and orientation of build direction with respect to that of loading, in polylactic acid (PLA). The tensile strength of 3D printed PLA is the same for hexagonal and linear pattern filling when build direction is along thickness and width, while better toughness is offered by hexagonal pattern filling. Build direction along specimen gauge length gives very low tensile strength and toughness. Damage tolerance was quantified in terms of work of fracture and hexagonal filling provided better damage tolerance than line filling patterns for conditions of 0° and 45° with respect to crack whereas line filling tolerated damage better than hexagonal filling for the 90° orientation.
Low dimensional measurement of vowels using machine perception
Authors: Burridge James , Vaux Bert
Published: January 2023

A method is presented for combining the feature extraction power of neural networks with model based dimensionality reduction to produce linguistically motivated low dimensional measurements of sounds. This method works by first training a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict linguistically relevant category labels from the spectrograms of sounds. Then, idealized models of these categories are defined as probability distributions in a low dimensional measurement space with locations chosen to reproduce, as far as possible, the perceptual characteristics of the CNN. To measure a sound, the point is found in the measurement space for which the posterior probability distribution over categories in the idealized model most closely matches the category probabilities output by the CNN for that sound. In this way, the feature learning power of the CNN is used to produce low dimensional measurements. This method is demonstrated using monophthongal vowel categories to train this CNN and produce measurements in two dimensions. It is also shown that the perceptual characteristics of this CNN are similar to those of human listeners.
A Nonlinear Pedagogical Approach to Primary School Physical Education: A Case Study
Authors: Cooke Daniel M. , Harrison Craig B. , Millar Sarah-Kate , Walters Simon
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To explore the insights of adults and children at a New Zealand primary school adopting nonlinear pedagogical approaches to physical education (PE). Methods: This case study was conducted at a single primary school and utilized a qualitative methods design, including interviews or focus groups with the principal, five teachers, and four children. Results: A general inductive approach to analysis identified 11 themes including: empowering teachers and children (principal), letting go of control (teachers), and ownership (children). Discussion/Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a principal’s perceived need for change is important to facilitate school wide change to PE practices. Teachers can successfully adopt PE teaching approaches that align with contemporary pedagogy literature through in situ professional development, resulting in positive PE experiences for children.
Human generation times across the past 250,000 years
Authors: Wang Richard J. , Al-Saffar Samer I. , Rogers Jeffrey , Hahn Matthew W.
Published: January 2023

The generation times of our recent ancestors can tell us about both the biology and social organization of prehistoric humans, placing human evolution on an absolute time scale. We present a method for predicting historical male and female generation times based on changes in the mutation spectrum. Our analyses of whole-genome data reveal an average generation time of 26.9 years across the past 250,000 years, with fathers consistently older (30.7 years) than mothers (23.2 years). Shifts in sex-averaged generation times have been driven primarily by changes to the age of paternity, although we report a substantial increase in female generation times in the recent past. We also find a large difference in generation times among populations, reaching back to a time when all humans occupied Africa.
Disynaptic specificity of serial information flow for conditioned fear
Authors: Massi Léma , Hagihara Kenta M. , Courtin Julien , Hinz Julian , Müller Christian , Fustiñana Maria Sol , Xu Chun , Karalis Nikolaos , Lüthi Andreas
Published: January 2023

Memory encoding and retrieval rely on specific interactions across multiple brain areas. Although connections between individual brain areas have been extensively studied, the anatomical and functional specificity of neuronal circuit organization underlying information transfer across multiple brain areas remains unclear. Here, we combine transsynaptic viral tracing, optogenetic manipulations, and calcium dynamics recordings to dissect the multisynaptic functional connectivity of the amygdala. We identify a distinct basolateral amygdala (BLA) subpopulation that connects disynaptically to the periaqueductal gray (PAG) via the central amygdala (CeA). This disynaptic pathway serves as a core circuit element necessary for the learning and expression of conditioned fear and exhibits learning-related plasticity. Together, our findings demonstrate the utility of multisynaptic approaches for functional circuit analysis and indicate that disynaptic specificity may be a general feature of neuronal circuit organization.
Actin limits egg aneuploidies associated with female reproductive aging
Authors: Dunkley Sam , Mogessie Binyam
Published: January 2023

Aging-related centromeric cohesion loss underlies premature separation of sister chromatids and egg aneuploidy in reproductively older females. Here, we show that F-actin maintains chromatid association after cohesion deterioration in aged eggs. F-actin disruption in aged mouse eggs exacerbated untimely dissociation of sister chromatids, while its removal in young eggs induced extensive chromatid separation events generally only seen in advanced reproductive ages. In young eggs containing experimentally reduced cohesion, F-actin removal accelerated premature splitting and scattering of sister chromatids in a microtubule dynamics–dependent manner, suggesting that actin counteracts chromatid-pulling spindle forces. Consistently, F-actin stabilization restricted scattering of unpaired chromatids generated by complete degradation of centromeric cohesion proteins. We conclude that actin mitigates egg aneuploidies arising from age-related cohesion depletion by limiting microtubule-driven separation and dispersion of sister chromatids. This is supported by our finding that spindle-associated F-actin structures are disrupted in eggs of reproductively older females.
Efficient generation of ETX embryoids that recapitulate the entire window of murine egg cylinder development
Authors: Dupont Cathérine , Schäffers Olivier J. M. , Tan Beatrice F. , Merzouk Sarra , Bindels Eric M. , Zwijsen An , Huylebroeck Danny , Gribnau Joost
Published: January 2023

The murine embryonic–trophoblast–extra-embryonic endoderm (ETX) model is an integrated stem cell–based model to study early postimplantation development. It is based on the self-assembly potential of embryonic, trophoblast, and hypoblast/primitive/visceral endoderm-type stem cell lines (ESC, TSC, and XEN, respectively) to arrange into postimplantation egg cylinder–like embryoids. Here, we provide an optimized method for reliable and efficient generation of ETX embryoids that develop into late gastrulation in static culture conditions. It is based on transgenic
Gata6
-overproducing ESCs and modified assembly and culture conditions. Using this method, up to 43% of assembled ETX embryoids exhibited a correct spatial distribution of the three stem cell derivatives at day 4 of culture. Of those, 40% progressed into ETX embryoids that both transcriptionally and morphologically faithfully mimicked in vivo postimplantation mouse development between E5.5 and E7.5. The ETX model system offers the opportunity to study the murine postimplantation egg cylinder stages and could serve as a source of various cell lineage precursors.
Leaf economics fundamentals explained by optimality principles
Authors: Wang Han , Prentice I. Colin , Wright Ian J. , Warton David I. , Qiao Shengchao , Xu Xiangtao , Zhou Jian , Kikuzawa Kihachiro , Stenseth Nils Chr.
Published: January 2023

The life span of leaves increases with their mass per unit area (LMA). It is unclear why. Here, we show that this empirical generalization (the foundation of the worldwide leaf economics spectrum) is a consequence of natural selection, maximizing average net carbon gain over the leaf life cycle. Analyzing two large leaf trait datasets, we show that evergreen and deciduous species with diverse construction costs (assumed proportional to LMA) are selected by light, temperature, and growing-season length in different, but predictable, ways. We quantitatively explain the observed divergent latitudinal trends in evergreen and deciduous LMA and show how local distributions of LMA arise by selection under different environmental conditions acting on the species pool. These results illustrate how optimality principles can underpin a new theory for plant geography and terrestrial carbon dynamics.
Antagonistic effect of cyclin-dependent kinases and a calcium-dependent phosphatase on polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor toxic gain of function
Authors: Piol Diana , Tosatto Laura , Zuccaro Emanuela , Anderson Eric N. , Falconieri Antonella , Polanco Maria J. , Marchioretti Caterina , Lia Federica , White Joseph , Bregolin Elisa , Minervini Giovanni , Parodi Sara , Salvatella Xavier , Arrigoni Giorgio , Ballabio Andrea , La Spada Albert R. , Tosatto Silvio C. E. , Sambataro Fabio , Medina Diego L. , Pandey Udai B. , Basso Manuela , Pennuto Maria
Published: January 2023

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy is caused by polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions in androgen receptor (AR), generating gain-of-function toxicity that may involve phosphorylation. Using cellular and animal models, we investigated what kinases and phosphatases target polyQ-expanded AR, whether polyQ expansions modify AR phosphorylation, and how this contributes to neurodegeneration. Mass spectrometry showed that polyQ expansions preserve native phosphorylation and increase phosphorylation at conserved sites controlling AR stability and transactivation. In small-molecule screening, we identified that CDC25/CDK2 signaling could enhance AR phosphorylation, and the calcium-sensitive phosphatase calcineurin had opposite effects. Pharmacologic and genetic manipulation of these kinases and phosphatases modified polyQ-expanded AR function and toxicity in cells, flies, and mice. Ablation of CDK2 reduced AR phosphorylation in the brainstem and restored expression of
Myc
and other genes involved in DNA damage, senescence, and apoptosis, indicating that the cell cycle–regulated kinase plays more than a bystander role in SBMA-vulnerable postmitotic cells.
Covalent-like bondings and abnormal formation of ferroelectric structures in binary ionic salts
Authors: Dai Yin , Wu Menghao
Published: January 2023

In the Mooser-Pearson diagram, binary ionic compoundss form into nonpolar symmetrical structures with high coordination numbers, while wurtzite structures should appear in the covalent region. Their tetrahedral bonding configurations break the inversion symmetry, with polarizations almost unswitchable due to the high barriers of abrupt breaking and reformation of covalent bonds. Here, through first-principles calculations, we find some exceptional cases of highly ionic ferroelectric binary salts such as lithium halides, which may form into wurtzite structures with covalent-like sp
3
bondings, and the origin of these abnormal formations is clarified. Their high polarizations induced by symmetry breaking are switchable, with much smoother switching pathway refrained from abrupt bond breaking due to the long-range feature of Coulomb interactions. These covalent-like ionic bondings do reduce not only their ferroelectric switching barriers but also the phase transition barriers between polar and nonpolar phases, rendering high performance in applications such as nonvolatile memory and energy storage.
B cell– and T cell–intrinsic regulation of germinal centers by thymic stromal lymphopoietin signaling
Authors: Domeier Phillip P. , Rahman Ziaur S.M. , Ziegler Steven F.
Published: January 2023

Long-lived and high-affinity antibodies are derived from germinal center (GC) activity, but the cytokines that regulate GC function are still being identified. Here, we show that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) signaling regulates the GC and the magnitude of antigen-specific antibody responses. Both GC B cells and T follicular helper (T
FH
) cells up-regulate the expression of surface TSLP receptor (TSLPR), but cell-specific loss of TSLPR results in distinct effects on GC formation and antibody production. TSLPR signaling on T cells supports the retention of antigen-specific B cells and T
FH
differentiation, whereas TSLPR in B cells regulates the generation of antigen-specific memory B cells. TSLPR in both cell types promotes interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) expression, which is important for efficient GC activity. Overall, we identified a previously unappreciated cytokine regulator of GCs and identified how this signaling pathway differentially regulates B and T cell responses in the GC.
Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus Nucleocapsid Protein Interacts with Protein Kinase R-Activating Protein and Induces Stress Granules To Promote Viral Replication
Authors: Chen Shuying , Yang Fan , Cao Weijun , Zhang Xiangle , Liu Huisheng , Zhang Keshan , Liu Xiangtao , Wang Jingyu , Zheng Haixue , Zhu Zixiang
Published: January 2023

Stress granule (SG) formation is a conserved cellular strategy to reduce stress-related damage regulating cell survival. A mass spectrometry-based profiling of the interactome of PPRV N protein revealed that PPRV N interacted with PACT to regulate the assembly of SGs.
Terpene Synthase Gene Amplicons from Subseafloor Sediment
Authors: Schmidt Ruth L. , Hoshino Tatsuhiko , Morono Yuki , Tremblay Julien , Ulanova Dana
Published: January 2023

In this announcement, we present the set of putative terpene synthase (TS) gene fragments detected in a subseafloor sediment sample collected off Shimokita Peninsula, Japan. This data set contains sequences with 72 to 100% identity to TS from actinobacteria and cyanobacteria.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolated from Three Hospitals in South Korea
Authors: Ko Eon-Min , Kim Hyungjun , Jeong Ji-A , Lee Sungkyoung , Kim Seonghan
Published: January 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
clinical isolates CN118, CN272, CB131, IP004, and IP016 were isolated from three hospitals in South Korea. Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of the five
M. tuberculosis
clinical isolates to aid the understanding of their genetic diversity.
Gut Bacterial Dysbiosis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a Case-Control Study and a Cross-Cohort Analysis Using Publicly Available Data Sets
Authors: Kim Gun-Ha , Lee Kihyun , Shim Jung Ok
Published: January 2023

Research on the gut bacteria in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) shows discordant results due to inconsistent study designs or small sample sizes. To overcome these issues, we analyzed microbiota of 567 IBS patients and 487 healthy people from 10 shared data sets using a unified method.
Mutualistic Interactions between Dinoflagellates and Pigmented Bacteria Mitigate Environmental Stress
Authors: Takagi Toshiyuki , Aoyama Kako , Motone Keisuke , Aburaya Shunsuke , Yamashiro Hideyuki , Miura Natsuko , Inoue Koji
Published: January 2023

Coral reefs cover less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, but about 25% of all marine species depend on coral reefs at some point in their life cycles. However, rising ocean temperatures associated with global climate change are a serious threat to coral reefs, causing dysfunction of the photosynthetic apparatus of endosymbiotic microalgae of corals, and overproducing reactive oxygen species harmful to corals.
Identification of a Novel Interaction between
Theileria
Prohibitin (
Ta
PHB-1) and Bovine RuvB-Like AAA ATPase 1
Authors: Araveti Prasanna Babu , Kar Prajna Parimita , Kuriakose Akshay , Sanju Achintya , Kumar Kota Arun , Srivastava Anand
Published: January 2023

Theileria annulata
is an apicomplexan parasite that causes tropical theileriosis in cattle. It is the only eukaryotic pathogen able to cause cellular transformation of host cells yielding a cancer-like phenotype.
Meta-Viromic Sequencing Reveals Virome Characteristics of Mosquitoes and
Culicoides
on Zhoushan Island, China
Authors: Yang Xiaojing , Qin Shiyu , Liu Xiong , Zhang Na , Chen Jiali , Jin Meiling , Liu Fangni , Wang Yong , Guo Jinpeng , Shi Hua , Wang Changjun , Chen Yong
Published: January 2023

The monitoring of the viromes of mosquitoes and
Culicoides
, widely distributed arbovirus transmission vectors, is crucial to evaluate the risk of infectious disease transmission. In this study, the compositions of the viromes of mosquitoes and
Culicoides
on Zhoushan Island varied widely and were related mainly to the host species, with different host species having different core viromes. and many unknown sequences in the
Culicoides
viromes remain to be annotated, suggesting the presence of a large number of unknown viruses.
Standardization of SARS-CoV-2 Cycle Threshold Values: Multisite Investigation Evaluating Viral Quantitation across Multiple Commercial COVID-19 Detection Platforms
Authors: Gavina Kenneth , Franco Lauren C. , Robinson Christopher M. , Hymas Weston , Lei Guang-Sheng , Sinclair Will , Hall Tara , Carlquist John , Lavik John-Paul , Emery Christopher L. , Heaton Phillip R. , Hillyard David , Lopransi Bert K. , Relich Ryan F.
Published: January 2023

From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for SARS-CoV-2 testing has resulted in an explosion of analytical tests with very different approaches and designs. The variability in testing modalities, compounded by the lack of available commercial reference materials for standardization early in the pandemic, has led to several challenges regarding data harmonization for viral quantitation.
Influence of the Cultivation Conditions of the Glioblastoma Neurosphere on the Expression of MALAT1 and LINCROR Long Non-coding RNA Genes
Authors: Mazur D. V. , Mishanova A. V. , Kovalenko T. F. , Shakhparonov M. I. , Antipova N. V.
Published: January 2023

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant brain tumor. One of the reasons for the resistance of GBM to treatment is the extreme heterogeneity of the tumor and, in particular, the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the population of glioblastoma cells. In this work, we investigated the effect of conditions that reduce the proportion of CSCs in the GBM cell population on the levels of long noncoding RNAs (lincROR and MALAT1) involved in the formation of the phenotype of glioblastoma cancer stem cells. We have shown that culturing under conditions that cause a decrease in cell stemness (when fetal bovine serum is added to the culture medium) affected the content of these transcripts: in the cells of most of the analyzed lines, a decrease in the level of the positive stemness regulator lincROR and an increase in the content of MALAT1 were noted.
Shockwave lithotripsy for stent underexpansion as a result of severely calcified neoatherosclerosis and in-stent restenosis
Authors: Griffioen Alexander , van den Oord Stijn , van Royen Niels , van Geuns Robert-Jan
Published: January 2023

Shockwave lithotripsy is a novel therapy to treat severely calcified lesions. The effectiveness of shockwave lithotripsy to treat severely calcified lesions and stent underexpansion due to severe calcifications has been demonstrated. However, this is the first case to demonstrate the use of shockwave lithotripsy in stent underexpansion due to severely calcified in-stent restenosis. A woman in her early 50s presented with angina. The coronary angiogram showed severe three-vessel coronary artery disease with in-stent restenosis in the left anterior descending. After stent implantation in the left anterior descending, there was persisting stent underexpansion due to severely calcified in-stent restenosis. Shockwave lithotripsy contributed to the improvement of angiographic and haemodynamic results. Although evidence is still limited, shockwave lithotripsy could be a valuable tool for treatment of stent underexpansion as a result of severely calcified in-stent restenosis. More studies are needed to confirm the incremental value of shockwave lithotripsy in stent underexpansion.
Metastatic paraganglioma
Authors: Harmsworth Daniela , Mallia Andrew , DeGaetano James , Cassar Paul John
Published: January 2023

A man in his 70s, with a history of a glomus jugulare paraganglioma diagnosed 18 years ago, presented with an unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The paraganglioma had been treated by radiotherapy, and yearly scans had not shown any progression since treatment. A sclerotic focus in L4 vertebral body was reported on a CT scan of the neck and trunk which was done to exclude a neoplastic process being the precipitating factor for the DVT. Nuclear imaging showed multiple areas of bony uptake, suggestive of metastases. A bone biopsy of the left femur resulted positive for metastatic paraganglioma. A monthly intramuscular injection of octreotide 30 mg was prescribed.
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy in the diagnosis of subconjunctival mycosis mimicking nodular scleritis
Authors: Vishwakarma Pratima , Murthy Somasheila I , Joshi Vineet , Mishra Dilip Kumar
Published: January 2023

A female patient in her 20s presented with a bulbar conjunctival mass lesion that was diagnosed as nodular scleritis. It was treated with topical and oral steroids in another hospital. Imaging was done using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy, which helped to rule out scleritis and subconjunctival cysticercosis. Histopathology of the excision biopsy specimen revealed fungal filaments. Topical antifungals were started, and the condition resolved without recurrence after therapy. Although rare, infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of conjunctival mass lesions. Imaging can help to rule out other entities and guide towards appropriate management.
Prevalence and predictive factors of tuberculosis treatment interruption in the Asia region: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Oh Ai Ling , Makmor-Bakry Mohd , Islahudin Farida , Wong Ian CK
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption remains a critical challenge leading to poor treatment outcomes. Two-thirds of global new TB cases are mostly contributed by Asian countries, prompting systematic analysis of predictors for treatment interruption due to the variable findings.

Methods

Articles published from 2012 to 2021 were searched through seven databases. Studies that established the relationship for risk factors of TB treatment interruption among adult Asian were included. Relevant articles were screened, extracted and appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute’s checklists for cohort, case–control and cross-sectional study designs by three reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model in Review Manager software. The pooled prevalence and predictors of treatment interruption were expressed in ORs with 95% CIs; heterogeneity was assessed using the I2statistic. The publication bias was visually inspected using the funnel plot.

Results

Fifty eligible studies (658 304 participants) from 17 Asian countries were included. The overall pooled prevalence of treatment interruption was 17% (95% CI 16% to 18%), the highest in Southern Asia (22% (95% CI 16% to 29%)), followed by Eastern Asia (18% (95% CI 16% to 20%)) and South East Asia (16% (95% CI 4% to 28%)). Seven predictors were identified to increase the risk of treatment interruption, namely, male gender (OR 1.38 (95% CI 1.26 to 1.51)), employment (OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.84)), alcohol intake (OR 2.24 (95% CI 1.58 to 3.18)), smoking (OR 2.74 (95% CI 1.98 to 3.78)), HIV-positive (OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.96)), adverse drug reactions (OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.34)) and previously treated cases (OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.26)). All predictors demonstrated substantial heterogeneity except employment and HIV status with no publication bias.

Conclusion

The identification of predictors for TB treatment interruption enables strategised planning and collective intervention to be targeted at the high-risk groups to strengthen TB care and control in the Asia region.
Implementation of data triangulation and dashboard development for COVID-19 vaccine adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) data in Nigeria
Authors: Shragai Talya , Adegoke Oluwasegun Joel , Ikwe Hadley , Sorungbe Temilade , Haruna Aminu , Williams Imoiboho , Okonkwo Rita , Onu Kenneth , Asekun Adeyelu , Gberikon Margaret , Iwara Emem , Abimiku Alash'le , Rufai Ahmed , Okposen Bassey , Gidudu Jane , Lam Eugene , Bolu Omotayo
Published: January 2023

Nigeria began administering COVID-19 vaccines on 5 March 2021 and is working towards the WHO’s African regional goal to fully vaccinate 70% of their eligible population by December 2022. Nigeria’s COVID-19 vaccination information system includes a surveillance system for COVID-19 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), but as of April 2021, AEFI data were being collected and managed by multiple groups and lacked routine analysis and use for action. To fill this gap in COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring, between April 2021 and June 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with other implementing partners led by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, supported the Government of Nigeria to triangulate existing COVID-19 AEFI data. This paper describes the process of implementing published draft guidelines for data triangulation for COVID-19 AEFI data in Nigeria. Here, we focus on the process of implementing data triangulation rather than analysing the results and impacts of triangulation. Work began by mapping the flow of COVID-19 AEFI data, engaging stakeholders and building a data management system to intake and store all shared data. These datasets were used to create an online dashboard with key indicators selected based on existing WHO guidelines and national guidance. The dashboard went through an iterative review before dissemination to stakeholders. This case study highlights a successful example of implementing data triangulation for rapid use of AEFI data for decision-making and emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement and strong data governance structures to make data triangulation successful.
Care, burden and self-described positive aspects of caring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an exploratory, longitudinal, mixed-methods study
Authors: Conroy Éilís , Kennedy Polly , Heverin Mark , Hardiman Orla , Galvin Miriam
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To explore factors associated with care burden and the self-described positive aspects of caring for a person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) over time.

Design

Exploratory longitudinal mixed-methods study.

Setting

A national multidisciplinary tertiary clinic in Dublin, Ireland.

Participants

Participants were informal caregivers of people living with ALS (plwALS) attending the national ALS/motor neuron disease Clinic Dublin. This study focuses on informal caregivers who completed five consecutive interviews (n= 17) as part of a larger multisite study, over the course of 2.5 years. Participants were over the age of 18. Formal paid caregivers were not included.

Outcome measures

Data were collected on demographic and well-being measures and an open-ended question asked about positive aspects of caregiving. Relevant statistical analysis was carried out on quantitative data and qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results

The caregivers in this study were predominantly female and spouse/partners of the plwALS. Hours of care provided and self-assessed burden increased substantially over time, psychological distress reached clinical significance and quality of life remained relatively stable. Positive aspects identified were thematised as meaning in life and personal satisfaction and varied in relative frequency across phases of the caregiving trajectory.

Conclusions

The co-occurrence of negative and positive factors influences the experiences of informal caregivers in ALS. It is important to explore and acknowledge positive aspects, how they develop and are sustained in order to inform supportive services. The cyclical adaptation identified in this study provides evidence for time sensitive targeted supports.
Evaluating the implementation and impact of a new model of care for integrating children and young people’s acute mental healthcare in a paediatric setting: a protocol for a realist, mixed-methods approach
Authors: Otis Michaela , Barber Susan , Green Hofer Stuart , Straus Jean , Kay Michelle , Hargreaves Dougal S , Hayhoe Benedict , Anokye Nana , Lennox Laura , Nicholls Dasha
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The mental health of children and young people in the UK has been declining and has continued to worsen throughout the pandemic, leading to an increase in mental health-related emergencies. In response, the Best for You programme was developed as a new service designed to integrate mental healthcare for children and young people between acute hospital and community services. The programme is comprised of four new services: a rapid assessment young people’s centre with dual-trained staff, a co-located day service offering family-based care,a digital hub, designed to integrate with the fourth element of the model, namely community support and mental health services. This evaluation protocol aims to assess the development, implementation and outcomes of the Best for You programme and develops a scalable model that could be implemented in other parts of the National Health Service (NHS).

Methods and analysis

This mixed-methods realist evaluation aims to delineate the components of the system to assess their interdependent relationships within a wider context. Data collection will include interviews, participant observations, focus groups and the collection of local quantitative healthcare data. The research will be conducted across four phases. Phase 1—captures the development of the underlying programme theory. Phase 2—a process evaluation testing the programme theory. Phase 3— an outcome and economic evaluation. Phase 4—consolidation of learning from phases 1–3 to identify barriers, facilitators and wider contextual factors that have shaped implementation drawing on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the evaluation was received from the NHS local ethics committee. Embedded within the evaluation is a formative review to feedback and share learning with stakeholders to scale-up the programme. Findings from this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals as well as presentations to be useful to service user organisations and networks.
Venous thromboembolism risk following temporary immobilisation after injury: evaluation of the Aberdeen VTE risk tool
Authors: Almoosawy Sayed Abdulmotaleb , Ofosu-Asiedu Akosua , Hanna Julie , Conlen Ben , Elliott Hamish , Harrison Ailsa , Edmunds Christopher , Hong Tan Poh , Watson Henry G , Cooper Jamie G
Published: January 2023

Background

Temporary lower limb immobilisation following injury is a risk factor for symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE). Pharmacological thromboprophylaxis can mitigate this risk but it is unclear which patients benefit from this intervention. The Aberdeen VTE risk tool was developed to tailor thromboprophylaxis decisions in these patients and this evaluation aimed to describe its performance in clinical practice. Secondarily, diagnostic metrics were compared with other risk assessment methods (RAMs).

Methods

A prospective cohort service evaluation was conducted. Adult patients (≥16 years) managed with lower limb immobilisation for injury who were evaluated with the Aberdeen VTE risk tool prior to discharge from the ED were identified contemporaneously between February 2014 and December 2020. Electronic patient records were scrutinised up to 3 months after removal of immobilisation for the development of symptomatic VTE or sudden death due to pulmonary embolism (PE). Other RAMs, including the Thrombosis Risk Prediction for Patients with cast immobilisation (TRiP(cast)) and Plymouth scores, were assimilated retrospectively and diagnostic performance compared.

Results

Of 1763 patients (mean age 46 (SD 18) years, 51% women), 15 (0.85%, 95% CI 0.52% to 1.40%) suffered a symptomatic VTE or death due to PE. The Aberdeen VTE tool identified 1053 (59.7%) patients for thromboprophylaxis with a sensitivity of 80.0% (95% CI 54.8% to 93.0%) and specificity of 40.4% (95% CI 38.1% to 42.6%) for the primary outcome. In 1695 patients, fewer were identified as high risk by the TRiP(cast) (33.3%) and Plymouth (24.4%) scores, but with greater specificity, 67.0% and 75.6%, respectively, than dichotomous RAMs, including the Aberdeen VTE tool.

Conclusion

Routine use of the Aberdeen VTE tool in our population resulted in an incidence of symptomatic VTE of less than 1%. Ordinal RAMs, such as the TRiP(cast) score, may more accurately reflect VTE risk and permit more individually tailored thromboprophylaxis decisions but prospective comparison is needed.
Matched comparison between external aortic root support and valve-sparing root replacement
Authors: Van Hoof Lucas , Lamberigts Marie , Noé Dries , El-Hamamsy Ismail , Lansac Emmanuel , Kluin Jolanda , de Kerchove Laurent , Pepper John , Treasure Tom , Meuris Bart , Rega Filip , Verbrugghe Peter
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Differences in indication and technique make a randomised comparison between valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) and personalised external aortic root support (PEARS) challenging. We performed a propensity score (PS)-matched comparison of PEARS and VSRR for syndromic root aneurysm.

Methods

Patients in the PEARS 200 Database and Aortic Valve Insufficiency and ascending aorta Aneurysm InternATiOnal Registry (undergoing VSRR) with connective tissue disease operated electively for root aneurysm <60 mm with aortic regurgitation (AR) <1/4 were included. Using a PS analysis, 80 patients in each cohort were matched. Survival, freedom from reintervention and from AR ≥2/4 were estimated using a Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

Median follow-up was 25 and 55 months for 159 PEARS and 142 VSRR patients. Seven (4.4%) patients undergoing PEARS required an intervention for coronary injury or impingement, resulting in one death (0.6%). After VSRR, there were no early deaths, 10 (7%) reinterventions for bleeding and 1 coronary intervention. Survival for matched cohorts at 5 years was similar (PEARS 98% vs VSRR 99%, p=0.99). There was no difference in freedom from valve or ascending aortic/arch reintervention between matched groups. Freedom from AR ≥2/4 at 5 years in the matched cohorts was 97% for PEARS vs 92% for VSRR (p=0.55). There were no type A dissections.

Conclusions

VSRR and PEARS offer favourable mid-term survival, freedom from reintervention and preservation of valve function. Both treatments deserve their place in the surgical repertoire, depending on a patient’s disease stage. This study is limited by its retrospective nature and different follow-ups in both cohorts.