bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality prediction models after radical cystectomy for bladder tumour: A systematic review and critical appraisal
Authors: Sarrió‐Sanz Pau , Martinez‐Cayuelas Laura , Lumbreras Blanca , Sánchez‐Caballero Laura , Palazón‐Bru Antonio , Gil‐Guillén Vicente F. , Gómez‐Pérez Luis
Published: June 2022

Introduction

To identify risk‐predictive models for bladder‐specific cancer mortality in patients undergoing radical cystectomy and assess their clinical utility and risk of bias.

Methods

Systematic review (CRD42021224626:PROSPERO) in Medline and EMBASE (from their creation until 31/10/2021) was screened to include articles focused on the development and internal validation of a predictive model of specific cancer mortality in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. CHecklist for critical Appraisal and data extraction for systematic Reviews of prediction Modelling Studies (CHARMS) and Prediction model Risk Of Bias ASsessment Tool (PROBAST) were applied.

Results

Nineteen observational studies were included. The main predictors were sociodemographic variables, such as age (18 studies, 94.7%) and sex (17, 89.5% studies), tumour characteristics (TNM stage (18 studies, 94.7%), histological subtype/grade (15 studies, 78.9%), lymphovascular invasion (10 studies, 52.6%) and treatment with chemotherapy (13 studies, 68.4%). C‐index values were presented in 14 studies. The overall risk of bias assessed using PROBAST led to 100% of studies being classified as high risk (the analysis domain was rated to be at high risk of bias in all the studies), and 52.6% showed low applicability. Only 5 studies (26.3%) included an external validation and 2 (10.5%) included a prospective study design.

Conclusions

Using clinical predictors to assess the risk of bladder‐specific cancer mortality is a feasibility alternative. However, the studies showed a high risk of bias and their applicability is uncertain. Studies should improve the conducting and reporting, and subsequent external validation studies should be developed.
Theater of lies: The letter to D'Alembert and the tragedy of self‐deception
Authors: Warner John
Published: June 2022

Though Rousseau is recognized to have treated the problem of self‐knowledge with great sensitivity, very little is known about a centrally important aspect of that treatment—his understanding of self‐deception. I reconstruct this conception, emphasizing the importance of purposive but sub‐intentional processes that work to enhance agents' self‐esteem. I go on to argue that Rousseau's fundamental concern about the theater is its capacity to manipulate these processes in ways that make spectators both complicit in their own falsification and vulnerable to elite domination. This argument, with its focus on the pervasive and often subconscious character of self‐deception, not only problematizes an influential reading of Rousseau which emphasizes the epistemic availability of the “true” or “sincere” self, but also highlights the ongoing civic and moral threat posed by self‐deceptive mental states.
Actor–partner interdependence of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and parental control in Chinese families
Authors: Leung Janet T. Y. , Shek Daniel T. L. , Kwok Lydia M. H. , Cheung Jacqueline H. L.
Published: June 2022

The rise of intense competition for younger generation has intensified social expectations of being a good parent. Based on the data of 386 Chinese intact families with fathers (Mage = 48.7), mothers (Mage = 44.7), and adolescents (46.9% girls, Mage = 14.6) as target respondents, this study examined the patterns of dyadic interdependence in the relationships between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and parental control (indexed by close monitoring and psychological control) using actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) analyses. Results indicated an actor‐only pattern in the association of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism with paternal monitoring, and a couple pattern in the relationship between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and maternal monitoring. However, the patterns of individual and inter‐spousal relationships between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and psychological control were indistinguishable between fathers and mothers. The findings lend support to the social expectations model and the anxious rearing model by illustrating positive associations of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism with parental monitoring and psychological control. The present study suggests that father‐prescribed social expectations about parenting are critical in shaping parental control practice in Chinese contexts, which shed light on the development of Chinese socialization model and clinical practice to support Chinese parents in their parenting.
Prevalence of gestational diabetes in the Waikato region of New Zealand
Authors: Chepulis Lynne , Morison Brittany , Lawrenson Ross , Paul Ryan
Published: June 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during pregnancy is associated with health complications for both mother and infant, but patient numbers in the Waikato District Health Board region of New Zealand have not been well characterised. This study reviewed the full 2018 cohort of Waikato District Health Board hospital births (n = 4970) to report on GDM prevalence by ethnicity and age. The overall prevalence of GDM was 5.7% and is more likely to affect Asian, Pacific and Māori women as well as those of advanced maternal age.
Moving across Borders: The Work Life Experiences of Czech Cross‐border Workers during the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Haist Joshua , Novotný Lukáš
Published: June 2022

The experiences of cross‐border workers (CBWs) and the difficulties they face during the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic have been neglected in previous research. CBWs experience various stressors under normal circumstances, where they are often subjected to unequal working conditions and forced to transition between two different societies. The measures that were introduced in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, including the implementation of physical borders, further worsened the situation for these individuals. Herein, we draw on qualitative interview data from 35 CBWs from the Czech Republic and Germany to explore their experiences of work, stress, support, and their positioning in society during the pandemic. We detail the dissatisfaction felt by CBWs regarding re‐bordering, the lack of coordination in the crisis management, and the lack of support from national governments and the EU. This study provides unique insights into the difficulties and experiences of CBWs in a time of crisis.
Sequencing of laser captured Z and W chromosomes of the tocantins paradoxical frog (Pseudis tocantins) provides insights on repeatome and chromosomal homology
Authors: Gatto Kaleb Pretto , Timoshevskaya Nataliya , Smith Jeramiah J. , Lourenço Luciana Bolsoni
Published: June 2022

Pseudis tocantins is the only frog species of the hylid genus Pseudis that possesses highly heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Z and W chromosomes of Ps. tocantins differ in size, morphology, position of the nucleolar organizer region (NOR) and the amount and distribution of heterochromatin. A chromosomal inversion and heterochromatin amplification on the W chromosome were previously inferred to be involved in the evolution of this sex chromosome pair. Despite these findings, knowledge related to the molecular composition of the large heterochromatic band of this W chromosome is restricted to the PcP190 satellite DNA, and no data are available regarding the gene content of either the W or the Z chromosome of Ps. tocantins. Here, we sequenced microdissected Z and W chromosomes of this species to further resolve their molecular composition. Comparative genomic analysis suggests that Ps. tocantins sex chromosomes are likely homologous to chromosomes 4 and 10 of Xenopus tropicalis. Analyses of the repetitive DNA landscape in the Z and W assemblies allowed for the identification of several transposable elements and putative satellite DNA sequences. Finally, some transposable elements from the W assembly were found to be highly diverse and divergent from elements found elsewhere in the genome, suggesting a rapid amplification of these elements on the W chromosome.
Psychometric Methods to Evaluate Measurement and Algorithmic Bias in Automated Scoring
Authors: Johnson Matthew S. , Liu Xiang , McCaffrey Daniel F.
Published: June 2022

With the increasing use of automated scores in operational testing settings comes the need to understand the ways in which they can yield biased and unfair results. In this paper, we provide a brief survey of some of the ways in which the predictive methods used in automated scoring can lead to biased, and thus unfair automated scores. After providing definitions of fairness from machine learning and a psychometric framework to study them, we demonstrate how modeling decisions, like omitting variables, using proxy measures or confounded variables, and even the optimization criterion in estimation can lead to biased and unfair automated scores. We then introduce two simple methods for evaluating bias, evaluate their statistical properties through simulation, and apply to an item from a large‐scale reading assessment.
Risk factors for small‐intestinal mucosal breaks beyond aspirin
Authors: Sun Xi , Wang Fei , Liu Jing , Wu Lili , Wang Zhiqiang , Chen Xiao , Wang Ming , Zeng Qang
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim

There remains lots of unknowns for small intestinal mucosal breaks (SIMBs). The application of magnetic controlled capsule endoscope (MCCE) may provide a better understanding of SIMBs. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of SIMBs in the general population as well as risk factors for SIMBs other than aspirin.

Methods

Clinical data on individuals who visited our institute between January 2019 and February 2021 for MCCE examination as a health check were collected and analyzed retrospectively. All study participants must have completed the small bowel inspection. Multivariate analysis was employed to reveal the independent risk factors for SIMBs.

Results

A total of 1599 participants, 103 of whom were aspirin users, were finally included. The prevalence of SIMBs was 8.3% (132/1599) in all participants, with 36.9% (38/103) in aspirin users and 6.3% (94/1496) in non‐aspirin users. The multivariate analysis showed that in addition to aspirin (OR: 6.17, 95% CI: 3.25–11.58), obesity (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.38–3.92) and smoking (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.56–3.20) were also independent risk factors for SIMBs. Jejunum involvement was more common in aspirin users (20/38, 52.6%), while ilium involvement was more common in non‐aspirin users (58/94, 61.7%). Moderate SIMBs (erosions) were more common in aspirin users (17/38, 44.7%), while severe SIMBs (large erosions/ulcers) were more common in non‐aspirin users (17/94, 18.1%).

Conclusions

The risk factors for SIMBs include aspirin as well as smoking and obesity, and the severity and distributive features of SIMBs differ between aspirin users and non‐aspirin users.
Risk for post‐operative delirium related to comorbidities in older adult cardiac patients: An integrative review
Authors: Ramos Mary Dioise , Vergara Franz Henryk , Shackleford Jenna , Briggs Christina , Gomez Carolina , Mofazali Mahdi , Preston Jade
Published: June 2022

Background

Delirium is defined as a sudden onset of confusion due to disruption in normal brain functioning. Although it is highly prevalent in post‐operative patients, most significantly the older adult population, limited information exists explaining why its onset occurs.

Purpose

This integrative review aimed to synthesise specific comorbidities that can contribute to the development of post‐operative delirium in older adult cardiac surgical patients.

Methods

PRISMA statement was used to report the identification, selection, appraisal and synthesis of articles and the PRISMA diagram reports the selection process. The Johns Hopkins Evidence‐Based Practice Tools were used as guide in literature review, critical analysis, levelling of evidence and quality rating. PubMed, ProQuest, CINAHL plus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid Nursing Collection and Cochrane databases were searched from 2015 to 2020.

Results

The initial search yielded 1529 articles. Following the removal of duplicates and screening, 14 articles were included for this review. The following comorbidities were identified in the studies: Diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, depression, impaired olfaction, pre‐existing cerebrovascular disease, pre‐existing cardiovascular disease, insomnia and frailty.

Conclusion

There was a strong indication of the development of post‐operative delirium among older adult cardiac surgical patients with comorbidities.

Relevance to clinical practice

Awareness of the impact of comorbidities in developing post‐operative delirium may help healthcare providers to plan and implement proper care management among older adult cardiac surgical patients with comorbidities.
Dynamics of a mountain grassland: Environment predicts long‐term trends, while species’ traits predict short‐term fluctuations
Authors: Skálová Hana , Hadincová Věroslava , Krahulec František , Pecháčková Sylvie , Herben Tomáš
Published: June 2022

Aims

Dynamics of plant communities are an outcome of species’ responses to the external environment influenced by species’ life history, growth patterns and their mutual interactions. We aimed to disentangle the long‐term directional trends, likely associated with decadal change in environmental conditions, from short‐term species fluctuations.

Location

Krkonoše Mountains, North Bohemia, Czech Republic.

Method

To disentangle these processes, we used data from four plots in a temperate mountain grassland recorded yearly from 1985 to 2019.

Results

We identified distinct types of temporal dynamics of individual species (using Fourier analysis) as well as directional shifts in abundance of individual species. Species fluctuations were best predicted by species’ traits (namely taller species and those with a larger bud bank being less likely to fluctuate), likely due to demographic processes specific for individual species within the community. In contrast, directional trends were better predicted by species’ environmental preferences expressed by Ellenberg indicator values. We found consistent shifts in vegetation composition towards that with higher Ellenberg indicator values for soil reaction and light and lower indicator value for moisture, which can be explained both by the global change and local factors.

Conclusion

Our results thus show that short‐term dynamics of individual species is determined by their traits, while long‐term trends of a grassland community are determined by the environmental change.
Intra‐population variation in male nuptial coloration and diet across anthropogenically altered visual microhabitats in an African cichlid
Authors: Atkinson T. L. , Gray S. M.
Published: June 2022

Human activities are altering natural ecosystems, leading to widespread environmental change that can vary across spatiotemporal scales, thus creating dynamic, novel conditions at both large and small scales. In highly disturbed aquatic systems, elevated turbidity is one common stressor that alters the sensory environment of fishes and can disrupt communication, including mate choice, driving population‐level shifts in visual communication traits such as nuptial coloration. At a smaller, within‐population scale, we can expect similar adaptive divergence to a heterogeneous visual landscape. Using the cichlid fish, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor, we investigated within‐population variation in diet and nuptial coloration by sampling fish from microhabitats within a relatively small site (~0.14 km2). These visual microhabitats are affected by different types of human disturbance at a very small scale leading to significant differences in water clarity (i.e. turbidity). We used three, non‐mutually exclusive working hypotheses to test if (1) males in low turbidity invest more in carotenoid‐based coloration (economy of pigments hypothesis), (2) fish from low‐turbidity sites eat more carotenoid‐rich foods (diet hypothesis), and (3) fish are habitat matching. Stomach content analyses revealed relatively high overlap in diet across microhabitats; however, fish from stations with the lowest turbidity consumed relatively more plant material (high in carotenoid content) than fish captured at high‐turbidity stations. Males from clearer waters displayed significantly more carotenoid‐based, red and yellow coloration than fish found in microhabitats with higher turbidity, similar to between‐population color variation in this species. Furthermore, larger fish displayed more carotenoid coloration overall, but there was no difference in mean male size among microhabitats suggesting that fish were not sorting into microhabitats. Our results suggest that within‐population variation in nuptial coloration could be associated with microhabitat heterogeneity in the visual landscape driven by turbidity, a diet with more carotenoid‐rich prey items, or a combination of both.
Fortunes and misfortunes of the dragon sons: Direct and cohort effects of superstition on education attainment
Authors: Chou Andy L.
Published: June 2022

Previous research has highlighted the impact of the Chinese zodiac on fertility, education, and labor market outcomes. Yet previous research does not account for the indirect impact of parental belief on fertility. I develop a new empirical method for evaluating the impact of the zodiac superstition on education attainment using the difference between school cohorts and zodiac cohorts. The new method nests previous methods and identifies effects of the zodiac superstition on education which are independent of cohort effects. Using the Taiwan Social Change Survey, I find evidence of a positive effect for being born in the dragon zodiac years and a negative effect for being born in the tiger zodiac years. I find the results are driven only by older students within an academic cohort. These results cannot be explained by birth planning or overall increase in self‐confidence.
The effectiveness of pressure support ventilation and T‐piece in differing duration among weaning patients: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Ye Xiaomei , Waters David , Yu Hong‐Jing
Published: June 2022

Background

A spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) is recommended to help patients to liberate themselves from mechanical ventilation as soon as possible in the ICU. The respiratory workload in SBT, which depends on being with or without respiratory support and a specific time, is more accurate to reflect how much support the weaning patients need compared with only considering SBT technologies.

Aim

To compare and rank the effectiveness of different respiratory workloads during SBT via differing technologies (Pressure Support Ventilation and T‐piece) and differing duration (30 and 120 min) in SBTs.

Study design

A comprehensive literature search was performed in six English electronic databases to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before September 2020. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. A Bayesian network meta‐analysis was conducted using “gemtc” version 0.8.2 of R software. Each intervention's ranking possibilities were calculated using the surface under the cumulative ranking analysis (SUCRA).

Results

A total of nine RCTs including 3115 participants were eligible for this network meta‐analysis involving four different commonly used SBT strategies and four outcomes. The only statistically significant difference was between Pressure Support Ventilation (PSV) 30 min and T‐piece 120 min in the outcome of the rate of success in SBTs (RR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84–0.98). The cumulative rank probability showed that the rate of success in SBT from best to worst was PSV 30 min, PSV 120 min, T‐piece 30 min and T‐piece 120 min. PSV 30 min and PSV 120 min are more likely to have a higher rate of extubation (SUCRA values of 82.5% for 30 min PSV, 70.7% for 120 min PSV, 36.4% for T‐piece 30 min, 10.4% for T‐piece 120). Meanwhile, T‐piece 120 min (SUCRA, 62.9%) and PSV 120 min (SUCRA, 60.9%) may result in lower reintubation rates, followed by T‐piece 30 min (SUCRA, 41.8%) and PSV 30 min (SUCRA, 34.4%).

Conclusions and relevance to clinical practice

In comprehensive consideration of four outcomes, regarding SBT strategies, 30‐min PSV was superior in simple‐to‐wean patients. Besides, 120‐min T‐piece and 120‐min PSV are more likely to achieve a lower reintubation rate. Thus, the impact of duration is more significant among patients who have a high risk of reintubation. It is still unclear whether the SBTs affect the outcome of mortality; further studies may need to explore the underlying mechanism.
Is semantic correctness descriptive?
Authors: Honkasalo Aleksi
Published: June 2022

According to the normativists, dispositionalist theories of meaning fail because meaning is normative, not descriptive. One way to understand this notion of normativity is in terms of semantic correctness conditions. Anti‐normativists typically accept that meaning implies semantic correctness but deny that this in turn implies that meaning is normative. Jeffrey Kaplan has recently argued that while semantic correctness may not imply full‐blown normativity, semantic correctness is not descriptive either. I contend that Kaplan's argument has two main problems. First, his focus on dispositionalism leaves it open for other descriptive facts to provide the basis of semantic correctness conditions. Second, he fails to show that the problems of dispositionalism are connected to semantic correctness in a way that demonstrates problems with descriptive theories of meaning.
Saving and Maintaining Face: Metapragmatic Expressions in BELF Meetings
Authors: Chen Jialiang
Published: June 2022

English as a business lingua franca (BELF) has contributed to an increasing number of intercultural studies that aim to evaluate its complexities and participants’ pragmatic competence in this context. The worldwide use of BELF interactions is subject to multiple contextual factors, with metapragmatic expressions (MPEs) serving as one of the linguistic devices and pragmatic strategies. Based on BELF meetings from the Vienna-Oxford International Corpus of English (VOICE), this paper explores how MPEs are used to save and maintain face in order to promote the effectiveness of communication. It is found that the use of MPEs in BELF meetings can help speakers to accomplish their transactional goals by showing concern for face in this intercultural business context. Also, the use of MPEs dynamically reflects the participants’ interpersonal pragmatic competence in intercultural settings. The present study deepens the understanding of metapragmatic awareness and the mechanism of MPEs in BELF interactions.
Internet, Participation in International Trade, and Tax Revenue Instability
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm
Published: June 2022

This study investigates the effect of the Internet on tax revenue instability (TRI), notably through the international trade channel. It used a sample of 142 countries over the period 1995-2017 and relied primarily on the two-step system generalized method of moments estimator. The findings indicate that greater access to the Internet negatively affects TRI, and this effect works through the trade openness avenue. Especially, countries enjoy a higher negative effect of the Internet on TRI as they experience a greater trade openness. Moreover, Internet access reduces TRI in countries that have experienced a greater extent of tax reform and a greater export product concentration. Therefore, these findings add to the potential benefits of Internet adoption by showing that it could also help stabilize tax revenue, particularly through countries’ participation in international trade.
Effects of Competition Policy on Macroeconomic Outcomes
Authors: Hong Hyung Ju
Published: June 2022

This paper examines existing empirical research regarding the importance of competition and competition policy for variables relevant to macroeconomic outcomes. This research provides evidence on the correlations between competition, competition policy, and macroeconomic outcomes, such as productivity, growth, innovation, employment, and inequality. Competition policy is demonstrated to bring multiple benefits for macroeconomic outcomes in several economic studies. Gains from enhanced competition can essentially be divided into efficiency and redistribution effects. Efficiency gains result from the positive impact of competition on productivity growth, which allows firms and industries to produce more and better products and services at lower cost, whereas redistribution effects are associated with the impact of competition on inequality and employment in the market.
Internally generated population activity in cortical networks hinders information transmission
Authors: Huang Chengcheng , Pouget Alexandre , Doiron Brent
Published: June 2022

How neuronal variability affects sensory coding is a central question in systems neuroscience, often with complex and model-dependent answers. Many studies explore population models with a parametric structure for response tuning and variability, preventing an analysis of how synaptic circuitry establishes neural codes. We study stimulus coding in networks of spiking neuron models with spatially ordered excitatory and inhibitory connectivity. The wiring structure is capable of producing rich population-wide shared neuronal variability that agrees with many features of recorded cortical activity. While both the spatial scales of feedforward and recurrent projections strongly affect noise correlations, only recurrent projections, and in particular inhibitory projections, can introduce correlations that limit the stimulus information available to a decoder. Using a spatial neural field model, we relate the recurrent circuit conditions for information limiting noise correlations to how recurrent excitation and inhibition can form spatiotemporal patterns of population-wide activity.
Design of Ru-Ni diatomic sites for efficient alkaline hydrogen oxidation
Authors: Han Lili , Ou Pengfei , Liu Wei , Wang Xiang , Wang Hsiao-Tsu , Zhang Rui , Pao Chih-Wen , Liu Xijun , Pong Way-Faung , Song Jun , Zhuang Zhongbin , Mirkin Michael V. , Luo Jun , Xin Huolin L.
Published: June 2022

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells are limited by the slow kinetics of alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). Here, we establish HOR catalytic activities of single-atom and diatomic sites as a function of *H and *OH binding energies to screen the optimal active sites for the HOR. As a result, the Ru-Ni diatomic one is identified as the best active center. Guided by the theoretical finding, we subsequently synthesize a catalyst with Ru-Ni diatomic sites supported on N-doped porous carbon, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity, CO tolerance, and stability for alkaline HOR and is also superior to single-site counterparts. In situ scanning electrochemical microscopy study validates the HOR activity resulting from the Ru-Ni diatomic sites. Furthermore, in situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy and computational studies unveil a synergistic interaction between Ru and Ni to promote the molecular H
2
dissociation and strengthen OH adsorption at the diatomic sites, and thus enhance the kinetics of HOR.
Anyonic-parity-time symmetry in complex-coupled lasers
Authors: Arwas Geva , Gadasi Sagie , Gershenzon Igor , Friesem Asher , Davidson Nir , Raz Oren
Published: June 2022

Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, and particularly parity-time (PT) and anti-PT symmetric Hamiltonians, play an important role in many branches of physics, from quantum mechanics to optical systems and acoustics. Both the PT and anti-PT symmetries are specific instances of a broader class known as anyonic-PT symmetry, where the Hamiltonian and the PT operator satisfy a generalized commutation relation. Here, we study theoretically these novel symmetries and demonstrate them experimentally in coupled lasers systems. We resort to complex coupling of mixed dispersive and dissipative nature, which allows unprecedented control on the location in parameter space where the symmetry and symmetry breaking occur. Moreover, tuning the coupling in the same physical system allows us to realize the special cases of PT and anti-PT symmetries. In a more general perspective, we present and experimentally validate a new relation between laser synchronization and the symmetry of the underlying non-Hermitian Hamiltonian.
Reversal of synapse loss in Alzheimer mouse models by targeting mGluR5 to prevent synaptic tagging by C1Q
Authors: Spurrier Joshua , Nicholson LaShae , Fang Xiaotian T. , Stoner Austin J. , Toyonaga Takuya , Holden Daniel , Siegert Timothy R. , Laird William , Allnutt Mary Alice , Chiasseu Marius , Brody A. Harrison , Takahashi Hideyuki , Nies Sarah Helena , Pérez-Cañamás Azucena , Sadasivam Pragalath , Lee Supum , Li Songye , Zhang Le , Huang Yiyun H. , Carson Richard E. , Cai Zhengxin , Strittmatter Stephen M.
Published: June 2022

Microglia-mediated synaptic loss contributes to the development of cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the basis for this immune-mediated attack on synapses remains to be elucidated. Treatment with the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) silent allosteric modulator (SAM), BMS-984923, prevents β-amyloid oligomer–induced aberrant synaptic signaling while preserving physiological glutamate response. Here, we show that oral BMS-984923 effectively occupies brain mGluR5 sites visualized by [
18
F]FPEB positron emission tomography (PET) at doses shown to be safe in rodents and nonhuman primates. In aged mouse models of AD (
APPswe/PS1
Δ
E9
overexpressing transgenic and

App
NL-G-F

/
hMapt
double knock-in), SAM treatment fully restored synaptic density as measured by [
18
F]SynVesT-1 PET for SV2A and by histology, and the therapeutic benefit persisted after drug washout. Phospho-TAU accumulation in double knock-in mice was also reduced by SAM treatment. Single-nuclei transcriptomics demonstrated that SAM treatment in both models normalized expression patterns to a far greater extent in neurons than glia. Last, treatment prevented synaptic localization of the complement component C1Q and synaptic engulfment in AD mice. Thus, selective modulation of mGluR5 reversed neuronal gene expression changes to protect synapses from damage by microglial mediators in rodents.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Remdesivir and GS-441524 in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Leegwater E. , Moes D. J. A. R. , Bosma L. B. E. , Ottens T. H. , van der Meer I. M. , van Nieuwkoop C. , Wilms E. B.
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study was to describe the population pharmacokinetics of remdesivir and GS-441524 in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. A prospective observational pharmacokinetic study was performed in non-critically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients with hypoxemia.
A Polymorphism in the Epstein-Barr Virus EBER2 Noncoding RNA Drives
In Vivo
Expansion of Latently Infected B Cells
Authors: Wang Yiping , Ungerleider Nathan , Hoffman Brett A. , Kara Mehmet , Farrell Paul J. , Flemington Erik K. , Lee Nara , Tibbetts Scott A.
Published: June 2022

The oncogenic gammaherpesviruses, including human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68, γHV68, MuHV-4), are associated with numerous malignancies, including B cell lymphomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These viruses employ numerous molecular strategies to colonize the host, including the expression of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). As the first viral ncRNAs identified, EBV-encoded RNA 1 and 2 (EBER1 and EBER2, respectively) have been investigated extensively for decades; however, their specific
in vivo
functions remain largely unknown.
Genomic Occupancy of the Bromodomain Protein Bdf3 Is Dynamic during Differentiation of African Trypanosomes from Bloodstream to Procyclic Forms
Authors: Ashby Ethan , Paddock Lucinda , Betts Hannah L. , Liao Jingwen , Miller Geneva , Porter Anya , Rollosson Lindsey M. , Saada Carrie , Tang Eric , Wade Serenity J. , Hardin Johanna , Schulz Danae
Published: June 2022

The parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
is the causative agent of human and animal African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness). Trypanosomiasis, which affects humans and cattle, is fatal if untreated.
Composition and Functional Potential of the Human Mammary Microbiota Prior to and Following Breast Tumor Diagnosis
Authors: Hoskinson Courtney , Zheng Kelly , Gabel Jaelyn , Kump Annie , German Rana , Podicheti Ram , Marino Natascia , Stiemsma Leah T.
Published: June 2022

The goal of this study was to determine the role of resident breast tissue bacteria in breast cancer development. We analyzed breast tissue bacteria in healthy breast tissue and breast tissue donated prior to (precancerous) and after (postcancerous) breast cancer diagnosis.
Longitudinal Evaluation of Gut Bacteriomes and Viromes after Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Eradication of Carbapenem-Resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Liu Qin , Zuo Tao , Lu Wenqi , Yeoh Yun Kit , Su Qi , Xu Zhilu , Tang Whitney , Yang Keli , Zhang Fen , Lau Louis H. S. , Lui Rashid N. S. , Chin Miu Ling , Wong Rity , Cheung Chun Pan , Zhu Wenyi , Chan Paul K. S. , Chan Francis K. L. , Lui Grace C. , Ng Siew C.
Published: June 2022

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for multidrug-resistant organisms; however, introducing a complex mixture of microbes also has unknown consequences for landscape features of gut microbiome. We sought to understand bacteriome and virome alterations in patients undergoing FMT to treat infection with carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
.
TP0586532, a Novel Non-Hydroxamate LpxC Inhibitor: Potentiating Effect on
In Vitro
Activity of Meropenem against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Yoshida Ippei , Takata Iichiro , Fujita Kiyoko , Takashima Hajime , Sugiyama Hiroyuki
Published: June 2022

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are an urgent public health threat, as therapeutic options are limited. TP0586532 is a novel LpxC inhibitor that inhibits the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides in the outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria.
Evaluation of a Multiplex Bead Assay against Single-Target Assays for Detection of IgG Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mitchell Kaitlin F. , Carlson Christina M. , Nace Douglas , Wakeman Brian S. , Drobeniuc Jan , Niemeyer Glenn P. , Werner Bonnie , Hoffmaster Alex R. , Satheshkumar Panayampalli S. , Schuh Amy J. , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Rogier Eric
Published: June 2022

Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 infections through nucleic acid or antigen based diagnostic tests severely underestimates the true burden of exposure in a population. Serological data assaying for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens offers an alternative source of data to estimate population exposure, but most current immunoassays only include a single target for antibody detection.
Inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factor Production by Petroselinic Acid and Other Unsaturated C18 Fatty Acids
Authors: Lee Jin-Hyung , Kim Yong-Guy , Lee Jintae
Published: June 2022

Fatty acids with a long carbon chain have recently attracted attention because of their antibiofilm activities against microbes. Here, we report the antibiofilm activities of 27 fatty acids against
S. aureus
.
Introducing a new method to record injuries during military training: a prospective study among 296 young Norwegian conscripts
Authors: Bjørneboe John , Heen A , Borud E , Bahr R , Clarsen B , Norheim A-J
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Most epidemiological studies in the field of military medicine have been based on data from medical records and registries. The aims of this study were to test a self-reporting injury surveillance system commonly used in sports medicine in a military setting, and to describe the injury pattern among Norwegian army conscripts during a period of military training.

Method

A total of 296 conscripts in His Majesty the King’s Guard were asked to report all injuries each week for 12 weeks, using a modification of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2). We recorded all injuries irrespective of their need for medical attention or consequences for military participation. In addition, we retrieved data on injuries recorded by military physicians in the medical record from the Norwegian Armed Forces Health Register.

Results

The mean weekly response rate was 74%. A total of 357 injuries were recorded, of which 82% were only captured through the OSTRC-H2 and 3% only in the medical records. The average weekly prevalence of injury was 28% (95% CI: 25% to 31%), and 10% (95% CI: 8% to 12%) experienced injuries with a substantial negative impact on training and performance. The greatest injury burden was caused by lower limb injuries, with knee and foot injuries as the predominant injury locations.

Conclusion

The OSTRC-H2 is suitable for use in a military setting and records substantially more injuries than the standard medical record. The prevalence of injuries among conscripts is high and comparable with many elite sports.
Development of a novel predictive model for a successful stone removal after flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy based on ipsilateral renal function: a single-centre, retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Ma Yucheng , Jian Zhongyu , Xiang Liyuan , Zhou Liang , Jin Xi , Luo Deyi , Li Hong , Wang Kun-Jie
Published: June 2022

Objectives

The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of preoperative ipsilateral renal function on the success of kidney stone removal with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy and to develop a predictive model based on the results.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Data from the 2001–2012 period were collected from the electronic records of West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Participants

576 patients who underwent flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy were included in the study.

Primary outcome

Stone-free rate (SFR) after the procedures.

Results

In patients with suspected impaired kidney function, the overall SFR was 70.1%. Stone volume (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.18 to 1.80), lower calyx stones (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.65), age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.04), body mass index (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17) and estimated glomerular filtration rate of the affected kidney (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.94 to 0.97) were identified as independent predictors of SFR. Lasso regression selected the same five predictors as those identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, thus verifying our model. The mean area under the curve, based on 1000 iterations and 10-fold validation, was 0.715 (95% CI 0.714 to 0.716). The Hodges-Lehmann test and calibration curve analysis revealed no significant mismatch between the prediction model and the retrospective cohort.

Conclusion

Ipsilateral renal function may be a novel independent risk factor for kidney stone removal with flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy. A novel nomogram for predicting SFR that uses stone volume, lower calyx stones, age, body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate was developed, but remains to be externally validated.
Creating interventions to transition long-lasting insecticide net distribution in Ghana
Authors: Glozah Franklin , Asampong Emmanuel , Tabong Philip Teg-Nefaah , Nwameme Adanna , Hornuvo Ruby , Chandi Margaret , Peprah Nana Yaw , Adongo Philip , Dako-Gyeke Phyllis
Published: June 2022

Objective

Mass long-lasting insecticide net (LLIN) distribution campaigns are rolled out, as a part of the Ghana Malaria Strategic plan (2021–2025) which seeks to protect at least 80% of the population at risk with effective malaria prevention interventions. Although the mass LLIN distribution campaign indicates a comprehensive stakeholder engagement approach, it does not systematically transition into the basic primary healthcare structures within the Ghana Health Services. This paper presents the process and outcome of creating an innovative social intervention, which focuses on community mobilisation and capacity building of community health officers.

Methods

This study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed methods approach conducted across six districts in Eastern and Volta regions, Ghana. Findings were synthesised, grouped and further distilled to guide the participatory cocreation workshops. Cocreation involved participatory learning in action technique which is a practical, adaptive research strategy which enabled diverse groups and individuals to learn, work and act together in a cooperative manner.

Results

The results suggest the establishment of a Community Health Advocacy Team (CHAT). This would be necessary in efforts aimed at transitioning LLIN distribution campaign in communities. The role of the CHAT would be centred on key elements of community/social mobilisation and capacity building, all nested in a social and behaviour change communication strategies.

Conclusion

The research team is in the process of assessing the acceptability and feasibility of the CHAT intervention with all stakeholders in the various communities. Assessment of the effectiveness of the CHAT intervention would be done at a later time.
Relationships between self-reflectiveness and clinical symptoms in individuals during pre-morbid and early clinical stages of psychosis
Authors: Xu Lihua , Cui Huiru , Wei Yanyan , Qian Zhenying , Tang Xiaochen , Hu Yegang , Wang Yingchan , Hu Hao , Guo Qian , Tang Yingying , Zhang Tianhong , Wang Jijun
Published: June 2022

Background

Self-reflectiveness, one dimension of cognitive insight, plays a protective role in an individual’s mental state. Both high and low levels of self-reflectiveness have been reported in patients with schizophrenia and individuals at clinical high risk for the illness.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the relationship patterns between self-reflectiveness and clinical symptoms in individuals during the pre-morbid and early clinical stages of psychosis.

Methods

A total of 181 subjects, including individuals with attenuated positive symptoms (APS, n=122) and patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP, n=59), completed the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale and were evaluated using the Schedule of Assessment of Insight and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. All subjects were classified into three groups according to their level of self-reflectiveness: low level (LSR, n=59), medium level (MSR, n=67) and high level (HSR, n=55). Both linear and non-linear relationships between self-reflectiveness and clinical symptoms were explored.

Results

More individuals with APS were classified into the MSR group, while more patients with FEP were classified into the LSR group. The LSR group demonstrated less awareness of illness than the MSR and HSR groups, more stereotyped thinking and poorer impulse control but less anxiety than the MSR group, and lower levels of blunted affect and guilt feelings than the HSR group. The MSR group demonstrated lower stereotyped thinking than the HSR group. Compared to the LSR group, the MSR group had increased self-reflectiveness, improved awareness of illness, decreased stereotyped thinking, and better impulse control, but increased feelings of guilt. The HSR group showed increased stereotyped thinking when compared to the MSR group, but the other variables did not change significantly between these two groups. Overall, self-reflectiveness demonstrated an approximately inverse S-shaped relationship with the awareness of illness, a U-shaped relationship with stereotyped thinking and poor impulse control, and an almost linear relationship with anxiety and guilt feelings.

Conclusions

Self-reflectiveness demonstrates complex relationships with clinical symptoms and fails to exert significant positive effects when reaching a certain high level.
Effect of intramuscular depot betamethasone injection in patients with fibromyalgia and elevated C-reactive protein levels
Authors: Dirawi Nageb , Habib George
Published: June 2022

Fibromyalgia is characterized by diffuse musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. There are limited data about systemic steroid treatment of patients with fibromyalgia in the English literature. Patients with fibromyalgia with ongoing diffuse musculoskeletal pain despite standard treatment, extreme fatigue and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels without evidence of synovitis, or other source of inflammation, were asked to participate in our study. After consent, demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters in addition to body mass index were documented. These patients were interviewed and asked to answer the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) just prior, 1 and 4 weeks following 14 mg depot betamethasone intramuscular injection. Twenty-three patients were recruited and 21 completed the study. 19 patients were women with mean age of 42±10.12 and CRP level of 14.1±3.96 mg%, and all had negative rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies. All patients had significant improvement in all of the FIQR parameters, at 1 and 4 weeks, except memory, anxiety and balance. It can be concluded that systemic intramuscular depot betamethasone injection seems to have a favorable effect in patients with fibromyalgia with elevated CRP levels for at least 4 weeks.
An Efficient Corner Detector Using Ratio of Center Distance of Symmetric Contour Technique
Authors: Zhang Shizheng , Liu Shan , Zheng Qian , Huang Min
Published: June 2022

Feature detection is one of the basic research topics in the fields of image processing and corner that has been widely applied on vehicle detection, UAV image matching, camera calibration and so on. Particularly, a fast corner detector is of much benefit to many real-time tasks. A novel discrete curvature estimation method for corner detection based on the ratio of center distances of symmetric contour (RCDSC) is proposed in this paper. Benefiting from calculating the Euclidean distance twice only to estimate the discrete curvature at each point on a contour, RCDSC is much fast compared with other corner detectors. In addition, by choosing a relatively large radius of region of support and employing relative distance instead of absolute distance for constructing corner response function, RCDSC is also much robust to noises and local variations of contour. Extensive experiments exhibit the effectiveness and the efficiency of RCDSC in terms of average repeatability (AR), accuracy (ACU) and localization error (LE).
Cosmographic and thermodynamic analysis of Kaniadakis holographic dark energy
Authors: Rani Shamaila , Jawad Abdul , Sultan Abdul Malik , Shad Mehwish
Published: June 2022

In this work, we study the cosmological implications of Kaniadakis holographic dark energy model in the context of Einstein and deformed Hořava-Lifshitz theories of gravity. We examine the various cosmological parameters to analyze the evolution of the universe. The Hubble parameter [Formula: see text] is discussed as it is evidence for accelerating universe and source to examine some other cosmological parameters. We probe coincidence parameter [Formula: see text] to check the matter- and energy-dominated eras of the universe. The deceleration parameter [Formula: see text] is explored for the expansion behavior of the universe while the jerk parameter [Formula: see text] is examined to compare the different dark energy models with [Formula: see text]CDM [Formula: see text] model. We examine the equation of state parameter [Formula: see text] to look into different phases of the universe. We calculate the perturbed parameter squared speed of sound [Formula: see text] to assess the stable behavior of the model. We also investigate the behavior of rate of change of entropy to discuss the validity of generalized second law of thermodynamics.