bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and fitness in the community: the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Nayor Matthew , Chernofsky Ariel , Spartano Nicole L , Tanguay Melissa , Blodgett Jasmine B , Murthy Venkatesh L , Malhotra Rajeev , Houstis Nicholas E , Velagaleti Raghava S , Murabito Joanne M , Larson Martin G , Vasan Ramachandran S , Shah Ravi V , Lewis Gregory D
Published: August 2021

Aims

While greater physical activity (PA) is associated with improved health outcomes, the direct links between distinct components of PA, their changes over time, and cardiorespiratory fitness are incompletely understood.

Methods and results

Maximum effort cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and objective PA measures [sedentary time (SED), steps/day, and moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA)] via accelerometers worn for 1 week concurrent with CPET and 7.8 years prior were obtained in 2070 Framingham Heart Study participants [age 54 ± 9 years, 51% women, SED 810 ± 83 min/day, steps/day 7737 ± 3520, MVPA 22.3 ± 20.3 min/day, peak oxygen uptake (VO2) 23.6 ± 6.9 mL/kg/min]. Adjusted for clinical risk factors, increases in steps/day and MVPA and reduced SED between the two assessments were associated with distinct aspects of cardiorespiratory fitness (measured by VO2) during initiation, early-moderate level, peak exercise, and recovery, with the highest effect estimates for MVPA (false discovery rate <5% for all). Findings were largely consistent across categories of age, sex, obesity, and cardiovascular risk. Increases of 17 min of MVPA/day [95% confidence interval (CI) 14–21] or 4312 steps/day (95% CI 3439–5781; ≈54 min at 80 steps/min), or reductions of 249 min of SED per day (95% CI 149–777) between the two exam cycles corresponded to a 5% (1.2 mL/kg/min) higher peak VO2. Individuals with high (above-mean) steps or MVPA demonstrated above average peak VO2 values regardless of whether they had high or low SED.

Conclusions

Our findings provide a detailed assessment of relations of different types of PA with multidimensional cardiorespiratory fitness measures and suggest favourable longitudinal changes in PA (and MVPA in particular) are associated with greater objective fitness.
A VIRTUAL Sleep Apnoea management pathway For the work-up of Atrial fibrillation patients in a digital Remote Infrastructure: VIRTUAL-SAFARI
Authors: Verhaert Dominique V M , Betz Konstanze , Gawałko Monika , Hermans Astrid N L , Pluymaekers Nikki A H A , van der Velden Rachel M J , Philippens Suzanne , Vorstermans Bianca , Simons Sami O , den Uijl Dennis W , Chaldoupi Sevasti-Maria , Luermans Justin G L M , Westra Sjoerd W , Lankveld Theo , Kadhim Kadhim , Pepin Jean-Louis , van Steenwijk Reindert P , Hol Bernard , Schotten Ulrich , Sanders Prashanthan , Vernooy Kevin , Hendriks Jeroen M , Linz Dominik
Published: August 2021

Aims

In atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, untreated sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with lower success rates of rhythm control strategies and as such structured SDB testing is recommended. Herein, we describe the implementation of a virtual SDB management pathway in an AF outpatient clinic and examine the utility and feasibility of this new approach.

Methods and results

Prospectively, consecutive AF patients accepted for AF catheter ablation procedures without previous diagnosis of SDB were digitally referred to a virtual SDB management pathway and instructed to use WatchPAT-ONE (ITAMAR) for one night. Results were automatically transferred to a virtual sleep laboratory, upon which a teleconsultation with a sleep physician was planned. Patient experience was measured using surveys. SDB testing was performed in 119 consecutive patients scheduled for AF catheter ablation procedures. The median time from digital referral to finalization of the sleep study report was 18 [11–24] days. In total, 65 patients (55%) were diagnosed with moderate-to-severe SDB. Patients with SDB were prescribed more cardiovascular drugs and had higher body mass indices (BMI, 29 ± 3.3 vs. 27 ± 4.4kg/m2, P < 0.01). Patients agreed that WatchPAT-ONE was easy to use (91%) and recommended future use of this virtual pathway in AF outpatient clinics (86%). Based on this remote SDB testing, SDB treatment was recommended in the majority of patients.

Conclusion

This novel virtual AF management pathway allowed remote SDB testing in AF outpatient clinics with a short time to diagnosis and high patient satisfaction. Structured SDB testing results in a high detection of previously unknown SDB in AF patients scheduled for AF ablation.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Chinese Sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus) Reveals Strongly Conserved Synteny Following a Catostomid-Specific Whole-Genome Duplication
Authors: Krabbenhoft Trevor J , MacGuigan Daniel J , Backenstose Nathan J C , Waterman Hannah , Lan Tianying , Pelosi Jessie A , Tan Milton , Sandve Simen R
Published: August 2021

Fishes of the family Catostomidae (“suckers”; Teleostei: Cypriniformes) are hypothesized to have undergone an allopolyploidy event approximately 60 Ma. However, genomic evidence has previously been unavailable to assess this hypothesis. We sequenced and assembled the first chromosome-level catostomid genome, Chinese sucker (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), and present clear evidence of a catostomid-specific whole-genome duplication (WGD) event (“Cat-4R”). Our results reveal remarkably strong, conserved synteny since this duplication event, as well as between Myxocyprinus and an unduplicated outgroup, zebrafish (Danio rerio). Gene content and repetitive elements are also approximately evenly distributed across homeologous chromosomes, suggesting that both subgenomes retain some function, with no obvious bias in gene fractionation or subgenome dominance. The Cat-4R duplication provides another independent example of genome evolution following WGD in animals, in this case at the extreme end of conserved genome architecture over at least 25.2 Myr since the duplication. The M. asiaticus genome is a useful resource for researchers interested in understanding genome evolution following WGD in animals.
Television Viewing, Physical Activity, and Loneliness in Late Life
Authors: Fingerman Karen L , Kim Yijung K , Ng Yee To , Zhang Shiyang , Huo Meng , Birditt Kira S
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

Television viewing is the most common leisure activity in late life and may ease loneliness but encourage sedentary behavior. These associations may be particularly evident among older adults who live alone and who may lack other forms of companionship throughout the day.

Research Design and Methods

Adults aged 65+ (N = 257) participated, of whom 34% lived alone. Participants completed an initial interview followed by a 5- to 6-day data collection involving multimethods: (a) Electronically Activated Recorders (30 s every 7 min) provided audio recordings of television viewing, (b) Actical accelerometers objectively measured physical activity, and (c) ecological momentary assessments every 3 hr assessed social interactions.

Results

On average, older adults spent approximately 37% of their waking time (6.4 hr a day) watching television. Multilevel models revealed that television viewing occurred when participants were alone or with a spouse and was associated with a greater proportion of time sedentary, lower activity, and higher ratings of loneliness compared to when not watching television. Older adults who lived alone reported greater loneliness during 3-hr intervals when viewing television, but older adults who lived with others spent a greater proportion of time sedentary when viewing television.

Discussion and Implications

Findings are discussed with regard to different rationales and ways of watching television—as compensation for social isolation or as a passive leisure activity with a social partner. We discuss ideas for research on additional aspects of television viewing and screen time in late life.
An assessment of geographical access and factors influencing travel time to emergency obstetric care in the urban state of Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi , Wong Kerry L M , Collins Lindsey , Olaniran Abimbola , Balogun Mobolanle , Wright Ololade , Babajide Opeyemi , Ajayi Babatunde , Afolabi Bosede Bukola , Abayomi Akin , Benova Lenka
Published: August 2021

Previous efforts to estimate the travel time to comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have either been based on spatial models or self-reported travel time, both with known inaccuracies. The study objectives were to estimate more realistic travel times for pregnant women in emergency situations using Google Maps, determine system-level factors that influence travel time and use these estimates to assess CEmOC geographical accessibility and coverage in Lagos state, Nigeria. Data on demographics, obstetric history and travel to CEmOC facilities of pregnant women with an obstetric emergency, who presented between 1st November 2018 and 31st December 2019 at a public CEmOC facility were collected from hospital records. Estimated travel times were individually extracted from Google Maps for the period of the day of travel. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to test associations between travel and health system-related factors with reaching the facility >60 minutes. Mean travel times were compared and geographical coverage mapped to identify ‘hotspots’ of predominantly >60 minutes travel to facilities. For the 4005 pregnant women with traceable journeys, travel time ranges were 2–240 minutes (without referral) and 7–320 minutes (with referral). Total travel time was within the 60 and 120 minute benchmark for 80 and 96% of women, respectively. The period of the day of travel and having been referred were significantly associated with travelling >60 minutes. Many pregnant women living in the central cities and remote towns typically travelled to CEmOC facilities around them. We identified four hotspots from which pregnant women travelled >60 minutes to facilities. Mean travel time and distance to reach tertiary referral hospitals were significantly higher than the secondary facilities. Our findings suggest that actions taken to address gaps need to be contextualized. Our approach provides a useful guide for stakeholders seeking to comprehensively explore geographical inequities in CEmOC access within urban/peri-urban LMIC settings.
The autism risk gene CNTN4 modulates dendritic spine formation
Authors: Zhao Rongjuan , Zhu Tengfei , Liu Qiong , Tian Qi , Wang Meng , Chen Jingjing , Tong Dali , Yu Bin , Guo Hui , Xia Kun , Qiu Zilong , Hu Zhengmao
Published: August 2021

Contactin 4 (CNTN4) is a crucial synaptic adhesion protein that belongs to the contactin superfamily. Evidence from both human genetics and mouse models suggests that synapse formation and structural deficits strongly correlate with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. In addition, several lines of evidence suggest that CNTN4 is associated with the risk of autism. However, the biological functions of CNTN4 in neural development and disease pathogenesis are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether and how CNTN4 is autonomously involved in the development of dendrites and dendritic spines in cortical neurons. Disruption of Cntn4 decreased the number of excitatory synapses, which led to a reduction in neural activity. Truncated proteins lacking the signal peptide, FnIII domains or GPI domain lacked the ability to regulate dendritic spine formation, indicating that CNTN4 regulates dendritic spine density through a mechanism dependent on FnIII domains. Importantly, we revealed that autism-related variants lacked the ability to regulate spine density and neural activity. In conclusion, our study suggests that CNTN4 is essential for promoting dendrite growth and dendritic spine formation and that disruptive variants of CNTN4 interfere with abnormal synapse formation and may increase the risk of autism.
A Minimal Framework for Describing Living Systems: A Multi-Dimensional View of Life Across Scales
Authors: Caetano-Anollés Kelsey , Ewers Brent , Iyer Shilpa , Lucas Jeffrey R , Pavlic Theodore P , Seale Andre P , Zeng Yu
Published: August 2021

The almost limitless complexity of biology has led to two general approaches to understanding biological phenomena. One approach is dominated by reductionism in which high-level phenomena of whole systems are viewed as emerging from relatively simple and generally understood interactions at a substantially lower level. Although this approach is theoretically general, it can become intractable in practice when attempting to simultaneously explain a wide range of systems. A second approach is for specialists to investigate biological phenomena within one of many different hierarchical levels of description that are separated to decouple from concerns at other levels. Although this approach reduces the explanatory burden on specialists that operate within each level, it also reduces integration from insights gained at other levels. Thus, as beneficial as these approaches have been, they limit the scope and integration of knowledge across scales of biological organization to the detriment of a truly synoptic view of life. The challenge is to find a theoretical and experimental framework that facilitates a broader understanding of the hierarchy of life—providing permeability for the exchange of ideas among disciplinary specialists without discounting the peculiarities that have come to define those disciplines. For this purpose, coarse-grained, scale-invariant properties, and resources need to be identified that describe the characteristic features of a living system at all spatiotemporal scales. The approach will be aided by a common vernacular that underscores the realities of biological connections across a wide range of scales. Therefore, in this vision paper, we propose a conceptual approach based on four identified resources—energy, conductance, storage, and information (ECSI)—to reintegrate biological studies with the aim of unifying life sciences under resource limitations. We argue that no functional description of a living system is complete without accounting for at least all four of these resources. Thus, making these resources explicit will help to identify commonalities to aid in transdisciplinary discourse as well as opportunities for integrating among the differently scoped areas of specialized inquiry. The proposed conceptual framework for living systems should be valid across all scales and may uncover potential limitations of existing hypotheses and help researchers develop new hypotheses addressing fundamental processes of life without having to resort to reductionism.
Birth outcomes following unexpected job loss: a matched-sibling design
Authors: Gailey Samantha , Knudsen Elias Stapput , Mortensen Laust H , Bruckner Tim A
Published: August 2021

Background

Research documents social and economic antecedents of adverse birth outcomes, which may include involuntary job loss. Previous work on job loss and adverse birth outcomes, however, lacks high-quality individual data on, and variation in, plausibly exogenous job loss during pregnancy and therefore cannot rule out strong confounding.

Methods

We analysed unique linked registries in Denmark, from 1980 to 2017, to examine whether a father’s involuntary job loss during his spouse’s pregnancy increases the risk of a low-weight (i.e. <2500 grams) and/or preterm (i.e. <37 weeks of gestational age) birth. We applied a matched-sibling design to 743 574 sibling pairs.

Results

Results indicate an increased risk of a low-weight birth among infants exposed in utero to fathers’ unexpected job loss [odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07, 1.75]. Sex-specific analyses show that this result holds for males (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.53) but not females (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.91). We find no relation with preterm birth.

Conclusions

Findings support the inference that a father’s unexpected job loss adversely affects the course of pregnancy, especially among males exposed in utero.
Examining the effects of heterospecific abundance on dispersal in forest small mammals
Authors: Denomme-Brown Simon T , Cottenie Karl , Falls J Bruce , Falls E Ann , Brooks Ronald J , McAdam Andrew G
Published: August 2021

The effects of conspecific densities on dispersal have been well documented. However, while positive and negative density-dependent dispersal based on conspecific densities often are shown to be the result of intraspecific competition or facilitation, respectively, the effects of heterospecific densities on dispersal have been examined far less frequently. This gap in knowledge warrants investigation given the potential for the analogous processes of interspecific competition and heterospecific attraction to influence dispersal patterns and behavior. Here we use a long-term live-trapping study of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), and jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis and Zapus hudsonius) to examine the effects of variation in conspecific and heterospecific abundances on dispersal frequency. In terms of conspecific abundance, jumping mice were more likely to disperse from areas with fewer conspecifics, while red-backed voles and chipmunks did not respond to variation in conspecific abundances in their dispersal frequencies. While there were no statistically significant effects of variation in heterospecific abundances on dispersal frequency, some effect sizes for heterospecific abundance effects on dispersal met or exceeded those of conspecific abundances. Conspecific abundances clearly can affect dispersal by some species in this system, but the effects of heterospecific abundances on dispersal frequency are less clear. Based on effect sizes, it appears that there may be potential for heterospecific effects on dispersal by some species in the community, although the strength and causes of these relationships remain unclear.
The high reported accuracy of the standardized field sobriety test is a property of the statistic not of the test
Authors: Kane Greg , Kane Elizabeth
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE In the 1990s as the legal blood alcohol limit for driving changed, validation studies reported the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) to be accurate at discriminating between Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC) above or below several legal limits: 0.10, 0.08, 0.05 and 0.04%. We investigated the contribution of the validation studies’ choice of accuracy statistic to the SFST’s reported accuracy. METHODS Using the data set from a commonly cited SFST validation study, we calculated the arrest accuracy and overall accuracy of the SFST at identifying BACs above or below 31 different target BACs from 0.00 to 0.30%. RESULTS At target BAC 0.30% the arrest accuracy of the SFST is 1%; at BAC 0.15%, 34%; at BAC 0.00%, 100%. The statistics arrest accuracy and overall accuracy describe the SFST, a test designed to identify changes caused by alcohol, as less accurate when the changes are severe, more accurate when changes are mild, and as 100% (arrest) and 93% (overall) accurate when there are no changes at all. CONCLUSION The statistics overall accuracy and arrest accuracy to not quantify the probability that impaired driving defendants who failed the SFST had an elevated BAC or were impaired.
Saturation mutagenesis charts the functional landscape ofSalmonellaProQ and reveals a gene regulatory function of its C-terminal domain
Authors: Rizvanovic Alisa , Kjellin Jonas , Söderbom Fredrik , Holmqvist Erik
Published: August 2021

The global RNA-binding protein ProQ has emerged as a central player in post-transcriptional regulatory networks in bacteria. While the N-terminal domain (NTD) of ProQ harbors the major RNA-binding activity, the role of the ProQ C-terminal domain (CTD) has remained unclear. Here, we have applied saturation mutagenesis coupled to phenotypic sorting and long-read sequencing to chart the regulatory capacity of Salmonella ProQ. Parallel monitoring of thousands of ProQ mutants allowed mapping of critical residues in both the NTD and the CTD, while the linker separating these domains was tolerant to mutations. Single amino acid substitutions in the NTD associated with abolished regulatory capacity strongly align with RNA-binding deficiency. An observed cellular instability of ProQ associated with mutations in the NTD suggests that interaction with RNA protects ProQ from degradation. Mutation of conserved CTD residues led to overstabilization of RNA targets and rendered ProQ inert in regulation, without affecting protein stability in vivo. Furthermore, ProQ lacking the CTD, although binding competent, failed to protect an mRNA target from degradation. Together, our data provide a comprehensive overview of residues important for ProQ-dependent regulation and reveal an essential role for the enigmatic ProQ CTD in gene regulation.
Cis regulation within a cluster of viral microRNAs
Authors: Vilimova Monika , Contrant Maud , Randrianjafy Ramy , Dumas Philippe , Elbasani Endrit , Ojala Päivi M , Pfeffer Sébastien , Fender Aurélie
Published: August 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs involved in virtually all biological processes. Although many of them are co-expressed from clusters, little is known regarding the impact of this organization on the regulation of their accumulation. In this study, we set to decipher a regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of the ten clustered pre-miRNAs from Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We measured in vitro the efficiency of cleavage of each individual pre-miRNA by the Microprocessor and found that pre-miR-K1 and -K3 were the most efficiently cleaved pre-miRNAs. A mutational analysis showed that, in addition to producing mature miRNAs, they are also important for the optimal expression of the whole set of miRNAs. We showed that this feature depends on the presence of a canonical pre-miRNA at this location since we could functionally replace pre-miR-K1 by a heterologous pre-miRNA. Further in vitro processing analysis suggests that the two stem-loops act in cis and that the cluster is cleaved in a sequential manner. Finally, we exploited this characteristic of the cluster to inhibit the expression of the whole set of miRNAs by targeting the pre-miR-K1 with LNA-based antisense oligonucleotides in cells either expressing a synthetic construct or latently infected with KSHV.
Rationale, design, demographics and baseline characteristics of the randomized, controlled, Phase 2b SAPPHIRE study of verinurad plus allopurinol in patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperuricaemia
Authors: Heerspink Hiddo J L , Stack Austin G , Terkeltaub Robert , Greene Tom A , Inker Lesley A , Bjursell Magnus , Perl Shira , Rikte Tord , Erlandsson Fredrik , Perkovic Vlado
Published: August 2021

Background

Verinurad is a human uric acid (UA) transporter (URAT1) inhibitor known to decrease serum UA (sUA) levels and that may reduce albuminuria. In a Phase 2a study (NCT03118739), treatment with verinurad + febuxostat lowered urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) at 12 weeks by 39% (90% confidence interval 4–62%) among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperuricaemia and albuminuria. The Phase 2b, randomized, placebo-controlled Study of verinurAd and alloPurinol in Patients with cHronic kIdney disease and hyperuRicaEmia (SAPPHIRE; NCT03990363) will examine the effect of verinurad + allopurinol on albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hyperuricaemia.

Methods

Adults (≥18 years of age) with CKD, eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2, UACR 30–5000 mg/g and sUA ≥6.0 mg/dL will be enrolled. Approximately 725 patients will be randomized 1:1:1:1:1 to 12, 7.5 or 3 mg verinurad + allopurinol, allopurinol or placebo. An 8-week dose-titration period will precede a 12-month treatment period; verinurad dose will be increased to 24 mg at Month 9 in a subset of patients in the 3 mg verinurad + allopurinol arm. The primary efficacy endpoint the is change from baseline in UACR at 6 months. Secondary efficacy endpoints include changes in UACR, eGFR and sUA from baseline at 6 and 12 months.

Conclusions

This study will assess the combined clinical effect of verinurad + allopurinol on kidney function in patients with CKD, hyperuricaemia and albuminuria, and whether this combination confers renoprotection beyond standard-of-care.
Patterns of renal osteodystrophy 1 year after kidney transplantation
Authors: Jørgensen Hanne Skou , Behets Geert , Bammens Bert , Claes Kathleen , Meijers Bjorn , Naesens Maarten , Sprangers Ben , Kuypers Dirk R J , D’Haese Patrick , Evenepoel Pieter
Published: August 2021

Background

Renal osteodystrophy is considered common, but is not well characterized in contemporary kidney transplant recipients. This study reports extensively on bone phenotype by bone histomorphometry, bone densitometry and novel bone biomarkers 1 year after kidney transplantation.

Methods

A transiliac bone biopsy and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans were performed in 141 unselected kidney transplant recipients in this observational cohort study. Blood and 24-h urine samples were collected simultaneously.

Results

The median age was 57 ± 11 years, 71% were men and all were of Caucasian ethnicity. Bone turnover was normal in 71% of patients, low in 26% and high in just four cases (3%). Hyperparathyroidism with hypercalcaemia was present in 13% of patients, of which only one had high bone turnover. Delayed bone mineralization was detected in 16% of patients, who were characterized by hyperparathyroidism (137 versus 53 ρg/mL), a higher fractional excretion of phosphate (40 versus 32%) and lower levels of phosphate (2.68 versus 3.18 mg/dL) and calcidiol (29 versus 37 ng/mL) compared with patients with normal bone mineralization. Osteoporosis was present in 15–46% of patients, with the highest prevalence at the distal skeleton. The proportion of osteoporotic patients was comparable across categories of bone turnover and mineralization.

Conclusions

The majority of kidney transplant recipients, including patients with osteoporosis, have normal bone turnover at 1-year post-transplant. Low bone turnover is seen in a substantial subset, while high bone turnover is rare. Vitamin D deficiency and hypophosphataemia represent potential interventional targets to improve bone health post-transplant.
Community Perspectives on Patient Credibility and Provider Burden in the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Authors: Tait Raymond C , Chibnall John T
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study examined factors influencing lay perceptions of a provider’s clinical burden in providing care to a person with chronic pain.

Design

In a between-subjects design that varied three levels of pain severity (4, 6, or 8 out of 10) with two levels of medical evidence (low/high), participants rated the credibility of pain reported by a hypothetical patient and the psychosocial factors expected to mediate the effects of evidence and severity on a provider’s burden of care.

Setting

A randomized vignette study in which community participants were recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Subjects

337 community participants.

Methods

Using a Qualtrics platform, participants read one of six vignettes describing a hypothetical patient with varying levels of medical evidence and pain severity and then rated perceived pain severity, pain credibility, psychosocial variables, and burden.

Results

Serial mediation models accounted for all effects of medical evidence and pain severity on burden. Low medical evidence was associated with increased burden, as mediated through lower pain credibility and greater concerns about patient depression, opioid abuse, and learning pain management. Higher levels of reported pain severity were associated with increased burden, as mediated through greater pain discounting and concerns about opioid abuse.

Conclusions

The lay public is skeptical of chronic pain that is not supported by medical evidence or is reported at high levels of severity, raising concerns about psychosocial complications and drug seeking and expectations of higher burden of care. Such negative stereotypes can pose obstacles to people seeking necessary care if they or others develop a chronic pain condition.
Early Pain Catastrophizing Exacerbates Impaired Limb Loading and 6-Minute Walk Test Distance 12 Months After Lower Extremity Fracture
Authors: Van Wyngaarden Joshua J , Archer Kristin R , Spencer Alex , Matuszewski Paul E , Brightwell Benjamin , Jacobs Cale , Noehren Brian
Published: August 2021

Objective

Disability is common after lower extremity fracture (LEF). Although psychosocial factors have been associated with patient-reported outcomes after LEF, they have not been associated with objective measures of function. Aberrant gait patterns are important markers of function, but are poorly defined after LEF. The primary purpose of this study was to explore whether pain catastrophizing and fear of movement 6 weeks after surgery were associated with injured limb loading outcomes and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance 12 months after femur or tibia fracture. The secondary purpose was to determine if limb loading characteristics differed between injured and uninjured limbs.

Methods

At 6 weeks after LEF, patients completed validated measures of pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and depression. At 12 months, patients completed a 6MWT while wearing instrumented insoles that recorded the limb loading outcomes of stance time, impulse, and loading rate. Bivariate correlations assessed how patient and psychosocial characteristics at 6 weeks were associated with injured limb loading outcomes and 6MWT distance. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine if psychosocial variables were associated with each outcome after controlling for depression and patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Finally, paired t tests compared limb loading outcomes between limbs.

Results

Forty-seven participants completed the 6MWT at 12 months (65%), and 38 completed the 6MWT with the instrumented insoles. Fear of movement carried a poor relationship (r = 0.11–0.32) and pain catastrophizing a moderate relationship (r = 0.46–0.54) with 12-month outcomes. The regression results indicated that pain catastrophizing continued to be associated with all outcomes. Finally, the injured limb had significantly lower limb loading outcomes than the uninjured limb at 12 months (Cohen d = 0.54–0.69).

Conclusion

Pain catastrophizing early after LEF was associated with impaired limb loading and 6MWT distance at 12 months.

Impact

Impaired limb loading persists 12 months after LEF. Further research is needed to determine whether rehabilitative efforts focused on pain catastrophizing can restore limb loading after LEF.
Increasing the effect of a remedial mathematics course by switching to an online format during the COVID-19 crisis: evidence from a German university
Authors: Büchele Stefan , Liebendörfer Michael , Lankeit Elisa
Published: August 2021

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many courses have been offered digitally. Using data from n = 1,173 business students participating in a preparatory mathematics course at a German university that covered the same content as in 2018, 2019 and 2020, we examine how students’ participation and the effect of the preparatory course changed. The data show that the participation rate has fallen slightly, but students’ participation is rather similar to preceding years. Interestingly, students have participated more intensively. There are clear signs of dishonesty in the self-test (use of a calculator) and significant changes in predictors of performance. In particular, the effect of students’ engagement in the course on their performance substantially increased. Further, we found a gender gap in performance affecting women. Finally, the data show that digital courses can be as effective as on-campus courses.
Microorganisms Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern in Outborn Neonates in Northern India: A Hospital-Based Observational Study
Authors: Dhir Shashi Kant , Sundaram Venkataseshan , Gautam Vikas , Munda Vimal Singh , Tiewsoh Jutang Babat Ain , Angurana Suresh Kumar , Kumar Jogender , Saini Shiv Sajan , Dutta Sourabh , Kumar Praveen
Published: August 2021

Background

Neonates born somewhere else (outborn) and treated in a referral centre have different microbiological profile. We report the microorganism’s profile and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in blood culture proven sepsis in outborn neonates.

Methods

Culture positive neonatal sepsis from a neonatal unit of a referral institute catering to outborn neonates was studied over an 18 months duration. Data from the hospital information system were used to analyse the culture positivity rates, the spectrum of the microorganisms isolated and AMR pattern.

Results

Out of 5258 admitted neonates, 3687 blood samples were sent for suspect sepsis. The blood cultures were positive in 537 (14.6%) samples from 514 neonates. Gram-positive cocci (GPC) were the most common [240 (45%)] followed by gram-negative bacilli (GNB) [233 (43.4%)] and fungi [64 (11.9%)]. Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) contributed to two-thirds of GPC followed by Klebsiella [93 (17.3%)] and Acinetobacter species [52 (9.7%)]. In 403 (75%) neonates, organisms grew in the samples sent at or within 24 h of admission. The case fatality rate was significantly higher in those with culture positive sepsis. The resistance to meropenem and imipenem was documented in 57.1% and 49.7%, respectively and 48% of the GNB was multidrug resistant.

Conclusions

CONS followed by Klebsiella species were the most common organisms isolated. Three-fourths of the neonates had organisms grown at or within 24 h from admission. More than half of the GNB were multidrug resistant. The case fatality rate was significantly higher in those with culture positive sepsis.
Effect of RH, Temperature, Light, and Plant Age on Infection of Lowbush Blueberry by Sphaerulina vaccinii
Authors: Abbasi Pervaiz A. , Hildebrand Paul D. , Ali Shawkat , Moreau Debra L. , Renderos Willy E.
Published: August 2021

Leaf spot and stem canker caused by Sphaerulina vaccinii is associated with premature defoliation in lowbush blueberry resulting in reduced yields. In this study, we investigated the impact of free water, RH, temperature, light, and plant age on leaf infection under controlled conditions. On potato dextrose agar, germination of conidia was usually polar. Growth was minimal at 5 and 10°C, increased at 15 and 20°C, was maximal at 25°C and decreased at 30°C. Percentage of germinated conidia on inoculated blueberry leaves incubated in dark controlled-humidity chambers for 3 days (25°C) was 86.0, 90.5, 81.3, and 28.3 in free water, 100, 97.5 or 95% RH, respectively. Germination did not occur at 90 or 85% RH. Infection of inoculated plants, however, was not favored by free water, but rather by high RH (>95%) and a 14-h photoperiod (180 μmol/m2 per second). Infection failed in continuous darkness, continuous light, or continuous darkness followed by 4, 8, or 12 h of light. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed that hyphal penetration into stomata on abaxial leaf surfaces was strongly tropic. When germ tubes grew in close proximity to a stomate, a penetration hypha formed at ∼90° angles to the germ tube and took the closest path to the stomate. Stomatal penetration was usually direct, but occasionally appressorium-like hyphal swellings formed over stomatal openings. When inoculated plants were exposed to high RH (>95%) at various temperatures, infection occurred after 4 days at 10°C, after 3 days at 15°C and after 1 day at 20 and 25°C. Infection failed to occur at 30°C. Disease severity also increased with duration of the humid period. When leaves were examined microscopically, those that had been incubated for 6 days showed a substantially greater network of epiphytic growth with more stomatal penetrations compared with those incubated for 3 days. Infection was substantially reduced when the humid period was interrupted by alternating days of low RH (60%). Two-week-old leaves were 2.7 times more susceptible than 8-week-old leaves.
Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Symptoms, Negative Effects, and Other Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal
Authors: Ifdil Ifdil , Fadli Rima Pratiwi , Rangka Itsar Bolo , Suranata Kadek , Situmorang Dominikus David Biondi
Published: August 2021

This case occurred in a 33-year-old man who has been smoking for 19 years. He had a pattern of consuming 14 cigarettes per day with 30 mg of nicotine intake and high tar levels. The level of tolerance for consumption of nicotine and tar per day is 10 to 15 mg. High cigarette consumption correlates with high nicotine consumption as well. Excessive nicotine consumption over a long period can lead to lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and psychological disorders.
A meta-analysis of the effect and safety of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in treatment of resectable triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Feng Wuna , He Yujing , Xu Jingsi , Zhang Hongya , Si Yuexiu , Xu Jiaxuan , Li Shengzhou
Published: August 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and fatal subtype of breast cancer. The effectiveness of platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in treatment of cancer has many divergent opinions. A search was conducted in the PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies published before August 2020. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR) while the secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nine randomized controlled trials comprised of 1873 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed significant improvements in pCR (RR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.25–1.82, P < 0.001), ORR (RR = 1.20, 95% CI, 1.07–1.34, P = 0.001), OS (HR=0.56; 95% CI, 0.15–0.96, P < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 0.48, 95% CI, 0.22–0.73, P < 0.001) compared to nonplatinum neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Moreover, addition of platinum compounds did not significantly increase the side effects of any grade. However, there was an increase in blood toxicity of grade 3 patients which meant that it was mainly confined to the bone marrow/blood system. Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy can safely improve short-term and long-term outcomes in resectable TNBC patients.
A Novel Forkhead Box L2 Missense Mutation, c.1068G>C, in a Chinese Family With Blepharophimosis/Ptosis/ Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome
Authors: Wang Shaoyun , Ge Shengfang , Zhuang Ai
Published: August 2021

The aim of the study was to report a novel forkhead box L2 (FOXL2) missense mutation in a Chinese blepharophimosis/ ptosis/epicanthus inversus syndrome family. Three generations of the Chinese family with blepharophimosis/ptosis/epicanthus inversus syndrome were enrolled in this study. Blood samples from patients of this family were collected and then analyzed by whole-exome sequencing. Confocal microscopy was performed to detect the subcellular location of FOXL2. Transactivation studies were performed and verified with real time polymerase chain reaction. A novel mutation (c.1068G>C) located in the downstream of deoxyribonucleic acid-binding forkhead domain was identified. Confocal photos showed the novel mutation did not disturb FOXL2 function, and the mutant protein could still transactivate steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, a key regulator of primary ovarian failure (POF). Our study revealed a novel missense mutation (c.1068G>C) and expanded the spectrum of FOXL2 gene mutations.
Chronic Expanding Hematoma on Latissimus Dorsi Free Flap Donor Site Grown Over 17 Years
Authors: Müstakim Kezia Rachellea , Sodnom-Ish Buyanbileg , Lee Hyun Jong , Yoon Hye-Jung , Kim Soung Min
Published: August 2021

The latissimus dorsi free flap (LDFF), that provides long vascular pedicle with rich vascularization and adequate bulk for maxillofacial defect coverage, is utilized in microvascular surgery for maxilla-mandibular reconstruction with high success rate, less morbidity, and ability to provide facial symmetry. In addition, it can reduce the risk of adjuvant therapies, such as radiotherapy. Seroma formation at the donor site following LDFF harvest has been reported as a common postoperative sequela. On the other hand, chronic expanding hematoma (CEH) in an LDFF donor site is a rare postoperative complication. in this case report, the authors describe a rare occurrence of a solidified CEH on an LDFF donor site in a male patient 17 years after mandible reconstruction surgery. For treatment, the patient underwent mass resection with drain placement and quilting suture, resulting in reduction of the hematoma and faster healing.
Plicidentine and the repeated origins of snake venom fangs
Authors: Palci Alessandro , LeBlanc Aaron R. H. , Panagiotopoulou Olga , Cleuren Silke G. C. , Mehari Abraha Hyab , Hutchinson Mark N. , Evans Alistair R. , Caldwell Michael W. , Lee Michael S. Y.
Published: August 2021

Snake fangs are an iconic exemplar of a complex adaptation, but despite striking developmental and morphological similarities, they probably evolved independently in several lineages of venomous snakes. How snakes could, uniquely among vertebrates, repeatedly evolve their complex venom delivery apparatus is an intriguing question. Here we shed light on the repeated evolution of snake venom fangs using histology, high-resolution computed tomography (microCT) and biomechanical modelling. Our examination of venomous and non-venomous species reveals that most snakes have dentine infoldings at the bases of their teeth, known as plicidentine, and that in venomous species, one of these infoldings was repurposed to form a longitudinal groove for venom delivery. Like plicidentine, venom grooves originate from infoldings of the developing dental epithelium prior to the formation of the tooth hard tissues. Derivation of the venom groove from a large plicidentine fold that develops early in tooth ontogeny reveals how snake venom fangs could originate repeatedly through the co-option of a pre-existing dental feature even without close association to a venom duct. We also show that, contrary to previous assumptions, dentine infoldings do not improve compression or bending resistance of snake teeth during biting; plicidentine may instead have a role in tooth attachment.
Extraction optimization of luteolin, antioxidant compound, from Arachis hypogaea L. hull using response surface methodology
Authors: Siziya Inonge Noni , Seo Dong-Ho , Oh Hyeonhwa , Kang Hyeon-Jin , Kim Young-Soo
Published: August 2021

Luteolin is the most abundant phytochemical phenolic compound contained within peanut hulls and has broad pharmacological characteristics and high bioavailability. In this study, the extraction conditions for luteolin from peanut hulls were optimized. The effects of methanol concentration and reaction temperature on luteolin solubility were determined using the central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology. Luteolin content within in the extracts increased with increasing temperature and organic solvent-to-water ratios. The optimal conditions for luteolin extraction were 81°C and 87.5% methanol for a predicted extraction value of 174.51 mg/100 g, which was within 1.25% of the experimental value of 172.35 mg/100 g, confirming the predicted model. Additionally, compared to conventional stirring, the luteolin content of reflux-extracted peanut hull had a higher extraction efficiency by 42.50%. The antioxidant compound contents and antioxidant capacity of the extracts were also determined, with the effects of temperature and solvent concentration increasing along with the extracted luteolin. In this study, CCD optimized the conditions for obtaining luteolin from peanut hulls, suggesting that the improved extraction efficiency of the bioactive compound can expand the use of peanut shells in the nutraceutical and food industries.
Combinedin situhybridization chain reaction and immunostaining to visualize gene expression in whole-mountDrosophilacentral nervous systems
Authors: Duckhorn Julia C. , Junker Ian , Ding Yun , Shirangi Troy R.
Published: August 2021

Methods to visualize gene expression in theDrosophilacentral nervous system are important in fly neurogenetic studies. In this chapter, we describe a detailed protocol that sequentially combinesin situhybridization chain reaction (HCR) and immunostaining to detect mRNA and protein expression in whole-mountDrosophilalarval and adult central nervous systems. We demonstrate the application ofin situHCR in comparisons of nervous system gene expression betweenDrosophilaspecies, and in the validation of single-cell RNA-Seq results in the fly nervous system. Our protocol provides a simple, robust, multiplexable, and relatively affordable means to quantitatively visualize gene expression in the nervous system of flies, facilitating its general use in fly neurogenetic studies.
Infected surfaces as a source of transmissible material in healthcare settings dealing with COVID-19 patients
Authors: Khedkar GD , Bajaj Pramod , Kalyankar Amol , Deolalikar Rajeshree , Khilare Vikram , Khedkar Aniket , Bajaj Rahul , Khedkar Chandraprakash , Prakash Bharathi , Khedkar Chaitali , Chavan Sunil , Jyosthna P. , Niranjan Vidya , Jilla Manju , Takalkar Unmesh
Published: August 2021

The disease COVID-19 has turned out to be a tremendous slayer and has had some of the most devastating impacts on human beings ever seen in history. To overcome this major public health crisis, an understanding of the transmission of the virus underlying this disease is of paramount importance. Evidence suggests that the most common route of transmission for the SARS-CoV-2 virus is likely via direct contact in person-to-person encounter with aerosol droplets. However, the possibility of transmission via contact with fomites from surfaces is a possible route of infection as well. Environmental contamination in rooms with COVID-19 patient has been widely observed due to viral shedding from both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. Also, in hospitals, SARS-CoV-2 is known to survive on various surfaces for extended periods of time. Because repetitive contact cycles can spread the virus from one surface to the other in healthcare settings, here we evaluated contamination on different types of surfaces commonly found in healthcare settings. Also, based on various datasets, we analyzed the importance of various surfaces in transmission modalities. Based on the findings of this study, decontamination of surfaces that frequently are in touch contact throughout all segments of the healthcare system should constitute an important part of the infection control and prevention of COVID-19. We also recommend the selection of a non-reactive disinfectant for hospital monitors, devices, ventilators and computers so that active surface disinfection can be effected without damage to the devices.