bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
803 QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER TRAUMA PATIENTS AFTER INJURY: FINDINGS FROM THE FRAILTY IN MAJOR TRAUMA STUDY (FRAIL-T)
Authors: Jarman H , Crouch R , Baxter M , Wang C , Cole E
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Major trauma is a substantial health burden for older patients with a significant proportion having ongoing functional and psychological difficulties long after their injury. Frailty impacts adversely on outcome after trauma but the longer term effects are unknown. This study aimed to determine differences in health related quality of life (HRQoL) and change in dependence for frail and non-frail patients aged 65 or over discharged from Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) following injury.

Methods

This prospective multi-centre study recruited from five UK MTCs between June 2019 and March 2020. Eligible patients were aged 65 or over requiring ‘trauma team activation’ and admitted to hospital. Follow-up data was collected via questionnaire at two time points: on day of hospital discharge and at 6 months. Primary outcome at follow-up was patient reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D-5L measure.

Results

Data were analysed from 181 patients. 54 died in the follow-up period and HRQoL data was available for 127 patients. Of these 16% were identified as frail during the trauma hospital admission using the Clinical Frailty Scale. On average, frail patients were older (82 years) compared to non-frail (77 years). HRQoL was rated similarly at discharge in both groups (Non-Frail: 60, Frail: 65, p = 0.137), but at follow-up non-frail patients reported improvement whilst those who were frail had deteriorated from the discharge base-line (Non-Frail: 70, Frail: 50, p = 0.01). At 6 months post injury, half of the frail cohort (49%) were more dependent on care than pre-trauma compared to less than a third of non-frail patients (29%).

Conclusion

Patients who were frail in-hospital had worse HQRoL than non-frail patients 6 months after discharge from hospital, with increased dependence. Understanding the impact of injury on quality of life is important in planning for, and supporting, the ongoing care of frail older trauma patients.
Is the Rise in Reported Dementia Mortality Real? Analysis of Multiple-Cause-of-Death Data for Australia and the United States
Authors: Adair Tim , Temple Jeromey , Anstey Kaarin J , Lopez Alan D
Published: March 2022

Official statistics in Australia and the United States show large recent increases in dementia mortality rates. In this study, we assessed whether these trends are biased by an increasing tendency of medical certifiers (predominantly physicians) to report on the death certificate that dementia was a direct cause of death. Regression models of multiple-cause-of-death data in Australia (2006–2016) and the United States (2006–2017) were constructed to adjust dementia mortality rates for changes in death certification practices. Compared with official statistics, the recent increase in adjusted age-standardized dementia death rates was less than half as large in Australia and about two-thirds as large in the United States. Further adjustment for changes in reporting of dementia anywhere on the death certificate implied even lower increases in dementia mortality. Declines in reporting of cardiovascular diseases as comorbid conditions also contributed to rises in dementia mortality rates. The increasing likelihood of dementia’s being reported as directly leading to death largely explains recent increases in dementia mortality rates in both countries. However, studies have found that reported dementia on death certificates remains low compared with clinical evaluations of its prevalence. Improved guidance and training for certifiers in reporting of dementia on death certificates will help standardize mortality statistics within and between countries.
CellWalkR: an R package for integrating and visualizing single-cell and bulk data to resolve regulatory elements
Authors: Przytycki Pawel F , Pollard Katherine S
Published: March 2022

CellWalkR is an R package that integrates single-cell open chromatin data with cell type labels and bulk epigenetic data to identify cell type-specific regulatory regions. A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) implementation and downsampling strategies enable thousands of cells to be processed in seconds. CellWalkR’s user-friendly interface provides interactive analysis and visualization of cell labels and regulatory region mappings.

Availability and implementation

CellWalkR is freely available as an R package under a GNU GPL-2.0 License and can be accessed from https://github.com/PFPrzytycki/CellWalkR with an accompanying vignette.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Functional lateralization of the medial temporal lobe in novel associative processing during creativity evaluation
Authors: Ren Jingyuan , Huang Furong , Gao Chuanji , Gott Jarrod , Schoch Sarah F , Qin Shaozheng , Dresler Martin , Luo Jing
Published: March 2022

Although hemispheric lateralization of creativity has been a longstanding topic of debate, the underlying neurocognitive mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we designed 2 types of novel stimuli—“novel useful and novel useless,” adapted from “familiar useful” designs taken from daily life—to demonstrate how the left and right medial temporal lobe (MTL) respond to novel designs of different usefulness. Taking the “familiar useful” design as a baseline, we found that the right MTL showed increased activation in response to “novel useful” designs, followed by “novel useless” ones, while the left MTL only showed increased activation in response to “novel useful” designs. Calculating an asymmetry index suggests that usefulness processing is predominant in the left MTL, whereas the right MTL is predominantly involved in novelty processing. Moreover, the left parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) showed stronger functional connectivity with the anterior cingulate cortex when responding to “novel useless” designs. In contrast, the right PHG showed stronger connectivity with the amygdala, midbrain, and hippocampus. Critically, multivoxel representational similarity analyses revealed that the left MTL was more effective than the right MTL at distinguishing the usefulness differences in novel stimuli, while representational patterns in the left PHG positively predicted the post-behavior evaluation of “truly creative” products. These findings suggest an apparent dissociation of the left and right MTL in integrating the novelty and usefulness information and novel associative processing during creativity evaluation, respectively. Our results provide novel insights into a longstanding and controversial question in creativity research by demonstrating functional lateralization of the MTL in processing novel associations.
Sign of the Times: Updating Infective Endocarditis Diagnostic Criteria to Recognize Enterococcus faecalis as a Typical Endocarditis Bacterium
Authors: Dahl Anders , Fowler Vance G , Miro José M , Bruun Niels E
Published: March 2022

The modified Duke criteria requires that Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia must be both community-acquired and without known focus in order to be considered a microbiological “Major” diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. We believe that the microbiological diagnostic criteria should be updated to regard E. faecalis as a “typical” endocarditis bacterium as is currently the case, for example, viridans group streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus. Using data from a prospective study of 344 patients with E. faecalis bacteremia evaluated with echocardiography, we demonstrate that designating E. faecalis as a “typical” endocarditis pathogen, regardless the place of acquisition or the portal of entry, improved the sensitivity to correctly identify definite endocarditis from 70% (modified Duke criteria) to 96% (enterococcal adjusted Duke criteria).
Evaluating the Benefits and Risks of Ex Vivo Liver Resection and Autotransplantation in Treating Hepatic End-stage Alveolar Echinococcosis
Authors: Qiu Yiwen , Huang Bin , Yang Xianwei , Wang Tao , Shen Shu , Yang Yi , Wang Wentao
Published: March 2022

Background

Ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA) has shown promising outcomes in treating end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE). However, the actual benefits and risks remain unclear. This study aims to analyze the benefits and risks of ELRA.

Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis included 228 patients with end-stage hepatic AE who underwent ELRA or nonsurgical treatment between 2014 and 2020. Propensity score matching was used. Long-term survival was compared in the matched cohorts using Kaplan-Meier curves generated with the log-rank test. Short-term mortality in entire cohort was predicted based on the nonsurgical group, and the interaction between the predicted mortality risk and observed mortality was tested. Risk factors for postoperative major morbidity in the ELRA group were evaluated using logistic regression analyses.

Results

The long-term overall survival of the ELRA group was superior to that of the nonsurgical group (82.1% vs 19.1%, 5-year survival). Regarding short-term outcomes, the basic risk of 12-month mortality exerted a significant effect on the benefit of ELRA in entire cohort (per 1%, odds ratio, 1.043; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007–1.082; P = .021). Patients with a predicted 12-month mortality risk >75% would significantly benefit from ELRA. Combined resection (hazard ratio [HR], 3.32; 95% CI: 1.01–10.99; P = .049) and overall surgery time (per hour, HR, 1.41; 95% CI: 1.09–1.82; P = .009) were identified as independent risk factors for postoperative major morbidity.

Conclusions

ELRA was significantly beneficial in selected patients with end-stage AE compared with nonsurgical treatment. The timing of conducting ELRA remarkably affected the short-term risk of mortality and should be carefully determined.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Delta Vaccine Breakthrough Transmissibility in Alachua County, Florida
Authors: Rife Magalis Brittany , Rich Shannan , Tagliamonte Massimiliano S , Mavian Carla , Cash Melanie N , Riva Alberto , Marini Simone , Amador David Moraga , Zhang Yanping , Shapiro Jerne , Horine Amelia , Starostik Petr , Pieretti Maura , Vega Samantha , Paula Lacombe Ana , Salinas Jessica , Stevenson Mario , Myers Paul , Glenn Morris J , Lauzardo Michael , Prosperi Mattia , Salemi Marco
Published: March 2022

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant has caused a dramatic resurgence in infections in the United Sates, raising questions regarding potential transmissibility among vaccinated individuals.

Methods

Between October 2020 and July 2021, we sequenced 4439 SARS-CoV-2 full genomes, 23% of all known infections in Alachua County, Florida, including 109 vaccine breakthrough cases. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between viral RNA burden and patient characteristics. Contact tracing and phylogenetic analysis were used to investigate direct transmissions involving vaccinated individuals.

Results

The majority of breakthrough sequences with lineage assignment were classified as Delta variants (74.6%) and occurred, on average, about 3 months (104 ± 57.5 days) after full vaccination, at the same time (June-July 2021) of Delta variant exponential spread within the county. Six Delta variant transmission pairs between fully vaccinated individuals were identified through contact tracing, 3 of which were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. Delta breakthroughs exhibited broad viral RNA copy number values during acute infection (interquartile range, 1.2-8.64 Log copies/mL), on average 38% lower than matched unvaccinated patients (3.29-10.81 Log copies/mL, P < .00001). Nevertheless, 49% to 50% of all breakthroughs, and 56% to 60% of Delta-infected breakthroughs exhibited viral RNA levels above the transmissibility threshold (4 Log copies/mL) irrespective of time after vaccination.

Conclusions

Delta infection transmissibility and general viral RNA quantification patterns in vaccinated individuals suggest limited levels of sterilizing immunity that need to be considered by public health policies. In particular, ongoing evaluation of vaccine boosters should specifically address whether extra vaccine doses curb breakthrough contribution to epidemic spread.
Cluster ofBurkholderia cepaciaComplex Infections Associated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Water Heater Devices
Authors: Rhee Chanu , Baker Meghan A , Tucker Robert , Vaidya Vineeta , Holtzman Meghan , Seethala Raghu R , Bentain-Melanson Maria , Lenox Jesslyn , Smith Adam R , Boyer Jon C , Gassett Alison , Brigl Manfred , Sater Mohamad , Huntley Miriam , Woolley Ann E , Goldberg Hilary J , Reilly Karen , Resnick Andrew , Pearson Madelyn , Klompas Michael
Published: March 2022

Background

Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of potential nosocomial pathogens often linked to contaminated water. We report on a cluster of 8 B. cepacia complex infections in cardiothoracic intensive care unit patients, which were attributed to contaminated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) water heaters.

Methods

In December 2020, we identified an increase in B. cepacia complex infections in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. We sought commonalities, sequenced isolates, obtained environmental specimens, and enacted mitigation measures.

Results

Whole-genome sequencing of 13 B. cepacia complex clinical specimens between November 2020 and February 2021 identified 6 clonally related isolates, speciated as Burkholderia contaminans. All 6 occurred in patients on ECMO. Microbiology review identified 2 additional B. contaminans cases from June 2020 that may have also been cluster related, including 1 in a patient receiving ECMO. All 8 definite or probable cluster cases required treatment; 3 patients died, and 3 experienced recurrent infections. After ECMO was identified as the major commonality, all 9 of the hospital’s ECMO water heaters were cultured, and B. contaminans grew in all cultures. Cultures from air sampled adjacent to the water heaters were negative. Water heater touch screens were culture positive for B. contaminans, and the sink drain in the ECMO heater reprocessing room also grew clonal B. contaminans. Observations of reprocessing revealed opportunities for cross-contamination between devices through splashing from the contaminated sink. The cluster was aborted by removing all water heaters from clinical service.

Conclusions

We identified a cluster of 8 B. cepacia complex infections associated with contaminated ECMO water heaters. This cluster underscores the potential risks associated with water-based ECMO heaters and, more broadly, water-based care for vulnerable patients.
Chick Lit Meets Silicon Valley: Ana Yen’s Sophia of Silicon Valley and Elisabeth Cohen’s The Glitch
Authors: Quassdorf Sixta
Published: March 2022

Alongside the stereotypically feminine themes of personal relationships and consumption, chick lit also addresses work, which often leads to the question of “can a woman have it all?” Anna Yen’s Sophia of Silicon Valley (2018) and Elisabeth Cohen’s The Glitch (2018) take up this theme in Silicon Valley, where every aspect of life is damagingly subordinated to work and “having it all” comes to mean at best “having a job.” It emerges that, despite its overtly progressive, “cool” image, Silicon Valley perpetuates paternalistic structures. Although their rise to CEO status might appear to illustrate women’s empowerment, both protagonists remain unable or unwilling to transform the underlying values and power structures of their male-dominated organizations.
Soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 predicts premature death in acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Kraler Simon , Wenzl Florian A , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Obeid Slayman , Liberale Luca , von Eckardstein Arnold , Muller Olivier , Mach François , Räber Lorenz , Losdat Sylvain , Schmiady Martin O , Stellos Konstantinos , Stamatelopoulos Kimon , Camici Giovanni G , Srdic Annie , Paneni Francesco , Akhmedov Alexander , Lüscher Thomas F
Published: March 2022

Aims

The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and its shedding product [soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1)] are implicated in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pathogenesis. Herein, we examined the relationship of sLOX-1 with both fatal events and plaque progression in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods and results

Plasma sLOX-1 was assessed at baseline in ACS and chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients prospectively recruited in the multicentre SPUM-ACS study, with sex- and age-matched healthy subjects serving as additional controls (n = 2924). Compared with both CCS and controls, ACS patients showed markedly elevated sLOX-1 levels (median, 2.00 and 2.00 vs. 35.08 pg/mL; P < 0.0001) which were independently associated with increased mortality risk over 30-day [tertile (T)3: adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 3.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.44–10.61; P = 0.0055] and 1-year intervals (T3: adjusted HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.19–3.92; P = 0.0098). Results remained consistent after adjustment for GRACE 2.0 (T3: adjusted HR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.04–3.74; P = 0.0391) and were primarily driven by the pronounced relationship of sLOX-1 with cardiovascular mortality at 30 days (T3: adjusted HR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.62–19.62; P = 0.0036) and at 1 year (T3: adjusted HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.19–5.34; P = 0.0148). In ACS patients undergoing serial intracoronary imaging and statin therapy, sLOX-1 dropped significantly in those with coronary plaque regression at 1 year (ΔsLOX-1: −4.64 ± 1.80; P = 0.0057), and showed a good discrimination for predicting plaque progression (area under the curve = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59–0.86; P = 0.0031).

Conclusion

Plasma sLOX-1 levels are increased during ACS and predict fatal events beyond traditional and emerging risk factors. Persistently high sLOX-1 associates with coronary plaque progression in patients with established ASCVD.

Clinical Trial Registration

NCT01000701.
Upscaling and downscaling Monte Carlo ensembles with generative models
Authors: Scheiter Matthias , Valentine Andrew , Sambridge Malcolm
Published: March 2022

Monte Carlo methods are widespread in geophysics and have proved to be powerful in non-linear inverse problems. However, they are associated with significant practical challenges, including long calculation times, large output ensembles of Earth models, and difficulties in the appraisal of the results. This paper addresses some of these challenges using generative models, a family of tools that have recently attracted much attention in the machine learning literature. Generative models can, in principle, learn a probability distribution from a set of given samples and also provide a means for rapid generation of new samples which follow that approximated distribution. These two features make them well suited for application to the outputs of Monte Carlo algorithms. In particular, training a generative model on the posterior distribution of a Bayesian inference problem provides two main possibilities. First, the number of parameters in the generative model is much smaller than the number of values stored in the ensemble, leading to large compression rates. Secondly, once trained, the generative model can be used to draw any number of samples, thereby eliminating the dependence on an often large and unwieldy ensemble. These advantages pave new pathways for the use of Monte Carlo ensembles, including improved storage and communication of the results, enhanced calculation of numerical integrals, and the potential for convergence assessment of the Monte Carlo procedure. Here, these concepts are initially demonstrated using a simple synthetic example that scales into higher dimensions. They are then applied to a large ensemble of shear wave velocity models of the core–mantle boundary, recently produced in a Monte Carlo study. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of using generative models to approximate posterior ensembles, and indicate directions to address various challenges in Monte Carlo inversion.
Eicosatetraynoic Acid and Butyrate Regulate Human Intestinal Organoid Mitochondrial and Extracellular Matrix Pathways Implicated in Crohn’s Disease Strictures
Authors: Jurickova Ingrid , Bonkowski Erin , Angerman Elizabeth , Novak Elizabeth , Huron Alex , Akers, Grayce , Iwasawa Kentaro , Braun Tzipi , Hadar Rotem , Hooker Maria , Han Sarah , Cutler David J , Okou David T , Kugathasan Subra , Jegga Anil , Wells James , Takebe Takanori , Mollen Kevin P , Haberman Yael , Denson Lee A
Published: March 2022

Background

Perturbagen analysis of Crohn’s disease (CD) ileal gene expression data identified small molecules including eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), which may exert an antifibrotic effect. We developed a patient-specific human intestinal organoid (HIO) model system to test small molecule regulation of mitochondrial and wound-healing functions implicated in stricturing behavior.

Methods

HIOs were made from CD induced pluripotent stem cells with and without a loss-of-function haplotype in the DUOX2 gene implicated in ileal homeostasis and characterized under basal conditions and following exposure to butyrate and ETYA using RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescent and polarized light microscopy. Mitochondrial activity was measured using high-resolution respirometry and tissue stiffness using atomic force microscopy.

Results

HIOs expressed core mitochondrial and extracellular matrix (ECM) genes and enriched biologic functions implicated in CD ileal strictures; ECM gene expression was suppressed by both butyrate and ETYA, with butyrate also suppressing genes regulating epithelial proliferation. Consistent with this, butyrate, but not ETYA, exerted a profound effect on HIO epithelial mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species production, and cellular abundance. Butyrate and ETYA suppressed HIO expression of alpha smooth muscle actin expressed by myofibroblasts, type I collagen, and collagen protein abundance. HIOs exhibited tissue stiffness comparable to normal human ileum; this was reduced by chronic ETYA exposure in HIOs carrying the DUOX2 loss-of-function haplotype.

Conclusions

ETYA regulates ECM genes implicated in strictures and suppresses collagen content and tissue stiffness in an HIO model. HIOs provide a platform to test personalized therapeutics, including small molecules prioritized by perturbagen analysis.
Comparing Effectiveness of a Generic Oral Nutritional Supplement With Specialized Formula in the Treatment of Active Pediatric Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Dawson R , Wands D I F , Logan M , Bremner G , Efklides S , Benn L , Henderson P , Grant H , Meredith J , Armstrong K , Wilson D C , Gerasimidis K , Alex G , Russell R K
Published: March 2022

Background

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is the recommended induction treatment of mild to moderate active pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). This study compared outcomes of 2 proprietary polymeric formulas. Treatment effectiveness was examined along with practical aspects of formula delivery and differences in estimated treatment costs.

Methods

Data were retrospectively collected from patients with CD who received a generic oral nutritional supplement (Fortisip) across 2 centers (RCH, Melbourne and RHSC, Edinburgh). This was compared with a prospective cohort (RHC, Glasgow) that used a specialized formula (Modulen IBD). The data collected included patient demographics, remission rates, biochemical markers, administration method, and anthropometrics. The estimated treatment cost was performed by comparing price per kcal between each formula.

Results

One hundred seventy-one patients were included (106 Fortisip, 65 Modulen IBD, 70 female; median age 13.3 yrs). No difference was demonstrated in remission rate (Fortisip n = 67 of 106 [63%] vs Modulen IBD n = 41 of 64 [64%], P = .89), nonadherence rate (Fortisip n = 7 of 106 [7%] vs Modulen IBD 3 of 64 [5%], P = .57) or method of administration (NGT Fortisip use n = 16 of 106 [12%] vs Modulen IBD 14 of 65 [22%]; P = .31). There was no difference in reduction of biochemical disease markers between the groups (C-reactive protein , P = .13; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, P = .49; fecal calprotectin, P = .94). However, there was a cost-saving of around £500/patient/course if the generic oral nutritional supplement was used.

Conclusions

The generic oral nutritional supplement and specialized formulas both had similar clinical effectiveness in induction of remission in pediatric CD. However, there is considerable cost-saving when using a generic oral nutritional supplement.
A Dynamical Analogue of Sen’s Theorem
Authors: Adams Ophelia M S
Published: March 2022

We study the higher ramification structure of dynamical branch extensions and propose a connection between the natural dynamical filtration and the filtration arising from the higher ramification groups: each member of the former should, after a linear change of index, coincide with a member of the latter. This is an analogue of Sen’s theorem on ramification in $p$-adic Lie extensions. By explicitly calculating the Hasse–Herbrand functions of such branch extensions, we are able to show that this description is accurate for some families of polynomials, in particular post-critically bounded polynomials of $p$-power degree. We apply our results to give a partial answer to a question of Berger [8] and a partial answer to a question about wild ramification in arboreal extensions of number fields [1, 9].
On the Wall-Crossing Formula for Quadratic Differentials
Authors: Allegretti Dylan G L
Published: March 2022

We prove an analytic version of the Kontsevich–Soibelman wall-crossing formula describing how the number of finite-length trajectories of a quadratic differential jumps as the differential is varied. We characterize certain birational automorphisms of an algebraic torus appearing in this wall-crossing formula using Fock–Goncharov coordinates. As an application, we compute the Stokes automorphisms for the Voros symbols appearing in the exact WKB analysis of Schrödinger’s equation.
The Effect of Contraception on Genital Cytokines in Women Randomized to Copper Intrauterine Device, Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate, or Levonorgestrel Implant
Authors: Tanko Ramla F , Bunjun Rubina , Dabee Smritee , Jaumdally Shameem Z , Onono Maricianah , Nair Gonasagrie , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Harryparsad Rushil , Happel Anna Ursula , Gamieldien Hoyam , Qumbelo Yamkela , Sinkala Musalula , Scoville Caitlin W , Heller Kate , Baeten Jared M , Bosinger Steven E , Burgener Adam , Heffron Renee , Jaspan Heather B , Passmore Jo Ann S
Published: March 2022

Background

The ECHO trial randomized women to intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel implant (LNG-implant), or copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). In a substudy of the ECHO trial, we tested the hypothesis that contraceptives influence genital inflammation by comparing cervicovaginal cytokine changes following contraception initiation. In addition, we compared cytokine profiles in women who acquired HIV (cases) versus those remaining HIV negative (controls).

Methods

Women (n = 251) from South Africa and Kenya were included. Twenty-seven cervicovaginal cytokines were measured by Luminex at baseline, and 1 and 6 months after contraceptive iTanko et alnitiation. In addition, cytokines were measured preseroconversion in HIV cases (n = 25) and controls (n = 100).

Results

At 6 months after contraceptive initiation, women using Cu-IUD had increased concentrations of 25/27 cytokines compared to their respective baseline concentrations. In contrast, women initiating DMPA-IM and LNG-implant did not experience changes in cervicovaginal cytokines. Preseroconversion concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, previously associated with HIV risk, correlated with increased HIV risk in a logistic regression analysis, although not significantly after correcting for multiple comparisons. Adjusting for contraceptive arm did not alter these results.

Conclusions

Although Cu-IUD use broadly increased cervicovaginal cytokine concentrations at 6 months postinsertion, these inflammatory changes were found not to be a significant driver of HIV risk.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02550067.
61 Sheep Grazier's Workshops Improve Producer Understanding of Important Production Practices
Authors: Rogers Johnny R , Poore Matt H
Published: March 2022

Three workshops were held to increase producer awareness of new production practices and opportunities for sheep production. These events were coordinated by Amazing Grazing with the assistance of county livestock agents. All workshops included classroom and breakout sessions featuring hands-on activities. In September 2016, the first sheep-focused workshop was held at the E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit in Raleigh. Topics included opportunities for sheep production, ram selection, marketing, using temporary electric fence, grazing management to improve soil health, grazing sheep in solar farms and health management. The 2017 event was held in May at the Western NC Regional Livestock Center near Canton. Producers learned about opportunities for sheep production, improved grazing management, sheep marketing and fencing options. The Piedmont Research Station near Salisbury served as the location for the 2018 workshop. The agenda featured hoof health management and pre-breeding nutrition management, improving forage systems, breeding stock selection, pasture improvement cost-share programs and hoof trimming. Total registration was 132 with 83 evaluations completed. Participants were 60% male and 40% female with 57% being over age 50. Total pasture hectares grazed by participants was 886 with 97 ha as hay. Livestock inventories totaled 2,183 sheep, 733 goats, 720 beef cattle and 99 horses. A few participants had no livestock but were gathering information for future ventures. Post-workshop evaluation indicated 100% of attendees increased understanding of each major agenda topic. On a scale of 1 to 4 (1 = not satisfied to 4 = very satisfied), participants indicated they were very satisfied with the instructors’ knowledge (3.80±0.45), workshop environment/format (3.68±0.58), and overall quality (3.78±0.44). Ninety-seven percent of the attendees indicated that this workshop met their expectations, and one hundred percent would recommend it to others. Producer responses indicate a growing interest in sheep/goat production and a need for practical education programs.
4 Conversion to an Online Delivery Method for the Tennessee Master Horse Program
Authors: Main Sawyer , Melvin Kelly , Self Ashley , Rostad Delaney R , Ivey Jennie L
Published: March 2022

Functional Extension programming for equine owners and business operators brings unique challenges when compared to other commodity producers. The initial Tennessee Master Horse Program (TMHP) curriculum and delivery method was modeled from other successful Extension programs using a county-based, in-person training model; however, implementation of county-level offerings of the TMHP for 4 years only yielded 218 participants. Thus, our objective was to pilot a new online program format for the TMHP and to assess participant feedback to dictate future programming efforts. Data were analyzed using STATA SE 16.1 and all results are reported as mean ± SD. The THMP was hosted by the state Equine Extension Program within the Google Classroom platform and contained 12 synchronous webinars with successive recordings, 3 scenarios for participant response, 10 question submission assignments, and 14 opportunities to explore outside resources pertaining to topic areas. Topics covered included responsible horse ownership, pasture management, nutrition, forages, waste management, health and diseases, economics, and equine training programs. Total participants (n = 201) from 12 states were reached, with 162 ± 29 (min=110, max=201) live attendees each week and 35 ± 4.1 (min=15, max=61) views per recorded YouTube video. During live sessions, 56 ± 18 (min=21, max=75) questions were asked and answered, and an additional 82 ± 35 (min=43, max=140) questions per week were submitted in the Google Classroom. In the final TMHP evaluation survey, 99% (n = 95) of respondents indicated they would recommend this training to others, which may be due to highly satisfactory ratings for speakers (4.54 ± 0.15 on a 1 to 5 scale, min=1, max=5) from participants. These results indicate a high acceptance rate among participants and that an online delivery method could be an effective approach for conducting and expanding the scope of future TMHP offerings.
113 Cannabidiol Supplementation and Physiological Response in Transported Horses
Authors: Turner Paxton L , Guay Kim A , Jones Trinette , Cohen Lori , Elwonger Faith , Van Geem Renata , Smith William B , Mercadante Vitor R G
Published: March 2022

With traveling between competition use, breeding purposes, relocation to new owners; horses are the most transported animals of domesticated species. Transportation can lead to higher stress levels therefore impairing the immunological response. With an increase in stress, horses can experience illness, dehydration, abnormal feeding behavior, injuries, or negative stereotypic behaviors. Cannabidiol (CBD) supplementation has suggested the possibility in the reduction of anxiety and lessening impairment to immunity. The objective of this study was to determine if oral supplementation of CBD oil mediated physiological response to transportation. Six geldings were used in a switchback experimental design. Horses were housed in 11’x14’ stalls containing cameras to monitor feed and water intake and behavior. A control dose of olive oil (n = 4) or CBD oil (0.6 mg/kg BW; n = 3) was administered for five days. On day 7, horses were transported for three hours in groups of three. Variables measured included plasma cortisol, blood lactate, rectal temperature, and thermography imaging. Measurements were taken prior to transport, immediately following transport, and 24h post transportation. Horses underwent a 3-week washout period before returning to stalls. Control and treatment doses were switched between horses before repeating the experiment. Data were analyzed in R Studio© for analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. There were no differences shown upon analysis in cortisol levels (P = 0.646), blood lactate levels (P = 0.560) or rectal body temperatures (P = 0.347). While oral supplementation of CBD oil may reduce stressors, further studies are needed to determine if CBD affects physiological response to transportation.
71 Infusing Animal Science Curricula with Cultural Intelligence
Authors: Garrison M E Betsy , Daniel Annie , Wiersma-Mosley Jacquelyn , Williams Cathy , Crosswhite Mellissa , Caldwell Isabelle
Published: March 2022

Increasingly, universities across the United States are expecting their undergraduate programs to meet, not only, discipline-specific, knowledge content learning outcomes, but also, soft skills and general education objectives, as well. It is not unusual today that outcomes about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are found in either or both program-level and general education learning objectives, including capstone courses. Cultural intelligence is an effective approach to accomplish DEI goals. The purpose of the presentation is two-fold: (1) to discuss the empirical evidence about increasing cultural intelligence in academic programs outside of animal science and (2) the transference of that work into animal science. Curricula to foster cultural intelligence among students includes focusing on deep cultural awareness (implicit biases, privileges and prejudices), diversity education (guest speakers, textbooks, documentaries), and high-impact educational experiences. One of the best strategies is ensuring that all courses are taught by culturally intelligent educators. Increasing a single aspect of cultural intelligence, particularly cultural awareness, improves the environment for students from underrepresented populations which leads to better retention and graduation rates. Five teaching modules with multiple lessons within each, were developed, based on a five-level, progressive model of cultural intelligence, beginning with cultural awareness and ending with cultural proficiency, to infuse into animal science curricula. The first module comprises a basic understanding of cultural concepts and recognizing cultural implications of behavior. The second module comprises elements of culture and their impact on human behavior, including animal care. The third module comprises an integration of cultural knowledge. The fourth module involves social and economic contexts. The fifth module involves negotiating across culture and an intrinsic desire for inclusivity. The presentation will be interactive: the lessons will be demonstrated; assessments developed shared; and the faculty and graduate teaching assistant training sessions experienced. Today’s employment-ready graduates must be culturally intelligent to be able to think critically and solve complex problems in an increasingly diverse and global workplace.
Church as NGO? Leveraging Religious Networks to Promote Health Rights for Urban-Displaced Refugees—Lessons from Tanzania
Authors: Tippens Julie A , Tewodros Amleset , Miamidian Helen M , Kohel Kara , Otieno Alex
Published: March 2022

Human rights practice is of particular importance to addressing health disparities among forcibly displaced groups. Older refugees in low- and middle-income countries may be socially and structurally vulnerable to poor health related to human rights abuses, xenophobia, and inadequate resources compounded with ageism and isolation. In this policy and practice note, we use findings from a phenomenological study with 23 older Congolese refugees in urban Tanzania to explore the role of religious institutions to improve the health and wellbeing of older urban-displaced adults. Older refugees described how religious networks fostered spiritual support and guidance, enhanced social support and friendship, and provided opportunities to receive material and informational support. We consider how these narratives of support embedded within religious networks can reconfigure the role(s) of third sector/civil society (that is nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], nonprofit agencies) in urban humanitarian settings. We address possible strengths and challenges of including faith communities and actors in humanitarianism, outlining how such collaborative efforts could adhere to human rights tenets. Finally, we note how qualitative inquiry such as phenomenology is aligned with human rights in seeking to uphold human dignity and that these data, therefore, have special relevance in informing human rights praxis.
The Impact of Medical School on Military Physicians’ Readiness for their First Deployment
Authors: Cole Rebekah , Rudinsky Sherri , Conley Sean P , Vojta Leslie , Wook Kwon Soon , Garrigan Audra G , Prosek Elizabeth A , Goolsby Craig
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Military physicians receive their undergraduate medical training primarily by either attending civilian medical school, through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), or by attending the Uniformed Services University (USU), a federal medical school with a military unique curriculum. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of graduates from these two educational pathways regarding the impact of their medical school training on their readiness for their first deployment.

Materials and Methods

We conducted 18 semi-structured interviews with military physicians who attended civilian medical schools and USU and who had deployed within the past 2 years. The participants also completed emailed follow-up questions. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The research team coded the interviews, extracted meaning units, and identified themes that emerged from the data.

Results

The following themes emerged from the data: (1) medical readiness; (2) operational readiness; (3) command interactions; and (4) role as a military physician. All of the participants perceived themselves to be prepared medically. However, the USU graduates were more confident in their ability to navigate the operational aspects of deployment. In addition, they described their ability to naturally build positive working relationships with their commanding officers and navigate their combined roles as both a physician and military officer.

Conclusions

These perceptions of both the civilian medical graduates and USU graduates provide important insight to the military medical education community regarding the ways in which civilian medical schools and USU prepare students for their first deployment. This insight will help to identify any training gaps that should be filled in order to ensure that military physicians are ready for deployment.
Spectroscopic analysis tool for intEgraL fieLd unIt daTacubEs (satellite): case studies of NGC 7009 and NGC 6778 with MUSE
Authors: Akras S , Monteiro H , Walsh J R , García-Rojas J , Aleman I , Boffin H , Boumis P , Chiotellis A , Corradi R M L , Gonçalves D R , Gutiérrez-Soto L A , Jones D , Morisset C , Papanikolaou X
Published: March 2022

Integral field spectroscopy (IFS) provides a unique capability to spectroscopically study extended sources over a 2D field of view, but it also requires new techniques and tools. In this paper, we present an automatic code, Spectroscopic Analysis Tool for intEgraL fieLd unIt daTacubEs, satellite, designed to fully explore such capability in the characterization of extended objects, such as planetary nebulae, H ii regions, galaxies, etc. satellite carries out 1D and 2D spectroscopic analysis through a number of pseudo-slits that simulate slit spectrometry, as well as emission line imaging. The 1D analysis permits direct comparison of the integral field unit (IFU) data with previous studies based on long-slit spectroscopy, while the 2D analysis allows the exploration of physical properties in both spatial directions. Interstellar extinction, electron temperatures and densities, ionic abundances from collisionally excited lines, total elemental abundances, and ionization correction factors are computed employing the pyneb package. A Monte Carlo approach is implemented in the code to compute the uncertainties for all the physical parameters. satellite provides a powerful tool to extract physical information from IFS observations in an automatic and user configurable way. The capabilities and performance of satellite are demonstrated by means of a comparison between the results obtained from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) data of the planetary nebula NGC 7009 with the results obtained from long-slit and IFU data available in the literature. The satellite characterization of NGC 6778 based on MUSE data is also presented.
The young HD 73583 (TOI-560) planetary system: two 10-M⊕ mini-Neptunes transiting a 500-Myr-old, bright, and active K dwarf
Authors: Barragán O , Armstrong D J , Gandolfi D , Carleo I , Vidotto A A , Villarreal D’Angelo C , Oklopčić A , Isaacson H , Oddo D , Collins K , Fridlund M , Sousa S G , Persson C M , Hellier C , Howell S , Howard A , Redfield S , Eisner N , Georgieva I Y , Dragomir D , Bayliss D , Nielsen L D , Klein B , Aigrain S , Zhang M , Teske J , Twicken J D , Jenkins J , Esposito M , Van Eylen V , Rodler F , Adibekyan V , Alarcon J , Anderson D R , Akana Murphy J M , Barrado D , Barros S C C , Benneke B , Bouchy F , Bryant E M , Butler R P , Burt J , Cabrera J , Casewell S , Chaturvedi P , Cloutier R , Cochran W D , Crane J , Crossfield I , Crouzet N , Collins K I , Dai F , Deeg H J , Deline A , Demangeon O D S , Dumusque X , Figueira P , Furlan E , Gnilka C , Goad M R , Goffo E , Gutiérrez-Canales F , Hadjigeorghiou A , Hartman Z , Hatzes A P , Harris M , Henderson B , Hirano T , Hojjatpanah S , Hoyer S , Kabáth P , Korth J , Lillo-Box J , Luque R , Marmier M , Močnik T , Muresan A , Murgas F , Nagel E , Osborne H L M , Osborn A , Osborn H P , Palle E , Raimbault M , Ricker G R , Rubenzahl R A , Stockdale C , Santos N C , Scott N , Schwarz R P , Shectman S , Raimbault M , Seager S , Ségransan D , Serrano L M , Skarka M , Smith A M S , Šubjak J , Tan T G , Udry S , Watson C , Wheatley P J , West R , Winn J N , Wang S X , Wolfgang A , Ziegler C
Published: March 2022

We present the discovery and characterization of two transiting planets observed by TESS in the light curves of the young and bright (V = 9.67) star HD73583 (TOI-560). We perform an intensive spectroscopic and photometric space- and ground-based follow-up in order to confirm and characterize the system. We found that HD73583 is a young (∼500 Myr) active star with a rotational period of 12.08 ± 0.11  d, and a mass and radius of 0.73 ± 0.02 M⊙ and 0.65 ± 0.02 R⊙, respectively. HD 73583 b (Pb = $6.3980420 _{ - 0.0000062 } ^ { + 0.0000067 }$ d) has a mass and radius of $10.2 _{ - 3.1 } ^ { + 3.4 }$ M⊕ and 2.79 ± 0.10 R⊕, respectively, which gives a density of $2.58 _{ - 0.81 } ^ { + 0.95 }$ ${\rm g\, cm^{-3}}$. HD 73583 c (Pc = $18.87974 _{ - 0.00074 } ^ { + 0.00086 }$ d) has a mass and radius of $9.7 _{ - 1.7 } ^ { + 1.8 }$ M⊕ and $2.39 _{ - 0.09 } ^ { + 0.10 }$ R⊕, respectively, which translates to a density of $3.88 _{ - 0.80 } ^ { + 0.91 }$ ${\rm g\, cm^{-3}}$. Both planets are consistent with worlds made of a solid core surrounded by a volatile envelope. Because of their youth and host star brightness, they both are excellent candidates to perform transmission spectroscopy studies. We expect ongoing atmospheric mass-loss for both planets caused by stellar irradiation. We estimate that the detection of evaporating signatures on H and He would be challenging, but doable with present and future instruments.
Asteroseismology of the double-radial mode δ Scuti star BP Pegasi
Authors: Daszyńska-Daszkiewicz J , Walczak P , Pamyatnykh A A , Szewczuk W
Published: March 2022

Using the All-Sky Automated Survey data, we determine the pulsational frequencies of the high-amplitude δ Scuti star BP Pegasi. The analysis revealed only the two known, independent frequencies that we use to perform the seismic analysis of the star. On the basis of multicolour Strömgren photometry, we independently find that both frequencies can only be associated with radial modes which, according to the frequency ratio, are fundamental and first overtone modes. The models fitting the two frequencies depend strongly on the opacity data. For low values of the mixing-length parameter αMLT ≈ 0.5, only the OPAL seismic models in the post-main-sequence phase of evolution are caught within the observed error box. Seismic models computed with the OP and OPLIB data are much less luminous and cooler. They can only reach the error box if we increase the convection efficiency to at least αMLT = 2.0. Then, including the non-adiabatic parameter f into our seismic modelling, we constrain the value of αMLT. Computing an extensive grid of seismic OPAL models and employing Monte Carlo-based Bayesian analysis, we obtain constraints on various parameters. In particular, the efficiency of envelope convection can be parametrized by αMLT ∈ (0.5,  1.0), depending on the atmospheric microturbulent velocity that amounts to ξt = 4 or 8 km s−1.