bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of nuclear matter and composition in core-collapse supernovae and long-term proto-neutron star cooling
Authors: Sumiyoshi Kohsuke , Furusawa Shun , Nagakura Hiroki , Harada Akira , Togashi Hajime , Nakazato Ken’ichiro , Suzuki Hideyuki
Published: December 2022

We study the influence of hot and dense matter in core-collapse supernovae by adopting an up-to-date nuclear equation of state (EOS) based on the microscopic nuclear many-body frameworks. We explore effects of the EOS based on the Dirac–Brückner–Hartree–Fock theory through comparisons with those based on the variational method. We also examine effects of the differences in the composition of nuclei and nucleons by using the same EOS as the variational method but employing two different treatments in computations of nuclear abundances. We perform numerical simulations of core-collapse supernovae adopting the three EOSs. We also perform numerical simulations of the long-term evolution over 70 s of the proto-neutron star cooling. We show that the impacts of different modeling of the composition are remarkable as in those due to different treatments of uniform matter in the gravitational collapse, bounce and shock propagation. The cooling of a proto-neutron star and the resulting neutrino emission are also affected by the compositional difference even if the same treatment is used in computing uniform matter of the EOS.
Real tensor eigenvalue/vector distributions of the Gaussian tensor model via a four-fermi theory
Authors: Sasakura Naoki
Published: December 2022

Eigenvalue distributions are important dynamic quantities in matrix models, and it is an interesting challenge to study corresponding quantities in tensor models. We study real tensor eigenvalue/vector distributions for real symmetric order-three random tensors with a Gaussian distribution as the simplest case. We first rewrite this problem as the computation of a partition function of a four-fermi theory with R replicated fermions. The partition function is exactly computed for some small-N,R cases, and is shown to precisely agree with Monte Carlo simulations. For large-N, it seems difficult to compute it exactly, and we apply an approximation using a self-consistency equation for two-point functions and obtain an analytic expression. It turns out that the real tensor eigenvalue distribution obtained by taking R = 1/2 is simply the Gaussian within this approximation. We compare the approximate expression with Monte Carlo simulations, and find that, if an extra overall factor depending on N is multiplied to the the expression, it agrees well with the Monte Carlo results. It is left for future study to improve the approximation for large-N to correctly derive the overall factor.
Diplodia sapineainfection reprograms foliar traits of its pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) host to death
Authors: Hu Bin , Liu Zhenshan , Haensch Robert , Mithöfer Axel , Peters Franziska S , Vornam Barbara , Messerer Maxim , Mayer Klaus , von Wirén Nicolaus , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: December 2022

Infection with the necrotrophic fungus Diplodia sapinea (Fr.) Fuckel is among the economically and ecologically most devastating diseases of conifers in the northern hemisphere and is accelerated by global climate change. This study aims to characterize the changes mediated by D. sapinea infection on its pine host (Pinus sylvestris L.) that lead to the death of its needles. For this purpose, we performed an indoor infection experiment and inoculated shoot tips of pine seedlings with virulent D. sapinea. The consequences for foliar traits, including the phytohormone profile, were characterized at both the metabolite and transcriptome level. Our results showed that D. sapinea infection strongly affected foliar levels of most phytohormones and impaired a multitude of other metabolic and structural foliar traits, such as reactive oxygen species scavenging. Transcriptome analysis revealed that these changes are partially mediated via modified gene expression by fungal exposure. Diplodia sapinea appears to overcome the defense reactions of its pine host by reprogramming gene expression and post-transcriptional controls that determine essential foliar metabolic traits such as the phytohormone profile, cell wall composition and antioxidative system.
Nongovernmental organizations supporting the HIV service delivery response in Africa – an engine for innovation
Authors: Sikazwe Izukanji , Bolton-Moore Carolyn , Herce Michael B.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are pivotal to the HIV response, supporting access to HIV services since the start of the epidemic. Against the backdrop of the impact of NGOs, is the recognition of the unique role that local NGOs bring to the HIV response, drawing from their deep understanding of the context and knowledge of local health problems.

Recent findings

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is one such NGO. Through various implementation science research and programs, CIDRZ has supported the Zambian government's HIV response. As Zambia moves closer to epidemic control, understanding reasons for patient disengagement from care and patient preferences for HIV care demonstrated by CIDRZ have contributed to global and national HIV treatment and care guidelines.

This paper offers a case study for how NGOs like CIDRZ can serve as health system-wide catalyst to identify, integrate, and scale up evidence-based practices for HIV prevention, care, and treatment. It draws from the public health literature, CIDRZ extensive program and research experience and implementation science theory, to illustrate key strategies that can be deployed by local NGOs to spark innovation, quality improvement, and support governments to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control.
“Tickle me pink”: update in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Lam Angela Y. , Gonsalves Nirmala
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs) outside of the esophagus have been previously enigmatic and rare diagnoses. Fortunately, increasing research over the past few decades has led to an improved understanding of disease pathophysiology and epidemiology. This has been foundational for developing accurate nomenclature, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutics.

Recent findings

This article will review recent updates in nonesophageal EGIDs. Accurate disease classification and nomenclature developed from international consensus are now available, as well as data challenging the notion that abnormal endoscopic findings are rare in this population. Studies on natural history, outcomes, and impact on patient quality of life are reviewed. Lastly, retrospective studies and clinical trials on EGID therapies are summarized.

With a standardized nomenclature system for EGIDs now established, formal diagnostic guidelines and criteria for nonesophageal EGIDs are in active development. While management remains challenging compared with eosinophilic esophagitis, research and development of effective, steroid-sparing therapies (primarily through biologics and dietary therapy) remain underway. In eosinophilic colitis, the rarest EGID, research remains focused on illuminating pathophysiology. Ongoing research will continue to improve understanding of natural history, outcomes, and therapeutic options for these diseases.
Analysis of Retinal Structure and Electrophysiological Function in Visual Snow Syndrome: An Exploratory Case Series
Authors: Zaroban Nathaniel J. , Kedar Sachin , Anderson David , Vuppala Amrita-Amanda D.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Visual snow (VS) is a rare but distressing phenomenon of persistent granular or pixelated visual distortions that may occur in isolation or as a component of visual snow syndrome (VSS). The current understanding of VS pathogenesis, including the role of retinal involvement structurally and functionally, is limited. The objective of this study is to investigate retinal structural and electrophysiological abnormalities in VS.

Methods:

This retrospective case series included 8 subjects (7 with VSS and 1 with isolated VS). Patients with other ocular and neurologic diseases were excluded. Data were assessed from automated perimetry, optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual evoked potential (VEP), and full-field electroretinography (ffERG) testing. The VEP and ffERG data of visual snow subjects were compared with age- and sex-matched control subjects for statistical significance.

Results:

The mean age of the cohort was 29.4 years (SD = ±5.3) with 50% gender split. The mean age of VS onset was 24.2 years (SD = ±3.8). All subjects had normal visual acuity, color vision, brain MRI, automated perimetry, OCT parameters (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and macular ganglion cell layer thickness), and P100 and N135 wave pattern on VEP. Compared with controls, VS subjects had a greater mean b-wave amplitude in response to light-adapted 3.0 stimuli (t test; P = 0.035 right eye and P = 0.072 left eye), greater mean light-adapted 3.0 flicker amplitude (t test; P = 0.028 right eye P = 0.166 left eye) and greater b-wave amplitude in response to dark-adapted 10.0 stimuli (t test; P = 0.102 right eye; P = 0.017 left eye) on ERG.

Conclusions:

Patients with VS and VSS have normal retinal structure, but abnormal electrophysiology compared with control subjects. The increased b-wave and flicker amplitudes observed with ffERG suggest increased responsiveness of the rod and cone photoreceptors and may contribute to VS pathophysiology.
Online sustainability disclosure practices in the university context. The role of the board of directors
Authors: Nicolò Giuseppe , Aversano Natalia , Sannino Giuseppe , Tartaglia Polcini Paolo
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The study aims to examine the impact of corporate governance in terms of certain board characteristics on the level of universities’ voluntary sustainability disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis based on a comprehensive disclosure index – that also accounts for the impact that COVID-19 exerted on the social dimension of university activities – is performed on a sample of Italian public universities’ websites for the year 2020. An ordinary least squares regression model is estimated to test the association between universities’ board characteristics, namely, board size, board independence and board gender diversity (including the presence of a female rector), and online sustainability disclosure.

Findings

This study provides evidence that websites represent a valid tool used by universities to highlight their social performance and demonstrate their commitment to dealing with the pandemic’s social and economic disruption by supporting their stakeholders. Board gender diversity and female Rector’s presence are crucial factors that positively impact voluntary sustainability disclosure levels.

Practical implications

Policymakers and regulators can benefit from the study’s findings. Using the results of this study, they may reflect on the need to regulate sustainability reporting in universities. In addition, findings may offer policymakers inspiration for regulating the presence of women on university boards.

Originality/value

This study offers novel contributions to existing literature analysing the university’s voluntary sustainability disclosure practices through alternative communication tools such as websites. Moreover, it provides novel insight into the role of the board gender diversity in university sustainability disclosure practices.
Covid-19 disclosure: do internal corporate governance and audit quality matter?
Authors: Abdelhak Engy ELsayed , Hussainey Khaled , Albitar Khaldoon
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of internal corporate governance and audit quality on the level of COVID-19 disclosure in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use manual content analysis to measure levels of COVID-19 disclosure in the narrative sections of annual reports. The authors analyze all companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange over 2020–2021. The authors use different regression models to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis adds to the literature in two crucial respects. First, it provides a measure for COVID-19 disclosure in Egypt. Second, it provides evidence that governance mechanisms (board diversity, audit committee [AC] independence), auditor type and audit opinion affect the level of COVID-19 disclosure. The higher level of COVID-19 disclosure is associated with firms with more female directors on the board, being audited by one of the big four audit firms and receiving standard clean audit opinion. While the inexistence of an AC and more executives on the AC negatively affect COVID-19 disclosure levels.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the only paper that examines COVID-19 disclosure in the Egyptian context. It is also the first paper that provides evidence on the impact of internal governance and audit quality on COVID-19 disclosure.
Correlation between assessment of cytochrome P450 1A2 activity and enzyme activity scores, and their relation to clozapine exposure
Authors: Alarcan Hugo , Cannet Pauline , Camus Vincent , Fond Guillaume , Zendjidjian Xavier , Guilhaumou Romain , Quaranta Sylvie
Published: December 2022

Aims

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is involved in the metabolism of antipsychotic drugs such as clozapine and olanzapine. Personalization of these treatments requires an accurate estimation of CYP1A2 activity. In this study, we aimed (1) to evaluate the correlation between activity score (AS), covariate‐corrected activity score (CCS) and the phenotype of CYP1A2 using a caffeine test probe and (2) to investigate their relationship with dose‐adjusted clozapine concentrations in a subgroup of the cohort.

Methods

A multicentric, retrospective and observational study was carried out in the French university hospitals of Marseille and Tours. CYP1A2 activity was calculated by the paraxanthine/caffeine (17X/137X) ratio determined 4 h after an oral intake of 100 mg caffeine. AS was calculated according to the CYP1A2*1F alleles. CCS was calculated according to the CYP1A2*1F alleles, smoking status and the presence of concomitant inhibitors.

Results

As expected, among the 89 patients included, the 17X/137X ratio was significantly higher in patients who smoked. We found a significant but modest correlation between the 17X/137X ratio and CCS (R2 = 0.3, P = 1.74 × 10–8) but none between the 17X/137X ratio and AS (R2 = −0.007, P = 0.52). AS was not correlated with dose‐adjusted clozapine levels, contrary to CCS (R2 = 0.19, P = 0.016) and especially the 17X/137X ratio (R2 = 0.42, P = 1.7 × 10−5).

Conclusions

Correlation with clozapine concentrations showed the advantage of the 17X/137X ratio over the CCS in clozapine dose optimization. CYP1A2 activity, especially when determined by the caffeine probe, may be used to personalize clozapine dosing for patients experiencing treatment failure.
A thematic analysis of YouTube comments on a television documentary titled ‘Diabulimia: The World's most dangerous eating disorder’
Authors: Ferrey Amy , Ashworth Georgia , Cabling Mark , Rundblad Gabriella , Ismail Khalida
Published: December 2022

Aim

Omitting insulin for fear of weight gain is a type of disordered eating (also labelled as diabulimia) common in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is associated with a worse biomedical prognosis but is not a formally recognised condition. This research explored the public's opinion of diabulimia as a condition as presented in a television documentary.

Methods

We conducted a coding reliability thematic analysis using NVivo software of the original comments to a YouTube documentary ‘Diabulimia: The World's Most Dangerous Eating Disorder’ between 24 September 2017 and 16 June 2020.

Results

Of 1424 original comments, 1264 were eligible and uploaded into NVivo 12. The commenters were people with T1D, family and friends, health care professionals, and the wider public who collectively had questions, personal stories and/or opinions. Three main themes were discerned: lack of awareness of diabulimia as a condition; the importance of support; diabulimia as a psychiatric condition in the diabetes setting.

Conclusion

This analysis of social media comments found that there is a lack of awareness of diabulimia amongst patients, their families and friends, and healthcare professionals and that there were many commenters who had the experience of disordered eating with T1D. This study has reported on themes that suggest there may be an eating disorder specifically in people with T1D and that further work is needed to understand the diagnostic criteria for diabulimia in order to develop effective treatments.
Fish community structure and its relationships with environmental variables in subtropical headwater rivers
Authors: Yang Jing , wen Jiaoping , Wu Haijun , Yang Qiuju , Yin Hong , Hu Maolin
Published: December 2022

Fish community structure could be directly and indirectly affected by biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors. Although fish community suffered less disturbance than big rivers, moderate disturbance could also change fish community structure in mountain rivers due to environmental variables such as current velocity, water depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and acidity. However, there are limited information about changes in fish composition in mountain river where less human disturbance. So the objective of this study was to elucidate fish diversity and community assembly patterns and identify relationships between environmental parameters and fish community structures. This survey was conducted seasonally at 16 locations in five rivers in Pingxiang city from June 2019 to May 2020. A total of 56 species were collected, and 16 fish species were endemic to China. The index of relative importance showed that Rhodeus ocellatus was the most dominant species in these rivers. The fish species showed low abundance and diversity in Pingxiang city. Cluster and non‐metric multidimensional sequencing analyses showed clear spatial segregation, which divided the 16 sample sites into four significantly different groups. Permutational analysis of variance showed a significant difference in fish composition among the sites (p = .002). Furthermore, similarity percentages analysis showed that 15 fish species contributed to the greatest extent, and 13 fish species were divergent among the groups. The redundancy analysis revealed that water depth, pH and water temperature were the predominant factors contributing to the variation in fish composition. Thus, these results could guide the restoration and spatial management of fish resources as well as provide theories for the formulation of relevant conservation policies.
Aquinas on the Immortality of the Soul: Some Reflections
Authors: Hewitt Simon Thomas
Published: December 2022

Aquinas's thoughts about the human soul present us with a puzzle. On the one hand, Thomas has been applauded within the analytic tradition as an anti‐dualistic thinker, who emphasises the animal nature of human beings and denies that there could be disembodied human persons. Yet on the other hand he holds, as a faithful Catholic theologian, that the human soul survives death, and maintains that the post‐mortem soul, prior to its reunification with the body is the subject of characteristically personal intellectual activities. This paper reviews the state of the debate regarding whether these commitments of Aquinas's can be reconciled, and concludes that they cannot in his own terms. However, a recognisably thomist approach to the post‐mortem survival of the soul is available, proceeding on the basis that to be rationally ensouled is to have a life‐story.
CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative acute myeloid leukaemia: A higher association with NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutations
Authors: Gajendra Smeeta , Gupta Ritu , Thakral Deepshi , Gupta Sanjeev Kumar , Jain Garima , Bakhshi Sameer , Sharma Atul , Sahoo Ranjeet Kumar , Kumar Lalit , Rai Sandeep , Singh Saroj , Upadhyay Ashish Datt
Published: December 2022

Introduction

CD34 and HLA‐DR negativity is often used as a characteristic immunophenotypic feature of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) that differentiates APL from other subtypes of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, other subtypes of AML, without expression of CD34 and HLA‐DR antigens, have also been reported.

Methods

We analysed the HLA‐DR negative de novo non‐APL AML cases by dividing HLA‐DR negative non‐APL group into 2 sub‐groups based on CD34 expression and compared the characteristics of CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative with CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative non‐APL AML cases with respect to morphologic, immunophenotypic, molecular and clinical parameters.

Results

There were 70 cases (8.54%) which were CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative and 52 cases (6.34%) were CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative. The median age at diagnosis was higher in CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative AML than in CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative AML group (38 years vs. 12 years, p < 0.001). DIC rate was higher in CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative group than the other group (p < 0.001). Median total leucocyte count was higher with higher blast count in peripheral blood and bone marrow in CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative AML cases than the other group (p < 0.05). CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative AML was more associated with normal karyotype (96.2% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.001), NPM1 mutation (67.8% vs. 8.3%; p < 0.001) and FLT‐ITD mutation (37.3% vs. 13.9%; p < 0.05). In CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative group, 16 cases had co‐occurrence of NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutations, whereas no case of CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative group had such dual mutation positivity. There was poor median overall survival [3.8 months (95%CI: 2.3–7.8 months) vs. 20.4 months (95% CI: 12.8–25.7 months); p = 0.0148] in CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative AML than CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative AML cases.

Conclusion

We found that the CD34 negative HLADR negative non APL AML is highly associated with NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutation, older age at diagnosis, DIC, higher total leucocyte count, higher blast counts and normal karyotype in comparison to CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative AML group. Co‐occurrence of NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD mutation was also exclusively seen in CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative group. There was poor overall survival in CD34 positive HLA‐DR negative AML than CD34 negative HLA‐DR negative AML cases.
Problem checklists and standardized diagnostic interviews: evidence of psychometric equivalence for classifying psychiatric disorder among children and youth in epidemiological studies
Authors: Boyle Michael H. , Duncan Laura , Wang Li , Georgiades Katholiki
Published: December 2022

Background

The standard approach for classifying child/youth psychiatric disorder as present or absent in epidemiological studies is lay‐administered structured, standardized diagnostic interviews (interviews) based on categorical taxonomies such as the DSM and ICD. Converting problem checklist scale scores (checklists) to binary classifications provides a simple, inexpensive alternative.

Methods

Using assessments obtained from 737 parents, we determine if child/youth behavioral, attentional, and emotional disorder classifications based on checklists are equivalent psychometrically to interview classifications. We test this hypothesis by (1) comparing their test–retest reliabilities based on kappa (κ), (2) estimating their observed agreement at times 1 and 2, and (3) in structural equation models, comparing their strength of association with clinical status and reported use of prescription medication to treat disorder. A confidence interval approach is used to determine if parameter differences lie within the smallest effect size of interest set at ±0.125.

Results

The test–retest reliabilities (κ) for interviews compared with checklists met criteria for statistical equivalence: behavioral, .67 and .70; attentional, .64 and .66; and emotional, .61 and .65. Observed agreement between the checklist and interviews on classifications of disorder at times 1 and 2 was, on average, κ = .61. On average, the β coefficients estimating associations with clinical status were .59 (interviews) and .63 (checklists); and with prescription medication use, .69 (interviews) and .71 (checklists). Behavioral and attentional disorders met criteria for statistical equivalence. Emotional disorder did not, although the coefficients were stronger numerically for the checklist.

Conclusions

Classifications of child/youth psychiatric disorder from parent‐reported checklists and interviews are equivalent psychometrically. The practical advantages of checklists over interviews for classifying disorder (lower administration cost and respondent burden) are enhanced by their ability to measure disorder dimensionally. Checklists provide an option to interviews in epidemiological studies of common child/youth psychiatric disorders.
Intervention design in cognitively impaired populations—Lessons learned from the OPTIMIZE deprescribing pragmatic trial
Authors: Sheehan Orla C. , Gleason Kathy S. , Bayliss Elizabeth A. , Green Ariel R. , Drace Melanie L. , Norton Jonathan , Reeve Emily , Shetterly Susan M. , Weffald Linda A. , Sawyer Jennifer K. , Maciejewski Matthew L. , Kraus Courtney , Maiyani Mahesh , Wolff Jennifer , Boyd Cynthia M.
Published: December 2022

Background

Polypharmacy is common in older adults with cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions, increasing risks of adverse drug events, hospitalization, and death. Deprescribing, the process of reducing or stopping potentially inappropriate medications, may improve outcomes. The OPTIMIZE pragmatic trial examined whether educating and activating patients, family members and clinicians about deprescribing reduces number of chronic medications and potentially inappropriate medications. Acceptability and challenges of intervention delivery in cognitively impaired older adults are not well understood.

Methods

We explored mechanisms of intervention implementation through post hoc qualitative interviews and surveys with stakeholder groups of 15 patients, 7 caregivers, and 28 clinicians. We assessed the context in which the intervention was delivered, its implementation, and mechanisms of impact.

Results

Acceptance of the intervention was affected by contextual factors including cognition, prior knowledge of deprescribing, communication, and time constraints. All stakeholder groups endorsed the acceptability, importance, and delivery of the intervention. Positive mechanisms of impact included patients scheduling specific appointments to discuss deprescribing and providers being prompted to consider deprescribing. Recollection of intervention materials was inconsistent but most likely shortly after intervention delivery. Short visit times remained the largest provider barrier to deprescribing.

Conclusions

Our work identifies key learnings in intervention delivery that can guide future scaling of deprescribing interventions in this population. We highlight the critical roles of timing and repetition in intervention delivery to cognitively impaired populations and the barrier posed by short consultation times. The acceptability of the intervention to patients and family members highlights the potential to incorporate deprescribing education into routine clinical practice and expand proven interventions to other vulnerable populations.
Paediatric rhabdomyolysis: A UK centre's 10‐year retrospective experience
Authors: Harmer Matthew J , Nijloveanu Veronica , Thodi Eftychia , Ding Wen Y , Longthorpe Catherine , Fenton‐Jones Mary , Hogg Kirstin , Day Andrew , Platt Caroline
Published: December 2022

Aims

To describe the aetiologies of paediatric rhabdomyolysis and explore the medium‐term renal consequences.

Methods

Retrospective, single‐centre review of children with rhabdomyolysis.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐two children met inclusion criteria for the analysis. Mean age at presentation was 8.4 (SD ± 5.5) years. The commonest aetiology was infection (28%), with viral myositis making up the clear majority (75%). Trauma was identified as a cause in 18% of children, seizures in 10% and immune‐mediated mechanisms in 8%. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was present in 32% of the cases overall. Children with AKI tended to be younger, with higher peak creatine kinase (CK) and active urinary sediment on urinalysis at presentation. AKI and the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) were associated with a prolonged hospital stay (15 (interquartile range, IQR 6.5–33) vs. 2 (IQR 0–7) days). A total of 18 children and young people required RRT, with a mean duration of 7.1 ± 4.3 days. Those who received RRT were more likely to have abnormalities on urinalysis at presentation (46% vs. 5%). Over the period of the study, 9% of children died and 2% met criteria for a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease.

Conclusions

This large paediatric rhabdomyolysis case series provides new and unique insights into the condition. Our results highlight the common aetiologies and provide evidence of good renal recovery overall, even in the most severely affected cases. Abnormalities of urinalysis appear to be important in predicting the development of AKI and the need for RRT.
Perioperative management in chronically anticoagulated children undergoing tonsillectomy
Authors: Hazkani Inbal , Billings Kathleen R. , Edwards Evan , Stein Eli , Bhat Rukhmi , Lavin Jennifer
Published: December 2022

Background

When undergoing tonsillectomy, patients at high risk of thrombosis who require chronic anticoagulation therapy pose a special challenge as bleeding may occur up to 2 weeks after surgery. Because of a lack of evidence‐based data, there is no consensus on the best management for such patients. The objective of our study was to review perioperative anticoagulation bridging strategies in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

Methods

The study group were a retrospective series of patients on chronic anticoagulation therapy at high risk of a thromboembolic event, who underwent tonsillectomy from 2010 to 2021. Patients whose anticoagulation treatment was discontinued because of a low risk of thromboembolic events were excluded.

Results

Four patients met the inclusion criteria (age range, 1.5–16.1 years). All patients were admitted prior to surgery for bridging therapy with intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH), drip‐titrated to a therapeutic dose until 4–6 h prior to surgery. The estimated blood loss during surgery was minimal in all surgeries. Unfractionated heparin was readministered according to the hospital protocol on the night of surgery and titrated to a therapeutic dose. Warfarin was restarted within 2 days postsurgery for all patients. High‐risk patients were kept in hospital until postoperative day 6–8 because of concern for delayed bleeding. One patient was noticed to have blood‐tinged sputum requiring no intervention; none of the patients developed early or delayed hematemesis.

Conclusions

Our data show that bridging therapy with UFH has been successful in chronically anticoagulated patients undergoing tonsillectomy. These patients require multidisciplinary care for the management of their pre‐ and postoperative course.
Genomic Characterization of Skin and Soft Tissue Streptococcus pyogenes Isolates from a Low-Income and a High-Income Setting
Authors: Bah Saikou Y. , Keeley Alexander J. , Armitage Edwin P. , Khalid Henna , Chaudhuri Roy R. , Senghore Elina , Manneh Jarra , Tilley Lisa , Marks Michael , Darboe Saffiatou , Sesay Abdul K. , de Silva Thushan I. , Turner Claire E. , Erhart Annette , Smeesters Pierre R. , Antonio Martin , Jabang Sona , Kampmann Beate , Roca Anna , Cox Isatou Jagne , Tiencheu Peggy-Estelle , Mackenzie Grant
Published: December 2022

The global burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has triggered a World Health Organization response to drive forward development of a vaccine against the causative human pathogen
Streptococcus pyogenes
. This burden stems primarily from low- and middle-income settings where there are high levels of
S. pyogenes
skin and soft tissue infections, which can lead to RHD.
Butyrate as a Potential Driver of a Dysbiotic Shift of the Tongue Microbiota
Authors: Chen Bou-Jon , Takeshita Toru , Tajikara Teppei , Asakawa Mikari , Kageyama Shinya , Shibata Yukie , Ayukawa Yasunori , Yano Yoshitaka , Yamashita Yoshihisa
Published: December 2022

Oral microbial populations that are always ingested with saliva have attracted increasing attention because more oral microorganisms than previously known reach distal organs, such as the lungs and intestinal tract, thereby affecting our health. However, although such organisms are predominately derived from the tongue dorsum, the dynamics and determinants of the tongue microbiota composition remain unclear.
Protease-Independent Production of Poliovirus Virus-like Particles in Pichia pastoris: Implications for Efficient Vaccine Development and Insights into Capsid Assembly
Authors: Sherry Lee , Swanson Jessica J. , Grehan Keith , Xu Huijun , Uchida Mai , Jones Ian M. , Stonehouse Nicola J. , Rowlands David J.
Published: December 2022

The widespread use of vaccines has dramatically reduced global incidence of poliovirus infections over a period of several decades and now the wild-type virus is only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, current vaccines require the culture of large quantities of replication-competent virus for their manufacture, thus presenting a potential risk of reintroduction into the environment.
Mantellic degassing of helium in an extensional active tectonic setting at the front of a magmatic arc (central Mexico)
Authors: Billarent-Cedillo Andrea , Hernandez-Pérez Eliseo , Levresse Gilles , Inguaggiato Claudio , Ferrari Luca , Inguaggiato Salvatore , López-Alvis Jorge , Silva-Fragoso Argelia
Published: December 2022

The physicochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater and dissolved gas of central Mexico provide valuable information about the geologic and tectonic context of the area. Low–high-enthalpy manifestations (up to 98 °C in springs and more than 100 °C in geothermal wells) are distributed within the San Juan del Río, Querétaro, and Celaya hydrologic basins, located at the boundary between the current Mexican magmatic arc and an extensional continental area with intraplate volcanism called Mesa Central Province. Groundwaters in the study area represent a mixture between the cold water end-member with a Ca2+-Mg2+-HCO3-composition and a hydrothermal end-member enriched in Na+, K+, SO42−, and Cl-. Cold and hot groundwaters δ2H and δ18O plot along the same evaporation lines and do not exhibit a magmatic input. Dissolved and free gas do not show a typical volcanic composition signature. He and Ne isotope composition provide evidence of an important contribution of non-atmospheric noble gases. Although helium composition mainly has a crustal origin (21–83%), the mantellic contribution (1–39%) is higher than expected for an area lacking recent volcanism. A volatilerich magma aging at depth was discarded as the source of this mantellic helium signature but points out a recent mantellic contribution. Thus, we propose that mantellic helium comes from the sublithospheric mantle into the shallow crust through the highly permeable tectonic boundaries between the geologic provinces, namely the N−S Taxco−San Miguel de Allende and Chapala-Tula fault systems. Mantellic helium flow rates through these fault systems were estimated to have values ranging from 0.1 m/yr to 2.9 m/yr. This He flux range implies that aside from subduction, mantle volatile degassing enhanced by crustal fault systems is the main degassing process in the region studied.
Mixing age and risk groups for accessing COVID-19 vaccines: a modelling study
Authors: Wang Hongming , Ibuka Yoko , Nakamura Ryota
Published: December 2022

Objective

To characterise the optimal targeting of age and risk groups for COVID-19 vaccines.

Design

Motivated by policies in Japan and elsewhere, we consider rollouts that target a mix of age and risk groups when distributing the vaccines. We identify the optimal group mix for three policy objectives: reducing deaths, reducing cases and reducing severe cases.

Setting

Japan, a country where the rollout occurred over multiple stages targeting a mix of age and risk groups in each stage.

Primary outcomes

We use official statistics on COVID-19 deaths to quantify the virus transmission patterns in Japan. We then search over all possible group mix across rollout stages to identify the optimal strategies under different policy objectives and virus and vaccination conditions.

Results

Low-risk young adults can be targeted together with the high-risk population and the elderly to optimally reduce deaths, cases and severe cases under high virus transmissibility. Compared with targeting the elderly or the high-risk population only, applying optimal group mix can further reduce deaths and severe cases by over 60%. High-efficacy vaccines can mitigate the health loss under suboptimal targeting in the rollout.

Conclusions

Mixing age and risk groups outperforms targeting individual groups separately, and optimising the group mix can substantially increase the health benefits of vaccines. Additional policy measures boosting vaccine efficacy are necessary under outbreaks of transmissible variants.
Survey of quality and clarity of methods and results reporting in 1 year of intervention studies published in high-impact medical and psychiatric journals
Authors: Ravichandran Caitlin , Babb Suzann M , Ongur Dost , Harris Peter Q , Cohen Bruce M
Published: December 2022

Objective

We assessed how well articles in major medical and psychiatric journals followed best reporting practices in presenting results of intervention studies.

Method

Standardised data collection was used to review studies in high-impact and widely read medical (JAMA,LancetandNew England Journal of Medicine) and psychiatric (American Journal of Psychiatry,JAMA Psychiatry,Journal of Clinical PsychiatryandLancet Psychiatry) journals, published between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019. Two team members independently reviewed each article.

Measures

The primary outcome measure was proportion of papers reporting consensus elements required to understand and evaluate the results of the intervention. The secondary outcome measure was comparison of complete and accessible reporting in the major medical versus the major psychiatric journals.

Results

One hundred twenty-seven articles were identified for inclusion. At least 90% of articles in both medical and psychiatric journals included sample size, statistical significance, randomisation method, elements of study flow, and age, sex, and illness severity by randomisation group. Selected elements less frequently reported by either journal type were confidence intervals in the abstract, reported in 93% (95% CI 84% to 97%) of medical journal articles and 58% (95% CI 45% to 69%) of psychiatric journal articles, and sample size method (93%, 95% CI 84% to 97% medical; 69%, 95% CI 57% to 80% psychiatric), race and ethnicity by randomisation group (51%, 95% CI 40% to 63% medical; 73%, 95% CI 60% to 83% psychiatric), and adverse events (94%; 95% CI 86% to 98% medical; 80%, 95% CI 68% to 88% psychiatric) in the main text. CIs were included less often in psychiatric than medical journals (p<0.004 abstract, p=0.04 main text, after multiple-testing correction).

Conclusions

Recommendations include standard inclusion of a table specifying the outcome(s) designated as primary, and the sample size, effect size(s), CI(s) and p value(s) corresponding to the primary test(s) for efficacy.
Peer support and online cognitive behavioural therapy for substance use concerns: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Quilty Lena C , Wardell Jeffrey D , Garner Gord , Elison-Davies Sarah , Davies Glyn , Klekovkina Elizaveta , Corman Michael , Alfonsi Jeffrey , Crawford Allison , de Oliveira Claire , Weekes John
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Hazardous alcohol and drug use is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and societal cost worldwide. Yet, only a minority of those struggling with substance use concerns receive specialised services. Numerous barriers to care exist, highlighting the need for scalable and engaging treatment alternatives. Online interventions have exhibited promise in the reduction of substance use, although studies to date highlight the key importance of patient engagement to optimise clinical outcomes. Peer support may provide a way to engage patients using online interventions. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Breaking Free Online (BFO), an online cognitive-behavioural intervention for substance use, delivered with and without peer support.

Methods and analysis

A total of 225 outpatients receiving standard care will be randomised to receive clinical monitoring with group peer support, with BFO alone, or with BFO with individual peer support, in an 8-week trial with a 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome is substance use frequency; secondary outcomes include substance use problems, depression, anxiety, quality of life, treatment engagement and cost-effectiveness. Mixed effects models will be used to test hypotheses, and thematic analysis of qualitative data will be undertaken.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has received approval by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research Ethics Board. Results will help to optimise the effectiveness of structured online substance use interventions provided as an adjunct to standard care in hospital-based treatment programmes. Findings will be disseminated through presentations and publications to scholarly and knowledge user audiences.

Trial registration number

NCT05127733
Improving the utilisation of medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder at discharge
Authors: Arms Luther , Johl Hershan , DeMartini Jeremy
Published: December 2022

Alcohol use disorder is a constellation of symptoms and behaviours related to dependence and abuse. It is present in 11.0% of US adults and is a leading cause of death and healthcare expenditures in the USA. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is medication to reduce cravings, decrease rewards or limit withdrawal symptoms in combination with behavioural therapy.

A review of all patients with an alcohol-related condition admitted to internal medicine teams at an academic medical centre over a 7-month period (N=583) identified that only 1.4% (n=8) were discharged with an MAT prescription. Quality improvement methods were used to increase the proportion of patients discharged with an MAT prescription.

Implementing educational interventions and embedding a recommendation for MAT into the order sets used to treat alcohol withdrawal increased the percentage of patients with an alcohol-related condition that were discharged with an MAT prescription to 11.2%.

MAT remains an underused intervention for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. However, combining educational and structural interventions, including just-in-time teaching, can successfully increase the percentage of patients who receive an MAT prescription.
Modelling decisions concerning the dispatch of airtankers for initial attack on forest fires in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Wheatley Melanie , Wotton B. Mike , Woolford Douglas G. , Martell David L. , Johnston Joshua M.
Published: December 2022

Airtankers are commonly used for initial attack (IA) to reduce the likelihood of wildland fires escaping containment efforts. We examined IA airtanker dispatch decisions for forest fires in Ontario, Canada, through an analysis of historical fire records from 2001 to 2019. A hurdle modelling approach that predicts the probability of airtanker(s) being dispatched and then the number of airtankers sent was used. Two different hurdle models were considered depending on the timing of the information available to the decision maker: a “fire report model” based upon the information available when a fire is first reported, and an “initial attack model” using information available at the time IA action began. Both models indicated that the most influential covariates for airtanker dispatch are the fire weather index, fuel volatility, observed fire rate of spread, fire size at IA, and cause of ignition. When evaluating the predictive ability of the models on a validation data set, the “initial attack model” performed better than the “fire report model”. Our models generally perform well when predicting none, one, or two airtankers on IA, but they generally underpredict when more than two airtankers are dispatched, which suggests risk-averse decision-making in fire management resource dispatching.
Effects of Electric Field and External Magnetic Field on the Electronic and Thermoelectric Properties of the h-BAs Monolayer and Bilayer: Tight-Binding Approach
Authors: Abdi Mona , Norian Erfan , Astinchap Bandar , Ghobadi Nader , Frozan Fazlahmad
Published: December 2022

Newly, two-dimensional (2D) materials atoms of groups IV and III-V have obtained extensive attention due to their novel properties. In this work, we apply the tight-binding model and Green’s function approach to the hexagonal boron arsenide (h-BAs) monolayer and bilayer to investigate their electronic and thermoelectric properties. We find that the h-BAs monolayer behaves as a p-type semiconductor and it can be changed to the n-type by applying the external magnetic field. Also, the h-BAs bilayer with (A-A) stacked has a semi-metallic property but (A-B) stacked is a semiconductor. The results show that the band gap can be controlled by applying an electric field and an external magnetic field. We obtain that the thermal and electrical conductivity of the h-BAs monolayer and bilayer increase in the presence of an electric field and an external magnetic field. More, controlling the Seebeck coefficient of the material is a unique phenomenon that provides advanced applications for these materials in thermoelectric coolers and waste heat harvesting. Here, we have been able to regulate the Seebeck coefficient of the h-BAs monolayer and bilayer by using the electric and external magnetic fields.
Sequence determinants and solution conditions underlying liquid to solid phase transition
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Chen Taoyu , You Kaiqing , Peng Tao , Li Tingting
Published: December 2022

Life consists of numberless functional biomolecules that exist in various states. Besides well-dissolved phases, biomolecules especially proteins and nucleic acids can form liquid droplets through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Stronger interactions promote a solid-like state of biomolecular condensates, which are also formerly referred to as detergent-insoluble aggregates. Solid-like condensates exist in vivo physiologically and pathologically, and their formation has not been fully understood. Recently, more and more research has proven that liquid to solid phase transition (LST) is an essential way to form solid condensates. In this review, we summarized the regions in the sequence that have different impacts on phase transition and emphasized that the LST is affected by its sequence characteristics. Moreover, increasing evidence unveiled that LST is affected by various solution conditions. We discussed solution conditions like protein concentration, pH, ATP, ions, and small molecules in a solution. Methods have been established to study these solid phase components. Here, we summarized low-throughput experimental techniques and high-throughput omics methods in the study of the LST.