bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
History of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Institute for Laboratory Animal Research
Authors: Kinter Lewis B , Dysko Robert C , Natterson-Horowitz Barbara , Brayton Cory F
Published: December 2022

The Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) was created within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) in 1953 when biomedical research using animals was in its infancy in terms of quantity, quality, complexity, sophistication, and care. Over the intervening 69 years, ILAR has witnessed unprecedented growth, followed by unprecedented decline, and then regrowth in usage of specific species and models and an overall shift in experimental burden away from larger to smaller species (ie, mice, fish, and rats). ILAR has contributed much to the evolution of necessary research using animals and animal models for the benefit of humans, animals, and the environment and to the development and implementation of humane principles and standards for care and use of research animals. ILAR has served as a “neutral broker” seeking consensus, solutions, common ground, and pathways forward for all professional constituencies engaged in conduct of animal research. In 2022, ILAR will become the Board on Animal Health Sciences, Conservation, and Research (BAHSCR) within the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Academies and the ILAR Journal will pause publication with volume 62. This manuscript recounts the history and accomplishments of ILAR 1953–2022, emphasizing the past 2 decades. The manuscript draws upon ILAR’s communications and previously published histories to document ILAR’s leaders, reports, publications, conferences, workshops, and roundtables using text, tables, references, and extensive supplemental tables. The authors’ intention is to provide the scientific community with a single source document for ILAR, and they apologize for any omissions and errors.
Herd and animal factors affect the variability of total and differential somatic cell count in bovine milk
Authors: Stocco Giorgia , Cipolat-Gotet Claudio , Stefanon Bruno , Zecconi Alfonso , Francescutti Maurizio , Mountricha Maria , Summer Andrea
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study was to quantify some environmental (individual herds, herd productivity, milking system, and season) and animal factors [individual animals, breed, days in milk (DIM) and parity] on the variability of the log-10 transformation of somatic cell count (LSCC) and differential somatic cell count (DSCC) on individual bovine milk. A total of 159,360 test-day records related to milk production and composition were extracted from 12,849 Holstein-Friesian and 9,275 Simmental cows distributed across 223 herds. Herds were classified into high and low productivity, defined according to the average daily milk net energy output (DMEO) yielded by the cows. Data included daily milk yield (DYM; kg/d), milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and DSCC, and information on herds (i.e., productivity, milking system). The daily production of total and differential somatic cells in milk was calculated and then log-10 transformed, obtaining DLSCC and DLDSCC, respectively. Data were analyzed using a mixed model including the effects of individual herd, animal, repeated measurements intra animal as random, and herd productivity, milking system, season, breed, DIM, parity, DIM × parity, breed × season, DIM × milking system and parity × milking system as fixed factors. Herds with a high DMEO were characterized by a lower content of LSCC and DSCC, and higher DLSCC and DLDSCC, compared to the low DMEO herds. The association between milking system and somatic cell traits suggested that the use of the automatic milking systems would not allow for a rapid intervention on the cow, as evidenced by the higher content of all somatic cell traits compared to the other milking systems. Season was an important source of variation, as evidenced by high LSCC and DSCC content in milk during summer. Breed of cow had a large influence, with Holstein-Friesian having greater LSCC, DSCC, DLSCC, and DLDSCC compared to Simmental. With regard to DIM, the variability of LSCC was mostly related to that of DSCC, showing an increase from calving to the end of lactation, and suggesting the higher occurrence of chronic mastitis in cows toward the end of lactation. All the somatic cell traits increased across number of parities, possibly because older cows may have increased susceptibility to intramammary infections.
Resistance of Spodoptera frugiperda to Cry1, Cry2, and Vip3Aa Proteins in Bt Corn and Cotton in the Americas: Implications for the Rest of the World
Authors: Yang Fei , Wang Zhenying , Kerns David L
Published: December 2022

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is an economically important pest of corn, cotton, and soybean, and a major target of transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins. In recent years, this insect has invaded most countries in Africa, Southeastern Asia, and Oceania, posing a great threat to food security. Successful use of Bt crops in the U.S. indicates that Bt technology can be an effective tool for management of S. frugiperda in other countries. Evolution of insect resistance is the primary threat to the long-term efficacy of Bt technology. There are many factors that may affect the rate of evolution of insect resistance to Bt crops, which include initial resistance allele frequency, the dose of Bt protein in Bt crops, cross-resistance, complete/incomplete resistance, and fitness costs associated with resistance. Currently, the high dose/refuge and gene-pyramiding approaches are the two main IRM strategies used in the U.S. to combat evolution of insect resistance. In this paper, we review research on resistance of S. frugiperda to Cry1, Cry2, and Vip3Aa proteins. Specifically, we discuss the resistance allele frequencies of S. frugiperda to these three proteins in the field, the genetic basis of resistance, the patterns of cross-resistance, and the fitness costs associated with resistance. Experience and knowledge gained from these studies provide valuable information for the successful use of Bt crop technology for control of S. frugiperda worldwide.
A Special Collection:Spodoptera frugiperda(Fall Armyworm): Ecology and Management of its World-Scale Invasion Outside of the Americas
Authors: Van den Berg Johnnie , Brewer Michael J , Reisig Dominic D
Published: December 2022

The Special Collection ‘Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm): Ecology and Management of its World-scale Invasion Outside of the Americas’ presents reviews and research that address topics of overarching interest and contributes to a better understanding of this pest and its management, now that it has spread outside the Americas. The collection is a combination of invited articles presenting new information published for the first time, invited review papers, and a selection of relevant high-quality articles previously published in Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE). Articles in the Collection, as well as selected citations of articles in other publications, reflect the increase in research on S. frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which became the most important pest of maize in the world during recent years. This Special Collection addresses a wide range of topics, including pest behavior, host strains, insecticide and Bt protein resistance, biological control, host plant resistance, and yield loss estimates. Topics are presented in context of research primarily conducted in regions outside of the Americas where S. frugiperda has invaded and disrupted crop production to varying degrees. In recognition of further spread, the threat of a S. frugiperda invasion into Europe and potential management options are also presented.
Foliar Antibiotic Treatment Reduces Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Acquisition by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), but Does not Reduce Tree Infection Rate
Authors: Roldán Erik L , Stelinski Lukasz L , Pelz-Stelinski Kirsten S
Published: December 2022

Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, is the most destructive disease of cultivated citrus worldwide. Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the putative causal agent of HLB, is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). In Florida, D. citri was first reported in 1998, and CLas was confirmed in 2005. Management of HLB relies on the use of insecticides to reduce vector populations. In 2016, antibiotics were approved to manage CLas infection in citrus. Diaphorina citri is host to several bacterial endosymbionts and reducing endosymbiont abundance is known to cause a corresponding reduction in host fitness. We hypothesized that applications of oxytetracycline and streptomycin would reduce: CLas populations in young and mature citrus trees, CLas acquisition by D. citri, and D. citri abundance. Our results indicate that treatment of citrus with oxytetracycline and streptomycin reduced acquisition of CLas by D. citri adults and emerging F1 nymphs as compared with that observed in trees treated only with insecticides, but not with antibiotics. However, under field conditions, neither antibiotic treatment frequency tested affected CLas infection of young or mature trees as compared with insecticide treatment alone (negative control); whereas trees enveloped with mesh screening that excluded vectors did prevent bacterial infection (positive control). Populations of D. citri were not consistently affected by antibiotic treatment under field conditions, as compared with an insecticide only comparison. Collectively, our results suggest that while foliar application of oxytetracycline and streptomycin to citrus reduces acquisition of CLas bacteria by the vector, even high frequency applications of these formulations under field conditions do not prevent or reduce tree infection.
TERRA increases at short telomeres in yeast survivors and regulates survivor associated senescence (SAS)
Authors: Misino Stefano , Busch Anke , Wagner Carolin B , Bento Fabio , Luke Brian
Published: December 2022

Cancer cells achieve immortality by employing either homology-directed repair (HDR) or the telomerase enzyme to maintain telomeres. ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) refers to the subset of cancer cells that employ HDR. Many ALT features are conserved from yeast to human cells, with the yeast equivalent being referred to as survivors. The non-coding RNA TERRA, and its ability to form RNA–DNA hybrids, has been implicated in ALT/survivor maintenance by promoting HDR. It is not understood which telomeres in ALT/survivors engage in HDR, nor is it clear which telomeres upregulate TERRA. Using yeast survivors as a model for ALT, we demonstrate that HDR only occurs at telomeres when they become critically short. Moreover, TERRA levels steadily increase as telomeres shorten and decrease again following HDR-mediated recombination. We observe that survivors undergo cycles of senescence, in a similar manner to non-survivors following telomerase loss, which we refer to as survivor associated senescence (SAS). Similar to ‘normal’ senescence, we report that RNA–DNA hybrids slow the rate of SAS, likely through the elongation of critically short telomeres, however decreasing the rate of telomere shortening may contribute to this effect. In summary, TERRA RNA–DNA hybrids regulate telomere dysfunction-induced senescence before and after survivor formation.
The Association Between USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge Scores and Residency Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shirkhodaie Camron , Avila Santiago , Seidel Henry , Gibbons Robert D. , Arora Vineet M. , Farnan Jeanne M.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

With the change in Step 1 score reporting, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) may become a pivotal factor in resident selection. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to synthesize existing observational studies that assess the relationship between Step 2 CK scores and measures of resident performance.

Method

The authors searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using terms related to Step 2 CK in 2021. Two researchers identified studies investigating the association between Step 2 CK and measures of resident performance and included studies if they contained a bivariate analysis examining Step 2 CK scores’ association with an outcome of interest: in-training examination (ITE) scores, board certification examination scores, select Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competency assessments, overall resident performance evaluations, or other subjective measures of performance. For outcomes that were investigated by 3 or more studies, pooled effect sizes were estimated with random-effects models.

Results

Among 1,355 potential studies, 68 met inclusion criteria and 43 were able to be pooled. There was a moderate positive correlation between Step 2 CK and ITE scores (0.52, 95% CI 0.45–0.59, P < .01). There was a moderate positive correlation between Step 2 CK and ITE scores for both nonsurgical (0.59, 95% CI 0.51–0.66, P < .01) and surgical specialties (0.41, 95% CI 0.33–0.48, P < .01). There was a very weak positive correlation between Step 2 CK scores and subjective measures of resident performance (0.19, 95% CI 0.13–0.25, P < .01).

Conclusions

This study found Step 2 CK scores have a statistically significant moderate positive association with future examination scores and a statistically significant weak positive correlation with subjective measures of resident performance. These findings are increasingly relevant as Step 2 CK scores will likely become more important in resident selection.
A Simulation of the Effect of Interview Caps on the National Resident Matching Program Match in Otolaryngology
Authors: Mitton Tanner J. , Elder Ryan , Hunter Jacob B.
Published: December 2022

Concerns regarding interview hoarding in the Match process have led to calls for a cap on the number of interviews an applicant can accept. However, no study has examined the effects of interview caps on applicants or a specialty. The authors created a simulation otolaryngology Match to analyze the effects of interview caps. The simulation included 120 residency programs, 360 positions, and 570 applicants (each assigned a competitiveness weighted value). Programs created interview lists (subject to 4 different interview cap conditions: no, 16, 12, and 8 cap) using weighted random selection and the competitiveness weighted values. Programs then selected 3 interviewees to fill their positions via weighted random selection using the competitiveness weighted values. Data analysis explored the effects of interview caps on individual applicants’ probability of matching, the probability of matching with a certain number of interviews, and the average matched applicant competitiveness rank using one-way analysis of variance. The introduction of interview caps caused interviews to be distributed more equally among applicants. The 12-interview cap caused the applicants in the 100th competitiveness percentile to see their probability of matching fall from 99.3% to 67.2% (P< .001). Applicants with ≥ 12 interviews had a probability of matching of 94.4% when there was no cap, compared to 76.9% with a 12-interview cap (P< .001). The average competitiveness rank of matched applicants fell from 191 with no cap to 245 with a 12-interview cap (P< .001). Interview caps in the otolaryngology Match may create major distortions in the probability of matching, leading to much lower chances of matching for more competitive applicants, lower probabilities of matching with certain numbers of interviews, and a decreased average competitiveness of matched applicants.
The Past, Present, and The Future of Carcinoid Heart Disease
Authors: Meir Juliet , Michaud Liana , Frishman William H. , Aronow Wilbert S.
Published: December 2022

Carcinoid heart disease is a frequent manifestation of carcinoid syndrome. It results from the release of a large amount of serotonin and subsequently fibrosis of right sided heart valves, that is, tricuspid and pulmonic valve. This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of carcinoid heart disease. Recent developments in treating carcinoid heart disease have improved the poor prognosis associated with the disease.
Lessons From the Northeast COVID-19 Surge: Well-Being of the Health Care Workforce
Authors: Kiely Sharon C. , Parisi Susan , Farley Heather , Ripp Jonathan
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the US health care system which was already experiencing higher levels of personal burnout among health care workers than the average US worker. Well-being efforts to support the workforce have become a critical countermeasure during the pandemic. This work was presented at the Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health Seminar Series: Clinical Lessons from the Northeast Surge, COVID-19: Spread the Science, not the Virus, held August 18, 2020. The entire series was held virtually from July 21 to September 29, 2020. The authors describe issues impacting health care workers during this early period of the pandemic with two examples of concrete strategies to approach well-being at the organizational level and lessons learned.
Trends in Disease Severity Among Critically Ill Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study in the United States*
Authors: Ross Catherine E. , Burns Jeffrey P. , Grossestreuer Anne V. , Bhattarai Pallav , McKiernan Christine A. , Franks Jennifer D. , Lehmann Sonja , Sorcher Jill L. , Sharron Matthew P. , Wai Kitman , Al-Wahab Haitham , Boukas Konstantinos , Hall Mark W. , Ru George , Sen Anita I. , Rajasekhar Hariprem R. , Kleinman Lawrence C. , McGuire John K. , Arrington Amy S. , Munoz-Rivas Flor , Osborne Christopher M. , Shekerdemian Lara S.
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES:

To describe trends in critical illness from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in children over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that PICU admission rates were higher in the Omicron period compared with the original outbreak but that fewer patients needed endotracheal intubation.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

This study took place in nine U.S. PICUs over 3 weeks in January 2022 (Omicron period) compared with 3 weeks in March 2020 (original period).

PATIENTS:

Patients less than or equal to 21 years old who screened positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection by polymerase chain reaction or hospital-based rapid antigen test and were admitted to a PICU or intermediate care unit were included.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

A total of 267 patients (239 Omicron and 28 original) were reviewed. Forty-five patients in the Omicron cohort had incidental SARS-CoV-2 and were excluded from analysis. The Omicron cohort patients were younger compared with the original cohort patients (median [interquartile range], 6 yr [1.3–13.3 yr] vs 14 yr [8.3–17.3 yr]; p = 0.001). The Omicron period, compared with the original period, was associated with an average increase in COVID-19–related PICU admissions of 13 patients per institution (95% CI, 6–36; p = 0.008), which represents a seven-fold increase in the absolute number admissions. We failed to identify an association between cohort period (Omicron vs original) and odds of intubation (odds ratio, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.3–1.7). However, we cannot exclude the possibility of up to 70% reduction in intubation.

CONCLUSIONS:

COVID-19–related PICU admissions were seven times higher in the Omicron wave compared with the original outbreak. We could not exclude the possibility of up to 70% reduction in use of intubation in the Omicron versus original epoch, which may represent differences in PICU/hospital admission policy in the later period, or pattern of disease, or possibly the impact of vaccination.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*
Authors: Watanabe Atsuyuki , Yasuhara Jun , Karube Takaharu , Watanabe Kae , Shirasu Takuro , Takagi Hisato , Sumitomo Naokata , Lee Simon , Kuno Toshiki
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES:

The indication, complications, and outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children with COVID-19–related illnesses remain unelucidated. Our study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of ECMO in children with COVID-19–related illnesses.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases in March 2022.

STUDY SELECTION:

We retrieved all studies involving children (age ≤ 18 yr) with COVID-19–related illnesses who received ECMO.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Mortality, successful weaning rate, and complications while on ECMO were synthesized by a one-group meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Meta-regression was performed to explore the risk factors for mortality.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

We included 18 observational studies, four case series, and 22 case reports involving 110 children with COVID-19–related illnesses receiving ECMO. The median age was 8 years (range, 10 d to 18 yr), and the median body mass index was 21.4 kg/m2 (range, 12.3–56.0 kg/m2). The most common comorbidities were obesity (11% [7/63]) and congenital heart disease (11% [7/63]), whereas 48% (30/63) were previously healthy. The most common indications for ECMO were multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (52% [47/90]) and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (40% [36/90]). Seventy-one percent (56/79) received venoarterial-ECMO. The median ECMO runtime was 6 days (range, 3–51 d) for venoarterial ECMO and 11 days (range, 3–71 d) for venovenous ECMO. The mortality was 26.6% (95% CI, 15.9–40.9), and the successful weaning rate was 77.0% (95% CI, 55.4–90.1). Complications were seen in 37.0% (95% CI, 23.1–53.5) while on ECMO, including stroke, acute kidney injury, pulmonary edema, and thromboembolism. Corticosteroids and IV immunoglobulin therapies were associated with lower mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

The mortality of children on ECMO for COVID-19 was relatively low. This invasive treatment can be considered as a treatment option for critically ill children with COVID-19.
Emotion Regulation Strategies Relate to Ambulatory Cardiovascular Activity in an American Indian Community
Authors: Tyra Alexandra T. , Ginty Annie T. , Johnson Lester R. , Lafromboise Mary Ellen , Malatare Melveena , Salois Emily , John-Henderson Neha A.
Published: December 2022

Objective

Poor emotion regulation is associated with risk for cardiovascular disease. However, much of this research is conducted in primarily White samples, thus limiting our understanding of this relationship in other racial/ethnic groups. American Indians (AIs) are uniquely and disproportionately at risk for cardiovascular disease. As such, the present study aimed to examine the relationships between emotion regulation strategies and ambulatory cardiovascular activity in an entirely AI sample.

Methods

The sample consisted of 100 AI adults living on a tribal reservation. Emotion regulation strategies (expressive suppression, cognitive reappraisal) were assessed via the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Using ecological momentary assessment, daily measurements of psychological stress and ambulatory cardiovascular activity were taken during a 7-day monitoring period. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlations, hierarchical linear regression models, and mediation models.

Results

Expressive suppression was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as higher pulse rate. In contrast, cognitive reappraisal was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lower pulse rate, and lower average daily psychological stress. These results remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, anxiety, depression, and early life trauma. In addition, psychological stress mediated the associations between blood pressure and cognitive reappraisal, but not expressive suppression.

Conclusions

These results provide preliminary evidence for divergent associations of two emotion regulation strategies with cardiovascular activity and psychological stress in an AI community. Modifying health interventions to include training in effective emotion regulation may be beneficial.
RISK OF HOSPITAL MORTALITY IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH TRANSIENT AND PERSISTENT THROMBOCYTOPENIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Jiang Xuandong , Zhang Weimin , Ma Xuchao , Cheng Xuping
Published: December 2022

Background: Thrombocytopenia (TP), a common occurrence among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), is significantly associated with prolonged ventilator use, prolonged ICU stay, and increased mortality. The duration of TP serves as an indicator of patient outcome, although the exact duration of TP associated with poor patient outcome remains unclear. In this study, the data of 3,291 patients on their first admission to the ICU between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were divided into the no TP, TP 1–2 days, TP 3–6 days, and TP ≥7 days groups based on the duration of TP. External validation was performed using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III data set. Results: A longer duration of TP was significantly associated with high volume of transfusion and high hospital mortality (P < 0.01), and 37.3% of the participants developed TP during their ICU stay. The results of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis after excluding the effects of patients who died shortly after ICU admission revealed the absence of significant differences between the no TP and TP 1–2 days groups (P > 0.05). However, when the duration of TP exceeded 2 days, patient mortality increased with an increase in the duration of TP (P < 0.01). Similar findings were obtained with the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III data set. Conclusions: The duration of TP in critically ill patients is positively correlated with poor patient outcome. We classified TP as either transient TP or persistent TP based on a cutoff duration of 2 days. Monitoring the duration of TP may aid in the prediction of patients’ outcome in the ICU.
CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS-DERIVED PLASMA EXOSOMAL HMGB1 CONTRIBUTES TO ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL CELL NECROPTOSIS VIA mtDNA/CGAS/STING PATHWAY
Authors: Zhao Yupeng , Zhang Jinyuan , Lu Huihong , Mao Yiliang , Qin Jiawen , Wang Yinglin , Wang Xuebin , Dai Zhiguang , Wang Xiangrui , Yang Zhongwei , Hou Lei
Published: December 2022

Our previous study confirmed that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to acute lung injury (ALI) via inducing high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release. Recent research showed that HMGB1 promotes pulmonary injury mainly via exosomes transport. Currently, alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) necroptosis has been demonstrated to be involved in ALI. However, it is unknown whether exosomal inflammatory cytokine HMGB1 promotes ALI by inducing AEC necroptosis, and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, a prospective cohort study was carried out, in which plasma samples from 21 CPB patients were isolated at four specific time points: pre-CPB, 2, 12, and 24 h after initiation of CPB. Plasma exosomes were extracted via ultra-high-speed centrifugation and cocultured with AEC cell line-A549 cells at increasing concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 μg/mL. Then, HMGB1 antagonist-Box A and mtDNA deficiency ethidium bromide (EtBr) were applied to explore the underlying role of exosomal HMGB1 and cytoplasm mitochondrial DNA in AEC. Western blot analysis showed that plasma exosomal HMGB1 expression gradually increased and peaked at 24 h after CPB. Twenty-four–hour treatment of CPB-derived exosomes at 150 μg/mL for 24 h could induce necroptosis by promoting mitochondrial fission and further elevating cytoplasm mtDNA levels in A549 cells, which was successfully blocked by Box A or EtBr. Most importantly, EtBr significantly inhibited cytoplasm mtDNA downstream guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon gene (STING) signal pathway. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CPB-derived plasma exosomal HMGB1 contributes to AEC necroptosis through the mtDNA/cGAS/STING pathway.
Learning new words through reading: do robust spelling–sound mappings boost learning of word forms and meanings?
Authors: Hulme Rachael C. , Shapiro Laura R. , Taylor J. S. H.
Published: December 2022

High-quality lexical representations depend on robust representations of written form (orthography), spoken form (phonology) and meaning (semantics), and strong bonds between them. Quality of lexical representations may be affected by amount of print exposure and the form of individual words. Words that are harder to decode (print-to-sound) may lead to fuzzy representations of the orthographic and phonological forms, potentially creating less stable foundations for semantic knowledge. These factors are difficult to disentangle in natural language research; in this registered report, we experimentally manipulated decoding ease and exposure at the item level. Adults read paragraphs describing invented meanings of pseudowords. Pseudowords appeared two or six times in a paragraph, and had easy (e.g.
bamper
) or hard (e.g.
uzide
) to decode spelling–sound mappings. Post-tests assessed word-form knowledge, orthography–semantic mappings and semantic–phonology mappings. Results showed that greater decoding ease improved learning of word forms and consequently also impacted on word meanings. Higher exposure frequency improved learning of word forms but not meanings. Exposure frequency also modulated the effect of decoding ease on word-form learning, with a stronger effect of decoding ease for fewer exposures. Disentangling effects of decoding ease from print exposure has important implications for understanding potential barriers to vocabulary learning.
Heterochronic maturation of anatomical plugs for protecting the airway in rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae)
Authors: Lauridsen Henrik , Bie Thøstesen Charlotte , Pedersen Christina Carøe Ejlskov , Ringgaard Steffen , Elstrup Mette , Møller Peter Rask , Johansson Daniel Klingberg , Alstrup Aage Kristian Olsen
Published: December 2022

Recently, a unique mechanism for protecting the airway during lunge feeding was discovered in rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae). This mechanism is based on an oral plug structure in the soft palate with similarities in musculo-fatty composition to the nasal plugs protecting the respiratory tract of rorquals from water entry and barotrauma during diving. As a follow-up, we present here a developmental series on fetal, prenatal, juvenile and adult specimens across five species of rorquals, showing differential maturation of the nasal and oral respiratory protection plugs. Nasal plugs are fully formed to serve an immediate crucial function at birth. By contrast, the soft palate remains muscular until the onset of solid food intake, where a musculo-fatty oral plug is developed.
Is there a causal relationship between executive function and liability to mental health and substance use? A Mendelian randomization approach
Authors: Burton Sabrina M. I. , Sallis Hannah M. , Hatoum Alexander S. , Munafò Marcus R. , Reed Zoe E.
Published: December 2022

Poorer performance in tasks testing executive function (EF) is associated with a range of psychopathologies such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption. We used two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization to examine whether these may reflect causal relationships and the direction of causation. We used genome-wide association study summary data (
N
= 17 310 to 848 460) for a common EF factor score (cEF), schizophrenia, MDD, anxiety, smoking initiation, alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence and cannabis use disorder (CUD). We found evidence of increased cEF on reduced schizophrenia liability (OR = 0.10; CI: 0.05 to 0.19;
p
-value = 3.43 × 10
−12
), MDD liability (OR = 0.52; CI: 0.38 to 0.72;
p
-value = 5.23 × 10
−05
), drinks per week (
β
= –0.06; CI: –0.10 to −0.02;
p
-value = 0.003) and CUD liability (OR = 0.27; CI: 0.12 to 0.61;
p
-value = 1.58 × 10
−03
). We also found evidence of increased schizophrenia liability (
β
= −0.04; CI: −0.04 to −0.03;
p
-value = 3.25 × 10
−27
) and smoking initiation on decreased cEF (
β
= −0.06; CI: −0.09 to −0.03;
p
-value = 6.11 × 10
−05
). Our results indicate potential causal relationships between cEF and mental health and substance use. Further studies are required to improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these effects, but our results suggest that EF may be a promising intervention target for mental health and substance use.
Effects of powered versus passive-elastic ankle foot prostheses on leg muscle activity during level, uphill and downhill walking
Authors: Colvin Zane A. , Montgomery Jana R. , Grabowski Alena M.
Published: December 2022

People with transtibial amputation (TTA) using passive-elastic prostheses have greater leg muscle activity and metabolic cost during level-ground and sloped walking than non-amputees. Use of a stance-phase powered (BiOM) versus passive-elastic prosthesis reduces metabolic cost for people with TTA during level-ground, +3° and +6° walking. Metabolic cost is associated with muscle activity, which may provide insight into differences between prostheses. We measured affected leg (AL) and unaffected leg (UL) muscle activity from ten people with TTA (6 males, 4 females) walking at 1.25 m s
−1
on a dual-belt force-measuring treadmill at 0°, ±3°, ±6° and ±9° using their own passive-elastic and the BiOM prosthesis. We compared stride average integrated EMG (iEMG), peak EMG and muscle activity burst duration. Use of the BiOM increased UL lateral gastrocnemius iEMG on downhill slopes and AL biceps femoris on +6° and +9° slopes, and decreased UL rectus femoris on uphill slopes, UL vastus lateralis on +6° and +9°, and soleus and tibialis anterior on a +9° slope compared to a passive-elastic prosthesis. Differences in leg muscle activity for people with TTA using a passive-elastic versus stance-phase powered prosthesis do not clearly explain differences in metabolic cost during walking on level ground and slopes.
Evaluating land suitability and water availability for surface irrigation in the Abbay basin of Ethiopia
Authors: Kassie Yilkal A. , Yimam Abdu Y. , Assefa Tewodros T. , Belay Sisay A.
Published: December 2022

This study was conducted in the Abbay basin of Ethiopia to evaluate land suitability for irrigation considering both surface and groundwater sources using the analytic hierarchy process. Multiple factors which affect irrigated agriculture productivity were considered, and an 85% threshold was applied to identify irrigable land. The suitability result was validated using ground truth data from existing irrigation projects for surface water sources and depth to groundwater data for groundwater sources. The low flow potential of rivers, which is dependable for surface irrigation, was evaluated against suitable land considering the most dominant crops. The result showed that nearly 10% of the basin area (19 192 km
2
) and 5.3% of the basin (10 364 km
2
) were found suitable for surface irrigation from rivers and groundwater, respectively. South Gojam was found to be the most suitable sub-basin (approx. 3880 km
2
) for surface irrigation, whereas Muger was found to be the most suitable sub-basin (approx. 2105 km
2
) for surface irrigation from rivers and groundwater, respectively. Depth to groundwater was shallow for Muger as compared with other sub-basins. The validation result depicted more than 83% and 73% overlap for surface and groundwater sources, respectively. Land suitability and water availability assessment result in the Abbay basin shows a promising result for surface irrigation developments.
Nonlinear mapping of non-conservative forces for reduced-order modelling
Authors: Nicolaidou Evangelia , Hill Thomas L. , Neild Simon A.
Published: December 2022

Non-intrusive or indirect reduced-order modelling strategies, such as the implicit condensation and expansion method, are applicable to geometrically nonlinear structures modelled using commercial finite-element (FE) software. Traditionally, the non-conservative forces acting on the structure are reduced via a linear projection onto the space spanned by the reduced modeshapes. As such, only the forces acting directly on these reduced modes can be captured, while any energy gained or dissipated by the statically condensed modes is neglected. This can lead to significant inaccuracies in the reduced-order model (ROM) predictions, which is demonstrated here using a 2-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) oscillator, and an FE model of a cantilever beam. It is shown that the non-conservative forces acting on the statically condensed modes can be captured using a nonlinear mapping of the physical DOFs into the reduced coordinates. This introduces additional terms in the reduced equations of motion, which we describe as
force compensation
. Excellent agreement is observed between the forced response curves of the full-order models and those of our proposed ROMs, both for the oscillator as well as the cantilever beam under different external excitation conditions (i.e. a constant-direction force and a follower force).
The evolution of sexually dimorphic traits in ecological gradients: an interplay between natural and sexual selection in hummingbirds
Authors: Beltrán Diego F. , Araya-Salas Marcelo , Parra Juan L. , Stiles F. Gary , Rico-Guevara Alejandro
Published: December 2022

Traits that exhibit differences between the sexes have been of special interest in the study of phenotypic evolution. Classic hypotheses explain sexually dimorphic traits via intra-sexual competition and mate selection, yet natural selection may also act differentially on the sexes to produce dimorphism. Natural selection can act either through physiological and ecological constraints on one of the sexes, or by modulating the strength of sexual/social selection. This predicts an association between the degree of dimorphism and variation in ecological environments. Here, we characterize the variation in hummingbird dimorphism across ecological gradients using rich databases of morphology, colouration and song. We show that morphological dimorphism decreases with elevation in the understorey and increases with elevation in mixed habitats, that dichromatism increases at high altitudes in open and mixed habitats, and that song is less complex in mixed habitats. Our results are consistent with flight constraints, lower predation pressure at high elevations and with habitat effects on song transmission. We also show that dichromatism and song complexity are positively associated, while tail dimorphism and song complexity are negatively associated. Our results suggest that key ecological factors shape sexually dimorphic traits, and that different communication modalities do not always evolve in tandem.
Metapopulation persistence can be inferred from incomplete surveys
Authors: Song Chuliang , Fortin Marie-Josée , Gonzalez Andrew
Published: December 2022

Habitat destruction and fragmentation are principal causes of species loss. While a local population might go extinct, a metapopulation—populations inhabiting habitat patches connected by dispersal—can persist regionally by recolonizing empty patches. To assess metapopulation persistence, two widely adopted indicators in conservation management are metapopulation capacity and patch importance. However, we face a fundamental limitation in that assessing metapopulation persistence requires that we survey or sample all the patches in a landscape: often these surveys are logistically challenging to conduct and repeat, which raises the question whether we can learn enough about the metapopulation persistence from an incomplete survey. Here, we provide a robust statistical approach to infer metapopulation capacity and patch importance by sampling a portion of all patches. We provided analytic arguments on why the metapopulation capacity and patch importance can be well predicted from sub-samples of habitat patches. Full-factorial simulations with more complex models corroborate our analytic predictions. We applied our model to an empirical metapopulation of mangrove hummingbirds (Amazilia boucardi). On the basis of our statistical framework, we provide some sampling suggestion for monitoring metapopulation persistence. Our approach allows for rapid and effective inference of metapopulation persistence from incomplete patch surveys.
Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are associated with prolonged carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli acquired during travel
Authors: van der Putten Boas C.L. , van Hattem Jarne M. , Penders John , Mende Daniel R. , Schultsz Constance
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) are frequently acquired during international travel, contributing to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance. Human-adapted ESBL-Ec are predicted to exhibit increased intestinal carriage duration, resulting in a higher likelihood of onward human-to-human transmission. Yet, bacterial determinants of increased carriage duration are unknown. Previous studies analysed small traveler cohorts, with short follow-up times, or did not employ high-resolution molecular typing, and were thus unable to identify bacterial traits associated with long-term carriage after recent acquisition.

Methods

In a prospective cohort study of 2001 international travelers, we analysed 160 faecal ESBL-Ec isolates from all 38 travelers who acquired ESBL-Ec during travel and subsequently carried ESBL-Ec for at least 12 months after return, by whole-genome sequencing. For 17 travelers, we confirmed the long-term carriage of ESBL-Ec strains through single nucleotide variant typing. To identify determinants of increased carriage duration, we compared the 17 long-term carriers (≥12 months carriage) with 33 age-, sex- and destination-matched short-term carriers (<1 month carriage). Long-read sequencing was employed to investigate long-term ESBL plasmid carriage.

Results

We show that in healthy travelers with very low antibiotic usage, extraintestinal pathogenic lineages of E. coli (ExPEC) are significantly more likely to persist than other E. coli lineages. The long-term carriage of E. coli from ExPEC lineages is mainly driven by sequence type 131 and phylogroup D E. coli.

Conclusions

Although ExPEC frequently cause extra-intestinal infections such as bloodstream infections, our results indicate that ExPEC are also efficient intestinal colonisers, which potentially contributes to their onward transmission.
Filling the gaps: missing taxon names at the ranks of class, order and family
Authors: Göker Markus
Published: December 2022

The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) recently underwent some major modifications regarding the higher taxonomic ranks. On the one hand, the phylum category was introduced into the ICNP, which rapidly led to the valid publication of more than forty names of phyla. On the other hand, a decision on the retroactivity of Rule 8 regarding the names of classes was made, which removed most of the nomenclatural uncertainty that had affected those names during the last decade. However, it turned out that a number of names at the ranks of class, order and family are either not validly published or are validly published but illegitimate, although these names occur in the literature and are based on the type genus of a phylum with a validly published name. A closer examination of the literature for these and similar cases indicates that the names are unavailable under the ICNP either because of minor formal errors in the original descriptions, because another name should have been adopted for the taxon when the name was proposed, because of taxonomic uncertainties that were settled in the meantime, or because the names were placed on the list of rejected names. The purpose of this article is to fill the gaps by providing the missing formal descriptions and to ensure that the resulting taxon names are attributed to the original authors who did the taxonomic work.
Healthcare Facility Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Service Status and Barriers in Ethiopia: It’s Implication for COVID-19 pandemic and Healthcare Acquired Infection Prevention
Authors: Derso Atimen , Addis Taffere , Mengistie Bezatu , keleb Awoke , Ademas Ayechew
Published: December 2022

Background

Despite the public health significance of healthcare Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) service in reduction of nosocomial infection and improving quality of care is paramount little is known on the status of WASH service in a health care facility at the time of pandemic and the barriers that hinder the service in the health care setting in Ethiopia.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess status of basic water, sanitation, hand hygiene, healthcare waste management, and environmental cleanliness service and its barriers at public health care facilities in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2022.

Methods

Convergent parallel mixed design was conducted among 86 public health care facilities located in Addis Ababa city. Stratified sampling technique was used to select health care facilities. A semi-structured observational checklist tool was used to measure the availability of services. For the qualitative study, semi-structured interview was conducted among 16 key informants and thematic data analysis was done to identify the barriers.

Finding

This study found that no one healthcare facility had basic access to overall WASH services. The independent WASH domain analysis showed that, about 86% healthcare facilities had basic water access, 100% had limited sanitation access, 88.4% had limited hand hygiene service, 69.8% had limited healthcare waste management service, and 97.7% had limited environmental cleaning service. Built environments of WASH infrastructure; Resource availability and allocation; leadership and stakeholder participation; inadequate training and poor behaviour; and legal issues were identified barriers to provision of basic healthcare WASH services.

Conclusion and recommendation

The availability of healthcare WASH services in Addis Ababa city remains far from the pace to achieve the sustainable goal target by 2025. The limited access to WASH services makes worsening the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemics, healthcare acquired infection in the facility. The country need to act now on more financial investment, capacity building, facilitating committed leadership, and participation of stakeholders to ensuring basic WASH services at healthcare setting.