bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of the Physics solution of COVID-19
Authors: Abodunrin T.J. , Emetere M.E.
Published: March 2022

The Viruses are pathogens capable of infecting more than 10% of the world’s population annually in epidemics responsible for 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and up to 500 000 deaths. In addition, new virus variants pose a continuous threat of sparking pandemic outbreaks. The success of the viral attack is attributed to their sheath in a capsid, abnormal mass production of infective RNA or DNA genetic material in living target. Other features include, great symmetry in structures based on assorted geometries with amazing mechanical properties. Consequently, prognostic models have been deployed to regulate and unravel understanding for successful treatment of viruses. In particular, this report seeks to investigate SARS-CoV-2 through its viral shell mechanical properties and a novel point of entropy and thermodynamic principles. It concludes with recommendation of effective physical remedies for SARS-CoV-2 from a local and global outlook.
Active near-field plasmonic switches based on Sierpiński-fractal nanoantennas on VO2 films
Authors: Sharma Yashna , Dhawan Anuj
Published: March 2022

We propose active near-field plasmonic switches based on a Sierpiński-fractal contour-bowtie plasmonic nanoantenna on top of a VO2 (vanadium-dioxide) thin film. The near-field intensity of the proposed fractal plasmonic nanoantenna can be switched by the application of heat, voltage, or optical energy to the underlying VO2 layer, which leads to a phase change of VO2 from the semiconductor state to the metallic state. This phase transition of the underlying VO2 film leads to an overall change in the optical properties of the nanoantenna system, hence driving the switch from an OFF state (with low near-field intensity) to an ON state (with high near-field intensity). The near-field switching ability of the proposed switch is quantified by the intensity switching ratio (ISR), i.e. the ratio of the intensity between the two arms of plasmonic nanoantenna in its ON state to its OFF state (I
ON/I
OFF). Finite difference time domain simulations were employed to calculate the ISR of the proposed near-field plasmonic switches. As the fractal order of the Sierpiński-fractal contour-bowtie nanoantenna is increased, the intensity in the ‘ON’ state of the switch is enhanced along with a reduction of intensity in the ‘OFF’ state of the switch. Thus, higher fractal orders of the Sierpiński-fractal contour-bowtie plasmonic nanoantenna lead to very high values of the ISR for the proposed near-field switch. We demonstrate an ISR of ∼900 with a fractal order of 2 for the proposed switch which is the highest value of near-field ISR reported thus far for a near-field plasmonic switch. Further, we also demonstrate that the ISR and the spectral response of the proposed near-field switch can be controlled by changing its structural parameters such as the length of the nanoantenna arm, the contour thickness, and the thickness of VO2 layer.
Fat Grafts Augmented With Vitamin E Improve Volume Retention and Radiation-Induced Fibrosis
Authors: Abbas Darren B , Lavin Christopher V , Fahy Evan J , Griffin Michelle , Guardino Nicholas J , Nazerali Rahim S , Nguyen Dung H , Momeni Arash , Longaker Michael T , Wan Derrick C
Published: March 2022

Background

Treatments for radiation-induced fibrosis range from vitamin E (VE) and pentoxifylline (PTX) systemically to deferoxamine and fat grafting locally. Regarding fat grafting, volume retention hinders its long-term functionality and is affected by 2 factors: inflammation and necrosis secondary to hypovascularity.

Objective

The authors aimed to simultaneously improve fat graft retention and radiation-induced fibrosis by integrating VE and PTX into fat grafts locally.

Methods

Forty adult CD-1 nude male mice, 6 weeks old, underwent scalp irradiation and recovered for 4 weeks to allow for development of fibrosis. Mice received 200 μL of donor human fat graft to the scalp. Mice were separated into 4 conditions: no grafting, fat graft without treatment, graft treated with PTX, and graft treated with VE. Fat graft volume retention was monitored in vivo with micro-computed tomography scans at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 after grafting. Histological and cytokine analysis of the scalp skin and fat grafts were performed.

Results

VE-treated grafts had significant improvement in dermal thickness and collagen density of overlying skin compared with all other groups. VE decreased 8-isoprostane and increased CD31+ staining compared with the other grafted groups. Cytokine analysis revealed decreased inflammatory and increased angiogenic markers in both the fat graft and overlying skin of the VE group. Fat graft volume retention was significantly improved in the VE group starting at 1 week post grafting.

Conclusions

Radiation-induced fibrosis and fat graft volume retention are both simultaneously improved with local administration of VE.
Expanding interactome analyses beyond model eukaryotes
Authors: James Katherine , Wipat Anil , Cockell Simon J
Published: March 2022

Interactome analyses have traditionally been applied to yeast, human and other model organisms due to the availability of protein–protein interaction data for these species. Recently, these techniques have been applied to more diverse species using computational interaction prediction from genome sequence and other data types. This review describes the various types of computational interactome networks that can be created and how they have been used in diverse eukaryotic species, highlighting some of the key interactome studies in non-model organisms.
An analysis of protein language model embeddings for fold prediction
Authors: Villegas-Morcillo Amelia , Gomez Angel M , Sanchez Victoria
Published: March 2022

The identification of the protein fold class is a challenging problem in structural biology. Recent computational methods for fold prediction leverage deep learning techniques to extract protein fold-representative embeddings mainly using evolutionary information in the form of multiple sequence alignment (MSA) as input source. In contrast, protein language models (LM) have reshaped the field thanks to their ability to learn efficient protein representations (protein-LM embeddings) from purely sequential information in a self-supervised manner. In this paper, we analyze a framework for protein fold prediction using pre-trained protein-LM embeddings as input to several fine-tuning neural network models, which are supervisedly trained with fold labels. In particular, we compare the performance of six protein-LM embeddings: the long short-term memory-based UniRep and SeqVec, and the transformer-based ESM-1b, ESM-MSA, ProtBERT and ProtT5; as well as three neural networks: Multi-Layer Perceptron, ResCNN-BGRU (RBG) and Light-Attention (LAT). We separately evaluated the pairwise fold recognition (PFR) and direct fold classification (DFC) tasks on well-known benchmark datasets. The results indicate that the combination of transformer-based embeddings, particularly those obtained at amino acid level, with the RBG and LAT fine-tuning models performs remarkably well in both tasks. To further increase prediction accuracy, we propose several ensemble strategies for PFR and DFC, which provide a significant performance boost over the current state-of-the-art results. All this suggests that moving from traditional protein representations to protein-LM embeddings is a very promising approach to protein fold-related tasks.
Improving confidence in lipidomic annotations by incorporating empirical ion mobility regression analysis and chemical class prediction
Authors: Rose Bailey S , May Jody C , Picache Jaqueline A , Codreanu Simona G , Sherrod Stacy D , McLean John A
Published: March 2022

Motivation

Mass spectrometry-based untargeted lipidomics aims to globally characterize the lipids and lipid-like molecules in biological systems. Ion mobility increases coverage and confidence by offering an additional dimension of separation and a highly reproducible metric for feature annotation, the collision cross-section (CCS).

Results

We present a data processing workflow to increase confidence in molecular class annotations based on CCS values. This approach uses class-specific regression models built from a standardized CCS repository (the Unified CCS Compendium) in a parallel scheme that combines a new annotation filtering approach with a machine learning class prediction strategy. In a proof-of-concept study using murine brain lipid extracts, 883 lipids were assigned higher confidence identifications using the filtering approach, which reduced the tentative candidate lists by over 50% on average. An additional 192 unannotated compounds were assigned a predicted chemical class.

Availability and implementation

All relevant source code is available at https://github.com/McLeanResearchGroup/CCS-filter.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Chemerin effect on transcriptome of the porcine endometrium during implantation determined by RNA-sequencing
Authors: Orzechowska Kinga , Kopij Grzegorz , Paukszto Lukasz , Dobrzyn Kamil , Kiezun Marta , Jastrzebski Jan , Kaminski Tadeusz , Smolinska Nina
Published: March 2022

It is well known that the body’s metabolism and reproduction are closely related. Chemerin (CHEM) is one of many biologically active proteins secreted by the adipose tissue involved in the regulation of the energy homeostasis of the organism. In the present study, RNA-sequencing was performed to investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and alternatively spliced (AS) transcripts in the cultured porcine endometrium exposed to chemerin for 24 hours (CHEM; 400 ng/mL) collected during the implantation period (15–16 days of gestation). High-throughput sequencing of transcriptomes was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform (Illumina, USA). In the current study, among all 130 DEGs, 58 were upregulated and 72 were downregulated in the CHEM-treated group. DEGs were assigned to 73 functional annotations. Twelve identified lncRNAs indicated a difference in the expression profile after CHEM administration. Additionally, we detected 386 differentially AS events encompassed 274 protein-coding genes and 2 lncRNAs. All AS events were divided into five alternative splicing types: alternative 3′ splice site (A3SS), 5′ splice site (A5SS), mutually exclusive exons (MXE), retention intron (RI), and skipping exon (SE). Within all AS events, we identified 42 A3SS, 43 A5SS, 53 MXE, 9 RI, and 239 SE. In summary, CHEM affects the transcriptomic profile of the porcine endometrium, controlling the expression of numerous genes, including those involved in the cell migration and adhesion, angiogenesis, inflammation, and steroidogenesis. It can be assumed that CHEM may be an important factor for a proper course of gestation and embryo development.
Cortical phase-amplitude coupling is key to the occurrence and treatment of freezing of gait
Authors: Yin Zixiao , Zhu Guanyu , Liu Yuye , Zhao Baotian , Liu Defeng , Bai Yutong , Zhang Quan , Shi Lin , Feng Tao , Yang Anchao , Liu Huanguang , Meng Fangang , Neumann Wolf Julian , Kühn Andrea A , Jiang Yin , Zhang Jianguo
Published: March 2022

Freezing of gait is a debilitating symptom in advanced Parkinson’s disease and responds heterogeneously to treatments such as deep brain stimulation. Recent studies indicated that cortical dysfunction is involved in the development of freezing, while evidence depicting the specific role of the primary motor cortex in the multi-circuit pathology of freezing is lacking. Since abnormal beta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling recorded from the primary motor cortex in patients with Parkinson’s disease indicates parkinsonian state and responses to therapeutic deep brain stimulation, we hypothesized this metric might reveal unique information on understanding and improving therapy for freezing of gait.

Here, we directly recorded potentials in the primary motor cortex using subdural electrocorticography and synchronously captured gait freezing using optoelectronic motion-tracking systems in 16 freely-walking patients with Parkinson’s disease who received subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery. Overall, we recorded 451 timed up-and-go walking trials and quantified 7073 s of stable walking and 3384 s of gait freezing in conditions of on/off-stimulation and with/without dual-tasking.

We found that (i) high beta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling in the primary motor cortex was detected in freezing trials (i.e. walking trials that contained freezing), but not non-freezing trials, and the high coupling in freezing trials was not caused by dual-tasking or the lack of movement; (ii) non-freezing episodes within freezing trials also demonstrated abnormally high couplings, which predicted freezing severity; (iii) deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus reduced these abnormal couplings and simultaneously improved freezing; and (iv) in trials that were at similar coupling levels, stimulation trials still demonstrated lower freezing severity than no-stimulation trials.

These findings suggest that elevated phase-amplitude coupling in the primary motor cortex indicates higher probabilities of freezing. Therapeutic deep brain stimulation alleviates freezing by both decoupling cortical oscillations and enhancing cortical resistance to abnormal coupling. We formalized these findings to a novel ‘bandwidth model,’ which specifies the role of cortical dysfunction, cognitive burden and therapeutic stimulation on the emergence of freezing. By targeting key elements in the model, we may develop next-generation deep brain stimulation approaches for freezing of gait.
Mechanisms of induction of regulatory B cells in the tumour microenvironment and their contribution to immunosuppression and pro-tumour responses
Authors: Flores-Borja Fabian , Blair Paul
Published: March 2022

The presence of tumour-infiltrating immune cells was originally associated with the induction of anti-tumour responses and good a prognosis. A more refined characterization of the tumour microenvironment has challenged this original idea and evidence now exists pointing to a critical role for immune cells in the modulation of anti-tumour responses and the induction of a tolerant pro-tumour environment. The coordinated action of diverse immunosuppressive populations, both innate and adaptive, shapes a variety of pro-tumour responses leading to tumour progression and metastasis. Regulatory B cells have emerged as critical modulators and suppressors of anti-tumour responses. As reported in autoimmunity and infection studies, Bregs are a heterogeneous population with diverse phenotypes and different mechanisms of action. Here we review recent studies on Bregs from animal models and patients, covering a variety of types of cancer. We describe the heterogeneity of Bregs, the cellular interactions they make with other immune cells and the tumour itself, and their mechanism of suppression that enables tumour escape. We also discuss the potential therapeutic tools that may inhibit Bregs function and promote anti-tumour responses.
Surgical treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: long-term results
Authors: Carino Davide , Sala Alessandra , Zancanaro Edoardo , Ruggeri Stefania , Lapenna Elisabetta , Del Forno Benedetto , Verzini Alessandro , Schiavi Davide , Castiglioni Alessandro , Alfieri Ottavio , Maisano Francesco , De Bonis Michele
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

With the expanding use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), lead interference with the tricuspid valve (TV) causing significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has gained increasing recognition. However, current knowledge about the long-term results of the surgical treatment of TR in this setting is scanty. Therefore, increasing this information was the goal of this study.

METHODS

A retrospective review of our institutional database was carried out to select all patients with previously implanted CIEDs who underwent tricuspid valve repair and replacement from 2000 through 2019. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to analyse long-term survival. To describe the time course of TR, we performed a longitudinal analysis using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

A total of 151 patients were identified. Mechanical interference with leaflet mobility and coaptation was detected in 103 patients (68%) (CIED-induced group); in the remaining 48 patients (32%), the lead was associated with TR without being the cause of it (CIED-associated group). A total of 105 patients underwent TV repair; in the remaining 46, a TV replacement was necessary. In patients who underwent TV repair, no significant difference in moderate TR recurrence rate was highlighted between CIED-induced and CIED-associated TR.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with CIEDs and surgically treated tricuspid regurgitation, TR is CIED-induced in about two-thirds of the cases and CIED-associated in one-third of them. In our experience, TV repair was still possible in 63% of the cases, with good long-term results and no significant durability difference between CIED-induced and CIED-associated TR.
Can Clarity of an Amended Patent Claim Be Challenged Before the UPC (?)
Authors: Hüttermann Aloys
Published: March 2022

This paper assesses whether the clarity of a claim after amendments have been made to it can be challenged in a nullity suit or counterclaim for revocation before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). It argues that, given the uncertainties of Rule 30 of the UPC’s Rules of Procedure, it will be up to the Appeal Court to decide on this matter.
Imported Panton-valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: patients’ perspective on quality of life and quality of medical care
Authors: Lindner Andreas K , Hommes Franziska , Nikolai Olga , Equihua Martinez Gabriela , Gürer Berna , Krüger Renate , Leistner Rasmus , Nurjadi Dennis , Mockenhaupt Frank P , Zanger Philipp
Published: March 2022

PVL-positive S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections have a major impact on quality of life and mental health, often for months and beyond the period of infection. Pre-treating physicians were poorly informed about the PVL toxin. Increased awareness for early diagnosis and treatment of this yet neglected disease are required.
Evaluation of the Vitek Ms system for the identification of filamentous fungi
Authors: Zvezdánova Margarita Estreya , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesús , Muñoz Patricia , Rodríguez-Temporal David , Rodríguez-Sánchez Belén
Published: March 2022

The implementation of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of fungal isolates remains challenging and has been limited to experienced laboratories in sample preparation and in-house libraries construction. However, the development of commercial kits for standardized fungal sample preparation and updated reference libraries can fill this gap. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the commercial VITEK MS Mould Kit (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and the VITEK MS system (bioMérieux) for identification using a panel of fungal species of clinical interest. Overall, 200 isolates belonging to 13 genera and 43 fungal species were analyzed with the VITEK MS system equipped with the v3.2 IVD database. Overall, 89.0% of the isolates were correctly identified, 41.5 and 43.5% at species and complex level, respectively. For an additional 4.0% of the identifications, correlation at the genus level was reported. The remaining 21 isolates (10.5%) could not be identified among which 85.0% (18/21) were species not claimed in the database. One Syncephalastrum isolate was misidentified as Rhizopus microsporus complex. Specifically, 100% of the Scedosporium/Lomentospora, 97.1% of the Fusarium, 65.7% of the Mucorales and 86.4% of the Aspergillus isolates were correctly identified at the species and complex level. The methodology described allows for an easy implementation of MALDI-TOF MS for routine identification of fungal species in a fast and reliable manner. Although further improvement in the databases is still required, an important number of fungal species can be correctly identified at the species level using this method.

Lay summary

The use of MALDI-TOF for fungal identification remains a challenge. In this study, using a commercial protein extraction kit and updated database, VITEK MS system was able to identify up to 89.0% of a diverse collection of 200 filamentous fungi representing 43 fungal species.
Identifying gravitational wave emission signature in electromagnetic observations of short gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Xie Lang , Wei Da-Ming , Wang Yun , Li Long , Jin Zhi-Ping
Published: March 2022

Observations of the long-lived X-ray plateau in short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) afterglow suggest that a portion of binary neutron star mergers would leave behind a rapidly spinning, strongly magnetized neutron star (millisecond magnetar). The new-born magnetar may undergo large deformation due to magnetic distortion or unstable oscillation, which would emit the extended gravitational wave (GW) associated with the SGRB X-ray plateau. In this work, we focus on the spin-down luminosity evolution of magnetar by considering the spin energy loss due to the GW and magnetic dipole radiation, and systematically analyse the SGRB light curves of our magnetar sample. The results show that GW emission signatures have existed in the spin-down stage of GRB 090426 and GRB 150424A. We also present constraints on the ellipticity of the new-born magnetar as ε < 1.58 × 10−3(B/1015 G)(P/1 ms). The magnetar can lose significant spin energy via GW radiation if the ellipticity ε ≥ 10−3 and magnetic field strength B ∼ 1015 G. In addition, we derive the evolution of GW strain for magnetars through their spin-down processes. This result shows that the GW signals from these magnetars may be detectable for the Einstein Telescope (ET). For a rapidly spinning magnetar (P ∼ 1 ms), the detection horizons for aLIGO O3, aLIGO O5, and ET detectors are ∼60, ∼210, and ∼900 Mpc, respectively. The detection of the GW emission from new-born millisecond magnetar may reveal the interior composition of magnetar in the near future.
Impact of Janus kinase inhibitors on antibody response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mori Shunsuke , Ueki Yukitaka , Ishiwada Naruhiko
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the antibody response to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKIs).

Methods

Fifty-three patients receiving methotrexate (MTX; n = 10), JAKI (n = 20), or MTX + JAKI (n = 23) were vaccinated with PCV13. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to 13 pneumococcal serotype capsular polysaccharides were quantified before and 4–6 weeks after vaccination. Positive antibody response was defined as a 2-fold or more increase in IgG concentrations from prevaccination levels.

Results

After vaccination, IgG concentrations significantly increased in all treatment groups (P <0.001), but fold increases (postvaccination to prevaccination ratios) were different among treatment groups (9.30 for MTX, 6.36 for JAKI, and 3.46 for combination therapy). Positive antibody response rates were comparable between the MTX group (90%) and the JAKI group (95%) but lower in the MTX + JAKI group (52.2%). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the combination therapy was the only factor associated with a reduced antibody response to PCV13. No severe adverse events were observed in any treatment group.

Conclusion

Although JAKIs do not impair PCV13 immunogenicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the combination of MTX with JAKI can reduce the antibody response in this patient population.
Psoralen mapping reveals a bacterial genome supercoiling landscape dominated by transcription
Authors: Visser Bryan J , Sharma Sonum , Chen Po J , McMullin Anna B , Bates Maia L , Bates David
Published: March 2022

DNA supercoiling is a key regulator of all DNA metabolic processes including replication, transcription, and recombination, yet a reliable genomic assay for supercoiling is lacking. Here, we present a robust and flexible method (Psora-seq) to measure whole-genome supercoiling at high resolution. Using this tool in Escherichia coli, we observe a supercoiling landscape that is well correlated to transcription. Supercoiling twin-domains generated by RNA polymerase complexes span 25 kb in each direction – an order of magnitude farther than previous measurements in any organism. Thus, ribosomal and many other highly expressed genes strongly affect the topology of about 40 neighboring genes each, creating highly integrated gene circuits. Genomic patterns of supercoiling revealed by Psora-seq could be aptly predicted from modeling based on gene expression levels alone, indicating that transcription is the major determinant of chromosome supercoiling. Large-scale supercoiling patterns were highly symmetrical between left and right chromosome arms (replichores), indicating that DNA replication also strongly influences supercoiling. Skew in the axis of symmetry from the natural ori-ter axis supports previous indications that the rightward replication fork is delayed several minutes after initiation. Implications of supercoiling on DNA replication and chromosome domain structure are discussed.
Visualization of ligand-induced c-MYC duplex–quadruplex transition and direct exploration of the altered c-MYC DNA-protein interactions in cells
Authors: Yuan Jia-Hao , Tu Jia-Li , Liu Guo-Cai , Chen Xiu-Cai , Huang Zhi-Shu , Chen Shuo-Bin , Tan Jia-Heng
Published: March 2022

Ligand-Induced duplex-quadruplex transition within the c-MYC promoter region is one of the most studied and advanced ideas for c-MYC regulation. Despite its importance, there is a lack of methods for monitoring such process in cells, hindering a better understanding of the essence of c-MYC G-quadruplex as a drug target. Here we developed a new fluorescent probe ISCH-MYC for specific c-MYC G-quadruplex recognition based on GTFH (G-quadruplex-Triggered Fluorogenic Hybridization) strategy. We validated that ISCH-MYC displayed distinct fluorescence enhancement upon binding to c-MYC G-quadruplex, which allowed the duplex-quadruplex transition detection of c-MYC G-rich DNA in cells. Using ISCH-MYC, we successfully characterized the induction of duplex to G-quadruplex transition in the presence of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand PDS and further monitored and evaluated the altered interactions of relevant transcription factors Sp1 and CNBP with c-MYC G-rich DNA. Thus, our study provides a visualization strategy to explore the mechanism of G-quadruplex stabilizing ligand action on c-MYC G-rich DNA and relevant proteins, thereby empowering future drug discovery efforts targeting G-quadruplexes.
E-Cigarette Provision to Promote Switching in Cigarette Smokers With Serious Mental Illness—A Randomized Trial
Authors: Pratt Sarah I , Ferron Joelle C , Brunette Mary F , Santos Meghan , Sargent James , Xie Haiyi
Published: March 2022

Background

High cigarette smoking prevalence and low quit rates in people with serious mental illness (SMI) contribute to disparate rates of chronic disease and premature death. This prospective trial tested the impact of switching to a potentially lower-harm nicotine-containing product on smoking in this population.

Aims and Methods

A total of 240 cigarette smokers with SMI who tried but were currently unwilling to quit were randomly assigned to receive disposable e-cigarettes for 8 weeks or not, with assessments at baseline, 2, 4, 6, 8, 13, and 26 weeks. Generalized linear mixed models examined the effects of e-cigarette provision on e-cigarette appeal, cigarettes per day (CPD), breath carbon monoxide (CO), nicotine dependence, and side effects. Clinical Trial registration: NCT03050853.

Results

Self-reported smoking was similar between groups at baseline (mean = 18.7 CPD). By week 2, 79% of the e-cigarette group were using e-cigarettes daily. During weeks 2–8, CPD and CO decreased in the e-cigarette versus assessment-only group (eg, 7.5 CPD [95% CI = 5.9, 9.2] vs. 18.1 CPD [CI = 16.4, 19.8] and 16.4 ppm [CI = 13.4, 19.5] vs. 25.4 ppm [CI = 22.4, 28.9], respectively, at week 2). Additionally, 19%–22% in the e-cigarette group reported smoking no cigarettes in weeks 2–8 compared to 0% in the assessment-only group. By 13 and 26 weeks, group differences in CPD, but not CO, remained significant. Nicotine dependence did not increase and side effects were minor.

Conclusions

Providing e-cigarettes for 8 weeks to smokers with SMI resulted in substantial reductions in CPD and CO. Enhancing and maintaining switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes warrant further study.

Implications

This was the first prospective study to compare e-cigarette provision with assessments only to evaluate the appeal and impact of e-cigarettes on smoking behavior, carbon monoxide exposure, and nicotine dependence among smokers with SMI who had tried but were unable to quit and were not currently interested in cessation treatment. The finding that e-cigarette provision led to significant reductions in smoking and carbon monoxide without increasing nicotine dependence has implications for reducing harm not only among the millions of smokers with SMI who struggle to quit, but also for other vulnerable smokers who cannot achieve cessation.
An Experimental Study of Chlorite Stability in Varied Subduction Zone Lithologies with Implications for Fluid Production, Melting, and Diapirism in Chlorite-Rich Mélange Rocks
Authors: Lakey Shayne , Hermann Jörg
Published: March 2022

Four ultramafic bulk compositions comprising only natural minerals were used to constrain the stability field of chlorite in a variety of subducted, chlorite-rich rocks through an examination of key chlorite dehydration reactions relevant to the sub-arc. Seventy-four piston cylinder experiments were conducted at a range of pressures (1.0–5.0 GPa) and temperatures (500°C–1150°C).

Bulk 1 represents a chlorite mélange (Mg# = 0.94) typically formed in the subduction channel. This composition was used to examine the terminal chlorite reactions to olivine, orthopyroxene, and spinel at low pressure and to olivine, garnet, and spinel at high pressure. Chlorite achieves a thermal maximum stability at 2.0 GPa, 850°C; at 3.0 GPa, 850°C; and at 5.0 GPa, 760°C. The terminal chlorite breakdown reaction rises at a much steeper Clapeyron slope than shown in previous studies. Bulk 2 contains additionally antigorite and tremolite, to constrain phase relations in more fertile compositions. Chlorite reacts with clinopyroxene at ~100°C lower temperatures and with orthopyroxene at ~20°C–60°C lower temperatures than the terminal chlorite breakdown. The reactions have a subparallel Clapeyron slope and none of the three chlorite dehydration reactions crosses the antigorite breakdown reaction up to 5 GPa. This demonstrates that chlorite is the most stable carrier of H2O to high temperatures in subducted ultramafic rocks. Chlorite mélanges that form at the subduction plate interface will dehydrate at 850°C–800°C, 80–120 km depth for intermediate to hot subduction geotherms and liberate 10–12 wt.% of H2O, triggering wet melting in associated sediments. For cold subduction geotherms, chlorite dehydration occurs at 780°C–740°C, 120–170 km depth. Interaction of such fluids with sediments will likely produce a supercritical fluid phase. No melting in the ultramafic rocks has been observed at the chlorite breakdown reactions. Wet melting of the chlorite mélange at 3 GPa occurred between 1100°C and 1150°C.

The stability of chlorite in more Fe-rich mélanges (bulk Mg# = 0.50 and 0.68, respectively) were conducted at 3.0 GPa and revealed thermal maxima at 650°C and 765°C, respectively. Collectively, the thermal stability of chlorite is dependent upon the Mg# of the bulk composition and spans over 200°C at sub-arc depths. The density of run products was calculated to test the validity of the chlorite mélange diapir model. With the progressive breakdown of chlorite, ultramafic chlorite mélanges transform into garnet peridotite, thereby losing any buoyancy they initially possessed. This makes the likelihood of mélange diapirs as a major transport mechanism through the sub-arc unfeasible.
Molecular and morphological analyses to improve taxonomic classification ofMetridia lucens/pacificain the North Pacific
Authors: Hirai Junya , Chen Fang , Itoh Hiroshi , Tadokoro Kazuaki , Lemay Matthew A , Hunt Brian P V , Tsuda Atsushi
Published: March 2022

Molecular and morphological analyses were used to resolve the taxonomy of Metridia lucens/pacifica in the North Pacific. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) revealed two lineages of M. lucens and M. pacifica with an average sequence difference of 13.0%, which were supported by variations in nuclear internal transcribed spacer sequences. Metridia pseudopacifica in the eastern Pacific, mentioned by Mackas and Galbraith (2002), was included in M. lucens. The presence of M. lucens and M. pacifica was confirmed across the North Pacific, and different genetic population structures were suggested between the two species in the North Pacific based on mtCOI sequences. The morphological identification character of length of setae on the fifth pair of legs was not useful for classifying adult female M. pacifica and M. lucens. There were regional variations in prosome length and head angle; these two characters successfully classified >98.2% of M. pacifica and M. lucens specimens from the North Pacific. As M. lucens and M. pacifica are key copepods in the North Pacific, accurate classification of individuals should be made in future studies to understand their relative contributions to marine ecosystems and improve detection of ecosystem change.
Total Knee Arthroplasty Assessments Should Include Strength and Performance-Based Functional Tests to Complement Range-of-Motion and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Authors: Capin Jacob J , Bade Michael J , Jennings Jason M , Snyder-Mackler Lynn , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer E
Published: March 2022

Range of motion (ROM) and pain often define successful recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but these routine clinical outcomes correlate poorly or not at all to functional capacity after TKA. The purpose of this Perspective is to underscore the importance of muscle strength and performance-based functional tests in addition to knee ROM and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to evaluate outcomes after TKA. Specifically: (1) muscle strength is the rate-limiting step for recovery of function after TKA; (2) progressive rehabilitation targeting early quadriceps muscle strengthening improves outcomes and does not compromise ROM after TKA; (3) ROM and PROs fail to fully capture functional limitations after TKA; and (4) performance-based functional tests are critical to evaluate function objectively after TKA. This Perspective also addresses studies that question the need for or benefit of physical therapy after TKA because their conclusions focus only on ROM and PRO measures. Future research is needed to determine the optimal timing, delivery, intensity, and content of physical therapy.
The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 and Connected Vehicles: A New Form of Panspectric Veillance Looming?
Authors: Marson James , White Matthew , Ferris Katy
Published: March 2022

Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) currently exist in varying states of readiness to, at one end of the spectrum, assist the driver in normal driving activities and at the other operate in fully autonomous mode, requiring no driver input at all. In facilitating these features, CAVs create, give access to, and allow communication of the data produced. The further along the autonomous scale CAVs progress, the greater the data generated, which are being harvested by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), often unwittingly by the end user. The operation of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 gives government agencies power to compel the retention and access to these data. Here we argue that the definitions within the Act result in CAV OEMs being subject to retention notices of the data generated by these vehicles. This issue, its extent and potential for abuse, and the lack of protection for those associated with the use of CAVs, hitherto unexamined in the legal academic literature, is the focus of this paper.
Higher R2* in the Red Nucleus Is Associated With Lead Exposure in an Asymptomatic Welder Cohort
Authors: Prado-Rico Janina Manzieri , Lee Eun-Young , Wang Ernest W , Yanosky Jeff D , Kong Lan , Chen Hairong , Navas-Acien Ana , Du Guangwei , Lewis Mechelle M , Mailman Richard B , Huang Xuemei
Published: March 2022

Lead is a nonessential metal and may be a coexposure in welding fumes. Preclinical data indicate lead may affect iron regulation. The current study investigated blood lead concentrations and their association with brain iron accumulation in workers with chronic welding fume exposure, with a focus on iron-rich subcortical regions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia. Occupational exposure, whole blood metal, and brain MRI data were obtained from 29 controls and 42 welders. R2* (1/T2*) and R1 (T1 relaxation rate) values were used to estimate brain iron and manganese content, respectively. Blood metals and brain R2* (in the red nucleus [RN], dentate nucleus, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, and substantia nigra) were compared between groups. Associations between brain R2* values and exposure metrics were tested within each group, and analyses were adjusted for potential confounders. Welders had significantly higher levels of whole blood lead, manganese, iron, and copper. Welders also had higher R2* RN (p = .002), but not R1. A 2nd-order polynomial modeled the association between R2* RN and a long-term welding exposure metric. In welders, but not controls, R2* RN was associated positively with whole blood lead (r = 0.54, p = .003), and negatively with whole blood manganese (r = −0.43, p = .02). Higher blood Pb and lower blood Mn independently accounted for variance in high RN R2*. Together, these data suggest that higher RN R2* values may mark lead exposure in welders. Because lead is a known neurotoxicant, additional studies are warranted to confirm this finding, and ascertain its scientific and public/occupational health implications.
Global Vaccine Inequity
Authors: Seegert Liz
Published: March 2022

Access to COVID vaccines varies significantly and is prolonging the pandemic.
Closing the gap
Authors: Reising Virginia , Diegel-Vacek Lauren , Dadabo Lisa , Martinez Michelle , Moore Kelly , Corbridge Susan
Published: March 2022

Social determinants of health have a significant impact on individual and community health outcomes. Using an integrated behavioral health model at a primary care clinic—a Federally Qualified Health Center—NPs led an interdisciplinary team to address outcome measures that are influenced by social determinants of health.
Five-Year Safety and Efficacy of Femtosecond Laser–Assisted Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Authors: Sorkin Nir , Gouvea Larissa , Din Nizar , Mimouni Michael , Alshaker Sara , Weill Yishay , Gendler Shai , Slomovic Allan R. , Chan Clara C. , Rootman David S.
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 5-year safety and efficacy outcomes of femtosecond-enabled Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (F-DMEK) in patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED).

Methods:

This was a retrospective study, including patients with FED and cataract who underwent either F-DMEK (16 eyes of 15 patients) or manual DMEK (M-DMEK) (42 eyes of 37 patients) combined with cataract extraction. Outcome measures included visual acuity, graft detachment, graft survival, and endothelial cell loss.

Results:

The average follow-up in F-DMEK and M-DMEK was 57.1 ± 12.4 months and 58.5 ± 17.3 months, respectively (P = 0.757). The rates of primary failure (0% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.567), secondary failure (0% for both), and graft rejection (0% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.533) did not differ significantly between the groups. Improvement in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was similar in F-DMEK and M-DMEK (0.32 ± 0.27 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and 0.35 ± 0.44 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, respectively, P = 0.165) and persisted at 2, 3, 4, and 5 years and at the last follow-up. The rates of graft detachment and rebubbling were significantly lower with 6.25% in F-DMEK and 33.3% in M-DMEK (P = 0.035). Cell-loss rates were lower in F-DMEK compared with M-DMEK throughout the follow-up, significantly so up to 2 years with a difference of 8.6% at 1 year (P = 0.023), 11.8% at 2 years (P = 0.021), 7.6% at 3 years (P = 0.088), 5.8% at 4 years (P = 0.256), 13.6% at 5 years (P = 0.169), and 7.1% at the final follow-up (P = 0.341).

Conclusions:

F-DMEK had an excellent safety and efficacy profile which was maintained over 5 years of follow-up. Lower endothelial cell-loss rates in F-DMEK compared with M-DMEK may help extend the duration of graft survival.
The Role of Age, Sex, Body Mass Index, and Sport Type on the Dynamic Exertion Test in Healthy Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sinnott Aaron M. , Eagle Shawn R. , Kochick Victoria , Preszler Jonathan , Collins Michael W. , Sparto Patrick J. , Flanagan Shawn D. , Elbin Robert J. , Connaboy Christopher , Kontos Anthony P.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The dynamic exertion test (EXiT) was developed to help inform return to play after sport-related concussion, but some factors may threaten the internal validity of EXiT and affect clinical interpretation.

Objective:

To compare age, sex, BMI, and sport types across EXiT physiological [pre-EXiT and post-EXiT percentage of maximum heart rate (HR %max) and blood pressure (BP)], performance (change-of-direction task completion time and committed errors), and clinical [symptoms and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] outcomes among healthy adolescents and adults.

Study design:

Cross-sectional.

Methods:

Eighty-seven participants (F = 55, 37.4%) reported symptoms and RPE during the EXiT, which consists of a 12-minute treadmill running protocol, and the dynamic circuit, ball toss, box shuffle (SHUF) and carioca (CAR), zig zag (ZZ), proagility (PA), and arrow agility (AA) tasks. Independent samples t tests were conducted for pre-EXiT and post-EXiT HR %max and BP and change-of-direction task completion time and Mann–Whitney U tests for errors, symptoms, and RPE. A series of 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVAs) and Kruskal–Wallis H tests were conducted to compare collision, contact, and noncontact sport types.

Results:

Adolescents had lower completion time across AA (P = 0.01) and male athletes lower than female athletes on CAR, ZZ, PA, and AA (P < 0.04). Male athletes reported greater RPE after the SHUF, CAR, and AA (P < 0.03). HR %max, errors, and symptoms were equivocal across all subgroups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Age and sex should be considered in the interpretation of performance and clinical, but not physiological, EXiT outcomes. The EXiT is a standardized exercise assessment and generalizable to healthy athletes.
Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Guidelines for Fluid Overload, Acute Kidney Injury, and Electrolyte Management
Authors: Bridges Brian C. , Dhar Archana , Ramanathan Kollengode , Steflik Heidi J. , Schmidt Matthieu , Shekar Kiran
Published: March 2022

Disclaimer:

This guideline for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) fluid and electrolyte management for all patient populations is intended for educational use to build the knowledge of physicians and other health professionals in assessing the conditions and managing the treatment of patients undergoing extracorporeal life support (ECLS)/ECMO and describe what are believed to be useful and safe practice for ECLS/ECMO, but these are not necessarily consensus recommendations. The aim of clinical guidelines is to help clinicians to make informed decisions about their patients. However, adherence to a guideline does not guarantee a successful outcome. Ultimately, healthcare professionals must make their own treatment decisions about care on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with their patients, using their clinical judgment, knowledge, and expertise. These guidelines do not take the place of physicians’ and other health professionals’ judgment in diagnosing and treatment of particular patients. These guidelines are not intended to and should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment must be made by the physician and other health professionals and the patient in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient, and the known variability and biologic behavior of the clinical condition. These guidelines reflect the data at the time the guidelines were prepared; the results of subsequent studies or other information may cause revisions to the recommendations in these guidelines to be prudent to reflect new data, but Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) is under no obligation to provide updates. In no event will ELSO be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through these guidelines.
Body Image Issues in Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Phung Van Du , Fang Su-Ying
Published: March 2022

Background

Stomas in colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors lead to body image problems. Advances in treatment help reduce the rate of stoma formation, but body image distress is still frequently experienced in CRC survivors.

Objectives

This review is aimed toward mapping and describing the state of knowledge regarding body image in patients with CRC.

Methods

A systematic literature search complying with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines was conducted. Screening and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers independently for all potentially eligible studies.

Results

A total of 56 eligible articles were selected. The majority of these studies were quantitative studies (85%). The eligible studies were classified into 4 broad categories: instruments used to assess body image, prevalence of body image distress, factors related to body image, and impact of body image distress. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) colorectal questionnaire was the most common measurement tool found among the reviewed studies (70%), and body image distress was reported by 25.5% to 86% of participants. Excluding gender, age, type of surgery, adjuvant therapy, time from diagnosis, social support, and stoma status, changes in bowel habits was identified as affecting the body image of patients with CRC.

Conclusion

Changing bowel habits emerged as a significant factor causing body image distress for CRC survivors.

Implications for Practice

Clinicians should raise awareness about body image distress in patients with CRC, focus on finding effective measures and interventions intended to help alleviate symptoms of bowel dysfunction, and prepare patients to adapt to altered bowel functions.