bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocelot density and habitat use in Tamaulipan thornshrub and tropical deciduous forests in Northeastern México
Authors: Lombardi Jason V , Stasey W Chad , Caso Arturo , Carvajal-Villarreal Sasha , Tewes Michael E
Published: November 2021

Northeastern México is one of the most diverse regions in the country with high mammal richness. This region also sits on the northern periphery of the geographic distribution of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), which are listed as endangered in México. Ocelot ecology in northeastern México is poorly known at local and landscape levels, especially in the ecologically rich temperate sierras, a perceived stronghold for ocelots. We used an occupancy approach to estimate ocelot-habitat use in Tamaulipan thornshrub and tropical deciduous forests and a spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) framework to estimate density of ocelots in the northern edge of the Sierra Tamaulipas, México. From May to December 2009, we conducted two camera trap surveys (summer: 20 camera stations; fall: 58 camera stations) on Rancho Caracol and Rancho Camotal, north of the Rio Soto de La Marina. We found ocelot detections were higher in areas with increasing patch density of tropical deciduous forest and habitat use was greater in Tamaulipan thornshrub and tropical deciduous forests with lower edge densities. Ocelot densities varied by sex, with females achieving greater densities (7.88 ocelots/100 km2 [95% CI: 4.85–12.81]) than males (3.81 ocelots/100 km2 [95% CI: 1.96–7.43]). Ocelots were averse to areas with high densities of edge cover in each woody community, supporting the notion of a forest patch interior species. Despite the study occurring 11 years ago, population densities were also among the highest reported in México using spatially explicit capture–recapture methods, The high ecological integrity of the habitat within the Sierra de Tamaulipas, recent protection as a Biosphere Reserve, and remote rugged terrain suggest long-term security of the ocelot population in this region.
Amazon islands as predator refugia: jaguar density and temporal activity in Maracá-Jipioca
Authors: Duarte Herbert O B , Boron Valeria , Carvalho William D , de Toledo José Júlio
Published: November 2021

Limited space on islands usually cannot sustain stable populations of large predators. However, jaguars, the largest cat species in the Americas, unexpectedly occur in the Estação Ecológica Maracá-Jipioca reserve, a system of continental Amazonian islands in the Atlantic Ocean. We investigated jaguar population structure, density, and activity patterns. We placed 25 camera-trap stations across 149.19 km2 and used spatially explicit capture–recapture to estimate density, and Rayleigh’s test to assess activity patterns. We identified 21 individuals (12 females, six males, and three cubs) and estimated an adult density of 6.7 individuals per 100 km2, which equals a population of approximately 43 jaguars. The population is composed mostly of females (66%) in relation to males (33%). Male and female activity patterns overlapped and showed more activity during daytime. The high jaguar density and the presence of females with cubs indicate that these islands are likely natural refugia for jaguars, reinforcing the importance of this protected area for jaguar conservation and possibly challenging the paradigm that large-mammal populations are not feasible in restricted islands.
Development of Novel Management Tools for Phortica variegata (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Vector of the Oriental Eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae), in Europe
Authors: González M A , Bravo-Barriga D , Alarcón-Elbal P M , Álvarez-Calero J M , Quero C , Ferraguti M , López S
Published: November 2021

Lachryphagous males of Phortica variegata (Fallén, 1823) are gaining increasing attention in Europe, as they act as vectors of the nematode Thelazia callipaeda Railliet & Henry, 1910, causal agent of thelaziosis, an emergent zoonotic disease. Currently, there are no effective control strategies against the vector, and surveillance and monitoring rely on time-consuming and nonselective sampling methods. Our aim was to improve the knowledge about the population dynamics and the chemical ecology of the species. A total of 5,726 P. variegata flies (96.4% males and 3.6% females, mostly gravid) were collected in field experiments during June–September of 2020 in an oak forest in northern Spain. Our results indicate that 1) by means of sweep netting a significantly higher number of captures were found both around the collector´s body and in the air than at ground level; 2) a positive relationship was detected between the abundance of Phortica flies and temperature, with two significant peaks of abundance at 24 and 33°C; 3) the blend of red wine and cider vinegar was the most attractive bait; 4) yellow traps captured fewer flies compared to black and transparent traps; and 5) a significant reduction toward vinegar and wine was detected in presence of the phenolic monoterpenoid carvacrol. In addition, all the males (n = 690) analyzed by both molecular detection and dissection resulted negative for the presence of T. callipaeda larvae. Overall, these findings provide a better understanding of the vector in terms of monitoring and management strategies.
The Eagle Has Landed: an unusual case of Eagle’s syndrome
Authors: AlAbdulwahed Reem , O’Flynn Paul
Published: November 2021

Eagle’s syndrome refers to a group of characteristic symptoms affecting the oropharynx and neck that are caused by regional compression of structures due to a calcified stylohyoid ligament or an elongated styloid process. Of its two types, the former type is more common than the latter, but carotid artery dissection as a result of an elongated styloid is exceptionally rare. Following an extensive literature review, we present a case of carotid artery dissection causing multiple strokes secondary to direct compression from an elongated styloid process. Managed surgically through excision of the elongated styloid and post-operative rehabilitation, the patient recovered well and was discharged on anti-thrombotic medication, preventing further potentially detrimental attacks.
A wind-blown bubble in the Central Molecular Zone cloud G0.253+0.016
Authors: Henshaw Jonathan D , Krumholz Mark R , Butterfield Natalie O , Mackey Jonathan , Ginsburg Adam , Haworth Thomas J , Nogueras-Lara Francisco , Barnes Ashley T , Longmore Steven N , Bally John , Kruijssen J M Diederik , Mills Elisabeth A C , Beuther Henrik , Walker Daniel L , Battersby Cara , Bulatek Alyssa , Henning Thomas , Ott Juergen , Soler Juan D
Published: November 2021

G0.253+0.016, commonly referred to as ‘the Brick’ and located within the Central Molecular Zone, is one of the densest (≈103–4 cm−3) molecular clouds in the Galaxy to lack signatures of widespread star formation. We set out to constrain the origins of an arc-shaped molecular line emission feature located within the cloud. We determine that the arc, centred on $\lbrace l_{0},b_{0}\rbrace =\lbrace 0{_{.}^{\circ}} 248,\, 0{_{.}^{\circ}} 018\rbrace$, has a radius of 1.3 pc and kinematics indicative of the presence of a shell expanding at $5.2^{+2.7}_{-1.9}$ $\mathrm{\, km\, s}^{-1}$. Extended radio continuum emission fills the arc cavity and recombination line emission peaks at a similar velocity to the arc, implying that the molecular gas and ionized gas are physically related. The inferred Lyman continuum photon rate is NLyC = 1046.0–1047.9 photons s−1, consistent with a star of spectral type B1-O8.5, corresponding to a mass of ≈12–20 M⊙. We explore two scenarios for the origin of the arc: (i) a partial shell swept up by the wind of an interloper high-mass star and (ii) a partial shell swept up by stellar feedback resulting from in situ star formation. We favour the latter scenario, finding reasonable (factor of a few) agreement between its morphology, dynamics, and energetics and those predicted for an expanding bubble driven by the wind from a high-mass star. The immediate implication is that G0.253+0.016 may not be as quiescent as is commonly accepted. We speculate that the cloud may have produced a ≲103 M⊙ star cluster ≳0.4 Myr ago, and demonstrate that the high-extinction and stellar crowding observed towards G0.253+0.016 may help to obscure such a star cluster from detection.
Spin-orbit misalignment from triple-star common envelope evolution
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: November 2021

I study a triple star common envelope evolution (CEE) of a tight binary system that is spiraling-in inside a giant envelope and launches jets that spin-up the envelope with an angular momentum component perpendicular to the orbital angular momentum of the triple star system. This occurs when the orbital plane of the tight binary system and that of the triple star system are inclined to each other, so the jets are not along the triple star orbital angular momentum. The merger of the tight binary stars also tilts the envelope spin direction. If the giant is a red supergiant (RSG) star that later collapses to form a black hole (BH) the BH final spin is misaligned with the orbital angular momentum. Therefore, CEE of neutron star (NS) or BH tight binaries with each other or with one main sequence star (MSS) inside the envelope of an RSG, where the jets power a common envelope jets supernova (CEJSN) event, might end with a NS/BH-NS/BH close binary system with spin-orbit misalignment. Such binaries can later merge to be gravitational waves sources. I list five triple star scenarios that might lead to spin-orbit misalignments of NS/BH-NS/BH binary systems, two of which predict that the two spins be parallel to each other. In the case of a tight binary system of two MSSs inside an asymptotic giant branch star the outcome is an additional non-spherical component to the mass loss with the formation of a ‘messy’ planetary nebula.
SDSS-IV MaStar: theoretical atmospheric parameters for the MaNGA stellar library
Authors: Hill Lewis , Thomas Daniel , Maraston Claudia , Yan Renbin , Neumann Justus , Lundgren Andrew , Lazarz Daniel , Chen Yan-Ping , Cappellari Michele , Holtzman Jon A , Imig Julie , Cunha Katia , Stringfellow Guy , Bizyaev Dmitry , Law David R , Stassun Keivan G , Drory Niv , Merrifield Michael , Beers Timothy C
Published: November 2021

We calculate the fundamental stellar parameters effective temperature, surface gravity, and iron abundance – Teff, log g, [Fe/H] – for the final release of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) Stellar Library (MaStar), containing 59 266 per-visit-spectra for 24 290 unique stars at intermediate resolution (R ∼ 1800) and high S/N (median = 96). We fit theoretical spectra from model atmospheres by both MARCS and BOSZ-ATLAS9 to the observed MaStar spectra, using the full spectral fitting code pPXF. We further employ a Bayesian approach, using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to map the parameter space and obtain uncertainties. Originally in this paper, we cross match MaStar observations with Gaia photometry, which enable us to set reliable priors and identify outliers according to stellar evolution. In parallel to the parameter determination, we calculate corresponding stellar population models to test the reliability of the parameters for each stellar evolutionary phase. We further assess our procedure by determining parameters for standard stars such as the Sun and Vega and by comparing our parameters with those determined in the literature from high-resolution spectroscopy (APOGEE and SEGUE) and from lower resolution matching template (LAMOST). The comparisons, considering the different methodologies and S/N of the literature surveys, are favourable in all cases. Our final parameter catalogue for MaStar cover the following ranges: 2592 ≤ Teff ≤ 32 983 K; −0.7 ≤ log g ≤ 5.4 dex; −2.9 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ 1.0 dex and will be available with the last SDSS-IV Data Release, in 2021 December.
Hyakushō in the Arafura Zone: Ecologizing the Nineteenth-Century ‘Opening of Japan’
Authors: Dotulong Manimporok
Published: November 2021

In the 1880s, ordinary fishers and other commoners who were intimately familiar with the seas left the Japanese archipelago in search of bluer waters. Ending up in South-East Asia and Australasia, these hyakushō used their local knowledge of nature to navigate unfamiliar ecological contexts and create ocean-spanning infrastructures capable of facilitating their everyday lives. The resulting transnational connections gave birth to the ‘Arafura Zone’, a largely non-state space where empires had little influence and mechanisms of the global marketplace met with both human and environmental friction. This article tells a new story of Japan’s nineteenth-century global connections. It shows how the so-called ‘Opening of Japan’ was not primarily characterized by the temporality of industrial civilization and the spatiality of an international community of civilized nation-states. Hyakushō developed a new understanding of time and space based on the monsoonal climate and the geographical distribution of marine biota. As a result, they came to share a nature-centric intellectual common ground with those who were more indigenous to the Arafura Zone. Drifting beyond conventional historical narratives of globalization, Japan’s transnational encounter with the Arafura Sea forces us to rethink the possible forms that global connectivity might take.
Conserved Two-component Hik2–Rre1 Signaling Is Activated Under Temperature Upshift and Plastoquinone-reducing Conditions in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942
Authors: Bairagi Nachiketa , Watanabe Satoru , Nimura-Matsune Kaori , Tanaka Kenya , Tsurumaki Tatsuhiro , Nakanishi Shuji , Tanaka Kan
Published: November 2021

The highly conserved Hik2–Rre1 two-component system is a multi-stress responsive signal-transducing module that controls the expression of hsp and other genes in cyanobacteria. Previously, we found in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 that the heat-inducible phosphorylation of Rre1 was alleviated in a hik34 mutant, suggesting that Hik34 positively regulates signaling. In this study, we examined the growth of the hik34 deletion mutant in detail, and newly identified suppressor mutations located in rre1 or sasA gene negating the phenotype. Subsequent analyses indicated that heat-inducible Rre1 phosphorylation is dependent on Hik2 and that Hik34 modulates this Hik2-dependent response. In the following part of this study, we focused on the mechanism to control the Hik2 activity. Other recent studies reported that Hik2 activity is regulated by the redox status of plastoquinone (PQ) through the 3Fe-4S cluster attached to the cyclic GMP, adenylyl cyclase, FhlA (GAF) domain. Consistent with this, Rre1 phosphorylation occurred after the addition of 2,5-dibromo-6-isopropyl-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone but not after the addition of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea to the culture medium, which corresponded to PQ-reducing or -oxidizing conditions, respectively, suggesting that the Hik2-to-Rre1 phosphotransfer was activated under PQ-reducing conditions. However, there was no correlation between the measured PQ redox status and Rre1 phosphorylation during the temperature upshift. Therefore, changes in the PQ redox status are not the direct reason for the heat-inducible Rre1 phosphorylation, while some redox regulation is likely involved as oxidation events dependent on 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone prevented heat-inducible Rre1 phosphorylation. On the basis of these results, we propose a model for the control of Hik2-dependent Rre1 phosphorylation.
The U1 snRNP component RBP45d regulates temperature-responsive flowering in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chang Ping , Hsieh Hsin-Yu , Tu Shih-Long
Published: November 2021

Precursor messenger RNA (Pre-mRNA) splicing is a crucial step in gene expression whereby the spliceosome produces constitutively and alternatively spliced transcripts. These transcripts not only diversify the transcriptome, but also play essential roles in plant development and responses to environmental changes. Much evidence indicates that regulation at the pre-mRNA splicing step is important for flowering time control; however, the components and detailed mechanism underlying this process remain largely unknown. Here, we identified the splicing factor RNA BINDING PROTEIN 45d (RBP45d), a member of the RBP45/47 family in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using sequence comparison and biochemical analysis, we determined that RBP45d is a component of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1 snRNP) with functions distinct from other family members. RBP45d associates with the U1 snRNP by interacting with pre-mRNA-processing factor 39a (PRP39a) and directly regulates alternative splicing (AS) for a specific set of genes. Plants with loss of RBP45d and PRP39a function exhibited defects in temperature-induced flowering, potentially due to the misregulation of temperature-sensitive AS of FLOWERING LOCUS M as well as the accumulation of the flowering repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C. Taken together, RBP45d is a U1 snRNP component in plants that functions with PRP39a in temperature-mediated flowering.
Overcoming Free-Riding in Bandit Games
Authors: Hörner Johannes , Klein Nicolas , Rady Sven
Published: November 2021

This article considers a class of experimentation games with Lévy bandits encompassing those of Bolton and Harris (1999, Econometrica, 67, 349–374) and Keller, Rady, and Cripps (2005, Econometrica, 73, 39–68). Its main result is that efficient (perfect Bayesian) equilibria exist whenever players’ payoffs have a diffusion component. Hence, the trade-offs emphasized in the literature do not rely on the intrinsic nature of bandit models but on the commonly adopted solution concept (Markov perfect equilibrium). This is not an artefact of continuous time: we prove that efficient equilibria arise as limits of equilibria in the discrete-time game. Furthermore, it suffices to relax the solution concept to strongly symmetric equilibrium.
Efficacy of Potential Control Agents Against Rosellinia necatrix and Their Physiological Impact on Avocado
Authors: Magagula Phinda , Taylor Nicky , Swart Velushka , van den Berg Noëlani
Published: November 2021

Rosellinia necatrix is the causal agent of white root rot (WRR), a fatal disease affecting many woody plants, including avocado (Persea americana). As with other root diseases, an integrated approach is required to control WRR. No fully effective control methods are available, and no chemical or biological agents against R. necatrix have been registered for use on avocado in South Africa. Fluazinam has shown promising results in the greenhouse and field in other countries, including Spain. The current study aimed to investigate the potential of a fumigant, chloropicrin, and biological control agents (B-Rus, Beta-Bak, Mity-Gro, and Trichoderma) against R. necatrix both in vitro and in vivo as compared with fluazinam. In a greenhouse trial, results showed that Trichoderma and B-Rus were as effective as fluazinam at inhibiting R. necatrix in vitro and suppressed WRR symptoms when applied before inoculation with R. necatrix. In contrast, Mity-Gro and Beta-Bak failed to inhibit the pathogen in vitro and in the greenhouse trial, despite application of the products to plants before R. necatrix infection. Fluazinam suppressed WRR symptoms in plants when applied at the early stages of infection, whereas chloropicrin rendered the pathogen nonviable when used as a preplant treatment. Plants treated with Trichoderma, B-Rus, and fluazinam sustained dry mass production and net CO2 assimilation by maintaining the green leaf tissues despite being infected with the pathogen. This study has important implications for the integrated management of WRR.
Specificity of Resistance and Tolerance to Cucumber Vein Yellowing Virus in Melon Accessions and Resistance Breaking with a Single Mutation in VPg
Authors: Desbiez Cécile , Domingo-Calap Maria Luisa , Pitrat Michel , Wipf-Scheibel Catherine , Girardot Grégory , Ferriol Inmaculada , Lopez-Moya Juan José , Lecoq Hervé
Published: November 2021

Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) is an emerging virus on cucurbits in the Mediterranean Basin, against which few resistance sources are available, particularly in melon. The melon accession PI 164323 displays complete resistance to isolate CVYV-Esp, and accession HSD 2458 presents a tolerance, i.e., very mild symptoms despite virus accumulation in inoculated plants. The resistance is controlled by a dominant allele Cvy-11, while the tolerance is controlled by a recessive allele cvy-2, independent from Cvy-11. Before introducing the resistance or tolerance in commercial cultivars through a long breeding process, it is important to estimate their specificity and durability. Upon inoculation with eight molecularly diverse CVYV isolates, the resistance was found to be isolate-specific because many CVYV isolates induced necrosis on PI 164323, whereas the tolerance presented a broader range. A resistance-breaking isolate inducing severe mosaic on PI 164323 was obtained. This isolate differed from the parental strain by a single amino acid change in the VPg coding region. An infectious CVYV cDNA clone was obtained, and the effect of the mutation in the VPg cistron on resistance to PI 164323 was confirmed by reverse genetics. This represents the first determinant for resistance-breaking in an ipomovirus. Our results indicate that the use of the Cvy-11 allele alone will not provide durable resistance to CVYV and that, if used in the field, it should be combined with other control methods such as cultural practices and pyramiding of resistance genes to achieve long-lasting resistance against CVYV.
CE: Nurses Are More Exhausted Than Ever: What Should We Do About It?
Authors: Trinkoff Alison M. , Baldwin Carol M. , Chasens Eileen R. , Dunbar-Jacob Jacqueline , Geiger-Brown Jeanne , Imes Christopher C. , Landis Carol A. , Patrician Patricia A. , Redeker Nancy S. , Rogers Ann E. , Scott Linda D. , Todero Catherine M. , Tucker Sharon J. , Weinstein Sharon M.
Published: November 2021

For nurses, the challenges posed by demanding work environments and schedules often lead to fatigue, and this can be exacerbated during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, the authors discuss causes and challenges of nurse fatigue and consider several evidence-based strategies and solutions for individual nurses and organizations. Barriers to implementation, including a negative workplace culture and inadequate staffing, are also described, and several resources are presented.
Insights into the molecular landscape of osteoarthritis in human tissues
Authors: Katsoula Georgia , Kreitmaier Peter , Zeggini Eleftheria
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review

To provide an overview of recent developments in the field of osteoarthritis research with a focus on insights gleaned from the application of different -omic technologies.

Recent findings

We searched for osteoarthritis-relevant studies focusing on transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics, published since November of 2019. Study designs showed a trend towards characterizing the genomic profile of osteoarthritis-relevant tissues with high resolution, for example either by using single-cell technologies or by considering several -omic levels and disease stages.

Multitissue interactions (cartilage–subchondral bone; cartilage–synovium) are prevalent in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, which is characterized by substantial matrix remodelling in an inflammatory milieu. Subtyping approaches using -omic technologies have contributed to the identification of at least two osteoarthritis endotypes. Studies using data integration approaches have provided molecular maps that are tissue-specific for osteoarthritis and pave the way for expanding these data integration approaches towards a more comprehensive view of disease aetiopathogenesis.
The Open Distal Chevron Osteotomy
Authors: Sleasman Brian T. , Mutawakkil Muhammad , Patel Milap , Kadakia Anish R.
Published: November 2021

Hallux valgus is one of the more common complaints for patients presenting to a foot and ankle clinic. The open distal chevron osteotomy has been a successful and widely used treatment option for symptomatic patients with a mild to moderate deformity. In this paper we will review the evidence with a focus on recent publications, our indications and contraindications, technique, results, and potential complications of the procedure.

Levels of Evidence:

Level V.
Detectable A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase With Thrombospondin Motifs-1 in Serum Is Associated With Adverse Outcome in Pediatric Sepsis
Authors: Boeddha Navin P. , Driessen Gertjan J. , Hagedoorn Nienke N. , Kohlfuerst Daniela S. , Hoggart Clive J. , van Rijswijk Angelique L. , Ekinci Ebru , Priem Debby , Schlapbach Luregn J. , Herberg Jethro A. , de Groot Ronald , Anderson Suzanne T. , Fink Colin G. , Carrol Enitan D. , van der Flier Michiel , Martinón-Torres Federico , Levin Michael , Leebeek Frank W. , Zenz Werner , de Maat Moniek P. M. , Hazelzet Jan A. , Emonts Marieke , Dik Willem A.
Published: November 2021

IMPORTANCE:

A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 is hypothesized to play a role in the pathogenesis of invasive infection, but studies in sepsis are lacking.

OBJECTIVES:

To study A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 protein level in pediatric sepsis and to study the association with outcome.

DESIGN:

Data from two prospective cohort studies.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS:

Cohort 1 is from a single-center study involving children admitted to PICU with meningococcal sepsis (samples obtained at three time points). Cohort 2 includes patients from a multicenter study involving children admitted to the hospital with invasive bacterial infections of differing etiologies (samples obtained within 48 hr after hospital admission).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

Primary outcome measure was mortality. Secondary outcome measures were PICU-free days at day 28 and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS:

In cohort 1 (n = 59), nonsurvivors more frequently had A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 levels above the detection limit than survivors at admission to PICU (8/11 [73%] and 6/23 [26%], respectively; p = 0.02) and at t = 24 hours (2/3 [67%] and 3/37 [8%], respectively; p = 0.04). In cohort 2 (n = 240), A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 levels in patients within 48 hours after hospital admission were more frequently above the detection limit than in healthy controls (110/240 [46%] and 14/64 [22%], respectively; p = 0.001). Nonsurvivors more often had detectable A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 levels than survivors (16/21 [76%] and 94/219 [43%], respectively; p = 0.003), which was mostly attributable to patients with Neisseria meningitidis.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

In children with bacterial infection, detection of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 within 48 hours after hospital admission is associated with death, particularly in meningococcal sepsis. Future studies should confirm the prognostic value of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-1 and should study pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Trends in eclampsia in the United States, 2009–2017: a population-based study
Authors: Xiao Maggie Z.X. , Whitney Dylan , Guo Nan , Bentley Jason , Shaw Gary M. , Druzin Maurice L. , Butwick Alexander J.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Reducing the prevalence of eclampsia, a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity, is a maternal health priority. However, sparse data exist examining trends in the USA prevalence of eclampsia.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the prevalence of eclampsia among live births in the United States from 2009 to 2017.

Study design:

This population-based cross-sectional study included live births in 41 USA states and the District of Columbia between 2009 and 2017. The prevalence of eclampsia among all women, women with chronic hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were reported by 1000 live births. Risk ratios adjusted for maternal characteristics were used to assess temporal trends.

Results:

Of 27 866 714 live births between 2009 and 2017, 83 000 (0.30%) were associated with eclampsia. The adjusted risk of eclampsia decreased 10% during the 7 most recent years of the cohort, with an adjusted risk ratio of 0.90 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.87–0.93] in 2017 relative to 2009. Relative to 2009, the adjusted risk of eclampsia in 2017 was substantially lower among women with chronic hypertension (adjusted risk ratio: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.46–0.57) and women with hypertensive pregnancy disorders (adjusted risk ratio: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.40–0.47). Among nonhypertensive women, there was a slight increase in the adjusted risk of eclampsia in 2017 relative to 2009 (adjusted risk ratio: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.10–1.17).

Conclusion:

Despite reductions in the eclampsia prevalence among women with chronic hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, public health initiatives are needed to reduce the overall eclampsia prevalence, especially in nonhypertensive women.
Corynebacterium Keratitis: Pure Versus Mixed Infection and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns From Different Tertiary Eye Care Centers
Authors: Soni Tanvi , Gunasekaran Rameshkumar , Das Sujata , Mitra Sanchita , Prajna Namperumalsamy Venkatesh , Prajna Lalitha , Sharma Savitri , Mohamed Ashik
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and microbiological profiles of culture-proven pure Corynebacterium keratitis with mixed infection and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns over a 2-year period.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of culture-proven cases of Corynebacterium keratitis over a 2-year period was performed in 3 different tertiary eye care centers. All isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility in vitro using the disc-diffusion method for 7 antibiotics.

Results:

Altogether 108 cases were identified as culture-positive Corynebacterium keratitis in 3 tertiary eye care centers. Of these, 60.2% (n = 65) and 39.8% (n = 43) of cases were due to pure Corynebacterium and mixed infection, respectively. The mean duration of symptoms was 23.2 ± 29.6 days. In the mixed-infection group, fungus was identified as the coexistent pathogen in 22 cases (51.1%). Ocular surface disorder was the most common risk factor (33.9%) in Corynebacterium keratitis. The most frequently isolated species was Corynebacterium amycolatum (22.2%) in both groups. Therapeutic keratoplasty was performed in 8.3% of cases. There was no significant difference in the outcome between the 2 groups. Cefazolin resistance was seen in 13.9% of patients, and all isolates were susceptible to vancomycin. The resistance pattern showed emerging resistance toward fluoroquinolone because the isolates were resistant to gatifloxacin (58.3%), moxifloxacin (47.2%), ciprofloxacin (54.6%), and ofloxacin (45.4%).

Conclusions:

Ocular surface disorder is the most common risk factor in Corynebacterium keratitis. Although fluoroquinolones are commonly used as first-line therapy in microbial keratitis, the in vitro resistance pattern indicates that these are less likely to be effective in infection with Corynebacterium species.
Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases
Authors: Ravaglia Claudia , Poletti Venerino
Published: November 2021

Purpose of review

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy has shown promise in several studies in providing meaningful histological information in the multidisciplinary team diagnosis of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. The purpose of this review is to describe recent literature providing support for the formal integration of cryobiopsy into the algorithm for interstitial lung disease diagnosis.

Recent findings

Histopathological concordance between cryobiopsy and surgical biopsy and diagnostic agreement at multidisciplinary discussion have been reported good; furthermore, cryobiopsy may provide an increased diagnostic confidence to a level likely to influence management. Finally, although cryobiopsy is more likely to provide a probable usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern than a definite UIP pattern, given the limited sampling of sub-pleural lung parenchyma in most cases, finding of a probable UIP pattern at cryobiopsy samples is strongly predictive of a definite UIP pattern in the corresponding surgical biopsy and when a UIP pattern is found on cryobiopsy sample, this is associated with higher mortality compared with other histological patterns.

Cryobiopsy is becoming a valid alternative to surgical lung biopsy for making histopathological diagnosis in patients with interstitial lung diseases of undetermined type in experienced centres, with standardized protocols, in order to have the best risks/diagnostic yields ratio.
A Comparison of Local Anesthetics for Intravenous Catheter Insertion in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients
Authors: Lozano Sally , Sund Grace , Guimera Allison , Deukmedjian Grace , Miller Pamela S.
Published: November 2021

Peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion is one of the most painful procedures pediatric patients undergo during hospitalization. To date, local anesthetics delivered via cream, patch, and needle-free injection have not been rigorously evaluated together. This study aimed to investigate feasibility and potential efficacy of local anesthetics on pain intensity during PIVC insertion in an unblinded, single-center, randomized clinical pilot trial. Between March 2017 and February 2020, 88 hospitalized children aged 12 months to 18 years in an acute pediatric unit at an academic medical center were randomized to 1 of 3 local anesthetics: 1) lidocaine/prilocaine cream, 2) lidocaine/tetracaine patch, and 3) unbuffered lidocaine needle-free injection. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment and protocol adherence. Pain intensity was measured using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (age <8 years) and Verbal Numeric Rating (VNRS) scales (age ≥8 years) before, during, and after procedure. Secondary outcomes included catheterization attempts, procedure time, and parent satisfaction. Recruitment rate was acceptable (2.7 patients per month). Protocol adherence was high (92%). Preliminary clinical findings showed no significant difference in pain intensity across treatments. Procedure time to successful insertion differed in the VNRS group, favoring unbuffered lidocaine needle-free injection. Conduct of a definitive, full-scale randomized clinical trial in the hospitalized pediatric population is feasible.
A Call to Address RN, Social Work, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes
Authors: Popejoy Lori L. , Vogelsmeier Amy A. , Canada Kelli E. , Kist Shari , Miller Steven J. , Galambos Colleen , Alexander Gregory L. , Crecelius Charles , Rantz Marilyn
Published: November 2021

Background:

US nursing homes (NHs) have struggled to overcome a historic pandemic that laid bare limitations in the number and clinical expertise of NH staff.

Problem:

For nurse staffing, current regulations require only one registered nurse (RN) on duty 8 consecutive hours per day, 7 days per week, and one RN on call when a licensed practical/vocational nurse is on duty. There is no requirement for a degreed or licensed social worker, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in NHs cannot bill for services.

Approach:

It is time to establish regulation that mandates a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, on-site RN presence at a minimum requirement of 1 hour per resident-day that is adjusted upward for greater resident acuity and complexity. Skilled social workers are needed to improve the quality of care, and barriers for APRN billing for services in NHs need to be removed.

Conclusions:

Coupling enhanced RN and social work requirements with access to APRNs can support staff and residents in NHs.
Genome structural variation in Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Fitzgerald Stephen F. , Lupolova Nadejda , Shaaban Sharif , Dallman Timothy J. , Greig David , Allison Lesley , Tongue Sue C. , Evans Judith , Henry Madeleine K. , McNeilly Tom N. , Bono James L. , Gally David L.
Published: November 2021

The human zoonotic pathogen

Escherichia coli

O157:H7 is defined by its extensive prophage repertoire including those that encode Shiga toxin, the factor responsible for inducing life-threatening pathology in humans. As well as introducing genes that can contribute to the virulence of a strain, prophage can enable the generation of large-chromosomal rearrangements (LCRs) by homologous recombination. This work examines the types and frequencies of LCRs across the major lineages of the O157:H7 serotype. We demonstrate that LCRs are a major source of genomic variation across all lineages of

E. coli

O157:H7 and by using both optical mapping and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing prove that LCRs are generated in laboratory cultures started from a single colony and that these variants can be recovered from colonized cattle. LCRs are biased towards the terminus region of the genome and are bounded by specific prophages that share large regions of sequence homology associated with the recombinational activity. RNA transcriptional profiling and phenotyping of specific structural variants indicated that important virulence phenotypes such as Shiga-toxin production, type-3 secretion and motility can be affected by LCRs. In summary,

E. coli

O157:H7 has acquired multiple prophage regions over time that act to continually produce structural variants of the genome. These findings raise important questions about the significance of this prophage-mediated genome contingency to enhance adaptability between environments.
Protocol for a mixed methods exploratory study of success factors to escalation of care: the SUFFICE study
Authors: Ede J , Watkinson P , Endacott R
Published: November 2021

Background

In the United Kingdom, hospital patients suffer preventable deaths (failure to rescue) and delayed admission to the Intensive Care Unit because of poor illness recognition. This problem has consistently been identified in care reviews. Strategies to improve deteriorating ward patient care, such as early warning systems and specialist care teams (Critical Care Outreach or Rapid Response), have not reliably demonstrated reductions to patient deaths. Current research focuses on failure to rescue, but further reductions to patient deaths are possible, by examining care of unwell hospital patients who are rescued (successfully treated). Our primary objective is to develop a framework of care escalation success factors that can be developed into a complex intervention to reduce patient mortality and unnecessary admissions to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Methods and Analysis

SUFFICE is a multicentre mixed-methods, exploratory sequential study examining rescue events in the acutely unwell ward patient in two National Health Service Trusts with Teaching Hospital status. The study will constitute four key phases. Firstly, we will observe ward care escalation events to generate a theoretical understanding of the process of rescue. Secondly, we will review care records from unwell ward patients in whom an ICU admission was avoided to identify care success factors. Thirdly, we will conduct staff interviews with expert doctors, nurses, and Allied Health Professionals to identify how rescue is achieved and further explore care escalation success factors identified in the first two study phases. The final phase involves integrating the study data to generate the theoretical basis for the framework of care escalation success factors.

Ethics and Dissemination

Ethical approval has been obtained through the Queen Square London Research and Ethics committee (REC Ref 20/HRA/3828; CAG-20CAG0106). Study results will be of interest to critical care, nursing and medical professions and results will be disseminated at national and international conferences.

Trial Registration Number

ISRCTN 38850
Determinants and Magnitude of Neonatal Sepsis at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Feleke Astawus Alemayehu , Abdella Mohammed Yusuf , W/Mariam Abebaw Demissie
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Neonatal sepsis is a serious blood bacterial infection in neonates at the age of equal to or less than 28 days of life, and it’s still the major significant cause of death and long-term morbidity in developing countries. Therefore, this study has assessed the prevalence and related factors with neonatal sepsis among new born admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted among 386 neonates admitted to NICU from September 2017 to August 2019 G.C. A systematic random sampling method was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.26. Descriptive summary statistics was done. Bivariate analysis was computed to identify association between dependent and independent variables. Multivariate analysis was used to control possible confounder variables and variables with p-value <0.05 were declared as having statistically significant association.

Result

The prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 53.1% and 59.5% were males. Among the total neonates who had sepsis, 67.8% had early neonatal sepsis. Among neonatal factors, preterm neonates (AOR: 8.1, 95%CI: 2.1, 31.2), birth asphyxia (AOR: 4.7, 95%CI: 1.6, 13.6); and among maternal factors, urban residence (AOR: 0.26, 95%CI: 0.1, 0.5), ANC attendance (AOR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.2, 0.6), SVD (AOR: 0.047, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.2), Maternal antibiotic use (AOR: 0.39; 95%CI: 0.2, 0.8), duration of rupture of membrane < 12 hours (AOR: 0.11; 95%CI: 0.05, 0.2) were found to have significant association with neonatal sepsis.

Conclusion

Overall, the magnitude of neonatal sepsis was high. Being preterm, low birth weight and having birth asphyxia were found to significantly increase the odds of neonatal sepsis. Urban residence, having ANC follow up, giving birth by SVD and CS, history of antibiotic use and having rupture of membrane < 18 hours were found to significantly decrease the odds of neonatal sepsis.
Immunogenicity and adverse events of priming with inactivated whole SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (CoronaVac) followed by boosting the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine
Authors: Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Khunphon Athiwat , Kwangsukstid Oraya , Sapsutthipas Sompong , Wichaidit Minkwan , Rojanawiwat Archawin , Wichuckchinda Nuanjun , Puangtubtim Wiroj , Pimpapai Warangluk , Soonthorncharttrawat Sakulrat , Wanitchang Asawin , Jongkaewwattana Anan , Srisutthisamphan Kanjana , Phainupong Daraka , Thawong Penpitcha , Piboonsiri Pundharika , Sawaengdee Warittha , Somporn Thitiporn , Ritthitham Kanokphon , Chumpol Supaporn , Pinyosukhee Nadthanan , Wichajarn Rattanawadee , Dhepaksorn Panadda , Iamsiritahworn Sopon , Phumiamorn Supaporn
Published: November 2021

Background

Responding to SARS-CoV-2 Delta variants escaped the vaccine-induced immunity and waning immunity from the inactivated whole virus vaccine, Thailand recently proposed a heterologous inactivated whole virus vaccine (CoronaVac) viral vector vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) prime-boost vaccine regimen(I/V). This study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and adverse events of this regimen by comparison with homologous CoronaVac, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and convalescent serum.

Method

Immunogenicity was evaluated by the level of IgG antibodies against the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S1 subunit) (anti-S RBD). At 2 weeks following the second dosage, a selection of random samples was tested for plaque reduction neutralisation (PRNT) and Pseudotype-Based Microneutralization test (PVNT) against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). The safety profile of heterologous CoronaVac-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 prime-boost vaccine regimen was described by interviewing at the 1-month visit.

Result

Between April to August 2021,426 participants were included in the study, with 155 obtaining CoronaVac-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(I/V),32 obtaining homologous CoronaVac(I/I),47 obtaining homologous ChAdOx1 nCoV-19(V/V),169 with history covid-19 infection. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-S RBD level in the I/V group compare 2wks and 4 wks (873.9 vs 639,p=0.00114).At 4 wks, GMTs of anti-S RBD level in I/V group was 639, 95% CI 63-726,and natural infection group 177.3, 95% CI 42-221, and V/V group 211.1, 95% CI 77-152, and I/I group 108.2, 95% CI 77-152; all p<0.001).At 2 wks, The GMTs of 50%PRNT of 19 sampling from the I/V group is 434.5, 95% CI 326-579, against wild type and 80.4, 95% CI 56-115, against alpha and 67.4, 95% CI 48-95, against delta and 19.8, 95% CI 14-30, against beta; all p<0.001. At 2 wks, The GMTs of 50%PVNT of 15 sampling from the I/V group is 597.8, 95% CI 368-970, against wild type and 163.9, 95% CI 89-301, against alpha and 157.7, 95% CI 66-378, against delta. The AEs in the I/V schedule were well tolerated and generally unremarkable.

Conclusion

The I/V vaccination is a mixed regimen that induced higher immunogenicity and shall be considered for responding to Delta Variants when only inactivated whole virus vaccine and viral vector vaccine was available.
A need of COVID19 vaccination for children aged <12 years: Comparative evidence from the clinical characteristics in patients during a recent Delta surge (B.1.617.2)
Authors: Li Hongru , Lin Haibin , Chen Xiaoping , Li Hang , Li Hong , Lin Sheng , Huang Liping , Chen Gongping , Zheng Guilin , Wang Shibiao , Hu Xiaowei , Huang Handong , Tu Haijian , Li Xiaoqin , Ji Yuejiao , Zhong Wen , li Qing , Fang Jiabin , Lin Qunying , Yu Rongguo , Xie Baosong
Published: November 2021

Objective

To evaluate the necessity of Covid-19 vaccination in children aged < 12 y by comparing the clinical characteristics in unvaccinated children aged < 12 y with vaccinated patients aged ≥ 12y during the Delta surge (B.1.617.2) in Putian, Fujian, China.

Methods

A total of 226 patients with SARS-Cov-2 Delta variant (B.1.167.2; confirmed by Realtime PCR positive and sequencing) were enrolled from Sep 10th to Oct 20th, 2021, including 77 unvaccinated children (aged < 12y) and 149 people aged ≥ 12y, mostly vaccinated. The transmission route was explored and the clinical data of two groups were compared; the effect factors for the time of the nucleic acid negativization (NAN) were examined by R statistical analysis.

Results

The Delta surge in Putian spread from children in schools to factories, mostly through family contact. Compared with those aged ≥ 12y, patients aged < 12y accounted for 34.07% of the total and showed milder fever, less cough and fatigue; they reported higher peripheral blood lymphocyte counts [1.84(1.32,2.71)×10^9/L vs. 1.31(0.94,1.85)×10^9/L; p<0.05), higher normal CRP rate (92.21% vs. 57.72%), lower IL-6 levels [5.28(3.31,8.13) vs. 9.10(4.37,15.14); p< 0.05]. Upon admission, their COVID19 antibodies (IgM and IgG) and IgG in convalescence were lower [0.13(0.00,0.09) vs. 0.12(0.03,0.41), p<0.05; 0.02(0.00,0.14) vs. 1.94(0.54,6.40), p <0.05; 5.46(2.41,9.26) vs. 73.63 (54.63,86.55), p<0.05, respectively], but longer NAN time (18 days vs. 16 days, p=0.13).

Conclusion

Children aged < 12y may be critical hidden spreaders, which indicates an urgent need of vaccination for this particular population.
An economic, square-shaped flat-field illumination module for TIRF-based super-resolution microscopy
Authors: Lam Jeff Y.L. , Wu Yunzhao , Dimou Eleni , Zhang Ziwei , Cheetham Matthew R. , Körbel Markus , Xia Zengjie , Klenerman David , Danial John S.H.
Published: November 2021

Super-resolution (SR) microscopy allows complex biological assemblies to be observed with remarkable resolution. However, the presence of uneven Gaussian-shaped illumination hinders its use in quantitative imaging or high-throughput assays. Methods developed to circumvent this problem are often expensive, hard-to-implement, or not applicable to total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) imaging. We herein demonstrate a cost-effective method to overcome these challenges using a small square-core multimodal optical fibre as the coupler. We characterise our method with synthetic, recombinant and cellular systems imaged under TIRF and highly inclined and laminated optical sheet (HILO) illuminations to demonstrate its ability to produce highly uniform images under all conditions.