bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification and Targeting of the Developmental Blockade in Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma
Authors: Mundy-Bosse Bethany L. , Weigel Christoph , Wu Yue-Zhong , Abdelbaky Salma , Youssef Youssef , Casas Susana Beceiro , Polley Nicholas , Ernst Gabrielle , Young Karen A. , McConnell Kathleen K. , Nalin Ansel P. , Wu Kevin G. , Broughton Megan , Lordo Matthew R. , Altynova Ekaterina , Hegewisch-Solloa Everardo , Enriquez-Vera Daniel Y. , Dueñas Daniela , Barrionuevo Carlos , Yu Shan-Chi , Saleem Atif , Suarez Carlos J. , Briercheck Edward L. , Molina-Kirsch Hernan , Loughran Thomas P. , Weichenhan Dieter , Plass Christoph , Reneau John C. , Mace Emily M. , Gamboa Fabiola Valvert , Weinstock David M. , Natkunam Yasodha , Caligiuri Michael A. , Mishra Anjali , Porcu Pierluigi , Baiocchi Robert A. , Brammer Jonathan E. , Freud Aharon G. , Oakes Christopher C.
Published: January 2022

Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, rare lymphoma of natural killer (NK) cell origin with poor clinical outcomes. Here we used phenotypic and molecular profiling, including epigenetic analyses, to investigate how ENKTL ontogeny relates to normal NK-cell development. We demonstrate that neoplastic NK cells are stably, but reversibly, arrested at earlier stages of NK-cell maturation. Genes downregulated in the most epigenetic immature tumors were associated with polycomb silencing along with genomic gain and overexpression of EZH2. ENKTL cells exhibited genome-wide DNA hypermethylation. Tumor-specific DNA methylation gains were associated with polycomb-marked regions, involving extensive gene silencing and loss of transcription factor binding. To investigate therapeutic targeting, we treated novel patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of ENKTL with the DNA hypomethylating agent, 5-azacytidine. Treatment led to reexpression of NK-cell developmental genes, phenotypic NK-cell differentiation, and prolongation of survival. These studies lay the foundation for epigenetic-directed therapy in ENKTL.

Significance:

Through epigenetic and transcriptomic analyses of ENKTL, a rare, aggressive malignancy, along with normal NK-cell developmental intermediates, we identified that extreme DNA hypermethylation targets genes required for NK-cell development. Disrupting this epigenetic blockade in novel PDX models led to ENKTL differentiation and improved survival.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 85
Strategy for Failed Transvenous Left-Ventricular Lead Placement in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Surrender or Struggle?
Authors: Gu Kai , Cai Cheng , Ni Buqing , Gu Weidong , Liu Hailei , Wang Zidun , Yang Bing , Zhang Fengxiang , Ju Weizhu , Chen Hongwu , Yang Gang , Li Mingfang , Shi Jiaojiao , Shao Yongfeng , Cha Yong-Mei , Chen Minglong
Published: January 2022

Introduction: For those cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates who experience left-ventricular (LV) lead placement failure or underwent concomitant cardiac surgeries, surgical placement of epicardial LV lead guided by electroanatomic mapping may be a promising alternative. Methods: Electroanatomic mapping was used to guide positioning of the LV lead through a surgical approach. The LV lead was placed at the region with the latest local LV activation and normal voltage, away from the scar. Results: From April 2010 to September 2018, 10 consecutive patients (3 female) underwent surgical epicardial LV lead implantation. Among them, 3 had other surgical indications simultaneously (including 1 CRT non-responder), and 7 had failed transvenous LV lead placement. After CRT, the QRS duration was shortened from 149.3 ± 20.4 ms to 125.1 ± 15.2 ms (p = 0.01). At 6 months, the LV ejection fraction was significantly improved and remained stable in the follow-up (FU) period thereafter (baseline vs. 6 months, 31.0 ± 8.3% vs. 42.2 ± 13.4%, p = 0.006). Other parameters, including the threshold and impedance of the LV lead, were also stable at a mean FU of 755 ± 406 days, and the NYHA functional classification decreased from 2.9 ± 0.7 to 1.8 ± 0.8 (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Placement of an epicardial LV lead guided by electroanatomic mapping could be used as an adjunctive strategy in patients who were unable or refractory to conventional CRT therapy. This approach could also be applied in patients who had other surgical indications at the same time.
Beneficial Effects of Cardiomyopathy-Associated Genetic Variants on Physical Performance: A Hypothesis-Generating Scoping Review
Authors: Verwijs Sjoerd M. , Pinto Yigal M. , Kuster Diederik W.D. , van der Velden Jolanda , Limpens Jacqueline , van Hattum Juliette C. , van der Crabben Saskia N. , Lekanne Deprez Ronald H. , Wilde Arthur A.M. , Jørstad Harald T.
Published: January 2022

Background: Genetic variants associated with cardiomyopathies (CMPs) are prevalent in the general population. In young athletes, CMPs account for roughly a quarter of sudden cardiac death, with further unexplained clustering in specific sports. Consequently, most CMPs form a contraindication for competitive sports. We hypothesized that genetic variants might (paradoxically) improve physical performance early in life while impairing cardiac function later in life. Methods: Systematic PubMed search was done to investigate whether genetic variants in genes associated with CMPs could be related to beneficial performance phenotypes. Summary: In a limited number of studies (n = 6), 2,860 individuals/subjects with genetic variants were able to outperform those without said variants, as measured by running speed (∼38 m/min in heterozygous [HET] mice, n = 6, vs. ∼32 m/min in wild type [WT] mice, n = 7, p = 0.004) and distance (966 ± 169 km HET mice vs. 561 ± 144 km WT mice, p = 0.0035, n = 10), elite athlete status in endurance athletes (n = 1,672, p = 1.43 × 10−8), maximal oxygen uptake in elite athletes (absolute difference not provided, n = 32, p = 0.005), maximal oxygen uptake in unrelated individuals (n = 473, p = 0.0025), personal records in highly trained marathon runners (2:26:28 ± 0:06:23 min HET, n = 32, vs. 2:28:53 ± 0:05:50 min without polymorphism, n = 108, p = 0.020), and peripheral muscle force contraction in patients following a cardiac rehabilitation program (absolute values not provided, n = 260). Key Message: Beneficial effects in genetic variants associated with CMPs could hypothetically play a role in the selection of young athletes, consequently explaining the prevalence of such genetic variants in athletes and the general population.
Does Obesity Affect Preoperative Shoulder Balance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?
Authors: McDonald Tyler C. , Gnam Ashley , Weaver Kristin J. , Webb Katie , Bhanat Eldrin , Sukkarieh Hamdi , Wright Patrick B. , Brooks Jaysson T.
Published: January 2022

Background: Obese patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have been shown to present with larger curve magnitudes preoperatively. However, the effect of obesity on shoulder balance in AIS remains unknown. The purpose of our study was to determine if overweight and obese patients with AIS have worse radiographic shoulder balance on initial presentation when compared with normal weight patients. Methods: AIS patients <18 years old, with Lenke 1 or 2 curves, who underwent a posterior spinal fusion between March 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. BMI-for-age percentiles as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used: obese (≥95th percentile), overweight (85th to <95th percentile), and normal weight (5th to <85th percentile). Shoulder height was measured via the radiographic shoulder height (RSH) method, with an RSH ≤ 1 cm considered balanced. The primary outcome was preoperative shoulder balance. Secondary outcomes included postoperative shoulder balance, major curve correction, and UIV selection. Results: One hundred eighty-four patients (116 [63%] normal weight and 68 [37%] overweight/obese) were included. The mean age at surgery was 13.1 ± 2 years, and mean follow-up was 17.4 ± 13 months. Preoperative shoulder imbalance was significantly greater in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal weight group (1.9 ± 1 cm vs. 1.5 ± 1 cm, p = 0.04). The odds ratio of presenting with unbalanced shoulders was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.02–3.83, p = 0.04) for the overweight/obese group. No significant differences were found for postoperative shoulder balance, UIV selection, or major curve correction. Conclusions: Overweight and obese patients with AIS are twice as likely to present with unbalanced shoulders preoperatively; however, this difference is not clinically relevant with a mean difference of 0.4 cm between cohorts. Finally, the preoperative BMI percentile did not show a significant effect on the chosen UIV or curve magnitude correction. Level of Evidence: Level III: this is a retrospective case-control study.
Chromosome Painting in Lonchorhina aurita Sheds Light onto the Controversial Phylogenetic Position of Sword-Nosed Bats (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Farias João C. , Santos Neide , Bezerra Darlene P. , Sotero-Caio Cibele G.
Published: January 2022

The subfamily Lonchorhininae encompasses 6 species of sword-nosed bats (Lonchorhina) and is one of the most problematic lineages in the Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) phylogeny. There are at least 5 different hypotheses to explain when the subfamily diverged from the remaining phyllostomids, but none with robust statistical support. Here, we generated a chromosome painting homology map of Lonchorhina aurita karyotype (2n = 32 and FN = 60) using whole-chromosome probes of Macrotus californicus (MCA; 2n = 40 and FN = 60). We placed the karyotype changes of L. aurita in a phylogenetic context to discuss the most likely branching position of Lonchorhininae based on karyotypic evolution. We show that L. aurita has a derived karyotype with 24 segments homologous to the 20 MCA chromosomes used as probes. Comparative analyses between 7 published painted bats species across 4 phyllostomid subfamilies (Macrotinae, Phyllostominae, Glossophaginae, and Lonchophyllinae) revealed that one inversion (MCA 4inv) and one fusion (MCA 17 + 18) are shared derived features between the karyotypes of L. aurita and species of Phyllostominae not yet observed in other bats. Our data show that chromosomal homology maps may contribute with new insights into a long-standing phylogenetic debate that has endured for decades.
Nebenwirkungsprofil von Prednisolon und Methotrexat bei Patienten mit Sarkoidose
Authors: Kahn Nicolas Carlos
Published: January 2022

Currently prednisone is the first-line pharmacological treatment option for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methotrexate is used as second-line therapy and seems to have fewer side-effects. No prospective comparative studies of first-line treatment with methotrexate exist. In this study, we evaluated patient reported presence and bothersomeness of side-effects of prednisone and methotrexate in a sarcoidosis population to guide the design of a larger prospective study. During a yearly patient information meeting 67 patients completed a questionnaire on medication use; 11 patients never used prednisone or methotrexate and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 56 patients, 89% used prednisone and 70% methotrexate (present or former). Significantly more side-effects were reported for prednisone than for methotrexate, 78% versus 49% (p = 0.006). In conclusion, methotrexate seems to have fewer and less bothersome side-effects than prednisone. These findings need to be confirmed in a prospective study.
On some encrusting Xeniidae (Octocorallia): Re-examination of the type material of Sansibia flava (May, 1898) and a description of new taxa
Authors: BENAYAHU YEHUDA , EKINS MERRICK , OFWEGEN LEEN P. VAN , SAMIMI-NAMIN KAVEH , MCFADDEN CATHERINE S.
Published: January 2022

The type of the xeniid soft coral Sansibia flava (May, 1898) is re-described for the first time and its morphological diagnosis is presented. A subsequent integrated analysis of molecular and morphological characters of related Xeniidae, including species indigenous to the Indo-Pacific Ocean and invasive in the Atlantic (Brazil), led to the description of a new Sansibia species, as well as two new genera comprising an additional three new species. All of these taxa are encrusting, with polyps arising directly from a spreading basal membrane. Molecular phylogenetic analyses show that these genera are not sister taxa, thus further emphasizing the remarkable phylogenetic diversity of xeniids with such a growth form. The sclerites of all species are uniformly ellipsoid platelets, abundant throughout the colony. The species exhibit restricted, non-overlapping geographic ranges, with distinct genotypes (molecular operational taxonomic units) found in different marine realms. The results emphasize the importance of re-examination of original old type material while applying molecular phylogenetic analyses in order to delineate species boundaries and to recognize biodiversity patterns.
Two new earthworm species (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) from the Mekong delta, Vietnam
Authors: NGUYEN TUNG T. , LAM DANG H. , NGUYEN ANH D.
Published: January 2022

Two new earthworm species are described from the Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam (An Giang and Ben Tre Provinces), namely Amynthas reductus sp. nov. and Metaphire giengensis sp. nov. The former is recognized by having a pair of spermathecal pores in 6/7, numerous genital markings in transverse lines in 17/18, and spermatheca with strongly reduced diverticula. The latter is distinguished by having two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6/7, two pairs of genital markings located closely to male pores in xviii, and the presence of septum 8/9. The COI fragments are also provided for Metaphire giengensis sp. nov.
EM-Earth: The Ensemble Meteorological Dataset for Planet Earth
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Clark Martyn P. , Papalexiou Simon Michael
Published: January 2022

Gridded meteorological estimates are essential for many applications. Most existing meteorological datasets are deterministic and have limitations in representing the inherent uncertainties from both the data and methodology used to create gridded products. We develop the Ensemble Meteorological Dataset for Planet Earth (EM-Earth) for precipitation, mean daily temperature, daily temperature range, and dewpoint temperature at 0.1° spatial resolution over global land areas from 1950 to 2019. EM-Earth provides hourly/daily deterministic estimates, and daily probabilistic estimates (25 ensemble members), to meet the diverse requirements of hydrometeorological applications. To produce EM-Earth, we first developed a station-based Serially Complete Earth (SC-Earth) dataset, which removes the temporal discontinuities in raw station observations. Then, we optimally merged SC-Earth station data and ERA5 estimates to generate EM-Earth deterministic estimates and their uncertainties. The EM-Earth ensemble members are produced by sampling from parametric probability distributions using spatiotemporally correlated random fields. The EM-Earth dataset is evaluated by leave-one-out validation, using independent evaluation stations, and comparing it with many widely used datasets. The results show that EM-Earth is better in Europe, North America, and Oceania than in Africa, Asia, and South America, mainly due to differences in the available stations and differences in climate conditions. Probabilistic spatial meteorological datasets are particularly valuable in regions with large meteorological uncertainties, where almost all existing deterministic datasets face great challenges in obtaining accurate estimates.
Theory of Parcel Vorticity Evolution in Supercell-Like Flows
Authors: Davies-Jones Robert
Published: January 2022

In a prior paper, insights into tornadogenesis in supercell storms were gained by discovering analytical formulas for vorticity variations along streamlines in idealized, steady, frictionless, isentropic inflows of dry air imported from a horizontally uniform environment. This work is simplified and extended to the evolution of parcel vorticity in unsteady, nonisentropic flows by integrating the vorticity equation using nonorthogonal Lagrangian coordinates. The covariant basis vectors
,
, and
are material line elements attached to each parcel. Initially they form an orthonormal set with
in the direction of and
left normal to the storm-relative wind at each level in the environment, and
upward. The surface containing all parcels with the same initial height constitutes a material surface, within which initially streamwise and transverse material lines are reoriented and stretched or shrunk. The basis vectors propagate a parcel’s barotropic vorticity through time by factoring in the “frozen-field” effect. With a horizontally uniform environment, the barotropic vorticity of a parcel depends on its initial streamwise vorticity times its current
plus its initial crosswise vorticity times its current
. For baroclinic and frictional vorticity, each contravariant component is the integral from initial to current time of the corresponding contravariant component of the generation vector. The “river-bend” effect acting on all parts (baroclinic, frictional, and barotropic) of transverse vorticity produces streamwise vorticity (parallel to 3D wind). In left-turning steady flow, it arises from
rotating toward
. For steady, frictionless, dry isentropic flow, previous vorticity formulas are recovered.

Significance Statement

Air parcels rising in a tornado spin rapidly about their direction of motion. Theory herein describes the processes that can produce this streamwise spin in supercells. Cyclonic updraft rotation originates from strong low-level environmental storm-relative winds that turn clockwise with height. Parcels flowing into the updraft have initially large streamwise spins that are amplified by streamwise stretching. Rain curtains falling through the cyclonic updraft cause other parcels to descend and turn leftward. Buoyancy and frictional torques give them horizontal spin. Even if these spins are transverse to the flow initially, they are turned streamwise by secondary flow that develops in left-hand bends. As the parcels reach the ground and converge into the tornado, streamwise stretching greatly magnifies their streamwise spins.
Central Asian Precipitation Extremes Affected by an Intraseasonal Planetary Wave Pattern
Authors: Xu Peiqiang , Wang Lin , Ming Jie
Published: January 2022

The characteristics and mechanisms of extreme precipitation events over central Asia are investigated based on daily data and percentile criteria. The composited extreme precipitation events have a life cycle of about 10 days. The precipitation signal is weak but significant from eight to two days before the peak. Then it amplifies rapidly and reaches its peak in two days. The earliest precipitation signal appears over the northwest of central Asia and moves southeastward. It maximizes over northern central Asia and the windward side of the mountainous region, suggesting the role of orography in the precipitation extremes. Diagnosis suggests that the precipitation extremes are closely tied to a quasi-stationary planetary wave train emanating from the North Atlantic and the resultant disturbed Asian subtropical jet. The sharpened and accelerated Atlantic jet 10 days before the precipitation peak feeds a cyclonic anomaly at its exit region, which disperses energy downstream and forms a well-defined barotropic Rossby wave train in the Asian subtropical jet, resulting in an anomalous cyclone to the west of central Asia. On the one hand, the cyclone-induced water vapor transport into central Asia enhances the moisture content and increases the convective instability in the lower troposphere, providing a favorable thermodynamical condition for deep convections. On the other hand, the vorticity and temperature advection induced by this cyclone and the mechanical lifting on the windward side of mountains provide a favorable dynamical condition for ascending motion, which triggers the release of convective instability and the occurrence of precipitation extremes in central Asia.
Revisiting the Role of the Water Vapor and Lapse Rate Feedbacks in the Arctic Amplification of Climate Change
Authors: Beer Emma , Eisenman Ian
Published: January 2022

The processes that contribute to the Arctic amplification of global surface warming are often described in the context of climate feedbacks. Previous studies have used a traditional feedback analysis framework to partition the regional surface warming into contributions from each feedback process. However, this partitioning can be complicated by interactions in the climate system. Here we focus instead on the physically intuitive approach of inactivating individual feedback processes during forced warming and evaluating the resulting change in the surface temperature field. We investigate this using a moist energy balance model with spatially varying feedbacks that are specified from comprehensive climate model results. We find that when warming is attributed to each feedback process by comparing how the climate would change if the process were not active, the water vapor feedback is the primary reason that the Arctic region warms more than the tropics, and the lapse rate feedback has a neutral effect on Arctic amplification by cooling the Arctic and the tropics by approximately equivalent amounts. These results are strikingly different from previous feedback analyses, which identified the lapse rate feedback as the largest contributor to Arctic amplification, with the water vapor feedback being the main opposing factor by warming the tropics more than the Arctic region. This highlights the importance of comparing different approaches of analyzing how feedbacks contribute to warming in order to build a better understanding of how feedbacks influence climate changes.
Forcing Space: An Alternative to Regime Diagrams for Predicting Characteristics of Turbulence in the Ocean Surface Mixing Layer
Authors: Gargett Ann E.
Published: January 2022

Various forms of regime diagrams have become an accepted means of identifying the dominant type of forcing of turbulence in the ocean surface layer. However, all of the proposed forms share a number of issues, demonstrated here, that make them an imperfect tool for this purpose. Instead, I suggest a forcing space consisting of surface buoyancy flux (usually dominated by surface heat flux) and a growth rate defined as the inverse of a theoretical time scale for growth of Langmuir circulations in an unstratified water column. Using coastal data, it is demonstrated that, provided forcing conditions are roughly constant for several hours, location in the upper half-plane of this forcing space predicts organizational characteristics of observed turbulence that range in a systematic way between those of “pure” convection and those of full depth Langmuir circulations. In this upper half-plane, where a convective scale velocity exists and the surface Stokes drift velocity can be computed, allowing calculation of a Stokes scale velocity, a linear combination of the two scale velocities provides a consistent estimate of observed rms turbulent vertical velocity. Time dependence is nevertheless a frequent characteristic of ocean surface layer forcing, if only because of the (usually large) diurnal variation in surface heat flux. It is shown that the time scale of response of surface layer turbulence to time variable forcing depends on whether the major change is due to wind/wave or buoyancy forcing. Relevant modeling studies are suggested.
Wildfire Smoke Observations in the Western United States from the Airborne Wyoming Cloud Lidar during the BB-FLUX Project. Part I: Data Description and Methodology
Authors: Deng Min , Wang Zhien , Volkamer Rainer , Snider Jefferson R. , Oolman Larry , Plummer David M. , Kille Natalie , Zarzana Kyle J. , Lee Christopher F. , Campos Teresa , Mahon Nicholas Ryan , Glover Brent , Burkhart Matthew D. , Morgan Austin
Published: January 2022

During the summer of 2018, the upward-pointing Wyoming Cloud Lidar (WCL) was deployed on board the University of Wyoming King Air (UWKA) research aircraft for the Biomass Burning Flux Measurements of Trace Gases and Aerosols (BB-FLUX) field campaign. This paper describes the generation of calibrated attenuated backscatter coefficients and aerosol extinction coefficients from the WCL measurements. The retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients at the flight level strongly correlate (correlation coefficient, rr > 0.8) with in situ aerosol concentration and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, providing a first-order estimate for converting WCL extinction coefficients into vertically resolved CO and aerosol concentration within wildfire smoke plumes. The integrated CO column concentrations from the WCL data in nonextinguished profiles also correlate (rr = 0.7) with column measurements by the University of Colorado Airborne Solar Occultation Flux instrument, indicating the validity of WCL-derived extinction coefficients. During BB-FLUX, the UWKA sampled smoke plumes from more than 20 wildfires during 35 flights over the western United States. Seventy percent of flight time was spent below 3 km above ground level (AGL) altitude, although the UWKA ascended up to 6 km AGL to sample the top of some deep smoke plumes. The upward-pointing WCL observed a nearly equal amount of thin and dense smoke below 2 km and above 5 km due to the flight purpose of targeted fresh fire smoke. Between 2 and 5 km, where most of the wildfire smoke resided, the WCL observed slightly more thin smoke than dense smoke due to smoke spreading. Extinction coefficients in dense smoke were 2–10 times stronger, and dense smoke tended to have larger depolarization ratio, associated with irregular aerosol particles.
The Effect of Legal Status on Prison Misconduct
Authors: Piatkowska Sylwia J. , Brown Jennifer M. , Ramos Javier , Bales William D.
Published: January 2022

The present study examines the relationship between legal status and prisoner misconduct by comparing official disciplinary infraction reports between documented, undocumented, and native-born inmates. We also examine the extent to which such effects vary across different types (i.e., criminal and non-criminal) of reported infractions. Using data from the Florida Department of Corrections, the results reveal that undocumented foreigners have a higher likelihood and a higher frequency of any misconduct and criminal misconduct as well as a higher frequency of non-criminal misconduct than the other two groups, while no such differences are found between documented and native-born prisoners. Our research underscores the salient role of legal status in predicting the in-prison behaviors of foreign-born inmates.
Mucosal melanocytic lesion in the middle ear extending to the inner ear and nasopharynx
Authors: Alomar Khalid Suwayyid , Al-shawi Yazeed Ali , Alzhrani Farid
Published: January 2022

Benign dendritic melanocytic proliferation is usually observed in the skin. We report an extremely rare case of a melanocytic lesion in the middle ear mucosa. Only 3 cases of melanocytic lesions in the middle ear have been reported. Our report is the only one that describes an adult with a melanocytic lesion in the middle ear that extended to the inner ear and nasopharyngeal mucosa. A 23-year-old female presented with profound sensory neural hearing loss and recurrent discharge from the right ear. Examination revealed a blue right tympanic membrane with a small perforation. Computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. After surgical exploration and histopathological examination, the patient was found to have a benign melanocytic lesion in the right middle ear. Melanocytic lesions are commonly found in the skin. There are no previous reports have described adult patients with melanocytic lesions in the middle ear that extend to the inner ear and nasopharynx, which cause profound hearing loss with recurrent ear discharge. These patients require regular follow-up to assess the progression of the lesion and to watch for any malignant behavior.
A randomized control trial employing infraorbital nerve stimulation as a neural distractor during nasopharyngeal swab
Authors: Sussman Sarah , Gill Kurren , Wagoner Sarah , Stanek Joel , Heffelfinger Ryan , Krein Howard
Published: January 2022

Introduction

With the global COVID-19 pandemic, nasopharyngeal swabbing has become commonplace and can occasionally cause discomfort, tearing, and anxiety.

Objective

To evaluate whether using a neural distraction device during nasopharyngeal swabbing can mitigate patient discomfort.

Methods

Participants were randomized into nasal swab with vibration first (treatment-control or Tc) or nasal swab without vibration first (control-treatment or Ct). Then the swab was repeated with the opposite technique. The vibration device was used to stimulate the infraorbital nerve at the midpupillary line, while a nasopharyngeal swab was performed according to CDC protocol. After each swab, participants filled out a survey to assess pain, discomfort, and tearing. This procedure was replicated on the contralateral nostril for a total of 4 swabs and 4 surveys.

Results

Thirty-four subjects were included in the analysis. In the Ct group, there was a median 1.0-point decrease in pain with the use of vibration (95% CI [−1.8, −0.3], P = 0.0117), 2.5-point decrease (95% CI [−3.0, −0.8], P = 00039) in discomfort, and a 1.0-point decrease (95% CI [−2.6, −0.2] P = 0.0303) in tearing when the vibratory device was used. In the Tc group, there was a median 2.0-point decrease in pain with vibration (95% CI [ −2.7, −1.1], P < 0.0001), 2.3-point decrease in discomfort (95% CI [−3.1, −1.5], P < 0.0001), and a 1.5-point decrease in tearing (95% CI [−2.5, −0.5], P = 0.0037) when vibration was used.

Conclusion

Vibratory stimulation of the infraorbital nerve is safe and effectively reduced pain, discomfort, and tearing during nasopharyngeal swab. Vibration is a reasonable option to minimize patient discomfort during COVID-19 or other microbiological testing.
Perceptions of interest and agency explain disagreements about sexual violations
Authors: Corzine Anjuli , Dahl Audun
Published: January 2022

Sexual violations have profound, negative impacts on victims. But although most people agree that sexual assault and other sexual violations are wrong, they often disagree about which acts constitute sexual violations. Moral psychological research suggests that evaluations about right and wrong actions are based on social perceptions, for instance about how actions affect others. Three studies examined whether perceptions about victims’ sexual interest and agency explain disagreements about ambiguous sexual violations (situations that lacked explicit and consistent consent or non-consent). The studies also examined whether such perceptions about sexual interest and agency in concrete situations related to general beliefs about sexual encounters, known as rape myths. Participants read hypothetical vignettes about potential sexual violations and reported their perceptions and evaluations of the events. Studies 1 and 2 found that, in response to ambiguous events, participants who perceived greater sexual interest and agency in the targets of sexual actions evaluated the actions more positively. The studies also found that, relative to ambiguous events, participants evaluated consensual events more positively and nonconsensual events less positively. As an experimental test of the effects of perceived target interest, Study 3 manipulated conventions for signaling sexual interest. The results provided experimental evidence that perceptions of sexual interest guide evaluations of potential sexual violations. Across the three studies, individual differences in two forms of Rape Myth Acceptance predicted perceptions of target interest and agency. This research provides evidence for how social perceptions shape evaluations of potentially ambiguous sexual events, thus validating a framework for explaining and preventing disagreements about sexual violations.
Teacher–student relationship and adolescents’ bullying perpetration: A moderated mediation model of deviant peer affiliation and peer pressure
Authors: Gao Ling , Liu Jiedi , Hua Suqing , Yang Jiping , Wang Xingchao
Published: January 2022

Although teacher–student relationship has been shown to be associated with bullying perpetration, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. The present study investigated (a) the mediating effect of deviant peer affiliation in the relationship between teacher–student relationship and bullying perpetration and (b) the moderating effect of peer pressure in the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration. Our theoretical model was examined with 2407 Chinese adolescents. Participants completed questionnaires regarding teacher–student relationship, bullying, deviant peer affiliation, and peer pressure. After controlling for gender and age, teacher–student relationship was significantly negatively associated with bullying perpetration. Mediation analysis indicated that deviant peer affiliation partially mediated the relation between teacher–student relationship and bullying perpetration. Moderated mediation analysis further revealed that the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration was moderated by peer pressure. Specifically, for adolescents with high peer pressure, the relationship between deviant peer affiliation and bullying perpetration became much stronger. These results can contribute to design effective interventions aimed at preventing and reducing adolescents’ bullying perpetration.
A cluster of blood-based protein biomarkers reflecting coagulation relates to the burden of cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Kuipers Sanne , Overmars L Malin , van Es Bram , de Bresser Jeroen , Bron Esther E , Hoefer Imo E , Kappelle L Jaap , Teunissen Charlotte E , Biessels Geert Jan , Haitjema Saskia
Published: January 2022

Biological processes underlying cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) are largely unknown. We hypothesized that identification of clusters of inter-related bood-based biomarkers that are associated with the burden of cSVD provides leads on underlying biological processes. In 494 participants (mean age 67.6 ± 8.7 years; 36% female; 75% cardiovascular diseases; 25% reference participants) we assessed the relation between 92 blood-based biomarkers from the OLINK cardiovascular III panel and cSVD, using cluster-based analyses. We focused particularly on white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Nineteen biomarkers individually correlated with WMH ratio (r range: 0.16–0.27, Bonferroni corrected p-values <0.05), of which sixteen biomarkers formed one biomarker cluster. Pathway analysis showed that this biomarker cluster predominantly reflected coagulation processes. This cluster related also significantly to other cSVD manifestations (lacunar infarcts, microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces), which supports generalizability beyond WMHs. To study possible causal effects of biological processes reflected by the cluster we performed a mediation analysis that showed a mediation effect of the cluster on the relation between age and WMH ratio (proportion mediated 17%), and hypertension and WMH-volume (proportion mediated 21%). In conclusion, we identified a cluster of blood-based biomarkers reflecting coagulation, that is related to manifestations of cSVD, corroborating involvement of coagulation abnormalities in the etiology of cSVD.
Motion planning by learning the solution manifold in trajectory optimization
Authors: Osa Takayuki
Published: January 2022

The objective function used in trajectory optimization is often non-convex and can have an infinite set of local optima. In such cases, there are diverse solutions to perform a given task. Although there are a few methods to find multiple solutions for motion planning, they are limited to generating a finite set of solutions. To address this issue, we present an optimization method that learns an infinite set of solutions in trajectory optimization. In our framework, diverse solutions are obtained by learning latent representations of solutions. Our approach can be interpreted as training a deep generative model of collision-free trajectories for motion planning. The experimental results indicate that the trained model represents an infinite set of homotopic solutions for motion planning problems.
Effects of Accidental Swallowing of Orthodontic Appliance on Gastrointestinal Tract and Airway: An Evidence-Based Review of Case Reports
Authors: Sonwane Siddharth , Kamble Shweta R.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Contemporarily, the use of innovative orthodontic appliances or their components has increased for safer, quicker results, and more comfort of the patient. But, researchers rarely highlight the potential demerits of accidental ingestion of these appliances. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the evidence-based literature on the accidental swallowing of these appliances and their effect on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and airway.

Method:

An electronic search was performed on PubMed, Medline, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and EMBASE until April 11, 2021. Methodological quality and synthesis of case series and case report tool (MQCC) was applied to determine the quality of these case reports and series. The outcome variable was to assess its effect on airway and GIT, and methods of removal of these foreign bodies. Meta-analysis was not performed as the study included case reports and case series in which no control groups were present.

Results:

Out of 113 case reports and series, 29 articles were included in this systematic review. Only 31% of articles have satisfied the MQCC scale and maintained as high-quality case reports, 43% of articles were medium to high quality, and 26% designated as low quality.

Conclusions:

Eighty percent of the accidental ingested orthodontic appliances that pass uneventfully through the gastrointestinal system require a fiber-rich diet and laxatives. A total of 10% to 20% lacerates oral, pharyngeal, and gastrointestinal mucosa result in pain, bleeding requires laryngoscope, endoscopically and laparoscopy with use of Magill’s forceps. Only 1% of cases have presented with a high morbidity and mortality alarming for surgical removal of ingested component. Thus, the precautions to be taken to overcome such incidences are tying silk thread to activation key, use of recent bonding method, use of contrast colors of removable appliances as the color merges with mucosal color, and operator position should be 7 O′ clock.
Gender Distribution of Faculty Is Strongly Correlated With Resident Gender at Canadian Radiology Residency Programs
Authors: Lawley Morgan , Dobson Jessica , Heelan Francine , Manos Daria
Published: January 2022

Objective: Women are underrepresented in radiology overall, in radiology subspecialties, and in radiology leadership and academic positions. It is unclear why this disparity persists despite greater gender diversification in medicine. We sought to determine if a correlation exists between the proportion of female faculty at an institution, and the proportion of female residents in the associated residency program across Canada. Methods: Faculty gender for each Canadian Diagnostic Imaging Residency Program was obtained through publicly available sources (departmental websites and provincial physician registries) in the fall of 2020. Resident gender data was obtained through a survey emailed to programs following the April 2021 CaRMS match. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Research ethics approval was obtained. Results: Faculty information was available for 15 of the 16 Canadian radiology residency programs (94%) and resident information was obtained for 16 programs (100% response rate). Overall, women accounted for 31.4% of radiologist faculty and 31.9% of radiology residents, with a wide range between institutions (19.5–47.8% for faculty and 13.3%–47.1% for residents). There was a strong positive correlation between the proportion of female faculty and the proportion of female residents within individual programs (r=0.73; R2=0.54; p=0.002). Conclusion: Approximately one third of faculty and residents at Canadian Diagnostic Radiology residency programs were female but there was a wide range across the country with a strong correlation between faculty and resident gender distribution. Further exploration is warranted to determine causes of this correlation including the possible influence of role modeling, mentoring, female-friendly culture, and bias.
Citizen participation in multiscale planning: the case of “26 Local Strategies: A Metropolitan Plan” in the Rosario Metropolitan Area, Argentina (2016–2020)
Authors: Galimberti Cecilia
Published: January 2022

One of the greatest challenges of contemporary planning lies in expanding the strategies and mechanisms of citizen participation in the different scales involved in urban-territorial transformation. In this context, this fieldnote explores the programme “26 Local Strategies: A Metropolitan Plan”, developed in the Rosario Metropolitan Area (AMR), Argentina, by the Rosario Metropolitan Coordination Entity (ECOMR), between 2016 and 2020. This case study is a significant contribution on the topic of participatory strategies in multilevel planning. During the formulation of 24 local urban plans and an interjurisdictional plan, which together constitute the metropolitan plan, it was possible to implement a multiscalar approach, with the wide participation of various social groups, entities, organisations and citizens involved, through which the urban and territorial policies of the AMR were co-designed for the following 10 years.
Effect of an IMB Model-Based Education on the Acceptability of HPV Vaccination Among College Girls in Mainland China: A Cluster RCT
Authors: Si Mingyu , Su Xiaoyou , Jiang Yu , Wang Wenjun , Zhang Xi , Gu Xiaofen , Ma Li , Li Jing , Zhang Shaokai , Ren Zefang , Liu Yuanli , Qiao Youlin
Published: January 2022

Objective

Despite the fact that the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) has been approved in mainland China since 2016, there is a lack of inoculation among Chinese college women. This multi-center, online interventional RCT based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model intended to investigate if the intervention may improve human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance and awareness among target women.

Methods

Participants were selected from comprehensive universities and allocated to 1 of 2 groups: intervention or control. After the baseline survey, participants in the intervention group were given 10-minute online IMB model-based education every day for 7 days. Self-administered questionnaire surveys on Human papillomavirus knowledge, HPVV acceptability, and IMB construct toward HPV vaccination were performed at pre- and post-intervention.

Results

The baseline survey was completed by 3739 female university students from the intervention (n = 1936) and control groups (n = 1803) between February and April 2020. The average score of students on 11 HPV-related questions was 5.225 ± 2.739, and only 32.07% (1199/3739) of them showed a willingness to be vaccinated against HPV. After the intervention, the intervention group had a higher willingness to vaccinate themselves and encourage their friends to get the HPVV compared to the control group (40.39% vs 31.56%, 82.67 vs 73.18%, P < .001), and the difference in knowledge scores between the 2 groups was significant (7.917 ± 1.840 vs 5.590 ± 2.859, P < .001). In addition, 8 students in the intervention group self-reported receiving HPVV during the research period.

Conclusions

This IMB model-based intervention showed positive effects on the participants’ knowledge, motivation, and perceived objective skills toward HPV vaccination and has the potential to improve the vaccination among Chinese college women.
Prefrontal Cortical Control of Anxiety: Recent Advances
Authors: Mack Nancy R. , Deng Suixin , Yang Sha-Sha , Shu Yousheng , Gao Wen-Jun
Published: January 2022

Dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex is commonly implicated in anxiety disorders, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Approach-avoidance conflict tasks have been extensively used in animal research to better understand how changes in neural activity within the prefrontal cortex contribute to avoidance behaviors, which are believed to play a major role in the maintenance of anxiety disorders. In this article, we first review studies utilizing in vivo electrophysiology to reveal the relationship between changes in neural activity and avoidance behavior in rodents. We then review recent studies that take advantage of optical and genetic techniques to test the unique contribution of specific prefrontal cortex circuits and cell types to the control of anxiety-related avoidance behaviors. This new body of work reveals that behavior during approach-avoidance conflict is dynamically modulated by individual cell types, distinct neural pathways, and specific oscillatory frequencies. The integration of these different pathways, particularly as mediated by interactions between excitatory and inhibitory neurons, represents an exciting opportunity for the future of understanding anxiety.
Do serum vitamin D levels correlate with Macular Edema or with Diabetic Retinopathy?
Authors: Seyyar Sevim Ayça , Tokuc Ecem Onder , Tıskaoğlu Nesime Setge , Karabaş Veysel Levent , Güngör Kıvanç
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To compare serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels according to the presence of diabetic macular edema (DME) in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with different retinopathy conditions.

Methods

The files of all DM patients presenting for examination at the ophthalmology clinic between October 2018 and March 2020 were retrospectively examined. Data was collected from the files and included a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, laboratory results from fasting blood tests, and the internal medicine outpatient clinic examination. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of DME, they were divided into three groups in terms of retinopathy and DME, and in terms of retinopathy severity and presence of DME, they were divided into five groups.

Result

Ninety one (51.1%) of the age-sex matched participants were female and 87 (48.9%) were male. There was a statistically significant difference in vitamin D levels between the group with DME and the group without DME (p ≤ 0.001). In the comparison made according to the presence of retinopathy and DME; a significant difference was found between the DME group and the group with retinopathy but no DME (p ≤ 0.001). When the severity of retinopathy and the presence of DME were evaluated, a significant difference was found between the proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group with DME and the PDR group without DME in terms of vitamin D levels (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Our study shows that the presence of DME is associated with lower serum 25(OH)D levels.