bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial sputter deposition of ultrathick Au-Bi alloy films
Authors: Bayu Aji L B , Engwall A M , Shin S J , Bae J H , Baker A A , Strozzi D J , McCall S K , Moody J D , Kucheyev S O
Published: September 2022

Gold-bismuth alloys are of interest as catalysts and catalytic sensing systems, electrochemical sensors, superconductors, and hohlraums for magnetically assisted inertial confinement fusion implosions. Radiation-hydrodynamics simulations with the Lasnex code of laser-driven hohlraums predict higher x-ray drive from Au-Bi alloys compared with cases of Au-Ta or pure Au and Bi hohlraums. Here, we use direct current magnetron sputtering in Ar gas, with co-sputtering from two elemental targets, to deposit Au-Bi alloys with Bi content of 9–77 at.% and thicknesses up to ∼20 µm. Films are characterized by a combination of x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering, scanning electron microscopy, substrate-curvature-based residual stress, and electronic transport measurements. Experiments are complemented by Monte Carlo simulations of ballistic sputtering and gas phase transport of depositing species and Ar gas atoms. Results show that all films are polycrystalline, with three distinct compositional regimes dominated by Au, Au2Bi, and Bi crystallographic phases. A metallic behavior of the temperature dependence of electrical resistivity is observed for all the films. Films with Bi content above ∼30 at.% exhibit porosity, which is tolerable to hohlraum x-ray drive based on Lasnex simulations.
Temperature-dependent mechanical properties and the microscopic deformation mechanism of bilayer γ-graphdiyne under tension
Authors: Song Bo , Yang Bolin , Zhang Cun , Wang Chao , Chen Shaohua
Published: September 2022

γ-graphdiyne (γ-GDY) is a new two-dimensional carbon allotrope that has received increasing attention in scientific and engineering fields. The mechanical properties of γ-GDY should be thoroughly understood for realizing their practical applications. Although γ-GDY is synthesized and employed mainly in their bilayer or multilayer forms, previous theoretical studies mainly focused on the single-layer form. To evaluate the characteristics of the multilayer form, the mechanical properties of the bilayer γ-GDY (γ-BGDY) were tested under uniaxial tension using the molecular dynamics simulations. The stress–strain relation of γ-BGDY is highly temperature-dependent and exhibits a brittle-to-ductile transition with increasing temperature. When the temperature is below the critical brittle-to-ductile transition temperature, γ-BGDY cracks in a brittle manner and the fracture strain decreases with increasing temperature. Otherwise, it exhibits ductile characteristics and the fracture strain increases with temperature. Such a temperature-dependent brittle-to-ductile transition is attributed to the interlayer cooperative deformation mechanism, in which the co-rearrangement of neighboring layers is dominated by thermal vibrations of carbon atoms in diacetylenic chains. Furthermore, the brittle-to-ductile transition behavior of γ-BGDY is independent of loading direction and loading rate. The ultimate stress and Young’s modulus decrease at higher temperatures. These results are beneficial for the design of advanced γ-GDY-based devices.
Ti–Cl bonds decorated Ti2NT
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MXene towards high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Cao Yuyang , Wei Shiqiang , Zhou Quan , Zhang Pengjun , Wang Changda , Zhu Kefu , Xu Wenjie , Guo Xin , Yang Xiya , Wang Yixiu , Wu Xiaojun , Chen Shuangming , Song Li
Published: September 2022

Transition metal carbides or nitrides, collectively known as MXenes, are burgeoning two-dimensional materials for energy conversion and storage. The surface chemistry of MXenes could be specially tuned by the modified surface terminations, which directly influences their physicochemical properties. However, the in-depth study and understanding of the specific microstructure and the influence on the electrochemical performance of these terminations remain lacking. Herein, we present an accordion layered Ti2NT
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MXene with –Cl and –O terminations obtained from copper chloride molten salt etching at a relatively low temperature. X-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses reveal the formation of Ti–Cl and Ti–O bonds on the surface of Ti2NT
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MXene. Density functional theory calculations further suggest that the surface terminations tend to be replaced by –O terminations after Ti–Cl decoration, which implies promising lithium-ion storage performance due to the high lithium affinity of –O terminations. As a result, the Ti2NT
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MXene based electrode delivers a high reversible capacity (303.4 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1), stable cycling capability (1200 cycles without capacity attenuation), and fast Li+ storage (52% capacity retention at 32 C). This work provides a new vision for MXene surface chemistry and an effective avenue to prepare high-performance nitride electrodes, expanding the diversity and controllability of the MXenes family.
Metal halide perovskite nanocrystals for x-ray scintillators
Authors: Jin Handong , Yang Shihe , Iqbal Muhammad Ahsan , Zeng Yu-Jia
Published: September 2022

Radiation detection, converting high-energy (keV) photons to lower energy (1.7–3 eV) photons, is of great importance in various fields, including medical diagnostics, quality inspection, and security checking. High-resolution scintillation imaging based on lead halide perovskite nanocrystals is very promising for these applications owing to their high absorption cross-section for x-rays, fast decay time, room temperature fabrication, tunable bandgap, low trap density, and near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield. Although considerable achievements have been made, challenges remain for future industrialization. Herein, the progress of scintillators based on lead halide perovskite nanocrystals is reviewed, including their working mechanisms, key parameters, and the relationship between growth conditions and performance. An overview of the current state in this promising research area toward high-performance x-ray scintillators is provided, along with a look at some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Robust linear DNA degradation supports replication–initiation-defective mutants in Escherichia coli
Authors: Rao T V Pritha , Kuzminov Andrei
Published: September 2022

RecBCD helicase/nuclease supports replication fork progress via recombinational repair or linear DNA degradation, explaining recBC mutant synthetic lethality with replication elongation defects. Since replication initiation defects leave chromosomes without replication forks, these should be insensitive to the recBCD status. Surprisingly, we found that both Escherichia coli dnaA46(Ts) and dnaC2(Ts) initiation mutants at semi-permissive temperatures are also recBC-colethal. Interestingly, dnaA46 recBC lethality suppressors suggest underinitiation as the problem, while dnaC2 recBC suppressors signal overintiation. Using genetic and physical approaches, we studied the dnaA46 recBC synthetic lethality, for the possibility that RecBCD participates in replication initiation. Overproduced DnaA46 mutant protein interferes with growth of dnaA+ cells, while the residual viability of the dnaA46 recBC mutant depends on the auxiliary replicative helicase Rep, suggesting replication fork inhibition by the DnaA46 mutant protein. The dnaA46 mutant depends on linear DNA degradation by RecBCD, rather than on recombinational repair. At the same time, the dnaA46 defect also interacts with Holliday junction-moving defects, suggesting reversal of inhibited forks. However, in contrast to all known recBC-colethals, which fragment their chromosomes, the dnaA46 recBC mutant develops no chromosome fragmentation, indicating that its inhibited replication forks are stable. Physical measurements confirm replication inhibition in the dnaA46 mutant shifted to semi-permissive temperatures, both at the level of elongation and initiation, while RecBCD gradually restores elongation and then initiation. We propose that RecBCD-catalyzed resetting of inhibited replication forks allows replication to displace the “sticky” DnaA46(Ts) protein from the chromosomal DNA, mustering enough DnaA for new initiations.
Thermal conductivity at elevated temperature, density and geochemical signatures for the massive rhyolites of the Bundelkhand Craton, central India
Authors: Ray Labani , Chopra Nishu , Singh S P , Hiloidari Sikha , Rao S Eswara
Published: September 2022

In spite of the fact that rhyolite constitute a vital part of the key tectonic environments, such as continental rift-arc systems and oceanic islands, the data on the thermal and physical properties are scarce, which hinders the exact thermal modelling of these regions. Here, we have investigated the thermal conductivity from room temperature (25 °C) to elevated temperatures (up to 300 °C) for 11 massive rhyolite samples, collected from the greenstone belt of the Bundelkhand Craton, central India. The petrographical, geochemical (major oxide and trace elements) and physical (density and porosity) properties have been studied to characterize the samples before measurement of thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures. Geochemical results indicate that these rhyolites are high-K (K2O: 3.6–5.4 wt. per cent), calc-alkaline in nature with enriched REE signatures {(La/Yb)N: 9.4–22.3, (Gd/Yb)N: 1.2–1.9} and are similar to FI-type Archaean rhyolites. The density of these rhyolites depicts a narrow range between 2590 and 2690 kg m−3, with an average of 2637 kg m−3 and negligible porosity. Their thermal conductivity at room temperature varies between 2.5 and 3.3 W m−1 K−1, with an average of 2.8 W m−1 K−1; the decrease in thermal conductivity from room temperature to 300 °C ranges between 16 and 32 per cent, with an average of 23 per cent; and the temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity b, in the expression λT = λRT (1 + bT)−1, varies between 0.7 × 10−3 and 1.7 × 10−3 K−1 with an average of 1.1 × 10−3 K−1. Our study reveals that the massive rhyolites have an almost similar density as their intrusive equivalent like Bundelkhand granitoids, but their thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity at room temperature (λRT), decrease in thermal conductivity with temperatures (Δλ) and the temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity (b), lies between the two extreme variety of the granitoids, that is (i) alkali feldspar granite to monzogranite and (ii) granodiorite to tonalite to quartz diorite. We suggest that the temperature coefficient of the massive rhyolite can be expressed as b = 0.81 × λRT–1.21, which will be useful in determining the thermal conductivity of such rhyolites at elevated temperatures from their thermal conductivity at room temperature (λRT). Thermal and physical parameters reported for rhyolites will provide important constraints in various geophysical and thermo-mechanical modelling for the rhyolitic terrains.
The First Reconstruction of the Head Anatomy of a Cretaceous Insect, †Gerontoformica gracilis(Hymenoptera: Formicidae), and the Early Evolution of Ants
Authors: Richter Adrian , Boudinot Brendon , Yamamoto Shûhei , Katzke Julian , Beutel Rolf Georg
Published: September 2022

The fossil record allows a unique glimpse into the evolutionary history of organisms living on Earth today. We discovered a specimen of the stem group ant †Gerontoformica gracilis (Barden and Grimaldi, 2014) in Kachin amber with near-complete preservation of internal head structures, which we document employing µ-computed-tomography-based 3D reconstructions. We compare †Gerontoformica to four outgroup taxa and four extant ant species, employing parsimony and Bayesian ancestral state reconstruction to identify morphological differences and similarities between stem and crown ants and thus improve our understanding of ant evolution through the lens of head anatomy. Of 149 morphological characters, 87 are new in this study, and almost all applicable to the fossil. †Gerontoformica gracilis shares shortened dorsal tentorial arms, basally angled pedicels, and the pharyngeal gland as apomorphies with other total clade Formicidae. Retained plesiomorphies include mandible shape and features of the prepharynx. Implications of the reconstructed transitions especially for the ant groundplan are critically discussed based on our restricted taxon sampling, emphasizing the crucial information derived from internal anatomy which is applied to deep time for the first time. Based on the falcate mandible in †Gerontoformica and other Aculeata, we present hypotheses for how the shovel-shaped mandibles in crown Formicidae could have evolved. Our results support the notion of †Gerontoformica as ‘generalized’ above-ground predator missing crucial novelties of crown ants which may have helped the latter survive the end-Cretaceous extinction. Our study is an important step for anatomical research on Cretaceous insects and a glimpse into the early evolution of ant heads.
LC–MS-MS Determination of Cytostatic Drugs on Surfaces and in Urine to Assess Occupational Exposure
Authors: Lema-Atán José Ángel , Lendoiro Elena , Paniagua-González Lucía , Cruz Angelines , López-Rivadulla Manuel , de-Castro-Ríos Ana
Published: September 2022

The ever-increased usage of cytostatic drugs leads to high risk of exposure among healthcare workers. Moreover, workers are exposed to multiple compounds throughout their lives, leading to cumulative and chronic exposure. Therefore, multianalyte methods are the most suitable for exposure assessment, which minimizes the risks from handling cytostatic drugs and ensures adequate contamination containment. This study describes the development and full validation of two liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods for the detection of gemcitabine, dacarbazine, methotrexate, irinotecan, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicinol, doxorubicin, epirubicin, etoposide, vinorelbine, docetaxel and paclitaxel in working surfaces and urine samples. The urine method is the first to measure vinorelbine and doxorubicinol. For surfaces, limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) were 5–100 pg/cm2, and linearity was achieved up to 500 pg/cm2. Inaccuracy was between −11.0 and 8.4%. Intra-day, inter-day and total imprecision were <20%, except for etoposide and irinotecan (<22.1%). In urine, LOD and LOQ were 5–250 pg/mL, with a linear range up to 1,000–5,000 pg/mL. Inaccuracy was between −3.8 and 14.9%. Imprecision was <12.4%. Matrix effect was from −58.3 to 1,268.9% and from −66.7 to 1,636% in surface and urine samples, respectively, and extraction efficiency from 10.8 to 75% and 47.1 to 130.4%, respectively. All the analytes showed autosampler (6°C/72 h), freezer (–22°C/2 months) and freeze/thaw (three cycles) stability. The feasibility of the methods was demonstrated by analyzing real working surfaces and patients’ urine samples. Contamination with gemcitabine, irinotecan, cyclophosphamide, epirubicin and paclitaxel (5–4,641.9 pg/cm2) was found on biological safety cabinets and outpatients’ bathrooms. Analysis of urine from patients under chemotherapy identified the infused drugs at concentrations higher than the upper LOQ. These validated methods will allow a comprehensive evaluation of both environmental and biological contamination in hospital settings and healthcare workers.
Pediatric Phaeohyphomycosis: A 44-Year Systematic Review of Reported Cases
Authors: Castillo Bejarano José Iván , de los Santos Abiel Mascareñas , Saldaña Daniela Cisneros , Zambrano Lucio Miguel , Pérez Cavazos Samantha , Espinosa Villaseñor Fernando , de la O Cavazos Manuel Enrique , Vaquera Aparicio Denisse Natalie
Published: September 2022

Objective

Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by pigmented fungi, which can be life-threatening in immunocompromised hosts and in disseminated disease. In adults with disseminated disease mortality is as high as 79%. Data in children is derived from case reports and series. We conducted this study to review the characteristics of phaeohyphomycoses in children.

Methods

We conducted this study following the PRISMA 2020 guideline for reporting systematic reviews. We performed a review of the reported cases of pediatric phaeohyphomycoses in core bibliographic databases published in the English and Spanish-language, between June 1977 and October 2021. We included all eligible cases in patients <18 years to determine the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Results

130 cases were reviewed. Mean age was 8 years. The most common underlying conditions and risk factors included hematologic malignancies (32.5%), neutropenia (26.9%), steroid therapy (24.6%), trauma or surgery (23.1%), and children that received a transplant (14.6%). The most common presentation was localized infection (61.5%); skin and soft tissue infections were the most prevalent (25.4%). Exserohilum spp (20.8%) and Exophiala spp (17.7%) were the most common organisms isolated. Antifungal therapy remains as the most frequent treatment (87%). Overall mortality rate was 22.3% (localized 13.7% vs disseminated 37.3%).

Conclusion

The findings of this review suggest that phaeohyphomycoses in children has a better outcome compared to adults. We report a lower mortality rate in children when compared with adults in disseminated infection (37.3% vs 79%) and CNS infection (50% vs 60-70%). However, there is a wide variation in mortality rates according to infection site, treatment, and underlying conditions. Prospective studies are needed.
The Rise of the Airport Metal Detector: Colorblind Racism, Police Discretion, and Surveillance Across Borders
Authors: Archibald Ryan A
Published: September 2022

Metal detectors became ubiquitous throughout the United States after their use in airports during the late-1960s and early 1970s when they were installed to address hijackings. While earlier perceptions of the technology’s invasiveness prevented the metal detector’s deployment in the United States beyond jails and prisons, security officials came to identify the device as a means to address the carceral-security state’s legitimacy crises and square mass surveillance with demands for civil and political rights. Those designing and implementing the first airport security program understood hijackings as elements of global rebellions against U.S. empire and drew from policing efforts at home and abroad in their efforts to securitize airports. Officials and courts argued that the universality and objectivity of the machine that determined potential danger solely through the presence of metal removed individual police discretion and was thus race-neutral. Claims of the technology’s novelty not only obscured its carceral and counterinsurgent origins but helped propel the metal detector’s deployment to new spaces including public schools and workplaces. The metal detector reproduced existing class and racial hierarchies and strengthened police discretionary authority.
Interpolating between the Jaccard distance and an analogue of the normalized information distance
Authors: Kjos-Hanssen Bjørn
Published: September 2022

Jiménez, Becerra and Gelbukh (2013) defined a family of ‘symmetric Tversky ratio models’ $S_{\alpha ,\beta }$, $0\le \alpha \le 1$, $\beta>0$. Each function $D_{\alpha ,\beta }=1-S_{\alpha ,\beta }$ is a semimetric on the powerset of a given finite set.

We show that $D_{\alpha ,\beta }$ is a metric if and only if $0\le \alpha \le \frac 12$ and $\beta \ge 1/(1-\alpha )$. This result is formally verified in the Lean proof assistant.

The extreme points of this parametrized space of metrics are $\mathcal V_1=D_{1/2,2}$, the Jaccard distance and $\mathcal V_{\infty }=D_{0,1}$, an analogue of the normalized information distance of M. Li, Chen, X. Li, Ma and Vitányi (2004).

As a second interpolation, in general, we also show that $\mathcal V_p$ is a metric, $1\le p\le \infty $, where $$ \begin{align*} & \varDelta_p(A,B)=(\lvert{B\setminus A}\rvert^p+\lvert{A\setminus B}\rvert^p)^{1/p}, \end{align*}$$$$ \begin{align*} & \mathcal V_p(A,B)=\frac{\varDelta_p(A,B)}{\lvert{A\cap B}\rvert + \varDelta_p(A,B)}. \end{align*}$$
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Burn Casualties Transported by the US Army Burn Flight Team and US Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams
Authors: Savell Shelia C , Howard Jeff T , VanFosson Christopher A , Medellín Kimberly L , Staudt Amanda M , Rizzo Julie A , Maddry Joseph K , Cancio Leopoldo C
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The US Army Burn Center, the only burn center in the Department of Defense provides comprehensive burn care. The Burn Flight Team (BFT) provides specialized burn care during transcontinental evacuation. During Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, burn injuries accounted for approximately 5% of all injuries in military personnel. To augment BFT capacity, US Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) mobilized to transport burn patients. The purpose of this study was to describe critically ill, burn injured patients transported to the US Army Burn Center by BFT or CCATT, to compare and contrast characteristics, evacuation procedures, in-flight treatments, patient injuries/illnesses, and outcomes between the two groups.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CCATT and BFT patients, admitted to the burn ICU between January 1, 2001 and September 30, 2018. Patients with total body surface area burned (TBSA) >30% were evacuated by BFT, while CCATT evacuated patients with ≤ 30% TBSA.

Results

Ninety-seven patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 40 (41%) were transported by the BFT and 57 (59%) were transported by CCATTs. Compared with patients transported by CCATTs, patients transferred by the BFT had higher median TBSA and full-thickness burn size, higher prevalence of chest, back and groin burns, and higher prevalence of inhalation injury. BFT patients had increased hospital days (62 vs. 37; P = .08), ICU days (29 vs. 12; P = .003) and ventilator days (14 vs. 6; P  < .001). TBSA was the only variable significantly associated with ARDS (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08; P = 0.04), renal failure (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.11; P = .002), and mortality (aOR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.13; P = .001).

Conclusions

Evacuation by the BFT was associated with increased ICU and ventilator days, increased mortality, and a greater risk for developing renal failure. The severity of injury/TBSA likely accounted for most of these differences.
Cosmic radiation backgrounds from primordial black holes
Authors: Ziparo F , Gallerani S , Ferrara A , Vito F
Published: September 2022

Recent measurements of the cosmic X-ray background (CXB) and cosmic radio background (CRB) obtained with Chandra and ARCADE2 (Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission) report signals in excess of those expected from known sources, suggesting the presence of a yet undiscovered population of emitters. We investigate the hypothesis that such excesses are due to primordial black holes (PBHs) that may constitute a substantial fraction of dark matter (DM). We present a novel semi-analytical model that predicts X-ray and radio emission due to gas accretion on to PBHs, assuming that they are distributed both inside DM haloes and in the intergalactic medium (IGM). Our model includes a self-consistent treatment of heating/ionization feedback on the surrounding environment. We find that (i) the emission from PBHs accreting in the IGM is subdominant at all times ($1{{\ \rm per\ cent}} \le I_{\rm IGM}/I_{\rm tot} \le 40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$); (ii) most of the CXB/CRB emission comes from PBHs in DM mini-haloes (Mh ≤ 106 M⊙) at early epochs ($z$ > 6). While a small fraction ($f_{\rm PBH} \simeq 0.3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) of DM in the form of PBHs can account for the total observed CXB excess, the CRB one cannot be explained by PBHs. Our results set the strongest existing constraint on fPBH ≤ 3 × 10−4 (30/MPBH) in the mass range of $1 \!-\! 1000 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$. Finally, we comment on the implications of our results on the global H i 21 cm signal.
Transition from multipolar to dipolar dynamos in stratified systems
Authors: Zaire B , Jouve L , Gastine T , Donati J-F , Morin J , Landin N , Folsom C P
Published: September 2022

Observations of surface magnetic fields of cool stars reveal a large diversity of configurations. Although there is now a consensus that these fields are generated through dynamo processes occurring within the convective zone, the physical mechanism driving such a variety of field topologies is still debated. This paper discusses the possible origins of dipole- and multipole-dominated morphologies using three-dimensional numerical simulations of stratified systems where the magnetic feedback on the fluid motion is significant. Our main result is that dipolar solutions are found at Rossby numbers up to 0.4 in strongly stratified simulations, where previous works suggested that only multipolar fields should exist. We argue that these simulations are reminiscent of the outlier stars observed at Rossby numbers larger than 0.1, whose large-scale magnetic field is dominated by their axisymmetric poloidal component. As suggested in previous Boussinesq calculations, the relative importance of inertial over Lorentz forces is again controlling the dipolar to multipolar transition. Alternatively, we find that the ratio of kinetic to magnetic energies can equally well capture the transition in the field morphology. We test the ability of this new proxy to predict the magnetic morphology of a few M dwarf stars whose internal structure matches that of our simulations and for which homogeneous magnetic field characterization is available. Finally, the magnitude of the differential rotation obtained in our simulations is compared to actual measurements reported in the literature for M dwarfs. In our simulations, we find a clear relationship between antisolar differential rotation and the emergence of dipolar fields.
On optimal temozolomide scheduling for slowly growing glioblastomas
Authors: Segura-Collar Berta , Jiménez-Sánchez Juan , Gargini Ricardo , Dragoj Miodrag , Sepúlveda-Sánchez Juan M , Pešić Milica , Ramírez María A , Ayala-Hernández Luis E , Sánchez-Gómez Pilar , Pérez-García Víctor M
Published: September 2022

Background

Temozolomide (TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent active against gliomas with a favorable toxicity profile. It is part of the standard of care in the management of glioblastoma (GBM), and is commonly used in low-grade gliomas (LGG). In-silico mathematical models can potentially be used to personalize treatments and to accelerate the discovery of optimal drug delivery schemes.

Methods

Agent-based mathematical models fed with either mouse or patient data were developed for the in-silico studies. The experimental test beds used to confirm the results were: mouse glioma models obtained by retroviral expression of EGFR-wt/EGFR-vIII in primary progenitors from p16/p19 ko mice and grown in-vitro and in-vivo in orthotopic allografts, and human GBM U251 cells immobilized in alginate microfibers. The patient data used to parametrize the model were obtained from the TCGA/TCIA databases and the TOG clinical study.

Results

Slow-growth “virtual” murine GBMs benefited from increasing TMZ dose separation in-silico. In line with the simulation results, improved survival, reduced toxicity, lower expression of resistance factors, and reduction of the tumor mesenchymal component were observed in experimental models subject to long-cycle treatment, particularly in slowly growing tumors. Tissue analysis after long-cycle TMZ treatments revealed epigenetically driven changes in tumor phenotype, which could explain the reduction in GBM growth speed. In-silico trials provided support for implementation methods in human patients.

Conclusions

In-silico simulations, in-vitro and in-vivo studies show that TMZ administration schedules with increased time between doses may reduce toxicity, delay the appearance of resistances and lead to survival benefits mediated by changes in the tumor phenotype in slowly-growing GBMs.
Nailfold capillaroscopy in diabetes mellitus: a case of neo-angiogenesis after achieving normoglycemia
Authors: Maldonado Genessis , Chacko Amala , Lichtenberg Robert , Ionescu Madalina , Rios Carlos
Published: September 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease process characterized by a chronic hyperglycemic milieu that leads to micro and macrovascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy. During the last decade, researchers have used nail-fold capillaroscopy to study the microvascular alterations in rheumatologic diseases; however, the technology is gaining momentum in other disease processes that alter microvascular architecture. We observed a drastic improvement in the nail-fold capillary architecture in a patient with uncontrolled DM. After achieving excellent glycemic control 6 months after diagnosis, increased capillary density and evident rearrangement of the capillaries replaced the avascular areas and giant capillaries found at the time of diagnosis.
A rare presentation of scrub typhus: myocarditis, acute liver failure and leukemoid reaction
Authors: Mondal Md Karimulla , Ghosh Jayaditya , Bhattacharya Bhaswar , Chatterjee Nandini , Ghosh Soumitra
Published: September 2022

Scrub typhus is a mite borne zoonosis, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a gram-negative intracellular organism. This infection usually presents in high prevalence in the rural areas of East Asia and Western pacific islands. It usually presents with fever, chill, myalgia, headache, skin rashes, having pathognomonic and skin lesion i.e. eschar in ~10% cases in Indian subcontinent. It can present with life-threatening complications on occasional. The simultaneous presentation of more than two complications is uncommon, rarely reported in literature. Here we report a case of 37-year-old woman with acute febrile illness, complicated with myocarditis, acute liver failure and leukemoid reaction. She was diagnosed promptly and successfully treated with doxycycline with full recovery of the complications.
Moral Universalism and the Structure of Ideology
Authors: Enke Benjamin , Rodríguez-Padilla Ricardo , Zimmermann Florian
Published: September 2022

Throughout the Western world, people’s policy views are correlated across domains in a strikingly similar fashion. This article proposes that what partly explains the structure of ideology is moral universalism: the extent to which people exhibit the same level of altruism and trust towards strangers as towards in-group members. In new large-scale multinational surveys, heterogeneity in universalism descriptively explains why some people support redistribution, health care, environmental protection, affirmative action, and foreign aid, while others advocate for spending on the military, law enforcement, and border protection. Universalism is a substantially stronger predictor of policy views and ideological constraints than variables such as income, wealth, education, religiosity, or beliefs about government efficiency. Consistent with the idea that universalism shapes policy views, we further document that the left–right divide on redistribution, environmental protection, or foreign aid strongly attenuates or even reverses when people evaluate less universalist implementations of these policies.
Dual orexin antagonist normalized sleep homeostatic drive, enhanced GABAergic inhibition, and suppressed seizures after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Konduru Sruthi R , Isaacson Jesse R , Lasky Danny J , Zhou Zihao , Rao Rohan K , Vattem Swati S , Rewey Sophie J , Jones Mathew V , Maganti Rama K
Published: September 2022

Study Objectives

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) and sleep disturbances. We hypothesized that treatment with sleep aids after TBI can ameliorate PTE.

Methods

CD-1 mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI), sham injury, or no craniotomy. Sham and CCI groups underwent a monthlong daily treatment with sleep aids including a dual orexin antagonist (DORA-22) or THIP (gaboxadol) or a respective vehicle starting on the day of CCI. We performed continuous EEG (electroencephalography) recordings at week 1 and months 1, 2, and 3 for ~1 week each time. Seizure analysis occurred at all-time points and sleep analysis occurred in week 1 and month-1/2 in all groups. Subsets of CCI and sham groups were subjected to voltageclamp experiments in hippocampal slices to evaluate GABAergic synaptic inhibition.

Results

DORA-22 treatment suppressed seizures in month 1–3 recordings. TBI reduced the amplitude and frequency of miniature inhibitory synaptic currents (mIPSCs) in dentate granule cells and these changes were rescued by DORA-22 treatment. Sleep analysis showed that DORA-22 increased nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep during lights-off whereas THIP increased REM sleep during lights-on in week 1. Both treatments displayed subtle changes in time spent in NREM or REM at month-1/2 as well. TBI not only increased normalized EEG delta power (NΔ) at week-1 and month-1 but also resulted in the loss of the homeostatic diurnal oscillation of NΔ, which was restored by DORA-22 but not THIP treatment.

Conclusions

Dual orexin antagonists may have a therapeutic potential in suppressing PTE potentially by enhancing GABAergic inhibition and impacting sleep homeostatic drive.
Reducing the Biases in False Correlations Between Discrete Characters
Authors: Boyko James D , Beaulieu Jeremy M
Published: September 2022

The correlation between two characters is often interpreted as evidence that there exists a significant and biologically important relationship between them. However, Maddison and FitzJohn (in The unsolved challenge to phylogenetic correlation tests for categorical characters. Syst. Biol. 2015;64:127–136) recently pointed out that evidence of correlated evolution between two categorical characters is often spurious, particularly, when the dependent relationship stems from a single replicate deep in time. Here we will show that there may, in fact, be a statistical solution to the problem posed by Maddison and FitzJohn naturally embedded within the expanded model space afforded by the hidden Markov model (HMM) framework. We demonstrate that the problem of single unreplicated evolutionary events manifests itself as rate heterogeneity within our models and that this is the source of the false correlation. Therefore, we argue that this problem is better understood as model misspecification rather than a failure of comparative methods to account for phylogenetic pseudoreplication. We utilize HMMs to develop a multirate independent model which, when implemented, drastically reduces support for correlation. The problem itself extends beyond categorical character evolution, but we believe that the practical solution presented here may lend itself to future extensions in other areas of comparative biology. [Macroevolution; model adequacy; phylogenetic comparative methods; rate heterogeneity].
Characterizing the vaginal microbiota of high and low producing Poll Merino and White Suffolk ewes
Authors: Greenwood Emma C , Torok Valeria A , van Wettere William H E J
Published: September 2022

There is a substantial, and growing, body of research focused on manipulating gastrointestinal microbes to affect health and production. However, the maternal vaginal microbiota and its effects on neonatal inoculation and lifetime production have received little attention. We aimed to characterize the vaginal microbes of domesticated sheep to determine whether they differ across sheep breeds with differing meat and wool growth potentials and to determine a link between vaginal microbes and high and low producing animals. A flock of White Suffolk (n = 136) and Poll Merino (n = 210) ewes were sorted by the Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV), for yearling fleece weight in the Merino and by post-weaning weight in the Suffolk ewes. The top and bottom ASBV sheep were selected for sampling and the resulting treatment groups were; High Suffolk (n = 12), Low Suffolk (n = 12), High Merino (n = 12), and Low Merino (n = 12) ewes. A double guarded culture swab was used to sample from the surface of the vaginal epithelium. Diversity profiling analysis of vaginal bacterial communities was conducted using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Breed and ASBV group differences in bacterial communities were tested. Within breed, there were no significant differences in ewe vaginal bacterial communities associated with ewe production parameters; however, there was a significant difference in ewe vaginal bacterial communities between breeds. We have been able to characterize the normal vaginal microbiota of nonpregnant ewes and demonstrate a rich microbial community.
Autoimmune and autoinflammatory manifestations in inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Kačar Mark , Markelj Gašper , Avčin Tadej
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

Autoimmune and inflammatory complications have been shown to arise in all age groups and across the spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). This review aims to highlight recent ground-breaking research and its impact on our understanding of IEI.

Recent findings

Three registry-based studies of unprecedented size revealed the high prevalence of autoimmune, inflammatory and malignant complications in IEI. Two novel IEI were discovered: an autoinflammatory relopathy, cleavage-resistant RIPK1-induced autoinflammatory syndrome, as well as an inheritable phenocopy of PD-1 blockade-associated complication (as seen in cancer therapy) manifesting with multiorgan autoimmunity and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A study examining patients with partial RAG deficiency pinpointed the specific defects leading to the failure of central and peripheral tolerance resulting in wide-ranging autoimmunity. A novel variant of Immunodeficiency Polyendocrinopathy Enteropathy X-linked syndrome was described, associated with preferential expression of a FOXP3 isoform lacking exon 2, linking exon-specific functions and the phenotypes corresponding to their absence. Lastly, we touch on recent findings pertaining actinopathies, the prototypical IEI with autoimmune, inflammatory and atopic complications.

Dysregulated immunity has been associated with IEI since their discovery. Recently, large concerted efforts have shown how common these complications actually are while providing insight into normal and dysregulated molecular mechanisms, as well as describing novel diseases.
Applicant characteristics and interview-day structure of shoulder and elbow surgery fellowships
Authors: Haislup Brett D. , McCormick Brian P. , Smith Brandon , Wright Melissa A. , Murthi Anand M.
Published: September 2022

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine the selection criteria and interview-day structure used by shoulder and elbow fellowship program directors.

Methods:

An anonymous 14-question survey was distributed to the program directors of the 31 American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) recognized orthopaedic shoulder and elbow fellowship programs. Surveys were sent via email, and responses were collected from March 31, 2021 to May 10, 2021.

Results:

All 31 fellowship directors responded (100%). The most valuable selection criteria for applicants were subjective measures: quality of interview, letters of recommendation, and quality of residency program. Objective criteria such as United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores and Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) scores were less important. Fifteen (50%, 15/30) programs required applicants to have one to two publications, while 15 (50%, 15 of 30) required three to five publications. Programs most commonly interviewed 16 to 20 residents (38.7%). The interview day was a half day for the majority of programs (n=20; 64.5%), with most programs utilizing three (25.8%) or four (45.2%) separate interviews. Current fellows interviewed applicants in about half of the programs (51.6%).

Conclusions:

Shoulder and elbow fellowship program directors prioritize subjective over objective attributes when selecting applicants. The interview day is most commonly a half day with each applicant undergoing multiple interviews at each institution. Understanding the selection process used by shoulder and elbow fellowship directors provides a valuable resource for residents.

Level of Evidence:

Level V.
Optimizing postpartum contraception for high-risk obstetric patients
Authors: Miller Hayley E. , Darmawan Kelly F. , Henkel Andrea
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

This review will focus on those who are at greatest risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity from a subsequent unplanned or short interval pregnancy and the interventions to increase contraceptive uptake in the postpartum period.

Recent findings

Populations at highest risk of maternal or neonatal morbidity – those with a history of preterm birth or those with complex medical conditions – are also those at the highest risk for unintended pregnancies attributed to low-efficacy contraceptive failure/ noncontraceptive use, and many are discharged from birth hospitalization without understanding the importance of birth spacing related to their high-risk pregnancies. Current innovative strategies to improve postpartum contraception access and uptake among high-risk populations include utilizing the antenatal period to initiate contraception counseling, developing multidisciplinary teams, and incorporating multimedia-based educational tools. However, ongoing challenges that continue to pose barriers to contraception access include racial and economic disparities and the restructuring of obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preventing an unintended short interval pregnancy by providing contraception in the postpartum period is one of the most modifiable risk factors for those at highest risk of subsequent maternal or neonatal morbidity and therefore should be prioritized by clinicians, hospitals, and insurance coverage.
Update on medication abortion follow-up options: many sizes to fit all
Authors: Flynn Anne N. , Lerma Klaira
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

To assess the efficacy, benefits, and limitations of available and emerging follow-up options for medication abortion.

Recent findings

Medication abortion follow-up does not have to be a ‘one size fits all’ protocol. From most to least invasive, follow-up options include facility-based ultrasound, laboratory-based repeat serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing, urine hCG testing (high sensitivity, low sensitivity, and multilevel pregnancy tests), self-assessment with symptom evaluation, and no intervention. Provider or facility-dependent follow-up, including ultrasound and serum testing are effective, but have several limitations, including needing to return to a facility and cost. Remote, client-led follow-up options, such as urine pregnancy testing and symptoms evaluation, are well tolerated and effective for ruling out the rare outcome of ongoing pregnancy after medication abortion and have several advantages. Advantages include being inexpensive and flexible. However, it is important to note that low-sensitivity and multilevel pregnancy tests are not available in all settings. In studies evaluating client-led follow-up with urine pregnancy tests, ongoing pregnancies were identified over half the time with symptoms alone.

Guidelines from several professional organizations have aligned with the evidence and no longer recommend routine office-based follow-up. To ensure care is person-centered, providers should offer follow-up options that align with the comfort, logistical ability, and values of the client.
Current trends in postmastectomy breast reconstruction
Authors: von Fritschen Uwe , Seidenstücker Katrin , Sigalove Steven
Published: September 2022

Purpose of review

Breast reconstruction is established as integral part of the treatment. New materials, indications and surgical techniques are subject to rapid modification to further improve safety, quality and longevity.

Recent findings

Skin-sparing-mastectomy is accepted as an appropriate alternative in risk-reducing and many breast cancer patients, further reducing conventional mastectomy patterns.

Radiation in combination with reconstruction is still challenging with no clear advances reducing skin-toxicity.

Autologous reconstructions, not only in radiation settings, are turning to a first line approach. A trend driven by improved techniques to minimize morbidity and flap-variations.

Breast implant surfaces associated with a high risk of Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) are now withdrawn. The residual risk for the remaining implant styles is not known, but can be expected considerably lower than estimations published presently.

In order to reduce local complications, supplemental material often in combination with prepectoral implant placement is advertised. The present evidence on long-term outcome is limited.

Super-microsurgery treating lymphedema is evolving rapidly. Refinements of various techniques and their differential indication are under evaluation to standardize the procedures.

Breast reconstruction evolved to a complex, specialized field with a multitude of options. A multidisciplinary team is required to fully utilize todays potential and offer optimal individual treatments.
A human rights assessment of menopausal women's access to age- and gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory health care in prison
Authors: Van Hout Marie-Claire , Srisuwan Lizz , Plugge Emma
Published: September 2022

Importance and Objective

Women represent about 6% of the global prison population of 11 million. The female prison population has increased significantly in the past decade. Where attention is devoted to women's unique sexual and reproductive health needs in prison, this is largely focused on menstruation management and ante/postnatal care. There is no explicit guidance regarding imprisoned menopausal women's health care in the United Nations normative standards of detention (Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules). A human rights assessment of menopausal women's access to age- and gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory health care in prison since 2010 was conducted.

Methods

Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology was adhered to. A systematic search was conducted using detailed MeSH terms on CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest Central, PsycInfo, Scopus, and the Web of Science. All published materials in the English language in the time frame of 2010-2022 were collated (n = 268). Fourteen duplicates were removed. Two hundred thirty-four were excluded after title and abstract screening, with five records remaining. Hand searching yielded an additional 11 records. Sixteen records were charted and analyzed thematically using a human rights lens. Themes were the following: environmental conditions and menopausal sequelae, gender-sensitive nondiscriminatory free health care, evidence-based age/gender-sensitive prison health policies, and medical insensitivity and incompetencies in menopausal care.

Discussion and Conclusion

Menopausal women have the right to the underlying environmental determinants of health in prison and rights to nondiscrimination and equivalence of care, essential medicines, medical care and treatment, preventive health services, and participation in the generation of prison policies and support initiatives. The lack of visibility regarding their health needs in policies and healthcare provisions is reflected in the realities of life in prison, with glaring gaps in the practical medical and lifestyle supports of menopause. Further research is warranted to inform evidence-based prison reforms to improve the quality of life of older women in prison.