bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OCULAR BARTONELLOSIS PRESENTING WITH FOCAL CHOROIDITIS, FOCAL RETINITIS, BRANCH RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION, AND PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY: LONGITUDINAL MULTIMODAL IMAGING ANALYSIS
Authors: Alsberge Joseph B. , Nash Shawn K. , Lin Henry
Published: June 2022

Background/Purpose:

To report an atypical case of ocular bartonellosis evaluated longitudinally with multimodal imaging and review the literature on the less common posterior segment manifestations of bartonella infection.

Methods:

Case report and review of the literature.

Results:

A 26-year-old man presented with focal choroiditis in the right eye and focal retinitis, a branch retinal artery occlusion, and paracentral acute middle maculopathy in the left eye after a systemic prodrome including headache and lymphadenopathy. Serologic testing revealed positive bartonella immunoglobulin G with a titer of 1:512. The patient was diagnosed with ocular bartonellosis infection and started on systemic doxycycline. The posterior segment findings resolved over the follow-up period, and their resolution was documented with optical coherence tomography.

Conclusion:

Neuroretinitis is the classic ocular finding in cat scratch disease, but less common presenting findings may include focal choroiditis, retinitis, and branch retinal artery occlusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of paracentral acute middle maculopathy secondary to a retinitis-associated branch retinal artery occlusion as a presenting sign in ocular bartonellosis.
Benefits of Scleral Lens in the Management of Irregular Corneas and Dry Eye Syndrome After Refractive Surgery
Authors: Marty Anne-Sophie , Jurkiewicz Tristan , Mouchel Romain , Febvay Camille , Caillat Thierry , Burillon Carole
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

To evaluate the utility of the SPOT scleral lens (Oxygen Permeable Scleral Lens of Thonon; LAO, Thonon-les-Bains, France) in the management of the irregular cornea after refractive surgery.

Method:

We included 19 patients (35 eyes) with irregular corneas after refractive surgery. Patients were fitted with scleral lenses after the failure of conventional contact lenses adaptation. The ophthalmologic examination included measurement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slitlamp examination, and evaluation of ocular aberrations (Objective Scattering Index [OSI] and higher-order aberration [HOA]).

Result:

Scleral lens fitting increases significantly the BCVA from 0.33 (±0.25) to 0.08 (±0.13) LogMAR (P<0.001). There was also a significant decrease in Ocular Surface Disease Index from 66.2±22.8 to 42.4±18.9 (P<0.001). Ocular aberrations (OAs) are also significantly reduced by the scleral lenses, the mean OSI goes from 7.2 (±4.2) to 3.0 (±1.8) (P<0.001), OA from 2.58 (±1.34) to 1.98 μm (±2.31) (P=0.035), and HOA from 0.94 (±0.51) to 0.48 (±0.23) (P=0.0018).

Conclusion:

Fitting with scleral lenses improves patients' optical and ocular surface problems. Scleral lens restores BCVA and the quality of life. Fitting with scleral lenses is an alternative to further surgery on these fragile eyes and is sometimes the only viable treatment option for the patient.
Dizziness Is Associated With Neck/Shoulder Pain Following Pediatric Concussion
Authors: Smulligan Katherine L. , Wingerson Mathew J. , Seehusen Corrine N. , Smith Andrew C. , Walker Gregory A. , Wilson Julie C. , Howell David. R.
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To examine the association between dizziness and neck/shoulder pain after concussion and if differences in postural stability and oculomotor function exist among patients reporting dizziness with or without concurrent neck/shoulder pain.

Design:

Cross sectional.

Setting:

Sports medicine clinic.

Patients:

Pediatric patients ≤14 days post concussion.

Interventions:

N/A.

Outcome Measures:

Patients completed the Health and Behavior Inventory (HBI) symptom rating and separately rated neck/shoulder pain (scale 0-3; 0 = no pain). We grouped patients by HBI dizziness rating (0 = not-dizzy; 1-3 = dizzy) and compared neck/shoulder pain ratings between the groups. We then compared oculomotor and postural stability outcomes between dizzy patients with and without neck/shoulder pain.

Results:

We included 153 patients: dizzy (n = 100; age = 14.6 ± 2.2 years; 48% female) and not-dizzy (n = 53, age = 14.4 ± 3.1 years; 38% female). The dizzy group reported significantly higher neck/shoulder pain (1.4 ± 1.1 vs 0.5 ± 0.9 points, P < 0.001) and total symptom score (25.7 ± 11.2 vs 11.7 ± 9.3 points, P < 0.001) than the not-dizzy group. After adjusting for total symptom score and preinjury anxiety, depression, and migraines, dizziness was associated with higher odds of neck/shoulder pain (odds ratio = 1.9, 95% CI, 1.2-3.0; P = 0.004). No differences were observed between dizzy patients with and without neck/shoulder pain for near point of convergence (10.0 ± 7.5 vs 8.5 ± 6.7 cm, P = 0.43), modified Balance Error Scoring System (8.9 ± 5.5 vs 6.8 ± 4.7 errors, P = 0.09), or tandem gait (single-task: 26.0 ± 12.3 vs 24.2 ± 11.9 seconds, P = 0.56; dual-task: 35.1 ± 14.3 vs 35.6 ± 18.6 seconds, P = 0.90).

Conclusions:

In concussion patients experiencing dizziness, evaluating neck/shoulder pain may help identify individuals who would benefit from cervical spine rehabilitation. However, other potential causes of dizziness should also be evaluated to facilitate timely recovery.
Trait Versus State Predictors of Emotional Distress Symptoms
Authors: Nordahl Henrik , Ebrahimi Omid V. , Hoffart Asle , Johnson Sverre Urnes
Published: June 2022

To enhance formulation and interventions for emotional distress symptoms, research should aim to identify factors that contribute to distress and disorder. One way to formulate emotional distress symptoms is to view them as state manifestations of underlying personality traits. However, the metacognitive model suggests that emotional distress is maintained by metacognitive strategies directed by underlying metacognitive beliefs. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the role of these factors as predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms in a cross-sectional sample of 4936 participants collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality traits (especially neuroticism) were linked to anxiety and depression, but metacognitive beliefs and strategies accounted for additional variance. Among the predictors, metacognitive strategies accounted for the most variance in symptoms. Furthermore, we evaluated two statistical models based on personality traits versus metacognitions and found that the latter provided the best fit. Thus, these findings indicate that emotional distress symptoms are maintained by metacognitive strategies that are better accounted for by metacognitions compared with personality traits. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Historical and Forecasted Changes in Utilization of Same-Day Discharge After Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy
Authors: Luchristt Douglas , Kenton Kimberly , Bretschneider C. Emi
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2022; doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2022.03.011)

In conjunction with minimally invasive hysterectomy (MIH), enhanced recovery after surgery pathways allows providers to offer same-day discharge (SDD), thereby reducing hospital cost and preventing increased adverse outcomes when compared with an overnight stay. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of studies found in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database to describe changes in length of stay and SDD after MIH over the last decade and forecast anticipated utilization over the subsequent decade.
Estimated Prevalence of Risk Factors for Preeclampsia Among Individuals Giving Birth in the US in 2019
Authors: Wheeler Sarahn M. , Myers Sabrena O. , Swamy Geeta K. , Myers Evan R.
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from JAMA Network Open 2022;5:e2142343)

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal or fetal morbidity and mortality. Research has shown that prophylactic low-dose aspirin (LDA) is effective in preventing preeclampsia.
Development of an Inventory of Dental Harms: Methods and Rationale
Authors: Kalenderian Elsbeth , Lee Joo Hyun , Obadan-Udoh Enihomo M. , Yansane Alfa , White Joel M. , Walji Muhammad F.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

While adverse events (AEs) are all too prevalent, their underlying causes are difficult to assess because they are often multifactorial. Standardizing the language of dental AEs is an important first step toward increasing patient safety for the dental patient.

Methods

We followed a multimodal approach building a dental AE inventory, which included a literature review; review of the MAUDE database; a cross-sectional, self-administered patient survey; focus groups; interviews with providers and domain experts; and chart reviews.

Results

One hundred eight unique allergy/toxicity/foreign body response, 70 aspiration/ingestion of foreign body, 70 infection, 52 wrong site/wrong patient/wrong procedure, 23 bleeding, 48 pain, 149 hard tissue injury, 127 soft tissue injury, 91 nerve injury, 171 other systemic complication, and 177 other orofacial complication were identified. Subtype AEs within the categories revealed that allergic reaction, aspiration, pain, and wrong procedure were the most common AEs identified among known (i.e., chart reviews) and hypothetical (i.e., interviews) sources.

Conclusions

Using a multimodal approach, a broad list of dental AEs was developed, in which the AEs were classed into 12 categories. Hard tissue injury was noted frequently during interviews and in actuality. Pain was the unexpected AE that was consistently identified with every modality used.

Practical Implications

Most AEs result in temporary harm with hard tissue injury being a common AE identified through interviews and in actuality through chart reviews. Acknowledging that AEs happen is an important step toward mitigating them and assuring quality of care for our patients.
Comparison of the Outcomes of Patients Starting Mechanical Ventilation in the General Ward Versus the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Lee Song-I , Koh Younsuck , Lim Chae-Man , Hong Sang-Bum , Huh Jin Won
Published: June 2022

Objective

Mechanical ventilation is sometimes initiated in the general ward (GW) due to the shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. We investigated whether invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) started in the GW affects the patient’s prognosis compared with its initiation in the ICU.

Methods

From January 2016 to December 2018, medical records of patients who started MV in the GW or ICU were collected. The 28-day mortality, ICU mortality, ventilator-free days, and complications related to the ventilator and the ventilator-free days were analyzed as outcomes.

Results

A total of 673 patients were enrolled. Among these, 268 patients (39.8%) started MV in the GW and 405 patients (60.2%) started MV within 24 hours after admittance to the ICU. There was no difference in 28-day mortality between the 2 groups (27.2% versus 27.2%, P = 0.997). In addition, there was no difference between ventilator-related complication rates, ventilator-free days, or the length of hospital stay. A high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, the presence of solid tumor, the absence of chronic kidney diseases, and low platelet count were associated with higher 28-day mortality. However, the initiation of MV in the GW was not associated with an increase in 28-day mortality compared with the initiation in the ICU.

Conclusions

Starting MV in the GW was not a risk factor for 28-day mortality. Therefore, prompt application of a ventilator if medically indicated, regardless of the patient’s location, is desirable if a skilled airway team and appropriate monitoring are available.
DREAMS impact on HIV status knowledge and sexual risk among cohorts of young women in Kenya and South Africa
Authors: Floyd Sian , Mulwa Sarah , Magut Faith , Gourlay Annabelle , Mthiyane Nondumiso , Kamire Vivienne , Osindo Jane , Otieno Moses , Chimbindi Natsayi , Ziraba Abdhalah , Phillips-Howard Penelope , Kwaro Daniel , Shahmanesh Maryam , Birdthistle Isolde
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

We sought evidence of DREAMS’ impact on uptake of services and sexual risk among adolescent-girls-and-young-women (AGYW).

Design:

Cohorts of AGYW aged 13–22 years were randomly selected in 2017–2018 and followed-up to 2019; 1081 in Nairobi, Kenya;1171 in Gem, western Kenya;and 2184 in uMkhanyakude, South Africa.

Methods:

Outcomes were knowledge of HIV status, condomless sex (past 12 months), lifetime partners, transactional sex (past 12 months), and awareness and use of condoms and pre-exposure-prophylaxis (PrEP). Using a causal inference framework, we estimated the proportions with each outcome if all vs. none were DREAMS invitees by 2018.

Results:

Among AGYW followed up in 2019, the percentage invited to DREAMS by 2018 was 74, 57, and 53% in Nairobi, Gem, and uMkhanyakude, respectively. By 2018, the estimated percentages of AGYW who would know their HIV status, comparing the scenarios that all vs. none were DREAMS invitees, were 86 vs. 56% in Nairobi, 80 vs. 68% in Gem, and 56 vs. 49% in uMkhanyakude. By 2019, awareness of condoms and PrEP was high among DREAMS invitees, but recent participation in condom promotion activities was less than 50% and recent PrEP use was around 0–10%. In Gem, there was evidence of a reduction attributable to DREAMS in condomless sex, and among younger AGYW in the number of lifetime partners;in Nairobi evidence of a reduction in condomless sex among sexually active older AGYW;and in uMkhanya-kude no evidence that DREAMS changed these outcomes.

Conclusion:

Alongside sustaining high levels of knowledge of HIV status, more is needed to link AGYW into prevention methods such as PrEP and condoms.

Comprehensive HIV prevention promotes safer sexual partnerships, but poverty, social norms, and inequalities limit AGYW's prevention choices.
Unit costs of a community-based girl-centered HIV prevention program: a case study of Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe program
Authors: Okal Jerry O. , Awiti Japheth O. , Matheka James , Oluoch-Madiang Daniel , Obanda Rael , Mathur Sanyukta
Published: June 2022

Objective:

We compare the unit costs of providing Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) interventions to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) reached across two sites, an urban (Nyalenda A Ward) and peri-urban (Kolwa East Ward) setting, in Kisumu County of Kenya.

Design:

Micro-costing, using the average cost concept during project initiation and early implementation.

Methods:

Adopting the implementer's (provider's) perspective, we computed and classified costs in the following categories for each sub-implementing partner: medical and professional staff, administrative and support staff, materials and supplies, building space and utilities, equipment, establishment, and miscellaneous. These costs were summed across sub-implementing partners in a site to obtain the site-level total costs. These are then divided by the total number of AGYW reached in each site to obtain the unit costs. Data were collected from July to September 2017.

Results:

The unit costs in the peri-urban area were about 1.9 times of those in the urban area. It cost about US$67 [or 170 International Dollars] to deliver the DREAMS intervention package to each AGYW reached in the urban area as compared with approximately US$129 (or 327 International Dollars) in the peri-urban area.

Conclusion:

First, it was generally more expensive to deliver DREAMS interventions in the peri-urban setting as compared with the urban setting. Second, the difference in unit costs was mainly driven by the building space and utilities. Strategies to lower intervention costs are needed in the peri-urban setting, such as using existing infrastructure (either governmental or nongovernmental) or other innovative ways to deliver the services.
Modified McLaughlin’s Dynamic Muscle Support in the 21st Century? A Retrospective Study With a Prospective Follow-Up Analysis for Patients With Long Standing Facial Paralysis
Authors: Wüster Jonas , Kreutzer Kilian , Koerdt Steffen , Voss Jan Oliver , Richter Maximilian , Heiland Max , Doll Christian , Raguse Jan-Dirk
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Facial nerve paralysis can dramatically affect the life of a patient as it leads to significant alterations of the facial symmetry and functional limitations. Various methods exist including free neuromuscular flaps to reanimate patients suffering from uni- or even bilateral facial nerve paralysis. The more than 60-year-old technique described by McLaughlin continues to offer an alternative with distinct advantages for the individual patient. The present study aimed to evaluate clinical outcome and satisfaction of patients treated with a modified McLaughlin’s Dynamic Muscle Support.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 13 patients (mean age of 58.4 years) who received a modified McLaughlin’s Dynamic Muscle Support due to uni- or bilateral long-standing facial paralysis were included. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and patients were contacted for additional follow-up. Patients who agreed to participate in the follow-up study were asked to answer a self-developed questionnaire.

Results:

In all patients, a rehabilitation of facial symmetry with an improvement of the mimic expression could be achieved. Mean length of inpatient stay was 6.5 days and average duration of surgery was 121 minutes. No surgical site infection occurred. Mean follow-up was 23 months. Most of the patients were fully satisfied with the result and could experience functional and esthetic improvement.

Patients who participated in the prospective follow-up study were very satisfied with the esthetic result and functional outcome.

Conclusions:

Even in times of advanced microsurgical techniques, McLaughlin’s Dynamic Muscle Support appears to be a good alternative for the successful treatment of long-standing facial paralysis.
Sideburn Reconstruction Using a Pre-Expanded Island Scalp Flap Based on the Parietal Branch of Superficial Temporal Vessels
Authors: Yang Ruomeng , Ding Qiang , Zhu Shan , Zang Mengqing , Li Shanshan , Liu Yuanbo
Published: June 2022

Sideburns are crucial for head and face esthetics. Absence of sideburns is associated with physical and psychological consequences. Many methods have been described for sideburn reconstruction; however, characteristics of the ideal method include optimal vascularization, ideal hair density, natural hair growth, and facial symmetry with minimum donor-site morbidity. In this study, the authors describe a novel method of sideburn reconstruction using a pre-expanded island scalp flap based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal artery. Between February 2012 and December 2020, 9 patients underwent sideburn reconstruction surgery that involved 2 stages. During the first stage, an appropriately sized tissue expander was inserted underneath the scalp. After sufficient inflation of the expander, at the second stage, an island scalp flap based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal vessels was elevated to reconstruct the sideburns. The mean size of the defects was 8 × 4.4 cm (range, 6 × 3–12 × 5 cm), whereas the average flap dimension was 10.22 × 5.67 cm (range, 8 × 4–13 × 8 cm). All flaps survived completely without any perfusion-related complications. Patients were followed up after surgery, ranging from 4 to 34 months (mean, 15.67 months). All patients and/or their parents were satisfied with the final appearance in terms of hair density, hair growth direction, and facial symmetry. Although a 2-stage procedure, this novel technique allows the reconstruction of a new sideburn with natural growth and orientation of the hair and minimal morbidity for patients.
Quality of Life After Total Temporomandibular Joint Prothesis Surgery
Authors: Beret Marie , Nicot Romain , Gutman Laëtitia , Ferri Joël
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses are increasingly used in patients with joint destruction presenting significant pain and mouth opening limitation. This surgery can be considered as the last resort solution whose goal is to restore the mandible function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient quality of life (QoL) before and after TMJ replacement surgery with a total TMJ prosthesis, using a modified QoL scale.

Materials and Methods:

All patients with a total uni or bilateral TMJ prosthesis who could be contacted were included. All patients completed 2 retrospective questionnaires: once relative to the preoperative QoL and another for the post-operative QoL, including the assessment of mouth opening limitation, daily eating difficulties and also a QoL score, adapted from the TMJ-QoL questionnaire.

Results:

A total of 17 patients were included: 13 temporomandibular ankylosis, 3 condylar resorptions and 1 congenital malformation. Mouth opening limitation and daily eating difficulties were significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.001). Nine of the 11 QoL questions showed a significant decrease in score and thus an improvement of the QoL after surgery: having a conversation (P = 0.006), eating (P < 0.001), yawning (P < 0.001), sleeping (
P
= 0.043), recreational activities (P = 0.005), relaxing (P= 0.021), feeling depressed because of TMJ problems (P = 0.032), daily activities (P = 0.008) and patient self-assessment of QoL (P = 0.003). Two showed no significant difference: taking analgesics, and social life. Total score of QoL showed a significant improvement (P= 0.003).

Conclusions:

Quality of life, mouth opening, and daily eating were significantly improved after total TMJ prosthesis, in agreement with the litterature. The TMJ prosthesis could be considered ealier in the management of end-stage temporomandibular disease.
Surgeon-reported Factors Influencing Adoption of Quality Standards for Goal-concordant Care in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Hu Frances Y. , Tabata-Kelly Masami , Johnston Fabian M. , Walling Anne M. , Lindvall Charlotta , Bernacki Rachelle E. , Pusic Andrea L. , Cooper Zara
Published: June 2022

Objective:

This study explored surgical oncologists’ perspectives on factors influencing adoption of quality standards in patients with advanced cancer.

Background:

The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification Program includes communication standards designed to facilitate goal-concordant care, yet little is known about how surgeons believe these standards align with clinical practice.

Methods:

Semistructured video-based interviews were conducted from November 2020 to January 2021 with academic surgical oncologists purposively sampled based on demographics, region, palliative care certification, and years in practice. Interviews addressed: (1) adherence to standards documenting care preferences for life-sustaining treatment, surrogate decision-maker, and goals of surgery; and (2) factors influencing their adoption into practice. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, qualitatively analyzed, and conducted until thematic saturation was reached.

Results:

Twenty-six surgeons participated (57.7% male, 8.5 mean years in practice, 19.2% palliative care board-certified). Surgeons reported low adherence to documenting care preferences and surrogate decision-maker and high adherence to discussing, but not documenting, goals of surgery. Participants held conflicting views about the relevance of care preferences to preoperative conversations and surrogate decision-maker documentation by the surgeon and questioned the direct connection between documentation of quality standards and higher value patient care. Key themes regarding factors influencing adoption of quality standards included organizational culture, workflow, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Conclusions:

Although surgeons routinely discuss goals of surgery, documentation is inconsistent; care preferences and surrogate decision-makers are rarely discussed or documented. Adherence to these standards would be facilitated by multidisciplinary collaboration, institutional standardization, and evidence linking standards to higher value care.
Impact of a Virtual Professional Development Coaching Program on the Professional Fulfillment and Well-Being of Women Surgery Residents
Authors: Palamara Kerri , McKinley Sophia K. , Chu Jacqueline T. , Merrill Andrea L. , Yu Liyang , Parangi Sareh , Makowski Maryam S. , Park Yoon Soo , Donelan Karen , Stein Sharon L.
Published: June 2022

Objective:

Evaluate the effect of a virtual coaching program offered to women surgery residents in a surgical society.

Background:

Randomized controlled experiments evaluating the effect of coaching on trainee well-being and burnout is lacking.

Methods:

Women surgery residents in the Association of Women Surgeons were recruited to participate in a randomized controlled trial of the effects of a virtual coaching program on trainee well-being. Attending surgeons served as coaches after completing in-person training. Residents (n=237) were randomized to intervention (three 1:1 coaching sessions over 9 mo) or control (e-mailed wellness resources). Participants were surveyed at baseline and postintervention using validated measures of well-being, burnout, and resilience. Changes in outcome measures between presurvey and postsurvey were compared between study arms.

Results:

Survey response rates were 56.9% (n=66) in the control group and 69.4% (n=84) in the intervention group (P=0.05). The intervention group showed significant improvement in professional fulfillment (P=0.021), burnout (0.026), work exhaustion (0.017), self-valuation (0.003), and well-being (P=0.002); whereas the control group showed significant improvement in self-valuation (P=0.015) and significant decline in resilience (P=0.025). The intervention group had a significant improvement in well-being (P=0.015) and intolerance of uncertainty (P=0.015) compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Women surgery residents who participated in a remote coaching program offered by a surgical society demonstrated improvement in aspects of well-being relative to peers who did not receive coaching. Therefore, remote coaching offered by a professional society may be a useful component of initiatives directed at trainee well-being.
Maternal high-dense diet programs interferon type I signaling and microglia complexity in the nucleus accumbens shell of rats showing food addiction-like behavior
Authors: Montalvo-Martínez Larisa , Cruz-Carrillo Gabriela , Maldonado-Ruiz Roger , Cárdenas-Tueme Marcela , Bernal-Vega Sofia , Garza-Ocañas Lourdes , Ortiz-López Rocío , Reséndez-Pérez Diana , Camacho-Morales Alberto
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study aimed to characterize the molecular immune networks and microglia reactivity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell affected by fetal nutritional programming leading to addiction-like behavior in the offspring of Wistar rats. Fetal nutritional programming by energy-dense foods leads to addiction-like behavior in the offspring. Exposure to energy-dense foods also activates systemic and central inflammation in the offspring.

Methods

Females Wistar rats were exposed to cafeteria (CAF) diet or control diet for 9 weeks (prepregnancy, pregnancy and lactation), and male offspring at 2 months of age were diagnosed with food addiction-like behavior using operant conditioning. Global microarray analysis, RTqPCR, proinflammatory plasma profile and microglia immunostaining were performed in the NAc shell of male rats. SIM-A9 microglia cells were stimulated with IFN-α and palmitic acid, and microglia activation and phagocytosis were determined by RTqPCR and incubation of green-fluorescent latex beads, respectively.

Results

Microarray analysis in the NAc shell of the male offspring exposed to CAF during development and diagnosed with addiction-like behavior showed increasing in the type I interferon-inducible gene, Ift1, gene network. Genomic and cellular characterization also confirmed microglia hyperreactivity and upregulation of the Ifit1 in the NAc shell of animals with addiction-like behavior. In-vitro models demonstrated that microglia do respond to IFN-α promoting a time-dependent genomic expression of Ift1, IL-1β and IL-6 followed by increased phagocytosis.

Conclusion

Prenatal exposure to energy-dense foods primes the IFN type I signaling and microglia complexity in the NAc shell of rats diagnosed with food addiction-like behavior.
Cross-modal facilitation of auditory discrimination in a frog
Authors: James Logan S. , Baier A. Leonie , Page Rachel A. , Clements Paul , Hunter Kimberly L. , Taylor Ryan C. , Ryan Michael J.
Published: June 2022

Stimulation in one sensory modality can affect perception in a separate modality, resulting in diverse effects including illusions in humans. This can also result in cross-modal facilitation, a process where sensory performance in one modality is improved by stimulation in another modality. For instance, a simple sound can improve performance in a visual task in both humans and cats. However, the range of contexts and underlying mechanisms that evoke such facilitation effects remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated cross-modal stimulation in wild-caught túngara frogs, a species with well-studied acoustic preferences in females. We first identified that a combined visual and seismic cue (vocal sac movement and water ripple) was behaviourally relevant for females choosing between two courtship calls in a phonotaxis assay. We then found that this combined cross-modal stimulus rescued a species-typical acoustic preference in the presence of background noise that otherwise abolished the preference. These results highlight how cross-modal stimulation can prime attention in receivers to improve performance during decision-making. With this, we provide the foundation for future work uncovering the processes and conditions that promote cross-modal facilitation effects.
Drawing muscles with diagrams: how a novel dissection cut inspired Nicolaus Steno's mathematical myology (1667)
Authors: Castel-Branco Nuno , Kardel Troels
Published: June 2022

In 1667, twenty years before Isaac Newton published his mathematization of physics, and more than ten years before the publication of Giovanni Borelli's
De motu animalium
, the Danish anatomist Nicolaus Steno published an entirely new geometrical theory of muscle motion in the book
Elementorum myologiæ specimen
. Historians of science have studied this book in recent decades, but the recent rediscovery of a seventeenth-century muscle atlas at the Bibliothèque interuniversitaire de Santé in Paris sheds new light on the largely overlooked origin of Steno's mathematical theory of muscles. In this article, we show that Steno's muscle diagrams result from a tension that Steno faced when combining his interest in illustrations with presenting his mathematical insights about the inner structure of muscle fibres. Furthermore, we argue that Steno's diagrams are deeply connected to observations through a new method of dissecting the muscles. The observational origins of Steno's mathematical insight are further confirmed by the strong correlation between Steno's depictions of the structure and function of skeletal muscles and the results of current biomechanical investigations.
Bones of contention: Johann Heinrich Merck's palaeontological encounters with academic scholars and professional printmakers
Authors: Jurkowlaniec Grażyna
Published: June 2022

Printed images played a role in the strategies of savant amateurs of the Enlightenment in consolidating their scientific networks, traced here through the case study of Johann Heinrich Merck. Convinced of the importance of his palaeontological findings, Merck developed an impressive network from Johann Wolfgang Goethe and Samuel Thomas Sömmerring to Petrus Camper and Joseph Banks. Academic celebrities set an important horizon for Merck's aspirations, but his ambitions also depended on professional artists. Increasingly disappointed with printmakers' contribution to natural history, Merck eventually emancipated himself as an etcher in his own right.

This article's focus is on printed images regarded as both visual and material sources; both preserved—some neglected hitherto—and those only known via written sources, whose record allows for a detailed reconstruction of events and the intentions behind them. As images used to disseminate knowledge, they were expected to be reliable; as objects employed in the pursuit of scholarly recognition, they were supposed to reach their recipients post-haste. An inspection of Merck's utilization of printed images, with their concomitant demand for reliability and speed, reveals a pattern of misjudgements in his career and a craving for attention and primacy, which repeatedly exposed him to predicaments.
Curved schemes for stochastic differential equations on, or near, manifolds
Authors: Armstrong John , King Tim
Published: June 2022

Given a stochastic differential equation (SDE) inRnwhose solution is constrained to lie in some manifoldM⊂Rn, we identify a class of numerical schemes for the SDE whose iterates remain close toMto high order. These schemes approximate a geometrically invariant scheme, which gives perfect solutions for any SDE that is diffeomorphic ton-dimensional Brownian motion. Unlike projection-based methods, they may be implemented without explicit knowledge ofM. They can even be implemented if the solution merely remains close toM, without being exactly confined to it. Our approach does not require simulating any iterated Itô integrals beyond those needed to implement the Euler–Maryuama scheme. We prove that the schemes converge under a standard set of assumptions, and illustrate their geometric advantages in a variety of numerical contexts, including Monte Carlo simulation of the Riemannian Langevin equation.
Characterization of reproductive proteins in the Mexican fruit fly points towards the evolution of novel functions
Authors: Córdova-García Guadalupe , Esquivel Carlos J. , Pérez-Staples Diana , Ruiz-May Eliel , Herrera-Cruz Mariana , Reyes-Hernández Martha , Abraham Solana , Aluja Martín , Sirot Laura
Published: June 2022

Seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) modify female phenotypes and have wide-ranging evolutionary implications on fitness in many insects. However, in the Mexican fruit fly,
Anastrepha ludens
, a highly destructive agricultural pest, the functions of Sfps are still largely unknown. To gain insights into female phenotypes regulated by Sfps, we used nano-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to conduct a proteomic analysis of the soluble proteins from reproductive organs of
A. ludens
. The proteins predicted to be transferred from males to females during copulation were 100 proteins from the accessory glands, 69 from the testes and 20 from the ejaculatory bulb, resulting in 141 unique proteins after accounting for redundancies from multiple tissues. These 141 included orthologues to
Drosophila melanogaster
proteins involved mainly in oogenesis, spermatogenesis, immune response, lifespan and fecundity. In particular, we found one protein associated with female olfactory response to repellent stimuli (Scribble), and two related to memory formation (aPKC and Shibire). Together, these results raise the possibility that
A. ludens
Sfps could play a role in regulating female olfactory responses and memory formation and could be indicative of novel evolutionary functions in this important agricultural pest.
Trait-mediated competition drives an ant invasion and alters functional diversity
Authors: Wong Mark K. L. , Lee Roger H. , Leong Chi-Man , Lewis Owen T. , Guénard Benoit
Published: June 2022

The assumption that differences in species' traits reflect their different niches has long influenced how ecologists infer processes from assemblage patterns. For instance, many assess the importance of environmental filtering versus classical limiting-similarity competition in driving biological invasions by examining whether invaders’ traits are similar or dissimilar to those of residents, respectively. However, mounting evidence suggests that hierarchical differences between species' trait values can distinguish their competitive abilities (e.g. for the same resource) instead of their niches. Whether such trait-mediated hierarchical competition explains invasions and structures assemblages is less explored. We integrate morphological, dietary, physiological and behavioural trait analyses to test whether environmental filtering, limiting-similarity competition or hierarchical competition explain invasions by fire ants on ant assemblages. We detect both competition mechanisms; invasion success is not only explained by limiting similarity in body size and thermal tolerance (presumably allowing the invader to exploit different niches from residents), but also by the invader's superior position in trait hierarchies reflecting competition for common trophic resources. We find that the two mechanisms generate complex assemblage-level functional diversity patterns—overdispersion in some traits, clustering in others—suggesting their effects are likely missed by analyses restricted to a few traits and composite trait diversity measures.
Using network synchrony to identify drivers of social dynamics
Authors: Bonnell Tyler R. , Henzi S. Peter , Barrett Louise
Published: June 2022

Social animals frequently show dynamic social network patterns, the consequences of which are felt at the individual and group level. It is often difficult, however, to identify what drivers are responsible for changes in these networks. We suggest that patterns of network synchronization across multiple social groups can be used to better understand the relative contributions of extrinsic and intrinsic drivers. When groups are socially separated, but share similar physical environments, the extent to which network measures across multiple groups covary (i.e. network synchrony) can provide an estimate of the relative roles of extrinsic and intrinsic drivers. As a case example, we use allogrooming data from three adjacent vervet monkey groups to generate dynamic social networks. We found that network strength was strongly synchronized across the three groups, pointing to shared extrinsic environmental conditions as the driver. We also found low to moderate levels of synchrony in network modularity, suggesting that intrinsic social processes may be more important in driving changes in subgroup formation in this population. We conclude that patterns of network synchronization can help guide future research in identifying the proximate mechanisms behind observed social dynamics in animal groups.
Application of under-oil open microfluidic systems for rapid phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Authors: Li Chao , McCrone Sue , Warrick Jay W. , Andes David R. , Hite Zachary , Volk Cecilia F. , Rose Warren E. , Beebe David J.
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) remains the cornerstone of effective antimicrobial selection and optimization in patients. Despite recent advances in rapid pathogen identification and resistance marker detection with molecular diagnostics, phenotypic AST methods remain relatively unchanged over the last few decades. Guided by the principles of microfluidics, we describe the application of a multi-liquid-phase microfluidic system, named under-oil open microfluidic systems (UOMS) to achieve a rapid phenotypic AST. UOMS provides a next-generation solution for AST (UOMS-AST) by implementing and recording a pathogen antimicrobial activity in micro-volume testing units under an oil overlay with label-free, single-cell resolution optical access. UOMS-AST can accurately and rapidly determine antimicrobial activity from nominal sample/bacterial cells in a system aligned with clinical laboratory standards. Further, we combine UOMS-AST with cloud lab data analytic techniques for real-time image analysis and report generation to provide a rapid (i.e., <4 h) sample-to-answer turnaround time, shedding light on its utility as a next-generation phenotypic AST platform for clinical application.
Over-optimism in unsupervised microbiome analysis: Insights from network learning and clustering
Authors: Ullmann Theresa , Peschel Stefanie , Finger Philipp , Müller Christian L. , Boulesteix Anne-Laure
Published: June 2022

In recent years, unsupervised analysis of microbiome data, such as microbial network analysis and clustering, has increased in popularity. Many new statistical and computational methods have been proposed for these tasks. This multiplicity of analysis strategies poses a challenge for researchers, who are often unsure which method(s) to use and might be tempted to try different methods on their dataset to look for the “best” ones. However, if only the best results are selectively reported, this may cause over-optimism: the “best” method is overly fitted to the specific dataset, and the results might be non-replicable on validation data. Such effects will ultimately hinder research progress. Yet so far, these topics have been given little attention in the context of unsupervised microbiome analysis. In our illustrative study, we aim to quantify over-optimism effects in this context. We model the approach of a hypothetical microbiome researcher who undertakes three unsupervised research tasks: clustering of bacterial genera, hub detection in microbial networks, and differential microbial network analysis. While these tasks are unsupervised, the researcher might still have certain expectations as to what constitutes interesting results. We translate these expectations into concrete evaluation criteria that the hypothetical researcher might want to optimize. We then randomly split an exemplary dataset from the American Gut Project into discovery and validation sets multiple times. For each research task, multiple method combinations (e.g., methods for data normalization, network generation, and/or clustering) are tried on the discovery data, and the combination that yields the best result according to the evaluation criterion is chosen. While the hypothetical researcher might only report this result, we also apply the “best” method combination to the validation dataset. The results are then compared between discovery and validation data. In all three research tasks, there are notable over-optimism effects; the results on the validation data set are worse compared to the discovery data, averaged over multiple random splits into discovery/validation data. Our study thus highlights the importance of validation and replication in microbiome analysis to obtain reliable results and demonstrates that the issue of over-optimism goes beyond the context of statistical testing and fishing for significance.
Between fishing and farming: palaeogenomic analyses reveal cross-cultural interactions triggered by the arrival of the Neolithic in the Danube Gorges
Authors: Hofmanová Zuzana , Reyna-Blanco Carlos S. , de Becdelièvre Camille , Schulz Ilektra , Blöcher Jens , Jovanović Jelena , Winkelbach Laura , Figarska Sylwia M. , Schulz Anna , Porčić Marko , Květina Petr , Tsoupas Alexandros , Currat Mathias , Buzhilova Alexandra , Gerritsen Fokke , Karul Necmi , McGlynn George , Orschiedt Jörg , Özbal Rana , Peters Joris , Ridush Bogdan , Terberger Thomas , Teschler-Nicola Maria , Zariņa Gunita , Zeeb-Lanz Andrea , Stefanović Sofija , Burger Joachim , Wegmann Daniel
Published: June 2022

While early Neolithic populations in Europe were largely descended from early Aegean farmers, there is also evidence of episodic gene flow from local Mesolithic hunter-gatherers into early Neolithic communities. Exactly how and where this occurred is still unknown. Here we report direct evidence for admixture between the two groups at the Danube Gorges in Serbia. Analysis of palaeogenomes recovered from skeletons revealed that second-generation mixed individuals were buried amidst individuals whose ancestry was either exclusively Aegean Neolithic or exclusively local Mesolithic. The mixed ancestry is also reflected in a corresponding mosaic of grave goods. With its deep sequence of occupation and its unique dwellings that suggest at least semi-sedentary occupation since the late Mesolithic, the area of the Danube Gorges has been at the center of the debate about the contribution of Mesolithic societies to the Neolithisation of Europe. As suggested by our data, which were processed exclusively with uncertainty-aware bioinformatic tools, it may have been precisely in such contexts that close interactions between these societies were established, and Mesolithic ancestry and cultural elements were assimilated.
A novel preparation of the entire isolated CNS unveils the modulatory influences of supra-pontine structures on brainstem and spinal networks
Authors: Mohammadshirazi Atiyeh , Apicella Rosamaria , Taccola Giuliano
Published: June 2022

Several spinal motor output and essential rhythmic behaviors are controlled by supraspinal structures. Although of great advantage in deciphering their functional organization, existing preparations of the isolated brainstem and spinal networks only focus on local circuitry. The goal of our study has been to better characterize the contribution of higher centers to the neuronal networks involved in respiration and locomotion. Thus, a novel in vitro preparation from the isolated CNS of neonatal rodents was introduced to simultaneously record a stable respiratory rhythm from both cervical and lumbar ventral roots (VRs).

Selective electrical pulses supplied to the pons and medulla evoked distinct VR responses in rostrocaudal direction with a staggered onset, while stimulation of ventrolateral medulla resulted in higher events from homolateral VRs. Moreover, electrical stimulation of a lumbar dorsal root (DR) elicited responses even from cervical VRs, albeit small and delayed, confirming functional ascending pathways. Furthermore, prototypical fictive locomotion was induced by trains of pulses applied to either the ventrolateral medulla or a DR.

By progressively removing higher centers, duration of respiratory burst was reduced after a precollicular decerebration, which also affected the area of lumbar DR and VR potentials elicited by DR stimulation while frequency of respiration increased after a following pontobulbar transection. Keeping legs attached to the CNS allows for expressing the respiratory rhythm during peripheral stimulation of limbs.

The study demonstrates that supra-pontine centers regulate the spontaneous respiratory rhythm, as well as electrically-evoked reflexes and spinal network activity. Thus, the current approach contributes to clarifying the modulatory influence of the brain on the brainstem and spinal micro-circuits.
Modeling nonsegmented negative-strand RNA virus (NNSV) transcription with ejective polymerase collisions and biased diffusion
Authors: Piedra Felipe-Andrés
Published: June 2022

Infections by nonsegmented negative-strand RNA viruses (NNSV) are widely thought to entail gradient gene expression from the well-established existence of a single promoter at the 3’ end of the viral genome and the assumption of constant transcriptional attenuation between genes. But multiple recent studies show viral mRNA levels in infections by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major human pathogen and member of NNSV, that are inconsistent with a simple gradient. Here we integrate known and newly predicted phenomena into a biophysically reasonable model of NNSV transcription. Our model succeeds in capturing published observations of RSV and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA levels. We therefore propose a novel understanding of NNSV transcription based on the possibility of ejective polymerase-polymerase collisions and, in the case of RSV, biased polymerase diffusion.