bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical obstacles and their impact on the sheath to balloon time while intervening through a trans-radial approach in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kumar DILEEP , Abdul Bari SYED , Saghir TAHIR , Khan NASIR , Awan ROMANA , Kumar VICKY , Qamar NADEEM
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Trans-radial approach has been considered a safe and useful vascular access site for cardiac catheterization in comparison with the conventional trans-femoral approach. However, radial access has many challenges, such as access difficulty related to anatomical variations, radial artery spasm, occlusion, loops, tortuosities, and aberrant origin of radial and subclavian arteries. These factors were ignored in the large randomized trials that might have a significant impact on the outcome.

Purpose

To determine the predictors of anatomical obstacles and their impact on the sheath to balloon time while intervening through a trans-radial approach in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

This was a case-control study comprised of 466 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention to determine the predictors of anatomical obstacles including radial artery spasm, radioulnar loops, aberrant radial artery, tortuous configuration, and subclavian tortuosity. Sheath to balloon time was determined in both the groups with and without anatomical obstacles.

Results

Patients with and without anatomical obstacles were recruited in a 1:3 ratio. Female gender was found to be associated with anatomical obstacles with the distribution of 28.6% (32/112) vs. 19.2% (68/354); p = 0.035 for the patients with and without anatomical obstacles. Patients with obstacles were comparatively older than patients without obstacles with the mean age of 59.11 ± 8.86 vs. 55.6 ± 9.45 years; p < 0.001. Diabetes as co-morbid was another clinical factor observed to be associated with the presence of anatomical obstacles with the distribution of 50.9% (57/112) vs. 40.1% (142/354); p = 0.044 for with and without obstacles cohort respectively. Among patients with anatomical obstacles, the most common type of obstacle was observed to be subclavian tortuosity (40.2%) followed by radial artery spasm (25.9%), tortuous configuration (17.0%), radioulnar loop (12.5%), and abnormal origin of the RA (4.5%). A significantly higher sheath to balloon time was observed for the patients with anatomical obstacles as compared to those without with a mean duration of 30.92 ± 13.25 vs. 19.42 ± 6.2 minutes; p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Older age, female gender, and diabetes were found to be the major predictors for anatomical obstacles and hence significantly increasing the sheath to balloon time. Moreover, Subclavian tortuosity was the most common obstacle followed by the radial artery spasm. Therefore, predicting the factors prolonging the procedure time could be beneficial to select the access site and can improve the overall outcome.
Blood pressure variability in hypertension patients in Indian clinical settings
Authors: Abhyankar M , Jinghan A K , Das C , Datta S , Goswami A D , Silki S
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a potential predictor for complications such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and all-cause death, independently of mean blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension.(1)

Objective

 The survey was carried out to seek the opinion of Indian clinicians on the burden, measurement  and management of BPV in patients with hypertension.

Method

 This PAN-India survey used a structured web-based objective questionnaire that was administered to 200 clinicians via google forms. The responses were analyzed descriptively.

Results

 This study suggests that >80% of the clinicians reported that 10-40% of their hypertensive patients experience BPV while 13% and 6.5% respectively, reported having BPV issues in <10% and >40% of their patients.

A large majority of the clinicians (88.5%) agreed that effective control of BPV in hypertensive patients exerts benefits to prevent complications like target organ damage, cardiovascular disease and mortality.

A combination of home and office BP monitoring was the most recommended approach for the measurement of BPV by 28% of the clinicians, followed by home monitoring (23%) > ambulatory monitoring (22.5%) > combination of ambulatory and office monitoring (21%) > office monitoring (4.5%) of BP. A majority of clinicians opted for angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) + calcium channel blocker (CCB), ARB + beta blocker (BB) and ARB + diuretic as most preferred antihypertensive combination for effective control of BP and BPV (Figure 1). In particular, the clinicians opined for Telmisartan + Amlodipine (45.5%) > Telmisartan + Chorthalidone (27%) > Telmisartan + Cilnidipine (14%) > Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide (13%) as the preferred antihypertensive combinations.

41% and 30.5% of the clinicians reported that they would shift their patients with high BPV to a dual and a triple combination of antihypertensives, respectively followed by increasing the antihypertensive dose (18%) and shifting to new antihypertensive medication (8.5%).

Conclusion

 The survey underlined the considerable prevalence of BPV in hypertensive individuals and that its control can be beneficial in reducing the risk of future complications. The study also reflects that both home and office BP monitoring are important to identify BPV while ARBs particularly, Telmisartan in combination with CCB or a diuretic is the preferred regimen for effective control of BP and BPV. Abstract Figure 1
The safety and efficacy of efonidipine, an L- and T-Type dual calcium channel blocker, on heart rate and blood pressure in indian patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension
Authors: Jariwala P , Jadhav KARTIK
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Efonidipine hydrochloride, an L- and T-type dual calcium channel blocker, have a heart rate (HR)-slowing action in addition to a blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect. Many younger Indian hypertensive patients has sinus tachycardia. Beta blockers are not first line of antihypertensive agents. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of efonidipine on HR and BP in Indian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Methods

In a single center, prospective, open-labeled, single-armed study, we enrolled 335 patients who had mild-to-moderate hypertension [Systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and ≤ 160 mm Hg; Diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 and ≤ 110 mm Hg]. After a 2-week washout, eligible patients were treated with efonidipine (40 mg once daily for 12 weeks). The primary end point was the change in HR from baseline to week 12. The secondary endpoint included the change in trough sitting office BP between baseline and week 12. Laboratory and clinical adverse events were monitored at each study visit (4, 8, and 12 weeks). A dedicated nurse using mercury sphygmomanometer recorded blood pressure thrice spacing 15 minutes apart. The initial two readings were discarded, and third reading was accepted as final reading of actual blood pressure.

Results

335 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. After 12 weeks of treatment with efonidipine, the resting HR decreased significantly from baseline to week 12 {from 96.5 ± 15.3 to 71.8 ± 9.9 beats/minute, p < 0.0001}. The trough BP {sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) and SiDBP} also decreased significantly (SiSBP: from 158.6 ± 10.2 to 122.9± 5.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001; SiDBP: from 99.6 ± 8.4 to 87.3 ± 7.6 mmHg, p < 0.0001) The incidence of pedal oedema was seen in 0.5% of patients. The symptomatic hypotension was not seen any patients. The adherance to the therapy was 98.9%. 18% patients required second antihypertensive medication to achieve the BP target of ≤ 130/80 mm Hg.

Conclusion

Efonidipine was effective in controlling both HR and BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension in Indian patients. Its safe drug as a mono therapy with good adherence and minimal side effects.
Circulating extracellular vesicles correlate with nocturnal blood pressure and vascular organ damage and may serve as an integrative biomarker of vascular health.
Authors: Lugo Gavidia L M , Burger D , Robinson S , Nolde J , Carnagarin R , Matthews V B , Schlaich M P
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Council on Science and Technology, Mexico (CONACYT).

Background

 Elevated blood pressure (BP) has been associated with increased levels of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) which could potentially serve as a novel integrative biomarker for vascular health.

Purpose

  The present study therefore aimed to assess the relationship between increased EV release, blood pressure and macrovascular organ damage.

Methods

A total of 83 patients with BP ranging from normal to high were included in the present analysis. Extracellular vesicles were evaluated by flow cytometry (CD41+/Annexin v+). BP evaluation included unobserved automated office BP (AOBP) and ambulatory BP monitoring (24hr-BP, day-BP and night-BP). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured by the SphygmoCor XCEL as a marker of macrovascular organ damage.

Results

Hypertensive patients (n = 73, BP 132.9 ± 17.4/79.4 ± 14.0) compared to normotensive patients (n = 10, BP 113.4 ± 10.4/71.3 ± 9.6) had higher levels of EVs (10.6 ± 8.2 vs 6.5 ± 4.5 EV/µL; p = 0.02). Circulating EVs were positively correlated with nocturnal systolic BP (r= 0.3; p = 0.01) and night-time dipping (r= -0.26; p = 0.02) in univariable analysis. In contrast, systolic AOBP, 24hr-BP and day-BP did not show significant associations. No significant correlations were found with diastolic BP. EVs were significantly correlated with PWV (r = 0.26 p = 0.02).While all BP measures were associated with PWV, average systolic night-time BP demonstrated the strongest correlation with PWV (r = 0.55; p < 0.001) compared to systolic AOBP (r = 0.51; p < 0.001), 24hr-BP (r = 0.46; p < 0.001), and average day-BP (r = 0.48; p < 0.001). Multivariable regression models confirmed  robustness of the models.

Conclusion

We demonstrate a close positive relationship between a variety of BP measures and levels of circulating EVs as well as macrovascular damage assessed by PWV. The strongest correlation with EVs was found for average systolic nocturnal BP. Given that average nocturnal BP is the strongest predictor of CV events, EVs may serve as a useful integrative marker of vascular health and useful biomarker for CV risk assessment, a proposition that will need to be tested in prospective clinical trials. Abstract Figure.
Effectiveness and safety of combined direct oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet among high-risk peripheral arterial disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Solano S , Obrado G , Balcos K , Heidari M , Gotohio M
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis which strongly correlates to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and increased risk of limb loss, and despite the wide use of guideline-based antiplatelet therapy, patients remain at high risk for cardiovascular and limb events. There has been increasing interest in novel anticoagulants to improve prevention of complications secondary to PAD.

Purpose

This study aims to determine the effectiveness and safety of combined direct oral anticoagulant plus antiplatelet in reducing MACE, MALE and all-cause mortality among patients with PAD.

Method

Randomized controlled trials with outcomes on major adverse cardiac events (MACE), major adverse limb events (MALE), all-cause mortality and bleeding were searched through PubMed, Cochrane and EBSCOHost.

Result

Pooled analysis of studies on patients peripheral arterial disease showed that anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet have significant benefits compared with antiplatelet alone in reducing major adverse limb events (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.83) and stroke (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.97) but had inconclusive results in reducing myocardial infarction (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.03).There was no significant benefit in reducing cardiovascular death (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.23) and all-cause mortality (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.16). Likewise, there was increased risk of bleeding (RR 1.46, 95% CI of 1.18 to 1.80) compared with antiplatelet alone.

Conclusion

Anticoagulant (Rivaroxaban) combined with antiplatelet (aspirin) as alternative to traditional antiplatelet (aspirin) therapy significantly reduced major adverse limb events and stroke. However, there was a higher incidence of bleeding for the combined cohort. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to identify high-risk PAD patients with low risk of bleeding who can benefit the most with the combined intervention.
How to bridge residual distance to target low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol in acute coronary syndrome patients after initial statin therapy?
Authors: Yan B , Lai A , Sun H
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines recommend intensive low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering by ≥50% to target LDL-C <1.4mmol/L after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Residual distance to LDL-C target can help select treatment strategy after initial statin therapy.

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate residual distance to guideline recommended target LDL-C and the proportion of ACS patients who are projected to reach target LDL-C by different statin and non-statin lipid lowering strategies.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 46,114 patients admitted with ACS who survived 1 year from 18 acute hospitals in Hong Kong between Jan 2014 and Dec 2018. Patients were divided into (i) high potency (HP-S; rosuvastatin ≥20mg, atorvastatin ≥40mg or simvastatin ≥80mg); (ii) non-high potency (NHP-S; other statin doses) statin users and (iii) no statin therapy. We calculated the mean distance and percentage LDL-C reduction required to reach dual LDL-C targets (>50% reduction from baseline and <1.4mmol/L). We assumed up-titration from NHP-S to HP-S would further reduce LDL-C by approximately 5-10%; addition of ezetimibe 15-20% and PCSK-9 inhibitor 50-60%.

RESULTS

Of 46,114 patients (60.7% males, mean age 76.2 ± 13.3 years), 80.4% (n = 10945/13614) had LDL-C ≥1.4mmol/L at 12-months after index ACS with 60.2% (n = 18319/30450), 31.9% (n = 9726/30450) and 8.0% (2405/30450) of patients on no statin, NHP-S and HP-S, respectively. 86% of HP-S and 93% of NHP-S users did not reach dual LDL-C targets at 12-months. Among patients on NHP-S and HP-S, the mean LDL-C at 12-months was 2.0 ± 0.7 and2.1 ± 0.9 mmol/L; mean residual distance to target 0.64 ± 0.7 and0.66 ± 0.9 mmol/L; and mean percentage LDL-C reduction required to reach dual LDL-C targets was 22.4 ± 33% and 18.8 ± 36%, respectively. 13% of statin users required >50% further LDL-C reduction to reach targets. Projected proportion of NHP-S users to reach LDL-C targets is 11% (n = 430/3966) by up-titrating to HP-S, 21% (n = 828/3966) by up-titration to HP-S plus ezetimibe and 100% (n = 3966/3966) with PCSK-9 inhibitor plus HP-S and ezetimibe. Projected proportion of HP-S users to reach LDL-C targets is 13% (n = 143/1099) by ezetimibe and 100% (n = 1099/1099) with addition of PCSK-9 inhibitor. 

CONCLUSION

The use of high-potency statin was low and almost all statin users did not reach dual LDL-C targets at 12-months after index ACS. High potency statin plus ezetimibe is projected to bridge about a fifth of these patients to target LDL-C. PCSK-9 inhibitor is likely needed in the majority of patients who have not achieved target LDL-C at 12-months after ACS to reach guideline recommendations.
Virtual medical research mentoring and collaboration: breaking the bounds of nationality during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chan J S K , Lau D H H , King E , Shum Y K L , Roever L , Liu T , Ng K , Dee E C , Ciobanu A , Bazoukis G , Mahmoudi E , Satti D I , Jeevaratnam K , Baranchuk A , Tse G
Published: February 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

OnBehalf

Cardioovascular Analytics Group

Background

Medical research is critical to professional advancement, and mentoring is an important means of early research engagement in medical training. In contrast to international research collaborations, research mentoring programs are often locally limited. With the COVID-19 pandemic causing drifts to virtual classes and conferences, virtual international medical research mentoring may be viable. We hereby describe our experience with a virtual, international mentorship group for cardiovascular research.

Methods

Our virtual international research mentorship group has been running since 2015. The group focuses on risk stratification and outcomes research in cardiovascular medicine and epidemiology. Mentees from any country or region in all stages of medical careers are welcomed. Considering the increasing emphasis of contemporary research on multidisciplinary healthcare and translational research, our team also includes allied healthcare professionals or students, and graduates from natural sciences (Figure 1). With our members’ diverse backgrounds, we firmly adhere to the principle that all members must be given equal opportunities and treatment, regardless of their age, gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, family background, and institution of study or practice. We make use of virtual platforms and multi-level mentoring (both senior and peer mentoring), and emphasize active participation, early leadership, open culture, accessible research support, and a distributed research workflow (i.e. an accessible-distributed model).

Results

Since establishment, our group has expanded to include 63 active members from 14 countries (Figure 2), leading a total of 109 peer-reviewed original studies and reviews published. We observed no significant difficulty in communication between team members, nor conflicts due to differences in nationality or ethnicity. Most studies involve cross-country and ethnicity collaborations, and inter-disciplinary and inter-regional knowledge exchanges are frequent. Multi-level mentoring ensured mentoring quality without compromising bonding and communication.

Conclusion

An accessible-distributed model of virtual international medical research collaboration and multi-level mentoring is viable, efficient, and caters to the needs of contemporary healthcare. We hope that others will build similar models and improve medical research mentoring globally. Abstract Figure 1  Abstract Figure 2
Assessment and mitigation of bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism: A Position Paper from the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis, in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care and the Asia-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society
Authors: Gorog Diana A , Gue Ying X , Chao Tze-Fan , Fauchier Laurent , Ferreiro Jose Luis , Huber Kurt , Konstantinidis Stavros V , Lane Deirdre A , Marin Francisco , Oldgren Jonas , Potpara Tatjana , Roldan Vanessa , Rubboli Andrea , Sibbing Dirk , Tse Hung-Fat , Vilahur Gemma , Lip Gregory Y H
Published: February 2022

Whilst there is a clear clinical benefit of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in reducing the risks of thromboembolism, major bleeding events (especially intracranial bleeds) may still occur and be devastating. The decision to initiate and continue anticoagulation is often based on a careful assessment of both the thromboembolism and bleeding risk. The more common and validated bleeding risk factors have been used to formulate bleeding risk stratification scores, but thromboembolism and bleeding risk factors often overlap. Also, many factors that increase bleeding risk are transient and modifiable, such as variable international normalized ratio values, surgical procedures, vascular procedures, or drug–drug and food–drug interactions. Bleeding risk is also not a static ‘one off’ assessment based on baseline factors but is dynamic, being influenced by ageing, incident comorbidities, and drug therapies. In this Consensus Document, we comprehensively review the published evidence and propose a consensus on bleeding risk assessments in patients with AF and VTE, with the view to summarizing ‘best practice’ when approaching antithrombotic therapy in these patients. We address the epidemiology and size of the problem of bleeding risk in AF and VTE, review established bleeding risk factors, and summarize definitions of bleeding. Patient values and preferences, balancing the risk of bleeding against thromboembolism are reviewed, and the prognostic implications of bleeding are discussed. We propose consensus statements that may help to define evidence gaps and assist in everyday clinical practice.
Genome-wide association study identifies SNP markers and putative candidate genes for terpene traits important forLeptocybe invasaresistance inEucalyptus grandis
Authors: Mhoswa Lorraine , Myburg Alexander A , Slippers Bernard , Külheim Carsten , Naidoo Sanushka
Published: February 2022

Terpenes are an important group of plant specialized metabolites influencing, amongst other functions, defence mechanisms against pests. We used a genome-wide association study to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and putative candidate genes for terpene traits. We tested 15,387 informative SNP markers derived from genotyping 416 Eucalyptus grandis individuals for association with 3 terpene traits, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, and p-cymene. A multilocus mixed model analysis identified 21 SNP markers for 1,8-cineole on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, that individually explained 3.0%–8.4% and jointly 42.7% of the phenotypic variation. Association analysis of γ-terpinene found 32 significant SNP markers on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11, explaining 3.4–15.5% and jointly 54.5% of phenotypic variation. For p-cymene, 28 significant SNP markers were identified on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11, explaining 3.4–16.1% of the phenotypic variation and jointly 46.9%. Our results show that variation underlying the 3 terpene traits is influenced by a few minor loci in combination with a few major effect loci, suggesting an oligogenic nature of the traits.
Influences of HLH-2 stability on anchor cell fate specification duringCaenorhabditis elegansgonadogenesis
Authors: Benavidez Justin M , Kim Jee Hun , Greenwald Iva
Published: February 2022

The Caenorhabditis elegans E protein ortholog HLH-2 is required for the specification and function of the anchor cell, a unique, terminally differentiated somatic gonad cell that organizes uterine and vulval development. Initially, 4 cells—2 α cells and their sisters, the β cells—have the potential to be the sole anchor cell. The β cells rapidly lose anchor cell potential and invariably become ventral uterine precursor cells, while the 2 α cells interact via LIN-12/Notch to resolve which will be the anchor cell and which will become another ventral uterine precursor cell. HLH-2 protein stability is dynamically regulated in cells with anchor cell potential; initially present in all 4 cells, HLH-2 is degraded in presumptive ventral uterine precursor cells while remaining stable in the anchor cell. Here, we demonstrate that stability of HLH-2 protein is regulated by the activity of lin-12/Notch in both α and β cells. Our analysis provides evidence that activation of LIN-12 promotes degradation of HLH-2 as part of a negative feedback loop during the anchor cell/ventral uterine precursor cell decision by the α cells, and that absence of lin-12 activity in β cells increases HLH-2 stability and may account for their propensity to adopt the anchor cell fate in a lin-12 null background. We also performed an RNA interference screen of 232 ubiquitin-related genes and identified 7 genes that contribute to HLH-2 degradation in ventral uterine precursor cells; however, stabilizing HLH-2 by depleting ubiquitin ligases in a lin-12(+) background does not result in supernumerary anchor cells, suggesting that LIN-12 activation does not oppose hlh-2 activity solely by causing HLH-2 protein degradation. Finally, we provide evidence for lin-12-independent transcriptional regulation of hlh-2 in β cells that correlates with known differences in POP-1/TCF levels and anchor cell potential between α and β cells. Together, our results indicate that hlh-2 activity is regulated at multiple levels to restrict the anchor cell fate to a single cell.
Qiber3D—an open-source software package for the quantitative analysis of networks from 3D image stacks
Authors: Jaeschke Anna , Eckert Hagen , Bray Laura J
Published: February 2022

Background

Optical slice microscopy is commonly used to observe cellular morphology in 3D tissue culture, e.g., the formation of cell-derived networks. The morphometric quantification of these networks is essential to study the cellular phenotype. Commonly, the quantitative measurements are performed on 2D projections of the image stack, resulting in the loss of information in the third dimension. Currently available 3D image analysis tools rely on manual interactions with the software and are therefore not feasible for large datasets.

Findings

Here we present Qiber3D, an open-source image processing toolkit. The software package includes the essential image analysis procedures required for image processing, from the raw image to the quantified data. Optional pre-processing steps can be switched on/off depending on the input data to allow for analyzing networks from a variety of sources. Two reconstruction algorithms are offered to meet the requirements for a wide range of network types. Furthermore, Qiber3D’s rendering capabilities enable the user to inspect each step of the image analysis process interactively to ensure the creation of an optimal workflow for each application.

Conclusions

Qiber3D is implemented as a Python package, and its source code is freely available at https://github.com/theia-dev/Qiber3D. The toolkit was designed using a building block principle to enable the analysis of a variety of structures, such as vascular networks, neuronal structures, or scaffolds from numerous input formats. While Qiber3D can be used interactively in the Python console, it is aimed at unsupervised automation to process large image datasets efficiently.
A super-resolution framework for tensor decomposition
Authors: Li Qiuwei , Prater Ashley , Shen Lixin , Tang Gongguo
Published: February 2022

This work considers a super-resolution framework forovercomplete tensor decomposition. Specifically, we view tensor decomposition as a super-resolution problem of recovering a sum of Dirac measures on the sphere and solve it by minimizing a continuous analog of the $\ell _1$ norm on the space of measures. The optimal value of this optimization defines the tensor nuclear norm. Similar to the separation condition in the super-resolution problem, by explicitly constructing a dual certificate, we develop incoherence conditions of the tensor factors so that they form the unique optimal solution of the continuous analog of $\ell _1$ norm minimization. Remarkably, the derived incoherence conditions are satisfied with high probability by random tensor factors uniformly distributed on the sphere, implying global identifiability of random tensor factors.
Interpolation and stability properties of low-order face and edge virtual element spaces
Authors: Beirão da Veiga L , Mascotto L
Published: February 2022

We analyse the interpolation properties of two-dimensional and three-dimensional low-order virtual element (VE) face and edge spaces, which generalize Nédélec and Raviart–Thomas polynomials to polygonal-polyhedral meshes. Moreover, we investigate the stability properties of the associated $L^2$-discrete bilinear forms, which typically appear in the VE discretization of problems in electromagnetism.
Oral fosfomycin activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae in a dynamic bladder infection in vitro model
Authors: Abbott Iain J. , van Gorp Elke , Wyres Kelly L. , Wallis Steven C. , Roberts Jason A. , Meletiadis Joseph , Peleg Anton Y.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The use of oral fosfomycin for urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by non-Escherichia coli uropathogens is uncertain, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, the second most common uropathogen.

Methods

A multicompartment bladder infection in vitro model was used with standard media and synthetic human urine (SHU) to simulate urinary fosfomycin exposure after a single 3 g oral dose (fAUC0–72 16884 mg·h/L, t½ 5.5 h) against 15 K. pneumoniae isolates including ATCC 13883 (MIC 2 to >1024 mg/L) with a constant media inflow (20 mL/h) and 4-hourly voiding of each bladder. The impact of the media (CAMHB + G6P versus SHU) on fosfomycin MIC measurements, drug-free growth kinetics and regrowth after fosfomycin administration was assessed. A low and high starting inoculum (5.5 versus 7.5 log10 cfu/mL) was assessed in the bladder infection model.

Results

Compared with CAMHB, isolates in SHU had a slower growth rate doubling time (37.7 versus 24.1 min) and reduced growth capacity (9.0 ± 0.3 versus 9.4 ± 0.3 log10 cfu/mL), which was further restricted with increased inflow rate (40 mL/h) and more frequent voids (2-hourly). Regrowth was commonly observed in both media with emergence of fosfomycin resistance promoted by a high starting inoculum in CAMHB (MIC rise to ≥1024 mg/L in 13/14 isolates). Resistance was rarely detected in SHU, even with a high starting inoculum (MIC rise to ≥1024 mg/L in 2/14 isolates).

Conclusions

Simulated in an in vitro UTI model, the regrowth of K. pneumoniae urinary isolates was inadequately suppressed following oral fosfomycin therapy. Efficacy was further reduced by a high starting inoculum.
Plasmablastic lymphoma of the rectum: case report of a rare location and literature review
Authors: AlMohamedi Razan Saleh , AlRajban Waleed , AlRikabi Ammar , Arafah Maha
Published: February 2022

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an aggressive and rare variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which is thought to occur in immunocompromised individuals, specifically HIV-positive patients. We report the case of a 27-year-old Saudi male with PBL. The patient had a low CD4 count at presentation, however, he was HIV negative at the time of diagnosis; also Human herpesvirus-8 was negative on immunohistochemical stain, but Epstein–Barr virus showed expression in scattered cells through the utilization of EBV-EBER.
Chronic Wound Infection Model of Acinetobacter baumannii in Outbred Mice
Authors: Ruamsap Nattaya , Thomas Cotrone S , Imerbsin Rawiwan , Reed Matthew C , Gonwong Siriphan , Lurchachaiwong Woradee , Islam Dilara , Wojnarski Mariusz , Vesely Brian A , Lugo-Roman Luis A , Waters Norman C , Zurawski Daniel V , Demons Samandra T
Published: February 2022

Introduction

We established a murine wound infection model with doxycycline treatment against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (AB5075) in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) outbred mice.

Methods

Using three groups of neutropenic ICR mice, two full-thickness dorsal dermal wounds (6 mm diameter) were made on each mouse. In two groups, wounds were inoculated with 7.0 × 104 colony-forming units of AB5075. Of these two groups, one received a 6-day regimen of doxycycline while the other was sham treated with phosphate-buffered saline as placebo control. Another uninfected/untreated group served as a control. Wound closure, clinical symptoms, bacterial burden in wound beds and organs, and wound histology were investigated.

Results

Doxycycline-treated wounds completely healed by day 21, but untreated, infected wounds failed to heal. Compared to controls, wound infections without treatment resulted in significant reductions in body weight and higher bacterial loads in wound beds, lung, liver, and spleen by day 7. Histological evaluation of wounds on day 21 revealed ulcerated epidermis, muscle necrosis, and bacterial presence in untreated wounds, while wounds treated with doxycycline presented intact epidermis.

Conclusions

Compared to the previously developed BALB/c dermal wound model, this study demonstrates that the mouse strain selected impacts wound severity and resolution. Furthermore, this mouse model accommodates two dorsal wounds rather than only one. These variations offer investigators increased versatility when designing future studies of wound infection. In conclusion, ICR mice are a viable option as a model of dermal wound infection. They accommodate two simultaneous dorsal wounds, and upon infection, these wounds follow a different pattern of resolution compared to BALB/c mice.
The ASTRID simulation: the evolution of supermassive black holes
Authors: Ni Yueying , Di Matteo Tiziana , Bird Simeon , Croft Rupert , Feng Yu , Chen Nianyi , Tremmel Michael , DeGraf Colin , Li Yin
Published: February 2022

We present the evolution of black holes (BHs) and their relationship with their host galaxies in Astrid, a large-volume cosmological hydrodynamical simulation with box size 250 h−1Mpc containing 2 × 55003 particles evolved to z = 3. Astrid statistically models BH gas accretion and active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback to their environments, applies a power-law distribution for BH seed mass $\, M_{\rm sd}$, uses a dynamical friction model for BH dynamics, and executes a physical treatment of BH mergers. The BH population is broadly consistent with empirical constraints on the BH mass function, the bright end of the luminosity functions, and the time evolution of BH mass and accretion rate density. The BH mass and accretion exhibit a tight correlation with host stellar mass and star formation rate. We trace BHs seeded before z > 10 down to z = 3, finding that BHs carry virtually no imprint of the initial $\, M_{\rm sd}$ except those with the smallest $\, M_{\rm sd}$, where less than 50 per cent of them have doubled in mass. Gas accretion is the dominant channel for BH growth compared to BH mergers. With dynamical friction, Astrid predicts a significant delay for BH mergers after the first encounter of a BH pair, with a typical elapse time of about 200 Myr. There are in total 4.5 × 105 BH mergers in Astrid at z > 3, ∼103 of which have X-ray detectable EM counterparts: a bright $\, {\rm kpc}$ scale dual AGN with LX > 1043 erg s−1. BHs with $\, M_{\rm BH}\sim 10^{7\!-\!8} \, M_{\odot }$ experience the most frequent mergers. Galaxies that host BH mergers are unbiased tracers of the overall $\, M_{\rm BH}\!-\! M_*$ relation. Massive ($\gt 10^{11}\, M_{\odot }$) galaxies have a high occupation number (≳10) of BHs, and hence host the majority of BH mergers.
Detection of two additional circumbinary planets around Kepler-451
Authors: Esmer Ekrem Murat , Baştürk Özgür , Selam Selim Osman , Aliş Sinan
Published: February 2022

We announce the detection of two new planetary-mass companions around Kepler-451 binary system in addition to the one detected previously based on eclipse timing variation analysis. We found that an inner planet with 43 d period with a minimum mass of 1.76 Mjup and an outer one with a ∼1800 d orbital period with a minimum mass of 1.61 Mjup can explain the periodic variations in the residuals of the one-planet fit of the eclipse timings. We updated the orbital period of the middle planet as 406 d, and determined its eccentricity as 0.33. The newly discovered outer planet is also on an eccentric orbit (0.29), while the innermost planet was assumed to have a circular orbit. All three Jovian planets have similar masses, and our dynamical stability test yields that the system is stable.
The star formation burstiness and ionizing efficiency of low-mass galaxies
Authors: Atek Hakim , Furtak Lukas J , Oesch Pascal , van Dokkum Pieter , Reddy Naveen , Contini Thierry , Illingworth Garth , Wilkins Stephen
Published: February 2022

We investigate the burstiness of star formation and the ionizing efficiency of a large sample of galaxies at 0.7 < z < 1.5 using HST grism spectroscopy and deep ultraviolet (UV) imaging in the GOODS-N and GOODS-S fields. The star formation history (SFH) in these strong emission-line low-mass galaxies indicates an elevated star formation rate (SFR) based on the Hα emission line at a given stellar mass when compared to the standard main sequence. Moreover, when comparing the Hα and UV SFR indicators, we find that an excess in SFRHα compared to SFRUV is preferentially observed in lower mass galaxies below 109 M⊙, which are also the highest-EW galaxies. These findings suggest that the burstiness parameters of these strong emission-line galaxies may differ from those inferred from hydrodynamical simulations and previous observations. For instance, a larger burstiness duty cycle would explain the observed SFRHα excess. We also estimate the ionizing photon production efficiency ξion, finding a median value of log(ξion/erg−1 Hz) = 24.80 ± 0.26 when adopting a Galactic dust correction for Hα and an SMC one for the stellar component. We observe an increase of ξion with redshift, further confirming similar results at higher redshifts. We also find that ξion is strongly correlated with EWHα, which provides an approach for deriving ξion in early galaxies. We observe that lower mass, lower luminosity galaxies have a higher ξion. Overall, these results provide further support for faint galaxies playing a major role in the reionization of the Universe.
Emergence of galactic morphologies at cosmic dawn: input from numerical modelling
Authors: Bi Da , Shlosman Isaac , Romano-Díaz Emilio
Published: February 2022

We employ a series of high-resolution zoom-in cosmological simulations to analyse the emerging morphology of main galaxies in dark matter haloes at z ≳ 2. We choose haloes of similar masses, ${\rm log}\, M_{\rm vir}/{\rm M_\odot }\sim 11.65\pm 0.05$, at the target zf = 6, 4, and 2. The rationale for this choice allows us to analyse how the different growth rate in these haloes propagates down to galaxy scales, affecting their basic parameters. Halos were embedded in high/low overdensity regions, and two versions of a galactic wind feedback were employed. Our main results are: (1) Although our galaxies evolve in different epochs, their global parameters remain within narrow range. Their morphology, kinematics, and stellar populations differ substantially, yet all host sub-kpc stellar bars; (2) The star formation rates appear higher for larger zf; (3) Bulges and stellar spheroids were separated by stellar kinematics, discy bulges were revealed using the Sersic method and photometry.The bulge-to-total mass ratios appear independent of the last merger time for all zf. The spheroid-to-total mas ratios lie within ∼0.5–0.8; (4) The synthetic redshifted, pixelized, and PSF-degraded JWST images allow detection of stellar discs at all zf. (5) Based on the kinematic decomposition, rotational support in discs depends on the feedback type, but increases with decreasing zf; (6) Finally, the ALMA images detect discs at all zf, but spiral structure is detectable in zf = 2 galaxies. Moreover, galaxies follow the Tully–Fisher relation, being separated only by the galactic wind feedback.
Kidney health for all: bridging the gap in kidney health education and literacy
Authors: Langham Robyn G , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Bonner Ann , Balducci Alessandro , Hsiao Li-Li , Kumaraswami Latha A , Laffin Paul , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Saadi Gamal , Tantisattamo Ekamol , Ulasi Ifeoma , Lui Siu-Fai ,   The World Kidney Day Joint Steering Committee, Langham Robyn G , Kalantar–Zadeh Kamyar , Balducci Alessandro , Hsiao Li-Li , Kumaraswami Latha , Laffin Paul , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Saadi Gamal , Ulasi Ifeoma , Lui Siu-Fai
Published: February 2022

The high burden of kidney disease, global disparities in kidney care and poor outcomes of kidney failure bring a concomitant growing burden to those affected, their families, caregivers and the community at large. Health literacy is the degree to which people and organizations have or equitably enable individuals to have the ability to find, understand and use information and services to make informed health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Rather than viewing health literacy as a patient deficit, improving health literacy largely rests with healthcare providers communicating and educating effectively in a co-designed partnership with those with kidney disease. For kidney policymakers, health literacy provides the imperative to shift organizations to a culture that places the person at the center of healthcare. The growing capability of and access to technology provides new opportunities to enhance education and awareness of kidney disease for all stakeholders. Advances in telecommunication, including social media platforms, can be leveraged to enhance people's and providers’ education; the World Kidney Day declares 2022 as the year of ‘Kidney Health for All’ to promote global teamwork in advancing strategies in bridging the gap in kidney health education and literacy. Kidney organizations should work toward shifting the patient-deficit health literacy narrative to that of being the responsibility of healthcare providers and health policymakers. By engaging in and supporting kidney health-centered policymaking, community health planning and health literacy approaches for all, the kidney communities strive to prevent kidney diseases and enable living well with kidney disease.
Cyclical signals from the labor market
Authors: Berger Tino , Boll Paul David , Morley James , Wong Benjamin
Published: February 2022

We consider which labor market variables are the most informative for estimating and nowcasting the US output gap using a multivariate trend-cycle decomposition. Although the unemployment rate clearly contains important cyclical information, it also appears to reflect more persistent movements related to labor force participation that could distort inferences about the output gap. Instead, we show that the alternative U-2 unemployment rate (job losers as a percentage of the labor force) provides a more purely cyclical indicator of labor market conditions. To a lesser extent, but consistent with a link of the output gap to real labor costs in a New Keynesian setting, we also find that average hourly earnings are informative about the output gap.
Pain Burden in the CASiRe International Cohort of Sickle Cell Patients: United States and Ghana
Authors: Zempsky William T , Yanaros Mary , Sayeem Mohammed , Boruchov Donna , Piccone Connie M , Manwani Deepa , Strunk Crawford , Tartaglione Immacolata , Colombatti Raffaella , Akatue Sophia , Oteng Bianca , Owda Ahmed , Bamfo Rose , Wilson Samuel , Rivers Angela , Farooq Fatimah , Urbonya Rebekah , Boatemaa Gifty Dankwah , Rao Sudha , Inusa Baba , Antwi-Boasiako Charles , Segbefia Catherine , Sey Fredericka , Andemariam Biree , Asare Eugenia Vicky , Campbell Andrew D
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder affecting over 1 million people globally. The aim of this analysis is to explore the pain burden of patients with SCD in two countries: the United States and Ghana.

Methods

The Consortium for the Advancement of Sickle Cell Research (CASiRe) was created to better understand the clinical severity of patients with SCD worldwide. Data regarding gender, SCD genotype, prior medical diagnoses, and validated pain burden measures were analyzed from the CASiRe database. The Sickle Cell Pain Burden Interview (SCPBI) was used to assess pain burden, the impact of pain on physical, emotional, and social function.

Results

Most subjects identified as Black/African American (n = 298, 97.0%). Patient ages ranged from 6 to 73 years. 35.9% resided in the United States, 64.1% resided in Ghana, 40.9% were men, and 58.7% were women. The mean SCPBI score for US SCD patients was 6.53(±5.89) vs 4.04(±5.10) for Ghanaian patients, P <0.001. Pain burden was higher in US men vs Ghanaian men (6.74(±5.68) vs 3.54(±4.46), P = .003) and in US women vs Ghanaian women (6.37 ± 6.06 vs 4.44(±5.54), P = .032). Pain burden was higher in US patients than Ghanaian patients for both the Hb SC/SBeta+ genotype (5.40(±5.29) vs 2.82(±4.86), P = .054) and Hb SS/SBeta0 genotype (6.79(±6.01) vs 4.49(±5.13), P = .003). Pain burden was significantly higher in SCD patients with comorbid conditions independent of geographic origin including stroke, cholecystectomy, gallstones, depression, and headache.

Discussion

US patients with SCD have a higher pain burden than Ghanaian patients. Further studies should investigate underlying contributors to pain burden in these populations and further explore the etiology of geographic differences in pain.
Depression
Authors: Rottenberg Jonathan
Published: February 2022

Depression currently affects more than 15% of the population overall, and it
is striking people at increasingly younger ages. Depression is all too familiar, yet this condition
remains shrouded in mystery, confusion, and fear. What is depression, exactly? How is it different from
sadness? It is said that depression is a “chemical imbalance,” but what does that really mean? Which
chemicals are involved, and how are they imbalanced? Why is it that just as more research and treatment
resources have been poured into combating depression, its personal and economic toll has actually grown?
What, then, is fueling the epidemic of depression? Is there anything that can be done to stop it? This
book cuts through the confusion to address the core of these and other matters. It offers a practical
research synthesis that bridges clinical science, clinical practice, and everyday life. Written in the
pithy, straightforward style of Oxford University Press’ What Everyone
Needs to Know series, this book is the essential go-to guide both
for understanding what we know about the causes of depression and the depression epidemic and for
learning what to do about it; the book includes material on how to recognize depression in yourself, a
family member, or a friend and how to navigate life after depression. Written for all those who struggle
with depression, their loved ones, mental health professionals, and the wider public, this book offers
guidance for navigating the bewildering marketplace of treatment options and combatting the
misinformation and myths that still surround this condition.
Sustainability
Authors: Thompson Paul B. , Norris Patricia E.
Published: February 2022

This book presents a systems thinking approach to sustainability by answering questions on the meaning of
sustainability in business, ecology, environmental quality, and economic development. Systems approaches
to social injustice are developed. The sustainability of governance processes and achieving larger
sustainability goals requires integrating the activities of NGOs, businesses, citizen groups, and
standard setting and monitoring activities with more conventional actions of governments. The book
includes a discussion of how practices in the sciences, education, religion, and the arts are changing
in response to the need for improving sustainability. It ends with an exploration of the roles that
individuals can play both as consumers and through partnering with others in social and political
action.