bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reversible left ventricular noncompaction caused by hypertensive hydrocephalus: a pediatric case report
Authors: Kato Riko , Taneichi Hiromichi , Takarada Shinya , Okabe Mako , Miyao Nariaki , Nakaoka Hideyuki , Ibuki Keijiro , Ozawa Sayaka , Adachi Yuichi , Yoshimura Naoki , Saito Kazuyoshi , Ichida Fukiko , Hirono Keiichi
Published: April 2021

Background

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is characterized by prominent ventricular trabeculations on cardiovascular imaging. Acquired reversible LVNC has not been reported in pediatrics without a genetic background.

Case presentation

A 9-year-old girl with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for neonatal posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus was referred due to exacerbation of hydrocephalus caused by VP shunt dysfunction. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function and thick prominent trabeculae in the LV, predominantly in the apex, suggesting LVNC. Following treatment with extraventricular drainage for hydrocephalus, prominent trabeculation of the LV was diminished on TTE within 3 months. Genetic testing using next-generation sequencing was performed, and no significant variants were identified.

Conclusions

We revealed for the first time a pediatric case of reversible LVNC without genetic predisposition. This case report provides valuable information on the pathogenesis of acquired LVNC and suggests that detailed evaluation is required to elucidate the diagnosis of this wide spectrum of etiologic–pathogenetic disorders.
Network-level functional topological changes after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot study
Authors: Qin Kun , Lei Du , Yang Jing , Li Wenbin , Tallman Maxwell J. , Duran Luis Rodrigo Patino , Blom Thomas J. , Bruns Kaitlyn M. , Cotton Sian , Sweeney John A. , Gong Qiyong , DelBello Melissa P.
Published: April 2021

Background

Given that psychopharmacological approaches routinely used to treat mood-related problems may result in adverse outcomes in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for bipolar disorder (BD), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) provides an alternative effective and safe option. However, little is known about the brain mechanisms of beneficial outcomes from this intervention. Herein, we aimed to investigate the network-level neurofunctional effects of MBCT-C in mood dysregulated adolescents.

Methods

Ten mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for BD underwent a 12-week MBCT-C intervention. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed prior to and following MBCT-C. Topological metrics of three intrinsic functional networks (default mode network (DMN), fronto-parietal network (FPN) and cingulo-opercular network (CON)) were investigated respectively using graph theory analysis.

Results

Following MBCT-C, mood dysregulated adolescents showed increased global efficiency and decreased characteristic path length within both CON and FPN. Enhanced functional connectivity strength of frontal and limbic areas were identified within the DMN and CON. Moreover, change in characteristic path length within the CON was suggested to be significantly related to change in the Emotion Regulation Checklist score.

Conclusions

12-week MBCT-C treatment in mood dysregulated adolescents at familial risk for BD yield network-level neurofunctional effects within the FPN and CON, suggesting enhanced functional integration of the dual-network. Decreased characteristic path length of the CON may be associated with the improvement of emotion regulation following mindfulness training. However, current findings derived from small sample size should be interpreted with caution. Future randomized controlled trials including larger samples are critical to validate our findings.
Development and validation of the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool (RTAT)
Authors: Zlateva Ianita , Schiessl Amanda , Khalid Nashwa , Bamrick Kerry , Flinter Margaret
Published: April 2021

Background

In recent years, health centers in the United States have embraced the opportunity to train the next generation of health professionals. The uniqueness of the health centers as teaching settings emphasizes the need to determine if health professions training programs align with health center priorities and the nature of any adjustments that would be needed to successfully implement a training program. We sought to address this need by developing and validating a new survey that measures organizational readiness constructs important for the implementation of health professions training programs at health centers where the primary role of the organizations and individuals is healthcare delivery.

Methods

The study incorporated several methodological steps for developing and validating a measure for assessing health center readiness to engage with health professions programs. A conceptual framework was developed based on literature review and later validated by 20 experts in two focus groups. A survey-item pool was generated and mapped to the conceptual framework and further refined and validated by 13 experts in three modified Delphi rounds. The survey items were pilot-tested with 212 health center employees. The final survey structure was derived through exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency reliability of the scale and subscales was evaluated using Chronbach’s alpha.

Results

The exploratory factor analysis revealed a 41-item, 7-subscale solution for the survey structure, with 72% of total variance explained. Cronbach’s alphas (.79–.97) indicated high internal consistency reliability. The survey measures: readiness to engage, evidence strength and quality of the health professions training program, relative advantage of the program, financial resources, additional resources, implementation team, and implementation plan.

Conclusions

The final survey, the Readiness to Train Assessment Tool (RTAT), is theoretically-based, valid and reliable. It provides an opportunity to evaluate health centers’ readiness to implement health professions programs. When followed with appropriate change strategies, the readiness evaluations could make the implementation of health professions training programs, and their spread across the United States, more efficient and cost-effective. While developed specifically for health centers, the survey may be useful to other healthcare organizations willing to assess their readiness to implement education and training programs.
Rat PRDM9 shapes recombination landscapes, duration of meiosis, gametogenesis, and age of fertility
Authors: Mihola Ondrej , Landa Vladimir , Pratto Florencia , Brick Kevin , Kobets Tatyana , Kusari Fitore , Gasic Srdjan , Smagulova Fatima , Grey Corinne , Flachs Petr , Gergelits Vaclav , Tresnak Karel , Silhavy Jan , Mlejnek Petr , Camerini-Otero R. Daniel , Pravenec Michal , Petukhova Galina V. , Trachtulec Zdenek
Published: April 2021

Background

Vertebrate meiotic recombination events are concentrated in regions (hotspots) that display open chromatin marks, such as trimethylation of lysines 4 and 36 of histone 3 (H3K4me3 and H3K36me3). Mouse and human PRDM9 proteins catalyze H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 and determine hotspot positions, whereas other vertebrates lacking PRDM9 recombine in regions with chromatin already opened for another function, such as gene promoters. While these other vertebrate species lacking PRDM9 remain fertile, inactivation of the mousePrdm9gene, which shifts the hotspots to the functional regions (including promoters), typically causes gross fertility reduction; and the reasons for these species differences are not clear.

Results

We introducedPrdm9deletions into theRattus norvegicusgenome and generated the first rat genome-wide maps of recombination-initiating double-strand break hotspots. Rat strains carrying the same wild-typePrdm9allele shared 88% hotspots but strains with differentPrdm9alleles only 3%. AfterPrdm9deletion, rat hotspots relocated to functional regions, about 40% to positions corresponding toPrdm9-independent mouse hotspots, including promoters. Despite the hotspot relocation and decreased fertility,Prdm9-deficient rats of the SHR/OlaIpcv strain produced healthy offspring. The percentage of normal pachytene spermatocytes in SHR-Prdm9mutants was almost double than in the PWD male mouse oligospermic sterile mutants. We previously found a correlation between the crossover rate and sperm presence in mousePrdm9mutants. The crossover rate of SHR is more similar to sperm-carrying mutant mice, but it did not fully explain the fertility of the SHR mutants. Besides mild meiotic arrests at rat tubular stages IV (mid-pachytene) and XIV (metaphase), we also detected postmeiotic apoptosis of round spermatids. We found delayed meiosis and age-dependent fertility in both sexes of the SHR mutants.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that the relative increased fertility of rat versus mousePrdm9mutants could be ascribed to extended duration of meiotic prophase I. While rat PRDM9 shapes meiotic recombination landscapes, it is unnecessary for recombination. We suggest that PRDM9 has additional roles in spermatogenesis and speciation—spermatid development and reproductive age—that may help to explain male-specific hybrid sterility.
Community views on short birth interval in Northern Uganda: a participatory grounded theory
Authors: Belaid Loubna , Atim Pamela , Ochola Emmanuel , Omara Bruno , Atim Eunice , Ogwang Martin , Bayo Pontius , Oola Janet , Okello Isaac Wonyima , Sarmiento Ivan , Rojas-Rozo Laura , Zinszer Kate , Zarowsky Christina , Andersson Neil
Published: April 2021

Background

Short birth interval is associated with adverse perinatal, maternal, and infant outcomes, although evidence on actionable factors underlying short birth interval remains limited. We explored women and community views on short birth intervals to inform potential solutions to promote a culturally safe child spacing in Northern Uganda.

Methods

Gendered fuzzy cognitive mapping sessions (n = 21), focus group discussions (n = 12), and an administered survey questionnaire (n = 255) generated evidence on short birth intervals. Deliberative dialogues with women, their communities, and service providers suggested locally relevant actions promote culturally safe child spacing.

Results

Women, men, and youth have clear understandings of the benefits of adequate child spacing. This knowledge is difficult to translate into practice as women are disempowered to exercise child spacing. Women who use contraceptives without their husbands’ consent risk losing financial and social assets and are likely to be subject to intra-partner violence. Women were not comfortable with available contraceptive methods and reported experiencing well-recognized side effects. They reported anxiety about the impact of contraception on the health of their future children. This fear was fed by rumors in their communities about the effects of contraceptives on congenital diseases. The women and their communities suggested a home-based sensitization program focused on improving marital relationships (spousal communication, mutual understanding, male support, intra-partner violence) and knowledge and side-effects management of contraceptives.

Conclusions

The economic context, gender power dynamics, inequality, gender bias in land tenure and ownership regulations, and the limited contraceptive supply reduce women’s capacity to practice child spacing.
Determinants of gender disparities in scaling up the first 90 towards the UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets in South Africa: findings from the 2017 household-based national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Jooste S. , Mabaso M. , Taylor M. , North A. , Shean Y. L. , Simbayi L. C.
Published: April 2021

Background

The first 90 of UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets to have 90% of the people living with HIV know their status is an important entry point to the HIV treatment cascade and care continuum, but evidence shows that there is a large gap between males and females in this regard. It is therefore important to understand barriers and facilitators of achieving the first 90 target. This study examined determinants of the first 90 target among females and males in order to inform strategies aimed at improving the HIV cascade in South Africa.

Methods

The data used in the analysis were obtained from a 2017 household-based cross-sectional nationally representative survey conducted using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling design. A series of hierarchical multiple logistic regression models were fitted to identify the determinants of the first 90 target by gender.

Results

Overall, 84.8% of HIV-positive individuals aged 15 years and older were aware of their HIV status. Females were significantly more aware of their HIV status compared to males (88.7% vs 78.2%, p < 0.001). Both females aged 25 to 49 years [aOR = 3.20 (95% CI 1.35–7.57), p = 0.008], and 50 years and older [aOR = 3.19 (95% CI 1.04–9.76), p = 0.042] and males aged 25 to 49 years [aOR = 3.00 (95% CI 1.13–7.97), p = 0.028], and 50 years and older [aOR = 7.25 (95% CI 2.07–25.36), p = 0.002] were significantly more likely to know their HIV status compared to those aged 15 to 19 years. Males with tertiary education level were significantly more likely to be aware of their HIV positive status [aOR = 75.24 (95% CI 9.07–624.26), p < 0.001] compared to those with no education or with primary level education. Females with secondary [aOR = 3.28 (95% CI 1.20–8.99), p = 0.021] and matric [aOR = 4.35 (95% CI 1.54–12.37), p = 0.006] educational levels were significantly more likely to be aware of their HIV positive status, compared to those with no education or with primary level education.

Conclusion

Significant progress has been made with regards to reaching the UNAIDS first 90 target. In this context achieving the first 90 target is feasible but there is a need for additional interventions to reach the males especially youth including those with no education or low levels of education.
Chiropractic case reports: a review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Trager Robert J. , Dusek Jeffery A.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To determine publication trends, gaps, and predictors of citation of chiropractic case reports (CRs).

Methods

A bibliometric review was conducted by searching PubMed, Index to Chiropractic Literature (ICL), and Google Scholar to identify PubMed-indexed CRs, which were screened according to selection criteria. Case reports were categorized by International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) code, patient age, topic describing case management or adverse effects of care, focus being spinal or non-spinal, journal type, integrative authorship, title metrics, and citation metrics. Binary logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of citations per year and total citations greater than the median values.

Results

The search identified 1176 chiropractic CRs meeting selection criteria. There was an increasing trend of CRs having a case management topic, non-spinal focus, non-chiropractic journal, neuromusculoskeletal-focus, diagnosis of vascular pathology, and a decreasing trend of adverse effect vascular pathology CRs. Independent predictors of greater total citations (or citation rate) included ICD-10 categories of perinatal conditions, infections, “case” in title, case management topic, and physical therapy, integrative, and dental journal type. Predictors of fewer citations included diseases of the blood, neoplasms, other findings not elsewhere classified, a title > 11 words, and multidisciplinary authorship. ICD-10 categories describing non-musculoskeletal diseases and special populations such as pediatrics, pregnancy, and perinatal conditions had few CRs.

Conclusion

Chiropractic CRs are diversifying from spine-related topics. Chiropractors are encouraged to publish objective, structured CRs within defined research gaps. Published CRs can inform the design of future research studies with a higher level of clinical relevance and evidence.
Complete vertebrate mitogenomes reveal widespread repeats and gene duplications
Authors:   The Vertebrate Genomes Project Consortium, Formenti Giulio , Rhie Arang , Balacco Jennifer , Haase Bettina , Mountcastle Jacquelyn , Fedrigo Olivier , Brown Samara , Capodiferro Marco Rosario , Al-Ajli Farooq O. , Ambrosini Roberto , Houde Peter , Koren Sergey , Oliver Karen , Smith Michelle , Skelton Jason , Betteridge Emma , Dolucan Jale , Corton Craig , Bista Iliana , Torrance James , Tracey Alan , Wood Jonathan , Uliano-Silva Marcela , Howe Kerstin , McCarthy Shane , Winkler Sylke , Kwak Woori , Korlach Jonas , Fungtammasan Arkarachai , Fordham Daniel , Costa Vania , Mayes Simon , Chiara Matteo , Horner David S. , Myers Eugene , Durbin Richard , Achilli Alessandro , Braun Edward L. , Phillippy Adam M. , Jarvis Erich D.
Published: April 2021

Background

Modern sequencing technologies should make the assembly of the relatively small mitochondrial genomes an easy undertaking. However, few tools exist that address mitochondrial assembly directly.

Results

As part of the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) we develop mitoVGP, a fully automated pipeline for similarity-based identification of mitochondrial reads and de novo assembly of mitochondrial genomes that incorporates both long (> 10 kbp, PacBio or Nanopore) and short (100–300 bp, Illumina) reads. Our pipeline leads to successful complete mitogenome assemblies of 100 vertebrate species of the VGP. We observe that tissue type and library size selection have considerable impact on mitogenome sequencing and assembly. Comparing our assemblies to purportedly complete reference mitogenomes based on short-read sequencing, we identify errors, missing sequences, and incomplete genes in those references, particularly in repetitive regions. Our assemblies also identify novel gene region duplications. The presence of repeats and duplications in over half of the species herein assembled indicates that their occurrence is a principle of mitochondrial structure rather than an exception, shedding new light on mitochondrial genome evolution and organization.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that even in the “simple” case of vertebrate mitogenomes the completeness of many currently available reference sequences can be further improved, and caution should be exercised before claiming the complete assembly of a mitogenome, particularly from short reads alone.
Deletion of a non-canonical regulatory sequence causes loss of Scn1a expression and epileptic phenotypes in mice
Authors: Haigh Jessica L. , Adhikari Anna , Copping Nycole A. , Stradleigh Tyler , Wade A. Ayanna , Catta-Preta Rinaldo , Su-Feher Linda , Zdilar Iva , Morse Sarah , Fenton Timothy A. , Nguyen Anh , Quintero Diana , Agezew Samrawit , Sramek Michael , Kreun Ellie J. , Carter Jasmine , Gompers Andrea , Lambert Jason T. , Canales Cesar P. , Pennacchio Len A. , Visel Axel , Dickel Diane E. , Silverman Jill L. , Nord Alex S.
Published: April 2021

Background

Genes with multiple co-active promoters appear common in brain, yet little is known about functional requirements for these potentially redundant genomic regulatory elements.SCN1A,which encodes the NaV1.1 sodium channel alpha subunit, is one such gene with two co-active promoters. Mutations inSCN1Aare associated with epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome (DS). The majority of DS patients harbor coding mutations causingSCN1Ahaploinsufficiency; however, putative causal non-coding promoter mutations have been identified.

Methods

To determine the functional role of one of these potentially redundantScn1apromoters, we focused on the non-codingScn1a1b regulatory region, previously described as a non-canonical alternative transcriptional start site. We generated a transgenic mouse line with deletion of the extended evolutionarily conserved 1b non-coding interval and characterized changes in gene and protein expression, and assessed seizure activity and alterations in behavior.

Results

Mice harboring a deletion of the 1b non-coding interval exhibited surprisingly severe reductions ofScn1aand NaV1.1 expression throughout the brain. This was accompanied by electroencephalographic and thermal-evoked seizures, and behavioral deficits.

Conclusions

This work contributes to functional dissection of the regulatory wiring of a major epilepsy risk gene,SCN1A. We identified the 1b region as a critical disease-relevant regulatory element and provide evidence that non-canonical and seemingly redundant promoters can have essential function.
Engineered endolysin-based “artilysins” for controlling the gram-negative pathogen Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Xu Dengyuan , Zhao Shanshan , Dou Jun , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhi Yanyan , Wen Liangzhu
Published: April 2021

Helicobacter pylori infection can cause a variety of gastrointestinal diseases. In severe cases, there is a risk of gastric cancer. Antibiotics are often used for clinical treatment of H. pylori infections. However, because of antibiotic overuse in recent years and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, there is an urgent need to develop new treatment methods and drugs to achieve complete eradication of H. pylori. Endolysins and holins encoded by bacterial viruses (i.e., phages) represent a promising avenue of investigation. These lyase-based antibacterial drugs act on the bacterial cell wall to destroy the bacteria. Currently, a type of endolysin that has been studied more frequently acts on the amide bond between peptidoglycans, and holin is a transmembrane protein that can punch holes in the cell membrane. However, as a Gram-negative bacterium, H. pylori possesses a layer of impermeable lipopolysaccharides on the cell wall, which prevents endolysin interaction with the cell wall. Therefore, we designed a genetic linkage between an endolysin enzyme and a holin enzyme with a section of polypeptides (e.g., polycations and hydrophobic peptides) that enable penetration of the outer membrane. These complexes were designated “artilysins” and were efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. In vitro bacteriostasis experiments showed that the purified artilysins had strong bacteriostatic effects on H. pylori. In addition, the surface of H. pylori was perforated and destroyed, as confirmed by electron microscopy, which was proved that artilysins had bacteriolytic effect on H. pylori.
Proactive psychological programs designed to mitigate posttraumatic stress injuries among at-risk workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Di Nota Paula M. , Bahji Anees , Groll Dianne , Carleton R. Nicholas , Anderson Gregory S.
Published: April 2021

Background

Public safety personnel and frontline healthcare professionals are at increased risk of exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTE) and developing posttraumatic stress injuries (PTSI, e.g., depression, anxiety) by the nature of their work. PTSI are also linked to increased absenteeism, suicidality, and performance decrements, which compromise occupational and public health and safety in trauma-exposed workers. Evidence is lacking regarding the effectiveness of “prevention” programs designed to mitigate PTSI proactively. The purpose of this review is to measure the effectiveness of proactive PTSI mitigation programs among occupational groups exposed to PPTE on measures of PTSI symptoms, absenteeism, and psychological wellness.

Methods

Five electronic databases were searched per PRISMA guidelines for English or French peer-reviewed studies from 2008 to 2019 evaluating PTSI and psychological wellness in adults exposed to occupational PPTE. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

We identified 42 studies evaluating 3182 public safety and frontline healthcare professionals, PPTE-exposed educational staff, and miners. Significant overlap was found across program themes that included mindfulness, psychoeducation, resilience promotion, and stress management strategies. Post-program effect sizes were small (SMD < 0.5) to moderate (SMD < 0.8) for reductions in PTSI symptoms and for promoting measures of well-being as indicated by a meta-analysis on 36 studies. There was no evidence for significant reductions in substance use, absenteeism, or biomarkers of distress except for heart rate. Subgroup analyses indicated that multimodal programs effectively improved general psychological health, while resilience programs improved measures of depression, burnout, coping, and resilience. Effect sizes for resilience, depression, and general psychological health improvements were greatest immediately or 1-month post-training, while improvements in PTSD symptoms and coping were larger at longer follow-up. Studies were of moderate quality and risk of bias.

Conclusions

The current results showcase modest evidence for time-limited reductions in PTSI following participation in holistic programs that promote resilience, stress, and emotion regulation among at-risk workers. Implications for organizational implementation of proactive PTSI mitigation programs and areas of future research are discussed.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO (CRD42019133534)
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) use in post-stroke patient care and clinical practice: a realist synthesis protocol
Authors: Smith A. , Hewitt J. , Quinn T. J. , Robling M.
Published: April 2021

Background

There is growing interest in the use of routine patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to influence the care of individual patients with stroke. However, there are significant gaps in our understanding as to how PROMs influence post-stroke patient care and clinical practice. This is due to factors including the number of purported uses for PROMs and that PROMs are complex interventions, which attempt to stimulate varied actions or behaviours. Therefore, the objective of this realist synthesis is to offer theory-based explanations as to how PROMs influence post-stroke clinical practice and patient care.

Methods

This is a protocol for a realist synthesis, which involves three distinct phases: theory building (phase 1), theory testing and refinement (phase 2) and synthesis (phase 3). Phase 1 will develop initial rough programme theories (IRPTs), through literature searches (from January 2000 onwards) of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and the grey literature. Only secondary sources will be included that contribute to the development of IRPTs. Only two IRPTs, prioritised by the stakeholder group, will be taken forward to be tested and refined during phase 2. Further novel searches will be employed in phase 2, utilising the same criteria as phase 1; however, phase 2 searches will not utilise grey literature searches, and only primary research studies that contribute to the refinement of programme theories under investigation will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen and select all returned results. The reviewers will code and annotate relevant sources, resulting in ‘fragments’ to be extracted and graded based on the richness of their contribution to explanation and causal insight. Further, these fragments will be organised into ‘Context-Mechanism-Outcome’ configurations. Phase 3 of the review will involve the synthesis of context-mechanism-outcome configurations to form middle-range theory-based explanations and developed logic models for stakeholders to understand how PROMs in post-stroke clinical practice and patient care work for whom, how and under what circumstances.

Discussion

The resulting realist synthesis will provide guidance on the implementation of PROMs within routine post-stroke clinical practice and patient care and act as a touchstone for further testing and refinement of PROMs programmes.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42020138649.
Tandem fecal microbiota transplantation cycles in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient targeting carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae colonization: a case report and literature review
Authors: Su Fengqin , Luo Yi , Yu Jian , Shi Jimin , Zhao Yanmin , Yan Mengni , Huang He , Tan Yamin
Published: April 2021

Background

Due to limited antibiotic options, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are associated with high non-relapse mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Also, intestinal CRE colonization is a risk factor for subsequent CRE infection. Several clinical studies have reported successful fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the gut decontamination of a variety of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB), even in immunosuppressed patients. Similarly, other studies have also indicated that multiple FMTs may increase or lead to successful therapeutic outcomes.

Case presentation

We report CRE colonization in an allo-HSCT patient with recurrent CRE infections, and its successful eradication using tandem FMT cycles at 488 days after allo-HSCT. We also performed a comprehensive microbiota analysis. No acute or delayed adverse events (AEs) were observed. The patient remained clinically stable with CRE-negative stool culture at 26-month follow-up. Our analyses also showed some gut microbiota reconstruction. We also reviewed the current literature on decolonization strategies for CRE.

Conclusions

CRE colonization led to a high no-relapse mortality after allo-HSCT; however, well-established decolonization strategies are currently lacking. The successful decolonization of this patient suggests that multiple FMT cycles may be potential options for CRE decolonization.
Retraction Note to: Do offenders avoid offending near home? A systematic review of the buffer zone hypothesis
Authors: Bernasco Wim , van Dijke Remco
Published: April 2021

This article has been retracted. Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40163-021-00143-y
Molecular testing for cytologically suspicious and malignant (Bethesda V and VI) thyroid nodules to optimize the extent of surgical intervention: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Hier Jessica , Avior Galit , Pusztaszeri Marc , Krasner Joshua R. , Alyouha Noura , Forest Veronique-Isabelle , Hier Michael P. , Mlynarek Alex , Richardson Keith , Sadeghi Nader , Tamilia Michael , Payne Richard J.
Published: April 2021

Background

Molecular testing has been used for cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III and IV), where the risk of malignancy is 10–40%. However, to date, the role of molecular testing in cytologically suspicious or positive for malignancy (Bethesda V and VI) thyroid nodules has been controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who had molecular testing in Bethesda V and VI thyroid nodules had the optimal extent of surgery performed more often than patients who did not have molecular testing performed.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of 122 cases was performed: 101 patients from the McGill University teaching hospitals and 21 patients from the Hillel Yaffe Medical center, Technion University. Patients included in the study were those with Bethesda V or VI thyroid nodules who underwent molecular testing (ThyGenext® or ThyroseqV3®) (McGill n = 72, Hillel Yaffe n = 14). Patients with Bethesda V or VI thyroid nodules who did not undergo molecular testing were used as controls (McGill n = 29, Hillel Yaffe n = 7). Each case was reviewed in order to determine whether the patient had optimal surgery. This was defined as total thyroidectomy in the presence of either a positive lymph node, extrathyroidal extension, or an aggressive pathological variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (tall cell, hobnail, columnar cell, diffuse sclerosing, and solid/trabecular) documented on the final pathology report. In all other cases, a lobectomy/hemi/subtotal thyroidectomy was considered as optimal surgery. Chi-squared testing was performed to compare groups.

Results

When molecular testing was done, 91.86% (79/86) of surgeries in the molecular testing group were optimal, compared to 61.11% (22/36) in the control group. At McGill University teaching hospitals and at Hillel Yaffe, 91.67% (66/72) and 92.86% (13/14) of surgeries in the intervention group were considered as optimal, respectively. This compares to 58.62% (17/29) at McGill and 71.43% (5/7) at Hillel Yaffe when molecular testing was not performed ( p = .001, p = .186).

Conclusions

In this study, molecular testing in Bethesda V and VI thyroid tumors significantly improved the likelihood of optimal surgery. Therefore, molecular testing may have an important role in optimizing surgical procedures performed in the setting of Bethesda V and VI thyroid nodules. Prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to further investigate this finding.

Graphical Abstract
Multiple hepatic inflammatory pseudotumors with elevated alpha-fetoprotein and alpha-fetoprotein lectin 3 fraction with various PET accumulations: a case report
Authors: Maruno Masataka , Imai Katsunori , Nakao Yosuke , Kitano Yuki , Kaida Takayoshi , Mima Kosuke , Hayashi Hiromitsu , Yamashita Yo-Ichi , Mikami Yoshiki , Baba Hideo
Published: April 2021

Background

Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare, benign, tumor-like lesion. Because there are no characteristic laboratory markers or radiological features, hepatic IPT is often misdiagnosed as a malignant neoplasm such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Case presentation

A 68-year-old man with liver dysfunction due to chronic hepatitis C virus infection and alcoholic liver disease presented with hepatic tumors in segments III and VIII. The levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and itsLens culinarisagglutinin-reactive fraction, AFP lectin 3 (AFP-L3), were elevated to 822.8 ng/ml and 75.2%, respectively. The tumor showed contrast enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and various accumulation on positron emission tomography. Based on these biological and imaging features, HCC was suspected, and we performed laparoscopic partial hepatectomy for these two tumors. Pathological diagnosis revealed that both tumors were hepatic IPTs with no malignant characteristics. After hepatectomy, the serum AFP and AFP-L3 levels decreased to the normal range.

Conclusion

We report a very rare case of hepatic IPT with elevated serum AFP and AFP-L3, mimicking HCC. Clinicians should include this rare neoplasm in the differential diagnoses of hepatic tumors even when the serum markers for HCC are elevated.
Biological control of soil borne cucumber diseases using green marine macroalgae
Authors: El-Sheekh Mostafa M. , Ahmed Ayman Y. , Soliman Amira S. , Abdel-Ghafour Siham E. , Sobhy Hassan M.
Published: April 2021

Background

In this study, the potential of extracts and powders of green seaweeds,Ulva fasciata, andEnteromorpha flexuosawas evaluated as biocontrol against the pathogenic soil-borne fungi,Macrophomina phaseolinaandFusarium solani, infecting cucumber plants in Egypt. The antifungal activity of the algal extracts was evaluated in vitro against the pathogens mycelial fungal growth using five organic solvents.

Results

Obtained results indicated that mycelial growth inhibition was noticed withF. solaniin all algal extracts tested. InM. phaseolina, all algal extracts did not inhibit the fungal growth but affected microsclerotia formation (the main source of the second infection). In the case ofF. solani, the highest reduction (68.6%) was noticed, while the chloroform extract ofU. fasciatainhibited the radial growth ofF. solanito 2.5 cm whenE. flexuosainhibited the radial growth to 4.3 cm as compared with the control (8.0 cm). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the infrared spectroscopy analyses revealed that iron-monocarbonyl, cyclononasiloxane, and their functional groups, including amine, ether, etc., might play a core role in the anti-fungal activity of the seaweed extracts used.

Conclusion

This work concluded that the macroalgae species with many unique antifungal properties components had an inhibitory effect against soil-borne cucumber diseases. The antimicrobial activity might be explored in the future in numerous diverse applications in agriculture and plant disease control, revealing their actions to control some plant fungal pathogens.
Echo from the underground: the heritage customization of subway infrastructures in Shanghai’s listed areas
Authors: González Martínez Plácido
Published: April 2021

The design of metro stations constitutes a clear example of the new core role of culture in a city such as Shanghai that remains to be assessed from a critical heritage perspective. As an unexplored dimension of a massive heritage institutional apparatus, metro stations act as ‘white canvases’ where commercial, political and cultural messages are displayed. These messages contribute to city branding while simultaneously influencing the perception and interpretation of the historic urban landscape above ground. This research offers insights into the subway stations located in the listed heritage areas of Shanghai and the architectural, artistic and exhibitive resources that ‘give character’ to these stations. The research applies visual methods and discursive analysis based on direct observation of these ‘characteristic’ elements in metro stations. The paper establishes the argument that the amount and distribution of these characteristic elements in the metro network offers unequal representation of the importance of the heritage areas above. When represented, we argue that such features convey renewed narratives of urban identity according to an authorised heritage discourse in Shanghai. These narratives cater to an image of ideal, harmonious continuity between the past and the future that aims to characterise Shanghai as a Chinese global metropolis.
Violation of Heisenberg's error-disturbance relation by Stern-Gerlach measurements
Authors: Inoue Yuki , Ozawa Masanao
Published: April 2021

Although Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is represented by a rigorously proven relation about intrinsic indeterminacy in quantum states, Heisenberg's error-disturbance relation (EDR) has been commonly believed as another aspect of the principle. However, recent developments of quantum measurement theory made Heisenberg's EDR testable to observe its violations. Here, we study the EDR for Stern-Gerlach measurements. In a previous report, it has been pointed out that their EDR is close to the theoretical optimal. The present letter reports that even the original Stern-Gerlach experiment in 1922, as the available experimental data show, violates Heisenberg's EDR. The results suggest that Heisenberg's EDR is more ubiquitously violated than it has long been supposed.
Leveraging Alternatives
Authors: Ivaska Andrew
Published: April 2021

This article explores the place of the USSR in the imagination, circuitry, and everyday practice of the early Mozambican nationalist movement configuring itself in exile in Dar es Salaam. Soviet plans, like those of the US, for engaging African liberation movements were ambitiously imagined, but superpower influence cohered within relatively narrow, if global, corridors. This impact (through funding, scholarships, and more) was at once significant and unfolded in unpredictable ways. The article traces these contingent forms across scales of “comrade life,” from the leadership rivalries playing out between Dar, Accra, Moscow, Washington DC, and Cairo, to the “view from the veranda”: the aspirations, grievances, and material struggles that marked the daily rhythms of life for rank-and-file cadres. What emerges is a less-familiar face of the USSR in Africa. Rather than the Cold War superpower confidently guiding its impact, it appears here as an intimate part of an African-managed infrastructure of political exile.
A National Vocation
Authors: Lawson Owain
Published: April 2021

This article writes engineers into the history of Lebanese political-economic thought. Historians of Lebanon's postindependence period have emphasized how a narrow, elite “consortium” espoused a national ideology that authorized laissez-faire monetary and trade policies. These intellectuals and businessmen invoked environmental determinism to claim that trade, tourism, and services were Lebanon's national vocation. This article reveals that engineers formed an influential and underexamined countercurrent advocating statist developmentalism. Engineer-bureaucrats saw the postindependence era as an opportunity to claim their profession's status and redefine bourgeois culture and its relationship to governing institutions according to their conceptions of modernity. By reinterpreting the consortium's environmental narrative of Lebanese history, the hydrological engineer Ibrahim Abd-El-Al portrayed rational development of water resources and agriculture as an organic expression of national identity. These efforts cultivated a critical and technically literate reading public that favored statism and shaped how that public understood their national subjectivity and relationship to the natural world.
Integrity of the short arm of the nuclear pore Y-complex is required for mouse embryonic stem cell growth and differentiation
Authors: Gonzalez-Estevez Alba , Verrico Annalisa , Orniacki Clarisse , Reina-San-Martin Bernardo , Doye Valérie
Published: April 2021

Many cellular processes, ranging from cell division to differentiation, are controlled by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). However, studying the contributions of individual NPC subunits to these processes in vertebrates has long been impeded by their complexity and the lack of efficient genetic tools. Here, we use genome editing in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to characterize the role of NPC structural components, focusing on the short arm of the Y-complex that comprises Nup85, Seh1 and Nup43. We show that Seh1 and Nup43, although dispensable in pluripotent mESCs, are required for their normal cell growth rates, their viability upon differentiation and for the maintenance of proper NPC density. mESCs with an N-terminally truncated Nup85 mutation (in which interaction with Seh1 is greatly impaired) feature a similar reduction of NPC density. However, their proliferation and differentiation are unaltered, indicating that it is the integrity of the Y-complex, rather than the number of NPCs, that is critical to ensure these processes.
Five Facts about Beliefs and Portfolios
Authors: Giglio Stefano , Maggiori Matteo , Stroebel Johannes , Utkus Stephen
Published: April 2021

We study a newly designed survey administered to a large panel of wealthy retail investors. The survey elicits beliefs that are important for macroeconomics and finance, and matches respondents with administrative data on their portfolio composition, their trading activity, and their login behavior. We establish five facts inthese data. (i) Beliefs are reflected in portfolio allocations. The sensitivity of portfolios to beliefs is small on average, but varies significantly with investor wealth, attention, trading frequency, and confidence. (ii) Belief changes do not predict when investors trade, but conditional on trading, they affect both the direction and the magnitude of trades. (iii) Beliefs are mostly characterized by large and persistent individual heterogeneity. Demographic characteristics explain only asmall part of why some individuals are optimistic and some are pessimistic. (iv) Expected cash flow growth and expected returns are positively related, both within and across investors. (v) Expected returns and the subjective probability of rare disasters are negatively related, both within and across investors. These five facts provide useful guidance for the design of macro-finance models. (JEL D83, E23, G11, G12, G41, G51)
Agency and development of key competences in nonformal learning contexts
Authors: Põlda Halliki , Roosalu Triin , Karu Katrin , Teder Lianne , Lepik Maigi
Published: April 2021

Artiklis anname ülevaate üldpädevuste käsitlemisest mitteformaalõppes. Eesmärk on välja selgitada, kuidas mitteformaalõppe poliitikadokumentides ja praktikas avaldub üldpädevuste arendamine ja osaliste agentsus. Selleks analüüsime üldpädevuste avaldumist kuue valdkondliku raja 23 poliitikadokumendis ja nende radade praktikute arusaamades. Mitteformaalõppe põhimõtete rakendajat ega tehtud 12 fookusgrupiintervjuu  põhjal selgitasime välja, kuidas toetatakse ja arendatakse üldpädevusi ning konstrueeritakse osaliste  agentsust. Kriitilisel diskursuseanalüüsil selgus, et üldpädevusi poliitikadokumentides otseselt ei nimetata, ent sisuliselt need mitteformaalõppele seatud eesmärkides siiski väljenduvad. Ka praktikud kirjeldavad  üldpädevuste arendamist oma igapäevatöös, kuid ei nimeta neid riiklikust õppekavast tuttavate terminitega ega mõtesta üldpädevustena. Praktikute kirjeldustes konstrueeritakse mitteformaalõpet õppija agentsuse toetajana, mis annab õppe eesmärgi seadel ja hindamisel vastutuse õppijale. Praktikute enesekäsitluses on läbi põimunud osaleja, arendaja ja õppimise võimaldaja rollid.

 Summary
Modeling of Laboratory Animals Exposure Conditions behind Local Concrete Shielding Bombarded by 650-MeV Protons
Authors: Ivanov A , Krylov A , Molokanov A. , Bushmanov A. , Samoylov A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose: To estimate the radiation fields formed after the passage of high-energy protons through the concrete protection for subsequent radiobiological experiments on animals on this model.

Material and methods: The results of the calculation of the secondary characteristics of a field of mixed radiation behind the local concrete with thickness 20, 40, and 80 cm, bombarded by a proton beam of 650 MeV at the JINR Phasotron and experimental estimation of the values of the absorbed dose phantoms of mice irradiated for protection during radiobiological experiments.

The calculation was performed by the Monte Carlo method according to the MCNPX program for secondary protons, neutrons, π-mesons, and gamma rays. To verify the adequacy of calculations was performed the comparison of calculated and measured in the experiment spatial distribution of activation threshold detectors for aluminum protection, as well as a comparison of the calculated values of absorbed dose for radiation protection with the results of absorbed dose measurements with a diamond detector.

Results: The calculations made it possible to obtain the characteristics of the fields of mixed secondary radiation behind local concrete shields of different thickness irradiated with protons with an energy of 650 MeV and to estimate the values of absorbed doses in the irradiation sites of mice in the radiobiological experiment. The reliability of the calculations was confirmed by experimental verification of the activation of aluminum threshold detectors behind a 20 cm thick protection, as well as direct measurements using a diamond detector.

Conclusion: The calculated assessment of radiation fields formed after protons pass through the concrete protection and its comparison with the results of radiation dose measurements for the subsequent radiobiological experiment on animals on this model in the interests of designing protective structures on the Moon and other space bodies, as well as biological defenses on charged-particles accelerators.
Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Effects of Gamma Radiation on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Isaev D , Guryev D. , Blohina T. , Yashkina E. , Osipov A.
Published: April 2021

The review considers investigations presenting experimental data on the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of exposure to ionizing radiation in zebrafish (Danio rerio) which is a convenient model for experimental embryology and radiation biology. The molecular mechanisms involved in response to the ionizing radiation influence as well as determining the embryonic death level, development disorders of embryos are examined. The data on acute and chronic effects of ionizing radiation on embryos of various stages of development with wide range of dose rates are presented. It was shown that the influence of γ-radiation on the death and development of zebrafish embryos is nonmonotonic and depends both on the irradiation conditions and on the stage of embryogenesis. The results of such studies are extremely important for understanding the mechanisms of radiation-induced biological effects formation in the embryogenesis of vertebrates, including humans, as well as for developing methods and approaches to assessing radiation risk for a developing organism.