bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The loss of polyphenol oxidase function is associated with hilum pigmentation and has been selected during pea domestication
Authors: Balarynová Jana , Klčová Barbora , Sekaninová Jana , Kobrlová Lucie , Cechová Monika Zajacová , Krejčí Petra , Leonova Tatiana , Gorbach Daria , Ihling Christian , Smržová Lucie , Trněný Oldřich , Frolov Andrej , Bednář Petr , Smýkal Petr
Published: May 2022

Seed coats serve as protective tissue to the enclosed embryo. As well as mechanical there are also chemical defence functions. During domestication, the property of the seed coat was altered including the removal of the seed dormancy.

We used a range of genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches to determine the function of the pea seed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) gene. Sequencing analysis revealed one nucleotide insertion or deletion in the PPO gene, with the functional PPO allele found in all wild pea samples, while most cultivated peas have one of the three nonfunctional ppo alleles. PPO functionality cosegregates with hilum pigmentation. PPO gene and protein expression, as well as enzymatic activity, was downregulated in the seed coats of cultivated peas.

The functionality of the PPO gene relates to the oxidation and polymerisation of gallocatechin in the seed coat. Additionally, imaging mass spectrometry supports the hypothesis that hilum pigmentation is conditioned by the presence of both phenolic precursors and sufficient PPO activity.

Taken together these results indicate that the nonfunctional polyphenol oxidase gene has been selected during pea domestication, possibly due to better seed palatability or seed coat visual appearance.
The impact of modified fluid gelatin 4% in a balanced electrolyte solution on plasma osmolality in children—A noninterventional observational study
Authors: Rudolf Daniel , Witt Lars , Boethig Dietmar , Rigterink Vanessa , Zander Rolf , Sümpelmann Robert , Dennhardt Nils
Published: May 2022

Background

Intravenous fluids for perioperative infusion therapy should be isotonic to maintain the body fluid homeostasis in children. Modified fluid gelatin 4% in a balanced electrolyte solution has a theoretical osmolarity of 284 mosmol L−1, and a real osmolality of 264 mosmol kg H2O−1. Because both values are lower than those of 0.9% saline or plasma, gelatin would be expected to be hypotonic in‐vitro and in‐vivo.

Aim

We thus hypothesized that the infusion of gelatin would be expected to decrease plasma osmolality. We performed an in‐vitro experiment and an in‐vivo study to evaluate the impact of gelatin on the osmolality in children.

Methods

In the in‐vitro experiment, full blood samples were diluted with gelatin 4% or albumin (50 g L−1) from 0% (pure blood) to 100% (pure colloid), and the osmolality was measured by freezing‐point depression. In the in‐vivo study, blood gas analyses from children undergoing major pediatric surgery were collected before and after gelatin infusion, and the osmolality was calculated by a modified version of Zander's formula.

Results

In the in‐vitro experiment, 65 gradually diluted blood samples from five volunteers (age 25–55 years) were analyzed. The dilution with gelatin caused no significant changes in osmolality between 0% and 100%. Compared with gelatin, the osmolality in the albumin group was significantly lower between 50% and 100% dilution (p < .05). In the in‐vivo study, 221 children (age 21.4 ± 30 months) were included. After gelatin infusion, the osmolality increased significantly (mean change 4.3 ± 4.8 [95% CI 3.7–4.9] mosmol kg H2O−1; p < .01) within a normal range.

Conclusions

Gelatin in a balanced electrolyte solution has isotonic characteristics in‐vitro and in‐vivo, despite the low theoretical osmolarity, probably caused by the (unmeasured) negative charges in the gelatin molecules contributing to the plasma osmolality. For a better evaluation of the (real) tonicity of gelatin‐containing solutions, we suggest to calculate the osmolality (mosmol kg H2O−1) using Zander's formula.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT02495285).
Oncogenic properties via MAPK signaling of the SOX5‐RAF1 fusion gene identified in a wild‐typeNRAS/BRAF giant congenital nevus
Authors: Vinyals Antònia , Ferreres Josep R. , Calbet‐Llopart Neus , Ramos Raquel , Tell‐Martí Gemma , Carrera Cristina , Marcoval Joaquim , Puig Susana , Malvehy Josep , Puig‐Butillé Joan Anton , Fabra Àngels
Published: May 2022

We recently reported an RAF rearrangement without NRAS or BRAF mutations in lesions from Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN). The new gene fusion involves the 5′‐end of the promoter‐containing N terminus of the SOX5 gene fused to exons 7–16 of the 3′‐end of RAF1 gene leading to a SOX5‐RAF1 fusion transcript which loses the auto‐inhibitory CR1 domain but retains the complete in‐frame coding sequence for the C‐Terminal kinase domain of the RAF1. Stable expression of SOX5‐RAF1 fusion induced growth factor‐independent cell growth in murine hematopoietic Ba/F3 cells and melan‐a immortalized melanocytes. Besides, it led to the transformation of both Ba/F3 and NIH 3T3 cells as revealed by colony formation assays. Furthermore, its expression results in MAPK activation assessed by increased levels of p‐ERK protein in the cytosol of transduced cells. Treatment with Sorafenib and UO126 inhibited proliferation of Ba/F3‐SOX5‐RAF1 cells in the absence of IL3 but not the PLX 4720, a specific inhibitor of BRAF. Moreover, the tumorigenic and metastatic capacities of SOX5‐RAF1 were assessed in vivo. These results indicate that SOX5‐RAF1, a driver event for CMN development, has oncogenic capacity. Thus, sequencing of CMN transcriptomes may lead to the identification of this druggable fusion and interfere with the progression toward melanoma.
Transcranial direct current stimulation does not improve clinical and neurophysiological outcomes in panic disorder: A randomized sham‐controlled trial
Authors: Aksu Serkan , Soyata Ahmet Zihni , Mursalova Zhala , Eskicioğlu Gaye , Tükel Raşit
Published: May 2022

Aim

Emerging evidence suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has anxiolytic effects and may enhance emotional processing of threat and reduce threat‐related attentional bias. Panic disorder (PD) is considered to be a fear network disorder along with prefrontal activity alterations. We aim to assess the effect of tDCS on clinical and physiological parameters in PD for the first time.

Methods

In this triple‐blind randomized sham‐controlled pilot study, 30 individuals with PD were allocated into active and sham groups to receive 10 sessions of tDCS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally at 2 mA for 20‐min duration over 2 weeks. The clinical severity, threat‐related attentional bias, interoceptive accuracy, and emotional recognition were assessed before, immediately after, and 1 month after tDCS.

Results

Active tDCS, in comparison to sham, did not elicit more favorable clinical and neuropsychological/physiological outcomes in PD.

Conclusion

The present study provides the first clinical and neurobehavioral results of prefrontal tDCS in PD and indicates that prefrontal tDCS was not superior to sham in PD.
Efficacy and safety of recombinant human growth hormone therapy in pediatric intestinal transplant recipients
Authors: Vo Hanh D. , Elrokhsi Salaheddin H. , Iverson Angela K. , Keck Megan A.
Published: May 2022

Background

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is widely used to treat growth retardation in children. We aimed to examine the effect of rhGH therapy on growth and its impact on allograft function in children with growth retardation after intestinal transplant (IT).

Methods

We retrospectively included children younger than 19 years who had received an IT with or without the liver, were diagnosed with growth retardation, and have received rhGH between January 2010 and January 2021. Changes in the patient's anthropometric parameters between baseline and various time points were compared using the paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, as appropriate.

Results

Seven patients (all males and prepubertal) received rhGH for the median duration of 2.3 years. The median age at rhGH start was 9.5 years. The median growth velocity z‐score improved from −0.95 before treatment to 2.3 (p = .04) and 1.9 (p = .06) after 1 and 2 years of treatment, respectively. The median height‐for‐age z‐score significantly improved from −3.4 at rhGH start to −1.3 (p = .005) at rhGH stop and remained above baseline at the last visit (−2.4, p = .002). The change in the first‐year growth velocity was negatively correlated with the change in the second‐year growth velocity (r = −.90, p = .04). No serious adverse effects or worsening allograft function were observed.

Conclusions

Severely growth retarded children after IT could benefit from rhGH treatment. A larger, longitudinal study would be warranted to monitor the long‐term effect and safety of rhGH and examine predictors of growth response to rhGH therapy in these pediatric IT recipients.
Lack of coordination between stomatal and vein traits provides functional benefits to the dioecious tropical tree Myrsine coriacea
Authors: Pereira Jéssica Priscilla , Garbin Mário Luís , Carrijo Tatiana Tavares , da Silva Josimar Aleixo , Bourguignon Tayna Poppe , Cavatte Paulo Cezar
Published: May 2022

Climate change will affect the distribution of many tropical plant species. However, the understanding of how dioecious tropical species cope with different environmental conditions is still limited. To address this issue, we investigated how secondary trait attributes in populations of the dioecious tropical tree Myrsine coriacea change along an altitudinal gradient. Eighty individual plants (40 male and 40 female) were selected among seven natural populations. Leaf variation in morphological and stomatal traits, and carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions were analyzed. Female plants had greater isotopic leaf carbon composition (δ13C) and nitrogen content than male plants, increasing their carboxylation capacity. Plants of both sexes had smaller stomata, greater water‐use efficiency (greater δ13C), and greater nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) at higher altitudes. They also showed lower δ15N and had greater carbon: nitrogen ratios at lower altitudes. There was a lack of coordination between stomatal and vein traits, which was compensated for by variation in specific leaf areas. This mechanism was essential for increasing plant performance under the limiting conditions found by the species at higher altitudes.
The power of protest on policing: Black Lives Matter protest and civilian evaluation of the police
Authors: Wright James E. , Gaozhao Dongfang , Dukes Kenneth , Templeton Da'Shay
Published: May 2022

In 2020, police brutality against Black Americans catalyzed Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests across all 50 states. Though BLM protests continue to permeate society, few scholars explore how these protests change Americans' perceptions of the police. To investigate this phenomenon more meticulously, we administered an online survey experiment—oversampling Black American participants—to measure how protest culture, specifically BLM protests, influences civilians' perceptions of the police. Our survey found that (1) Black American participants have a lower evaluation of police performance, but a higher evaluation of the BLM Movement than White American participants; (2) the presence of a general protest negatively impacts peoples' perception of safety, police trustworthiness, and police performance; and (3) a BLM protest casts a stronger effect on White American participants than on Black American participants. Using Critical Race Theory and QuantCrit these findings suggest that the visibility of BLM protests changes both Black and White perceptions of the police to varying degrees.
Hyperhemolysis in a patient with sickle cell disease and recent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, with complex auto‐ and alloantibody work‐up, successfully treated with tocilizumab
Authors: Fuja Christine , Kothary Vishesh , Carll Timothy Clifford , Singh Savita , Mansfield Paul , Wool Geoffrey D.
Published: May 2022

Background

Hyperhemolysis syndrome (HHS) is a severe delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction seen in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, characterized by destruction of donor and recipient RBCs. It results in a drop in hemoglobin to below pretransfusion levels and frequently reticulocytopenia.

Case Report

We report a case of a man in his thirties with SCD with a recent hospitalization 2 weeks prior for COVID‐19. His red cell antibody history included anti‐Fy(a) and warm autoantibody. At that time, he was given 2 units of RBC and discharged with a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dl.

He returned to the hospital approximately 1.5 weeks later with hemoglobin 6.0 g/dl and symptoms concerning for acute chest syndrome. Pretransfusion testing now showed 4+ pan‐agglutinin in both gel‐based and tube‐based testing. Alloadsorption identified an anti‐N and a strong cold agglutinin. Three least incompatible units were transfused to this patient over several days, with evidence of hemolysis. Further reference lab work revealed anti‐Fya, anti‐Fyb, anti‐Lea, anti‐Leb, and an anti‐KN system antibody. The patient's hemoglobin nadired at 4.4 g/dl. The patient was treated with a single dose of tocilizumab, his hemoglobin stabilized, and he was discharged.

Discussion

We present a case of HHS proximate to recent SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with multiple allo and autoantibodies identified. Information on the relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and HHS is limited; however, it is possible that inflammation related to COVID‐19 could predispose to HHS. Tocilizumab is an approved treatment for COVID‐19. Additionally, tocilizumab appears to be a promising treatment option for patients with HHS.
Spoligotype analysis of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from cattle and assessment of zoonotic TB transmission among individuals working in bovine TB‐infected dairy farms in Ethiopia
Authors: Almaw Gizat , Mihret Adane , Abebe Tamrat , Ameni Gobena , Gumi Balako , Olani Abebe , Tamiru Mekdes , Koran Tafesse , Aliy Abde , Sombo Melaku , Ayalew Sosina , Yesuf Adem , Taye Hawult , Wood James L. N. , Berg Stefan ,   the ETHICOBOTS consortium
Published: May 2022

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a disease with impact on dairy productivity, as well as having the potential for zoonotic transmission. Understanding the genetic diversity of the disease agent Mycobacterium bovis is important for identifying its routes of transmission. Here we investigated the level of genetic diversity of M. bovis isolates and assessed the zoonotic potential in risk groups of people working in bTB‐infected dairy farms in central Ethiopia. M. bovis was isolated and spoligotyped from tissue lesions collected from slaughtered cattle as well as from raw milk collected from bTB positive cows in dairy farms from six urban areas of central Ethiopia. From consented dairy farm workers, knowledge and practices related to zoonotic TB transmission, together with demographic and clinical information, was collected through interviews. Sputum or Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) samples were collected from suspected TB cases. Spoligotyping of 55 M. bovis isolates that originated either from cattle tissues with tuberculous lesion or from raw milk revealed seven spoligotype patterns where SB1176 was the most prevalent type (47.3%). Most isolates (89.1%) were of the M. bovis African 2 clonal complex. All sputum and FNA samples from 41 dairy farm workers with symptoms of TB were culture negative for any mycobacteria. Among the 41 TB suspected farm workers, 61% did not know about bTB in cattle and its zoonotic potential, and over two‐third of these workers practiced raw milk consumption. Our spoligotype analysis suggests a wider transmission of a single spoligotype in the study area. The results reported here may be useful in guiding future work to identify the source and direction of bTB transmission and hence design of a control strategy. Isolation of M. bovis from milk, knowledge gap on zoonotic TB and practice of consumption of raw milk in the study population showed potential risk for zoonotic transmission.
Guías de práctica clínica: implementación en prestadores de servicios de salud de Colombia durante 2019
Authors: Guzman-Tordecilla Deivis , Pinzón-Silva Diana Carolina , Perea Aragón Claudia Y.
Published: May 2022

Resumen: Introducción: las guías de práctica clínica (GPC) optimizan la atención médica basada en la mejor evidencia disponible. En Colombia, existen más de 60 GPC basadas en la evidencia desde 2013. Dichas herramientas han sido promovidas por entes nacionales e internacionales. Sin embargo, la información publicada a partir de una muestra de múltiples prestadores de servicios de salud (PSS) sobre el uso en la práctica de estas herramientas es limitada.
Objetivo: identificar factores que los PSS asocian al conocimiento, barreras y uso de las GPC elaboradas por el Gobierno de Colombia a partir del 2013.
Métodos: estudio transversal con muestreo aleatorio simple con reemplazo por departamentos colombianos que envió encuestas a los PSS por correo electrónico durante 2019. Se utilizaron modelos multivariado para identificar factores asociados al conocimiento, barreras y uso de las GPC.
Resultados: El 91% de las respuestas provenientes de los PSS refirió conocer las GPC y el 85% las ha usado alguna vez. Además, el 89% percibió barreras al momento de usar las GPC. Si identificó que los PSS privados, personal joven y quienes realizan tareas administrativas tienen más probabilidad a acceder a las GPC. Así mismo, los PSS de baja complejidad, personal joven y administrativo son quienes reportaron mayor uso de las GPC. Por último, el personal clínico fue quien reportó mayores desafíos para usar las guías.
Conclusiones: El conocimiento y uso de GPC es alto entre los PSS; no obstante, la presencia de barreras al momento de usarlas constituye una oportunidad de mejora en la implementación y adherencia a las GPC en los PSS.
Objetivo: identificar factores que los PSS asocian al conocimiento, barreras y uso de las GPC elaboradas por el Gobierno de Colombia a partir del 2013.
Métodos: estudio transversal con muestreo aleatorio simple con reemplazo por departamentos colombianos que envió encuestas a PSS por correo electrónico entre noviembre y diciembre de 2019. Se utilizaron modelos multivariado para identificar los factores asociados al conocimiento, barreras y uso de las GPC.
Resultados: El 91% de las respuestas provenientes de PSS refirió conocer las GPC y el 85% las ha usado alguna vez. Sin embargo, el 89% percibió barreras al momento de usar las GPC. Las respuestas de PSS privados tenían menor probabilidad de usar las GPC.
Conclusiones: El conocimiento y uso de GPC es alto entre los PSS, no obstante, la presencia de barreras al momento de usarlas constituye una oportunidad de mejora en la implementación y adherencia a las GPC en los PSS.
Experimental Study on the Frosting and Heat Transfer Performance of Three Rows of Variable Pitch Finned Coils
Authors: Guo Yanze , Chen Guansheng , Xiao Hongxin , Liu Liangde , Liu Xiangyun , Li Jianguo
Published: May 2022

The frost mass in different rows of the outdoor heat exchanger of an air source heat pump is uneven when the ambient temperature is below 0 °C, which leads to a shorter defrosting interval and reduces the heating capacity of the heat pump. In order to improve the problem of uneven frost along the airflow direction in the evaporator, an experimental study is conducted on the frosting and heat transfer performance of three rows of variable pitch (VP) finned coils in different fin pitch combinations under low ambient temperature conditions. The results show that the frosting time of the sample with VP of 5*3*2 is extended by 46.67%, the frost mass per unit of bare tube surface area is reduced by 14.54%, and the average heat transfer power per unit mass and volume is increased by 37.64% and 33.56%, respectively.
An Enhanced Statistical Phonon Transport Model for Nanoscale Thermal Transport
Authors: Medlar Michael P. , Hensel Edward C.
Published: May 2022

Silicon nanowire transistors are thought to be ideal transistor devices due to electrostatic control of the gate, and the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems has indicated that arrays of these devices are possible for future transistor devices. Nonequilibrium phonon transport due to self-heating in silicon nanowire transistors affects performance in the areas of carrier mobility, speed, aging, and thermal failure. Existing methods for phonon transport modeling range in fidelity and flexibility. Direct quantum or atomic simulations offer high fidelity with reduced flexibility while Monte Carlo methods offer enhanced flexibility for reduced fidelity. An enhanced statistical phonon transport model (enhanced SPTM) is presented to fill the gap between Monte Carlo and direct atomic methods. Application of the enhanced SPTM to one-dimensional (1D) simulations of silicon nanowire devices illustrates production of design relative information. Simulation results indicated an excess build-up of up to 14% optical phonons beyond equilibrium values giving rise to transient local temperature hot spots of 60 Kelvin in the drain region. The local build-up of excess optical phonons in the drain region has implications on performance and reliability.The enhanced SPTM is a valid engineering design tool for evaluating the thermal performance of silicon nanowire transistor designs. The phonon fidelity of the enhanced SPTM is greater than Monte Carlo and the Boltzmann Transport Equation and the length-scale and time-scale fidelity of the enhanced SPTM is better than direct atomic simulation.
Investigation in the Natural Frequency of Wound Tube for Coil-Wound Heat Exchanger
Authors: Wang Yue , Ren Peng , Huang Guofeng , Tan Wei
Published: May 2022

Wound tube, which is an important component of coil-wound heat exchanger (CWHE), is subjected to cross-flow impacting and thereby vibrating. Owing to investigating flow-induced vibration (FIV) of wound tubes, it is essential to study the vibration characteristics of the tubes. In this paper, the natural vibration characteristics of wound tube, which was divided into curved tube and coil tube based on support conditions, were studied in detail. And experiments, numerical simulations, and calculation methods were carried out. First, the structures of the two tubes were described parametrically. Afterwards, vibration experiments proved the reliability of numerical simulations of the tubes. Furthermore, calculation methods for the fundamental frequencies of the two tubes were proposed, the accuracies of which were further proven by comparison with simulation results. In addition, the first three mode shapes of the curved tube and coil tube were bending vibration modes. Then the influence of structural parameters on the fundamental frequency was discussed and the independence of parameters was demonstrated. The effects of the variables of the layer pitch ratio, a, the same layer pitch ratio, b, and helix angle, α, on the added mass coefficient, Cm, were ultimately investigated. In general, this paper provides a technical basis to evaluate the design and machining for design and supervision staff.
Low-latency monaural speech enhancement with deep filter-bank equalizer
Authors: Zheng Chengshi , Liu Wenzhe , Li Andong , Ke Yuxuan , Li Xiaodong
Published: May 2022

It is highly desirable that speech enhancement algorithms can achieve good performance while keeping low latency for many applications, such as digital hearing aids, mobile phones, acoustically transparent hearing devices, and public address systems. To improve the performance of traditional low-latency speech enhancement algorithms, a deep filter-bank equalizer (FBE) framework was proposed that integrated a deep learning-based subband noise reduction network with a deep learning-based shortened digital filter mapping network. In the first network, a deep learning model was trained with a controllable small frame shift to satisfy the low-latency demand, i.e., no greater than 4 ms, so as to obtain (complex) subband gains that could be regarded as an adaptive digital filter in each frame. In the second network, to reduce the latency, this adaptive digital filter was implicitly shortened by a deep learning-based framework and was then applied to noisy speech to reconstruct the enhanced speech without the overlap-add method. Experimental results on the WSJ0-SI84 corpus indicated that the proposed DeepFBE with only 4-ms latency achieved much better performance than traditional low-latency speech enhancement algorithms across several objective metrics. Listening test results further confirmed that our approach achieved higher speech quality than other methods.
“Anesthetized Gladiators:” Painkilling and Racial Capitalism in the NFL
Authors: Ventresca Matt , King Samantha
Published: May 2022

Drawing on an extensive archive of media texts collected between 2014 and 2019, we trace shifting representations of the National Football League in discourse on painkiller use among its players. We argue that in contrast to earlier eras, an image of the league as an exploitative and corrupt institution has come to the fore. Clustered around the announcement of a series of player lawsuits, these discourses are tempered by the persistence of narratives of personal responsibility and the elision of racial logics that predetermine athletes’ subjection to pain and injury. Situating our analysis in the context of the drug wars and the profit motive of the National Football League, we argue that these discourses both reflect and contribute to the workings of racial capitalism across the professional football and pharmaceutical industries.
Oligodendrocyte precursors guide interneuron migration by unidirectional contact repulsion
Authors: Lepiemme Fanny , Stoufflet Julie , Javier-Torrent Míriam , Mazzucchelli Gabriel , Silva Carla G. , Nguyen Laurent
Published: May 2022

In the forebrain, ventrally derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells (vOPCs) travel tangentially toward the cortex together with cortical interneurons. Here, we tested in the mouse whether these populations interact during embryogenesis while migrating. By coupling histological analysis of genetic models with live imaging, we show that although they are both attracted by the chemokine Cxcl12, vOPCs and cortical interneurons occupy mutually exclusive forebrain territories enriched in this chemokine. Moreover, first-wave vOPC depletion selectively disrupts the migration and distribution of cortical interneurons. At the cellular level, we found that by promoting unidirectional contact repulsion, first-wave vOPCs steered the migration of cortical interneurons away from the blood vessels to which they were both attracted, thereby allowing interneurons to reach their proper cortical territories.
In Science Journals
Authors: Funk Michael A. , Stajic Jelena , Hines Pamela J. , Norton Melissa , Wong Wei , Jiang Di , Grocholski Brent , Purnell Beverly A. , Hurtley Stella M. , Alderton Gemma , Sugden Andrew M. , Smith H. Jesse , Ray L. Bryan , Lopez Bianca , Williams Ifor , Pannier Angela K.
Published: May 2022

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
‘COVID-ization’ of research levels off
Authors: Brainard Jeffrey
Published: May 2022

Researchers who pivoted from distant disciplines produced lower impact work, study finds
Do you hate your face mask? There’s hope
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: May 2022

A U.S. government contest has 10 companies competing to make better face coverings
Soils’ coating helps keep dust storms at bay
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: May 2022

Breakdown of “biocrusts” allows wind to attack dryland soils
NIH rolls out stricter disclosure rules for sexual harrassment
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: May 2022

Institutions now legally required to inform agency if grantees are “disciplined” for workplace misbehavior
Coxiella burnetii Plasmid Effector B Promotes LC3-II Accumulation and Contributes To Bacterial Virulence in a SCID Mouse Model
Authors: Fu Mengjiao , Zhang Jianing , Zhao Mingliang , Zhang Shan , Dai Lupeng , Ouyang Xuan , Yu Yonghui , Wen Bohai , Zhou Dongsheng , Sun Yansong , Jiao Jun , Xiong Xiaolu
Published: May 2022

Coxiella burnetii
, the causative agent of zoonotic Q fever, is characterized by replicating inside the lysosome-derived
Coxiella
-containing vacuole (CCV) in host cells. Some effector proteins secreted by
C. burnetii
have been reported to be involved in the manipulation of autophagy to facilitate the development of CCVs and bacterial replication.
The
Chlamydia trachomatis
Inclusion Membrane Protein CTL0390 Mediates Host Cell Exit via Lysis through STING Activation
Authors: Bishop R. Clayton , Derré Isabelle
Published: May 2022

The obligate intracellular bacterium
Chlamydia trachomatis
is the causative agent of the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease. Upon internalization into host cells,
C. trachomatis
remains within a membrane-bound compartment known as an inclusion, where it undergoes its developmental cycle.
Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Deficiency Ameliorates Antimicrobial Host Defense during Peritonitis Induced by Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Liu Zhe , van ‘t Veer Cornelis , Hendriks Rudi W. , Roelofs Joris J. T. H. , van der Poll Tom , de Vos Alex F.
Published: May 2022

Peritonitis and abdominal sepsis remain major health problems and challenge for clinicians. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a versatile signaling protein involved in the regulation of B cell development and function, as well as innate host defense.
PARIS and SPARTA: Finding the Achilles’ Heel of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Simon Viviana , Kota Vamsi , Bloomquist Ryan F. , Hanley Hannah B. , Forgacs David , Pahwa Savita , Pallikkuth Suresh , Miller Loren G. , Schaenman Joanna , Yeaman Michael R. , Manthei David , Wolf Joshua , Gaur Aditya H. , Estepp Jeremie H. , Srivastava Komal , Carreño Juan Manuel , Cuevas Frans ,   PARIS/SPARTA Study Group,, Ellebedy Ali H. , Gordon Aubree , Valdez Riccardo , Cobey Sarah , Reed Elaine F. , Kolhe Ravindra , Thomas Paul G. , Schultz-Cherry Stacey , Ross Ted M. , Krammer Florian
Published: May 2022

Determining reinfection rates and correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection induced by both natural infection and vaccination is of high significance for the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Furthermore, understanding reinfections or infection after vaccination and the role immune escape plays in these scenarios will inform the need for updates of the current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and help update guidelines suitable for the postpandemic world.
Comparative Analysis of the Endophytic Bacterial Diversity of
Populus euphratica
Oliv. in Environments of Different Salinity Intensities
Authors: Yue Haitao , Zhao Luyu , Yang Duo , Zhang Minwei , Wu Jieyi , Zhao Zhongkai , Xing Xiangxiang , Zhang Liwen , Qin Yanan , Guo Fei , Yang Jie , Aili Tuerxunnayi
Published: May 2022

Euphrates poplar (
Populus euphratica
Oliv.), as the only tree species that grows in the desert, has tenacious vitality with the characteristics of cold tolerance, drought tolerance, salt-alkali tolerance, and wind-sand resistance.
P. euphratica
has a long growth cycle and a high growth rate, which can break wind, fix sand, green the environment, and protect farmland, making it an important afforestation tree species in arid and semiarid areas. The area of
P. euphratica
in Xinjiang accounts for 91.1% of its area in China.
Large Comparative Analyses of Primate Body Site Microbiomes Indicate that the Oral Microbiome Is Unique among All Body Sites and Conserved among Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Asangba Abigail E. , Mugisha Lawrence , Rukundo Joshua , Lewis Rebecca J. , Halajian Ali , Cortés-Ortiz Liliana , Junge Randall E. , Irwin Mitchell T. , Karlson Johan , Perkin Andrew , Watsa Mrinalini , Erkenswick Gideon , Bales Karen L. , Patton Dorothy L. , Jasinska Anna J. , Fernandez-Duque Eduardo , Leigh Steven R. , Stumpf Rebecca M.
Published: May 2022

The microbiome is critical to host health and disease, but much remains unknown about the determinants, levels, and evolution of host-microbial diversity. The relationship between hosts and their associated microbes is complex.
Guillain-Barré syndrome as an early manifestation of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Howell Nicholas Araki , Arya Sumedha , Tai Peter C , Sadeghian Hamid , Sakhdari Ali , Wu Robert , Prica Anca
Published: May 2022

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare condition caused by autoimmune damage of peripheral nerves. We describe a case where a man in his 80s presented with subacute, progressive fatigue and weakness. He had received an outpatient work-up for possible haematological malignancy, but eventually presented to the emergency department for worsening weakness. A physical exam and cerebrospinal fluid analysis suggested a diagnosis of GBS. Subsequently, a pathological diagnosis of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma was made. The patient underwent intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for GBS and was started on cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone therapy. Prior research has suggested that incident malignancy may be associated with GBS, which may be caused by a paraneoplastic-type phenomenon, malignancy-associated immune dysregulation or an autoimmune reaction triggered by a common exposure. Clinicians should be aware of the possible association between these two conditions and should remain open minded to the possibility of non-infectious triggers for GBS.
Xanthogranulomatous salpingo-oophoritis presenting as an ovarian tumour
Authors: Torre Ana , Amado Andreia , João David , Gouveia Inês
Published: May 2022

Xanthogranulomatous salpingo-oophoritis (XGSO) is an exceptionally rare entity. Its clinical manifestations and imaging modalities can mimic benign and malignant adnexal diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. Here we report a case of XGSO in a young woman who was operated with suspicion of a borderline ovarian tumour. Preoperative diagnosis of XGSO should be considered to avoid radical surgical treatment, especially in young patients.
Challenging case of tumour-induced osteomalacia
Authors: Kumar Piyush , Jadhav Dnyaneshwar V , Ravat Sangeeta Hasmukh , Jain Neeraj
Published: May 2022

Tumour-induced osteomalacia (TIO), also known as oncogenic osteomalacia, is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome which poses a diagnostic challenge. The hallmark feature is severe acquired hypophosphataemic osteomalacia due to renal phosphate wasting because of increased secretion of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23). A man in his 30s, presented with a 4-year history of severe muscle aches, bone pain and proximal muscle weakness, was referred for evaluation. His laboratory examination revealed severe hypophosphataemia as a result of urinary phosphate wasting, low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, high alkaline phosphatase and elevated FGF-23. We could localise the tumour to his right femur and the biopsy showed a mesenchymal origin. The treatment with pharmacotherapy and radiofrequency ablation helped in the normalisation of blood chemistry and resulted in significant clinical improvement. Hypophosphataemia, phosphaturia, elevated FGF-23 and low 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level with severe musculoskeletal pain and muscle weakness necessitate careful evaluation of TIO.
Optimising scale and deployment of community health workers in Sierra Leone: a geospatial analysis
Authors: Oliphant Nicholas Paul , Ray Nicolas , Curtis Andrew , Musa Elizabeth , Sesay Momodu , Kandeh Joseph , Kamara Anitta , Hassen Kebir , O’Connor Shane , Suehiro Yuki , Legesse Hailemariam , Chimoun Ebeny Francois Temgbait , Jackson Debra , Doherty Tanya
Published: May 2022

Background

Little is known about strategies for optimising the scale and deployment of community health workers (CHWs) to maximise geographic accessibility of primary healthcare services.

Methods

We used data from a national georeferenced census of CHWs and other spatial datasets in Sierra Leone to undertake a geospatial analysis exploring optimisation of the scale and deployment of CHWs, with the aim of informing implementation of current CHW policy and future plans of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

Results

The per cent of the population within 30 min walking to the nearest CHW with preservice training increased from 16.1% to 80.4% between 2000 and 2015. Contrary to current national policy, most of this increase occurred in areas within 3 km of a health facility where nearly two-thirds (64.5%) of CHWs were deployed. Ministry of Health and Sanitation-defined ‘easy-to-reach’ and ‘hard-to-reach’ areas, geographic areas that should be targeted for CHW deployment, were less well covered, with 19.2% and 34.6% of the population in 2015 beyond a 30 min walk to a CHW, respectively. Optimised CHW networks in these areas were more efficiently deployed than existing networks by 22.4%–71.9%, depending on targeting metric.

Interpretations

Our analysis supports the Ministry of Health and Sanitation plan to rightsize and retarget the CHW workforce. Other countries in sub-Saharan Africa interested in optimising the scale and deployment of their CHW workforce in the context of broader human resources for health and health sector planning may look to Sierra Leone as an exemplar model from which to learn.
Reasons why we might want to question the use of patching to treat amblyopia as well as the reliance on visual acuity as the primary outcome measure
Authors: Hess Robert F
Published: May 2022

Recent evidence suggests that the primary deficit in amblyopia is loss of binocular vision and that the loss of monocular acuity is a secondary consequence. This new understanding derived from recent laboratory studies questions the present therapy and its primary acuity-based endpoint, which have been the gold standard in the treatment of this condition for the past 200 years.
The role of quality improvement collaboratives in general practice: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Knight Andrew Walter , Tam Chun Wah Michael , Dennis Sarah , Fraser John , Pond Dimity
Published: May 2022

Background

This systematic review used qualitative methodologies to examine the role of quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) in general practice. The aim was to inform implementers and participants about the utility of using or participating in QICs in general practice.

Methods

Included studies were published in English, used a QIC intervention, reported primary research, used qualitative or mixed methods, and were conducted in general practice.

A Medline search between January 1995 and February 2020 was developed and extended to include Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo databases. Articles were sought through chaining of references and grey literature searches.

Qualitative outcome data were extracted using a framework analysis. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis. Articles were assessed for quality using a threshold approach based on the criteria described by Dixon-Woods.

Results

15 qualitative and 18 mixed-methods studies of QICs in general practice were included. Data were grouped into four analytical themes which describe the role of a collaborative in general practice: improving the target topic, developing practices and providers, developing the health system and building quality improvement capacity.

Discussion

General practice collaboratives are reported to be useful for improving target topics. They can also develop knowledge and motivation in providers, build systems and team work in local practice organisations, and improve support at a system level. Collaboratives can build quality improvement capacity in the primary care system. These roles suggest that QICs are well matched to the improvement needs of general practice.

General practice participants in collaboratives reported positive effects from effective peer interaction, high-quality local support, real engagement with data and well-designed training in quality improvement.

Strengths of this study were an inclusive search and explicit qualitative methodology. It is possible some studies were missed. Qualitative studies of collaboratives may be affected by selection bias and confirmation bias.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD4202017512.
Comparison of the contralateral oblique view with the lateral view for mid-thoracic epidural access under fluoroscopic guidance: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Doo-Hwan , Kwon Hyun-Jung , Jeon Bokyoung , Lee Dokyeong , Shin Jin-Woo , Choi Seong-Soo
Published: May 2022

Background

The fluoroscopic-guided epidural access is occasionally challenging; therefore, the contralateral oblique (CLO) view has emerged as an alternative approach. The CLO view appears to be optimal for mid-thoracic epidural access; however, evidence on its utility is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the CLO view at 60°±5° compared with the lateral (LAT) view using fluoroscopic-guided mid-thoracic epidural access.

Methods

Patients were randomly allocated to undergo mid-thoracic epidural access under the fluoroscopic LAT view (LAT group) or CLO view (CLO group). The primary outcome was the first-pass success rate of mid-thoracic epidural access. The secondary outcomes were procedural pain intensity, patient satisfaction, needling time, number of needle passes, and radiation dose.

Results

Seventy-nine patients were included. The first-pass success rate was significantly higher in the CLO group than in the LAT group (68.3% vs 34.2%, difference: 34.1%; 95% CI 13.3 to 54.8; p=0.003). Procedural pain intensity was significantly lower in the CLO group than in the LAT group. Patient satisfaction was signiﬁcantly greater in the CLO group than in the LAT group. The needling time and the number of needle passes were significantly lower in the CLO group than in the LAT group. Radiation dose in the CLO group was significantly reduced compared with that in the LAT group.

Conclusions

The fluoroscopic CLO view at 60°±5° increased the success rate and patient satisfaction and reduced the procedural time and patient discomfort compared with the LAT view when performing mid-thoracic epidural access. Therefore, the CLO view at 60°±5° can be considered for mid-thoracic epidural access under fluoroscopic guidance.

Trial registration number

KCT0004926.
Sjögren’s and non-Sjögren’s sicca share a similar symptom burden but with a distinct symptom-associated proteomic signature
Authors: Pucino Valentina , Turner Jason D , Nayar Saba , Kollert Florian , Rauz Saaeha , Richards Andrea , Higham Jon , Poveda-Gallego Ana , Bowman Simon J , Barone Francesca , Fisher Benjamin A
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Given the similarity in symptoms between primary Sjogren’s syndrome (SjS) and non-SjS sicca syndrome (sicca), we sought to characterise clinical and proteomic predictors of symptoms in both groups in order to better understand disease mechanisms and help guide development of immunomodulatory treatments. These have not, to date, unequivocally improved symptoms in SjS clinical trials.

Methods

Serum proteomics was performed using O-link inflammation and cardiovascular II panels. SjS (n=53) fulfilled 2016 ACR/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria whereas sicca (n=60) were anti-Ro negative, displayed objective or subjective dryness, and either had a negative salivary gland biopsy or, in the absence of a biopsy, it was considered that a biopsy result would not change classification status. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify the key predictors of symptoms. Cluster analysis was completed using protein expression values.

Results

EULAR-Sjögren’s-Syndrome-Patient-Reported-Index (ESSPRI), EuroQoL-5 Dimension utility values, and anxiety and depression did not differ between SjS and sicca. Correlations between body mass index (BMI) and ESSPRI were found in sicca and to a lesser extent in SjS. Twenty proteins positively associated with symptoms in sicca but none in SjS. We identified two proteomically defined subgroups in sicca and two in SjS that differed in symptom burden. Within hierarchical clustering of the SjS and sicca pool, the highest symptom burden groups were the least distinct. Levels of adrenomedullin (ADM), soluble CD40 (CD40) and spondin 2 (SPON2) together explained 51% of symptom variability in sicca. ADM was strongly correlated with ESSPRI (spearman’s r=0.62; p<0.0001), even in a multivariate model corrected for BMI, age, objective dryness, depression and anxiety scores.

Conclusions

Obesity-related metabolic factors may regulate symptoms in sicca. Further work should explore non-inflammatory drivers of high symptom burden in SjS to improve clinical trial outcomes.
Prospects for studies of $${D^{*0}} \rightarrow {\mu ^+}{\mu ^-}$$ and $${B^{{*0}}_{(s)}}\rightarrow {\mu ^+}{\mu ^-}$$ decays
Authors: Abudinén F. , Blake T. , Egede U. , Gershon T.
Published: May 2022

Weak decays of the vector $${{D} ^*} ^0$$

D

∗

0

and $${{B} ^{*0}_{({s})}} $$

B

(
s
)

∗
0

mesons to the $${\mu ^+\mu ^-} $$

μ
+

μ
-

final state provide novel potential to test the Standard Model of particle physics. Such processes have extremely small branching fractions as the vector mesons are able to decay through electromagnetic and (for the $${{D} ^*} ^0$$

D

∗

0

meson) strong interactions. Nonetheless, the production of copious quantities of these particles in LHC collisions, and the ability to exploit experimental techniques that can suppress background to low levels, provides good potential to reach interesting sensitivity. The possibility to reconstruct these processes as part of the decay chain of $${{{B} ^-}} $$

B

-

or $${{B} _{c} ^+} $$

B

c

+

mesons appears particularly attractive due to the clean experimental signature of the displaced vertex. Indeed, published LHCb data on $${{{B} ^-}} \rightarrow {{\pi } ^-} {\mu ^+\mu ^-} $$

B

-

→

π

-

μ
+

μ
-

decays already implies a stringent limit on the branching fraction of $${{D} ^{*0}} \rightarrow {\mu ^+\mu ^-} $$

D

∗
0

→

μ
+

μ
-

. Estimates are made on the achievable sensitivity to $${{D} ^{*0}} \rightarrow {\mu ^+\mu ^-} $$

D

∗
0

→

μ
+

μ
-

and $${{B} ^{*0}_{({s})}} \rightarrow {\mu ^+\mu ^-} $$

B

(
s
)

∗
0

→

μ
+

μ
-

decays with the LHCb experiment.
Understanding Structural and Molecular Properties of Liquid Crystal Dimers: A Density Functional Approach
Authors: Kumar Anant
Published: May 2022

Liquid crystals are molecular systems that exhibit partial ordering of molecules similar to solids while maintaining the ability to flow like liquids. Depending upon the amount of ordering in the material, there are many types of liquid crystalline phases. The nematic phase is the most common and technologically most important one due to its use in display applications. In the nematic phase, the molecules tend to have the same alignment, but their positions are not correlated. In part due to fundamental scientific interest and driven by new technological motivations apart from displays, the existence of new stable nematics has been continuously searched. The continuing search led to a recent discovery of a new type of nematic phase, 1 , 2 known as the twist-bend nematic (Ntb), in certain bent-shaped liquid crystal dimers that have been supported by various independent experimental studies. Since the Ntb phase has been discovered recently, its properties have not been fully explored and a detailed description and understanding at the molecular level are still far from complete. 3

The Ntb phase’s formation is highly sensitive to any slight changes in the molecular shape arising from the chemical makeup of the linking spacer, terminal moieties and mesogenic units. 4 , Such structural features are not accessible directly through experiments. Thus, in this work, we present a set of DFT calculations on a series of liquid crystal dimers. This work aims to probe the role of certain structural features in driving the formation of the Ntb phase. This study also reveals why this phase occurs in certain bent molecules, but not in all. Since the constituent molecules are flexible and exist in a range of conformers, comparing the conformational landscapes of the dimers-exhibiting-the-Ntb-phase against those-do-not would identify the molecular conformations promoting the formation of the Ntb phase. Overall, this study evaluates ideal molecular structural features and conformational ensembles potentially responsible for the appearance of the Ntb phase.