bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSIV-A-8 Effects of meal frequency on heart rate in horses
Authors: Brown Alora V , Share Elizabeth R , Liburt Nettie , Bedore Jessica K Suagee , Harris Patricia , Mastellar Sara L
Published: May 2024

In humans, meal size has been shown to affect heart function with meal ingestion being associated with an increase in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output lasting significantly longer when larger meals are consumed. In horses, HR spikes at the sight of feed due to anticipation, but no studies have specifically evaluated the effect of meal frequency or size on HR. Heart rate has also been used as a measure both positive and negative stress. Domesticated horses are often meal fed, with small frequent meals requiring more labor than large infrequent meals. Fewer larger meals may have negative welfare implications for a grazing species. As part of a larger project investigating the effects of meal frequency on the behavior and metabolism of horses, the objective of this study was to evaluate equine HR in response to feeding frequencies commonly practiced in the field [once (1x), twice (2x), or thrice (3x) per day]. Feeding times were at 0800 (1x, 2x, and 3x), 1300 (3x), and 1800 (2x and 3x) h. The 12 adult clinically healthy horses [average ± SD; 14 ± 6 yr and 572 ± 32 kg body weight (BW)] were separated into two equal groups before completing a 14-d acclimation period to the diet during which they were fed 2x. The diet was provided at 2% BW on a dry matter (DM) basis (1.55% BW grass hay in a slow feed hay net plus 0.45% BW complementary fortified feed). During the study the same diet was fed but the meal frequency, and therefore meal size, differed between the treatments. The order of treatments, lasting 1 wk each, was decided at random for each group. On d 6 of each treatment HR was measured using individual H10 Polar HR monitors, which recorded every second from 0700 to 1900 h yielding 1,514,799 data points. During this time the aisleways housing the stalled horses were blocked off to minimize exposure to human presence other than at feeding time(s). After removing outliers, the mode was calculated for HR of each horse, which was considered to be the resting HR for that horse and ranged from 31 to 46 beats/min. The percentage of data above, below, or at the mode was calculated for each horse over the 12 h period and evaluated using Chi Square tests for statistical significance. The proportion of HR values above, below, or at the mode differed between treatments (P = 0.02). When fed 1x, 69 ± 14% of the HR readings were above the mode on average, as compared with 42 ± 18% and 44 ± 18% for 2x and 3x, respectively. These results suggest that the increase in HR was more than anticipatory and that there may be sustained stress when horses are fed at fewer frequency, such as once daily.
Modified LDA vector and feedback analysis for short query Information Retrieval systems
Authors: Celard Pedro , Lorenzo Iglesias Eva , Manuel Sorribes-Fdez José , Romero Rubén , Seara Vieira Adrián , Borrajo Lourdes
Published: May 2024

Information Retrieval systems benefit from the use of long queries containing a large volume of search-relevant information. This situation is not common, as users of such systems tend to use very short and precise queries with few keywords. In this work we propose a modification of the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) technique using data from the document collection and its vocabulary for a better representation of short queries. Additionally, a study is carried out on how the modification of the proposed LDA weighted vectors increase the performance using relevant documents as feedback. The work shown in this paper is tested using three biomedical corpora (TREC Genomics 2004, TREC Genomics 2005 and OHSUMED) and one legal corpus (FIRE 2017). Results prove that the application of the proposed representation technique, as well as the feedback adjustment, clearly outperforms the baseline methods (BM25 and non-modified LDA).
Presence of SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells before vaccination in the Mexican population
Authors: Hernandez-Galicia Gabriela , Gomez-Morales Luis , Lopez-Bailon Luis Uriel , Valdovinos-Torres Humberto , Contreras-Ochoa Carla O , Díaz Benítez Cinthya Estefhany , Martinez-Barnetche Jesus , Alpuche-Aranda Celia , Ortiz-Navarrete Vianney
Published: May 2024

The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 has been extensively studied following the pandemic outbreak in 2020; however, the presence of specific T cells against SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination has not been evaluated in Mexico. In this study, we estimated the frequency of T CD4+ and T CD8+ cells that exhibit a specific response to S (spike) and N (nucleocapsid) proteins in a Mexican population. We collected 78 peripheral blood samples from unvaccinated subjects, and the presence of antibodies against spike (RBD) and N protein was determined. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated with a pool of S or N protein peptides (Wuhan-Hu-1 strain). IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF levels were quantified in the supernatant of the activated cells, and the cells were stained to assess the activation and memory phenotypes. Differential activation frequency dependent on serological status was observed in CD4+ cells but not in CD8+ cells. The predominantly activated population was the central memory T CD4+ cells. Only 10% of the population exhibited the same phenotype with respect to the response to nucleocapsid peptides. The cytokine profile differed between the S and N responses. S peptides induced a more proinflammatory response compared with the N peptides. In conclusion, in a Mexican cohort before vaccination, there was a significant response to the S and N SARS-CoV-2 proteins resulting from previous infections with seasonal coronaviruses or previous undetected exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Abdominal wall endometrioma after Cesarean section: a case series
Authors: Biegel Craig , Kumwong Sandra , Fujimoto Masaru , Rostami Sohayla , Penukonda Aneesh , Joseph Delcasse , Kim Dmitriy
Published: May 2024

Abdominal wall endometrioma (AWE) results from endometrial-like tissue implants in the abdominal wall after uterine surgery. While the diagnosis can be challenging, an abdominal mass at the site of a previous incision accompanied by cyclical pain and enlargement correlating with menstruation is highly suspicious. Excision is indicated for symptomatic relief as well as the probability of malignant transformation. Because signs and symptoms are similar to other soft tissue lesions, general surgeons are sought out for excision and thus encounter the majority of AWE cases. Here, we present two patients of similar age who both presented to our hospital within one month, each found to have an endometrioma at the site of a Pfannenstiel scar after Cesarean section, and were managed operatively.
Studying [C ii] emission in low-mass galaxies at z ∼ 7
Authors: Glazer Kelsey , Bradăc Marus̆a , Sanders Ryan L , Fujimoto Seiji , Bolan Patricia , Ferrara Andrea , Strait Victoria , Jones Tucker , Lemaux Brian C , Vallini Livia , Ryan Russell
Published: May 2024

We report on a $\rm {[CII]}_{158\mu \rm {m}}$ search using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) on three lensed, confirmed Ly α emitting galaxies at z ∼ 7. Our targets are ultraviolet (UV) faint systems with stellar masses on the order of M* ∼ 109 M⊙. We detect a single [C ii] line emission (4σ) from the brightest (L ∼ 2.4 × 1010L⊙) galaxy in our sample, MACS0454-1251. We determine a systemic redshift (z[C ii] = 6.3151 ± 0.0005) for MACS0454-1251 and measure a Ly α velocity offset of $\Delta v \approx 300 \pm 70 \rm {km\, s}^{-1}$. The remaining two galaxies we detect no [C ii] but provide 3σ upper limits on their [C ii] line luminosities which we use to investigate the $L_{\textrm {[CII]}} - \rm {SFR}$ relation. Overall our single [C ii] detection shows agreement with the relation for local dwarf galaxies. Our [C ii] deficient galaxies could potentially be exhibiting low metallicities (Z < Z⊙). Another possible explanation for weaker [C ii] emission could be strong feedback from star formation disrupting molecular clouds. We do not detect continuum emission in any of the sources, placing upper limits on their dust masses. Assuming a single dust temperature of $T_{d}=35 \rm {K}$ dust masses (Mdust) range from <4.8 × 107 M⊙ to 2.3 × 108 M⊙. Collectively, our results suggest faint reionization era sources could be metal poor and/or could have strong feedback suppressing [C ii] emission.
Longitudinal trajectories of a claims-based frailty measure during adjuvant chemotherapy in women with stage I-III breast cancer
Authors: Duchesneau Emilie D , Reeder-Hayes Katherine , Stürmer Til , Kim Dae Hyun , Edwards Jessie K , Lund Jennifer L
Published: May 2024

Background

Frailty is a dynamic syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserve to maintain homeostasis. Prospective studies have reported frailty worsening in women with breast cancer during chemotherapy, with improvements following treatment. We evaluated whether the Faurot frailty index, a validated claims-based frailty measure, could identify changes in frailty during chemotherapy treatment and identified predictors of trajectory patterns.

Methods

We included women (65+ years) with stage I-III breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy in the SEER-Medicare database (2003-2019). We estimated the Faurot frailty index (range: 0-1; higher scores indicate greater frailty) at chemotherapy initiation, 4 months postinitiation, and 10 months postinitiation. Changes in frailty were compared to a matched noncancer comparator cohort. We identified patterns of frailty trajectories during the year following chemotherapy initiation using K-means clustering.

Results

Twenty-one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine women initiated adjuvant chemotherapy. Mean claims-based frailty increased from 0.037 at initiation to 0.055 4 months postchemotherapy initiation and fell to 0.049 10 months postinitiation. Noncancer comparators experienced a small increase in claims-based frailty over time (0.055-0.062). We identified 6 trajectory patterns: a robust group (78%), 2 resilient groups (16%), and 3 nonresilient groups (6%). Black women and women with claims for home hospital beds, wheelchairs, and Parkinson’s disease were more likely to experience nonresilient trajectories.

Conclusions

We observed changes in a claims-based frailty index during chemotherapy that are consistent with prior studies using clinical measures of frailty and identified predictors of nonresilient frailty trajectories. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using claims-based frailty indices to assess changes in frailty during cancer treatment.
Messengers from the Magma Chambers: Petrostratigraphic Analysis of Plagioclase-Rich Flood Basalt Lavas in Turkana, Kenya
Authors: Steiner R Alex , Rooney Tyrone O , Kappelman John , Lydic Todd , Girard Guillaume , Mariita Nicholas , Phillips Rayn
Published: May 2024

Continental large igneous provinces are among the largest magmatic events on Earth, characteristically manifesting at the surface as stacks of monotonous flood basalt lavas that form through a dynamic pattern of eruptive pulses separated by hiatuses. Such dynamic patterns may be difficult to detect from the composition of the lavas. Instead, lava crystal cargoes can be used to study how the eruption cycles inherent to continental large igneous provinces are moderated by episodic recharge and evacuation at multiple crustal levels. Here, we present a stratigraphically well-constrained series of 56 flood basalt flows from the Eocene Initial Phase of magmatic activity in East Africa. These flows and their crystal cargo permit temporal insight into the development of one of the youngest and best-preserved continental large igneous provinces. The stratiform mafic lavas exposed in northern Kenya consist of alternating aphyric and plagioclase-phyric lava packages consistent with periods of eruption punctuated by volcanic hiatus, where magmas stall and crystallize plagioclase at medium to shallow crustal levels. Plagioclase compositions (n = 541) exhibit little intra-crystal or intra-sample compositional diversity. Intra-crystal equilibrium calculations for Sr and Ti indicate internal chemical equilibrium, requiring storage at high temperatures over a prolonged time interval (10 000–100 000 years). Using a series of seven interlinked partial crystal fractionation models under equilibrium conditions, we replicate the observed stratigraphic patterns in plagioclase composition. We find that the balance between recharge, evacuation, and diffusive equilibration within a shallow magmatic system controls the composition of plagioclase in these flood basalts. We conclude that the shallow fractionation system modulates eruptive cycles and thus constitutes a critical component in studies of continental large igneous provinces.
The having objection to bundle theories of subjects of experience
Authors: O'Conaill Donnchadh
Published: May 2024

The self or subject of experiences is often regarded as a mysterious entity, prompting approaches that seek to deflate it, metaphysically speaking. One such approach is the bundle theory, the most well-known version of which holds that each subject is a bundle of experiences. This version of the bundle theory seems vulnerable to the having objection: since subjects have experiences, they cannot be identical with bundles of experiences. I shall argue that while the having objection is intuitively plausible, its dialectical force is limited since it does not work without substantial further metaphysical assumptions.
Impact of urban farming on health: a systematic review
Authors: Cano-Verdugo Guillermo , Flores-García Brianda Daniela , Núñez-Rocha Georgina Mayela , Ávila-Ortíz María Natividad , Nakagoshi-Cepeda María Argelia Akemi
Published: May 2024

Background

Urban farms are spaces designated for the cultivation of plants for food security, medicinal and curative purposes. Since the turn of the century, they have become more widespread and health benefits have been claimed; however, no consensus exists regarding this information. Hence, this study aims to provide information about the health effects of urban farming.

Methods

Protocol register number CRD42023448001. We followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Studies addressing urban farming interventions in any population group were included without age limitation of publication from PubMed, DOAJ, CAB Abstracts and NIH. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions tool, and data were narratively synthesized.

Results

The search retrieved 2578 manuscripts, reduced to seven after screening. Urban farming’s impact on health has been reflected in the physical domain by increasing self-reported health levels, physical activity, perceived general health, healthy eating and decreasing drug use. Parasites’ presence has also been reported. In the mental aspect, urban farming is associated with relaxation and stress reduction. From a social perspective, urban farms provide a sense of belonging, personal growth and happiness.

Conclusions

The benefits of urban farming outweigh the disadvantages. Further research should be conducted to clarify the potential benefits of this practice.
Challenges and benefits of telepathology in education: lessons learned from COVID-19—a systematic review
Authors: Borazjani Fariba Moalem , Sarkhuni Mahsa Raeisi , Nahvijou Azin
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 posed significant communication challenges, especially in the healthcare sector. Telepathology provides a valuable means for healthcare providers to communicate. This study investigated the key challenges and benefits of telepathology in education through a systematic review of relevant studies conducted during this period.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted in 2022. We utilized databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. Our search was performed from 7 February 2022 to 13 February 2022. We selected articles based on inclusion criteria and used the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist to assess study strengths and limitations. We extracted data using a checklist and synthesized the results narratively.

Results

We initially identified 125 articles, and after screening, 15 were included in the study. These studies reported various challenges, including cost, technology, communication problems, educational difficulties, time wasting, legal issues and family distraction problems. Conversely, studies mentioned benefits, such as care improvement, better education, time efficiency, proper communication, cost and technology advancement.

Conclusions

The results of this study will help future efforts and investigations to implement and set up telepathology. Based on our review, despite the challenges, the benefits of telepathology in education are greater than these obstacles, indicating its potential for future use.
The Selah trial: A preference-based partially randomized waitlist control study of three stress management interventions
Authors: Proeschold-Bell Rae Jean , Eagle David E , Tice Logan C , Platt Alyssa , Yao Jia , Larkins Jessie S , Kim Eunsoo Timothy , Rash Joshua A
Published: May 2024

Chronic stress undermines psychological and physiological health. We tested three remotely delivered stress management interventions among clergy, accounting for intervention preferences. United Methodist clergy in North Carolina enrolled in a partially randomized, preference-based waitlist control trial. The interventions were: mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), Daily Examen prayer practice, and Stress Proofing (stress inoculation plus breathing skills). Co-primary outcomes were symptoms of stress (Calgary Symptoms of Stress Inventory) and 48-hour ambulatory heart rate variability (HRV) at 12 weeks compared to waitlist control. Survey data were collected at 0, 12, and 24 weeks and 48-hour ambulatory HRV at 0 and 12 weeks. The 255 participants were 91% White and 48% female. Forty-nine participants (22%) without a preference were randomly assigned between the three interventions (n = 40) and waitlist control (n = 9). Two hundred six participants (78%) with a preference were randomly assigned to waitlist control (n = 62) or their preferred intervention (n = 144). Compared to waitlist control, MBSR [mean difference (MD) = −0.30, 95% CI: −0.41, −0.20; P < .001] and Stress Proofing (MD = −0.27, 95% CI: −0.40, −0.14; P < .001) participants had lower stress symptoms at 12 weeks; Daily Examen participants did not until 24 weeks (MD = −0.24, 95% CI: −0.41, −0.08). MBSR participants demonstrated improvement in HRV at 12 weeks (MD = +3.32 ms; 95% CI: 0.21, 6.44; P = .036). MBSR demonstrated robust improvement in self-reported and objective physical correlates of stress; Stress Proofing and Daily Examen resulted in improvements in self-reported correlates of stress. These brief practices were sustainable and beneficial for United Methodist clergy during the heightened stressors of the COVID pandemic. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04625777.
Apoptosis Pathway–Associated Proteins Are Frequently Expressed in Melanoma: A Study of 32 Cases With Focus on Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
Authors: Ledesma Debora A. , Marques-Piubelli Mario L. , Li-Ning-Tapia Elsa , Hudgens Courtney , Gu Jun , Lazcano Rossana , Casavilca-Zambrano Sandro , Castillo Miluska , Davies Michael A. , Hwu Wen-Jen , Aung Phyu P. , Giubellino Alessio , Curry Jonathan L. , Torres-Cabala Carlos
Published: May 2024

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is an aggressive type of cutaneous melanoma (CM) that arises on palms, soles, and nail units. ALM is rare in White population, but it is relatively more frequent in dark-skinned populations. There is an unmet need to develop new personalized and more effective treatments strategies for ALM. Increased expression of antiapoptotic proteins (ie, BCL2, MCL1) has been shown to contribute to tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance in multiple tumor types and has been observed in a subset of ALM and mucosal melanoma cell lines in vivo and in vitro. However, little is known about their expression and clinical significance in patients with ALM. Thus, we assessed protein expression of BCL2, MCL1, BIM, and BRAF V600E by immunohistochemistry in 32 melanoma samples from White and Hispanic populations, including ALM and non-ALM (NALM). BCL2, MCL1, and BIM were expressed in both ALM and NALM tumors, and no significant differences in expression of any of these proteins were detected between the groups, in our relatively small cohort. There were no significant associations between protein expression and BRAF V600E status, overall survival, or ethnicity. In summary, ALM and NALM demonstrate frequent expressions of apoptosis-related proteins BCL2, MCL1, and BIM. Our findings suggest that patients with melanoma, including ALM, may be potential candidates for apoptosis-directed therapies.
Surgical repair of macular fold in X-linked retinoschisis initially misdiagnosed as familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Alcibahy Yasmine , Ghazi Nicola G. , Khan Arif O. , Agarwal Aniruddha
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

To describe the presentation and surgical management of a young boy initially thought to have familial exudative vitreoretinopathy who was ultimately diagnosed with an unusually aggressive form of X-linked retinoschisis that included rapidly progressive bullous retinoschisis and tractional macular fold.

Methods:

Retrospective case report

Results:

A 19-month-old boy with straightening of major arcades, peripheral retinal ischemia, and in the left eye, a large macular fold was initially diagnosed as familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. During follow-up, he developed a rapidly progressive bullous retinoschisis in the left eye involving the inferior macula extending superiorly up to the macular fold. This revised the working diagnosis to X-linked retinoschisis, which was confirmed by genetic testing. Pars plana vitrectomy, inner flap retinectomy, unrolling of the macular fold and inner flap retinectomy, and C3F8 gas tamponade were performed. This resolved the macular fold. The patient showed good anatomical results without surgical complications up to 18 months of post-operative follow-up.

Conclusions:

X-linked retinoschisis can rarely present in young children with macular fold and peripheral ischemia, mimicking familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. Rapidly progressive bullous retinoschisis in this setting can be treated with pars plana vitrectomy, inner wall retinectomy, and removal of the vitreous traction to improve visual prognosis.
Morphological Features Among Gaussian, Sagittal, and Tangential Curvature Maps in Normal and Keratoconus Eyes Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Henriquez Maria A. , Sacoto José E. , Lopez Josselyne , Chauca Jose , Binder Perry S. , Izquierdo Luis
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

To investigate and compare the morphological features and differences among Gaussian, Sagittal, and Tangential anterior corneal curvature maps obtained with an anterior segment optical coherence tomographer combined with a Placido disc MS-39 device in keratoconus (KC) and normal eyes.

Methods:

Prospective, cross-sectional study including 37 KC and 51 healthy eyes. The pattern of astigmatism and maximum keratometry (Kmax), keratometry at the thinnest point (Ktp) and 2 mm diameter (K2mm), and inferior–superior dioptric asymmetry values were obtained and calculated from Gaussian, Tangential, and Sagittal curvature maps using the MS-39 (CSO).

Results:

In KC eyes, an asymmetric bowtie pattern was observed in 64.86% (24/37), 64.86% (24/37), and 0% in the Sagittal, Tangential, and Gaussian maps, respectively. In normal eyes, 51.0% (26/51), 51.0% (26/51), and 0% showed a symmetric bowtie pattern in the Sagittal, Tangential, and Gaussian maps, respectively. There was a significant difference for the variables Kmax, Ktp, and K2mm inferior among the Gaussian, Tangential, and Sagittal maps in both normal and KC groups. Sensitivity discriminating between normal and KC eyes was 100%, 97.3%, and 90.9% and specificity was 94.1%, 100%, and 100% for Kmax coming from the Tangential, Gaussian, and Sagittal maps, respectively.

Conclusions:

Gaussian maps displayed significantly different morphological features when compared with Sagittal and Tangential maps in normal and KC eyes. Anterior curvature maps from Gaussian maps do not show the morphological pattern of symmetric bowtie in normal eyes nor asymmetric bowtie in KC eyes. Kmax from Gaussian maps are more specific, however less sensitive than Tangential maps in discriminating KC from normal eyes.
Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty in Patients With a Custom Foldable Silicone Artificial Iris: Safety and Efficacy Outcomes
Authors: Tran Tu M. , Bonnet Clemence , Chea Piseth Dalin , Masoudi Ali , Aldave Anthony J. , Hardten David R. , Miller Kevin M.
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

To assess outcomes of Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in eyes with custom artificial iris (CAI) implantation.

Methods:

This is a retrospective, interventional, consecutive, surgical case series of patients who underwent DSEK after CAI implantation between 2010 and 2021 at 2 referral centers. Primary safety measures were loss of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), development or progression of glaucoma, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Efficacy measures were graft survival at year 1 and improvement in cosmesis at postoperative month 3. In general, measures were compared between baseline and postoperative year 1 while any complication was reported for the full follow-up period.

Results:

Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients were identified. 64.1% of eyes had acquired aniridia from trauma. The mean follow-up interval was 27.7 months (range 12.2–117.4). Median CDVA improved from logMAR 1.0 to 0.7 at year 1 (P = 0.0047). At the final follow-up, permanent loss of CDVA occurred in 25.6% of eyes, of which 90% was due to glaucoma. The most common postoperative complication was IOP elevation (66.7% of eyes). Graft survival at postoperative year 1 was 82.0% (95% confidence interval, 66.3–91.4). Secondary graft failure occurred in 28.2% of eyes at a mean duration of 39.7 months (SD 27.9 months) after DSEK. Cosmesis improved among 87.2% of eyes at postoperative month 3.

Conclusions:

DSEK is an effective procedure for addressing corneal edema in eyes with a CAI, but a majority develop elevated IOP and graft survival is shorter than in eyes without a CAI.
Herpesviral Keratitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: Analysis of NHIS Database in Korea
Authors: Lee Tae Eun , Ahn Sung Hyun , Jeong Cho Yun , Kim Jong Seung , You In Cheon
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of herpesviral keratitis associated with 4 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines approved in South Korea, using large-scale data from the National Health Insurance Service.

Methods:

The study included 8,528,254 individuals, with cohorts categorized based on COVID-19 vaccination status. Two investigations were conducted: The first aimed to assess the risk of new-onset herpesviral keratitis while the second study focused on the risk of relapse in individuals with a preexisting diagnosis. Propensity score matching was used for cohort balancing, and various covariates, including vaccine types and comorbidities, were considered. Statistical analyses, including Cox proportional hazard regression, were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and assess the risk of herpesviral keratitis.

Results:

Individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccination exhibited a higher risk of new-onset herpesviral keratitis compared with the unvaccinated control group (aHR 1.43, 95% confidence interval, 1.19–1.73). Both mRNA and non-mRNA vaccines demonstrated an increased risk. Individuals with preexisting herpetic keratitis who received COVID-19 vaccination showed a higher risk of relapse herpesviral keratitis compared with the unvaccinated control group (aHR 1.98, 95% CI, 1.29–3.03). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the results.

Conclusions:

This analysis of a large national health insurance database suggests an increased risk of both new-onset and relapse of herpesviral keratitis associated with COVID-19 vaccination in South Korea. While COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for pandemic control, health care providers should be aware of potential herpesvirus reactivation and consider appropriate prophylaxis and treatment for at-risk individuals.
Parental narrative style moderates the relation between pain-related attention and memory biases in youth with chronic pain
Authors: Wauters Aline , Van Ryckeghem Dimitri M.L. , Noel Melanie , Mueri Kendra , Soltani Sabine , Vervoort Tine
Published: May 2024

Negatively biased pain memories robustly predict maladaptive pain outcomes in children. Both attention bias to pain and parental narrative style have been linked with the development of these negative biases, with previous studies indicating that how parents talk to their child about the pain might buffer the influence of children's attention bias to pain on the development of such negatively biased pain memories. This study investigated the moderating role of parental narrative style in the relation between pain-related attention and memory biases in a pediatric chronic pain sample who underwent a cold pressor task. Participants were 85 youth-parent dyads who reminisced about youth's painful event. Eye-tracking technology was used to assess youth's attention bias to pain information, whereas youth's pain-related memories were elicited 1 month later through telephone interview. Results indicated that a parental narrative style using less repetitive yes–no questions, more emotion words, and less fear words buffered the influence of high levels of youth's attention bias to pain in the development of negatively biased pain memories. Opposite effects were observed for youth with low levels of attention bias to pain. Current findings corroborate earlier results on parental reminiscing in the context of pain (memories) but stress the importance of matching narrative style with child characteristics, such as child attention bias to pain, in the development of negatively biased pain memories. Future avenues for parent–child reminiscing and clinical implications for pediatric chronic pain are discussed.
The Student Voice
Authors: Reaves Crista , Kitt-Lewis Erin , Mechtel Marci , Logan Paul
Published: May 2024

Background:

Durable learning is the teaching/learning methods that result in retained knowledge that can be transferred to practice. There is limited research on durable learning in nursing education (NE).

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions of how learners acquire and retain knowledge.

Methods:

Nursing students and recent graduates were recruited from 2 large universities. Focus groups (n = 7) were audio-recorded, and transcripts were analyzed.

Results:

Thematic analysis of learners’ perceptions revealed (1) effective learner-initiated techniques, (2) effective instructor-initiated techniques, (3) learner-initiated techniques that were not effective, and (4) instructor-initiated techniques in the classroom, clinical practice, and simulation that were not effective.

Conclusion:

Additional research is needed to understand faculty perspectives on durable learning techniques and their effectiveness. Findings from student, graduate, and faculty perspectives will guide the development of a validated, reliable tool to evaluate durable learning in NE.
Levetiracetam or Phenytoin as Prophylaxis for Status Epilepticus: Secondary Analysis of the “Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Trial” (ADAPT) Dataset, 2014–2017*
Authors: Ahmed Nasim , Russo Larissa , Kuo Yen-Hong
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES:

To compare levetiracetam and phenytoin as prophylaxis for the short-term development of status epilepticus (SE) during care of pediatric patients with acute severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN:

Nonprespecified secondary analysis using propensity score matching.

SETTING:

We used the Approaches and Decisions in Acute Pediatric TBI Trial (ADAPT NCT04077411) dataset (2014–2017).

SUBJECTS:

Patients less than 18 years old with Glasgow Coma Scale Score less than or equal to 8 who received levetiracetam or phenytoin as a prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy.

INTERVENTION:

None.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS:

Of the 516 total patients who qualified for the case-control study, 372 (72.1%) patients received levetiracetam, and 144 (27.9%) received phenytoin. After propensity score matching, the pair-matched analysis with 133 in each group failed to identify an association between levetiracetam versus phenytoin use and occurrent of SE (3.8% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.22), or mortality (i.e., in-hospital, 30-d and 60-d). However, on closer inspection of the statistical testing, we cannot exclude the possibility that selecting levetiracetam rather than phenytoin for prophylaxis was associated with the following: up to a mean difference of 7.3% greater prevalence of SE; up to a mean difference of 13.9%, 12.1%, and 13.9% greater mortality during the hospital stay, and 30-, and 60-days after hospital arrival, respectively. Last, analysis of 6 months Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended score in those without premorbid comorbidities, there was an association between favorable outcomes and use of phenytoin rather than levetiracetam prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS:

In ADAPT, the decision to use prophylactic levetiracetam versus phenytoin failed to show an association with occurrence of subsequent SE, or mortality. However, we are unable to exclude the possibility that selecting levetiracetam rather than phenytoin for prophylaxis was associated with greater prevalence of SE and mortality. We are unable to make any recommendation about one prophylactic anticonvulsant medication over the other, but recommend that further larger, contemporary studies in severe pediatric TBI are carried out.
A Novel Approach to Detecting Contrast Extravasation in Computed Tomography: Evaluating the Injection Pressure-to-Injection Rate Ratio
Authors: Kobayashi Naoki , Nakaura Takeshi , Shiraishi Kaori , Uetani Hiroyuki , Nagayama Yasunori , Kidoh Masafumi , Oda Seitaro , Sakabe Daisuke , Ikeda Ryuji , Hatemura Masahiro , Murakami Michiyo , Funama Yoshinori , Hirai Toshinori
Published: May 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the injection pressure-to-injection rate (IPIR) ratio for the early detection of contrast extravasation at the venipuncture site during contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 57,528 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography examinations in a single hospital. The power injector recorded the contrast injection pressure at 0.25-second intervals. We constructed logistic regression models using the IPIR ratio as the independent variable and extravasation occurrence as the dependent variable (IPIR ratio models) at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 seconds after the start of contrast administration. Univariate logistic regression models in which injection pressure is used as an independent variable (injection pressure models) were also constructed as a reference baseline. The performance of the models was evaluated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Of the 57,528 cases, 46,022 were assigned to the training group and 11,506 were assigned to the test group, which included 112 extravasation cases (0.24%) in the training group and 28 (0.24%) in the test group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the IPIR ratio models and injection pressure models were 0.555 versus 0.563 at t = 1 (P = 0.270), 0.712 versus 0.678 at t = 2 (P = 0.305), 0.758 versus 0.693 at t = 3 (P = 0.032), 0.776 versus 0.688 at t = 4 (P = 0.005), 0.810 versus 0.699 at t = 5 (P = 0.002), and 0.811 versus 0.706 at t = 6 (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The IPIR ratio models perform better in detecting contrast extravasation at 3 to 6 seconds after the start of contrast administration than injection pressure models.
Recovery From Homonymous Hemianopia in Hyperglycemia-Induced Occipital Lobe Electroclinical Seizures Following Glycemic Control
Authors: Walker Charles E. L. , Lee Brendon W. H. , Offord Joanna E. , Laue-Gizzi Hanka , Watson Shaun , Somerville Ernest , Agar Ashish , Coroneo Minas T. , Francis Ian C.
Published: May 2024

Background:

Visual changes due to hyperglycemia in diabetes are not uncommon. While blurred vision is a well-established sequela of chronic hyperglycemia, homonymous hemianopia with or without electroclinical seizures is much rarer and can be mistaken for migraine, temporal arteritis, or ischemia of the central nervous system.

Methods:

This article analyzed case studies for 3 patients (67M, 68M, 52F) presenting with complex visual phenomena, from 3 to 42 days duration, including pathogenesis, clinical findings, management, and follow-up.

Results:

Examinations demonstrated dense left homonymous hemianopias in 2 patients and a left inferior homonymous quadrantanopia in one, with no other abnormalities. Patients described vivid, nonstereotyped intermittent hallucinations in the affected fields. Blood glucose levels ranged from 13.5 to 35.0 mmol/L (243–630 mg/dL) without ketosis and HbA1c from 14.6% to 16.8%. Computed tomography of the brain showed no acute intracranial pathology. MRI of the brain either detected no abnormalities or demonstrated changes consistent with seizure activity. Electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated seizures over the right occipital region in each patient. EEG seizures coincided with patients' hallucinations, while they remained otherwise conscious. Oral hypoglycemic and antiepileptic medications were commenced with rapid and complete reversal of the seizures and visual field deficits, confirmed by repeat Automated 30-2 and MRI.

Conclusions:

Hyperglycemia-induced occipital lobe seizures with visual hallucinations and interictal homonymous visual field defects represent a rare but clinically important diagnosis. This article highlights the importance of prompt recognition and treatment to facilitate recovery.
Mobility census for monitoring rapid urban development
Authors: Xiu Gezhi , Wang Jianying , Gross Thilo , Kwan Mei-Po , Peng Xia , Liu Yu
Published: May 2024

Monitoring urban structure and development requires high-quality data at high spatio-temporal resolution. While traditional censuses have provided foundational insights into demographic and socio-economic aspects of urban life, their pace may not always align with the pace of urban development. To complement these traditional methods, we explore the potential of analysing alternative big-data sources, such as human mobility data. However, these often noisy and unstructured big data pose new challenges. Here, we propose a method to extract meaningful explanatory variables and classifications from such data. Using movement data from Beijing, which are produced as a by-product of mobile communication, we show that meaningful features can be extracted, revealing, for example, the emergence and absorption of subcentres. This method allows the analysis of urban dynamics at a high-spatial resolution (here 500 m) and near real-time frequency, and high computational efficiency, which is especially suitable for tracing event-driven mobility changes and their impact on urban structures.
Amino acid analogues provide multiple plausible pathways to prebiotic peptides
Authors: Zhang Li , Ying Jianxi
Published: May 2024

Prebiotic peptide synthesis has consistently been a prominent topic within the field of the origin of life. While research predominantly centres on the 20 classical amino acids, the synthesis process encounters significant thermodynamic barriers. Consequently, amino acid analogues are being explored as potential building blocks for prebiotic peptide synthesis. This review delves into the pathway of polypeptide formation, identifying specific amino acid analogues that might have existed on early Earth, potentially participating in peptide synthesis and chemical evolution. Moreover, considering the complexity and variability of the environment on early Earth, we propose the plausibility of coevolution between amino acids and their analogues.
Short-range correlation of stress chains near solid-to-liquid transition in active monolayers
Authors: Monfared Siavash , Ravichandran Guruswami , Andrade José E. , Doostmohammadi Amin
Published: May 2024

Using a three-dimensional model of cell monolayers, we study the spatial organization of active
stress chains
as the monolayer transitions from a solid to a liquid state. The critical exponents that characterize this transition map the isotropic stress percolation onto the two-dimensional random percolation universality class, suggesting short-range stress correlations near this transition. This mapping is achieved via two distinct, independent pathways: (i) cell–cell adhesion and (ii) active traction forces. We unify our findings by linking the nature of this transition to high-stress fluctuations, distinctly linked to each pathway. The results elevate the importance of the transmission of mechanical information in dense active matter and provide a new context for understanding the non-equilibrium statistical physics of phase transition in active systems.
Combining environmental DNA and remote sensing for efficient, fine-scale mapping of arthropod biodiversity
Authors: Li Yuanheng , Devenish Christian , Tosa Marie I. , Luo Mingjie , Bell David M. , Lesmeister Damon B. , Greenfield Paul , Pichler Maximilian , Levi Taal , Yu Douglas W.
Published: May 2024

Arthropods contribute importantly to ecosystem functioning but remain understudied. This undermines the validity of conservation decisions. Modern methods are now making arthropods easier to study, since arthropods can be mass-trapped, mass-identified, and semi-mass-quantified into ‘many-row (observation), many-column (species)‘ datasets, with homogeneous error, high resolution, and copious environmental-covariate information. These ‘novel community datasets’ let us efficiently generate information on arthropod species distributions, conservation values, uncertainty, and the magnitude and direction of human impacts. We use a DNA-based method (barcode mapping) to produce an arthropod-community dataset from 121 Malaise-trap samples, and combine it with 29 remote-imagery layers using a deep neural net in a joint species distribution model. With this approach, we generate distribution maps for 76 arthropod species across a 225 km2temperate-zone forested landscape. We combine the maps to visualize the fine-scale spatial distributions of species richness, community composition, and site irreplaceability. Old-growth forests show distinct community composition and higher species richness, and stream courses have the highest site-irreplaceability values. With this ‘sideways biodiversity modelling’ method, we demonstrate the feasibility of biodiversity mapping at sufficient spatial resolution to inform local management choices, while also being efficient enough to scale up to thousands of square kilometres.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards a toolkit for global insect biodiversity monitoring’.
Characterization of Group A streptococci causing invasive diseases in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasekara Madumali , Vidanapathirana Gihani , Li Carmen , Tennegedara Asanka , Dissanayake Rasadanie , Ekanayake Asela , Abeykoon Muditha , Kothalawala Mahen , Liyanapathirana Veranja , Ip Margaret
Published: May 2024

Group A, β haemolytic streptococci (GAS) or Streptococcus pyogenes is a human pathogen that causes an array of infections including pharyngitis, cellulitis, impetigo, scarlet fever, toxic shock syndrome, and necrotizing fasciitis. The present study characterizes 51 GAS isolates from invasive infections in Sri Lanka, focusing on resistance profiles, genetic determinants of resistance, and virulence markers.
Isolates were tested for sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline. The presence of erm(A), erm(B), mef(A) was detected in erythromycin-resistant isolates while tet(M) was detected in the tetracycline-resistant isolates. PCR was used to identify SpeA, SpeB, SpeC, SpeF, SpeG, smez and ssa as virulence markers.  Selected GAS isolates were emm-typed using the updated CDC protocol.
All 51 isolates were susceptible to penicillin. The number of isolates non-susceptible to erythromycin was 16. The commonest resistant determinant identified was erm(B) (11/16).  Tetracycline nonsusceptibility was found in 36 (70.6%) isolates and 26 of them contained the tet(M) gene. Thirteen (25.5%) isolates were resistant to both tetracycline and erythromycin while 12 (23.5%) isolates were sensitive to both antibiotics. The commonest virulence markers detected among the isolates was SpeB (44, 86.3%), SpeG (36, 70.6%), SpeF (35, 68.6%) while SpeJ (15, 29.4%), SpeA (10, 19.6%) and ssa (5,9.8%) were less common.
In conclusion, GAS isolates studied showed resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline, while retaining universal susceptibility to penicillin. Additionally, these isolates exhibited diverse genetic backgrounds, displaying varying patterns of virulence genes and emm types.
A study on viruses and bacteria with particular interest on Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children with exacerbation of asthma from a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wijesooriya Lakmini Inoka , Chalker Victoria , Perera Priyantha , Sunil-Chandra N.P.
Published: May 2024

Asthma is a significant public health concern, particularly in children with severe symptoms. Exacerbation of asthma (EOA) is life-threatening and respiratory infections (RIs) play a crucial role. Though viruses  play a significant role in EOA,  patients are empirically treated with antibiotics which contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. Although there are widely reported association of EOA with viral or M. pneumoniae infections, there are no published data in Sri Lanka. The present study aimed to identify the association of common respiratory viruses, typical respiratory bacterial pathogens, and M. pneumoniae in children with EOA   and relate them with the compatibility of antimicrobial use.
A case-control study was conducted in the pediatric unit of North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka, involving two groups of children between 5-15 years of age. Group-1: children with EOA, Group-2: children with stable asthma (SA). Each group consisted of 100 children. Sputum/throat swabs were tested for common respiratory viruses using virus specific  FITC-labelled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs),  bacteria by routine culture and M. pneumoniae by RT-PCR. Macrolide-resistance in M. pneumoniae was detected using conventional PCR and sequencing specific genetic mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. M. pneumoniae was genotyped using nested multilocus sequence typing (MLST), which targeted eight housekeeping genes  (ppa, pgm, gyrB, gmk, glyA, atpA, arcC, adk).
There was no significant difference in age, gender, demographic or geographical locations   between the two groups. In children with EOA, antibiotics were used in 66% (66/100) and macrolides in 42% (42/100) in children with EOA.  Samples consisted of 78% (78/100)  sputum and 22% (22/100) throat swabs. Adenovirus   was the most common   virus identified, and it was significantly higher in children with EOA compared to those with SA, but no significant difference in typical bacteria findings between the two groups.   M. pneumoniae was detected in one patient    with EOA, with none  detected in the SA group. The  M. pneumoniae was macrolide sensitive, and   it was ST14 by Multi Locus Sequence Typing. This study showed that the empiric use of antibiotics in children with asthma may be better targeted with prior pathogen screening to inform appropriate treatment to minimize antibiotic resistance.