bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of maize hybrids with different nitrogen use efficiency on root‐associated microbiota based on distinct rhizosphere soil metabolites
Authors: Li Keke , Chen La , Shi Wenjun , Hu Conghui , Sha Ye , Feng Guozhong , Wang Entao , Chen Wenxin , Sui Xinhua , Mi Guohua
Published: December 2022

Plant genotypes shape root‐associated microbiota that affect plant nutrient acquisition and productivity. It is unclear how maize hybrids modify root‐associated microbiota and their functions and relationship with nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by regulating rhizosphere soil metabolites. Here, two N‐efficient (NE) (ZD958, DMY3) and two N‐inefficient (NIE) maize hybrids (YD9953, LY99) were used to investigate this issue under low N (60 kg N ha−1, LN) and high N (180 kg N ha−1, HN) field conditions. NE hybrids had higher yield than NIE hybrids under LN but not HN. NE and NIE hybrids recruited only distinct root‐associated bacterial microbiota in LN. The bacterial network stability was stronger in NE than NIE hybrids. Compared with NIE hybrids, NE hybrids recruited more bacterial taxa that have been described as plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and less related to denitrification and N competition; this resulted in low N2O emission and high rhizosphere NO3−‐N accumulation. NE and NIE hybrids had distinct rhizosphere soil metabolite patterns, and their specific metabolites were closely related to microbiota and specific genera under LN. Our findings reveal the relationships among plant NUE, rhizosphere soil metabolites, root‐associated microbiota, and soil nutrient cycling, and this information is informative for breeding NE crops.
Paid Leave for Fathers: Policy, Practice, and Reform
Authors: YANG Y. TONY , WALLINGTON SHERRIE FLYNT , MORAIN STEPHANIE
Published: December 2022

Policy Points

Government policies that secure paid leave for all parents, regardless of gender, can reduce structural inequalities, while promoting fathers’ engagement in parenting.

Such policies are likely to be most effective when they secure full, or almost full wage replacement, and when they provide incentives for fathers to take leave.

Organizations must also participate in the culture shift, providing workplaces that encourage paternity leave rather than reinforcing the “male breadwinner” stigma.
Court date reminders reduce court nonappearance: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zottola Samantha A. , Crozier William E. , Ariturk Deniz , Desmarais Sarah L.
Published: December 2022

Research summary

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies that examined whether providing people with a postcard, phone call, or text message reminder of their court date reduces their likelihood of failing to appear in court. We included 12 studies (N = 79,255) that compared court appearance rates between groups of people who received a reminder to groups who did not receive a reminder. Results showed that reminders significantly reduce the odds of failure to appear in court. Further, charge type moderated reminder effectiveness; court reminders had a slightly larger effect in studies that did not include people with felony charges. However, the difference in effect size as a function of charge type was small and reminders significantly reduced the odds of failure to appear in both studies that did and did not include people with felony charges. In contrast, there was no evidence that retaining people who could not be contacted in a reminder treatment group (versus excluding them from the study or intentionally assigning them to the nonreminded control group) moderated reminder effectiveness. Finally, a narrative synthesis of studies revealed that studies using more rigorous designs generally produced smaller effects compared to studies with less rigorous designs and that effects did not differ systematically as a function of reminder formats (e.g., postcard, phone call) or frequencies (e.g., one reminder or multiple).

Policy implications

Court date reminders effectively reduce failures to appear across studies, so they are an inexpensive tool for jurisdictions seeking to implement pretrial reform efforts. However, reminders offer only a modest reduction in failures to appear because they only address failures to appear that result from missing or forgetting information. Thus, reminders are not a panacea to court nonappearance. Jurisdictions should consider other programs and interventions as well. Courts could address low‐barrier nonappearances with reminders and then efficiently focus more involved resources to help more people get to court.
Feasibility and safety of secondary video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery for ipsilateral lung cancer after prior pulmonary resection
Authors: Chen Lei , Yang Zhenyu , Cui Ruichen , Liu Lunxu
Published: December 2022

Background

Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the preferred treatment for resectable non‐small cell lung cancer. The increased survival of patients after a first operation has caused increases in the incidence of locoregional recurrence or second primary lung cancer and a concomitant increase in the number of patients who require secondary surgery. Ipsilateral secondary operation is also commonly practiced, albeit with enhanced difficulty. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the feasibility and safety of VATS for ipsilateral lung cancer after pulmonary resection.

Methods

Patients who underwent ipsilateral secondary VATS in the West China Hospital, Sichuan University from 2012 to 2021 were assessed retrospectively. All included patients had a pulmonary resection. Clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and survival data were collected, with an emphasis on conversion to thoracotomy, postoperative complications, 30‐day mortality, and survival. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of postoperative complications.

Results

Seventy patients were enrolled, of which 10 (14.3%) had converted thoracotomy, 17 (24.3%) had postoperative complications, and two (2.9%) had grade III complications. No patient died within 30 days after surgery. High Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and severe pleural adhesion were independent predictors for complications. The median follow‐up was 50 months (range: 3–120), and the 5‐year overall survival was 78.2%.

Conclusion

Secondary VATS for ipsilateral lung cancer for patients who had pulmonary resection was feasible and safe. Strict preoperative evaluation and careful management of pleural adhesion are crucial for the success of the surgery.
Dissecting the epigenomic differences between smoking and nicotine dependence in a veteran cohort
Authors: Nagamatsu Sheila Tiemi , Pietrzak Robert H. , Xu Ke , Krystal John H. , Gelernter Joel , Montalvo‐Ortiz Janitza Liz
Published: December 2022

Smoking is a serious public health issue linked to more than 8 million deaths per year worldwide and may lead to nicotine dependence (ND). Although the epigenomic literature on smoking is well established, studies evaluating the role of epigenetics in ND are limited. In this study, we examined the epigenomic signatures of ND and how these differ from smoking exposure to identify biomarkers specific to ND. We investigated the peripheral epigenetic profile of smoking status (SS) and ND in a US male veteran cohort. DNA from saliva was collected from 1135 European American (EA) male US military veterans. DNAm was assessed using the Illumina Infinium Human MethylationEPIC BeadChip array. SS was evaluated as current smokers (n = 137; 12.1%) and non‐current smokers (never and former; n = 998; 87.9%). NDFTND was assessed as a continuous variable using the Fagerström Test for ND (FTND; n = 1135; mean = 2.54 ± 2.29). Epigenome‐wide association studies (EWAS) and co‐methylation analyses were conducted for SS and NDFTND. A total of 450 and 22 genome‐wide significant differentially methylated sites (DMS) were associated with SS and NDFTND, respectively (15 overlapped DMS). We identified 97 DMS (43 genes) in SS‐EWAS previously reported in the literature, including AHRR and F2RL3 genes (p‐value: 1.95 × 10−83 to 4.55 × 10−33). NDFTND novel DMS mapped to NEUROG1, ANPEP, and SLC29A1. Co‐methylation analysis identified 386 modules (11 SS‐related and 19 NDFTND‐related). SS‐related modules showed enrichment for alcoholism, while NDFTND‐related modules were enriched for nicotine addiction. This study confirms previous findings associated with SS and identifies novel and—potentially specific—epigenetic biomarkers of ND that may inform prognosis and novel treatment strategies.
The overexpression of neurokinin B–neurokinin 3 receptor system exerts direct effects on the ovary under PCOS‐like conditions to interfere with mitochondrial function
Authors: Guo Fei , Fernando Taniya , Zhu Xiaoyong , Shi Yingli
Published: December 2022

Problem

The increased hypothalamic neurokinin B (NKB) level may contribute to the hyperactive LH pulse secretion in Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the expression and role of the neurokinin B‐neurokinin 3 receptor (NKB‐NK3R) system in the local ovarian tissue of PCOS have not been clarified. We constructed in vivo and in vitro models to elucidate the mechanism of the NKB‐NK3R pathway in reproductive endocrine disorders of PCOS.

Method of study

The granulosa cell line‐KGN cells were set in palmitic acid (PA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to simulate the PCOS‐like conditions. And we used the high‐fat/high‐glucose diet to build a PCOS‐like mice model and neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist (NK3Ra) was administered to half of the mice. The expression of the NKB‐NK3R system, mitochondrial functions, hormone levels, and inflammatory state was evaluated.

Results

The PCOS‐like stimulations induced the NKB‐NK3R system and MAPK‐ERK pathway overexpression in KGN cells, in an approximate dose and time‐dependent manner. The NKB‐NK3R system overactivated the MAPK‐ERK pathway to increase NNT overexpression, disturb NADH/NADPH pools, aggravate the oxidation state, and decrease ATP production. With overexpression of the NKB‐NK3R system in the local ovarian tissue, ovulatory dysfunction, progesterone deficiency, and pro‐inflammatory states were apparent in PCOS‐like mice. Antagonizing the receptor, NK3R, reversed the adverse reproductive endocrine phenotypes via improving mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusions

In addition to the central regulation, local ovarian overexpression of the NKB‐NK3R system participated in the adverse reproductive endocrine phenotypes, supporting the therapeutic implications of NK3Ra for PCOS.
Reverse digital artery island flap with versus without sensory nerve coaptation for finger pulp reconstruction
Authors: Yuan Chaoqun , Wang Shuang , Wang Yang , Ding Wenqiang , Shen Haobo , Gu Jiaxiang
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Whether an innervated reverse digital artery island flap is superior to a non‐innervated reverse digital artery island flap still remains controversial. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of the two flaps in repairing finger pulp soft tissue defects.

Methods

Medical records of patients who underwent finger pulp reconstruction between January 2007 and December 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. A total of 45 patients were included. Twenty underwent sensory nerve reconstruction with cutaneous branches of the proper digital nerve, and 25 underwent the surgery without sensory nerve reconstruction. Surgical results, complications and sensory function were collected for analysis. Sensory function was assessed by static two‐point discrimination and the modified sensory evaluation standard of British Medical Research Council.

Results

The average operation time of innervated flaps was 23 min longer than non‐innervated flaps. All 45 flaps survived completely. There was no significant difference in complications between groups. The average follow‐up was 22 months. At the final follow‐up, five non‐innervated flaps had no recovery of static two‐point discrimination. The average static two‐point discrimination of the remaining 20 non‐innervated flaps was larger than that of innervated flaps. Innervated flaps consistently achieved higher sensory function grades according to the modified sensory evaluation standard of British Medical Research Council.

Conclusion

An innervated reverse digital artery island flap can achieve better sensory function recovery in a shorter time. This procedure did not increase the incidence of complications, although it extended the operation time. It has proven to be a good technique for finger pulp reconstruction.
Combining computational and experimental evidence on the activity of antimalarial drugs on papain‐like protease of SARS‐CoV‐2: A repurposing study
Authors: Ribaudo Giovanni , Yun Xiaoyun , Ongaro Alberto , Oselladore Erika , Ng Jerome P. L. , Haynes Richard K. , Law Betty Yuen Kwan , Memo Maurizio , Wong Vincent Kam Wai , Coghi Paolo , Gianoncelli Alessandra
Published: December 2022

The development of inhibitors that target the papain‐like protease (PLpro) has the potential to counteract the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), the agent causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Based on a consideration of its several downstream effects, interfering with PLpro would both revert immune suppression exerted by the virus and inhibit viral replication. By following a repurposing strategy, the current study evaluates the potential of antimalarial drugs as PLpro inhibitors, and thereby the possibility of their use for treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Computational tools were employed for structural analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to screen antimalarial drugs against PLpro, and in silico data were validated by in vitro experiments. Virtual screening highlighted amodiaquine and methylene blue as the best candidates, and these findings were complemented by the in vitro results that indicated amodiaquine as a μM PLpro deubiquitinase inhibitor. The results of this study demonstrate that the computational workflow adopted here can correctly identify active compounds. Thus, the highlighted antimalarial drugs represent a starting point for the development of new PLpro inhibitors through structural optimization.
Expansion of the phenotypic and molecular spectrum of CWF19L1‐related disorder
Authors: Alvarez Carolina , Grimmel Mona , Ebrahimi‐Fakhari Darius , Paul Victoria G. , Deininger Natalie , Riess Angelika , Haack Tobias , Gardella Elena , Møller Rikke S. , Bayat Allan
Published: December 2022

Pathogenic variants in CWF19L1 lead to a rare autosomal recessive form of hereditary ataxia with only seven cases reported to date. Here, we describe four additional unrelated patients with biallelic variants in CWF19L1 (age range: 6–22 years) and provide a comprehensive review of the literature. The clinical spectrum was broad, including mild to profound global developmental delay; global or motor regression in infancy or adolescence; childhood‐onset ataxia and cerebellar atrophy; and early‐onset epilepsy. Since only two previously reported patients were adults, our cohort expands our understanding of the evolution of symptoms from childhood into early adulthood. Taken together, we describe that CWF19L1‐related disorder presents with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with treatment‐resistant seizures and intellectual disability in childhood followed by progressive ataxia and other extrapyramidal movement disorders in adolescence.
A path forward in the investigation of seabird strandings attributed to light attraction
Authors: Brown Taylor Marie , Wilhelm Sabina I. , Mastromonaco Gabriela F. , Burness Gary
Published: December 2022

A variety of anthropogenic threats cause mortality and population declines of procellariiform seabirds. Globally, fledglings of many colonial procellariiforms become stranded in towns and cities during their first flights from the nest, which occur at night. Since the 1960s, when the phenomenon became widely known, these strandings have been largely attributed to attraction toward artificial lights at night (ALAN). Artificial light attraction has been blamed due to the predictable, annual nature of strandings; the large numbers of birds found in lighted areas during stranding events; and the inexperience of fledglings in interpreting sensory stimuli. However, up‐to‐date, few alternative hypotheses to that of light attraction have been suggested, and few if any have been explored experimentally. In this paper, we do not seek to refute the light attraction hypothesis. Instead, our objectives are threefold. We wish to (1) highlight the current evidence for light attraction in procellariiforms; (2) identify where evidence may be lacking or subject to confirmation bias; and (3) suggest alternative hypotheses and possible experimental approaches to study them. Given the imperiled nature of many of the affected species and the need to explore and address this source of mortality, our goal in this review is to accelerate and diversify research efforts on this topic.
FLI‐1/Melan‐A dual stain is an alternative to PRAME in differentiating metastatic melanoma from nodal nevus: A monocentric retrospective study
Authors: Zengin Hatice B. , Yildiz Bahadir , Pukhalskaya Tatsiana , Smoller Bruce R.
Published: December 2022

Melanocytic nevi existing in lymph nodes create a diagnostic challenge by mimicking metastases. PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma (PRAME) immunohistochemical (IHC) stain can differentiate one from another. FLI‐1 IHC expression has been shown in malignant melanoma with variable sensitivity while melanocytic nevi were reported to be negative. We hypothesized that FLI‐1/Melan‐A dual IHC staining may be used in the distinction of metastatic melanoma from nodal nevi and can be an alternative and/or complementary to PRAME. In this study, we examined 13 lymph nodes with metastatic melanoma and 13 lymph nodes with benign deposits. We stained all of the lymph nodes with FLI‐1, FLI‐1/Melan‐A dual, and PRAME IHC stains. In addition, we stained paired skin samples of the metastatic lymph nodes with FLI‐1 and PRAME. In primary cutaneous melanomas, 11 of 13 were positive for FLI‐1 and PRAME expression (85%). Malignant cells in 12 and 13 lymph nodes showed positive expression of PRAME and FLI‐1, respectively. Only one case with a nevic cell deposit was weakly positive for FLI‐1 and the remaining benign cases were negative for both FLI‐1 and PRAME. Our results show that FLI‐1/Melan‐A dual stain is as sensitive and specific as PRAME in distinguishing lymph nodes with metastatic melanoma from nodal nevi. Further studies with larger case numbers are needed to support our significant results.
Saturation of visual responses explains size tuning in rat collicular neurons
Authors: Baranauskas Gytis , Rysevaite‐Kyguoliene Kristina , Sabeckis Ignas , Pauza Dainius H.
Published: December 2022

The receptive field of many visual neurons is composed of a central responsive area, the classical receptive field, and a non‐classical receptive field, also called the “suppressive surround.” A visual stimulus placed in the suppressive surround does not induce any response but modulates visual responses to stimuli within the classical receptive field, usually by suppressing them. Therefore, visual responses become smaller when stimuli exceed the classical receptive field size. The stimulus size inducing the maximal response is called the preferred stimulus size. In cortex, there is good correspondence between the sizes of the classical receptive field and the preferred stimulus. In contrast, in the rodent superior colliculus, the preferred size is often several fold smaller than the classical receptive field size. Here, we show that in the rat superior colliculus, the preferred stimulus size changes as a square root of the contrast inverse and the classical receptive field size is independent of contrast. In addition, responses to annulus were largely independent of the inner hole size. To explain these data, three models were tested: the divisive modulation of the gain by the suppressive surround (the “normalization” model), the difference of the Gaussians, and a divisive model that incorporates saturation to light flux. Despite the same number of free parameters, the model incorporating saturation to light performed the best. Thus, our data indicate that in rats, the saturation to light can be a dominant phenomenon even at relatively low illumination levels defining visual responses in the collicular neurons.
The unforeseen future: Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on home video‐EEG telemetry
Authors: Brunnhuber Franz , Slater Jeremy D. , Goyal Sushma , Amin Devyani , Winston Joel S.
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic had widespread impact on health care systems globally—particularly services arranged around elective admission and attendance such as epilepsy monitoring units and home video‐EEG telemetry (HVET). Here, we review the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on HVET services among several different providers who used different initial models of HVET. We discuss the features of HVET that led to success in providing continued diagnostic services to patients with epilepsy and related disorders and through retrospective audit of our services demonstrate the high diagnostic yield of HVET. We reflect on this unforeseen future and its implications for other diagnostic techniques and approaches.
Calibration and frequency estimation in sensors for electrical parameter measurement using regression and metaheuristic based models
Authors: Ranasingh Soumyaranjan , Pradhan Tapan , Dhenuvakonda Koteswara Raju
Published: December 2022

Calibration is the backbone of any sensor and measurement philosophy. The conventional calibration techniques for electrical parameter measurement using nonlinear sensors are affected by the repeating analogue signals and lead to errors in measurement. This research paper investigates different regression‐based mathematical models to calibrate the Hall sensor for measuring RMS and the fundamental frequency. The novelty of this research work lies in the feature‐based input modelling to measure RMS current and frequency with an error of 3.37e‐12% and 7.61e‐9%, respectively. The conventional Fourier transform method is compared with six different bio‐inspired metaheuristic algorithms to estimate the frequency components of the analogue signal received from the measurement setup. Apart from the conventional sine waveforms, this paper investigates sawtooth and square waveforms as the periodic signals for determining the frequency components. The results from the comparison study show that the Whale Optimization Algorithm exhibits 1.25% lesser error whilst predicting the features in measured frequency components. Apart from this, the paper identifies a unique combination of features that effectively measures the instantaneous electrical parameter with RMSE, NRMSE, and value of 158.8, 0.51, and 0.44, respectively. Experimentally it is found that the decision tree and random forest regression models calibrate the Hall sensor with 93% less error than their linear and polynomial counterparts.
Evaluating the importance of accurate sex ratios on egg deposition targets and conservation limit compliance for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) in the River Tamar, south‐west England
Authors: King R. Andrew , Toms Simon , Stevens Jamie R.
Published: December 2022

Effective management of Atlantic salmon requires a suite of metrics that are fed into stock assessment models to assess stock compliance within individual rivers in relation to estimated conservation limits. Key among metrics required to assess compliance are the number of adult female spawners within each adult sea age class and their corresponding egg deposition rates. Owing to the current need to conserve salmon stocks, adult sex ratios used to calculate egg deposition estimates often depend on data derived from historic lethal sampling. Using non‐invasive sampling and an accurate genetic sex test, we determined the proportion of female fish in two adult life history stages (one sea winter and two sea winter) of Atlantic salmon from the River Tamar, an Environment Agency (England) Monitored River. Our results suggested that phenotypic‐based sexing of Tamar salmon was unreliable, especially for early run fish and that the proportion of female salmon has been under‐estimated, thereby leading to consistent under‐estimation of egg deposition rates.
Active and dormant microorganisms on glacier surfaces
Authors: Bradley James A. , Trivedi Christopher B. , Winkel Matthias , Mourot Rey , Lutz Stefanie , Larose Catherine , Keuschnig Christoph , Doting Eva , Halbach Laura , Zervas Athanasios , Anesio Alexandre M. , Benning Liane G.
Published: December 2022

Glacier and ice sheet surfaces host diverse communities of microorganisms whose activity (or inactivity) influences biogeochemical cycles and ice melting. Supraglacial microbes endure various environmental extremes including resource scarcity, frequent temperature fluctuations above and below the freezing point of water, and high UV irradiance during summer followed by months of total darkness during winter. One strategy that enables microbial life to persist through environmental extremes is dormancy, which despite being prevalent among microbial communities in natural settings, has not been directly measured and quantified in glacier surface ecosystems. Here, we use a combination of metabarcoding and metatranscriptomic analyses, as well as cell‐specific activity (BONCAT) incubations to assess the diversity and activity of microbial communities from glacial surfaces in Iceland and Greenland. We also present a new ecological model for glacier microorganisms and simulate physiological state‐changes in the glacial microbial community under idealized (i) freezing, (ii) thawing, and (iii) freeze–thaw conditions. We show that a high proportion (>50%) of bacterial cells are translationally active in‐situ on snow and ice surfaces, with Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, and Planctomycetota dominating the total and active community compositions, and that glacier microorganisms, even when frozen, could resume translational activity within 24 h after thawing. Our data suggest that glacial microorganisms respond rapidly to dynamic and changing conditions typical of their natural environment. We deduce that the biology and biogeochemistry of glacier surfaces are shaped by processes occurring over short (i.e., daily) timescales, and thus are susceptible to change following the expected alterations to the melt‐regime of glaciers driven by climate change. A better understanding of the activity of microorganisms on glacier surfaces is critical in addressing the growing concern of climate change in Polar regions, as well as for their use as analogues to life in potentially habitable icy worlds.
Infant motor development predicts the dynamics of movement during sleep
Authors: DeMasi Aaron , Horger Melissa N. , Scher Anat , Berger Sarah E.
Published: December 2022

The characteristics of infant sleep change over the first year. Generally, infants wake and move less at night as they grow older. However, acquisition of new motor skills leads to temporary increases in night waking and movement at night. Indeed, sleep‐dependent movement at night is important for sensorimotor development. Nevertheless, little is known about how movement during sleep changes as infants accrue locomotor experience. The current study investigated whether infant sleep and movement during sleep were predicted by infants' walking experience. Seventy‐eight infants wore an actigraph to measure physical activity during sleep. Parents reported when their infants first walked across a room >10 feet without stopping or falling. Infants in the midst of walking skill acquisition had worse sleep than an age‐group estimate. Infants with more walk experience had more temporally sporadic movement during sleep and a steeper hourly increase in physical activity over the course of the night. Ongoing motor skill consolidation changes the characteristics of movement during sleep and may alter sleep state‐dependent memory consolidation. We propose a model whereby changes in gross motor activity during night sleep reflect movement‐dependent consolidation.
Tracing prodromal behaviour by analysing data patterns from social media with ensemble machine learning approach
Authors: Joshi Deepali , Patwardhan Manasi
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a novel solution for tracing prodromal behaviour of Twitter users for early detection and prevention of mental illness. A very large number of people are using Twitter to share their daily happenings. This is creating a rich source of data portraying individual behaviour. Machine learning can be used to screen individual users who show prodromal behavioural change over a period and need to consult a psychiatrist. The system comprises of an ensemble model with multiple modules including classification and clustering in addition to lexicon‐based approach, and, for the final verdict, a voting system which emphasises a better precision model is proposed. The model has been validated and tested on standard Self‐Reported Mental Health Diagnoses dataset and promises to give a better result than the baseline.
Daily triage audit can improve nurses' triage stratification: A pre–post study
Authors: Zaboli Arian , Sibilio Serena , Magnarelli Gabriele , Rella Eleonora , Fanni Canelles Massimiliano , Pfeifer Norbert , Brigo Francesco , Turcato Gianni
Published: December 2022

Aims

The objective was to evaluate whether the error rate in the application of the triage system decreased after the introduction of daily auditing, and it was also evaluated if the agreement rate between physician and nurse on triage priority levels increased after the introduction of daily auditing and if the error‐related variables in the pre‐intervention period changed in the post‐intervention period.

Design

A quasi‐experimental study was performed with a pre–post design, between June 2019 and June 2021 in one emergency department.

Methods

The accuracy and error rate of triage in the pre‐ and post‐intervention period were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationships between the variables related to the error. The comparison between the priority level assigned by the physician and the triage nurse was analysed using Cohen's K.

Results

Nine hundred four patients were enrolled in the pre‐intervention period and 869 in the post‐intervention period. The error rate in the pre‐intervention period was 23.3% and in the post‐intervention period was 9.7%.

The concordance between the degree of priority expressed by the physician and the nurse varied from a quadratically weighted Cohen's K of 0.447 in the pre‐intervention period to 0.881 in the post‐intervention period.

Conclusion

Daily auditing is a clinical procedure that improves the nurse's application of the triage system. Daily auditing has reduced errors by the nurse, improving performance and concordance with the physician.

Impact

Triage systems are a key point for the stratification of the priority level of patients and it is therefore evident that they maintain high‐quality standards. Through the practice of daily auditing, not only a reduction in the error rate, which ensures patient safety, but also an improvement in triage performance has been demonstrated.

No Patient or Public Contribution

The study did not involve any patients during its conduction.
Operator versus material influence on film thickness using adhesive resin cement or pre‐heated resin composite
Authors: Teyagirwa Prudence‐Felix , Aquin Claire , Kharouf Naji , Roman Tatiana , Senger Bernard , Reitzer François , Etienne Olivier
Published: December 2022

Objective

There is a growing interest in using pre‐heated composites instead of dual‐cured cements when luting indirect restorations. This study evaluated the film thickness obtained from two pre‐heated composites and two resin cements, by two different operators. The influence of the materials and the level of expertise of the operator were analyzed.

Materials and Methods

Forty specimens of human dentin and composite discs were prepared and divided into four groups depending on the luting process. Each group was randomly equally divided to be handled by two operators with different levels of experience. Two of the initial four groups were luted using dual‐cured cements and the two remaining groups using light‐cured pre‐heated composites. Specimen discs were cut after luting, and film thickness was measured using a Digital microscope. Data were analyzed using a 2‐way ANOVA with the Holm‐Sidak pairwise multiple comparison procedure (p < 0.05).

Results

Mean film thickness ranged from 156.16 ± 4.7 to 33.82 ± 0.7 μm. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were noticed between expert and novice results with pre‐heated composites.

Conclusion

Within the limits of this study, using pre‐heated composites as a luting cement requires a better level of expertise to achieve a clinically acceptable film thickness.

Clinical Significance

Using pre‐heated composites as luting agent for indirect restorations requires an experimented skill level to achieve a clinically recommended film thickness.
The role of care partners in medical visits of older adults with hearing loss and dementia: A national study
Authors: Powell Danielle S. , Reed Nicholas S. , Oh Esther , Samus Quincy M. , Deal Jennifer A. , Wolff Jennifer L.
Published: December 2022

Background

Dementia and hearing loss (HL) are conditions, which restrict communication ability and amplify the difficulty of implementing effective care coordination and communication with medical providers. We examined how the presence of HL and dementia influence communication with medical providers, and the role of involved care partners during medical visits.

Methods

Drawing on responses from 7070 community‐dwelling older adults who participated in the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study, we used logistic regression to quantify care partner accompaniment to medical visits and the role care partners assume during visits by older adult hearing and dementia status.

Results

Nearly 4 in 10 older adults with dementia also reported HL. Eighty‐two percent of older adults with both HL and dementia were accompanied to medical visits by a care partner. Those with HL and dementia were six times more likely to be accompanied by a care partner to medical visits than those with neither condition (OR: 6.04; 95% CI:4.06, 8.99). Care partners of older adults with both (vs neither) HL and dementia were more actively engaged in: (1) facilitating understanding between the older adult and doctor (OR: 4.55, 95% CI:2.68, 7.71); (2) asking or telling the doctor information (OR: 6.13, 95% CI:3.44, 10.9); and (3) reminding the older adult of their questions (OR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.66, 3.83).

Conclusions

Care partners have an active role during medical visits of older adults with HL and dementia. Efforts to support care partner engagement and teach advocacy skills may close gaps in care quality for the subgroup of older adults who are living with HL and dementia.
Identical late motor responses in early Guillain‐Barré syndrome: A‐waves and repeater F‐waves
Authors: Veltsista Dimitra , Kefalopoulou Zinovia , Kintos Vasileios , Chroni Elisabeth
Published: December 2022

Electrodiagnostic (EDx) studies play a key role in the investigation of suspected Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), providing diagnostic and prognostic information. However, initial EDx findings may not fulfill the neurophysiological criteria for the disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence and characteristics of A‐waves and repeaters F‐waves (Freps), both late motor responses identical in latency and configuration, in early stages of GBS. We retrospectively analyzed the initial nerve conduction study (NCS) of 26 GBS patients performed within 10 days from symptom onset. The final subtype diagnosis was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) in 16 patients (six met the criteria at the initial EDx study and 10 at follow‐up) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 10 patients (six initially). Identical late responses were commonly found in the majority of nerves (84%). A‐waves were present in 59% and an increased frequency of Freps was calculated in 61% of the 105 studied nerves. A‐waves morphology (single or complex) could not distinguish between AIDP and AMAN. Nerves with normal NCS had a significantly higher frequency of A‐waves, either isolated or in combination with increased index total Freps, as compared to nerves with low compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes or conduction block. Our findings suggest that both late responses can be useful as early markers of conduction changes of various pathophysiology, being frequently present even prior to abnormalities of CMAP parameters.
A novel method for identifying Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (Chlorophyta) and closely related species from nature
Authors: Ford Scott A. , Craig Rory J. , Ness Rob W.
Published: December 2022

Here, we introduce a new method for efficiently sampling Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and closely related species using a colony PCR‐based screen with novel primer sets designed to specifically detect these important model microalgae. To demonstrate the utility of our new method, we collected 130 soil samples from a wide range of habitats in Ontario, Canada and identified 33 candidate algae, which were barcoded by sequencing a region of the rbcL plastid gene. For select isolates, 18S rRNA gene and YPT4 nuclear markers were also sequenced. Based on phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses of these three loci, seven novel isolates were identified as C. reinhardtii, and one additional isolate appeared to be more closely related to C. reinhardtii than any other known species. All seven new C. reinhardtii strains were interfertile with previously collected C. reinhardtii field isolates, validating the effectiveness of our molecular screen.
Structured variation in child heritage speakers' grammars
Authors: Shin Naomi
Published: December 2022

Research on heritage language development in children can profit greatly by incorporating insights from analyses of structured variation, which is defined as the interchange of linguistic forms where the choice to use one form over the other is probabilistically conditioned by linguistic and social factors. This article reviews the limited research on bilingual children's structured variation, focussing specifically on child heritage speakers of Spanish. It is argued that careful attention to structured variation advances our understanding of heritage language development in childhood and can help us move beyond a deficit view of bilingualism.
Chinese intimacy: Filial piety, autonomy, and romantic relationship quality
Authors: Wang Ziying , Chen Wei‐Wen
Published: December 2022

Due to its accurate representation of parent–child interaction quality in Confucian‐influenced cultures, contemporary filial piety, which refers to general beliefs about how children are expected to behave toward their parents, has drawn increasing attention in academia. However, how filial piety associates with intimate relationships beyond the family setting is less clear. This study examined the relation between dual filial piety (i.e., reciprocal filial piety and authoritarian filial piety) and romantic relationship quality among Chinese youths. We explored a mediational model in which we tested whether dual autonomy (i.e., individuating autonomy and relating autonomy) would help explain how Chinese youths' beliefs in filial piety are linked to the quality of their romantic relationships. A total of 605 youths from Macau (N = 291) and Taiwan (N = 314) who are currently or once romantically involved participated in the study. We employed structural equation modeling to analyze the data. Results showed within‐culture invariance regarding the direct and indirect associations between filial piety, autonomy, and romantic relationship quality. Specifically, young people in both Macau and Taiwan who endorsed higher reciprocal filial piety had more individuating autonomy, which in turn contributed to them having higher quality romantic relationships.
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is under‐recognized in end‐stage pediatric heart failure: A 36‐year single‐center experience
Authors: Tadros Hanna J. , Choudhry Swati , Kearney Debra L. , Hope Kyle , Yesso Abigail , Miyake Christina Y. , Price Jack , Spinner Joseph , Tunuguntla Hari , Puri Kriti , Dreyer William , Denfield Susan W.
Published: December 2022

Background

Although ventricular failure is a late finding in adults with AC, we hypothesize that this is a presenting symptom in pediatric heart failure patients who undergo HT and that their ventricular arrhythmia burden could differentiate AC from other cardiomyopathies.

Methods

We performed a single‐center retrospective cohort study reviewing 457 consecutive pediatric (≤18 years) HT recipients at our institution. Explanted hearts were examined to establish the primary diagnosis, based on pathologic findings. Demographic and clinical variables were compared between AC versus non‐HCM cardiomyopathy cases.

Results

Forty‐five percent (n = 205/457) had non‐HCM cardiomyopathies as the underlying primary diagnosis. Ten cases (10/205 = 4.9%) were diagnosed with AC. All 10 had biventricular disease. In 8/10 patients (80%), AC diagnosis was unrecognized pre‐HT. Compared with non‐AC cardiomyopathies, the AC group was older at diagnosis (9.3 years vs. 4.3 years, p = .012) and transplant (11.1 years vs. 6.5 years, p = .010), had more ventricular arrhythmias (80.0% vs 32.8%, p = .003), and required more anti‐arrhythmic use (80.0% vs 32.3%, p = .001). Genetic testing yielded causative pathogenic variants in all tested individuals (n = 5/5, 100%).

Conclusion

AC is often an unrecognized cardiomyopathy pretransplant in children who undergo HT. Pediatric non‐HCM phenotypes with heart failure who have a significant ventricular arrhythmia burden should be investigated for AC.
Point‐of‐care global coagulation assay parameters in normal dogs and dogs with primary immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia
Authors: Dionne Trysta L. , Ishak Anthony M. , Cochran Lauren A.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To compare viscoelastic parameters between healthy control dogs and dogs with primary immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (pIMHA) using a new, point‐of‐care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM).a

Design

Retrospective study from 2017 to 2021.

Setting

Three regional private referral centers.

Animals

Eighteen client‐owned dogs with pIMHA and 33 healthy control dogs. pIMHA dogs were defined based on established criteria.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Medical records of dogs with pIMHA and VCM performed at diagnosis from 2017 to 2021 and apparently healthy control dogs voluntarily enrolled in the blood donor program from 2017 to 2018 were reviewed. For the healthy control dogs, consent was obtained to perform VCM in addition to traditional screening. Compared to healthy control dogs, dogs with pIMHA had mean VCM parameters consistent with hypercoagulability, demonstrated by lower mean (SD) clot formation time (108 s [30] vs 233 s [55]; P < 0.0001), higher mean alpha angle (62 degrees [6] vs 52 degrees [6]; P < 0.0001), higher mean maximum clot formation (49 VCM units [11] vs 32 VCM units [5]; P < 0.0001), higher mean amplitude at 10 minutes (40 VCM units [11] vs 19 VCM units [3]; P < 0.0001), and higher mean amplitude at 20 minutes (47 VCM units [11] vs 25 VCM units [4]; P < 0.0001). pIMHA dogs also had significantly higher median (interquartile range) lysis index at 30 minutes (100% [100–100] vs 98% [90–100]; P < 0.0001). When compared to 3 established normal canine reference intervals, dogs with pIMHA had a significantly higher proportion of VCM variables (48%–57%) consistent with hypercoagulability, and a significant percentage of pIMHA dogs (78%–89%) had VCM tracings consistent with hypercoagulability overall, irrespective of the interval utilized for interpretation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates hypercoagulability in dogs with pIMHA when compared to healthy control dogs using VCM. Prospective evaluation is warranted to further characterize these findings as well as to evaluate their clinical impact.
PlasmaCap EBA: An innovative method of isolating plasma proteins from human plasma
Authors: Miller David , Vanderlee Gillian , Vaute Olivier , Krause Mark
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

The growing demand for immunoglobulin (IG) requires development of improved plasma fractionation methods to provide higher yields in a cost effective, scalable manner without compromising product purity and efficacy. A novel protein extraction method, utilizing expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography, has been developed. PlasmaCap IG (10% liquid formulation intravenous IG [IVIG]) is the first plasma‐derived product manufactured using PlasmaCap EBA technology.

Materials and Methods

The PlasmaCap EBA platform consists of a series of consecutive columns which bind a target protein, or group of proteins, in their native state directly from cryo‐poor plasma. EBA chromatography includes five key steps: (1) expand, (2) sanitize and equilibrate, (3) load, (4) wash and (5) elute. These steps are made possible using high‐density tungsten‐carbide agarose beads, suspended by upward flow. The PlasmaCap EBA process was evaluated during Evolve's clinical campaign for scalability, product quality and yield.

Results

PlasmaCap EBA technology can be predictably scaled by maintaining the minimum residence time and residence time distribution for EBA columns of different diameters. Scalability of the manufacturing process was demonstrated by the 50‐fold volumetric increase from laboratory‐scale lots to clinical‐scale lots. The process is also associated with enhanced product purity, such as lower aggregates. The PlasmaCap EBA process is expected to have the same or better yield and purity at commercial scale production compared to the clinical campaign.

Conclusion

The PlasmaCap EBA platform was used to successfully develop PlasmaCap IG (10% liquid formulation IVIG) with proven scalability, product quality and yield.
Discrepancy in modular arithmetic progressions
Authors: Fox Jacob , Xu Max Wenqiang , Zhou Yunkun
Published: December 2022

Celebrated theorems of Roth and of Matoušek and Spencer together show that the discrepancy of arithmetic progressions in the first$n$positive integers is$\Theta (n^{1/4})$. We study the analogous problem in the$\mathbb {Z}_n$setting. We asymptotically determine the logarithm of the discrepancy of arithmetic progressions in$\mathbb {Z}_n$for all positive integer$n$. We further determine up to a constant factor the discrepancy of arithmetic progressions in$\mathbb {Z}_n$for many$n$. For example, if$n=p^k$is a prime power, then the discrepancy of arithmetic progressions in$\mathbb {Z}_n$is$\Theta (n^{1/3+r_k/(6k)})$, where$r_k \in \{0,1,2\}$is the remainder when$k$is divided by$3$. This solves a problem of Hebbinghaus and Srivastav.