bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a global strategy for seabird tracking
Authors: Bernard Alice , Rodrigues Ana S.L. , Cazalis Victor , Grémillet David
Published: May 2021

Electronic tracking technologies revolutionized wildlife ecology, notably for studying the movements of elusive species such as seabirds. Those advances are key to seabird conservation, for example in guiding the design of marine protected areas for this highly threatened group. Tracking data are also boosting scientific understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics in the context of global change. To optimize future tracking efforts, we performed a global assessment of seabird tracking data. We identified and mined 689 seabird tracking studies, reporting on > 28,000 individuals of 216 species from 17 families over the last four decades. We found substantial knowledge gaps, reflecting a historical neglect of tropical seabird ecology, with biases toward species that are heavier, oceanic, and from high‐latitude regions. Conservation status had little influence on seabird tracking propensity. We identified 54 threatened species for which we did not find published tracking records, and 19 with very little data. Additionally, much of the existing tracking data are not yet available to other researchers and decision‐makers in online databases. We highlight priority species and regions for future tracking efforts. More broadly, we provide guidance toward an ethical, rational, and efficient global tracking program for seabirds, as a contribution to their conservation.
Cardiac perfusion by positron emission tomography
Authors: Nammas Wail , Maaniitty Teemu , Knuuti Juhani , Saraste Antti
Published: May 2021

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with positron emission tomography (PET) is an established tool for evaluation of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The contemporary 3‐dimensional scanner technology and the state‐of‐the‐art MPI radionuclide tracers and pharmacological stress agents, as well as the cutting‐edge image reconstruction techniques and data analysis software, have all enabled accurate, reliable and reproducible quantification of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF), and henceforth calculation of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) in several clinical scenarios. In patients with suspected coronary artery disease, both absolute stress MBF and MFR can identify myocardial territories subtended by epicardial coronary arteries with haemodynamically significant stenosis, as defined by invasive coronary fractional flow reserve measurement. In particular, absolute stress MBF and MFR offered incremental prognostic information for predicting adverse cardiac outcome, and hence for better patient risk stratification, over those provided by traditional clinical risk predictors. This article reviews the available evidence to support the translation of the current techniques and technologies into a useful decision‐making tool in real‐world clinical practice.
Post‐transplant inotrope score is associated with clinical outcomes after adult heart transplantation
Authors: Venema Constantijn S. , Erasmus Michiel E. , Mariani Massimo , Voors Adriaan A. , Damman Kevin
Published: May 2021

Background

Inotrope score has been proposed as a marker of clinical outcome after adult heart transplantation (HTx) but is rarely used in practice.

Methods

Inotrope score during the first 48 h after HTx was calculated in 81 patients as: dopamine + dobutamine + amrinone + milrinone (dose × 15) + epinephrine (dose × 100) + norepinephrine (dose × 100) + enoximone + isoprenaline (dose × 100), with each drug in µg/kg/min. Determinants of inotrope score were identified with linear regression. Cox regression was used to determine the association of inotrope score with mortality.

Results

The mean recipient age was 52 ± 11 years, and 32 (39.5%) patients were female. Determinants of inotrope score were preoperative C‐reactive protein, serum urea, congenital heart disease, and donor cardiac arrest (R2 = .30). Inotrope score was associated with 5‐year mortality, independent of recipient age and gender (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00‐1.07). This association was attenuated when adjusting for female‐to‐male transplant and ischemia time. Inotrope score was also strongly associated with continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03‐1.12).

Conclusion

High inotrope score post‐HTx was observed in recipient congenital heart disease and was associated with a higher risk of mortality and acute kidney injury.
Predicting impacts of global climatic change on genetic and phylogeographical diversity of a Neotropical treefrog
Authors: Abreu‐Jardim Tatianne P. F. , Jardim Lucas , Ballesteros‐Mejia Liliana , Maciel Natan M. , Collevatti Rosane G.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Future climate changes may affect species distribution and their genetic diversity, hampering species adaptation to a new climate or tracking the suitable conditions. Amphibians have high sensitivity to environmental degradation and changes in temperature and humidity. Thus, the expected climatic changes by the end‐of‐century (EOC 2100) may cause local or complete extinction of some species. Here, we address the effects of climate change on genetic and phylogeographical diversity, together with the geographical distribution of the South American treefrog Scinax squalirostris Lutz, 1925. Furthermore, we assess how protected areas will conserve its genetic variation.

Location

South America.

Methods

We combined Ecological Niche Modelling and genetic simulations to predict the effects of climate change on the geographical distribution, genetic diversity, structure and phylogeographical diversity of Scinax squalirostris, using two scenarios of CO2 emission. We also performed a spatial analysis to investigate the effectiveness of the current Protected Areas (PAs) to preserve the species’ genetic and phylogeographical diversity.

Results

Scinax squalirostris' geographical range will potentially increase in the future due to the expansion of suitable areas towards its southern distribution, despite the shrinking of suitable areas in the northern part of its current distribution. Besides the shifts in suitable areas, our findings point to a genetic homogenization across the geographical range of S. squalirostris due to the displacement and loss of genetic ancestry clusters. Although existing PAs are conserving the current genetic diversity, they conserve less phylogeographical diversity than expected by chance. Scinax squalirostris may shift its distribution into areas with lower number of PAs, compromising its future conservation.

Main conclusions

Climate change will potentially increase S. squalirostris range size, however, not towards regions where most of the current established PAs are located, hence driving to homogenization and loss of genetic diversity, and leading to a gap of conservation within PAs.
Prognostic significance of right ventricular function during exercise in asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hirasawa Kensuke , Izumo Masaki , Mizukoshi Kei , Nishikawa Haruka , Sato Yukio , Watanabe Mika , Kamijima Ryo , Akashi Yoshihiro J.
Published: May 2021

Background

The risk stratification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) without left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and the utility of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) remains unclear. We investigated the value of right ventricular (RV) function and RV‐pulmonary artery (PA) coupling during exercise in asymptomatic/minimally symptomatic patients with nonobstructive HCM (nHCM).

Method and results

This retrospective study evaluated 74 HCM patients (age 63 ± 13 years, 65% men) without LVOT obstruction (≥30 mmHg) who underwent​ ESE. Eight patients (11%) suffered from HCM‐related cardiac events during a median 2.5 years follow‐up. During exercise, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (Ex‐TAPSE) and Ex‐TAPSE/systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP] ratio were more impaired in patients with than in those without events (22 ± 4 vs 26 ± 4 mm, P = .005; and 0.45 [0.41, 0.47] vs 0.56 [0.47, 0.82] mm/mmHg, P = .002). In Cox regression analysis, Ex‐TAPSE (HR: 1.397, P = .002) and the Ex‐TAPSE/SPAP ratio (HR: 2.737, P = .006) were associated with cardiac events. In Kaplan‐Meier analysis, patients with a low Ex‐TAPSE (<24 mm) and Ex‐TAPSE/SPAP ratio (<0.50 mm/mmHg) had a higher incidence of adverse outcomes than those with high Ex‐TAPSE (Log rank, P < .001 and =.001, respectively).

Conclusions

A low Ex‐TAPSE and Ex‐TAPSE/SPAP ratio were associated with adverse outcomes in nHCM. Evaluation of RV functional performance during exercise may play a crucial role in the risk stratification of nHCM.
Biological effects of secondary metabolites of Inula racemosa on the parasitoid Bracon hebetor
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Saraf Isha , Kumar Rakesh , Singh Inder Pal , Kaur Sanehdeep
Published: May 2021

Secondary plant metabolites play an important role in mediating interactions among plants, insect herbivores, and their parasitoids. These defensive compounds not only affect the growth and development of herbivores, but also influence their natural enemies. In the present study, the diet‐mediated effect of hexane extract of Inula racemosa (Hooker fil.) (Asteraceae) was evaluated on the growth and development of the gregarious ectoparasitoid Bracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) using a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), as its host. The influence of various concentrations of I. racemosa extract was recorded on B. hebetor’s parasitization behavior on its host larvae. The parasitism rate of naive female wasps decreased significantly when host larvae were reared on treated diet, but no adverse effect of plant extract was recorded on the viability of eggs. Detrimental effects of the plant extract were also detected in the form of reduced survival and delayed development of the parasitoid. Ingestion of hexane‐extract‐supplemented diet by S. litura adversely affected the emergence and parasitism rate of adults from the first generation of B. hebetor. In conclusion, consumption of I. racemosa extract by S. litura had a negative impact on various biological parameters of B. hebetor, although lower concentrations of plant extract had no adverse effects. There is a need to study the possible effects of secondary metabolites on these trophic interactions under natural conditions.
Clinical and ultrasound evaluation of patients with haemophilia on prophylaxis
Authors: Daffunchio Carla , Galatro Gustavo , Rossi Martín , Landro María , Andreu Mauro , Neme Daniela , Caviglia Horacio
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Primary prophylaxis is the current gold standard in haemophilia care for the prevention of bleeding and ensuing joint damage. Early detection of joint bleeding, whether symptomatic or subclinical, preferably during childhood, helps prevent joint deterioration and subsequent disability. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of agreement between the Haemophilia Joint Health Score and the Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound tools in children with severe haemophilia on primary and secondary prophylaxis.

Materials and Methods

All patients were followed up regularly at our centre. Elbows, knees and ankles were evaluated by physical examination using the Haemophilia Joint Health Score 2.1 (HJHS 2.1), and by ultrasound with HEAD‐US score.

Results

A total of 80 children with haemophilia on prophylaxis were included in this study. Mean age was 10.8 years (range 4–18). We evaluated 480 joints, of which 423 (88.1%) were concordant with both tools, whereas 57 (11.9%) were discordant; 377 (78.5%) joints scored 0 on HJHS, 370 (77%) on HEAD‐US and 345 (72%) on both tools. The overall Kappa concordance coefficient was .656. For elbows, knees and ankles the respective values were .783, .522 and .589. For HJHS scores greater than 3, all joints scored ≥1 on HEAD‐US.

Conclusion

HJHS and HEAD‐US are used to assess joint health in children with haemophilia on prophylaxis. In this study, the level of agreement between both tools was consistent with literature values only for the elbow joint.
The emergence of creativity as an academic discipline: Examining the institutionalization of higher education programs
Authors: Aktas Fatih
Published: May 2021

As a result of globalization and the digital revolution, the concept of creativity has become increasingly central to education policy and practice. On the one hand, the calls for creativity are driven by an economic imperative. The argument is that there has been a shift from an industrial‐based economy to a knowledge‐based economy to a creative economy. The calls for creativity are also driven by the social and personal development of individuals, approaching the concept more holistically. The increasing importance attached to the creativity concept has already resulted in the growth of the degree‐, certificate‐ and award‐bearing programs across higher education institutions. Building on a social constructivist perspective and adopting critical discourse analysis, this study examines how universities approach the conceptualization and institutionalization of the concept of creativity by undertaking content analysis of creativity related program mission statements and curriculum materials.
Effect of a sodium hypochlorite mouthwash on plaque and clinical parameters of periodontal disease‐a systematic review
Authors: Hussain Ahsan Mehran , van der Weijden G. A. (Fridus) , Slot Dagmar Else
Published: May 2021

Objective

The present study aimed to establish the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite mouthwash (NaOCl‐MW) compared with a control mouthwash on plaque and clinical parameters of periodontal disease.

Methods

MEDLINE‐PubMed, Embase and Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched for clinical trials on patients with gingivitis or periodontitis that assessed the effect of NaOCl‐MW in comparison with a negative or positive control on plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding index (BI) scores and probing pocket depth (PPD). Data were extracted from the eligible studies.

Results

Seven eligible papers were retrieved, which together represented six clinical trials. The studies showed considerable heterogeneity regarding methodological and clinical aspects that did not permit a meta‐analysis. Two of the three studies in which NaOCl‐MW was compared with a negative control showed that NaOCl‐MW significantly reduced PI, GI and BI, and no effect was found on PPD. In three studies, NaOCl‐MW was assessed using chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX‐MW) as a positive control; no difference was found for GI and BI. One of the three comparisons showed a statistically significant PI score favouring NaOCl‐MW. One study measured PPD and found it to be significant in favour of NaOCl‐MW.

Conclusions

Studies with a negative control group provided very weak quality evidence for a very small beneficial effect of NaOCl‐MW on PI, GI and BI scores. Studies with a positive control group provided very weak quality evidence that NaOCl‐MW had a similar effect as CHX‐MW on PI, GI and BI scores. The outcome for PPD was inconclusive.
Insight into the corrosion failure of mullite thermal insulation materials in carbon monoxide
Authors: Xiang Ruofei , Li Yuanbing , Li Shujing , Xue Zhengliang , Wang Hailu
Published: May 2021

The service condition of mullite thermal insulation materials is complicated, the effects of carbon deposition are always considered the primary cause of damage to mullite ceramic in carbon monoxide atmosphere. In the present study, mullite thermal insulation material was subjected to a carbon monoxide atmosphere at 1100°C–1400°C. The thermodynamics stability, phase composition, and microstructure of the mullite thermal insulation material were analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of carbon monoxide corrosion on thermal shock resistance and compressive creep behavior at high temperatures were evaluated. The carbon content in the mullite‐based insulation material is below 0.02% after treatment at 1100°C–1400°C. After treatment at 1400°C, most areas in the specimen comprised corundum and glass phase, and K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Fe were detected as impurities, leading to the improvement of cold crushing strength after 20 thermal shocks but a remarkable recession in high‐temperature compressive creep.
Formation of low‐voltage zones on the anterior left atrial wall due to mechanical compression by the ascending aorta
Authors: Hayashida Satoshi , Nagashima Koichi , Kurokawa Sayaka , Arai Masaru , Watanabe Ryuta , Wakamatsu Yuji , Otsuka Naoto , Yagyu Seina , Iso Kazuki , Okumura Yasuo
Published: May 2021

Background

Although low‐voltage zones (LVZs) in the left atrium (LA) are considered arrhythmogenic substrates in some patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the pathophysiologic factors responsible for LVZ formations remain unclear.

Objective

To elucidate the anatomical relationship between the LA and ascending aorta responsible for anterior LA wall remodeling.

Methods

We assessed the relationship between existence of LVZs on the anterior LA wall and the three‐dimensional computed tomography image measurements in 102 patients who underwent AF ablation.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients (28%) had LVZs grearer than 1.0 cm2 on the LA wall in the LA‐ascending aorta contact area (LVZ group); no LVZs were seen in the other 73 patients (no‐LVZ group). The LVZ group (vs. no‐LVZ group) had a smaller aorta‐LA angle (21.0 ± 7.7° vs. 24.9 ± 7.1°, p = .015), greater aorta‐left‐ventricle (LV) angle (131.3 ± 8.8° vs. 126.0 ± 7.9°; p = .005), greater diameter of the noncoronary cusp (NCC; 20.4 ± 2.2 vs. 19.3 ± 2.5 mm; p = .036), thinner LA wall‐thickness adjacent to the NCC (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8 mm; p = .006), and greater cardiothoracic ratio (percentage of the area in the thoracic area, 40.1 ± 7.1% vs. 35.4 ± 5.7%, p < .001). The aorta‐LA angle correlated positively with the patients’ body mass index (BMI), and the aorta‐LV angle correlated negatively with the body weight and BMI.

Conclusion

Deviation of the ascending aorta's course and distention of the NCC appear to be related to the development of LA anterior wall LVZs in the LA‐ascending aorta contact area. Mechanical pressure exerted by extracardiac structures on the LA along with the limited thoracic space may contribute to the development of LVZs associated with AF.
The epidemiology of Guillain‐Barré syndrome in Thailand over 13 years (2005‐2017): A nationwide population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kasemsap Narongrit , Vorasoot Nisa , Kongbunkiat Kannikar , Tiamkao Somsak , Chotmongkol Veerajit , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Panitchote Anupol
Published: May 2021

There have been no published studies examining the epidemiology of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) in large populations in Thailand. This study aimed to explore the incidence, patient characteristics, seasonality, treatments, and outcomes of GBS in Thailand. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) provided data on in‐patient admission between fiscal year 2005 and 2017. We selected all patients with a primary diagnosis of GBS. We retrieved data regarding the total population from the Department of Provincial Administration. A total of 4521 patients with GBS were included. The median age was 42 years (IQR 22‐56), and 61.5% were male. The incidence rate increased from 0.48 to 0.93 per 100 000 population over the 13 years. The incidence was increased with age and a male‐to‐female ratio of 1.6:1. There was seasonal variation in the rate of admission for GBS, with significantly more patients admitted in rainy vs summer (IRR 1.94, 95%CI 1.80‐2.10, P < .001) and winter vs summer (IRR 1.48, 95%CI 1.36‐1.60, P < .001). Treatment with IVIg increased from 4.4% to 29.6% (P < .001), whereas plasmapheresis decreased significantly from 4% to 1.32% (P = .017). The mortality rate was 3.5%. Elderly and young adults had a significantly higher mortality rate when compared to children and teenagers (P < .001 and P = .003). The incidence of GBS in Thailand was steady over 13 years and was greater in rainy and winter season. Treatment with IVIg increased while plasmapheresis decreased. Mortality was higher in elderly patients.
Perspectives of Black women in the United States on salon‐based intervention to promote the uptake of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
Authors: Johnson Ragan , Myers Danielle , McKellar Mehri , Saint‐Hillaire Lamercie , Randolph Schenita D.
Published: May 2021

Aims and objectives

To understand Black women's perspectives on a pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) education intervention in a salon setting.

Background

Black women have a significant lifetime risk of acquiring HIV. Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention approach in reducing that risk. Despite this, Black women are least likely to use PrEP.

Design

This was a qualitative study to identify Black women's perspectives on acceptability of a PrEP education intervention in a salon setting using hair stylists. The paper adhered to the COREQ checklist in reporting.

Methods

Seven focus groups among Black women (n = 44) living in north‐central North Carolina were conducted. Ethical approval was obtained. The interview guide included questions on knowledge of PrEP and barriers and facilitators to a PrEP promotion programme in a salon setting.

Results

Conventional content analysis considered content in relation to themes of facilitators, barriers and women's preferences for intervention delivery. Facilitators included the salon characteristics, social culture and relationship with the stylist. Women noted concerns of accuracy of content from stylists and privacy as barriers.

Conclusions

Participants’ trust with their stylists make a PrEP education salon‐based intervention feasible. Salon‐based interventions are not one‐size‐fits‐all and researchers interested in this setting should tailor interventions to the individual salon. Interventions for PrEP in a salon setting should be culturally appropriate, confidential and consider the potential reach to the social networks of Black women in the salon.

Relevance to clinical practice

The insights shared by Black women can contribute to developing a PrEP uptake intervention as a way of reducing new cases of HIV.
Nurses as ‘second victims’ to their patients’ suicidal attempts: A mixed‐method study
Authors: Amit Aharon Anat , Fariba Moor , Shoshana Fridman , Melnikov Semyon
Published: May 2021

Aims and objectives

To understand the effects of patients’ suicidal attempts and events on nurses’ second victim symptoms and to explore the association between these experiences and nurse absenteeism and turnover.

Background

The term ‘second victim’ is when a healthcare professional expresses psychological symptom following adverse patient event. This has been previously shown to be associated with absenteeism and higher staff turnover.

Design

A mixed‐methods study with a sequential exploratory approach.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used for nurses to relate their experiences of their patients’ suicidal attempts. A cross‐sectional quantitative study was conducted in 150 nurses who worked in internal departments. The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool was used to substantiate and measure second victim related distress of nurses who treated suicidal patients. The qualitative data were analysed by a constant comparative analysis method. The analytic analysis of the quantitative study included Pearson's correlations and hierarchical linear regression model to assess the explanatory variables to absenteeism and staff turnover. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies and the COREQ guidelines for qualitative studies.

Results

The qualitative part identified three themes and nine sub‐themes, including the new variable ‘sense of being alone’. The quantitative part of the study found that nurses expressed a medium level of second victim related distress. After controlling for demographic variables, second victim distress and the sense of being alone following patients’ suicidal events may explain nurse absenteeism and turnover.

Conclusions

Nurses who experience suicidal attempts of their patients react as second victims. These symptoms lead to nurse absenteeism and turnover.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses who experience suicidal attempts of their patients need treatment and support as second victims, the same as in any other medical adverse event. The nursing leadership should emotionally support these nurses and prevent consequential staff organisational problems.
National identities, non‐human animals and climate change: How to dismantle the discourses that govern our lives
Authors: Forte Diego L.
Published: May 2021

Climate justice involves social and discursive practices shaped by representations deeply rooted in the common sense of societies. Different conditions of social life lead to categorize in different ways the term, including and excluding features according to convenience, necessity, proximity, etc. In this process, our representation of the world plays a central role. As citizens of modern countries, our lives are constrained by different discourses. The most important ones are national stories: they not only define the identity of the Nation but our identity as citizens.

In this commentary, I examine how, relatedly, ideologies of national identity can promote or detract from decolonial climate action and I also suggest some links between climate justices and anti‐hegemonic movements.
Ancient horse genomes reveal the timing and extent of dispersals across the Bering Land Bridge
Authors: Vershinina Alisa O. , Heintzman Peter D. , Froese Duane G. , Zazula Grant , Cassatt‐Johnstone Molly , Dalén Love , Der Sarkissian Clio , Dunn Shelby G. , Ermini Luca , Gamba Cristina , Groves Pamela , Kapp Joshua D. , Mann Daniel H. , Seguin‐Orlando Andaine , Southon John , Stiller Mathias , Wooller Matthew J. , Baryshnikov Gennady , Gimranov Dmitry , Scott Eric , Hall Elizabeth , Hewitson Susan , Kirillova Irina , Kosintsev Pavel , Shidlovsky Fedor , Tong Hao‐Wen , Tiunov Mikhail P. , Vartanyan Sergey , Orlando Ludovic , Corbett‐Detig Russell , MacPhee Ross D. , Shapiro Beth
Published: May 2021

The Bering Land Bridge (BLB) last connected Eurasia and North America during the Late Pleistocene. Although the BLB would have enabled transfers of terrestrial biota in both directions, it also acted as an ecological filter whose permeability varied considerably over time. Here we explore the possible impacts of this ecological corridor on genetic diversity within, and connectivity among, populations of a once wide‐ranging group, the caballine horses (Equus spp.). Using a panel of 187 mitochondrial and eight nuclear genomes recovered from present‐day and extinct caballine horses sampled across the Holarctic, we found that Eurasian horse populations initially diverged from those in North America, their ancestral continent, around 1.0–0.8 million years ago. Subsequent to this split our mitochondrial DNA analysis identified two bidirectional long‐range dispersals across the BLB ~875–625 and ~200–50 thousand years ago, during the Middle and Late Pleistocene. Whole genome analysis indicated low levels of gene flow between North American and Eurasian horse populations, which probably occurred as a result of these inferred dispersals. Nonetheless, mitochondrial and nuclear diversity of caballine horse populations retained strong phylogeographical structuring. Our results suggest that barriers to gene flow, currently unidentified but possibly related to habitat distribution across Beringia or ongoing evolutionary divergence, played an important role in shaping the early genetic history of caballine horses, including the ancestors of living horses within Equus ferus.
The relationship between retinal microcirculation and right heart catheterization and echocardiography findings in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hekimsoy Vedat , Kılınç Hekimsoy Hilal , Şekeroğlu Mehmet Ali , Kaya Ergün Barış , Tokgözoğlu Lale
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine the possible alterations of retinal microcirculation associated with right‐sided intracardiac pressures in patients with IPAH.

Methods

Twenty patients with IPAH and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were included in the study. Hemodynamic data were obtained from the most recent right heart catheterization. Echocardiographic examination was performed within 24 h of ophthalmological examination. For the right eyes of all participants, high‐resolution scans of chorioretinal microvascular networks at different depths of the retina were captured via OCT angiography.

Results

The perfusion of the superﬁcial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP), and choriocapillaris (CCP) flow area were significantly lower than those in healthy control subjects (p < .05 for all). In IPAH group, PVR and mPAP were correlated significantly with the perfusion measurements at SCP and DCP (r = .461, r = .626 and r = .625, r =0.730, respectively, p < .05). sPAP and TRV were positively correlated with the perfusion measurements at SCP and DCP (r = .600, r = .662 and r = .670, r = .655 p < .05).

Conclusions

The positive correlation of retinal perfusion at SCP and DCP with right‐sided echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements unveiled that retinal microcirculation is affected by the pressure alterations in the pulmonary circulation of IPAH patients.
Targeted elimination of species‐rich larval habitats can rapidly collapse arbovirus vector mosquito populations at hotel compounds in Zanzibar
Authors: Kampango A. , Furu P. , Sarath D. L. , Haji K. A. , Konradsen F. , Schiøler K. L. , Alifrangis M. , Weldon C. W. , Saleh F.
Published: May 2021

Understanding the dynamics of larval habitat utilization by mosquito communities is crucial for the design of efficient environmental control strategies. The authors investigated the structure of mosquito communities found at hotel compounds in Zanzibar, networks of mosquito interactions with larval habitats and robustness of mosquito communities to elimination of larval habitats. A total of 23 698 mosquitoes comprising 26 species in six genera were found. Aedes aegypti (n = 16 207), Aedes bromeliae/Aedes lillie (n = 1340), Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 1300) and Eretmapodites quinquevitattus (n = 659) were the most dominant species. Ecological network analyses revealed the presence of dominant, larval habitat generalist species (e.g., A. aegypti), exploiting virtually all types of water holding containers and few larval habitat specialist species (e.g., Aedes natalensis, Orthopodomyia spp). Simulations of mosquito community robustness to systematic elimination of larval habitats indicate that mosquito populations are highly sensitive to elimination of larval habitats sustaining higher mosquito species diversity. This study provides insights on potential foci of future mosquito‐borne arboviral disease outbreaks in Zanzibar and underscores the need for detailed knowledge on the ecological function of larval habitats for effective mosquito control by larval sources management.
Faster disease progression in Parkinson’s disease with type 2 diabetes is not associated with increased α‐synuclein, tau, amyloid‐β or vascular pathology
Authors: de Pablo‐Fernández Eduardo , Courtney Robert , Rockliffe Alice , Gentleman Steve , Holton Janice L. , Warner Thomas T.
Published: May 2021

Aims

Growing evidence suggests a shared pathogenesis between Parkinson's disease and diabetes although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of type 2 diabetes on Parkinson's disease progression and to correlate neuropathological findings to elucidate pathogenic mechanisms.

Methods

In this cohort study, medical records were retrospectively reviewed of cases with pathologically confirmed Parkinson's disease with and without pre‐existing type 2 diabetes. Time to disability milestones (recurrent falls, wheelchair dependence, dementia and care home placement) and survival were compared to assess disease progression and their risk estimated using Cox hazard regression models. Correlation with pathological data was performed, including quantification of α‐synuclein in key brain regions and staging of vascular, Lewy and Alzheimer's pathologies.

Results

Patients with PD and diabetes (male 76%; age at death 78.6 ± 6.2 years) developed earlier falls (p < 0.001), wheelchair dependence (p = 0.004), dementia (p < 0.001), care home admission (p < 0.001) and had reduced survival (p < 0.001). Predating diabetes was independently associated with a two to three‐fold increase in the risk of disability and death. Neuropathological assessment did not show any differences in global or regional vascular pathology, α‐synuclein load in key brain areas, staging of Lewy pathology or Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Conclusions

Pre‐existing type 2 diabetes contributes to faster disease progression and reduced survival in Parkinson's disease which is not driven by increased vascular, Lewy or Alzheimer's pathologies. Additional non‐specific neurodegeneration related to chronic brain insulin resistance may be involved.
Facial morphology analysis in osteogenesis imperfecta types I, III and IV using computer vision
Authors: Rousseau Maxime , Vargas Javier , Rauch Frank , Marulanda Juliana , Retrouvey Jean‐Marc ,   Members of the BBDC
Published: May 2021

Objective

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease that mainly affects the COL1A1/A2 genes. Individuals affected by OI types I, III, and IV have been reported to demonstrate characteristic facial manifestations of the disease. This study aimed to quantitatively assess OI patients’ morphological characteristics.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective case‐control study involved 306 individuals (145 male and 161 female). It used automatic facial annotation and statistical shape analysis to compare facial photographs of individuals affected by OI types I, III, and IV with a normocephalic control group. Four facial ratios were used to compare facial proportions. Additionally, we proposed a novel approach to facial analysis using 68 landmarks and statistical shape analysis to compare morphological features. A predictive model (PCALog) was trained to detect whether a subject was affected by OI, based on facial landmarks.

Results

Our findings correlate with previous reports of OI type III patients’ facial characteristics being the most severely affected among the three types studied. Our novel approach facilitated an interpretation and comparison of morphological changes. Moreover, we successfully trained our PCALog model to automatically detect OI based on landmark features.

Conclusion

We found patients’ facial manifestations of OI to be more pronounced at the level of the eyes and temples. Our morphological approach facilitates the comparison of various groups and should be considered for future craniofacial analysis studies. Machine learning models can be trained using facial landmarks to detect the presence of conditions that affect facial morphology.
Salt glands play a pivotal role in the salt resistance of four recretohalophyte Limonium Mill. species
Authors: Mi P. , Yuan F. , Guo J. , Han G. , Wang B.
Published: May 2021

Limonium Mill. plants are typical recretohalophytes, as they withstand salt stress by secreting excess salt onto the leaf surface through salt glands. However, little is known on the salinity thresholds of these plants and the function of salt glands in salt tolerance.

Here, we investigated the salinity thresholds of salt tolerance of the Limonium species L. aureum (Linn.) Hill, L. gmelinii (Willd.) Kuntze, L. otolepis (Schrenk) Kuntze and L. sinuatum (L.) Mill grown with various concentrations of NaCl.

The salinity thresholds of L. otolepis, L. aureum, L. sinuatum and L. gmelinii were 300, 350, 400 and 420 mm NaCl, respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that total dry weight, chlorophyll content and intercellular CO2 concentration were highly positively correlated with the total fresh weights of all four Limonium species and could therefore be used as indicators of plant salt tolerance. Furthermore, as the salt gland density on the leaf surface increased, the rate of salt secretion per salt gland also increased, allowing more Na+ to be secreted from the plant. Redundancy discriminant analysis indicated that salt gland density, Na+ content and Na+ secretion rate per salt gland were positively correlated with salt concentration.

These observations support the notion that salt glands play important roles in the adaptation of Limonium species to high salinity conditions.
Diverse Lobbying Coalitions and Influence in Notice‐and‐Comment Rulemaking
Authors: Dwidar Maraam A.
Published: May 2021

Many studies have identified a line of influence between interest group lobbying and the federal bureaucracy’s implementation of public policy. These works, however, have often focused on the influence of individual groups rather than coalitional efforts, which compose the majority of lobbying. Assessing this activity is critical to understanding the role of public participants in administrative policymaking. I test the influence of diverse coalitions of interest groups on bureaucratic policy outputs by analyzing a new dataset of organizations’ co‐signed public comments across nearly 350 federal agency rules proposed between 2005 and 2015. I find that agencies favor recommendations from organizationally diverse coalitions, and not coalitions that are bipartisan or dominated by business interests. Further, I find that coalition influence is heightened when lobbying in coalitions that are larger in size and more well‐resourced, and when policy salience is low. I conclude that diverse lobbying coalitions help bureaucrats to shape the direction and content of regulatory law. This conclusion further establishes the role of organizational participants in bureaucratic policymaking and contributes to the debate over democratic legitimacy in the administrative state.
Prevalence and burden of breathlessness in Australian adults: The National Breathlessness Survey—a cross‐sectional web‐based population survey
Authors: Poulos Leanne M. , Ampon Rosario D. , Currow David C. , Marks Guy B. , Toelle Brett G. , Reddel Helen K.
Published: May 2021

Background and objective

Chronic respiratory symptoms (in particular, breathlessness and cough) can cause physical, social and emotional distress, and may indicate the presence of an underlying disease that presages future poor health outcomes. Our aim was to investigate the burden of breathlessness in Australian adults, including breathlessness that may be undiagnosed, unlabelled or untreated.

Methods

The National Breathlessness Survey was a cross‐sectional, web‐based survey conducted in October 2019. Australian adults were randomly selected from a large web‐based survey panel with recruitment stratified by age‐group, gender and state of residence according to national population data. The main outcome measures were modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea scale, EuroQol visual analog scale, Dyspnoea‐12 score and 4‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐4).

Results

Among all respondents (n = 10,072; 51.1% female; median age group 40–49 years), 9.5% reported clinically important breathlessness (mMRC dyspnoea grade ≥ 2, 2 = ‘I walk slower than people of the same age on the level because of breathlessness or have to stop for breath when walking at my own pace on the level’). Among those with clinically important breathlessness, 49.1% rated their general health as fair or poor and 44.2% had at least moderate depression or anxiety symptoms (PHQ ≥ 6) but over half (50.8%) did not report a current respiratory or heart condition diagnosis.

Conclusion

Breathlessness is common among Australian adults, and is associated with a substantial burden of ill health, including among people without a diagnosed respiratory or heart condition. The extent of underdiagnosis of these conditions or alternative causes of breathlessness requires further investigation.
Research on the driving forces of urban hot spots based on exploratory analysis and binary logistic regression model
Authors: Cui Haifu , Wu Liang , Hu Sheng , Lu Rujuan , Wang Shanlin
Published: May 2021

The hot spots of people's activities are an important part of urban spatial structure research, and the analysis of the driving forces of urban hot spots can provide a scientific basis for urban planning. The determination of urban hot spots is affected by the heterogeneity of the analysis data, resulting in differences in the hot spot driving factors. To analyze the spatial distributions of urban hot spots, this article conducted a series of exploratory spatial analyses on spatiotemporal travel data and further applied a binary logistic regression (BLR) model to analyze the driving factors affecting the distribution of urban hot spots to accurately characterize the distribution pattern of urban hot spots. First, a spatial autocorrelation test was performed on the trajectory data. Based on the test results, the Getis–Ord statistical method was used to calculate the distribution area of urban hot spots. Second, considering the internal and external factors that affect the distribution of urban hot spots, 10 driving factors in the categories of terrain, socioeconomics, and road and transportation facility accessibility were selected as the independent variables in the regression model of the hot spot distribution. Third, a BLR model was used to establish a driving force model that altered the distribution of hot spots in cities to explore the influencing factors and the degree of the hot spot distribution. Finally, the accuracy of the hot spot driving force model was evaluated according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Taking Wuhan as an example, the results show that the area under the ROC curve of the hot spot model established in this article reaches 0.918, and the model has a good fit. The formation of urban hot spots is a combination of internal driving factors such as terrain and socioeconomics as well as external driving factors such as the accessibility of roads and transportation facilities. Among these factors, transportation facility accessibility contributes most to the hot spot distribution.
Creating open source composite geocoders: Pitfalls and opportunities
Authors: Prener Christopher G. , Fox Branson
Published: May 2021

Geocoding, the process of converting a street address into a pair of coordinates that facilitate mapping, is a perennial challenge for researchers. Both technical and practical barriers exist to geocoding itself and creating reproducible workflows that string multiple geocoders together (so‐called “composite” geocoders). This article presents a suite of open‐source tools designed to standardize American addresses and geocode them. These tools culminate in a composite geocoder for the city of St. Louis, Missouri, which serves as a proof‐of‐concept for developing sophisticated geocoding processes. We test this geocoder on a data set of 1,822 homicides for St. Louis between 2008 and 2018, comparing the results of our tools to a range of commercial providers. We find varying levels of efficiency and accuracy across the available commercial platforms and demonstrate that our in‐house tools provide high positional accuracy with significant efficiency increases.
Secular trends of Blood stream infections in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients 72 hours prior to death
Authors: Mani Shylaja , Aleixo Gabriel F. P. , Rybicki Lisa , Majhail Navneet S. , Mossad Sherif B.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Blood stream infections (BSI) frequently cause morbidity and mortality in allogeneic (allo) hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. Characteristics of causative organisms shortly before death have not been previously described. Early treatment with antimicrobial agents targeting the recent surge in multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens may lead to better outcomes.

Methods

This is retrospective study including 529 allo HCT recipients who died between 2000 and 2013. All patients who had BSI that happened 72 hours before death were included. BSI and criteria for antimicrobial resistance were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Healthcare Safety Network surveillance criteria.

Results

Overall, 104 BSI were identified from 91 patients. Bacterial infections accounted for 87% of the infections which were comprised by 37% gram‐negative organisms and 50% gram‐positive bacteria. The most common species were Enterococcus (30%), Staphylococcus (16%), and Pseudomonas (16%). Most enterococci were vancomycin resistant (87%), 100% of staphylococci were resistant to methicillin, and 64% of Pseudomonas were MDR. Over time there was a significant increase in vancomycin‐resistant enterococcal (P = .01) and gram‐negative BSI (P = .01). Blood stream infections were either the primary or secondary cause of death in 53% of patients.

Conclusions

In allo HCT recipients, vancomycin‐resistant enterococcal infections caused the majority of BSI 72 hours prior to death. Our findings provide information that may guide empiric antibiotic coverage in critically ill HCT recipients.
Feasibility and accuracy of 3D printed patient‐specific skull contoured brain biopsy guides
Authors: Shinn Richard , Park Clair , DeBose Kyrille , Hsu Fang‐Chi , Cecere Thomas , Rossmeisl John
Published: May 2021

Objective

Design 3D printed skull contoured brain biopsy guides (3D‐SCGs) from computed tomography (CT) or T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1W MRI).

Study Design

Feasibility study.

Sample Population

Five beagle dog cadavers and two client‐owned dogs with brain tumors.

Methods

Helical CT and T1W MRI were performed on cadavers. Planned target point was the head of the caudate nucleus. Three‐dimensional‐SCGs were created from CT and MRI using commercially available open‐source software. Using 3D‐SCGs, biopsy needles were placed into the caudate nucleus in cadavers, and CT was performed to assess needle placement accuracy, followed by histopathology. Three‐dimensional‐SCGs were then created and used to perform in vivo brain tumor biopsies.

Results

No statistical difference was found between the planned target point and needle placement. Median needle placement error for all planned target points was 2.7 mm (range: 0.86–4.5 mm). No difference in accuracy was detected between MRI and CT‐designed 3D‐SCGs. Median needle placement error for the CT was 2.8 mm (range: 0.86–4.5 mm), and 2.2 mm (range: 1.7–2.7 mm) for MRI. Biopsy needles were successfully placed into the target in the two dogs with brain tumors and biopsy was successfully acquired in one dog.

Conclusion

Three‐dimensional‐SCGs designed from CT or T1W MRI allowed needle placement within 4.5 mm of the intended target in all procedures, resulting in successful biopsy in one of two live dogs.

Clinical Significance

This feasibility study justifies further evaluation of 3D‐SCGs as alternatives in facilities that do not have access to stereotactic brain biopsy.
“I-Spots” and Emmons’ Spot Production Rate
Authors: Mayle Robert E. , Stripf Matthias
Published: May 2021

A new intermittency function flagging the turbulent, becalmed, and non-becalmed regions of transitional flow is introduced. In addition, a method is developed to detect embedded incipient turbulent spots within the non-becalmed regions of the flow, which are then documented, counted, and related to Emmons’ spot production rate. This in turn is used to calculate an intermittency distribution which when compared with that measured displays an excellent agreement. Finally, it is shown that correlations based on Narasimha’s intermittency equation are highly questionable.