bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Hormonal Blueprint of Shoot-Borne Adventitious Root Development in Rice and Maize
Authors: Singh Zeenu , Singh Harshita , Garg Tushar , Mushahary Khrang Khrang Khunggur , Yadav Shri Ram
Published: June 2022

The evolution of root architecture in plants was a prerequisite for the absorption of water and minerals from the soil, and thus a major determinant of terrestrial plant colonization. Cereals have a remarkably complex root system consisting of embryonic primary roots and post-embryonic lateral roots and shoot-borne adventitious roots. Among grass species, rice adventitious roots (also called crown roots) are developed from compressed nodes at the stem base, whereas in maize, besides crown roots, several aboveground brace roots are also formed, thus adventitious root types display species-specific diversity. Despite being the backbone for the adult root system in monocots, adventitious roots are the least studied of all the plant organs. In recent times, molecular genetics, genomics and proteomics-based approaches have been utilized to dissect the mechanism of post-embryonic meristem formation and tissue patterning. Adventitious root development is a cumulative effect of the actions and interactions of crucial genetic and hormonal regulators. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view of the key regulators involved during the different stages of adventitious root development in two important crop plants, rice and maize. We have reviewed the roles of major phytohormones, microRNAs and transcription factors and their crosstalk during adventitious root development in these cereal crops.
Abnormal antibodies to self-carbohydrates in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients
Authors: Butler Dorothy L , Imberti Luisa , Quaresima Virginia , Fiorini Chiara ,   NIAID COVID-19 Consortium, Barnett Jason , Chauvin Samuel , Cheng Xi , Danielson Jeffrey , Dobbs Kerry , Garabedian Elizabeth , Kuram Vasu , Lau William , Li Zhiwen , Magliocco Mary , Matthews Helen , Nambiar Marshall , Samuel Smilee , Shaw Elana , Stack Michael , Weber Sarah , Xirasagar Sandhya , Zhang Yu , Gildersleeve Jeffrey C
Published: June 2022

Our immune system is critical for preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 infections, but aberrant immune responses can have deleterious effects. While antibodies to glycans could recognize the virus and influence the clinical outcome, little is known about their roles. Using a carbohydrate antigen microarray, we profiled serum antibodies in healthy control subjects and COVID-19 patients from two separate cohorts. COVID-19 patients had numerous autoantibodies to self-glycans, including antiganglioside antibodies that can cause neurological disorders. Additionally, nearly all antiglycan IgM signals were lower in COVID-19 patients, indicating a global dysregulation of this class of antibodies. Autoantibodies to certain N-linked glycans correlated with more severe disease, as did low levels of antibodies to the Forssman antigen and ovalbumin. Collectively, this study indicates that expanded testing for antiglycan antibodies could be beneficial for clinical analysis of COVID-19 patients and illustrates the importance of including host and viral carbohydrate antigens when studying immune responses to viruses.
An intranasally administrated SARS-CoV-2 beta variant subunit booster vaccine prevents beta variant replication in rhesus macaques
Authors: Sui Yongjun , Li Jianping , Andersen Hanne , Zhang Roushu , Prabhu Sunaina K , Hoang Tanya , Venzon David , Cook Anthony , Brown Renita , Teow Elyse , Velasco Jason , Pessaint Laurent , Moore Ian N , Lagenaur Laurel , Talton Jim , Breed Matthew W , Kramer Josh , Bock Kevin W , Minai Mahnaz , Nagata Bianca M , Choo-Wosoba Hyoyoung , Lewis Mark G , Wang Lai-Xi , Berzofsky Jay A
Published: June 2022

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and waning of vaccine/infection-induced immunity pose threats to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective, safe, and convenient booster vaccines are in need. We hypothesized that a variant-modified mucosal booster vaccine might induce local immunity to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection at the port of entry. The beta-variant is one of the hardest to cross-neutralize. Herein, we assessed the protective efficacy of an intranasal booster composed of beta variant-spike protein S1 with IL-15 and TLR agonists in previously immunized macaques. The macaques were first vaccinated with Wuhan strain S1 with the same adjuvant. A total of 1 year later, negligibly detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody remained. Nevertheless, the booster induced vigorous humoral immunity including serum- and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-IgG, secretory nasal- and BAL-IgA, and neutralizing antibody against the original strain and/or beta variant. Beta-variant S1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were also elicited in PBMC and BAL. Following SARS-CoV-2 beta variant challenge, the vaccinated group demonstrated significant protection against viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, with almost full protection in the nasal cavity. The fact that one intranasal beta-variant booster administrated 1 year after the first vaccination provoked protective immunity against beta variant infections may inform future SARS-CoV-2 booster design and administration timing.
Districts for a New Decade—Partisan Outcomes and Racial Representation in the 2021–22 Redistricting Cycle
Authors: Warshaw Christopher , McGhee Eric , Migurski Michal
Published: June 2022

This article provides an overview of the new congressional and state legislative districts that were drawn around the country during the 2021–2022 redistricting cycle. We provide background on the redistricting landscape, most notably the changing federal role in both partisan and minority representation. We also discuss the process used to draw the new districts in each state. We then provide an empirical look at partisan fairness, competitiveness, and minority representation in the new plans. We find that both parties have enacted increasingly extreme partisan gerrymanders when they control the redistricting process. The combination of Republicans’ control of the redistricting process in far more states than Democrats and the inefficient concentration of Democrats in cities has enabled Republicans to largely maintain an advantage in the translation of votes to seats in both Congress and many state legislatures. As a result, the policymaking process in many states will continue to be skewed in a conservative direction. At the same time, nonpartisan commissions appear to offer a consistent means to produce less biased and more competitive maps than when parties drawn the lines. Finally, while Black and Latino representation has improved in some places, both groups of voters remain underrepresented. We conclude by discussing lessons for both scholars and advocates.
Use of primary health care and radiological imaging preceding a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide cohort study in Denmark
Authors: de Thurah Annette , Jensen Henry , Maribo Thomas , Jensen Martin B , Sandbæk Annelli , Hauge Ellen-Margrethe , Rasmussen Linda Aa
Published: June 2022

Objective

To explore health-care use in the 12 months preceding a diagnosis of RA in Denmark.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study using data from national registries. Every patient diagnosed with RA in 2014–18 was matched to 10 reference individuals without RA from the Danish background population. Health-care use was defined as contacts to general practitioners, contacts to private practicing physiotherapists, and X-rays of hands and/or feet performed in primary or secondary care. We estimated the monthly contact rates for patients and references in the 12 months preceding the diagnosis, and we compared incidence rates for health-care use in each month between the two groups while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidity.

Results

We included 7427 patients with RA and 74 270 references. Patients with RA had increasing contact rates with general practitioners and physiotherapists from 6 to 8 months before the diagnosis. Compared with references, women with RA had statistically significantly more contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists during all 12 months. A similar contact pattern was seen in men, albeit less distinct. The number of X-rays increased slightly from 8 months before the diagnosis, with a steep increase in the last 3 months.

Conclusion

Increased contacts to general practitioners and physiotherapists were seen in all 12 months preceding the RA diagnosis, intensifying in the last 6 to 8 months. Imaging increased from 3 months before the diagnosis. This indicates an opportunity to expedite referral to specialist care and ensure earlier diagnosis of RA.
Pretreatment attrition and treatment initiation delay among rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis patients in Lagos, Nigeria: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Adejumo Olusola A , Daniel Olusoji , Adepoju Victor A , Onoh Moses O , Sokoya Olusola D , Abdur-Razzaq Hussein , Moronfolu Olanike , Oyadotun Omolara M , Olusola-Faleye Bolanle
Published: June 2022

Background

Assessing associated factors of pretreatment attrition and treatment delays among rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) patients could serve as a valuable tool to control and prevent its community spread. We assessed the factors associated with pretreatment attrition and treatment initiation delays among RR-TB patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving secondary program data of RR-TB patients diagnosed using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay and initiated on treatment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017 in Lagos. Factors associated with pretreatment attrition and treatment initiation delay were determined using logistic regression.

Results

Of the 606 RR-TB patients diagnosed during the review period, 135 (22.3%) had pretreatment attrition. Previously treated TB patients had a 2.4-fold greater chance of having pretreatment attrition than new RR-TB patients (adjusted odds ratio 2.4 [95% confidence interval 1.2–5.0]). The median time to treatment initiation was 29 d (interquartile range [IQR] 18–49). It was longer for new RR-TB patients (49 d [IQR 36–59]) than previously treated TB patients (28 d [IQR 17–44]). A total of 47% had long treatment delays. Being newly diagnosed with RR-TB was associated with long treatment delays.

Conclusions

The pretreatment attrition rate and proportion of RR-TB patients with treatment delays were high. Pragmatic approaches to address the high pretreatment attrition and treatment delays in Lagos, Nigeria, are urgently needed.
Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma metabolomics of acute endurance exercise
Authors: Li Kefeng , Schön Martin , Naviaux Jane C. , Monk Jonathan M. , Alchus‐Laiferová Nikoleta , Wang Lin , Straka Igor , Matejička Peter , Valkovič Peter , Ukropec Jozef , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Naviaux Robert K. , Ukropcová Barbara
Published: June 2022

Metabolomics has emerged as a powerful new tool in precision medicine. No studies have yet been published on the metabolomic changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced by acute endurance exercise. CSF and plasma were collected from 19 young active adults (13 males and 6 females) before and 60 min after a 90‐min monitored outdoor run. The median age, BMI, and VO2 max of subjects was 25 years (IQR 22–31), 23.2 kg/m2 (IQR 21.7–24.5), and 47 ml/kg/min (IQR 38–51), respectively. Targeted, broad‐spectrum metabolomics was performed by liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). In the CSF, purines and pyrimidines accounted for 32% of the metabolic impact after acute endurance exercise. Branch chain amino acids, amino acid neurotransmitters, fatty acid oxidation, phospholipids, and Krebs cycle metabolites traceable to mitochondrial function accounted for another 52% of the changes. A narrow but important channel of metabolic communication was identified between the brain and body by correlation network analysis. By comparing these results to previous work in experimental animal models, we found that over 80% of the changes in the CSF correlated with a cascade of mitochondrial and metabolic changes produced by ATP signaling. ATP is released as a co‐neurotransmitter and neuromodulator at every synapse studied to date. By regulating brain mitochondrial function, ATP release was identified as an early step in the kinetic cascade of layered benefits produced by endurance exercise.
Narrative Review of Loudness Perception Measures in Children
Authors: Gustafson Samantha J. , Newsome Elsa , Flores Ashley N.
Published: June 2022

Recent surveys of pediatric audiologists have highlighted the need for improved understanding of pediatric loudness perception and their role in the hearing device fitting process. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of methods used to measure loudness perception and summarize the existing literature exploring loudness perception in children. A narrative literature review was conducted and 29 articles were reviewed to (1) provide evidence for or against developmental differences, (2) describe variability across listeners of the same age, and (3) discuss evaluations of test-retest reliability on measures of loudness discomfort levels (LDLs), loudness growth, and loudness balancing. A wide variety of methods have been used to measure loudness perception in children. Results of existing studies point to potential developmental differences in LDLs but relatively consistent growth of loudness across age. Considerable across-child variability of loudness perception suggests that estimating LDLs from hearing thresholds could introduce error into the hearing device fitting/mapping process. Additional areas in need of research include work using loudness balancing measures, improved understanding of how variations in clinical loudness scaling measures could influence measured loudness perception, and examination of the benefit of individually-measured loudness perception during pediatric hearing device fitting.
Combination therapy of tacrolimus, high doses of glucocorticosteroids, and cyclophosphamide against existing historical treatment for patients in severe conditions of interstitial lung diseases complicated with dermatomyositis
Authors: Lian Li , Li Mu , Li Yingchun , Wang Kang , Xu Shengqian
Published: June 2022

The high-dose glucocorticosteroid (GC) treatment is the first choice for dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial lung disease (DM-ILD) but patients are resistant to the high-dose GC monotherapy. Besides, the high dose of GC, the secondary immunosuppressive agent(s) is necessary but there is controversy for the selection of immunosuppressive agent(s). The objectives of the study were to analyze the efficacy of different therapeutic options for DM-ILD to identify the optimal therapy. A total of 60 patients had received intravenous 1.0–2.0 mg/ kg/day prednisolone for DM-ILD. In severe conditions, patients had received oral 1 to 3 mg/day tacrolimus (TAC), 500 mg/ m2/month cyclophosphamide (CY), and/or 1 g/ day methylprednisolone pulse (TI cohort, n = 24). In severe conditions, patients had received 1 g/day methylprednisolone pulse and 2–3 mg/ kg/day cyclosporine A (CsA) and/or 500 mg/ m2/month CY (existing historical treatment; CT cohort, n = 36). Patients of the TI cohort did not receive CsA. Patients in the CT cohort were received CY in significantly fewer numbers than those of the TI cohort during treatment (P = .0112). A total of 11 (46%) patients from the TI cohort and 14 (39%) patients from the CT cohort were developed relapsed. At the end of the 30-months, higher numbers of patients of the TI cohort had an event(s) free survival than those of the CT cohort (7 (29%) vs 2 (6%), P = .0229). Also, higher numbers of patients of the TI cohort had survived irrespective of an event(s) than those of the CT cohort (21 (87%) vs 22 (61%), P = .0399). Patients of the TI cohort had developed herpes zoster (2 (8%)) and cytomegalovirus (4 (17%)) infections. Patients of the CT cohort developed renal dysfunction (10 (28%)). Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and fracture (GC-related toxicities) were also reported in both cohorts and these toxicities were fever in the TI cohort. The addition of TAC to high doses GC with CY is an ideal treatment for severe conditions of DM-ILD (Level of Evidence: III; Technical Efficacy Stage: 4).
Clinical characteristics of 14 cases of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing
Authors: Zhang Anbing , Xia Xiuqiong , Yuan Xiaoling , Lv Yanhua , Liu Yuxia , Niu Haiming , Zhang Dandan , Liang Jianping
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

The objective of this study was to explore the clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment success rates.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective record review of 14 cases of severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing technology in our hospital. We extracted and analyzed data on the clinical symptoms and signs, contact history, laboratory investigations, chest computed tomography, treatment, and clinical outcomes.

Results:

Of the 14 patients, 12 (86%) were male and two (14%) were female, with a mean age of 57 years (SD: 7 years). Eleven patients (79%) had a history of poultry contact. The main clinical manifestations were fever (n = 14, 100%), flu-like symptoms (n = 10, 71%), cough, sputum (n = 9, 64%), and dyspnea (n = 5, 36%). Blood tests revealed marked elevation of neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, brain natriuretic peptide, and creatine kinase levels; slight elevation of aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, fibrinogen, and D-dimer levels; and decreased albumin, sodium, and calcium levels. Chest computed tomography showed bilateral lesions (n = 7, 50%), middle-lower lobe lesions (n = 10, 71%), lesions in multiple lobes (n = 9, 64%), consolidation shadows (n = 11, 79%), and pleural effusions (n = 11, 79%). The median time from disease onset to hospital admission was 4.5 days (interquartile range: 1–17 days); the mean length of hospital stay was 20.9 ± 8.5 days, and the mean time from admission to diagnosis was 5.1 ± 2.6 days. After diagnosis, patients were either treated with doxycycline alone or doxycycline combined with quinolones. All 14 patients developed respiratory failure and received invasive mechanical ventilation; two (14%) received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, four (29%) received continuous renal replacement therapy, and three (21%) died.

Discussion and conclusion:

A poultry contact history and typical flu-like symptoms are early indicators of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia. Substantial elevations in procalcitonin, creatine kinase, and brain natriuretic peptide indicate severe disease. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is useful for diagnosis. Early empirical antibiotic therapy with quinolones can reduce the mortality in critically ill patients.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Huang Wanbing , Li Bohou , Jiang Nan , Zhang Fengxia , Shi Wei , Zuo Li , Liu Shuangxin , Tang Bin
Published: June 2022

Severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 is currently causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, placing extreme strain on the global health system. Vaccination is the main measure for preventing the COVID-19 epidemic, especially for high-risk groups including patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, CKD patients receiving dialysis or kidney transplant may be characterized by decreased renal function and immune disorders, which may have uncertainties in their health. This overview aims to introduce the possible impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on kidney disease and its application in patients with CKD to provide evidence for the COVID-19 vaccine in patients with CKD. The data for this study were collected from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI). The following keywords were used: “COVID-19”, “COVID-19 vaccine,” and “CKD”. The publication time of the papers was set from the establishment of the databases to September 2021. A total of 47 studies were included, and patients with CKD are a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection and severe illness. Vaccination is a powerful tool for preventing CKD patients from COVID-19. Because of possible side effects, the recurrence or deterioration of kidney disease may occur in CKD patients after vaccination. Although vaccination for patients with CKD remains a problem, with the advantages outweighing the disadvantages, stable CKD patients should complete a vaccination plan, and doctors should be aware of the recurrence or deterioration of kidney disease and close monitoring.

Data access statement:

Research data supporting this publication are available from the electronic databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI).
Clinical differences between delayed and acute onset postoperative spinal infection
Authors: Choi Sung-Woo , Lee Jae Chul , Lee Won Seok , Hwang Jin Yeong , Baek Min Jung , Choi Yoon Seo , Jang Hae-Dong , Shin Byung-Joon
Published: June 2022

Spine surgeons often encounter cases of delayed postoperative spinal infection (PSI). Delayed-onset PSI is a common clinical problem. However, since many studies have investigated acute PSIs, reports of delayed PSI are rare. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features, treatment course, and prognosis of delayed PSI with acute PSI.

Ninety-six patients diagnosed with postoperative spinal infection were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into 2 groups: acute onset (AO) within 90 days (n = 73) and delayed onset (DO) after 90 days (n = 23). The baseline data, clinical manifestations, specific treatments, and treatment outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

The history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and metallic instrumentation at index surgery were more DO than the AO group. The causative organisms did not differ between the 2 groups. Redness or heat sensation around the surgical wound was more frequent in the AO group (47.9%) than in the DO group (21.7%) (P = .02). The mean C-reactive protein levels during infection diagnosis was 8.9 mg/dL in the AO and 4.0 mg/dL in the DO group (P = .02). All patients in the DO group had deep-layer infection. In the DO group, revision surgery and additional instrumentation were required, and the duration of parenteral antibiotic use and total antibiotic use was significantly longer than that in the AO group. Screw loosening, disc space collapse, and instability were higher in the DO group (65.2%) than in the AO group (41.1%) (P = .04). However, the length of hospital stay did not differ between the groups.

Delayed-onset PSI requires more extensive and longer treatment than acute-onset surgical site infection. Clinicians should try to detect the surgical site infection as early as possible.
Characteristics and immune checkpoint inhibitor effects on non-smoking non-small cell lung cancer with KRAS mutation
Authors: Wu Jia-Jun , Lee Po-Hsin , Zheng Zhe-Rong , Huang Yen-Hsiang , Tseng Jeng-Sen , Hsu Kuo-Hsuan , Yang Tsung-Ying , Yu Sung-Liang , Chen Kun-Chieh , Chang Gee-Chen
Published: June 2022

Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutation (KRASm) is associated with poor prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We have aimed to survey NSCLC patients harboring KRASm in Taiwan, where never-smoking lung adenocarcinoma predominates, and analyze the immune checkpoint inhibitor effect on NSCLC harboring KRASm.

NSCLC patients with KRASm were enrolled and tested on programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression using available tissue. We analyzed their clinical features, PD-L1 status, responses to ICIs, and overall survival (OS).

We studied 93 patients with a median age 66.0 years, 23.7% of whom were women, and 22.6% were never-smokers. The results showed that G12C (36.6%) was the most common KRASm. In 47 patients with available tissue for PD-L1 testing, PD-L1 expression was positive in 66.0% of patients, while PD-L1 ≥50% was higher in ever-smokers (P = .038). Among 23 patients receiving ICI treatment, those with PD-L1 ≥50% experience a 45.5% response rate to ICI. There were benefits from ICI treatment on OS compared with no ICI treatment (median OS 35.6 vs 9.8 months, P = .002) for all of our patients, and for patients with PD-L1 ≥50% (median OS not-reached vs 8.4 months, P = .008). There were no differences in survival across different KRAS subtypes (P = .666).

Never-smokers composed more than one-fifth of KRASm in NSCLC in Taiwan. A high PD-L1 expression was related to smoking history and responded well to ICI. ICI treatment improved the OS in NSCLC patients with KRASm, particularly those with PD-L1 ≥50%.
Use of ginger to control nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in patients with cervical cancer undergoing treatment
Authors: da Silva Romeika Lorena Mendes , da Silva Tâmara Taynah Medeiros , Pessoa Renata Lima , Sarmento Ayane Cristine Alves , Medeiros Kleyton Santos , Dantas Daniele Vieira , Dantas Rodrigo Assis Neves
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Uterine cervix tumors have an invasive nature, with the capacity to proliferate to surrounding organs such as the vagina, bladder, and rectum, as well as the capacity for dissemination and involvement of structures distant from its place of origin. According to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, patients with stages IB I, IB I microscopic (small dimension <4 cm) are indicated for radiotherapy or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin (40 mg/m2). However, cisplatin has side effects such as hematological implications (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia), gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), and fatigue. Zingiber officinale contains bioactive compounds that act on pregnancy and postoperative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and also in the management of fatigue, myalgia, and insomnia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ginger on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cervical cancer undergoing treatment with cisplatin and radiotherapy.

Methods and analyses:

A randomized intervention clinical and controlled trial with a triple-blind design is described, comparing the effects of institutional antiemetic therapy alone, as well as in combination with 2 different ginger concentrations.

Ethics and dissemination:

Due to the nature of the study, we obtained approval from the Division Ethics Committee of Liga Contra o Câncer. All participants signed an informed consent form prior to randomization. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The data collected will also be available in a public repository of data.

Trial registration number:

This study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under number RBR-47yx6p9. This study was approved by the Division Ethics Committee of Liga Contra o Câncer under CAAE 40602320.0.0000.5293.
Risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Li Pei-Chen , Lin Wen-Yu , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: June 2022

Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to find risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with ruptured ectopic pregnancies at a medical center in eastern Taiwan in a 19-year period. This was a retrospective observational study that included patients diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy between August 1999 and December 2018. Data about the demographic variables, initial presentation, pre-treatment beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels, treatment routes (laparoscopy or laparotomy), surgical methods (salpingostomy or salpingectomy), operation time, blood loss amount, the status of ectopic pregnancy (ruptured or unruptured), the requirement for transfusion, and duration of hospital stay were collected. The categorical and continuous variables were analyzed using the correlation coefficients. This study included 225 women who were diagnosed as having an ectopic pregnancy. There were 49 and 176 women with unruptured and ruptured ectopic pregnancies, respectively. The beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels, history of previous ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal surgery, abdominal history, and vaginal bleeding were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The ratio of women with abdominal pain was significantly higher in the ruptured ectopic pregnancy group than in the unruptured group (89.1% vs. 63.8%, respectively, P < .001). Preoperative hemoglobin was lower in the ruptured group compared with the unruptured group (P < .001). Blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin, and blood transfusion were significantly higher in the ruptured group than in the unruptured group (P = .000 and P = .001 for blood loss and blood transfusion, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that abdominal pain and blood loss were associated with ruptured tubal pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence intervals]: 3.42 {1.40, 8.40}; 1.01 {1.005, 1.014}, respectively). In conclusion, early pregnancy with abdominal pain, more parity, and lower preoperative hemoglobin should be aware of the possibility of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. More blood loss, transfusion and lower postoperative hemoglobin were also noted with ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Adult influenza epidemic is associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Suematsu Yasunori , Kuwano Takashi , Yamashita Motoki , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Sato Naoki , Ikeda Takanori , Nagao Ken , Yonemoto Naohiro , Tahara Yoshio , Saku Keijiro , Miura Shin-ichiro
Published: June 2022

It has been reported that influenza infection is associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin (OHCA-CA). However, the association between OHCA-CA and influenza epidemics in adults has not been well investigated.

We analyzed data from the All-Japan Utstein Registry, a prospective, nationwide, population-based, observational study, regarding OHCA-CA cases and the Infectious Diseases Weekly Report for influenza cases: 17,710 OHCA-CA cases and 764,808 influenza cases were recorded between 2005 and 2015 in Fukuoka, Japan. The weekly average number of OHCA-CA cases was positively associated with the number of patients with influenza infection (r = 0.70, P < .0001). To eliminate the effects of season and age, we investigated only adults in winter. The weekly number of OHCA-CA cases was positively associated with the number of patients with influenza infection in weeks when there was a high frequency of influenza infection in adults (r = 0.36, P = .006), but not in weeks with a medium (r = 0.26, P = .05) or low frequency of influenza infection (r = 0.003, P = 1.0). In weeks during which there was a high frequency of influenza infection, the weekly number of OHCA-CA cases was positively associated with the number of influenza infections in males (r = 0.37, P = .006), but not females (r = 0.18, P = .2).

The number of OHCA-CA cases was positively associated with the number of influenza infections in adult males during weeks in which there was a high frequency of influenza infections. To help prevent OHCA-CA in males, it might be beneficial to announce influenza epidemics specifically in adults, in addition to all ages.
COVID-19 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Clinical Nurse Specialists
Authors: Tenaglia Holly Kristy S. , Bishop Pamela
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine if a relationship exists between the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and posttraumatic stress disorder in clinical nurse specialists.

Design

The study used a nonexperimental, correlational, cross-sectional design to explore the relationship between exposure to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and posttraumatic stress disorder signs and symptoms.

Methods

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists distributed the electronic survey from August to October 2020. State affiliates and accrediting bodies distributed the survey from October to December 2020. The survey consisted of the Impact of Events Scale — Revised, which measures signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. The target sample size was at least 100.

Results

Statistically significant relationships were identified between the participant demographics, coronavirus 2019 exposure, and signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in clinical nurse specialists. Of 129 participants, 30% had Impact of Events Scale — Revised scores that are clinically concerning for posttraumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

Clinical nurse specialists can guide policy, practice, and education interventions to combat posttraumatic stress disorder due to the coronavirus 2019 pandemic.
NTRK-Rearranged Uterine Sarcomas: Clinicopathologic Features of 15 Cases, Literature Review, and Risk Stratification
Authors: Costigan Danielle C. , Nucci Marisa R. , Dickson Brendan C. , Chang Martin C. , Song Sharon , Sholl Lynette M. , Hornick Jason L. , Fletcher Christopher D.M. , Kolin David L.
Published: June 2022

NTRK-rearranged uterine sarcomas are rare spindle cell neoplasms that typically arise in the uterine cervix of young women. Some tumors recur or metastasize, but features which predict behavior have not been identified to date. Distinguishing these tumors from morphologic mimics is significant because patients with advanced stage disease may be treated with TRK inhibitors. Herein, we present 15 cases of NTRK-rearranged uterine sarcomas, the largest series to date. Median patient age was 35 years (range: 16 to 61). The majority arose in the uterine cervix (n=14) and all but 2 were organ-confined at diagnosis. Tumors were composed of an infiltrative, fascicular proliferation of spindle cells and most showed mild-to-moderate cytologic atypia. All were pan-TRK positive by immunohistochemistry (13/13); S100 (11/13) and CD34 (6/10) were usually positive. RNA or DNA sequencing found NTRK1 (10/13) and NTRK3 (3/13) fusions with partners TPR, TPM3, EML4, TFG, SPECC1L, C16orf72, and IRF2BP2. Unusual morphology was seen in 2 tumors which were originally diagnosed as unclassifiable uterine sarcomas, 1 of which also harbored TP53 mutations. Follow up was available for 9 patients, of whom 3 died of disease. By incorporating outcome data of previously reported tumors, adverse prognostic features were identified, including a mitotic index ≥8 per 10 high-power fields, lymphovascular invasion, necrosis, and NTRK3 fusion. Patients with tumors which lacked any of these 4 features had an excellent prognosis. This study expands the morphologic spectrum of NTRK-rearranged uterine sarcomas and identifies features which can be used for risk stratification.
Evaluation of the Hybrid Tracer Indocyanine Green–99mTc-Nanocolloid for Sentinel Node Biopsy in Bladder Cancer—A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Rietbergen Daphne D.D. , van Gennep Erik J. , KleinJan Gijs H. , Donswijk Maarten , Valdés Olmos Renato A. , van Rhijn Bas W. , van der Poel Henk G. , van Leeuwen Fijs W.B.
Published: June 2022

Rationale

In muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), lymph node invasion has proven to be an independent predictor of disease recurrence and cancer-specific survival. We evaluated the feasibility of targeting the sentinel node (SN) for biopsy in MIBC patients using the hybrid tracer indocyanine green (ICG)–99mTc-nanocolloid for simultaneous radioguidance and fluorescence guidance.

Methods

Twenty histologically confirmed cN0M0 MIBC patients (mean age, 63.3 years; range, 30–82 years), scheduled for radical cystectomy with SN biopsy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND), were prospectively included. Twelve patients were operated on following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The patients received lymphoscintigraphy as well as SPECT/CT after 4 transurethral injections of ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid (mean, 208 MBq; range, 172–229 MBq) around the tumor/scar in the detrusor muscle of the bladder on the day before radical cystectomy. Sentinel node resection was performed under radioguidance and fluorescence guidance.

Results

Nineteen patients could be analyzed. On preoperative imaging, SNs could be identified in 10 patients (53%; mean, 1.6 SN/patient), which revealed drainage pathways outside the ePLND in 20% of the patients. Interesting to note is that 2 patients (10%) with preoperative nonvisualization displayed fluorescent and radioactive SNs during surgery. Location of the primary tumor near the left lateral side of the bladder seemed to be a factor for nonvisualization. Nodal harvesting with ePLND varied among patients (mean, 23.3). Histopathology confirmed tumor-positive nodes in 4 (21%) of all patients. In the 2 patients where an SN could be identified, the ePLND specimens were tumor-negative. All patients with tumor-positive nodes had advanced disease (stage III).

Conclusion

Sentinel node biopsy in bladder cancer using the hybrid tracer ICG-99mTc-nanocolloid is feasible, and preoperative imaging is predictive for the ability to perform SN biopsy in 83% of the patients who displayed an SN. In patients with a successful preoperative SN mapping using lymphoscintigraphy and SPECT/CT, the intraoperative SN guidance and detection were effective, even outside the ePLND area. As such, this study underscores the critical role that preoperative imaging plays in challenging image-guided surgery applications.
Probable Methylphenidate-Related Reversible “Visual Snow” in a Child With ADHD
Authors: Naguy Ahmed , Naguy Camellia , Singh Anubhuti
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Visual snow syndrome is relatively a recently recognized neurological entity presenting primarily with positive visual disturbance. Etiology is largely speculative.

Methods

Authors report here on a child case of ADHD that developed a probable visual snow syndrome related to methylphenidate.

Results and Conclusions

Although remaining rare, prescribers ought to be cognizant of such unusual methylphenidate-related perceptual alterations.
The use of non-modelDrosophilaspecies to study natural variation in TOR pathway signaling
Authors: Steenwinkel Tessa E. , Hamre Kailee K. , Werner Thomas
Published: June 2022

Nutrition and growth are strongly linked, but not much is known about how nutrition leads to growth. To understand the connection between nutrition through the diet, growth, and proliferation, we need to study the phenotypes resulting from the activation and inhibition of central metabolic pathways. One of the most highly conserved metabolic pathways across eukaryotes is the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway, whose primary role is to detect the availability of nutrients and to either induce or halt cellular growth. Here we used the model organismDrosophila melanogaster(D. mel.) and three non-modelDrosophilaspecies with different dietary needs,Drosophila guttifera(D. gut.),Drosophila deflecta(D. def.), andDrosophila tripunctata(D. tri.), to study the effects of dietary amino acid availability on fecundity and longevity. In addition, we inhibited the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) pathway, using rapamycin, to test how the inhibition interplays with the nutritional stimuli in these four fruit fly species. We hypothesized that the inhibition of the TOR pathway would reverse the phenotypes observed under conditions of overfeeding. Our results show that female fecundity increased with higher yeast availability in all four species but decreased in response to TOR inhibition. The longevity data were more varied: most species experienced an increase in median lifespan in both genders with an increase in yeast availability, while the lifespan ofD. mel.females decreased. When exposed to the TOR inhibitor rapamycin, the life spans of most species decreased, except forD. tri,while we observed a major reduction in fecundity across all species. The obtained data can benefit future studies on the evolution of metabolism by showing the potential of using non-model species to track changes in metabolism. Particularly, our data show the possibility to use relatively closely relatedDrosophilaspecies to gain insight on the evolution of TOR signaling.
Comparative genomics support reduced-genome Paraburkholderia symbionts of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebas are ancestrally adapted professional symbionts
Authors: Noh Suegene , Capodanno Benjamin J. , Xu Songtao , Hamilton Marisa C. , Strassmann Joan E. , Queller David C.
Published: June 2022

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a predatory soil protist frequently used for studying host-pathogen interactions. A subset of D. discoideum strains isolated from soil persistently carry symbiotic Paraburkholderia, recently formally described as P. agricolaris, P. bonniea, and P. hayleyella. The three facultative symbiont species of D. discoideum present a unique opportunity to study a naturally occurring symbiosis in a laboratory model protist. In addition, there is a large difference in genome size between P. agricolaris (8.7 million base pairs) vs. P. hayleyella and P. bonniea (4.1 Mbp) and in GC content (62% vs. 59%). We took a comparative genomics approach and compared the three genomes of D. discoideum-symbionts to 12 additional Paraburkholderia genomes to test for genome evolution patterns that frequently accompany host adaptation. Overall, P. agricolaris is difficult to distinguish from other Paraburkholderia based on its genome size and content, but the two reduced genomes of P. bonniea and P. hayleyella display characteristics that support evolution in a host environment. In addition, all three D. discoideum-symbiont genomes have increased secretion system and motility genes that may mediate interactions with their host. Specifically, adjacent BurBor-like type 3 and T6SS-5-like type 6 secretion system operons shared among all three D. discoideum-symbiont genomes may be important for host interaction. Ultimately, our combined evidence supports that the reduced-genome D. discoideum-symbionts have evolved to be professional symbionts ancestrally adapted to their protist hosts.
Castration alters the circadian clock and Ucp1 expression in subcutaneous white adipose tissue of mice
Authors: Otsuka Tsuyoshi , Onishi Hiroki , Suzuki Mao , Marusawa Mami
Published: June 2022

Castration increases the risk of metabolic syndromes in mammals. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that castration increases the expression of Ucp1 in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT). However, how castration leads to thermogenic aberration remains poorly understood. Here, we found that castrated mice showed elevated Ucp1 expression in scWAT in response to cold exposure with an increase in body temperature in the light phase and a reduction in body weight gain with fat reduction despite showing no alterations in food intake, locomotor activity in a novel environment, and gastrocnemius muscle weight. We also analyzed the circadian behavioral rhythm and the expression rhythm of clock genes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and scWAT. We found that castrated mice showed fluctuations in circadian locomotor activity and a decrease in the expression rhythm of clock genes in the SCN (clock) and scWAT (Bmal1 and Per2). Moreover, the expression of Ucp1 in scWAT was rhythmic, and it was increased in castrated mice, while the expression of clock genes was decreased. These results indicate that castration may impact browning in scWAT through variations in the circadian clock and Ucp1 expression.
Compositional shifts associated with major evolutionary transitions in plants
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Walker-Hale Nathanael , Parins Fukuchi C. Tomomi
Published: June 2022

Heterogeneity in gene trees, morphological characters, and composition has been associated with several major clades across the plant tree of life. Here, we examine heterogeneity in composition across a large transcriptomic dataset of plants in order to better understand whether locations of shifts in composition are shared across gene regions and whether directions of shifts within clades are shared across gene regions.

We estimate mixed models of composition for both DNA and amino acids across a recent large scale transcriptomic dataset for plants.

We find shifts in composition across both DNA and amino acid datasets, with more shifts detected in DNA. We find that Chlorophytes and lineages within experience the most shifts. However, many shifts occur at the origins of land, vascular, and seed plants. While genes in these clades do not typically share the same composition, they tend to shift in the same direction. We discuss potential causes of these patterns.

Compositional heterogeneity has been highlighted as a potential problem for phylogenetic analysis, but the variation presented here highlights the need to further investigate these patterns for the signal of biological processes.

Plain language summary

We demonstrate that many nucleotide and amino acid compositional shifts in plants occur at the origins of major clades and while individual genes do not share the same composition they often shift in the same direction. We suggest that these patterns warrant further exploration as the signal of important biological processes during the evolution of plants.
A computationally-enhanced hiCLIP atlas reveals Staufen1 RNA binding features and links 3’ UTR structure to RNA metabolism
Authors: Chakrabarti Anob M. , Iosub Ira A. , Lee Flora C. Y. , Ule Jernej , Luscombe Nicholas M.
Published: June 2022

The structure of mRNA molecules plays an important role in its interactions with trans-acting factors, notably RNA binding proteins (RBPs), thus contributing to the functional consequences of this interplay. However, current transcriptome-wide experimental methods to chart these interactions are limited by their poor sensitivity. Here we extend the hiCLIP atlas of duplexes bound by Staufen1 (STAU1) ∼10-fold, through careful consideration of experimental assumptions, and the development of bespoke computational methods which we apply to existing data. We present Tosca, a Nextflow computational pipeline for the processing, analysis and visualisation of proximity ligation sequencing data generally. We use our extended duplex atlas to discover insights into the RNA selectivity of STAU1, revealing the importance of structural symmetry and duplex-span-dependent nucleotide composition. Furthermore, we identify heterogeneity in the relationship between STAU1-bound 3’ UTRs and metabolism of the associated RNAs that we relate to RNA structure: transcripts with short-range proximal 3’ UTR duplexes have high degradation rates, but those with long-range duplexes have low rates. Overall, our work enables the integrative analysis of proximity ligation data delivering insights into specific features and effects of RBP-RNA structure interactions.
AUF-1 knock down in mice overarches butyrate driven hypo-cholesteraemia by conjuring AUF-1-Dicer-1-miR122 hierarchy
Authors: Das Oishika , Kundu Jayanta , Ghosh Atanu , Gautam Anupam , Ghosh Souradeepa , Chakraborty Mainak , Masid Aaheli , Gauri Samiran Sona , Mitra Debmalya , Dutta Moumita , Mukherjee Budhaditya , Sinha Surajit , Bhaumik Moumita
Published: June 2022

This discourse probes the mechanistic molecular details of butyrate action in maintaining host-cholesterol balance. Hepatic miR122 being the most indispensable regulator of cholesterol metabolic enzymes, we studied upstream players of miR122 biogenesis in the presence and absence of butyrate in Huh7 cells and mice model. We showed that butyrate treatment caused upregulation of RNA-binding protein, AUF-1 resulting in RNase-III nuclease, Dicer-1 instability, and significant diminution of miR122. We proved its importance of AUF-1 and sequential downstream players in AUF-1-knock-down mice. We synthesized unique self-transfecting GMO (guanidinium-morpholino-oligonucleotides) linked PMO (Phosphorodiamidate-Morpholino Oligonucleotides)-based antisense reagent and injection of which in mouse caused near absence of AUF-1 coupled with increased Dicer-1 and miR122, and reduced serum cholesterol regardless of butyrate treatment indicating that butyrate acts though AUF-1. The roster of intracellular players was as follows: AUF-1-Dicer-1-miR122 for triggering butyrate driven hypocholesterlaemia. To our knowledge this is the first report linking AUF-1 with cholesterol biogenesis.