bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The end of life of patients with COVID‐19 in intensive care unit and the stress level on their family members: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Galazzi Alessandro , Binda Filippo , Gambazza Simone , Cantù Filippo , Colombo Elisa , Adamini Ileana , Grasselli Giacomo , Lusignani Maura , Laquintana Dario , Rasero Laura
Published: May 2022

Background

During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, hospital visits were suspended and video calls were offered to connect patients with their family members, especially toward the end of life (EoL).

Aim

The primary aim was to describe EoL care for COVID‐19 patients dying in an intensive care unit (ICU). The secondary aim was to explore whether making video calls and allowing visits was associated with lower death‐related stress in family members.

Design

Single centre cross‐sectional study. The setting was the ICU of a COVID‐19 center in northern Italy, during the first year of the pandemic. Data on patients who died in the ICU were collected; death‐related stress on their family members was measured using the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R). The statistical association was tested by means of logistic regression.

Results

The study sample included 70 patients and 56 family members. All patients died with mechanical ventilation, hydration, nutrition, analgesia and sedation ongoing. Resuscitation procedures were performed in 5/70 patients (7.1%). Only 6/56 (10.7%) of the family members interviewed had visited their loved ones in the ICU and 28/56 (50%) had made a video call. EoL video calls were judged useful by 53/56 family members (94.6%) but all (56/56, 100%) wished they could have visited the patient. High‐stress levels were found in 38/56 family members (67.9%), regardless of whether they were allowed ICU access or made a video call. Compared with other degrees of kinship, patients' offspring were less likely to show a positive IES‐R score (odds ratio [OR] 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05 to 0.89).

Conclusions

During the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic, patients died without their family members at the bedside while on life‐sustaining treatment. Stress levels were high in most family members, especially in patients' spouses. Video calls or ICU visits were judged favourably by family members but insufficient to alleviate death‐related stress.

Relevance for Clinical Practice

During a pandemic, ICU access by patients' family members should be considered, particularly as the time of death approaches. Although generally appreciated by family members, EoL video calls should be arranged together with other measures to alleviate death‐related stress, especially for the patient's spouse.
COVID‐19, economic crises and digitalisation: How algorithmic management became an alternative to automation
Authors: Schaupp Simon
Published: May 2022

The COVID‐19 crisis witnessed a major rise in investment in software for the digital organisation and rationalisation of work, while investment in robotics is continuously lagging behind expectations. This article argues that we can understand this development as the continuation of the rise of algorithmic management as a technological fix for profitability crises. Thus, in the face of falling wage rates and a structural overaccumulation of capital since the 1970s, algorithmic management has become an alternative to automation. The article reconstructs the history of algorithmic management in connection to economic crises. This allows for periodisation of the rise of algorithmic management from 'computer‐integrated manufacturing' to remote work in four waves. In times of crisis, algorithmic management functions as a substitute for investment in 'tangible capital' such as robots. Structural economic forces thus interact with labour conflicts at the company level, shaping the rise of algorithmic management.
Factors Associated with Shoulder Range of Motion After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Hospital‐Based Prospective Study
Authors: Li Zhennan , Hu Gangfeng , Zhu Yuan , Xu Fangqi , Ye Jiakuan , Guan Jie , Guan Hong
Published: May 2022

Objective

To assess the factors associated with outcomes of arthroscopic surgical repair of rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Method

This prospective study recruited patients, at least 18 years old, who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full‐thickness RCTs at the First People's Hospital of Hangzhou Xiaoshan between July 2019 and October 2020. Patient demographics, lifestyle habits, and medical histories were collected preoperatively; RCT sizes and affected tendons were determined intraoperatively. Outcomes were assessed by shoulder range of motion (ROM) determinations 1.5 and 3 months postoperatively. The factors associated with ROM were determined using a binary logistic regression analysis, and the results were expressed as adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 132 patients with RCTs underwent arthroscopic surgery. Five were lost to follow‐up, leaving 127 patients (mean age, 59 years; 58.3% women) who were included in the study analysis. The majority of the patients (54.5%) had RCTs that were classified as large or massive, and approximately 20% had tears involving multiple tendons; 80.3% of the patients had tears involving only a single tendon. Moreover, 29.9% of the patients had hypertension and 11.0% had diabetes. Among the patients, 23.0% were smokers and 34.6% drank alcohol. According to the multivariate analysis, none of the assessed factors were associated with shoulder ROM at the 1.5‐month follow‐up. At the 3‐month follow‐up, RCTs involving a single tendon demonstrated 3‐fold better abduction (RR = 4.00; 95% CI, 1.30–12.33; P = 0.016) and 3.15‐fold better internal rotation (RR = 3.15; 95% CI, 1.19–8.36; P = 0.021) than did RCTs involving multiple tendons. Patients who did not drink alcohol demonstrated 6.08‐fold better anteflexion (RR = 7.08; 95% CI, 2.11–23.73; P = 0.002) and nearly 4‐fold better abduction (RR = 4.97; 95% CI, 1.62–15.23; P = 0.005) than patients who drank alcohol.

Conclusion

To improve outcomes, the results indicate that more targeted measures should be directed toward patients with multiple‐tendon RCTs and that preoperative alcohol abstinence education is needed for patients with RCTs.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Simple Plate Fixation and Plate Combined with Local Fixation of Broken Ends in the Treatment of Oblique Fracture of Midshaft Clavicle
Authors: Gao Gong‐ming , Zhang Yi , Li Hai‐bo , Nong Lu‐ming , Zhou Xin‐die , Jiang Wei , Han Long
Published: May 2022

Objective

To compare the clinical efficacy of performing simple plate fixation with that using a plate combined with fracture end fixation to investigate the necessity of fracture end fixation outside the plate in cases of oblique fracture of the middle clavicle.

Methods

This was a retrospective follow‐up study of patients with middle clavicle oblique fractures (Robinson types 2A1 and 2A2) between 2015 and 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to their treatment options: the simple plate fixation (SPF) group (n = 79; 43 men and 36 women; average age, 46.37 ± 14.54 years) and the plate combined with fracture local fixation (PLFP) group (n = 81; 36 men and 45 women; average age, 48.42 ± 12.55 years). Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative fracture healing time, postoperative shoulder function score (Constant–Murley and disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand [DASH] scores), clinical complications, and postoperative subjective satisfaction were compared between the two groups.

Results

One hundred sixty patients with a sufficient follow‐up period were included in the final analysis: 79 in the SPF group (follow‐up time: 16.24 ± 3.94 months) and 81 in the PLFP group (follow‐up time: 16.15 ± 3.43 months). Age, sex, body mass index, follow‐up duration, fracture classification, and cause of injury were not significantly different between the two groups. There was no significant difference in blood loss, Constant–Murley and DASH scores, follow‐up period, and postoperative subjective satisfaction between the two groups (P > 0.05). The fracture healing time was shorter in the PLFP group than in the SPF group (4.41 ± 0.99 vs. 4.87 ± 1.60 months, P < 0.05), but the operation duration was longer in the PLFP group than in the SPF group (65.48 ± 16.48 min, P < 0.05). There were seven (complication rate, 8.86%) and five (complication rate, 6.17%) cases that had complications in the SPF and PLFP groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Although the healing time was shorter in the PLFP group than in the SPF group, the clinical efficiency of the two methods in the treatment of oblique fracture of the middle clavicle was similar.
Relational integration predicted numerical inductive reasoning: ERP Evidence from the N400 and LNC
Authors: Xiao Feng , Wang Zhi‐Dong , Yuan Shang‐Qing , Liang Kun , Chen Qingfei
Published: May 2022

As relational integration performance can be used to predict reasoning ability, the present study aimed to provide electrophysiological evidence for numerical inductive reasoning. Number series with two levels of relational complexity were utilized, including simple and hierarchical problems (such as “15–16‐17” versus “15–16‐18”). Two tasks were adopted: a relational integration task that required to determine whether the numerical relations were changed across numbers; a number series task that required to determine whether a hidden rule was acquired (Experiment 1) or to predict the subsequent number (Experiment 2), whose phases were divided as rule searching, rule discovery, and rule following. The event‐related potential (ERP) results of both experiments indicated that, in contrast to simple problems, hierarchical problems triggered enhanced N400 and late negative component (LNC), reflecting numerical fact retrieval, and generalizing novel hypotheses about the hidden rules by integrating adjacent numerical relations, respectively; relational integration showed similar N400 and LNC activation patterns to rule discovery (Experiment 1) or rule searching (Experiment 2). Additionally, the N400 and LNC elicited by relational integration showed strong positive correlations and even were able to predict the ones triggered by rule discovery (Experiment 1) or rule searching (Experiment 2). Therefore, the results supported the role of relational integration in numerical inductive reasoning and thereby in intelligence.
Kelsen’s Metaethics
Authors: Spaak Torben
Published: May 2022

In this article, I argue,inter alia, that Kelsen’s mature view—as expressed in, and around the time of, the second edition ofReine Rechtslehre—was that of a metaethical relativist, and that the commitment to metaethical relativism was the reason why Kelsen defended democracy as well as tolerance in the shape of a constitutionally guaranteed freedom of thought. I also consider the possibility that in his post‐1960 phase Kelsen abandoned metaethical relativism for moral fictionalism, but argue that, on the whole, a relativist interpretation of Kelsen’s late legal philosophy is to be preferred to a fictionalist interpretation.
Targeting the human βc receptor inhibits inflammatory myeloid cells and lung injury caused by acute cigarette smoke exposure
Authors: Fung Nok Him , Wang Hao , Vlahos Ross , Wilson Nick , Lopez Angel F. , Owczarek Catherine M. , Bozinovski Steven
Published: May 2022

Background and objective

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating disease commonly caused by cigarette smoke (CS) exposure that drives tissue injury by persistently recruiting myeloid cells into the lungs. A significant portion of COPD patients also present with overlapping asthma pathology including eosinophilic inflammation. The βc cytokine family includes granulocyte monocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor, IL‐5 and IL‐3 that signal through their common receptor subunit βc to promote the expansion and survival of multiple myeloid cells including monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils.

Methods

We have used our unique human βc receptor transgenic (hβcTg) mouse strain that expresses human βc instead of mouse βc and βIL3 in an acute CS exposure model. Lung tissue injury was assessed by histology and measurement of albumin and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Transgenic mice were treated with an antibody (CSL311) that inhibits human βc signalling.

Results

hβcTg mice responded to acute CS exposure by expanding blood myeloid cell numbers and recruiting monocyte‐derived macrophages (cluster of differentiation 11b+ [CD11b+] interstitial and exudative macrophages [IM and ExM]), neutrophils and eosinophils into the lungs. This inflammatory response was associated with lung tissue injury and oedema. Importantly, CSL311 treatment in CS‐exposed mice markedly reduced myeloid cell numbers in the blood and BAL compartment. Furthermore, CSL311 significantly reduced lung CD11b+ IM and ExM, neutrophils and eosinophils, and this decline was associated with a significant reduction in matrix metalloproteinase‐12 (MMP‐12) and IL‐17A expression, tissue injury and oedema.

Conclusion

This study identifies CSL311 as a therapeutic antibody that potently inhibits immunopathology and lung injury caused by acute CS exposure.
Migration Behaviors and Educational Attainment of Metro and Non‐Metro Youth☆
Authors: Li Xiao
Published: May 2022

While research has consistently demonstrated a positive relationship between migration from rural areas and educational attainment, it is unclear whether migration is the driver of educational attainment or merely a mediator. The “rural brain drain” perspective suggests that young people leave rural areas if they have greater academic potential than their peers. A “migration gain” perspective implies that people, regardless of prior achievements, may move to invest in human capital, thereby gaining more education than those who do not move. This article uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 97 to test these competing predictions with multilevel/mixed‐effects models. Consistent with previous research, the study found that youth attained the least education if they stayed in non‐metro areas. By contrast, they gained more education if they moved not just from but also to non‐metro areas, consistent with the “migration gain” hypothesis. Academic performance alone did not explain the association between education and migration, contradicting the “rural brain drain” theory. However, academic performance and college enrollment, which are also influenced by available educational opportunities, together explain the association between migration and education significantly, suggesting that the educational outcomes of migrants are influenced by a combination of individual and institutional characteristics.
Nature‐based interventions to promote health for people with stress‐related illness: An integrative review
Authors: Johansson Gunilla , Juuso Päivi , Engström Åsa
Published: May 2022

Background

Stress‐related illness is increasing and is a common cause of sick leave. Spending time in nature have a positive effect on health and well‐being for instance by reducing stress. Specific programmes with nature‐based interventions (NBI) with the intention to involve people in activities in a supportive natural environment have been developed for people with stress‐related illness.

Aim

To identify and summarise scientific studies of NBIs to promote health for people with stress‐related illness.

Method

The design used in this study is integrative literature review. Scientific studies focusing on any type of NBI for people with stress‐related illness were sought in Cinahl, PubMed, PsycInfo, AMED and Scopus. In total, 25 studies using both qualitative and quantitative designs were included in the review.

Result

The reviewed studies focused on garden or forest interventions. In the majority of the studies, NBIs were performed in groups, including individual activities, and the length of programmes varied. Interventions in natural environments have unique qualities for individualised, meaningful activities and interactions with others in a non‐demanding atmosphere. NBIs offer restoration that reduces stress, improves health and well‐being and strengthen self‐efficacy and work ability. Connectedness with nature support existential reflections and people with stress‐related illness can achieve balance in everyday life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NBIs may have advantages to promote health for people with stress‐related illness and should therefore be considered as an alternative to those affected. Further research from different perspectives, including nursing, is needed to understand the possibilities of NBIs and how they can be integrated into practice.
Trading disaster: Containers and container thinking in the production of climate precarity
Authors: Parsons Laurie , Safra de Campos Ricardo , Moncaster Alice , Cook Ian , Siddiqui Tasneem , Abenayake Chethika , Jayasinghe Amila Buddhika , Mishra Pratik , Billah Tamim
Published: May 2022

This paper examines how global trade shapes and intensifies disasters. Juxtaposing three basic, everyday consumer goods – a t‐shirt, a brick, and a tea bag – with disasters manifesting in their respective global supply chains, it highlights how climate change, local environmental degradation, and carbon emissions are dynamically shaped by consumption. Analysis of data collected in South and Southeast Asia reveals that local environmental degradation linked to international trade interacts with global climate change and the policies intended to mitigate it, influencing how and where disasters manifest. Underpinning this analysis is the physical and conceptual presence of the container. With more and more of the natural environment packaged and redistributed for global trade, the container thinking that underpins these logistics is increasingly imbricated in environmental processes. Indeed, as this paper aims to show, the container logic that frames analysis of these processes – linked to and drawn from the logistics of global trade – serves as both obfuscator and actor in the global landscape of environmental risk.
Sustainable Creativity: Overcoming the Challenge of Scale When Repurposing Wind-Turbine Blades
Authors: Arabian K. , Shu L.H.
Published: May 2022

With the growing adoption of wind-energy technology to help address climate change, we must now also consider the disposition of retired wind-turbine blades, which are not easily recycled. This pressing environmental problem was used as the prompt in a creativity study, where participants were asked to identify potential reuses in a wind-turbine-blade repurposing task (WRT). In past iterations of this study, participants consistently struggled with correctly incorporating the large physical size of wind-turbine blades in their reuse concepts. The Alternate Uses Task (AUT) is an established measure of creativity that involves asking participants to identify uses for common objects like bricks and paper clips. The current work explored whether an AUT can be adapted as an intervention to help overcome the WRT scale challenge so that the appropriateness of reuse concepts can be improved. Students in a fourth-year undergraduate engineering-design course (N = 28) underwent both of two conditions, a scaled-AUT intervention and a typical-AUT control, before the WRT. The results support that a main difficulty with the WRT is object size. Both fluency and flexibility (number and categories of ideas) for the relatively common AUT objects were significantly lower in the scaled AUT than in the typical AUT. However, correctly scaled WRT concepts significantly increased after the scaled AUT, supporting the intervention's effectiveness. While motivated by the real-world problem that decommissioned wind-turbine blades present, the current work focuses on conceptual design and creativity, where incorporating real-world problems may provide value beyond more typical AUTs, which have fewer real-world applications. Thus, for future work, the WRT is proposed as a standard design-study task whose solutions help address a real-world problem.
Overlay control solution for high aspect ratio etch process induced overlay error
Authors: Ma Enze , Zhang Libin , Feng Yaobin , Ma Le , Zhang Shixin , Wei Yayi
Published: May 2022

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, especially in the high aspect ratio etch process of 3D NAND, overlay remains a constraint in an increasing device yield. With the increase in 3D layers, the etch process shows extreme inconsistency for different lots with different etch chambers, which makes it difficult to control within the budget. This article gives a systematic analysis on how the overlay feedback model reduces the overlay and which method should be used to reduce the etch-induced overlay residue. The linear and nonlinear inter- and intrafield models are used, and the overlay reduction performance is limited. Then, a correction per exposure (CPE) method is used, which shows the minimum residue. The feedforward overlay method together with the linear and nonlinear CPE method shows the best performance with only 20%–30% overlay residue. Two methods are recommended during the CPE model applied to control overfitting. One is to choose the best CPE order by judging the mark number of each exposure field, and the other is to define the fitting parameter range in a suitable range. Different CPE models are used and compared, and the verification results demonstrate that the suggested method has a great overlay fitting performance and overlay residue even if some parameters are excluded. That is, the study shows a method to balance the process variation, machine performance, feedback model, and metrology data.
How energy is conserved in Newtonian gravity
Authors: Vasyliūnas Vytenis M.
Published: May 2022

The concept underlying conservation of energy in a force field is that the work done by particles moving against the force represents energy removed from particles and added to energy in the field. For electromagnetic fields and charged particles, the transfer of energy between charges and local fields is described by Poynting's theorem. However, a similar local model for gravitational energy is not usually taught. In this paper, I derive the equations describing local conservation of energy in Newtonian gravity, discuss the well-known non-uniqueness of various terms, and show how comparison with Poynting's theorem provides insight into conditions for physical significance.
Modelling the Earth's magnetic field
Authors: Barros e Sá Nuno , Faria Lourenço , Alves Bernardo , Cymbron Miguel
Published: May 2022

The Earth's magnetic field can be decomposed into spherical harmonics, and the exact coefficients of the decomposition can be determined through a few measurements of its value at different locations. Using measurements from a magnetometer on board the International Space Station, we computed the multipolar moments of an expansion in spherical harmonics to order 3, calculated the location of the magnetic dip poles, and produced an intensity map of the magnetic field across the globe. The accuracy of the results was evaluated by comparison with data from the International Geomagnetic Reference Field.
Introducing simple models of social systems
Authors: Jensen Pablo
Published: May 2022

Learning to model social systems can foster critical thinking about the applications of mathematical methods to social issues and also lead to professional opportunities. I introduce an intriguing simple model proposed by Thomas Schelling to understand urban segregation. It shows that even when individual agents seek mixed neighborhoods, they can collectively create a segregated city that makes everyone unhappy. The model can be presented as a simple role-playing game or by a computer program. At a more advanced level, the methods of statistical physics provide a way to calculate equilibrium states corresponding to segregated configurations. I also discuss why physics inspired models have difficulties in understanding the complex dynamics of real social systems.
Efficient computation of broadband noise propagation using Gaussian beam tracing method
Authors: Bian Haoyu , Tan Qichen , Zhong Siyang , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2022

The Gaussian beam tracing method has advantages in computing long-distance noise propagation in outdoor environments due to its high efficiency. Usually, repeated computations are required if the target sound wave is broadband or contains multiple frequencies because the method was developed in the frequency domain. This paper presents an efficient computation of broadband noise propagation using Gaussian beam tracing. The approach is based on the fact that the ray behaviors and source properties can be decoupled at high frequencies, where the wave equation is asymptotically solved. Consequently, only a single computation is needed to determine the frequency-independent ray properties, including ray-centered coordinates and beam dynamics. Then sound waves at different frequencies can be simultaneously introduced in a single computation. By separating the processes of determining the ray properties and incorporating the broadband noise source in the numerical implementation, the computational cost can be largely saved. In this work, several benchmark problems are studied, showing that the efficiency could be increased in comparison to the multiple individual computations. A computation acceleration up to 35-fold could be achieved when 200 frequency components are applied. The method is also applied to study the impact of broadband noise due to multiple drone propellers in urban environments. Applications to stochastic broadband problems are also discussed.
Comparison of the Physical Response During Official Matches and Small-Sided Games in International Cerebral Palsy Footballers: Implications for Evidence-Based Classification
Authors: Yanci Javier , Castillo Daniel , Iturricastillo Aitor , Henríquez Matías , Roldan Alba , Reina Raúl
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to analyze whether there are differences and associations in the physical responses in international-level cerebral palsy footballers between official matches and 2v2 small-sided games (2v2-SSG). One hundred seventy international cerebral palsy footballers participated in this study during three international championships. The physical responses of mean and maximum velocities, total distance, distance covered at different intensities, short-term actions, and player load were collected during 2v2-SSG and the real competition. The mean velocity, total distance, jogging, medium- and high-intensity distances, the number of moderate/high accelerations, decelerations, and player load were relatively higher in the 2v2-SSG than in the official matches. Even though the 2v2-SSG could become an appropriate drill to include during the classification process, due to the differences between a 2v2-SSG and the official competition, it is necessary to deepen the scientific knowledge for developing observation methods during real competition to strengthen the relationships between eligible impairments and activity limitation.
A Scoping Review on Community-Based Programs to Promote Physical Activity in Older Immigrants
Authors: Ali Sonam , Kennedy Megan , Salma Jordana
Published: May 2022

Older immigrants are at higher risks for inactivity due to cultural, environmental, and social barriers in the postmigration context. Community-based physical activity (PA) programs increase PA in older adults, yet little is known about approaches that specifically target older immigrants. This scoping review explores the literature on community-based programs that increase PA and physical fitness in immigrant older adults and identifies barriers and facilitators to PA program participation in this population. A systematic search of electronic databases and gray literature was conducted, and a total of 11 articles met the inclusion criteria after full-text screening. A range of populations and PA program characteristics are described, yet there is a lack of studies on older immigrant men, Black older immigrants, and immigrants from Arab and African countries. There is a need for further research to develop evidence-informed PA programs for this diverse population.
Characterization of Glucokinases from Pathogenic Free-Living Amoebae
Authors: Milanes Jillian E. , Suryadi Jimmy , Monaghan Neil P. , Harding Elijah M. , Morris Corbin S. , Rozema Soren D. , Khalifa Muhammad M. , Golden Jennifer E. , Phan Isabelle Q. , Zigweid Rachael , Abendroth Jan , Rice Christopher A. , McCord Hayden T. , Wilson Stevin , Fenwick Michael K. , Morris James C.
Published: May 2022

Infection with pathogenic free-living amoebae, including
Naegleria fowleri
,
Acanthamoeba
spp., and
Balamuthia mandrillaris
, can lead to life-threatening illnesses, primarily because of catastrophic central nervous system involvement. Efficacious treatment options for these infections are lacking, and the mortality rate due to infection is high.
PicR as a MarR Family Transcriptional Repressor Multiply Controls the Transcription of Picolinic Acid Degradation Gene Cluster
pic
in Alcaligenes faecalis JQ135
Authors: Xu Siqiong , Wang Xiao , Zhang Fuyin , Jiang Yinhu , Zhang Yanting , Cheng Minggen , Yan Xin , Hong Qing , He Jian , Qiu Jiguo
Published: May 2022

The
pic
gene cluster was found to be responsible for PA degradation and widely distributed in
Alpha-
,
Beta-
, and
Gammaproteobacteria
. Thus, it is very necessary to understand the regulation mechanism of the
pic
cluster in these strains.
Community Structure and Microbial Associations in Sediment-Free Methanotrophic Enrichment Cultures from a Marine Methane Seep
Authors: Yu Hang , Speth Daan R. , Connon Stephanie A. , Goudeau Danielle , Malmstrom Rex R. , Woyke Tanja , Orphan Victoria J.
Published: May 2022

Biological anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled with sulfate reduction represents a large methane sink in global ocean sediments. Methane consumption is carried out by syntrophic archaeal-bacterial consortia and fuels a unique ecosystem, yet the interactions in these slow-growing syntrophic consortia and with other associated community members remain poorly understood.
KSHV RTA Induces Degradation of the Host Transcription Repressor ID2 To Promote the Viral Lytic Cycle
Authors: Combs Lauren R. , Spires Lauren McKenzie , Alonso Juan D. , Papp Bernadett , Toth Zsolt
Published: May 2022

In addition to its transcription regulatory role, RTA is also known to have an E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, which RTA utilizes for inducing protein degradation. However, it is still largely unknown what host factors are downregulated during KSHV lytic reactivation by RTA-mediated protein degradation and what the biological significance of the degradation of these host factors is.
G Protein Subunit β1 Facilitates Influenza A Virus Replication by Promoting the Nuclear Import of PB2
Authors: Zheng Huabin , Ma Liping , Gui Rui , Lin Xian , Ke Xianliang , Jian Xiaoqin , Ye Chang , Chen Quanjiao
Published: May 2022

Until now, there has been only one article on the role of GNB1 in IAV budding. No study has investigated the role of GNB1 in IAV replication.
Genomic Characterization of a
Tomato Yellow Mottle-Associated Virus
Collected from a Field Tomato Plant in Chengdu, Southwestern China
Authors: Peng Meifang , Huang Jingjing , Lang Tao , Lin Xiaomin , Fan Xiaoli , Chen Kegui
Published: May 2022

Here, we report the genomic sequence and genetic variations of a
Tomato yellow mottle-associated virus
. The virus isolated from a field tomato (
Solanum lycopersicum
) plant in Chengdu, southwestern China, was sequenced via both Illumina and Sanger technologies. Phylogeny indicates that its genome is close to the reported virus sequence from
S. lycopersicum
collected in 2013 but far from
Solanum nigrum
collected in 2020.
Phyletic Distribution and Diversification of the Phage Shock Protein Stress Response System in Bacteria and Archaea
Authors: Popp Philipp F. , Gumerov Vadim M. , Andrianova Ekaterina P. , Bewersdorf Lisa , Mascher Thorsten , Zhulin Igor B. , Wolf Diana
Published: May 2022

The PspA protein domain is found in all domains of life, highlighting its central role in Psp networks. To date, all insights into the core functions of Psp responses derive mainly from protein network blueprints representing only three bacterial phyla.
Occurrence and Genomic Characterization of Clone ST1193 Clonotype 14-64 in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Escherichia coli in Spain
Authors: García-Meniño Isidro , Lumbreras Pilar , Lestón Luz , Álvarez-Álvarez Mónica , García Vanesa , Hammerl Jens Andre , Fernández Javier , Mora Azucena
Published: May 2022

Analyzing the clonal structure and antimicrobial resistance of
E. coli
isolates implicated in uncomplicated urinary tract infections, one of the most frequent visits managed in primary health care, is of interest for clinicians to detect changes in the dynamics of emerging uropathogenic clones associated with the spread of fluoroquinolone resistance. It can also provide consensus concerning optimal control and antibiotic prescribing.
Novel Multiplex PCR Method and Genome Sequence-Based Analog for High-Resolution Subclonal Assignment and Characterization of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Isolates
Authors: Johnston Brian D. , Gordon David M. , Burn Samantha , Johnson Timothy J. , Weber Bonnie P. , Miller Elizabeth A. , Johnson James R.
Published: May 2022

These novel assays provide greater subclonal resolution and characterization of
E. coli
ST131 isolates than do the available comparable PCR assays, plus offer a novel sequence-based alternative to PCR. They may prove useful for molecular epidemiological studies, surveillance, and, potentially, clinical management.
Gene Rearrangement and Modification of Immunity Factors Are Correlated with the Insertion of Bacteriocin Cassettes in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Le Mi Nguyen-Tra , Kawada-Matsuo Miki , Komatsuzawa Hitoshi
Published: May 2022

Streptococcus mutans
is an important organism of oral microbiota and associated with dental caries and systemic diseases such as stroke and endocarditis. They produce bacteriocins known as mutacins to compete with other oral bacteria and possess immune factors for self-protection.
Investigation of the Involvement of HHV-6 Encoded Viral Chemokine Receptors in Autoimmune Thyroiditis Development
Authors: Sultanova Alina , Cistjakovs Maksims , Sokolovska Liba , Cunskis Egils , Murovska Modra
Published: May 2022

The study of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) involvement in autoimmunity development is very challenging, due to the complex nature of this virus. HHV-6 is a ubiquitous, lifelong persistent, and immunomodulating virus, which mainly spreads in solid tissues using cell-to-cell mechanics, and thus can escape from the host’s immune response.
Bacterial Adaptation to Venom in Snakes and Arachnida
Authors: Esmaeilishirazifard Elham , Usher Louise , Trim Carol , Denise Hubert , Sangal Vartul , Tyson Gregory H. , Barlow Axel , Redway Keith F. , Taylor John D. , Kremyda-Vlachou Myrto , Davies Sam , Loftus Teresa D. , Lock Mikaella M. G. , Wright Kstir , Dalby Andrew , Snyder Lori A. S. , Wuster Wolfgang , Trim Steve , Moschos Sterghios A.
Published: May 2022

Notwithstanding their 3 to 5% mortality, the 2.7 million envenomation-related injuries occurring annually—predominantly across Africa, Asia, and Latin America—are also major causes of morbidity. Venom toxin-damaged tissue will develop infections in some 75% of envenomation victims, with
E. faecalis
being a common culprit of disease; however, such infections are generally considered to be independent of envenomation.
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae Accessory Genome and Its Association with the Core Genome and Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: de Korne-Elenbaas Jolinda , Bruisten Sylvia M. , van Dam Alje P. , Maiden Martin C. J. , Harrison Odile B.
Published: May 2022

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against third generation cephalosporins in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is a major public health concern, as these are antibiotics of last resort for the effective treatment of gonorrhea. Although the resistance mechanisms against this class of antibiotics have not been entirely resolved, resistance against other classes of antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, is known to be mediated through plasmids, which are known gonococcal extra-chromosomal accessory elements.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department attendances for young people
Authors: Solanke Folasade , Easton Stephanie , Selby Anna , James David , Roberts Graham
Published: May 2022

Introduction

There are concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an indirect negative impact on young people. We aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on emergency department (ED) presentations and admissions.

Design

We analysed ED presentations and admissions from a 5-year period (April 2016–February 2021). An interrupted time series analysis was used to estimate the presentations and admissions that would have been seen in year 5 without the pandemic using the data from years 1 to 4. These estimations were used to calculate the difference between the expected and the observed presentations and admissions during the pandemic year.

Results

There were 166 459 presentations over 5 years. There was a 38.1% (95% CI 33.9% to 42.3%) reduction in presentations during the pandemic with no variation by sex, age, deprivation or ethnicity. Largest reductions were associated with children being home schooled rather than with lockdowns. For admissions, there was a 23.4% (17.4% to 29.4%) reduction, less for 5–17 year age group. Infection and asthma/wheeze presentations reduced by around 60% with smaller reductions for mental health and trauma. There was no change for surgical presentations, burns/scolds or allergic reactions. There was an increase in females aged 11–17 years presenting with mental health issues during the pandemic.

Conclusions

During the pandemic, there was a substantial reduction in both ED presentations and admissions. The differential impact on specific presentations suggests this was due to the impact of social distancing and reduced social mixing rather than widening of health inequality or increased barriers to care.

Trial registration number

NCT04893122.
Effects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on perinatal activity in Yorkshire and the Humber region during 2020: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Morgan Andrei Scott , Bradford Charlotte , Farrow Hilary , Draper Elizabeth S , Harrison Cath
Published: May 2022

Objective

To assess the impact of public health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal health indicators.

Design

Interrupted time series analysis comparing periods of the pandemic with the previous 5 years.

Setting

Yorkshire and the Humber region, England (2015–2020).

Main outcome measures

Relative risk (RR) of stillbirth, extreme preterm (EPT, <27 weeks’ gestational age) delivery, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), antenatal transfer for threatened EPT delivery and postnatal transfer for EPT birth, HIE or MAS.

Results

Stillbirths fell from 3.7/1000 deliveries prepandemic to 2.9/1000 afterwards; EPT births decreased from 2.5/1000 to 1.8/1000 live births. Following adjustment, during the first lockdown there were decreased antenatal transfers (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.94) with non-statistically significant increased stillbirth (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.51) and decreased EPT admissions (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.29). Over the entire pandemic period, antenatal transfer (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.76) and EPT birth (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.94) decreased; stillbirths showed non-statistically significant increases overall (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.49) but with increasing trend through the pandemic (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.22). No changes were seen for HIE, MAS, postnatal transfers or in subgroup analyses by ethnicity.

Conclusions

Lower rates of antenatal transfer and extreme preterm birth were identified, alongside an apparent increase in stillbirth over time. The findings provide evidence that effects on perinatal activity related to the pandemic changed over time.
Clinical outcomes of preterm infants while using automated controllers during standard care: comparison of cohorts with different automated titration strategies
Authors: Salverda Hylke H , Beelen Dianthe M L , Cramer Sophie J E , Pauws Steffen C , Schalij-Delfos Nicoline , te Pas Arjan B
Published: May 2022

Objective

To compare short-term clinical outcome after using two different automated oxygen controllers (OxyGenie and CLiO2).

Design

Propensity score-matched retrospective observational study.

Setting

Tertiary-level neonatal unit in the Netherlands.

Patients

Preterm infants (OxyGenie n=121, CLiO2n=121) born between 24+0–29+6 weeks of gestation. Median (IQR) gestational age in the OxyGenie cohort was 28+3 (26+3.5–29+0) vs 27+5 (26+5–28+3) in the CLiO2cohort, respectively 42% and 46% of infants were male and mean (SD) birth weight was 1034 (266) g vs 1022 (242) g.

Interventions

Inspired oxygen was titrated by OxyGenie (SLE6000) or CLiO2(AVEA) during respiratory support.

Main outcome measures

Mortality, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotising enterocolitis.

Results

Fewer infants in the OxyGenie group received laser coagulation for ROP (1 infant vs 10; risk ratio 0.1 (95% CI 0.0 to 0.7); p=0.008), and infants stayed shorter in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (28 (95% CI 15 to 42) vs 40 (95% CI 25 to 61) days; median difference 13.5 days (95% CI 8.5 to 19.5); p<0.001). Infants in the OxyGenie group had fewer days on continuous positive airway pressure (8.4 (95% CI 4.8 to 19.8) days vs 16.7 (95% CI 6.3 to 31.1); p<0.001) and a significantly shorter days on invasive ventilation (0 (95% CI 0 to 4.2) days vs 2.1 (95% CI 0 to 8.4); p=0.012). There were no statistically significant differences in all other morbidities.

Conclusions

In this propensity score-matched retrospective study, the OxyGenie epoch was associated with less morbidity when compared with the CLiO2epoch. There were significantly fewer infants that received treatment for ROP, received less intensive respiratory support and, although there were more supplemental oxygen days, the duration of stay in the NICU was shorter. A larger study will have to replicate these findings.
Do you know when the inhaler is empty?
Authors: Fullwood I , Evans T , Davies Benjamin , Ninan T , Onyon C , Clarke J , Srikanthiah Rajesh , Frost Susan , Iqbal N , Atkinson M , Rao Satish , Nagakumar Prasad
Published: May 2022

Background

Medication review is recommended at asthma appointments. The presence of propellant in the metered dose inhalers (MDIs) makes it challenging to identify when the inhaler is empty. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in move towards more virtual monitoring of care. We aimed to evaluate if patients identify when the inhaler is empty and the method of inhaler disposal.

Methods

Prospective, multicentre quality improvement project. Data collected from children with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Outcome measures

Children/carers attending hospital were asked how they identify an empty salbutamol inhaler; dose counters in the preventer inhalers and disposal practices were reviewed.

Results

157 patients recruited. 125 (73.5%) patients deemed an empty inhaler as either full/partially full. 12 of 66 (18.2%) preventer inhalers with a dose counter were empty. 83% disposed their inhalers in a dustbin.

Conclusions

Patients cannot reliably identify when their MDI is empty. There is an urgent need for improving inhaler technology and providing appropriate guidance on how to identify when an MDI is empty.
Sphenoid sinus cholesterol granulomas presenting with abducens nerve palsy
Authors: Doucet Manon , Farishta Daniel , Abdulsattar Jehan , Yim Michael
Published: May 2022

We discuss two patients who presented with sphenoid sinus cholesterol granulomas and associated unilateral abducens nerve palsies. Two case reports from our institution are reported. A literature review of available articles is presented, discussing both cholesterol granulomas of the sphenoid sinus and sphenoid sinus lesions that present with unilateral abducens palsy. A total of nine cases of sphenoid sinus cholesterol granulomas have been previously reported in the literature. A wide variety of sphenoid sinus pathologies can present with unilateral abducens nerve palsies, however no sphenoid sinus cholesterol granulomas with this presentation were found in the literature. In conclusion, cholesterol granulomas should be included in the differential when a patient presents with an expansile mass of the sphenoid sinus and associated unilateral abducens nerve palsy.
Atypical case of arteriovenous malformation invading into a pedicled medial arm flap
Authors: Dash Suvashis , Singh Amiteshwar , Dawar Rakesh , Singhal Maneesh
Published: May 2022

A 54-year-old woman who had previously undergone total excision of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of lower lip and chin along with pedicled medial arm flap reconstruction, presented with recurrence of swelling in the same region. The patient reported progressive difficulty in feeding, talking and constant aching pain besides aesthetic concerns. On evaluation, recurrence of AVM with invasion into the flap substance was identified. We performed debulking surgery, which resulted in a considerable reduction in pain and improved lower lip functioning and aesthetic appeal of the face. This case is unique due to the rare presentation of an AVM invading the normal flap tissue. Such a finding has never been reported before for a pedicled flap, along with details of the histopathology and imaging description. There are lacunae in the understanding of the progression of vascular malformations and this additional information will add to the existing literature on AVM.
Psilocybin-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kotts Wiktoria Julia , Gamble David T , Dawson Dana K , Connor David
Published: May 2022

We present a case of takotsubo cardiomyopathy following recreational ingestion ofPsilocybe semilanceata(known as ‘magic mushrooms’). The patient presented with respiratory distress and pulmonary oedema responding to standard medical measures. Investigations included: echocardiogram, cardiac MRI and angiogram. Based on our search, we suggest this is only the second recognised case in the published literature.
Use of a B-cell depleting regimen for antifactor H autoantibody-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a paediatric patient
Authors: Henderson Sarah , Ardill Rosalyn , Reynolds Ben , Kavanagh David
Published: May 2022

A male child presented initially well with a mixed nephrotic–nephritic syndrome and was commenced on standard high-dose oral corticosteroids. Clinical deterioration occurred 3 weeks later with rapidly progressing renal dysfunction, seizures and diminished urinary output, requiring renal replacement therapy. Once stabilised, renal biopsy demonstrated mesangial and capillary C3, minimal IgG deposition, with mesangial electron dense deposits felt consistent with postinfectious glomerulonephritis or C3 glomerulopathy. Further investigations identified circulating autoantibody directed against factor H, as a plausible aetiology of the membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). Treatment with rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil was associated with a reduction in antibody titres and a concurrent reduction in proteinuria and normalisation of renal function.

Subsequent monitoring of antibody titres prompted further administrations of rituximab, with reduction in titres demonstrated after repeat doses. Atypical presentations or complications of nephrotic syndrome or MPGN should prompt detailed investigations for the cause with consideration of antifactor H antibodies.