bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel TaqMan qPCR assay for rapid detection and quantification of pro-inflammatory microalgae Prototheca spp. in milk samples
Authors: Bacova Romana , Kralik Petr , Kucharovicova Ivana , Seydlova Ruzena , Moravkova Monika
Published: January 2021

Animal or human protothecosis belongs to rather rare, endemic, pro-inflammatory infections. It is caused by achlorophyllous algae of the genus Prototheca. Especially, P. bovis (formerly P. zopfii genotype 2) is often inflected as a non-bacterial causative agent of dairy cattle mastitis. In this study, we present a multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) system for rapid and exact Prototheca spp. detection and quantification. Limit of detection, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity were determined. For the first time, specific sequences of AccD (encoding acetyl CoA reductase) for P. bovis, cox1 (encoding cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1) for P. wickerhamii, cytB (encoding cytochrome B) for P. blashkeae and atp6 (encoding transporting ATPase F0 subunit 6) for P. ciferrii (formerly P. zopfii genotype 1) were used for species identification and quantification together with 28S rRNA sequence detecting genus Prototheca. The developed qPCR assay was applied to 55 individual cow milk samples from a herd suspected of protothecosis, 41 bulk milk samples from different Czech farms, 16 boxed milk samples purchased in supermarkets and 21 environmental samples originating from a farm suspected of protothecosis. Our work thus offers the possibility to diagnose protothecosis in the samples, where bacterial mastitis is the most commonly presumed and thereby assisting adequate corrective measures to be taken.
Physical parameters of close binary systems: VIII
Authors: Gazeas K , Zola S , Liakos A , Zakrzewski B , Rucinski S M , Kreiner J M , Ogloza W , Drozdz M , Koziel-Wierzbowska D , Stachowski G , Siwak M , Baran A , Kjurkchieva D , Marchev D , Erdem A , Szalankiewicz S
Published: January 2021

This paper presents the results of a combined spectroscopic and photometric study of 20 contact binary systems: HV Aqr, OO Aql, FI Boo, TX Cnc, OT Cnc, EE Cet, RW Com, KR Com, V401 Cyg, V345 Gem, AK Her, V502 Oph, V566 Oph, V2612 Oph, V1363 Ori, V351 Peg, V357 Peg, Y Sex, V1123 Tau, and W UMa, which was conducted in the frame of the W UMa Project. Together with 51 already covered by the project and an additional 67 in the existing literature, these systems bring the total number of contact binaries with known combined spectroscopic and photometric solutions to 138. It was found that mass, radius, and luminosity of the components follow certain relations along the MS and new empirical power relations are extracted. We found that 30 per cent of the systems in the current sample show extreme values in their parameters, expressed in their mass ratio or fill-out factor. This study shows that, among the contact binary systems studied, some have an extremely low mass ratio (q < 0.1) or an ultrashort orbital period (Porb < 0.25 d), which are expected to show evidence of mass transfer progress. The evolutionary status of these components is discussed with the aid of correlation diagrams and their physical and orbital parameters compared to those in the entire sample of known contact binaries. The existence of very short orbital periods confirms the very slow nature of the merging process, which seems to explain why their components still exist as MS stars in contact configurations even after several Gyr of evolution.
Using heritability of stellar chemistry to reveal the history of the Milky Way
Authors: Jackson Holly , Jofré Paula , Yaxley Keaghan , Das Payel , de Brito Silva Danielle , Foley Robert
Published: January 2021

Since chemical abundances are inherited between generations of stars, we use them to trace the evolutionary history of our Galaxy. We present a robust methodology for creating a phylogenetic tree, a biological tool used for centuries to study heritability. Combining our phylogeny with information on stellar ages and dynamical properties, we reconstruct the shared history of 78 stars in the solar neighbourhood. The branching pattern in our tree supports a scenario in which the thick disc is an ancestral population of the thin disc. The transition from thick to thin disc shows an anomaly, which we attribute to a star formation burst. Our tree shows a further signature of the variability in stars similar to the Sun, perhaps linked to a minor star formation enhancement creating our Solar system. In this paper, we demonstrate the immense potential of a phylogenetic perspective and interdisciplinary collaboration, where with borrowed techniques from biology we can study key processes that have contributed to the evolution of the Milky Way.
Suprathermal ions from coronal holes at 1 au in solar cycles 23 and 24: dependence of ion abundances on solar wind speed
Authors: Zeldovich M A , Kecskeméty K , Logachev Yu I
Published: January 2021

The relative abundances of thermal and suprathermal C, O, and Fe ions are analysed and compared in solar wind streams from near-equatorial coronal holes (CHs) during quiet periods of nearly two solar cycle minima. Ion fluxes with energies of ∼0.04–2 MeV per nucleon are studied using data from the Ultra Low Energy Isotope Spectrometer (ULEIS) instrument aboard the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft together with thermal ions in the fast and slow (Maxwellian) solar wind using data from the Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) instrument aboard ACE. The analysis was carried out for quiescent periods in 2006–2012 and 2015–2017 when solar wind flows from near-equatorial CHs were detected at 1 au. Near the minimum of SC23, although they displayed large variability, the C/O and Fe/O ratios of suprathermal ions were, on average, near the corresponding relative abundances of the solar wind. During the decreasing solar activity phase of SC24, suprathermal Fe/O ratios matched those of solar wind ions from CHs. In both cycles, the thermal and suprathermal Fe/O ratios exhibited a similar character of dependence on maximum solar wind speed. Our results suggest that the sources of suprathermal ions from CHs in low-solar activity periods are accelerated solar wind thermal ions. The thermal and suprathermal Fe/O ratios were found to be higher in 2015–2017 in comparison to the ratios measured in 2006–2010. This difference can be attributed to that the second quiet period was selected at times when solar activity has not reached its minimum of SC24 yet.
Measurement of turbulence profile from defocused ring images
Authors: Tokovinin A
Published: January 2021

A defocused image of a bright single star in a small telescope contains rich information on the optical turbulence, i.e. the seeing. The concept of a novel turbulence monitor based on recording sequences of ring-like intrafocal images and their analysis is presented. It can be implemented using standard inexpensive telescopes and cameras. Statistics of intensity fluctuations in the rings and their radial motion allow measurement of the low-resolution turbulence profile, the total seeing, and the atmospheric time-constant. The algorithm of processing the images and extracting the turbulence parameters is developed and extensively tested by numerical simulation. Prescriptions to correct for finite exposure time and partially saturated scintillation are given. A prototype instrument with a 0.13-m aperture was tested on the sky. The RINGSS (Ring-Image Next Generation Turbulence Sensor) can be used as a portable turbulence monitor for site testing and as an upgrade of existing seeing monitors.
Testing the general theory of relativity using gravitational wave propagation from dark standard sirens
Authors: Mukherjee Suvodip , Wandelt Benjamin D , Silk Joseph
Published: January 2021

Alternative theories of gravity predict modifications in the propagation of gravitational waves (GW) through space–time. One of the smoking-gun predictions of such theories is the change in the GW luminosity distance to GW sources as a function of redshift relative to the electromagnetic (EM) luminosity distance expected from EM probes. We propose a multimessenger test of the theory of general relativity from the propagation of GWs by combining EM and GW observations to resolve these issues from GW sources without EM counterparts (which are also referred to as dark standard sirens). By using the relation between the geometric distances accessible from baryon acoustic oscillation measurements, and luminosity distance measurements from the GW sources, we can measure any deviation from the general theory of relativity via the GW sources of unknown redshift that will be detectable by networks of GW detectors such as LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA. Using this technique, the fiducial value of the frictional term can be measured to a precision $\Xi _0=0.98^{+0.04}_{-0.23}$ after marginalizing over redshift dependence, cosmological parameters, and GW bias parameters with ∼3500 dark standard sirens of masses $30\, \rm M_\odot$ each distributed up to redshift z = 0.5. For a fixed redshift dependence, a value of $\Xi _0=0.99^{+0.02}_{-0.02}$ can be measured with a similar number of dark sirens. Application of our methodology to the far more numerous dark standard sirens detectable with next-generation GW detectors, such as LISA, Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer, will allow achievement of higher accuracy than possible from use of bright standard sirens.
High-redshift SMBHs can grow from stellar-mass seeds via chaotic accretion
Authors: Zubovas Kastytis , King Andrew
Published: January 2021

Extremely massive black holes, with masses $M_{\rm BH} \gt 10^9 {\, \rm M_{\odot }}$, have been observed at ever higher redshifts. These results create ever tighter constraints on the formation and growth mechanisms of early black holes. Here we show that even the most extreme black hole known, Pōniuā’ena, can grow from a $10 {\, \rm M_{\odot }}$ seed black hole via Eddington-limited luminous accretion, provided that accretion proceeds almost continuously, but is composed of a large number of episodes with individually uncorrelated initial directions. This chaotic accretion scenario ensures that the growing black hole spins slowly, with the dimensionless spin parameter $a \lower.5ex\hbox{$\,\, \buildrel\lt \over \sim \,\,$}0.2$, so its radiative efficiency is also low, ϵ ≃ 0.06. If accretion is even partially aligned, with $20\!-\!40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of accretion events happening in the same direction, the black hole spin and radiative efficiency are much higher, leading to significantly slower growth. We suggest that the chaotic accretion scenario can be completely falsified only if a $10^9 {\, \rm M_{\odot }}$ black hole is discovered at z ≥ 9.1, approximately 150 Myr before Pōniuā’ena. The space density of extreme quasars suggests that only a very small fraction, roughly one in 4 × 107, of seed black holes need to encounter favourable growth conditions to produce the observed extreme quasars. Other seed black holes grow much less efficiently, mainly due to lower duty cycles, so are much more difficult to detect.
Pulsars in supernova remnants
Authors: Malov Igor F
Published: January 2021

A comparative analysis of the properties of 60 pulsars located in supernova remnants (SNRs) was carried out. We found that (1) anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) are characterized by longer periods and higher values of period derivatives, (2) the remainder of the pulsars in this sample have shorter periods compared to the bulk of radio pulsars, (3) rotation of their neutron stars is braking faster, (4) this braking seems unlikely to be solely a result of the loss of angular momentum through magnetic dipole radiation. Using the measured and the estimated braking indices of individual pulsars, we calculated their birth periods. We found that (1) AXPs/SGRs are formed with periods of order of several seconds at the time of birth, (2) the remainder of the pulsars show the wide distribution of initial periods from 13 to 1300 ms with no predominance of millisecond values. Estimates of angles β between the rotation axis and the magnetic moment of the neutron stars are obtained. We found that the distribution of these angles is very close to the uniform distribution. This suggests that pulsars are born with arbitrary values of β. We found that the radio luminosities of pulsars observed inside their SNRs are, on average, one order of magnitude less than the average for neutron stars outside their SNRs. While we note that our data set of pulsars within SNRs of 60 is rather small our findings suggest that these pulsars do not show a decrease in their radio luminosity during their evolution.
A Polycomb repressive complex is required for RNAi-mediated heterochromatin formation and dynamic distribution of nuclear bodies
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhao Xiaolu , Mao Fengbiao , Basrur Venkatesha , Ueberheide Beatrix , Chait Brian T , Allis C David , Taverna Sean D , Gao Shan , Wang Wei , Liu Yifan
Published: January 2021

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are widely utilized for transcriptional repression in eukaryotes. Here, we characterize, in the protist Tetrahymena thermophila, the EZL1 (E(z)-like 1) complex, with components conserved in metazoan Polycomb Repressive Complexes 1 and 2 (PRC1 and PRC2). The EZL1 complex is required for histone H3 K27 and K9 methylation, heterochromatin formation, transposable element control, and programmed genome rearrangement. The EZL1 complex interacts with EMA1, a helicase required for RNA interference (RNAi). This interaction is implicated in co-transcriptional recruitment of the EZL1 complex. Binding of H3K27 and H3K9 methylation by PDD1—another PcG protein interacting with the EZL1 complex—reinforces its chromatin association. The EZL1 complex is an integral part of Polycomb bodies, which exhibit dynamic distribution in Tetrahymena development: Their dispersion is driven by chromatin association, while their coalescence by PDD1, likely via phase separation. Our results provide a molecular mechanism connecting RNAi and Polycomb repression, which coordinately regulate nuclear bodies and reorganize the genome.
Congress of Neurological Surgeons Systematic Review and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Deep Brain Stimulations for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Update of the 2014 Guidelines
Authors: Staudt Michael D , Pouratian Nader , Miller Jonathan P , Hamani Clement , Raviv Nataly , McKhann Guy M , Gonzalez-Martinez Jorge A , Pilitsis Julie G
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

In 2020, the Guidelines Task Force conducted another systematic review of the relevant literature on deep brain stimulation (DBS) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to update the original 2014 guidelines to ensure timeliness and accuracy for clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of the literature and update the evidence-based guidelines on DBS for OCD.

METHODS

The Guidelines Task Force conducted another systematic review of the relevant literature, using the same search terms and strategies as used to search PubMed and Embase for relevant literature. The updated search included studies published between 1966 and December 2019. The same inclusion/exclusion criteria as the original guideline were also applied. Abstracts were reviewed and relevant full-text articles were retrieved and graded. Of 864 articles, 10 were retrieved for full-text review and analysis. Recommendations were updated according to new evidence yielded by this update.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in the original guideline, reporting the use of bilateral DBS as more effective in improving OCD symptoms than sham treatment. An additional 10 studies were included in this update: 1 class II and 9 class III.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data published in the literature, the following recommendations can be made: (1) It is recommended that clinicians utilize bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS over best medical management for the treatment of patients with medically refractory OCD (level I). (2) Clinicians may use bilateral nucleus accumbens or bed nucleus of stria terminalis DBS for the treatment of patients with medically refractory OCD (level II). There is insufficient evidence to make a recommendation for the identification of the most effective target.

The full guidelines can be accessed at https://www.cns.org/guidelines/browse-guidelines-detail/deep-brain-stimulation-obsessive-compulsive-disord.
Optical follow-up observation for GW event S190510g using Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam
Authors: Ohgami Takayuki , Tominaga Nozomu , Utsumi Yousuke , Niino Yuu , Tanaka Masaomi , Banerjee Smaranika , Hamasaki Ryo , Yoshida Michitoshi , Terai Tsuyoshi , Takagi Yuhei , Morokuma Tomoki , Sasada Mahito , Akitaya Hiroshi , Yasuda Naoki , Yanagisawa Kenshi , Ohsawa Ryou
Published: January 2021

A gravitational wave event, S190510g, which was classified as a binary-neutron-star coalescence at the time of preliminary alert, was detected by LIGO/Virgo collaboration on 2019 May 10. At 1.7 hours after the issue of its preliminary alert, we started a target-of-opportunity imaging observation in the Y band to search for its optical counterpart using the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) on the Subaru Telescope. The observation covers a 118.8 deg2 sky area corresponding to $11.6\%$ confidence in the localization skymap released in the preliminary alert and $1.2\%$ in the updated skymap. We divided the observed area into two fields based on the availability of HSC reference images. For the fields with the HSC reference images, we applied an image subtraction technique; for the fields without the HSC reference images, we sought individual HSC images by matching a catalog of observed objects with the PS1 catalog. The search depth is 22.28 mag in the former method and the limit of search depth is 21.3 mag in the latter method. Subsequently, we performed visual inspection and obtained 83 candidates using the former method and 50 candidates using the latter method. Since we only have the one-day photometric data, we evaluated the probability of candidates being located inside the 3D skymap by estimating their distances with photometry of associated extended objects. We found three candidates are likely located inside the 3D skymap and concluded they could be a counterpart of S190510g, while most of the 133 candidates were likely to be supernovae because the number density of candidates was consistent with the expected number of supernova detections. By comparing our observational depth with a light-curve model of such a kilonova reproducing AT2017gfo, we show that early deep observations with the Subaru/HSC can capture the rising phase of the blue component of a kilonova at the estimated distance of S190510g (∼230 Mpc).
Arabidopsis UGT76B1 glycosylatesN-hydroxy-pipecolic acid and inactivates systemic acquired resistance in tomato
Authors: Holmes Eric C , Chen Yun-Chu , Mudgett Mary Beth , Sattely Elizabeth S
Published: January 2021

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a mechanism that plants utilize to connect a local pathogen infection to global defense responses. N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (NHP) and a glycosylated derivative are produced during SAR, yet their individual roles in this process are currently unclear. Here, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana UGT76B1 generated glycosylated NHP (NHP-Glc) in vitro and when transiently expressed alongside Arabidopsis NHP biosynthetic genes in two Solanaceous plants. During infection, Arabidopsis ugt76b1 mutants did not accumulate NHP-Glc and accumulated less glycosylated salicylic acid (SA-Glc) than wild-type plants. The metabolic changes in ugt76b1 plants were accompanied by enhanced defense to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, suggesting that glycosylation of the SAR molecules NHP and salicylic acid by UGT76B1 plays an important role in modulating defense responses. Transient expression of Arabidopsis UGT76B1 with the Arabidopsis NHP biosynthesis genes ALD1 and FMO1 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) increased NHP-Glc production and reduced NHP accumulation in local tissue and abolished the systemic resistance seen when expressing NHP-biosynthetic genes alone. These findings reveal that the glycosylation of NHP by UGT76B1 alters defense priming in systemic tissue and provide further evidence for the role of the NHP aglycone as the active metabolite in SAR signaling.
‘It’s like I’m Having an Affair’: Cross-Force Police Collaborations as Complex Problems
Authors: L’Hoiry Xavier
Published: January 2021

Financial austerity has brought considerable pressure upon policing services in England and Wales in the past decade. For the British government, one mitigatory vehicle to alleviate this pressure is the expansion of police collaborative units operating across two or more police forces. To date however, such cross-force collaborations have been beset by a series of problems and progress has been inexorably slow. Drawing upon the reflections of police officers and staff involved at varying stages of cross-force collaborations, this paper explores why collaborations have so far largely failed. The paper argues that while the challenges of cross-force collaborations echo those of previous police efforts to work with external partners, these difficulties are intensified during cross-force collaborations in which partners present divergent policing agendas. As such, cross-force collaborations may be usefully understood as ‘complex problems,’ marking them out as particularly challenging and demanding new and distinct approaches to problem-solving.
Efficacy and safety of urate-lowering therapy in people with kidney impairment: a GCAN-initiated literature review
Authors: Farquhar Hamish , Vargas-Santos Ana B , Pisaniello Huai Leng , Fisher Mark , Hill Catherine , Gaffo Angelo L , Stamp Lisa K
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy, defined as achieving target serum urate <6.0 mg/dl, and safety of urate-lowering therapies (ULTs) for people with gout and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3–5.

Methods

PubMed, The Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched from 1 January 1959 to 31 January 2018 for studies that enrolled people with gout, who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or creatinine clearance (CrCl) of <60 ml/min and exposure to allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, benzbromarone, lesinurad or pegloticase. All study designs other than case reports were included, except for people on dialysis, for whom we did include case reports.

Results

There were 36 reports with an analysis of efficacy and/or safety based upon renal function: allopurinol (n = 12), febuxostat (n = 10), probenecid (n = 3), benzbromarone (n = 5), lesinurad (n = 5) and pegloticase (n = 1). There were 108 reports that involved people with gout and renal impairment but did not contain any analysis on efficacy and/or safety based upon renal function: allopurinol (n = 84), febuxostat (n = 14), benzbromarone (n = 1), lesinurad (n = 3) and pegloticase (n = 6). Most studies excluded people with more severe degrees of renal impairment (eGFR or CrCl of <30 ml/min). For allopurinol, in particular, there was significant variability in the dose of drug used and the efficacy in terms of urate lowering, across all levels of renal impairment.

Conclusion

There is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy and/or safety of currently used ULTs according to different levels of renal function. Future studies should include patients with CKD and should report study outcomes stratified by renal function.
Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repairs with porcine small intestine submucosa: a 5- year follow-up. a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Li Baoshan , Zhang Xin , Man Yi , Xie Jiadong , Hu Wei , Huang Huang , Wang Yinlong , Ma Hongguang
Published: January 2021

Porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS) biologic patch has been used in inguinal hernia repair. However, there are little data available to assess the long-term effect after repair. This study aimed to explore the long-term effect of SIS patch in open inguinal hernia repair. Sevent-six patients with unilateral inguinal hernia were treated with Lichtenstein tension-free hernia repair using SIS patch (Beijing Datsing Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.) and Surgisis patch (COOK, USA) in Tianjin Union Medical Center and China-Japan Friendship Hospital. In the trial, the long-term efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were compared. A total of 66 patients in both groups received long-term follow-up (> 5 years) after surgery, with a follow-up rate of 86.8%. During the follow-up period, there was one case of recurrence, one case of chronic pain in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in terms of recurrence, chronic pain, foreign body sensation and infection between the two groups of patients. After long-term observations, it has been found that the porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) biological patch is safe and effective for inguinal hernia Lichtenstein repair, and has a low recurrence rate and complication rate.
The safety of JAK-1 inhibitors
Authors: Clarke Benjamin , Yates Mark , Adas Maryam , Bechman Katie , Galloway James
Published: January 2021

As efficacy and safety data emerge, differences between JAK inhibitor subclasses are appearing. JAK1 selective drugs, upadacitinib and filgotinib, have broadly come with the same overarching safety recommendations as other immunosuppressive drugs for RA: caution is needed regarding infection risk; monitoring for laboratory abnormalities, including lipids and muscle enzymes, is indicated. A distinguishing feature of JAK inhibitors is a risk for zoster reactivation. Numerically, overall rates of serious infection are similar among JAK inhibitor classes. There are currently no signals for diverticular perforation. VTE incidence rates were similar across comparator groups for the JAK1 selective agents. These observations are not yet conclusive evidence for different safety profiles between JAK1 selective agents and other JAK inhibitors. Differences in study population, design, and concomitant steroid use are examples of potential confounders. It is too early to draw conclusions on long-term outcomes such as malignancy and cardiovascular risk. Post-marketing pharmacovigilance studies will be essential.
Mycetoma in Sudan: experience of the Mycetoma Project from 1968 to 1991
Authors: Mahgoub Elsheikh
Published: January 2021

International collaboration on research on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is regarded as a norm, but it was not always so. This article is an account of a growing international collaboration on the diagnosis and treatment of mycetoma that started in Sudan in the 1960s and has grown and flourished up to the present day.
Respiratory Tract Infection Management and Antibiotic Prescription in Children: A Unique Study Comparing Three Levels of Healthcare in The Netherlands
Authors: van Aerde Koen J. , de Haan Liza , van Leur Mattijn , Gerrits Gerardus P. , Schers Henk , Moll Henriette A. , Hagedoorn Nienke N. , Herberg Jethro A. , Levin Michael , Rivero-Calle Irene , de Jonge Marien I. , de Groot Ronald , van der Flier Michiel ,   on behalf of the PERFORM Consortium
Published: January 2021

Background:

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common in children with febrile illness visiting the general practitioner (GP) or emergency department. We studied the management of children with fever and RTI at 3 different levels of healthcare in The Netherlands, focusing on antibiotic prescription.

Methods:

This prospective observational study is part of the Management and Outcome of Febrile children in Europe study. Data were used from face-to-face patient contacts of children with febrile illness in three healthcare settings in Nijmegen, The Netherlands during 2017. These settings were primary (GP), secondary (general hospital) and tertiary care (university hospital).

Results:

Of 892 cases with RTI without complex comorbidities, overall antibiotic prescription rates were 29% with no differences between the 3 levels of healthcare, leading to an absolute number of 5031 prescriptions per 100,000 children per year in primary care compared with 146 in secondary and tertiary care combined. The prescription rate in otitis media was similar in all levels: 60%. In cases with lower RTI who received nebulizations prescription rates varied between 19% and 55%.

Conclusions:

Antibiotic prescription rates for RTIs in children were comparable between the 3 levels of healthcare, thus leading to a majority of antibiotics being prescribed in primary care. Relatively high prescription rates for all foci of RTIs were found, which was not in agreement with the national guidelines. Antibiotic stewardship needs improvement at all 3 levels of healthcare. Guidelines to prescribe small spectrum antibiotics for RTIs need to be better implemented in hospital care settings.
Selecting Appropriate 3D Scanning Technologies for Prosthetic Socket Design and Transtibial Residual Limb Shape Characterization
Authors: Dickinson Alexander S. , Donovan-Hall Maggie K. , Kheng Sisary , Bou Ky , Tech Auntouch , Steer Joshua W. , Metcalf Cheryl D. , Worsley Peter R.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Plaster casting and manual rectification represent the benchmark prosthetic socket design method. 3D technologies have increasing potential for prosthetic limb design and fabrication, especially for enhancing access to these services in low-resource settings. However, the community has a responsibility to verify the efficacy of these new digital technologies. The motivation for this study was to establish benchmarking data to assess digital shape capture technologies, specifically for clinically relevant residual limb shape and landmark capture for limb survey and socket design. The objective was therefore to assess the repeatability of plaster casting in vivo and to compare this with three clinically used 3D scanners.

Materials and Methods

A comparative reliability assessment of casting and 3D scanning was conducted in 11 participants with established transtibial amputation. For each participant, two positive molds were cast by a prosthetist and digitized using a white-light 3D surface scanner. Between casts, each participant's residual limb was scanned. The deviation among scan volumes, cross-sections, and shapes was calculated.

Results

A total of 95% of the clinically relevant socket shape surface area had a deviation between manual casts of less than 2.87 mm (SD, 0.44 mm), and the average deviation was 0.18 mm (SD, 1.72 mm). The repeatability coefficient of casting was 46.1 ml (3.47%) for volume and 9.6 mm (3.53%) for perimeters. For all clinically meaningful measures, greater reliability was observed for the Omega scanner and worse for the Sense and iSense scanners, although it was observed that the Sense scanner performance was comparable to casting (95th percentile shape consistency).

Conclusions

This study provides a platform to appraise new clinical shape capture technologies in the context of best practice in manual plaster casting and starts the conversation of which 3D scanning devices are most appropriate for different types of clinical use. The methods and benchmark results may support prosthetists in acquiring and applying their clinical experience, as part of their continuing professional development.
Periodic positive solutions of superlinear delay equations via topological degree
Authors: Amster Pablo , Benevieri Pierluigi , Haddad Julián
Published: January 2021

We extend to delay equations recent results obtained by G. Feltrin and F. Zanolin for second-order ordinary equations with a superlinear term. We prove the existence of positive periodic solutions for nonlinear delay equations −
u
″(
t
) = 
a
(
t
)
g
(
u
(
t
),
u
(
t
 − 
τ
)). We assume superlinear growth for
g
and sign alternance for
a
. The approach is topological and based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Topological degree and fixed point theories in differential and difference equations’.
Degree, quaternions and periodic solutions
Authors: Mawhin Jean
Published: January 2021

The paper computes the Brouwer degree of some classes of homogeneous polynomials defined on quaternions and applies the results, together with a continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory, to the existence and multiplicity of periodic solutions of a class of systems of quaternionic valued ordinary differential equations.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Topological degree and fixed point theories in differential and difference equations’.
COVID-19 ARDS is characterized by a dysregulated host response that differs from cytokine storm and may be modified by dexamethasone
Authors: Sarma Aartik , Christenson Stephanie A. , Mick Eran , DeVoe Catherine , Deiss Thomas , Pisco Angela Oliveira , Ghale Rajani , Jauregui Alejandra , Byrne Ashley , Moazed Farzad , Spottiswoode Natasha , Sinha Pratik , Zha Beth Shoshana , Serpa Paula Hayakawa , Ansel K. Mark , Wilson Jennifer G. , Leligdowicz Aleksandra , Siegel Emily R. , Sirota Marina , DeRisi Joseph L. , Matthay Michael A. ,   COMET Consortium, Hendrickson Carolyn M. , Kangelaris Kirsten N. , Krummel Matthew F. , Woodruff Prescott G. , Erle David J. , Calfee Carolyn S. , Langelier Charles R.
Published: January 2021

We performed comparative lower respiratory tract transcriptional profiling of 52 critically ill patients with ARDS from COVID-19 or other etiologies, or without ARDS. We found no evidence of cytokine storm but instead observed complex host response dysregulation driven by genes with non-canonical roles in inflammation and immunity that were predicted to be modulated by dexamethasone. Compared to other viral ARDS, COVID-19 was characterized by impaired interferon-stimulated gene expression.
Experiences with Primary Care in the State of Utah for Gender Diverse People: Surveying the Difficulties in Accessing Healthcare
Authors: Tristani-Firouzi Bita , Rolls Joanne , Mihalopoulos Nicole L. , Agarwal Cori A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Transgender and non-binary communities continue to be underserved in healthcare. This study seeks to better understand the barriers and difficulties faced by transgender and non-binary patients in accessing primary care and hormone therapy in Utah.

Methods

An online survey was developed for transgender and non-binary identifying adults and was advertised via social media and the University of Utah Hospital’s website.

Results

There were 123 respondents from Utah including 39 trans women, 49 trans men, and 35 non-binary individuals. The age ranged from 18-67 (average 30 years), and 93% were Caucasian. The majority (84%) were insured, yet 67% of respondents reported difficulty accessing primary care. Fear of discrimination and being unable to find trans-friendly providers were reported as the two largest barriers. Non-binary respondents reported fear of discrimination as a barrier to primary care at the highest percentage (92%). Nearly 3 in 4 respondents who have hormone therapy reported difficulty paying for it. One in four trans women reported accessing hormones online or from a friend.

Conclusion

Utah is currently drastically underequipped to provide for the healthcare needs of transgender and non-binary communities. There needs to be an increase in trans-friendly primary care providers to curb discrimination. More resources and efforts must go into training primary care providers with necessary knowledge to properly serve transgender and non-binary patients. Finally, clear anti-discrimination laws are needed for insurance companies to reduce the financial barrier to transgender health services in Utah.
A cross-sectional study on the drug usage of insomnia in the Chinese medicine hospital in Long gang, Shenzhen
Authors: Lin Jingfeng , Wang Zhenyi , Tian Danfeng , Xi Run , Han Zhenyun
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Insomnia was widely distributed among the population, and it was a risk factor for many diseases. To evaluate the condition of usage of drugs in Chinese hospital of Longgang, Shenzhen, we carried this cross-sectional research. We extracted the information of drug usage, symptoms of patients by R software (version 4.0.2) from Hospital Information System (HIS). The research was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000040703.

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in Shenzhen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (Long Gang). Insomnia patients from Jan 1, 2016 to Nov 10, 2020 were included to cross-sectional study. We analyzed the basic information, the condition of drug usage and the relation of symptoms and drug usage by R software (version 4.0.2).

Results

Totally 9439 patients were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 45.81years (SD 13.97 years). Anxiety, dreaminess, dizzy, palpitation, headache, thirsty, weakness, chest distress, annoyance, abdominal distension, bad moods, difficulty falling asleep and bitter taste were core symptoms of insomnia. Totally 14256 times (67.65%) patients received drug prescription and more than one insomnia drug was administered in 8355 patients. The 10 most used drugs ranged from more to less were Estazolam(29.99%), Zaoren Anshen Capsule(15.50%), Oryzanol(14.82%), Diazepam(14.51%), Flupentixol and Melitracen(14.30%), Alprazolam(8.12%), Zolpidem Tartrate(5.29%), vitamin B6(4.76%), Sertraline(4.03%), Clonazepam(2.97%).

Conclusion

The drug usage for insomnia in the Chinese medicine hospital in Long gang, Shenzhen were mainly included benzodiazepine, nonbenzodiazepine, Chinese patent medicines, anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs, oryzanol and vitamin B6. The usage of Oryzanol and vitamin B6 should be abused in Chinese medicine hospital, and the usage of Chinese medicine should be more rigorous evaluated. The nonbenzodiazepine should be promoted and broader understood in Chinese medicine hospital in Longgang, Shenzhen.
Lockdown Effects on Sars-CoV-2 Transmission – The evidence from Northern Jutland
Authors: Kepp Kasper Planeta , Bjørnskov Christian
Published: January 2021

The exact impact of lockdowns and other NPIs on Sars-CoV-2 transmission remain a matter of debate as early models assumed 100% susceptible homogenously transmitting populations, an assumption known to overestimate counterfactual transmission, and since most real epidemiological data are subject to massive confounding variables. Here, we analyse the unique case-controlled epidemiological dataset arising from the selective lockdown of parts of Northern Denmark, but not others, as a consequence of the spread of mink-related mutations in November 2020. Our analysis shows that while infection levels decreased, they did so before lockdown was effective, and infection numbers also decreased in neighbour municipalities without mandates. Direct spill-over to neighbour municipalities or the simultaneous mass testing do not explain this. Instead, control of infection pockets possibly together with voluntary social behaviour was apparently effective before the mandate, explaining why the infection decline occurred before and in both the mandated and non-mandated areas. The data suggest that efficient infection surveillance and voluntary compliance make full lockdowns unnecessary at least in some circumstances.
Comparative Study - The Impact and Profile of COVID-19 Patients Who Are Indicated for Neuroimaging: Vascular Phenomena Are Been Found in the Brain and Olfactory Bulbs
Authors: Aragao Maria de Fatima Viana Vasco , Leal Mariana de Carvalho , Cartaxo Filho Ocelio Queiroga , Fonseca Tatiana Moreira , Aragao Lucas Vasco , Carneiro Leao Maria Regina Vendas , Valenca Marcelo Andrade , Andrade Pedro Henrique Pereira de , Aragao Joao Pedro Vasco , Caldas Neto Silvio da Silva , Valenca Marcelo Moraes
Published: January 2021

Objective

To verify the impact and findings of the COVID-19 patients’ group that underwent brain scans in comparison to the group which only chest CT was performed.

Method

876 suspected COVID-19 patients and a subsample of 232 cases with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent brain CT/MRI scan (n=35) or only chest CT (n=197) in two radiology departments, were evaluated.

Results

5.59% of all suspected COVID-19 patients found had brain scans and 98.74% chest CT. There was a statistically significant difference with associations regarding the COVID-19 brain scan group for: admission to ICU, greater severity of lung injuries, the use of mechanical ventilator, seizure, sepsis, and stroke and statistical tendency for chronic renal failure and systemic arterial hypertension. 40.0% of COVID-19 patients from the brain scan group were abnormal on brain CT and/or brain MRI. 22.9% cases with any kind of bleeding or microbleeding, 8.6% with restricted diffusion lesions. One ischemic stroke case was associated with irregularity at M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery. There was a case of left facial nerve palsy with enhancement of left geniculate ganglia. An analyse of the olfactory bulbs was possible in 12 brain MRIs and 100% had enhancement and/or microbleeding. There was no statistical difference regarding death (9.1% versus 5.2%).

In conclusion

the COVID-19 patients group on which brain CT and/or MRI needed to be performed was statically associated with the more severe COVID-19 disease, an indication to ICU, a more severe form of lung disease, use of mechanical ventilator, seizure, sepsis and stroke. Less than half of patients had abnormal brain imaging scans with all of them showing vascular brain injury lesion, being more frequently microbleeding or bleeding, followed by restricted diffusion lesions. All the olfactory bulbs evaluated showed injury by vascular phenomenon, probably methahemoglobine by microbleeding or microthrombus and/or abnormal enhancement
Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories
Authors: Ajayi Kobi V. , Harvey Idethia S. , Panjwani Sonya , Uwak Inyang , Garney Whitney , Page Robin L.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on unprecedented changes, not only to our daily lives but also to our healthcare system. The pandemic has particularly impacted pregnant women that must give birth with tight restrictions and significant uncertainties. Birth stories have frequently been used as a way for women to describe their experiences with the birthing process. In this uncertain time, birth stories can provide valuable insight into how pregnancy and birth stressors during a pandemic can impact the patient’s overall experience. This study sought to describe and understand pregnant and new mothers’ lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Researchers extracted relevant YouTube birth stories using predetermined search terms and inclusion criteria. The mothers’ birth stories were narrated in their second or third trimester or those who had recently given birth during the study period. Birth stories were analyzed using an inductive and deductive approach to capture different aspects of the birthing experience.

Results

Overall, eighty-three birth stories were analyzed. Within these birth stories, four broad themes and twelve subthemes emerged. Key themes included a sense of loss, hospital experiences, experiences with healthcare providers, and unique experiences during birth and postpartum. The birth stories revealed negative and positive birth experiences. Particularly, mothers were frustrated with constantly changing policies within the healthcare setting that negatively affected their birthing experience. On the other hand, support from healthcare professionals, having their partners in the delivery room, and having a positive mindset was instrumental in having a positive birth experience.

Conclusion

Results from this study provided a detailed description of women’s lived experience with giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers need to provide clear communication and compassionate patient-centered care to relieve women’s anxiety about uncertain and unpredictable policy as the pandemic continues to evolve.
The ocular tissue-specificity of differentially expressed age-related macular degeneration associated genes
Authors: Duchen Dylan , Beaty Terri
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world. One of the most genetically well-characterized degenerative diseases, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 52 independent common or rare AMD risk associated variants. While transcriptome-wide association analyses (TWAS) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) efforts have characterized the effects of these AMD-associated genes on mRNA expression in retinal tissue, we aimed to characterize the AMD-associated transcriptional profiles of functionally distinct ocular tissues including the macular and extramacular regions of the retina and the retinal-pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid.

Methods

Using publicly available microarray data (NCBI GEO accession: GSE29801) comprised of retinal and RPE/choroidal tissue samples from 142 AMD patients and 151 healthy individuals (118 retina and 175 RPE/Choroid samples), tissue-specific differential gene expression analyses were conducted. Transcriptome analyses were focused on 878 genes surrounding known AMD-associated loci.

Results

Many genes which contain clinically significant or causal variants identified via GWAS or TWAS/eQTL studies were significantly differentially expressed and display transcriptional heterogeneity across different subtypes of ocular tissue and retinal geography in AMD-associated tissues.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the importance of spatial heterogeneity and tissue specificity in the mRNA expression of known AMD-associated genes. Genes known to harbor rare or causal AMD- associated variants are differentially expressed in functionally distinct ocular tissues of AMD patients, suggesting they might contribute to disease regardless of mutation status.
Mitochondrial DNA copy number and trimethylamine levels in the blood: new insights on cardiovascular disease biomarkers
Authors: Bordoni Laura , Petracci Irene , Pelikant-Malecka Iwona , Radulska Adriana , Piangerelli Marco , Samulak Joanna J. , Lewicki Lukasz , Kalinowski Leszek , Gabbianelli Rosita , Olek Robert A.
Published: January 2021

Among cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers, the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is a promising candidate. A growing attention has been also dedicated to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), an oxidative derivative of the gut metabolite trimethylamine (TMA). With the aim to identify biomarkers predictive of CVD, we investigated TMA, TMAO and mtDNAcn in a population of 389 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and 151 healthy controls, in association with established risk factors for CVD (gender, age, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate (GFR)). MtDNAcn was significantly lower in CAD patients and in hypertensive subjects; it correlates with GFR and TMA, but not with TMAO. A biomarker including mtDNAcn, gender, and hypertension (but neither TMA nor TMAO) emerged as a good predictor of CAD. Our findings support the usage of mtDNAcn as a plastic biomarker to monitor the exposure to risk factors and the efficacy of preventive interventions for a personalized CAD risk reduction.

Highlights

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mtDNAcn measured in whole blood is associated to the cardiovascular health status in humans;

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mtDNAcn is reduced in CAD and hypertension, and inversely correlates with GFR;

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mtDNA, gender and hypertension together represent a good predictive biomarker for CAD;

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TMA metabolism is different in healthy and CAD subjects;

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TMA and TMAO are not good predictors of CAD.