bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained Declines in Age Group-Specific Rotavirus Infection and Acute Gastroenteritis in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals During the 5 Years Since Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction in England
Authors: Gower Charlotte M , Stowe Julia , Andrews Nick J , Dunning Jake , Ramsay Mary E , Ladhani Shames N
Published: May 2021

Background

The introduction of an oral live-attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix®) into the UK infant immunization program in July 2013 was associated with large reductions in laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and hospitalizations due to acute gastroenteritis (AGE) within 12 months. Here we report the 5-year impact of the program in England.

Methods

Individuals with laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections during 2000–2018 and all-cause hospitalizations for AGE during 2007–2018 were identified using national electronic records. Age-specific incidence rate ratios (IRR) and estimated numbers of cases averted in each of the 5 postvaccination years were calculated.

Results

There were 206 389 laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and 3 657 651 hospitalizations for all-cause AGE. Reductions of 69–83% in laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections in all age groups and 77–88% in infants aged <1 year in each of the 5 postvaccine years are reported, with 11 386–11 633 cases averted annually. All-cause AGE hospitalizations were reduced by 12–35% across all age-groups and by 25–48% in <1 year-olds in the 5 postvaccine years, with 24 474–49 278 hospitalizations averted annually. There was strong evidence of indirect (herd) protection, with at least 50% and up to 80% of the non-specific end point of all-cause gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations averted being in unvaccinated age-groups, primarily older adults. Seasonal changes include a possible shift from annual to biennial peaks with lower peak incidence and longer seasons.

Conclusions

There were large and sustained declines in both laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections and AGE hospitalizations across all age groups in each of the 5 years since the introduction of the UK rotavirus program.
Detection of IFN-γ Secretion in Blood Samples Collected Before and After Treatment of Varying Stages of Lyme Disease
Authors: Arnaboldi Paul M , D’Arco Christina , Hefter Yosefa , Nolan Sheila , Jobe Dean A , Callister Steven M , Dattwyler Raymond J
Published: May 2021

Background

QuantiFERON enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Qiagen) with Borrelia burgdorferi peptide antigens was previously shown to reliably detect interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in blood samples from adult patients with early Lyme disease and the response disappeared rapidly after treatment. We evaluated the response before and after appropriate antibiotic therapy in adolescent and adult subjects with more diverse stages of the illness.

Methods

Blood was obtained from patients with clinician-identified Lyme disease with constitutional complaints, erythema migrans, nerve palsy, cardiac abnormality, or arthritis before (n = 68) and 6 weeks (n = 46) and 6 months (n = 45) after therapy. The sera were tested for Lyme disease by standard 2-tiered testing (STTT) and anti–C6 antibodies by ELISA and the levels of IFN-γ in the blood samples were detected by QuantiFERON ELISA.

Results

A positive STTT result supported the clinical diagnosis of 37 (54%) subjects and anti-C6 antibodies were detected in 45 (66%) subjects, including 36 (97%) STTT-positive subjects, and the responses often persisted or expanded after antibiotic therapy. IFN-γ was detected in 49 (72%) subjects prior to treatment and the response most often significantly decreased 6 weeks (P = .007) or 6 months (P = .001) after treatment.

Conclusions

The QuantiFERON ELISA reliably detected IFN-γ in blood samples from adult and adolescent patients with varying stages of Lyme disease and the response disappeared rapidly after treatment. Additional studies to more critically evaluate clinical utility as a laboratory test for diagnosis and confirmation of effective therapy are warranted.
Worldwide sedation strategies for atrial fibrillation ablation: current status and evolution over the last decade
Authors: Garcia Rodrigue , Waldmann Victor , Vanduynhoven Philippe , Nesti Martina , Jansen de Oliveira Figueiredo Márcio , Narayanan Kumar , Conte Giulio , Guerra Jose M , Boveda Serge , Duncker David
Published: May 2021

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has become one of the most common procedures in the electrophysiology lab with rapidly increasing volumes. Peri-procedural anaesthesia for AF ablation varies between centres, from general anaesthesia to deep or conscious sedation. The aim of this survey was to assess current sedation practices for AF ablation worldwide and its evolution over the last decade. Centres regularly performing AF ablation responded to an online survey. A total of 297 centres participated in the survey. Overall, the median (interquartile range) number of AF ablation procedures increased from 91 (43–200) to 200 (74–350) per year (P < 0.001) between 2010 and 2019. The proportion of cryoablation also increased from 17.0% to 33.2% (P < 0.001). In 2019, the most used sedation technique was general anaesthesia (40.5%), followed by conscious sedation (32.0%) and deep sedation (27.5%). Between 2010 and 2019, the proportion of procedures performed under general anaesthesia (+4.4%; P = 0.02) and deep sedation (+4.8%; P < 0.01) increased, whereas the use of conscious sedation decreased (−9.2%; P < 0.001). The most commonly used hypnotic drugs were propofol and midazolam, whereas the most commonly used opioid drugs were remifentanyl and fentanyl. This worldwide survey shows that the number of AF ablation procedures has more than doubled over the last decade and general anaesthesia remains most commonly used. Studies comparing outcomes between different sedation strategies are needed to guide optimal decision-making.
Fishing for the right probiotic: host–microbe interactions at the interface of effective aquaculture strategies
Authors: Langlois Luana , Akhtar Nadeem , Tam Kam C , Dixon Brian , Reid Gregor
Published: May 2021

Effective aquaculture management strategies are paramount to global food security. Growing demands stimulate the intensification of production and create the need for practices that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. Importantly, pathogenic microbes continue to be detrimental to fish growth and survival. In terms of host health, the intestinal mucosa and its associated consortium of microbes have a critical role in modulating fitness and present an attractive opportunity to promote health at this interface. In light of this, the administration of probiotic microorganisms is being considered as a means to restore and sustain health in fish. Current evidence suggests that certain probiotic strains might be able to augment immunity, enhance growth rate and protect against infection in salmonids, the most economically important family of farmed finfish. This review affirms the relevance of host–microbe interactions in salmonids in light of emerging evidence, with an emphasis on intestinal health. In addition, the current understanding of the mode of action of probiotics in salmonid fish is discussed, along with delivery systems that can effectively carry the living microbes.
The effect of self-efficacy on health literacy in the German population
Authors: Berens Eva-Maria , Pelikan Jürgen M , Schaeffer Doris
Published: May 2021

Concerning the determinants of health literacy (HL) mostly socio-demographic or -economic factors have been considered, much less so psychological factors such as self-efficacy. To date, it has mostly been considered to explain the relationship of HL and health outcomes. However, self-efficacy could also be an important determinant for HL. This study therefore examines the effect of self-efficacy on comprehensive HL within the general population in Germany. Data from the German HL Survey (HLS-GER), a cross-sectional, computer-assisted personal interview study among 2000 respondents aged 15+ years in 2014 were used. Self-efficacy was measured using the German version of general self-efficacy short scale (ASKU), comprehensive HL was measured using the German version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47). Correlation and multi-variate linear regression analyses were performed to analyze independent effects of socio-demographic factors—age, gender, social status, educational level and migration background—functional HL and self-efficacy on comprehensive HL. Self-efficacy and comprehensive HL are statistically significantly correlated (Spearman’s Rho = 0.405; p < 0.01), respondents with better self-efficacy had better HL scores. Both concepts are significantly associated with most socio-demographic factors and functional HL. Self-efficacy showed the strongest association with HL in the multivariate analyses (model 2: β =0.310, p < 0.001). The effect size of the other predictors decreased, when adding self-efficacy into the equation, but remained statistically significant. Self-efficacy is a rather strong predictor of comprehensive HL. Future research and measures to improve HL should therefore take self-efficacy adequately into account.
Fish hearing and how it is best determined
Authors: Popper Arthur N , Hawkins Anthony D
Published: May 2021

Hearing, as defined by numerous investigators of vertebrate hearing, involves not only detection of a sound, but the ability to respond to the sound behaviourally. Thus, in order to understand what a fish (or any animal) hears, it is important to use behavioural methods that allow an animal to “tell the investigator” which sounds are detected and which are not. However, since the 1980’s, most studies that suggest they are measuring fish hearing have used electrophysiological approaches to measure the response of the ear or lower levels of the central auditory system to sounds. In this paper, we argue that these electrophysiological measures do not represent hearing since they do not indicate what sounds a fish can potentially respond to behaviourally. Thus, while the electrophysiological measures provide some useful and interesting insights into fish sound detection mechanisms, the most valid measures of hearing sensitivity, and understanding which sounds (anthropogenic or otherwise) that fish are able to respond to, are obtained using behavioural studies. We also argue that these studies must be done in carefully designed acoustic setups so that the nature of the stimulus to which the fish responds is appropriate and well understood.
SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Human Antibodies Protect Against Lower Respiratory Tract Disease in a Hamster Model
Authors: Haagmans Bart L , Noack Danny , Okba Nisreen M A , Li Wentao , Wang Chunyan , Bestebroer Theo , de Vries Rory , Herfst Sander , de Meulder Dennis , Verveer Elwin , van Run Peter , Lamers Mart M , Rijnders Bart , Rokx Casper , van Kuppeveld Frank , Grosveld Frank , Drabek Dubravka , Geurts van Kessel Corine , Koopmans Marion , Bosch Berend Jan , Kuiken Thijs , Rockx Barry
Published: May 2021

Effective clinical intervention strategies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are urgently needed. Although several clinical trials have evaluated use of convalescent plasma containing virus-neutralizing antibodies, levels of neutralizing antibodies are usually not assessed and the effectiveness has not been proven. We show that hamsters treated prophylactically with a 1:2560 titer of human convalescent plasma or a 1:5260 titer of monoclonal antibody were protected against weight loss, had a significant reduction of virus replication in the lungs, and showed reduced pneumonia. Interestingly, this protective effect was lost with a titer of 1:320 of convalescent plasma. These data highlight the importance of screening plasma donors for high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Our data show that prophylactic administration of high levels of neutralizing antibody, either monoclonal or from convalescent plasma, prevent severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in a hamster model, and could be used as an alternative or complementary to other antiviral treatments for COVID-19.
CSF concentration of cefotaxime in adult patients with pneumococcal meningitis: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Le Turnier Paul , El Helali Najoua , Guilhaumou Romain , Pilmis Benoit , Revest Matthieu , Velly Lionel J. , Leroy Anne-Gaëlle , Duval Xavier , Lemaitre Florian , Gregoire Matthieu ,   DIFCEFO study group, Le Turnier Paul , Gregoire Matthieu , Leroy Anne-Gaëlle , El-Helali Najoua , Pilmis Benoît , Revest Matthieu , Lemaitre Florian , Guilhaumou Romain , Velly Lionel , Talarmin Jean-Philippe , Schmit Jean-Luc , Bennis Youssef , Charmillon Alexandre , Scala-Bertola Julien , Mootien Joy , Kernéis Solen , Bani-Sadr Firouze , Nguyen Yohan , Djerada Zoubir , Duval Xavier
Published: May 2021

Background and objectives

Pneumococcal meningitis is a devastating disease that requires adequate meningeal antibiotic penetration to limit the mortality. Despite a large usage in this indication, data about CSF concentration of cefotaxime during pneumococcal meningitis in adults are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to describe the CSF concentration obtained after high-dose cefotaxime administration in adult patients treated for Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

Patients and methods

In this multicentre, observational, retrospective study, cases of adult patients with S. pneumoniae meningitis hospitalized between January 2013 and October 2019 for whom cefotaxime concentration was measured in CSF were reviewed.

Results

Cefotaxime concentration was analysed in 44 CSF samples collected among 31 patients. Median (IQR) age was 61 years (52–69). Dexamethasone was administered in 27 subjects. Median (IQR) cefotaxime daily dosage was 15 g (12–19), corresponding to 200 mg/kg (150–280). CSF samples were collected approximately 5 days after cefotaxime initiation. Median (IQR, range) cefotaxime CSF concentration was 10.3 mg/L (4.8–19.3, 1.2–43.4). Median (range) MIC for Streptococcus pneumoniae was 0.25 mg/L (0.008–1) (n = 22). The median (IQR, range) CSF/MIC ratio was 38 (12–146, 4–1844). Twenty-five CSF concentrations (81%) were above 10 times the MIC. Cefotaxime was discontinued in two patients for toxicity. In-hospital mortality rate was 29%.

Conclusions

Adult patients with pneumococcal meningitis treated with a high dose of cefotaxime (200 mg/kg/day) had elevated CSF concentrations with satisfying pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics parameters and tolerability profile. This study brings reassuring pharmacological data regarding the use of high-dose cefotaxime monotherapy for treating pneumococcal meningitis with susceptible strains to cefotaxime.
Pyocin efficacy in a murine model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis
Authors: Six Anne , Mosbahi Khedidja , Barge Madhuri , Kleanthous Colin , Evans Thomas , Walker Daniel
Published: May 2021

Background

Bloodstream infections with antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are common and increasingly difficult to treat. Pyocins are naturally occurring protein antibiotics produced by P. aeruginosa that have potential for human use.

Objectives

To determine if pyocin treatment is effective in a murine model of sepsis with P. aeruginosa.

Methods

Recombinant pyocins S5 and AP41 were purified and tested for efficacy in a Galleria mellonella infection model and a murine model of P. aeruginosa sepsis.

Results

Both pyocins produced no adverse effects when injected alone into mice and showed good in vitro antipseudomonal activity. In an invertebrate model of sepsis using G. mellonella, both pyocins significantly prolonged survival from 1/10 (10%) survival in controls to 80%–100% survival among groups of 10 pyocin-treated larvae. Following injection into mice, both showed extensive distribution into different organs. When administered 5 h after infection, pyocin S5 significantly increased survival from 33% (2/6) to 83% (5/6) in a murine model of sepsis (difference significant by log-rank test, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Pyocins S5 and AP41 show in vivo biological activity and can improve survival in two models of P. aeruginosa infection. They hold promise as novel antimicrobial agents for treatment of MDR infections with this microbe.
Neonatal Exposure to Tramadol through Mother’s Breast Milk
Authors: Gesseck Ashley M , Peace Michelle R , Nanco Carrol R , Wolf Carl E , Hendricks-Muñoz Karen D , Xu Jie , Poklis Justin L
Published: May 2021

Tramadol is an opioid used in the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol’s use during pregnancy is generally avoided and may cause some reversible withdrawal effects in neonates, and its use during lactation is not licensed by the manufacturer. A small clinical trial reported infants were exposed to <3% of a mother’s tramadol dose through breast milk with no evidence of harmful effects. Presented is a case study of breast milk, neonatal urine, and neonatal oral fluid for the analysis of tramadol and its metabolites, along with the validation of a method for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol in breast milk. Tramadol and its metabolites were extracted by solid-phase extraction after saponification of breast milk to remove lipids. Samples were analyzed by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of tramadol and its metabolites in neonatal oral fluid. The breast milk concentrations were 63, 22, and 76 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively, on day of life 12. On day of life 20, the breast milk concentrations were 1,254, 388, and 937 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively. Oral fluid concentrations were 1,011, 1,499, and 406 ng/mL for the analysis of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol, respectively, on day of life 20. Oral fluid concentrations were similar to breast milk for tramadol, almost four times higher for O-desmethyltramadol, and less than half for N-desmethyltramadol. The absolute infant dose was calculated to be 10 μg/kg/day and 294 μg/kg/day for tramadol on day of life 12 and 20, respectively.
A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Parasitoid Wasp,Cotesia glomerata(Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Pinto Brendan J , Weis Jerome J , Gamble Tony , Ode Paul J , Paul Ryan , Zaspel Jennifer M
Published: May 2021

Hymenopterans make up about 20% of all animal species, but most are poorly known and lack high-quality genomic resources. One group of important, yet understudied hymenopterans are parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae. Among this understudied group is the genus Cotesia, a clade of ~1,000 species routinely used in studies of physiology, ecology, biological control, and genetics. However, our ability to understand these organisms has been hindered by a lack of genomic resources. We helped bridge this gap by generating a high-quality genome assembly for the parasitoid wasp, Cotesia glomerata (Braconidae; Microgastrinae). We generated this assembly using multiple sequencing technologies, including Oxford Nanopore, whole-genome shotgun sequencing, and 3D chromatin contact information (HiC). Our assembly is one of the most contiguous, complete, and publicly available hymenopteran genomes, represented by 3,355 scaffolds with a scaffold N50 of ~28 Mb and a BUSCO score of ~99%. Given the genome sizes found in closely related species, our genome assembly was ~50% larger than expected, which was apparently induced by runaway amplification of 3 types of repetitive elements: simple repeats, long terminal repeats, and long interspersed nuclear elements. This assembly is another step forward for genomics across this hyperdiverse, yet understudied order of insects. The assembled genomic data and metadata files are publicly available via Figshare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.13010549).
Leaf hydraulic traits of larch and ash trees in response to long-term nitrogen addition in northeastern China
Authors: Jin Ying , Wang Chuankuan , Zhou Zhenghu , Gu Jiacun
Published: May 2021

Aims

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition influences tree hydraulic architecture and thus the growth and survival; but the responses of leaf hydraulic traits remain uncertain, and may vary with species or plant functional types.

Methods

We used the 16-year N addition experiment (10 g N m−2 year−1) on Fraxinus mandshurica (ash, broadleaf angiosperm) and Larix gmelinii (larch, conifer gymnosperm) plantations in northeastern China and examined the effect of N addition on their leaf hydraulics. We measured the leaf pressure–volume traits by the bench drying method and quantified the maximum leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf_max) and resistance to embolism (P50leaf) by the timed rehydration method.

Important Findings

Larch had higher Kleaf_max and stronger drought tolerance (i.e., lower relative water content at turgor loss point (RWCtlp) and modulus of elasticity (ε), and more negative P50leaf) than ash. N addition increased the leaf osmotic potential at turgor loss (πtlp) and full turgor (π0), and leaf capacitance (Cleaf_mass) for ash but not for larch, indicating that ash is more sensitive to N addition. N addition consistently increased Kleaf_max and P50leaf values for both species. πtlp and π0 were positively while Cleaf_mass was negatively correlated with leaf density (LD) for ash. Kleaf_max was positively but P50leaf was negatively related with LD for larch. There were negative relationships between Kleaf_max and P50leaf for both species. Overall, our findings suggest that long-term N addition decreases the leaf drought tolerance for these two important tree species, which improve the understanding of the tree hydraulic performance under N deposition.
The Thousand-Pulsar-Array programme on MeerKAT – III. Giant pulse characteristics of PSR J0540−6919
Authors: Geyer M , Serylak M , Abbate F , Bailes M , Buchner S , Chilufya J , Johnston S , Karastergiou A , Main R , van Straten W , Shamohammadi M
Published: May 2021

PSR J0540−6919 is the second-most energetic radio pulsar known and resides in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Like the Crab pulsar, it is observed to emit giant radio pulses (GPs). We used the newly commissioned PTUSE instrument on the MeerKAT radio telescope to search for GPs across three observations. In a total integration time of 5.7 h, we detected 865 pulses above our 7σ threshold. With full polarization information for a subset of the data, we estimated the Faraday rotation measure, $\rm {RM}=-245.8 \pm 1.0$ rad m−2 towards the pulsar. The brightest of these pulses is ∼60 per cent linearly polarized but the pulse-to-pulse variability in the polarization fraction is significant. We find that the cumulative GP flux distribution follows a power-law distribution with index −2.75 ± 0.02. Although the detected GPs make up only ∼10 per cent of the mean flux, their average pulse shape is indistinguishable from the integrated pulse profile, and we postulate that, unlike in the Crab pulsar, there are no additional regular emission components. The pulses are scattered at L-band frequencies with the brightest pulse exhibiting a scattering time-scale of τ = 0.92 ± 0.02 ms at 1.2 GHz. We find several of the giants display very narrow-band flux knots similar to those seen in many Fast Radio Bursts, which we assert cannot be due to scintillation or plasma lensing. The GP time-of-arrival distribution is found to be Poissonian on all but the shortest time-scales where we find four GPs in six rotations, which if GPs are statistically independent is expected to occur in only 1 of 7000 observations equivalent to our data.
Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: redshift calibration of the weak lensing source galaxies
Authors: Myles J , Alarcon A , Amon A , Sánchez C , Everett S , DeRose J , McCullough J , Gruen D , Bernstein G M , Troxel M A , Dodelson S , Campos A , MacCrann N , Yin B , Raveri M , Amara A , Becker M R , Choi A , Cordero J , Eckert K , Gatti M , Giannini G , Gschwend J , Gruendl R A , Harrison I , Hartley W G , Huff E M , Kuropatkin N , Lin H , Masters D , Miquel R , Prat J , Roodman A , Rykoff E S , Sevilla-Noarbe I , Sheldon E , Wechsler R H , Yanny B , Abbott T M C , Aguena M , Allam S , Annis J , Bacon D , Bertin E , Bhargava S , Bridle S L , Brooks D , Burke D L , Carnero Rosell A , Carrasco Kind M , Carretero J , Castander F J , Conselice C , Costanzi M , Crocce M , da Costa L N , Pereira M E S , Desai S , Diehl H T , Eifler T F , Elvin-Poole J , Evrard A E , Ferrero I , Ferté A , Flaugher B , Fosalba P , Frieman J , García-Bellido J , Gaztanaga E , Giannantonio T , Hinton S R , Hollowood D L , Honscheid K , Hoyle B , Huterer D , James D J , Krause E , Kuehn K , Lahav O , Lima M , Maia M A G , Marshall J L , Martini P , Melchior P , Menanteau F , Mohr J J , Morgan R , Muir J , Ogando R L C , Palmese A , Paz-Chinchón F , Plazas A A , Rodriguez-Monroy M , Samuroff S , Sanchez E , Scarpine V , Secco L F , Serrano S , Smith M , Soares-Santos M , Suchyta E , Swanson M E C , Tarle G , Thomas D , To C , Varga T N , Weller J , Wester W
Published: May 2021

Determining the distribution of redshifts of galaxies observed by wide-field photometric experiments like the Dark Energy Survey (DES) is an essential component to mapping the matter density field with gravitational lensing. In this work we describe the methods used to assign individual weak lensing source galaxies from the DES Year 3 Weak Lensing Source Catalogue to four tomographic bins and to estimate the redshift distributions in these bins. As the first application of these methods to data, we validate that the assumptions made apply to the DES Y3 weak lensing source galaxies and develop a full treatment of systematic uncertainties. Our method consists of combining information from three independent likelihood functions: self-organizing map p(z) (sompz), a method for constraining redshifts from galaxy photometry; clustering redshifts (WZ), constraints on redshifts from cross-correlations of galaxy density functions; and shear ratios (SRs), which provide constraints on redshifts from the ratios of the galaxy-shear correlation functions at small scales. Finally, we describe how these independent probes are combined to yield an ensemble of redshift distributions encapsulating our full uncertainty. We calibrate redshifts with combined effective uncertainties of σ〈z〉 ∼ 0.01 on the mean redshift in each tomographic bin.
Deep learning approach for identification of H ii regions during reionization in 21-cm observations
Authors: Bianco Michele , Giri Sambit K , Iliev Ilian T , Mellema Garrelt
Published: May 2021

The upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA-Low) will map the distribution of neutral hydrogen during reionization and produce a tremendous amount of three-dimensional tomographic data. These image cubes will be subject to instrumental limitations, such as noise and limited resolution. Here, we present SegU-Net, a stable and reliable method for identifying neutral and ionized regions in these images. SegU-Net is a U-Net architecture-based convolutional neural network for image segmentation. It is capable of segmenting our image data into meaningful features (ionized and neutral regions) with greater accuracy compared to previous methods. We can estimate the ionization history from our mock observation of SKA with an observation time of 1000 h with more than 87 per cent accuracy. We also show that SegU-Net can be used to recover the size distributions and Betti numbers, with a relative difference of only a few per cent from the values derived from the original smoothed and then binarized neutral fraction field. These summary statistics characterize the non-Gaussian nature of the reionization process.
A multiwavelength study of star formation in 15 local star-forming galaxies
Authors: Smith Madison V , van Zee L , Salim S , Dale D , Staudaher S , Wrock T , Maben A
Published: May 2021

We have fit the far-ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for several nearby galaxies (<20 Mpc). Global, radial, and local photometric measurements are explored to better understand how SED-derived star formation histories (SFHs) and classic star formation rate tracers manifest at different scales. Surface brightness profiles and radial SED fitting provide insight into stellar population gradients in stellar discs and haloes. A double exponential SFH model is used in the SED fitting to better understand the distributions of young versus old populations throughout these galaxies. Different regions of a galaxy often have undergone very different SFHs, either in strength, rate, timing, or some combination of all these factors. An analysis of individual stellar complexes within these galaxies shows a relationship between the ages of stellar clusters and how these clusters are distributed throughout the galaxy. These star formation properties are presented alongside previously published H i observations to provide a holistic picture of a small sample of nearby star-forming galaxies. The results presented here show that there is a wide variety of star formation gradients and average stellar age distributions that can manifest in a ΛCDM universe.
Multiwavelength detectability of isolated black holes in the Milky Way
Authors: Scarcella Francesca , Gaggero Daniele , Connors Riley , Manshanden Julien , Ricotti Massimo , Bertone Gianfranco
Published: May 2021

Isolated black holes in our Galaxy have eluded detection so far. We present here a comprehensive study on the detectability of isolated stellar-mass astrophysical black holes that accrete interstellar gas from molecular clouds in both the local region and the Central Molecular Zone. We adopt a state-of-the-art model for the accretion physics backed up by numerical simulations, and study the number of observable sources in both the radio and X-ray band, as a function of a variety of parameters. We discuss in particular the impact of the astrophysical uncertainties on our prediction for the number of bright X-ray sources in the central region of the Galaxy. We finally consider future developments in the radio domain and assess the potential of SKA to detect a population of astrophysical black holes accreting gas in our Galaxy.
Association of renal impairment with cognitive dysfunction in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA)
Authors: Paterson Euan N , Maxwell Alexander P , Kee Frank , Cruise Sharon , Young Ian S , McGuinness Bernadette , McKay Gareth J
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a recognized risk factor for cognitive impairment. Identification of those at greatest risk of cognitive impairment may facilitate earlier therapeutic intervention. This study evaluated associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cognitive function in the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

Methods

Data were available for 3412 participants ≥50 years of age living in non-institutionalized settings who attended a health assessment between February 2014 and March 2016. Measures of serum creatinine (SCr) and cystatin C (cys-C) were used for eGFR. Cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results

Following adjustment for potential confounders, a single unit decrease in eGFR was significantly associated with reduced cognitive function defined by an MMSE ≤24/30 {eGFR calculated using serum cys-C [eGFRcys]: β = −0.01 [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.001 to −0.01], P = 0.01} and MoCA <26/30 [β = −0.01 (95% CI −0.002 to −0.02), P = 0.02]. Similarly, CKD Stages 3–5 were also associated with a moderate increase in the odds of cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤24) following adjustment for confounders [eGFRcys: odds ratio 2.73 (95% CI 1.38–5.42), P = 0.004].

Conclusions

Decreased eGFRcys was associated with a significantly increased risk of cognitive impairment in a population-based cohort of older adults. However, there was no evidence of an association between cognitive impairment and the more commonly used eGFR calculated using SCr. eGFRcys may offer improved sensitivity over eGFRcr in the determination of renal function and associated risk of cognitive impairment.
The Early Modern Yiddish Bible, 1534–1686
Authors: Faierstein Morris M.
Published: May 2021

The Bible has been the central text of Judaism since its earliest history. Translations of the Bible into the vernaculars of the Jewish people in their various diasporas are a venerable tradition. The earliest Jewish translation of the Bible was into Greek, known as the Septuagint, and produced in the centuries preceding the rise of Christianity for the benefit of Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews. The Bible was then translated during the Talmudic period in Aramaic, the lingua franca of Jews living in the eastern Roman Empire. There were several Aramaic translations, collectively called Targums (translation in Aramaic). The major ones were the Targums of Onkelos, Jonathan, Yerushalmi, and another Targum found in the twentieth century known as Targum Neofiti. Unlike the Septuagint, the Targums did not constitute a complete translation, but only covered selected parts of the Bible. The Torah (Five Books of Moses) was the subject of several Targums, while the other parts of the Bible may have had one or more Targums or none at all. After the rise of Islam, the lingua franca of the Jews living under Islamic rule gradually changed from Aramaic to Judeo-Arabic, a version of Arabic with a significant component of Hebrew and Aramaic terminology. The translation of the Bible into Judeo-Arabic by Saadia Gaon (b. 882–d. 942), known as the Taj, became the de facto standard translation and achieved almost canonical status among Jews living in the orbit of Islam. It is believed that Saadiah completed the translation of the whole Bible, but some parts of the translation have been lost. The Jews of the Christian lands in Europe developed a variety of Jewish vernaculars like Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Italian, and others. The vernacular developed by the Jews living in the German-speaking lands was referred to as “Teutsch,” meaning translation. In the eighteenth century it began to be called Jüdisch-Deutsch (Jewish-German) and eventually received its modern name, Yiddish. However, unlike the earlier Bible translations, there is no significant tradition in the lands where German/Yiddish was spoken of translating the Torah or other parts of the Bible into the Jewish vernacular prior to the Early Modern period. Hebrew remained the language of the Bible and its study. There is a meager tradition of Yiddish biblical manuscripts, with the majority of the few surviving manuscripts dating from no earlier than the fifteenth century. Many of the surviving manuscripts are copies of published works from the sixteenth and even the seventeenth centuries. There has been no significant scholarship on this manuscript tradition. For this reason, this study will restrict itself to the printed Yiddish works from the Early Modern period relating to the Bible.
The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) complex mediates one of three pyruvate-supplying pathways that sustain Arabidopsis respiratory metabolism
Authors: Le Xuyen H. , Lee Chun-Pong , Millar A. Harvey
Published: May 2021

Malate oxidation by plant mitochondria enables the generation of both oxaloacetate and pyruvate for tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle function, potentially eliminating the need for pyruvate transport into mitochondria in plants. Here, we show that the absence of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) causes the co-commitment loss of its putative orthologs, MPC3/MPC4, and eliminates pyruvate transport into Arabidopsis thaliana mitochondria, proving it is essential for MPC complex function. While the loss of either MPC or mitochondrial pyruvate-generating NAD-malic enzyme (NAD-ME) did not cause vegetative phenotypes, the lack of both reduced plant growth and caused an increase in cellular pyruvate levels, indicating a block in respiratory metabolism, and elevated the levels of branched-chain amino acids at night, a sign of alterative substrate provision for respiration. 13C-pyruvate feeding of leaves lacking MPC showed metabolic homeostasis was largely maintained except for alanine and glutamate, indicating that transamination contributes to the restoration of the metabolic network to an operating equilibrium by delivering pyruvate independently of MPC into the matrix. Inhibition of alanine aminotransferases when MPC1 is absent resulted in extremely retarded phenotypes in Arabidopsis, suggesting all pyruvate-supplying enzymes work synergistically to support the TCA cycle for sustained plant growth.
A chloroplast redox relay adapts plastid metabolism to light and affects cytosolic protein quality control
Authors: Ojeda Valle , Jiménez-López Julia , Romero-Campero Francisco José , Cejudo Francisco Javier , Pérez-Ruiz Juan Manuel
Published: May 2021

In chloroplasts, thiol-dependent redox regulation is linked to light since the disulfide reductase activity of thioredoxins (Trxs) relies on photo-reduced ferredoxin (Fdx). Furthermore, chloroplasts harbor an NADPH-dependent Trx reductase (NTR) with a joint Trx domain, termed NTRC. The activity of these two redox systems is integrated by the redox balance of 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx), which is controlled by NTRC. However, NTRC was proposed to participate in redox regulation of additional targets, prompting inquiry into whether the function of NTRC depends on its capacity to maintain the redox balance of 2-Cys Prxs or by direct redox interaction with chloroplast enzymes. To answer this, we studied the functional relationship of NTRC and 2-Cys Prxs by a comparative analysis of the triple Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant, ntrc-2cpab, which lacks NTRC and 2-Cys Prxs, and the double mutant 2cpab, which lacks 2-Cys Prxs. These mutants exhibit almost indistinguishable phenotypes: in growth rate, photosynthesis performance, and redox regulation of chloroplast enzymes in response to light and darkness. These results suggest that the most relevant function of NTRC is in controlling the redox balance of 2-Cys Prxs. A comparative transcriptomics analysis confirmed the phenotypic similarity of the two mutants and suggested that the NTRC-2-Cys Prxs system participates in cytosolic protein quality control. We propose that NTRC and 2-Cys Prxs constitute a redox relay, exclusive to photosynthetic organisms that fine-tunes the redox state of chloroplast enzymes in response to light and affects transduction pathways towards the cytosol.
Short-term Momentum
Authors: Medhat Mamdouh , Schmeling Maik
Published: May 2021

We document a striking pattern in U.S. and international stock returns: double sorting on the previous month’s return and share turnover reveals significant short-term reversal among low-turnover stocks, whereas high-turnover stocks exhibit short-term momentum. Short-term momentum is as profitable and as persistent as conventional price momentum. It survives transaction costs and is strongest among the largest, most liquid, and most extensively covered stocks. Our results are difficult to reconcile with models imposing strict rationality but are suggestive of an explanation based on some traders underappreciating the information conveyed by prices.
Investigating In Vitro Mating Preference Between or Within the Two Forms of Pyrenophora teres and Its Hybrids
Authors: Dahanayaka Buddhika A. , Vaghefi Niloofar , Snyman Lislé , Martin Anke
Published: May 2021

Net blotch diseases result in significant yield losses to barley industries worldwide. They occur as net-form and spot-form net blotch caused by Pyrenophora teres f. teres and P. teres f. maculata, respectively. Hybridization between the forms was proposed to be rare, but recent identifications of field hybrids has renewed interest in the frequency and mechanisms underlying hybridization. This study investigates the mating preference of P. teres f. teres, P. teres f. maculata, and laboratory-produced hybrids in vitro, using 24 different isolates and four different experimental setups. Two crosses in our study produced ascospores during two intervals separated by a 32- to 35-day period of no ascospore production. For these crosses, P. teres f. teres isolates mated with isolates of the same form during the early ascospore production interval, and produced hybrids during the later interval. P. teres f. maculata isolates did not mate with isolates of the same form, but instead hybridized with P. teres f. teres isolates. Analyses based on DArTseq markers confirmed that laboratory-produced hybrids, when given the choice to mate with both P. teres f. teres and P. teres f. maculata, mated with P. teres f. teres isolates. These results unravel a novel concept that P. teres f. teres seems to have a greater reproduction vigor than P. teres f. maculata, which could lead to increased prevalence of hybrid incidences in vivo.
Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Park Jiyeon Joy , Arafath Syed , Kumar Samir T. , Sharma Roopali , Dixit Deepali
Published: May 2021

Recent development of immunotherapy has led to remarkable advancement in cancer therapy. Drugs that inhibit the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathways have shown improved patient survival. However, by altering the immune response to fight cancer, a new class of adverse reactions has emerged, known as immune-related adverse events. These adverse events are due to overactivation of the immune system in almost any organ of the body, can occur at any point in a patient's treatment course, and may become life-threatening. This article describes how to promptly recognize and manage these toxicities.
Recognizing and treating endometriosis
Authors: Blamble Tiffany , Dickerson Lisa
Published: May 2021

Endometriosis, defined as endometrium-like tissue located outside the uterine cavity, is a chronic and frequently painful disease that affects about 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. The ectopic endometrial tissue, which is still hormonally responsive, generates a chronic inflammatory state resulting in an array of sometimes debilitating symptoms as well as subfertility. Despite its prevalence and significant effect on a woman's health and quality of life, receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis often takes years. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and treatment options for managing endometriosis in women who do not desire pregnancy and in those who do, and includes information on the newest treatment option, the oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist elagolix.
Retention and change in PAs' first years of employment
Authors: Quella Alicia K. , Hooker Roderick S. , Zobitz John M.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

Employment analyses demonstrate that physician assistants (PAs) exhibit role flexibility in US medicine. The next step in understanding this labor-shifting observation is to know at what career stage it first occurs.

Methods:

Using matriculate data linked to the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) census survey data, a longitudinal analysis of seven graduate cohorts revealed that one-third of PAs changed specialty roles at least once during their first decade of employment.

Results:

From this series, it appears that new PAs spend about 3.4 years in their first job, on average, before they decide to move to another medical or surgical field. In examining PAs who changed their clinical role during this time period, 28% shifted from primary care to another medical or specialty role. Overall, the PA career movement to nonprimary care specialties increased substantially.

Conclusions:

These findings support observations that PAs provide an adaptive role in a dynamic and changing medical workforce.
Cognitive-behavior therapy for sleep disorders at midlife
Authors: Nowakowski Sara , Meers Jessica M.
Published: May 2021

Insomnia is a clinical disorder characterized as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. To meet diagnostic criteria for an insomnia disorder, these difficulties must be present for a minimum of 3 months and cause significant daytime impairment. Insomnia is common in women transitioning through menopause and frequently continues in the years after menopause. Cognitive-behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a brief behavior treatment, with decades of evidence supporting its effectiveness across the adult lifespan, including midlife. This Practice Pearl highlights the rationale for CBT-I and describes treatment components, with specific considerations for its use in midlife women.
Weight regulation in menopause
Authors: Knight Michael G. , Anekwe Chika , Washington Krystilyn , Akam Eftitan Y. , Wang Emily , Stanford Fatima Cody
Published: May 2021

Importance and Objective:

Obesity is a chronic disease of epidemic proportions that continues to affect millions of Americans each year. Postmenopausal women are particularly affected by obesity and have higher rates of severe obesity when compared with their male counterparts. The prevalence of obesity in this population is linked to increased morbidity and mortality and promotes the development and progression of numerous obesity-related health conditions. This review examines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and treatment of postmenopausal women with obesity.

Methods:

We have reviewed relevant and up-to-date literature in the MEDLINE database to represent the current understanding of obesity and its effects in this patient population. Articles published between the years 2000 and 2020 were selected for review to represent the most up-to-date evidence on the topic. Search terms used in the PubMed search included women, obesity, menopause, aging, mid-age women, metabolism, weight gain, treatment of obesity, weight loss, bariatric surgery, weight loss medications, diet, physical activity, and behavior modification.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Obesity is a complex, chronic, relapsing disease that requires comprehensive assessment and treatment. Obesity is linked to hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental changes that occur during the menopausal transition, and it increases the risk for cardiometabolic disease. The utilization of appropriate clinical evaluation methods to identify obesity in postmenopausal women, and the implementation of effective lifestyle, pharmacotherapeutic, and surgical interventions, have the propensity to reduce the deleterious effects of obesity in this population.

Video Summary:

http://links.lww.com/MENO/A770.