bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population properties and multimessenger prospects of neutron star–black hole mergers following GWTC-3
Authors: Biscoveanu Sylvia , Landry Philippe , Vitale Salvatore
Published: October 2022

Neutron star–black hole (NSBH) mergers detected in gravitational waves have the potential to shed light on supernova physics, the dense matter equation of state, and the astrophysical processes that power their potential electromagnetic counterparts. We use the population of four candidate NSBH events detected in gravitational waves so far with a false alarm rate ≤1 yr−1 to constrain the mass and spin distributions and multimessenger prospects of these systems. We find that the black holes in NSBHs are both less massive and have smaller dimensionless spins than those in black hole binaries. We also find evidence for a mass gap between the most massive neutron stars and least massive black holes in NSBHs at 98.6-per cent credibility. Using an approach driven by gravitational-wave data rather than binary simulations, we find that fewer than 14 per cent of NSBH mergers detectable in gravitational waves will have an electromagnetic counterpart. While the inferred presence of a mass gap and fraction of sources with a counterpart depend on the event selection and prior knowledge of source classification, the conclusion that the black holes in NSBHs have lower masses and smaller spin parameters than those in black hole binaries is robust. Finally, we propose a method for the multimessenger analysis of NSBH mergers based on the non-detection of an electromagnetic counterpart and conclude that, even in the most optimistic case, the constraints on the neutron star equation of state that can be obtained with multimessenger NSBH detections are not competitive with those from gravitational-wave measurements of tides in binary neutron star mergers and radio and X-ray pulsar observations.
A quantum-mechanical investigation of O(3P) + CO scattering cross sections at superthermal collision energies
Authors: Kumar Sanchit , Gacesa Marko , Khalil Malathe S , Al Ghaferi Amal , El-Kork Nayla
Published: October 2022

The kinetics and energetic relaxation associated with collisions between fast and thermal atoms are of fundamental interest for escape and therefore also for the evolution of the Mars atmosphere. The total and differential cross sections of fast O(3P) atom collisions with CO have been calculated from quantum mechanical calculations. The cross sections are computed at collision energies from 0.4 to 5 eV in the centre-of-mass frame relevant to the planetary science and astrophysics. All the three potential energy surfaces (3A′, 3A″, and 2 3A″ symmetry) of O(3P) + CO collisions separating to the atomic ground state have been included in calculations of cross sections. The cross sections are computed for all three isotopes of energetic O(3P) atoms collisions with CO. The isotope dependence of the cross sections are compared. Our newly calculated data on the energy relaxation of O atoms and their isotopes with CO molecules will be very useful to improve the modelling of escape and energy transfer processes in the Mars’ upper atmosphere.
A second type of N7-guanine RNA cap methyltransferase in an unusual locus of a large RNA virus genome
Authors: Shannon Ashleigh , Sama Bhawna , Gauffre Pierre , Guez Théo , Debart Françoise , Vasseur Jean-Jacques , Decroly Etienne , Canard Bruno , Ferron François
Published: October 2022

The order Nidovirales is a diverse group of (+)RNA viruses, with a common genome organization and conserved set of replicative and editing enzymes. In particular, RNA methyltransferases play a central role in mRNA stability and immune escape. However, their presence and distribution in different Nidovirales families is not homogeneous. In Coronaviridae, the best characterized family, two distinct methytransferases perform methylation of the N7-guanine and 2′-OH of the RNA-cap to generate a cap-1 structure (m7GpppNm). The genes of both of these enzymes are located in the ORF1b genomic region. While 2′-O-MTases can be identified for most other families based on conservation of both sequence motifs and genetic loci, identification of the N7-guanine methyltransferase has proved more challenging. Recently, we identified a putative N7-MTase domain in the ORF1a region (N7-MT-1a) of certain members of the large genome Tobaniviridae family. Here, we demonstrate that this domain indeed harbors N7-specific methyltransferase activity. We present its structure as the first N7-specific Rossmann-fold (RF) MTase identified for (+)RNA viruses, making it remarkably different from that of the known Coronaviridae ORF1b N7-MTase gene. We discuss the evolutionary implications of such an appearance in this unexpected location in the genome, which introduces a split-off in the classification of Tobaniviridae.
AnimalTFDB 4.0: a comprehensive animal transcription factor database updated with variation and expression annotations
Authors: Shen Wen-Kang , Chen Si-Yi , Gan Zi-Quan , Zhang Yu-Zhu , Yue Tao , Chen Miao-Miao , Xue Yu , Hu Hui , Guo An-Yuan
Published: October 2022

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that interact with specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression and play crucial roles in all kinds of biological processes. To keep up with new data and provide a more comprehensive resource for TF research, we updated the Animal Transcription Factor Database (AnimalTFDB) to version 4.0 (http://bioinfo.life.hust.edu.cn/AnimalTFDB4/) with up-to-date data and functions. We refined the TF family rules and prediction pipeline to predict TFs in genome-wide protein sequences from Ensembl. As a result, we predicted 274 633 TF genes and 150 726 transcription cofactor genes in AnimalTFDB 4.0 in 183 animal genomes, which are 86 more species than AnimalTFDB 3.0. Besides double data volume, we also added the following new annotations and functions to the database: (i) variations (including mutations) on TF genes in various human cancers and other diseases; (ii) predicted post-translational modification sites (including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation and ubiquitination sites) on TFs in 8 species; (iii) TF regulation in autophagy; (iv) comprehensive TF expression annotation for 38 species; (v) exact and batch search functions allow users to search AnimalTFDB flexibly. AnimalTFDB 4.0 is a useful resource for studying TF and transcription regulation, which contains comprehensive annotation and classification of TFs and transcription cofactors.
Comparative orotomy of the Archean Superior and Phanerozoic Altaid orogenic systems
Authors: Kusky Timothy M , Celâl Şengör A M
Published: October 2022

We compare and contrast the materials and mechanisms of continental crustal growth in the largest preserved regions of Phanerozoic and Archean juvenile additions to the crust, to test for similarities or differences in the formation of continents through time. We accomplish this through a comparison of map patterns, lithological contents, and structural and metamorphic evolution of the Phanerozoic Altaid orogenic system of Asia, with the Archean Superior Province of the North American Craton, using a method termed comparative orotomy. Both orogenic systems consist of collages of curvilinear belts of eroded arcs, some older continental slivers, and vast tracts of former subduction/accretionary complexes. These contain numerous shreds of portions of the ophiolite suite, slivers of island and continental arcs, and accreted oceanic plateau, all intruded by multiple magmatic suites during or between multiple deformation events, then sliced by large transcurrent fault systems and bent into large oroclinal structures. We make this comparison because the Superior Province is a typical Archean craton that was later, in the Paleoproterozoic, incorporated into the larger North American Craton, and has occupied a central position in several supercontinents (e.g. Kenorland and Nuna, which then formed the core of Columbia, Rodinia, Laurentia and Pangea) during its longevity. Since it is the largest single fragment of Archean continental cratonic lithosphere preserved on Earth, the Superior Province is widely regarded as a testing ground for how Earth's continental crust was formed. Likewise, the Altaids encompass the largest region of crustal growth for the Phanerozoic. Our comparison with the Altaids is needed, as in recent years many myths about how the planet may have responded to higher heat production and flow in the Archean have emerged, because of trends in the science where regional geology is ignored in favor of numerical models, isotopic proxies for assumed models of chemical behavior for crust-forming or tectonic processes, or comparisons with other-worldly bodies that bear little resemblance to our hydrous Earth. Thus, we return to the geological record, and here describe the map patterns, lithological associations, structural patterns and evolution of both the Altaids and Superior Province, showing how comparative tectonics, orotomy, is useful in the absence of meaningful paleomagnetic or biostratigraphic data. We pay particular attention to the style of preservation of disaggregated members of the ophiolite suite (ophirags) and their relationships with other tectonic units, and to the widespread but largely overlooked role of late-stage major transcurrent motions and structural slicing of both Archean and Phanerozoic orogenic systems in defining the present-day architecture of both orogenic systems.
An Analysis of Arguments Advanced via Twitter in an Advocacy Campaign to Promote Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
Authors: Lee Ell , Hoek Janet , Fenton Elizabeth , Joshi Ayush , Evans-Reeves Karen , Robertson Lindsay
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Advocates of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) increasingly use Twitter to promote liberal ENDS policies. “World Vape Day” (WVD) is an annual campaign organized by pro-ENDS advocacy groups, some of which have links to the nicotine industry (eg, via funding from the “Foundation for a Smoke-Free World”). In 2020, the campaign used dedicated social media accounts to disseminate WVD-branded images and campaign messages. We examined tweets posted as part of WVD 2020 to identify and analyze pro-ENDS policy arguments.

Aims and Methods

We extracted tweets posted between 26 May and 3 June 2020 that included the hashtag #WorldVapeDay. We used qualitative thematic analysis to code a random sample (n = 2200) of approximately half the original English language tweets (n = 4387) and used descriptive analysis to identify the most frequently used co-hashtags.

Results

Arguments related to four themes: harm reduction, smoking cessation, rights and justice, and opposition to ENDS restrictions. Tweets criticized individuals and groups perceived as opposing liberal ENDS regulation, and used personal testimonials to frame ENDS as a harm reduction tool and life-saving smoking cessation aid. Tweets also advanced rights-based arguments, such as privileging adults’ rights over children’s rights, and calling for greater recognition of consumers’ voices. Tweets frequently used hashtags associated with the WHO and World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).

Conclusions

The WVD campaign presented a series of linked pro-ENDS arguments seemingly aimed at policy-makers, and strategically integrated with the WHO’s WNTD campaign. Critically assessing pro-ENDS arguments and the campaigns used to promote these is vital to helping policy actors develop proportionate ENDS policy.

Implications

Social media platforms have considerable potential to influence policy actors. Tweets are easily generated and duplicated, creating an impression of sizeable and influential stakeholders. Evidence that the “World Vape Day” campaign was supported by groups with industry links, and targeted—at least in part—at WHO officials and those who follow the WHO World No Tobacco Day campaign, highlights the importance of critically reviewing such campaigns. Further research could examine how health advocates could engage in pro-ENDS campaigns to support balanced messaging and informed policy-making.
Policing and crime: dynamic panel evidence from California
Authors: Lovett Nicholas , Welsch David M , Xue Yuhan
Published: October 2022

We exploit police and crime data from California over 26 years to construct a dynamic panel, which is then estimated using Arellano–Bover/Blundell–Bond techniques to address concerns about simultaneity, unobserved heterogeneity, and inertial effects in the policing-crime relationship. We find no evidence that increases in police staffing lead to meaningful reductions in crime through either deterrence or incapacitation. Estimates are not wholly supportive of a compelling relationship between prior criminal offending and current police staffing; providing suggestive evidence that, at least within our sample, simultaneity bias may be more modest in nature than has been previously supposed in prior studies.
23 Assessing the effects of introducing prophylactic hydrocortisone in extremely low gestational age infants in a tertiary Canadian NICU
Authors: De Souza Marisa , Melika Raymond , Thébaud Bernard , Barrowman Nick , Tsampalieros Anne , Lemyre Brigitte
Published: October 2022

Background

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common complication of preterm birth. A large trial and a meta-analysis support the early use of physiologic doses of hydrocortisone to reduce the incidence of death or moderate/severe BPD. In 2019, this practice was introduced for all preterm infants <28 weeks gestational age (GA) at our university-affiliated tertiary care NICU.

Objectives

To determine the effect of prophylactic hydrocortisone on the incidence of survival with mild or no BPD in neonates born <28 weeks GA. Secondary objectives were to compare safety outcomes related to prophylactic hydrocortisone use: late onset sepsis, gastrointestinal perforation, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and use of postnatal dexamethasone.

Design/Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of infants born <28 weeks GA admitted to our NICU during 2 epochs, before and after the implementation of prophylactic hydrocortisone. The primary objective was evaluated using logistic regression adjusted for GA. Safety outcomes were compared using chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Epoch 1 included 76 infants and epoch 2 included 71 infants, of whom 63 (88.7%) received prophylactic hydrocortisone. Infants in the two epochs were similar in terms of median (IQR) GA 26.5 (25.0, 27.2) vs 26.7 (25.1, 27.1) weeks GA, mean (SD) weight at admission (882g +/- 212 vs 841g +/- 176), APGAR at 5 minutes, use of antenatal steroids and/or surfactant, and need for intubation at delivery (all p>0.5). Three infants were transferred to another hospital and their BPD status could not be determined. Adjusting for GA, there was a statistically non-significant signal for increased survival with mild or no BPD in epoch 2 (adjusted odds ratio 1.68, 95% CI 0.80, 3.59, p= 0.17) compared to epoch 1. The two epochs had similar incidence of late onset sepsis, gastrointestinal perforation and need for postnatal dexamethasone, however, in epoch 2, fewer infants developed grade 3/4 IVH on head ultrasound within the first two weeks of life (7/71, 9.9%) compared to epoch 1 (21/76, 27.6%, p= 0.01).

Conclusion

Prophylactic hydrocortisone may be associated with increased survival with mild or no BPD. Safety outcomes in both epochs were similar, but with a significantly decreased incidence of grade 3/4 IVH in the prophylactic hydrocortisone group. Larger cohort studies are required before a clear recommendation for prophylactic hydrocortisone can be made.
70 Mental Health in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experience of a North American Tertiary Care Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Harel Dana Singer , Perera Niranjala , Ratnapalan Savithiri
Published: October 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic is a unique distressing period of experience to the public with strict physical, social and economic restrictions. Moreover, the impact of this experience on children with school closures, online education and social isolation may have a profound psychosocial impact.

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate and characterize the changes in mental health issues in children presenting to a large tertiary pediatric emergency department (ED) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all children who presented with any mental health related diagnosis according to the ICD-10 classification from March 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020, and during pandemic periods (March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021). Data on presentation, diagnosis and outcome were extracted and compared using Chi square test and z tests as appropriate.

Results

Our centre experienced a 39% reduction (57,522 visits vs. 35,485 visits) in all ED visits but a significant increase (p=0.002) in mental health issues during the pandemic period of 5.22% compared to 4.88% during the previous year (2811/57522 visits vs. 1959/35485). Among 1,959 children presenting to ED during the pandemic, the majority (53%) were female children compared to a male predominance of 55% before the pandemic. The highest peak of visits was observed in the 14 to 16 years age group, irrespective of gender and pre/pandemic periods. The category that included “eating disorders” showed a distinct rise of 46% (p<0.001) during the pandemic period. Two categories “Intentional Self-Harm” and “External Causes of Morbidity with Undetermined Intention” did not show any difference, while “Disorders of psychological development” had a significantly low 46.5% (P<0.001) presentation during pandemic period. There wasn’t an increase in presentation of depression and anxiety to ED during COVID-19. However, admissions were significantly high (p<0.001) during the pandemic 46.5% compared to the pre-pandemic (41.6%) period.

Conclusion

During the pandemic, the percentage of visits related to mental health diagnoses in children increased significantly although the overall ED visits for all patients declined. As COVID-19 is expected to stay with us for the foreseeable future, we hope that this research will provide health care workers with the knowledge and understanding to optimize their approach to children at the ED.
A conserved protein disulfide isomerase enhances plant resistance against herbivores
Authors: Cui Jia-Rong , Bing Xiao-Li , Tang Yi-Jing , Liu Fan , Ren Lu , Zhou Jia-Yi , Liu Huan-Huan , Wang Meng-Ke , Hoffmann Ary A , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: October 2022

Herbivore-associated molecular patterns (HAMPs) enable plants to recognize herbivores and may help plants adjust their defense responses. Here, we report on herbivore-induced changes in a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) widely distributed across arthropods. PDI from the spider mite Tetranychus evansi (TePDI), a mesophyll-feeding agricultural pest worldwide, triggered immunity in multiple Solanaceae plants. TePDI-mediated cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana required the plant signaling proteins SGT1 (suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1) and HSP90 (heat shock protein 90), but was suppressed by spider mite effectors Te28 and Te84. Moreover, PDIs from phylogenetically distinct herbivorous and nonherbivorous arthropods triggered plant immunity. Finally, although PDI-induced plant defenses impaired the performance of spider mites on plants, RNAi experiments revealed that PDI genes are essential for the survival of mites and whiteflies. Our findings indicate that plants recognize evolutionarily conserved HAMPs to activate plant defense and resist pest damage, pointing to opportunities for broad-spectrum pest management.
Treatment of Ulnar Neuropathic Pain with Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: Two Case Reports
Authors: Langford Brendan , D’Souza Ryan S , Pingree Matthew , Mauck William D
Published: October 2022

Ulnar neuropathy is a condition that manifests with symptoms of neuropathic pain, numbness, tingling, and even possible motor deficits in the ulnar distribution of the arm. This debilitating painful condition may be refractory to conservative, pharmacologic, and surgical interventions. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) technology has advanced significantly in recent years allowing for conditions such as ulnar neuropathy to be treated in a minimally invasive manner. Here we report the first case reports in the literature (to our knowledge) of two patients with intractable ulnar neuropathy who underwent minimally invasive PNS Bioventus implants. Both patients experienced at least 75% pain relief based on NRS scores at 6 months after ulnar nerve PNS implantation. The patients also experienced significant improvement in functional outcomes, including return to employment, ability to perform activities of daily living without any impairment, and improved quality of life measures. While the results presented in our two case reports are promising, we only provide observational data over a 6 to 15-month period post-implantation. Future well-powered, large-scale, and long-term randomized controlled trials are warranted to determine efficacy and long-term pain and functional outcomes from PNS therapy for treatment of ulnar neuropathy.
Velocity of sound beyond the high-density relativistic limit from lattice simulation of dense two-color QCD
Authors: Iida Kei , Itou Etsuko
Published: October 2022

We obtain the equation of state (EoS) for two-color quantum chromodynamics (QCD) at low temperature and high density from the lattice Monte Carlo simulation. We find that the velocity of sound exceeds the relativistic limit ($c_s^2/c^2=1/3$) after BEC-BCS (Bose-Einstein condensation–Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer) crossover in the superfluid phase. Such an excess of the sound velocity is previously unknown from any lattice calculations for QCD-like theories. This finding might have a possible relevance to the EoS of neutron star matter revealed by recent measurements of neutron star masses and radii.
Bacterial antibiotic resistance among cancer inpatients in China: 2016–20
Authors: Ju Y , Liu K , Ma G , Zhu B , Wang H , Hu Z , Zhao J , Zhang L , Cui K , He X -R , Huang M , Li Y , Xu S , Gao Y , Liu K , Liu H , Zhuo Z , Zhang G , Guo Z , Ye Y , Zhang L , Zhou X , Ma S , Qiu Y , Zhang M , Tao Y , Zhang M , Xian L , Xie W , Wang G , Wang Y , Wang C , Wang D -H , Yu K
Published: October 2022

Background

The incidence of infections among cancer patients is as high as 23.2–33.2% in China. However, the lack of information and data on the number of antibiotics used by cancer patients is an obstacle to implementing antibiotic management plans.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance in Chinese cancer patients to provide a reference for the rational use of antibiotics.

Design

This was a 5-year retrospective study on the antibiotic resistance of cancer patients.

Methods

In this 5-year surveillance study, we collected bacterial and antibiotic resistance data from 20 provincial cancer diagnosis and treatment centers and three specialized cancer hospitals in China. We analyzed the resistance of common bacteria to antibiotics, compared to common clinical drug-resistant bacteria, evaluated the evolution of critical drug-resistant bacteria and conducted data analysis.

Findings

Between 2016 and 2020, 216 219 bacterial strains were clinically isolated. The resistance trend of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem was relatively stable and did not significantly increase over time. The resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to all antibiotics tested, including imipenem and meropenem, decreased over time. In contrast, the resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to carbapenems increased from 4.7% to 14.7%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) significantly decreased from 65.2% in 2016 to 48.9% in 2020.

Conclusions

The bacterial prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, S. aureus and MRSA were significantly lower than the national average.
Screening with Frames: Implementation in Extensive Form
Authors: Ostrizek Franz , Shishkin Denis
Published: October 2022

We study a decision-framing design problem: a principal faces an agent with frame-dependent preferences and designs an extensive form with a frame at each stage. This allows the principal to circumvent incentive compatibility constraints by inducing dynamically inconsistent choices of the sophisticated agent. We show that a vector of contracts can be implemented if and only if it can be implemented using a canonical extensive form, which has a simple high–low–high structure using only three stages and the two highest frames, and employs unchosen decoy contracts to deter deviations. We then turn to the study of optimal contracts in the context of the classic monopolistic screening problem and establish the existence of a canonical optimal mechanism, even though our implementability result does not directly apply. In the presence of naive types, the principal can perfectly screen by cognitive type and extract full surplus from naifs.
Social Media and Financial News Manipulation
Authors: Kogan Shimon , Moskowitz Tobias J , Niessner Marina
Published: October 2022

We examine an undercover Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into the manipulation of financial news on social media. While fraudulent news had a direct positive impact on retail trading and prices, revelation of the fraud by the SEC announcement resulted in significantly lower retail trading volume on all news, including legitimate news, on these platforms. For small firms, volume declined by 23.5% and price volatility dropped by 1.3%. We find evidence consistent with concerns of fraud causing the decline in trading activity and price volatility, which we interpret through the lens of social capital, and attempt to rule out alternative explanations. The results highlight the indirect consequences of fraud and its spillover effects that reduce the social network’s impact on information dissemination, especially for small, opaque firms.
Digital power resources (DPR): the political economy of structural and infrastructural business power in digital(ized) capitalism
Authors: Kemmerling Michael , Trampusch Christine
Published: October 2022

Studies on digitalization and business power tend to focus on digital platform firms. In contrast, we argue that data, digital technologies and digital infrastructures create novel digital power resources (DPR) for firms throughout sectors. DPR can be structural, that is, rooted in data and digital technologies, and infrastructural, that is, rooted in digital infrastructure. We propose indicators and apply them to a sample of 120 large firms from the USA, UK, France and Germany, active in five sectors. We find that firms from all sectors control DPR but the sectoral distribution varies depending on the national political–economic context. Lastly, we demonstrate the analytical value added of our concept by explaining variation in business preferences and strategies toward data sovereignty and data-sharing regulation in the German automotive sector. Our DPR concept improves our understanding of why and how business seeks to influence (digital) policies and politics in digital(ized) capitalism in general.
Endogenous giant viruses contribute to intraspecies genomic variability in the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Moniruzzaman Mohammad , Erazo-Garcia Maria P , Aylward Frank O
Published: October 2022

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular eukaryotic alga that has been studied as a model organism for decades. Despite an extensive history as a model system, phylogenetic and genetic characteristics of viruses infecting this alga have remained elusive. We analyzed high-throughput genome sequence data of C. reinhardtii field isolates, and in six we discovered sequences belonging to endogenous giant viruses that reach up to several 100 kb in length. In addition, we have also discovered the entire genome of a closely related giant virus that is endogenized within the genome of Chlamydomonas incerta, the closest sequenced relative of C. reinhardtii. Endogenous giant viruses add hundreds of new gene families to the host strains, highlighting their contribution to the pangenome dynamics and interstrain genomic variability of C. reinhardtii. Our findings suggest that the endogenization of giant viruses may have important implications for structuring the population dynamics and ecology of protists in the environment.
Frequency of Alternaria Genotypes Resistant to SDHI Fungicides in California Pistachio Orchards Determined by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Camiletti Boris X. , Lichtemberg Paulo S. F. , Luo Yong , Paredes Juan A. , Marzall-Pereira Miriam , Martin Victor M. G. , Michailides Themis J.
Published: October 2022

Real-time PCR methods were developed to quantify the frequency of SDHC-H134R and SDHB-H277Y mutants associated with succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHI) resistance in Alternaria populations from pistachio. The linearity of the standard curves demonstrated the applicability in the quantification of the assays. The accuracy and reliability of the qPCR protocols to determine the frequency of mutants in real samples were corroborated. Orchards visibly affected by Alternaria late blight were sampled. The frequency of mutants was determined using the qPCR assays, while the frequency of resistant phenotypes was determined using a single discriminatory dose. The statistical analysis showed that the frequencies of the mutation SDHC-H134R determined with the qPCR assay were highly correlated with those estimated with the conventional method. The survey also evidenced that resistance to boscalid is still widespread in California. Results also indicated the possible contribution of other mutations to SDHI resistance. Our results confirmed the prevalence of SDHC-H134R mutants and the occurrence of mutation SDHB-H277Y at low frequencies. The real-time PCR methods developed in this study were able to detect differences in the frequencies of resistant mutants caused by the use of chemical fungicides. Finally, the effects of two fungicide programs on the frequency of mutants resistant to SDHI and quinone outside inhibitors fungicides were studied using qPCR assays. The experiments demonstrated that the use of anilinopyrimidine and demethylation inhibitors fungicides in the same program reduced the frequency of these mutations in Alternaria populations. The qPCR methods developed and used in this study can be used to track resistance levels in the pistachio orchards on a large scale.
Endothelial CYP2J2 overexpression restores the BRB via METTL3‐mediated ANXA1 upregulation
Authors: Zhao Bowen , Huang Jingqiu , Lou Xiaotong , Yao Ke , Ye Meng , Mou Qianxue , Wen Zheng , Duan Qiming , Zhang Hong , Zhao Yin
Published: October 2022

Blood–retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown is responsible for multiple ocular diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, age‐related macular degeneration, and retinal vascular occlusive diseases. Increased vascular permeability contributes to vasogenic edema and tissue damage, with consequent adverse effects on vision. Herein, we found that endothelial CYP2J2 overexpression maintained BRB integrity after ischemia–reperfusion injury and consequently protected against retinal ganglion cell loss. Oxidative stress repressed endothelial ANXA1 expression in vivo and in vitro. CYP2J2 upregulated methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) expression and hence promoted ANXA1 translation via ANXA1 m6A modification in endothelium under oxidative stress. CYP2J2 maintained the distribution of endothelial tight junctions and adherens junctions in an ANXA1‐dependent manner. Endothelial ANXA1 plays an indispensable role in vascular homeostasis and stabilization during development. Endothelial ANXA1 deletion disrupted retinal vascular perfusion as well as BRB integrity. CYP2J2 metabolites restored BRB integrity in the presence of ANXA1. Our findings identified the CYP2J2–METTL3–ANXA1 pathway as a potential therapeutic target for relieving BRB impairments.
Costello syndrome-associated orthopaedic manifestations focussed on kyphoscoliosis: a case series describing the natural course
Authors: Machida Masayoshi , Rocos Brett , Taira Katsuaki , Nemoto Naho , Oikawa Noboru , Ohashi Hirofumi , Machida Masafumi , Kinoshita Tomonori , Kamata Yoshinori , Nakanishi Kazuyoshi
Published: October 2022

Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic condition caused by a heterozygous mutation in the HRAS gene, with an estimated prevalence of 1: 300 000. Individuals with CS present with characteristic features including scoliosis, kyphosis, Chiari 1 malformation, and syringomyelia. The natural history of the spinal deformity associated with CS has been incompletely described. This case series describes the spinal deformity associated with CS and sets out a strategy for screening and treatment. The clinical records and spinal radiographs of nine consecutive CS patients encountered at a single centre were reviewed. Radiological assessments for the presence and progression of scoliosis were studied. Nine patients with confirmed CS were followed for a mean of 6.6 years. Five patients showed mild scoliosis. Two patients had lumbar kyphosis in addition to their scoliosis, and one showed scoliosis with proximal thoracic kyphosis. Three patients underwent investigation with MRI, one of which showed Chiari I malformation and a syrinx. One showed no change in the severity of their deformity over time. The remaining four patients showed a rate of increasing coronal deformity of 2.1° per year. There were no cases of rapid progression. All cases showed delayed skeletal maturity. The spinal deformity in CS appears to be slowly progressive. To identify those at risk of more rapid progression, brain and spine MRI should be carried out to exclude structural neurological abnormalities. Long follow-up is required for patients with spinal deformity in CS due to the delay in reaching skeletal maturity. Evidence level: 4.
Nurses' Perceptions of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role Implemented in a Highly Specialized University Hospital in Spain
Authors: Vázquez-Calatayud Mónica , Oroviogoicoechea Cristina , Rumeu-Casares Carmen , Goñi-Viguria Rosana
Published: October 2022

Purpose/Aims

To explore nurses' perceptions of clinical nurse specialist practice as implemented in a highly specialized university hospital in Spain.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study was carried out in 3 inpatient wards, with a clinical nurse specialist within the team, at a high specialized university hospital in Spain.

Method

Semistructured interviews were conducted by purposive sampling with 17 selected nurses with at least 2 years of professional experience who voluntarily agreed to participate and signed the informed consent form. Analysis of the qualitative data was conducted according to Burnard's method of content analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used.

Results

Four main categories emerged from the analysis of the data: “qualities of the role-holder,” “role competencies in practice,” “integration with the team,” and “impact of the role” on nursing, the patient, and the organization.

Conclusions

The findings of this study have interesting implications for the development and implementation of clinical nurse specialist practice in healthcare organizations. They also provide evidence of the benefit of implementing clinical nurse specialist practice for improving the quality of care, patient outcomes, and healthcare efficiency.
Nurses' Knowledge Regarding Nursing Surveillance of the Septic Patient
Authors: LeBlanc Paul , Kabbe Angela , Letvak Susan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Sepsis remains a life-threatening condition and leading cause of death in the United States despite vast efforts to understand and treat it. Successful sepsis treatment requires the timely implementation of the sepsis bundle to avoid multiple organ system failure; a key component of sepsis care is nursing surveillance. The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' knowledge of nursing surveillance related to the patient with sepsis and to describe barriers to the implementation of nursing surveillance for sepsis and the sepsis bundle.

Design

A qualitative descriptive design study used focus groups to elicit responses to open-ended questions.

Methods

Focus group interviews with 28 registered nurses were conducted. All focus group participants had a minimum of 6 months' experience caring for patients with sepsis.

Results

Five themes emerged from the study: (1) knowledge deficit of the sepsis bundle and nursing surveillance, (2) uncertain and overwhelmed, (3) lack of resources, (4) in the dark, and (5) lack of partnership/respect. The notion of fearing the patient with sepsis and knowledge deficits of nursing surveillance and sepsis bundle were unique findings.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the need for increased attention on the importance of nurse surveillance of the patient with sepsis.
Pregnant Through the COVID-19 Chaos
Authors: McNamee Lucy C. , Liu Xiaoyu , Phan Kim , Johnson Teresa , Talsma AkkeNeel
Published: October 2022

Purpose/Aims

To gain insights in how women use technology to address health information needs during the prenatal and postpartum time frame.

Design

An exploratory qualitative study recruited pregnant and recent postpartum women to share their perspectives on information they needed and how they obtained it.

Methods

Women who were pregnant or <90 days postpartum (n = 26) were recruited via social media and invited to share their experiences. Design thinking methodology was used to develop questions to understand information needs in the perinatal period as well as in context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Verbatim transcripts were coded by the research team according to Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Five themes explain the experience of seeking information to support the perinatal period. Women explained the need for the following: (1) information and relationships are inseparable, (2) current practices leave needs unmet, (3) the pandemic exposes vulnerability in prenatal care, (4) left to figure it out alone, and (5) bridging the gap through technology.

Conclusions

Aggregated findings suggest how usual care can be modified to improve support for women through personalized care, improved information support, and use of technology. The study findings inform innovative strategies using current technologies to improve health promotion in a dynamic health environment.
Caution Ahead
Authors: Cook Calli
Published: October 2022

Headache is a commonly encountered symptom in urgent care and the emergency department. Headache syndromes are classified a primary headache and do not require neuroimaging; however, patients should be assessed at each encounter for changes in their headache symptoms. This case highlights a patient who was suffering from a new headache type, characterized as different from her previous attacks and unyielding to her current acute and preventive treatment methods. The patient was sent for neuroimaging and found to have a mass within her sella turcica that required surgical intervention and removal. Assessing headache patients for red flag symptoms can uncover significant alterations in the patient's symptomatology and indicate a need for further evaluation. By evaluating for red flag symptoms, clinicians can ensure the delivery of high-quality care and better health care outcomes for patients with headache disease.
Urticaria Multiforme
Authors: Jordan Kathleen S. , Carpenter Cody
Published: October 2022

The differential diagnosis of rashes in children is challenging. Pediatric rashes indicate a broad spectrum of clinical conditions and include those that are benign and self-limiting to those that may indicate a serious multisystem inflammatory response. It is essential that emergency nurse practitioners have the knowledge and skill set to accurately identify the spectrum of rashes in the pediatric population to arrive at the correct diagnosis for patient management and avoid costly and unnecessary diagnostic testing. The purpose of this article is to describe a case report of a young child with urticaria multiforme, a commonly misdiagnosed clinical condition, including the distinctive clinical features, differential diagnosis, and most current treatment recommendations. Other clinical conditions that present with skin lesions resembling urticaria multiforme conditions have also been discussed.
Implementation of a Standardized Protocol for Telehealth Provider in Triage to Improve Efficiency and ED Throughput
Authors: Fleming Adam , Whitty Kristin
Published: October 2022

There has been a significant rise in the number of emergency department (ED) visits over the past 15 years despite the number of ED providers and treatment spaces remaining fixed (M. P. Lin et al., 2018). A hospital's need to quickly initiate care upon patient arrival is of paramount importance to combat these ED overcrowding trends. A teleprovider in triage (TPIT) program without a standardized operating protocol leads to significant provider practice variations and limits effectiveness of a TPIT program. The intention of this health care project was to reduce ED time metrics and reduce the number of patients who left before evaluation by implementing a standardized TPIT protocol. This standardization allowed for a more predictable experience for the patient and ED staff. This quality improvement project involved developing and implementing a standardized TPIT protocol to improve TPIT efficiency and throughput. Patient ED visit metrics were collected during the pre- and postimplementation periods to evaluate for any improvement in throughput due to the TPIT protocol. The TPIT advanced practice providers (APPs) showed significant improvement in knowledge following the TPIT protocol education with an increase in provider comfort (p < 0.05). Time spent by the TPIT provider on each patient encounter was reduced by 23%, demonstrating increased provider efficiency. Improvements in discharge lengths of stay (LOS) (p = 0.68) and room to discharge LOS (p < 0.05) were noted following the implementation of the TPIT protocol.

Conclusions:

The implementation of the TPIT protocol provided improvements in APP knowledge and understanding of the process while increasing provider efficiency. Improvements were identified in specific ED patient metrics demonstrating the significance of the TPIT protocol on patient care.
An Adolescent in the Emergency Department with Pelvic Pain
Authors: Hellier Susan Dee
Published: October 2022

Imperforate hymen is a cause of pelvic pain in adolescent females who have not reached menarche. There is scant literature on adolescent gynecology for the emergency provider. The literature about the adolescent with imperforate hymen is usually in a case report format. A patient with imperforate hymen is presented in this article. The purpose of this case study was to review the urgent presentation of imperforate hymen. Advanced emergency providers need to consider the possibility of imperforate hymen in the list of differential diagnoses for pelvic pain in adolescent females. Prompt diagnosis of imperforate hymen allows the emergency provider to initiate gynecological referral for definitive treatment.
Purpura fulminans secondary to Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteraemia following a dog bite: A case report and review of literature.

Authors: Killington Kieran , Lee Nathaniel , Asher Radha , Farrant Olivia , Stone Neil
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Infection due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus may result in a wide variety of clinical presentations. We present a case of life-threatening Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection with evolution of ecchymosis to purpura fulminans.
Case description. We present a case of a 43-year-old male with a significant history of alcohol use who presented with features of sepsis following a dog bite. This was associated with a striking, widespread purpuric rash.  A causative pathogen, C. canimorsus was identified through blood culture and 16S RNA sequencing. His initially purpuric rash underwent bullous change and was diagnosed clinically as purpura fulminans, confirmed on skin biopsy. He made a full recovery with prompt antimicrobial therapy, initially with amoxiclav/clavulanic acid but escalated to clindamycin and meropenem due to clinical deterioration and concerns of beta-lactamase resistance.
Discussion . b-lactamase producing Capnocytophaga strains are of increasing concern. This particular concern is reflected in our case as five days into treatment with b-lactamase inhibitor combination therapy the patients clinical condition deteriorated but demonstrably improved on switching to a carbapenem.
The development of biopsy proven purpura fulminans in this immunocompetent case is a rare severe manifestation of the previously reported manifestation of DIC in Capnocytophaga septicaemia. The case reported describes characteristics common with other DIC presentations such as the presence of clinical risk factors (history of alcohol excess) and symmetrical involvement. However, an unusual feature in that initial purpuric lesions were followed by the development of a bullous appearance and peripheral necrotic features concerning for purpura fulminans and confirmed with skin biopsy.
Roseovarius carneus sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a coastal phytoplankton bloom in Xiamen
Authors: Sun Xueqiong , Lin Dan , Han Yu , Sun Jia , Ye Jianing , Chen Beihan , Tang Kai
Published: October 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, ovoid or short rod shaped and aerobic marine bacterium, designated as strain LXJ103T, was isolated from a coastal phytoplankton bloom in Xiamen, PR China. Cells were oxidase- and catalase-positive. Strain LXJ103T grew at 4–40 °C (optimum, 28–37 °C), at pH 6–10 (optimum, pH 8.5) and with 1–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C18 : 1
 ω7c/iso-C18 : 1
 ω6c (70.2 %) and C16 : 0 (10.3 %). The following polar lipids were found to be present: phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and five unknown glycolipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Strain LXJ103T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Roseovarius litorisediminis

D1-W8T (96.97 %). The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LXJ103T was a member of the genus

Roseovarius

. The draft genome size of strain LXJ103T is 3.05 Mb with a genomic G+C content of 61.22 mol%. The digital DNA–DNA genome hybridization value of strain LXJ103T compared with the most similar type strain

R. litorisediminis

CECT 8287T was 18.80 %. The average nucleotide identity value between strain LXJ103T and

R. litorisediminis

CECT 8287T was 72.60 %. On the basis of polyphasic data, strain LXJ103T represents a novel species of the genus

Roseovarius

, for which the name Roseovarius carneus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LXJ103T (=CGMCC 1.19168T=MCCC 1K06527T=JCM 34778T).