bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dominant Discourses at Play: How Children’s Soccer Coaches of Mixed-Sex Programs in Ontario, Canada, Understand Sex and Gender
Authors: Hamer Julia , Giles Audrey R.
Published: December 2023

In this study, we explore how soccer coaches of children’s mixed-sex programs in Ontario understand sex and gender in the context of their coaching practices. Informed by feminist science studies and feminist methodologies, we conducted semistructured interviews with 11 coaches. Through critical discourse analysis, we identified the coaches’ (re)production of three discourses: (a) gender is constructed but categorical; (b) inevitable and hierarchal sex differences necessitate sex segregation; and (c) girls’ sport is vulnerable, and girls in sport require support. The results of this study indicate that these coaches’ understandings of sex and gender are heavily informed by discourses of sex essentialism and sex and gender difference, which together legitimize the need for a binary sex/gender model of sport. Understanding the ways in which sport enforces and is shaped by the limited binary and naturalized notions of sex and gender is one step in reimagining a more just and inclusive model of sport, including children’s sport, and in creating sport spaces where players of all genders can thrive.
Ecological response of step-pool streams to wildfire in the Front Range of Colorado (USA)
Authors: O’Dowd Alison P. , Solverson Anna P. , Chin Anne
Published: December 2023

Wildfire affects ecosystems via the disruption of landforms and biota. Step and pool formations in mountainous streams have important hydraulic and ecological functions, but there is little information on wildfire impacts on step‐pool ecosystems. This chapter describes a study examining the biophysical responses of headwater mountain streams for 2 years following the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire in Pike National Forest (Front Range of Colorado, USA). We focused on the impacts of this wildfire on stream invertebrate communities, including richness, composition, and traits related to disturbance tolerance and habit types, as well as functional feeding groups. We tested the hypothesis that the postfire responses of invertebrate communities will depend on vegetation burn severity (unburned, low severity, and moderate/high severity), with responses being greater in moderate/high-severity than unburned or low-severity basins. Our results indicated that the relative abundances of sensitive invertebrates decreased and tolerant taxa increased after fire at sites draining catchments burned at moderate/high severity, and few postfire impacts were found on invertebrates at sites draining catchments that burned at low severity, relative to unburned sites. Regarding the relative abundances of trait groups, shredder abundance was higher at low-severity burned sites compared to sites burned at moderate/high severity and unburned sites throughout the study, and sprawler abundance was higher at low-severity burn sites compared to moderate/high-severity burn sites and unburned basins in 2013. However, values of all invertebrate variables in moderately/highly burned reaches generally returned to unburned levels by 2 years postfire. Stream geomorphological variables, specifically changes in the vertical profile of the stream channel over time, were negatively correlated with taxa richness, family biotic index, and percentage of shredders. Fire management strategies that prevent or reduce the severity of catastrophic wildfire, such as forest thinning or prescribed fire, as well as efforts to reestablish natural channel morphology, can ameliorate the impacts of wildfire on stream communities and help to establish stable, healthy, and diverse ecosystems in steep environments in the Front Range and elsewhere.
Digestive System Anatomy and Feeding Mechanism of Quatuoralisia malakhovi (Hemichordata, Torquaratoridae)
Authors: Malakhov V. V. , Lukinykh A. I. , Ezhova O. V.
Published: December 2023

The digestive system was anatomically studied in the deep-sea enteropneust Quatuoralisia mala-khovi. It was shown that lateral collar lips are twisted in such a way that they form a ciliary groove that leads to an internal channel, through which collected detritus particles are transferred to peripheral pharyngeal channels. The size of the selected particles ranges from 1–6 to 100–200 μm, which corresponds to feeding on the remains of planktonic diatoms. A fecal cord was observed to act as an anchor that holds the heavily watered jelly-like body of Torquaratoridae at the sea floor during feeding.
Hydrometrocolpos: antenatal diagnosis and postnatal management
Authors: Singh Anita , Mandelia Ankur , Naranje Kirti , Mandal Kausik
Published: December 2023

Hydrometrocolpos is a rare finding in newborns. It can be an isolated finding or may be associated with syndromes. Antenatal diagnosis is possible. It is due to the accumulation of secretion in the uterus, distending it and resulting in abdominal swelling. In case of suspected syndromes, an attempt should be made to look for other organ involvement and genetic diagnosis. We here report a term neonate with hydrometrocolpos, which was antenatally diagnosed and was managed conservatively.
Typhoid spondylodiscitis of the cervical spine
Authors: Norisyam Yusoff , Jayamalar Thurairajasingam , Foo Choong Hoon , Ohn Khin Maung
Published: December 2023

Spinal infection comprises pyogenic and non-pyogenic spondylodiscitis. This condition may manifest with non-specific clinical symptoms, elevated infective parameters and imaging findings that are difficult to distinguish. The cornerstone of a definitive diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment lies in tissue analysis through culture and histopathological studies. In this context, we present a case of Salmonella pyogenic spondylodiscitis affecting the C5/C6 vertebrae, complicated by Salmonella bacteraemia and characterised by mechanical neck pain that curtails daily activities and overall functioning, although without neurological deficits. The uniqueness of this case stems from its occurrence in an immunocompetent individual from a non-endemic area, with no identifiable sources of Salmonella infection or preceding gastrointestinal symptoms.
Rapidly progressive empyema in the setting of vaping in an otherwise healthy patient
Authors: Jarrah Abdullah , Sweidan Hisham Botrus , Alratroot Ahmad , Esber Zahia
Published: December 2023

Vaping is defined as inhaling and exhaling vapour that is a product of heating a liquid or wax-like material. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become a popular method of smoking in the last decade and are advertised as an alternative to conventional smoking. Since the increase in e-cigarette use, various lung injury patterns have started to appear among users. Recent studies have shown an increased susceptibility to respiratory tract infections among e-cigarette/vaping product users. We present a case of pneumonia caused byPseudomonas fluorescenscomplicated by rapidly developing empyema in an otherwise healthy patient.
Clostridium perfringensempyema after right hemicolectomy for caecal volvulus
Authors: Morocho Bryant , Tellios Nikoleta , Morocho Catherin , McElhaney Nathaniel
Published: December 2023

Empyema of the lung is an infection-induced collection of fluid in the chest cavity.Clostridium perfringensis a bacterium that inhabits the intestine and is a rare cause of empyema after abdominal surgery. A slow phase of infection, associated withC. perfringensempyema, has previously been reported in cases of similar infections. Herein, we present a case ofC. perfringensempyema following abdominal surgery. The empyema was initially managed using oxygen supplementation, fluid drainage and antibiotic therapy.

This initial therapy failed in the present case because multiple collections of infected fluid prevented the lungs from expanding, requiring decortication, a pulmonary operation to remove the inflammatory tissue from the walls of the lung and associated with the infection, to allow the lung to expand. Following this operation, the patient recovered baseline levels of breathing and oxygen supplementation.
Effects of sport or physical recreation for adults with physical or intellectual disabilities: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Hassett Leanne , McKay Marnee J , Cole Jenni , Moseley Anne M , Chagpar Sakina , Geerts Minke , Kwok Wing S , Jensen Connie , Sherrington Catherine , Shields Nora
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of sport or physical recreation on participation, mobility and quality of life for adults living with disabilities.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data sources

Six databases searched from inception to May 2022.

Eligibility criteria

Randomised controlled trials including adults living with a physical or intellectual disability, comparing sport or physical recreation to non-active control.

Results

Seventy-four trials (n=2954; mean age 55 years) were included. Most (70) trials included people with physical disabilities, none evaluated sport and the most common physical recreation activities tested were traditional Chinese exercise (35%), yoga (27%) and dance (18%). Mean frequency and duration was 65 min/session, two times per week for 13 weeks. Most (86%) interventions were led by people with experience and/or training in the recreation activity, and only 37% reported leader experience and/or training working with people with disabilities. Participation was measured as attendance (mean 81%, 30 intervention groups). Physical recreation improved mobility (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.38, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.69, n=469) and walking endurance (mean difference (MD) 40.3 m, 95% CI 19.5 to 61.1, n=801) with low certainty evidence and balance (Berg Balance Scale, range 0–56 points; MD 3.4 points, 95% CI 2.3 to 4.4, n=906) and quality of life (physical health; SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.72, n=468) with very low certainty evidence, but not walking speed (MD 0.03 m/s, 95% CI −0.05 to 0.11, n=486).

Conclusion

Physical recreation may confer multiple benefits for people living with disabilities regardless of the activity chosen, thus offering a potentially enjoyable and scalable strategy to increase physical activity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018104379.
Implementation and evaluation of an event reporting system in an academic anaesthesia department
Authors: Ituk Unyime , Mueller Rashmi
Published: December 2023

Background

Reporting adverse clinical events is essential to a culture of safety in healthcare. However, self-reporting such events is generally not widely prevalent in a typical academic anaesthesia department.

Methods

We set out to create a self-reporting tool to securely accept data from multiple anaesthesia service locations, including data linked to our electronic anaesthesia record, and combine them into an accessible database.

We created a web-based database module for incident reporting integrated into the department’s intranet. The system was also designed to actively prompt anaesthesia providers for reports following each day of clinical work.

Results

478 events were recorded in the database in the first year of implementation. There were 33 347 anaesthesia encounters in that period, translating to a reporting rate of 1.43% (95% CI 1.31% to 1.57%). In the second year, which coincided with the second phase of implementation, 608 events were reported out of 45 985 anaesthesia encounters, for a reporting rate of 1.32% (95% CI 1.22% to 1.43%). Approximately 40% of events entered into the database occurred in a non-operating room location. The annual reporting rates for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 1.26% (95% CI 1.16% to 1.37%), 1.15% (95% CI 1.05% to 1.25%), 1% (95% CI 0.9% to 1.1%), 0.6% (95% CI 0.53% to 0.68%), 0.5% (95% CI 0.44% to 0.57%), 0.4% (95% CI 0.3% to 0.5%), respectively.

Conclusions

Our incident reporting system facilitated reporting of events within and outside the operating room. The system captured event data valid for quality improvement within the anaesthesia department.
The Creating Brave Spaces workshop: a report on simulation-based faculty development to disarm microaggressions
Authors: Tong X Catherine , Chopra Sonaina , Jordan Hannah , Sibbald Matthew , Geekie-Sousa Aaron , Monteiro Sandra
Published: December 2023

Background

Microaggressions occur regularly in the clinical and teaching environments and is harmful to individuals, teams and institutions. The aim of this brief report is to share experiences in developing and conducting a simulation-based faculty development initiative, the Creating Brave Spaces (CBS) workshop, to disarm microaggressions.

Methods

In 2021–2023, a total of six workshops were arranged for faculty in different settings, including faculty development events, faculty retreats, national and international conferences. From each workshop, the team gained insight and experience that they incorporated into additional deliveries. Experiences and lessons learnt from facilitators have been subject to systematic reflection by the authors.

Results

A total of 85 faculty participated in the workshops. We experienced that context was important and that participants varied greatly in their understanding of the concept of microaggression. We also found that participants play an active role in the co-creating of the learning experience. Highly engaged participants have shared their own techniques to disarm microaggressions with each other, adding value to the workshop. We experienced that facilitators found it helpful to debrief as a team after each event and incorporate experiences into future deliveries.

Conclusion

The CBS workshop is a feasible approach to build awareness about microaggressions and to learn strategies to disarm microaggressions.
Synthesis of a fluorescent chemical probe for imaging of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels
Authors: Schroeder Megan D. , Hellgren Victor , Menard Frederic
Published: December 2023

Herein, we report the synthesis of a chemical probe for real-time visualization of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) using fluorescence microscopy. The probe, FluoBar2, is based on a barbiturate ligand selective for LTCCs. FluoBar2 contains the organic fluorophore 5-carboxyfluorescein and was synthesized in seven total steps with a 22% overall yield.
A computational study of the structures and base-pairing properties of pyrrolizidine alkaloid-derived DNA adducts
Authors: Franz Mckenzie , Kebel Melanie S. , Sandhu Pardeepak , Moldovan Denisa , Adamitz Taylor , Kaur Rajwinder , Jeong Ye Eun Rebecca , Wetmore Stacey D.
Published: December 2023

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are found in many plants worldwide, including some in Canada. PAs have been linked to losses in livestock populations and the development of human PA diseases. Four PA-derived dehydrosupinidine (DHP) adducts formed at the exocyclic amino groups of DNA purines have been found in tumor tissue and flagged as potential biomarkers for tumor formation (denoted DHP–G/A–3 and DHP–G/A–4). Four additional adducts (DHP–G/A–1 and DHP–G/A–2) have also been identified, which differ in the stereochemistry at the DHP–nucleobase linker or DHP ring carbon containing the hydroxy group, as well as the length of the DHP–nucleobase linker. Since the impact of these distinct chemical features on adduct mutagenicity is currently unclear, the present work uses density functional theory calculations to uncover the structures and base-pairing properties of these experimentally-observed DHP-derived purine adducts. Adduct Watson–Crick–Franklin base pairs involving the canonical partner are energetically and structurally feasible. However, the G/A–3 and G/A–4 adducts are also highly susceptible to mispairing with G. Indeed, the longer and more flexible DHP–nucleobase linker in these adducts affords interactions between the DHP moiety and the pairing G that are not possible for the G/A–1 and G/A–2 counterparts. Our data thus rationalize the experimental identification of this subset of adducts in liver tumor tissue, and provide key insights to guide future experimental and computational studies that investigate the replication and broader biological outcomes of DHP-derived lesions.
Toward decolonizing sustainability research: a systematic process to guide critical reflections
Authors: Hill Lowine Stella , Ghorpade Sarah , Galappaththi Madu
Published: December 2023

With growing attention to the ethical and equity implications of Western-based approaches to research, the urgency of decolonizing research has emerged as a critical topic across academic disciplines, including the field of sustainability. The complexity and messiness of this endeavour, however, may translate into uncertainty among researchers about how and where to start. This is partly due to a lack of guidance, training, and accountability mechanisms through Western academic institutions. In this paper, we advance a three-step process that systematically guides critical reflection toward respectful engagement of local and Indigenous communities, as well as other marginalized groups, by drawing on the literature and on learnings from a recent graduate student-led initiative. The process we develop aims to provide a pragmatic starting point for decolonizing research and a counterpoint to conventional modes of research. Such a process will not only foster accountability, respect, and reciprocity but also movement toward locally relevant, context-appropriate, and action-oriented research outcomes. Our three-step process also challenges Western-based and extractive research practices and seeks to facilitate a shift in mindset about the purpose of research and how to approach it.
Electrostatics and hydrophobicity in the dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Vancraenenbroeck Renee , Hofmann Hagen
Published: December 2023

Internal friction is a major contribution to the dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Yet, the molecular origin of internal friction has so far been elusive. Here, we investigate whether attractive electrostatic interactions in IDPs modulate internal friction differently than the hydrophobic effect. To this end, we used nanosecond fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (nsFCS) and single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to quantify the conformation and dynamics of the disordered DNA-binding domains Myc, Max and Mad at different salt concentrations. We find that internal friction effects are stronger when the chain is compacted by electrostatic attractions compared to the hydrophobic effect. Although the effect is moderate, the results show that the heteropolymeric nature of IDPs is reflected in their dynamics.

Graphical abstract
Climate Change Effects on Employment in the Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector
Authors: ALEHILE Kehinde Samuel
Published: December 2023

Climate change poses mounting risks to agricultural development and rural livelihoods in Nigeria. This study investigates the impacts of climate change on agricultural sector employment in Nigeria. Agriculture provides income and sustenance for much of Nigeria’s rural population. However, smallholder rain-fed farming predominates, with minimal resilience to climate shifts. Historical data reveal rising temperatures and declining, erratic rainfall across Nigeria’s agro-ecological zones since the 1970s. Crop modeling predicts further climate changes will reduce yields of key staple crops. This threatens the viability of smallholder agriculture and risks widespread job losses. The study adopts a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) modeling approach to evaluate climate change effects on agricultural sector employment in Nigeria from 1990 to 2020. Findings reveal reduced rainfall initially raises employment, as farming requires more labor in dry conditions. However, protracted droughts significantly reduce agricultural jobs. Increased temperatures consistently lower farm employment through reduced yields and incomes. Based on these findings, the study recommends that adaptive strategies are urgently needed to build resilience, promote climate-smart agriculture, and safeguard rural livelihoods.
Data Bias Management
Authors: Demartini Gianluca , Roitero Kevin , Mizzaro Stefano
Published: December 2023

Envisioning a unique approach toward bias and fairness research.
Deceiving Humans and Machines Alike: Search-based Test Input Generation for DNNs Using Variational Autoencoders
Authors: Kang Sungmin , Feldt Robert , Yoo Shin
Published: December 2023

Due to the rapid adoption of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) into larger software systems, testing of DNN-based systems has received much attention recently. While many different test adequacy criteria have been suggested, we lack effective test input generation techniques. Inputs such as images of real-world objects and scenes are not only expensive to collect but also difficult to randomly sample. Consequently, current testing techniques for DNNs tend to apply small local perturbations to existing inputs to generate new inputs. We propose SINVAD (Search-based Input space Navigation using Variational AutoencoDers), a way to sample from, and navigate over, a space of realistic inputs that resembles the true distribution in the training data. Our input space is constructed using Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), and navigated through their latent vector space. Our analysis shows that the VAE-based input space is well-aligned with human perception of what constitutes realistic inputs. Further, we show that this space can be effectively searched to achieve various testing scenarios, such as boundary testing of two different DNNs or analyzing class labels that are difficult for the given DNN to distinguish. Guidelines on how to design VAE architectures are presented as well. Our results have the potential to open the field to meaningful exploration through the space of highly structured images.
Creation of Dihedral Escher-like Tilings Based on As-Rigid-As-Possible Deformation
Authors: Nagata Yuichi , Imahori Shinji
Published: December 2023

An Escher-like tiling is a tiling consisting of one or a few artistic shapes of tile. This article proposes a method for generating Escher-like tilings consisting of two distinct shapes (dihedral Escher-like tilings) that are as similar as possible to the two goal shapes specified by the user. This study is an extension of a previous study that successfully generated Escher-like tilings consisting of a single tile shape for a single goal shape. Building upon the previous study, our method attempts to exhaustively search for which parts of the discretized tile contours are adjacent to each other to form a tiling. For each configuration, two tile shapes are optimized to be similar to the given two goal shapes. By evaluating the similarity based on as-rigid-as possible deformation energy, the optimized tile shapes preserve the local structures of the goal shapes, even if substantial deformations are necessary to form a tiling. However, in the dihedral case, this approach is seemingly unrealistic because it suffers from the complexity of the energy function and the combinatorial explosion of the possible configurations. We developed a method to address these issues and show that the proposed algorithms can generate satisfactory dihedral Escher-like tilings in a realistic computation time, even for somewhat complex goal shapes.
Building Domain-Specific Machine Learning Workflows: A Conceptual Framework for the State of the Practice
Authors: Oakes Bentley James , Famelis Michalis , Sahraoui Houari
Published: December 2023

Domain experts are increasingly employing machine learning to solve their domain-specific problems. This article presents to software engineering researchers the six key challenges that a domain expert faces in addressing their problem with a computational workflow, and the underlying executable implementation. These challenges arise out of our conceptual framework which presents the “route” of transformations that a domain expert may choose to take while developing their solution.

To ground our conceptual framework in the state of the practice, this article discusses a selection of available textual and graphical workflow systems and their support for the transformations described in our framework. Example studies from the literature in various domains are also examined to highlight the tools used by the domain experts as well as a classification of the domain specificity and machine learning usage of their problem, workflow, and implementation.

The state of the practice informs our discussion of the six key challenges, where we identify which challenges and transformations are not sufficiently addressed by available tools. We also suggest possible research directions for software engineering researchers to increase the automation of these tools and disseminate best-practice techniques between software engineering and various scientific domains.
Test Generation Strategies for Building Failure Models and Explaining Spurious Failures
Authors: Jodat Baharin A. , Chandar Abhishek , Nejati Shiva , Sabetzadeh Mehrdad
Published: December 2023

Test inputs fail not only when the system under test is faulty but also when the inputs are invalid or unrealistic. Failures resulting from invalid or unrealistic test inputs are spurious. Avoiding spurious failures improves the effectiveness of testing in exercising the main functions of a system, particularly for compute-intensive (CI) systems where a single test execution takes significant time. In this article, we propose to build failure models for inferring interpretable rules on test inputs that cause spurious failures. We examine two alternative strategies for building failure models: (1) machine learning (ML)-guided test generation and (2) surrogate-assisted test generation.
ML-guided test generation
infers boundary regions that separate passing and failing test inputs and samples test inputs from those regions.
Surrogate-assisted test generation
relies on surrogate models to predict labels for test inputs instead of exercising all the inputs. We propose a novel surrogate-assisted algorithm that uses multiple surrogate models simultaneously, and dynamically selects the prediction from the most accurate model. We empirically evaluate the accuracy of failure models inferred based on surrogate-assisted and ML-guided test generation algorithms. Using case studies from the domains of cyber-physical systems and networks, we show that our proposed surrogate-assisted approach generates failure models with an average accuracy of 83%, significantly outperforming ML-guided test generation and two baselines. Further, our approach learns failure-inducing rules that identify genuine spurious failures as validated against domain knowledge.
Peripheral hypercapnic chemosensitivity at rest and progressive exercise intensities in males and females
Authors: Wright Madeline D. , Mann Leah M. , Doherty Connor J. , Thompson Benjamin P. , Angus Sarah A. , Chang Jou-Chung , Dominelli Paolo B.
Published: December 2023

Unloaded exercise significantly increased the peripheral hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) compared with rest. However, increases in exercise intensity did not further augment peripheral HCVR. Males had a greater peripheral HCVR compared with females, but there was no interaction between sex and intensity. The lack of sex interactions suggests the mechanism augmenting the peripheral HCVR with exercise is independent of sex. The increase in peripheral HCVR with exercise is likely due to central command.
Perspectives of Mothers and Providers regarding Virtual Care Approaches during Pregnancy in High and Low-Income Countries: A Meta-Synthesis on Qualitative Studies
Authors: Sabetrohani Hamideh , Koohpayehzadeh Jalil , Sheikhtaheri Abbas , Goli Shahrbanoo , Keramat Afsaneh
Published: December 2023

Background. Various conflicting views have been presented between beneficiaries from different countries regarding the usage of virtual prenatal care. This review aimed to explain the perspectives of mothers and providers in high- and low-income countries regarding virtual approaches during pregnancy. Methods. This synthesis was conducted with an aggregative technique (which adopts a pragmatist epistemological framework) by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, SID, Irandoc, Magiran databases, and Google Scholar search engine from January 2005 to February 2021 and completed until December 2022. Qualitative and mixed-method studies in English were included in this review. Extracted codes were set in three areas: participants, type of views (+ or −), and countries’ income levels. We used the JBI checklist for critical appraisal of the included studies. Results. Altogether, 1201 studies were retrieved, and finally, 16 articles were included in this review. We focused on the similarities of the extracted codes based on the stakeholders’ perspectives. These codes were organized into seven categories: positive or negative belief/sense, socio-cultural issues, economic save or cost, communication and information, technical issues, access and utilization, and management issues. At both income levels countries, the availability of services, lack of trust in virtual methods, cost of services or smartphones, and challenging interactions were shared codes between mothers. Also, raising engagements and extending workloads were shared items between providers. Overall, language barriers, saving time, and Internet disconnection or poor connectivity were three shared codes between the beneficiaries at two levels of countries regarding virtual care during pregnancy. Conclusion. Paying attention to virtual methods in maternal care is inevitable. Evidence illustrated that mothers and healthcare providers had different positive or negative views on this issue. The stakeholders’ perspectives should be considered in policies related to removing barriers and strengthening the benefits of virtual care during pregnancy.
Association between Pneumonia Development and Virulence Gene Expression in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens
Authors: Bae Ji Yun , Yun Ina , Jun Kang Il , Kim Chung-Jong , Lee Miae , Choi Hee Jung
Published: December 2023

We investigated the virulence gene expression of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (CRAB) isolated from the respiratory samples of patients with CRAB pneumonia and those with CRAB colonization to identify the virulence genes contributing to CRAB pneumonia’s development and mortality. Patients with CRAB identified from respiratory specimens were screened at a tertiary university hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Patients were classified into CRAB pneumonia or CRAB colonization groups according to predefined clinical criteria. A. baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens was examined for the expression levels of ompA, uspA, hfq, hisF, feoA, and bfnL by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Among 156 patients with CRAB from respiratory specimens, 17 and 24 met the criteria for inclusion in the pneumonia and colonization groups, respectively. The expression level of ompA was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the colonization group (1.45 vs. 0.63, P=0.03). The expression levels of ompA (1.97 vs. 0.86, P=0.02), hisF (1.06 vs. 0.10, P<0.01), uspA (1.62 vs. 1.01, P<0.01), and bfnL (3.14 vs. 2.14, P=0.03) were significantly higher in patients with 30-day mortality than in the surviving patients. Elevated expression of hisF (adjusted odds ratio = 5.93, P=0.03) and uspA (adjusted odds ratio = 7.36, P=0.02) were associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for age and the Charlson score. uspA and hisF may serve as putative targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Biological Activities of Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit Extracts from Lagos
Authors: Imaga Ngozi Awa , Iheagwam Franklyn Nonso , Urua Edidiong , Ebigwai Evarista Ayodele
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the nutritional, phytochemical, and biological activities of Chrysophyllum albidum aqueous (CAA) and ethanolic (CAE) fruit extracts from Lagos. Proximate, vitamin and mineral compositions, phytochemicals, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the extracts were analysed. There was no difference in the composition of moisture content, total ash, carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, fibre, and caloric values in CAA and CAE. Elemental analysis showed the presence of sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, and copper, while vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, and K were also present. The total tannin, flavonoid, and phenol contents of CAA were higher than those of CAE; however, CAE elicited stronger reducing power, antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and nitric oxide scavenging activities than CAA. The antibacterial activity of CAA was bactericidal on all tested bacterial clinical strains with the most promising activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity of CAE was bactericidal on all tested organisms except Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus faecalis on which it was bacteriostatic. The most promising bactericidal activity was against Staphylococcus epidermidis and P. aeruginosa. These findings conclude the strong antioxidant effect of C. albidum fruit extracts in addition to a broad-spectrum antibacterial property.
Refractory Cytomegalovirus Colitis in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Requiring Total Colectomy
Authors: Almushir Sulaiman , Aljohani Faisal , Qatomah Abdulrahman
Published: December 2023

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is an uncommon infection in immunocompetent hosts, usually occurring in the presence of an underlying immunodeficiency condition that allows for the reactivation of latent CMV infection. CMV colitis typically presents with persistent diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by bloody stools and nonspecific abdominal pain. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman known to have chronic CMV colitis, which was diagnosed in the context of underlying common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Despite multiple attempts at managing CMV colitis, her symptoms persisted over the years. Ultimately, the patient required a pan colectomy due to refractory CMV colitis.
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Related Hospitalization among Cancer Survivors
Authors: White Larissa L. , Burnett-Hartman Andrea N. , Ichikawa Laura E. , Goldberg Shauna R. , Chubak Jessica , Spencer Feigelson Heather , Kamineni Aruna
Published: December 2023

Background:

Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity among a growing population of cancer survivors. We describe the association of infection and related hospitalization by recency of cancer diagnosis in a large U.S. cohort.

Methods:

Participants were sent electronic surveys between April 2020 and January 2021 to collect information on SARS-CoV-2 infection and potential COVID-19–related risk factors. SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified using survey report of a COVID-19–positive test and electronic health record data. Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated up to 365 days from baseline survey and stratified by recency of cancer diagnosis. Among those with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we used logistic regression to estimate the association between recency of cancer diagnosis and hospitalization within 30 days of infection.

Results:

Cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at 365 days was 3.3% [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.2%–3.5%] among those without cancer history and ranged from 2.8% (95% CI, 2.3%–3.5%) to 3.7% (95% CI, 2.9%–4.7%) among those with a history of cancer depending on recency. There was no statistically significant difference in odds of hospitalization within 30 days following SARS-CoV-2 infection by cancer diagnosis recency.

Conclusions:

Our null findings are consistent with other studies on COVID-19 infection risk in cancer survivors, where COVID-19 severity and sequelae were independent of cancer history and were likely associated with factors such as intensive care unit admission, noncancer comorbid conditions, and long-term care residency.

Impact:

This study can inform COVID-19 risk-counseling of cancer survivors and their caregivers as we continue to contend with COVID-19.
Objective Analysis and Clinical Significance of the Spatial Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte Patterns in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Lopez de Rodas Miguel , Wang Yvonne , Peng Gang , Gu Jianlei , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Riess Jonathan W. , Velcheti Vamsidhar , Hellmann Matthew , Gainor Justin F. , Zhao Hongyu , Schalper Kurt A.
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

The spatial arrangement of lymphocytes in the tumor bed (e.g., immune infiltrated, immune excluded, immune desert) is expected to reflect distinct immune evasion mechanisms and to associate with immunotherapy outcomes. However, data supporting these associations are scant and limited by the lack of a clear definition for lymphocyte infiltration patterns and the subjective nature of pathology-based approaches.

Experimental Design:

We used multiplexed immunofluorescence to study major tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subsets with single-cell resolution in baseline whole-tissue section samples from NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). The spatial TIL patterns were analyzed using a qualitative pathologist-based approach, and an objective analysis of TIL density ratios in tumor/stromal tissues. The association of spatial patterns with outcomes was studied for different TIL markers.

Results:

The analysis of CD8+ TIL patterns using qualitative assessment identified prominent limitations including the presence of a broad spectrum of phenotypes within most tumors and limited association with outcomes. The utilization of an objective method to classify NSCLCs showed the existence of at least three subgroups with partial overlap with those defined using visual patterns. Using this strategy, a subset of cases with “immune excluded-like” tumors showed prominently worse outcomes, suggesting reduced sensitivity to ICI; however, these results need to be validated. The analysis for other TIL subsets showed different results, underscoring the relevance of the marker selected for spatial TIL pattern evaluation and opportunities for market integration.

Conclusions:

Our results identified major challenges associated with the qualitative spatial TIL pattern evaluation. We devised a novel objective strategy to overcome some of these limitations that has strong biomarker potential.
Supplementary Data 1 from FBXW7-loss Sensitizes Cells to ATR Inhibition Through Induced Mitotic Catastrophe
Authors: O'Brien Siobhan , Ubhi Tajinder , Wolf Lucie , Gandhi Krishna , Lin Sichun , Chaudary Naz , Dhani Neesha C. , Milosevic Michael , Brown Grant W. , Angers Stephane
Published: December 2023

Raw read counts and bayes factors for CRISPR screen
FIGURE 3 from FBXW7-loss Sensitizes Cells to ATR Inhibition Through Induced Mitotic Catastrophe
Authors: O'Brien Siobhan , Ubhi Tajinder , Wolf Lucie , Gandhi Krishna , Lin Sichun , Chaudary Naz , Dhani Neesha C. , Milosevic Michael , Brown Grant W. , Angers Stephane
Published: December 2023

Cells harboring FBXW7 mutations have enhanced sensitivity to AZD6738. A, Dose–response assay using AZD6738 in HPAF-II wild-type and FBXW7−/−, representative of three replicates, mean ± SEM. B, Clonogenic growth assay in HPAF-II wild-type and FBXW7−/−, representative images of three replicates. C, Quantification of clonogenic growth assays, n = 3, mean ± SEM, two-way ANOVA. D, Dose–response assay of cervical cancer cells C33A (FBXW7R465H), SiHa and Caski (both FBXW7WT), representative of three replicates, mean ± SEM. E, Clonogenic growth assays in a cervical cancer cell line panel, representative images of three replicates. F, Quantification of clonogenic growth assays, n = 3, mean ± SEM, two-way ANOVA. G, AZD6738 sensitivity data from The Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap, Broad Institute) in cancers that harbor high rates of FBXW7 alterations; cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and colorectal cancer. Mean ± SEM, unpaired t test, **, P < 0.01.
FIGURE 2 from FBXW7-loss Sensitizes Cells to ATR Inhibition Through Induced Mitotic Catastrophe
Authors: O'Brien Siobhan , Ubhi Tajinder , Wolf Lucie , Gandhi Krishna , Lin Sichun , Chaudary Naz , Dhani Neesha C. , Milosevic Michael , Brown Grant W. , Angers Stephane
Published: December 2023

FBXW7−/− cells have high levels of replication stress and a reduced replication fork rate. A, Immunofluorescence of markers of DNA damage (γH2AX, 53BP1) and replication stress (RPA32) are increased in the FBXW7−/− cells compared with wild-type. Representative images of three replicate experiments, scale bar 20 µm. B, Quantification of immunofluorescence images, combination of three replicate experiments, mean ± SEM, unpaired t test. C, Schematic of pulsing strategy used for DNA combing of wild-type and FBXW7−/− HPAF-II cells. D, Representative images DNA combing experiment highlighting CldU and IdU incorporation. E, Quantification of DNA combing experiment in D measuring replication fork rate, unpaired t test mean ± SEM P < 0.001, minimum of 224 replication tracks were quantified per sample.
FIGURE 1 from FBXW7-loss Sensitizes Cells to ATR Inhibition Through Induced Mitotic Catastrophe
Authors: O'Brien Siobhan , Ubhi Tajinder , Wolf Lucie , Gandhi Krishna , Lin Sichun , Chaudary Naz , Dhani Neesha C. , Milosevic Michael , Brown Grant W. , Angers Stephane
Published: December 2023

Isogenic genome-wide screen identifies DNA repair genes essential following FBXW7-loss. A, Schematic of genome-wide CRISPR screens in FBXW7−/− and wild-type cells. B, Rank order plot summarizing the results of genome-wide screens highlighting the identification of various DNA damage response genes as selectively essential in FBXW7−/− HPAF-II cells. BF = Bayes factor, a measure of gene fitness defects upon perturbation. C, Western blot analysis of pCHK1 (S345) identifies increased levels of replication stress in FBXW7−/− compared with parental wild-type HPAF-II cells. Representative images of three independent replicate experiments. D, Quantification of pCHK1 (S345)/CHK1 in HPAF-II wild-type and FBXW7−/− cells from C, n = 3, Students t test. E, Dot plots of two-dimensional cell-cycle flow cytometry assessing DNA content and EdU in wild-type and FBXW7−/− HPAF-II cells. Representative images of three replicate experiments. F, Quantification of percent of cells EdU+ cells in D, n = 3, Students t test. G, Quantification of mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) of EdU+ cells from D, n = 3, Students t test.
Forty Years of Helicobacter pylori: The African Perspective
Authors: Jaka Hyasinta , Smith Stella Ifeanyi
Published: December 2023

Background: Helicobacter pylori colonises 50% of the world population and is a causative agent of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, mucosa associate lymphoid tissue lymphoma and gastric cancer. Summary: In Africa, the prevalence rate has been found to be the highest in comparison to other parts of the world. Despite its high prevalence there are low rates of gastric cancer recorded in Africa. This African perspective gives an insight into the history of H. pylori in Africa and also examines the issue of the so-called “African Enigma,” it’s diagnosis and treatment and where we are now. Key Messages: Our vision is to have an African community that is free from H. pylori infections and complications. To this end, the African Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group was initiated in 2021 and launched on the June 27, 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria (https://ahmsg-africa.org/). The African perspective includes the need for more detailed information on actual community and hospital prevalence, resistance data, and standardizing processes and algorithms to enable comparative diagnosis and therapy of H. pylori infections using a multi-pronged approach with international support.
Possibilidades de utilização das histórias de Asterix no ensino de História
Authors: Rodrigues Iuri Biagioni
Published: December 2023

Busca abordar as possibilidades de utilização dos quadrinhos de Asterix no ensino de História, pois possuem uma versatilidade de temas que podem ser trabalhados em sala de aula como conceitos, povos antigos e locais históricos. Os objetivos são: fazer uma revisão de literatura sobre o tema e demonstrar a aplicabilidade das histórias de Asterix em aulas de História. Para isso, foi feita uma análise de livros, artigos e dissertações de mestrado sobre este assunto. Os quadrinhos são uma interessante, instigante e motivante fonte de pesquisa em História e as diversas histórias de Asterix podem ser bem aproveitadas no ensino de História Antiga para torna-lo mais dinâmico e divertido.
Whole-Blood Transcriptome Unveils Altered Immune Response in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients With Aortic Valve Sclerosis
Authors: Piacentini Luca , Myasoedova Veronika A. , Chiesa Mattia , Vavassori Chiara , Moschetta Donato , Valerio Vincenza , Giovanetti Gloria , Massaiu Ilaria , Cosentino Nicola , Marenzi Giancarlo , Poggio Paolo , Colombo Gualtiero I.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND:

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc) presents similar pathogenetic mechanisms to coronary artery disease and is associated with short- and long-term mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. Evidence of AVSc-specific pathophysiological traits in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently lacking. Thus, we aimed to identify a blood-based transcriptional signature that could differentiate AVSc from no-AVSc patients during AMI.

METHODS:

Whole-blood transcriptome of AVSc (n=44) and no-AVSc (n=66) patients with AMI was assessed by RNA sequencing on hospital admission. Feature selection, differential expression, and enrichment analyses were performed to identify gene expression patterns discriminating AVSc from no-AVSc and infer functional associations. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratios of cardiovascular events in AVSc versus no-AVSc patients.

RESULTS:

This cross-sectional study identified a panel of 100 informative genes capable of distinguishing AVSc from no-AVSc patients with 94% accuracy. Further analysis revealed significant mean differences in 143 genes, of which 30 genes withstood correction for age and previous AMI or coronary interventions. Functional inference unveiled a significant association between AVSc and key biological processes, including acute inflammatory responses, type I IFN (interferon) response, platelet activation, and hemostasis. Notably, patients with AMI with AVSc exhibited a significantly higher incidence of adverse cardiovascular events during a 10-year follow-up period, with a full adjusted hazard ratio of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.3–4.5).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying AVSc and provide potential prognostic insights for patients with AMI with AVSc. During AMI, patients with AVSc showed increased type I IFN (interferon) response and earlier adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Novel pharmacological therapies aiming at limiting type I IFN response during or immediately after AMI might improve poor cardiovascular outcomes of patients with AMI with AVSc.