bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Moral Rights and Wrongs of Online Dating and Hook-Ups
Authors: Frank Lily , Klincewicz Michal
Published: November 2022

In this chapter we identify three potentially morally problematic behaviours that are common among users of dating and hook-up apps (DHAs) and provide arguments as to why they may or may not be considered (a) in a category of their own, distinct from similar behaviours outside of DHAs; (b) caused or facilitated by affordances and business logic of DHAs; (c) as indeed morally wrong. We also consider ways in which morally problematic behaviours can be anticipated, mitigated, or even prevented by analysis of the ethical and moral dimensions of technologies and their afforded uses. Finally, we offer some possible directions for future work on these topics in particular and on the ethical consequences of DHAs in general.
Interpretability and Transparency in Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Mittelstadt Brent
Published: November 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are frequently thought of as opaque, meaning their performance or logic is thought to be inaccessible or incomprehensible to human observers. Models can consist of millions of features connected in a complex web of dependent behaviours. Conveying this internal state and dependencies in a humanly comprehensible way is extremely challenging. Explaining the functionality and behaviour of AI systems in a meaningful and useful way to people designing, operating, regulating, or affected by their outputs is a complex technical, philosophical, and ethical project. Despite this complexity, principles citing ‘transparency’ or ‘interpretability’ are commonly found in ethical and regulatory frameworks addressing technology. This chapter provides an overview of these concepts and methods design to explain how AI works. After reviewing key concepts and terminology, two sets of methods are examined: (1) interpretability methods designed to explain and approximate AI functionality and behaviour; and (2) transparency frameworks meant to help assess and provide information about the development, governance, and potential impact of training datasets, models, and specific applications. These methods are analysed in the context of prior work on explanations in the philosophy of science. The chapter closes by introducing a framework of criteria to evaluate the quality and utility of methods in explainable AI (XAI) and to clarify the open challenges facing the field.
Explainable Machine Learning, Patient Autonomy, and Clinical Reasoning
Authors: Keeling Geoff , Nyrup Rune
Published: November 2022

Clinical decision support systems based on complex machine learning models render opaque the rationale and value commitments that underpin diagnoses and suggested treatments. This creates a tension with the prevailing view in medical ethics, which emphasizes patients making autonomous decisions based on an understanding of relevant medical evidence alongside their beliefs and values. Calls for algorithmic explainability in clinical settings are partly motivated by this tension. The question is what needs to be explained, to whom, in what way, and when, to integrate machine learning systems into the clinical process in a way that is consistent with patient-centred decision-making. In this chapter, the authors review the tensions and argue that answers to these questions depend on more fundamental issues in the philosophy of medicine regarding the logic of clinical reasoning. The authors outline and defend a broadly Peircean account which, they argue, captures ethically salient aspects of the interplay between clinicians and decision support systems, and use it to shed light on the particulars of the explainability challenge.
Arrest, Senescence and Death of Shoot Apical Stem Cells inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wang Yukun , Shirakawa Makoto , Ito Toshiro
Published: November 2022

Shoot stem cells act as the source of the aboveground parts of flowering plants. A precise regulatory basis is required to ensure that plant stem cells show the right status during the stages of proliferation, senescence and cell death. Over the past few decades, the genetic circuits controlling stem cell fate, including the regulatory pathways of establishment, maintenance and differentiation, have been largely revealed. However, the morphological changes and molecular mechanisms of the final stages of stem cells, which are represented by senescence and cell death, have been less studied. The senescence and death of shoot stem cells are under the control of a complex series of pathways that integrate multiple internal and external signals. Given the crucial roles of shoot stem cells in influencing plant longevity and crop yields, researchers have attempted to uncover details of stem cell senescence and death. Recent studies indicate that stem cell activity arrest is controlled by the FRUITFULL–APETALA2 pathway and the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin, while the features of senescent and dead shoot apical stem cells have also been described, with dynamic changes in reactive oxygen species implicated in stem cell death. In this review, we highlight the recent breakthroughs that have enriched our understanding of senescence and cell death processes in plant stem cells.
Brassinosteroids promote etiolated apical structures in darkness by amplifying the ethylene response via the EBF-EIN3/PIF3 circuit
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Sun Ning , Zheng Lidan , Zhang Fangfang , Xiang Mengda , Chen Haodong , Deng Xing Wang , Wei Ning
Published: November 2022

Germinated plants grow in darkness until they emerge above the soil. To help the seedling penetrate the soil, most dicot seedlings develop an etiolated apical structure consisting of an apical hook and folded, unexpanded cotyledons atop a rapidly elongating hypocotyl. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are necessary for etiolated apical development, but their precise role and mechanisms remain unclear. Arabidopsis thaliana SMALL AUXIN UP RNA17 (SAUR17) is an apical-organ-specific regulator that promotes production of an apical hook and closed cotyledons. In darkness, ethylene and BRs stimulate SAUR17 expression by transcription factor complexes containing PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs), ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3 (EIN3), and its homolog EIN3-LIKE 1 (EIL1), and BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT1 (BZR1). BZR1 requires EIN3 and PIFs for enhanced DNA-binding and transcriptional activation of the SAUR17 promoter; while EIN3, PIF3, and PIF4 stability depends on BR signaling. BZR1 transcriptionally downregulates EIN3-BINDING F-BOX 1 and 2 (EBF1 and EBF2), which encode ubiquitin ligases mediating EIN3 and PIF3 protein degradation. By modulating the EBF-EIN3/PIF protein-stability circuit, BRs induce EIN3 and PIF3 accumulation, which underlies BR-responsive expression of SAUR17 and HOOKLESS1 and ultimately apical hook development. We suggest that in the etiolated development of apical structures, BRs primarily modulate plant sensitivity to darkness and ethylene.
Pain Severity and Pain Interference in Late Pregnancy: An Analysis of Biopsychosocial Factors Among Women Scheduled for Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Wilson Jenna M , He Jingui , Flowers K Mikayla , Kovacheva Vesela , Soens Mieke , Schreiber Kristin L
Published: November 2022

Objective

Pain is a variably experienced symptom during pregnancy, and women scheduled for cesarean delivery, an increasingly common procedure, are a relatively understudied group who might be at higher pain risk. Although biopsychosocial factors are known to modulate many types of chronic pain, their contribution to late pregnancy pain has not been comprehensively studied. We aimed to identify biopsychosocial factors associated with greater pain severity and interference during the last week of pregnancy.

Methods

In this prospective, observational study, 662 pregnant women scheduled for cesarean delivery provided demographic and clinical information and completed validated psychological and pain assessments. Multivariable hierarchical linear regressions assessed independent associations of demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics with pain severity and pain interference during the last week of pregnancy.

Results

Women in the study had a mean age of 34 years, and 73% identified as White, 11% as African American, 10% as Hispanic/Latina, and 6% as Asian. Most women (66%) were scheduled for repeat cesarean delivery. Significant independent predictors of worse pain outcomes included identifying as African American or Hispanic/Latina and having greater depression, sleep disturbance, and pain catastrophizing. Exploratory analyses showed that women scheduled for primary (versus repeat) cesarean delivery reported higher levels of anxiety and pain catastrophizing.

Conclusions

Independent of demographic or clinical factors, psychological factors, including depression, sleep disturbance, and pain catastrophizing, conferred a greater risk of late pregnancy pain. These findings suggest that women at higher risk of pain during late pregnancy could benefit from earlier nonpharmacological interventions that concurrently focus on psychological and pain symptoms.
Fabrication of initial trabecular bone-inspired three-dimensional structure with cell membrane nano fragments
Authors: Kadoya Koichi , Hara Emilio Satoshi , Okada Masahiro , Jiao Yu Yang , Nakano Takayoshi , Sasaki Akira , Matsumoto Takuya
Published: November 2022

The extracellular matrix of trabecular bone has a large surface exposed to the bone marrow and plays important roles such as hematopoietic stem cell niche formation and maintenance. In vitro reproduction of trabecular bone microenvironment would be valuable not only for developing a functional scaffold for bone marrow tissue engineering but also for understanding its biological functions. Herein, we analyzed and reproduced the initial stages of trabecular bone formation in mouse femur epiphysis. We identified that the trabecular bone formation progressed through the following steps: (i) partial rupture of hypertrophic chondrocytes; (ii) calcospherite formation on cell membrane nano fragments (CNFs) derived from the ruptured cells; and (iii) calcospherite growth and fusion to form the initial three-dimensional (3D) structure of trabecular bones. For reproducing the initial trabecular bone formation in vitro, we collected CNFs from cultured cells and used as nucleation sites for biomimetic calcospherite formation. Strikingly, almost the same 3D structure of the initial trabecular bone could be obtained in vitro by using additional CNFs as a binder to fuse biomimetic calcospherites.
Impact of pregnancy on progression of preclinical autoimmune disorders: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Beneventi Fausta , Bellingeri Camilla , De Maggio Irene , Cavagnoli Chiara , Boschetti Anna , Giannico Serena , Pandolfi Maria Paola , Spada Carolina , Montecucco Carlomaurizio , Spinillo Arsenio
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of pregnancies in the progression from the preclinical phase of autoimmune disorder to a definite rheumatic disease.

Methods

A cohort study of women with symptoms and laboratory findings suggestive for autoimmune disorder were enrolled during the first trimester of pregnancy and followed-up for 5 years with clinical and laboratory assessment. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compute the risk of progression to definite autoimmune disease correcting for confounders.

Results

At the end of follow-up, out of 208 subjects, 81 (38.9%) were considered negative, 53 (25.5%) had symptoms and abnormalities of autoantibody profile compatible with a non-criteria rheumatic status and 74 (35.6%) had a definite rheumatic disease (43 undifferentiated connective tissue disease, 5 systemic lupus erythematosus, 3 SS, 10 antiphospholipid syndrome, and 12 miscellaneous autoimmune disorders). The median time from enrolment to definite diagnosis was 28 months (interquartile range = 18–42). The rate of progression towards a definite autoimmune disease was 47.1% (48/102) among subjects with one or more subsequent viable pregnancies compared with 24.5% (26/106) of those with no subsequent pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio = 4.9, 95% CI: 2.4, 10). The occurrence of preeclampsia during the index pregnancy or subsequent pregnancy was an additional and independent risk factor for progression to a definite autoimmune disease (adjusted odds ratio = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.2, 14.8).

Conclusions

Among women with suspected autoimmune disease during pregnancy, additional viable pregnancies and diagnosis of preeclampsia were independently associated with an increased rate of progression to definite rheumatic disorder. Hormonal modifications associated with pregnancy could worsen preclinical rheumatic disorders favouring their progression to a defined autoimmune disease.
Marketing Malaria Control: Nets, Neoliberalism, and a New Approach to Fighting Malaria
Authors: Moore-Sheeley Kirsten
Published: November 2022

This article examines how malaria control in Africa became a neoliberal enterprise that privileged market mechanisms as an ideal way to disseminate health interventions. It does so by tracking efforts to sell insecticide-treated nets on the continent as these tools transformed from cheap stopgap measures intended for primary health care programmes in the early 1980s to a major target of global health aid by the 2000s. Even though experience showed that selling insecticide-treated nets to African populations did not lead to high levels of uptake, malaria programme leaders continued to tinker with market mechanisms to scale up the intervention in line with the interests of prominent donors. Narrating this history as it unfolded across different African countries, this paper shows that the neoliberalisation of malaria control was a contingent and fragmented process that depended as much on local experiences with particular health technologies as it did on high-level policy-making.
Early Extubation After Elective Infratentorial Craniotomy: Results of the International PRICE Survey
Authors: Gaudet John G. , Levy Camille S. , Jakus Lien , Goettel Nicolai , Meling Torstein R. , Quintard Hervé
Published: November 2022

Background:

Early extubation, defined as removal of the endotracheal tube at the end of surgery before transfer to a designated postoperative care area, is associated with better outcomes after elective infratentorial craniotomy. The Predicting Infratentorial Craniotomy Extubation (PRICE) project was an international survey designed to estimate the rate of early extubation after elective infratentorial craniotomy, as reported by neuroanesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and neurocritical care specialists.

Methods:

Following research ethics board waiver, the 15-question online PRICE survey was circulated to the members of 5 international medical societies over a 15-week period.

Results:

One hundred and ninety of 5453 society members completed the survey (3.5% response rate). Respondents represented a total of 99 institutions from 92 cities, in 27 countries. While 84 of 188 (44.7%) respondents reported achieving early extubation in more than 95% of cases, 43 of 188 (22.9%) reported extubating fewer than 75% of cases early. The proportion of physicians who reported extubating at least 75% of cases early was greater in high-volume compared with low-volume institutions (73.5% vs. 50.9%, respectively; P=0.003) and among anesthesiologists compared with other specialties (75.6% vs. 45.6%, respectively; P<0.001). Preoperative bulbar dysfunction, preoperative altered consciousness and the course of surgery were the 3 factors with the biggest impact on the decision to extubate early versus late among respondents.

Conclusions:

The reported rate of early extubation after elective infratentorial craniotomy varies widely between institutions, with respondents from high-volume institutions reporting greater rates of early extubation than those from lower-volume centers. The course of surgery, evidence of bulbar dysfunction, and altered consciousness, appear to affect the decision to extubate early more than other predictors.
The role and underlying mechanisms of tumour-derived exosomes in lung cancer metastasis
Authors: He Jinling , Yang Lingqi , Zhou Ning , Zu Lingling , Xu Song
Published: November 2022

Purpose of review

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide. Metastasis is a serious influencing factor for poor treatment effect and shortened survival in lung cancer. But the complicated underlying molecular mechanisms of tumour metastasis remain unclear. In this review, we aim to further summarize and explore the underlying mechanisms of tumour-derived exosomes (TDEs) in lung cancer metastasis.

Recent findings

TDEs are actively produced and released by tumour cells and carry messages from tumour cells to normal or abnormal cells residing at close or distant sites. Many studies have shown that TDEs promote lung cancer metastasis and development through multiple mechanisms, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immunosuppression and the formation of a premetastatic niche. TDEs regulate these mechanisms to promote metastasis by carrying DNA, proteins, miRNA, mRNA, lncRNA and ceRNA. Further exploring TDEs related to metastasis may be a promising treatment strategy and deserve further investigation.

Overall, TDEs play a critical role in metastatic of lung cancer. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of TDEs in lung cancer metastasis.
Implementing a Delirium Risk Stratification Tool and Rounds to Identify and Prevent Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults
Authors: Byrnes Tru , Woodward Jennifer
Published: November 2022

Background:

Up to 40% of delirium cases are preventable, and early identification is key to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose:

To implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary delirium intervention program.

Intervention:

The delirium intervention program targeted patients at high risk for delirium and included patient and nurse education, risk stratification, multidisciplinary rounds, a nonpharmacological intervention bundle, and a treatment order set.

Results:

After implementation, there was a reduction in length of stay of 6.3 days (P= .01), a 24% decrease in disposition to a skilled nursing facility (P= .05), and increased detection of delirium by nurses.

Conclusion:

Positive patient outcomes were achieved by employing a multifactorial approach for delirium identification, prevention, and management. The components of this quality improvement project provide guidance to hospitals seeking to develop a delirium intervention program.
Review of National Council on Aging Fall Prevention Programs for the Home Health Setting
Authors: Weir Rodney L. , Ellis Amber N. , Warren Victoria
Published: November 2022

Falls are a major concern for community-dwelling older adults and receive substantial attention from community agencies, clinicians, and researchers. A review process completed by the Administration for Community Living has identified 16 evidence-based fall prevention programs listed by the National Council on Aging. Although most of the programs are designed for group settings in the community, four have evidence supporting their effectiveness in the home setting. These are CAPABLE, FallScape, FallsTalk, and the Otago Exercise Program. We reviewed the literature about these four programs and identified positive outcomes in addition to reduction in fall risk. Although the results varied among the programs, potential benefits include improvement in activities of daily living, decreased Medicare expenditure, increased fall awareness and implementation of behaviors to reduce fall risk, decreased pain, and improved balance. These factors should be considered by community agencies looking to select programs to address falls for older adults.
Effects of Microlectures on Nursing Students' Understanding of Key Medication Administration Concepts
Authors: Yu I-Chen , Fang Ji-Tseng
Published: November 2022

Background:

Microlectures comprise short audio or video presentations designed to provide a concise explanation of key concepts or topics.

Purpose:

The study aimed to develop a microlecture module for a nursing course in medication administration and test whether it could improve learning.

Methods:

The study had a quasi-experimental design. Four classes of sophomore nursing students were divided into the treatment (n = 109) and control groups (n = 84). Pretests, posttests, integrated examinations, and simulated experiences were employed. Analysis of covariance were used to analyze the students' pretest, posttest, and integrated examination performances.

Results:

The treatment group performed better than the control group.

Conclusions:

This study provides nursing educators with a different approach to traditional teaching and sheds light on how to design a microlecture.
Tri-lobed Tongue: Rare Manifestation Accompany With Pierre Robin Sequence
Authors: Merza Ahmed Maki , Salih Haydar Munir
Published: November 2022

Background:

The tongue is an essential organ accounted for proper deglutition and articulation. Surgical repair should be planned soon after diagnosis of any structural abnormality to prevent later speech and swallowing disorders. The lobulated tongue could be isolated (sporadic) or in association with other disorders. Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) consists of the clinical trial of congenital micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction with variable inclusion of a cleft palate. We present the case of a rare congenital tri-lobed tongue with Pierre Robin sequence and its surgical management in our hospital setting.

Case Presentation:

Six-month-old boy presented with severe retrognathia, high arch, complete isolated cleft palate, and a bizarre mass in the oral cavity instead of his tongue that led to disruption of his swallowing. The mass (deformed tongue) check clearly, and the normal shape of the tongue was restored through multiple local randomized flaps. Dramatic improvement in swallowing was noticed 6 months after surgery during postoperative follow-up.

Discussion:

We present the case of a patient with a tri-lobed tongue with Pierre Robin sequence characterized by severe retrognathia, high arch, and complete isolated cleft palate. This seems to be the first reported case of this particular craniofacial anomaly

Conclusion:

The management of infants with the Pierre Robin sequence is complex, and much still needs to be learned and practiced. Congenital tri-lobed tongue with a cleft as part of the Pierre Robin sequence is a very rare malformation. Early repair of the tongue is important to assist the baby in adapting to speech and swallowing as they grow.
Margaret Hilda Thatcher. 13 October 1925—8 April 2013
Authors: Agar Jon
Published: November 2022

A politician of global stature in the late twentieth century, Margaret Thatcher (née Roberts) studied chemistry at Oxford University during World War II and worked as an industrial scientist in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Entering Parliament in 1959, she served as Secretary of State for Education and Science under Edward Heath in the early 1970s. In 1979 she became not only the UK's first female Prime Minister but also the first with such a scientific background. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1983, under Statute 12, she oversaw significant changes in science policy and her administration faced many major political issues that depended on scientific advice, notably the AIDS crisis, biomedical uses of human embryos, decisions over civil and military nuclear projects, acid rain, and climate change.
Recovery of carbon benefits by overharvested baleen whale populations is threatened by climate change
Authors: Durfort Anaëlle , Mariani Gaël , Tulloch Vivitskaia , Savoca Matthew S. , Troussellier Marc , Mouillot David
Published: November 2022

Despite the importance of marine megafauna on ecosystem functioning, their contribution to the oceanic carbon cycle is still poorly known. Here, we explored the role of baleen whales in the biological carbon pump across the southern hemisphere based on the historical and forecasted abundance of five baleen whale species. We modelled whale-mediated carbon sequestration through the sinking of their carcasses after natural death. We provide the first temporal dynamics of this carbon pump from 1890 to 2100, considering both the effects of exploitation and climate change on whale populations. We reveal that at their pre-exploitation abundance, the five species of southern whales could sequester 4.0 × 10
5
tonnes of carbon per year (tC yr
−1
). This estimate dropped to 0.6 × 10
5
tC yr
−1
by 1972 following commercial whaling. However, with the projected restoration of whale populations under a RCP8.5 climate scenario, the sequestration would reach 1.7 × 10
5
tC yr
−1
by 2100, while without climate change, recovered whale populations could sequester nearly twice as much (3.2 × 10
5
tC yr
−1
) by 2100. This highlights the persistence of whaling damages on whale populations and associated services as well as the predicted harmful impacts of climate change on whale ecosystem services.
Genomic evidence for ancient human migration routes along South America's Atlantic coast
Authors: Campelo dos Santos Andre Luiz , Owings Amanda , Sullasi Henry Socrates Lavalle , Gokcumen Omer , DeGiorgio Michael , Lindo John
Published: November 2022

An increasing body of archaeological and genomic evidence has hinted at a complex settlement process of the Americas by humans. This is especially true for South America, where unexpected ancestral signals have raised perplexing scenarios for the early migrations into different regions of the continent. Here, we present ancient human genomes from the archaeologically rich Northeast Brazil and compare them to ancient and present-day genomic data. We find a distinct relationship between ancient genomes from Northeast Brazil, Lagoa Santa, Uruguay and Panama, representing evidence for ancient migration routes along South America's Atlantic coast. To further add to the existing complexity, we also detect greater Denisovan than Neanderthal ancestry in ancient Uruguay and Panama individuals. Moreover, we find a strong Australasian signal in an ancient genome from Panama. This work sheds light on the deep demographic history of eastern South America and presents a starting point for future fine-scale investigations on the regional level.
Intergenerational genotypic interactions drive collective behavioural cycles in a social insect
Authors: Jud Stephanie L. , Knebel Daniel , Ulrich Yuko
Published: November 2022

Many social animals display collective activity cycles based on synchronous behavioural oscillations across group members. A classic example is the colony cycle of army ants, where thousands of individuals undergo stereotypical biphasic behavioural cycles of about one month. Cycle phases coincide with brood developmental stages, but the regulation of this cycle is otherwise poorly understood. Here, we probe the regulation of cycle duration through interactions between brood and workers in an experimentally amenable army ant relative, the clonal raider ant. We first establish that cycle length varies across clonal lineages using long-term monitoring data. We then investigate the putative sources and impacts of this variation in a cross-fostering experiment with four lineages combining developmental, morphological and automated behavioural tracking analyses. We show that cycle length variation stems from variation in the duration of the larval developmental stage, and that this stage can be prolonged not only by the clonal lineage of brood (direct genetic effects), but also of the workers (indirect genetic effects). We find similar indirect effects of worker line on brood adult size and, conversely (but more surprisingly), indirect genetic effects of the brood on worker behaviour (walking speed and time spent in the nest).
A structural equation modelling approach to understanding the determinants of childhood vaccination in Nigeria, Uganda and Guinea
Authors: Bell James , Lartey Belinda , Fernandez Marcos , Darrell Natasha , Exton-Smith Holly , Gardner Cassie , Richards Emily , Akilo Abolaji , Odongo Emmanuel , Ssenkungu James , Kouadio Rigobert Kotchi , Cissé Mamadi , Igowa Rérambyah Axel Bruno Ayiya , Adou Maikol , West Rebecca , Sharma Sunny
Published: November 2022

Vaccines have contributed to reductions in morbidity and mortality from preventable diseases globally, but low demand for vaccination threatens to reverse these gains. Explorations of the determinants of vaccination uptake may rely on proxy variables to describe complex phenomena and construct models without reference to underlying theories of vaccine demand. This study aimed to use the results of a formative qualitative study (described elsewhere) to construct and test a model to explain the determinants of vaccination uptake. Using the results of a survey among more than 3,000 primary caregivers of young children in Nigeria, Uganda and Guinea, factor analysis produced six explanatory factors. We then estimated the effects of each of these factors on uptake of immunization using a structural equation model. The results showed that the probability that a child is fully vaccinated increases if a caregiver has support from others to vaccinate them (B= 0.33, β= 0.21, p<0.001) and if caregivers had poor experiences with the healthcare system (B= 0.09, β= 0.09, p= 0.007). Conversely, the probability of full vaccination decreases if the caregiver’s husband exerts control over her decision-making ability (B= -0.29, β = -0.20, p<0.001), or if the caregiver perceives vaccines to be of low importance (B= -0.37, β= -0.27, p<0.001). Belief in religious protection (B= -0.07, β= -0.05, p=0.118) and a belief that vaccines are harmful (B= -0.12, β= -0.04, p= 0.320) did not have an observed effect on vaccination status. This research suggests that interventions may benefit from that including entire families and communities in their design.
Interference control and associated brain activity in children with familial high-risk of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder – A Danish register-based study
Authors: Johnsen Line Korsgaard , Larsen Kit Melissa , Asp Fuglsang Søren , Ver Loren van Themaat Anna Hester , Baaré William Frans Christiaan , Madsen Kathrine Skak , Madsen Kristoffer Hougaard , Hemager Nicoline , Andreassen Anna Krogh , Veddum Lotte , Greve Aja Neergaard , Nejad Ayna Baladi , Burton Birgitte Klee , Gregersen Maja , Eichele Heike , Lund Torben E. , Bliksted Vibeke , Thorup Anne Amalie Elgaard , Mors Ole , Plessen Kerstin Jessica , Nordentoft Merete , Siebner Hartwig Roman
Published: November 2022

Background and hypotheses

Impaired interference control is a potential prognostic and endophenotypic marker of schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP). Assessing children with familial high-risk (FHR) of SZ or BP enables characterization of early risk markers and we hypothesize that they express impaired interference control as well as aberrant brain activation compared to population-based control (PBC) children.

Study design

Using a flanker task, we examined interference control together with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 11-to-12-year-old children with FHR of SZ (FHR-SZ) or FHR of BP (FHR-BP) and population-based control (PBC) children as part of a register-based, prospective cohort-study; The Danish High Risk and Resilience study – VIA 11.

Study results

We included 85 (44 % female) FHR-SZ, 63 (52 % female) FHR-BP and 98 (50 % female) PBC in the analyses. Interference effects, caused by the spatial visuomotor conflict, showed no differences between groups. Bayesian ANOVA of reaction time (RT) variability, quantified by the coefficient of variation (CVRT), revealed a group effect with similarly higher CVRTin FHR-BP and FHR-SZ compared to PBC (BF10= 6.82). The fMRI analyses revealed no evidence for between-group differences in task-related brain activation. Post-hoc analyses excluding children with psychiatric illness yielded same results.

Conclusion

FHR-SZ and FHR-BP at age 11-to-12 show intact ability to resolve a spatial visuo-motor conflict and neural efficacy. The increased variability in RT may reflect difficulties in maintaining sustained attention. Since variability in RT was independent of existing psychiatric illness, it may reflect a potential endophenotypic marker of risk.
MicroRNAs in adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles in maternal and cord blood are related to neonatal adiposity
Authors: Kunte Pooja , Barberio Matthew , Tiwari Pradeep , Sukla Krishna , Harmon Brennan , Epstein Samuel , Bhat Dattatray , Authelet Kayla , Goldberg Madeleine , Rao Sudha , Damle Hemant , Freishtat Robert J , Yajnik Chittaranjan
Published: November 2022

Background

Maternal body size, nutrition, and hyperglycemia contribute to neonatal body size and composition. There is little information on maternal-fetal transmission of messages which influence fetal growth. We analyzed adipocyte-derived small extracellular vesicular (ADsEV) microRNAs in maternal and cord blood to explore their adipogenic potential.

Methods

We studied 127 mother-neonate pairs (51 lean and 76 adipose neonates, in 68 NGT and 59 GDM pregnancies). Adiposity refers to highest tertile (T3) of sum of skinfolds in neonates of normal glucose tolerant (NGT) mothers, lean to lowest tertile (T1). ADsEV miRNAs from maternal and cord blood samples were profiled on Agilent 8*60K microarray. Differential expression (DE) of ADsEV miRNAs in adipose vs. lean neonates was studied before and after adjustment for maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), adiposity, and vitamin B12-folate status.

Results

Multiple miRNAs were common in maternal and cord blood and positively correlated. We identified 24 maternal and 5 cord blood miRNAs differentially expressed (p≤0.1) in the adipose neonate group, and 19 and 26 respectively, in the adjusted analyses. Even though DE miRNAs were different in maternal and cord blood, they targeted similar adipogenic pathways (e.g., the forkhead box O (FOXO) family of transcription factors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway). Maternal GDM and adiposity were associated with many DE ADsEV miRNAs.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the DE ADsEV miRNAs in mothers of adipose neonates are potential regulators of fetal adiposity. Further, the composition and functionality of miRNAs may be influenced by maternal hyperglycemia, adiposity, and micronutrient status during pregnancy.
A cohort study of Post COVID-19 Condition across the Beta, Delta and Omicron waves in South Africa: 6-month follow up of hospitalised and non-hospitalised participants
Authors: Jassat Waasila , Mudara Caroline , Vika Caroline , Welch Richard , Arendse Tracy , Dryden Murray , Blumberg Lucille , Mayet Natalie , Tempia Stefano , Parker Arifa , Nel Jeremy , Perumal Rubeshan , Groome Michelle J. , Conradie Francesca , Ndjeka Norbert , Sigfrid Louise , Merson Laura , Cohen Cheryl
Published: November 2022

Background

A third of people may experience persistent symptoms following COVID-19. With over 90% of South Africans having evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is likely that many people could be affected by Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC).

Methods

The was a prospective, longitudinal observational cohort study recruiting hospitalised and non-hospitalised participants, infected during the periods that Beta, Delta and Omicron BA.1 variants dominated in South Africa. Participants aged 18 years or older were randomly selected to undergo telephone assessment at 1, 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge or laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were assessed using a standardised questionnaire for evaluation of symptoms and health-related quality of life. We used negative binomial regression models to determine factors associated with the presence of ≥1 symptoms at 6 months.

Findings

Among hospitalised and non-hospitalised participants, 46.7% (1,227/2,626) and 18.5% (199/1,074) had ≥1 symptoms at 6 months (p=<0.001). Among hospitalised participants 59.5%, 61.2% and 18.5% experienced ≥1 symptoms at 6 months among individuals infected during the Beta, Delta and Omicron dominant waves respectively. Among PLWH who were hospitalised, 40.4% had ≥1 symptoms at 6 months compared to 47.1% among HIV-uninfected participants (p=0.108).

Risk factors for PCC included older age, female sex, non-black race, the presence of a comorbidity, greater number of acute COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalisation/ COVID-19 severity and wave period (individuals infected during the Omicron-dominated wave had a lower risk of persistent symptoms [adjusted Incident Risk Ratio 0.45; 95% Confidence Interval 0.36 – 0.57] compared to those infected during the Beta-dominated wave). There were no associations between self-reported vaccination status before or after SARS-CoV-2 infection with persistent symptoms.

Interpretation

The study revealed a high prevalence of persistent symptoms among South African participants at 6 months although decreased risk for PCC among participants infected during the Omicron BA.1 wave. These findings have serious implications for countries with resource-constrained healthcare systems.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and Wellcome.
Serine/threonine kinase activity associates with brain glucose metabolism changes in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Povala Guilherme , De Bastiani Marco Antônio , Bellaver Bruna , Ferreira Pamela C. L. , Ferrari-Souza João Pedro , Lussier Firoza Z. , Souza Diogo O. , Rosa-Neto Pedro , Zatt Bruno , Pascoal Tharick A. , Zimmer Eduardo R. ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2022

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has greatly improved the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The recently developed neuroinformatic field is expanding analytical and computational strategies to study multimodal neuroscience data. One approach is integrating PET imaging and omics to provide new insights into AD pathophysiology.

Methods

Hippocampal and blood transcriptomic data of cognitively unimpaired (CU) and cognitively impaired (CI) individuals were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). We used the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from these datasets to implement a modular dimension reduction approach based on Gene Ontology (GO) and reverse engineering of transcriptional networks centered on transcription factors (TF). GO clusters and regulatory units of TF were selected to undergo integration with [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-PET images using voxel-wise linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, years of education, andAPOEε4 status.

Results

The GO semantic similarity resulted in 16 GO clusters enriched with overlapping DEGs in blood and the brain. Voxel-wise analysis revealed a strong association between the cluster related to the regulation of protein serine/threonine kinase activity and the [18F]FDG-PET signal in the brain. The master regulator analysis showed 61 regulatory units of TF significantly enriched with DEGs. The voxel-wise analysis of these regulons showed that zinc-finger-related regulatory units had the closest association with brain glucose metabolism.

Conclusion

We identified multiple biological processes and regulatory units of TF associated with [18F]FDG-PET metabolism in the brain of individuals across the aging and AD clinical spectrum. Furthermore, the prominent enrichment of protein serine/threonine kinase activity-related GO cluster and the zinc-finger-related regulatory units highlight the potential gene signatures associated with changes in glucose metabolism due to AD pathology.
Associations between exposure to single cadmium, lead, mercury and mixtures and women’s infertility and long-term amenorrhea
Authors: McClam Maria , Liu Jihong , Fan Yihan , Zhan Tingjie , Zhang Qiang , Porter Dwayne E. , Scott Geoffrey I. , Xiao Shuo
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting properties. their effects on women’s reproductive health, however, remain elusive. Here, we investigated associations between blood concentrations of single of Pb, Cd, Hg, and their mixture and infertility and long-term amenorrhea in women of reproductive age using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2018 cross-sectional survey.

Methods

A total of 1,990 women were included for the analysis of infertility and 1,919 women for long-term amenorrhea. The methods of log-transformation and quarterization were used to analyze blood heavy metal concentrations. Statistical differences in the covariates between the outcome groups were evaluated using a chi-squared test for categorical variables and a t-test for continuous variables. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the associations.

Results

The blood concentrations of Pb and heavy metal mixtures were significantly higher in ever-infertile women than pregnant women, but the concentrations of Cd and Hg were comparable. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that after the full adjustment, there was a significant and dose-dependent positive association between blood Pb concentrations and women’s historical infertility, a negative association between Cd and women’s long-term amenorrhea, and no associations between Hg and heavy metal mixture and women’s infertility or long-term amenorrhea.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that exposure to heavy metals exhibit differential associations with women’s infertility and long-term amenorrhea.

Disclosure summary

The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Contribution to the genus Sympetrum Newman, 1833 (Odonata, Anisoptera) from extreme SW Romania
Authors: Babalean Anda Felicia
Published: November 2022

The paper presents new data on species composition and distribution of the genus Sympetrum in the extreme SW part of Romania. Two species,Sympetrum fonscolombii(Selys, 1840) andSympetrum striolatum(Charpentier, 1840) are added to those of the literature -Sympetrum sanguineum(Müller, 1764) andSympetrum meridionale(Selys, 1841) (Cîrdei & Bulimar 1965). The sampled area was enlarged with new collecting sites.

A brief description of species is given, especially the distinctive characters, including the hamular processes and the vulvar scale. The bifid aspect of the vulvar scale inS. meridionaleindicates that the genus Sympetrum has a problem at least of species diagnosability.
Awareness of fifth metatarsal stress fractures among soccer coaches in Japan: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Miyamori Takayuki , Yoshimura Masafumi
Published: November 2022

Although a fifth metatarsal stress fracture is the most frequent stress fracture in soccer players, knowledge of fifth metatarsal stress fractures among soccer coaches is unclear. Therefore, we performed an online survey of soccer coaches affiliated with the Japan Football Association to assess their knowledge of fifth metatarsal stress fractures. A total of 117 soccer coaches participated in an original online survey. Data on age, sex, types of coaching license, coaching category, types of training surface, awareness of fifth metatarsal stress fractures, and measures employed to prevent fifth metatarsal stress fractures were collected using the survey. A total of 87/117 coaches were aware of fifth metatarsal stress fractures; however, only 30% reported awareness of preventive and treatment measures for fifth metatarsal stress fractures. Licensed coaches (i.e., licensed higher than level C) were also more likely to be aware of fifth metatarsal stress fractures than were unlicensed coaches. Furthermore, although playing on artificial turf is an established risk factor for numerous sports injuries, soccer coaches who usually trained on artificial turf were more likely to be unaware of the risks associated with fifth metatarsal stress fractures than were coaches who trained on other surfaces (e.g., clay fields). Soccer coaches in the study population were generally aware of fifth metatarsal stress fractures; however, most of them were not aware of specific treatment or preventive training strategies for fifth metatarsal stress fractures. Additionally, coaches who practiced on artificial turf were not well educated on fifth metatarsal stress fractures. Our findings raise awareness of fifth metatarsal stress fractures to improve the education of soccer coaches regarding injury prevention strategies.
Differential Memory Impairment Across Relational Domains in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Tavakol Shahin , Kebets Valeria , Royer Jessica , Li Qiongling , Auer Hans , DeKraker Jordan , Jefferies Elizabeth , Bernasconi Neda , Bernasconi Andrea , Helmstaedter Christoph , Caciagli Lorenzo , Frauscher Birgit , Smallwood Jonathan , Bernhardt Boris
Published: November 2022

Background

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is typically associated with pathology of the hippocampus, a key structure involved in relational memory processes, including episodic, semantic, and spatial memory. While it is widely accepted that TLE-associated hippocampal alterations may underlie global deficits in memory, it remains poorly understood whether TLE may present with shared or unique impairment across distinct relational memory domains.

Methods

We administered a recently validated behavioral paradigm to evaluate episodic, semantic, and spatial memory in 20 pharmacoresistant TLE patients and 53 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We implemented linear mixed effects models to identify memory deficits in individuals with TLE relative to controls, and used partial least squares analysis to identify factors contributing to overall variations in relational memory performance across both cohorts.

Results

TLE patients showed marked impairment in episodic memory compared to controls, while spatial and semantic memory remained relatively intact. Findings were robust, with slight decreases in effect sizes after controlling for performance on executive function tests. Via partial least squares analysis, we identified group, age, and bilateral hippocampal volumes as important variables relating to relational memory impairment.

Conclusion

Our behavioral framework provides a granular approach for assessing relational memory deficits in people with TLE and may inform future prognostic strategies in patients with hippocampal pathology. Our work warrants further investigations into the underlying neural substrates of relational memory.
Phosphatidylethanolamine facilitates mitochondrial pyruvate entry to regulate metabolic flexibility
Authors: Siripoksup Piyarat , Cao Guoshen , Cluntun Ahmad A. , Maschek J. Alan , Pearce Quentinn , Lang Marisa J. , Eshima Hiroaki , Opurum Precious C. , Mahmassani Ziad S. , Taylor Eric B. , Cox James E. , Drummond Micah J. , Rutter Jared , Funai Katsuhiko
Published: November 2022

Carbohydrates and lipids provide the majority of substrates to fuel mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Metabolic inflexibility, defined as an impaired ability to switch between these fuels, is implicated in a number of metabolic diseases. Here we explore the mechanism by which physical inactivity promotes metabolic inflexibility in skeletal muscle. We developed a mouse model of sedentariness by small mouse cage (SMC) that, unlike other classic models of disuse in mice, faithfully recapitulates metabolic responses that occur in humans. Bioenergetic phenotyping of mitochondria displayed metabolic inflexibility induced by physical inactivity, demonstrated by a reduction in pyruvate-stimulated respiration (JO2) in absence of a change in palmitate-stimulatedJO2. Pyruvate resistance in these mitochondria was likely driven by a decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) abundance in the mitochondrial membrane. Reduction in mitochondrial PE by deletion of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PSD) was sufficient to induce metabolic inflexibility measured at the whole-body level, as well as at the level of skeletal muscle mitochondria. Low mitochondrial PE was sufficient to increase glucose flux towards lactate. We further implicate that resistance to pyruvate metabolism is due to attenuated mitochondrial entry via mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). These findings suggest a novel mechanism by which mitochondrial PE directly regulates MPC activity to modulate metabolic flexibility.