bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of penicillin V on the faecal microbiota in patients with pharyngotonsillitis—an observational study
Authors: Rystedt Karin , Edquist Petra , Giske Christian G , Hedin Katarina , Tyrstrup Mia , Ståhlgren Gunilla Skoog , Sundvall Pär-Daniel , Edlund Charlotta
Published: February 2023

Background

The intestinal microbiota functions as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance.

Objectives

To evaluate penicillin V (phenoxymethylpenicillin) effects on the faecal microbiota with focus on beta-lactam resistance.

Methods

We included 31 primary care patients with group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis treated with penicillin V for 5 (800 mg × 4) or 10 days (1000 mg × 3). Twenty-nine patients contributed with three faecal swab samples each. The faecal specimens were collected at the start of penicillin V treatment, after the last dose and at follow-up 7–9 days after completed treatment. Samples were inoculated semiquantitatively on selective screening agar plates to study beta-lactam resistance, species shifts among Enterobacterales and enterococci, and colonization with Candida spp. and Clostridioides difficile. Representative colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF. Results were analysed by non-parametric statistical methods.

Results

An increase in the proportion of patients colonized with ampicillin-resistant Enterobacterales, from 52% to 86% (P = 0.007), and Enterobacterales with decreased susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins, from 32% to 52% (P = 0.034), was observed between the first and second samples. This increase was no longer significant at follow-up. New colonization with ampicillin-resistant Enterobacterales species and non-Enterobacterales Gram-negative species was observed, and persisted at follow-up.

Conclusions

Following treatment with penicillin V, we observed decreased susceptibility to ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporins, and prolonged colonization with non-Escherichia coli Gram-negative species. These findings challenge the perception that penicillin V has limited ecological effect on the intestinal microbiota, and emphasizes the importance of avoiding even narrow-spectrum antimicrobials when possible.
Heterogeneous Fenton’s-like catalyst potentiation of hydrogen peroxide disinfection: an investigation into mechanisms of action
Authors: Sewell Samantha L , Owen Lucy , Laird Katie , Huddersman Katherine D , Walsh Susannah E
Published: February 2023

Aims

This study aimed to establish the mechanisms of action (MOA) of a novel surface-functionalized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, which was previously shown to have potent antimicrobial activity in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Methods and results

Bactericidal activity was determined using a disinfectant suspension test. The MOA was investigated by measuring the loss of 260 nm absorbing material, membrane potential, permeability assays, analysis of intra- and extracellular ATP and pH, and tolerance to sodium chloride and bile salts.

The catalyst lowered sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2 from 0.2 to 0.09%. H2O2 ± 3 g PAN catalyst significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced sodium chloride and bile salt tolerance, suggesting the occurance of sublethal cell membrane damage. The catalyst significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) N-Phenyl-l-Napthylamine uptake (1.51-fold) and leakage of nucleic acids, demonstrating increased membrane permeability. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) loss of membrane potential (0.015 a.u.), coupled with pertubation of intracellular pH homeostasis and depletion of intracellular ATP, suggests potentiation of H2O2-mediated cell membrane damage.

Conclusions

This is the first study to investigate the catalyst’s antimicrobial mechanism of action, with the cytoplasmic membrane being a target for cellular injury.
The age-related metabolizable energy of cereal grains, oilseed meals, corn gluten meals, and feather meals for broilers
Authors: Song Mingqiang , Wang Yuming , Liu Youyou , Ren Cong , Yan Lei , Xie Jingjing , Lai Jinliang , Zhou Guilian , Li Yong , Zhao Feng
Published: February 2023

A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with two ages of broilers (11 to 14 or 25 to 28 d of age) and three samples of feed ingredients was utilized to compare metabolizable energy (ME) and ratio of ME to gross energy (GE) in each group of three cereal grains (CG, including one corn, two wheat flour), three oilseed meals (OM, including one soybean meal, one peanut meal, and one cottonseed meal), three corn gluten meals (CGM A, B, and C), and three feather meals (FM A, B, and C). Each treatment contained six replicates of four Arbor Acre male broilers in energy balance experiments. Trends toward interactions between age and source of CG were observed on the ME and ME/GE of CG (0.05 <P < 0.10). The ME and ME/GE in corn were greater for broilers from 25 to 28 than for 11 to 14 d of age (P < 0.05). However, the ME and ME/GE in wheat flour A and B were not affected by the age of the broilers. The ME and ME/GE of OM were not affected by the age of broilers but differed across sources (P < 0.01). Conversely, the ME and ME/GE of FM were not different across sources of FM, but the ME and ME/GE of FM were less for broilers from 11 to 14 compared to 25 to 28 d of age (P < 0.01). Significant interactions between age and sources of CGM affected the ME and ME/GE of CGM (P < 0.05). The ME and ME/GE of CGM A were greater than CGM B (P < 0.05) when fed to broilers from 25 to 28 d of age but there was no effect from 11 to 14 d of age. The ME and ME/GE of CGM were less in broilers from 11 to 14 compared to 25 to 28 d of age (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the energy value of wheat flour and OM are similar regardless of age, but the ME in starter diets with corn, CGM, and FM may be overestimated if the ME values are obtained from growing broilers.
How informative is the text of securities complaints?
Authors: Badawi Adam B
Published: February 2023

Much of the research in law and finance reduces complex texts down to a handful of variables. Legal scholars have voiced concerns that this dimensionality reduction loses important detail that is embedded in legal text. This article assesses this critique by asking whether text analysis can capture meaningful predictive information. It does so by applying text analysis and machine learning to a corpus of private securities class action complaints that contains over 90 million words. This analysis produces three primary findings: (1) the best performing models predict outcomes with an accuracy rate of about 70%, which is higher than baseline rates; (2) a hybrid model that uses both text and nontext components performs better than either of these two components alone; and (3) the predictions made by the machine learning models are associated with substantial abnormal returns in the days after cases get filed.
Paul Hirst as a liminal figure and modernizing moralist
Authors: Conroy James C
Published: February 2023

Four years prior to the publication of Moral Education in A Secular Society, Hirst presaged his commitment to education as a moral enterprise in The Logic of Education, co-authored with R. S. Peters. A cursory glance at the index will confirm his (their) preoccupation with morality as a, and probably the, key condition of all education. Morality appears some 43 times in the index, considerably more than any other item, including the curriculum and knowledge. Add the many further references to moral education, moral judgement and sundry substantive moral conceits show that his concern with morality is indisputable. In an educational landscape preoccupied with the admittedly somewhat asinine contest between personal actualisation and performativity, perhaps Hirst's explicit preoccupation with education as a moral endeavour may appear rather anachronistic. Yet, at the time, this concern was central to the conversation as to educational purpose and practice and Hirst was the liminal figure in British education standing at the threshold between a post-War educational identity centred on religion, sacrifice and a social contract, on the one hand, and a new, more individualized, self-expressive culture, on the other. Arguably Hirst's most important contribution in this was to act as a midwife to a new way of thinking about morality and education. In this article I will suggest that Hirst's enduring importance to British education was in his liminal role as a moralist trying to wean the educational establishment off an increasingly unsustainable attachment to Christian piety as the motive force underpinning educational provision while simultaneously attempting to hold on to the virtues that had secured much social progress in the War period. In 1970, the same year as he published The Logic of Education, the precursor to the British Journal of Religious Education, Learning for Life published a series of discussions on ethics and education, repeatedly asking the question: ‘Can ethics survive without religion?'. Through the lens of 21st century post-structralism, this can appear very odd but in 1970 it was commonplace in schools, universities, and indeed further education to explicitly see religion as the shape and energy of education. Hirst enters these controversies as an educational moralist intent on re-positioning moral education away from its status as a practical appendage to Christianity and as an integral activity of education, itself considered as a moral good. Moreover, I will suggest that Hirst’s account of moral education cannot be understood apart from his consideration of the general aims of education and that his voice has retained its echo long past his citation scores!
Weight Management Engagement for Teens From Low-Income Backgrounds: Qualitative Perspectives From Adolescents and Caregivers
Authors: Darling Katherine E , Warnick Jennifer , Guthrie Kate M , Santos Melissa , Jelalian Elissa
Published: February 2023

Objective

Adolescents from low-income backgrounds are at increased risk for obesity and related negative health outcomes. Furthermore, these adolescents have less access to, and success in, weight management (WM) programs. This qualitative study sought to better understand engagement in a hospital-based WM program from the perspective of adolescents and caregivers at different levels of program initiation and engagement.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 55 participants (29 adolescents and 26 caregivers). This included: (a) those that were referred to, but never initiated, WM treatment (non-initiators); (b) those that prematurely disengaged from treatment (drop-outs); and (c) those that had ongoing participation in treatment (engaged). Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis.

Results

Related to program initiation, participants across all groups (including adolescents and caregivers) noted that they did not have a full understanding of the scope or goals of the WM program following initial referral. In addition, many participants identified misperceptions of the program (e.g., perceptions of a screening visit as compared to an intensive program). Both caregivers and adolescents identified caregivers as drivers of engagement, with adolescents often hesitant about participation in the program. However, engaged adolescents found the program valuable and sought ongoing participation following caregiver initiation.

Conclusions

When considering initiation and engagement in WM services for adolescents at highest risk, healthcare providers should provide more detailed information concerning WM referrals. Future research is needed to improve adolescent perception of WM, especially for adolescents from low-income backgrounds, which could increase initiation and engagement for this population.
The importance of context in extreme value analysis with application to extreme temperatures in the U.S. and Greenland
Authors: Clarkson Daniel , Eastoe Emma , Leeson Amber
Published: February 2023

Statistical extreme value models allow estimation of the frequency, magnitude, and spatio-temporal extent of extreme temperature events in the presence of climate change. Unfortunately, the assumptions of many standard methods are not valid for complex environmental data sets, with a realistic statistical model requiring appropriate incorporation of scientific context. We examine two case studies in which the application of routine extreme value methods result in inappropriate models and inaccurate predictions. In the first scenario, incorporating random effects reflects shifts in unobserved climatic drivers that led to record-breaking US temperatures in 2021, permitting greater accuracy in return period prediction. In scenario two, a Gaussian mixture model fit to ice surface temperatures in Greenland improves fit and predictive abilities, especially in the poorly-defined upper tail around 0∘C.
New Confocal Microscope for Quantitative Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging with Improved Reproducibility
Authors: Loidolt-Krueger Maria
Published: February 2023

Quantitative single-molecule and time-resolved fluorescence techniques offer new insights into many samples in life and materials sciences. So far, their adoption has been slow because expert knowledge is required for correct data acquisition and analysis. Now, PicoQuant has developed a single-photon counting confocal microscope, called Luminosa. It combines state-of-the-art hardware with cutting-edge software to deliver high-quality data while simplifying daily operation. The system software includes context-based workflows for each technique, which improve accuracy, reproducibility, and quality of the data. This article showcases how this is achieved for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM).
The Effective Use of the Inexpensive LED Microscope with Rhodamine Blue Staining to Identify Microplastics
Authors: Smith C , Denaro F , Fan C , Pramanik S
Published: February 2023

Microplastics (MPs) > 5 mm (about 0.2 in) are ubiquitously found in our biosphere; however, oceans, rivers, lakes, streams, and estuary water columns are the main repository of MPs because of their light weight and movement due to wind currents. MPs are typically observed and identified using expensive instruments such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), Fourier spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescent microscopes, all of which cost thousands of dollars. We have used inexpensive light-emitting diode (LED) microscopes to identify the presence of aquatic microplastics, with results comparable to those obtained with high-end fluorescence microscopes. The MPs examined were separated from the gelatinous body of jellyfish captured from the Patuxent River in Maryland and stained with rhodamine blue (Rhb).
Data release of the AST3-2 automatic survey from Dome A, Antarctica
Authors: Yang Xu , Hu Yi , Shang Zhaohui , Ma Bin , Ashley Michael C B , Cui Xiangqun , Du Fujia , Fu Jianning , Gong Xuefei , Gu Bozhong , Jiang Peng , Li Xiaoyan , Li Zhengyang , Tao Charling , Wang Lifan , Xu Lingzhe , Yang Shi-hai , Yu Ce , Yuan Xiangyan , Zhou Ji-lin , Zhu Zhenxi
Published: February 2023

AST3-2 is the second of the three Antarctic Survey Telescopes, aimed at wide-field time-domain optical astronomy. It is located at Dome A, Antarctica, which is by many measures the best optical astronomy site on the Earth’s surface. Here we present the data from the AST3-2 automatic survey in 2016 and the photometry results. The median 5σ limiting magnitude in i-band is 17.8 mag and the light-curve precision is 4 mmag for bright stars. The data release includes photometry for over 7 million stars, from which over 3500 variable stars were detected, with 70 of them newly discovered. We classify these new variables into different types by combining their light-curve features with stellar properties from surveys such as StarHorse.
Unveiling hidden active nuclei in MaNGA star-forming galaxies with He ii λ4686 line emission
Authors: Tozzi Giulia , Maiolino Roberto , Cresci Giovanni , Piotrowska Joanna M , Belfiore Francesco , Curti Mirko , Mannucci Filippo , Marconi Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Nebular He ii λ4686 Å line emission is useful to unveil active galactic nuclei (AGN) residing in actively star-forming (SF) galaxies, typically missed by the standard BPT classification. Here, we adopt the He ii diagnostic to identify hidden AGN in the Local Universe using for the first time spatially resolved data from the Data Release 15 of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO survey (MaNGA DR15). By combining results from He ii and BPT diagnostics, we overall select 459 AGN host candidates (∼10 per cent in MaNGA DR15), out of which 27 are identified as AGN by the He ii diagram only. The He ii-only AGN population is hosted by massive (M* ≳ 1010 M⊙) SF Main Sequence galaxies and on average less luminous than the BPT-selected AGN. Given the He ii line faintness, we revisit our census accounting for incompleteness effects due to the He ii sensitivity limit of MaNGA. We thus obtain an overall increased fraction (11 per cent) of AGN in MaNGA compared to the BPT-only census (9 per cent), which further increases to 14 per cent for galaxies more massive than 1010 M⊙; interestingly, on the SF Main Sequence the increase is by about a factor of 2. A substantial number of AGN in SF galaxies points to significant, coeval star formation and black hole accretion, consistently with results from hydrodynamical simulations and with important implications on quenching scenarios. In view of exploring unprecedented high redshifts with JWST and new ground-based facilities, revisiting the standard BPT classification through novel emission-line diagnostics is fundamental to discover AGN in highly SF environments.
Dust ion-acoustic dromions in Saturn’s magnetosphere
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , McKerr Michael , Kourakis Ioannis
Published: February 2023

Motivated by observations of localized electrostatic wavepackets by the Cassini – and (earlier) by Voyager 1 and 2 – mission(s) in Saturn’s magnetosphere, we have investigated the existence conditions and the dynamical evolution of localized multidimensional structures in the Saturnian dusty plasma environment. To this effect, we have adopted a plasma-fluid model for dust-ion acoustic excitations, taking into account the presence of a highly energetic (suprathermal, kappa-distributed) electron population in combination with massive dust dust particulates in the background. A multiple scales perturbation method was shown to lead to a Davey--Stewartson (DS) system of evolution equations, if one assumes perpendicular carrier wave propagation across the magnetic field (direction). The system is then shown to possess two regimes mainly, known in the literature as DS-I and DS-II. In the former case, if certain conditions are fulfilled, exponentially localized solutions are obtained, known as dromions. The combined effects of various physical parameters, such as the electron spectral index, the ambient magnetic field (strength), and the dust concentration, have been examined. A numerical investigation reveals that the dromion amplitude increases with higher dust concentration, whereas it decreases for lower κe (i.e. with an increase in the suprathermal electron population component). A stronger magnetic field results in higher amplitude but narrower dromions. Our results provide a comprehensive framework for modeling modulated electrostatic wavepackets, in direct comparison with experimental data in planetary environments, in Saturn’s magnetosphere and elsewhere.
Dynamical age of the Tucana-Horologium young stellar association
Authors: Galli Phillip A B , Miret-Roig Núria , Bouy Hervé , Olivares Javier , Barrado David
Published: February 2023

The Tucana-Horologium association is one of the closest young stellar groups to the Sun and despite the close proximity its age is still debated in the literature. We take advantage of the state-of-the-art astrometry delivered by the third data release of the Gaia space mission combined with precise radial velocity measurements obtained from high-resolution spectroscopy to investigate the dynamical age of the association. We perform an extensive traceback analysis using a combination of different samples of cluster members, metrics to evaluate the minimum size of the association in the past and models for the galactic potential to integrate the stellar orbits back in time. The dynamical age of $38.5^{+1.6}_{-8.0}$ Myr that we derive in this paper is consistent with the various age estimates obtained from isochrone fitting in the literature (30–50 Myr) and reconciles, for the first time, the dynamical age of the Tucana-Horologium association with the age obtained from lithium depletion (∼40 Myr). Our results are independent from stellar models and represent one more step towards constructing a self-consistent age scale for the young stellar groups of the Solar neighbourhood based on the 3D space motion of the stars.
Density jump as a function of magnetic field strength for parallel collisionless shocks with anisotropic upstream pressure
Authors: Bret Antoine
Published: February 2023

The properties of collisionless shocks are frequently assessed in the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model. Yet, in a collisionless plasma, an ambient magnetic field can sustain a stable anisotropy in the upstream or the downstream, resulting in a departure from the MHD predicted behaviour. We present a model allowing to derive the downstream anisotropy, hence the shock density jump, in terms of the upstream quantities. For simplicity, the case of a parallel shock in pair plasma is considered. Contrary to previous works where the upstream was assumed isotropic, here the upstream anisotropy A = T⊥/T∥ is a free parameter. The strong sonic shock regime is formally identical to the isotropic upstream case. Yet, for intermediate sonic Mach numbers, a variety of behaviours appear as a result of the anisotropy of the upstream.
Optical characterization and radial velocity monitoring with Belgian and Indian telescopes (ORBIT): the eclipsing binaries EPIC 211982753 and EPIC 211915147
Authors: Panchal Alaxender , Joshi Y C , De Cat Peter , Lampens Patricia , Goswami Aruna , Tiwari S N
Published: February 2023

The K2 eclipsing binary (EB) candidates EPIC 211982753 (hereinafter called EPIC2753) and EPIC 211915147 (hereinafter called EPIC5147) are characterized with the help of photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic data. The light curve analysis uses the Rc-band photometric data from the 1.3-m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT, India), ASAS-3, and K2 observations. High-resolution échelle spectra are collected using the HERMES spectrograph at the 1.2-m MERCATOR telescope (La Palma, Spain). The synthetic light and radial velocity curves are generated with the help of the modeling package phoebe 1.0. The orbital period analysis based on the ∼3.2 yr of K2 observations does not show any change in the orbital period of both targets. The component masses M1, 2 are estimated as 1.69(0.02) and 1.59(0.02) M⊙ for EPIC2753, and 1.48(0.01) and 1.27(0.01) M⊙ for EPIC5147. Both systems are high mass-ratio EBs with q>0.85. The component radii R1, 2 are found to be 1.66(0.02) and 1.53(0.02) R⊙ for EPIC2753, and 1.80(0.05) and 1.42(0.05) R⊙ for EPIC5147. The distances of EPIC2753 and EPIC5147 are determined as 238(4) and 199(5) pc, respectively. MESA Isochrones and Stellar Tracks are used to understand the evolutionary status of both systems.
ASC-G4, an algorithm to calculate advanced structural characteristics of G-quadruplexes
Authors: Farag Marc , Messaoudi Cédric , Mouawad Liliane
Published: February 2023

ASC-G4 is an algorithm for the calculation of the advanced structural characteristics of G-quadruplexes (G4). It allows the unambiguous determination of the intramolecular G4 topology, based on the oriented strand numbering. It also resolves the ambiguity in the determination of the guanine glycosidic configuration. With this algorithm, we showed that the use of the C3’ or C5’ atoms to calculate the groove width in G4 is more appropriate than the P atoms and that the groove width does not always reflect the space available within the groove. For the latter, the minimum groove width is more appropriate. The application of ASC-G4 to 207 G4 structures guided the choices made for the calculations. A website based on ASC-G4 (http://tiny.cc/ASC-G4) was created, where the user uploads his G4 structure and gets its topology, the types of its loops and their lengths, the presence of snapbacks and bulges, the distribution of guanines in the tetrads and strands, the glycosidic configuration of these guanines, their rise, the groove widths, the minimum groove widths, the tilt and twist angles, the backbone dihedral angles, etc. It also provides a large number of atom-atom and atom-plane distances that are relevant to evaluating the quality of the structure.
PARP1 associates with R-loops to promote their resolution and genome stability
Authors: Laspata Natalie , Kaur Parminder , Mersaoui Sofiane Yacine , Muoio Daniela , Liu Zhiyan Silvia , Bannister Maxwell Henry , Nguyen Hai Dang , Curry Caroline , Pascal John M , Poirier Guy G , Wang Hong , Masson Jean-Yves , Fouquerel Elise
Published: February 2023

PARP1 is a DNA-dependent ADP-Ribose transferase with ADP-ribosylation activity that is triggered by DNA breaks and non-B DNA structures to mediate their resolution. PARP1 was also recently identified as a component of the R-loop-associated protein-protein interaction network, suggesting a potential role for PARP1 in resolving this structure. R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that consist of a RNA–DNA hybrid and a displaced non-template DNA strand. R-loops are involved in crucial physiological processes but can also be a source of genome instability if persistently unresolved. In this study, we demonstrate that PARP1 binds R-loops in vitro and associates with R-loop formation sites in cells which activates its ADP-ribosylation activity. Conversely, PARP1 inhibition or genetic depletion causes an accumulation of unresolved R-loops which promotes genomic instability. Our study reveals that PARP1 is a novel sensor for R-loops and highlights that PARP1 is a suppressor of R-loop-associated genomic instability.
Structure, substrate binding and activity of a unique AAA+ protein: the BrxL phage restriction factor
Authors: Shen Betty W , Doyle Lindsey A , Werther Rachel , Westburg Abigail A , Bies Daniel P , Walter Stephanie I , Luyten Yvette A , Morgan Richard D , Stoddard Barry L , Kaiser Brett K
Published: February 2023

Bacteriophage exclusion (‘BREX’) systems are multi-protein complexes encoded by a variety of bacteria and archaea that restrict phage by an unknown mechanism. One BREX factor, termed BrxL, has been noted to display sequence similarity to various AAA+ protein factors including Lon protease. In this study we describe multiple CryoEM structures of BrxL that demonstrate it to be a chambered, ATP-dependent DNA binding protein. The largest BrxL assemblage corresponds to a dimer of heptamers in the absence of bound DNA, versus a dimer of hexamers when DNA is bound in its central pore. The protein displays DNA-dependent ATPase activity, and ATP binding promotes assembly of the complex on DNA. Point mutations within several regions of the protein-DNA complex alter one or more in vitro behaviors and activities, including ATPase activity and ATP-dependent association with DNA. However, only the disruption of the ATPase active site fully eliminates phage restriction, indicating that other mutations can still complement BrxL function within the context of an otherwise intact BREX system. BrxL displays significant structural homology to MCM subunits (the replicative helicase in archaea and eukaryotes), implying that it and other BREX factors may collaborate to disrupt initiation of phage DNA replication.
CHRNA5-A3-B4 and DRD2 Genes and Smoking Cessation Throughout Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study of Women
Authors: Jones Stephanie K , Alberg Anthony J , Wallace Kristin , Froeliger Brett , Carpenter Matthew J , Wolf Bethany J
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Smoking cessation is more than 50% heritable. Genetic studies of smoking cessation have been limited by short-term follow-up or cross-sectional design.

Aims and Methods

This study tests single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with cessation during long-term follow-up throughout adulthood in women. The secondary aim tests whether genetic associations differ by smoking intensity. Associations between 10 SNPs in CHRNA5, CHRNA3, CHRNB2, CHRNB4, DRD2, and COMT and the probability of smoking cessation over time were evaluated in two longitudinal cohort studies of female nurses, the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) (n = 10 017) and NHS-2 (n = 2793). Participant follow-up ranged from 2 to 38 years with data collected every 2 years.

Results

Women with the minor allele of either CHRNA5 SNP rs16969968 or CHRNA3 SNP rs1051730 had lower odds of cessation throughout adulthood [OR = 0.93, p-value = .003]. Women had increased odds of cessation if they had the minor allele of CHRNA3 SNP rs578776 [OR = 1.17, p-value = .002]. The minor allele of DRD2 SNP rs1800497 was associated with lower odds of cessation in moderate-to-heavy smokers [OR = 0.92, p-value = .0183] but increased odds in light smokers [OR = 1.24, p-value = .096].

Conclusions

Some SNP associations with short-term smoking abstinence observed in prior studies were shown in the present study to persist throughout adulthood over decades of follow-up. Other SNP associations with short-term abstinence did not persist long-term. The secondary aim findings suggest genetic associations may differ by smoking intensity.

Implications

The results of the present study expand on previous studies of SNP associations in relation to short-term smoking cessation to demonstrate some of these SNPs were associated with smoking cessation throughout decades of follow-up, whereas other SNP associations with short-term abstinence did not persist long-term. The rate of relapse to smoking remains high for several years after quitting smoking, and many smokers experience multiple quit attempts and relapse episodes throughout adulthood. Understanding genetic associations with long-term cessation has potential importance for precision medicine approaches to long-term cessation management.
Short Antibiotic Treatment Duration for Osteomyelitis Complicating Pressure Ulcers: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Dinh Aurélien , D’anglejan Emma , Leliepvre Helene , Bouchand Frédérique , Marmouset Damien , Dournon Nathalie , Mascitti Hélène , Genet François , Herrmann Jean-Louis , Chaussard Haude , Duran Clara , Noussair Latifa
Published: February 2023

Background

Osteomyelitis-complicating pressure ulcers are frequent among patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and the optimal management is unknown. In our referral center, the current management is debridement and flap coverage surgeries, followed by a short antibiotic treatment. We aimed to evaluate patients’ outcomes a year after surgery.

Methods

We performed a quasi-experimental retrospective before/after study on SCI patients with presumed osteomyelitis associated with perineal pressure ulcers. We included all patients who underwent surgery with debridement and flap covering, followed by effective antibiotic treatment, between May 1, 2016, and October 30, 2020. The effective antimicrobial treatment duration included the 10 days leading up to January 1, 2018 (before period), and the 5 to 7 days after (after period). We also compared the efficacy of 5–7-day vs 10-day antibiotic treatment and performed uni- and multivariable analyses to identify factors associated with failure.

Results

Overall, 415 patients were included (77.6% male patients; mean age ± SD, 53.0 ± 14.4 years). Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) were involved in 20.7% of cases. Favorable outcomes were recorded in 69.2% of cases: 117/179 (65.3%) in the 10-day treatment group vs 169/287 (71.9%) in the 5–7-day treatment group (P = .153). The only factor associated with failure in the multivariate analysis was a positive culture from suction drainage (odds ratio, 1.622; 95% CI, 1.005–2.617; P = .046). Effective treatment duration >7 days and intraoperative samples negative for MDROs were not associated with better outcomes (P = .153 and P = .241, respectively).

Conclusions

A treatment strategy combining surgical debridement and flap covering, followed by 5 to 7 days of effective antibiotic treatment seems safe.
Faster growth and larger size at crèche onset are associated with higher offspring survival in Adélie Penguins
Authors: Jennings Scott , Dugger Katie M , Ballard Grant , Ainley David G
Published: February 2023

We conducted the first assessment of Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) chick survival that accounts for imperfect resighting. We found that when chicks are larger in size when they enter the crèche stage (the period when both parents forage at the same time and chicks are left relatively unprotected), they have a higher probability of survival to fledging. We investigated the relationships between growth, crèche timing, and chick survival during one typical year and one year of reduced food availability. Chicks that hatched earlier in the season entered the crèche stage older, and chicks that both grew faster and crèched older entered the crèche at a larger size. These relationships were stronger in the year of reduced food availability. Thus, parents increased their chicks’ chance of fledging if they provided sufficient food for faster growth rates and/or extended the length of the brood-guarding period. Early nest initiation (i.e., early hatching) provided parents with the opportunity to extend the guard period and increase chick survival. However, to extend the guard stage successfully, they must provide larger meals and maintain higher chick growth rates, even if just one parent at a time is foraging, which previous work has shown is not possible for all individuals. We show that the factors governing tradeoffs in chick-rearing behavior of Adélie Penguin parents may vary in accord with environmental conditions, a result from which we can better understand species’ adaptations to environmental changes.
Haemosporidian infection prevalence varies temporally and spatially and Leucocytozoon infections are male biased in Song Sparrows
Authors: Grieves Leanne A , Balogh Lydia , Kelly Tosha R , MacDougall-Shackleton Elizabeth A
Published: February 2023

Haemosporidian parasites are significant global drivers of avian disease and infections are affected by complex ecological and biological interactions. We quantified variation in haemosporidian infection prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon in 311 Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) from 2 breeding populations across years, seasons, age classes, and sexes, finding significant differences in infection prevalence across years, seasons, and sites, as well as sex differences in Leucocytozoon infection prevalence. We also found that birds were more likely to be infected with Plasmodium than Leucocytozoon and coinfections were more likely than expected. Many avian haemosporidian studies use data collected over a short period of time at one location, and few studies investigate multi-year infection dynamics across populations. However, such long-term studies are important because ecological factors can affect the distribution and prevalence of vector-borne pathogens like malaria. Because biological factors can also affect the likelihood of exposure to vector-borne pathogens, it is also important to determine how host traits influence infection dynamics. Our results demonstrate that the prevalence and composition of avian haemosporidian infections can be highly variable, making sampling regimes a key consideration when drawing conclusions from study results. To better understand the fitness consequences of haemosporidian infection in avian hosts, future work should take ecological and biological variation into account when evaluating the effects of infection on aspects of condition and quality, reproductive success, and survival.
National Care Experts and Public Daughters: Navigating Publicly Funded Eldercare Jobs in South Korea and the United States
Authors: Kim Yang-Sook
Published: February 2023

Both the United States and South Korea have implemented publicly funded long-term care programs intended to cope with the rapid aging of their populations. These programs provide market-based solutions that depend on cheap labor supplied by women from marginalized groups. Drawing upon comparative ethnographic data collected in Los Angeles’ Koreatown and Seoul, this study illuminates the mechanisms by which publicly funded long-term care programs systematically devalue care through a combination of state policy and racialized labor markets. These programs not only sort and channel marginalized women into the low-paid care sector through targeted forms of recruitment, but they also do so by promoting an idealized care worker subject. However, workers do not passively accept their subjectivation. Instead, they selectively choose to embody some aspects of the imposed idealized care worker subject to help navigate their precarious working conditions. In doing so, they give meaning to their work and thus empower themselves.
Snakebite envenoming in Brazilian children: clinical aspects, management and outcomes
Authors: Oliveira Isadora S , Pucca Manuela B , Cerni Felipe A , Vieira Samuel , Sachett Jacqueline , Seabra de Farias Altair , Lacerda Marcus , Murta Felipe , Baia-da-Silva Djane , Rocha Thiago Augusto Hernandes , Silva Lincoln Luís , Bassat Quique , Vissoci João Ricardo Nickenig , Gerardo Charles J , Sampaio Vanderson Souza , Wen Fan Hui , Bernarde Paulo S , Monteiro Wuelton M
Published: February 2023

Snakebite envenoming is currently considered a neglected tropical disease, which affects over 5 million people worldwide, and causes almost 150 000 deaths every year, as well as severe injuries, amputations and other sequelae. Snakebite envenoming in children, although proportionally less frequent, is generally more severe, and represents an important challenge for pediatric medicine, since they often result in worse outcomes. In Brazil, given its ecological, geographic and socioeconomic characteristics, snakebites are considered an important health problem, presenting approximately 30 000 victims per year, approximately 15% of them in children. Even with low snakebite incidence, children tend to have higher snakebite severity and complications due to the small body mass and same venom volume inoculated in comparison to adults, even though, due to the lack of epidemiological information about pediatric snakebites and induced injuries, it is difficult to measure the treatment effectiveness, outcomes and quality of emergency medical services for snakebites in children. In this review, we report how Brazilian children are affected by snakebites, describing the characteristics of this affected population, clinical aspects, management, outcomes and main challenges.
Karyotype evolution in Ronderosia grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Castillo Elio Rodrigo D , Celeste Scattolini M , Palacios-Gimenez Octavio M , Martí Dardo A , Cabral-De-Mello Diogo C , Cigliano María M
Published: February 2023

Grasshoppers in the genus Ronderosia (divergence time < 5 Mya) provide a special opportunity to examine the impact of chromosome rearrangements (CRs) in evolution and speciation, because they exhibit extensively rearranged karyotypes involving autosome-autosome and autosome-X chromosomes, the latter leading to the formation of a neo-sex chromosome system (neo-SCS). Despite the potential role of CRs in speciation, the general patterns of karyotype changes resulting from CRs in Ronderosia are still unclear. Here we investigated karyotype evolution in eight Ronderosia species using cytogenetic and phylogenetic models of ancestral character reconstruction. The overall findings suggest a central role for CRs in generating variability in chromosome number and neo-SCS across Ronderosia grasshoppers. It also suggests that incipient species with little morphological change, such as those observed in Ronderosia species, could accumulate marked differences in their karyotypes contributing to post-zygotic reproductive isolation. Besides the evolution of chromosome number in the phylogeny of the genus, chromosome change due to centric fusion is coupled with the divergence pattern observed in the group. While a cladogenetic event could represent a case where karyotypic differences result in speciation, further in-depth genomic studies are needed to better understand how these dramatic restructurings of karyotypes may have occurred.
Generation of Attenuated Mutants of East Asian Passiflora Virus for Disease Management by Cross Protection
Authors: Chong Yee-Hang , Do Duy-Hung , Cheng Hao-Wen , Raja Joseph A. J. , Ngo Xuan-Tung , Hwang San-Gwang , Yeh Shyi-Dong
Published: February 2023

East Asian passiflora virus (EAPV) seriously affects passionfruit production in Taiwan and Vietnam. In this study, an infectious clone of the EAPV Taiwan strain (EAPV-TW) was constructed, and EAPV-TWnss, with an nss tag attached to its helper component-protease (HC-Pro), was generated for monitoring the virus. Four conserved motifs of EAPV-TW HC-Pro were manipulated to create single mutations of F8I (simplified as I8), R181I (I181), F206L (L206), and E397N (N397) and double mutations of I8I181, I8L206, I8N397, I181L206, I181N397, and L206N397. Four mutants, EAPV I8I181, I8N397, I181L206, and I181N397, infected Nicotiana benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants without conspicuous symptoms. Mutants EAPV I181N397 and I8N397 were stable after six passages in yellow passionfruit plants and expressed a zigzag pattern of accumulation dynamic, typical of beneficial protective viruses. An agroinfiltration assay indicated that the RNA silencing suppression capabilities of the four double mutated HC-Pros are significantly reduced. Mutant EAPV I181N397 accumulated the highest level of the small interfering RNA at 10 days postinoculation (dpi) in N. benthamiana plants, then dropped to background levels after 15 dpi. In both N. benthamiana and yellow passionfruit plants, EAPV I181N397 conferred complete cross protection (100%) against severe EAPV-TWnss, as defined by no severe symptoms and absence of the challenge virus, checked by Western blotting and reverse transcription PCR. Mutant EAPV I8N397 provided high degrees of complete protection against EAPV-TWnss in yellow passionfruit plants (90%) but not in N. benthamiana plants (0%). Both mutants showed complete protection (100%) against the Vietnam severe strain EAPV-GL1 in passionfruit plants. Thus, the mutants EAPV I181N397 and I8N397 have excellent potential for controlling EAPV in Taiwan and Vietnam.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Charcoal Rot Severity and Soybean Yield Responses to Planting Date, Irrigation, and Genotypes
Authors: Mengistu Alemu , Kelly Heather M. , Read Quentin D. , Ray Jeffrey D. , Bellaloui Nacer , Schumacher Lesley A.
Published: February 2023

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production is influenced by planting date, but its impact on yield in fields infested with Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. is unknown. A 3-year study was conducted in M. phaseolina-infested fields to assess the effects of planting date (PD) on disease severity and yield using eight genotypes, four of which are reported to be susceptible to charcoal rot (S), and four reported with moderate resistance (MR) to charcoal rot (CR). The genotypes were planted in early April, early May, and early June under irrigated and nonirrigated conditions. There was planting date by irrigation interaction for area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) where May PD was significantly lower compared to April and June PDs in irrigated environments but not in nonirrigated environments. Correspondingly, yield in April PD was significantly lower than that of May and June. Interestingly, yield of S genotypes increased significantly with each subsequent PD, while yield of MR genotypes remained high across all three PDs. The interaction of genotypes by PD on yield revealed that the MR genotypes DT97-4290 and DS-880 had the greatest yields in May compared to April. While May PD had a decreased AUDPC and an increased yield across genotypes, the result of this research suggests that in fields infested with M. phaseolina, early May to early June planting coupled with appropriate cultivar selection provides maximum yield potential for western Tennessee and mid-southern soybean growers.
Examining the Effect of an Educational Program on Nursing Students’ Informatics Competencies
Authors: Almarwani Abdulaziz Mofdy , Yacoub Mohammed Ibrahim
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to determine the effect of a two-day education program on the informatics competencies of undergraduate nursing students. A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed using a convenience sample of 83 students. SANICS-18 (Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale) items were used to measure nursing informatics competencies. The pretest findings indicated a low overall score for nursing informatics competencies, with applied computer skills being the lowest self-reported competency subscale (clinical informatics). Following implementation of the education program, nursing students’ general informatics competencies improved. The findings suggest that nursing programs should provide continuing nursing informatics training and integrate skills and competencies within the nursing curriculum.
Current hemoglobin thresholds in pediatric anesthesia - guidelines and studies
Authors: Wittenmeier Eva , Komorek Yannick , Engelhard Kristin
Published: February 2023

Purpose of review

The use of restrictive transfusion triggers to avoid unnecessary transfusions is one important pillar of Patient Blood Management (PBM). For the safe application of this principle in pediatric patients, anesthesiologists need evidence-based guidelines for hemoglobin (Hb) transfusions thresholds in this specially vulnerable age-group.

Recent findings

This review outlines recent prospective and observational studies examining transfusion thresholds in pediatrics. Recommendations to use transfusion triggers in the perioperative or intensive care setting are summarized.

Two high-quality studies confirmed that the use of restrictive transfusion triggers in preterm infants in the intensive care unit (ICU) is reasonable and feasible. Unfortunately, no recent prospective study could be found investigating intraoperative transfusion triggers. Some observational studies showed wide variability in Hb levels before transfusion, a tendency toward restrictive transfusion practices in preterm infants, and liberal transfusion practices in older infants. Although there are comprehensive and useful guidelines for clinical practice in pediatric transfusion, most of them do not cover the intraoperative period in particular because of a lack of high-quality studies. This lack of prospective randomized trials focusing on intraoperative transfusion management remains a major problem for the application of pediatric PBM.
Learning from errors and resilience
Authors: Arnal-Velasco Daniel , Heras-Hernando Violeta
Published: February 2023

Purpose of review

Learning from errors has been the main objective of patient safety initiatives for the last decades. The different tools have played a role in the evolution of the safety culture to a nonpunitive system-centered one. The model has shown its limits, and resilience and learning from success have been advocated as the key strategies to deal with healthcare complexity. We intend to review the recent experiences in applying these to learn about patient safety.

Recent findings

Since the publication of the theoretical basis for resilient healthcare and Safety-II, there is a growing experience applying these concepts into reporting systems, safety huddles, and simulation training, as well as applying tools to detect discrepancies between the intended work as imagined when designing the procedures and the work as done when front-line healthcare providers face the real-life conditions.

As part of the evolution in patient safety science, learning from errors has its function to open the mindset for the next step: implementing learning strategies beyond the error. The tools for it are ready to be adopted.