bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Combinatorial Diversity of Aureochrome Basic Leucine Zippers through Genome-Wide Screening
Authors: Khamaru Madhurima , Nath Deep , Mitra Devrani , Roy Soumen
Published: October 2022

Aureochromes are unique blue light-responsive light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) photoreceptors cum basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs), present exclusively in photosynthetic marine stramenopiles. Considering the availability of the complete genome sequence, this study focuses on aureochromes from Ectocarpus siliculosus. Aureochromes mediate light-regulated developmental responses in these brown photosynthetic algae. Both the LOV sensor and the bZIP effector show overall sequence-structure conservation. The structurally similar LOV + bZIP modules of aureochrome homologs/paralogs prefer a dimeric state. Besides a heterogeneous linker connecting the sensor-effector and a flexible N-terminal region, the sequence composition of both domains is vital. Aureochromes execute diverse cellular responses in different photosynthetic stramenopiles – though their activities can vary even within a given algal species. Therefore, it is important to understand whether aureochromes select dimerization partners from the same family or interact with other bZIPs as well. To regulate multifarious biological activities, it is possible that aureochromes activate the global TF interaction network. Following homo/heterodimer modeling, we address the compatibility of dimerization partners by screening through heptad repeats. We evaluate the dimer interface area in terms of gain in solvation energy and the number of hydrogen bonds/salt bridge interactions. We further explore the relative stability of these structures from a graph-theoretic perspective through well-studied measures such as the energy of the graph, average participation coefficient, and betweenness centrality. Furthermore, we also conduct an information-theoretic analysis using hitherto understudied measures such as network information centrality and Kullback-Leibler divergence. We find that all our investigations into the relative stability of the dimers using diverse methods from bioinformatics, network science, and information theory are in harmonious agreement. Coupling preferences of monomers in aureochromes can be further translated to design novel optogenetic tools useful for understanding human development and disease.
Impressões de Viagem, Tiranias Consentidas e Crocodilo na Prosa de Dostoiévski
Authors: Cara Salete de Almeida
Published: October 2022

O artigo analisa três obras de Dostoiévski dos anos de 1850 e 1860 que dão a ver a relação entre o papel das ideias na sua construção ficcional e a visão crítica do escritor sobre o colapso da modernização nos países centrais e periféricos.
Racial Inequities in Access to Ventricular Assist Device and Transplant Persist After Consideration for Preferences for Care: A Report From the REVIVAL Study
Authors: Cascino Thomas M. , Colvin Monica M. , Lanfear David E. , Richards Blair , Khalatbari Shokoufeh , Mann Douglas L. , Taddei-Peters Wendy C. , Jeffries Neal , Watkins Daphne C. , Stewart Garrick C. , Aaronson Keith D. ,   for the REVIVAL Investigators
Published: October 2022

Background:

Racial disparities in access to advanced therapies for heart failure (HF) patients are well documented, although the reasons remain uncertain. We sought to determine the association of race on utilization of ventricular assist device (VAD) and transplant among patients with access to care at VAD centers and if patient preferences impact the effect.

Methods:

We performed an observational cohort study of ambulatory chronic systolic HF patients with high-risk features and no contraindication to VAD enrolled at 21 VAD centers and followed for 2 years in the REVIVAL study (Registry Evaluation of Vital Information for VADs in Ambulatory Life). We used competing events cause-specific proportional hazard methodology with multiple imputation for missing data. The primary outcomes were (1) VAD/transplant and (2) death. The exposures of interest included race (Black or White), additional demographics, captured social determinants of health, clinician-assessed HF severity, patient-reported quality of life, preference for VAD, and desire for therapies.

Results:

The study included 377 participants, of whom 100 (26.5%) identified as Black. VAD or transplant was performed in 11 (11%) Black and 62 (22%) White participants, although death occurred in 18 (18%) Black and 36 (13%) White participants. Black race was associated with reduced utilization of VAD and transplant (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.45 [95% CI, 0.23–0.85]) without an increase in death. Preferences for VAD or life-sustaining therapies were similar by race and did not explain racial disparities.

Conclusions:

Among patients receiving care by advanced HF cardiologists at VAD centers, there is less utilization of VAD and transplant for Black patients even after adjusting for HF severity, quality of life, and social determinants of health, despite similar care preferences. This residual inequity may be a consequence of structural racism and discrimination or provider bias impacting decision-making.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01369407.
Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in a Large Population Using Wearable Devices: The Fitbit Heart Study
Authors: Lubitz Steven A. , Faranesh Anthony Z. , Selvaggi Caitlin , Atlas Steven J. , McManus David D. , Singer Daniel E. , Pagoto Sherry , McConnell Michael V. , Pantelopoulos Alexandros , Foulkes Andrea S.
Published: October 2022

Background:

Morbidity from undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) may be preventable with early detection. Many consumer wearables contain optical photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors to measure pulse rate. PPG-based software algorithms that detect irregular heart rhythms may identify undiagnosed AF in large populations using wearables, but minimizing false-positive detections is essential.

Methods:

We performed a prospective remote clinical trial to examine a novel PPG-based algorithm for detecting undiagnosed AF from a range of wrist-worn devices. Adults aged ≥22 years in the United States without AF, using compatible wearable Fitbit devices and Android or iOS smartphones, were included. PPG data were analyzed using a novel algorithm that examines overlapping 5-minute pulse windows (tachograms). Eligible participants with an irregular heart rhythm detection (IHRD), defined as 11 consecutive irregular tachograms, were invited to schedule a telehealth visit and were mailed a 1-week ambulatory ECG patch monitor. The primary outcome was the positive predictive value of the first IHRD during ECG patch monitoring for concurrent AF.

Results:

A total of 455 699 participants enrolled (median age 47 years, 71% female, 73% White) between May 6 and October 1, 2020. IHRDs occurred for 4728 (1%) participants, and 2070 (4%) participants aged ≥65 years during a median of 122 (interquartile range, 110–134) days at risk for an IHRD. Among 1057 participants with an IHRD notification and subsequent analyzable ECG patch monitor, AF was present in 340 (32.2%). Of the 225 participants with another IHRD during ECG patch monitoring, 221 had concurrent AF on the ECG and 4 did not, resulting in an IHRD positive predictive value of 98.2% (95% CI, 95.5%–99.5%). For participants aged ≥65 years, the IHRD positive predictive value was 97.0% (95% CI, 91.4%–99.4%).

Conclusions:

A novel PPG software algorithm for wearable Fitbit devices exhibited a high positive predictive value for concurrent AF and identified participants likely to have AF on subsequent ECG patch monitoring. Wearable devices may facilitate identifying individuals with undiagnosed AF.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04380415.
Coronary Arterial Spasm During Pulsed Field Ablation to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Reddy Vivek Y. , Petru Jan , Funasako Moritoshi , Kopriva Karel , Hala Pavel , Chovanec Milan , Janotka Marek , Kralovec Stepan , Neuzil Petr
Published: October 2022

Background:

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has a unique safety profile when used to treat atrial fibrillation, largely related to its preferentiality for myocardial tissue ablation, in particular, esophageal sparing. A pentaspline catheter was the first such PFA system studied clinically for atrial fibrillation ablation; in these initial regulatory trials, the catheter was used for pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial posterior wall ablation. Since its regulatory approval in Europe, in clinical practice, physicians have ablated beyond pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial posterior wall ablation to expanded lesion sets in closer proximity to coronary arteries. This is an unstudied important issue because preclinical and clinical data have raised the potential for coronary arterial spasm. Herein, we studied the vasospastic potential of PFA lesion sets, both remote from and adjacent to coronary arteries.

Methods:

During routine atrial fibrillation ablation using the pentaspline PFA catheter, coronary angiography was performed before, during, and after pulsed field applications. The lesion sets studied included: (1) those remote from the coronary arteries such as pulmonary vein isolation (n=25 patients) and left atrial posterior wall ablation (n=5), and (2) ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (n=20) that is situated adjacent to the right coronary artery.

Results:

During pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial posterior wall ablation, coronary spasm did not occur, but cavotricuspid isthmus ablation provoked severe subtotal vasospasm in 5 of 5 (100%) consecutive patients, and this was relieved by intracoronary nitroglycerin in 5.5±3.5 minutes. ST-segment elevation was not observed. However, no patient (0%,
P
=0.004) had severe spasm if first administered parenteral nitroglycerin, either intracoronary (n=5) or intravenous (n=10), before treatment.

Conclusions:

Coronary vasospasm was not provoked during PFA at locations remote from coronary arteries, but when the energy is delivered adjacent to a coronary artery, PFA routinely provokes subclinical vasospasm. This phenomenon is attenuated by nitroglycerin, administered either post hoc to treat spasm or as prophylaxis.
Redefining Cardiovascular Health to Include Sleep: Prospective Associations With Cardiovascular Disease in the MESA Sleep Study
Authors: Makarem Nour , Castro‐Diehl Cecilia , St‐Onge Marie‐Pierre , Redline Susan , Shea Steven , Lloyd‐Jones Donald , Ning Hongyan , Aggarwal Brooke
Published: October 2022

Background

Although sufficient and healthy sleep is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7), as a measure of cardiovascular health (CVH), did not include sleep. We evaluated an expanded measure of CVH that includes sleep as an eighth metric in relation to CVD risk.

Methods and Results

The analytic sample consisted of MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) Sleep Study participants who had complete data on sleep characteristics from overnight polysomnography, 7‐day wrist actigraphy, validated questionnaires, and the outcome. We computed the LS7 score and 4 iterations of a new CVH score: score 1 included sleep duration, score 2 included sleep characteristics linked to CVD in the literature (sleep duration, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and obstructive sleep apnea), scores 3 and 4 included sleep characteristics associated with CVD in MESA (score 3: sleep duration and efficiency, daytime sleepiness, and obstructive sleep apnea; score 4: score 3+sleep regularity). Multivariable‐adjusted logistic and Cox proportional hazards models evaluated associations of the LS7 and CVH scores 1 to 4 with CVD prevalence and incidence. Among 1920 participants (mean age: 69±9 years; 54% female), there were 95 prevalent CVD events and 93 incident cases (mean follow‐up, 4.4 years). Those in the highest versus lowest tertile of the LS7 score and CVH scores 1 to 4 had up to 80% lower odds of prevalent CVD. The LS7 score was not significantly associated with CVD incidence (hazard ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.37–1.04]). Those in the highest versus lowest tertile of CVH score 1, which included sleep duration, and CVH score 4, which included multidimensional sleep health, had 43% and 47% lower incident CVD risk (hazard ratio, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.33–0.97]; and hazard ratio, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.32–0.89]), respectively.

Conclusions

CVH scores that include sleep health predicted CVD risk in older US adults. The incorporation of sleep as a CVH metric, akin to other health behaviors, may enhance CVD primordial and primary prevention efforts. Findings warrant confirmation in larger cohorts over longer follow‐up.
Stable isotopes indicate reduced body condition of caribou in disturbed areas
Authors: Found Rob , Baker James A. , Fryxell John M. , McLaren Ashley A.D. , Rodgers Arthur R. , Shuter Jennifer , Thompson Ian , Patterson Brent R.
Published: October 2022

Understanding the impacts of disturbance on individual fitness is important for wildlife management, and critical for the conservation of species at risk. We compared the fitness and seasonal range use of 39 woodland caribou in Ontario study areas contrasted by their level of human disturbance. We previously showed that wolf density in the disturbed site was higher, likely due to human-modified landscapes favoring moose, the primary prey of wolves. In this paper we address three objectives. First, because the assimilation of dietary nitrogen is heavily influenced by metabolic processes related to stress, we hypothesized that ratios of nitrogen isotopes (N) may indicate changes in body condition in ungulates and be useful proxies for changes in fitness. Second, we predicted that increased predation risk from wolves in disturbed areas would result in measurable declines in caribou body condition. Third, we hypothesized that one mechanism for fitness declines among caribou in the disturbed area was increased wolf activity restricting caribou seasonal movements. We showed change in N in the tissues of caribou was correlated with body condition scoring using fat assessment. We used GPS collars to quantify seasonal range use and found that fitness was higher, and seasonal range overlap was lower, in caribou using the nondisturbed area. Winter fitness declines were significantly larger in the more disturbed area. Our study identifies another mechanism by which the cumulative effects of human-disturbed landscapes on caribou fitness could contribute to global declines in caribou populations.
Effectiveness of different management strategies against Nilgai population (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in Punjab Province of India
Authors: Jain Somya , Singla Neena , Kalra Shasta , Mahal Amrit Kaur
Published: October 2022

Crop raiding has been reported in many parts of Punjab as a result of an overabundance of nilgai antelopes (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and farmers are constantly battling to save their crops. In the present study, various management strategies such as physical deterrents (nylon rope, nylon net and garden net), visual repellents (scarecrow and reflective ribbon), chemical repellents (different concentrations of Neelbo and Ecodon (based on ricinoleic acid) applied by spraying, soaking jute rope, soaked in wood shavings packed in plastic bags and paper cups) and biological deterrents (bioacoustic device and different concentrations of faecal solution of horse, tiger and Himalayan black bear) were evaluated to minimize the damage caused by nilgai. Nylon net was the most promising method, providing complete protection against nilgai, which can be used for protecting crops at vulnerable stages with a one-time cost. The nylon rope and garden net provided partial protection from nilgai damage. The bioacoustic device and reflective ribbon were also effective for a short period of time. Neelbo was found more effective as chemical repellent against nilgai. The faecal solution of horse and Himalayan black bear remained effective as repellent for 10 days. It is thus concluded that while comprehensive damage prevention may be difficult, animal management devices can help reduce nilgai damage at vulnerable stages of the crop. The employment of a range of management devices at the proper time can be part of a cost-effective system to keep nilgai damage at acceptable levels.
Revision of Chinese species of the ant genus Parasyscia Emery, 1882 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae)
Authors: CHEN ZHILIN , LIANG CUIJUN , DU CONGCONG
Published: October 2022

Seven species of the ant genus Parasyscia Emery, 1882 in the subfamily Dorylinae are recognized in China, including one known species, P. reticulata (Emery, 1923), and five new species: P. wilsoni sp. nov., P. nigrita sp. nov., P. tibetana sp. nov., P. shii sp. nov., P. xui sp. nov. and one new record species, P. ganeshaiahi Aswaj et al, 2021. The worker caste of P. reticulata is reported for the first time. The species P. fossulata (Forel, 1895) is excluded from the ant fauna of China. A revised key for the Asian species of Parasyscia based on the worker caste is provided.
Contributions to the millipede fauna of China: five new species of the genus Nepalella Shear, 1979 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Megalotylidae)
Authors: MIKHALJOVA ELENA V.
Published: October 2022

Five new species of the millipede genus Nepalella Shear, 1979 (Chordeumatida, Megalotylidae) are described from mainland China: N. brevichaeta sp. nov., N. fruticulosa sp. nov., N. labolensis sp. nov., N. shimianensis sp. nov. and N. zhumanica sp. nov. All currently known species of Nepalella are keyed, including the new ones.
Status of Patania harutai (Inoue, 1955) in Korea, with a new species (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Spilomelinae), and clarification of their host plants
Authors: LEE TAK-GI , HEO UN-HONG , BAE YANG-SEOP
Published: October 2022

The genus Patania Moore, 1888 (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) has been recorded in Korea with nine species: P. balteata (Fabricius, 1798), P. brevipennis (Inoue, 1982), P. chlorophanta (Butler, 1878), P. deficiens (Moore, 1887), P. expictalis (Christoph, 1881), P. punctimarginalis (Hampson, 1896), P. ruralis (Scopoli, 1763), P. sabinusalis (Walker, 1859) and P. harutai (Inoue, 1955). In this study, we describe a new species P. gorosoe Lee, Heo & Bae, sp. nov. which very similar with P. harutai. The host plants of above two species are clarificated. Illustrations of adults and genitalia of P. harutai and P. gorosoe sp. nov. are provided. A checklist of the genus Patania in Korea is also provided. [Zoobank registrations: Patania gorosoe Lee, Heo & Bae, new species: LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3FFD8DA8-8EA1-423A-84A9-BC5804E18EA0]
Uncertainty in Future Projections of Precipitation Decline over Mesopotamia
Authors: Choi Yeon-Woo , Eltahir Elfatih A. B.
Published: October 2022

For millennia, Mesopotamia was blessed by enough water supplied by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. However, the dwindling freshwater resource is no longer enough. In the future, climate change coupled with a growing population could considerably exacerbate the current water deficit. Based on simulations by carefully selected global and regional climate models, we conclude that these river basins may possibly face further water shortages (mainly due to a reduction in spring-season precipitation) in the next few decades (2021–50) under a scenario of high emissions of greenhouse gases. However, there is no consensus among models regarding these near-term (2021–50) projections of change in precipitation, and society is likely to face the challenge of how to prepare for this uncertain future. The story is different for the late decades of this century: we project, with significantly more confidence, a robust decrease in wet-season (winter to spring) precipitation over the headwaters of these river basins, worsening future water deficits and implying a century-long drying trend over Mesopotamia. Possible physical mechanisms are proposed and discussed. As global warming progresses, higher sea level pressure, centered on the Mediterranean Sea, will likely make upstream storms less frequent and weaker, leading to drying over Mesopotamia. Further, projections show a poleward migration of the fewer Mediterranean storm tracks, decreasing the frequency of storms that penetrate into Mesopotamia. Implementing a global net-zero carbon emissions policy by midcentury could mitigate the severity of the projected droughts in this region.
Petrous Apicitis: Surgical Anatomy
Authors: Chole Richard A.
Published: October 2022

Various surgical approaches to the petrous apex for exposure and drainage of suppurative processes are available to the otologist. The petrous apex may be conveniently divided into anterior and posterior portions by a line in the coronal plane through the internal auditory canal. The approach to the posterior petrous apex follows fistulous tracts in the sinodural angle, the subarcuate fossa, and the infralabyrinthine tract. The anterior petrous apex may be entered by means of a radical mastoidectomy. Fistulous tracts into an infected anterior petrous apex may be found through the hypotympanum, below the cochlea, through a triangle anterior to the cochlea, below the middle fossa dura, and above the carotid artery. In this approach to the petrous tip, one must have a thorough knowledge of the anatomical relationships around the carotid artery and cochlea: the carotid artery lies within 1.69 ± 0.70 mm of the cochlea anteriorly, and the carotid artery may be exposed within the middle ear.
Cochlear Vessel Permeability to Horseradish Peroxidase in the Normal and Acoustically Traumatized Chinchilla: A Reevaluation
Authors: Hukee Margaret J. , Duvall Arndt J.
Published: October 2022

A method involving incubation of intact cochleae using the small protein, horseradish peroxidase, has revealed that a barrier exists between the blood and the stria vascularis. This barrier is more tenuous than the barrier that exists across other cochlear vessels. The stria — strial vessel barrier can be altered physiologically by acoustic trauma or artifactually by dissection.
Size of the Mastoid Air Cells and Otitis Media
Authors: Tos M. , Stangerup S-E. , Andreassen U. K.
Published: October 2022

Repetitive tympanometric screenings were performed in 79 randomized, otherwise healthy children from 2 to 7 years old. A total of nine screenings, of which three included otomicroscopy, were performed. When the children were 7 years of age, radiographs were made of their mastoid processes in Runstrøm's lateral projection. The median size of the cell system was 8.25 cm2. The cell systems were significantly larger (9 cm2) in girls than in boys (7.5 cm2). A significant correlation was found between the size of the cell system and the duration of secretory otitis media; thus, the smallest air cell systems occurred in the children with the longest episodes of secretory otitis, and the largest cell systems in children with no history of secretory otitis. Eardrum changes occurred at the ages of 5, 6, and 7 years in 21%, 32%, and 25% of the children, respectively. Children in whom the same eardrum changes were present at all three examinations had significantly smaller cell systems than those with either no changes or changes only at a few of the examinations. No differences in extent of pneumatization were found, regardless of whether the children had had episodes of acute otitis, had been treated for secretory otitis, or had had neither. In our opinion, this study supports the theory that hypocellularity is a sequela of secretory otitis rather than a cause of the disease.
Beyond the “weakness of the state”: Canada’s intervention in post-agreement Colombia
Authors: Anzueto Marc-André , Grégoire Etienne Roy , Dufort Philippe
Published: October 2022

During the 2021 mass protests in Colombia, and while international calls for the Colombian government to respect human rights were intensifying, Canada’s position remained somewhat ambiguous. Part of Canada’s ambiguity can be explained by a simplistic characterization of Colombia as a “weak state.” This article assesses Canada’s bilateral relationship by historizing the development of Colombia’s governance in the key overlapping sectors of security, human rights, and natural resources. From extensive fieldwork, we distinguish two competing rationalities based on the articulation of the notions of “conflict” and “dissent” with the notion of the “rule of law.” We believe that Canada’s bilateral relation with Colombia in the last decades has overlooked the contradictions that exist between democratizing rationalities and antipolitical rationalities. As a result, Canada’s foreign policy has been based on an overly simplistic conception of the relationship between development, security, and the rule of law.
Negotiated Securitization? Examining Ethiopia’s Post-2016 Refugee Policy Shift
Authors: Nigusie Alemu Asfaw , Cheru Fantu
Published: October 2022

The year 2016 is remembered globally for the adoption of the New York Declaration and its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) as the new global refugee response model. In this regard, Ethiopia has been one of those African countries that have adopted the Declaration, made specific CRRF pledges and has become a CRRF pilot country. Such national policy move heralded the shift of refugee policy in Ethiopia in the post-2016 era. Nonetheless, compared to the focus accorded to refugees and the role of international institutions and donors, the role of African hosting states in the governance of refugees and how they navigate internal and external demands and adopt policies have been paid little scholarly attention. This study, therefore, aims to fill in this scholarly gap and contribute to the existing debate in the academic and policy circle on state response to refugees in the era of CRRF from the Global South perspective by providing an empirical insight into the nature, dynamics and shift of refugee policies in Ethiopia and the factors that contributed to this effect.
Virtual Reality Integration in Social Studies Classroom: Impact on Student Knowledge, Classroom Engagement, and Historical Empathy Development
Authors: Riner Ashley , Hur Jung Won , Kohlmeier Jada
Published: October 2022

While virtual reality (VR) technology can provide students with first-hand and situational learning experiences, limited studies have integrated VR in a K-12 classroom, resulting in the lack of understanding of the benefits and challenges of VR use in classroom settings. To examine the impact of VR on student learning, this study employed a mixed-methods quasi-experimental research approach and integrated a fully immersive VR (i.e., Oculus Quest) and non-immersive VR (i.e., 3D website) into 9th-grade social studies classrooms. The findings demonstrated that while the quantitative data did not demonstrate statistically significant improvement in knowledge development and classroom engagement after students use VR, qualitative data showed positive learning benefits and classroom engagement. Furthermore, statistically significant growth was observed in the development of historical empathy with VR use. The findings share critical insight into the impact of VR on student learning and the challenges of VR integration in a K-12 classroom.
Assisted Relaxation Therapy for Insomnia in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study
Authors: McPhillips Miranda V. , Li Junxin , Petrovsky Darina V. , Brewster Glenna S. , Ward E. John , Hodgson Nancy , Gooneratne Nalaka S.
Published: October 2022

Insomnia symptoms are prevalent in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and can pose treatment challenges. We tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of assisted relaxation therapy (ART) to improve insomnia symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with MCI. In this pilot RCT, 25 participants were assigned to intervention or control groups for 2 weeks. The final sample ( n = 20) consisted of all Black, primarily female (70%) older adults (mean age 69.10; SD = 7.45) with mean Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores of 21.10 ( SD = 2.49). Recruitment was timely; attrition was low (80%). Participants were able to use ART (average use 7.00; SD = 5.07 days). Participants in the ART group improved on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) (− 7.10; 95% CI [−11.63, −2.55]; p = .004) compared to baseline. There were clinically meaningful mean change scores on ISI for the intervention group compared to the control (− 7.10 vs. − 4.33). Results provide justification for testing ART in a fully powered clinical trial.
Racial/Ethnic Socialization Practices of Biracial Asian Children in the United States
Authors: Kim-Breunig Haemin , Vittrup Brigitte
Published: October 2022

Despite a dramatic increase in Asian-White biracial individuals in the US, there is still a lack of research on this population. Using phenomenology, the purpose of this study was to delve into the lived experiences of Asian-White interracial couples and their experiences raising their biracial children. A total of 10 couples participated, and they reported on their perception of their children’s racial/ethnic identity, their children’s understanding of race, the types of racial and cultural socialization practices in which they engaged, cultural differences within their family, and differential treatment based on their children’s appearance.
Meal patterns and the quality of breakfast and snacks in relation to adolescents’ dental health in southeast of Iran
Authors: Hasheminejad Naimeh , Mahmoodi Mohammad Reza , Malek Mohammadi Tayebeh , Karamoozian Ali
Published: October 2022

Aim: The objective was to determine the frequency pattern and nutritional quality of breakfast and snacks in Iranian adolescents and to investigate these dietary habits in relation to tooth decay and tooth erosion. Methods: A multistage cluster random sampling method was adopted to recruit 600 adolescents with equal sex distribution in the city of Kerman/southeast of Iran. Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and Tooth Wear Index (TWI) were recorded for each subject. Snacking and breakfast quality, frequency of snacking and regular/irregular use of main meals were also recorded. Poisson regression and Firth's bias-reduced penalized-likelihood logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: DMFT score of adolescents who consumed low-quality snacks were 1.13 times more than those who consumed high-quality snacks. Regular use of all three main meals was associated with a lower DMFT score. DMFT score of adolescents who did not have regular use of breakfast was 1.19 times more than those who consumed breakfast on a regular basis. Also, regarding adolescents who had an irregular use of lunch, the DMFT score was 1.3 times more than those who had a regular lunch schedule. In addition, participants with irregular dinner consumption had 1.24 times more DMFT scores compared to those with a regular dinner schedule. Conclusions: Regular breakfast consumption, decreased snacking occasions, use of higher nutritional quality snacks, and increased nutritional education are important in order to prevent a higher chance of dental caries and promote dental health status.
Community connectedness and depression in transgender populations: The role of self-focused attention
Authors: Taber Jamie L , Gao Siyan (Stan) , Lynn Savannah G , Brusche Daniel R , Stults Christopher B
Published: October 2022

Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals are at increased risk for depression, making it important to understand the factors that may contribute to or attenuate this disparity. Community connectedness is one such factor, but prior research regarding its effect on depression has been mixed. It is possible that these mixed findings may be because community connectedness leads to multiple types of self-focused attention (i.e., gender reflection, gender rumination, and preoccupation with others’ perceptions) which then have opposing effects on depression. To explore this possibility, the current study sought to test a mediation model in which the three types of self-focused attention would mediate the relationship between community connectedness and depression. Cross-sectional data were collected using online surveys with 309 TNB young adults aged 18–30 years old. As hypothesized, preoccupation with others’ perceptions was a significant mediator explaining 35.85% of the variance in depression. Contrary to expectations, gender reflection and gender rumination were not significant mediators. However, community connectedness significantly predicted greater gender reflection, while gender rumination predicted greater depression. The present results indicate that different types of self-focused attention have differing effects on depression in this population, suggesting that clinicians working with TNB young adults should target the ways that these clients think about their gender identity. Additionally, connection to the TNB community can have multiple effects on thought processes, and efforts should be made to maximize the benefits while minimizing the costs. Future research should test these relationships using longitudinal designs and at different ages, as well as assess whether aspects of the community connectedness itself (e.g., co-rumination in TNB spaces, online vs. in-person connection) may have different effects.
Pharmacological modulation of ventral tegmental area neurons elicits changes in trigeminovascular sensory processing and is accompanied by glycemic changes: Implications for migraine
Authors: Martins-Oliveira Margarida , Akerman Simon , Holland Philip R , Tavares Isaura , Goadsby Peter J
Published: October 2022

Background

Imaging migraine premonitory studies show increased midbrain activation consistent with the ventral tegmental area, an area involved in pain modulation and hedonic feeding. We investigated ventral tegmental area pharmacological modulation effects on trigeminovascular processing and consequent glycemic levels, which could be involved in appetite changes in susceptible migraine patients.

Methods

Serotonin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptors immunohistochemistry was performed in ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus of male Sprague Dawley rats. In vivo trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dura mater nociceptive electrical stimulation, and facial mechanical stimulation of the ophthalmic dermatome were recorded. Changes in trigeminocervical complex responses following ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus microinjection of glutamate, bicuculline, naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole were measured, and blood glucose levels assessed pre- and post-microinjection.

Results

Glutamatergic stimulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons reduced nociceptive and spontaneous trigeminocervical complex neuronal firing. Naratriptan, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 and quinpirole inhibited trigeminovascular spontaneous activity, and trigeminocervical complex neuronal responses to dural-evoked electrical and mechanical noxious stimulation. Trigeminovascular sensory processing through modulation of the ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus resulted in reduced circulating glucose levels.

Conclusion

Pharmacological modulation of ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus neurons elicits changes in trigeminovascular sensory processing. The interplay between ventral tegmental area parabrachial pigmented nucleus activity and the sensory processing by the trigeminovascular system may be relevant to understand associated sensory and homeostatic symptoms in susceptible migraine patients.
Vitrified Particulated Articular Cartilage for Joint Resurfacing: A Swine Model
Authors: Wu Kezhou , Yong Kar Wey , Ead Maha , Sommerfeldt Mark , Skene-Arnold Tamara D. , Westover Lindsey , Duke Kajsa , Laouar Leila , Elliott Janet A.W. , Jomha Nadr M.
Published: October 2022

Background:

The use of particulated articular cartilage for repairing cartilage defects has been well established, but its use is currently limited by the availability and short shelf life of donor cartilage. Vitrification is an ice-free cryopreservation technology at ultralow temperatures for tissue banking. An optimized vitrification protocol has been developed for particulated articular cartilage; however, the equivalency of the long-term clinical efficacy of vitrified particulated articular cartilage compared with fresh articular cartilage has not yet been determined.

Hypothesis:

The repair effect of vitrified particulated cartilage from pigs would be equivalent to or better than that of fresh particulated cartilage stored at 4°C for 21 days.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 19 pigs were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: fresh particulated cartilage group (n = 8), vitrified particulated cartilage group (n = 8), and negative control group (no particulated cartilage in the defect; n = 3). An additional pig was used as the initial cartilage donor for the first set of surgical procedures. Pigs were euthanized after 6 months to obtain femoral condyles, and the contralateral condyle was used as the positive (no defect) control. Samples were evaluated for gross morphology using the Outerbridge and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring systems, histology (safranin O, collagen type I/II, DAPI), and chondrocyte viability using live-dead membrane integrity staining.

Results:

There were no infections after surgery, and all 19 pigs were followed for the duration of the study. The OARSI grades for the fresh and vitrified particulated cartilage groups were 2.44 ± 1.35 and 2.00 ± 0.80, respectively, while the negative control group was graded significantly higher at 4.83 ± 0.29. Analysis of histological and fluorescent staining demonstrated that the fresh and vitrified particulated cartilage groups had equivalent regeneration within cartilage defects, with similar cell viability and densities and expression of proteoglycans and collagen type I/II.

Conclusion:

The implantation of fresh or vitrified particulated cartilage resulted in the equivalent repair of focal cartilage defects when evaluated at 6 months after surgery.

Clinical Relevance:

The vitrification of particulated cartilage is a viable option for long-term storage for cartilage tissue banking and could greatly increase the availability of donor tissue for transplantation.
Open Access Articles Garner Increased Social Media Attention and Citation Rates Compared With Subscription Access Research Articles: An Altmetrics-Based Analysis
Authors: Vadhera Amar S. , Lee Jonathan S. , Veloso Isabel L. , Khan Zeeshan A. , Trasolini Nicholas A. , Gursoy Safa , Kunze Kyle N. , Chahla Jorge , Verma Nikhil N.
Published: October 2022

Background:

To better understand the research impact on social media, alternative web-based metrics (Altmetrics) were developed. Open access (OA) publishing, which allows for widespread distribution of scientific content, has become increasingly common in the medical literature. However, the relationship between OA publishing and social media impact remains unclear.

Purpose:

To compare social media attention and citation rates between OA and subscription access (SA) research articles within the orthopaedic and sports medicine literature.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Articles published as either OA or SA in 5 high-impact hybrid orthopaedic journals between January 2019 and December 2019 were analyzed. The primary outcome was the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), a validated measure of social media attention. Secondary outcomes included citation rates, article characteristics, and the number of shares on social media. Independent t tests and chi-square analyses were used to compare outcomes between OA and SA articles. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between article type and AAS while controlling for bibliometric characteristics.

Results:

A total of 2143 articles (246 OA articles, 11.5%; 1897 SA articles, 88.5%) were included. The mean AAS among all OA articles was 62.4 ± 184.6 (range, 0-2032), whereas the mean AAS among all SA articles was 18.4 ± 109.8 (range, 0-3425), representing a statistically significant difference ( P < .001). The mean citation rate among OA articles was significantly higher (17.0 ± 22.5; range, 0-139) than that of SA articles (8.6 ± 13.4; range, 0-169) ( P < .001). Multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated that OA status (β = 15.15; P = .044), number of institutions (β = 2.13; P = .023), studies classified as epidemiological investigations (β = 107.40; P < .001), and disclosure of a conflict of interest (β = −11.18; P = .032) were significantly associated with a higher AAS.

Conclusion:

OA articles resulted in significantly greater AAS and citations in comparison with SA articles. Articles published through the OA option in hybrid journals as well as those with a higher number of institutions, those that disclosed a conflict of interest, and those classified as epidemiological investigations were positively associated with greater AAS in addition to a greater number of citations. The potential for more extensive research dissemination inherent in the OA option may therefore translate into greater reach and social media attention.
Modified Alendronate Mitigates Mechanical Degradation of the Rotator Cuff in an Osteoporotic Ovine Model
Authors: Johnson James W. , von Stade Devin , Gadomski Ben , Easley Jeremiah , Nelson Brad , Bisazza Katie , Regan Daniel , Troyer Kevin , Zhou Tianjian , McGilvray Kirk
Published: October 2022

Background:

Osteoporosis is an independent risk factor for failure after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Since rerupture rates after rotator cuff repair are associated with decreased bone mineral density and bone microarchitecture, adaptations of biomechanical properties of the rotator cuff enthesis in patients with osteoporosis remain unclear. Additionally, the effects of osteogenic therapy carrier drugs used for the treatment of osteoporosis on rotator cuff structure and properties have not been previously documented.

Purpose:

To investigate the changes to soft tissue biomechanics and insertional structure secondary to osteoporosis with and without an osteogenic therapy carrier (ie, modified alendronate).

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Biomechanical, histopathological, and microcomputed tomography analyses were performed on 20 shoulders obtained from 10 osteoporotic sheep randomly allocated to modified bisphosphonate (ie, alendronate) or control (ie, osteoporotic without treatment) groups; 6 shoulders from healthy sheep were utilized for comparison purposes.

Results:

Tendons from the control group exhibited a 57% decrease in undeformed Young modulus as compared with the healthy group ( P = .010). Tendons from the modified bisphosphonate treatment group exhibited a 229% increase in initial Young modulus as compared with the control group ( P = .010). Marked changes within the tendon insertional organization were noted in both the control and the modified bisphosphonate treatment group samples as evidenced by increased interdigitation of the bone–mineralized fibrocartilaginous junction. The control samples exhibited a markedly paucicellular insertion, whereas the modified bisphosphonate treated tendons exhibited a hypercellular insertional region as compared with the healthy group. Both groups exhibited significantly ( P < .01) decreased bone quality underlying the infraspinatus insertion, as evidenced by all microcomputed tomography outcome parameters.

Conclusion:

This work illuminates changes to rotator cuff tendon secondary to osteoporosis. Specifically, it revealed decreased tendon modulus and altered insertional structure in the osteoporotic samples. Secondarily, these data revealed increases in tendon modulus accompanied by increased cellularity within the tendon insertion region after systemic modified bisphosphonate injections.

Clinical Relevance:

Bisphosphonate treatment may have a positive effect on the healing of the enthesis after rotator cuff repair.
Intimate Partner Violence and Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Chengdu, China
Authors: Guo Pengyue , Hou Fengsu , Cao Wangnan , Guo Yawei , Wei Dannuo , Li Jinghua , Hao Yuantao
Published: October 2022

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common in men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM also face increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, it is not known whether IPV experience of MSM in China would affect their attitudes toward pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between different types of IPV and willingness to use PrEP in a sample of 608 MSM from November 2018 to May 2019 in Chengdu, China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the associations between different types of IPV and willingness to use PrEP. The average age of the participants was 31.8 ± 12.3 years, 48.9% of them were aware of PrEP before this study, and only 7.2% were aware of long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP). The overall willingness to use any type of PrEP in the next 6 months was 82.2%. Approximately one third of the participants ( n = 198) had experienced at least one type of IPV. We found that experience of sexual perpetration was negatively associated with the willingness to use on-demand PrEP (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.16–0.67) and the overall willingness to use any type of PrEP (ORa = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.15–0.64). The willingness to use LAI-PrEP also had negative associations with any type of monitoring IPV (ORa = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.38–0.91), controlling victimization (ORa = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.21–0.82), and emotional victimization (ORa = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35–0.97). The findings of this study demonstrate that IPV experiences are negatively associated with willingness to use PrEP among MSM, suggesting that PrEP promotion programs should consider IPV screening and develop explicit intervention strategies for both perpetrators and victims.
Three Accounts—Two World Wars—One Town: Narratives of War and Genocide in Eastern Galicia
Authors: Bartov Omer
Published: October 2022

This article belongs to the special cluster, “Biographies of Belonging in the Holocaust”, guest-edited by Natalia Aleksiun and Hana Kubátová.

This article argues for using personal accounts in reconstructing the inner lives of interethnic communities in Eastern Europe in times of crisis. Focusing on the Eastern Galician town of Buczacz as representative of numerous other such communities, it also suggests that the events of the Holocaust must be seen within the larger context of coexistence and violence since 1914. After briefly examining the relevant historiography, the article turns to a close analysis of the diary of a Polish headmaster, written in 1914–1922; the World War II diary of a Ukrainian gymnasium teacher, and recollections of the Holocaust by a Jewish radio technician, composed in 1947. All three men lived in Buczacz; all three wanted their accounts to be read by others, but they are only now being made available to the public by the author. Each provides a strikingly different perspective: that of a Polish nationalist educator whose sons were fighting to create an independent Poland; that of a Ukrainian activist who resented Polish rule and Jewish influence but felt ambivalent about wartime and genocide profiteering by fellow Ukrainians; and that of a young Jew who meticulously recorded both collaboration and rescue by his gentile neighbors and ended up fighting in a local Polish partisan unit. And yet, seen together, these personal narratives shed light on aspects of mass violence in that region largely missing from more general or nationally oriented histories.