bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topics Analysis of Reddit and Twitter Posts Discussing Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Distress From 2017 to 2019
Authors: Rohde Jacob A , Sibley Adams L , Noar Seth M
Published: June 2021

Background

Social media platforms are popular tools for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to seek support. In the current study, we sought to examine and characterize IBD and distress discourse on public social media platforms. Our goal was to identify topics associated with these online discussions.

Methods

We collected public social media posts about IBD and distress from Reddit (N = 40 625) and Twitter (N = 40 306) published between September 2017 and August 2019. We created a term-based dictionary to characterize posts based on 8 different, nonmutually exclusive topics: (1) symptoms, (2) medication, (3) nutrition, (4) procedures, (5) marijuana, (6) stigma, (7) ostomy, and (8) intimacy. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the frequency and order the prevalence of the topics on the 2 platforms, and to assess topic co-occurrences among posts.

Results

Most Reddit (79%) and Twitter (56%) posts mentioned at least 1 IBD topic. The order of topic prevalence was the same for the 2 platforms. Symptoms was the most mentioned topic (Reddit: 57%, Twitter 36%), followed by medication (Reddit: 30%, Twitter 11%), and nutrition (Reddit: 27%, Twitter 9%). Intimacy was the least mentioned topic (Reddit: 2%, Twitter: <1%). Topic co-occurrences varied by platform. Most Reddit posts (57%) mentioned at least 2 IBD topics, whereas only 27% of tweets mentioned multiple IBD topics.

Conclusions

This study contributes to a growing literature examining how IBD is discussed on social media—specifically, in distress-related contexts on Reddit and Twitter. These cross-platform findings highlight important areas potentially associated with IBD-related distress, which could help facilitate future support.
TIDB: a comprehensive database of trained immunity
Authors: Cao Yang , Dong Qingyang , Wang Dan , Liu Ying , Zhang Pengcheng , Yu Xiaobo , Niu Chao
Published: June 2021

Trained immunity is a newly emerging concept that defines the ability of the innate immune system to form immune memory and provide long-lasting protection against previously encountered antigens. Accumulating evidence reveals that trained immunity not only has broad benefits to host defense but is also harmful to the host in chronic inflammatory diseases. However, all trained immunity-related information is scattered in the literature and thus is difficult to access. Here, we describe Trained Immunity DataBase (TIDB), a comprehensive database that provides well-studied trained immunity-related genes from human, rat and mouse as well as the related literature evidence. Moreover, TIDB also provides three modules to analyze the function of the trained-immunity-related genes of interest, including Reactome pathway over-representation analysis, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction subnetwork reconstruction. We believe TIDB will help developing valuable strategies for vaccine design and immune-mediated disease therapy.

Database URL: http://www.ieom-tm.com/tidb
Retrograde autologous priming in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gupta Saurabh , McEwen Charlotte , Basha Ameen , Panchal Puru , Eqbal Adam , Wu Nicole , Belley-Cote Emilie P , Whitlock Richard
Published: June 2021

OBJECTIVES

Guidelines recommend retrograde autologous priming (RAP) of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit. However, the efficacy and safety of RAP is not well-established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of RAP on transfusion requirements, morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

We searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing RAP to no-RAP. We performed title and abstract review, full-text screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment independently and in duplicate. We pooled data using a random effects model.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs (n = 1206) and 17 observational studies (n = 3565) were included. Fewer patients required blood transfusions with RAP [RCTs; risk ratio 0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51, 0.65], P < 0.001, and observational studies; risk ratio 0.65 [95% CI: 0.53, 0.80], P < 0.001]. The number of units transfused per patient was also lower among patients who underwent RAP (RCTs; mean difference −0.38 unit [95% CI: −0.72, −0.04], P = 0.03, and observational studies; mean difference −1.03 unit [95% CI: −1.76, −0.29], P < 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis supports the use of RAP as a blood conservation strategy since its use during cardiopulmonary bypass appears to reduce transfusion requirements.
Variants in SARS-CoV-2 associated with mild or severe outcome
Authors: Voss Jameson D , Skarzynski Martin , McAuley Erin M , Maier Ezekiel J , Gibbons Thomas , Fries Anthony C , Chapleau Richard R
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global public health emergency causing a disparate burden of death and disability around the world. The viral genetic variants associated with outcome severity are still being discovered.

Methods

We downloaded 155 958 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from GISAID. Of these genomes, 3637 samples included useable metadata on patient outcomes. Using this subset, we evaluated whether SARS-CoV-2 viral genomic variants improved prediction of reported severity beyond age and region. First, we established whether including genomic variants as model features meaningfully increased the predictive power of our model. Next, we evaluated specific variants in order to determine the magnitude of association with severity and the frequency of these variants among SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

Results

Logistic regression models that included viral genomic variants outperformed other models (area under the curve = 0.91 as compared with 0.68 for age and gender alone; P < 0.001). We found 84 variants with odds ratios greater than 2 for outcome severity (17 and 67 for higher and lower severity, respectively). The median frequency of associated variants was 0.15% (interquartile range 0.09–0.45%). Altogether 85% of genomes had at least one variant associated with patient outcome.

Conclusion

Numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants have 2-fold or greater association with odds of mild or severe outcome and collectively, these variants are common. In addition to comprehensive mitigation efforts, public health measures should be prioritized to control the more severe manifestations of COVID-19 and the transmission chains linked to these severe cases.

Lay summary: This study explores which, if any, SARS-CoV-2 viral genomic variants are associated with mild or severe COVID-19 patient outcomes. Our results suggest that there are common genomic variants in SARS-CoV-2 that are more often associated with negative patient outcomes, which may impact downstream public health measures.
Thin-cap fibroatheroma predicts clinical events in diabetic patients with normal fractional flow reserve: the COMBINE OCT–FFR trial
Authors: Kedhi Elvin , Berta Balazs , Roleder Tomasz , Hermanides Renicus S , Fabris Enrico , IJsselmuiden Alexander J J , Kauer Floris , Alfonso Fernando , von Birgelen Clemens , Escaned Javier , Camaro Cyril , Kennedy Mark W , Pereira Bruno , Magro Michael , Nef Holger , Reith Sebastian , Al Nooryani Arif , Rivero Fernando , Malinowski Krzysztof , De Luca Giuseppe , Garcia Garcia Hector , Granada Juan F , Wojakowski Wojciech
Published: June 2021

Aims

The aim of this study was to understand the impact of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) on clinical outcomes of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with fractional flow reserve (FFR)-negative lesions.

Methods and results

COMBINE OCT-FFR study was a prospective, double-blind, international, natural history study. After FFR assessment, and revascularization of FFR-positive lesions, patients with ≥1 FFR-negative lesions (target lesions) were classified in two groups based on the presence or absence of ≥1 TCFA lesion. The primary endpoint compared FFR-negative TCFA-positive patients with FFR-negative TCFA-negative patients for a composite of cardiac mortality, target vessel myocardial infarction, clinically driven target lesion revascularization or unstable angina requiring hospitalization at 18 months. Among 550 patients enrolled, 390 (81%) patients had ≥1 FFR-negative lesions. Among FFR-negative patients, 98 (25%) were TCFA positive and 292 (75%) were TCFA negative. The incidence of the primary endpoint was 13.3% and 3.1% in TCFA-positive vs. TCFA-negative groups, respectively (hazard ratio 4.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.99–10.89; P < 0.001). The Cox regression multivariable analysis identified TCFA as the strongest predictor of major adverse clinical events (MACE) (hazard ratio 5.12; 95% confidence interval 2.12–12.34; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Among DM patients with ≥1 FFR-negative lesions, TCFA-positive patients represented 25% of this population and were associated with a five-fold higher rate of MACE despite the absence of ischaemia. This discrepancy between the impact of vulnerable plaque and ischaemia on future adverse events may represent a paradigm shift for coronary artery disease risk stratification in DM patients.
Inhibition of iduronic acid biosynthesis by ebselen reduces glycosaminoglycan accumulation in mucopolysaccharidosis type I fibroblasts
Authors: Maccarana Marco , Tykesson Emil , Pera Edgar M , Gouignard Nadège , Fang Jianping , Malmström Anders , Ghiselli Giancarlo , Li Jin-ping
Published: June 2021

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase, which removes iduronic acid in both chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) and heparan sulfate (HS) and thereby contributes to the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). To ameliorate this genetic defect, the patients are currently treated by enzyme replacement and bone marrow transplantation, which have a number of drawbacks. This study was designed to develop an alternative treatment by inhibition of iduronic acid formation. By screening the Prestwick drug library, we identified ebselen as a potent inhibitor of enzymes that produce iduronic acid in CS/DS and HS. Ebselen efficiently inhibited iduronic acid formation during CS/DS synthesis in cultured fibroblasts. Treatment of MPS-I fibroblasts with ebselen not only reduced accumulation of CS/DS but also promoted GAG degradation. In early Xenopus embryos, this drug phenocopied the effect of downregulation of DS-epimerase 1, the main enzyme responsible for iduronic production in CS/DS, suggesting that ebselen inhibits iduronic acid production in vivo. However, ebselen failed to ameliorate the CS/DS and GAG burden in MPS-I mice. Nevertheless, the results propose a potential of iduronic acid substrate reduction therapy for MPS-I patients.
Stress modulates Ahi1-dependent nuclear localization of ten-eleven translocation protein 2
Authors: Zhang Qian , Hu Qicheng , Wang Junjie , Miao Zhigang , Li Ziyi , Zhao Yuwen , Wan Bo , Allen Emily G , Sun Miao , Jin Peng , Xu Xingshun
Published: June 2021

Major depression disorder is one of the most common psychiatric diseases. Recent evidence supports that environmental stress affects gene expression and promotes the pathological process of depression through epigenetic mechanisms. Three ten-eleven translocation (Tet) enzymes are epigenetic regulators of gene expression that promote 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) modification of genes. Here, we show that the loss of Tet2 can induce depression-like phenotypes in mice. Paradoxically, using the paradigms of chronic stress, such as chronic mild stress and chronic social defeat stress, we found that depressive behaviors were associated with increased Tet2 expression but decreased global 5hmC level in hippocampus. We examined the genome-wide 5hmC profile in the hippocampus of Tet2 knockout mice and identified 651 dynamically hydroxymethylated regions, some of which overlapped with known depression-associated loci. We further showed that chronic stress could induce the abnormal nuclear translocation of Tet2 protein from cytosol. Through Tet2 immunoprecipitation and mass spectrum analyses, we identified a cellular trafficking protein, Abelson helper integration site-1 (Ahi1), which could interact with Tet2 protein. Ahi1 knockout or knockdown caused the accumulation of Tet2 in cytosol. The reduction of Ahi1 protein under chronic stress explained the abnormal Ahi1-dependent nuclear translocation of Tet2. These findings together provide the evidence for a critical role of modulating Tet2 nuclear translocation in regulating stress response.
Excess respiratory mortality and hospitalizations associated with influenza in Australia, 2007–2015
Authors: Leung Vivian K Y , Wong Jessica Y , Barnes Roseanne , Kelso Joel , Milne George J , Blyth Christopher C , Cowling Benjamin J , Moore Hannah C , Sullivan Sheena G
Published: June 2021

Background

Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in Australia, causing significant morbidity and mortality. We assessed the burden of influenza across all ages in terms of influenza-associated mortality and hospitalizations using national mortality, hospital-discharge and influenza surveillance data.

Methods

Influenza-associated excess respiratory mortality and hospitalization rates from 2007 to 2015 were estimated using generalized additive models with a proxy of influenza activity based on syndromic and laboratory surveillance data. Estimates were made for each age group and year.

Results

The estimated mean annual influenza-associated excess respiratory mortality was 2.6 per 100 000 population [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8, 3.4 per 100 000 population]. The excess annual respiratory hospitalization rate was 57.4 per 100 000 population (95% CI: 32.5, 82.2 per 100 000 population). The highest mortality rates were observed among those aged ≥75 years (35.11 per 100 000 population; 95% CI: 19.93, 50.29 per 100 000 population) and hospitalization rates were also highest among older adults aged ≥75 years (302.95 per 100 000 population; 95% CI: 144.71, 461.19 per 100 000 population), as well as children aged <6 months (164.02 per 100 000 population; 95% CI: –34.84, 362.88 per 100 000 population). Annual variation was apparent, ranging from 1.0 to 3.9 per 100 000 population for mortality and 24.2 to 94.28 per 100 000 population for hospitalizations. Influenza A contributed to almost 80% of the average excess respiratory hospitalizations and 60% of the average excess respiratory deaths.

Conclusions

Influenza causes considerable burden to all Australians. Expected variation was observed among age groups, years and influenza type, with the greatest burden falling to older adults and young children. Understanding the current burden is useful for understanding the potential impact of mitigation strategies, such as vaccination.
Consequences of Economic Sanctions: The State of the Art and Paths Forward
Authors: Özdamar Özgür , Shahin Evgeniia
Published: June 2021

What determines the consequences of economic sanctions? Is there a common explanation for these consequences? This article provides a comprehensive review of the fragmented literature focusing on the consequences of sanctions. We critically discuss the complex relationships between types of sanctions and sanction senders and their targets, as well as the structural factors that account for the specific consequences of different sanction cases. A discussion on the thematic, methodological, and theoretical shortcomings of the existing literature on sanction consequences follows. We argue that a “common approach” to sanction consequences research should be framed within the framework of international interdependence. We also present several nascent trends and propose new directions for sanction researchers and other disciplines.
Species Delimitation of Scavenger Flies in the Valley of Mexico
Authors: Pedraza-Lara Carlos , Garduño-Sánchez Marco A , Téllez-García Isabel , Rodríguez-González Stephany , Nuple-Juárez Eduardo , Guardado-Estrada Mariano
Published: June 2021

Identification of species involved in cadaveric decomposition, such as scavenger Diptera, is a fundamental step for the use of entomological evidence in court. Identification based on morphology is widely used in forensic cases; however, taxonomic knowledge of scavenger fauna is poor for many groups and for many countries, particularly Neotropical ones. A number of studies have documented the utility of a DNA barcoding strategy to assist in the identification of poorly known and diverse groups, particularly in cases involving immature states or fragmented organisms. To provide baseline knowledge of the diversity of scavenger Diptera in the Valley of Mexico, we generated a DNA barcode collection comprised of sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for all families sampled at a nature reserve located in this region. We collected and identified specimens on the basis of morphology and a species delimitation analysis. Our analyses of 339 individuals delineated 42 species distributed across nine families of Diptera. The richest families were Calliphoridae (9 species), Sarcophagidae (7 species), and Phoridae (6 species). We found many of the species previously recorded for the Valley of Mexico, plus 18 new records for the region. Our study highlights the utility of DNA barcoding as a first-step strategy to assess species richness of poorly studied scavenger fly taxa.
Solo dwarfs IV: comparing and contrasting satellite and isolated dwarf galaxies in the Local Group
Authors: Higgs C R , McConnachie A W
Published: June 2021

We compare and contrast the stellar structures of isolated Local Group dwarf galaxies, as traced by their oldest stellar populations, with the satellite dwarf galaxies of the Milky Way and M 31. All Local Group dwarfs with Mv ≤ −6 and μo < 26.5 mag arcsec−2 are considered, taking advantage of measurements from surveys that use similar observations and analysis techniques. For the isolated dwarfs, we use the results from Solitary Local (Solo) Dwarf Galaxy Survey. We begin by confirming that the structural and dynamical properties of the two satellite populations are not obviously statistically different from each other, but we note that there many more satellites around M 31 than around the Milky Way down to equivalent magnitude and surface brightness limits. We find that dwarfs in close proximity to a massive galaxy generally show more scatter in their Kormendy relations than those in isolation. Specifically, isolated Local Group dwarf galaxies show a tighter trend of half-light radius versus magnitude than the satellite populations, and similar effects are also seen for related parameters. There appears to be a transition in the structural and dynamical properties of the dwarf galaxy population around ∼400 kpc from the Milky Way and M 31, such that the smallest, faintest, and most circular dwarf galaxies are found closer than this separation. We discuss the impact of selection effects on our analysis, and we argue that our results point to the significance of tidal interactions on the population of systems within approximately 400 kpc from the Milky Way and M 31.
The connection between star formation and supermassive black hole activity in the local Universe
Authors: Torbaniuk O , Paolillo M , Carrera F , Cavuoti S , Vignali C , Longo G , Aird J
Published: June 2021

We study the nuclear (AGN) activity in the local Universe (z < 0.33) and its correlation with the host galaxy properties, derived from a Sloan Digital Sky Survey sample with spectroscopic star-formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass determination. To quantify the level of AGN activity we used the XMM-Newton Serendipitous Source Catalogue. Applying multiwavelength selection criteria (optical BPT-diagrams, X-ray/optical ratio etc), we found that 24 per cent of the detected sources are efficiently-accreting AGN with moderate-to-high X-ray luminosity, twice as likely to be hosted by star-forming galaxies than by quiescent ones. The distribution of the specific Black Hole accretion rate (λsBHAR) shows that nuclear activity in local, non-AGN dominated galaxies peaks at very low accretion rates (−4 ≲ log λsBHAR ≲ −3) in all stellar mass ranges. We observe systematically larger values of λsBHAR for galaxies with active star formation than for quiescent ones, and an increase of the mean λsBHAR with SFR for both star-forming and quiescent galaxies. These finding confirm the decrease in AGN activity with cosmic time and are consistent with a scenario where both star-formation and AGN activity are fuelled by a common gas reservoir.
Gender Aware Music Therapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Besse Cassidy
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the influence of gender on music therapy practice through the experiences and perceptions of gender aware music therapists (GAMTs). Participants (N = 5) included five board-certified music therapists or equivalent who have published scholarly literature on topics related to gender and music therapy. Participants shared their experiences in semistructured individual interviews; interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Six major themes emerged: (a) GAMTs recognize how socialization produces binary music participation, which is often perpetuated in music therapy practice; (b) GAMTs share the belief that gender roles and expectations create exclusive music practices that may restrict and limit musical expression and participation; (c) GAMTs create therapeutic spaces that encourage authentic music engagement by thoughtfully accepting and/or rejecting established gender stereotypes prevalent in music culture; (d) GAMTs suggest that gender is a marker of identity, which may or may not affect how the therapeutic relationship develops between music therapy clients and clinicians; (e) GAMTs utilize theories and therapeutic approaches that influence their music therapy research and practice; and (f) GAMTs recommend that practicing music therapists recognize their personal biases, develop a heightened awareness for how gender influences society, and actively pursue an inclusive practice that does not assume gender. Clinical implications and future research recommendations are discussed.
Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of meningiomas with distant metastases at presentation
Authors: Vuong Huy Gia , Ngo Tam N M , Dunn Ian F
Published: June 2021

Background

Distant metastases (DM) at presentation in meningiomas is a very rare event, and the incidence and factors predicting this are uncertain. This population-based study also aimed to investigate the prognostic implication of DM at presentation and clinical parameters to prognosticate the overall survival (OS) of meningiomas presenting with DM (M1).

Methods

We accessed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program to search for patients who were diagnosed with meningioma between 2004 and 2016. The log-rank test was used to compare Kaplan–Meier survival curves and multivariate Cox regression model was utilized to evaluate the prognostic parameters of meningiomas with DM at presentation.

Results

The incidence of DM at presentation among all meningiomas was 0.18%. Clinical variables associated with this event were male gender, large tumor size, and WHO grade III. The presence of DM at diagnosis conferred a shorter survival in comparison to those without DM (HR = 2.015; 95% CI = 1.600–2.536). Older patient age, male gender, malignant histology, and the lesser extent of resection were independent prognostic factors that could negatively impact OS of M1 meningiomas. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were not associated with an improved outcome for these patients.

Conclusion

Our study highlighted the clinical and prognostic factors of M1 meningiomas. These data suggest that a greater extent of resection is associated with increased OS across a nationwide analysis and emphasize the need to establish the standards of care in these patients.
Necessity for craniospinal irradiation of germinoma with positive cytology without spinal lesion on MR imaging—A controversy
Authors: Kanamori Masayuki , Takami Hirokazu , Suzuki Tomonari , Tominaga Teiji , Kurihara Jun , Tanaka Shota , Hatazaki Seiji , Nagane Motoo , Matsuda Masahide , Yoshino Atsuo , Natsumeda Manabu , Yamaoka Masayoshi , Kagawa Naoki , Akiyama Yukinori , Fukai Junya , Negoto Tetsuya , Shibahara Ichiyo , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Inoue Akihiro , Mase Mitsuhiro , Tomita Takahiro , Kuga Daisuke , Kijima Noriyuki , Fukami Tadateru , Nakahara Yukiko , Natsume Atsushi , Yoshimoto Koji , Keino Dai , Tokuyama Tsutomu , Asano Kenichiro , Ujifuku Kenta , Abe Hiroshi , Nakada Mitsutoshi , Matsuda Ken-ichiro , Arakawa Yoshiki , Ikeda Naokado , Narita Yoshitaka , Shinojima Naoki , Kambe Atsushi , Nonaka Masahiko , Izumoto Shuichi , Kawanishi Yu , Kanaya Kohei , Nomura Sadahiro , Nakajima Kohei , Yamamoto Shohei , Terashima Keita , Ichimura Koichi , Nishikawa Ryo
Published: June 2021

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and spinal MR imaging are routinely performed for staging before treatment of intracranial germinoma. However, the interpretation of the results of CSF cytology poses 2 unresolved clinical questions: (1) Does positive CSF cytology correlate with the presence of spinal lesion before treatment? and (2) Is craniospinal irradiation (CSI) necessary for patients with positive CSF cytology in the absence of spinal lesion?

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analyses were performed based on a questionnaire on clinical features, spinal MR imaging finding, results of CSF cytology, treatments, and outcomes which was sent to 86 neurosurgical and 35 pediatrics departments in Japan. Pretreatment frequencies of spinal lesion on MR imaging were compared between the patients with positive and negative cytology. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates were compared between patients with positive CSF cytology without spinal lesion on MR imaging treated with CSI and with whole brain or whole ventricular irradiation (non-CSI).

Results

A total of 92 germinoma patients from 45 institutes were evaluated by both CSF cytology and spinal MR images, but 26 patients were excluded because of tumor markers, the timing of CSF sampling or incomplete estimation of spinal lesion. Of the remaining 66 germinoma patients, spinal lesions were equally identified in patients with negative CSF cytology and positive cytology (4.9% and 8.0%, respectively). Eleven patients treated with non-CSI had excellent PFS comparable to 11 patients treated with CSI.

Conclusion

CSI is unnecessary for germinoma patients with positive CSF cytology without spinal lesions on MR imaging.
Why macroprudential policy matters in a monetary union
Authors: Buch Claudia M. , Buchholz Manuel , Knoll Katharina , Weigert Benjamin
Published: June 2021

This article discusses the role of macroprudential policy in a monetary union. It focuses on three main points. First, macroprudential policy has the objective of mitigating financial stability risks by preventing the build-up of vulnerabilities and increasing resilience. Second, many vulnerabilities reflect country-specific preferences and interact with national institutions. Monitoring and addressing financial stability risks at the national level are thus important. This holds particularly in a monetary union with economies that are highly integrated financially, but heterogeneous along important dimensions that can significantly affect financial stability risks. Third, cross-border externalities and spillovers call for the coordination of national macroprudential policies at the supranational level. This includes mechanisms to account for a potential inaction bias. Methodologically, the article draws on existing literature adding new empirical evidence on financial integration and adjustment to spillovers in the euro area.
Endoscopic Placement of Fourth Ventricular Catheter Using Seldinger Technique: Description of Technique and Case Series
Authors: Carter Lacey M , Gross Naina L
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage remains a significant source of morbidity in premature and low-weight patients. Approximately 15% of patients who require cerebrospinal fluid shunting develop trapped fourth ventricle (TFV). Surgical treatment presents challenges with short- and long-term complications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a technique that applies the Seldinger technique with image-guided endoscopy for direct visualization of catheter placement.

METHODS

A guidewire is passed down the endoscope while it is positioned in the fourth ventricle. The endoscope is removed while the guidewire is held in place. The catheter is slid down the guidewire. The guidewire is removed and placement is confirmed with image guidance.

RESULTS

Three patients, all less than 14 mo old, with history of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage with ventriculoperitoneal shunts, presented with loculated hydrocephalus with TFV. They each underwent image-guided endoscopic fenestration of the fourth ventricle with placement of a fourth ventricular catheter performed by our described technique. All 3 patients recovered well and were discharged on postoperative day 1. Follow-up imaging showed decompression of the fourth ventricle and good placement of the fourth ventricular catheter. None have had complications from catheter placement, and one revision of a fourth ventricular catheter was needed, which was completed with the same described technique.

CONCLUSION

This technique is well suited for cases in which a fourth ventricular catheter or a difficult trajectory catheter is needed during endoscopic fenestration or when distorted anatomy is present that would make a straight trajectory with a pen endoscope more difficult or higher risk.
Krill diel vertical migration in Southern Patagonia
Authors: Nocera Ariadna C , Giménez Eloísa M , Diez Mariano J , Retana María Valeria , Winkler Gesche
Published: June 2021

Diel vertical migration (DVM) of krill was studied throughout 36 h at a fixed station (46.05°S, 66.19°W; 98-m depth) located in the center of the San Jorge Gulf, Southern Patagonia area, during February 2014. Using an echosounder system, combined with an autonomous Video Plankton Recorder (Auto-VPR) and Jacknet samplings, we describe the migration pattern, the associated biomass and the macrozooplankton species involved. The net sampling and the Auto-VPR images allowed us to identify the krill species detected in the echosounder signals, which corresponded to Euphausia lucens, Euphausia vallentini and Nematoscelis megalops. The krill community followed a “normal pattern” of DVM, ascending at dusk (~18:30 h) and descending at dawn (~06:30 h), forming a dense layer near the bottom during the day. Krill vertical migration speed was estimated from the echogram data at ~ 1 cm s−1 (1 body length per s for 1-cm-long animal), and the integrated mean biomass was 57.8 g m−2. This study provides a description of temporal and spatial patterns of krill vertical distribution, which should be taken into account when studying the complexity of the SJG ecosystem dynamics and carbon flux.
Transient Reductions in Postoperative Pain and Anxiety with the Use of Virtual Reality in Children
Authors: Olbrecht Vanessa A , O’Conor Keith T , Williams Sara E , Boehmer Chloe O , Marchant Gilbert W , Glynn Susan M , Geisler Kristie J , Pickerill Hannah M , Ding Lili , Yang Gang , King Christopher D
Published: June 2021

Objective

Virtual reality is a promising method to manage pain. Distraction-based virtual reality (VR-D) is thought to reduce pain by redirecting attention. Although VR-D can reduce pain associated with acutely painful procedures, it is unclear whether VR-D can reduce pain after surgery. We assessed the ability of a single VR-D session to decrease postoperative pain and anxiety and explored whether pain catastrophizing and anxiety sensitivity influenced these outcomes in children after surgery.

Design

Single-center, prospective, pilot study.

Setting

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC).

Subjects

Fifty children (7–21 years of age) with postoperative pain followed by the Acute Pain Service.

Methods

Patients received one VR-D session after surgery. Before the session, patients completed pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children) and anxiety sensitivity (Child Anxiety Sensitivity Index) questionnaires. The primary outcome consisted of changes in pain intensity after VR-D (immediately, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes). Secondary outcomes included changes in pain unpleasantness and anxiety.

Results

VR-D use was associated with a decrease in pain intensity immediately and 15 minutes after VR-D. Reductions in pain unpleasantness were observed up to 30 minutes after VR-D. VR-D was also associated with a reduction in anxiety immediately and at 15 minutes. Although patients with higher pain catastrophizing had higher baseline pain intensity and unpleasantness, they did not show larger pain reductions after VR-D than those with lower pain catastrophizing.

Conclusions

VR-D may be beneficial in transiently reducing pain intensity, unpleasantness, and anxiety in children with postoperative pain. This study informs the design of a larger, randomized, controlled study assessing VR-D for acute postoperative pain and anxiety management.
Reporting of Harm in Randomized Controlled Trials of Therapeutic Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: von Heideken Johan , Chowdhry Sana , Borg Joanna , James Khara , Iversen Maura D
Published: June 2021

Objective

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) recommends reporting adverse events (AEs) and dropouts (DOs) with their definitions. The purpose of this study was to identify how AEs and DOs were reported in randomized controlled trials of therapeutic exercise for knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Data sources were the Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL. Databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of therapeutic exercise for knee OA published from January 1, 1980, through July 23, 2020. Researchers independently extracted participant and intervention characteristics and determined whether a clear statement of and reasons for AEs and DOs existed. The primary outcome was exercise-related harm. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scoring described study quality and risk of bias. Descriptive and inferential statistics characterized results. Meta-analysis was not performed due to data heterogeneity.

Results

One hundred and thirteen studies (152 arms) from 25 countries were included, with 5909 participants exercising. PEDro scores ranged from 4 to 9. Exercise intensity was not specified in 57.9% of exercise arms. Fifty studies (44.2%) included an AE statement and 24 (21.2%) reported AEs, yielding 297 patients. One hundred and three studies (91.2%) had a DO statement. Sixteen studies (15.5%) provided reasons for DOs that could be classified as AEs among 39 patients, yielding a 13.1% increase in AEs. Thus, 336 patients (6.0%) experienced exercise-related harm among studies with a clear statement of AEs and DOs. A significant difference existed in misclassification of DOs pre- and post-CONSORT-2010 (12.2% vs 3.1%; $\chi^{2}_{1} = 21.2$).

Conclusions

In some studies, the reason for DOs could be considered AEs, leading to potential underreporting of harm. Improvements in reporting of harm were found pre- and post-CONSORT-2010. Greater clarity regarding AE and DO definitions and therapeutic exercise intensity are needed to determine safe dosing and mode of therapeutic exercise for knee OA.

Impact

More adherence to the CONSORT statement is needed regarding reporting of and defining of AEs, DOs, and therapeutic exercise intensity; however, despite this, therapeutic exercise seems to be associated with minimal risk of harm.
Family socioeconomic status and mental health in Chinese adolescents: the multiple mediating role of social relationships
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Jing , Li Jia-yu , Qian Sheng , Ling Rui-zhe , Jia Rui-xia , Wang Ying-quan , Xu Yong
Published: June 2021

Background

The purpose of this study is to explore whether social relationships of family and school contexts mediate the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on Chinese adolescents’ mental health.

Methods

A school-based study was conducted among a sample aged 13–18 in East China (n = 6902). We used scales for measuring social relationships and self-rated mental health. Family SES was computed from subjective socioeconomic status, education and occupation of parents.

The mediation model was tested by using Path Analysis in IBM SPSS-Amos.

Results

The results showed that SES can significantly influence adolescent mental health through parent–child relationship, student–teacher relationship and student–student relationship. The total effect, direct effect and total indirect effect were −0.209 (95% CI = −0.299, −0.136), −0.090 (95% CI = −0.174, −0.007), −0.119 (95% CI = −0.187, −0.078) for boys, and −0.337 (95% CI = −0.478, −0.230), −0.132 (95% CI = −0.283, 0.010), −0.205 (95% CI = −0.351, −0.085) for girls.

Conclusion

The link between SES and adolescent mental health can be explained by social relationships. Focusing on the parent–child, student–student and student–teacher relationship interventions may contribute to improving the mental health of Chinese adolescents, especially in low socioeconomic groups, as well as female students.
Autistic Symptoms and Social Functioning in Psychosis: A Network Approach
Authors: Isvoranu Adela-Maria , Ziermans Tim , Schirmbeck Frederike , Borsboom Denny , Geurts Hilde M , de Haan Lieuwe ,   GROUP Investigators, van Amelsvoort Therese , Bartels-Velthuis Agna A , Simons Claudia J P , van Os Jim
Published: June 2021

Psychotic and autistic symptoms are related to social functioning in individuals with psychotic disorders (PD). The present study used a network approach to (1) evaluate the interactions between autistic symptoms, psychotic symptoms, and social functioning, and (2) investigate whether relations are similar in individuals with and without PD. We estimated an undirected network model in a sample of 504 PD, 572 familial risk for psychosis (FR), and 337 typical comparisons (TC), with a mean age of 34.9 years. Symptoms were assessed with the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ; 5 nodes) and the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE; 9 nodes). Social functioning was measured with the Social Functioning Scale (SFS; 7 nodes). We identified statistically significant differences between the FR and PD samples in global strength (P < .001) and network structure (P < .001). Our results show autistic symptoms (social interaction nodes) are negatively and more closely related to social functioning (withdrawal, interpersonal behavior) than psychotic symptoms. More and stronger connections between nodes were observed for the PD network than for FR and TC networks, while the latter 2 were similar in density (P = .11) and network structure (P = .19). The most central items in strength for PD were bizarre experiences, social skills, and paranoia. In conclusion, specific autistic symptoms are negatively associated with social functioning across the psychosis spectrum, but in the PD network symptoms may reinforce each other more easily. These findings emphasize the need for increased clinical awareness of comorbid autistic symptoms in psychotic individuals.
Liver Transplantation and Development of Diabetes in an Adolescent Male With HNF1B Disease
Authors: Weckwerth Jody A. , Dahl Amanda R. , Pittock Siobhan T. , Kumar Seema , Rosen Charles B. , Grothe Rayna M. , Furuya Katryn N.
Published: June 2021

Mutations in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1-beta (HNF1B) gene cause a variety of diseases in different organ systems. Mutations have been described as causing neonatal cholestasis, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (type 5), cortical renal cysts, urogenital abnormalities, liver dysfunction, and atrophy of the pancreas. We describe a male patient who presented with cholestatic liver disease in infancy which progressed by age 14 to end-stage liver disease due to HNF1B disease. He subsequently underwent liver transplantation at age 15 and then developed diabetes requiring insulin which did not resolve after cessation of corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported of liver transplantation for decompensated cirrhosis secondary to HNF1B disease.
Investigating zinc toxicity responses in marine Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus
Authors: Sarker Indrani , Moore Lisa R. , Tetu Sasha G.
Published: June 2021

Marine plastic pollution is a growing concern worldwide and has the potential to impact marine life via leaching of chemicals, with zinc (Zn), a common plastic additive, observed at particularly high levels in plastic leachates in previous studies. At this time, however, little is known regarding how elevated Zn affects key groups of marine primary producers. Marine cyanobacterial genera

Prochlorococcus

and

Synechococcus

are considered to be some of the most abundant oxygenic phototrophs on earth, and together contribute significantly to oceanic primary productivity. Here we set out to investigate how two

Prochlorococcus

(MIT9312 and NATL2A) and two

Synechococcus

(CC9311 and WH8102) strains, representative of diverse ecological niches, respond to exposure to high Zn concentrations. The two genera showed differences in the timing and degree of growth and physiological responses to elevated Zn levels, with

Prochlorococcus

strains showing declines in their growth rate and photophysiology following exposure to 27 µg l−1 Zn, while

Synechococcus

CC9311 and WH8102 growth rates declined significantly on exposure to 52 and 152 µg l−1 Zn, respectively. Differences were also observed in each strain’s capacity to maintain cell wall integrity on exposure to different levels of Zn. Our results indicate that excess Zn has the potential to pose a challenge to some marine picocyanobacteria and highlights the need to better understand how different marine

Prochlorococcus

and

Synechococcus

strains may respond to increasing concentrations of Zn in some marine regions.
Risk of sustained SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Sanz-Leon Paula , Stevenson Nathan J. , Stuart Robyn M. , Abeysuriya Romesh G. , Pang James C. , Lambert Stephen B. , Kerr Cliff C. , Roberts James A.
Published: June 2021

We used an agent-based model Covasim to assess the risk of sustained community transmission of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in Queensland (Australia) in the presence of high-transmission variants of the virus. The model was calibrated using the demographics, policies, and interventions implemented in the state. Then, using the calibrated model, we simulated possible epidemic trajectories that could eventuate due to leakage of infected cases with high-transmission variants, during a period without recorded cases of locally acquired infections, known in Australian settings as “zero community transmission”. We also examined how the threat of new variants reduces given a range of vaccination levels. Specifically, the model calibration covered the first-wave period from early March 2020 to May 2020. Predicted epidemic trajectories were simulated from early February 2021 to late March 2021. Our simulations showed that one infected agent with the ancestral (A.2.2) variant has a 14% chance of crossing a threshold of sustained community transmission (SCT) (i.e., > 5 infections per day, more than 3 days in a row), assuming no change in the prevailing preventative and counteracting policies. However, one agent carrying the alpha (B.1.1.7) variant has a 43% chance of crossing the same threshold; a threefold increase with respect to the ancestral strain; while, one agent carrying the delta (B.1.617.2) variant has a 60% chance of the same threshold, a fourfold increase with respect to the ancestral strain. The delta variant is 50% more likely to trigger SCT than the alpha variant. Doubling the average number of daily tests from ∼ 6,000 to 12,000 results in a decrease of this SCT probability from 43% to 33% for the alpha variant. However, if the delta variant is circulating we would need an average of 100,000 daily tests to achieve a similar decrease in SCT risk. Further, achieving a full-vaccination coverage of 70% of the adult population, with a vaccine with 70% effectiveness against infection, would decrease the probability of SCT from a single seed of alpha from 43% to 20%, on par with the ancestral strain in a naive population. In contrast, for the same vaccine coverage and same effectiveness, the probability of SCT from a single seed of delta would decrease from 62% to 48%, a risk slightly above the alpha variant in a naive population. Our results demonstrate that the introduction of even a small number of people infected with high-transmission variants dramatically increases the probability of sustained community transmission in Queensland. Until very high vaccine coverage is achieved, a swift implementation of policies and interventions, together with high quarantine adherence rates, will be required to minimise the probability of sustained community transmission.
Automatic Electrophysiological Noise Reduction and Epileptic Seizure Detection for Stereoelectroencephalography
Authors: Zhou Yufeng , You Jing , Zhu Fengjun , Bragin Anatol , Engel Jerome , Li Lin
Published: June 2021

The objective of this study was to develop a computational algorithm capable of locating artifacts and identifying epileptic seizures, which specifically implementing in clinical stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) recordings. Based on the nonstationary nature and broadband features of SEEG signals, a comprehensive strategy combined with the complex wavelet transform (CWT) and multi-layer thresholding method was implemented for both noise reduction and seizure detection. The artifacts removal pipeline integrated edge artifact removal, discrete spectrum analysis, and peak density evaluation. For automatic seizure detection, integrated power analysis and multi-dynamic thresholding were applied. The F1-score was applied to evaluate overall performance of the algorithm. The algorithm was tested using expert-marked, double-blinded, clinical SEEG data from seven patients undergoing presurgical evaluation. This approach achieved the F1 score of 0.86 for noise reduction and 0.88 for seizure detection. This offline-approach method with minimum parameter tuning procedures and no prior information required, proved to be a feasible and solid solution for clinical SEEG data evaluation. Moreover, the algorithm can be improved with additional tuning and implemented with machine learning postprocessing pipelines.