bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-Dose Alteplase versus Conventional Anticoagulation to treat Submassive Pulmonary Embolism in Hispanic Patients
Authors: Zientek Emily , Talkington Kelsey , Gardner Joshua , Guo Yi , Mukherjee Debabrata , Rajachandran Manu , Siddiqui Tariq S. , Nickel Nils P.
Published: December 2022

The use of low-dose tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in Hispanic patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) is understudied.

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of low-dose tPA in Hispanic patients with submissive PE compared with counterparts that received heparin alone.

We retrospectively analyzed a single-center registry of patients with acute PE between 2016 and 2022. Out of 72 patients admitted for acute PE and cor pulmonale, we identified six patients that were treated with conventional anticoagulation (heparin alone) and six patients who received low-dose tPA (and heparin afterward). We analyzed if low-dose tPA was associated with differences in length of stay (LOS) and bleeding complications.

Both groups were similar in regard to age, gender, and PE severity (based on Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index scores). Mean total LOS for the low-dose tPA group was 5.3 days, compared with 7.3 days in the heparin group (p = 0.29). Mean intensive care unit (ICU) LOS for the low-dose tPA group was 1.3 days compared with 3 days in the heparin group (p = 0.035). There were no clinically relevant bleeding complications documented in either the heparin or the low-dose tPA group.

Low-dose tPA for submassive PE in Hispanic patients was associated with a shorter ICU LOS without a significant increase in bleeding risk. Low-dose tPA appears to be a reasonable treatment option in Hispanic patients with submassive PE who are not at high bleeding risk (<5%).
Invasive Coronary Physiology Study in Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zahidin Agita Maryalda , Alkatiri Amir Aziz , Mangkuanom Arwin Saleh , Iryuza Nanda , Firman Doni
Published: December 2022

Assessment of relationship between the angiographic stenosis severity and the coronary blood flow is complex. Coronary angiography has many limitations that may impair the judgment of stenosis severity and then affect decision-making regarding intervention. Myocardial perfusion imaging by single-photon emission tomography (MPI-SPECT) is used for a long time to help clinical decisions of interventions, but has limitations, such as issues with identification of extensive coronary artery disease (CAD). Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is a gold standard index for investigating the physiological significance of a coronary stenosis. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) is a hyperemia-free measurement and easier method to achieve physiological assessment to measure the severity of coronary stenosis. We present a case of multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) patient who was treated with iFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and emphasize the importance of physiological assessment in PCI.

A 63-year-old male with multiple cardiovascular risk factors came to our center with chief complaint of stable angina since 1 year. He underwent MPI-SPECT and the result showed 2.5% of ischemia burden. Coronary angiography showed MVCAD. Surgical conference decided to do PCI. iFR-guided PCI was performed in this case.

Our case highlights the importance of iFR as an important cardiology–physiology-based tool as a guide in management decisions for MVCAD. iFR as an alternative approach to physiological study is noninferior compared with FFR-guided PCI.
The timing and mode of foreign exit from conflict zones: A behavioral perspective
Authors: Dai Li , Eden Lorraine , Beamish Paul W.
Published: December 2022

We examine the timing and mode of firm exits from host-country conflict zones. We argue that timing and mode are interdependent decisions where decision ordering matters, and show that a firm’s prioritizing of either exit timing or mode is dependent on the relative salience of two behavioral stimuli: (1) the firm’s own experience (i.e., its performance shortfall), and (2) the experience of peer firms (i.e., their exits). Using instrumental variables modeling on a sample of 101 Japanese MNE exits from 11 conflict-afflicted countries between 1991 and 2005, we demonstrate that, when mode is prioritized over timing, partial exits tend to occur earlier and whole exits later. However, when timing is prioritized over mode, the decision choices reverse: earlier exits tend to be whole and later exits partial. The outcome of one decision therefore affects that of the other in a unique and predictable manner, such that theorderingof the decisions both produces and precludes strategic choices. Our findings, based on a multidecision problem that has traditionally been treated as a single decision (i.e., foreign exit), delineate expanded boundary conditions for satisficing, as well as reconcile optimizing and satisficing behaviors.
Insurance and enterprise: cyber insurance for ransomware
Authors: Baker Tom , Shortland Anja
Published: December 2022

Selling insurance gives insurers an incentive to manage insured risks. The “insurance-as-governance” literature demonstrates that insurers often make insurance conditional on ex ante risk reduction or mitigation. But insurance governs in support of enterprise, not security for its own sake. Tight underwriting inhibits enterprise—not only for insured businesses but also for the business of insurance. This paper highlights ex post loss reduction as a form of insurance-based governance. Drawing on interviews with industry insiders, we explore how insurers addressed the evolving problems of moral hazard, uncertainty and correlated losses since the 1990s. We find that cyber insurance developed sophisticated remedies to contain liabilities and quickly restore affected IT systems, but largely left security decisions to the insured. This facilitated enterprise in the short run but undermined security in the longer term: funding and expediting ransom payments encourages further attacks. As businesses improved their resilience, cybercriminals adapted and ransoms escalated, calling insurability into question. Yet there remains little appetite for imposing restrictive conditionality in this highly competitive market. Instead, insurers have turned to governments to contain criminal threats and cushion catastrophic losses.
Satisfaction as a key antecedent for word of mouth and an essential mediator for service quality and brand trust in international education
Authors: Stribbell Howard , Duangekanong Somsit
Published: December 2022

Positive word of mouth in the form of recommendations and referrals is the most effective way to recruit new students. The purpose of this study was to determine how service quality, parental satisfaction, and brand trust affect the likelihood of parents recommending their child’s international school to family and friends and to test the mediating effect of parent satisfaction. The study developed a contextually relevant and reliable survey to measure the perception of 458 Generation X parents at The International School of Macao. Scale items from the literature were contextualized for education. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm convergent and discriminant validity. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationships. It was found that parent satisfaction had the biggest influence on the likelihood of parents recommending their child’s international school by word of mouth. While the service quality that parents experience and the trust that they have in the school brand had an impact on satisfaction, it was found that parent satisfaction fully mediates the relationship between service quality and word of mouth as well as the relationship between brand trust and word of mouth. Schools must ensure that current parents are satisfied to cultivate positive word of mouth through recommendations and referrals to prospective parents. Previous studies have demonstrated the mediating role of satisfaction, but no significant studies have empirically tested the same in K-12 international contexts. The study contributes to the existing field of knowledge by providing support to the contention that satisfaction mediates the relationships between service quality, brand trust, and word of mouth.
Science communication and engagement in adaptive farm-systems research: a case study of flexible milking research in New Zealand
Authors: Eastwood C. R. , Edwards J. P. , Bates V.
Published: December 2022

Context The aim of farm-systems research is to test concepts in a holistic context that enables results to be as applicable as possible to commercial farmers. A downside of such research has been that it can take several seasons to be confident in the consistency of the outcomes and interpretation of the results. Scientists are often reluctant to communicate outcomes until they have clear conclusions, which conflicts with farmers’ desire to see rapid answers and engage with research. Aims This paper reviews a 3-year farm-systems research project investigating flexible milking strategies for New Zealand dairy farmers. The aims of this paper are to (1) examine the impact of real-time science communication in achieving farm system change, and (2) develop a framework for science communication and engagement in adaptive farm-systems research. Methods The project involved farmer interviews, a farmlet experiment, a component experiment, partner farms, modelling, and a farmer reference group. We use data from sources such as e-newsletter engagement, webinar participation, web-page engagement, presentation attendance, and farmer feedback to collect insights on the impact of the project. Key results The analysis highlighted that farmers do not always seek complete information and will follow a project as it evolves, particularly when it is highly topical. We propose a framework for delivering adaptive farm systems research and communication. The framework includes the critical aspects for real-time farm-systems research: credible evidence, rapid results, inclusion of farmer voices, meaningful outcomes, flexible communication channels, iterative feedback loops, and adaptable research design. Conclusion Farm-systems research can be designed to communicate results to farmers as a project develops, while simultaneously using the engagement with farmers to refine the direction of the research. Implications This framework can guide scientists leading multi-year farm systems projects to design, implement, and communicate the project outcomes to improve farmer engagement and adoption.
Using soil moisture information to better understand and predict wildfire danger: a review of recent developments and outstanding questions
Authors: Krueger Erik S. , Levi Matthew R. , Achieng Kevin O. , Bolten John D. , Carlson J. D. , Coops Nicholas C. , Holden Zachary A. , Magi Brian I. , Rigden Angela J. , Ochsner Tyson E.
Published: December 2022

Soil moisture conditions are represented in fire danger rating systems mainly through simple drought indices based on meteorological variables, even though better sources of soil moisture information are increasingly available. This review summarises a growing body of evidence indicating that greater use of in situ, remotely sensed, and modelled soil moisture information in fire danger rating systems could lead to better estimates of dynamic live and dead herbaceous fuel loads, more accurate live and dead fuel moisture predictions, earlier warning of wildfire danger, and better forecasts of wildfire occurrence and size. Potential uses of soil moisture information in existing wildfire danger rating systems include (1) as a supplement or replacement for drought indices, (2) for live and (3) dead fuel moisture modelling, (4) for estimating herbaceous fuel curing, and (5) for estimating fuel loads. We identify key remaining research questions and note the logistical challenge of convincing wildfire professionals of the importance of soil moisture compared with more familiar wildfire danger metrics. While obstacles remain, the path forward is clear. Soil moisture information can and should be used to improve fire danger rating systems and contribute to more effective fire management for the protection of communities and ecosystems worldwide.
Future expansion, seasonal lengthening and intensification of fire activity under climate change in southeastern France
Authors: Pimont François , Ruffault Julien , Opitz Thomas , Fargeon Hélène , Barbero Renaud , Castel-Clavera Jorge , Martin-StPaul Nicolas , Rigolot Eric , Dupuy Jean-Luc
Published: December 2022

Background An increase in fire weather is expected in a warming climate, but its translation to fire activity (fire numbers and sizes) remains largely unknown. Additionally, disentangling the extent to which geographic and seasonal extensions as well as intensification contribute to future fire activity remain largely unknown. Aims We aimed to assess the impact of future climate change on fire activity in southeastern France and estimate changes in spatial and seasonal distributions. Methods We projected future fire activities using a Bayesian modelling framework combined with ensemble climate simulations. Changes in numbers of escaped fires (>1 ha), large fires (>100 ha) and burned area were studied for different emission scenarios or degrees of global warming. Key results Fire activity could increase by up to +180% for +4°C of global warming, with large expansions of fire-prone regions and long seasonal lengthenings. Overall, changes will be dominated by intensification within the historical fire niche, representing two-thirds of additional future fire activity, half of this occurring during the high fire season. Conclusions This study confirms that major changes in fire niches would be expected in Euro-Mediterranean regions. Implications Long-term strategic policies for adapting prevention and suppression resources and ecosystems are needed to account for such changes.
Does reducing grazing pressure or predation conserve kowaris? A case study at Diamantina National Park
Authors: Augusteyn John , Rich Maree , Mitchell Chris , Mulder Eridani , Nolan Barry , Lim Leong , Melzer Rhonda
Published: December 2022

Livestock contributes to the decline of many species in Australia. However, they may have less impact in arid environments, where annual plant species dominate. Kowaris (Dasyuroides byrnei), a small carnivorous marsupial, living on Diamantina National Park were monitored to assess the success of ecosystem recovery following a reduction in cattle. Kowaris were found at 10 locations within the study area: five where they had been recorded prior to the area becoming a national park and five ‘new’ locations. No kowaris were found at one of the historical sites. The density was estimated to range from 1 to 2.5 kowaris per square kilometre from 2007 to 2009. The results suggest that the population likely increased following a reduction in grazing pressure. However, a boom in rodents and predators occurred during the study with a corresponding decline in kowari detections. Kowaris have not been detected at any of the study sites since 2012. These results suggest that management of top-down factors as well as bottom-up factors are required to conserve kowaris. The work further highlights the need for replicated, long-term studies if the interactions between complex ecological processes, at a landscape scale, are to be understood so that threatened species, like the kowari, can be managed effectively.
Not Illegal: The SolarWinds Incident and International Law
Authors: Eichensehr Kristen E
Published: December 2022

In 2021, the USA and other governments formally blamed Russia for a wide-ranging hacking campaign that breached the update process for SolarWinds Orion network monitoring software and used that access to compromise numerous government agencies, companies and other entities. Despite denouncing Russia’s cyber espionage and imposing sanctions, the USA did not call Russia’s actions illegal as a matter of international law – and for good reason. Based on the publicly available facts, this article argues that the SolarWinds incident likely did not run afoul of international law as it currently stands. The article considers the prohibitions on the use of force and intervention, emerging rules with respect to violations of sovereignty and due diligence, and international human rights law, and it concludes with some reflections on the role of states and scholars in decisions about whether to close gaps in international law.
Historical mobility, creative output, and age of prominent visual artists, composers, and authors
Authors: O'Hagan John
Published: December 2022

This paper is a review article of the extensive literature that has appeared in the past 15 years or so examining the historical long-term mobility of prominent visual artists, composers, and authors. The extent to which such mobility is linked to location and age is one key focus of the paper. The extent to which creative output is linked also to age is examined. Some of the papers, using very different methodologies, attempt to estimate the boost to creative output arising from such mobility, especially where it led to clustering.
Introduction: returning to the massacre of Saint Bartholomew, 1572–2022
Authors: Greengrass Mark
Published: December 2022

This text introduces the journal special issue, entitled "Returning to the Massacre of St Bartholomew, 1572–2002". It puts the assembled articles in the context of the historiography and its enduring status as a contested event in French history. It underlines the significance of the articles as a contribution to the historiography about how historians write about events.
VvMYB14 participates in melatonin-induced proanthocyanidin biosynthesis by upregulating expression of VvMYBPA1 and VvMYBPA2 in grape seeds
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Ma Wanyun , Guan Xueqiang , Wang Fei , Fan Zongbao , Gao Shiwei , Yao Yuxin
Published: December 2022

This work demonstrated that melatonin increases continuously in seeds, particularly seed coats, during berry ripening. Exogenous melatonin treatments significantly increased the proanthocyanidin (PA) content, partially through ethylene signaling, in seed coats. VvMYB14 expression exhibited patterns similar to melatonin accumulation over time, which was largely induced by melatonin treatment in seed coats during berry ripening. Additionally, VvMYB14 bound to the MBS element of the VvMYBPA1 promoter to activate expression. VvMYB14 overexpression largely upregulated expression of VvMYBPA1, VvMYBPA2 and VvLAR1 and increased the PA content in grape seed-derived calli. Similar increases in AtTT2 and AtBAN expression and PA content were found in VvMYB14-overexpressing Arabidopsis seeds. It was also observed that VvMYB14 overexpression increased ethylene production and thereby induced expression of VvERF104, which bound to the ERF element of the VvMYBPA2 promoter and activated its expression. Additionally, VvERF104 suppression reduced the VvMYB14 overexpression-induced increases in expression of VvMYBPA2 and VvLAR1 and PA content. Further experiments revealed that melatonin-induced increases in the expression of VvMYBPA1, VvMYBPA2, VvERF104 and VvLAR1 and PA accumulation were significantly reduced in VvMYB14-suppressing grape calli and leaves. Collectively, VvMYB14 mediates melatonin-induced PA biosynthesis by directly transactivating VvMYBPA1 expression and indirectly upregulating VvMYBPA2 expression via VvERF104.
The role of pharmacist in guiding the pharmacy clients towards pharmaceutical preparations use
Authors: Abu Hajleh Maha N , AL-Samydai Ali M , Mare’i Maram N , Abd Mariam M , Sibai Obada A , Mohammed Ahmed H , Al-Sharbatee Saad M , Yousif Rudaina O
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Pharmacist-client communication is one of the most significant relationships in the healthcare delivery system. Our study aims to assess the active role of the pharmacist in educating and guiding pharmacy clients who are receiving over-the-counter and/or pharmaceutical preparations properly and safely.

Methods

This study follows the descriptive and analytical approach by adapting the questionnaire instrument; the questionnaire was distributed through the Internet and the online survey using Google Forms was based on a quantitative measurement to estimate the independent and the dependent variables.

Key findings

The obtained data confirmed that there are statistically significant effects related to the pharmacist interaction skills (pharmacist’s trust, integrity, responsiveness and empathy) on guiding the consumers in taking medicines and pharmaceutical preparations effectively and safely.

Conclusions

The pharmacist’s role as a medications expert and member of multidisciplinary healthcare professional team must work in tandem with other healthcare professionals to guard the client’s safety and achieve good therapeutic outcomes.
Accelerating BAO scale fitting using Taylor series
Authors: Hansen Matthew T , Krolewski Alex , Slepian Zachary
Published: December 2022

The Universe is currently undergoing accelerated expansion driven by dark energy. Dark energy’s essential nature remains mysterious: one means of revealing it is by measuring the Universe’s size at different redshifts. This may be done using the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature, a standard ruler in the galaxy two-point correlation function (2PCF). In order to measure the distance scale, one dilates and contracts a template for the 2PCF in a fiducial cosmology, using a scaling factor α. The standard method for finding the best-fitting α is to compute the likelihood over a grid of roughly 100 values of it. This approach is slow; in this work, we propose a significantly faster way. Our method writes the 2PCF as a polynomial in α by Taylor-expanding it about α = 1, exploiting that we know the fiducial cosmology sufficiently well that α is within a few per cent of unity. The likelihood resulting from this expansion may then be analytically solved for the best-fitting α. Our method is 48–85× faster than a directly comparable approach in which we numerically minimize α, and ∼12 000× faster than the standard iterative method. Our work will be highly enabling for upcoming large-scale structure redshift surveys such as that by Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument.
Eastern Whip-poor-wills have larger nonbreeding home ranges in areas with more agriculture and forest fragmentation
Authors: Skinner Aaron A , Matthews Stephen N , Ward Michael P , Souza-Cole Ian , Wright James R , Thompson Frank R , Benson Thomas J , Tonra Christopher M
Published: December 2022

Migratory bird populations can be limited by events in disparate parts of the world. Birds wintering in tropical regions are facing rapid habitat loss, climate change, and intensive agricultural regimes, potentially contributing to population declines. However, an understanding of basic nonbreeding ecology of species, such as habitat and space use, is critical for determining if this is the case. Populations of the nocturnal/crepuscular Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) have declined by 70% since the 1960’s, yet data on the species are sparse outside of the breeding season. We extracted data from 41 archival GPS tags deployed on whip-poor-wills and estimated nonbreeding home ranges and land covers used. We used satellite imagery and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values from claws grown during the nonbreeding season to analyze how land cover and habitat moisture impacted home range size and relative trophic level. Forest was by far the most prevalent land cover used by whip-poor-wills, occurring in all home ranges and accounting for >80% of diurnal roosting points. We found that less forest, the presence of agriculture, and more edge (irrespective of land cover) were associated with larger home ranges. Stable isotope values differed by broadscale ecoregion but not local land cover characteristics in our study, indicating that regional idiosyncrasies or broadscale processes can be more important in determining stable isotope ratios. Our findings suggest that the loss, fragmentation, and replacement of forest by agriculture in the core of the whip-poor-will’s nonbreeding range may represent a threat to the species, as they rely heavily upon forest, and appear to alter space use in response to changes in forest cover.
Fiat Testamenta (or Let There Be Wills): BVI Courts recognise foreign wills created by oral decree of Sharia Court
Authors: Lim David , Brookes Nicholas , Lacy Brian
Published: December 2022

This article considers the recent case of Al-Thani v Al Thani BVIHCMAP 2021/0001 (BVI HCV 2019/0001), in which the High Court of the Territory of the Virgin Islands (“BVI”) and the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal in the Territory of the Virgin Islands (the “Court of Appeal”) enforced the oral will of a Sharia Court of Qatar, which that foreign court decreed to have been made by a member of the Qatari royal family. In this article, the authors from Ogier, who acted for the successful party at first instance and on appeal, describe the issues arising from those proceedings.
Habitats Within the Plant Root Differ in Bacterial Network Topology and Taxonomic Assortativity
Authors: Fitzpatrick Connor R. , Copeland Julia , Wang Pauline W. , Guttman David S. , Kotanen Peter M. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: December 2022

The root microbiome is composed of distinct epiphytic (rhizosphere) and endophytic (endosphere) habitats. Differences in abiotic and biotic factors drive differences in microbial community diversity and composition between these habitats, though how they shape the interactions among community members is unknown. Here, we coupled a large-scale characterization of the rhizosphere and endosphere bacterial communities of 30 plant species across two watering treatments with co-occurrence network analysis to understand how root habitats and soil moisture shape root bacterial network properties. We used a novel bootstrapping procedure and null network modeling to overcome some of the limitations associated with microbial co-occurrence network construction and analysis. Endosphere networks had elevated node betweenness centrality versus the rhizosphere, indicating greater overall connectivity among core bacterial members of the root endosphere. Taxonomic assortativity was higher in the endosphere, whereby positive co-occurrence was more likely between bacteria within the same phylum while negative co-occurrence was more likely between bacterial taxa from different phyla. This taxonomic assortativity could be driven by positive and negative interactions among members of the same or different phylum, respectively, or by similar niche preferences associated with phylum rank among root inhabiting bacteria across plant host species. In contrast to the large differences between root habitats, drought had limited effects on network properties but did result in a higher proportion of shared co-occurrences between rhizosphere and endosphere networks. Our study points to fundamentally different ecological processes shaping bacterial co-occurrence across root habitats.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Identification and Complete Genome Sequence of an Alternavirus from a Pathogenic Fungus, Fusarium nanum, Collected by Air Sampling
Authors: Mokhtari Samira , Ali Akhtar
Published: December 2022

In this study, fungal spores were collected from the air, and mycelium was grown in Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar medium in the lab. Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the fungus was identified as  Fusarium nanum. A new double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus was isolated from the mycelia of  F. nanum and tentatively named Fusarium nanum alternavirus 1 (FnAV1). The complete genome sequence of FnAV1 was obtained by Illumina sequencing, followed by Sanger sequencing and the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) of the 5′ and 3′ ends. FnAV1 is composed of three dsRNA segments: dsRNA1 (3,546 nt) encodes RdRp, dsRNA2 (2,511 nt) encodes a hypothetical protein, and dsRNA3 encodes the coat protein (2,484 nt). The multiple alignments, along with phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRp (dsRNA1) and coat protein (dsRNA3) amino acid sequences, suggest that FnAV1 clusters with other members of the newly proposed family Alternaviridae, has high identities with Fusarium incarnatum alternavirus 1 (FiAV1), and might be a new strain isolated from a different fungal host, F. nanum. This is the first report of a mycovirus from the mycelial culture of  F. nanum, which was obtained from spores collected at a 12-m altitude via air sampling. This suggests that the airborne spores could carry the mycovirus for long-distance movement and dissemination to new locations.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Vaccine in Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
Authors: Madaeng Thanawat , Soponkanaporn Sirisucha , Tangnararatchakit Kanchana , Apiwattanakul Nopporn , Techasaensiri Chonnamet , Boonsathron Sophida , Chaisavaneeyakorn Sujittra
Published: December 2022

Background:

Pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased infectious risk caused by underlying immunologic dysregulation and immunosuppressive therapy. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) could be reactivated during the immunosuppressive treatment in patients with past HBV infections. Information on immunogenicity after hepatitis B (HB) immunization and reimmunization are still scarce.

Methods:

SLE patients 5–18 years of age who had completed a primary HB immunization were enrolled. Anti-HBs levels at enrollment and after each vaccine dose were determined. Patients with anti-HBs levels < 10 mIU/mL were administered 1 booster dose. After 1 booster dose, patients with negative anti-HBs levels were administered 2 more booster doses.

Results:

Ninety-three SLE patients were enrolled. The prevalence of seroprotection assessed by anti-HBs > 10 mIU/mL after completion of a primary HB immunization was 25.8% (95% CI: 17.2–34.4). Lupus nephritis was associated with unprotective anti-HBs levels [odds ratio (OR): 4.341; 95% CI: 1.044–18.040]. The anti-HBs seroconversion was 72.3% (95% CI: 61.5-83.0) after 1 booster dose and increased up to 93.4% (95% CI: 86.9–98.4) after 3 booster doses. SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 score ≥ 4 (OR: 4.625; 95% CI: 1.45–14.80) was significantly associated with nonseroconversion after the first booster dose. Hypocomplementemia before the first and second booster doses (OR: 27; 95% CI: 1.26–578.35) was significantly associated with nonseroconversion after 3 booster doses.

Conclusions:

All pediatric SLE patients should be evaluated for HBV serological status before immunosuppressive treatment. SLE patients with SLE Disease Activity Index-2000 score > 4 should need 3 booster doses if their anti-HBs level was < 10 mIU/mL.
“Patterns of filler-induced facial skin necrosis: A systematic review of 243 cases and introduction of the F.O.E.M. scoring system and grading scale.”
Authors: Soares Danny J. , Bowhay Alexis , Blevins Larry W. , Patel Sagar M. , Zuliani Giancarlo F.
Published: December 2022

Background:

The incidence of facial skin necrosis has increased considerably due to the growth in the popularity of dermal fillers. This study describes the patterns and severity of facial skin necrosis, along with associated neuro-ophthalmological injuries, in the published literature through the introduction of the
F
acial artery,
O
phthalmic artery, distal
E
xternal carotid artery, internal
M
axillary artery (F.O.E.M.) facial angiosome scoring system and grading scale.

Methods:

A systematic review of all photographic cases of facial skin necrosis due to vascular occlusion with dermal fillers and injectable materials was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses.

Results:

A total of 243 cases were identified, with 738 digital clinical photographs retrieved. The facial artery (58% of cases) and ophthalmic artery (48% of cases) angiosomes were most commonly affected. The frontonasal and angulonasal territories were the most common facial skin segments injured by filler-induced vascular occlusion. Cutaneous involvement of the ophthalmic angiosome was significantly associated with neuro-ophthalmological complications (vision loss: 39% vs 0.8%, p = 0.00001; stroke: 8% vs 0.8%, p = 0.0085). Injuries with greater cutaneous surface area or cross-angiosome involvement were associated with a higher incidence of Type IV visual deficits and bilateral stroke.

Conclusions:

Facial skin necrosis due to vascular occlusion is a rapidly growing problem that has remained poorly characterized in the literature. This study provides the largest descriptive analysis of published photographic reports of skin necrosis to date and proposes a novel scoring system and grading classification to aid in future reporting.
Polydatin ameliorates TBI induced secondary brain injury by inhibiting NLRP3-induced neuroinflammation associated with SOD2 acetylation
Authors: Li† Qin , Zhao† Peng , Wen Yu , Zou Zhimin , Qin Xihe , Tan Hongping , Gong Jian , Wu Qihua , Zheng Chen , Zhang Kun , Huang Qiaobing , Maegele Marc , Gu Zhengtao , Li Li
Published: December 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a kind of disease with high morbidity, mortality and disability, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Research shows that nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) activation in neurons and astrocytes is involved in neuroinflammatory cascades after TBI. What’s more, Polydatin (PD) has been shown to have a have a protective effect on TBI - induced neuroinflammation, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we speculated that PD could alleviate TBI-induced neuroinflammatory damage through the superoxide dismutase (SOD2)-NLRP3 signal pathway, and SOD2 might regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The model of lateral fluid percussion (LFP) for in vivo and cell stretching injury (SI) for in vitro were established to mimic TBI. NLRP3 chemical inhibitor MCC950, SOD2 inhibitor 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME2), and PD were administered immediately after TBI. As a result, the expression of SOD2 acetylation (SOD2 Ac-K122), NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 were incresased after TBI both in vivo and in vitro, and using SOD2 inhibitor 2-ME2 significantly promoted SOD2 Ac-K122, NLRP3, and cleaved caspase-1 expression, as well as exacerbated mtROS accumulation and MMP collapse in PC12 cells. However, using NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 significantly inhibited cleaved caspase-1 activation following TBI both in vivo and in vitro; meanwhile, MCC950 inhibited mtROS accumulation and MMP collapse following TBI. More importantly, PD could inhibit the level of SOD2 Ac-K122, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, while promote the expression of SOD2 following TBI both in vivo and in vitro. PD also inhibited mtROS accumulation and MMP collapse following SI. These results indicated that PD inhibited SOD2 acetylation to alleviate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thus acting a protective role against TBI neuroinflammation.
Range and Consistency of Cardiovascular Outcomes Reported by Clinical Trials in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review
Authors: Wilson Gregory J. , Van Kim , O’Lone Emma , Tong Allison , Craig Jonathan C. , Sautenet Benedicte , Budde Klemens , Forfang Derek , Gill John , Herrington William G. , Jafar Tazeen H. , Johnson David W. , Krane Vera , Levin Adeera , Malyszko Jolanta , Rossignol Patrick , Sawinski Deirdre , Scholes-Robertons Nicole , Strippoli Giovanni , Wang Angela , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Hawley Carmel M. , Viecelli Andrea K.
Published: December 2022

Background.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Trial evidence to improve cardiovascular outcomes is limited by inconsistent reporting of outcomes, which may also lack patient-relevance. This study aimed to assess the range and consistency of cardiovascular outcomes reported by contemporary trials in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods.

A systematic review of all randomized controlled trials involving adult kidney transplant recipients that reported at least 1 cardiovascular outcome from January 2012 to December 2019 was performed, including Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov electronic databases. Trial characteristics were extracted and all levels of specification of the cardiovascular outcome measures reported were analyzed (the measure definition, metric‚ and method of aggregation). Measures assessing a similar aspect of cardiovascular disease were categorized into outcomes.

Results.

From 93 eligible trials involving 27 609 participants, 490 outcome measures were identified. The outcome measures were grouped into 38 outcomes. A cardiovascular composite was the most common outcome reported (40 trials, 43%) followed by cardiovascular mortality (42%) and acute coronary syndrome (31%). Cardiovascular composite was also the most heterogeneous outcome with 77 measures reported followed by cardiovascular mortality (n = 58) and inflammatory biomarkers (n = 51). The most common cardiovascular composite outcome components reported were major cardiovascular events (18 trials), stroke unspecified (11 trials), and myocardial infarction unspecified (10 trials).

Conclusions.

There is substantial heterogeneity in cardiovascular outcome reporting in kidney transplant trials.
A Scientific Visit to the USSR in 1963
Authors: Garrett Chris
Published: December 2022

In 1963, at the height of the Cold War, R. W. Stewart visited the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Moscow for three months, including a side trip to a field station on the River Don. The visit followed on from discussions at scientific meetings on the topic of turbulence in fluid flows. Major theoretical advances had been made in the USSR, while Stewart's group in Canada had conducted a key observational programme in turbulent tidal currents off the coast of British Columbia. During his visit, Stewart was able to show how some Soviet observations were in accord with others after correction for instrument size and, most importantly, with Evgeny Novikov he pioneered a new approach to the theory of turbulence to allow for intermittency. His report contains observations of the style of science in the USSR in that era, as well as interesting comments on food and culture. The visit produced lasting dividends in scientific collaboration, particularly in international programmes related to climate.
Arthrobacter antioxidans sp. nov., a blue pigment-producing species isolated from Mount Everest
Authors: Yu Xue , Zhang Wei , Zhang Gaosen , Wu Yujie , Wu Shiyu , Tian Mao , Ding Wei , Bahadur Ali , Chen Tuo , Liu Guangxiu
Published: December 2022

Bacteria in the genus

Arthrobacter

have been found in extreme environments, e.g. glaciers, brine and mural paintings. Here, we report the discovery of a novel pink-coloured bacterium, strain QL17T, capable of producing an extracellular water-soluble blue pigment. The bacterium was isolated from the soil of the East Rongbuk Glacier of Mt. Everest, China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain QL17T was most closely related to the species

Arthrobacter bussei

KR32 T. However, compared to A.bussei KR32T and the next closest relatives, the new species demonstrates considerable phylogenetic distance at the whole-genome level, with an average nucleotide identity of <85 % and inferred DNA–DNA hybridization of <30 %. Polyphasic taxonomy results support our conclusion that strain QL17T represents a novel species of the genus

Arthrobacter

. Strain QL17T had the highest tolerance to hydrogen peroxide at 400 mM. Whole-genome sequencing of strain QL17T revealed the presence of numerous cold-adaptation, antioxidation and UV resistance-associated genes, which are related to adaptation to the extreme environment of Mt. Everest. Results of this study characterized a novel psychrotolerant

Arthrobacter

species, for which the name Arthrobacter antioxidans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is QL17T (GDMCC 1.2948T=JCM 35246T).
Highly diverse and unknown viruses may enhance Antarctic endoliths’ adaptability
Authors: Ettinger Cassandra L. , Saunders Morgan , Selbmann Laura , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Donati Claudio , Albanese Davide , Roux Simon , Tringe Susannah , Pennacchio Christa , del Rio Tijana G. , Stajich Jason E. , Coleine Claudia
Published: December 2022

Rock-dwelling microorganisms are key players in ecosystem functioning of Antarctic ice free-areas. Yet, little is known about their diversity and ecology. Here, we performed metagenomic analyses on rocks from across Antarctica comprising >75,000 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUS). We found largely undescribed, highly diverse and spatially structured virus communities potentially influencing bacterial adaptation and biogeochemistry. This catalog lays the foundation for expanding knowledge of the virosphere in extreme environments.
Mechanistic implications of the interaction of the soluble substrate-binding protein with a type II ABC importer
Authors: Zhu Lingwei , Kim Jinrang , Leng Kun , Ramos John E. , Kinz-Thompson Colin D. , Karpowich Nathan K. , Gonzalez Ruben L. , Hunt John F.
Published: December 2022

ATP-BindingCassette (ABC) Transporters employ homologous ATPase domains to drive transmembrane transport of diverse substrates ranging from small molecules to large polymers. Bacterial ABC importers require an extramembranoussubstratebindingprotein (SBP) to deliver the transport substrate to the extracellular side of the transporter complex. Previous studies suggest significant differences in the transport mechanisms of type Ivs. type II bacterial ABC importers, which contain unrelated transmembrane domains. We herein use ensemble fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments to characterize the kinetics of SBP interaction in theE. coliBtuCD-F complex, a canonical type II ABC importer that transports vitamin B12. We demonstrate that, in the absence of B12, BtuF (the SBP) forms a ‘locked’ (kinetically hyper-stable) complex with nanodisc-reconstituted BtuCD that can only be dissociated by ATP hydrolysis, which represents a futile reaction cycle. Notably, no type I importer has been observed to form an equivalent locked complex. We also show that either ATP or vitamin B12binding substantially slows formation of the locked BtuCD-F complex, which will limit the occurrence of futile hydrolysis under physiological conditions.

Mutagenesis experiments demonstrate that efficient locking requires concerted interaction of BtuCD with residues on both sides of the B12binding pocket in BtuF. Combined with the kinetic inhibition of locking by ATP binding, these observations imply that the transition state for the locking reaction involves a global alteration in the conformation of BtuCD that extends from its BtuF binding site in the periplasm to its ATP-binding sites on the opposite side of the membrane in the cytoplasm. These observations suggest that locking, which seals the extracellular B12entry site of the transporter, may help push B12through the transporter and directly contribute to the transport mechanism in type II ABC importers.
Localized assembly for long reads enables genome-wide analysis of repetitive regions at single-base resolution in human genomes
Authors: Ikemoto Ko , Fujimoto Hinano , Fujimoto Akihiro
Published: December 2022

Background

Long-read sequencing technologies have the potential to overcome the limitations of short reads and provide a comprehensive picture of the human genome. However, it remains hard to characterize repetitive sequences by reconstructing genomic structures at high resolution solely from long reads. Here, we developed a localized assembly method (LoMA) that constructs highly accurate consensus sequences (CSs) from long reads.

Methods

We first developed LoMA, by combining minimap2, MAFFT, and our algorithm, which classifies diploid haplotypes based on structural variants and constructs CSs. Using this tool, we analyzed two human samples (NA18943 and NA19240) sequenced with the Oxford Nanopore sequencer. We defined target regions in each genome based on mapping patterns and then constructed a high-quality catalog of the human insertion solely from the long-read data.

Results

The assessment of LoMA showed high accuracy of CSs (error rate < 0.3%) compared with raw data (error rate > 8%) and superiority to the previous study. The genome-wide analysis of NA18943 and NA19240 identified 5,516 and 6,542 insertions (ζ 100 bp) respectively. Most insertions (∼80%) were derived from the tandem repeat and transposable elements. We also detected processed pseudogenes, insertions in transposable elements, and long insertions (> 10 kbp). Further, our analysis suggested that short tandem duplications were association with gene expression and transposons.

Conclusions

Our analysis showed that LoMA constructs high-quality sequences from long reads with substantial errors. This study revealed the true structures of insertions with high accuracy and inferred mechanisms for the insertions. Our approach contributes to the future human genome studies. LoMA is available at our GitHub page:https://github.com/kolikem/loma.
Dynamics of repurposing synthetic and natural compounds against WNT/β-Catenin signaling in glioma- Anin vivoapproach
Authors: S Daisy Precilla , Kuduvalli Shreyas S , Biswas Indrani , K Bhavani , B Agiesh Kumar , Thomas Jisha Mary , T. S Anitha
Published: December 2022

Background

Glioblastomas arise from multistep tumorigenesis of the glial cells and are associated with poor prognosis. Despite the current state-of-art treatment, tumor recurrence is inevitable. Thus, there exists a desperate need for effective therapeutic alternatives to improve glioblastoma outcome. Among the innovations blooming up, drug repurposing could provide a profound premises for glioblastoma treatment enhancement. While considering this strategy, the efficacy of the repurposed drugs as monotherapies were not up to par; hence, the focus has now shifted to investigate the multi-drug combinations to target glioblastomas. In line with this concept, we investigated the efficacy of a quadruple-combinatorial treatment comprising temozolomide (the benchmark drug) along with chloroquine (a synthetic drug), naringenin (a flavonoid) and phloroglucinol (a marine derivative) in an orthotopic glioma-induced xenograft model.

Methods

Anti-proliferative effect of the drugs was assessed by immunostaining. The expression profiles of WNT/β-catenin and apoptotic markers were evaluated by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and ELISA. Patterns of mitochondrial depolarization was determined by flow cytometry. TUNEL assay was performed to affirm apoptosis induction.In vivodrug detection study was carried out by ESI-Q-TOF MS analysis.

Results

The quadruple-drug treatment had significantly hampered GB proliferation and had induced apoptosis by modulating the WNT/β-catenin signalling. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the induction of apoptosis was associated with mitochondrial depolarization. Further the quadruple-drug cocktail, had breached the blood brain barrier and was detected in the brain tissue and plasma samples from various experimental groups.

Conclusion

The quadruple-drug combination served as a promising adjuvant therapy to combat glioma lethalityin vivoand can be probed for translation from bench to bedside.