bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Auditory Association Cortex in Dementing Illnesses
Authors: Aylward Alana , Auduong Priscilla , Anderson Jeffrey S. , Zielinski Brandon A. , Wang Angela Y. , Weng Cindy , Foster Norman L. , Gurgel Richard K.
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the relationship between degree of cognitive impairment and gray-matter density changes in the auditory cortex.

Study Design:

Retrospective case-control.

Patients:

Six hundred sixty-three patients of a tertiary referral center cognitive disorders clinic.

Intervention:

Magnetic resonance imaging.

Main Outcome Measures:

Ratios of gray matter density of the primary auditory cortex (A1) to whole brain and auditory association cortex (AAC) to whole brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and patients with a mini-mental state exam (MMSE) scores ≤25 versus >25.

Results:

After multivariate analysis, a statistically significant difference between AAC to brain ratios for patients with a MMSE ≤25 (n = 325) compared with >25 (n = 269) was found, with values −0.03 (95% CI −0.04 to −0.02, p < 0.0001) on the left and −0.04 (95% CI −0.06 to −0.03, p < 0.0001) on the right. The adjusted average difference of left and right AAC to brain ratios between AD patients (n = 218) compared with MCI patients (n = 121) was also statistically significant, at −0.03 (95% CI −0.05 to −0.01, p = 0.004) and −0.05 (95% CI −0.07 to −0.03, p < 0.0001), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the left or right A1 to brain ratios between the MMSE groups or between the AD and MCI groups.

Conclusions:

The AAC for patients with MMSE ≤25 and for those with AD shows decreased gray matter density when compared with patients with better cognitive function. No difference was detected in A1, raising the possibility that patients may have intact neural hearing, but impaired ability to interpret sounds.
Increase Risk of Dementia in Patients With Sudden Hearing Loss: A Population-Based Cohort Study With 7-Year Follow-Up in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Ching-Chun , Lin Herng-Ching , Chiu Hung-Wen
Published: August 2020

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence and risk of subsequent dementia in subjects with sudden hearing loss during a 7-year follow-up period through comparisons with cohorts matched by sex, age group, and year of index date.

Study Design:

A retrospective matched-cohort study.

Setting:

The Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 (LHID2000) in Taiwan.

Patients:

This study included a total of 11,148 subjects, including 1,858 in the study group and 9,290 in the comparison cohort group.

Intervention(s):

None.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

We analyzed the differences in sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities between subjects with sudden hearing loss and the comparison cohort group. Then, we estimated the risk of dementia and also plotted the survival outcomes to evaluate differences in dementia-free survival rates between the two groups.

Results:

The dementia incidence rates per 1000 person-years were 20.45 and 8.15 for the subjects with sudden hearing loss and comparison cohorts, respectively. When we adjusted for the subjects’ characteristics, the hazard ratio for dementia was 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06–2.68, p < 0.01) for subjects with sudden hearing loss compared with comparison cohorts during the follow-up period, and subjects with sudden hearing loss had lower 7-year dementia-free survival rates compared with comparison cohorts by using a log-rank test. Furthermore, male subjects with sudden hearing loss had a higher risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.11) than did the male comparison cohorts.

Conclusions:

This study revealed a relationship between sudden hearing loss and dementia in an Asian country. The risk of dementia was higher among patients with sudden hearing loss compared with matched cohorts during the 7-year follow-up period.
Feasibility and Efficacy of Vibrant Soundbridge Short Process Coupler in Patients With Aural Atresia
Authors: Alzhrani Farid , Halawani Roa , Yousef Medhat
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Different options are available for hearing restoration in patients with aural atresia. Middle ear implantation with the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) has been used successfully in many patients with aural atresia with conductive or mixed hearing loss. The aim of the current study was to assess the safety and the efficiency of VSBs coupled to the short process of the incus in patients with aural atresia with conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Methods:

The study was a retrospective chart review conducted at a tertiary university hospital. Audiological and surgical data from six ears with aural atresia implanted with VSBs coupled to the short process of the incus were analyzed. The audiological results were compared with previously reported results obtained after the utilization of different coupling techniques.

Results:

All six atretic ears were successfully implanted using the short process coupler, and there were no major complications. Postoperative bone conduction thresholds did not differ substantially from preoperative thresholds. The respective mean preoperative pure-tone average 4, speech reception threshold, and word recognition score values were 56.7 dB, 61.7 dB, and 44%. Postoperative pure-tone average 4 thresholds (25 ± 3.5 dB) and speech reception thresholds (20.8 ± 8 dB) were significantly improved. The maximum postoperative word recognition score achieved was 100%. The audiological outcomes obtained were similar to previously reported outcomes after classic stapes placement.

Conclusion:

Coupling of the floating mass transducer to the short process of the incus in patients with aural atresia resulted in significant audiological improvements that were comparable to previously reported improvements after placement via other methods.
Variants in the Enteric Smooth Muscle Actin γ‐2 Cause Pediatric Intestinal Pseudo‐obstruction in Chinese Patients
Authors: Wei Zhiliang , Lu Lina , Zheng Youjie , Yan Weihui , Tao Yijng , Xiao Yongtao , Cai Wei , Wang Ying
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Pediatric intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (PIPO) is a severe gastrointestinal disorder occurring in children, leading to failure to thrive, malnutrition, and long‐term parenteral nutrition dependence. Enteric smooth muscle actin γ‐2 (ACTG2) variants have been reported to be related to the pathogenesis of PIPO. This study aimed to determine the presence of ACTG2 variants in Chinese PIPO patients.

Methods:

Whole‐exome sequencing was performed using samples from 39 recruited patients, whereas whole ACTG2 Sanger sequencing was performed using samples from 2 patients. Published data was reviewed to determine the number of pathogenic variants and the genotype related to ACTG2 variants in the Chinese population.

Results:

A total of 21 Chinese probands were found to carry heterozygous missense variants of ACTG2, among which 20 were de novo. Fifteen probands had p.Arg257 variants (c.770G>A and c.769C>T), and the other 2 probands had c.533G>A (p.Arg178His) and c.443G>T (p.Arg148Leu) variants. Four probands had novel variants c.337C>T (p.Pro113Ser), c.588G>C (p.Glu196Asp), c.734A>G (p.Asp245Gly), and c.553G>T (p.Asp185Tyr).

Conclusions:

Variants affecting codon 257 of ACTG2 protein sequence appeared to be frequent in both Chinese and Caucasian PIPO patients, whereas p.Arg178 variants were less common in Chinese patients compared with Caucasian patients. The 4 novel variants in ACTG2 were also found to be related to Chinese PIPO.
National Recommendations for Infant and Young Child Feeding in the World Health Organization European Region
Authors: Koletzko Berthold , Hirsch Nathali Lehmann , Jewell Jo Martin , Dos Santos Quenia , Breda João , Fewtrell Mary , Weber Martin W.
Published: August 2020

Objectives:

Complementary feeding should provide a healthy diet with critical nutrients for growth and development. Information is limited on child and infant feeding recommendations within the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.

Methods:

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) performed a survey of national recommendations on infant and young child nutrition aimed at national government departments of health and national paediatric experts. Questions addressed national recommendations on breast-feeding and complementary feeding.

Results:

Information was available from 48 of the 53 Member States. Forty-five of 48 countries (94%) have national recommendations on infant and young child feeding, of which 41 are endorsed by official public health authorities. Regarding introduction of complementary feeding, 25 countries (out of 34, 74%) recommend 6 months of age as the ideal age. The earliest age of introduction recommended varies from 4 to 5 months in (31/38 countries, 82%) to 6 months (6/38, 16%) and 7 months (1/38, 2.6%). The recommended meal composition varies widely; introduction of iron-rich foods (meat, fish, eggs) at the age of 6 months is recommended in 30 out of 43 countries, whereas 13 (30%) recommend later introduction.

Conclusions:

National infant feeding recommendations vary widely between studied countries and partly differ from international recommendations. Too early introduction of complementary feeding can reduce duration of exclusive breast-feeding (EBF). Too late introduction of iron-rich complementary foods might increase anemia risk and adversely affect child development. A review and further harmonization of national recommendations appears desirable.
Electronic Health Record Workstation Single Sign-on
Authors: Gellert George A. , Ramirez Ricardo , Jacobs Walter J. , Maciaz Gabriel
Published: August 2020

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of electronic health record (EHR) workstation single sign-on (SSO) for nurses.

BACKGROUND

SSO was implemented in 19 hospitals for expedited EHR access.

METHODS

Login durations before and after SSO implementation were compared, and the financial value of nursing time liberated from keyboard was estimated. Stratified analyses show time liberated and financial value by staffing level and system size.

RESULTS

First-of-shift login was reduced by 5.3 seconds (15.3%) and reconnect duration was reduced by 20.4 seconds (69.9%). SSO liberated 27,962.4 hours of nursing time from keyboard login per year across 19 facilities, and 1,471.7 hours/year/facility, valued at $52,112/facility and $990,128 for 19 hospitals. Time value ranges from $201,835 per year for a 5-hospital system with 300 nurses per facility to $672,790 per year for a 10-facility system with 500 nurses per hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses gained substantial time liberated from EHR keyboard by SSO for patient care, having significant financial value for the organization.
Health Profession Students’ Awareness, Knowledge, and Confidence Regarding Preexposure Prophylaxis: Results of a National, Multidisciplinary Survey
Authors: Bunting Samuel R. , Garber Sarah S. , Goldstein Robert H. , Calabrese Sarah K. , Ritchie Timothy D. , Batteson Tamzin J.
Published: August 2020

Background

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective, pharmacologic method of HIV prevention. Despite its safety and efficacy, PrEP prescription remains low in those patients who are at highest risk for HIV infection. One possible reason for this may be the lack of inclusion of PrEP and HIV prevention discussions within the curricula of health professions education.

Methods

An online survey was administered to a cross-sectional sample of future prescribers (osteopathic/allopathic medical and physician assistant students), future nurses, and future pharmacists (n = 2085) in the United States between January and July 2019 to assess and compare awareness of PrEP, PrEP education, PrEP knowledge, and confidence in 2 areas related to PrEP.

Results

We show that, overall, awareness of PrEP is high among future health care providers (81.6%), with the future pharmacists reporting the greatest awareness (92.2%; P < 0.001) and more commonly reporting PrEP education (71.0%). Students had mixed knowledge of PrEP, with future pharmacists reporting the highest knowledge of PrEP. Approximately 30% of students in all disciplines reported having low confidence counseling a patient about PrEP and low confidence educating a colleague about PrEP. Knowledge of PrEP was a significant predictor of confidence counseling a patient about PrEP (P < 0.001) and educating a colleague about PrEP (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study identifies opportunities to improve and incorporate evidence-based strategies for educating future health care providers about PrEP for HIV prevention within health professions curricula.
Estimating the Direct Medical Outpatient Costs of Diagnosis and Treatment of Trichomoniasis Among Commercially Insured Patients in the United States, 2016 to 2018
Authors: Kumar Sagar , Chesson Harrell , Gift Thomas L.
Published: August 2020

We used 2016–2018 outpatient claims data to calculate direct outpatient medical costs per case of trichomoniasis in 2019 US dollars. The outpatient, drug, and total costs per treated case of trichomoniasis were $174, $39, and $213, respectively. Total costs were higher for female patients ($220) than for male patients ($158).
Restoring Immunization Services Provided by the Vaccines for Children Program in Puerto Rico After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, 2017-2019
Authors: Luna-Pinto S. Carolina , Rivera Angel , Cardona Iris , Rijo Candelaria , Alvarez Veronica , Rodriguez Jesus , Yoerg Broderick , Shapiro Craig N. , Patel Anita
Published: August 2020

Context:

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria impacted Puerto Rico, causing significant disruption of immunization services and vaccine losses due to widespread infrastructure and electrical grid damage and resulting cold chain failures.

Objective:

To describe posthurricane efforts undertaken to restore and strengthen immunization services provided by Puerto Rico's federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, a network of clinics that provide vaccines to eligible children.

Design:

Historical records were reviewed to characterize Puerto Rico's prehurricane immunization system. Site visits to assess VFC clinic posthurricane operational status were conducted by the Puerto Rico Department of Health, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners. Infrastructure repair and acquisition of backup generators, temperature data loggers, and replacement vaccines were carried out to restore operations.

Results:

Prior to the hurricanes, 224 VFC clinics throughout the island provided immunizations. An initial assessment 10 days after Hurricane Maria showed that only 11 (5%) of the clinics were operational. Reasons included ongoing power outages; difficulties in obtaining generator fuel; equipment or facility damage; and damaged vaccines. The VFC clinics were restored incrementally; 123 (55%) were operational by December 2017, 193 (86%) by May 2018, and 204 (91%) by May 2019. Long-term recovery activities are underway and focus on strengthening Puerto Rico's immunization system to withstand future disasters, including improving backup power systems.

Conclusion:

Through coordinated efforts of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other partners, the operational status of VFC clinics posthurricanes was assessed and operations restored. Emergency plans for vaccine storage and handling, which called for alternative vaccine storage locations and backup generators, were inadequate to address disasters of the magnitude of Hurricanes Irma and Maria; such plans need to consider the possibility of large-scale disasters that result in long-term power outages.
Mixed-Methods Evaluation of the Washington State Practice Transformation Support Hub
Authors: Kwan-Gett Tao Sheng , Albertson Elaine Michelle , Banks Jordan , Revere Debra , Rogers Megan , Baseman Janet , Andris Lydia , Conrad Douglas
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

Practice transformation initiatives have the potential to promote collaborations between public health, primary care, and behavioral health, but limited empirical evidence is available on how these programs affect participating clinical practices.

Objective:

To report the findings from a mixed-methods program evaluation of the Washington Practice Transformation Support Hub (Hub), a publicly funded, multicomponent practice transformation initiative in Washington State.

Design:

We used quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the impact of Hub activities on participating primary care and behavioral health practices. Pre- and posttest survey data were combined with administrative program data to understand the effect of program components. Qualitative interviews contextualized findings.

Setting:

Urban and rural primary care and behavioral health practices in Washington State.

Participants:

One hundred seventy-five practices that were recruited to receive Hub coaching and facilitation from 8 coaches; of these, 13 practices and all coaches participated in key informant interviews.

Intervention:

Practice coaching and facilitation supported by an online resource portal, from January 2017 through January 2019.

Main Outcome Measures:

Self-reported progress in specific activities in 3 practice-level domains: bidirectional integration of physical and behavioral health care (care integration); alignment with community-based services for whole-person care (clinical-community linkages); and value-based payment.

Results:

Participation in Hub activities was associated with improvements in care integration and clinical-community linkages but not with progress toward value-based payment. Qualitative results indicated that practice progress was influenced by communication with practices, the culture of the practice, resource constraints (particularly in rural areas), and perceptions about sustainability.

Conclusions:

This statewide practice transformation initiative was successful in strengthening primary care and behavioral health integration and clinical-community linkages among participating practices but not value-based payment. Future practice transformation efforts may benefit from addressing barriers posed by communication, limited application of value-based payment, culture change, competing priorities, and resource limitations, particularly for rural communities.
Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic Treatment for Early and T3 Stage Gallbladder Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Wei , Che Xu
Published: August 2020

Background:

Effect of laparoscopic approach in the treatment of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is still controversial.

Materials and Methods:

Literature published before December 2019 was retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for a comparative study between laparoscopic group (LG) and open group (OG) for GBC. Revman 5.3 statistical software was used for analysis.

Results:

Nine comparative studies were eligible and included 654 patients, 287 were in LG and 367 were in OG. Meta-analysis showed that the operation time, estimated blood loss, drainage tube time, and hospitalization time after LG were significantly less than those in the OG [weighted mean difference (WMD)=−27.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), −36.6 to −18.4; P<0.00001; WMD=−267.56, 95% CI, −372.25 to −162.86; P<0.00001; WMD=−1.35; 95% CI, −2.26 to −0.44; P=0.004; WMD=−6.44; 95% CI,−9.07 to −3.81; P<0.00001, respectively). There was no significant difference between LG and OG in postoperative complications, mortality, lymph node dissection, R0 rate, scar recurrence, recurrence, and the 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates. The 1-year OS of all patients, and the 1- and 2-year OS of patients with T3 tumors in the LG were significantly better than those in the OG [relative risk (RR)=1.11; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.22; P=0.04; RR=1.46; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.08, P=0.04 and RR=1.71; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.84; P=0.04, respectively].

Conclusions:

The safety and efficacy of LG for early GBC is comparable to OG, and to some extent, it can reduce operation time, estimated blood loss, drainage tube time, and hospitalization time, and have a higher 1-year OS. Patients in T3 stage may have a longer survival by LC, however, this conclusion still needs to be validated by more high-quality clinical studies, especially prospective randomized controlled trials.
Indirect genetic control of migration in a salmonid fish
Authors: Kelson Suzanne J. , Carlson Stephanie M. , Miller Michael R.
Published: August 2020

Migration is a complex trait that often has genetic underpinnings. However, it is unclear if migratory behaviour itself is inherited (direct genetic control), or if the decision to migrate is instead the outcome of a set of physiological traits (indirect genetic control). For steelhead/rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
), migration is strongly linked to a large genomic region across their range. Here, we demonstrate a shared allelic basis between early life growth rate and migratory behaviour. Next, we demonstrate that early life growth differs among resident/migratory genotypes in wild juveniles several months prior to migration, with resident genotypes achieving a larger size in their first few months of life than migratory genotypes. We suggest that the genetic basis of migration is likely indirect and mediated by physiological traits such as growth rate. Evolutionary benefits of this indirect genetic mechanism likely include flexibility among individuals and persistence of life-history diversity within and among populations.
Dispersal and migration have contrasting effects on butterfly flight morphology and reproduction
Authors: Bhaumik Vaishali , Kunte Krushnamegh
Published: August 2020

Movement may fundamentally alter morphology and reproductive states in insects. In long-distance migrants, reproductive diapause is associated with trade-offs between diverse life-history traits such as flight morphology and lifespan. However, many non-diapausing insects engage in shorter resource-driven dispersals. How diapause and other reproductive states alter flight morphology in migrating versus dispersing insects is poorly understood. To find out, we compared flight morphology in different reproductive states of multiple butterfly species. We found that dispersers consisted of ovulating females with higher egg loads compared with non-dispersing females. This trend was in stark contrast with that of migrating female butterflies in reproductive diapause, which made substantially higher investment in flight tissue compared with reproductively active, non-migrating females. Thus, long-distance migration and shorter resource-driven dispersals had contrasting effects on flight morphology and egg loads. By contrast, male flight morphology was not affected by dispersal, migration or associated reproductive states. Thus, dispersal and migration affected resource allocation in flight and reproductive tissue in a sex-specific manner across relatively mobile versus non-dispersing individuals of different species. These findings suggest that dispersals between fragmented habitats may put extra stress on egg-carrying females by increasing their flight burdens.
Novel cardiac cell subpopulations: Pnmt-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Grassam-Rowe Alexander , Ou Xianghong , Lei Ming
Published: August 2020

Diversity among highly specialized cells underlies the fundamental biology of complex multi-cellular organisms. One of the essential scientific questions in cardiac biology has been to define subpopulations within the heart. The heart parenchyma comprises specialized cardiomyocytes (CMs). CMs have been canonically classified into a few phenotypically diverse subpopulations largely based on their function and anatomic localization. However, there is growing evidence that CM subpopulations are in fact numerous, with a diversity of genetic origin and putatively different roles in physiology and pathophysiology. In this chapter, we introduce a recently discovered CM subpopulation: phenylethanolamine-
N
-methyl transferase (Pnmt)-derived cardiomyocytes (PdCMs). We discuss: (i) canonical classifications of CM subpopulations; (ii) discovery of PdCMs; (iii) Pnmt and the role of catecholamines in the heart; similarities and dissimilarities of PdCMs and canonical CMs; and (iv) putative functions of PdCMs in both physiological and pathological states and future directions, such as in intra-cardiac adrenergic signalling.
Predicting hydrologic responses to climate changes in highly glacierized and mountainous region Upper Indus Basin
Authors: Shah Muhammad Izhar , Khan Asif , Akbar Tahir Ali , Hassan Quazi K. , Khan Asim Jahangir , Dewan Ashraf
Published: August 2020

The Upper Indus Basin (UIB) is a major source of supplying water to different areas because of snow and glaciers melt and is also enduring the regional impacts of global climate change. The expected changes in temperature, precipitation and snowmelt could be reasons for further escalation of the problem. Therefore, estimation of hydrological processes is critical for UIB. The objectives of this paper were to estimate the impacts of climate change on water resources and future projection for surface water under different climatic scenarios using soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). The methodology includes: (i) development of SWAT model using land cover, soil and meteorological data; (ii) calibration of the model using daily flow data from 1978 to 1993; (iii) model validation for the time 1994–2003; (iv) bias correction of regional climate model (RCM), and (v) utilization of bias-corrected RCM for future assessment under representative concentration pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for mid (2041–2070) and late century (2071–2100). The results of the study revealed a strong correlation between simulated and observed flow withR2and Nash–Sutcliff efficiency (NSE) equal to 0.85 each for daily flow. For validation,R2and NSE were found to be 0.84 and 0.80, respectively. Compared to baseline period (1976–2005), the result of RCM showed an increase in temperature ranging from 2.36°C to 3.50°C and 2.92°C to 5.23°C for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively, till the end of the twenty-first century. Likewise, the increase in annual average precipitation is 2.4% to 2.5% and 6.0% to 4.6% (mid to late century) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. The model simulation results for RCP4.5 showed increase in flow by 19.24% and 16.78% for mid and late century, respectively. For RCP8.5, the increase in flow is 20.13% and 15.86% during mid and late century, respectively. The model was more sensitive towards available moisture and snowmelt parameters. Thus, SWAT model could be used as effective tool for climate change valuation and for sustainable management of water resources in future.
Hurricane-induced demographic changes in a non-human primate population
Authors: Morcillo Dana O. , Steiner Ulrich K. , Grayson Kristine L. , Ruiz-Lambides Angelina V. , Hernández-Pacheco Raisa
Published: August 2020

Major disturbance events can have large impacts on the demography and dynamics of animal populations. Hurricanes are one example of an extreme climatic event, predicted to increase in frequency due to climate change, and thus expected to be a considerable threat to population viability. However, little is understood about the underlying demographic mechanisms shaping population response following these extreme disturbances. Here, we analyse 45 years of the most comprehensive free-ranging non-human primate demographic dataset to determine the effects of major hurricanes on the variability and maintenance of long-term population fitness. For this, we use individual-level data to build matrix population models and perform perturbation analyses. Despite reductions in population growth rate mediated through reduced fertility, our study reveals a demographic buffering during hurricane years. As long as survival does not decrease, our study shows that hurricanes do not result in detrimental effects at the population level, demonstrating the unbalanced contribution of survival and fertility to population fitness in long-lived animal populations.
Simultaneous estimation of seasonal population density, habitat preference and catchability of wild boars based on camera data and harvest records
Authors: Yokoyama Yuichi , Nakashima Yoshihiro , Yajima Gota , Miyashita Tadashi
Published: August 2020

Analyses of life history and population dynamics are essential for effective population control of wild mammals. We developed a model for the simultaneous estimation of seasonal changes in three parameters—population density, habitat preference and trap catchability of target animals—based on camera-trapping data and harvest records. The random encounter and staying time model, with no need for individual recognition, is the core component of the model—by combining this model with the catch-effort model, we estimated density at broad spatial scales and catchability by traps. Here, the wild boar population in central Japan was evaluated as a target population. We found that the estimated population density increased after the birth period and then decreased until the next birth period, mainly due to harvesting. Habitat preference changed seasonally, but forests having abandoned fields nearby were generally preferred throughout the season. These patterns can be explained by patterns of food availability and resting or nesting sites. Catchability by traps also changed seasonally, with relatively high values in the winter, which probably reflected changes in the attractiveness of the trap bait due to activity changes in response to food scarcity. Based on these results, we proposed an effective trapping strategy for wild boars, and discussed the applicability of our model to more general conservation and management issues.
Objections to the proposition of the new genera Protaetiibacter and Pseudolysinimonas
Authors: Sánchez-Reyes Ayixon , Cárdenas-Solano Grecia , de Robles Judith Tabullo
Published: August 2020

Our principal conclusions state that

Lysinimonas kribbensis

and

Lysinimonas soli

strains, actually constitute a single coherent group at 16S rRNA gene level, and

Protaetiibacter intestinalis

is phylogenetically and genomically consistent with the genus

Leifsonia

and its nomenclature must be amended.
Gulosibacter macacae sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from Macaca mulatta faeces
Authors: Li Guiding , Li Qinyuan , Chen Xiu , Jiang Longqian , Zhang Kun , An Defeng , Lang Lei , Jiang Yi , Han Li , Huang Xueshi , Jiang Chenglin
Published: August 2020

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming, irregular short rod-shaped actinobacterial strain, designated YIM 102482-1T, was isolated from the faeces of Macaca mulatta. Strain YIM 102482-1T grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 8.0 and in the presence of 1.0–3.0% (w/v) NaCl. Similarly, analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 102482-1T was a member of the genus

Gulosibacter

and most closely related to Gulosibacter feacalis NBRC 15706T (97.6 %),

Gulosibacter bifidus

NBRC 103089T (97.6 %),

Gulosibacter chungangensis

KCTC 13959T (96.4 %) and

Gulosibacter molinativorax

DSM 13485T (96.0 %), respectively. Furthermore, phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genomic sequences demonstrated that strain YIM 102482-1T formed a distinct branch with all type strains of the genus

Gulosibacter

. The major whole-cell sugars and cellular fatty acids (>10.0 %) were ribose and rhamnose, and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9, and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and ornithine were the diagnostic diamino acids in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The dominant polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of YIM 102482-1T was 63.0 mol%. Based on analysis results of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, strain YIM 102482-1T represents a novel species of the genus

Gulosibacter

, for which the name Gulosibacter macacae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 102482-1T(=DSM 102156T=CCTCC AB 2016023T).
SARS-Cov-2-, HIV-1-, Ebola-neutralizing and anti-PD1 clones are predisposed
Authors: Zhang Yanfang , Xu Qingxian , Zeng Huikun , Wang Minhui , Zhang Yanxia , Lan Chunhong , Yang Xiujia , Zhu Yan , Chen Yuan , Wang Qilong , Tang Haipei , Zhang Yan , Wu Jiaqi , Wang Chengrui , Xie Wenxi , Ma Cuiyu , Guan Junjie , Guo Shixin , Chen Sen , Chang Changqing , Yang Wei , Wei Lai , Ren Jian , Yu Xueqing , Zhang Zhenhai
Published: August 2020

Antibody repertoire refers to the totality of the superbly diversified antibodies within an individual to cope with the vast array of possible pathogens. Despite this extreme diversity, antibodies of the same clonotype, namely public clones, have been discovered among individuals. Although some public clones could be explained by antibody convergence, public clones in naïve repertoire or virus-neutralizing clones from not infected people were also discovered. All these findings indicated that public clones might not occur by random and they might exert essential functions. However, the frequencies and functions of public clones in a population have never been studied. Here, we integrated 2,449 Rep-seq datasets from 767 donors and discovered 5.07 million public clones – ~10% of the repertoire are public in population. We found 38 therapeutic clones out of 3,390 annotated public clones including anti-PD1 clones in healthy people. Moreover, we also revealed clones neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and HIV-1 viruses in healthy individuals. Our result demonstrated that these clones are predisposed in the human antibody repertoire and may exert critical functions during particular immunological stimuli and consequently benefit the donors. We also implemented RAPID – aRep-seqAnalysisPlatform withIntegratedDatabases, which may serve as a useful tool for others in the field.
COVID-19 among nursing staff: Settings and regional differences
Authors: Hoedl Manuela , Bauer Silvia , Eglseer Doris
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This study was carried out to describe settings of and regional differences in the occurrence of COVID-19 among nursing staff, analysing COVID-19 symptoms, testing and diagnosis procedures.

Design

We used an online survey to conduct this cross-sectional study among nursing staff in different settings. Data collection was carried out between 12 May and 13 July 2020.

Methods

The survey included questions that allowed us to collect demographic data (e.g. age), professional qualifications (e.g. nurse, nurse aid) and data regarding the federal states and settings in which the participants worked. In additon, we asked the participants to describe their COVID-19 symptoms, if any were experienced, and the result of COVID-19 testing that they underwent. We used descriptive statistics as well as bivariate analysis methods to calculate differences.

Findings

More than 80% of the nursing staff (N = 2600) were women, nearly half of these staff members worked in the province of Styria and about three-quarters worked in hospitals. In general, nearly every sixth nurse reported experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. We found statistically significant differences between the settings and the federal provinces with regard to the COVID-19 symptoms reported, but not the test results. The highest porportion of nurses who experienced symptoms worked in lower Austria and in the primary care sector. In total, 1.6% of the participating nurses were tested for COVID-19, as well as about 1% of the nurses who worked in the nursing homes. The highest number of tests were carried out in Vienna followed by the province of Burgenland. In total, all of the nurses who underwent testing were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Conclusions

Only 1% of the nurses who worked in nursing homes were tested. This group of nurses takes care of the most vulnerable and high-risk group in Austrian society.

Therefore, the nursing home staff should have the possibility to be tested even though they did not experience/report any symptoms. The highest prorportion of nurses who experienced symptoms worked in the primary care sector. In the future during a pandemic, health care staff should be comprehensively tested in all settings.

Clinical Relevance

Providing insights into COVID-19 symptoms experienced by nursing staff workforce and testing for COVID-19 can help us address these aspects in future pandemics more efficiently. In addition, these insights can help to shift the perspectives from critical and acute settings to other settings, e.g. nursing homes. This is an important change in perspectives, as these nurses have worked with the most vulnerable and high-risk group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring the safety of nursing home residents and providing, high-quality nursing care and interventions can reduce hospital admission rates, decrease health care costs during such pandemics and might even reduce secondary morbidity and mortality.
On the use of growth models for forecasting epidemic outbreaks with application to COVID-19 data
Authors: Tovissodé Chénangnon F. , Lokonon Bruno E. , Kakaï Romain Glèlè
Published: August 2020

The initial phase dynamics of an epidemic without containment measures is commonly well modeled using exponential growth models. However, in the presence of containment measures, the exponential model becomes less appropriate. Under the implementation of an isolation measure for detected infectives, we propose to model epidemic dynamics by fitting a flexible growth model curve to reported positive cases and to infer the overall epidemic dynamics by introducing information on the detection/testing effort and recovery and death rates. The resulting modeling approach is close to the SIQR (Susceptible-Infectious-Quarantined-Recovered) model framework. We focused on predicting the peaks (time and size) in positive cases, actives cases and new infections. We applied the approach to data from the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. Fits on limited data before the observed peaks illustrate the ability of the flexible growth model to approach the estimates from the whole data.
Impacts on Surgery Resident Education at a first wave COVID-19 epicenter
Authors: Ostapenko Alexander , McPeck Samantha , Liechty Shawn , Kleiner Daniel
Published: August 2020

Background

This study aims to identify the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical resident training and education at Danbury Hospital.

Methods

We conducted an observational study at a Western Connecticut hospital heavily affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess its effects on surgical residents, focusing on surgical education, clinical experience, and operative skills development. Objective data was available through recorded work hours, case logs, and formal didactics. In addition, we created an anonymous survey to assess resident perception of their residency experience during the pandemic.

Results

There are 22 surgical residents at our institution; all were included in the study. Resident weekly duty hours decreased by 23.9 hours with the majority of clinical time redirected to caring for COVID-19 patients. Independent studying increased by 1.6 hours (26.2%) while weekly didactics decreased by 2.1 hours (35.6%). The operative volume per resident decreased by 65.7% from 35.0 to 12.0 cases for the period of interest, with a disproportionately high effect on junior residents, who experienced a 76.2% decrease. Unsurprisingly, 70% of residents reported a negative effect of the pandemic on their surgical skills.

Conclusions

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, surgical residents’ usual workflows changed dramatically, as much of their time was dedicated to the critical care of patients with COVID-19. However, the consequent opportunity cost was to surgery-specific training; there was a significant decrease in operative cases and time spent in surgical didactics, along with elevated concern about overall preparedness for their intended career.
Protection Level and Reusability of a Modified Full-Face Snorkel Mask as Alternative Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Schmitt Jean , Jones Lewis S. , Aeby Elise A. , Gloor Christian , Moser Berthold , Wang Jing
Published: August 2020

The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 drastically increased pressure on medical resources and highlighted the need for rapidly available, large-scale and low-cost personal protective equipment (PPE). In this work, an alternative full-face mask is adapted from a modified snorkel mask to be used as PPE with two medical grade filters and a 3D-printed adapter. As the mask covers the eyes, mouth and nose, it acts as a full-face shield, providing additional protection to healthcare workers. The filtration efficiency of different medical filters is measured for particles below 300 nm to cover the size of the SARS-CoV-2 and small virus-laden droplets. The filtration performance of the adapted full-face mask is characterized using NaCl particles below 500 nm and different fitting scenarios. The mask is compared to a commercial respirator and characterized according to the EN 149 standard, demonstrating that the protection fulfills the requirements for the FFP2 level (filtering face-piece 2, stopping at least 94% of airborne particles). The device shows a good resistance to several cycles of decontamination (autoclaving and ethanol immersion), is easy to be produced locally at low cost and helps addressing the shortage in FFP2 masks and face shields by providing adequate protection to healthcare workers against particles below 500 nm.
Interobserver Agreement of Lung Ultrasound Findings of COVID-19
Authors: Kumar Andre , Weng Yingjie , Graglia Sally , Chung Sukyung , Duanmu Youyou , Lalani Farhan , Gandhi Kavita , Lobo Viveta , Jensen Trevor , Nahn Jeffrey , Kugler John
Published: August 2020

Background

Lung ultrasound (LUS) may be used in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with COVID-19. An abnormal LUS is associated with increased risk for ICU admission in COVID-19. Previously described LUS manifestations for COVID-19 include B-lines, consolidations, and pleural thickening. The interrater reliability (IRR) of these findings for COVID-19 is unknown.

Research Question

What is the interrater reliability of lung ultrasound findings in patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19?

Study Design and Methods

This study was conducted at conducted at two academic medical centers between 03/2020-06/2020. Nine physicians (hospitalists: n=4; emergency medicine: n=5) independently evaluated n=20 LUS scans (n=180 independent observations) collected from RTPCR confirmed COVID-19 patients. These studies were randomly selected from an image database consisting of COVID-19 patients evaluated in the emergency department with portable ultrasound devices. Physicians were blinded to any patient information or previous LUS interpretation. Kappa values (κ) were used to calculate IRR.

Results

There was substantial IRR on the following items: normal LUS scan (κ=0.79 [95% CI: 0.72-0.87]), presence of B-lines (κ=0.79 [95% CI: 0.72-0.87]), >=3 B-lines observed (κ=0.72 [95% CI: 0.64-0.79]). Moderate IRR was observed for the presence of any consolidation (κ=0.57 [95% CI: 0.50-0.64]), subpleural consolidation (κ=0.49 [95% CI: 0.42-0.56]), and presence of effusion (κ=0.49 [95% CI: 0.41-0.56]). Fair IRR was observed for pleural thickening (κ=0.23 [95% CI: 0.15-0.30]).

Interpretation

Many LUS manifestations for COVID-19 appear to have moderate to substantial IRR across providers from multiple specialties utilizing differing portable devices. The most reliable LUS findings with COVID-19 may include the presence/count of B-lines or determining if a scan is normal. Clinical protocols for LUS with COVID-19 may require additional observers for the confirmation of less reliable findings such as consolidations.

Clinicaltrials.gov Registration:NCT04384055

Disclosures

Andre Kumar, MD, MEd is a paid consultant for Vave Health, which manufactures one of the ultrasound devices used in this study. His consultant duties include providing feedback on product development. The other authors do not have any items to disclose.
Reclassification ofBrucella cicerias later heterotypic synonyms ofBrucella intermedia
Authors: Sánchez-Reyes Ayixon
Published: August 2020

Recently Hördt et al. 2020 proposed to mergeOchrobactrumandBrucellagenera based on up to date phylogenomic evidence and overall genomic divergence amongBrucella-Ochrobactrumclade. This led to the description of the new combinationsBrucella cicericomb. nov., basonym:Ochrobactrum ciceriImran et al. 2010 andBrucella intermediacomb. nov., basonym:Ochrobactrum intermediumVelasco et al. 1998. However, the type species forBrucella ciceriDSM 22292TandBrucella intermediaLMG 3301Tshow whole-genome coherence at the species level (ANI = 98.21 %, Mash D = 0.0154006, dDDH relatedness >70%), suggesting that may belong to the same genomospecies. Also, both taxa formed a single clade in the phylogenomic tree based on single-copy gene sequences. Previously reported phenotypic data offer a context where both taxa are highly related supporting this synonymy. Therefore,Brucella cicerishould be reclassified as later heterotypic synonyms ofBrucella intermedia, which has priority. The species description is consequently amended.
Experimental parasite community perturbation reveals associations between Sin Nombre virus and gastrointestinal nematodes in a rodent reservoir host
Authors: Sweeny Amy R. , Thomason Courtney A. , Carbajal Edwin A. , Hansen Christina B. , Graham Andrea L. , Pedersen Amy B.
Published: August 2020

Individuals are often co-infected with several parasite species, yet measuring within-host interactions remains difficult in the wild. Consequently, such interactions’ impacts on host fitness and epidemiology are often unknown. We used anthelmintic drugs to experimentally reduce nematode infection and measured the effects on both nematodes and the important zoonosis Sin Nombre virus (SNV) in its primary wild reservoir (Peromyscus spp.). Treatment significantly reduced nematode infection, but increased SNV seroprevalence. Furthermore, mice that were co-infected with both nematodes and SNV were in better condition and survived as much as four times longer than mice infected with either parasite alone. These results highlight the importance of investigating multiple parasites for understanding interindividual variation and epidemiological dynamics in reservoir populations with zoonotic transmission potential.
Quantitative profiling of microbial communities byde novometaproteomics
Authors: Kleikamp Hugo B. C. , Pronk Mario , Tugui Claudia , da Silva Leonor Guedes , Abbas Ben , Lin Yue Mei , van Loosdrecht Mark C.M. , Pabst Martin
Published: August 2020

Metaproteomics has emerged as one of the most promising approaches for determining the composition and metabolic functions of complete microbial communities. Conventional metaproteomics approaches however, rely on the construction of protein sequence databases and efficient peptide-spectrum matching algorithms. Thereby, very large sequence databases impact on computational efforts and sensitivity. More recently, advancedde novosequencing strategies—which annotate peptide sequences without the requirement for a database—have become (again) increasingly proposed for proteomics applications. Such approaches would vastly expand many metaproteomics applications by enabling rapid community profiling and by capturing unsequenced community members, which otherwise remain inaccessible for further interpretation. Nevertheless, because of the lack of efficient pipelines and validation procedures, those strategies have only rarely been employed for community proteomics.

Here we report on a newly established de novo metaproteomics pipeline which was evaluated for its quantitative performance using synthetic and natural communities. Additionally, we introduce a novel validation strategy and investigate the actual content of community members within community proteomics data.