bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QI Project Promoting NP Compliance with an AOM Bundle in Pediatric Hospital-owned Retail Clinic
Authors: Joo Kimberly R. , Sandberg Kelly , Albertini Bonnie , Sowar Lisa , Ziemnik Lisa S.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

The most common diagnosis for pediatric antibiotic prescriptions is acute otitis media (AOM). Therefore, it is logical to focus on AOM when striving to improve antibiotic prescribing in pediatrics. This quality improvement project aimed to improve documentation of diagnostic criteria and physical examination findings in the medical record and improve adherence to recommended antibiotic prescribing recommendations for AOM by nurse practitioners at a children’s hospital-owned pediatric retail clinic.

Methods:

We used The Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Quality Improvement methodology to introduce an AOM quality bundle to providers in a pediatric retail clinic. We created Plan-Do-Study-Act ramps and implemented interventions, including NP education, electronic medical record improvements, and parent engagement. The percentage of compliant bundles (all five specific predetermined criteria successfully met) was measured for all patients diagnosed with AOM.

Results:

Baseline AOM bundle compliance began at a mean of 42%. Pareto analysis of baseline data indicated that antibiotic choice and duration were key failure modes. Antibiotic choice or duration errors occurred in 48% of reviewed charts at project inception. The interventions introduced throughout the project led to steady improvement in the percent of compliant bundles. The goal of 95% compliant bundles was achieved and maintained. At the project’s conclusion, 98% of antibiotic prescriptions were accurate.

Conclusions:

Implementation of multiple interventions with increasing levels of reliability improved the overall quality of documentation and increased the appropriate antibiotic prescriptions provided for patients diagnosed with AOM and seen by nurse practitioners at the retail clinic.
Implementation of a Provider’s Asthma-specific Note to Optimize Billing in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Hegamyer Emily N. , Zomorrodi Arezoo , Nelson Courtney E.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

There is broad variability in provider documentation for asthma encounters within the pediatric emergency department. Inadequate provider documentation leads to discrepancies between the ideal current procedural terminology (CPT) code and the assigned CPT code based on the care provided. Multiple studies demonstrate improvement in medical provider documentation after implementing standardized documentation templates and educational programs. The primary aim of this project was to improve the concordance between the ideal CPT code and assigned CPT code from a baseline of 71% to 85% in 12 months.

Methods:

We introduced an asthma-specific note template in January 2018. We reviewed a random sample of 20 encounters per month to compare the ideal and assigned CPT codes in the baseline and intervention periods. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of encounters with agreement between ideal and assigned billing. The secondary outcome measure was the percentage of encounters with intravenous magnesium that were billed for critical care. The process measure was asthma note usage. Provider education and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles continued throughout the intervention period. We used statistical process control to measure changes over time.

Results:

We reviewed 740 patient encounters over a 12-month baseline and 25-month intervention period. The average agreement between ideal and assigned CPT code increased from 71% to 89%, with 84% usage of the asthma note template. The percentage of critical care billing for intravenous magnesium increased from 15% to 55%.

Conclusion:

Implementation of an asthma-specific provider note template in the pediatric emergency department improved billing optimization and critical care billing.
Improving Diagnostic Accuracy for Distinguishing Buckle Fractures From Other Distal Radius Fractures in Children
Authors: Ruess Lynne , Chmil Margarita , Singh Satbir , Samora Julie B.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Accurately distinguishing between stable and unstable isolated distal radius fractures (DRF) in children allows for appropriate fracture-specific treatment. Although fractures with cortical disruption, displacement, or angulation are unstable, distinguishing stable buckle fractures (BF) from more subtle potentially unstable DRF is challenging. Our quality improvement project aimed to improve radiology reporting accuracy for these subtle fractures from 23% to 90% in a large tertiary pediatric hospital.

Methods:

Exams with a reported isolated distal radius fracture during baseline (January–March 2016) and intervention (April 2016–June 2019) were reviewed for accuracy. We introduced 3 types of interventions: radiologist education (self-directed learning modules and individual feedback), a new standardized report template, and a measurement tool (“The 1 cm Rule”). In addition, a statistical process control chart tracked accuracy data to study process changes over time.

Results:

During the baseline and intervention period, 22 and 480 radiographs, respectively, had either a stable BF or a potentially unstable isolated DRF. Each intervention type created a centerline shift. Overall, reporting accuracy increased from 23% to 90%. Most reports (95%, 639/676) used the template and standard terminology for reporting DRF.

Conclusions:

Radiology reporting diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between stable BF and potentially unstable DRF in children increased to 90% through education, standardized reporting, and a measurement tool to enhance radiologist performance. Our institution plans to expand fracture-specific treatment practices with improved radiology reporting accuracy, including bracing and home management of stable BF diagnosed during an acute care visit.
Psychosocial Interventions for Patients With Heart Failure and Their Impact on Depression, Anxiety, Quality of Life, Morbidity, and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chernoff Robert Alan , Messineo Gabrielle , Kim Sungjin , Pizano Demetria , Korouri Samuel , Danovitch Itai , IsHak Waguih William
Published: March 2022

Objective

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the ability of psychosocial interventions to reduce depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and reduce hospitalization and mortality rates in patients with heart failure.

Methods

Studies of psychosocial interventions published from 1970 to 2021 were identified through four databases (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane). Two authors independently conducted a focused analysis and reached a final consensus on the studies to include, followed by a quality check by a third author. A risk of bias assessment was conducted.

Results

Twenty-three studies were identified, but only 15 studies of mostly randomized controlled trials with a total of 1370 patients with heart failure were included in the meta-analysis. Interventions were either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or stress management. The pooled intervention effect was in favor of the intervention for depression (combined difference in standardized mean change [DSMC]: −0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.66 to −0.17; p = .001) and anxiety (combined DSMC: −0.33; 95% CI = −0.51 to −0.15; p < .001) but was only a trend for quality of life (combined DSMC: 0.14; 95% CI = −0.00 to 0.29; p = .053). Evidence was limited that interventions produced lower rates of hospitalization (5 of 5 studies showing a beneficial effect) or death (1 of 5 with a beneficial effect).

Conclusions

CBT and stress management interventions significantly reduced depression and anxiety compared with control conditions. CBT significantly improved quality of life compared with controls, but stress management did not. Longer treatment duration seemed to be an important factor related to treatment success.
Unusual 68Ga-DOTATATE Uptake in Primary Nodal Hemangioma of Axillary Lymph Node
Authors: Sariyildiz Gumusgoz Hatice , Burak Zeynep , Karasah Erkek Burcin
Published: March 2022

68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is a well-known modality in diagnosis, staging, and in predicting therapy response of neuroendocrine tumors. We present a case of 63-year-old woman with diagnosis of pancreas neuroendocrine tumor showing68Ga-DOTATATE uptake in a lymph node in left axilla. It was diagnosed as capillary hemangioma after biopsy.68Ga-DOTATATE uptake in bone hemangiomas is well-known; however, its uptake in a nodal hemangioma is worth to know as it might change the clinical perspective.
An Unusual False-Positive Uptake of Radioiodine Caused by Breast Implants
Authors: Wang Yu , Jiang Lisha , Xu Yangmengyuan , Zhang Xinyue , Liu Bin
Published: March 2022

A 40-year-old woman with a history of papillary thyroid cancer underwent ablative 131I therapy. Postablation whole-body 131I scintigraphy revealed not only increased activity in the thyroid bed but also in the anterior part of the chest. SPECT/CT images localized the activity in the bilateral breast implants.
Misinformation can prevent the suppression of epidemics
Authors: Sontag Andrei , Rogers Tim , Yates Christian A.
Published: March 2022

The effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, as control measures for pandemic disease relies upon a conscientious and well-informed public who are aware of and prepared to follow advice. Unfortunately, public health messages can be undermined by competing misinformation and conspiracy theories, spread virally through communities that are already distrustful of expert opinion. In this article, we propose and analyse a simple model of the interaction between disease spread and awareness dynamics in a heterogeneous population composed of both trusting individuals who seek better quality information and will take precautionary measures, and distrusting individuals who reject better quality information and have overall riskier behaviour. We show that, as the density of the distrusting population increases, the model passes through a phase transition to a state in which major outbreaks cannot be suppressed. Our work highlights the urgent need for effective interventions to increase trust and inform the public.
Facile synthesis of magnesium-based metal-organic framework with tailored nanostructure for effective volatile organic compounds adsorption
Authors: Hu Zichu , Liu Hui , Zuo Ya , Ji Yufei , Li Shujing , Zhang Wanqi , Liu Zhechen , Chen Zhangjing , Zhang Xiaotao , Wang Ximing
Published: March 2022

A novel Mg(II) metal-organic framework (Mg-MOF) was synthesized based on the ligand of 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis confirmed that three-dimensional-nanostructure Mg-MOFs formed a monoclinic system with a channel size of 15.733 Å × 23.736 Å. N
2
adsorption isotherm, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were performed to characterize the thermal stability and purity of the Mg-MOFs. The adsorption studies on four typical volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during wood drying showed that Mg-MOFs have noteworthy adsorption capacities, especially for benzene and β-pinene with adsorptions of 182.26 mg g
−1
and 144.42 mg g
−1
, respectively. In addition, the adsorption of Mg-MOFs mainly occurred via natural adsorption, specifically, multi-layer physical adsorption, accompanied by chemical forces, which occurred in the pores where the VOCs molecules combined with active sites. As an adsorbent, Mg-MOFs exhibit versatile behaviour for toxic gas accumulation.
Vulnerability of avian populations to renewable energy production
Authors: Conkling Tara J. , Vander Zanden Hannah B. , Allison Taber D. , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Dietsch Thomas V. , Duerr Adam E. , Fesnock Amy L. , Hernandez Rebecca R. , Loss Scott R. , Nelson David M. , Sanzenbacher Peter M. , Yee Julie L. , Katzner Todd E.
Published: March 2022

Renewable energy production can kill individual birds, but little is known about how it affects avian populations. We assessed the vulnerability of populations for 23 priority bird species killed at wind and solar facilities in California, USA. Bayesian hierarchical models suggested that 48% of these species were vulnerable to population-level effects from added fatalities caused by renewables and other sources. Effects of renewables extended far beyond the location of energy production to impact bird populations in distant regions across continental migration networks. Populations of species associated with grasslands where turbines were located were most vulnerable to wind. Populations of nocturnal migrant species were most vulnerable to solar, despite not typically being associated with deserts where the solar facilities we evaluated were located. Our findings indicate that addressing declines of North American bird populations requires consideration of the effects of renewables and other anthropogenic threats on both nearby and distant populations of vulnerable species.
Improvement of critical current density of
RE
Ba
2
Cu
3
O
7-δ
by increase in configurational entropy of mixing
Authors: Yamashita Aichi , Shukunami Yuta , Mizuguchi Yoshikazu
Published: March 2022

RE
Ba
2
Cu
3
O
7-

δ

(
RE
123,
RE
: rare earth) is one of the high-temperature superconductors with a transition temperature (
T
c
) exceeding 90 K. Because of its high-
T
c
and large critical current density (
J
c
) under magnetic fields,
RE
123 superconductors have been expected to play a key role in superconductivity application. To accelerate application researches on
RE
123-based devices, further improvements of
J
c
characteristics have been desired. In this study, we investigated the effects of high-entropy alloying at the
RE
site on the superconducting properties, through the measurements of local (intra-grain)
J
c
(

J

c

local

) by a remanent magnetization method. We found that

J

c

local

shows a trend to be improved when four or five
RE
elements are mixed at the
RE
site, which results in high configurational entropy of mixing (Δ
S
mix
). All samples exhibited an order of few MA cm
−2
which is a criterion for practical application and the highest

J

c

local

resulted in a value of around 7.0 MA cm
−2
at
T
= 2.0 K. Because high-entropy alloying can improve

J

c

local

of
RE
123 superconductors, our entropy-engineering strategy introduced here would be useful for the development of
RE
123 superconducting materials available under high magnetic fields.
Young and Young–Laplace equations for a static ridge of nematic liquid crystal, and transitions between equilibrium states
Authors: Cousins Joseph R. L. , Duffy Brian R. , Wilson Stephen K. , Mottram Nigel J.
Published: March 2022

Motivated by the need for greater understanding of systems that involve interfaces between a nematic liquid crystal, a solid substrate and a passive gas that include nematic–substrate–gas three-phase contact lines, we analyse a two-dimensional static ridge of nematic resting on a solid substrate in an atmosphere of passive gas. Specifically, we obtain the first complete theoretical description for this system, including nematic Young and Young–Laplace equations, and then, making the assumption that anchoring breaking occurs in regions adjacent to the contact lines, we use the nematic Young equations to determine the continuous and discontinuous transitions that occur between the equilibrium states of complete wetting, partial wetting and complete dewetting. In particular, in addition to continuous transitions analogous to those that occur in the classical case of an isotropic liquid, we find a variety of discontinuous transitions, as well as contact-angle hysteresis, and regions of parameter space in which there exist multiple partial wetting states that do not occur in the classical case.
Catastrophe risk can accelerate unlikely evolutionary transitions
Authors: Snyder-Beattie Andrew E. , Bonsall Michael B.
Published: March 2022

Intelligent life has emerged late in Earth’s habitable lifetime, and required a preceding series of key evolutionary transitions. A simple model (the Carter model) explains the late arrival of intelligent life by positing these evolutionary transitions were exceptionally unlikely ‘critical steps’. An alternative model (the neocatastrophism hypothesis) proposes that intelligent life was delayed by frequent catastrophes that served to set back evolutionary innovation. Here, we generalize the Carter model and explore this hypothesis by including catastrophes that can ‘undo’ an evolutionary transition. Introducing catastrophes or evolutionary dead ends can create situations in which critical steps occur rapidly or in clusters, suggesting that past estimates of the number of critical steps could be underestimated. If catastrophes affect complex life more than simple life, the critical steps will also exhibit a pattern of acceleration towards the present, suggesting that the increase in biological complexity over the past 500 Myr could reflect previously overlooked evolutionary transitions. Furthermore, our results have implications for understanding the different explanations (critical steps versus neo-catastrophes) for the evolution of intelligent life and the so-called Fermi paradox—the observation that intelligent life appears rare in the observable Universe.
Tipping points induced by palaeo-human impacts can explain presence of savannah in Malagasy and global systems where forest is expected
Authors: Joseph Grant S. , Rakotoarivelo Andrinajoro R. , Seymour Colleen L.
Published: March 2022

Models aimed at understanding C
4
-savannah distribution for Australia, Africa and South America support transition to forest at high mean annual precipitation (MAP), and savannah grasslands of Madagascar have recently been reported to be similarly limited. Yet, when savannah/grassland presence data are plotted against MAP for the various ecosystems across the Malagasy Central Highlands, the relationship does not hold. Furthermore, it does not always hold in other sites on other continents. Instead, in high-rainfall savannahs, palaeo-human impacts appear to have selected a fire-adapted habitat, creating tipping points that allow savannah persistence despite high rainfall, suppressing forest return. We conducted the largest systematic literature review to date for global evidence of palaeo-human impacts in savannahs, and conclude that impacts are widespread and should be incorporated into models aimed at understanding savannah persistence at elevated precipitation, particularly as more palaeodata emerges. Building on existing studies, we refine the MAP savannah relationship at higher MAP. Palaeoanthropogenic impact can help explain inconsistencies in the savannah/forest boundary at higher MAP, and points to a key role for palaeoecology in understanding systems. Including these effects presents a crucial change to our understanding of factors determining global savannah distribution, supporting a human hand in much of their formation.
Effect of five decontamination methods on face masks and filtering facepiece respirators contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Martinez Elisa , Crèvecoeur Sébastien , Dams Lorène , Rabecki Frédéric , Habraken Serge , Haubruge Eric , Daube Georges
Published: March 2022

Introduction. In the context of the global pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2, procurement of personal protective equipment during the crisis was problematic. The idea of reusing and decontaminating personal surgical masks in facilities was explored in order to avoid the accumulation of waste and overcome the lack of equipment.

Hypothesis. Our hypothesis is that this work will show the decontamination methods assessed are effective for bacteria, such as

Staphylococcus aureus

and

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

.

Aim. We aim to provide information about the effects of five decontamination procedures (UV treatment, dry heat, vaporized H2O2, ethanol treatment and blue methylene treatment) on

S. aureus

and

P. aeruginosa

. These bacteria are the main secondary bacterial pathogens responsible for lung infections in the hospital environment.

Methodology. The surgical masks and the filtering facepiece respirators were inoculated with two bacterial strains (

S. aureus

ATCC 29213 and

P. aeruginosa

S0599) and submitted to five decontamination treatments: vaporized H2O2 (VHP), UV irradiation, dry heat treatment, ethanol bath treatment and blue methylene treatment. Direct and indirect microbiology assessments were performed on three positive controls, five treated masks and one negative control.

Results. The five decontaminations showed significant (P<0.05) but different degrees of reductions of

S. aureus

and

P. aeruginosa

. VHP, dry heat treatment and ethanol treatment adequately reduced the initial contamination. The 4 min UV treatment allowed only a reduction to five orders of magnitude for face mask respirators. The methylene blue treatment induced a reduction to two orders of magnitude.

Conclusions. The three methods that showed a log10 reduction factor of 6 were the dry heat method, VHP and ethanol bath treatment. These methods are effective and their establishment in the medical field are easy but require economic investment.
Clostridium muellerianum sp. nov., a carbon monoxide-oxidizing acetogen isolated from old hay
Authors: Doyle D. Annie , Smith Parker R. , Lawson Paul A. , Tanner Ralph S.
Published: March 2022

An acid/alcohol-producing, Gram-stain-positive, obligately anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore forming acetogen, designated as strain P21T, was isolated from old hay after enrichment with CO as the substrate. Spores not observed even after prolonged incubation (30 days). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain P21Tshowed it was closely related toClostridium carboxidivoransDSM 15243T(97.9%),Clostridium scatologenesDSM 757T(97.7 %) andClostridium drakeiDSM 12750T(97.7 %). The genome is 5.6 Mb and the G+C content is 29.4 mol%. Average nucleotide identity between strain P21T,C. carboxidivorans,C. scatologenesandC. drakeiwas 87.1, 86.4, 86.4 %, respectively. Strain P21Tgrew on CO:CO2, H2:CO2,l-arabinose, ribose, xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose, mannose, cellobiose, sucrose, cellulose, starch, pyruvate, choline, glutamate, histidine, serine, threonine and casamino acids. End products of metabolism were acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol and hexanol. Dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0(41.5 %), C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c(10.0 %), and a summed feature containing cyclo C17 : 1/C18 : 0(17.3 %). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, strain P21Trepresents a new species in the genusClostridium, for which the nameClostridium muellerianumsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P21T(=DSM 111390T=NCIMB 15261T).
High-density mapping of QTL controlling agronomically important traits in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoaWilld.)
Authors: Maldonado-Taipe Nathaly , Barbier Federico , Schmid Karl , Jung Christian , Emrani Nazgol
Published: March 2022

Quinoa is a pseudocereal originating from the Andean regions. In spite of quinoa’s long cultivation history, genetic analysis of this crop is still in its infancy. We aimed to localize QTL contributing to the phenotypic variation of agronomically important traits. We crossed the Chilean accession PI-614889 and the Peruvian accession CHEN-109, which depicted significant differences in days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, panicle length, thousand kernel weight (TKW), saponin content, and mildew susceptibility. We observed sizeable phenotypic variation across F2plants and F3families grown in the greenhouse and in the field, respectively. We used Skim-seq to genotype the F2population and constructed a high-density genetic map with 133,923 SNPs. Fifteen QTL were found for ten traits. Two significant QTL, common in F2and F3generations, depicted pleiotropy for days to flowering, plant height, and TKW. The pleiotropic QTL harbored several putative candidate genes involved in photoperiod response and flowering time regulation. This study presents the first high-density genetic map of quinoa that incorporates QTL for several important agronomical traits. The pleiotropic loci can facilitate marker assisted selection in quinoa breeding programs.

Key message

Skim-sequencing enabled the construction a high-density genetic map (133,923 SNPs) and fifteen QTL were detected for ten agronomically important traits.
Fast Evolution of SOS-Independent Multi-Drug Resistance in Bacteria
Authors: Zhang Le , Guan Yunpeng , Cheng Yuen Yee , Cokcetin Nural N. , Bottomley Amy L. , Robinson Andrew , Harry Elizabeth J. , van Oijen Antoine , Su Qian Peter , Jin Dayong
Published: March 2022

The killing mechanism of many antibiotics involves the induction of DNA damage, either directly or indirectly, which triggers the SOS response. RecA, the master regulator of the SOS response, plays a crucial role in driving the evolution of resistance to fluoroquinolone antibiotics treated with a single dose of ciprofloxacin. However, the precise roles of RecA and SOS responses in the development of resistance under short-term β-lactam exposure remain unclear. In the present study, we observed a fast evolution of β-lactam resistance (20-fold increase in MIC in 8 hours) inE. coliafter deleting RecA and exposing the bacteria to a single dose of ampicillin. Notably, once this type of resistance is established, it remains stable and can be passed on to subsequent generations. Unlike earlier studies, we found that the rapid development of resistance relies on the hindrance of DNA repair, a mechanism that operates independently of the SOS response. Additionally, we identified the rapid emergence of drug resistance associated mutations in the resistant bacterial genome, indicating the impairment of DNA repair. Through comprehensive transcriptome sequencing, we discovered that the expression of numerous antioxidative response genes is repressed inrecAmutant resistant isolates, resulting in an excessive accumulation of ROS within the cells. This suggests that the induction of ROS drives the fast evolution of antibiotic resistance in RecA-deficient bacteria. Collectively, we show that the hindrance of DNA repair hampers cellular fitness, provides bacteria with genetic adaptability to survive in diverse stressful environments, and accelerates the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
TOR acts as metabolic gatekeeper for auxin-dependent lateral root initiation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Stitz Michael , Kuster David , Reinert Maximilian , Schepetilnikov Mikhail , Berthet Béatrice , Janocha Denis , Artins Anthony , Boix Marc , Henriques Rossana , Pfeiffer Anne , Lohmann Jan , Gaquerel Emmanuel , Maizel Alexis
Published: March 2022

Plants post-embryonic organogenesis requires matching the available metabolic resources to the developmental programs. The root system is determined by the formation of lateral roots (LR), which in Arabidopsis thaliana entails the auxin-induced activation of founder cells located in the pericycle. While the allocation of sugars to roots influences root branching, how sugar availability is sensed for auxin-triggered formation of LRs remains unknown. Here, we combine metabolic profiling with cell-specific genetic interference to show that LR formation is an important sink for carbohydrate accompanied by a switch to glycolysis. We show that the target-of-rapamycin (TOR) kinase is locally activated in the pericycle and the founder cells and that both chemical and genetic inhibition of TOR kinase lead to a block of LR initiation. TOR marginally affects the auxin-induced transcriptional response of the pericycle but modulates the translation of ARF19, ARF7 and LBD16, three key targets of auxin signalling. These data place TOR as a gatekeeper for post-embryonic LR formation that integrates local auxin-dependent pathways with systemic metabolic signals, modulating the translation of auxin induced gene expression.
Dynamic de novo adipose tissue development during metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Tsuyama Taiichi , Komai Hanae , Hayashi Yusaku , Shimono Kohei , Uemura Tadashi
Published: March 2022

Adipose tissue is a central organ for controlling systemic metabolism both in invertebrates and vertebrates. Here, we have investigated the cellular mechanisms of the adult-type fat body (AFB) development in Drosophila. We have established genetic tools that allow visualization and genetic manipulations of cells in the AFB lineage from early in metamorphosis. We identified precursor cells that give rise to the AFB and delineated dynamic cellular mechanisms underlying AFB formation. These precursor cells displayed polarized cell shapes and oriented motility, with emigration from the thorax and subsequent dispersal to the abdomen and head. After the migration period, these cells adhered to each other, assembling into the AFB with a sheet-like architecture. Continuous cell proliferation occurred during and after the large-scale migration to achieve appropriate fat tissue mass. Homotypic cell fusion after the sheet formation contributed to the establishment of multinucleated cells in the AFB. We also examined candidate gene functions, and our results argue that Rac1, ecdysone signaling, and the transcription factor Serpent support adult fat body organogenesis.

Brief Summary Statement

Drosophila adult fat body precursor cells form adult adipose tissue during metamorphosis by directional migration, continuous cell proliferation, and homotypic cell fusion.
Microtubule-Connexin-43 regulation suppresses arrhythmias and fibrosis in Duchenne muscular dystrophy mice
Authors: Himelman Eric , Nouet Julie , Lillo Mauricio A. , Chong Alexander , Wehrens Xander H.T. , Rodney George G. , Xie Lai-Hua , Shirokova Natalia , Contreras Jorge E. , Fraidenraich Diego
Published: March 2022

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients due to advancements in skeletal muscle therapies yet limited presence of cardiac treatments. The phosphorylation status of gap junction protein Connexin-43 (Cx43) drives Cx43 remodeling and the development of arrhythmias and fibrosis. Based on evidence that Colchicine drug treatment improves Cx43 phosphorylation and remodeling, we compared the microtubule cytoskeleton in DMD mice (mdx) versus mdx mice genetically altered to be Cx43-phosphorylation-deficient (mdxS3A). Reciprocally, we analyzed the microtubule cytoskeleton in mdx mice genetically altered to be Cx43-phospho-mimicking (mdxS3E). We found a link between the phospho-status of Connexin-43 and regulation of microtubule organization, in which phospho-dead Cx43 (S3A) inhibits improvements seen with Colchicine treatment in mdx mice, and phospho-mimic S3E promotes microtubule reorganization in mdx mice. A reduction in arrhythmias and fibrosis suggests an unsuspecting Cx43-microtubule link for translational corrective activities for DMD cardiomyopathy.
Involved fathering: how new dads are redefining fatherhood
Authors: Bataille Christine D. , Hyland Emma
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how professional men in dual-career relationships craft and enact their fatherhood role ideologies during the transition to fatherhood. In particular, the authors focus on the impact that the development of a more involved approach to fatherhood has on the mother's ability to combine career and family.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes a longitudinal, qualitative methodology. Pre- and post-natal interviews were conducted with 18 professional men in dual-career heterosexual relationships.

Findings

Although the traditional mode of fatherhood that is rooted in breadwinning continues to be the dominant approach among working fathers in the US, new modes of more involved fathering are emerging. The results of the study indicate that a general shift away from a strict, gendered division of household labor is taking place in today's dual career couples, and this is leading to an increase in men's involvement in childcare. Further, although much of the extant research conceptualizes fatherhood as a role typology, the results reveal that all fathers are involved in caring for their babies, though to varying degrees. Thus the authors propose a continuum of involvement. Finally, the authors discovered how men are finding creative ways to use official and unofficial workplace flexibility to be more involved at home.

Originality/value

The findings offer novel insights into the factors that encourage involved fathering. The authors encourage organizations to create more supportive environments that foster involved fathering by extending paid parental leave benefits to men and providing more access to flexibility.
Design and optimization of a 16S microbial qPCR multiplex for the presumptive identification of feces, saliva, vaginal and menstrual secretions
Authors: Lewis Carolyn , Seashols‐Williams Sarah J.
Published: March 2022

Molecular methods for body fluid identification have been extensively researched in the forensic community over the last decade, mostly focusing on RNA‐based methods. Microbial DNA analysis has long been used for forensic applications, such as postmortem interval estimations, but only recently has it been applied to body fluid identification. High‐throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene by previous research groups revealed that microbial signatures and abundances vary across human body fluids at the genus and/or species taxonomic level. Since quantitative PCR is still the current technique used in forensic DNA analysis, the purpose of this study was to design a qPCR multiplex targeting the 16S gene of Bacteroides uniformis, Streptococcus salivarius, and Lactobacillus crispatus that can distinguish between feces, saliva, and vaginal/menstrual secretions, respectively. Primers and probes were designed at the species level because these bacteria are highly abundant within their respective fluid. The validated 16S triplex was evaluated in DNA extracts from thirty donors of each body fluid. A classification regression tree model resulted in 96.5% classification accuracy of the population data, which demonstrates the ability of this 16S triplex to presumptively identify these fluids with high confidence at the quantification step of the forensic workflow using minimal input volume of DNA extracted from evidentiary samples.
Nitrous oxide for the treatment of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of the clinical trial landscape
Authors: Liu Helen , Kerzner Jaimie , Demchenko Ilya , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Kennedy Sidney H. , Ladha Karim S. , Bhat Venkat
Published: March 2022

Objective

To systematically review published research studies and ongoing clinical trials investigating nitrous oxide (N2O) in psychiatric disorders, providing an up‐to‐date snapshot of the clinical research landscape.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published until June 2021 using the OVID databases (MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo) and the clinical trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP).

Results

In total, five relevant published articles were identified, among which four investigated N2O for depression. One single‐dose randomized controlled trial (RCT) for treatment‐resistant depression (TRD), one triple crossover RCT comparing 50% vs. 25% N2O for TRD, and one repeated‐dose RCT for major depressive disorder (MDD) suggest that N2O has preliminary feasibility with rapid‐acting effects on symptoms of depression. From the public registries, 10 relevant ongoing clinical trials were identified. They aim to explore the use of N2O for MDD, post‐traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation. To date, the typical treatment protocol parameters were a single session of 50% N2O delivered for 60 min, although the concentration of 25% is also being explored. Projected enrolment numbers for ongoing trials (M = 55.0) were much higher than sample sizes for published studies (M = 13.0), suggesting that there potentially will be more large‐scale RCTs published in the next few years.

Conclusion

Preliminary studies support the feasibility of administering N2O for depression; however, appropriate blinding is a critical challenge. Larger‐scale RCTs with repeated doses of N2O and follow‐up times beyond 1 month are needed to confirm the feasibility, therapeutic efficacy, and sustainability of response.
A European pharmacotherapeutic agent roflumilast exploring integrated preclinical and clinical evidence for SARS CoV‐2 mediated inflammation to organ damage
Authors: Singh Yogendra , Fuloria Neeraj Kumar , Fuloria Shivkanya , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Almalki Waleed Hassan , Al‐abbasi Fahad A. , Kazmi Imran , Rajput Sobhit Singh , Joshi Nirmal , Gupta Gaurav
Published: March 2022

COVID‐19 has spread globally, affecting almost 160 million individuals. Elderly and pre‐existing patients (such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma) seem more susceptible to severe illness with COVID‐19. Roflumilast was licensed for usage in the European Union in July 2010 as a phosphodiesterase‐4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Under preclinical studies, roflumilast has been shown to decrease bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis, lung hydroxyproline and right heart thickening. The current study reviewed existing data that the PDE‐4 inhibitor, a roflumilast, protects renal tissues and other major organ systems after COVID‐19 infection by decreasing immune cell infiltration. These immune‐balancing effects of roflumilast were related to a decrease in oxidative and inflammatory burden, caspase‐3 suppression and increased protein kinase A (PKA)/cyclic A.M.P. (cAMP) levels in renal and other organ tissue.
Psoriasis risk after beta‐blocker exposure: Description of a pharmacovigilance signal
Authors: Azzouz Brahim , De Guizelin Apolline , Lambert Aude , Fresse Audrey , Morel Aurore , Trenque Thierry
Published: March 2022

Aim

We aimed to investigate French pharmacovigilance data. The objective was to characterize psoriatic conditions that occurred after beta‐blocker (BB) exposure and bring to light a possible pharmacovigilance signal.

Methods

Spontaneous reports of psoriatic conditions recorded in the French National Pharmacovigilance Database (FPVD) between 1985 and 2019 were extracted. We performed a retrospective, descriptive analysis of reports linked to BB exposure. Association between psoriasis risk and BB exposure was assessed using a case/noncase study.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐five reports of psoriatic conditions after BB exposure were recorded in the FPVD during the study period. Both cardioselective and noncardioselective, topical and systemic BBs are involved. Therapeutic indication of BB was mainly hypertension. Mean time to onset was 5 months and outcome was favourable in 68% after BB discontinuation. These features were concordant with those of literature reports. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) was 8.95 (95% confidence interval 7.75‐10.33).

Conclusion

We highlighted a statistically significant disproportionality which constitutes a pharmacovigilance signal. Psoriasis risk with BBs is a class effect. Increasing surveillance during the first year of BB exposure is needed.
An expert‐elicited approach to inform proactive risk assessments for chronic wasting disease in white‐tailed deer
Authors: Cook Jonathan D. , Christensen Sonja A. , Williams David M. , Porter William F. , Robinson Kelly F.
Published: March 2022

One of the most rational and successful ways to mitigate the effects of wildlife disease is to perform proactive management efforts that can either prevent disease prior to first exposure or detect and eradicate disease prior to its establishment. However, estimating the risk of wildlife disease in new locations is often challenged by a lack of tractable linkages between known or presumed disease hazards and comprehensive risk of introduction and spread. In this study, we present a low‐cost approach that estimated comprehensive risk of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Michigan, United States, based on the localized knowledge of experts and the use of existing datasets. We controlled for sources of expert bias, avoided group conflict that may challenge qualitative risk assessments, and generated estimates of risk that aligned with known positives and can be used in targeted surveillance and mitigation efforts. We found that 97% of CWD detections fell within high risk counties, with only 3 out of 117 cases (3%) falling in counties at low risk. Furthermore, we found coherence between indirect expert‐elicited risk estimates and direct hazard rankings, suggesting that an indirect approach maximized expert knowledge sharing while controlling for sources of potential bias. Lastly, our approach required limited time commitment from group participants and thus, represented a low‐cost decision‐making approach. Taken together, our study may provide an opportunity to mount proactive wildlife disease management in a way that has often been promoted but rarely accomplished.
Combined assessment of tumour cell nest size and desmoplastic reaction as an excellent prognostic predictor in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Zhi‐Wen , He Lu , Zheng Zhong , Zhang Qian , Xu Yu‐Ting , Chen Jie‐Yu , Shi Jiong , Huang Wen‐Bin , Fan Xiang‐Shan
Published: March 2022

Aims

Tumour budding (TB) activity, cell nest size (CNS), and desmoplastic reaction (DR) have been confirmed to be significantly correlated with prognosis in oesophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) recently. However, there are limited data on the prognostic significance of combined assessment of cellular dissociation and tumour stroma in ESCC.

Methods

In all, 265 cases with resected ESCCs diagnosed between January 2018 and August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. All slides were reviewed for assessing TB, CNS, and DR. The Cellular Dissociation Grading and our Combined CNS and DR (CNS/DR) Grading systems were adopted to re‐grade ESCCs.

Results

High TB activity, small CNS, and immature DR had a strong association with shorter overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) (P < 0.001, respectively) in ESCC. Combined assessment of CNS and DR in a 4‐tiered grading system displayed a prognostic excellence for survival (P < 0.001), and outperformed the Cellular Dissociation Grading for both OS (area under the curve [AUC], 0.728 versus 0.644, P = 0.043) and PFS (AUC, 0.763 versus 0.667, P = 0.018) by receiver operator characteristic curves. Also, Combined CNS/DR Grading showed superiority in recognizing a G4 subgroup with the worst outcome in our cohort, to whom the most urgent attention needs to be called.

Conclusions

This is the first study to propose a novel Combined Grading system based on CNS and DR in ESCC, which has been demonstrated to be relatively superior to Cellular Dissociation Grading in predicting prognosis. The findings shed new light on the histopathological grading of ESCC and facilitates identifying biologically aggressive ESCCs.
Polyphenol lipophilisation: a suitable tool for the valorisation of natural by‐products
Authors: Grajeda‐Iglesias Claudia , Figueroa‐Espinoza Maria Cruz , Barouh Nathalie , Muñoz‐Castellanos Laila‐Nayzzel , Salas Erika
Published: March 2022

Polyphenols represent one of the most widely distributed molecules in vegetables and fruits with interesting functional and biological properties (antioxidant, antifungal, etc.). By‐products issued from agro‐industrial processing represent an inexpensive source of polyphenols; these phenolic compounds can then be extracted and transformed into functional molecules to be used as additives for the food or cosmetic industries. With the objective to enhance polyphenol’s natural properties, considering their low hydrophobicity, lipophilisation of the isolated phenolic compounds was accomplished. The first lipophilisation of ellagitannins issued from pomegranate peel was carried out and, based on our previous work, polyphenols (an anthocyanin and a phenolic acid) extracted from hibiscus flowers were successfully lipophilised. In order to evaluate the impact of lipophilisation on the main properties of these compounds, protocatechuates with different alkyl chain lengths were assessed for their antifungal capacity against a worldwide distributed pathogenic fungus (Fusarium oxysporum), and the new synthesised ellagitannins esters were studied for their antiradical activity in vitro. The results showed that, depending on the chain length, lipophilisation improved the functional properties of the original phenolics. This could be an innovative way to synthesise molecules with an enhanced potential as antioxidants in food, cosmetics or related products.
Validity and reliability of the gender equity scale in nursing education
Authors: Cho Sunhee , Kwon So‐Hi , Jang Sun Joo
Published: March 2022

Equity is an emerging issue across all sectors of society, and one of the frequently raised concerns in nursing education is gender inequity. An accurate assessment appears to be a key component in creating an environment of gender equity in nursing education. This study aimed to develop a scale of gender equity in nursing education and establish its validity and reliability. In total, 341 senior nursing students participated in the psychometric evaluation of the Gender Equity Scale in Nursing Education. This psychometric evaluation revealed that the 4‐subdomain (personal experience of gender inequity, perceptions of gender roles, gender discrimination, and gender biases in class), 23‐item measure possesses both good reliability and validity, as well as a good level of internal consistency. The Gender Equity Scale in Nursing Education was developed as a self‐report questionnaire for both female and male students and considers gender role stereotypes, gender‐biased educational climates, gender discrimination, and gender inequity in nursing education.
Wheat cultivars and natural‐based substances: Impacts on epidemiological parameters of yellow dwarf disease
Authors: Pichon Elodie , Souquet Marlène , Armand Thomas , Jacquot Emmanuel
Published: March 2022

For many years, control methods against aphid‐transmitted barley/cereal yellow dwarf viruses (B/CYDV) in cereal fields were mainly based on the use of neonicotinoid (NNI)‐coated seeds. The ban of NNI by the EU in 2018 has reinforced the interest of the scientific community in the characterization of genetic resources and biological protections to find alternatives to chemicals for the management of B/CYDV. Eleven BYDV‐susceptible wheat varieties were tested using a set of experimental procedures to evaluate their potential to alter parameters linked to the biology of aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) and spread of virus (BYDV‐PAV). Moreover, two natural‐based substances (azadirachtin and mineral oil) were tested for their impact on the ability of aphids to survive, colonize and transmit the virus. Results showed that the 11 genotypes tested have a level of susceptibility to virus infection similar to the susceptible reference cv. Rubisko. However, when characterization focused on virus load, latency period and aphid fecundity, partial resistance phenotypes were observed for some cultivars. Furthermore, azadirachtin increased aphid mortality and decreased aphid fecundity. Thus, in addition to genes described for their ability to limit B/CYDV infections, the genetic backgrounds of B/CYDV‐susceptible wheat cultivars and azadirachtin‐based treatment should be considered for future management strategies against yellow dwarf disease.