bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Expeditions Facilitated by Open Source Solutions Broaden Student Participation in Natural History Research
Authors: Tanner Richelle L , Moore Talia Y
Published: June 2022

From its genesis in the Victorian era as an activity for the elite to today's emphasis on “Big Data” and continuous monitoring, natural history has a prominent role in scientific discoveries for many fields. However, participation in field expeditions is limited by funding, space, accessibility, and safety constraints. Others have detailed the active exclusion of minoritized groups from field expeditions and harm/discrimination faced by the few who do participate, but we provide one solution to broaden opportunities for participation in natural history: Virtual Expeditions. Virtual Expeditions are broadly defined as open source, web-facilitated research activities designed to analyze bulk-collected digital data from field expeditions that require visual human interpretation. We show two examples here of their use: an independent research-based analysis of snake behavior and a course-based identification of invertebrate species. We present a guide to their appropriate design, facilitation, and evaluation to result in research grade data. We highlight the importance of open source technology to allow for longevity in methodology and appropriate quality control measures necessary for projects that include dozens of researchers over multiple years. In this perspective, we specifically emphasize the prominent role that open source technology plays in making these experiences feasible and scalable. Even without explicit design as broadening participation endeavors, Virtual Expeditions allow for more inclusive participation of early career researchers with specific participatory limitations. Not only are Virtual Expeditions integral to the large-scale analysis necessary for field expeditions that generate impossibly enormous datasets, but they can also be effective facilitators of inclusivity in natural history research.
Trends in Stroke Kinematics, Reynolds Number, and Swimming Mode in Shrimp-Like Organisms
Authors: Ruszczyk Melissa , Webster Donald R , Yen Jeannette
Published: June 2022

Metachronal propulsion is commonly seen in organisms with the caridoid facies body plan, that is, shrimp-like organisms, as they beat their pleopods in an adlocomotory sequence. These organisms exist across length scales ranging several orders of Reynolds number magnitude, from 10 to 104, during locomotion. Further, by altering their stroke kinematics, these organisms achieve three distinct swimming modes. To better understand the relationship between Reynolds number, stroke kinematics, and resulting swimming mode, Euphausia pacifica stroke kinematics were quantified using high-speed digital recordings and compared to the results for the larger E.superba. Euphausia pacifica consistently operate with a greater beat frequency and smaller stroke amplitude than E. superba for each swimming mode, suggesting that length scale may affect the kinematics needed to achieve similar swimming modes. To expand on this observation, these euphausiid data are used in combination with previously published stroke kinematics from mysids and stomatopods to identify broad trends across swimming mode and length scale in metachrony. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals trends in stroke kinematics and Reynolds number as well as the variation among taxonomic order. Overall, larger beat frequencies, stroke amplitudes, between-cycle phase lags, and Reynolds numbers are more representative of the fast-forward swimming mode compared to the slower hovering mode. Additionally, each species has a unique combination of kinematics which result in metachrony, indicating that there are other factors, perhaps morphological, which affect the overall metachronal characteristics of an organism. Finally, uniform phase lag, in which the timing between power strokes of all pleopods is equal, in five-paddle systems is achieved at different Reynolds numbers for different swimming modes, highlighting the importance of taking into consideration stroke kinematics, length scale, and the resulting swimming mode.
Improving efficiency of COVID-19 aggregate case and death surveillance data transmission for jurisdictions: current and future role of application programming interfaces (APIs)
Authors: Khan Diba , Park Meeyoung , Lerma Samuel , Soroka Stephen , Gaughan Denise , Bottichio Lyndsay , Bray Monika , Fukushima Mary , Bregman Brooke , Wiedeman Caleb , Duck William , Dee Deborah , Gundlapalli Adi , Suthar Amitabh B
Published: June 2022

During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supplemented traditional COVID-19 case and death reporting with COVID-19 aggregate case and death surveillance (ACS) to track daily cumulative numbers. Later, as public health jurisdictions (PHJs) revised the historical COVID-19 case and death data due to data reconciliation and updates, CDC devised a manual process to update these records in the ACS dataset for improving the accuracy of COVID-19 case and death data. Automatic data transfer via an application programming interface (API), an intermediary that enables software applications to communicate, reduces the time and effort in transferring data from PHJs to CDC. However, APIs must meet specific content requirements for use by CDC. As of March 2022, CDC has integrated APIs from 3 jurisdictions for COVID-19 ACS. Expanded use of APIs may provide efficiencies for COVID-19 and other emergency response planning efforts as evidenced by this proof-of-concept. In this article, we share the utility of APIs in COVID-19 ACS.
Postbiotic effects of Lactobacillus fermentate on intestinal health, mucosa-associated microbiota, and growth efficiency of nursery pigs challenged with F18+Escherichia coli
Authors: Xu Xiangyi , Duarte Marcos Elias , Kim Sung Woo
Published: June 2022

This study determined the supplemental effects of Lactobacillus fermentate (LBF, Adare Biome, France) on intestinal health and prevention of postweaning diarrhea caused by F18+Escherichia coli in nursery pigs. Sixty-four weaned pigs (6.6 ± 0.7 kg body weight) were allotted in a randomized complete block design to four treatments: NC: no challenge/no supplement; PC: E. coli challenge/no supplement; AGP: E. coli challenge/bacitracin (30 g/t feed); and PBT: E. coli challenge/LBF (2 kg/t feed). Bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) was used as a source of bacitracin. On day 7, challenged groups were orally inoculated with F18+E. coli (2.4 × 1010 CFU), whereas NC received sterile saline solution. Growth performance was analyzed weekly, and pigs were euthanized at the end of 28 d feeding to analyze intestinal health. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4. During the post-challenge period, PC tended to decrease (P = 0.067) average daily gain (ADG) when compared with NC, whereas AGP increased (P < 0.05) when compared with PC; PBT tended to increase (P = 0.081) ADG when compared with PC. The PC increased fecal score (P < 0.05) during day 7 to 14 when compared with NC, whereas AGP decreased it (P < 0.05) during day 14 to 21 when compared with PC. The PC increased (P < 0.05) protein carbonyl, crypt cell proliferation, and the relative abundance of Helicobacter rodentium when compared with NC. However, AGP decreased (P < 0.05) crypt cell proliferation and H. rodentium and increased (P < 0.05) villus height, Bifidobacterium boum, Pelomonas spp., and Microbacterium ginsengisoli when compared with PC. The PBT reduced (P < 0.05) crypt cell proliferation and H. rodentium and increased (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus salivarius and Propionibacterium acnes when compared with PC. At the genus level, AGP and PBT increased (P < 0.05) the alpha diversity of jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota in pigs estimated with Chao1 richness estimator when compared with PC. Collectively, F18+E. coli reduced growth performance by adversely affecting microbiota and intestinal health. The LBF and BMD improved growth performance, and it was related to the enhanced intestinal health and increased diversity and abundance of beneficial microbiota in pigs challenged with F18+E. coli.
Dual Redox Regulation of the DNA-Binding Activity of the Response Regulator RpaB in the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Kato Naoki , Iwata Kazuki , Kadowaki Taro , Sonoike Kintake , Hihara Yukako
Published: June 2022

The response regulator RpaB plays a central role in transcriptional regulation of photosynthesis-related genes in cyanobacteria. RpaB is phosphorylated by its cognate histidine kinase Hik33 and functions as both an activator and a repressor under low-light conditions, whereas its phosphorylation level and DNA-binding activity promptly decrease upon the upshift of photon flux density, causing changes in the gene expression profile. In this study, we assessed the possibility of redox regulation of the DNA-binding activity of RpaB in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by the addition of inhibitors of photosynthetic electron transport, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone, or the reducing agent dithiothreitol under different photon flux densities. Analysis of the phosphorylation level of RpaB revealed that reduction of QA and increase in the availability of reducing equivalents at the acceptor side of photosystem I (PSI) can independently trigger dephosphorylation. The redox-state-dependent regulation by an unidentified thiol other than Cys59 of RpaB is prerequisite for the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of the DNA-binding activity. Environmental signals, recognized by Hik33, and metabolic signals recognized as the availability of reducing equivalents, must be integrated at the master regulator RpaB, in order to attain the flexible regulation of acclimatory responses.
The power of hope
Authors: Fowler Susan B.
Published: June 2022

Nurses can support the hope of patients and families, as well as their own hope, by using strategies such as setting goals, building relationships, and being present.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONAL CORRELATES IN RIP HEALING
Authors: Romano Francesco , Zicarelli Federico , Cozzi Mariano , Bertoni Alice Ingrid , Cereda Matteo Giuseppe , Bottoni Ferdinando , Staurenghi Giovanni , Invernizzi Alessandro
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

To report the imaging and functional features of the repair tissue following retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears.

Methods:

This cross-sectional observational study included patients with RPE tears secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration and at least 12 months of follow-up. The following variables were analyzed: best-corrected visual acuity; retinal sensitivity using microperimetry; outer retinal layers status and RPE resurfacing on optical coherence tomography; fibrosis; autofluorescence signal recovery using blue-light and near-infrared autofluorescence.

Results:

Overall, 48 eyes were included (age: 82 ± 5 years) and 34 of them showed signs of healing. Retinal pigment epithelium resurfacing was noticed in 22 cases, whereas fibrosis appeared in 21 eyes. Autofluorescence improved in 17 cases using blue-light infrared autofluorescence and 7 eyes on near-infrared autofluorescence. Outer retinal layers were more frequently preserved when RPE resurfacing and autofluorescence improvement occurred (P < 0.05). Although best-corrected visual acuity was higher for smaller RPE tears (P = 0.01), retinal sensitivity of the healing tissue was positively affected by autofluorescence improvement (P < 0.001) and by absence of fibrosis (P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Autofluorescence signal recovery after rip occurrence possibly reflects the underlying status of the RPE and is associated with better functional outcomes. Our findings highlight the importance of blue-light infrared autofluorescence and especially near-infrared autofluorescence assessment in the setting of rip healing.
Health Care Needs of Young Adults Who Have Experienced Homelessness
Authors: Semborski Sara , Henwood Benjamin , Madden Danielle , Rhoades Harmony
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Young adults experiencing homelessness have poorer overall health compared with the general population. However, not much is known about how health care needs may change in the transition from homelessness to supportive housing. This study utilizes the Gelberg-Andersen Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations to examine unmet health care needs among young adults currently experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless young adults living in supportive housing.

Methods:

This study includes data from 192 young adults who were either residing in a supportive housing program (n=103) or were “unhoused” (eg, residing on the street, staying in emergency shelters; n=89) in Los Angeles, CA, between 2017 and 2019. Hierarchical modeling examined unmet health care needs and factors that may enable those needs to be met, controlling for predisposing and other need factors.

Results:

Controlling for predisposing and other need characteristics, this study identified increased enabling factors among those residing in supportive housing, the most widely applied intervention for homelessness. Participants who resided in supportive housing were more likely to report at least 1 type of unmet need than youth who did not have access to housing. Additional findings regarding the association of enabling factors and unmet need yield mixed results based on the type of unmet need.

Discussion:

The acknowledgment of unmet needs may, in fact, be a byproduct of shifting priorities, which often occurs in the transition from homelessness to housing. Understanding the unmet need and health implications of this transition has relevance for practice as we work to better support formerly homeless young adults in meeting the needs that they identify.
Incidence and Prevalence of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Continues to Increase in the South of England
Authors: Ashton James J. , Barakat Farah M. , Barnes Claire , Coelho Tracy A.F. , Batra Akshay , Afzal Nadeem A. , Beattie R. Mark
Published: June 2022

Objective:

The incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been increasing over 25 years; however, contemporary trends are not established and the impact of COVID-19 on case rates is unclear.

Methods:

Data from Southampton Children’s hospital prospective IBD database were retrieved for 2002–2021. Incidence rates were calculated based on referral area populations and temporal trends analysed. Disease prevalence for those aged <18 years was calculated for 2017–2021. Monoclonal prescriptions were reported.

Results:

In total, 1150 patients were included (mean age at diagnosis 12.63 years, 40.5% female). An estimated 704 patients had Crohn’s disease (61.2%), 385 had ulcerative colitis (33.5%), and 61 had IBD unclassified (5.3%). Overall IBD incidence increased, β = 0.843, P = 3 × 10−6, driven by Crohn’s disease, β = 0.732, P = 0.00024 and ulcerative colitis, β = 0.816, P = 0.000011. There was no change in IBDU incidence, β = 0.230, P = 0.33. From 2002–2021, 51 patients were diagnosed <6 years of age, 160 patients aged 6 to <10 years and 939 patients aged 10 to <18 years of age. Increased incidence was observed in patients aged 10 to <18 years of age (β = 0.888, P = 1.8 × 10−7). There was no significant change in incidence of IBD in <6 years (β = 0.124, P = 0.57), or 6 to <10 years (β = 0.146, P = 0.54). IBD prevalence increased by an average of 1.71%/year from 2017 to 2021, β = 0.979, P = 0.004. The number of new monoclonal prescriptions increased from 6 in 2007 to 111 in 2021.

Conclusions:

IBD incidence continues to increase in Southern England. Compounding prevalence and increased monoclonal usage has implications for service provision.
Long-Term Growth in Children and Young People with Autoimmune Liver Disease Treated with Daily Steroids
Authors: Manwani Karishma , Mieli-Vergani Giorgina , Mancell Sara , Dhawan Anil , Hadzic Nedim , Samyn Marianne
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate long-term growth in children and young people with autoimmune liver disease (AILD) treated with daily steroids.

Methods:

This is a retrospective observational cohort study of patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2004 before the age of 16 years. Growth measurements (height, weight and body mass index (BMI)) converted to z-scores were recorded, at diagnosis, 1 and 5 years after commencing treatment and at age 18 years and analyzed together with demographics, disease and treatment related characteristics.

Results:

Seventy-four patients (35 female) were started on treatment at median age of 12.85 (Inter quartile range (IQR) 9.44, 14.14) years for median duration of 12.07 (IQR 8.68, 13.97) years. At all time-points, the mean z-scores for weight, height and BMI were within the normal range, indicating normal nutritional status. There was no difference in change in z-score for weight, height and BMI from diagnosis until age 18 years when comparing gender (male vs female), ethnicity (Caucasian vs non-Caucasian), diagnosis (AIH vs ASC) and presence of IBD (n = 23). Change in z-score was lower for height and weight for the < 12 years group compared to the ≥12 years age group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). In addition, change in height z-score correlated positively with age at start of steroid treatment (r = 0.321, P < 0.05) and negatively with duration of steroid treatment (r = −0.321, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Growth of patients with AILD on a daily maintenance dose of steroids remains stable and within normal range during long-term follow up. Small, daily doses are effective in maintaining disease control and minimize the need for high-dose steroid pulses during relapses.
A Qualitative Exploration of End-of-Life Care Planning With Korean Americans
Authors: Hong Michin , Noh Hyunjin , Kim Kyeongmo
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to explore how Korean American older adults viewed and anticipated engaging in end-of-life (EOL) care planning. An exploratory qualitative research design was adopted for the study, and data were collected through 3 focus group interviews. A total of 30 Korean American older adults 65 years or older participated in the study. A total of 10 themes emerged and were organized into 5 categories: (1) awareness (varying experience in EOL care planning and insufficient understanding about advance directives), (2) attitudes (comfort with talking about EOL and favorable views toward EOL planning), (3) barriers (concerns about noncompliance and concerns about change of mind), (4) preference for natural dying (life-sustaining treatment as added pain and suffering and no meaning of life when relying on life-sustaining treatment), and (5) preference for EOL planning process (EOL planning initiated by physicians and involvement of close family members). This exploratory study provides crucial insights into awareness and concerns regarding EOL care planning among Korean American older adults, updating existing evidence about their EOL needs. These findings support a culturally grounded approach to promote EOL planning for ethnic/racial minority groups.
Beyond 9 to 5
Authors: Pandey Shila , Goldberg Jessica I. , Kapoor-Hintzen Neena , Stabler Stacy , Nelson Judith E.
Published: June 2022

For seriously ill hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of cancer, there exists a need for specialist palliative care, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This article describes the expansion of a palliative care consult service in a metropolitan, dedicated cancer hospital to provide 24/7 specialist palliative care including onsite overnight presence by advanced practice registered nurses and to evaluate the impact of this change on nighttime utilization of the consult service. Inpatient management encounters and outpatient calls were compared before and after the expansion. The onsite availability of a palliative care specialist between midnight and 8 am increased from less than 10% of the time in 2019 to 100% of the time in 2021. The number of inpatient overnight calls and pages increased from a median of 4 to 16, and the number of follow-up visits evaluated increased from a median of 0 to 6. However, the number of overnight palliative care consults and outpatient calls evaluated did not change significantly. Expansion of a hospital-based palliative care service to include 24/7 onsite overnight presence increased patient, family, and night staff access to high-quality palliative care, prompt symptom management, and staff coaching on primary palliative care skills.
Implementation and Adoption of Telerehabilitation for Treating Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Campbell Kody R. , Wilhelm Jennifer L. , Pettigrew Natalie C. , Scanlan Kathleen T. , Chesnutt James C. , King Laurie A.
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose:

Multimodal physical therapy for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) has been shown to improve recovery. Due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a clinical trial assessing the timing of multimodal intervention was adapted for telerehabilitation. This pilot study explored feasibility and adoption of an in-person rehabilitation program for subacute mTBI delivered through telerehabilitation.

Methods:

Fifty-six in-person participants—9 males; mean (SD) age 34.3 (12.2); 67 (31) days post-injury—and 17 telerehabilitation participants—8 males; age 38.3 (12.7); 61 (37) days post-injury—with subacute mTBI (between 2 and 12 weeks from injury) were enrolled. Intervention included 8, 60-minute visits over 6 weeks and included subcategories that targeted cervical spine, cardiovascular, static balance, and dynamic balance impairments. Telerehabilitation was modified to be safely performed at home with minimal equipment. Outcome measures included feasibility (the number that withdrew from the study, session attendance, home exercise program adherence, adverse events, telerehabilitation satisfaction, and progression of exercises performed), and changes in mTBI symptoms pre- and post-rehabilitation were estimated with Hedges' g effect sizes.

Results:

In-person and telerehabilitation had a similar study withdrawal rate (13% vs 12%), high session attendance (92% vs 97%), and no adverse events. The telerehabilitation group found the program easy to use (4.2/5), were satisfied with care (4.7/5), and thought it helped recovery (4.7/5). The telerehabilitation intervention was adapted by removing manual therapy and cardiovascular portions and decreasing dynamic balance exercises compared with the in-person group. The in-person group had a large effect size (−0.94) in decreases in symptoms following rehabilitation, while the telerehabilitation group had a moderate effect size (−0.73).

Discussion and Conclusions:

Telerehabilitation may be feasible for subacute mTBI. Limited ability to address cervical spine, cardiovascular, and dynamic balance domains along with underdosage of exercise progression may explain group differences in symptom resolution.

Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see the Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A392).
Preparing for a Crowded Cosmetic Market: A Resident Training Model for Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Treatments
Authors: Marks Jacob M. , Mackenzie Ethan L. , Rose Katherine R. , Shaffrey Ellen C. , Larson Jeffrey D. , Siebert John W. , Afifi Ahmed M.
Published: June 2022

Patient demand for nonsurgical and minimally invasive cosmetic treatments has increased in recent years, resulting in a growing market that is particularly vulnerable to specialty creep. Despite this growing demand, nonsurgical cosmetic training for plastic surgery residents is often inconsistent and challenging. To ensure the continued safe and effective delivery of nonsurgical cosmetic care by board-certified plastic surgeons, it is critical to implement standardized training models for plastic surgery residents. In this Special Topic article, the authors describe their experience with a resident-run clinic training model that incorporates graduated autonomy, volunteer patient recruitment, and grant-based industry support that has been successfully implemented at their institution for the past 6 years. The article provides a framework for a resident educational model and addresses common obstacles in resident cosmetic training. The authors also provide recommendations for patient recruitment, optimizing clinic workflow, and the management of patient complications.
Hyperammonemia syndrome in immunosuppressed individuals
Authors: Roberts Scott C. , Malik Waleed , Ison Michael G.
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Hyperammonemia syndrome is an increasingly recognized and often fatal condition that occurs in immunosuppressed individuals, most commonly lung transplant recipients. Growing evidence suggests hyperammonemia syndrome is associated with systemic infections caused by urease-producing organisms, namely Ureaplasma spp., an organism unable to grow with routine culturing techniques. This review will summarize the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of hyperammonemia syndrome, as well as diagnostic and management strategies once hyperammonemia syndrome is suspected.

Recent findings

Hyperammonemia syndrome is being described in increasing frequency in the solid organ transplant population. Morbidity and mortality, even with treatment, is high once hyperammonemia syndrome occurs. Surveillance studies indicate the prevalence of lung donor colonization with Ureaplasma spp. is high, suggesting screening and treatment may be of benefit. Antibiotic resistance is common, and rapid diagnostics can facilitate appropriate antimicrobial therapy in the peri-transplant period.

Hyperammonemia syndrome is most commonly seen in lung transplant recipients and has a high mortality rate once it occurs. Screening for Ureaplasma spp. should be considered in all lung transplant donors.
Contributions of Yersinia pestis outer membrane protein Ail to plague pathogenesis
Authors: Kolodziejek Anna M. , Hovde Carolyn J. , Minnich Scott A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Pathogenic Yersinia have been a productive model system for studying bacterial pathogenesis. Hallmark contributions of Yersinia research to medical microbiology are legion and include: (i) the first identification of the role of plasmids in virulence, (ii) the important mechanism of iron acquisition from the host, (iii) the first identification of bacterial surface proteins required for host cell invasion, (iv) the archetypical type III secretion system, and (v) elucidation of the role of genomic reduction in the evolutionary trajectory from a fairly innocuous pathogen to a highly virulent species.

Recent findings

The outer membrane (OM) protein Ail (attachment invasion locus) was identified over 30 years ago as an invasin-like protein. Recent work on Ail continues to provide insights into Gram-negative pathogenesis. This review is a synopsis of the role of Ail in invasion, serum resistance, OM stability, thermosensing, and vaccine development.

Ail is shown to be an essential virulence factor with multiple roles in pathogenesis. The recent adaptation of Yersinia pestis to high virulence, which included genomic reduction to eliminate redundant protein functions, is a model to understand the emergence of new bacterial pathogens.
Can levetiracetam improve clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients? A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Behdani Fatemeh , Hassanzadeh Behnaz , Eslamzadeh Mahboubeh , Moradi Marjan , Hebrani Paria , Dadgarmoghaddam Maliheh , Shamsaki Negar
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Schizophrenia is associated with persistent cognitive deficits, which worsen treatment outcomes despite increasing antipsychotic doses. This study aimed to assess the effect of levetiracetam on the severity of schizophrenia symptoms and cognitive deficits in these patients.

Materials and Methods

In this randomized, controlled, three-blind randomized clinical trial approved by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran (IRCT20101130005280N31), forty chronic schizophrenic patients aged 18–60 years were randomly divided into two groups of levetiracetam and placebo. The levetiracetam group received levetiracetam for 8 weeks. The symptoms were evaluated by Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Stroop test, Digit Span test and Wisconsin Test at baseline, 4th week, and 8th week. Data were analyzed through SPSS V. 23 software, descriptive tests and inferential statistics.

Results

At the end of the study, all subscales of the PANSS questionnaire reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Also, all subscales of the cognitive tests had significant changes. The trends of digit span tests, correct number of consonants and inconsonant were increasing. While the trends related to consonant errors, inconsistent errors, consistent reaction time and nonconsistent reaction time were decreasing. The changes in the number of classes were increased while changes in preservation error were decreased.

Conclusion

The results showed that levetiracetam has significant effects on clinical symptoms, especially negative symptoms. Also, it impacts significantly on cognitive functions. It is recommended that it be added to the pharmacological regimen of these patients to improve their clinical symptoms, quality of life and treatment outcomes.
A Polygenic Score for Reduced Kidney Function and Adverse Outcomes in a Chronic Kidney Disease Cohort
Authors: Steinbrenner Inga , Yu Zhi , Jin Jin , Schultheiss Ulla T. , Kotsis Fruzsina , Grams Morgan E. , Coresh Josef , Wuttke Matthias ,   GCKD investigators, Kronenberg Florian , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Sekula Peggy , Köttgen Anna
Published: June 2022

We studied whether a polygenic score for reduced kidney function developed from population-based studies was associated with adverse outcomes among persons with chronic kidney disease. The polygenic score was significantly associated with incident kidney failure, major adverse cardiovascular outcomes and overall mortality while adjusting for age, sex, and baseline eGFR: the hazard ratio for kidney failure over 6.5 years was 1.83 (95% CI 1.40-2.39) comparing those in the highest and lowest quartiles of the polygenic score. However, the significant associations of the polygenic score did not translate to improved outcome prediction in comparison to established risk equations.
Using Mesoscopic Tract-Tracing Data to Guide the Estimation of Fiber Orientation Distributions in the Mouse Brain from Diffusion MRI
Authors: Liang Zifei , Arefin Tanzil Mahmud , Lee Choong H. , Zhang Jiangyang
Published: June 2022

Diffusion MRI (dMRI) tractography is the only tool for non-invasive mapping of macroscopic structural connectivity over the entire brain. Although it has been successfully used to reconstruct large white matter tracts in the human and animal brains, the sensitivity and specificity of dMRI tractography remained limited. Especially, the fiber orientation distributions (FODs) estimated from dMRI signals, key to tractography, may deviate from histologically measured fiber orientation in crossing fibers and gray matter regions. In this study, we demonstrated that a deep learning network, trained using mesoscopic tract-tracing data from the Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, was able to improve the estimation of FODs from mouse brain dMRI data. Tractography results based on the network generated FODs showed improved specificity while maintaining sensitivity comparable to results based on FOD estimated using a conventional spherical deconvolution method. Our result is a proof-of-concept of how mesoscale tract-tracing data can guide dMRI tractography and enhance our ability to characterize brain connectivity.
The duration of Eragrostis capillaris is not strictly annual: it does not senesce, can reproduce multiple times, but lacks frost tolerance
Authors: McNickle Gordon G.
Published: June 2022

The duration of Eragrostis capillaris (L.) Nees (love lacegrass) is currently described as an annual by all sources. Here, I describe observations that show it does not senesce naturally, can reproduce multiple times across multiple years, but lacks frost tolerance. I conclude that E. capillaris probably grows as an annual throughout much of its range due to killing frost, but can have a perennial duration in locations or years that do not have a killing frost. Its status as an annual is likely to change under a warming climate. I suggest its duration should be updated to “annual or perennial” in taxonomic guides. It remains an open question how common such shifts might be under a warming climate.
Lis1 binding regulates force-induced detachment of cytoplasmic dynein from microtubules
Authors: Kusakci Emre , Htet Zaw Min , Zhao Yuanchang , Gillies John P. , Reck-Peterson Samara L. , Yildiz Ahmet
Published: June 2022

Cytoplasmic dynein-1 (dynein) is an AAA+ motor that transports intracellular cargos towards the microtubule minus end. Lissencephaly-1 (Lis1) binds to the AAA+ ring and stalk of dynein’s motor domain and promotes the assembly of active dynein complexes. Recent studies showed that Lis1 slows motility when it remains bound to dynein, but the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Using single-molecule and optical trapping assays, we investigated how Lis1 binding affects the motility and force generation of yeast dynein in vitro. We showed that Lis1 does not slow dynein motility by serving as a roadblock or tethering dynein to microtubules. Lis1 binding also does not affect the forces that stall dynein movement, but it induces prolonged stalls and reduces the asymmetry in the force-induced detachment of dynein from microtubules. The mutagenesis of the Lis1 binding sites on dynein’s stalk partially recovers this asymmetry but does not restore dynein velocity. These results suggest that Lis1’s interaction with the AAA+ ring is sufficient to result in slower movement and that Lis1’s interaction with dynein’s stalk slows force-induced detachment of dynein from microtubules.
A More Accurate Measurement of COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Authors: Vu Christina , Kawaguchi Eric S. , Torres Cesar H. , Lee Austin H. , Stafylis Chrysovalantis , Klausner Jeffrey D. , Khan Saahir
Published: June 2022

COVID-19 hospitalizations are a key indicator of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control describes oxygen supplementation as a measure of severe disease. SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive patients hospitalized without hypoxia or requiring oxygen may have been identified incidentally due to routine screening practices. We describe the application of a revised case definition for COVID-19 hospitalization based on the case-patient oxygen requirement on admission. Using data collected from consecutive SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive hospital admissions in December 2021 and January 2022 at a large safety net hospital in Los Angeles County, we highlight differences between patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (i.e., no oxygen requirement on admission or `incidental` infection) and those hospitalized for COVID-19 (i.e., oxygen requirement on admission). We conducted multivariable modeling to determine the effect of age as a positive predictor of COVID-19 hospitalization and vaccination or prior infection as a negative predictor. The revised case-definition resulted in a substantial decrease in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the study period: 67.5% of SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive hospital admissions were not for COVID-19 but with COVID-19. A revised case-definition for COVID-19 hospitalization that includes the oxygen requirement on admission is needed to more accurately monitor the pandemic and inform public health policy.
Ancient DNA evidence for the ecological globalisation of cod fishing in medieval and post-medieval Europe
Authors: Martínez-García Lourdes , Ferrari Giada , Cuevas Angélica , Atmore Lane M. , López-Arias Begoña , Culling Mark , Llorente-Rodríguez Laura , Morales-Muñiz Arturo , Roselló-Izquierdo Eufrasia , Quirós Juan Antonio , Marlasca-Martín Ricard , Hänfling Bernd , Hutchinson William F. , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Jentoft Sissel , Orton David , Star Bastiaan , Barrett James H.
Published: June 2022

Understanding the historical emergence and growth of long-range fisheries can provide fundamental insights into the timing of ecological impacts and the development of coastal communities during the last millennium. Whole genome sequencing approaches can improve such understanding by determining the origin of archaeological fish specimens that may have been obtained from historic trade or distant water. Here, we used genome-wide data to individually infer the biological source of 37 ancient Atlantic cod specimens (ca. 1050 to 1950 CE) from England and Spain. Our findings provide novel genetic evidence that eleventh- to twelfth-century specimens from London were predominantly obtained from nearby populations, while thirteenth- to fourteenth-century specimens derived from distant sources. Our results further suggest that Icelandic cod was exported to London earlier than previously reported. Our observations confirm the chronology and geography of the trans-Atlantic cod trade from Newfoundland to Spain starting by the early sixteenth century. Our findings demonstrate the utility of whole genome sequencing and ancient DNA approaches to describe the globalisation of marine fisheries and increase our understanding regarding the extent of the North-Atlantic fish trade and long-range fisheries in medieval and early modern times.
Shaping neonatal immunization by tuning delivery of synergistic adjuvants via nanocarriers
Authors: Barman Soumik , Borriello Francesco , Brook Byron , Pietrasanta Carlo , De Leon Maria , Sweitzer Cali , Menon Manisha , van Haren Simon D. , Soni Dheeraj , Saito Yoshine , Nanishi Etsuro , Yi Sijia , Bobbala Sharan , Levy Ofer , Scott Evan A. , Dowling David J.
Published: June 2022

Adjuvanted nanocarrier-based vaccines hold substantial potential for applications in novel early-life immunization strategies. Here, via mouse and human age-specificin vitromodelling, we identified the combination of a small molecule STING agonist (2′3′-cyclic GMP-AMP, cGAMP) and a TLR7/8 agonist (CL075) to drive synergistic activation of neonatal dendritic cells and precision CD4 Th cell expansion via the IL-12/IFNγ axis. We further demonstrate that vaccination of neonatal mice with quadrivalent influenza recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) and an admixture of two polymersome (PS) nanocarriers separately encapsulating-cGAMP (cGAMP-PS) and CL075 (CL075-PS) drove robust T helper (Th)1 bias, high frequency of T follicular helper (TFH) cells and germinal center B (GC B) cells along with IgG2c-skewed humoral responsein vivo. Dual loaded cGAMP/CL075-PSs did not outperform admixed cGAMP-PSs and CL075-PSsin vivo. These data validate an optimally designed adjuvantation system, via age-selected small molecule synergy and a multi-component nanocarrier formulation, as an effective approach to induce type 1 immune responses in early life.
A flow self-regulating STA-MCA bypass based on side to side fashion anastomosis for adult patients with moyamoya disease
Authors: Zhang Jianjian , Fujimura Miki , Lau Tsz Yeung , Chen Jincao
Published: June 2022

OBJECTIVE

Side to side (S-S) fashion superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass was reported for treating a special moyamoya disease (MMD) patient with collaterals arising from the donor STA. However, the S-S technique is not routinely performed to date and its benefits are still unknown for adult MMD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of routine use of the S-S technique for adult MMD.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical data from 50 adult patients (65 hemispheres, including 30 in end to side [E-S] group and 35 in S-S group) with MMD underwent STA-MCA bypass. The patients’ demographics, clinical courses, technical details, intraoperative blood flow, post- and preoperative relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores and short-term revascularization results were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference observed in terms of baseline characteristics, bypass patency rates, post-/ preoperative rCBF values, incidence of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS), improvement of mRS scores and short-term revascularization results between the two groups (P all > 0.05). Intraoperative blood flow analysis showed the increase of STA flow in the E-S group was significantly higher than that of proximal STA flow in the S-S group (P = 0.008 <0.05). Although the increases of proximal and distal recipient flow in the E-S group seemed higher than those in the S-S group, the results were not statistically significant (P = 0.086 in proximal and P = 0.076 in distal). The CHS symptoms were milder and their duration time was much shorter in the S-S group. The follow-up angiographic data of the representative case amazingly demonstrated that all the frontal and parietal STA branch and occipital artery participated in the postoperative collateralization.

CONCLUSIONS

S-S anastomosis can achieve comparable clinical effects to standard E-S construction. S-S anastomosis used in adult MMD demonstrated mild CHS symptoms with short duration time and had the potential to arouse all scalp arteries as donor sources for revascularization through the intact distal STA by a flow self-regulating fashion.
Plant-based Production and Characterization of a Promising Fc-fusion Protein against Bone Mass Density Loss
Authors: Xiong Yongao , Hirano Hiroto , Lane Nancy E. , Nandi Somen , McDonald Karen A.
Published: June 2022

Microgravity-induced bone loss is a main obstacle for long term space missions as it is difficult to maintain bone mass when loading stimuli is reduced. With a typical bone mineral density loss of 1.5% per month of microgravity exposure, the chances for osteoporosis and fractures may endanger astronauts’ health. Parathyroid Hormone or PTH (1-34) is an FDA approved treatment for osteoporosis, and may reverse microgravity-induced bone loss. However, PTH proteins requires refrigeration, daily subcutaneous injection, and have a short shelf-life, limiting its use in a resource-limited environment, like space. In this study, PTH was produced in an Fc-fusion form via transient expression in plants, to improve the circulatory half-life which reduces dosing frequency and to simplify purification if needed. Plant-based expression is well-suited for space medicine application given its low resource consumption and short expression timeline. The PTH-Fc accumulation profile in plant was established with a peak expression on day 5 post infiltration of 373 ± 59 mg/kg leaf fresh weight. Once the PTH-Fc was purified, the amino acid sequence and the binding affinity to its target, PTH 1 receptor (PTH1R), was determined utilizing biolayer interferometry (BLI). The binding affinity between PTH-Fc and PTH1R was 2.30 × 10−6 M, similar to the affinity between PTH (1–34) and PTH1R (2.31 × 10−6 M). Its function was also confirmed in a cell-based receptor stimulation assay, where PTH-Fc was able to stimulate the PTH1R producing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) with an EC50 of (8.54 ± 0.12) × 10−9 M, comparable to the EC50 from the PTH (1-34) of 1.49 × 10−8 M. These results suggest that plant recombinant PTH-Fc exhibits a similar potency compared to PTH. Furthermore, it can be produced rapidly at high levels with minimal resources and reagents, making it ideal for production in low resource environments such as space.
Precision environmental health monitoring by longitudinal exposome and multi-omics profiling
Authors: Gao Peng , Shen Xiaotao , Zhang Xinyue , Jiang Chao , Zhang Sai , Zhou Xin , Schüssler-Fiorenza Rose Sophia Miryam , Snyder Michael
Published: June 2022

Conventional environmental health studies have primarily focused on limited environmental stressors at the population level, which lacks the power to dissect the complexity and heterogeneity of individualized environmental exposures. Here, as a pilot case study, we integrated deep-profiled longitudinal personal exposome and internal multi-omics to systematically investigate how the exposome shapes a single individual's phenome. We annotated thousands of chemical and biological components in the personal exposome cloud and found they were significantly correlated with thousands of internal biomolecules, which was further cross-validated using corresponding clinical data. Our results showed that agrochemicals and fungi predominated in the highly diverse and dynamic personal exposome, and the biomolecules and pathways related to the individual's immune system, kidney, and liver were highly associated with the personal external exposome. Overall, this data-driven longitudinal monitoring study shows the potential dynamic interactions between the personal exposome and internal multi-omics, as well as the impact of the exposome on precision health by producing abundant testable hypotheses.
Computational evaluations of emissions indexes released by the STRATOFLY air-breathing combined propulsive system
Authors: Saccone Guido , Ispir Ali Can , Saracoglu Bayindir Huseyin , Cutrone Luigi , Marini Marco
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide the description of a computational methodology to model the combined propulsive systems of hydrogen propelled air-breathing scramjet vehicles and to evaluate the pollutant and climate-changing emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Emissions indexes of nitrogen oxide (EINO) and water vapour released by the air turbo rocket (ATR) and dual mode ramjet (DMR) engines of the STRATOFLY air-breathing, hypersonic scramjet vehicle, propelled by hydrogen/air were evaluated. ATR engine operation was assessed for several cruise conditions in both subsonic and supersonic flight regimes in Ecosimpro software, which is an object-oriented thermodynamic design and simulation platform. ATR combustor inlet flow conditions play a key role in the computation of species mass fractions, and these conditions are highly dependent on turbomachinery performance and engine flight regime. A propulsive operational database was created by varying mass flow rates of fuel and flight conditions such as cruise speed and altitude to investigate possible engine operations. The all-inlet conditions in this map are provided to the Cantera-Python chemical/combustion chemistry solver implementing a specially designed and formulated 0D kinetic-thermodynamic methodology successfully used to model and simulate the electric spark ignition required to activate the combustion process of the reacting mixture in the ATR combustion chambers, whereas the coupled aero-thermodynamic/aero-propulsive 0D/1D code i.e. Scramjet PREliminary Aerothermodynamic Design (SPREAD), designed and developed by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) was used for DMR calculations. Results show low emissions of NO according to the optimized design of the ATR; on the other hand, a tuning of operational conditions is needed for DMR, with its complete re-design to be more conclusive. Analogously, the released amount of water vapour is in good agreement with the required combustion efficiency and the expected propulsive performance.

Findings

Results show low emissions of NO according to the optimized design of the ATRs; on the other hand, a tuning of operational conditions is needed for DMR, with its complete re-design to be more conclusive. Analogously, the released amount of water vapour is in good agreement with the required combustion efficiency and the expected propulsive performance.

Originality/value

Applications of innovative 0D/1D chemical kinetic methodology and in-house codes.