bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperlipidemia in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Michaud Liana , Sharedalal Parija , Seplowe Matthew , Rosenzveig Akiva , Frishman William H. , Aronow Wilbert S.
Published: June 2022

While coronary artery disease (CAD) is thought to be a disease of adulthood, atherosclerosis can originate in childhood and adolescence. There is a paucity of randomized controlled treatment trials regarding dyslipidemia among the younger population. However, it is apparent that childhood dyslipidemia is associated with an earlier onset of CAD. Most recent guidelines by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) focus on lifestyle modification and lifetime risk of atherosclerotic disease, as well as adequate screening measures. Genetic factors, environmental contributors such as pollution, obesity linked to poor nutrition, and sedentary lifestyles are shown to be associated with increased lipid levels and early CAD among children and adolescents. Familial hyperlipidemia is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases and can affect 1 in 250 individuals. A multimodal treatment plan is most effective for children and adolescents with dyslipidemia including lifestyle changes (a modified diet and moderate physical activity) and pharmacologic intervention. The mainstay of pharmacologic treatment for childhood dyslipidemia is similar to that of adults. Statins are the most widely used medications. Newer medications have proven integral in treatment for genetic dyslipidemias including evolocumab and evinacumab.
Mandibular Myofibroma and Severe Trismus: A Complex Case and Review of Complications
Authors: Aryanpour Zain , Maglic Dino , Zahid Rehan , Tuncer Fatma B. , Gociman Barbu R. , Siddiqi Faizi A.
Published: June 2022

A female child was investigated for insidious onset of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and trismus in the setting of a mandibular myofibroma. Myofibromas, benign mesenchymal neoplasms composed of spindle cells, are rarely found in the oral cavity, most commonly in the mandible. These lesions are historically described as indolent with a high cure rate and minimal recurrence rates following surgical resection. The patient initially presented with concerns regarding snoring, retrognathia, and jaw ankylosis, as well as a history of trouble latching as an infant but without obvious physical deformities. Imaging revealed a large expansile lytic mass of the mandible, but no temporomandibular joint involvement; surgical biopsy evidenced myofibroma, and the lesion was resected. Over the course of disease, the lesion continued to expand, and the patient’s maximal incisal opening continued to decrease despite conservative management with jaw physiotherapy; eventually she could not open her mouth despite the absence of joint involvement. Re-exploration along with formal jaw physiotherapy was achieved and optimal jaw opening was maintained. Myofibromas are rare benign desmoid tumors that can present anywhere in the body in solitary and multicentric forms, and previously did not present significant challenges to surgical and medical management. Tumors of the mandible may present with trismus and soft tissue ankylosis, which can mimic temporomandibular joint dysfunction in the absence of joint involvement. Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and soft tissue contracture release are key to management and improving outcomes in oral cancer patients, regardless of tumor pathology.
Osteoplastic Thumb Reconstruction in the Immediate Setting: A Case Series
Authors: Liu Yusha , Miller Erin A. , Wee Corinne E. , Prsic Adnan , Eble Danielle J. , Kao Dennis S.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Traumatic thumb amputation can have devastating effects on residual hand function. When replantation is not possible, thumb reconstruction is often performed in a delayed manner and may require multiple stages. Furthermore, reconstruction techniques often require microsurgical skills and equipment, which are not readily available at all institutions. This case series illustrates our technique for immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction following traumatic amputation.

Methods:

This is a case series involving all patients who sustained unreplantable thumb amputations and underwent immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction with bone autograft and pedicled groin flap by the senior author from September 2016 through August 2018.

Results:

Five patients underwent immediate osteoplastic thumb reconstruction during the study period. Total operative time for the initial osteoplastic reconstruction averaged 158 minutes (range 96–290 minutes). In addition to flap division surgery, patients underwent an average of 1.2 revision procedures (range 0–2), primarily for debulking and hardware removal. Patients achieved an average gain in length of 3.3 cm compared with the maximum anticipated length with revision amputation at the time of injury, and had stable clinical outcomes for a minimum of 12 months.

Conclusions:

Osteoplastic thumb reconstruction is a useful technique for thumb reconstruction for select patients following traumatic thumb amputation. Advantages of this approach include shorter overall operative times and hospital length of stay, minimal donor site morbidity, and a straightforward, reproducible technique.
Comparison of Vascular Density and Structural Patterns Between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma
Authors: Mohammadi Massood , Mohammadi Seyed Saeed , Tabatabaei Seyed M. , Eslami Yadollah , Zarei Reza , Zandvakil Narges , Fakhraie Ghasem , Safizadeh Mona , Farshchi Mohammad R. , Moghimi Sasan
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

To compare the pattern of vascular density and structural damage in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) in the optic nerve head, circumpapillary, and macular regions, respectively.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred thirty-one eyes of 82 patients (53 eyes with PACG and 78 eyes with POAG) were enrolled in this study. The patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width, circumpapillay retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL), and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) measurements and vascular density determination of the peripapillary and macular area with OCT and OCTA. A linear mixed model was used for the statistical analysis.

Results:

There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age (P=0.94) and visual field mean deviation (P=0.78). Female-to-male ratio was higher in PACG patients than the POAG group (P=0.02), and AL was shorter in PACG eyes (P<0.001). cpRNFL and GCC were not different between the 2 groups (all P values>0.05, except for nasal segment cpRNFL). Vessel densities in the peripapillary and macular areas were comparable between the 2 groups (all P values>0.05). Although Bruch membrane opening minimum rim width was thicker in PACG eyes on univariate analysis, the multivariable analysis showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

PACG and POAG eyes with similar visual field damages have comparable structural damage patterns in the peripapillary and inner macular thickness and vessel density measurements.
Silicone Sphere Implant Extrusion From Orbital Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Rare Complication in the Anophthalmic Socket
Authors: Dong Libing Kathy , Park Ji Kwan , Gulati Rohit , Campbell Benjamin , Lee Hui Bae Harold
Published: June 2022

Orbital implant extrusion is a known complication following evisceration and enucleation. In this case report, we present a 45-year-old woman who presented with a left silicone implant exposure and infection 2 years following evisceration with saddle nose on examination. CT of the maxillofacial bones without contrast showed bilateral soft tissue infiltration around the superior recti muscles, as well as a nasal septum perforation from extensive sinus disease. Left orbitotomy revealed a small fibrotic mass near the orbital roof. Biopsy and serology results were consistent with granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
Pupillary Abnormalities After Excision of Orbital Cavernous Venous Malformations
Authors: Vahdani Kaveh , Rose Geoffrey E.
Published: June 2022

Aims:

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and recovery rate for pupillary abnormalities after excision of orbital cavernous venous malformations (OCVMs).

Methods:

Retrospective case-note and imaging review for patients with OCVMs, with an estimation of odds ratios (ORs) in relation to the position of the mass and surgical approach.

Results:

The 287 included patients (176 female; 61%) presented at a mean age of 46.5 years: 243/287 (85%) OCVMs were intraconal, 253/287 (88%) located in the posterior two-thirds of the orbit, and 29/287 (11%) wedged tightly in the apex. Pupillary changes—varying from minor sectoral paresis (only evident on slit-lamp examination) to a marked mydriasis—were noted in 21% (60/287) of patients and were strongly associated with removal of intraconal (60/243 [25%]; p < 0.001), apical (14/29 [48%]; OR, 4.3; p < 0.001), inferior or inferotemporal (41/105 [39%]; OR, 5.5; p < 0.001) masses. Lateral approaches—either with (23/129; 18%) or without (30/71; 42%) osteotomy—were associated with 88% (53/60) of all abnormalities (OR, 4.1; p < 0.001). Where known, the abnormalities improved in 43/50 (86%), although 15/43 (35%) had a persistent tonic pupil.

Conclusion:

Pupillary abnormalities after excision of OCVMs can occur in up to a quarter of intraconal lesions—particularly those located inferotemporally or inferiorly—and in about a half of apical lesions. Lateral or inferolateral orbital approaches that disrupt the inferior intraconal fat appear to be associated with a higher risk. Most changes resolve or improve markedly, although a third of those affected may have a persistent tonic pupil.
Prehospital Care of Coronary Artery Disease and Its Major Risk Factors in Geropsychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Manu Peter , Grudnikoff Eugene , Constantin Dan A. , Rogozea Liliana M. , Rucsanda Ioana , Leaşu Florin , Dinu Eleonora
Published: June 2022

Background:

Older adults with serious mental illness have a high prevalence of coronary artery disease and of its major risk factors, that is, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. The prevalence and clinical control of these conditions have not been compared in geropsychiatric inpatients with dementia versus those with mood or psychotic disorders.

Study Question:

What is the prevalence and acuity of coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus among patients with dementia, mood, and psychotic disorders admitted for geropsychiatric care?

Study Design:

Patients 65 years of age or older were identified in a cohort of 1000 patients consecutively admitted over a 3-year period to the geropsychiatric unit of a 200-bed mental health hospital in suburban New York. All patients had a structured clinical and laboratory evaluation within 72 hours of admission.

Data Sources:

Primary psychiatric diagnoses, medical history, the frequency of poorly controlled cardiometabolic comorbidity requiring an immediate change in the management plan, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

Results:

The 65 years and older patient sample (N = 689) had a mean age of 74.8 years, and 58.8% of the subjects were women. The 205 patients with dementia were older (P < 0.001) than the 337 patients with mood disorders and the 147 patients with psychotic syndromes. The numbers of medical conditions and the CCI after exclusion of dementia were similar in patients with dementia versus patients without dementia. A substantial number of patients had poorly controlled arterial hypertension (51.2%), dyslipidemia (25.4%), diabetes (24.2%), and coronary artery disease (15.4%). Patients with dementia had a lower prevalence of poorly controlled dyslipidemia (P = 0.0006), diabetes (P = 0.0089), and coronary artery disease (P = 0.045).

Conclusions:

Compared with mood or psychotic disorder, a diagnosis of dementia with behavioral disturbance seemed to be associated with better control of coronary artery disease, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus in geropsychiatric inpatients.
Transitioning Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease From Pediatric to Adult Care: Results From a New Survey of Health Care Professionals
Authors: Shah Nirmish R. , Treadwell Marsha J. , Vichinsky Elliott
Published: June 2022

Transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sickle cell disease (SCD) comes at a time when a range of biopsychosocial issues occur simultaneously. A new survey sought information from physicians who treat AYA with SCD about their practices in how they transition pediatric patients to adult care. An online survey to physicians who treat SCD was conducted using SurveyMonkey between November 2019 and January 2020. Of 209 physicians who were contacted, 58 completed the survey; 62.1% treated primarily pediatric patients and 37.9% treated adults. Patient education on transition was regarded as “important” or “very important” by 94.2% of the physicians. Patients’ knowledge about their disease and their ability to navigate the health care system were identified as 2 primary barriers to transition (mean 1.30 and 1.67 on a 3-point scale, respectively). Most physicians employ established models to facilitate the transition, including Got Transition (41.3%) and a biopsychosocial model (34.8%), with 34.8% using a mix of models and 23.9% not using an established model. Fewer than half (34.8%) rated their program as “very successful” or “successful.” Transition protocols from pediatric to adult care should be re-examined to facilitate successful transition for AYA with SCD.
A Report of a Case With Pediatric Ovarian Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified, Found With Precocious Puberty
Authors: Umeda Satoshi , Takase Koki , Takayama Keita , Yamamichi Taku , Higuchi Kohei , Kawai Masanobu , Takeuchi Makoto , Inoue Masami , Usui Noriaki
Published: June 2022

A 4-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital because of precocious puberty. Radiologic findings revealed a fist-sized solid tumor in the left ovary without ascites, peritoneal dissemination, and distant metastasis. The patient underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy without spillage. The size of the excised tumor was 10.0×9.0×4.8 cm. On pathologic examination, the tumor was diagnosed as an ovarian steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified. In the present case, although the diameter of the tumor (>7 cm) and three mitoses per 10 high-power fields represented some potential for malignancy, we opted for careful observation without chemotherapy as the tumor was of clinical stage Ia.
An Atypical Case of Idiopathic Purpura Fulminans
Authors: Samman Karol , Le Cathie-Kim , Michon Bruno
Published: June 2022

Idiopathic purpura fulminans (PF) is rare but has been reported in pediatric patients, commonly following infections. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy, heterozygous for factor V Leiden, with no history of recent infections, who presented with PF secondary to acquired protein S deficiency. Despite initial supportive treatment, the patient required surgical fasciotomy and extensive skin grafts. The protein S level normalized 4 months following the presentation. In this context, an autoimmune component with transient anti–protein S antibodies was believed to be involved. This case report highlights the course of idiopathic PF due to noninfectious acquired protein S deficiency.
The Evaluation of Central Venous Catheter-related Complications in Pediatric Acute Leukemia Patients: Single Center Experience
Authors: Sezgin Evim Melike , Yörük Gülce , Güler Salih , Parlak Ayşe , Çelik Fatih , Çelebi Solmaz , Baytan Birol , Hacimustafaoğlu Mustafa , Güneş Adalet Meral
Published: June 2022

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are important for maintenance of childhood leukemia treatment but CVCs may develop complications. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the CVC-related complication rate, complication types, and outcome in children with acute leukemia. Complications developing in 310 CVCs (ports n=250, Hickman catheters n=60) inserted in 262 patients were evaluated. A total of 225,296 catheter days were screened. Median (range) CVC in-dwelling time was 661.5 (1 to 2636) days. In total, 157 complications developed of which 91 (58%) were infectious complications, 35 (22.3%) were vascular, 19 (12.1%) were surgical, and 12 (7.6%) were mechanical. Hickman catheters had a higher complication rate and were more prone to mechanical complications (P<0.01) but there was no difference for other complications. A lower absolute neutrophil count at insertion was observed in children with infectious complications (P<0.01). Seventy-eight of 136 catheters (57.3%) had to be removed prematurely. The overall complication rate was 0.65 per 1000 catheter days. In multivariate analysis, relapse leukemia, Hickman catheter and low absolute neutrophil count increased complication risk by 4.00, 1.97, and 1.92 times, respectively. Five (1.9%) deaths occurred because of catheter complications. Safe use of CVCs can be improved by early detection of complications and an experienced catheter care team.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Rapid Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load XC, Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load, & m-PIMA HIV-1/2 Viral Load in South African Clinics
Authors: Dorward Jienchi , Naidoo Jessica , Moodley Pravikrishnen , Sookrajh Yukteshwar , Samsunder Natasha , Sayed Fathima , Naicker Nivashnee , Fanshawe Thomas , Drain Paul K. , Lessells Richard J. , Hayward Gail , Butler Christopher C. , Garrett Nigel
Published: June 2022

Background:

We aimed to evaluate the analytic performance of 3 rapid HIV viral load assays: the novel Xpert HIV-1 VL XC (Xpert XC), Xpert HIV-1 VL (Xpert VL), and m-PIMA HIV-1/2 VL (m-PIMA).

Setting:

Two South African clinics.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Site-laboratory technicians and nurses used the Xpert XC, Xpert VL, and m-PIMA to test plasma samples from people with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. We compared results with the Roche cobas HIV-1 reference assay. We determined accuracy to detect viraemia at the World Health Organization (WHO) failure threshold of 1000 copies/mL on all 3 assays, and 50 and 200 copies/mL on the Xpert assays. We assessed the agreement using Bland–Altman plots.

Results:

We enrolled 140 participants (98 [70%] women, median age 37 years), who provided 189 paired samples at one or more timepoints. We tested 174 samples with the Xpert XC, 188 with the Xpert VL, and 128 with the m-PIMA. At 1000 copies/mL, sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence intervals) were 97% (82 to 100) and 98% (93 to 99) (Xpert XC), 100% (87 to 100) and 96% (91 to 98) (Xpert VL), and 92% (72 to 99) and 99% (93 to 100) (m-PIMA) respectively. At 50 copies/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 93% (81 to 98) and 96% (91 to 99) (Xpert XC), and 95% (84 to 99) and 95% (90 to 98) (Xpert VL) respectively. Mean bias was −0.10 (−0.54 to 0.34) log10 copies/mL (Xpert XC), 0.07 (−0.37 to 0.52) log10 copies/mL (Xpert VL), and −0.26 (−0.83 to 0.31) log10 copies/mL (m-PIMA).

Conclusions:

In these South African clinics, the accuracy of all 3 assays was clinically acceptable to detect viraemia at the WHO failure threshold, whereas both Xpert assays were also accurate at detecting low-level viraemia.
Agriterribacter soli sp. nov., isolated from herbicide-contaminated soil
Authors: Song Man , Mao Zhen-Bo , Liu Yuan , Wang Guang-Li , Li Feng , Zhang Long
Published: June 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NS-102T, was isolated from herbicide-contaminated soil sampled in Nanjing, PR China, and its taxonomic status was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cell growth of strain NS-102T occurred at 16–42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0–3.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, without addition of NaCl). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NS-102T shows high similarity to that of

Agriterribacter humi

YJ03T (96.9 % similarity), followed by

Terrimonas terrae

T16R-129T (93.8 %) and

Terrimonas pekingensis

QHT (93.6 %). Average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the draft genomes of strain NS-102T and

A. humi

YJ03T were 72.5, 69.4 and 18.6%, respectively. The only respiratory quinone was MK-7, and phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified lipids were the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids of strain NS-102T contained high amounts of iso-C15 : 0 (24.6 %), iso-C17 : 03-OH (24.1 %), iso-C15 : 0 G (16.6 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω6c and/or C16 : 1
 ω7c) (15.6 %). The G+C content of the total DNA was determined to be 40.0 mol%. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Thus, strain NS-102T represents a novel species of the genus

Agriterribacter

, for which the name Agriterribacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS-102T (=CCTCC AB 2017249T=KCTC 62322T).
Relation of spice consumption with COVID-19 first wave statistics (infection, recovery and mortality) across India
Authors: Bhapkar Vedvati , Bhalerao Supriya
Published: June 2022

Background & Objectives

The recovery and mortality statistics for COVID-19 first wave considerably differed in different states & Union territories (UT) of India. Though dependent on several factors, relation of diet and immunity is well-established. Spices are an essential part of Indian cuisine. Apart from adding flavors and colors to the food, their importance has been traditionally known in disease prevention and cure. Thus, present study was carried out to assess relation of spice consumption with COVID-19 first wave statistics in India.

Methods

The spice consumption data were retrieved from ‘Household Consumption of Various Goods and Services in India’ from 68th round (2011-12) of survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO). Spices for which, consumption data was available, viz., ginger (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), black pepper (Piper nigrum), chili (Capsicum annuuam), tamarind (Tamarandus indica) and ‘other spices’ were selected for analysis. The COVID-19 first wave data for individual states and UTs were retrieved as total number of cases, number of cured/discharged/migrated cases and total number of deaths due to COVID-19, in a cumulative form. It was normalized ‘per million’ population of respective states and UT. The correlation of individual spice consumption and COVID-19 statistics was analyzed.

Results and Conclusions

Spices were consumed across all India with a varied range. The highest consumed spice was ginger. Its highest consumption was in Mizoram (185 gm/30 days) and least in Jammu & Kashmir (23gm/30 days). The highest consumption of ‘Other spices’ were observed in Lakshadweep (149 gm/30 days), which incidentally reported zero COVID-19 cases. Tamarind consumption showed positive correlation (r = 0.4724) with total number of cases per million population, recovered/migrated/cured cases (r = 0.4948). The consumption of cumin exhibited a weak positive correlation (r = 0.5011) with total deaths per million population. However, most of these correlations were statistically insignificant. The findings from this study provide a basic framework and understanding for future studies. These findings can help to predict preventive/ mitigating or curative usage of these spices. Should similar scenario occur in future, these findings can provide some vital base to act as adjuvant management. As the unspecified and under-explored ‘Other spices’ category showed promising correlation, more attention needs to be given to them too, along with mostly studied spices like ginger and turmeric.
Comparison of machine learning methods for clinical data imputation among a real-world lung cancer cohort
Authors: Yang Daniel X. , Hui Yongfeng , Wang Betsy , Avesta Arman , Zuber Charlotte , Park Henry S. , Aneja Sanjay
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

Cancer registries are important sources of real-world data (RWD) that reveal insights into practice patterns and cancer patient outcomes, but the prevalence of missing data can be high. Machine learning (ML) imputation methods can be applied to large RWD sets, but the performance of these approaches within cancer registries is unclear.

METHODS

We identified non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients within the National Cancer Database diagnosed in 2014 with complete data in 19 variables of known clinical and prognostic significance. We generated synthetic missing data for each variable, then performed imputation using substitution (control) and five different ML approaches. Imputation efficacy was measured by normalized root-mean-square error (RMSE) for continuous variables and proportion of falsely classified entries (PFC) for categorical variables. We also measured algorithm runtimes and the impact of incorporating imputed values on survival modeling.

RESULTS

50,790 NSCLC patients were included for this study, with 81 features for each patient after data preprocessing. Among the tested ML methods, SoftImpute had the lowest RMSE (best performance) for continuous variables ranging from 0.071 to 0.080 for 10% to 50% missing data, and MissForest had the lowest PFC (best performance) for categorical variables ranging from 0.251 to 0.311 for 10 to 50% missing data. SoftImpute had a runtime of 3.28×10−4seconds per patient record, and MissForest averaged 2.96×10−3seconds per patient record. Deep learning imputation using a denoising autoencoder did not achieve improved performance despite higher algorithm runtimes. Cox models incorporating ML imputed data achieved similar C-index ranging from 0.787 to 0.801 for all ML methods tested.

CONCLUSION

ML imputation achieved promising performance for NSCLC patients within a large national cancer registry.
Patterns of Reported Infection and Reinfection of SARS-CoV-2 in England
Authors: Keeling Matt J.
Published: June 2022

One of the key features of any infectious disease is whether infection generates long-lasting immunity or whether repeated reinfection is common. In the former, the long-term dynamics are driven by the birth of susceptible individuals while in the latter the dynamics are governed by the speed of waning immunity. Between these two extremes a range of scenarios is possible. During the early waves of SARS-CoV-2, the underlying paradigm was for long-lasting immunity, but more recent data and in particular the 2022 Omicron waves have shown that reinfection can be relatively common. Here we investigate reported SARS-CoV-2 cases in England, partitioning the data into four main waves, and consider the temporal distribution of first and second reports of infection. We show that a simple low-dimensional statistical model of random (but scaled) reinfection captures much of the observed dynamics, with the value of this scaling, k, providing information of underlying epidemiological patterns. We conclude that there is considerable heterogeneity in risk of reporting reinfection by wave, age-group and location. The high levels of reinfection in the Omicron wave (we estimate that 18% of all Omicron cases had been previously infected, although not necessarily previously reported infection) point to reinfection events dominating future COVID-19 dynamics.
Heavy-tailed sexual contact networks and the epidemiology of monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic regions, May 2022
Authors: Endo Akira , Murayama Hiroaki , Abbott Sam , Ratnayake Ruwan , Pearson Carl A. B. , Edmunds W. John , Fearon Elizabeth , Funk Sebastian
Published: June 2022

A global outbreak of monkeypox across non-endemic regions including Europe and North America was confirmed in May 2022. The current outbreak has shown distinct epidemiological features compared with past outbreaks in non-endemic settings, most notably its observed rapid growth and predominant spread among men who have sex with men (MSM). We use a branching process transmission model fitted to empirical sexual partnership data in the UK to show that the heavy-tailed nature of the sexual partnership degree distribution, where a small fraction of individuals have disproportionately large numbers of partners, can explain the sustained growth of monkeypox cases among the MSM population despite the absence of such patterns of spread in past outbreaks. We also suggest that the basic reproduction number (R0) for monkeypox over the MSM sexual contact network may be substantially greater than 1 for a plausible range of assumptions, which poses a challenge to outbreak containment efforts. Ensuring ongoing support and tailored public health messaging to facilitate prevention and early detection among MSM with a large number of sexual partners is warranted.
Gla-domain mediated targeting of externalized phosphatidylserine for intracellular delivery
Authors: Hardy Jonathan , Bauzon Maxine , Blankenberg Francis , Kanada Masamitsu , Makela Ashley , Chan Charles K.F. , Contag Christopher H. , Hermiston Terry
Published: June 2022

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a negatively charged phospholipid normally localized to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane of cells but is externalized onto the cell surface during apoptosis as well as in malignant and infected cells. Consequently, PS may comprise an important molecular target in diagnostics, imaging and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. While an array of PS binding-molecules exist, their utility has been limited by their inability to recognize PS and internalize diagnostic or therapeutic payloads. We describe the generation, isolation, characterization, and utility of a PS binding motif comprised of a carboxylated glutamic acid (GLA) residue domain, that both recognizes cell surface-exposed PS and is internalized into these cells after binding. Internalization is independent of the traditional endosomal-lysosomal pathway, directly entering the cytosol of the target cell in a rapid and energy-independent fashion. We demonstrate that this PS recognition extends to extracellular vesicles and stem cells and that GLA-domain conjugated probes can be detected upon intravenous administration in animal models of infectious disease and cancer. GLA domain binding and internalization offers new opportunities for targeting specific cells for imaging and delivery of therapeutics.
Precise modulation of transcription factor levels reveals drivers of dosage sensitivity
Authors: Naqvi Sahin , Kim Seungsoo , Hoskens Hanne , Matthews Harry S. , Spritz Richard A. , Klein Ophir D. , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Swigut Tomek , Claes Peter , Pritchard Jonathan K. , Wysocka Joanna
Published: June 2022

Transcriptional regulation displays extensive robustness, but human genetics indicate sensitivity to transcription factor (TF) dosage. Reconciling such observations requires quantitative studies of TF dosage effects at trait-relevant ranges, which are lacking to date. TFs play central roles in both normal-range and disease-associated variation in facial morphology; we therefore developed an approach to precisely modulate TF levels in human facial progenitors and applied it to SOX9, a TF associated with craniofacial variation and disease (Pierre Robin Sequence, PRS). We found that most SOX9-dependent regulatory elements (REs) are buffered against small decreases in SOX9 dosage, but REs directly and primarily regulated by SOX9 show heightened sensitivity to SOX9 dosage; these RE responses predict gene expression responses. Sensitive REs and genes underlie the vulnerability of chondrogenesis and PRS-like craniofacial shape variation to SOX9 dosage perturbation. We propose that such REs and genes drive the sensitivity of specific phenotypes to TF dosage, while buffering of other genes leads to robust, nonlinear dosage-to-phenotype relationships.
Influence of modelling disorder on Hirshfeld atom refinement results of an organo-gold(I) compound
Authors: Pawlędzio Sylwia , Malinska Maura , Kleemiss Florian , Grabowsky Simon , Woźniak Krzysztof
Published: June 2022

Details of the validation of disorder modelling with Hirshfeld atom refinement (HAR) for a previously investigated organo-gold(I) compound are presented here. The impact of refining disorder on HAR results is discussed using an analysis of the differences of dynamic structure factors. These dynamic structure factor differences are calculated from thermally smeared quantum mechanical electron densities based on wavefunctions that include or exclude electron correlation and relativistic effects. When disorder is modelled, the electron densities stem from a weighted superposition of two (or more) different conformers. Here this is shown to impact the relative importance of electron correlation and relativistic effect estimates expressed by the structure factor magnitudes. The role of disorder modelling is also compared with the effect of the treatment of hydrogen anisotropic displacement parameter (ADP) values and atomic anharmonicity of the gold atom. The analysis of ADP values of gold and disordered carbon atoms showed that the effect of disorder significantly altered carbon ADP values and did not influence those of the gold atom.
A novel X-ray diffraction approach to assess the crystallinity of regenerated cellulose fibers
Authors: Gentile Luigi , Sixta Herbert , Giannini Cinzia , Olsson Ulf
Published: June 2022

Here, a new accurate approach is presented to quantify the degree of crystallinity of regenerated cellulose textile fibers using wide-angle X-ray scattering. The approach is based on the observation that the contributions to the scattering from crystalline and amorphous domains of the fibers can be separated due to their different degree of orientation with respect to the fiber direction. The method is tested on Ioncell-F fibers, dry jet wet spun with different draw ratios from an ionic liquid solution. The analysis output includes, apart from an accurate estimate of the fiber crystallinity, the degrees of orientation of the cellulose nanocrystals and the cellulose chains in the amorphous domains.
Microsecond melting and revitrification of cryo samples: protein structure and beam-induced motion
Authors: Harder Oliver F. , Voss Jonathan M. , Olshin Pavel K. , Drabbels Marcel , Lorenz Ulrich J.
Published: June 2022

A novel approach to time-resolved cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has recently been introduced that involves melting a cryo sample with a laser beam to allow protein dynamics to briefly occur in the liquid, before trapping the particles in their transient configurations by rapidly revitrifying the sample. With a time resolution of just a few microseconds, this approach is notably fast enough to study the domain motions that are typically associated with the activity of proteins but which have previously remained inaccessible. Here, crucial details are added to the characterization of the method. It is shown that single-particle reconstructions of apoferritin and Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus from revitrified samples are indistinguishable from those from conventional samples, demonstrating that melting and revitrification leaves the particles intact and that they do not undergo structural changes within the spatial resolution afforded by the instrument. How rapid revitrification affects the properties of the ice is also characterized, showing that revitrified samples exhibit comparable amounts of beam-induced motion. The results pave the way for microsecond time-resolved studies of the conformational dynamics of proteins and open up new avenues to study the vitrification process and to address beam-induced specimen movement.
Biochemical and structural insights into an unusual, alkali-metal-independent S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Malecki Piotr H. , Imiolczyk Barbara , Barciszewski Jakub , Czyrko-Horczak Justyna , Sliwiak Joanna , Gawel Magdalena , Wozniak Katarzyna , Jaskolski Mariusz , Brzezinski Krzysztof
Published: June 2022

The mesophilic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 encodes an S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHase) of archaeal origin in its genome. SAHases are essential enzymes involved in the regulation of cellular S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methylation reactions. They are usually active as homotetramers or, less commonly, as homodimers. A SAHase subunit is composed of two major domains: a cofactor (NAD+)-binding domain and a substrate (S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine)-binding domain. These are connected by a hinge element that is also a coordination site for an alkali-metal cation that influences domain movement during the catalytic cycle. Typically, the highest activity and strongest substrate binding of bacterial SAHases are observed in the presence of K+ ions. The SAHase from Synechocystis (SynSAHase) is an exception in this respect. Enzymatic and isothermal titration calorimetry studies demonstrated that in contrast to K+-dependent SAHases, the activity and ligand binding of SynSAHase are not affected by the presence of any particular alkali ion. Moreover, in contrast to other SAHases, the cyanobacterial enzyme is in an equilibrium of two distinct oligomeric states corresponding to its dimeric and tetrameric forms in solution. To explain these phenomena, crystal structures of SynSAHase were determined for the enzyme crystallized in the presence of adenosine (a reaction byproduct or substrate) and sodium or rubidium cations. The structural data confirm that while SynSAHase shares common structural features with other SAHases, no alkali metal is coordinated by the cyanobacterial enzyme as a result of a different organization of the macromolecular environment of the site that is normally supposed to coordinate the metal cation. This inspired the generation of SynSAHase mutants that bind alkali-metal cations analogously to K+-dependent SAHases, as confirmed by crystallographic studies. Structural comparisons of the crystal structure of SynSAHase with other experimental models of SAHases suggest a possible explanation for the occurrence of the cyanobacterial enzyme in the tetrameric state. On the other hand, the reason for the existence of SynSAHase in the dimeric state in solution remains elusive.
Exploring secrecy in pay communication: a conceptual matrix
Authors: Holtzen Sarah
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework that clarifies the construct of pay secrecy.

Design/methodology/approach

Paralleling organizational justice research, two continua of pay information – a distributive continuum about pay raise outcomes and a procedural continuum of pay raise processes – are crossed to produce a 3 × 3 matrix with nine distinct forms of pay communication.

Findings

Drawing on the substitutability effect from the organizational justice literature, the matrix highlights the importance of considering how the communication of different types of pay information interact with one another as individuals form pay perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

The matrix framework illustrates that not only information content shapes pay perceptions, but also the extent to which different types of pay information are communicated, and how these different types of information interact. As with any conceptual framework, the current manuscript is limited by a lack of empirical testing.

Practical implications

Managers should be cognizant of the many different ways in which pay information can be communicated. A call is made to reconsider the use of traditionally binary terminology (secret or not) in favor of more accurate descriptions of the nuanced ways in which organizations communicate pay information.

Originality/value

The value of the pay communication matrix lies in the nine unique forms of pay communication arising from the interaction of two different forms of pay information – distributive (outcomes) and procedural (process).
Online health information-seeking behaviour: an empirical study of managerial-level employees in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunasekara Nilani Priyanka , Fernando Warnakulasuriya Mahesh Niroshan , Karunarathne E.A.C.P.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Over the past few years, the internet has expanded rapidly, and it has been considered a systematic way that consumers use to retrieve health-related information. However, the existing literature does not provide an articulated view of online health information-seeking behaviour through an in-depth understanding of users’ searching-related behaviour. The objectives of this study are to identify the factors affecting consumers’ health-related internet use and recognise the relationships between those specified and health-related internet use. Finally, the recommendations are made based on the findings.

Design/methodology/approach

An amalgamated model of technology acceptance model and health belief model was used to hypothesise health-related internet use behaviour, which is then tested using a cross-sectional survey of 287 Sri Lankan managerial-level employees. The covariance-based structural equation modelling with AMOS was used to check the study hypotheses.

Findings

Findings of this study depict five factors contributing to consumers’ health-related internet use as follows: perceived health risk towards chronic diseases consisting of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity; health consciousness; perceived usefulness of the internet; perceived ease of internet use; and attitude towards health-related internet use. As theorised, the internet’s perceived usefulness was positively and significantly related to consumers’ use of health-related internet and attitude towards health-related internet use. But as hypothesised, perceived ease of internet use did not directly affect consumers’ use of health-related internet. Further, findings reveal that health-related internet use is estimated by perceived health risk than health consciousness.

Originality/value

Findings reveal that Sri Lankan managerial-level employees have a reactive health behaviour driven by the perceived health risk and the desire to seek online health information.
Taxing Africa for inclusive human development: the mediating role of governance quality
Authors: Adegboye Alex , Erin Olayinka , Asongu Simplice
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Given that the literature on the links between taxation and inclusive human development is ambiguous, it is important to investigate whether the mediating influence of governance in taxation for inclusive development exists. Thus, this study aims to explore the linkages between the governance quality, taxation and inclusive human development (i.e. inequality-adjusted human development index).

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique to establish the empirical findings on 52 African countries for the period 2010–2018. Among the existing GMM approaches, this study follows the Roodman approach, an enhancement of the Arellano and Bover techniques, which limits the proliferation of instruments. This study uses the two-step approach, which deals with issues of the heteroscedasticity as against instead the one-step procedure, which solely addresses the homoscedasticity concerns.

Findings

The following findings are established. First, there is an unconditional positive effect of taxation on inclusive human development. Second, the net effects of taxation on inclusive human development, associated with the interaction of the government revenue with governance quality variables, are positive for the most part. It is then evident that when taxation policies are combined with good governance initiatives, the ultimate impact of inclusive human development is likely to be enhanced.

Originality/value

This study establishes that, whereas taxation dynamics largely have a favorable incidence in promoting inclusive human development, when such taxation measures are complemented with good governance initiatives, the overall impact of inclusive human development is also likely to be positive. It follows that policies designed to promote political, economic and institutional governance should be implemented in tandem, which policies designed to boost tax performance in the sampled countries. The findings can also be understood from the perspectives that inclusive human development is likely to be boosted when taxation measures are complemented with, (1) the free and fair election and replacement of political leaders (i.e. political governance), (2) the formulation and implementation of inclusive policies for the delivery of public goods (i.e. economic governance) and (3) the respect by citizens and the state of institutions that govern interactions between them (i.e. institutional governance).
Carbon dioxide emissions reduction efficiency and growth potential: case of China
Authors: Steblyanskaya Alina , Ai Mingye , Denisov Artem , Efimova Olga , Rybachuk Maksim
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Understanding China's carbon dioxide (CO2) emission status is crucial for getting Carbon Neutrality status. The purpose of the paper is to calculate two possible scenarios for CO2 emission distribution and calculated input-output flows of CO2 emissions for every 31 China provinces for 2012, 2015 and 2017 years.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study using the input and output (IO) table's data for the selected years, the authors found the volume of CO2 emissions per one Yuan of revenue for the industry in 2012 and the coefficient of emission reduction compared to 2012.

Findings

Results show that in the industries with a huge volume of CO2 emissions, such as “Mining and washing of coal”, the authors cannot observe the reduction processes for years. Industries where emissions are being reduced are “Processing of petroleum, coking, nuclear fuel”, “Production and distribution of electric power and heat power”, “Agriculture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry and Fishery”. For the “construction” industry the situation with emissions did not change.

Originality/value

“Transport, storage, and postal services” and “Smelting and processing of metals” industries in China has the second place concerning emissions, but over the past period, emissions have been sufficiently reduced. “Construction” industry produces a lot of emissions, but this industry does not carry products characterized by large emissions from other industries. Authors can observe that Jiangsu produces a lot of CO2 emissions, but they do not take products characterized by significant emissions from other provinces. Shandong produces a lot of emissions and consumes many of products characterized by large emissions from other provinces. However, Shandong showed a reduction in CO2 emissions from 2012 to 2017.
Assessing Australian Monetary Policy in the Twenty‐First Century*
Authors: Gross Isaac , Leigh Andrew
Published: June 2022

Using the Reserve Bank of Australia's MARTIN model, we compare actual monetary policy decisions with a counterfactual in which the cash rate is set according to an optimal simple rule. We find that monetary policy played a crucial role in avoiding a potential recession in 2001 and mitigating the downturn in 2008–09. By contrast we find that the cash rate was too high during 2016–19, keeping inflation below the Reserve Bank's target band. Optimal monetary policy in 2016–19 would have involved a substantially lower cash rate and produced significantly better employment outcomes.