bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repeat aortic valve surgery: contemporary outcomes and risk stratification
Authors: François Katrien , De Backer Laurent , Martens Thomas , Philipsen Tine , Van Belleghem Yves , Bové Thierry
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES

Redo aortic valve surgery (rAVS) is performed with increasing frequency, but operative mortality is usually higher compared to that associated with primary aortic valve surgery. We analysed our patients who had rAVS to determine the current outcomes of rAVS as a surgical benchmark in view of the growing interest in transcatheter valve techniques.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 148 consecutive patients [median age 67.7 years (interquartile range 54.9–77.6); 68.2% men] who underwent rAVS following aortic valve replacement (81.6%), aortic root replacement (15%) or aortic valve repair (3.4%) between 2000 and 2018.

RESULTS

Indications for rAVS were structural valve dysfunction (42.7%), endocarditis (37.8%), non-structural valve dysfunction (17.7%) and aortic aneurysm (2.1%). Valve replacement was performed in 69.7%, and 34 new root procedures were necessary in 23%. Early mortality was 9.5% (n = 14). Female gender [odds ratio (OR) 6.16], coronary disease (OR 4.26) and lower creatinine clearance (OR 0.95) were independent predictors of early mortality. Follow-up was 98.6% complete [median 5.9 (interquartile range 1.7–10.9) years]. Survival was 74.1 ± 3.7%, 57.9 ± 5.1% and 43.8 ± 6.1% at 5, 10 and 14 years, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed female gender [hazard ratio (HR) 1.73], diabetes (HR 1.73), coronary disease (HR 1.62) and peripheral vascular disease (HR 1.98) as independent determinants of late survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite many urgent situations and advanced New York Heart Association functional class at presentation, rAVS could be performed with acceptable early and late outcomes. Risk factors for survival were female gender, coronary disease and urgency. In this all-comers patient cohort needing rAVS, only a minority would eventually qualify for transcatheter valve-in-valve procedures.
A detailed explantation assessment protocol for patients with left ventricular assist devices with myocardial recovery
Authors: Monteagudo Vela María , Rial Bastón Verónica , Panoulas Vasileios , Riesgo Gil Fernando , Simon Andre
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVES

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for end-stage heart failure patients has been on the rise, providing a reliable long-term option. For some LVAD patients, longer term LV unloading leads to recovery; hence, the need for evaluating potential myocardial recovery and weaning eligibility has emerged.

METHODS

All patients who underwent contemporary LVAD explantation at our institution between 2009 and 2020 were included in the study. Patients in New York Heart Association I, left ventricular ejection fraction >40%, a cardiac index >2.4 l/min and a peak oxygen intake >50% predicted underwent a 4-phase weaning assessment. A minimally invasive approach using a titanium plug was the surgery of choice in the most recent explants. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to estimate the survival at 1 and 5 years.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients (17 HeartMate II, 9 HeartWare) underwent LVAD explantation after a median 317 days of support [IQ (212–518)], range 131–1437. Mean age at explant was 35.8 ± 12.7 years and 85% were males. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was the underlying diagnosis in 70% of cases. Thirteen (48%) patients were on short-term mechanical circulatory support and 60% required intensive care unit admission prior to the LVAD implantation. At 1 year, Kaplan–Meier estimated survival was 88%, whereas at 6 years, it was 77%. The average left ventricular ejection fraction at 1 year post-explant was 44.25% ± 8.44.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a standardized weaning protocol (echocardiographic and invasive) and a minimally invasive LVAD explant technique minimizes periprocedural complications and leads to good long-term device-free survival rates.
Development and psychometric properties of the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form
Authors: Akgün Mehtap , Kavradim Selma Turan , Boz İlkay , Özer Zeynep
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form (CBAN-SF) based on the Theory of Human Caring to assess the nurses’ perceptions about caring behaviors.

Design

This study is based on the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments checklist.

Setting

The study was conducted at the medical-surgical services of Akdeniz University Hospital between October 2019 and January 2020.

Participants

This study was conducted with 216 nurses working in the surgery and internal clinics.

Main Outcome Measures

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the CBAN-SF with 27 items.

Results

It was found that the Content Validity Index (CVI) for the items of the draft scale was between 0.972 and 1.00 and the instrument’s CVI had an average score of 0.994. The CBAN-SF had good fit indexes (chi-square goodness of fit / degrees of freedom = 2.914, root mean square error of approximation = 0.075, comparative fit index = 0.984, non-normed fit index = 0.983, normed fit index = 0.972 and standardized root mean square residuals = 0.054) in structural validity. For internal consistency, the Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman–Brown and the Guttman split-half coefficients were all 0.974. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the seven subfactors of the scale ranged between 0.793 and 0.904 and had acceptable internal consistency. The item-total score correlation of the scale was 0.648–0.829, and the factor loadings were 0.455–0.769.

Conclusion

The structural validity, internal consistency and content validity of the CBAN-SF supported to be a reliable and valid tool for assessment of caring behaviors by nurses.
Natural language processing to measure the frequency and mode of communication between healthcare professionals and family members of critically ill patients
Authors: Lucini Filipe R , Krewulak Karla D , Fiest Kirsten M , Bagshaw Sean M , Zuege Danny J , Lee Joon , Stelfox Henry T
Published: October 2020

Objective

To apply natural language processing (NLP) techniques to identify individual events and modes of communication between healthcare professionals and families of critically ill patients from electronic medical records (EMR).

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 280 randomly selected adult patients admitted to 1 of 15 intensive care units (ICU) in Alberta, Canada from June 19, 2012 to June 11, 2018. Individual events and modes of communication were independently abstracted using NLP and manual chart review (reference standard). Preprocessing techniques and 2 NLP approaches (rule-based and machine learning) were evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC).

Results

Over 2700 combinations of NLP methods and hyperparameters were evaluated for each mode of communication using a holdout subset. The rule-based approach had the highest AUROC in 65 datasets compared to the machine learning approach in 21 datasets. Both approaches had similar performance in 17 datasets. The rule-based AUROC for the grouped categories of patient documented to have family or friends (0.972, 95% CI 0.934–1.000), visit by family/friend (0.882 95% CI 0.820–0.943) and phone call with family/friend (0.975, 95% CI: 0.952–0.998) were high.

Discussion

We report an automated method to quantify communication between healthcare professionals and family members of adult patients from free-text EMRs. A rule-based NLP approach had better overall operating characteristics than a machine learning approach.

Conclusion

NLP can automatically and accurately measure frequency and mode of documented family visitation and communication from unstructured free-text EMRs, to support patient- and family-centered care initiatives.
Development and Validation of an LC–MS-MS Method for the Quantification of Cyanate in Rat Plasma and Its Application to Toxicokinetic Bioanalysis
Authors: Renkecz Tibor , Scopchanova Sirma , Hirka Gábor , Szakonyiné Ilona Pasics
Published: October 2020

Cyanate has been recognized as a uremic toxin that can adversely affect the clinical status of patients with chronic kidney disease. Besides, its toxicity has been under investigation in mammalian toxicology. If such studies are supplemented with toxicokinetic sampling and bioanalysis, additional information can be acquired about the systemic exposure. In order to serve this need, a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) method was elaborated and validated for the quantification of cyanate in rat plasma using its isotope-labeled analog for internal standard. Cyanate was converted to a product compatible with reverse-phase LC–MS-MS via a two-step derivatization reaction with the reagent—anthranilic acid. It was observed that this reagent solution contains the reaction products even if prepared freshly in ultrapure water. The phenomenon was interpreted as the presence of urea and its reactivity with anthranilic acid. Contrary to previous research results where fresh anthranilic acid solution was recommended to use, we have found that the aging of the reagent solution is a crucial factor to eliminate the interference. Thereafter, the optimal pH was selected for the plasma sample and processing conditions. Bioanalytical validation and incurred sample reanalysis confirmed the reliability of the method when the intermediate reaction product was used for detection. Only one freeze–thaw cycle stability could be proven, which highlighted the need to collect two sample aliquots whenever possible. Real samples were analyzed in a toxicity study to evaluate systemic exposure of potassium cyanate at three dose levels. Further on, this method might be adapted to provide additional information about the pathophysiological concentration of cyanate in patients with chronic kidney disease for therapeutic support.
Reputation Concerns in Risky Experimentation
Authors: Chen Chia-Hui , Ishida Junichiro , Suen Wing
Published: October 2020

High-ability agents are more likely to achieve early success in risky experimentation, but learn faster that their project is not promising. These counteracting effects give rise to a signaling model with double-crossing property. This property tends to induce homogenization of quitting times between types, which in turn leads to some pooling in equilibrium. Low-ability agents may hold out to continue their project for the prospect of pooling with the high type, despite having a negative instantaneous net payoff. A war-of-attrition mechanism causes low-ability agents to quit only gradually over time, and to stop quitting for a period immediately before all agents exit.
Puer barbatus: Precocious Puberty in Early Modern Medicine
Authors: Janssen Diederik F
Published: October 2020

During early modernity, medico-legal concerns with timing puberty gave way to physiological and medical-hygienic concerns with pubertal timing. Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century medical-jurisprudential tracts isolated rare cases of conception before the legal marriage age. Scattered reports of “monstrously” early menarche and “prodigious” male puberty were offered from the latter half of the seventeenth century. Tied to excess heat, moisture, plethora and climate since antiquity, in the second half of the eighteenth century pubertal timing attracted sustained commentary regarding the purported role of social stressors, from novel-reading to diet and trousers. Both the known variability and strikingly outlying instances of pubertal timing thus provided an inroad to unravelling such perennial explanatory devices as temperament, constitution, and life style. Despite and in part because of its explanatory significance in early modern physiology, leading eighteenth-century nosologists did not yet itemize precocious puberty. One precocious boy described in the 1740s, the Willingham Prodigy, provided the best documented early medical and public response. Formal nosological interest followed by the 1760s, initially under Haller’s heading of excessive growth (incrementum nimium, tied to enhanced circulation) and only much later under Meckel the Younger’s heading of premature development (vorschnelle Entwicklung).
COVID-19 in Pediatric Long-Term Care: How Infection Control and Prevention Practices Minimized the Impact of the Pandemic on Healthcare Providers and Residents
Authors: Neu Natalie , Nee MariCris , Savitt Joseph , Schneider Connelly Laura , Choi JieSue , Mosiello Linda
Published: October 2020

Children in pediatric long-term care (LTC) facilities are commonly infected with respiratory tract viruses as they have many high-risk co-morbidities and require significant interactions with the healthcare team. From previous studies, we know that infected staff can often be the source of transmission of infection to the children. If instituted quickly, infection control practices can help mitigate the spread of infection. We will describe how Sunshine Children’s Home and Rehabilitation Center responded to federal and state infection control and prevention mandates in LTC for COVID-19. We will report our practice changes, staff and resident screening, and testing results as well as outcomes of the COVID-19-infected cases. The outcomes for COVID-19 infection among pediatric LTC staff and residents are in stark contrast to the data available for the adult providers and residents in adult nursing homes. Implementation and change in infection control practices and procedures resulted in much fewer cases of COVID-19 infection in our pediatric LTC residents.
Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma involving the left adrenal gland in a 75-year-old male: a case report and literature review
Authors: Tojal André , Santos Natália , Vicente João , Carrilho Noel , Casimiro Carlos
Published: October 2020

Primary retroperitoneal teratomas involving adrenal glands are extremely uncommon, particularly in elderly males. Only a few case reports have been documented in the literature so far. We report a mature cystic retroperitoneal teratoma in the region of left adrenal gland in an asymptomatic 75-year-old male patient. It was incidentally found on an abdominal computed tomography scan and was thought to be an adrenal adenoma. Because of its relatively large size and the patient’s request, he underwent a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a benign mature cystic retroperitoneal teratoma in the region of the left adrenal gland. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and is free of recurrence after 20 months of follow-up. Considering the diagnostic difficulty of retroperitoneal teratoma by radiologic imaging, and its risk of malignancy, surgical resection via a minimally invasive approach would be the best diagnostic and therapeutic option. A literature review on teratomas is included.
“It Will Take a Man Person with you to … Keep the Place Up”: Family, Gender, and Power in Confederate Common White Households
Authors: Doyle Patrick J
Published: October 2020

This article provides fresh insight on the ways in which the American Civil War challenged and destabilized understandings of familial and gendered power within the Confederate States. It is well established that the impressive extent of the Confederacy’s military mobilization significantly altered the gendered demographics and dynamics of the home front. While not rejecting this orthodox view, this article does challenge its tendency to overemphasize the extent to which the rural South was sapped of men. In doing so, it not only underscores the important roles some men, most notably those too old for military service, continued to play in ordinary households but also how this pattern unsettled familial power in terms of generation and age as well as gender. Finally, this article endeavors to excavate the more quotidian experience of Confederate common white families and, in order to do so, utilizes three microbiographies of specific households from the state of South Carolina.
Buruli ulcer in a traveller returning from Madagascar: the first report of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection from the region
Authors: Sepulcri Chiara , Di Biagio Antonio , Tutino Stefania , Valente Umberto , Barbieri Ramona , Marchese Anna , Bassetti Matteo
Published: October 2020

We describe a case of Buruli ulcer diagnosed by tissue culture and PCR in a Caucasian male returning from Madagascar where he served as a health-care worker in the Antsiranana region.

To the best of our knowledge, this could be the first case of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection reported in Madagascar.
Temperature response of wheat affects final height and the timing of stem elongation under field conditions
Authors: Kronenberg Lukas , Yates Steven , Boer Martin P , Kirchgessner Norbert , Walter Achim , Hund Andreas
Published: October 2020

In wheat, temperature affects the timing and intensity of stem elongation. Genetic variation for this process is therefore important for adaptation. This study investigates the genetic response to temperature fluctuations during stem elongation and its relationship to phenology and height. Canopy height of 315 wheat genotypes (GABI wheat panel) was scanned twice weekly in the field phenotyping platform (FIP) of ETH Zurich using a LIDAR. Temperature response was modelled using linear regressions between stem elongation and mean temperature in each measurement interval. This led to a temperature-responsive (slope) and a temperature-irresponsive (intercept) component. The temperature response was highly heritable (H2=0.81) and positively related to a later start and end of stem elongation as well as final height. Genome-wide association mapping revealed three temperature-responsive and four temperature-irresponsive quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Furthermore, putative candidate genes for temperature-responsive QTLs were frequently related to the flowering pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana, whereas temperature-irresponsive QTLs corresponded to growth and reduced height genes. In combination with Rht and Ppd alleles, these loci, together with the loci for the timing of stem elongation, accounted for 71% of the variability in height. This demonstrates how high-throughput field phenotyping combined with environmental covariates can contribute to a smarter selection of climate-resilient crops.
Practice Variation in Regional Anesthesia Utilization by Current and Former U.S. Military Anesthesiology Residents
Authors: Jaffe Edward , Patzkowski Michael S , Hodgson John A , Foerschler Derek L , Gonzalez Sara C , Giordano Nicholas A , Scott-Richardson Maya P , Highland Krista B
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Per Joint Trauma System guidelines, military anesthesiologists are expected to be ready to lead an Acute Pain Service with regional anesthesia in combat casualty care. However, regional anesthesia practice volume has not been assessed in the military. The objective of this study was to assess regional anesthesia utilization among current residents and graduates of U.S. military anesthesiology residency programs.

Materials and Methods

All current and former active duty military anesthesiology program residents, trained at any of the four military anesthesiology residency programs between 2013 and 2019, were anonymously surveyed about their regional anesthesia practice. Bivariate statistics described the total single-injection and catheter block techniques utilized in the last month. Cluster analysis assessed for the presence of distinct practice groups within the sample. Follow-up analyses explored potential associations between cluster membership and other variables (e.g., residency training site, residency graduation year, overall confidence in performing regional anesthesia, etc.). This protocol received exemption determination separately from each site’s institutional review board.

Results

Current and former residents reported broad variation in regional anesthesia practice and clustered into four distinct practice groups. Less than half of respondents utilized a moderate to high number of different single-injection and catheter blocks.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for creative solutions to increase regional anesthesia training in military anesthesiology programs and continued ability to implement skills, such that all military anesthesiologists have adequate practice for deployed responsibilities.
Melon with a Twist: A Case of Nicotine Overdose After Ingestion and Aspiration of Vape Liquid
Authors: Jude Joseph , Hiller Hugh , Miller Joel
Published: October 2020

We present the case of an active duty 21-year-old male with severe hypoxic respiratory failure after accidentally ingesting, and subsequently aspirating, vaping liquid while intoxicated. Because of the increasing prevalence of vaping devices, this case highlights a unique risk of vape liquids with concentrated nicotine levels and appetizing labels and aromas. Vaping-associated pulmonary injury has been previously described in multiple publications, but unlike those patients with pathology after inhaling vaping products, our patient ingested and subsequently aspirated the highly nicotinic substance. Most vape liquid products have enough nicotine to result in significant toxicity, which most concerningly can lead to nicotine-induced respiratory failure. This patient’s hypoxia appeared to be multifactorial as a result of both nicotine toxicity and aspiration, but ultimately treatment of both focused on supportive measures.In addition to understanding nicotine toxicity, this patient’s hypoxia secondary to agitation and aspiration requiring emergent airway management illustrates the importance of understanding the technique of Delayed Sequence Intubation and its proper application in the critical airway algorithm. By treating preoxygenation as a procedure, the patient received adequate oxygenation resulting in successful intubation without harmful desaturation during the procedure.Given the prevalence of tobacco use in the military as well as the increasing popularity of vaping devices, future military providers have a responsibility to their patients to be prepared for similar case presentations. Fortunately, this case demonstrates that when managed properly, otherwise healthy patients without comorbidities often recover without significant long-term sequelae.
Abundance measurements of H2O and carbon-bearing species in the atmosphere of WASP-127b confirm its supersolar metallicity
Authors: Spake Jessica J , Sing David K , Wakeford Hannah R , Nikolov Nikolay , Mikal-Evans Thomas , Deming Drake , Barstow Joanna K , Anderson David R , Carter Aarynn L , Gillon Michael , Goyal Jayesh M , Hebrard Guillaume , Hellier Coel , Kataria Tiffany , Lam Kristine W F , Triaud A H M J , Wheatley Peter J
Published: October 2020

The chemical abundances of exoplanet atmospheres may provide valuable information about the bulk compositions, formation pathways, and evolutionary histories of planets. Exoplanets with large, relatively cloud-free atmospheres, and which orbit bright stars provide the best opportunities for accurate abundance measurements. For this reason, we measured the transmission spectrum of the bright (V ∼ 10.2), large (1.37 RJ), sub-Saturn mass (0.19 MJ) exoplanet WASP-127b across the near-UV to near-infrared wavelength range (0.3–5 μm), using the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. Our results show a feature-rich transmission spectrum, with absorption from Na, H2O, and CO2, and wavelength-dependent scattering from small-particle condensates. We ran two types of atmospheric retrieval models: one enforcing chemical equilibrium, and the other which fit the abundances freely. Our retrieved abundances at chemical equilibrium for Na, O, and C are all supersolar, with abundances relative to solar values of 9$^{+15}_{-6}$, 16$^{+7}_{-5}$, and 26$^{+12}_{-9}$, respectively. Despite giving conflicting C/O ratios, both retrievals gave supersolar CO2 volume mixing ratios, which adds to the likelihood that WASP-127b’s bulk metallicity is supersolar, since CO2 abundance is highly sensitive to atmospheric metallicity. We detect water at a significance of 13.7σ. Our detection of Na is in agreement with previous ground-based detections, though we find a much lower abundance, and we also do not find evidence for Li or K despite increased sensitivity. In the future, spectroscopy with James Webb Space Telescope will be able to constrain WASP-127b’s C/O ratio, and may reveal the formation history of this metal-enriched, highly observable exoplanet.
Cooling of accretion disc coronae by Type I X-ray bursts
Authors: Speicher J , Ballantyne D R , Malzac J
Published: October 2020

Although accretion disc coronae appear to be common in many accreting systems, their fundamental properties remain insufficiently understood. Recent work suggests that Type I X-ray bursts from accreting neutron stars provide an opportunity to probe the characteristics of coronae. Several studies have observed hard X-ray shortages from the accretion disc during an X-ray burst implying strong coronal cooling by burst photons. Here, we use the plasma emission code eqpair to study the impact of X-ray bursts on coronae, and how the coronal and burst properties affect the coronal electron temperatures and emitted spectra. Assuming a constant accretion rate during the burst, our simulations show that soft photons can cool coronal electrons by a factor of ≳ 10 and cause a reduction of emission in the 30–50 keV band to $\lesssim 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the pre-burst emission. This hard X-ray drop is intensified when the coronal optical depth and aspect ratio is increased. In contrast, depending on the properties of the burst and corona, the emission in the 8–24 keV band can either increase, by a factor of ≳ 20, or decrease, down to $\lesssim 1{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the pre-burst emission. An increasing accretion rate during the X-ray burst reduces the coronal cooling effects and the electron temperature drop can be mitigated by $\gtrsim 60{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. These results indicate that changes of the hard X-ray flux during an X-ray burst probe the geometrical properties of the corona.
A bias in VLBI measurements of the core shift effect in AGN jets
Authors: Pashchenko I N , Plavin A V , Kutkin A M , Kovalev Y Y
Published: October 2020

The Blandford and Königl model of active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets predicts that the position of the apparent opaque jet base – the core – changes with frequency. This effect is observed with radio interferometry and is widely used to infer parameters and structure of the innermost jet regions. The position of the radio core is typically estimated by fitting a Gaussian template to the interferometric visibilities. This results in a model approximation error, i.e. a bias that can be detected and evaluated through simulations of observations with a realistic jet model. To assess the bias, we construct an artificial sample of sources based on the AGN jet model evaluated on a grid of the parameters derived from a real VLBI flux-density-limited sample and create simulated VLBI data sets at 2.3, 8.1, and 15.4 GHz. We found that the core position shifts from the true jet apex are generally overestimated. The bias is typically comparable to the core shift random error and can reach a factor of 2 for jets with large apparent opening angles. This observational bias depends mostly on the ratio between the true core shift and the image resolution. This implies that the magnetic field, the core radial distance, and the jet speed inferred from the core shift measurements are overestimated. We present a method to account for the bias.
An extreme-mass ratio, short-period eclipsing binary consisting of a B dwarf primary and a pre-main-sequence M star companion discovered by KELT
Authors: Stevens Daniel J , Zhou George , Johnson Marshall C , Rizzuto Aaron C , Rodriguez Joseph E , Bieryla Allyson , Collins Karen A , Villanueva Steven , Wright Jason T , Gaudi B Scott , Latham David W , Beatty Thomas G , Lund Michael B , Siverd Robert J , Kraus Adam L , Wachiraphan Patcharapol , Berlind Perry , Calkins Michael L , Esquerdo Gilbert A , Kielkopf John F , Kuhn Rudolf B , Manner Mark , Pepper Joshua , Stassun Keivan G
Published: October 2020

We present the discovery of KELT J072709 + 072007 (HD 58730), a very low mass ratio (q ≡ M2/M1 ≈ 0.07) eclipsing binary (EB) identified by the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) survey. We present the discovery light curve and perform a global analysis of four high-precision ground-based light curves, the Transiting Exoplanets Survey Satellite (TESS) light curve, radial velocity (RV) measurements, Doppler Tomography (DT) measurements, and the broad-band spectral energy distribution. Results from the global analysis are consistent with a fully convective ($M_2 = 0.22 \pm 0.02\ \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot })$ M star transiting a late-B primary ($M_1 = 3.34^{+0.07}_{-0.09}\ \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }\,\mathrm{ and}\,\ T_{\rm eff,1} = 11960^{+430}_{-520}\ {\rm K}$). We infer that the primary star is $183_{-30}^{+33}$ Myr old and that the companion star’s radius is inflated by $26 \pm 8{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ relative to the predicted value from a low-mass isochrone of similar age. We separately and analytically fit for the variability in the out-of-eclipse TESS phase curve, finding good agreement between the resulting stellar parameters and those from the global fit. Such systems are valuable for testing theories of binary star formation and understanding how the environment of a star in a close-but-detached binary affects its physical properties. In particular, we examine how a star’s properties in such a binary might differ from the properties it would have in isolation.
Coupled day–night models of exoplanetary atmospheres
Authors: Gandhi Siddharth , Jermyn Adam S
Published: October 2020

We provide a new framework to model the day side and night side atmospheres of irradiated exoplanets using 1D radiative transfer by incorporating a self-consistent heat flux carried by circulation currents (winds) between the two sides. The advantages of our model are its physical motivation and computational efficiency, which allows for an exploration of a wide range of atmospheric parameters. We use this forward model to explore the day and night side atmosphere of WASP-76 b, an ultrahot Jupiter which shows evidence for a thermal inversion and Fe condensation, and WASP-43 b, comparing our model against high precision phase curves and general circulation models. We are able to closely match the observations as well as prior theoretical predictions for both of these planets with our model. We also model a range of hot Jupiters with equilibrium temperatures between 1000 and 3000 K and reproduce the observed trend that the day–night temperature contrast increases with equilibrium temperature up to ∼2500 K beyond which the dissociation of H2 becomes significant and the relative temperature difference declines.
K2-111: an old system with two planets in near-resonance†
Authors: Mortier A , Zapatero Osorio M R , Malavolta L , Alibert Y , Rice K , Lillo-Box J , Vanderburg A , Oshagh M , Buchhave L , Adibekyan V , Delgado Mena E , Lopez-Morales M , Charbonneau D , Sousa S G , Lovis C , Affer L , Allende Prieto C , Barros S C C , Benatti S , Bonomo A S , Boschin W , Bouchy F , Cabral A , Collier Cameron A , Cosentino R , Cristiani S , Demangeon O D S , Di Marcantonio P , D’Odorico V , Dumusque X , Ehrenreich D , Figueira P , Fiorenzano A , Ghedina A , González Hernández J I , Haldemann J , Harutyunyan A , Haywood R D , Latham D W , Lavie B , Lo Curto G , Maldonado J , Manescau A , Martins C J A P , Mayor M , Mégevand D , Mehner A , Micela G , Molaro P , Molinari E , Nunes N J , Pepe F A , Palle E , Phillips D , Piotto G , Pinamonti M , Poretti E , Riva M , Rebolo R , Santos N C , Sasselov D , Sozzetti A , Suárez Mascareño A , Udry S , West R G , Watson C A , Wilson T G
Published: October 2020

This paper reports on the detailed characterization of the K2-111 planetary system with K2, WASP, and ASAS-SN photometry, as well as high-resolution spectroscopic data from HARPS-N and ESPRESSO. The host, K2-111, is confirmed to be a mildly evolved (log g = 4.17), iron-poor ([Fe/H] = −0.46), but alpha-enhanced ([α/Fe]=0.27), chromospherically quiet, very old thick disc G2 star. A global fit, performed by using PyORBIT, shows that the transiting planet, K2-111 b, orbits with a period Pb = 5.3518 ± 0.0004 d and has a planet radius of $1.82^{+0.11}_{-0.09}$ R⊕ and a mass of $5.29^{+0.76}_{-0.77}$ M⊕, resulting in a bulk density slightly lower than that of the Earth. The stellar chemical composition and the planet properties are consistent with K2-111 b being a terrestrial planet with an iron core mass fraction lower than the Earth. We announce the existence of a second signal in the radial velocity data that we attribute to a non-transiting planet, K2-111 c, with an orbital period of 15.6785 ± 0.0064 d, orbiting in near-3:1 mean motion resonance with the transiting planet, and a minimum planet mass of 11.3 ± 1.1 M⊕. Both planet signals are independently detected in the HARPS-N and ESPRESSO data when fitted separately. There are potentially more planets in this resonant system, but more well-sampled data are required to confirm their presence and physical parameters.
What if the neutron star maximum mass is beyond ∼2.3 M⊙?
Authors: Wu X H , Du S , Xu R X
Published: October 2020

By assuming the formation of a black hole soon after the merger event of GW170817, the maximum mass of non-rotating stable neutron star, MTOV ≃ 2.3 M⊙, is proposed by numerical relativity, but there is no solid evidence to rule out MTOV > 2.3 M⊙ from the point of both microphysical and astrophysical views. It is naturally expected that the equation of state (EOS) would become stiffer beyond a specific density to explain massive pulsars. We consider the possibility of EOSs with MTOV > 2.3 M⊙, investigating the stiffness and the transition density in a polytropic model, for two kinds of neutron stars (i.e. gravity-bound and strong-bound stars on surface). Only two parameters are input in both cases: (ρt, γ) for gravity-bound neutron stars, while (ρs, γ) for strong-bound strange stars, with ρt the transition density, ρs the surface density, and γ the polytropic exponent. In the matter of MTOV > 2.3 M⊙ for the maximum mass and 70 ≤ Λ1.4 ≤ 580 for the tidal deformability, it is found that the smallest ρt and γ should be ∼0.50 ρ0 and ∼2.65 for neutron stars, respectively, whereas for strange star, we have γ > 1.40 if ρs > 1.0 ρ0 (ρ0 is the nuclear saturation density). These parametric results could guide further research of the real EOS with any foundation of microphysics if a pulsar mass higher than 2.3 M⊙ is measured in the future, especially for an essential comparison of allowed parameter space between gravity-bound and strong-bound compact stars.
Prospects for distinguishing galaxy evolution models with surveys at redshifts z ≳ 4
Authors: Mirocha Jordan
Published: October 2020

Many semi-empirical galaxy formation models have recently emerged to interpret high-z galaxy luminosity functions and make predictions for future galaxy surveys. A common approach assumes a ‘universal’ star formation efficiency, f*, independent of cosmic time but strongly dependent on the masses of dark matter haloes. Though this class of models has been very successful in matching observations over much of cosmic history, simple stellar feedback models do predict redshift evolution in f* and are commonly used in semi-analytic models. In this work, we calibrate a set of universal f* and feedback-regulated models to the same set of rest-ultraviolet z ≳ 4 observations and find that a rapid, ∼(1 + z)−3/2 decline in both the efficiency of dust production and duty cycle of star formation are needed to reconcile feedback-regulated models with current observations. By construction, these models remain nearly identical to universal f* models in rest-ultraviolet luminosity functions (UVLFs) and colours. As a result, the only way to distinguish these competing scenarios is either via (i) improved constraints on the clustering of galaxies – universal and feedback-regulated models differ in predictions for the galaxy bias by 0.1 ≲ Δ〈b〉 ≲ 0.3 over 4 ≲ z ≲ 10 – or (ii) independent constraints on the dust contents and/or duty cycle of star formation. This suggests that improved constraints on the ‘dustiness’ and ‘burstiness’ of high-z galaxies will not merely add clarity to a given model of star formation in high-z galaxies, but rather fundamentally determine our ability to identify the correct model in the first place.
Discovery and development of novel DNA-PK inhibitors by targeting the unique Ku–DNA interaction
Authors: Gavande Navnath S , VanderVere-Carozza Pamela S , Pawelczak Katherine S , Mendoza-Munoz Pamela , Vernon Tyler L , Hanakahi Leslyn A , Summerlin Matthew , Dynlacht Joseph R , Farmer Annabelle H , Sears Catherine R , Nasrallah Nawar Al , Garrett Joy , Turchi John J
Published: October 2020

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a critical role in the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair pathway and the DNA damage response (DDR). DNA-PK has therefore been pursued for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics in combination with ionizing radiation (IR). We report the discovery of a new class of DNA-PK inhibitors that act via a novel mechanism of action, inhibition of the Ku–DNA interaction. We have developed a series of highly potent and specific Ku–DNA binding inhibitors (Ku-DBi’s) that block the Ku–DNA interaction and inhibit DNA-PK kinase activity. Ku-DBi’s directly interact with the Ku and inhibit in vitro NHEJ, cellular NHEJ, and potentiate the cellular activity of radiomimetic agents and IR. Analysis of Ku-null cells demonstrates that Ku-DBi’s cellular activity is a direct result of Ku inhibition, as Ku-null cells are insensitive to Ku-DBi’s. The utility of Ku-DBi’s was also revealed in a CRISPR gene-editing model where we demonstrate that the efficiency of gene insertion events was increased in cells pre-treated with Ku-DBi’s, consistent with inhibition of NHEJ and activation of homologous recombination to facilitate gene insertion. These data demonstrate the discovery and application of new series of compounds that modulate DNA repair pathways via a unique mechanism of action.
The catalytic activity of the translation termination factor methyltransferase Mtq2-Trm112 complex is required for large ribosomal subunit biogenesis
Authors: Lacoux Caroline , Wacheul Ludivine , Saraf Kritika , Pythoud Nicolas , Huvelle Emmeline , Figaro Sabine , Graille Marc , Carapito Christine , Lafontaine Denis L J , Heurgué-Hamard Valérie
Published: October 2020

The Mtq2-Trm112 methyltransferase modifies the eukaryotic translation termination factor eRF1 on the glutamine side chain of a universally conserved GGQ motif that is essential for release of newly synthesized peptides. Although this modification is found in the three domains of life, its exact role in eukaryotes remains unknown. As the deletion of MTQ2 leads to severe growth impairment in yeast, we have investigated its role further and tested its putative involvement in ribosome biogenesis. We found that Mtq2 is associated with nuclear 60S subunit precursors, and we demonstrate that its catalytic activity is required for nucleolar release of pre-60S and for efficient production of mature 5.8S and 25S rRNAs. Thus, we identify Mtq2 as a novel ribosome assembly factor important for large ribosomal subunit formation. We propose that Mtq2-Trm112 might modify eRF1 in the nucleus as part of a quality control mechanism aimed at proof-reading the peptidyl transferase center, where it will subsequently bind during translation termination.
Multiple biochemical properties of the p53 molecule contribute to activation of polymerase iota-dependent DNA damage tolerance
Authors: Biber Stephanie , Pospiech Helmut , Gottifredi Vanesa , Wiesmüller Lisa
Published: October 2020

We have previously reported that p53 decelerates nascent DNA elongation in complex with the translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerase ι (POLι) which triggers a homology-directed DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathway to bypass obstacles during DNA replication. Here, we demonstrate that this DDT pathway relies on multiple p53 activities, which can be disrupted by TP53 mutations including those frequently found in cancer tissues. We show that the p53-mediated DDT pathway depends on its oligomerization domain (OD), while its regulatory C-terminus is not involved. Mutation of residues S315 and D48/D49, which abrogate p53 interactions with the DNA repair and replication proteins topoisomerase I and RPA, respectively, and residues L22/W23, which disrupt formation of p53-POLι complexes, all prevent this DDT pathway. Our results demonstrate that the p53-mediated DDT requires the formation of a DNA binding-proficient p53 tetramer, recruitment of such tetramer to RPA-coated forks and p53 complex formation with POLι. Importantly, our mutational analysis demonstrates that transcriptional transactivation is dispensable for the POLι-mediated DDT pathway, which we show protects against DNA replication damage from endogenous and exogenous sources.
LegumeIP V3: from models to crops—an integrative gene discovery platform for translational genomics in legumes
Authors: Dai Xinbin , Zhuang Zhaohong , Boschiero Clarissa , Dong Yibo , Zhao Patrick X
Published: October 2020

Legumes have contributed to human health, sustainable food and feed production worldwide for centuries. The study of model legumes has played vital roles in deciphering key genes, pathways, and networks regulating biological mechanisms and agronomic traits. Along with emerging breeding technology such as genome editing, translation of the knowledge gained from model plants to crops is in high demand. The updated database (V3) was redesigned for translational genomics targeting the discovery of novel key genes in less-studied non-model legume crops by referring to the knowledge gained in model legumes. The database contains genomic data for all 22 included species, and transcriptomic data covering thousands of RNA-seq samples mostly from model species. The rich biological data and analytic tools for gene expression and pathway analyses can be used to decipher critical genes, pathways, and networks in model legumes. The integrated comparative genomic functions further facilitate the translation of this knowledge to legume crops. Therefore, the database will be a valuable resource to identify important genes regulating specific biological mechanisms or agronomic traits in the non-model yet economically significant legume crops. LegumeIP V3 is available free to the public at https://plantgrn.noble.org/LegumeIP. Access to the database does not require login, registration, or password.
The antiSMASH database version 3: increased taxonomic coverage and new query features for modular enzymes
Authors: Blin Kai , Shaw Simon , Kautsar Satria A , Medema Marnix H , Weber Tilmann
Published: October 2020

Microorganisms produce natural products that are frequently used in the development of antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer drugs, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. In recent years, genome mining has evolved into a prominent method to access this potential. antiSMASH is one of the most popular tools for this task. Here, we present version 3 of the antiSMASH database, providing a means to access and query precomputed antiSMASH-5.2-detected biosynthetic gene clusters from representative, publicly available, high-quality microbial genomes via an interactive graphical user interface. In version 3, the database contains 147 517 high quality BGC regions from 388 archaeal, 25 236 bacterial and 177 fungal genomes and is available at https://antismash-db.secondarymetabolites.org/.
Akaluc bioluminescence offers superior sensitivity to track in vivo glioma expansion
Authors: Bozec Dominique , Sattiraju Anirudh , Bouras Alexandros , Jesu Raj Joe G , Rivera Daniel , Huang Yong , Junqueira Alves Chrystian , Tejero Rut , Tsankova Nadejda M , Zou Hongyan , Hadjipanayis Constantinos , Friedel Roland H
Published: October 2020

Background

Longitudinal tracking of tumor growth using noninvasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a key approach for studies of in vivo cancer models, with particular relevance for investigations of malignant gliomas in rodent intracranial transplant paradigms. Akaluciferase (Akaluc) is a new BLI system with higher signal strength than standard firefly luciferase (Fluc). Here, we establish Akaluc BLI as a sensitive method for in vivo tracking of glioma expansion.

Methods

We engineered a lentiviral vector for expression of Akaluc in high-grade glioma cell lines, including patient-derived glioma stem cell (GSC) lines. Akaluc-expressing glioma cells were compared to matching cells expressing Fluc in both in vitro and in vivo BLI assays. We also conducted proof-of-principle BLI studies with intracranial transplant cohorts receiving chemoradiation therapy.

Results

Akaluc-expressing glioma cells produced more than 10 times higher BLI signals than Fluc-expressing counterparts when examined in vitro, and more than 100-fold higher signals when compared to Fluc-expressing counterparts in intracranial transplant models in vivo. The high sensitivity of Akaluc permitted detection of intracranial glioma transplants starting as early as 4 h after implantation and with as little as 5000 transplanted cells. The sensitivity of the system allowed us to follow engraftment and expansion of intracranial transplants of GSC lines. Akaluc was also robust for sensitive detection of in vivo tumor regression after therapy and subsequent relapse.

Conclusion

Akaluc BLI offers superior sensitivity for in vivo tracking of glioma in the intracranial transplant paradigm, facilitating sensitive approaches for the study of glioma growth and response to therapy.
Epidemiology of vestibular schwannoma in the United States, 2004–2016
Authors: Cioffi Gino , Yeboa Debra N , Kelly Michael , Patil Nirav , Manzoor Nauman , Greppin Katie , Takaoka Kailey , Waite Kristin , Kruchko Carol , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S
Published: October 2020

Background

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are nonmalignant tumors of the eighth cranial nerve and are the most common nonmalignant nerve sheath tumor. This study provides the most comprehensive and current analysis of VS epidemiology in the United States.

Methods

Incidence data were obtained from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, from 2004 to 2016 for VS. Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs), rate ratios (AAIRRs), and prevalence ratios (AAPRs) per 100 000 were analyzed by age, sex, race and ethnicity, and laterality. Additional analyses were performed to assess differences in treatment, laterality, and diagnostic confirmation.

Results

Incidence of VS was highest among adults (aged 65–74 years, AAIR: 3.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.15–3.25). However, there was a much higher distribution of bilateral tumors compared to unilateral in children aged 0–19 years (28.5% vs 1.0%, P < .001). VS incidence was highest among white non-Hispanics (AAIR:1.30, 95% CI: 1.29–1. 31) and lowest among black non-Hispanics. Incidence of radiographically confirmed VS increased from 2004 to 2016 (annual percent change: 1.64, 95% CI: 0.15–3.16, P = .03). For treatment, 40.1% received surgery, while only 23.7% received radiation. There were an estimated 44 762 prevalent cases of VS in 2016 (AAPR: 12.17, 95% CI: 12.06–12.29).

Conclusions

VS incidence and prevalence are highest among adults and white non-Hispanics. Bilateral VS was more common among children. There was an increase of radiographically confirmed VS over time. A higher proportion of patients received surgical treatment than radiotherapy. Population-based statistics provide healthcare professionals with vital information regarding disease burden and help improve patient care.