bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for interaction between CLAMP and MSL2 proteins involved in the specific recruitment of the dosage compensation complex in Drosophila
Authors: Tikhonova Evgeniya , Mariasina Sofia , Efimov Sergey , Polshakov Vladimir , Maksimenko Oksana , Georgiev Pavel , Bonchuk Artem
Published: June 2022

Transcriptional regulators select their targets from a large pool of similar genomic sites. The binding of the Drosophila dosage compensation complex (DCC) exclusively to the male X chromosome provides insight into binding site selectivity rules. Previous studies showed that the male-specific organizer of the complex, MSL2, and ubiquitous DNA-binding protein CLAMP directly interact and play an important role in the specificity of X chromosome binding. Here, we studied the highly specific interaction between the intrinsically disordered region of MSL2 and the N-terminal zinc-finger C2H2-type (C2H2) domain of CLAMP. We obtained the NMR structure of the CLAMP N-terminal C2H2 zinc finger, which has a classic C2H2 zinc-finger fold with a rather unusual distribution of residues typically used in DNA recognition. Substitutions of residues in this C2H2 domain had the same effect on the viability of males and females, suggesting that it plays a general role in CLAMP activity. The N-terminal C2H2 domain of CLAMP is highly conserved in insects. However, the MSL2 region involved in the interaction is conserved only within the Drosophila genus, suggesting that this interaction emerged during the evolution of a mechanism for the specific recruitment of the DCC on the male X chromosome in Drosophilidae.
Clinical Practices and Institutional Protocols on Prophylaxis, Monitoring, and Management of Selected Adverse Events Associated with Trastuzumab Deruxtecan
Authors: Bardia Aditya , Harnden Kathleen , Mauro Lauren , Pennisi Angela , Armitage Melissa , Soliman Hatem
Published: June 2022

The treatment of metastatic breast cancer (mBC) has evolved significantly in the past several years with the approval of new targeted agents. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), an antibody-drug conjugate with a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, is a new addition to the class of therapies that target the human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptor. T-DXd was approved in the US in December 2019 for patients with HER2-positive metastatic or unresectable breast cancer who have received 2 or more prior anti-HER2–based regimens in the metastatic setting. In the DESTINY-Breast01 phase II trial (NCT03248492), T-DXd demonstrated high rates of durable responses in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-positive mBC, with a confirmed objective response rate of 62%, median duration of response of 18.2 months, and median progression-free survival of 19.4 months. In addition to efficacy, successful implementation of any new anticancer therapy includes learning how to prevent, monitor, and manage treatment-related adverse events. As T-DXd becomes more widely used, information can be gained from real-world clinical practices, institutional approaches, and the collaboration of multidisciplinary oncology teams who treat patients with T-DXd. This article reviews practical insights and management of nausea and vomiting, neutropenia, interstitial lung disease, risk of cardiotoxicity, and other adverse events associated with T-DXd administration from the perspective of health care providers who have experience utilizing T-DXd.
How are Canadian cannabis dispensaries counselling breastfeeding consumers?
Authors: Kuthiala Shikha , Selvakumar Shamini , Vincent Sophie , Vastis Vasilia , Zgardau Alina , Shea Alison K
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to identify recommendations given to breastfeeding individuals by Canadian cannabis dispensary employees, since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018.

Methods

This was a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted from November 2020 to January 2021. A mystery caller approach was used to identify recommendations given to breastfeeding individuals seeking a product for “relaxation.” This study was modelled on similar studies which assessed recommendations given to pregnant women looking for cannabis products to manage nausea and vomiting (Vastis V, Shea AK, Vincent S, Metz TD. 275: Are canadian cannabis dispensaries counselling pregnant women appropriately? Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2020;222: S187.(Abst). Lusero I, Paltrow LM, Rosenbloom N. Recommendations from cannabis dispensaries about first-trimester cannabis use Obstet Gynecol 2018;132:781–2.). The primary outcome was the recommendation of a cannabis product. Secondary outcomes included stated benefits of cannabis, recommended discussion with health care provider, length of call, rationale for recommendation, and reported source of information on which the recommendation was based.

Results

The majority (79.4%) of employees of the 714 Canadian dispensaries contacted recommended against a cannabis product for “relaxation” while breastfeeding. The recommendations from dispensary employees were often (80%) provided without a specific reason, whereas a minority referenced published research (2%) and opinion (17.6%). Cannabis products were rarely (3.3%) classified as safe in breastfeeding. Approximately 76.6% of dispensary employees recommended contacting a health care provider, while 2.4% recommended against.

Conclusions

Although a high proportion of dispensary employees recommended against using a cannabis product during lactation, there were still 20.6% that did recommend use, which contrasts the current public health guidelines and is not supported by the paediatric and obstetric societies. These findings highlight the need for further education about the safety of cannabis products while breastfeeding.
Development and diversity of lignin patterns
Authors: Emonet Aurélia , Hay Angela
Published: June 2022

Different patterns of lignified cell walls are associated with diverse functions in a variety of plant tissues. These functions rely on the stiffness and hydrophobicity that lignin polymers impart to the cell wall. The precise pattern of subcellular lignin deposition is critical for the structure–function relationship in each lignified cell type. Here, we describe the role of xylem vessels as water pipes, Casparian strips as apoplastic barriers, and the role of asymmetrically lignified endocarp b cells in exploding seed pods. We highlight similarities and differences in the genetic mechanisms underpinning local lignin deposition in these diverse cell types. By bringing together examples from different developmental contexts and different plant species, we propose that comparative approaches can benefit our understanding of lignin patterning mechanisms.
Apoplastic sugar may be lost from grape berries and retrieved in pedicels
Authors: Zhang Yun , Chang Ben-Min , Burdet Berenice , Dai Zhanwu , Delrot Serge , Keller Markus
Published: June 2022

In ripening grape (Vitis sp.) berries, the combination of rapid sugar import, apoplastic phloem unloading, and water discharge via the xylem creates a potential risk for apoplastic sugar to be lost from the berries. We investigated the likelihood of such sugar loss and a possible sugar retrieval mechanism in the pedicels of different Vitis genotypes. Infusion of D-glucose-1-13C or L-glucose-1-13C to the stylar end of attached berries demonstrated that both sugars can be leached from the berries, but only the nontransport sugar L-glucose moved beyond the pedicels. No 13C enrichment was found in peduncles and leaves. Genes encoding 10 sugar transporters were expressed in the pedicels throughout grape ripening. Using an immunofluorescence technique, we localized the sucrose transporter SUC27 to pedicel xylem parenchyma cells. These results indicate that pedicels possess the molecular machinery for sugar retrieval from the apoplast. Plasmodesmata were observed between vascular parenchyma cells in pedicels, and movement of the symplastically mobile dye carboxyfluorescein demonstrated that the symplastic connection is physiologically functional. Taken together, the chemical, molecular, and anatomical evidence gathered here supports the idea that some apoplastic sugar can be leached from grape berries and is effectively retrieved in a two-step process in the pedicels. First, sugar transporters may actively retrieve leached sugar from the xylem. Second, retrieved sugar may move symplastically to the pedicel parenchyma for local use or storage, or to the phloem for recycling back to the berry.
Interdisciplinary Management for the First Patient With Post-COVID Double-Lung Transplantation in Inpatient Rehabilitation in the United States: A Case Report
Authors: Herrmann Tessa , Iglesias Jacqueline , Smith Samantha
Published: June 2022

Objective

In the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, lung transplantation is being used as a life-saving treatment. This case report describes the rehabilitation course of the first documented individual in the United States post bilateral lung transplant for COVID-19.

Methods (Case Description)

The patient is a 28-year-old woman who was previously healthy and who failed all other life-saving medical interventions before undergoing bilateral lung transplantation, resulting in an extended hospital stay and significant physical debility.

Results

Through an interdisciplinary rehabilitation approach, the patient was able to achieve functional improvements in strength, balance, endurance, and functional mobility to safely discharge home.

Conclusion

Research is needed regarding optimal treatment of this patient population because lung transplantation continues to be used for long-term medical management of COVID-19 infection.

Impact

This is a case report describing rehabilitation for the first documented individual in the United States post bilateral lung transplant for COVID-19.
ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMITTED EFFECTIVE DOSE EQUIVALENT AND ITS UNCERTAINTY FROM INCIDENTAL INTERNAL TRITIUM EXPOSURE
Authors: Vostrotin V V , Yanov A Y , Finashov L V
Published: June 2022

The objective of the study was to estimate the committed effective dose equivalent from internal tritium exposure and its uncertainty in case of tritium incident at Mayak PA. According to worker’s self-report, he had been exposed as a result of pouring “heavy” water over himself while performing technological operation in September 2019. Two-component exponential model of tritiated water (HTO) excretion including fast and slow phases was used to describe HTO content in the body. The individual’s specific value of tritium biological half-life in the fast phase was 8.9 days, which is close to the average value of 10 days in the ICRP model. The slow-phase HTO excretion fraction is two orders of magnitude lower than the corresponding value in the ICRP model. The calculated committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) due to tritium intake (7.4 mSv) depended mostly on fast-phase excretion. The uncertainty factor calculated as ratio of the 97.5% quantile and the mean value was equal to 1.14. The contribution of the slow-phase excretion to the CEDE due to internal exposure was as low as from 0.1 to 0.2% of total CEDE. This demonstrates that after the case of a single intake of tritium, which we studied, the CEDE is determined mostly by the excretion in the fast phase. The metabolized organically bound tritium dose fraction was in the range from 0.3 to 2.0%. The use of all the results of the measurement of HTO activity concentration in urine made it possible to obtain a lower estimate of the uncertainty of the CEDE of internal exposure in comparison with the use of only the first measurement result.
An Interactive Generic Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (igPBPK) Modeling Platform to Predict Drug Withdrawal Intervals in Cattle and Swine: A Case Study on Flunixin, Florfenicol, and Penicillin G
Authors: Chou Wei-Chun , Tell Lisa A , Baynes Ronald E , Davis Jennifer L , Maunsell Fiona P , Riviere Jim E , Lin Zhoumeng
Published: June 2022

Violative chemical residues in edible tissues from food-producing animals are of global public health concern. Great efforts have been made to develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for estimating withdrawal intervals (WDIs) for extralabel prescribed drugs in food animals. Existing models are insufficient to address the food safety concern as these models are either limited to 1 specific drug or difficult to be used by non-modelers. This study aimed to develop a user-friendly generic PBPK platform that can predict tissue residues and estimate WDIs for multiple drugs including flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G in cattle and swine. Mechanism-based in silico methods were used to predict tissue/plasma partition coefficients and the models were calibrated and evaluated with pharmacokinetic data from Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD). Results showed that model predictions were, in general, within a 2-fold factor of experimental data for all 3 drugs in both species. Following extralabel administration and respective U.S. FDA-approved tolerances, predicted WDIs for both cattle and swine were close to or slightly longer than FDA-approved label withdrawal times (eg, predicted 8, 28, and 7 days vs labeled 4, 28, and 4 days for flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G in cattle, respectively). The final model was converted to a web-based interactive generic PBPK platform. This PBPK platform serves as a user-friendly quantitative tool for real-time predictions of WDIs for flunixin, florfenicol, and penicillin G following FDA-approved label or extralabel use in both cattle and swine, and provides a basis for extrapolating to other drugs and species.
In Utero Exposure to a Mixture of the Perfluoroalkyl-Isopropyl Pesticide Pyrifluquinazon With Dibutyl Phthalate Cumulatively Disrupts Male Rat Reproductive Development via Different Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Gray Leon Earl , Conley Justin M , Lambright Christy S , Furr Johnathan R
Published: June 2022

Administration of individual chemicals and mixtures during sexual differentiation that disrupt the androgen signaling pathway can induce reproductive abnormalities in male rats. In this study, we coadministered the heptafluoroisopropyl pesticide pyrifluquinazon (PFQ), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to pregnant rats during sexual differentiation of the reproductive tract. Both chemicals have been shown to disrupt reproductive tract differentiation in a dose-related manner reducing male anogenital distance, permanently reducing androgen-dependent tissue weights and sperm counts, and inducing reproductive malformations in male offspring, albeit by different mechanisms of action that converge downstream in the androgen signaling pathway on a common key event. Rats were orally dosed from gestation days 14–18 with dilutions of PFQ and DBP at 0%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the top dose (100 mg/kg PFQ and 750 mg/kg DBP). The mixture ratio was selected such that each chemical would contribute equally to multiple effects on the male offspring reproductive tract and the dose range was designed to determine if the mixture produced additive effects predicted by dose addition (DA) or response addition (RA) models, or whether significant interactions occurred. Observed data were compared with DA and RA model predictions. As hypothesized, the mixture reduced F1 male anogenital distance, reproductive organ weights and sperm counts and induced hypospadias with DA consistently providing a better prediction of the observed effects than RA. These results support our hypothesis that chemicals that disrupt the androgen signaling pathway induce dose-additive male reproductive abnormalities regardless of the specific mechanism of action.
Sampling Depth and Crop Growth Stage Affect Estimates of the Population Density of Lesion Nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) in Corn Fields in Ohio
Authors: Simon Abasola C. M. , Niblack Terry L. , Richer Eric A. , Paul Pierce A.
Published: June 2022

The effects of sampling depth and crop growth stage on the population density of lesion nematodes were investigated in three commercial fields in Wayne and Fulton Counties, Ohio, during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Soil samples were collected at five growth stages by removing 15 soil cores to a depth of 70 cm from each of 25 plots per field-year. Cores were divided into seven 10-cm sections, and nematodes were extracted from the soil and root fractions of each of them. Pratylenchus crenatus and P. thornei were detected in approximately 84 and 78% of the samples collected in Wayne and Fulton Counties, respectively. Depth significantly affected total population density of both species as well as densities in the soil and root factions in all field-years, but the effects of growth stage and its interaction with depth varied with field-year. In most cases, mean population densities were higher from 10 to 40 cm soil depth than at the reference 40 to 50 cm depth and lower from 50 to 70 cm. There were quadratic relationships between population density (on the log link scale) and depth, with the highest peaks in estimated predicted densities generally occurring between 20 and 40 cm, depending on crop growth stage and growing conditions. These findings suggest that the standard practice of sampling between growth stages V3 and V6 to a depth of 45 to 50 cm and using the entire core for extraction and enumeration could lead to underestimation of population densities of P. crenatus and P. thornei.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist therapy and migraines
Authors: Zolp Andrew
Published: June 2022

Calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists are a novel new class of medications that have been shown to reduce migraine headache pain and bothersome symptoms in patients who have had an insufficient response to triptans or for whom triptans are contraindicated. This article describes the new medications.
Should Prenatal Chromosomal Microarray Analysis Be Offered for Isolated Fetal Growth Restriction? A French Multicenter Study
Authors: Monier Isabelle , Receveur Aline , Houfflin-Debarge Véronique , Goua Valérie , Castaigne Vanina , Jouannic Jean-Marie , Mousty Eve , Saliou Anne-Hélène , Bouchghoul Hanane , Rousseau Thierry , Valat Anne-Sylvie , Groussolles Marion , Fuchs Florent , Benoist Guillaume , Degre Sophie , Massardier Jérôme , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Kleinfinger Pascale , Zeitlin Jennifer , Benachi Alexandra
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021;225:676.e1–676.e15)

One common cause of perinatal mortality is fetal growth restriction (FGR), which is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment, other neonatal morbidities, as well as a risk of adult vascular disease. Estimated fetal weight of <10th percentile for gestational age is generally used as diagnostic criteria for FGR diagnosis.
Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Skin/Conjunctiva: A Series of 6 Cases including 1 Combined Case With Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Goto Keisuke , Yoshikawa Shusuke , Kiyohara Yoshio , Kurimoto Toru , Nomi Kyoko , Ogawa Kohei , Tasaki Koichiro , Kajiwara Manami , Nagao Toshitaka , Umazume Kazuhiko , Oishi Takuma
Published: June 2022

This study sought to reveal the clinicopathologic characteristics of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the skin/conjunctiva. The retrieved patients included 3 men and 3 women with a median age of 85 (63–95) years. All lesions occurred on the face, including the ears, with a median tumor size of 11.5 (7–65) mm. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 5 (83%) of 6 cases, and distant metastasis was noted in 2 (33%). One patient (17%) who had a 13-mm-sized tumor died of the tumor 13 months after excision. All tumors were mainly located in the dermis, and one of them also exhibited intraepithelial spreading. The cytology resembled that of an LCNEC in other organs. No adnexal differentiation was observed. Five cases were of the pure type, but one had a component of squamous cell carcinoma. Immunoreactivities for CAM5.2, CK7, CK19, BerEP4, epithelial membrane antigen, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, c-KIT, GATA3, and bcl-2 were frequently present, but CK20, neurofilament, Merkel cell polyomavirus large T antigen, mammaglobin, estrogen receptor, HER2, and TTF1 were completely negative in all cases. Mutant-pattern immunostaining of p53, PTEN, and Rb was frequently observed. The Ki67 rate exceeded 70% in all cases. LCNEC of the skin/conjunctiva is a morphologically-defined group of primary cutaneous/conjunctival neuroendocrine neoplasm, although it may be heterogeneous similar to other-site LCNEC or Merkel cell carcinoma. This study highlighted the predominant location for the face, high metastatic and lethal potential, possible combination with other tumor components, and frequent mutant-type immunoexpressions of p53, PTEN, and Rb in this tumor group.
Alopecia After Cosmetic Injection Procedures: A Review
Authors: Issa Naiem T. , Kaiser Michael , Martinez-Velasco Abril , Tosti Antonella
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic procedures for antiaging carry inherent risks of adverse events. One that has not yet been well characterized is transitory or permanent alopecia. This is attributable to numerous mechanisms including pressure, ischemia, inflammation, and necrosis. Cases of postcosmetic procedure alopecia have been reported after mesotherapy as well as hyaluronic acid filler, deoxycholic acid, and botulinum toxin injections.

OBJECTIVE

This review serves to describe the currently known causes of postcosmetic procedure alopecia and the mechanisms by which alopecia is attained. Furthermore, this review highlights the risk of unregulated mesotherapy injections for cosmetic enhancement and to bring attention to the increasing number reports of alopecia after these procedures.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2022 was conducted looking for keywords such as “alopecia,” “cosmetic procedures,” “mesotherapy,” and “hyaluronic acid” in Google Scholar and PubMed.

RESULTS

Ten articles met the criteria set forth in the authors' literature review. Many of the procedures resulted in partial or complete resolution of alopecia.

CONCLUSION

Alopecia after cosmetic injection procedures is an underreported adverse effect. More research is needed to further characterize the risk of alopecia after mesotherapy and other injection procedures.
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DEEP LEARNING APPLICATIONS FOR OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Authors: Paul Samantha K. , Pan Ian , Sobol Warren M.
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

To survey the current literature regarding applications of deep learning to optical coherence tomography in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods:

A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses systematic review was conducted from January 1, 2000, to May 9, 2021, using PubMed and EMBASE databases. Original research investigations that applied deep learning to optical coherence tomography in patients with AMD or features of AMD (choroidal neovascularization, geographic atrophy, and drusen) were included. Summary statements, data set characteristics, and performance metrics were extracted from included articles for analysis.

Results:

We identified 95 articles for this review. The majority of articles fell into one of six categories: 1) classification of AMD or AMD biomarkers (n = 40); 2) segmentation of AMD biomarkers (n = 20); 3) segmentation of retinal layers or the choroid in patients with AMD (n = 7); 4) assessing treatment response and disease progression (n = 13); 5) predicting visual function (n = 6); and 6) determining the need for referral to a retina specialist (n = 3).

Conclusion:

Deep learning models generally achieved high performance, at times comparable with that of specialists. However, external validation and experimental parameters enabling reproducibility were often limited. Prospective studies that demonstrate generalizability and clinical utility of these models are needed.
OUTER RETINOPATHY AND MICROANGIOPATHY IN ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA
Authors: Miller Charles G. , Brucker Alexander J. , Perry Linda M. , Kim Benjamin J. , Martin Mary Ellen , Frey Noelle V. , Aleman Tomas S.
Published: June 2022

Purpose:

To describe a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia who presented with a recurrent, bilateral, outer retinopathy, before and after consolidative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation complicated by chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of records from a 23-year-old woman with acute myelogenous leukemia who underwent comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations for over a year including chromatic perimetry and multifocal electroretinograms, imaging with spectral domain optical coherence tomography, near-infrared and short-wavelength fundus reflectance and autofluorescence, fluorescein and optical coherence tomography angiography.

Results:

The patient presented with recurrent, unilateral paracentral scotomas. There was localized loss of inner segment ellipsoid (EZ) and photoreceptor outer segment signals (IZ) in the pericentral retina of both eyes co-localizing with hyperreflective lesions on near-infrared reflectance. She subsequently lost vision (visual acuity = 20/200) in the right eye a year after consolidative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation complicated by steroid-resistant-chronic graft-versus-host disease. There was loss of the EZ and IZ signals corresponding to a dense central cone scotoma and multifocal electroretinograms depression. Near-infrared autofluorescence, fluorescein and optical coherence tomography angiography were within normal limits. Visual acuity (20/20) and retinal sensitivities improved with restoration of the EZ/IZ signals after oral prednisone and intravenous rituximab, but left a residual photoreceptor loss and paracentral scotoma.

Conclusion:

We propose that an immune-mediated microangiopathy may explain the protracted, recurrent course of primary photoreceptor abnormalities in our patient, which was further complicated by manifestations of chronic graft-versus-host disease following consolidative peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Outer retinal findings previously documented in leukemia may be explained by a similar mechanism.
Managing connective tissue disease: how to select and facilitate successful transplantation
Authors: Bermudez Christian A. , Crespo Maria M.
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Lung transplant (LTx) evaluation and selection of candidates with connective tissue disease (CTD) remains controversial and varies between centers, and the optimal candidate selection is still controversial.

Recent findings

Recent United States and European publications have reported reasonable short-term and long-term LTx outcomes in patients with CTD to other lung fibrosis patients without CTD. This article discusses the recently published International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) consensus document recommendations to evaluate and select CTD candidates, the importance of early referral, posttransplant management, and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team.

Future standardized practices among centers adapting the 2021 ISHLT consensus recommendations to evaluate and select CTD candidates will allow risk stratification, determine the best candidates, and facilitate the most successful long-term LTx outcomes.
Total artificial heart as a bridge to transplantation
Authors: Henn Matthew C. , Mokadam Nahush A.
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Since the first implantation of a total artificial heart (TAH) 50 years ago the devices and technique have evolved to provide reliable support for patients with biventricular failure as a bridge to heart transplant. The purpose of this review is to discuss the history and evolution of devices, current devices, critical aspects of patient selection, tips and pitfalls of implantation, and future directions.

Recent findings

The most studied device on the market is the SynCardia TAH, which has been implanted in over 2000 patients worldwide and is the only device that is currently Food and Drug Administration approved as a bridge to transplant. The overall survival in patients supported by the device at 1 year is 42% while those that make it to transplant have a 1 year post transplant survival of 83%. A newer device the Aeson TAH (Carmat, Velizy-Villacoublay, France) was first implanted in France in 2013 and is currently under clinical trial in the United States.

Significant progress has been made in both the technology and technique of TAH implantation and these devices remain both a reliable and sometimes only option for patients with severe biventricular heart failure.
Approaches and strategies to manage the hepatitis C virus-positive heart donor
Authors: Lampert Brent C. , Kissling Kevin
Published: June 2022

Purpose of review

Cardiac transplantation remains the treatment of choice for patients with advanced heart failure, but is limited by a donor organ shortage. Utilization of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors has been recently adopted to expand access to heart transplantation. We review the history of HCV heart transplantation, modern drug therapy, and recent outcomes.

Recent findings

Since the advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, several single-center studies, and retrospective reviews have demonstrated good short-term outcomes, shorter waitlist times, and clearance of viremia with recipients of HCV-positive hearts. Two principle approaches to treatment of recipients of HCV viremic donors are utilized. In the prophylactic strategy, therapy is initiated before viremia is detected compared with the preemptive approach where initiation of DAA is delayed until after viremia is detected. Future studies are needed to address uncertainty about medium and long-term outcomes of using HCV-positive hearts and to determine the optimal treatment timing and duration.

Utilization of HCV-positive donors has expanded the heart donor pool and appears safe through the early posttransplant period. We suggest that prophylactic administration of the shortest effective course of a DAA pangenotypic agent should be the current standard of care.
Gastrointestinal Features of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Include Chronic Motility Problems From Childhood to Adulthood
Authors: Kotcher Rebecca E. , Chait Daniel B. , Heckert Jason M. , Crowley T. Blaine , Forde Kimberly A. , Ahuja Nitin K. , Mascarenhas Maria R. , Emanuel Beverly S. , Zackai Elaine H. , McDonald-McGinn Donna M. , Reynolds James C.
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common chromosomal microdeletion syndrome and has a multisystemic presentation including gastrointestinal features that have not yet been fully described. Our aim was to examine lifetime gastrointestinal problems in a large cohort of patients with 22q11.2DS.

Methods:

All patients followed in the 22q and You Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (n = 1421) were retrospectively screened for: 1) age ≥ 17 years, 2) documented chromosomal microdeletion within the 22q11.2 LCR22A-LCR22D region, and 3) sufficient clinical data to characterize the adult gastrointestinal phenotype. Gastrointestinal problems in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood were summarized. Statistical association testing of symptoms against other patient characteristics was performed.

Results:

Included patients (n = 206; 46% female; mean age, 27 years; median follow-up, 21 years) had similar clinical characteristics to the overall cohort. Genetic distribution was also similar, with 96% having deletions including the critical LCR22A-LCR22B segment (95% in the overall cohort). Most patients experienced chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in their lifetime (91%), but congenital gastrointestinal malformations (3.5%) and gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases (1.5%) were uncommon. Chronic symptoms without anatomic or pathologic abnormalities represented the vast burden of illness. Chronic symptoms in adulthood are associated with other chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities (P < 0.01) but not with deletion size or physiologic comorbidities (P > 0.05). One exception was increased nausea/vomiting in hypothyroidism (P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a common cause of ill health in children and adults with 22q11.2DS. Providers should consider screening for the deletion in patients presenting with FGIDs and associated comorbidities such as neuropsychiatric illness, congenital heart disease, and palatal abnormalities.
Novel Pediatric Height Outlier Detection Methodology for Electronic Health Records via Machine Learning With Monotonic Bayesian Additive Regression Trees
Authors: Sparapani Rodney A. , Teng Bi Q. , Hilbrands Julia , Pipkorn Rebecca , Feuling Mary Beth , Goday Praveen S.
Published: June 2022

Objective:

To create a new methodology that has a single simple rule to identify height outliers in the electronic health records (EHR) of children.

Methods:

We constructed 2 independent cohorts of children 2 to 8 years old to train and validate a model predicting heights from age, gender, race and weight with monotonic Bayesian additive regression trees. The training cohort consisted of 1376 children where outliers were unknown. The testing cohort consisted of 318 patients that were manually reviewed retrospectively to identify height outliers.

Results:

The amount of variation explained in height values by our model, R
2, was 82.2% and 75.3% in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. The discriminatory ability to assess height outliers in the testing cohort as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was excellent, 0.841. Based on a relatively aggressive cutoff of 0.075, the outlier sensitivity is 0.713, the specificity 0.793; the positive predictive value 0.615 and the negative predictive value is 0.856.

Conclusions:

We have developed a new reliable, largely automated, outlier detection method which is applicable to the identification of height outliers in the pediatric EHR. This methodology can be applied to assess the veracity of height measurements ensuring reliable indices of body proportionality such as body mass index.
Maintenance Therapy for Preventing Endometrioma Recurrence After Endometriosis Resection Surgery—A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Chiu Chui-Ching , Hsu Teh-Fu , Jiang Ling-Yu , Chan I-San , Shih Ying-Chu , Chang Yen-Hou , Wang Peng-Hui , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2022;29:602–612)

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecologic disorders, affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-age women and presenting with dysmenorrhea, noncyclic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and infertility. Approximately 17% to 55% of women with endometriosis will also develop an endometrioma, which is usually an advanced disease stage of endometriosis.
Do New Trauma Centers Provide Needed or Redundant Access? A Nationwide Analysis
Authors: Ferre Alexandra C. , Curtis Jacqueline , Flippin J. Alford , Claridge Jeffrey A. , Tseng Esther S. , Brown Laura R. , Ho Vanessa P.
Published: June 2022

Background

Our prior research has demonstrated that increasing the number of trauma centers (TCs) in a state does not reliably improve state-level injury-related mortality. We hypothesized that many new TCs would serve populations already served by existing TCs, rather than in areas without ready TC access. We also hypothesized that new TCs would also be less likely to serve economically disadvantaged populations.

Methods

All state-designated adult TCs registered with the American Trauma Society in 2014 and 2019 were mapped using ArcGIS Pro. TCs were grouped as Level 1-2 (Lev12) or level 3-5 (Lev345). We also obtained census tract-level data (73,666 tracts), including population counts and % of population below the federal poverty threshold. Thirty-minute drive-time areas were created around each TC. Census tracts were considered “served” if their geographic centers were located within a 30-minute drive-time area to any TC. Data were analyzed at the census tract-level.

Results

2140 TCs were identified in 2019, with 256 new TCs and 151 TC closures. 82% of new TC were Level 3-5. Nationwide, coverage increased from 75.3% of tracts served in 2014 to 78.1% in 2019, representing an increased coverage from 76.0% to 79.4% of the population. New TC served 17,532 tracts, of which 87.3% were already served. New Lev12 TCs served 9,100 tracts, of which 91.2% were already served; New Lev345 TCs served 15,728 tracts, of which 85.9% were already served. Of 2,204 newly served tracts, those served by Lev345 TCs had higher mean % poverty compared with those served by Lev12 TCs (15.7% vs 13.2% poverty, p < 0.05).

Discussion

Overall, access to trauma care has been improving in the United States. However, the majority of new TCs opened in locations with pre-existing access to trauma care. Nationwide, Level 3, 4, and 5 TCs have been responsible for expanding access to underserved populations.

Level of Evidence

Epidemiological, Level III
Global biogeography of warning coloration in the butterfly
Danaus chrysippus
Authors: Liu Wanzhen , Smith David A. S. , Raina Gayatri , Stanforth Rowan , Ng'Iru Ivy , Ireri Piera , Martins Dino J. , Gordon Ian J. , Martin Simon H.
Published: June 2022

Warning coloration provides a textbook example of natural selection, but the frequent observation of polymorphism in aposematic species presents an evolutionary puzzle. We investigated biogeography and polymorphism of warning patterns in the widespread butterfly
Danaus chrysippus
using records from citizen science (
n
= 5467), museums (
n
= 8864) and fieldwork (
n
= 2586). We find that polymorphism in three traits controlled by known mendelian loci is extensive. Broad allele frequency clines, hundreds of kilometres wide, suggest a balance between long-range dispersal and predation of unfamiliar morphs. Mismatched clines for the white hindwing and forewing tip in East Africa are consistent with a previous finding that the black wingtip allele has spread recently in the region through hitchhiking with a heritable endosymbiont. Light/dark background coloration shows more extensive polymorphism. The darker genotype is more common in cooler regions, possibly reflecting a trade-off between thermoregulation and predator warning. Overall, our findings show how studying local adaptation at the global scale provides a more complete picture of the evolutionary forces involved.
A double-edged sword: parental care increases risk of offspring infection by a maternally vectored parasite
Authors: Millena Rebecca Jean A. , Rosenheim Jay A.
Published: June 2022

Parental care can protect offspring from predators but can also create opportunities for parents to vector parasites to their offspring. We hypothesized that the risk of infection by maternally vectored parasites would increase with the frequency of mother–offspring contact.
Ammophila
spp. wasps (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) build nests in which they rear a single offspring.
Ammophila
species exhibit varied offspring provisioning behaviours: some species enter the nest once to provision a single, large caterpillar, whereas others enter the nest repeatedly to provision with many smaller caterpillars. We hypothesized that each nest visit increases the risk of offspring parasitism by
Paraxenos lugubris
(Strepsiptera: Xenidae), whose infectious stages ride on the mother wasp (phoresy) to reach the vulnerable
Ammophila
offspring. We quantified parasitism risk by external examination of museum-curated
Ammophila
specimens—the anterior portion of
P. lugubris
protrudes between the adult host's abdominal sclerites and reflects infection during the larval stage. As predicted,
Ammophila
species that receive larger numbers of provisions incur greater risks of parasitism, with nest provisioning behaviour explaining
ca
90% of the interspecific variation in mean parasitism. These findings demonstrate that parental care can augment, rather than reduce, the risk of parasite transmission to offspring.
Discovering the psychological building blocks underlying climate action—a longitudinal study of real-world activism
Authors: Castiglione Anna , Brick Cameron , Holden Stefanie , Miles-Urdan Ella , Aron Adam R.
Published: June 2022

We are in a climate emergency. Because governments are reacting too slowly, grassroots collective action is key. Understanding the psychological factors underpinning engagement can facilitate the growth of such collective action. Yet, previous research in psychology rarely provided causal evidence for which factors trigger action, lacked focus on the climate crisis, was mostly self-reported behaviour or intentions rather than objective measures, and was mostly cross-sectional rather than longitudinal. Here we conducted a longitudinal study on the effectiveness of a 12-week video intervention designed to increase psychological predictors of collective action. The intervention boosted affective engagement, collective efficacy, and self-efficacy, but did not increase observed attendance of activism events. Interviews suggested that Zoom fatigue and the online study design undercut the social interaction participants wanted in order to join events. However, a smaller in-person replication did not increase activism either. Debriefings suggested that the replication participants were primarily motivated by payment and lacked time or resources for more engagement. These results highlight the crucial importance of going beyond measures of self-reported attitudes or intentions to objectively measuring activism behaviours and showing the difficulty of fostering event attendance.
Functional miscibility and thermomechanical properties enhancement of substituted phthalic acetylated modified chitin filler in biopolymer composite
Authors: Olaiya N. G. , Obaseki O. S. , Mersal Gaber A. M. , Ibrahim Mohamed M. , Hessien Mahmoud M. , Grace Olaiya Funmilayo , Afzal Asif , Khanam Taslima , Rashedi Ahmad
Published: June 2022

The miscibility between hydrophobic and hydrophilic biopolymers has been of significant challenge. This study used a novel simplified chitin modification method to produce phthalic chitin using phthalic anhydride in a substitution reaction. The FT-IR functional group analysis was used to confirm the substitution reaction. The modified chitin was used as compatibilizer in polylactic acid (PLA)/starch biocomposite to enhance its properties. The biocomposite was prepared using melt extrusion and compression moulding technique. The biocomposite's morphological, thermomechanical and water absorption properties were characterized using scanning electron microscope, tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thickness swelling and water absorption test. The FT-IR study shows a successful substitution reaction of the amine hydrogen ion present in the chitin as opposed to substituting the hydrogen ion in the hydroxide group. The tensile and impact properties of biocomposite incorporated with modified chitin showed better results compared with other samples. The SEM images showed uniform miscibility of the modified biocomposite. The dynamic mechanical analysis showed improved modulus value with the incorporation of modified chitin. The thermal properties showed improved thermal stability of the modified biocomposite. Furthermore, the percentage of water absorbed by biocomposite with modified chitin is reduced compared with the PLA/starch biocomposite. The produced biodegradable ternary blend can be used as a substitute for plastics in industrial applications.
Synthesis of Cu(OH)
2
nanowires modified by Fe
3
O
4
@SiO
2
nanocomposite via green and innovative method with antibacterial activity and investigation of magnetic behaviours
Authors: Zare-Bakheir Ensiye , Ahghari Mohammad Reza , Maleki Ali , Ghafuri Hossein
Published: June 2022

In this study, green synthesis of modified Cu(OH)
2
nanowires by Fe
3
O
4
@SiO
2
core–shell nanospheres was easily performed via chemical reduction. In other words, the direct coating of Cu(OH)
2
on Fe
3
O
4
@SiO
2
was successfully realized without the extra complicated procedures. Various concentrations of synthesized nanocomposites were tested on pathogenic and nosocomial bacteria. In this study, the structural information and characterization of Fe
3
O
4
@SiO
2
/Cu(OH)
2
nanowires (FSCNWs) were obtained using FE-SEM, FT-IR, EDX and X-ray diffraction. This nanocomposite can effectively kill important infectious bacteria, including
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Escherichia coli
,
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Studies have shown that FSCNW nanocomposites affect common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This result confirms the function of FSCNW as an effective, beneficial and environmentally friendly antibacterial agent that can used in a wide range of applications in medicine. FSCNWs can be separated conveniently from bacteria-containing solutions using a magnet. Compared with nanocomposites based on other metals such as silver and gold, the use of FSCNWs in water treatment has been recommended because of the precursor of copper for its low price and less toxicity. In addition to its special properties such as mild reaction conditions, green synthesis methods, admissible magnetic properties, easy separation, high antibacterial activity and beneficial efficiency.
Interplay between disorder and hardening during tensile fracture of a quasi-brittle solid
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Banerjee Anuradha , Rajesh R.
Published: June 2022

We examine the specific role of the interplay between hardening and disorder characteristics of a representative quasi-brittle material on its failure mechanisms using a random spring network model. The model incorporates quasi-brittleness in its spring constants and disorder in the failure strain threshold and is shown to be effective in simulating the experimentally observed tensile and fracture behaviour of a quasi-brittle epoxy resin-based polymer. It is shown that rapid localization of deformation and associated damage growth occurs for a weakly hardening solid while for a linear elastic material, damage nucleates at multiple independent sites, and there is significant growth of damage, independent of other nucleating sites, prior to maximum load. The failure mechanism is shown to crossover from an avalanche-dominated fracture for a linear elastic material to nucleation-dominated fracture for a weakly hardening material.
Experimental extra-pair copulations provide proof of concept for fertility insurance in a socially monogamous bird
Authors: Vedder Oscar
Published: June 2022

Extra-pair paternity is common among socially monogamous birds, but whether females benefit from having extra-pair copulations remains unresolved. In this study, I staged single extra-pair copulations in captive pairs of socially monogamous Japanese quail (
Coturnix japonica
) and used extra-pair males of a different colour to identify extra-pair fertilizations. This eliminated among-female variation in extra-pair copulations as a source of variation in extra-pair fertilizations and tested whether a single extra-pair copulation would insure against infertility of the social male. Overall, the probability of extra-pair fertilization was 0.46 for the first egg that was fertilized after extra-pair copulation, but this rapidly declined over consecutive eggs in the laying sequence. However, a single extra-pair copulation was effective in ensuring fertilization of the majority of a typical clutch in the few cases where the social male was completely infertile. Hence, my results show that variation in extra-pair paternity can be independent from variation in extra-pair copulation behaviour and that a single, strategically timed, extra-pair copulation can largely insure against social male infertility. Among-female variation in extra-pair fertilizations, and their declining probability over the laying sequence, as typical for many bird species, can thus, in principle, be parsimoniously explained by a uniform female fertility insurance strategy.