bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analysis of Tamarix ramosissima leaves in response to NaCl stress
Authors: Chen Yahui , Wang Guangyu , Zhang Hongxia , Zhang Ning , Jiang Jiang , Song Zhizhong
Published: March 2022

Halophyte Tamarix ramosissima. Lcdcb (T. ramosissima) are known as the representative of Tamarix plants that are widely planted in salinized soil. However, molecular mechanisms towards salt tolerance and adaptation are largely rare. In this study, we carried out RNA-sequence and transcriptome analysis of T. ramosissima in response to NaCl stress, screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and further verified by qRT-PCR. Results showed that 105702 unigenes were spliced from the raw data of transcriptome sequencing, where 54238 unigenes were retrieved from KEGG, KOG, NR, and SwissProt. After 48 hours of NaCl treatment, the expression levels of 6374 genes were increased, and 5380 genes were decreased in leaves. After 168 hours, the expression levels of 3837 genes were up-regulated and 7808 genes were down-regulated. In particular, 8 transcription factors annotated to the KEGG Pathway were obtained, involving the WRKY and bZIP transcription family. In addition, KEGG pathway annotation showed that expression of 39 genes involved in ROS scavenging mechanisms were significantly changed, in which 21 genes were up-regulated and 18 genes were down-regulated after 48 hours as well as 15 genes were up-regulated and 24 genes were down-regulated after 168h. Simultaneously, the enzyme activities of SOD and POD were significantly enhanced under NaCl treatment, but the enzyme activity of CAT was not significantly enhanced. Moreover, WRKY, MYB and bZIP may participate in the process of salt resistance in T. ramosissima. This study provides gene resources and a theoretical basis for further molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance in T. ramosissima.
Experiment on the bract stripping and crushing device of a corn harvester
Authors: Xie Fuxiang , Huo Hongpeng , Hou Xinxin , Fu Yuesheng , Song Jian
Published: March 2022

In order to study the mechanism of bract peeling and crushing of a corn harvester, a bract stripping and crushing device was designed that mainly consists of a stripping device, a crushing device, and a frame. The kinematics and dynamics of the roller of bract stripping device were analyzed, and the conditions of bract stripping were obtained. Single factor tests of stripping roller speed and crushing roller speed were carried out. On the basis of single factor tests, orthogonal experiments were carried out to determine crushing roller speed, distance between crushing device axis and stripping device axis, stripping roller speed, and offset angle of stripping roller. The orthogonal experiments showed that the optimum parameters of the device were obtained: the speed of the crushing drum was 1,100 r/min, the axis distance between the stripping and crushing devices was 180 mm, the speed of the stripping roller was 400 r/min, and the offset angle of the stripping roller was 5 degrees. On the basis of orthogonal experiment, three, five, seven, nine and eleven corn feeding and high-speed photography experiments were carried out respectively. The results showed that when three ears of corn were fed at the same time, the effect of corn bract stripping and crushing was the best with the increase of corn number. The stripping roller only grasps most of the bracts of corn at 0.019 s, after stripping the bracts into the crushing device, the bracts were crushed after 0.077 s. The crushing time of bracts was approximately four times as long as that of the bracts.
Hemodynamic profiles by non-invasive monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone in acute heart failure patients in the emergency department: External validation and clinical outcomes
Authors: Harrison Nicholas Eric , Meram Sarah , Li Xiangrui , White Morgan B. , Henry Sarah , Gupta Sushane , Zhu Dongxiao , Pang Peter , Levy Phillip
Published: March 2022

Background

Non-invasive finger-cuff monitors measuring cardiac index and vascular tone (SVRI) classify emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) into three otherwise-indistinguishable subgroups. Our goals were to validate these “hemodynamic profiles” in an external cohort and assess their association with clinical outcomes.

Methods

AHF patients (n = 257) from five EDs were prospectively enrolled in the validation cohort (VC). Cardiac index and SVRI were measured with a ClearSight finger-cuff monitor (formerly NexFin, Edwards Lifesciences) as in a previous study (derivation cohort, DC, n = 127). A control cohort (CC, n = 127) of ED patients with sepsis was drawn from the same study as the DC. K-means cluster analysis previously derived two-dimensional (cardiac index and SVRI) hemodynamic profiles in the DC and CC (k = 3 profiles each). The VC was subgrouped de novo into three analogous profiles by unsupervised K-means consensus clustering. PERMANOVA tested whether VC profiles 1–3 differed from profiles 1–3 in the DC and CC, by multivariate group composition of cardiac index and vascular tone.

Profiles in the VC were compared by a primary outcome of 90-day mortality and a 30-day ranked composite secondary outcome (death, mechanical cardiac support, intubation, new/emergent dialysis, coronary intervention/surgery) as time-to-event (survival analysis) and binary events (odds ratio, OR). Descriptive statistics were used to compare profiles by two validated risk scores for the primary outcome, and one validated score for the secondary outcome.

Results

The VC had median age 60 years (interquartile range {49–67}), and was 45% (n = 116) female. Multivariate profile composition by cardiac index and vascular tone differed significantly between VC profiles 1–3 and CC profiles 1–3 (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.159). A difference was not detected between profiles in the VC vs. the DC (p = 0.59, R2 = 0.016).

VC profile 3 had worse 90-day survival than profiles 1 or 2 (HR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.4–17.1). The ranked secondary outcome was more likely in profile 1 (OR = 10.0, 1.2–81.2) and profile 3 (12.8, 1.7–97.9) compared to profile 2. Diabetes prevalence and blood urea nitrogen were lower in the high-risk profile 3 (p<0.05). No significant differences between profiles were observed for other clinical variables or the 3 clinical risk scores.

Conclusions

Hemodynamic profiles in ED patients with AHF, by non-invasive finger-cuff monitoring of cardiac index and vascular tone, were replicated de novo in an external cohort. Profiles showed significantly different risks of clinically-important adverse patient outcomes.
Comparative efficacy of prophylactic anticonvulsant drugs following traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Bo-Cyuan , Chiu Hsiao-Yean , Luh Hui-Tzung , Lin Chia-Jou , Hsieh Shu-Hua , Chen Ting-Jhen , Wu Chia-Rung , Chen Pin-Yuan
Published: March 2022

We systematically compared the effects of prophylactic anticonvulsant drug use in patients with traumatic brain injury. We searched four electronic databases from their inception until July 13, 2021. Two researchers independently screened, appraised, and extracted the included studies. Network meta-analysis using multivariate random effects and a frequentist framework was adopted for data analysis. The risk of bias of each study was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and confidence in evidence was assessed through confidence in network meta-analysis (CINeMA). A total of 11 randomized controlled trials involving 2,450 participants and six different treatments (i.e., placebo, carbamazepine, phenytoin, levetiracetam, valproate, and magnesium sulfate) were included. We found that anticonvulsant drugs as a whole significantly reduced early posttraumatic seizures (PTS) but not late PTS compared with placebo (odd ratios [ORs] = 0.42 and 0.82, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 0.21–0.82 and 0.47–1.43). For the findings of network meta-analysis, we observed that phenytoin (ORs = 0.43 and 0.71; 95% CIs = 0.18–1.01 and 0.23–2.20), levetiracetam (ORs = 0.56 and 1.58; 95% CIs = 0.12–2.55 and 0.03–84.42), and carbamazepine (ORs = 0.29 and 0.64; 95% CIs = 0.07–1.18 and 0.08–5.28) were more likely to reduce early and late PTS compared with placebo; however, the treatment effects were not significant. Sensitivity analysis, after excluding a study enrolling only children, revealed that phenytoin had a significant effect in preventing early PTS (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.14–0.78). Our findings indicate that no antiepileptic drug had an effect on early or late PTS superior to that of another; however, the sensitivity analysis revealed that phenytoin might prevent early PTS. Additional studies with large sample sizes and a rigorous design are required to obtain high-quality evidence on prophylactic anticonvulsant drug use in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Primary care physicians’ knowledge of travel vaccine and malaria chemoprophylaxis and associated predictors in Qatar
Authors: Al-Dahshan Ayman , Selim Nagah , Al-Kubaisi Noora , Mahfoud Ziyad , Kehyayan Vahe
Published: March 2022

Background

In an era of globalization, travel-related illnesses have become a focus of public ‎health concern, especially in the Arab region where travel health services are insufficient and ‎not well-established. This study was conducted to assess travel vaccine and ‎malaria chemoprophylaxis knowledge and associated predictors among primary care physicians‎ (PCPs) in ‎Qatar.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect ‎data from all physicians working at all 27 primary healthcare centers from March 1st to May 31st 2020.‎ Knowledge scores were computed and a multivariable linear regression model was built to identify predictors of higher knowledge.

Results

A total of 364 PCPs participated (response rate of 89.2%). Participants’ mean ‎age was 44.5 (±7.8) with 59.1% being males. Their overall mean knowledge score was 9.54/16 (±3.24). Significant predictors of higher knowledge included: aged 40–49 years ‎(1.072; 95% CI: 0.230, 1.915)‎, had medical degree from non-Arab countries ‏‎(0.748; 95% CI: 0.065, ‎‎1.432)‎‏,‏‎ had training in TM ‏ ‏‎(1.405; 95% CI: 0.407, ‎‎2.403), and provided ≥10 consultations/ month ‎(2.585; 95% CI:1.294, 3.876)‎. Online information was the main reported resource of travel medicine consultation.

Conclusions

The overall PCPs’ mean percentage knowledge score of travel medicine was 59.6% (±20.3). A high volume of pretravel consultation, prior training, middle age group, and medical degree from non-Arab countries were significant predictors of higher ‎knowledge. Continuing ‎education and training provided by recognised international institutions for all PCPs is highly ‎recommended to narrow the gap in travel medicine knowledge.
ORION software tool for the geometrical calibration of all-sky cameras
Authors: Antuña-Sánchez Juan Carlos , Román Roberto , Bosch Juan Luis , Toledano Carlos , Mateos David , González Ramiro , Cachorro Victoria , de Frutos Ángel
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the software application ORION (All-sky camera geOmetry calibRation from star positIONs). This software has been developed with the aim of providing geometrical calibration to all-sky cameras, i.e. assess which sky coordinates (zenith and azimuth angles) correspond to each camera pixel. It is useful to locate bodies over the celestial vault, like stars and planets, in the camera images. The user needs to feed ORION with a set of cloud-free sky images captured at night-time for obtaining the calibration matrices. ORION searches the position of various stars in the sky images. This search can be automatic or manual. The sky coordinates of the stars and the corresponding pixel positions in the camera images are used together to determine the calibration matrices. The calibration is based on three parameters: the pixel position of the sky zenith in the image; the shift angle of the azimuth viewed by the camera with respect to the real North; and the relationship between the sky zenith angle and the pixel radial distance regards to the sky zenith in the image. In addition, ORION includes other features to facilitate its use, such as the check of the accuracy of the calibration. An example of ORION application is shown, obtaining the calibration matrices for a set of images and studying the accuracy of the calibration to predict a star position. Accuracy is about 9.0 arcmin for the analyzed example using a camera with average resolution of 5.4 arcmin/pixel (about 1.7 pixels).
Natural radioactivity and element characterization in pit lakes in Northern Sweden
Authors: Thomas Rimon , Mantero Juan , Cánovas Carlos Ruiz , Holm Elis , García-Tenorio Rafael , Forssell-Aronsson Eva , Isaksson Mats
Published: March 2022

Northern Sweden has been the object of intense metal mining in the last decades producing several water-filled open-pits, or pit lakes. Most of these pit lakes have been limed to maintain a good water quality and to prevent generation of acidic water that could leach the exposed rocks and release metals into water. The aim of this work was to examine the concentration of stable elements and naturally occurring radionuclides in water and sediment samples from pit lakes originating from non-uranium mining activities in Northern Sweden. Surface water and surface sediments were collected from 27 pit lakes in Northern Sweden. Water quality parameters, concentration of stable elements and radionuclides were measured by a water probe, ICP-MS and XRF, and alpha and gamma spectrometry, respectively. Furthermore, a multivariate statistical analysis (PCA) was performed on the water samples and sediments. In general, the quality of the surface water was good, but some lakes had low pH values (2.5–5.7), and high concentrations of Fe (up to 200 mg/L) and other metals (e.g. Zn, Cu). When relating the metal concentrations in sediments in pit lakes with the concentration found in natural lakes, some sites had relatively high levels of Cu, As, Cr and Pb. The activity concentration of 210Po, and U and Th isotopes in water and sediment samples were at environmental levels, as was the ambient dose equivalent rate at these sites (range 0.08–0.14 μSv/h).
Novel cell lines derived from Chinese hamster kidney tissue
Authors: Kawabe Yoshinori , Kamihira Masamichi
Published: March 2022

Immortalized kidney cell lines are widely used in basic and applied research such as cell permeability tests and drug screening. Although many cell lines have been established from kidney tissues, the immortalization process has not been clarified in these cell lines. In this study, we analyzed the phenotypic changes that occurred during the immortalization of kidney cells derived from Chinese hamster tissue in terms of karyotype and gene expression profiles. In the newly established cell line, designated as CHK-Q, gene expression profiles at each stage of the immortalization process and during the adaptation to serum-free conditions were analyzed by DNA microarray. Renal stem cell markers CD24 and CD133 were expressed in CHK-Q cells, suggesting that CHK-Q cells were transformed from renal stem cells. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis to identify the pathways of upregulated and downregulated genes revealed that the immortalization of CHK-Q cells was associated with increased fluctuations in the expression of specific proto-oncogenes. Karyotype analysis of spontaneously immortalized CHK-Q cells indicated that CHK-Q chromosomes had a typical modal number of 23 but possessed slight chromosomal abnormalities. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of cell environmental adaptation by analyzing gene expression behavior during the immortalization process and serum-free adaptation. CHK-Q cells are applicable to the fields of biotechnology and biomedical science by utilizing their characteristics as kidney-derived cells.
Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibody point of care devices in the laboratory and clinical setting
Authors: McCance Kirsty , Wise Helen , Simpson Jennifer , Batchelor Becky , Hale Harriet , McDonald Lindsay , Zorzoli Azul , Furrie Elizabeth , Chopra Charu , Muecksch Frauke , Hatziioannou Theodora , Bieniasz Paul D. , Templeton Kate , Jenks Sara
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests have been marketed to diagnose previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and as a test of immune status. There is a lack of evidence on the performance and clinical utility of these tests. We aimed to carry out an evaluation of 14 point of care (POC) SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests. Serum from participants with previous RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-pandemic serum controls were used to determine specificity and sensitivity of each POC device. Changes in sensitivity with increasing time from infection were determined on a cohort of study participants. Corresponding neutralising antibody status was measured to establish whether the detection of antibodies by the POC device correlated with immune status. Paired capillary and serum samples were collected to ascertain whether POC devices performed comparably on capillary samples. Sensitivity and specificity varied between the POC devices and in general did not meet the manufacturers’ reported performance characteristics, which signifies the importance of independent evaluation of these tests. The sensitivity peaked at ≥20 days following onset of symptoms, however sensitivity of 3 of the POC devices evaluated at extended time points showed that sensitivity declined with time. This was particularly marked at >140 days post infection. This is relevant if the tests are to be used for sero-prevalence studies. Neutralising antibody data showed that positive antibody results on POC devices did not necessarily confer high neutralising antibody titres, and that these POC devices cannot be used to determine immune status to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Comparison of paired serum and capillary results showed that there was a decline in sensitivity using capillary blood. This has implications in the utility of the tests as they are designed to be used on capillary blood by the general population.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among marginalized populations in the U.S. and Canada: Protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Newman Peter A. , Reid Luke , Tepjan Suchon , Fantus Sophia , Allan Kate , Nyoni Thabani , Guta Adrian , Williams Charmaine C.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Despite the development of safe and highly efficacious COVID-19 vaccines, extensive barriers to vaccine deployment and uptake threaten the effectiveness of vaccines in controlling the pandemic. Notably, marginalization produces structural and social inequalities that render certain populations disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19 incidence, morbidity, and mortality, and less likely to be vaccinated. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of definitions/conceptualizations, elements, and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among marginalized populations in the U.S. and Canada.

Materials and methods

The proposed scoping review follows the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, and further developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. It will comply with reporting guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The overall research question is: What are the definitions/conceptualizations and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy in the context of COVID-19 vaccines among adults from marginalized populations in the U.S. and Canada. Search strategies will be developed using controlled vocabulary and selected keywords, and customized for relevant databases, in collaboration with a research librarian. The results will be analyzed and synthesized quantitatively (i.e., frequencies) and qualitatively (i.e., thematic analysis) in relation to the research questions, guided by a revised WHO Vaccine Hesitancy Matrix.

Discussion

This scoping review will contribute to honing and advancing the conceptualization of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and broader elements and determinants of underutilization of COVID-19 vaccination among marginalized populations, identify evidence gaps, and support recommendations for research and practice moving forward.
Predictors of post-COVID symptoms in Egyptian patients: Drugs used in COVID-19 treatment are incriminated
Authors: Abdelhafiz Ahmed Samir , Ali Asmaa , Maaly Ayman Mohamed , Mahgoub Mohamed Anwar , Ziady Hany Hassan , Sultan Eman Anwar
Published: March 2022

Objectives

COVID-19 is a multisystem disease, and some patients suffer from physical or psychological symptoms for weeks or even months after infection, which is described as post-COVID syndrome. The goal of this study is evaluating the prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms among Egyptian patients and detecting the factors associated with the presence of these symptoms.

Methods

An on-line cross-sectional survey using Google Forms was used to conduct the present study, which took place between June and August 2021.

Results

Three hundred and ninety-six participants filled in the survey. The mean age of participants was 41.4 years. Most participants had mild to moderate COVID-19 (81.31%). The prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms was 87.63%, where the most frequent symptom was fatigue (60.86%). Female sex, the presence of comorbidities, lower degree of education, longer disease duration, as well as severe and critical forms of the disease were significantly associated with the presence of post-COVID symptoms. Using regression analysis, the predictors of post-COVID symptoms were severe and critical forms of the disease and intake of antibiotics and corticosteroids for treatment of COVID-19.

Conclusions

COVID-19 is followed by high prevalence of post-COVID symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the relationship between the use of antibiotics and the development of post-COVID symptoms. We recommend further studies to understand this relationship. We also recommend restricting the use of these drugs to indicated cases according to the international guidelines. More studies are needed to gain better understanding of post-COVID symptoms especially in females.
Movement patterns of the functional reach test do not reflect physical function in healthy young and older participants
Authors: Moriyama Yoshinao , Yamada Takumi , Shimamura Ryota , Ohmi Takehiro , Hirosawa Masaki , Yamauchi Tomoyuki , Tazawa Tomohiro , Kato Junpei
Published: March 2022

The relationship of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) value with the Center of Pressure Excursion (COPE) and physical function remains unclear, and would be influenced by different population characteristics and movement patterns used in the FRT. Therefore, we explored the relationship between the FRT value and the COPE and physical function in healthy young and older individuals classified according to movement patterns. In 21 healthy young participants (42 sides) and 20 older participants (40 sides), three-dimensional motion analysis was performed during the FRT and physical function assessments. The participants were assigned to two clusters after performing a motion analysis during the FRT. Kinematic and kinetic parameters during the FRT and physical function assessment results were compared between the clusters for both groups. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationships of the FRT value with COPE and physical function parameters in each cluster, in young and older individuals separately. The results showed that the hip strategies could be divided into two groups according to the degree of use (Small Hip Strategy, SHS Group; Large Hip Strategy, LHS Group). In the older SHS group, the FRT values were significantly correlated with the COPE (r = 0.75), toe grip strength (r = 0.62), and the five-times sit-to-stand test time (r = -0.52). In the older LHS group and in both groups of young individuals, there were no significant correlations of the FRT value with any parameters. The FRT value reflects the COPE and physical function only in older individuals using the SHS. This could explain previous discrepant results. As there is no simple relationship between the FRT value and physical function, it is important to include movement strategy assessment when using the FRT in clinical evaluations.
Impact of kidney size on the outcome of diabetic patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Wang Min , Hsu Hsin-Chiao , Yu Mei-Ching , Wang I-Kuan , Huang Chien-Chang , Chan Ming‐Jen , Weng Cheng-Hao , Huang Wen-Hung , Hsu Ching-Wei , Huang Lan-Mei , Tam Frederick W. K. , Yen Tzung-Hai
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Diabetic patients normally have enlarged or normal-sized kidneys throughout their lifetime, but some diabetic uremic patients have small kidneys. It is uncertain if kidney size could have any negative impact on outcome in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

This longitudinal, observational cohort study recruited 301 diabetic hemodialysis patients in 2015, and followed until 2019. Patients were stratified into two subgroups according to their kidney sizes before dialysis, as small (n = 32) or enlarged or normal (n = 269). Baseline demographic, hematological, biochemical, nutritional, inflammatory and dialysis related data were collected for analysis.

Results

Patients with small kidney size were not only older (P<0.001) and had lower body mass index (P = 0.016), but had also higher blood uric acid concentration (P<0.001) compared with patients with enlarged or normal kidney size. All patients received adequate doses of hemodialysis since the Kt/V and urea reduction ratio was 1.7±0.3 and 0.7±0.1, respectively. Patients with small size kidneys received higher erythropoietin dose than patients with enlarged or normal kidney size (P = 0.031). At the end of analysis, 92 (30.6%) patients expired. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no survival difference between both groups (P = 0.753). In a multivariate logistic regression model, it was demonstrated that age (P<0.001), dialysis duration (P<0.001), as well as blood albumin (P = 0.012) and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.009) concentrations were significantly correlated with mortality.

Conclusions

Small kidney size on starting hemodialysis was not related with an augmented risk for death in diabetic patients receiving hemodialysis. Further studies are necessary.
Prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and offspring caries experience: Avon longitudinal study of parents and children
Authors: Akinkugbe Aderonke A. , Brickhouse Tegwyn H. , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Nascimento Marcelle M. , Slade Gary D.
Published: March 2022

Pre-existing maternal overweight/obesity and pregnancy weight gain are associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight and prematurity, which may increase the risk of developmental tooth defects and early childhood caries. We sought to investigate the association between prepregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG) and the risk of early childhood caries. Data from 1,429 mother-offspring participants of the 1991/1992 Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children were analyzed. The exposures were prepregnancy BMI (under/normal weight vs. overweight/obese), and gestational weight gain (GWG) based on the Institute of Medicine’s recommended levels. The main outcome measured was offspring caries experience determined by clinical oral examinations at three time points. Log binomial regression estimated risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Seventy six percent (76%) of the mothers were under/normal weight prepregnancy, 39% and 26% respectively gained less and more than the recommended weight for their prepregnancy BMI during pregnancy. Being overweight/obese prepregnancy was associated with unadjusted RR (95% CI) of offspring caries of 1.16 (0.90, 1.51) at 31-months, 1.20 (0.96, 1.49) at 43-months and 1.09 (0.91, 1.30) at 61-months. GWG less than recommended was associated with higher unadjusted offspring caries experience of 1.13 (0.86, 1.48), 1.17 (0.92, 1.48) and 1.04 (0.87, 1.25) at 31-months, 43-months and 61-months respectively. There was insufficient evidence to indicate an association between prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain on offspring caries experience risk.
Impact of the estimated glomerular filtration rate on long-term mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the emergency department
Authors: Kim Byung Sik , Yu Mi-Yeon , Kim Hyun-Jin , Lee Jun Hyeok , Shin Jeong-Hun , Shin Jinho
Published: March 2022

Background

The association between renal function and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis remains unclear. We aimed to identify the impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on all-cause mortality in patients with hypertensive crisis visiting the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the ED between 2016 and 2019 for hypertensive crisis (systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mmHg). They were classified into four groups according to the eGFR at admission to the ED: ≥90, 60–89, 30–59, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Results

Among the 4,821 patients, 46.7% and 5.8% had an eGFR of ≥90 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Patients with lower eGFR were older and more likely to have comorbidities. The 3-year all-cause mortality rates were 7.7% and 41.9% in those with an eGFR ≥90 and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, those with an eGFR of 30–59 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.47–2.54) and <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.71–3.24) had significantly higher 3-year all-cause mortality risks than those with an eGFR of ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients with an eGFR of 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2 had a higher mortality (21.1%) than those with an eGFR of ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (7.7%); however, the difference was not significant (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.94–1.56).

Conclusions

Renal impairment is common in patients with hypertensive crisis who visit the ED. A strong independent association was observed between decreased eGFR and all-cause mortality in these patients. eGFR provides useful prognostic information and permits the early identification of patients with hypertensive crisis with an increased mortality risk. Intensive treatment and follow-up strategies are needed for patients with a decreased eGFR who visit the ED.
Effects of early rehabilitation in sepsis patients by a specialized physical therapist in an emergency center on the return to activities of daily living independence: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sakai Yasunari , Yamamoto Shuhei , Karasawa Tatsunori , Sato Masaaki , Nitta Kenichi , Okada Mayumi , Takeshige Kanako , Ikegami Shota , Imamura Hiroshi , Horiuchi Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

Background

Early rehabilitation allows patients to better perform the activities of daily living after hospital discharge. A specialized physical therapist has been assigned as part of the early rehabilitation, but the effectiveness of the program remains unclear. We investigated how early rehabilitation provided by a specialized physical therapist affects ADL in patients with sepsis.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study. This study’s subjects were sepsis patients who entered the advanced emergency critical care center of Shinshu University Hospital between April 2014 and March 2020. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain information on demographic characteristics, severity score, primary source of infection, therapeutic medication, the number of days after hospital admittance until rehabilitation begins, length of hospital stay, discharge to home, and an assessment of daily living activities for each patient. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they were treated before or after a specialized physical therapist had been hired by the advanced emergency critical care center.

Results

Assigning a physical therapist to a patient significantly shortened the number of days until rehabilitation began. In a multivariable model, the strongest predictors of return to independent living after hospital discharge were (1) assigning a specialized physical therapist (odds ratio = 2.40; 95% confidence interval = 1.09–5.79; P = 0.050) and (2) the number of days until rehabilitation started (odds ratio = 0.24; 95% confidence interval = 0.08–0.76; P = 0.014).

Conclusions

Assigning a specialized physical therapist to sepsis patients at an advanced emergency critical care center significantly shortened the number of days until a patient can begin rehabilitation after hospital admittance and improved activities of daily living after hospital discharge.

Trial registration

Trial registration [University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, number UMIN000040570 (2020/5/28).]
Rehabilitation in critically ill children: Findings from the Korean National Health Insurance database
Authors: Cho Joongbum , Park Hyejeong , Kang Danbee , Park Esther , Chung Chi Ryang , Cho Juhee , Kudchadkar Sapna R.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors suffer from physical weakness and challenges returning to daily life. With the importance of rehabilitating patients in the pediatric intensive care unit being increasingly recognized, we evaluated the prevalence of physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT)-provided rehabilitation and factors affecting its use.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of rehabilitation between 2013 and 2019 using the Korean National Health Insurance database. All patients aged 28 days to 18 years who had been admitted to 245 ICUs for more than 2 days were included. Neonatal ICUs were excluded.

Results

Of 13,276 patients, 2,447 (18%) received PT/OT-provided rehabilitation during their hospitalization; prevalence was lowest for patients younger than 3 years (11%). Neurologic patients were most likely to receive rehabilitation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.11–8.20). Longer ICU stay (versus ≤ 1 week) was associated with rehabilitation (aOR for 1–2 weeks, 3.50 [95% CI, 3.04–4.03]; 2–3 weeks, 6.60 [95% CI, 5.45–8.00]; >3 weeks, 13.69 [95% CI, 11.46–16.35]). Mechanical ventilation >2 days (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–0.91) and hemodialysis (aOR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.41–0.52) were negatively affecting factors.

Conclusion

Prevalence of rehabilitation for critically ill children was low and concentrated on patients with a prolonged ICU stay. The finding that mechanical ventilation, a risk factor for ICU-acquired weakness, was an obstacle to rehabilitation highlights the need for studies on early preventive rehabilitation based on individual patient needs.
Tracing back variations in archaeal ESCRT-based cell division to protein domain architectures
Authors: Frohn Béla P. , Härtel Tobias , Cox Jürgen , Schwille Petra
Published: March 2022

The Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT) system is a multi-protein machinery that is involved in cell division of both Eukaryotes and Archaea. This spread across domains of life suggests that a precursor ESCRT machinery existed already at an evolutionary early stage of life, making it a promising candidate for the (re)construction of a minimal cell division machinery. There are, however, only few experimental data about ESCRT machineries in Archaea, due to high technical challenges in cultivation and microscopy. Here, we analyse the proteins of ESCRT machineries in archaea bioinformatically on a protein domain level, to enable mechanistical comparison without such challenging experiments. First, we infer that there are at least three different cell division mechanisms utilizing ESCRT proteins in archaea, probably similar in their constriction mechanisms but different in membrane tethering. Second, we show that ESCRT proteins in the archaeal super-phylum Asgard are highly similar to eukaryotic ESCRT proteins, strengthening the recently developed idea that all Eukaryotes descended from archaea. Third, we reconstruct a plausible evolutionary development of ESCRT machineries and suggest that a simple ESCRT-based constriction machinery existed in the last archaeal common ancestor. These findings not only give very interesting insights into the likely evolution of cell division in Archaea and Eukaryotes, but also offer new research avenues by suggesting hypothesis-driven experiments for both, cell biology and bottom-up synthetic biology.
Prevalence of mycorrhizae in host plants and rhizosphere soil: A biodiversity aspect
Authors: Islam Majidul , Al-Hashimi Abdulrahman , Ayshasiddeka Mosa , Ali Hanif , El Enshasy Hesham Ali , Dailin Daniel Joe , Sayyed R. Z. , Yeasmin Tanzima
Published: March 2022

Plants roots are colonized by soil inhabitants known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which increase plant productivity, and enhance carbon storage in the soil. We found mycorrhizal vesicles, arbuscles, and mycelium in the root of more than 89% of the selected plants of University of Rajshahi campus, Bangladesh. The rate of their presence differed in plant to plant of a family and different families. The highest root colonization (98±1.0%) was found to be present in Xanthium strumarium (Asteraceae). Mycorrhiza was not found in the root of Sphagneticola calendulacea (Asteraceae), Cestrun nocturnum (Solanaceae), Acacia nilotica and Acacia catechu (Mimosoidae), Rorippa nasturtium, Brassica oleracla var botrytis (Brasicaceae), Punica granatum (Lythraceae), Tecoma capensis (Bignoniacea), Spinacia oleracia (Chenopodiaceae), Chenopodium album (Goosefoot). Result of soil analysis reveals that the rhizospheric soils were deficient in nutrients which might be suitable for mycorrhizal symbiosis with plants. In the rhizospheric soils, 22 species of Glomus, Scutelospora, Gigaspora, Archaeospora, and Acullospora were found. We also found the genera ’Glomus’ dominance in the plant root and rhizospheric soil. So, it can be concluded that the highly colonized roots as well as spores can be used to prepare mycorrhizal inoculum for future purposes.
Suppression of human and simian immunodeficiency virus replication with the CCR5-specific antibody Leronlimab in two species
Authors: Chang Xiao L. , Reed Jason S. , Webb Gabriela M. , Wu Helen L. , Le Jimmy , Bateman Katherine B. , Greene Justin M. , Pessoa Cleiton , Waytashek Courtney , Weber Whitney C. , Hwang Joseph , Fischer Miranda , Moats Cassandra , Shiel Oriene , Bochart Rachele M. , Crank Hugh , Siess Don , Giobbi Travis , Torgerson Jeffrey , Agnor Rebecca , Gao Lina , Dhody Kush , Lalezari Jacob P. , Bandar Ivo Sah , Carnate Alnor M. , Pang Alina S. , Corley Michael J. , Kelly Scott , Pourhassan Nader , Smedley Jeremy , Bimber Benjamin N. , Hansen Scott G. , Ndhlovu Lishomwa C. , Sacha Jonah B.
Published: March 2022

The CCR5-specific antibody Leronlimab is being investigated as a novel immunotherapy that can suppress HIV replication with minimal side effects. Here we studied the virological and immunological consequences of Leronlimab in chronically CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infected humans (n = 5) on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and in ART-naïve acutely CCR5-tropic SHIV infected rhesus macaques (n = 4). All five human participants transitioned from daily combination ART to self-administered weekly subcutaneous (SC) injections of 350 mg or 700 mg Leronlimab and to date all participants have sustained virologic suppression for over seven years. In all participants, Leronlimab fully occupied CCR5 receptors on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells and monocytes. In ART-naïve rhesus macaques acutely infected with CCR5-tropic SHIV, weekly SC injections of 50 mg/kg Leronlimab fully suppressed plasma viremia in half of the macaques. CCR5 receptor occupancy by Leronlimab occurred concomitant with rebound of CD4+ CCR5+ T-cells in peripheral blood, and full CCR5 receptor occupancy was found in multiple anatomical compartments. Our results demonstrate that weekly, self-administered Leronlimab was safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious for long-term virologic suppression and should be included in the arsenal of safe, easily administered, longer-acting antiretroviral treatments for people living with HIV-1.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT02175680 and NCT02355184.
The Man from England: Brian Trenchard-Smith in Sydney
Authors: Heller-Nicholas Alexandra
Published: March 2022

As Viewers of Walkabout (Nicolas Roeg, 1971) and Wake in Fright (Ted Kotcheff, 1971) can attest, there is a particularly rich vision of Australia afforded to film-makers who come to the country with fresh, foreign eyes. Few would debate Brian Trenchard-Smith’s place as the King of Ozploitation cinema, shared perhaps only with Antony I. Ginnane. Both Ginnane and Trenchard-Smith understood from early on in their careers the importance of a global audience to Australian film-making – Ginnane has often quipped that his middle initial stands for “International’ – and it is arguably Trenchard-Smith’s British heritage that has afforded him such a lush vision of Australia, with a particular eye towards its relationship with genre film.
The Phantasm of the Opera: The Sydney Opera House
Authors: Gemma Blackwood
Published: March 2022

For a young nation renowned for a cultural cringe – an old self-deprecating national joke says that the only Australian culture to be found is in yoghurt – the idea of building a massive arts complex was a big concern for the Sydney government of the post-war 1950s. This new building could inspire inventiveness on the stage, with a beautiful exterior that would be a landmark for the city. An architectural competition was started in 1955 for the creation of a new opera house building. The winner was a young Dane called Jørn Utzon, with an innovative design using the city’s harbour theme of waves and yacht sails. Indeed, the complexity of the design meant the building took decades to build and was only officially opened in October 1973. For decades the building sat around in various stages of completion. John Weiley’s documentary Autopsy on a Dream (2013) examines the painful origins of this building, as well as the political change that led to the resignation of Utzon. Weiley explains how the high-profile building site also served as a formative film-making playground for aspiring film-makers in the 1960s and 1970s: right from its start the Opera House was linked to film.
Chicago: City of the Imagination
Authors: Mozaffar Omer M.
Published: March 2022

Gone are the steel workers whose fire produced the nation’s infrastructure. Gone are the hog butchers whose muscular big shoulders gave shelter and protein to families and families of families and neighbours of neighbours. And friends. Or the stockyards, which sent along Chicago’s gifts to the world, wrapped so neatly in sweat and gruff. Or the refined jazz clubs of 47th Street, which redefined that truly American art form that makes us close our eyes and open our smiles. Or the mobsters who imposed a brutal honour among thieves without forgetting to dress respectfully for the sacraments at church on Sunday.
Chicago’s King of Critics: Reflections on Roger Ebert, the world’s most famous film critic
Authors: Mozaffar Omer M.
Published: March 2022

Chicago has gifted the world with some of the most prominent film critics and scholars: Jonathan Rosenbaum, Miriam Hansen, Dave Kehr, Richard Roeper. So many of these writers give unique voices in the global forum of film commentary. Roger Ebert, however, redefined the conversation.
Fear, Mystery and Death: Venice and Horror
Authors: Bleasdale John
Published: March 2022

‘My sister says it’s like a city in aspic. A dinner party after all the guests are gone or dead,’ the blind medium, Heather (Hilary Mason), tells architect John (Donald Sutherland), as he guides her back to her hotel in Don’t Look Now (Nicolas Roeg, 1973). The film establishes an important template for thinking about horror in Venice. Venice itself is a character, a threat. Throughout the scenes near the church John is restoring, a large sign that reads ‘Venice in Peril’ in bold red text. Venice is a place of jeopardy, exuding unease and trepidation with its shifting geography and labyrinthine structure, possessing a wilful urge to confuse and ensnare the unwary visitor. It combines the swamp of its original lagoon setting and the petrified forest of its construction: in order to build Venice, forests in what is now Slovenia were cut down and the wood driven into mud where over time it petrified, creating the foundation on which the city now rests.
The Period Film: Venice and Literary Adaptations
Authors: Zambenedetti Alberto
Published: March 2022

It is well known that Venice’s unique architecture, history, government and people have inspired generations of writers. From Shakespeare to Casanova, Henry James to Veronica Franco, numerous novels, poems and plays have used the floating city as a backdrop for tales of scandalous affairs, decadent formal balls, and murderous revenge plots.
A Case of Pride: Skrewdriver, Punk’n’roll 1976–79, Mark Green (2021)
Authors: Bestley Russ
Published: March 2022

Review of: A Case of Pride: Skrewdriver, Punk’n’roll 1976–79, Mark Green (2021)

Hamburg: tredition, 304 pp.,

ISBN 978-3-34718-679-8, h/bk, £36.99
Deindustrialisation and Popular Music: Punk and ‘Post-Punk’ in Manchester, Düsseldorf, Torino and Tampere, Giacomo Bottà (2020)
Authors: Hollins Paul
Published: March 2022

Review of: Deindustrialisation and Popular Music: Punk and ‘Post-Punk’ in Manchester, Düsseldorf, Torino and Tampere, Giacomo Bottà (2020)

London: Rowman and Littlefield, 222 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-78660-737-9, h/bk, £104.00
"La delincuencia me roba tiempo y salud”. El Programa Comisarías Cercanas como escenario de dramatización de la victimización
Authors: Dikenstein Violeta
Published: March 2022

En la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, todos los primeros jueves de cada mes, en el marco del Programa Comisarías Cercanas, se reúnen en todas las comisarías porteñas algunos vecinos, funcionarios del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, miembros de la Junta Comunal y los comisarios de turno. El micrófono circula y los participantes demandan medidas, discuten entre sí y con las autoridades presentes. Siguiendo la perspectiva de los problemas públicos, en este artículo nos centramos en la caracterización de la dimensión dramática y expresiva que entraña asumir el rol de víctima de la inseguridad, un problema público que ya lleva décadas enraizado en la escena argentina. A partir de una estrategia metodológica cualitativa basada en observaciones participantes y entrevistas en profundidad, nos preguntamos por el modo de encarnar en dicho rol, los recursos expresivos en juego, las narrativas que son movilizadas en el marco estos programas específicos, así como rol o performance que las autoridades deben desplegar para brindar una respuesta y demostrar eficacia. Como cierre, el artículo ofrece algunas reflexiones preliminares sobre las implicancias que conllevan los nuevos modos de victimización contemporánea, sobre todo, en aquellos casos donde la víctima no ha sufrido grandes tragedias colectivas.
Secularismo estratégico. Una semiótica de la relevancia católica en el espacio público
Authors: Cornejo-Valle Monica , Blázquez-Rodríguez Maribel
Published: March 2022

En este artículo se explora el uso del espacio público urbano madrileño para la reivindicación de la identidad y la agenda católicas, en la línea del proyecto moral católico denominado Nueva Evangelización propuesta por Benedicto XVI en 2010. Para ello se parte del análisis empírico de tres eventos distintos, protagonizados por activistas católicos, que pusieron en juego y en cuestión la (in)visibilidad de la identidad católica, al tiempo que cuestionaron las dicotomías clásicas religioso/secular y público/privado. El análisis semiótico de estos tres casos revela, por un lado, la coherencia entre distintos estilos de presencia religiosa en el espacio urbano, que posibilita a este proyecto implementar su agenda confesional a partir del uso de medios seculares. Por otro lado, el artículo también propone una aproximación teórica que recoge la herencia crítica de la noción de secularismo estratégico de Vaggione, pero replanteado en el marco de una semiótica de la relevancia de Engelke, entendida como una perspectiva que permite dar cuenta del uso estratégico de los signos y sus significados para construir la presencia y el valor social del proyecto moral católico.