bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of quantitative light-induced fluorescence and qualitative visual rating in infiltrated post-orthodontic white spot lesions
Authors: Knaup Isabel , Kobbe Celine , Ehrlich Eva-Elaine , Esteves-Oliveira Marcella , Abou-Ayash Bedram , Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik , Wolf Michael , Wierichs Richard J
Published: September 2022

Objectives

The aim of this prospective, clinical single-centre study was to evaluate the masking efficacy of post-orthodontic resin infiltration after 12-month follow-up and correlate quantitative and qualitative outcome measures.

Methods

Patients with completed fixed orthodontic treatment and the presence of one or more vestibular active non-cavitated white spot lesion/s (WSL) [ICDAS 1 or 2 (International Caries Detection and Assessment System)] were provided with resin infiltration 3–12 months after bracket removal. All patients (n = 31) participating before (t0) intervention were invited again and examined after 12 months (t2). Enamel demineralization was scored using quantitative light-induced fluorescence [QLF (DeltaF[flourescence], DeltaQ[lesion volume], White Spot Area)] and qualitative visual rating [11-point Likert-scale from 0 (no lesions visible on any tooth) to 10 (all teeth affected on the entire vestibular surface)].

Results

In 17 patients (7 female and 10 male) 112 WSL (ICDAS 1: n = 1; ICDAS 2: n = 111) in 112 teeth were (re)examined. Before treatment (t0) a significant, weak (DeltaF), and moderate (DeltaQ, White Spot Area) correlation was observed between the quantitative and the qualitative rating (P < 0.002) [median DeltaF: −7.31 (−10.4/−6.58)%; DeltaQ:−2.25 (−10.8/−0.41)% mm2; White Spot Area: 0.34 (0.05/1.16) mm2; visual rating:3.7 ± 1.2]. Resin infiltration led to significantly increased fluorescence and decreased visual scores (P < 0.001) 7 days (t1) and 12 months (t2) after treatment. No significant changes based on DeltaF [−6.55 (−7.29/−6.08)%] and on visual ratings [1.0 ± 1.0] were observed between t1 and t2 (P = 1.000). After 7 days (t1) the correlation between the quantitative and the qualitative ratings remained significant, weak to moderate (P < 0.002). After 12 months (t2) the correlation was (non-)significant and weak for DeltaF, DeltaQ, and White Spot Area (P ≤ 0.097).

Limitations

Since the overall masking efficacy of resin infiltration has been shown previously, an untreated control group was omitted.

Conclusions

When assessing the masking efficacy of infiltrated post-orthodontic WSL only a weak to moderate correlation was found between QLF values and visual ratings. Furthermore, over time this correlation decreased. Thus, it remains unclear if QLF is a viable method to assess and quantify infiltrated post-orthodontic WSL over time.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID:DRKS00005067).
Plaque histology and myocardial disease in sudden coronary death: the Fingesture study
Authors: Holmström Lauri , Juntunen Samuli , Vähätalo Juha , Pakanen Lasse , Kaikkonen Kari , Haukilahti Anette , Kenttä Tuomas , Tikkanen Jani , Viitasalo Ville , Perkiömäki Juha , Huikuri Heikki , Myerburg Robert J , Junttila Juhani
Published: September 2022

Aims

At least 50% of deaths due to coronary artery disease (CAD) are sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs), but the role of acute plaque complications on the incidence of sudden death in CAD is somewhat unclear. The present study aimed to investigate plaque histology and concomitant myocardial disease in sudden coronary death.

Methods and results

The study population is derived from the Fingesture study, which has collected data from 5869 consecutive autopsy-verified SCD victims in Northern Finland (population ≈600 000) between 1998 and 2017. In this substudy, histological examination of culprit lesions was performed in 600 SCD victims whose death was due to CAD. Determination of the cause of death was based on the combination of medical records, police reports, and autopsy data. Plaque histology was classified as either (i) plaque rupture or erosion, (ii) intraplaque haemorrhage, or (iii) stable plaque. The mean age of the study subjects was 64.9 ± 11.2 years, and 82% were male. Twenty-four per cent had plaque rupture or plaque erosion, 24% had an intraplaque haemorrhage, and 52% had a stable plaque. Myocardial hypertrophy was present in 78% and myocardial fibrosis in 93% of victims. The presence of myocardial hypertrophy or fibrosis was not associated with specific plaque histology.

Conclusion

Less than half of sudden deaths due to CAD had evidence of acute plaque complication, an observation which is contrary to historical perceptions. The prevalence of concomitant myocardial disease was high and independent of associated plaque morphology.
Highly efficient transgenesis with miniMos in Caenorhabditis briggsae
Authors: Ding Qiutao , Ren Xiaoliang , Li Runsheng , Chan Luyan , Ho Vincy W S , Bi Yu , Xie Dongying , Zhao Zhongying
Published: September 2022

Caenorhabditis briggsae as a companion species for Caenorhabditis elegans has played an increasingly important role in study of evolution of development and genome and gene regulation. Aided by the isolation of its sister spices, it has recently been established as a model for speciation study. To take full advantage of the species for comparative study, an effective transgenesis method especially those with single-copy insertion is important for functional comparison. Here, we improved a transposon-based transgenesis methodology that had been originally developed in C. elegans but worked marginally in C. briggsae. By incorporation of a heat shock step, the transgenesis efficiency in C. briggsae with a single-copy insertion is comparable to that in C. elegans. We used the method to generate 54 independent insertions mostly consisting of a mCherry tag over the C. briggsae genome. We demonstrated the use of the tags in identifying interacting loci responsible for hybrid male sterility between C. briggsae and Caenorhabditis nigoni when combined with the GFP tags we generated previously. Finally, we demonstrated that C. briggsae tolerates the C. elegans toxin, PEEL-1, but not SUP-35, making the latter a potential negative selection marker against extrachromosomal array.
A high-quality genome assembly of Lactarius hatsudake strain JH5
Authors: Shen Airong , Luo Chen , Tan Yun , Shen Baoming , Liu Lina , Li Jilie , Tan Zhuming , Zeng Liangbin
Published: September 2022

Lactarius hatsudake is a species of Lactarius commonly found in pine forests, is edible with a delicious and nutritious fruiting body, and exhibits medicinal properties. It is an ideal natural multifunctional food with bioactive components including fungal polysaccharides, crude fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, nucleic acid derivatives, various amino acids, and vitamins. However, biological and genomic analyses of this mycorrhizal mushroom are sparse, thereby hindering large-scale cultivation. Previously, we isolated and screened L. hatsudake JH5 strains and have applied our garnered knowledge to the large-scale cultivation of mycorrhizal seedlings. In this study, we produced a high-quality genome assembly of L. hatsudake JH5 by combining Illumina paired-end and PacBio single molecule real-time sequencing, resulting in PacBio single molecule real-time reads of 7.67 Gb and Illumina Pair-End reads of 1,560 Mb. Based on the distribution of k-mer frequencies, the genome size of this strain was estimated to be 63.84 Mb (1.14% heterozygosity). Based on de novo genome assembly, the final genome size was determined to be 76.7 Mb, with scaffold N50 of 223.2 kb and N90 of 54.5 kb, and a GC content of 54.38%. BUSCO assessment showed that genome completeness was 89.0%. The N50 length of the JH5 genome was 43.6% longer than that of the previously published L. hatsudake MG20 genome. This high-quality L. hatsudake genome assembly will facilitate research on the functional genome, molecular breeding, yield enhancement, and sustainability of L. hatsudake cultivation.
Development and validation of novel models for the prediction of intravenous corticosteroid resistance in acute severe ulcerative colitis using logistic regression and machine learning
Authors: Yu Si , Li Hui , Li Yue , Xu Hui , Tan Bei , Tian Bo-Wen , Dai Yi-Min , Tian Feng , Qian Jia-Ming
Published: September 2022

Background

The early prediction of intravenous corticosteroid (IVCS) resistance in acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) patients remains an unresolved challenge. This study aims to construct and validate a model that accurately predicts IVCS resistance.

Methods

A retrospective cohort was established, with consecutive inclusion of patients who met the diagnosis criteria of ASUC and received IVCS during index hospitalization in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between March 2012 and January 2020. The primary outcome was IVCS resistance. Classification models, including logistic regression and machine learning-based models, were constructed. External validation was conducted in an independent cohort from Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University.

Results

A total of 129 patients were included in the derivation cohort. During index hospitalization, 102 (79.1%) patients responded to IVCS and 27 (20.9%) failed; 18 (14.0%) patients underwent colectomy in 3 months; 6 received cyclosporin as rescue therapy, and 2 eventually escalated to colectomy; 5 succeeded with infliximab as rescue therapy. The Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level at Day 3 are independent predictors of IVCS resistance. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, and extreme-gradient boosting models were 0.873 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.704–1.000), 0.648 (95% CI, 0.463–0.833), 0.650 (95% CI, 0.441–0.859), and 0.604 (95% CI, 0.416–0.792), respectively. The logistic regression model achieved the highest AUROC value of 0.703 (95% CI, 0.473–0.934) in the external validation.

Conclusions

In patients with ASUC, UCEIS and CRP levels at Day 3 of IVCS treatment appeared to allow the prompt prediction of likely IVCS resistance. We found no evidence of better performance of machine learning-based models in IVCS resistance prediction in ASUC. A nomogram based on the logistic regression model might aid in the management of ASUC patients.
Long-read Sequencing Data Reveals Dynamic Evolution of Mitochondrial Genome Size and the Phylogenetic Utility of Mitochondrial DNA in Hercules Beetles (Dynastes; Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Morgan Brett , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Chen Yi-Zhen , Moctezuma Victor , Burgos Oscar , Le My Hanh , Huang Jen-Pan
Published: September 2022

The evolutionary dynamics and phylogenetic utility of mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been of particular interest to systematists and evolutionary biologists. However, certain mitochondrial features, such as the molecular evolution of the control region in insects, remain poorly explored due to technological constraints. Using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing data, we assembled ten complete mitogenomes from ten Hercules beetles. We found large-sized mitogenomes (from 24 to 28 kb), which are among the largest in insects. The variation in genome size can be attributed to copy-number evolution of tandem repeats in the control region. Furthermore, one type of tandem repeat was found flanking the conserved sequence block in the control region. Importantly, such variation, which made up around 30% of the size of the mitogenome, may only become detectable should long-read sequencing technology be applied. We also found that, although different mitochondrial loci often inferred different phylogenetic histories, none of the mitochondrial loci statistically reject a concatenated mitochondrial phylogeny, supporting the hypothesis that all mitochondrial loci share a single genealogical history. We on the other hand reported statistical support for mito-nuclear phylogenetic discordance in 50% of mitochondrial loci. We argue that long-read DNA sequencing should become a standard application in the rapidly growing field of mitogenome sequencing. Furthermore, mitochondrial gene trees may differ even though they share a common genealogical history, and ND loci could be better candidates for phylogenetics than the commonly used COX1.
Examining the Effects of Hibernation on Germline Mutation Rates in Grizzly Bears
Authors: Wang Richard J , Peña-Garcia Yadira , Bibby Madeleine G , Raveendran Muthuswamy , Harris R Alan , Jansen Heiko T , Robbins Charles T , Rogers Jeffrey , Kelley Joanna L , Hahn Matthew W
Published: September 2022

A male mutation bias is observed across vertebrates, and, where data are available, this bias is accompanied by increased per-generation mutation rates with parental age. While continuing mitotic cell division in the male germline post puberty has been proposed as the major cellular mechanism underlying both patterns, little direct evidence for this role has been found. Understanding the evolution of the per-generation mutation rate among species requires that we identify the molecular mechanisms that change between species. Here, we study the per-generation mutation rate in an extended pedigree of the brown (grizzly) bear, Ursus arctos horribilis. Brown bears hibernate for one-third of the year, a period during which spermatogenesis slows or stops altogether. The reduction of spermatogenesis is predicted to lessen the male mutation bias and to lower the per-generation mutation rate in this species. However, using whole-genome sequencing, we find that both male bias and per-generation mutation rates are highly similar to that expected for a non-hibernating species. We also carry out a phylogenetic comparison of substitution rates along the lineage leading to brown bear and panda (a non-hibernating species) and find no slowing of the substitution rate in the hibernator. Our results contribute to accumulating evidence that suggests that male germline cell division is not the major determinant of mutation rates and mutation biases. The results also provide a quantitative basis for improved estimates of the timing of carnivore evolution.
On the recursive equivalence to Smith form of multivariate polynomial matrices
Authors: Liu Jinwang , Li Dongmei
Published: September 2022

The Smith form of an $n$-$D$ polynomial matrix plays an important role in many areas of mathematics and engineering. In this paper, we investigate the recursive equivalence problem of $n$-dimensional polynomial matrices, i.e. if diag$(1,B)$ is equivalent to diag$(1,1,C)$, is B equivalent to diag$(1,C)$? We give a negative answer to this question by explicitly constructing a four-dimensional polynomial matrix which is not equivalent to its Smith form.
Drug efflux transporters in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius: in silico prediction and characterization of resistance
Authors: Rampacci Elisa , Felicetti Tommaso , Pietrella Donatella , Sabatini Stefano , Passamonti Fabrizio
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To perform an in silico prediction of drug efflux pumps (EPs) in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and investigate their role in conferring resistance to antibiotic and biocidal agents and biofilm formation.

Methods

A S. pseudintermedius efflux mutant was obtained by stimulating an isogenic line (ATCC 49444) with increasing concentrations of an efflux system substrate. Changes in antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm-forming capability were evaluated in the presence/absence of the EP inhibitors (EPIs) thioridazine and reserpine and the efflux activity was assayed by fluorometry. Homologues of EPs of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were searched by exploratory GenBank investigations. Gene expression analyses and sequencing were then conducted on selected genes.

Results

Susceptibility to chlorhexidine, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, but not enrofloxacin, was affected by the increased efflux and it was variably restored by the EPIs. The efflux mutant showed much greater biofilm formation that the original strain, which was significantly inhibited by thioridazine and reserpine at MIC/2. A high expression of norA, which was mgrA-independent, was found in the S. pseudintermedius efflux mutant, apparently regulated by an 11 bp deletion in its promoter region, whilst lmrB was transitorily overexpressed. icaA, which encodes the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin forming the extracellular matrix of staphylococcal biofilm, was also up-regulated.

Conclusions

EPs, particularly NorA, are supposed to have complex involvement in multiple stages of resistance development. Overexpression of EPs appears to be correlated with a remarkable increase of S. pseudintermedius biofilm production; however, the regulatory mechanisms remain to be explored.
High frequency of increased triclosan MIC among CC5 MRSA and risk of misclassification of the SCCmec into types
Authors: Viana Alice Slotfeldt , Botelho Ana Maria Nunes , Feder Andries , Moustafa Ahmed Magdi , Santos Silva Deborah Nascimento , Martini Caroline Lopes , Ferreira Adriana Lucia Pires , Silva-Carvalho Maria Cícera , Ferreira-Carvalho Bernadete Teixeira , Planet Paul Joseph , Sá Figueiredo Agnes Marie
Published: September 2022

Background

Typing of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) elements is commonly used for studies on the molecular epidemiology of MRSA.

Objectives

To perform an investigation centred on uncovering the reasons for misclassification of MRSA clonal complex 5 (CC5) SCCmec type II clinical isolates in our laboratory.

Methods

MRSA isolates from CC5 were subjected to WGS and SCCmec typing.

Results

This investigation led to the discovery that the classification failure was due to an insertion of IS1272 carrying the fabI gene on a transposable element (TnSha1) that confers increased MIC to the biocide triclosan. Genomic analysis revealed that fabI was present in 25% of the CC5 MRSA isolates sampled. The frequency of TnSha1 in our collection was much higher than that observed among publicly available genomes (0.8%; n = 24/3142 CC5 genomes). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that genomes in different CC5 clades carry TnSha1 inserted in different integration sites, suggesting that this transposon has entered CC5 MRSA genomes on multiple occasions. In at least two genotypes, ST5-SCCmecII-t539 and ST5-SCCmecII-t2666, TnSha1 seems to have entered prior to their divergence.

Conclusions

Our work highlights an important misclassification problem of SCCmecII in isolates harbouring TnSha1 when Boye’s method is used for typing, which could have important implications for molecular epidemiology of MRSA. The importance of increased-MIC phenotype is still a matter of controversy that deserves more study given the widespread use of triclosan in many countries. Our results suggest expanding prevalence that may indicate strong selection for this phenotype.
MDR carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae of the hypervirulence-associated ST23 clone in Poland, 2009–19
Authors: Biedrzycka M , Izdebski R , Urbanowicz P , Polańska M , Hryniewicz W , Gniadkowski M , Literacka E
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To characterize carbapenemase-producing isolates of the Klebsiella pneumoniae hypervirulent (hvKp) clone ST23 in Poland.

Methods

Fifteen K. pneumoniae ST23 isolates were identified by the Polish surveillance of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales. These comprised a cluster with KPC-2 + NDM-1 (n = 7), KPC-2 (n = 1) or NDM-1 (n = 1) enzymes from one hospital from 2018, and sporadic isolates with KPC-2 (n = 1), NDM-1 (n = 1), VIM-1 (n = 1) or OXA-48 (n = 3), recovered from 2009 to 2019 in different towns. The isolates were sequenced by Illumina MiSeq, followed by MinION for six representatives. Clonality, phylogeny, serotypes, virulomes, resistomes and plasmids of the isolates were analysed and compared with international ST23 strains, using various bioinformatic tools.

Results

Only two diverse isolates with KPC-2 or VIM-1 were of typical hvKp ST23 serotypes K1 and O1v.2, and its predominant phylogenetic clade. These contained multiple chromosomal (ybt, clb) and pK2044/KpVP-1 plasmid (iuc, iro, rmpADC, rmpA2) virulence loci, whereas carbapenemase and other antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were on single additional plasmids. All remaining isolates were of K57 and O2v.2 serotypes, and a minor, distant clade of unclear phylogeny, including also ∼10 isolates from other European countries. These had fewer virulence loci (ybt, iuc, rmpADC, rmpA2) but abounded in plasmids, which with several chromosomal AMR mutations conferred more extensive MDR phenotypes than in K1 O1v.2. Lower clonal diversity than in K1, and numerous common characteristics of the isolates supported the hypothesis of the emerging character of the ST23 K57 clade.

Conclusions

A new MDR ST23 lineage has emerged in Europe, causing a potential threat to public health.
In vitro activity of sulopenem against 1880 bacterial pathogens isolated from Canadian patients with urinary tract infections (CANWARD, 2014–21)
Authors: Walkty Andrew J , Karlowsky James A , Baxter Melanie R , Lagace-Wiens Philippe R S , Adam Heather J , Zhanel George G
Published: September 2022

Introduction

There are limited oral antimicrobial options for the treatment of urinary infections caused by ESBL-producing and MDR Enterobacterales. Sulopenem is an investigational thiopenem antimicrobial that is being developed as both an oral and IV formulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of sulopenem versus bacterial pathogens recovered from the urine of patients admitted to or assessed at hospitals across Canada (CANWARD).

Materials and methods

The in vitro activity of sulopenem and clinically relevant comparators was determined for 1880 Gram-negative and Gram-positive urinary isolates obtained as part of the CANWARD study (2014 to 2021) using the CLSI broth microdilution method.

Results

Sulopenem demonstrated excellent in vitro activity versus members of the Enterobacterales, with MIC90 values ranging from 0.06 to 0.5 mg/L for all species tested. Over 90% of ESBL-producing, AmpC-producing and MDR (not susceptible to ≥1 antimicrobial from ≥3 classes) Escherichia coli were inhibited by ≤0.25 mg/L of sulopenem. Sulopenem had an identical MIC90 to meropenem for ESBL-producing and MDR E. coli. The MIC90 of sulopenem and meropenem versus MSSA was 0.25 mg/L. Sulopenem was not active in vitro versus Pseudomonas aeruginosa (similar to ertapenem), and it demonstrated poor activity versus Enterococcus faecalis (similar to meropenem).

Conclusions

Sulopenem demonstrated excellent in vitro activity versus bacterial pathogens recovered from the urine of Canadian patients. These data suggest that sulopenem may have a role in the treatment of urinary infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales, but additional clinical studies are required.
When International Commercial Arbitration meets China’s sanction laws: living together but remaining apart?
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Shen Wei
Published: September 2022

In the light of China’s newly installed sanction laws recently being considered by Chinese court in a judicial review procedure for an arbitral award, this article examines two aspects of these laws that have been largely overlooked by previous research: their private international law nature and the impact they have on the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. In their function, the Chinese sanction laws should neither fulfil the role of rules established to utilize private persons to implement Chinese state policy, nor, in their application, contradict China’s claimed role in the international legal and political framework. Accordingly, two routes are offered as to how these laws should be applied: first, the legal restrains on private enforcement of the sanction laws should be made available; and secondly, China should ensure that its sanction laws do not compromise the New York Convention’s remit.
Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Crataegus pinnatifida (Chinese hawthorn): a review
Authors: Zhang Shi-Yao , Sun Xiao-Lei , Yang Xing-Liang , Shi Peng-Liang , Xu Ling-Chuan , Guo Qing-Mei
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Crataegus pinnatifida (C. pinnatifida), including C. pinnatifida Bge. and its variant C. pinnatifida Bge. var. major N, E. Br., has traditionally been used as a homologous plant for traditional medicine and food in ethnic medical systems in China. Crataegus pinnatifida, especially its fruit, has been used for more than 2000 years to treat indigestion, stagnation of meat, hyperlipidemia, blood stasis, heart tingling, sores, etc. This review aimed to provide a systematic summary on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of C. pinnatifida.

Key findings

This plant contains flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, organic acids, saccharides and essential oils. Experimental studies showed that it has hypolipidemic, antimyocardial, anti-ischemia, antithrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic neuroprotective activity, etc. Importantly, it has good effects in treating diseases of the digestive system and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.

There is convincing evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies supporting the traditional uses of C. pinnatifida. However, multitarget network pharmacology and molecular docking technology should be used to study the interaction between the active ingredients and targets of C. pinnatifida. Furthermore, exploring the synergy of C. pinnatifida with other Chinese medicines to provide new understanding of complex diseases may be a promising strategy.
Amorite Names through Time and Space
Authors: Howard J Caleb
Published: September 2022

This article examines diachronic and geographical developments in the orthography and pronunciation of Amorite names. Specifically, it studies examples of scribal reanalyses and creative spellings of Amorite names through time, as well as changes in their pronunciation and the lag of orthography behind these changes. In addition to potentially improving our analyses of particular names, the phenomena considered here further support principles observed already by others, especially the principle that names undergo linguistic developments which are somewhat distinct from those which occur in common language, so that the use of names in the reconstruction of a dead language such as Amorite, for which we have no texts, should proceed with the utmost caution. Amorite names should, first and foremost, be used as a basis for studying Amorite onomastics before they are used as a basis for studying Amorite language.
Duration of immune protection of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection against reinfection
Authors: Chemaitelly Hiam , Nagelkerke Nico , Ayoub Houssein H , Coyle Peter , Tang Patrick , Yassine Hadi M , Al-Khatib Hebah A , Smatti Maria K , Hasan Mohammad R , Al-Kanaani Zaina , Al-Kuwari Einas , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Abdul-Rahim Hanan F , Nasrallah Gheyath K , Al-Kuwari Mohamed Ghaith , Butt Adeel A , Al-Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al-Thani Mohamed H , Al-Khal Abdullatif , Bertollini Roberto , Abu-Raddad Laith J
Published: September 2022

Background

The future of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic hinges on virus evolution and duration of immune protection of natural infection against reinfection. We investigated the duration of protection afforded by natural infection, the effect of viral immune evasion on duration of protection and protection against severe reinfection, in Qatar, between 28 February 2020 and 5 June 2022.

Methods

Three national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted to compare the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity among unvaccinated persons with a documented SARS-CoV-2 primary infection, to incidence among those infection-naïve and unvaccinated. Associations were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against pre-Omicron reinfection was 85.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 84.8–86.2%]. Effectiveness peaked at 90.5% (95% CI: 88.4–92.3%) in the 7th month after the primary infection, but waned to ~ 70% by the 16th month. Extrapolating this waning trend using a Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of 50% in the 22nd month and < 10% by the 32nd month. Effectiveness of pre-Omicron primary infection against Omicron reinfection was 38.1% (95% CI: 36.3–39.8%) and declined with time since primary infection. A Gompertz curve suggested an effectiveness of < 10% by the 15th month. Effectiveness of primary infection against severe, critical or fatal COVID-19 reinfection was 97.3% (95% CI: 94.9–98.6%), irrespective of the variant of primary infection or reinfection, and with no evidence for waning. Similar results were found in sub-group analyses for those ≥50 years of age.

Conclusions

Protection of natural infection against reinfection wanes and may diminish within a few years. Viral immune evasion accelerates this waning. Protection against severe reinfection remains very strong, with no evidence for waning, irrespective of variant, for over 14 months after primary infection.
Spinal Backboard—Necessity or Hazard? The IDF Clinical Practice Guidelines and Policy
Authors: Eyal Yaakov , Tsur Nir , Gendler Sami , Almog Ofer , Beer Zivan
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Prehospital spinal immobilization using a cervical collar and a backboard has been standard practice for suspected spinal cord injuries (SCIs) since the 1960s. Multiple studies have shown that the disadvantages of the spinal backboard outweigh its advantages. This report aims to present a review of the current literature along with the revised IDF protocol regarding patients with suspected SCI.

Methods

In 2019, the IDF Medical Corps (IDFMC) convened a multidisciplinary expert committee to revise the IDFMC protocols regarding the use of spinal backboards. Prior to convening the committee, a review of the pertinent literature was done by conducting a thorough clinical evaluation in “PubMed” and “Google Scholar” databases to identify recent studies investigating traumatic SCI and the prehospital military use of spinal backboards.

Results

There were no documented studies that have managed to prove the efficacy of spinal backboards to prevent exacerbation of spinal injuries during mobilization. Despite being a good tool for extraction from vehicles and combat arenas, more than 11 studies have shown that backboards may even result in adverse outcomes such as pain due to the contact between board and skin, the formation of decubitus ulcers, hypothermia, and inadequate ventilation.

Conclusion

In light of the evidence showing the potential harmful effects of the routine use of spinal backboards, the IDF guidelines have been revised and now recommends avoiding the routine use of spinal backboards and using a standard stretcher for transporting potential SCI patients. Current IDF guidelines recommend using a backboard for the extraction of an entrapped patient and for obtunded or unconscious patients with obvious deformity or mechanism for spinal trauma.
Testing strong lensing subhalo detection with a cosmological simulation
Authors: He Qiuhan , Nightingale James , Robertson Andrew , Amvrosiadis Aristeidis , Cole Shaun , Frenk Carlos S , Massey Richard , Li Ran , Amorisco Nicola C , Metcalf R Benton , Cao Xiaoyue , Etherington Amy
Published: September 2022

Strong gravitational lensing offers a compelling test of the cold dark matter paradigm, as it allows for subhaloes with masses of ∼109 M⊙ and below to be detected. We test commonly used techniques for detecting subhaloes superposed in images of strongly lensed galaxies. For the lens we take a simulated galaxy in a ∼1013 M⊙ halo grown in a high-resolution cosmological hydrodynamical simulation, which we view from two different directions. Though the resolution is high, we note the simulated galaxy still has an artificial core which adds additional complexity to the baryon dominated region. To remove particle noise, we represent the projected galaxy mass distribution by a series of Gaussian profiles which precisely capture the features of the projected galaxy. We first model the lens mass as a (broken) power-law density profile and then search for small haloes. Of the two projections, one has a regular elliptical shape, while the other has distinct deviations from an elliptical shape. For the former, the broken power-law model gives no false positives and correctly recovers the mass of the superposed small halo; however, for the latter we find false positives and the inferred halo mass is overestimated by ∼4–5 times. We then use a more complex model in which the lens mass is decomposed into stellar and dark matter components. In this case, we show that we can capture the simulated galaxy’s complex projected structures and correctly infer the input small halo.
Association between preoperative neurocognitive status and IDH1 mutation status in high-grade gliomas
Authors: Liouta Evangelia , Kalyvas Aristotelis V , Komaitis Spyridon , Drosos Evangelos , Koutsarnakis Christos , García-Gómez Juan M , Juan-Albarracín Javier , Katsaros Vasileios , Kalamatianos Theodosis , Argyrakos Theodoros , Stranjalis George
Published: September 2022

Background

High-grade glioma (HGG) patients present with variable impairment in neurocognitive function (NCF). Based on that, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) wild-type HGGs are more aggressive than IDH1 mutant-type ones, we hypothesized that patients with IDH1 wild-type HGG would exhibit more severe NCF deficits than their IDH1 mutant counterparts.

Methods

NCF was assessed by Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT), Digit Span (DS), and Controlled Word Association Test (COWAT) tests in 147 HGG patients preoperatively.

Results

Analyses between IDH1 groups revealed a significant difference on MMSE concentration component (p ≤ .01), DS (p ≤ .01), TMTB (p ≤ .01), and COWAT (p ≤ .01) scores, with the IDH1 wild group performing worse than the IDH1 mutant one. Age and tumor volume were inversely correlated with MMSE concentration component (r = −4.78, p < .01), and with MMSE concentration (r = −.401, p < .01), TMTB (r = −.328, p < .01), and COWAT phonemic scores (r = −.599, p < .01), respectively, but only for the IDH1 wild-type group. Analyses between age-matched subsamples of IDH1 groups revealed no age effect on NCF. Tumor grade showed nonsignificance on NCF (p > .05) between the 2 IDH1 mutation subgroups of grade IV tumor patients. On the contrary, grade III group showed a significant difference in TMTB (p < .01) and DS backwards (p < .01) between IDH1 subgroups, with the mutant one outperforming the IDH1 wild one.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that IDH1 wild-type HGG patients present greater NCF impairment, in executive functions particularly, compared to IDH1 mutant ones, suggesting that tumor growth kinetics may play a more profound role than other tumor and demographic parameters in clinical NCF of HGG patients.
Valproic acid as a radio-sensitizer in glioma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sullivan Jessica K , Fahey Paul P , Agho Kinglsey E , Hurley Simon P , Feng Zhihui , Day Richard O , Lim David
Published: September 2022

Background

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) including valproic acid (VPA) have the potential to improve radiotherapy (RT) efficacy and reduce treatment adverse events (AE) via epigenetic modification and radio-sensitization of neoplastic cells. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and AE associated with HDACi used as radio-sensitizers in adult solid organ malignancy patients.

Methods

A systematic review utilized electronic searches of MEDLINE(Ovid), Embase(Ovid), The Cochrane Library, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to identify studies examining the efficacy and AEs associated with HDACi treatment in solid organ malignancy patients undergoing RT. Meta-analysis was performed with overall survival (OS) reported as hazard ratios (HR) as the primary outcome measure. OS reported as median survival difference, and AEs were secondary outcome measures.

Results

Ten studies reporting on the efficacy and/or AEs of HDACi in RT-treated solid organ malignancy patients met inclusion criteria. All included studies focused on HDACi valproic acid (VPA) in high-grade glioma patients, of which 9 studies (n = 6138) evaluated OS and 5 studies (n = 1055) examined AEs. The addition of VPA to RT treatment protocols resulted in improved OS (HR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.96). No studies focusing on non-glioma solid organ malignancy patients, or non-VPA HDACi met the inclusion criteria for this review.

Conclusions

This review suggests that glioma patients undergoing RT may experience prolonged survival due to HDACi VPA administration. Further randomized controlled trials are required to validate these findings. Additionally, more research into the use of HDACi radio-adjuvant treatment in non-glioma solid organ malignancies is warranted.
Liposomes embedded with PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles enable ferroptosis and combination therapy in cancer
Authors: Liu Yang , Quan Xuebo , Li Jie , Huo Jiawei , Li Xing , Zhao Zhongpu , Li Shumu , Wan Jing , Li Jiao , Liu Shuai , Wang Tao , Zhang Xing , Guan Bo , Wen Rui , Zhao Zhenwen , Wang Chunru , Bai Chunli
Published: September 2022

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death process driven by excessive lipid peroxides, can enhance cancer vulnerability to chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. As an essential upstream process for ferroptosis activation, lipid peroxidation of biological membranes is expected to be primarily induced by intrabilayer reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating a promising strategy to initiate peroxidation by improving the local content of diffusion-limited ROS in the lipid bilayer. Herein, liposomes embedded with PEG-coated 3 nm γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the bilayer (abbreviated as Lp-IO) were constructed to promote the intrabilayer generation of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the integration of amphiphilic PEG moieties with liposomal bilayer improved lipid membrane permeability to H2O2 and •OH, resulting in efficient initiation of lipid peroxidation and thus ferroptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, Lp-IO enabled traceable magnetic resonance imaging and pH/ROS dual-responsive drug delivery. Synergistic antineoplastic effects of chemotherapy and ferroptosis, and alleviated chemotherapeutic toxicity, were achieved by delivering doxorubicin (capable of xCT and glutathione peroxidase inhibition) with Lp-IO. This work provides an efficient alternative for triggering therapeutic lipid peroxidation and a ferroptosis-activating drug delivery vehicle for combination cancer therapies.
Massive abiotic methane production in eclogite during cold subduction
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Zhang Lifei , Tang Ming , Wang Xiao , Tao Renbiao , Xu Cheng , Bader Thomas
Published: September 2022

Methane (CH4) is a critical but overlooked component in the study of the deep carbon cycle. Abiotic CH4 produced by serpentinization of ultramafic rocks has received extensive attention, but its formation and flux in mafic rocks during subduction remain poorly understood. Here, we report massive CH4-rich fluid inclusions in well-zoned garnet from eclogites in Western Tianshan, China. Petrological characteristics and carbon–hydrogen isotopic compositions confirm the abiotic origin of this CH4. Reconstructed P–T–fO2–fluid trajectories and Deep Earth Water modeling imply that massive abiotic CH4 was generated during cold subduction at depths of 50–120 km, whereas CO2 was produced during exhumation. The massive production of abiotic CH4 in eclogites may result from multiple mechanisms during prograde high pressure-ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. Our flux calculation proposes that abiotic CH4 that has been formed in HP-UHP eclogites in cold subduction zones may represent one of the largest, yet overlooked, sources of abiotic CH4 on Earth.
Population-Based Evaluation of Postacute Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) Chronic Sequelae in Patients Who Tested Positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Authors: Goldhaber Nicole H , Ogan W Scott , Greaves Andrew , Tai-Seale Ming , Sitapati Amy , Longhurst Christopher A , Horton Lucy E
Published: September 2022

The true incidence and comprehensive characteristics of Long Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) are currently unknown. This is the first population-based outreach study of Long COVID within an entire health system, conducted to determine operational needs to care for patients with Long COVID.
Predictors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Seropositivity Before Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination Among Children 0–4 Years and Their Household Members in the SEARCh Study
Authors: Garcia Quesada Maria , Hetrich Marissa K , Zeger Scott , Sharma Jayati , Na Yu Bin , Veguilla Vic , Karron Ruth A , Dawood Fatimah S , Knoll Maria D ,   SEARCh Study Team, Council-DiBitetto Christine , Ghasri Tina , Gormley Amanda , Gatto Milena , Herbert Kristi , Jordan Maria , Loehr Karen , Morsell Jason , Oliva Jennifer , Mateo Jocelyn San , Schappell Elizabeth , Smith Khadija , Wanionek Kimberli , Weadon Cathleen , Williams-Soro Paula , Woods Suzanne
Published: September 2022

Background

Estimates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in young children and risk factors for seropositivity are scarce. Using data from a prospective cohort study of households during the pre-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine period, we estimated SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by age and evaluated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Methods

The SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology and Response in Children (SEARCh) study enrolled 175 Maryland households (690 participants) with ≥1 child aged 0–4 years during November 2020–March 2021; individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 were ineligible. At enrollment, participants completed questionnaires about sociodemographic and health status and work, school, and daycare attendance. Participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in sera. Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for correlation within households assessed predictors of individual- and household-level SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Results

Of 681 (98.7%) participants with enrollment serology results, 55 (8.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3%–10.4%) participants from 21 (12.0%) households were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2. Among seropositive participants, fewer children than adults reported being tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection before enrollment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.23; 95% CI, .06–.73). Seropositivity was similar by age (GEE OR vs 0–4 years: 1.19 for 5–17 years, 1.36 for adults; P = .16) and was significantly higher among adults working outside the home (GEE adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1–4.4) but not among children attending daycare or school.

Conclusions

Before study enrollment, children and adults in this cohort had similar rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection as measured by serology. An adult household member working outside the home increased a household's odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas a child attending daycare or school in person did not.
Disability, Gender, and Health Care in the Global
South
Authors: Amin Aizan Sofia
Published: September 2022

How does disability status intersect with gender in the health care experiences of disabled women in the Global South? To address this question, this chapter employs an intersectional framework of disability feminist and critical realist approaches to examine the complex intersections between disability and gender experiences in health care. The discussion focuses on the lived experiences of women with physical disabilities in Malaysia, drawing on data from a qualitative study including 33 women with physical (mobility) impairment. Over 6 months, 17 Malay, 8 Chinese, and 8 Indian women were interviewed twice. The analysis is based on both retrospective and introspective accounts on health care. The women included in this study experienced significant barriers to modern medicine as well as sexual abuse in health care settings. By highlighting the role of traditional medicine in the lives of disabled women, this chapter provides qualitative evidence for the complex intersection of disability with gender, poverty, rurality, and culture on health care experiences in the Global South.
In Other Words
Authors: Corrigan Timothy
Published: September 2022

“Describing cinema” is part theory, part rhetoric, and part pedagogy. It examines and demonstrates acts of describing scenes, shots, and sequences in films, as probably the most common and the most underestimated way viewers respond to movies. Practiced energetically and carefully, descriptions become exceptionally rich ways to demonstrate and celebrate the activities, varieties, and challenges of a central generative movement in the viewing and interpretation of films. My motto might be an inversion of one character’s tongue-in-cheek remark in Jean-Luc Godard’s First Name, Carmen (played by Godard himself), “badly seen, badly said,” rephrased for this project as “badly said, badly seen.” Here, that phrase becomes an indication how acts of describing films or parts of films can measure and instantiate complex ways of seeing that are partly about accuracy but also about the mobility of understanding and interpretation. At its best, describing films never simply denotes actions, images, sounds, or styles but rather produces the orchestration of one or more of those dimensions as an often creative and intersubjective movement between images, viewers, and a rhetorical language. Here, especially, writing about film becomes thinking about film.
The Composer of musique concrète Wields a Camera
Authors: Chion Michel
Published: September 2022

This chapter stresses the importance of careful observation. I have noticed a paradox in film criticism in France, particularly in scholarly essays. Whereas in the 1960s and 1970s it was still difficult and expensive to obtain prints of films for study purposes, let alone to make films, today’s widely available and lightweight audiovisual equipment—from personal computers to tablets, phones, and digital tape recorders—allows anybody to put images together, to create and record and edit sounds. You can edit and mix films all by yourself and you can observe the results instantly; you can try out different kinds of sounds with a given set of images or edit different visual sequences onto the same sounds. Here’s the paradox: very few current writers actually observe sounds, images, and the results of their combination, plus the effects of mixing sounds, images, and written or spoken words—a kind of observation that lets us better understand what happens in the process of putting them together.
Moral Philosophy and the Moving Image
Authors: Price Brian
Published: September 2022

This chapter concerns the morality of style in place of the moralism that has defined accounts of film style and film form in categorical terms throughout the history of film theory. Following a distinction between morality and moralism, as offered by Émilie Hache and Bruno Latour—whereby the former refuses the simple categorical logic of the latter—I argue for a conception of style as that which increases our sensitization to what obliges us in unique terms and precisely where moralistic accounts of style have only ever worked to reaffirm what we already believe. The version of morality offered here links style (and against a particular notion of form as morally overriding) to a contingent conception of the self, one that can begin to describe how the details and idiosyncrasies of works of art enrich our understanding of ourselves and others, while always indicating, and expressly as style, how any decision or judgment cannot, and should not, conceal the alternatives that were available as options before any aesthetic or moral decision is made. At root, the chapter argues for a moral account of style that allows us to understand morality in aesthetic terms that are severed from preconceived concepts of judgment.