bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteriophage specificity is impacted by interactions between bacteria
Authors: Bisesi Ave T. , Möbius Wolfram , Nadell Carey D. , Hansen Eleanore G. , Bowden Steven D. , Harcombe William R.
Published: February 2024

Predators play a central role in shaping community structure, function, and stability. The degree to which bacteriophage predators (viruses that infect bacteria) evolve to be specialists with a single bacterial prey species versus generalists able to consume multiple types of prey has implications for their effect on microbial communities. The presence and abundance of multiple bacterial prey types can alter selection for phage generalists, but less is known about how interactions between prey shape predator specificity in microbial systems. Using a phenomenological mathematical model of phage and bacterial populations, we find that the dominant phage strategy depends on prey ecology. Given a fitness cost for generalism, generalist predators maintain an advantage when prey species compete, while specialists dominate when prey are obligately engaged in cross-feeding interactions. We test these predictions in a synthetic microbial community with interacting strains of
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella enterica
by competing a generalist T5-like phage able to infect both prey against P22
vir
, an
S. enterica
-specific phage. Our experimental data conform to our modeling expectations when prey species are competing or obligately mutualistic, although our results suggest that the
in vitro
cost of generalism is caused by a combination of biological mechanisms not anticipated in our model. Our work demonstrates that interactions between bacteria play a role in shaping ecological selection on predator specificity in obligately lytic bacteriophages and emphasizes the diversity of ways in which fitness trade-offs can manifest.

IMPORTANCE

There is significant natural diversity in how many different types of bacteria a bacteriophage can infect, but the mechanisms driving this diversity are unclear. This study uses a combination of mathematical modeling and an
in vitro
system consisting of
Escherichia coli
,
Salmonella enterica
, a T5-like generalist phage, and the specialist phage P22
vir
to highlight the connection between bacteriophage specificity and interactions between their potential microbial prey. Mathematical modeling suggests that competing bacteria tend to favor generalist bacteriophage, while bacteria that benefit each other tend to favor specialist bacteriophage. Experimental results support this general finding. The experiments also show that the optimal phage strategy is impacted by phage degradation and bacterial physiology. These findings enhance our understanding of how complex microbial communities shape selection on bacteriophage specificity, which may improve our ability to use phage to manage antibiotic-resistant microbial infections.
A genome-wide CRISPR screen identified host genes essential for intracellular
Brucella
survival
Authors: Xu Heling , Lu Jingjing , Huang Fang , Zhang Qi , Liu Shuang , Chen Zeliang , Li Shanhu
Published: February 2024

Brucella
is a zoonotic intracellular bacterium that poses threats to human health and economic security. Intracellular infection is a hallmark of the agent
Brucella
and a primary cause of distress, through which the bacterium regulates the host intracellular environment to promote its own colonization and replication, evading host immunity and pharmaceutical killing. Current studies of
Brucella
intracellular processes are typically premised on bacterial phenotype such as intracellular bacterial survival, followed by biochemical or molecular biological approaches to reveal detailed mechanisms. While such processes can deepen the understanding of
Brucella
-host interaction, the insights into host alterations in infection would be easily restricted to known pathways. In the current study, we applied CRISPR Cas9 screen to identify host genes that are most affected by
Brucella
infection on cell viability at the genomic level. As a result of CRISPR screening, we firstly identified that knockout of the negatively selected genes
GOLGA6L6
,
DEFB103B
,
OR4F29
, and
ERCC6
attenuate the viability of both the host cells and intracellular
Brucella
, suggesting these genes to be potential therapeutic targets for
Brucella
control. In particular, knockout of
DEFB103B
diminished
Brucella
intracellular survival by altering host cell autophagy. Conversely, knockout of positive screening genes promoted intracellular proliferation of
Brucella
. In summary, we screened host genes at the genomic level throughout
Brucella
infection, identified host genes that are previously not recognized to be involved in
Brucella
infection, and provided targets for intracellular infection control.

IMPORTANCE

Brucella
is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects common mammals causing arthritis, myalgia, neuritis, orchitis, or miscarriage and is difficult to cure with antibiotics due to its intracellular parasitism. Therefore, unraveling the mechanism of
Brucella
-host interactions will help controlling
Brucella
infections. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing technology that directs knockout of individual target genes by guided RNA, from which genome-wide gene-knockout cell libraries can be constructed. Upon infection with
Brucella
, the cell library would show differences in viability as a result of the knockout and specific genes could be revealed by genomic DNA sequencing. As a result, genes affecting cell viability during
Brucella
infection were identified. Further testing of gene function may reveal the mechanisms of
Brucella
-host interactions, thereby contributing to clinical therapy.
Effects of glucose and lactate on
Streptococcus mutans
abundance in a novel multispecies oral biofilm model
Authors: Sangha Jay S. , Barrett Paul , Curtis Thomas P. , Métris Aline , Jakubovics Nicholas S. , Ofiteru Irina D.
Published: February 2024

The oral microbiome plays an important role in protecting oral health. Here, we established a controlled mixed-species
in vitro
biofilm model and used it to assess the impact of glucose and lactate on the ability of
Streptococcus mutans
, an acidogenic and aciduric species, to compete with commensal oral bacteria. A chemically defined medium was developed that supported the growth of
S. mutans
and four common early colonizers of dental plaque:
Streptococcus gordonii
,
Actinomyces oris
,
Neisseria subflava
, and
Veillonella parvula
. Biofilms containing the early colonizers were developed in a continuous flow bioreactor, exposed to
S. mutans
, and incubated for up to 7 days. The abundance of bacteria was estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). At high glucose and high lactate, the pH in bulk fluid rapidly decreased to approximately 5.2, and
S. mutans
outgrew other species in biofilms. In low glucose and high lactate, the pH remained above 5.5, and
V. parvula
was the most abundant species in biofilms. By contrast, in low glucose and low lactate, the pH remained above 6.0 throughout the experiment, and the microbial community in biofilms was relatively balanced. Fluorescence
in situ
hybridization confirmed that all species were present in the biofilm and the majority of cells were viable using live/dead staining. These data demonstrate that carbon source concentration is critical for microbial homeostasis in model oral biofilms. Furthermore, we established an experimental system that can support the development of computational models to predict transitions to microbial dysbiosis based on metabolic interactions.

IMPORTANCE

We developed a controlled (by removing host factor) dynamic system metabolically representative of early colonization of
Streptococcus mutans
not measurable
in vivo
. Hypotheses on factors influencing
S. mutans
colonization, such as community composition and inoculation sequence and the effect of metabolite concentrations, can be tested and used to predict the effect of interventions such as dietary modifications or the use of toothpaste or mouthwash on
S. mutans
colonization. The defined
in vitro
model (species and medium) can be simulated in an
in silico
model to explore more of the parameter space.
Effect of a physiotherapy-directed rehabilitation programme on patients with multidirectional instability of the glenohumeral joint: a multimodal interventional MRI study protocol
Authors: Warby Sarah Ann , Ganderton Charlotte , Watson Lyn , Pizzari Tania , Balster Simon , Hoy Gregory , Barwood Shane , Kerr Bonnie , Lawrence Sam , Lenssen Ross , Rotstein Andrew , Takla Annalaise , Civier Oren , Hughes Matthew
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Altered neuromuscular control of the scapula and humeral head is a typical feature of multidirectional instability (MDI) of the glenohumeral joint, suggesting a central component to this condition. A previous randomised controlled trial showed MDI patients participating in the Watson Instability Program 1 (WIP1) had significantly improved clinical outcomes compared with a general shoulder strength programme. The aim of this paper is to outline a multimodal MRI protocol to identify potential ameliorative effects of the WIP1 on the brain.

Methods and analysis

Thirty female participants aged 18–35 years with right-sided atraumatic MDI and 30 matched controls will be recruited. MDI patients will participate in 24 weeks of the WIP1, involving prescription and progression of a home exercise programme. Multimodal MRI scans will be collected from both groups at baseline and in MDI patients at follow-up. Potential brain changes (primary outcome 1) in MDI patients will be probed using region-of-interest (ROI) and whole-brain approaches. ROIs will depict areas of functional alteration in MDI patients during executed and imagined shoulder movements (MDI vs controls at baseline), then examining the effects of the 24-week WIP1 intervention (baseline vs follow-up in MDI patients only). Whole-brain analyses will examine baseline versus follow-up voxel-wise measures in MDI patients only. Outcome measures used to assess WIP1 efficacy will include the Western Ontario Shoulder Index and the Melbourne Instability Shoulder Score (primary outcomes 2 and 3). Secondary outcomes will include the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Short Form Orebro, Global Rating of Change Score, muscle strength, scapular upward rotation, programme compliance and adverse events.

Discussion

This trial will establish if the WIP1 is associated with brain changes in MDI.

Ethics and dissemination

Participant confidentiality will be maintained with publication of results. Swinburne Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 20202806-5692).

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621001207808).
Clinical and organisational quality indicators for the optimal management of acute ischaemic stroke in the era of thrombectomy: a scoping review and expert consensus study
Authors: Bélanger Amélie , Beaudet Line , Lapointe Thalia , Houle Julie
Published: February 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study is to identify clinical and organisational quality indicators conducive to the optimal interdisciplinary management of acute-phase ischaemic stroke.

Method

A scoping review based on the six-step methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005) was conducted including a Delphi process with an experts committee.

Data sources

MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic search complete, Cochrane Library databases, in addition to Google Scholar and Google were searched through January 2015 to February 2023.

Eligibility criteria

French and English references, dealing with clinical and organisational indicators for the management and optimal care of adults with acute ischaemic stroke.

Data extraction and synthesis

After duplicate removal, all publications were checked for title and abstract. The full text of articles meeting the inclusion criteria was reviewed. Two independent reviewers performed 10% of the study selection and data extraction. Data collected underwent descriptive statistics.

Results

Of the 4343 references identified, 31 were included in the scoping review. About 360 indicators were identified and preliminary screened by two stroke experts. Fifty-four indicators were evaluated for validity, relevance and feasibility by a committee of experts including a partner patient using a Delphi method. A total of 34 indicators were selected and classified based on dimensions of care performance such as accessibility of services, quality of care and resource optimisation. Safety accounted for about one-third of the indicators, while there were few indicators for sustainability, equity of access and responsiveness.

Conclusion

This scoping review shows there are many clinical and organisational indicators in the literature that are relevant, valid and feasible for improving the quality of care in the acute phase of ischaemic stroke. Future research is essential to highlight clinical and organisational practices in the acute phase.

Registration details

https://osf.io/qc4mk/
Lessons learnt and best practices in scaling up an emergency transportation system to tackle maternal and neonatal mortality: a qualitative study of key stakeholders in Shinyanga, Tanzania
Authors: Sunguya Bruno F , Ngowi Jackline E , Njiro Belinda J , Munishi Castory , Ndumwa Harrieth Peter , Kengia James , Kapologwe Ntuli A , Deng Linda , Timbrell Alice , Kitinya Wilson J , Mlunde Linda B
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study aimed to document lessons learnt and best practices for scaling up an innovative emergency transportation system, drawing insights from the m-mama programme implemented in Shinyanga, Tanzania. The m-mama pilot programme was implemented in phases from 2014 to 2016 in two districts and later scaled up to include all districts in Shinyanga region in 2017. The programme employed an emergency transportation system and technical and operational support of the health system to address the three delays leading to maternal and neonatal mortality.

Design

Cross-sectional, qualitative research with key healthcare system stakeholders from the national, regional and district levels.

Setting

The study was conducted in Kahama and Kishapu districts in Shinyanga, Tanzania. The two districts were selected purposefully to represent the programme implementation districts’ rural and urban or semiurban settings.

Participants

District, regional and national stakeholders involved in implementing the m-mama pilot programme in Shinyanga were interviewed between February and March 2022.

Results

Lessons learnt from implementing the m-mama programme were grouped into four key themes: community engagement, emergency transportation system, government engagement, and challenges and constraints in technical implementation. Stakeholder engagement and collaboration at all levels, community involvement in implementation, adherence to local contexts and effective government partnerships were identified as key drivers for programme success. Coordination, supervision and infrastructure enhancement were crucial in implementing the emergency transportation system.

Conclusions

Facilitating community involvement, understanding the local context and adapting to existing structures can enhance programme ownership and utilisation. The government serves as the central coordinator, overseeing resource mobilisation and distribution. A well-executed and coordinated emergency transportation system holds promise in addressing delays and curbing maternal and neonatal mortality. Collaborative knowledge-sharing among implementers is essential for identifying best practices and gaining insights into practical strategies for addressing anticipated challenges.
Intimate partner violence among women in Togo: a generalised structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Jean Simon David , Kondo Tokpovi Vénunyé Claude
Published: February 2024

Objective

This study aimed to assess the magnitude and identify associated factors with intimate partner violence (IPV) in Togo.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Togo.

Participants

Women of reproductive age (15–49 years).

Primary outcome

Intimate partner violence.

Methods

This study used data from the 2013 Togolese Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 4910 married or partnered women were included. A Generalised Structural Equation Model (GSEM) was performed to identify significant factors associated with IPV. Results of the GSEM were reported as adjusted ORs (aOR) with their corresponding 95% CIs.

Results

The pooled prevalence of IPV was 35.5% (95% CI: 34.2% to 36.8%). Emotional violence and physical violence were the most reported forms of IPV (29.7% and 20.2%, respectively), while sexual violence was the least common, with a prevalence of 7.5%. Additionally, the results indicated that the following factors related to women, men and households were significantly associated with IPV in Togo: ethnicity, region, religion, wealth index, working status, age at the first union, having attitudes toward wife-beating, participation in household decision-making, education level, alcohol use and controlling behaviour.

Conclusion

IPV is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon in Togo. The Togo government as well as women’s human rights organisations should consider these factors when designing IPV programmes.
Hospital-based palliative care referrals: determinants in older adults with cancer
Authors: Chanteclair Alex , Duc Sophie , Amadeo Brice , Coureau Gaelle , Soubeyran Pierre , Mathoulin-Pelissier Simone , Peres Karine , Helmer Catherine , Galvin Angeline , Frasca Matthieu
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Early palliative care improves the quality of life of older patients with cancer. This work aimed to analyse the effect of sociodemographic, geriatric, and tumour-related determinants on hospital-based palliative care (HPC) referral in older patients with cancer, taking into account competing risk of death.

Methods

Older adults with diagnosed cancer from 2014 to 2018 according to the general cancer registry of Gironde (French department) were identified in three population-based cohorts on ageing (PAQUID, 3C - Three City, AMI). Cause-specific Cox models focused on 10 usual determinants in geriatric oncology and palliative care: age, gender, living alone, place of residency, tumour prognosis, activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental-ADL (IADL) limitations, cognitive impairment, depressive disorders, and polypharmacy.

Results

131 patients with incident cancer (mean age: 86.2 years, men: 62.6%, poor cancer prognosis: 32.8%) were included, HPC occurring for 26 of them. Unfavourable cancer prognosis was a key determinant for HPC referral (HR 7.02, 95% CI 2.86 to 17.23). An altered IADL score was associated with precocious (first year) referral (HR 3.21, 95% CI 1.20 to 8.64, respectively). Women had a higher rate immediately (first week) after diagnosis (HR 8.64, 95% CI 1.27 to 87.27).

Conclusions

Cancer prognosis, functional decline and gender are independent factors of HPC referral in older patients with cancer. These findings may help for a better anticipation of the healthcare pathway.
Cryptocurrency co-investment network: token returns reflect investment patterns
Authors: Mungo Luca , Bartolucci Silvia , Alessandretti Laura
Published: February 2024

Since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009, the dramatic and unsteady evolution of the cryptocurrency market has also been driven by large investments by traditional and cryptocurrency-focused hedge funds. Notwithstanding their critical role, our understanding of the relationship between institutional investments and the evolution of the cryptocurrency market has remained limited, also due to the lack of comprehensive data describing investments over time. In this study, we present a quantitative study of cryptocurrency institutional investments based on a dataset collected for 1324 currencies in the period between 2014 and 2022 from Crunchbase, one of the largest platforms gathering business information. We show that the evolution of the cryptocurrency market capitalization is highly correlated with the size of institutional investments, thus confirming their important role. Further, we find that the market is dominated by the presence of a group of prominent investors who tend to specialise by focusing on particular technologies. Finally, studying the co-investment network of currencies that share common investors, we show that assets with shared investors tend to be characterized by similar market behaviour. Our work sheds light on the role played by institutional investors and provides a basis for further research on their influence in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Upcoming SIGWEB Supported Conferences
Authors: Eidloth Lisa
Published: February 2024

The Special Interest Group on Hypertext and the Web, SIGWEB was created in 1989 to support the community participating in the annual ACM Hypertext Conference. In its fourth decade, SIGWEB continues its efforts to support a wide range of communities and eight annual conferences. SIGWEB supports several specialized conferences, short courses, and workshops of different sizes, as well as the annual Hypertext Conference. SIGWEB sponsored conferences focus on timely topics in applied and computational hypertext and Web disciplines and provide a place for members and the entire applied Hypermedia and Web community to exchange ideas and to meet with and expand their network of colleagues. In this article, we provide a brief overview of SIGWEB sponsored conferences, in addition to events that are in cooperation with SIGWEB.
From the Editor-in-Chief
Authors: Gorla Daniele
Published: February 2024

Happy 2024 to all! SIGLOG News starts with the current issue its 11th volume; differently from the normal issues, here you will find a retrospective of the first 10 volumes of this journal, including, among other things, the list of all the columns published so far and a few statistics on them. Then, you will find the call for nominations for the Alonzo Church Award, for which we hope to receive many outstanding proposals from our community. Finally, we wrap up this number with the latest issue of SIGLOG Monthly, prepared by David Purser and Elli Anastasiadi.
SIGLOG Monthly 245: January 2024
Authors: Purser David , Anastasiadi Elli
Published: February 2024

January 2024 edition of SIGLOG Monthly, featuring deadlines, calls and community announcements.
The Use of Simulation in Nursing Education Programs: A Cross-Sectional Interuniversity Study
Authors: Chabrera C. , Aldomà M. , Bazo-Hernández L. , Faro M. , Farrés-Tarafa M. , Gil-Mateu E. , Gómez-Ibáñez R. , Insa E. , Medel D. , Peñataro-Pintado E. , Puiggrós-Binefa A. , Rascón C. , Sarria-Guerrero J. A. , Ricart M. , Suris C. , Fernández P. , Rodríguez E.
Published: February 2024

Background. Simulation-based education has been incorporated into nursing curricula as an educational strategy. However, its implementation has not yet been standardized in different regions. Purpose. The aim of this study is to describe simulation-based education in the nursing curricula in Catalonia and Andorra. Methods. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 in which 16 universities participated. Results. The median dedication to clinical simulation in the nursing studies was 287.5 hours, with variations between universities (ranging from 24 to 516 hours). The dedication for the low-medium fidelity simulation was 89.4 hours (SD ± 58.3) and 26 hours (SD ± 17) for the high-fidelity simulation. All the universities had qualified teaching staff and facilities. Conclusions. There is variability in the implementation and use of simulation-based education among universities. However, there is consensus on its usefulness in nursing curricula. To integrate simulation training into the nursing curriculum, it is necessary to establish convergent simulation standards in higher education.
Method Development for Simultaneously Determining Indomethacin and Nicotinamide in New Combination in Oral Dosage Formulations and Co-Amorphous Systems Using Three UV Spectrophotometric Techniques
Authors: Sarkis Nazira , Sawan Abdulkader
Published: February 2024

This research aims to develop methods for simultaneously determining indomethacin (IND) and nicotinamide (NCT) in binary mixtures, immediate-release capsules, sustained-release capsules, and co-amorphous systems, which were designed in 2021 to improve the solubility, dissolution rate, and stability of the amorphous state of indomethacin. Moreover, this new combination may have also other possible medical benefits. Therefore, there is a need to have simple, sensitive, and precise developed methods for simultaneous quantification analysis of IND/NCT in several different ratios. Three UV-spectrophotometry techniques were deployed: zero-crossing point in the second-order derivative, dual-wavelength in the first-order derivative, and ratio subtraction coupled with spectrum subtraction. The limit of detection and the limit of quantifications (LOD and LOQ) for IND were 0.41 and 1.25, 0.55 and 1.66, and 0.53 and 1.62 μg/mL, respectively, while for NCT were 0.53 and 1.59, 0.38 and 1.14, and 0.36 and 1.08 μg/mL, respectively. All methods were linear at least in the range of 2.5–40.0 μg/mL. All proposed methods were validated according to ICH guidelines and their application on the dosage formulations was carried out. Finally, the proposed methods were compared to a reference method for each IND and NCT, and no significant statistical variance was found.
Some Inequalities between General Randić-Type Graph Invariants
Authors: Nadeem Imran , Siddique Saba , Shang Yilun
Published: February 2024

The Randić-type graph invariants are extensively investigated vertex-degree-based topological indices and have gained much prominence in recent years. The general Randić and zeroth-order general Randić indices are Randić-type graph invariants and are defined for a graph G with vertex set V as RαG=∑υi∼υjdidjα and QαG=∑vi∈Vdiα, respectively, where α is an arbitrary real number, di denotes the degree of a vertex υi, and υi∼υj represents the adjacency of vertices υi and υj in G. Establishing relationships between two topological indices holds significant importance for researchers. Some implicit inequality relationships between Rα and Qα have been derived so far. In this paper, we establish explicit inequality relationships between Rα and Qα. Also, we determine linear inequality relationships between these graph invariants. Moreover, we obtain some new inequalities for various vertex-degree-based topological indices by the appropriate choice of α.
TABLE 3 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Frequencies of genomic alterations in tumor samples—Results are displayed for genomic alterations present in at least 7% of tumor specimens and tested in at least 20% of the tumor specimens, as well as NRAS and MED12. Frequencies do not reflect OncoKB annotation. Details of specific NGS panels performed can be found in the GENIE data guide (www.aacr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/GENIE_data_guide_11.0-public-1.pdf)
TABLE 2 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models for associations between baseline characteristics and the presence of PM
Supplementary Tables from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Supplementary Tables 1-9
Supplementary Figure 3 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Oncoprint of patients with peritoneal metastasis
Supplementary Figure 2 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Supplementary Figure 2. Oncoprint from patients without peritoneal metastasis
Supplementary Figure 1 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

Definitions of patient-level MSI and MMR statuses
FIGURE 2 from Genomic Characterization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from the AACR GENIE Biopharma Collaborative Colorectal Cancer Registry
Authors: Sanz-Garcia Enrique , Brown Samantha , Lavery Jessica A. , Weiss Jessica , Fuchs Hannah E. , Newcomb Ashley , Postle Asha , Warner Jeremy L. , LeNoue-Newton Michele L. , Sweeney Shawn M. , Pillai Shirin , Yu Celeste , Nichols Chelsea , Mastrogiacomo Brooke , Kundra Ritika , Schultz Nikolaus , Kehl Kenneth L. , Riely Gregory J. , Schrag Deborah , Govindarajan Anand , Panageas Katherine S. , Bedard Philippe L.
Published: February 2024

OS from diagnosis of advanced disease (A, PM vs. non-PM; B, PM only vs. PM and other sites vs. non-PM; C, stage IV: PM vs. non-PM; D, stage I–III with later development of distant metastasis: PM vs. non-PM).
Modelling Disease Progression of Multiple Sclerosis in a South Wales Cohort
Authors: Uzochukwu Emeka C. , Harding Katharine E. , Hrastelj James , Kreft Karim L. , Holmans Peter , Robertson Neil P. , Tallantyre Emma C. , Lawton Michael
Published: February 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to model multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression and compare disease trajectories by sex, age of onset, and year of diagnosis. Study Design and Setting: Longitudinal EDSS scores (20,854 observations) were collected for 1,787 relapse-onset MS patients at MS clinics in South Wales and modelled using a multilevel model (MLM). The MLM adjusted for covariates (sex, age of onset, year of diagnosis, and disease-modifying treatments), and included interactions between baseline covariates and time variables. Results: The optimal model was truncated at 30 years after disease onset and excluded EDSS recorded within 3 months of relapse. As expected, older age of onset was associated with faster disease progression at 15 years (effect size (ES): 0.75; CI: 0.63, 0.86; p: <0.001) and female-sex progressed more slowly at 15 years (ES: −0.43; CI: −0.68, −0.18; p: <0.001). Patients diagnosed more recently (defined as 2007–2011 and >2011) progressed more slowly than those diagnosed historically (<2006); (ES: −0.46; CI: −0.75, −0.16; p: 0.006) and (ES: −0.95; CI: −1.20, −0.70; p: <0.001), respectively. Conclusion: We present a novel model of MS outcomes, accounting for the non-linear trajectory of MS and effects of baseline covariates, validating well-known risk factors (sex and age of onset) associated with disease progression. Also, patients diagnosed more recently progressed more slowly than those diagnosed historically.
How Not to Find Over-Imitation in Animals
Authors: Allen Jedediah W.P. , Andrews Kristin
Published: February 2024

While more species are being identified as cultural on a regular basis, stark differences between human and animal cultures remain. Humans are more richly cultural, with group-specific practices and social norms guiding almost every element of our lives. Furthermore, human culture is seen as cumulative, cooperative, and normative, in contrast to animal cultures. One hypothesis to explain these differences is grounded in the observation that human children across cultures appear to spontaneously over-imitate silly or causally irrelevant behaviors that they observe. The few studies on over-imitation in other species are largely taken as evidence that spontaneous over-imitation is not present in other species. This leads to the over-imitation hypothesis – that the differences between human culture and animal cultures can be traced to the human unique tendency to over-imitate. In this paper, we analyze the current state of the literature on animal over-imitation and challenge the adequacy of the over-imitation hypothesis for the differences between humans and animal cultures. To make this argument, we first argue that the function of human over-imitation is norm-learning and that over-imitation, like skill-learning, should be subject to selective social learning effects. Then we review the empirical evidence against animal over-imitation and argue that these studies do not take into account the relevant variables given the normative and selective nature of over-imitation. We then analyze positive empirical evidence of over-imitation in great apes and canids from the experimental literature and conclude that the current body of evidence suggests that some canids and primates may have the capacity for over-imitation. This paper offers a methodological suggestion for how to study animal over-imitation, and a theoretical suggestion that over-imitation might be much more widely found among species. The larger implication for claims about human uniqueness suggests that if we do find widespread evidence of over-imitation across species, many of the current theories of human uniqueness that focus on human hyper-cooperation or social norms may have only identified a difference of degree, not of kind, between humans and other animals.
Sensitivity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detection of Choroidal Metastases
Authors: Yu Michael D. , Miller Sarah , Ghoraba Hashem , Sabage Luis E. , Fischbein Nancy J. , Mruthyunjaya Prithvi
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of choroidal metastasis (CM) from systemic primary cancers. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients with clinically confirmed CM seen on the Oncology Service (Byers Eye Institute) between January 2018 and March 2022. Patients had an MRI brain and/or orbits performed within 3 months of CM diagnosis. Evaluation of CM detection by MRI was then divided into two parts: an initial “standard read,” where determination of CM detection was based solely on the original radiology report, to reflect real-world performance, and a subsequent “dedicated read,” for which a board-certified neuroradiologist, blinded to the laterality and location of the CM, reevaluated the studies to provide an objective “gold standard” interpretation regarding the radiographic detection of CM. Results: The study included 42 eyes of 40 patients with confirmed CM. On standard read, MRI detection of CM occurred in 21 of 42 eyes (50%), with no significant difference between MRI brain and orbit protocols (p = 0.249). Features associated with improved detection were increased tumor basal diameter (p < 0.001) and ultrasonographic tumor thickness (p = 0.003). On dedicated read, MRI detection of CM improved to 26 of 33 eyes (76%; limited to eyes with full complement of pre- and post-gadolinium sequences). Post-gadolinium 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence with fat suppression was the most sensitive (88%) for CM detection. 42% and 58% of lesions were visualized using conventional pre-gadolinium T1- and T2-weighted imaging, respectively. Conclusions: MRI sensitivity to detect CM improved from 50% to 76% with focused reinterpretation. Increased utilization of the post-gadolinium 3D FLAIR sequence and increased ocular scrutiny in cancer patients undergoing brain imaging may facilitate earlier diagnosis of CM.
Closing the Last Mile Gap in Access to Multimodality Imaging in Rural Settings: Design of the Imaging Core of the Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal Study
Authors: Fazlalizadeh Hooman , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Fox Ervin R. , Douglas Pamela S. , Adams David , Blaha Michael J. , Daubert Melissa A. , Dunn Gary , van den Heuvel Edwin , Kelsey Michelle D. , Martin Randolph P. , Thomas James D. , Thomas Yngvil , Judd Suzanne E. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Budoff Matthew J. , Bloomfield Gerald S.
Published: February 2024

Achieving optimal cardiovascular health in rural populations can be challenging for several reasons including decreased access to care with limited availability of imaging modalities, specialist physicians, and other important health care team members. Therefore, innovative solutions are needed to optimize health care and address cardiovascular health disparities in rural areas. Mobile examination units can bring imaging technology to underserved or remote communities with limited access to health care services. Mobile examination units can be equipped with a wide array of assessment tools and multiple imaging modalities such as computed tomography scanning and echocardiography. The detailed structural assessment of cardiovascular and lung pathology, as well as the detection of extracardiac pathology afforded by computed tomography imaging combined with the functional and hemodynamic assessments acquired by echocardiography, yield deep phenotyping of heart and lung disease for populations historically underrepresented in epidemiological studies. Moreover, by bringing the mobile examination unit to local communities, innovative approaches are now possible including engagement with local professionals to perform these imaging assessments, thereby augmenting local expertise and experience. However, several challenges exist before mobile examination unit–based examinations can be effectively integrated into the rural health care setting including standardizing acquisition protocols, maintaining consistent image quality, and addressing ethical and privacy considerations. Herein, we discuss the potential importance of cardiac multimodality imaging to improve cardiovascular health in rural regions, outline the emerging experience in this field, highlight important current challenges, and offer solutions based on our experience in the RURAL (Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal) cohort study.
Meta-Analysis of Normal Reference Values for Right and Left Ventricular Quantification by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Zhan Yang , Friedrich Matthias G. , Dendukuri Nandini , Lu Yang , Chetrit Michael , Schiller Ian , Joseph Lawrence , Shaw Jaime L. , Chuang Michael L. , Riffel Johannes H. , Manning Warren J. , Afilalo Jonathan
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) reference values are relied upon to accurately diagnose left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) pathologies. To date, reference values have been derived from modest sample sizes with limited patient diversity and attention to 1 but not both commonly used tracing techniques for papillary muscles and trabeculations. We sought to overcome these limitations by meta-analyzing normal reference values for CMR parameters stemming from multiple countries, vendors, analysts, and patient populations.

METHODS:

We comprehensively extracted published and unpublished data from studies reporting CMR parameters in healthy adults. A steady-state free-precession short-axis stack at 1.5T or 3T was used to trace either counting the papillary muscles and trabeculations in the LV volume or mass. We used a novel Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis model to derive the pooled lower and upper reference values for each CMR parameter. Our model accounted for the expected differences between tracing techniques by including informative prior distributions from a large external data set.

RESULTS:

A total of 254 studies from 25 different countries were systematically reviewed, representing 12 812 healthy adults, of which 52 were meta-analyzed. For LV parameters counting papillary muscles and trabeculations in the LV volume, pooled normative reference ranges in men and women, respectively, were as follows: LV ejection fraction of 52% to 73% and 54% to 75%, LV end-diastolic volume index of 60 to 109 and 56 to 96 mL/m
2
, LV end-systolic volume index of 18 to 45 and 16 to 38 mL/m
2
, and LV mass index of 41 to 76 and 33 to 57 g/m
2
. For LV parameters counting papillary muscles and trabeculations in the LV mass, pooled normative reference ranges in men and women, respectively, were as follows: LV ejection fraction of 57% to 74% and 57% to 75%, LV end-diastolic volume index of 60 to 97 and 55 to 88 mL/m
2
, LV end-systolic volume index of 18 to 37 and 15 to 34 mL/m
2
, and LV mass index of 50 to 83 and 38 to 65 g/m
2
. For RV parameters, pooled normative reference ranges in men and women, respectively, were as follows: RV ejection fraction of 47% to 68% and 49% to 71%, RV end-diastolic volume index of 64 to 115 and 57 to 99 mL/m
2
, RV end-systolic volume index of 23 to 52 and 18 to 42 mL/m
2
, and RV mass index of 14 to 29 and 13 to 25 g/m
2
.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis provides normative reference values for CMR parameters of LV and RV size, systolic function, and mass, encompassing both tracing techniques across a diverse multinational sample of healthy men and women.
Multimodality Cardiac Imaging and the Imaging Workforce in the United States: Diversity, Disparities, and Future Directions
Authors: Bullock-Palmer Renee P. , Flores Rosario Karen , Douglas Pamela S. , Hahn Rebecca T. , Lang Roberto M. , Chareonthaitawee Panithaya , Srichai Monvadi B. , Ordovas Karen G. , Baldassarre Lauren A. , Burroughs Melissa S. , Henderson Cory S. , Woodard Pamela K. , Pressoir Kathleen , Swaminathan Madhav , Blankstein Ron , Daubert Melissa A.
Published: February 2024

Innovations in cardiac imaging have fundamentally advanced the understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. These advances in noninvasive cardiac imaging have also expanded the role of the cardiac imager and dramatically increased the demand for imagers who are cross-trained in multiple modalities. However, we hypothesize that there is significant variation in the availability of cardiac imaging expertise and a disparity in the adoption of advanced imaging technologies across the United States. To evaluate this, we have brought together the leaders of cardiovascular imaging societies, imaging trainees, as well as collaborated with national imaging accreditation commissions and imaging certification boards to assess the state of cardiac imaging and the diversity of the imaging workforce in the United States. Aggregate data confirm the presence of critical gaps, such as limited access to imaging and imaging expertise in rural communities, as well as disparities in the imaging workforce, notably among women and underrepresented minorities. Based on these results, we have proposed solutions to promote and maintain a robust and diverse community of cardiac imagers and improve equity and accessibility for cardiac imaging technologies.
An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hogan Gabriella Ann , Wagner Karen Elaine , Tichenor Erin , Barlott Tim
Published: February 2024

Background. Interest in the use of psychedelics for mental health therapy is burgeoning. Qualitative research methods are increasingly used to understand patient's experiences; however, there is a lack of literature that explores psychedelic use from an occupational perspective. Purpose. To conduct a scoping review of qualitative literature on the experiences of psychedelic use for the purpose of mental health therapy, through an occupational lens. Key Issues. Wilcock’s occupational perspective of health was employed to analyze the use of psychedelics in mental health from an occupational perspective. Despite heterogeneous therapy contexts and substances used, patients reported comparable benefits regarding occupational engagement, such as increased mindfulness and autonomy in doing, a renewed sense of being, greater motivation to grow and become, and an improved sense of connection and belonging. Implications. This review demonstrates how psychedelic use in the context of mental health support can be experienced as a meaningful occupation and may contribute to overall health. In turn, this review highlights the utility of an occupational perspective for “non-sanctioned” or stigmatized occupations like psychedelic use, as well as the need for more research on psychedelic use from an occupational perspective. Using an occupational perspective of health can help to de-stigmatize psychedelic use as a meaningful occupation, rather than a deviant one, and shed light on how psychedelics may also positively impact one's participation in everyday life and overall health.
Nominalism, materialism, and history
Authors: Hinton Timothy
Published: February 2024

This article addresses two explanatory gaps in Althusser’s late work. One has to do with the relation between nominalism and materialism; the other engages the relation between Althusser’s later materialism and a broadly materialist approach to history. In the first part of the article, I develop a response to the problem of nominalism that makes use of Hobbes’s nominalism and Deleuze’s concept of the plane of immanence. In the second part, I address the problem of history by explaining the concept of an aleatory causal chain, and showing how such chains could be at work in human history. I also make use of Hobbes’s materialist account of causation, applying it to social relations, social collectivities, and historical events.