bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Israel: A Nationwide Epi-Israeli IBD Research Nucleus Study
Authors: Stulman Mira Y , Asayag Noa , Focht Gili , Brufman Ilan , Cahan Amos , Ledderman Natan , Matz Eran , Chowers Yehuda , Eliakim Rami , Ben-Horin Shomron , Odes Shmuel , Dotan Iris , Balicer Ran D , Benchimol Eric I , Turner Dan
Published: October 2021

Background

There are currently no nationwide data on the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Israel. We aimed to determine the population-based epidemiological trends of IBD in the diverse Israeli population.

Methods

Health-administrative data were retrieved from all 4 Israeli health maintenance organizations, insuring 98% of the population, using validated identification algorithms. National trends were determined using Joinpoint regression analysis calculating annual percent change and average annual percent change (AAPC).

Results

By 2019, there were 46,074 patients with IBD in Israel, corresponding to a national prevalence of 519/100,000 (0.52%), of whom 54.1% had Crohn disease (CD) and 45.9% had ulcerative colitis (UC). The number of Jewish patients doubled from 18,701 in 2005 (354/100,000) to 38,950 (589/100,000) in 2018 (AAPC, +4.0%; P < 0.05), and the number of Arab patients increased 3-fold from 1096 (102.1/100,000) to 3534 (240.7/100,000; AAPC, +6.8%; P < 0.05) during the same years. However, the increase rate has gradually decelerated over time (annual percent change during 2005-2008, 2009-2014, and 2005-2018 was +6.7%, +4.2%, and +2.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). Pediatric prevalence increased from 37.4 to 52.2/100,000, with CD predominating in both Jews and Arabs. The incidence of CD remained stable (from 15.9/100,000 to 14.9/100,000) and the incidence of UC decreased (15.4/100,000 to 10.5/100,000 (AAPC, –3.2%; P < 0.001)). In contrast, pediatric incidence of CD increased from 7.3/100,000 to 8.3/100,000 (AAPC, +1.9%; P < 0.05) and that of UC increased from 2.6 to 4.4/100,000 (AAPC, +5.8%; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The IBD prevalence rate in Israel is still increasing but gradually decelerating, probably due to the decreasing overall IBD incidence. Nonetheless, incidence rate in children is still increasing. Ongoing narrowing in the rates between Jews and Arabs over time may indicate shared environmental factors.
Incidence and management of the left ventricular outflow obstruction in patients with atrioventricular septal defects
Authors: Ivanov Yaroslav , Buratto Edward , Naimo Phillip , Lui Adrienne , Hu Thomas , d’Udekem Yves , Brizard Christian P , Konstantinov Igor E
Published: October 2021

OBJECTIVES

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is a recognized complication after complete repair of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD). This study reviewed the incidence and management of LVOTO following AVSD repair at a single institution.

METHODS

From 1975 to 2019, 24 patients (3.3%, 24/730) underwent reoperation due to LVOTO following partial AVSD (pAVSD) and complete AVSD (cAVSD) repair. The data were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The incidence of LVOTO following pAVSD and cAVSD repair was 4.4% (12/275) and 2.6% (12/455). Freedom from LVOTO reoperation following pAVSD and cAVSD repair at 25 years was 94.3% [95% confidence interval (CI); 89.7–96.7] and 95% (95% CI; 91.1–97.3). The median time from complete repair of pAVSD and cAVSD to LVOTO reoperation was 4.4 years [interquartile range (IQR): 3.4–6.7] and 2.6 years (IQR: 2.2–4.7). Freedom from second LVOTO reoperation at 5, 10 and 15 years was 83.7% (95% CI; 57.2–98.2), 59.2% (95% CI; 28.7, 80.3) and 39.5% (95% CI; 13.2–65.3). The median time between the first and the second LVOTO reoperation in the groups of pAVSD and cAVSD was 6.1 years (IQR: 3.4–8.9) and 8.6 years (IQR: 5.7–9.8). There was no significant difference regarding the first (P = 0.7406) and subsequent LVOTO (P = 0.7153) following complete repair of pAVSD and cAVSD. Combined access to the left ventricular outflow tract was not protective regarding LVOTO reoccurrence. Survival for both groups after LVOTO reoperation at 15 years was 95.6% (95% CI 99.4–72.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Incidence of LVOTO after AVSD repair is low but the reoccurrence rate is high. Standard subaortic resection does not always provide definitive LVOTO relief. The survival after LVOTO reoperation is excellent.
Cash Transfers, Negative Rainfall Shocks and Child Welfare in Ethiopia
Authors: Haile Kaleab
Published: October 2021

This study examines the role of cash transfers in mitigating the welfare impact of negative rainfall shocks on children in rural households. Household-level panel data, obtained from areas where Ethiopia’s Social Cash Transfer Pilot Programme operated, are merged with available climate data. The results from a two-way fixed effects model reveal that cash transfers significantly reduce the negative effect of drought on food consumption Z-score of children in beneficiary households. As the magnitude of drought increases, however, no difference in children’s FCS Z-score is found between beneficiary and non-beneficiary households. The study provides evidence for household food consumption-based coping strategies as a mechanism. As such, beneficiary households are able to avoid food consumption-destabilising coping strategies as long as the droughts they experience are not of high magnitude. The findings of this study offer policy-relevant insights into the extent to which cash transfers can buffer the adverse welfare impact of drought on children.
Chemical composition, energy content and amino acid digestibility in cyperus esculentus co-products fed to growing pigs
Authors: Wang Lu , Zhou Junyan , Chen Yifan , Wang Li , Pan Hongmei , Hu Qile , Shi Huangwei , Lai Changhua
Published: October 2021

This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition, DE, ME and NE contents, and the apparent and standardized ileal digestibility (AID and SID) of AA in cyperus esculentus co-products fed to growing pigs. The 5 cyperus esculentus co-products included expeller-pressed cyperus esculentus cake (EPCC), cold-pressed cyperus esculentus cake (CPCC), solvent-extracted cyperus esculentus meal (SECM), cyperus esculentus distillers’s dried grains with solubles (CE DDGS) and cyperus esculentus meal (CEM). In Exp. 1, a total of 36 crossbred growing pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire; BW: 50.12 ± 2.91 kg) were fed 1 of 6 diets in a completely randomized design. The diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 5 experimental diets containing 24.31% cyperus esculentus co-products. In Exp. 2, 12 same breed of growing pigs (BW: 47.12 ± 3.2 kg), surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum, were allotted to 1 of 4 experimental diets in a 2-period Youden Square design. The diets included 1 N-free diet and 3 experimental diets containing 50% cyperus esculentus co-products (including EPCC, SECM and CE DDGS). Results indicated that the SECM and CE DDGS had the greatest contents of starch and CP, respectively. The contents of CF, NDF and ADF were the greatest in CEM and the lowest in SECM. On a DM basis, the DE, ME, predicted NE and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE values of the 5 cyperus esculentus co-products ranged from 1,203 to 3,897 kcal/kg, 1,127 to 3,621 kcal/kg, 536 to 2,871 kcal/kg and 28% to 79%, respectively. The EPCC and CPCC had the greatest DE, ME and predicted NE values and CPCC, EPCC and SECM had the greatest ATTD of GE, whereas CEM had the lowest DE, ME, NE and ATTD of GE (P < 0.001). The NDF and ADF were negatively correlated with DE, ME and NE (P < 0.05). The AID and SID of CP varied from 53.57 % to 57.86% and from 69.99% to 87.85%, respectively. The EPCC and SECM had greater SID of CP, Ile, Met, Val, Asp, Cys and Tyr compared to those of CE DDGS (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the chemical composition, DE, ME and NE as well as the most AA digestibility of cyperus esculentus co-products obtained from different processing techniques varied greatly. Based on the energy contents and AA digestibility, the EPCC is a better feedstuff for growing pigs compared with the other 4 cyperus esculentus co-products.
Genetic variability in the feeding behavior of crossbred growing cattle and associations with performance and feed efficiency
Authors: Kelly David N , Sleator Roy D , Murphy Craig P , Conroy Stephen B , Berry Donagh P
Published: October 2021

The objectives of the present study were to estimate genetic parameters for several feeding behavior traits in growing cattle, as well as the genetic associations among and between feeding behavior and both performance and feed efficiency traits. An additional objective was to investigate the use of feeding behavior traits as predictors of genetic merit for feed intake. Feed intake and live-weight data on 6,088 growing cattle were used of which 4,672 had ultrasound data and 1,548 had feeding behavior data. Feeding behavior traits were defined based on individual feed events or meal events (where individual feed events were grouped into meals). Univariate and bivariate animal linear mixed models were used to estimate (co)variance components. Heritability estimates (± SE) for the feeding behavior traits ranged from 0.19 ± 0.08 for meals per day to 0.61 ± 0.10 for feeding time per day. The coefficient of genetic variation per trait varied from 5% for meals per day to 22% for the duration of each feed event. Genetically heavier cattle, those with a higher daily energy intake (MEI), or those that grew faster had a faster feeding rate, as well as a greater energy intake per feed event and per meal. Better daily feed efficiency (i.e., lower residual energy intake) was genetically associated with both a shorter feeding time per day and shorter meal time per day. In a validation population of 321 steers and heifers, the ability of estimated breeding values (EBV) for MEI to predict (adjusted) phenotypic MEI was demonstrated; EBVs for MEI were estimated using multi-trait models with different sets of predictor traits such as liveweight and/or feeding behaviors. The correlation (± SE) between phenotypic MEI and EBV for MEI marginally improved (P < 0.001) from 0.64 ± 0.03 to 0.68 ± 0.03 when feeding behavior phenotypes from the validation population were included in a genetic evaluation that already included phenotypic mid-test metabolic live-weight from the validation population. This is one of the largest studies demonstrating that significant exploitable genetic variation exists in the feeding behavior of young crossbred growing cattle; such feeding behavior traits are also genetically correlated with several performance and feed efficiency metrics. Nonetheless, there was only a marginal benefit to the inclusion of time-related feeding behavior phenotypes in a genetic evaluation for MEI to improve the precision of the EBVs for this trait.
Genome-wide distribution of 5hmC in the dental pulp of mouse molars and incisors
Authors: Joshi Pujan , Vijaykumar Anushree , Enkhmandakh Badam , Mina Mina , Shin Dong-Guk , Bayarsaihan Dashzeveg
Published: October 2021

The dental pulp is critical for the production of odontoblasts to create reparative dentin. In recent years, dental pulp has become a promising source of mesenchymal stem cells that are capable of differentiating into multiple cell types. To elucidate the transcriptional control mechanisms specifying the early phases of odontoblast differentiation, we analysed the DNA demethylation pattern associated with 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in the primary murine dental pulp. 5hmC plays an important role in chromatin accessibility and transcriptional control by modelling a dynamic equilibrium between DNA methylation and demethylation. Our research revealed 5hmC enrichment along genes and non-coding regulatory regions associated with specific developmental pathways in the genome of mouse incisor and molar dental pulp. Although the overall distribution of 5hmC is similar, the intensity and location of the 5hmC peaks significantly differs between the incisor and molar pulp genome, indicating cell type-specific epigenetic variations. Our study suggests that the differential DNA demethylation pattern could account for the distinct regulatory mechanisms underlying the tooth-specific ontogenetic programs.
The Intergenerational Effect of Fundamental Rights: A Contribution of the German Federal Constitutional Court to Climate Protection
Authors: Winter Gerd
Published: October 2021

By a recent judgment, the German Federal Constitutional Court enhanced the concept of fundamental rights to climate protection in three dimensions: their number, content and temporal reach. While previously fundamental rights to health, occupation and property have been trialled in domestic climate litigation, the Court here propounds almost all fundamental rights to being inflicted insofar as their enjoyment hinges upon the availability of fossil energy and thus the emission of greenhouse gases. Developing an intertemporal dimension of those rights, the Court finds an imbalance of permissible greenhouse gas emissions in that most of the emission budget available within a temperature increase of well below 2°C will be spent by 2030, leaving only a minimum use of fossil fuels for subsequent years and generations. This analysis summarises the Court’s legal reasoning, positioning it in the broader spectrum of fundamental rights doctrine, and reflects on the contribution of the case to the growing number of transnational climate jurisprudence.
A Study of Cuticular Hydrocarbons of All Life Stages in Sarcophaga peregrina (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: Zhang Xiangyan , Shang Yanjie , Ren Lipin , Qu Hongke , Zhu Guanghui , Guo Yadong
Published: October 2021

Sarcophaga peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830), a synanthropic flesh fly species found in different parts of the world, is of medical and forensic importance. Traditional methods of inferring developmental age rely on the life stage of insects and morphological changes. However, once the larvae reach the pupal and adult stage, morphological changes would become barely visible, so that the classic method would be invalid. Here, we studied the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of S. peregrina of the whole life cycle from larval stage to adult stage by GC–MS. Sixty-three compounds with carbon chain length ranging from 8 to 36 were detected, which could be categorized into four classes: n-alkanes, branched alkanes, alkenes, and unknowns. As developmental increased, branched alkanes dominant, and the content of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons is variable, especially for 2-methyl C19, DiMethyl C21, docosane (C22), and tricosane (C23). This study shows that the composition of CHC could be used to determine the developmental age of S. peregrina and aid in postmortem interval estimations in forensic science.
Accurate line strengths, transition rates and lifetimes of 2s2p2(4P)3s in N II
Authors: Wang Huaying , Wang Chenming , Shen Xiaozhi , Chen Zhanbin , Li Xiangfu , Zhang Xueyang
Published: October 2021

The accurate line strengths, transition rates, oscillator strengths, and lifetimes from the inner-shell 2s2p2(4P)3s states 5P and 3P of N II are reported within the framework of the multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock (MCDHF) method. The effects of core-core, core-valence, and valence correlations; the Breit interaction; and QED effect are taken into account. Through investigating the influences of electron correlation effects on the quintet states, it is found that the core correlation effect has certain compensation effect in accurately optimizing the line strengths, transition rates and lifetimes of quintet states; the branching fractions of 2s2p3 5S$^\circ _{2}$–2s2p2(4P)3s 5P1, 2, 3 tend to 1, which is inferred as a peculiar intrinsic property that can be useful for plasma diagnostics; unlike 3P0, 1, 2 and 5P1, 3, the calculations of lifetime of 5P2 show some J-dependence, and the velocity form calculations for this J=2-dependence are much more sensitive to electron correlations of 1s22s2p2(4P)3l (l = p, d) than those in the length gauge, which will be helpful to deal with the calculations of lifetime with J=2-dependence in the carbon like isoelectronic series.
Lower Statistical Support with Larger Data Sets: Insights from the Ochrophyta Radiation
Authors: Di Franco Arnaud , Baurain Denis , Glöckner Gernot , Melkonian Michael , Philippe Hervé
Published: October 2021

It is commonly assumed that increasing the number of characters has the potential to resolve evolutionary radiations. Here, we studied photosynthetic stramenopiles (Ochrophyta) using alignments of heterogeneous origin mitochondrion, plastid, and nucleus. Surprisingly while statistical support for the relationships between the six major Ochrophyta lineages increases when comparing the mitochondrion (6,762 sites) and plastid (21,692 sites) trees, it decreases in the nuclear (209,105 sites) tree. Statistical support is not simply related to the data set size but also to the quantity of phylogenetic signal available at each position and our ability to extract it. Here, we show that this ability for current phylogenetic methods is limited, because conflicting results were obtained when varying taxon sampling. Even though the use of a better fitting model improved signal extraction and reduced the observed conflicts, the plastid data set provided higher statistical support for the ochrophyte radiation than the larger nucleus data set. We propose that the higher support observed in the plastid tree is due to an acceleration of the evolutionary rate in one short deep internal branch, implying that more phylogenetic signal per position is available to resolve the Ochrophyta radiation in the plastid than in the nuclear data set. Our work therefore suggests that, in order to resolve radiations, beyond the obvious use of data sets with more positions, we need to continue developing models of sequence evolution that better extract the phylogenetic signal and design methods to search for genes/characters that contain more signal specifically for short internal branches.
A Mutation–Selection Model of Protein Evolution under Persistent Positive Selection
Authors: Tamuri Asif U , dos Reis Mario
Published: October 2021

We use first principles of population genetics to model the evolution of proteins under persistent positive selection (PPS). PPS may occur when organisms are subjected to persistent environmental change, during adaptive radiations, or in host–pathogen interactions. Our mutation–selection model indicates protein evolution under PPS is an irreversible Markov process, and thus proteins under PPS show a strongly asymmetrical distribution of selection coefficients among amino acid substitutions. Our model shows the criteria ω>1 (where ω is the ratio of nonsynonymous over synonymous codon substitution rates) to detect positive selection is conservative and indeed arbitrary, because in real proteins many mutations are highly deleterious and are removed by selection even at positively selected sites. We use a penalized-likelihood implementation of the PPS model to successfully detect PPS in plant RuBisCO and influenza HA proteins. By directly estimating selection coefficients at protein sites, our inference procedure bypasses the need for using ω as a surrogate measure of selection and improves our ability to detect molecular adaptation in proteins.
exoRBase 2.0: an atlas of mRNA, lncRNA and circRNA in extracellular vesicles from human biofluids
Authors: Lai Hongyan , Li Yuchen , Zhang Hena , Hu Jia , Liao Jiatao , Su Ying , Li Qin , Chen Bing , Li Caiping , Wang Zhen , Li Yan , Wang Jialei , Meng Zhiqiang , Huang Zhaohui , Huang Shenglin
Published: October 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membranous vesicles that contain an abundant cargo of different RNA species with specialized functions and clinical implications. Here, we introduce an updated online database (http://www.exoRBase.org), exoRBase 2.0, which is a repository of EV long RNAs (termed exLRs) derived from RNA-seq data analyses of diverse human body fluids. In exoRBase 2.0, the number of exLRs has increased to 19 643 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), 15 645 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and 79 084 circular RNAs (circRNAs) obtained from ∼1000 human blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and bile samples. Importantly, exoRBase 2.0 not only integrates and compares exLR expression profiles but also visualizes the pathway-level functional changes and the heterogeneity of origins of circulating EVs in the context of different physiological and pathological conditions. Our database provides an attractive platform for the identification of novel exLR signatures from human biofluids that will aid in the discovery of new circulating biomarkers to improve disease diagnosis and therapy.
VFDB 2022: a general classification scheme for bacterial virulence factors
Authors: Liu Bo , Zheng Dandan , Zhou Siyu , Chen Lihong , Yang Jian
Published: October 2021

The virulence factor database (VFDB, http://www.mgc.ac.cn/VFs/) is dedicated to presenting a comprehensive knowledge base and a versatile analysis platform for bacterial virulence factors (VFs). Recent developments in sequencing technologies have led to increasing demands to analyze potential VFs within microbiome data that always consist of many different bacteria. Nevertheless, the current classification of VFs from various pathogens is based on different schemes, which create a chaotic situation and form a barrier for the easy application of the VFDB dataset for future panbacterial metagenomic analyses. Therefore, based on extensive literature mining, we recently proposed a general category of bacterial VFs in the database and reorganized the VFDB dataset accordingly. Thus, all known bacterial VFs from 32 genera of common bacterial pathogens collected in the VFDB are well grouped into 14 basal categories along with over 100 subcategories in a hierarchical architecture. The new coherent and well-defined VFDB dataset will be feasible and applicable for future panbacterial analysis in terms of virulence factors. In addition, we introduced a redesigned JavaScript-independent web interface for the VFDB website to make the database readily accessible to all users with various client settings worldwide.
Advantages and limitations of the methodological approaches used to study dietary shifts towards improved nutrition and sustainability
Authors: Perignon Marlène , Darmon Nicole
Published: October 2021

Acting on diet is one of the changes required – in combination with actions on food production, transformation, and waste – to address the challenges of reducing the environmental impact of our food systems and eliminating all forms of malnutrition. The number of studies exploring how to move towards a more sustainable diet has exploded over the past decades, but there is a need to facilitate their understanding and use by policy makers and all other stakeholders possibly influencing diet sustainability. The aim of the present article is to propose a categorization of studies into 4 approaches, based on the type of methodology used to explore diet sustainability, and to highlight the principles, advantages, and limitations of each approach in order to help study users in their interpretation. The 4 approaches are: assessment of sustainability characteristics of hypothetical diets (approach 1) or existing diets (approach 2), identification of existing “positive deviants” (approach 3), and design of more sustainable diets with constrained optimization (approach 4). Specificities and key findings drawn from each approach are described, and challenges for future studies are discussed.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud’s phenomenon: a narrative review
Authors: Cooke Roger , Lawson Ian , Gillibrand Susanna , Cooke Andrew
Published: October 2021

Background

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a recognized symptom associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and is also the vascular manifestation of hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The symptoms of HAVS and CTS are such that there is a significant possibility of misdiagnosis and an incorrect attribution of vascular and sensory symptoms. An understanding of the relationship between RP and CTS is essential when undertaking health surveillance of vibration-exposed workers presenting with combined vascular and sensory symptoms.

Aims

To clarify the relationship between CTS and Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Methods

A systematic search was undertaken of studies that reviewed links between CTS and Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP).

Results

A total of 4170 papers were identified, with 21 articles that were then reviewed in full, including 1 meta-analysis of 8 studies. Eighteen papers, not included in the meta-analysis, were found including 3 case control studies, 9 case reports, 2 prospective studies and 4 retrospective reviews. Papers were reviewed on the basis of the diagnostic criteria used for CTS and RP. Our review of the literature confirms a substantial body of evidence of a relationship between RP and CTS.

Conclusions

It is recommended that assessment of vibration exposed individuals who report concurrent RP and separate sensory symptoms suggestive of, or compatible with CTS, should formally exclude CTS before attributing symptoms to HAVS.
Elevated plasma von Willebrand factor levels are associated with subsequent ischemic stroke in persons with treated HIV infection
Authors: Graham Susan M , Nance Robin M , Chen Junmei , Le Jennie , Chung Dominic W , Wurfel Mark M , Tirschwell David L , Zunt Joseph R , Marra Christina M , Ho Emily L , Huffer Andrew , Chow Felicia C , Martin Jeffrey N , Ryan Alice S , Crane Heidi M , López José A , Liles W Conrad
Published: October 2021

Background

We assessed whether key biomarkers of endothelial activation and hemostasis/thrombosis were elevated in individuals receiving effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the year before ischemic stroke.

Methods

We conducted a case-control study nested in the CNICS cohort, comparing 42 adjudicated cases with ischemic stroke to 83 controls matched for ART regimen. Angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, plasminogen activation inhibitor-1, P-selectin, serum amyloid-A, soluble CD14, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, apolipoprotein A1, ADAMTS13, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) were measured in stored plasma collected before the stroke event. We used conditional logistic regression to identify associations with ischemic stroke, with and without adjustment for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) and Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) scores.

Results

After adjustment for age and sex, higher plasma viral load and higher angiopoeitin-2, soluble CD14, and VWF were associated with increased odds of ischemic stroke; higher nadir CD4 count was associated with decreased odds of ischemic stroke. VWF remained associated with subsequent ischemic stroke after adjustment for ASCVD score (adjusted odds 1.74, 95%CI 1.01–2.98 per log2 increment). In a separate model adjusting for VACS score, only VWF (adjusted odds 1.80, 95% CI 1.04–3.12 per log2 increment) was associated with subsequent ischemic stroke. In a sensitivity analysis excluding participants with viral load ≥400 copies/mL, associations between VWF and ischemic stroke were attenuated, with risk estimates ranging from 1.59–1.64 per log2 increment.

Conclusions

Endothelial activation and related release and attachment of VWF may play an important role in ischemic stroke among persons living with treated HIV infection.
High-Dose Rate Interstitial Spine Brachytherapy Using an Intraoperative Mobile Computed Tomography-Guided Surgical Navigation System
Authors: Medina Rogelio , Macyszyn Luke , Lim Andrew S , Attiah Mark , Kafka-Peterson Kayla , Kaprelian Tania , Hegde John V , Venkat Puja , Lee Alan , Park Sang-June , Chang Albert J
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Up to 15% of previously irradiated metastatic spine tumors will progress. Re-irradiation of these tumors poses a significant risk of exceeding the radiation tolerance to the spinal cord. High-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a treatment alternative.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a novel HDR spine brachytherapy technique using an intraoperative computed tomography-guided navigation (iCT navigation).

METHODS

Patients with progressive metastatic spine tumors were included in the study. HDR brachytherapy catheters were placed under iCT navigation. CT-based planning with magnetic resonance imaging fusion was performed to ensure conformal dose delivery to the target while sparing normal tissue, including the spinal cord. Patients received single fraction radiation treatment.

RESULTS

Five patients with thoracolumbar tumors were treated with HDR brachytherapy. Four patients previously received radiotherapy to the same spinal level. Preimplant plans demonstrated median clinical target volume (CTV) D90 of 116.5% (110.8%-147.7%), V100 of 95.7% (95.5%-99.6%), and Dmax of 8.08 Gy (7.65-9.8 Gy) to the spinal cord/cauda equina. Postimplant plans provided median CTV D90 of 113.8% (93.6%-120.1%), V100 of 95.9% (87%-99%), and Dmax of 9.48 Gy (6.5-10.3 Gy) to cord/cauda equina. Patients who presented with back pain (n = 3) noted symptomatic improvement at a median follow-up of 22 d after treatment. Four patients demonstrated local tumor control of spinal metastatic tumor at a median follow-up of 92 d after treatment. One patient demonstrated radiographic evidence of local tumor progression 2.7 mo after treatment.

CONCLUSION

HDR spine brachytherapy with iCT navigation is a promising treatment alternative to induce local tumor control and reduce pain symptoms associated with metastatic spine disease.
Heat stress reveals a specialized variant of the pachytene checkpoint in meiosis of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: De Jaeger-Braet Joke , Krause Linda , Buchholz Anika , Schnittger Arp
Published: October 2021

Plant growth and fertility strongly depend on environmental conditions such as temperature. Remarkably, temperature also influences meiotic recombination and thus, the current climate change will affect the genetic make-up of plants. To better understand the effects of temperature on meiosis, we followed male meiocytes in Arabidopsis thaliana by live cell imaging under three temperature regimes: at 21°C; at heat shock conditions of 30°C and 34°C; after an acclimatization phase of 1 week at 30°C. This work led to a cytological framework of meiotic progression at elevated temperature. We determined that an increase from 21°C to 30°C speeds up meiosis with specific phases being more amenable to heat than others. An acclimatization phase often moderated this effect. A sudden increase to 34°C promoted a faster progression of early prophase compared to 21°C. However, the phase in which cross-overs mature was prolonged at 34°C. Since mutants involved in the recombination pathway largely did not show the extension of this phase at 34°C, we conclude that the delay is recombination-dependent. Further analysis also revealed the involvement of the ATAXIA TELANGIECTASIA MUTATED kinase in this prolongation, indicating the existence of a pachytene checkpoint in plants, yet in a specialized form.
Auxiliary Police Volunteer Experiences and Motivations to Volunteer in Canada
Authors: O’Connor Christopher D , Frederick Tyler , Koziarski Jacek , Baker Victoria , Kosoralo Kaylee
Published: October 2021

Policing has become a shared endeavour among a variety of community stakeholders. Citizens are expected to take on a more active role in securing their own safety. Volunteers are one particular group that has been marshalled to become an essential part of policing. In Canada, volunteers work alongside police officers as auxiliary members and assist in a wide range of activities, such as victim support, safety campaigns, community events, and patrol. Despite auxiliary members actively participating in policing duties, we know little about their experiences or motivations for volunteering. This article presents the results of a survey conducted with auxiliary police personnel at a police service in Canada and discusses their roles and tasks, perceived quality of and ways to improve their experiences, and motivations to volunteer. We conclude by discussing how police services could enhance auxiliary members’ experiences and better integrate this group into regular police officer recruitment efforts.
Supporting mathematical modelling by upscaling real context in a sequence of tasks
Authors: Albarracín Lluís , Segura Carlos , Ferrando Irene , Gorgorió Núria
Published: October 2021

Creating and developing mathematical models to solve real-world problems is a complex task and students often have difficulties in tackling it successfully. The design and implementation of sequences that help students autonomously develop their ability to solve modelling tasks could be a useful scaffolding tool to foster modelling learning. In this paper we present a sequence of estimation tasks in a real context based on what we have called the upscaling technique, which consists of scaling the accessibility and knowledge of the context used. A study with two samples of grade 10 students, experimental and control, has allowed us to find out whether this sequence promotes success in solving complex contextualized estimation problems and whether it helps students to improve their mathematical models.
Novel Deployment of Pediatric Biocontainment Unit Nurses in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Kinlay Stephanie Heather , Whiting Jon , Audain Pascale , Conrad Paula , Kulma Amy , Agus Michael S. D. , Sandora Thomas J.
Published: October 2021

Most existing biocontainment units (BCUs) in U.S. hospitals are designed to care for a limited number of patients infected with epidemiologically significant pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic presented substantial challenges to hospital preparedness and operations because of its high incidence rate and the high risk of transmission to staff members. This article describes a novel practice innovation: a hospital-wide deployment of nurses on a trained BCU team to support hospital staff in safely caring for patients with COVID-19. Their responsibilities included assisting in the development of guidelines and providing training on safety protocols and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment. The authors show how this deployment contributed significantly to staff education and support during the pandemic.
The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System
Authors: Emery-Tiburcio Erin E. , Mack Laurin , Zonsius Mary C. , Carbonell Ellen , Newman Michelle
Published: October 2021

This article is the first in a new series, Supporting Family Caregivers in the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute as part of the ongoing Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone series. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) is an evidence-based framework for assessing and acting on critical issues in the care of older adults across settings and transitions of care. Engaging the health care team, including older adults and their family caregivers, with the 4Ms framework can help to ensure that every older adult gets the best care possible, is not harmed by health care, and is satisfied with the care they receive.

The articles in this new series present considerations for implementing the 4Ms framework in the inpatient hospital setting and incorporating family caregivers in doing so. Resources for both nurses and family caregivers, including a series of accompanying videos developed by AARP and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging and funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, are also provided. Nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers. Then they can refer caregivers to the informational tear sheet—Guide to the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System for Family Caregivers—and instructional videos, encouraging them to ask questions. For additional information, see Resources for Nurses.
Medical and Recreational Marijuana
Authors: Volkert Delene , Ortelli Tracy A.
Published: October 2021

Information for nurses, patients, and the public.
Increased Risk of Overdose, Mental Health Crisis with Opioid Dose Tapering
Authors: Rosenberg Karen
Published: October 2021

According to this study:

Among patients prescribed stable, long-term, higher-dose opioid therapy, dose tapering is associated with a significantly increased risk of overdose and mental health crisis.
Small nucleolar RNA is potential as a novel player in leukemogenesis and clinical application
Authors: Lin Li-Min , Pan Qi , Sun Yu-Meng , Wang Wen-Tao
Published: October 2021

Lack of clarity of the mechanisms that underlie leukemogenesis obstructs the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of leukemia. Research has found that small nuclear RNA (snoRNA) plays an essential role in leukemia. These small non-coding RNAs are involved in ribosome biogenesis, including the 2′-O-methylation and pseudouridylation of precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA), and pre-rRNA splicing. Recently, many snoRNAs were found to be orphans that have no predictable RNA modification targets, but these RNAs have always been found to be located in different subcellular organelles, and they play diverse roles. Using high-throughput technology, snoRNA expression profiles have been revealed in leukemia, and some of the deregulated snoRNAs may regulate the cell cycle, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis in leukemic cells and confer drug resistance during leukemia treatment. In this review, we discuss the expression profiles and functions of snoRNAs, particularly orphan snoRNAs, in leukemia. It is possible that the dysregulated snoRNAs are promising diagnosis and prognosis markers for leukemia, which may serve as potential therapeutic targets in leukemia treatment.
The correlation between Flt3-ITD mutation in dendritic cells with TIM-3 expression in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Shapoorian Hooriyeh , Zalpoor Hamidreza , Ganjalikhani-Hakemi Mazdak
Published: October 2021

In general, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and heterogeneous disease that is characterized by rapid cellular proliferation and high mortality. One of the mutations related to AML is the Flt3-ITD mutation, which is found in approximately 25% of patients. In this mini-review, we investigate the function of dendritic cells and T cells based on Flt3-ITD mutation and immune evasion as a result of this abnormality. Finally, we discuss some AML therapeutic strategies, including targeting Flt3 on DCs and TIM-3 on T cells as immune receptors to treat this hematopoietic malignancy.
Serum cortisol-to-cortisone ratio and 11-deoxycortisol are associated with hypertension and blood pressure in Chinese rural population: a cross sectional study
Authors: Song Yu , Nie Luting , Wei Dandan , Liu Pengling , Fan Keliang , Zhang Li , Wang Mian , Wang Lulu , Liao Wei , Kang Ning , Xu Qingqing , Wang Juan , Mao Zhenxing , Wang Chongjian , Huo Wenqian
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The present study aimed to investigate the associations of cortisol-to-cortisone ratio (F/E) and 11-deoxycortisol (S) in hypertension and blood pressure among Chinese rural population.

Methods:

A total of 6233 participants from the Henan Rural Cohort Study were included. Serum cortisol (F), cortisone (E), and S were assessed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear model (GLM) and logistic regression model were performed to assess the associations of F, E, F/E, and S with blood pressure and hypertension. Moreover, the sex specificity of the associations was assessed.

Results:

Serum F, F/E, and S were positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP), while E was negatively associated with SBP and PP. There were no statistically significant associations of F and E with the prevalence of hypertension, while F/E and S were positively associated with hypertension [odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of F/E and S were 1.28 (1.13, 1.44) and 1.10 (1.04, 1.17), respectively. Also, the combination of high F/E and S was significantly associated with hypertension. The blood pressure indicators and the prevalence of hypertension increased with an incremental in the serum concentration of F, F/E, and S (all P
trend < 0.05). In addition, the positive association between F/E and SBP was stronger in women than that in men, and F/E was strongly positively associated with hypertension only in women (all P
interaction < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Serum F/E and S were positively associated with hypertension and blood pressure. Additionally, their combination has a synergistic effect on hypertension. Moreover, the associations of F and F/E with hypertension and blood pressure were in a sex-specific manner.
Mortality of 196,826 Men and Women Working in U.S.-Based Petrochemical and Refinery Operations
Authors: Wojcik Nancy C. , Gallagher Elizabeth M. , Alexander Melannie S. , Lewis R. Jeffrey
Published: October 2021

Objective:

To describe mortality trends of men and women working in various petrochemical and refinery operations of a U.S.-based company.

Methods:

The cohort consists of full-time employees with at least 1 day of service during 1979 through 2010. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for 111 possible causes of death studied.

Results:

SMRs for malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis were highest for the 1940s decade of hire. Increased SMRs were observed for malignant melanoma and motor neuron disease with no obvious work patterns. Decreasing mortality patterns were observed for aplastic anemia and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Conclusions:

Mortality surveillance of this large established cohort aids in assessing the chronic health status of the workforce. Identifying methods for incorporating job-exposure matrices and nonoccupational risk factors could further enhance interpretations for some findings such as motor neuron disease.
Comprehensive Assessment of Implementation Factors Related to Worksite Exercise in Firefighters
Authors: Lane Charity L. , Brady O’Dane , Mayer John M.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

This study sought to identify key implementation factors to a 12-month worksite exercise intervention in career firefighters.

Methods:

Implementation factors related to the hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial were assessed by exercise adherence, implementation questionnaires, focus groups, and observations from stakeholders.

Results:

The primary identified implementation themes spanned intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional factors including: 1. Time and desire to exercise on shift; 2. Financial incentives to exercise; 3. Structured fitness programs; 4. Group competition, cohesion, and camaraderie; 5. Leadership engagement and support; and 6. Health, fitness, and occupational preparedness benefits.

Conclusions:

Future worksite exercise programs should address the barriers and facilitators identified herein and consider utilizing a hybrid delivery approach combining supervised and telehealth exercise interventions to optimize enthusiasm, adherence and improve safety and health.
How can we make better decisions about dystonic voice management?
Authors: Rapoport Sarah K. , Kirke Diana N.
Published: October 2021

Purpose of review

The optimal diagnosis and management of dystonic voice disorders are rooted in the nuanced understanding of their phenomenology. Distinguishing between subtypes of vocal dystonia is challenging, not only because the audible and physical presentations of these dystonia's can seem similar, but also because there is a lack of scientific consensus regarding the diagnostic criteria for these conditions. To help improve the clinician's acumen we focus on outlining the classification of the top three neurological voice disorders, notably: spasmodic dysphonia, (2) spasmodic dysphonia with tremor, and essential tremor of the voice. We also provide an algorithmic approach based on current evidence-based literature to guide practitioners through the clinical diagnosis and management of each possible etiology.

Recent findings

Much remains unknown about the subtypes of vocal dystonia, and this gap in our knowledge likely limits our ability to advance clinical management. Still, continued experience evaluating and treating these patients yields refined clinical evaluations and decision making.

Improvements in our clinical decision-making can be made by acknowledging that our limited understanding of vocal dystonia may hinder what therapeutic interventions we can offer, yet our ability to accurately diagnose the dystonia is central to providing optimal patient management.
Anococcygeal Nerve and Sitting Pain
Authors: Alimehmeti Ridvan H. , Schuenke Mark D. , Dellon A. Lee
Published: October 2021

Background

The plastic surgeon is often asked to reconstruct the sacral area related to pilonidal cysts or a tumor, or after other surgery, such as coccygectomy. When sitting pain is not due to the pudendal or posterior femoral cutaneous nerve injury, the anococcygeal nerve (ACN) must be considered. Clinically, its anatomy is not well known. Rather than consider coccygectomy when the traditional nonoperative treatment of coccydynia fails, resection of the ACN might be considered.

Methods

A review of traditional anatomy textbooks was used to establish classical thoughts about the ACN. A retrospective cohort of patients with sitting pain related to the coccyx was examined, and those operated on, by resecting the ACN, were examined for clinicopathologic correlations.

Results

When the ACN is described in anatomy textbooks, it is with varying distributions of innervated skin territory and nerve root composition. Most include an origin from sacral 5 and coccygeal 1 ventral roots. Most agree that the ACN forms on the ventral side of the sacrum/coccyx, alongside the coccygeus muscle, to emerge laterally and travel dorsally to innervate skin over the coccyx and lower sacrum. A review of 13 patients with sitting pain due to the ACN, from 2015 to 2019, demonstrated a mean age of 54.6 years. Eleven were female. The etiologies of ACN injury were falls (9), exercise (3), and complication from surgery (1). Six of the 9 patients who had surgery were able to be followed up with a mean length of 36.3 months (range, 11–63 months). Overall, 3 had an excellent result, 2 had a good result, and 1 was not improved. The one with a failed result showed improvement with coccygectomy.

Conclusions

The ACN must be included in the differential diagnosis of sitting pain. It is most often injured by a fall. The ACN can be evaluated with a diagnostic nerve block, can be identified at surgery, and can be resected, and its proximal end can be implanted into the coccygeus muscle. This surgery may prove an alternative to coccygectomy.
Network analysis of intra- and interspecific freshwater fish interactions using year-around tracking
Authors: Vanovac Sara , Howard Dakota , Monk Christopher T. , Arlinghaus Robert , Giabbanelli Philippe J.
Published: October 2021

A long-term, yet detailed view into the social patterns of aquatic animals has been elusive. With advances in reality mining tracking technologies, a proximity-based social network (PBSN) can capture detailed spatio-temporal underwater interactions. We collected and analysed a large dataset of 108 freshwater fish from four species, tracked every few seconds over 1 year in their natural environment. We calculated the clustering coefficient of minute-by-minute PBSNs to measure social interactions, which can happen among fish sharing resources or habitat preferences (positive/neutral interactions) or in predator and prey during foraging interactions (agonistic interactions). A statistically significant coefficient compared to an equivalent random network suggests interactions, while a significant aggregated clustering across PBSNs indicates prolonged, purposeful social behaviour. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) displayed within- and among-species interactions, especially during the day and in the winter, while tench (Tinca tinca) and catfish (Silurus glanis) were solitary. Perch (Perca fluviatilis) did not exhibit significant social behaviour (except in autumn) despite being usually described as a predator using social facilitation to increase prey intake. Our work illustrates how methods for building a PBSN can affect the network's structure and highlights challenges (e.g. missing signals, different burst frequencies) in deriving a PBSN from reality mining technologies.