bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effectiveness of Landmark-guided Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) Block at the Superior Nuchal Line Versus Ultrasound-guided GON Block at the Level of C2
Authors: Kissoon Narayan R. , O’Brien Travis G. , Bendel Markus A. , Eldrige Jason S. , Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Mauck William D. , Moeschler Susan M. , Olatoye Oludare O. , Pittelkow Thomas P. , Watson James C. , Pingree Matthew J.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

The purpose of this single center, prospective randomized controlled trial was to compare clinical outcomes between an ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block (GONB) at the C2 vertebral level versus landmark-based GONB at the superior nuchal line.

Methods:

Patients with occipital neuralgia or cervicogenic headache were randomized to receive either a landmark-based GONB with sham ultrasound at the superior nuchal line or ultrasound-guided GONB at the C2 vertebral level with blinding of patients and data analysis investigators. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 30 minutes, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postinjection.

Results:

Thirty-two patients were recruited with 16 participants in each group. Despite randomization, the ultrasound-guided GONB group reported higher numeric rating scale (NRS) scores at baseline. Those in the ultrasound-guided GONB group had a significant decrease in NRS from baseline compared with the landmark-based GONB group at 30 minutes (change of NRS of 4.0 vs. 2.0) and 4-week time points (change of NRS of 2.5 vs. −0.5). Both groups were found to have significant decreases in Headache Impact Test-6. The ultrasound-guided GONB had significant improvements in NRS, severe headache days, and analgesic use at 4 weeks when compared with baseline. No serious adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusions:

Ultrasound-guided GONBs may provide superior pain reduction at 4 weeks when compared with landmark-based GONBs for patients with occipital neuralgia or cervicogenic headache.
Effects of Gabapentin Enacarbil on Postoperative Pain After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Ayad Sabry S. , Makarova Natalya , Niazi Azfar K. , Khoshknabi Dilara S. , Stang Taylor , Raza Syed , Kim Daniel D.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

Total joint arthroplasties are among the most common elective procedures performed in the United States, and they are associated with postoperative pain. Gabapentin enacarbil is a prodrug with an extended-release formulation that has been proposed for multimodal postoperative analgesia, but the drug’s efficacy for major arthroplasties remains unclear.

Materials and Methods:

We enrolled 60 adult patients scheduled for primary knee or hip arthroplasty expected to remain hospitalized for at least 3 days. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to placebo or gabapentin enacarbil 600 mg twice daily starting the day before surgery continuing for 3 days thereafter.

The primary outcome was analyzed using a joint hypothesis framework of pain (0 to 10 verbal response scores) and cumulative opioid consumption (mg of morphine equivalent) within the first 72 hours. Secondary outcomes were nausea and vomiting, pain persisting 90 days after surgery, duration of hospitalization, and early postoperative health status using quality of recovery score (QoR-15).

Results:

Twenty-eight patient in gabapentin enacarbil group and 32 in placebo group were analyzed. Since pain scores did not differ significantly (difference of means: −0.2 in pain scores; 95% confidence interval: −1.1, 0.7), nor did opioid consumption, conditions for joint hypothesis testing were not met. Moreover, there were no significant differences between groups for secondary outcomes.

Discussion:

We did not identify statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in our primary and secondary outcomes related to perioperative use of gabapentin enacarbil in patients having primary hip or knee arthroplasties.
Bone Graft Volume by Reamer Head Size Using the RIA 2
Authors: Robison John Weston , Grau-Cruz Emilio E. , Bruggers Jennifer , Becher Stephen
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

The purpose of the study was to quantify the volume of graft that is obtained using sequential upsizing of reamers using the modularity of the second generation Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA 2) system and determine any fracture or perforation risk with upsizing. We hypothesize that graft volume may be predicted using radiographic variables that can be measured before reaming.

Materials and Methods:

Eleven cadaveric specimens were used to evaluate the sequential amount of graft taken using the RIA 2 modular system. Each cadaveric specimen had bone graft harvested from the tibia and femur. Using a radiographic ruler, estimations of the canal size for both the femur and tibia were performed. Average graft volume with SD per incremental increase of reamer was calculated for both the femur and the tibia.

Results:

There were no perforations of the femur during any reaming. There were 5 perforations or fractures of the tibias during progressive reaming including 3 during the second pass and 2 during the third pass, with a significant increase in perforation in the tibial specimens (P=0.03). There was no significant difference in graft volume after 3 passes from either tibia or femoral harvesting. However, there was a significant decrease in graft volume on the second pass of the femur that was not seen in tibial harvesting (P=0.0013).

Discussion:

The RIA 2’s reamer head modularity allows multiple passes of the reamer, which gives surgeons the ability to upsize if more autograft is needed. Total autograft volume was similar between the femur and tibia; however, caution should be used in the tibia because of increased perforation risk.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—therapeutic study.
Promise, perils and cautious optimism: the next frontier in long-acting modalities for the treatment and prevention of HIV
Authors: Philbin Morgan M. , Perez-Brumer Amaya
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

This paper provides a critical review of recent therapeutic advances in long-acting (LA) modalities for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment and prevention.

Recent findings

LA injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been approved in the United States, Canada and Europe; the United States also has approved LA injectable preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and the World Health Organization has recommended the vaginal PrEP ring. Current LA PrEP modalities in clinical trials include injections, films, rings, and implants; LA ART modalities in trials include subcutaneous injections and long-term oral pills. Although LA modalities hold incredible promise, global availability is inhibited by long-standing multilevel perils including declining multilateral funding, patent protections and lack of political will. Once available, access and uptake are limited by factors such as insurance coverage, clinic access, labor markets, stigma, and structural racism and sexism. These must be addressed to facilitate equitable access for all.

There have been tremendous recent advances in the efficacy of LA ART and PrEP modalities, providing renewed hope that ‘ending the HIV epidemic’ is within reach. However, pervasive socio-structural inequities limit the promise of LA modalities, highlighting the need for cautious optimism in light of the embedded inequities in the trajectory of research, development, and population-level implementation.
COVID-19 and the Rationale for Primary Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty and Diode Laser Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Africa
Authors: Milad Daniel , Mikhail David , Lenzhofer Markus , Agré Jérémie , Toren Andrew
Published: February 2022

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has affected ophthalmologists’ practices worldwide. Consequent global drug shortages and the limitations of medical glaucoma treatments in sub-Saharan Africa have highlighted the need for innovation in global ophthalmology to provide accessible, affordable, and effective glaucoma care. The role of lasers rather than medications for glaucoma patients in developing nations is emerging. Since lasers are easier to master than glaucoma surgery, it is pertinent to discuss the primary use of lasers in treating glaucoma in such nations. In particular, selective laser trabeculoplasty and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation seem to present a promising future for the treatment of glaucoma in Africa. In this report, we provide an evidence-based discussion exploring the emerging role of lasers in Africa.
Keeping It Real: Antibiotic Use Problems and Stewardship Solutions in Low- and Middle-income Countries
Authors: Basu Saurav , Copana Raul , Morales Ronaldo , Anugulruengkitt Suvaporn , Puthanakit Thanyawee , Maramba-Lazarte Cecilia , Williams Phoebe , Musembi John , Boga Mwanamvua , Issack Mohammad , Hokororo Adolfine , Falade Adegoke G. , Trehan Indi , Molyneux Elizabeth , Arscott-Mills Tonya , Alemayehu Tinsae , Bryant Penelope A.
Published: February 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat and there is an urgent need to manage antibiotic use to slow its development. However, antimicrobial stewardship interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) have been limited in terms of their resourcing, feasibility and effectiveness in the face of greater challenges in child mortality. We sought to gather together examples of antibiotic use problems faced by clinicians in LMIC, many of which are unique to these settings, and real-world antimicrobial stewardship solutions identified, with the goal of learning broader lessons that might be applicable across LMIC.
Is the exoscope ready to replace the operative microscope in transoral surgery?
Authors: Paderno Alberto , Deganello Alberto , Lancini Davide , Piazza Cesare
Published: February 2022

Purpose of review

Exoscopes are external digital devices that provide enhanced and magnified visualization of the surgical field. They usually have dedicated digital controls and a more compact mechanical structure than operative microscopes and current robotic surgical systems. This technology has significant potential in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, especially concerning the field of transoral approaches. We herein analysed the overall technical characteristics of currently available exoscopic systems and contextualized their advantages and drawbacks in the setting of transoral surgery.

Recent findings

The actual advantages of exoscopy are still indeterminate, as it has only been applied to limited surgical series. However, its specific properties are herein compared with conventional transoral microsurgery and transoral robotic surgery, discussing the available literature on such a topic, filtered on the basis of the authors’ experience and its possible future evolutions. Finally, a summary of current experiences in the field of three-dimensional (3D) transoral exoscopic surgery is presented, highlighting differences compared with standard approaches.

3D-exoscopic transoral surgery will possibly play an essential role in future management of early laryngeal and oropharyngeal lesions, significantly shifting the paradigms of this type of procedures.
Is robot-assisted gait training intensity a determinant of functional recovery early after stroke? A pragmatic observational study of clinical care
Authors: Lissom Luc Oscar , Lamberti Nicola , Lavezzi Susanna , Basaglia Nino , Manfredini Fabio , Straudi Sofia
Published: February 2022

Gait rehabilitation is a critical factor in functional recovery after a stroke. The aim of this pragmatic observational study was to identify the optimal dose and timing of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) that can lead to a favourable outcome in a sample of subacute stroke survivors. Subacute patients with stroke who underwent a RAGT within a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program were enrolled. A set of clinical (i.e. age, type of stroke and time since stroke) and rehabilitation stay outcomes (length of stay and RAGT number of sessions) were recorded to evaluate their impact on functional outcome measures by functional independence measure (FIM) or functional ambulation category (FAC). We included 236 patients (62.73 ± 11.82 year old); 38.44% were females, and 59.32% were ischaemic stroke patients. Patients that received at least 14 RAGT sessions, had 15.83% more chance to be responders compared to those that receive less sessions (P = 0.006). Similarly, younger patients (≤60 years) were more prone to be responders (+15.1%). Lastly, an early rehabilitation (<6 weeks) was found to be more efficient (+21.09%) in determining responsiveness (P < 0.001). Becoming newly independent for gait, that refers to a FAC score ≥4, was related with age and RAGT sessions (P = 0.001). In conclusion, a younger age (≤60 years), an early rehabilitation (<6 weeks since stroke) and a higher RAGT dose (at least 14 sessions) were related to a favourable outcome in patients with subacute stroke.
Efficacy of balance training on postural control in patients with rotator cuff disease: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Şahinoğlu Ertan , Ünver Bayram , Erkuş Serkan , Yamak Kamil
Published: February 2022

We evaluated the efficacy of adding balance training to a physical therapy program on postural control and health-related quality of life in patients with rotator cuff disease. Forty-two participants were randomly allocated to the control and intervention groups. Both groups received physical therapy (education, stretching, supervised strength training, and home exercise program) 3 days/week for 6 weeks. The intervention group was instructed to perform balance exercises at home. The primary outcomes were the stability index, the Fourier transformation (F5 and F6), the weight distribution index, and the fall index, as assessed by the posturography during eight conditions with different combinations of standing (solid surface, pillows, and different head positions) and vision (eyes open/closed). The secondary outcomes included the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index to assess the health-related quality of life, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. The adherence to in-person and home-based therapy was high (>83%). The intervention group significantly improved the stability index, F5, and F6 parameters but each in only one condition (P < 0.05). No significant improvement was found in the conditions for the other primary outcomes and in the health-related quality of life. (P > 0.05). We conclude that adding the balance training protocol to the physical therapy program does not improve postural control and health-related quality of life in patients with rotator cuff disease.
A Case of Esophageal Duplication Cyst Identified on Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Authors: Grandjean-Blanchet Charlotte , Harel-Sterling Maya , Tessaro Mark O.
Published: February 2022

Esophageal duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies that are often symptomatic because of compression of surrounding structures. They are commonly diagnosed during childhood, with affected patients often presenting with abdominal pain or chest pain. Point-of-care ultrasound can be used as part of the emergency department evaluation of pediatric chest pain. We present a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with worsening abdominal and chest pain, where point-of-care cardiac ultrasound identified a cystic structure in the posterior mediastinum.
Stress-induced analgesia: an evaluation of effects on temporal summation of pain and the role of endogenous opioid mechanisms
Authors: Bruehl Stephen , Morris Matthew C. , al'Absi Mustafa
Published: February 2022

Introduction:

Acute stress reduces responses to static evoked pain stimuli (stress-induced analgesia [SIA]). Whether SIA inhibits temporal summation of pain, a dynamic evoked pain measure indexing central sensitization, has been little studied and mechanisms were not evaluated.

Objectives:

We tested whether acute laboratory stressors reduce temporal summation and whether endogenous opioid (EO) mechanisms contributed.

Methods:

Participants were 72 healthy individuals who attended 2 laboratory sessions, receiving either oral naltrexone (50 mg; opioid antagonist) or placebo (randomized, counterbalanced order). In each session, participants underwent a temporal summation protocol with evoked heat pain stimuli, once after extended rest and once after experiencing 2 acute stressors (public speaking and mental arithmetic challenge). Reduced temporal summation in the stress/pain relative to rest/pain condition indexed SIA.

Results:

Analyses in the placebo condition indicated significant SIA on initial pain ratings but not temporal summation slope (index of central sensitization). This SIA effect was moderated by stress reactivity, with SIA only observed in high stress responders. Analyses comparing SIA across the drug conditions did not reveal any evidence of stress-related EO inhibition of temporal summation outcomes. Moderation analyses revealed that high, but not low, stress responders exhibited paradoxical analgesic effects of naltrexone on initial pain ratings but not temporal summation slopes. Independent of stress effects, significant EO inhibition of temporal summation slopes was observed, but only in females.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that acute stress may reduce initial ratings in temporal summation protocols via nonopioid mechanisms but does not alter the temporal summation slope commonly used to index central sensitization.
Synchronous Pseudomonas Infection in Nose and Maxillery Sinus After Septorhinoplasty
Authors: Demir Can Ilker , Yaşar Emrah Kağan , Alagöz Murat Şahin
Published: February 2022

A 50-year-old patient who underwent secondary rhinoplasty 1 year after the operation presented with signs of localized infection on the postoperative twentieth day. An abscess due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in the nose and maxillary sinus. The infection regressed after surgical debridement combined with intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Pseudomonas infection has been reported in only six patients after septorhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty was combined with other aesthetic procedures in three patients. The mean time of onset of complaints was 33.25 days. The most common complaint was pain. The mean time to complete regression of complaints after treatment was 44.5 days.

Pseudomonas infection risk is especially increased in patients with combined surgical procedures and complicated revision rhinoplasty surgery. Careful examination of the patient, early and aggressive therapy, and surgical debridement are essential. The treatment of infection is incision and drainage of the affected areas. Antibiotic therapy followed by sensitivity-specific regimens should be administered.”
Beta HPV8 E6 Induces Micronuclei Formation and Promotes Chromothripsis
Authors: Dacus Dalton , Stancic Steven , Pollina Sarah R. , Riforgiate Elizabeth , Palinski Rachel , Wallace Nicholas A.
Published: February 2022

Cutaneous beta genus human papillomaviruses (β-HPV) are suspected to promote the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) by destabilizing the host genome. Multiple studies have established the genome destabilizing capacities of β-HPV proteins E6 and E7 as a co-factor with UV. However, the E6 protein from β-HPV8 (HPV8 E6) induces tumors in mice without UV exposure. Here, we examined a UV-independent mechanism of HPV8 E6-induced genome destabilization. We showed that HPV8 E6 reduced the abundance of anaphase bridge resolving helicase, Bloom syndrome protein (BLM). The diminished BLM was associated with increased segregation errors and micronuclei. These HPV8 E6-induced micronuclei had disordered micronuclear envelopes yet retained replication and transcription competence. HPV8 E6 decreased antiproliferative responses to micronuclei and time-lapse imaging revealed HPV8 E6 promoted cells with micronuclei to complete mitosis. Finally, whole genome sequencing revealed that HPV8 E6 induced chromothripsis in 9 chromosomes. These data provide insight into mechanisms by which HPV8 E6-induces genome instability independent of UV exposure.

Importance

Some beta genus human papillomaviruses (β-HPVs) may promote skin carcinogenesis by inducing mutations in the host genome. Supporting this, the E6 protein from β-HPV8 (8E6) promotes skin cancer in mice with or without UV exposure. Many mechanisms by which 8E6 increases mutations caused by UV have been elucidated, but less is known about how 8E6 induces mutations without UV. We address that knowledge gap by showing 8E6 causes mutations stemming from mitotic errors. Specifically, 8E6 reduces the abundance of BLM, a helicase that resolves and prevents anaphase bridges. This hinders anaphase bridge resolution and increases their frequency. 8E6 makes the micronuclei that can result from anaphase bridges more common. These micronuclei often have disrupted envelopes yet retain localization of nuclear-trafficked proteins. 8E6 promotes the growth of cells with micronuclei and causes chromothripsis, a mutagenic process where hundreds to thousands of mutations occur in a chromosome.
Sugar alcohols have the potential as bee-safe feeding stimulants for wasp control
Authors: Neupert Stefanie , Jandt Jennifer M. , Szyszka Paul
Published: February 2022

Pest insects are often baited with poisoned feeding stimulants, the most common of which are sugars. However, sugars are attractive for most animal species, which makes it difficult to target only a specific pest insect species. Here, we assessed different sugar alcohols for their potential as more species-selective feeding stimulants for pest insects. We tested the attractiveness of the sugar alcohols sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol with a capillary feeder assay in wasps (as potential pest insects, because introduced wasps are a pest in many regions) and bees (as non-target insects). For the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), sorbitol and xylitol acted as nutritive feeding stimulants, and erythritol acted as a non-nutritive feeding stimulant. For the buff-tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris), sorbitol acted as a feeding stimulant, while for the honey bee (Apis mellifera), none of the sugar alcohols acted as feeding stimulant. The species-specific preferences for sugar alcohols suggest their potential as species-selective insect baits. The wasp-specific preference for xylitol suggests its potential as bee-safe alternative to sugar-containing bait for wasp pest control.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

We tested the attractiveness of sugar alcohols with a capillary feeder assay in wasps and bees. Species-specific preferences suggests that sugar alcohols have the potential for being used as bee-safe insect baits.
Fingerprints of brain disease: Connectome identifiability in cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Stampacchia Sara , Asadi Saina , Tomczyk Szymon , Ribaldi Federica , Scheffler Max , Lövblad Karl-Olof , Pievani Michela , Fall Aïda B. , Preti Maria Giulia , Unshuld Paul G. , De Ville Dimitri Van , Blanke Olaf , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Garibotto Valentina , Amico Enrico ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2022

In analogy to the friction ridges of a human finger, the functional connectivity patterns of the human brain can be used to identify a given individual from a population. In other words, functional connectivity patterns constitute a marker of human identity, or a ‘brain fingerprint’. Yet remarkably, very little is known about whether brain fingerprints are preserved in brain ageing and in the presence of cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using fMRI data from two independent datasets of healthy and pathologically ageing subjects, here we show that individual functional connectivity profiles remain unique and highly heterogeneous across early and late stages of cognitive decline due to AD. Yet, the patterns of functional connectivity making subjects identifiable,changeacross health and disease, revealing a functional reconfiguration of the brain fingerprint. We observed a fingerprint change towards between-functional system connections when transitioning from healthy to dementia, and to lower-order cognitive functions in the earliest stages of the disease. These findings show that functional connectivity carries important individualised information to evaluate regional and network dysfunction in cognitive impairment and highlight the importance of switching the focus from group differences to individual variability when studying functional alterations in AD. The present data establish the foundation for clinical fingerprinting of brain diseases by showing that functional connectivity profiles maintain their uniqueness, yet go through functional reconfiguration, during cognitive decline. These results pave the way for a more personalised understanding of functional alterations during cognitive decline, moving towards brain fingerprinting in personalised medicine and treatment optimization during cognitive decline.
Predictability and transferability of local biodiversity environment relationships
Authors: Jung Martin
Published: February 2022

Biodiversity varies in space and time, and often in response to environmental heterogeneity. Indicators in the form of local biodiversity measures – such as species richness or abundance – are common tools to capture this variation. The rise of readily available remote sensing data has enabled the characterization of environmental heterogeneity in a globally robust and replicable manner. Based on the assumption that differences in biodiversity measures are generally related to differences in environmental heterogeneity, these data have enabled projections and extrapolations of biodiversity in space and time. However so far little work has been done on quantitatively evaluating if and how accurately local biodiversity measures can be predicted. Here I combine estimates of biodiversity measures from local biodiversity surveys with remotely-sensed data on environmental heterogeneity globally. I then determine through a cross-validation framework how accurately local biodiversity measures can be predicted within (“predictability”) and across similar (“transferability”)biodiversity surveys. I found that prediction errors can be substantial, with error magnitudes varying between different biodiversity measures, taxonomic groups, sampling techniques and types of environmental heterogeneity characterizations. And although errors associated with model predictability were in many cases relatively low, these results question - particular for transferability - our capability to accurately predict and project local biodiversity measures based on environmental heterogeneity. I make the case that future predictions should be evaluated based on their accuracy and inherent uncertainty, and ecological theories be tested against whether we are able to make accurate predictions from local biodiversity data.
Molecular epidemiology of AY.28 and AY.104 delta sub-lineages in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranasinghe Diyanath , Jayathilaka Deshni , Jeewandara Chandima , Gunasinghe Dumni , Ariyaratne Dinuka , Pramanayagam Jayadas Tibutius Thanesh , Kuruppu Heshan , Wijesinghe Ayesha , Bary Farha , Madusanka Deshan , Darshana Pradeep , Guruge Dinuka , Wijayamuni Ruwan , Ogg Graham S. , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika
Published: February 2022

Background

The worst SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Sri Lanka was due to the two Sri Lankan delta sub-lineages AY.28 and AY.104. We proceeded to further characterize the mutations and clinical disease severity of these two sub-lineages.

Methods

705 delta SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced by our laboratory from mid-May to November 2021 using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore were included in the analysis. The clinical disease severity of 440/705 individuals were further analyzed to determine if infection with either AY.28 or AY.104 was associated with more severe disease. Sub-genomic RNA (sg-RNA) expression was analyzed using periscope.

Results

AY.28 was the dominant variant throughout the outbreak, accounting for 67.7% of infections during the peak of the outbreak. AY.28 had three lineage defining mutations in the spike protein: A222V (92.80%), A701S (88.06%), and A1078S (92.04%) and seven in the ORF1a: R24C, K634N, P1640L, A2994V, A3209V, V3718A, and T3750I. AY.104 was characterized by the high prevalence of T95I (90.81%) and T572L (65.01%) mutations in the spike protein and by the absence of P1640L (94.28%) in ORF1a with the presence of A1918V (98.58%) mutation. The mean sgRNA expression levels of ORF6 in AY.28 were significantly higher compared to AY.104 (p < 0.0001) and B.1.617.2 (p < 0.01). Also, ORF3a showed significantly higher sgRNA expression in AY.28 compared to AY.104 (p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the clinical disease severity or duration of hospitalization in individuals infected with these sub lineages.

Conclusions

Therefore, AY.28 appears to have a fitness advantage over the parental delta variant (B.1.617.2) and AY.104 possibly due to the A222V mutation. AY.28 also had a higher expression of sg-RNA compared to other sub-lineages. The clinical implications of these should be further investigated.
Sexual Orientation Experiences of Discrimination: Dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity in a diverse Colombian population
Authors: Gallo-Barrera Yeison David , Campo-Arias Adalberto
Published: February 2022

The study aimed to determine the dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity of the Sexual Orientation Experiences of Discrimination (SOEOD-9) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people in Santa Marta, Colombia. The study included 303 individuals between 18 and 70 years old. Participants completed the SOEOD-9. Dimensionality was explored using confirmatory (CFA) factor analysis; internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega; and nomological validity with Student’s test. The SOEOD-9 presented two factors that explained 51.6% of the variance and high internal consistency. Nevertheless, the CFA showed poor indicators of goodness-of-fit for the two-dimensional solution. A five-item version (SOEOD-5) improved overall performance (dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity). In conclusion, the SOEOD-9 shows a two-factor internal structure with poor goodness-of-fit indicators and acceptable internal consistency and nomological validity. The SOEOD-5 presents better global indicators of dimensionality, internal consistency, and nomological validity.
Molecular markers for early stratification of disease severity and progression in COVID-19
Authors: Anusha  , Sebastian Savitha Anne , Raksha N. , Raksha K. , Krishnamurthy H. , Krishna Bhuvana , D’Souza George , Idiculla Jyothi , Vyas Neha
Published: February 2022

COVID-19 infections have imposed immense pressure on the healthcare system of most countries. While the initial studies have identified better therapeutic and diagnostic approaches, the disease severity is still assessed by close monitoring of symptoms by healthcare professionals due to the lack of biomarkers for disease stratification. In this study, we have probed the immune and molecular profiles of COVID-19 patients at 48-hour intervals after hospitalization to identify early markers, if any, of disease progression and severity. Our study reveals that the molecular profiles of patients likely to enter the host-immune response mediated moderate or severe disease progression are distinct even in the early phase of infection when severe symptoms are not yet apparent. Our data from 37 patients suggest that at hospitalization, IL6 (>300pg/ml) and IL8 levels (>200pg/ml) identify cytokine-dependent disease progression. Monitoring their levels will facilitate timely intervention using available immunomodulators or precision medicines in those likely to progress due to cytokine storm and help improve outcomes. Additionally, it will also help identify cytokine-independent progressive patients, not likely to benefit from immuno-modulators or precision drugs.
White matter brain age as a biomarker of cerebrovascular burden in the ageing brain
Authors: Du Jing , Pan Yuangang , Jiang Jiyang , Lam Ben C. P. , Thalamuthu Anbupalam , Chen Rory , Tsang Ivor W. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Wen Wei
Published: February 2022

As the brain ages, it almost invariably accumulates vascular pathology, which differentially affects the white matter. The microstructure of the white matter may therefore reveal a brain age reflecting cerebrovascular disease burden and a relationship to vascular risk factors. In this study, a white matter specific brain age was developed from diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) using a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) deep learning model in both cross-sectional data from UK biobank participants (n = 37327) and a longitudinal subset (n = 1409) with an average of 2.25 years follow up. We achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of white matter brain age prediction of 2.84 years and a Pearson’s r of 0.902 with chronological age in the test participants. The average white matter brain age gap (WMBAG) of the baseline 1409 participants with repeated scans were 0.36 ± 0.11 years younger than that of other participants in the baseline test sample with single time-point MRI scan (n = 9759). Individual vascular risk factors and the cumulative vascular risk score were significantly correlated with greater WMBAG Obesity was observed to be correlated with WMBAG only in the male participants. Participants with one, two, and three or more vascular risk factors, compared to those without any, showed an elevated WMBAG of 0.54, 1.23, and 1.94 years, respectively. Baseline WMBAG was also associated significantly with processing speed, executive and global cognition after Bonferroni correction. The significant associations of diabetes and hypertension with poor processing speed and executive function were found to be mediated through the WMBAG. However, the vascular risk factors did not associate with the two-year change in WMBAG in the longitudinal dataset. Our analysis suggests that tissue-specific brain age can be successfully targeted for the examination of the most relevant risk factors and cognition, although longer-term longitudinal data are needed to demonstrate its dynamic characteristics. The results suggest an intriguing possibility that a white matter brain age gap can serve as a potential neuroimaging biomarker for an individual’s cerebrovascular ageing process.
Influenza Outbreak Prevention and Management in U.S. Carceral Settings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Nguemeni Tiako Max Jordan , Zubiago Julia , Ngassa Yvane , Guardado Rubeen , Munoz Nicolas , Wurcel Alysse G
Published: February 2022

Background

Detention settings’ preparedness against respiratory virus outbreaks is essential, with implications for preventing illness and deaths from future pandemics. We sought to identify influenza outbreak prevention and management evidence in U.S. detention settings.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review, first searching PubMed, OVID, Google Scholar, Medline databases and the reference lists of identified manuscripts published on outbreak prevention and management of influenza in detention settings in English. Search terms included prison, jail, vaccine, influenza, outbreak, management, prevention, carceral.

Results

Twenty-five studies met the search criteria, ultimately narrowed down to seven studies. Four studies focused on prevention and three on management. The studies on prevention identified restructuring housing, vaccinations, and widespread screening to prevent outbreaks and highlighted the importance of collaboration between prison staff and public health departments. The management studies emphasized hygiene, isolation of sick individuals, and vaccination of unexposed patients. Staff expressed the concern that the public may view prisoners as low priority based on prior experiences with influenza vaccine shortages, with a spillover effect in obtaining vaccines and medications for staff. No studies mentioned decarceration as a prevention and mitigation measure.

Conclusion

There is limited data on influenza outbreak prevention and management in detention settings. The approaches described are partially in line with public health recommendations but fall short due to lack of, and delays in resource allocation. There is an urgent need for researchers and public health officials to examine and report influenza outbreak prevention and mitigation strategies in detention settings to develop scalable interventions and a national standard for all detention settings.
Strategies to support early- and mid-career cardiovascular researchers to thrive
Authors: Thomas Emma E , Chapman Niamh , de Camargo Catapan Soraia , Climie Rachel E , Wise Steven G. , Mirabito Colafella Katrina M. , Picone Dean S. , Inglis Sally C , Tan Joanne T.M. , Wu Jason , Blekkenhorst Lauren , Calkin Anna C. , Marques Francine Z.
Published: February 2022

Background

Recent evidence indicates that high numbers of cardiovascular (CV) researchers have considered leaving the research and academic sector due to lack of job security and low funding success. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop solutions to support the retention of early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs). Here, we aimed to explore the current challenges faced by CV EMCRs, identify solutions to support their career progression and retention, and define a pathway forward to provide a thriving CV EMCR culture in Australia.

Methods

Australian CV EMCRs (<15 years post-PhD; n=34) participated in 90-minute online focus groups (n=7) to examine current CV research culture, equity in career progression and solutions (including a timeframe and level of priority) to overcome challenges to career success. Participants were purposefully grouped based on socio-demographic information, including years post-PhD, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and caring responsibilities.

Results

Participants identified that current metrics only rewarded a narrow set of successes and did not support a collaborative culture. The current appraisal of career disruption in grant applications was identified as inadequate to address underrepresented researchers, such as women and those from culturally-diverse backgrounds. EMCRs proposed 92 solutions aimed at interpersonal, organisational or external levels, with capacity building and equitable opportunities as key focus areas.

Conclusion

Pragmatic, cost-effective and implementable opportunities were identified to support the career progression of CV EMCRs to create a more sustainable, equitable and supportive workforce. This information can be used to strategically engage key stakeholders to enable CV EMCRs to thrive.
Let’s face it: The lateralization of the face perception network as measured with fMRI is not clearly right dominant
Authors: Thome Ina , García Alanis José C. , Volk Jannika , Vogelbacher Christoph , Steinsträter Olaf , Jansen Andreas
Published: February 2022

The neural face perception network is distributed across both hemispheres. However, the dominant role in humans is virtually unanimously attributed to the right hemisphere. Interestingly, there are, to our knowledge, no imaging studies that systematically describe the distribution of hemispheric lateralization in the core system of face perception across subjects in large cohorts so far. To address this, we determined the hemispheric lateralization of all core system regions (i.e., occipital face area (OFA), fusiform face area (FFA), posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS)) in 108 healthy subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We were particularly interested in the variability of hemispheric lateralization across subjects and explored how many subjects can be classified as right-dominant based on the fMRI activation pattern. We further assessed lateralization differences between different regions of the core system and analyzed the influence of handedness and sex on the lateralization with a generalized mixed effects regression model. As expected, brain activity was on average stronger in right-hemispheric brain regions than in their left-hemispheric homologues. This asymmetry was, however, only weakly pronounced in comparison to other lateralized brain functions (such as language and spatial attention) and strongly varied between individuals. Only half of the subjects in the present study could be classified as right-hemispheric dominant. Additionally, we did not detect significant lateralization differences between core system regions. Our data did also not support a general leftward shift of hemispheric lateralization in left-handers. Only the interaction of handedness and sex in the FFA revealed that specifically left-handed men were significantly more left-lateralized compared to right-handed males. In essence, our fMRI data did not support a clear right-hemispheric dominance of the face perception network. Our findings thus ultimately question the dogma that the face perception network – as measured with fMRI – can be characterized as “typically right lateralized”.
Latent classes of men’s intimate partner violence perpetration and attitudes towards gender norms: a UN multi-country, cross-sectional study in Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Willie Tiara C. , Katague Marina , Halima Nafisa , Gupta Jhumka
Published: February 2022

Objective To examine distinct patterns of IPV perpetration and examined gender equitable attitudes as a predictor of these patterns among men from six countries in Asia and the Pacific. 
Design 2011-12 UN Multi-country Study on Men and Violence cross-sectional study.
Setting Households in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
Participants 10,178 men aged 18-49 years residing in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.
Primary outcomes measure Our primary outcome was distinct patterns of IPV perpetration which were derived from multilevel latent class analyses.
Results The odds of being assigned to the Low All Forms of IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was lower for men in the middle tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes. The odds of being assigned to the High Emotional IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was greater for men in the low tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes. The odds of being assigned to the High Physical/Emotional/Economic IPV Perpetration class than the High All Forms of IPV Perpetration class was lower for men in the low tertile group than men in the high tertile group for gender equitable attitudes.
Conclusions Gender transformative interventions that use an adaptive, personalized approach to men’s typology of IPV perpetration may be beneficial to reduce violence against for women in the Asia-Pacific region.
Flexibility of brain dynamics predicts clinical impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Polverino Arianna , Lopez Emahnuel Troisi , Minino Roberta , Liparoti Marianna , Romano Antonella , Trojsi Francesca , Lucidi Fabio , Gollo Leonardo L. , Jirsa Viktor , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Sorrentino Pierpaolo
Published: February 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem disorder. This view is widely supported by clinical, molecular and neuroimaging evidence. As a consequence, predicting clinical features requires a comprehensive description of large-scale brain activity. Flexible dynamics is key to support complex adaptive responses. In health, brain activity reconfigures over time, involving different brain areas. Brain pathologies can induce more stereotyped dynamics, which, in turn, are linked to clinical impairment. Hence, based on recent evidence that brain functional networks become more connected as ALS progresses, we hypothesized that loss of flexible dynamics in ALS would predict their clinical condition.

To test this hypothesis, we quantified flexibility utilizing the “functional repertoire” (i.e. the number of unique patterns) expressed during the magnetoencephalography (MEG) recording, based on source-reconstructed signals. Specifically, 42 ALS patients and 42 healthy controls underwent MEG and MRI recordings. The activity of the brain areas was reconstructed in the classical frequency bands, and the functional repertoire was estimated to quantify spatio-temporal fluctuations of brain activity. In order to verify if the functional repertoire predicted disease severity, we built a multilinear model and validated it using a k-fold cross validation scheme.

The comparison between the two groups revealed that ALS patients showed more stereotyped brain dynamics (P < 0.05), with reduced size of the functional repertoire. The relationship between the size of the functional repertoire and the clinical scores in the ALS group was investigated using Spearman’s coefficient, showing significant correlations in both the delta and the theta frequency bands. In order to prove the robustness of our results, the k-fold cross validation model was used. We found that the functional repertoire significantly predicted both clinical staging (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, in delta and theta bands, respectively) and impairment (P < 0.001, in both delta and theta bands).

In conclusion, our work shows that: 1) ALS pathology reduces the flexibility of brain dynamics; 2) sub-cortical regions play a key role in determining brain dynamics; 3) reduced brain flexibility predicts the stage of the disease as well as the severity of the symptoms. Based on these findings, our approach provides a non-invasive tool to quantify alterations in brain dynamics in ALS (and, possibly, other neurodegenerative diseases), thus opening new diagnostic opportunities as well as a framework to test disease-modifying interventions.
An mRNA vaccine candidate for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Authors: Zang Jinkai , Zhang Chao , Yin Yannan , Xu Shiqi , Qiao Weihua , Lavillette Dimitri , Wang Haikun , Huang Zhong
Published: February 2022

The newly emerged Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contains more than 30 mutations on the spike protein, 15 of which are located within the receptor binding domain (RBD). Consequently, Omicron is able to extensively escape existing neutralizing antibodies and may therefore compromise the efficacy of current vaccines based on the original strain, highlighting the importance and urgency of developing effective vaccines against Omicron. Here we report the rapid generation and evaluation of an mRNA vaccine candidate specific to Omicron. This mRNA vaccine encodes the RBD of Omicron (designated RBD-O) and is formulated with lipid nanoparticle. Two doses of the RBD-O mRNA vaccine efficiently induce neutralizing antibodies in mice; however, the antisera are effective only on the Omicron variant but not on the wildtype and Delta strains, indicating a narrow neutralization spectrum. It is noted that the neutralization profile of the RBD-O mRNA vaccine is opposite to that observed for the mRNA vaccine expressing the wildtype RBD (RBD-WT). Our work demonstrates the feasibility and potency of an RBD-based mRNA vaccine specific to Omicron, providing important information for further development of bivalent or multivalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with broad-spectrum efficacy.