bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of the Short Form Social Well-Being Scale
Authors: Albrithen Abdulaziz
Published: December 2022

There has been growing interest in and calls for wellness and well-being among the population. Scientific research has expanded the study of social well-being and its positive impact on human life since half-century. This study explores the measurement of social well-being within the context of global attempts to adapt codified measures of this concept. International studies have proven that the Social Well-Being Scale (SWBS) is an acceptable measure and has a high level of validity and reliability. This study adapts the short form of the SWBS to Arabic culture using a sample of Emiratis (N = 328). The results show that this scale is useful and accurate for assessing social well-being in Arab culture.
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Against Influenza A(H3N2)-Related Illness in the United States During the 2021–2022 Influenza Season
Authors: Price Ashley M , Flannery Brendan , Talbot H Keipp , Grijalva Carlos G , Wernli Karen J , Phillips C Hallie , Monto Arnold S , Martin Emily T , Belongia Edward A , McLean Huong Q , Gaglani Manjusha , Mutnal Manohar , Geffel Krissy Moehling , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Tartof Sara Y , Florea Ana , McLean Callie , Kim Sara S , Patel Manish M , Chung Jessie R
Published: December 2022

Background

In the United States, influenza activity during the 2021–2022 season was modest and sufficient enough to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We estimated influenza VE against laboratory-confirmed outpatient acute illness caused by predominant A(H3N2) viruses.

Methods

Between October 2021 and April 2022, research staff across 7 sites enrolled patients aged ≥6 months seeking outpatient care for acute respiratory illness with cough. Using a test-negative design, we assessed VE against influenza A(H3N2). Due to strong correlation between influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were excluded from VE estimations. Estimates were adjusted for site, age, month of illness, race/ethnicity, and general health status.

Results

Among 6260 participants, 468 (7%) tested positive for influenza only, including 440 (94%) for A(H3N2). All 206 sequenced A(H3N2) viruses were characterized as belonging to genetic group 3C.2a1b subclade 2a.2, which has antigenic differences from the 2021–2022 season A(H3N2) vaccine component that belongs to clade 3C.2a1b subclade 2a.1. After excluding 1948 SARS-CoV-2–positive patients, 4312 patients were included in analyses of influenza VE; 2463 (57%) were vaccinated against influenza. Effectiveness against A(H3N2) for all ages was 36% (95% confidence interval, 20%–49%) overall.

Conclusions

Influenza vaccination in 2021–2022 provided protection against influenza A(H3N2)-related outpatient visits among young persons.
Gene Loss may have Shaped the Cnidarian and Bilaterian Hox and ParaHox Complement
Authors: Steinworth Bailey M , Martindale Mark Q , Ryan Joseph F
Published: December 2022

Hox and ParaHox transcription factors are important for specifying cell fates along the primary body axes during the development of most animals. Within Cnidaria, much of the research on Hox/ParaHox genes has focused on Anthozoa (anemones and corals) and Hydrozoa (hydroids) and has concentrated on the evolution and function of cnidarian Hox genes in relation to their bilaterian counterparts. Here we analyze together the full complement of Hox and ParaHox genes from species representing all four medusozoan classes (Staurozoa, Cubozoa, Hydrozoa, and Scyphozoa) and both anthozoan classes (Octocorallia and Hexacorallia). Our results show that Hox genes involved in patterning the directive axes of anthozoan polyps are absent in the stem leading to Medusozoa. For the first time, we show spatial and temporal expression patterns of Hox and ParaHox genes in the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana (Scyphozoa), which are consistent with diversification of medusozoan Hox genes both from anthozoans and within medusozoa. Despite unprecedented taxon sampling, our phylogenetic analyses, like previous studies, are characterized by a lack of clear homology between most cnidarian and bilaterian Hox and Hox-related genes. Unlike previous studies, we propose the hypothesis that the cnidarian–bilaterian ancestor possessed a remarkably large Hox complement and that extensive loss of Hox genes was experienced by both cnidarian and bilaterian lineages.
Impact of social media-based dance therapy in treating depression symptoms among victims of Russia–Ukraine war
Authors: Ahmad Jamilah , Okwuowulu Charles , Sanusi Bernice , Bello Samson Adedapo , Talabi Felix Olajide , Udengwu Ngozi , Gever Verlumun Celestine
Published: December 2022

The objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of social media-based dance therapy in reducing symptoms of depression among evacuees of the Russia–Ukraine war. The participants were randomly assigned to no dance therapy (n = 162) and social media-based dance therapy groups (n = 162). The dance therapy group took part in 12 sessions of dance therapy while the no dance therapy group did not receive any intervention. The result showed that before the dance therapy intervention, participants in both groups reported severe depression symptoms. After the intervention, participants in the dance therapy group dropped from severe depression to normal depression while those in the no dance therapy group dropped to major depression. During the follow-up assessment after 3 months, participants in the no dance therapy group reported moderate depression while those in the dance therapy group still maintained their normal depression classification with a drop in their depression score from 46 to 26. Overall, the result showed that there was a significant main effect of time and the depression score of the participants, F(1,304) 203.143, p = 0.001, eta = 0.401. No interactive effect of gender and the impact of the treatment on reduction in depression symptoms was detected, F(1,304) 3.232, p = 0.073. However, there was a significant main effect of treatment condition on depression symptoms, F(1,304) 495.023, p = 0.001. We highlighted the implication of these results on health promotion.
Various mobile genetic elements carrying optrA in Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates from swine within the same farm
Authors: Xuan Huiyong , Xia Lining , Schwarz Stefan , Jia Haiyan , Yao Xiaohui , Wang Shufeng , Li Ruichao , Wei Jianchao , Li Zongjie , Shao Donghua , Liu Ke , Qiu Yafeng , Ma Zhiyong , Li Beibei
Published: December 2022

Objectives

In this study, the distribution of the oxazolidinone/phenicol resistance gene optrA and the mobile genetic elements involved in its dissemination were analysed among enterococcal isolates from a farrow-to-finish swine farm.

Methods

Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates were obtained from all pig production stages in the farm. The optrA-carrying E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates were subjected to PFGE and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Complete sequences of the genetically unrelated optrA-carrying E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates were determined using Illumina HiSeq and MinION platforms.

Results

The optrA gene was present in 12.2% (23/188) of the E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates, most of which originated from nursery and finishing stages. The 23 optrA-positive Enterococcus isolates represented 15 PFGE types. WGS of representative isolates of the 15 PFGE types showed that optrA was carried by diverse genetic elements either located in the chromosomal DNA or on plasmids. A novel optrA-bearing genetic element was identified on two distinct multi-resistance plasmids from E. faecium. Two new hybrid plasmids carrying several resistance genes were found in two E. faecalis isolates. pC25-1-like plasmids and chromosomally integrated Tn6674 and Tn6823-like transposons were prevalent in the remaining Enterococcus isolates.

Conclusions

The gene optrA was found in genetically unrelated E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates from the same farm. Analysis of the genetic contexts of optrA suggested that horizontal transfer including different plasmids and transposons played a key role in the dissemination of optrA in this farm.
Solid Stems and Beyond: Challenges and Future Directions of Resistance to Wheat Stem Sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae)
Authors: Peirce Erika S , Cockrell Darren M , Mason Esten , Haley Scott , Peairs Frank , Nachappa Punya
Published: December 2022

In North America, the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Norton) (WSS) is considered a key pest of wheat, causing significant damage to spring and winter wheat. Yield losses from WSS can be due to stem boring and/or stem cutting which causes plants to lodge. Cultural, chemical, and biological management strategies have not effectively controlled WSS. When available, host plant resistance (HPR) is an effective and environmentally friendly approach for pest management and is particularly important for controlling WSS. Solid stem genotypes are often considered the main WSS management option for producers. This review will highlight recent progress and future challenges for understanding HPR to WSS. In bread and durum wheat, we will highlight (1) the solid stem trait, (2) interactive effects of solid stem and biological control, (3) nonpreference trait, (4) novel sources of HPR, and (5) the molecular aspects of wheat–wheat stem sawfly interactions. We also highlight the available information on HPR in non-wheat crops. Future research should characterize other resistance traits that can complement solid stem genotypes to create more robust and predictable genotypes.
Stomatal properties of Arabidopsis cauline and rice flag leaves and their contributions to seed production and grain yield
Authors: Ding Ming , Zhu Yiyong , Kinoshita Toshinori
Published: December 2022

Cauline leaves on the inflorescence stem of Arabidopsis thaliana may play important roles in supplying photosynthetic products to sinks, such as floral organs. Flag leaves in rice (Oryza sativa) have a higher photosynthetic capacity than other leaves, and are crucial for increasing grain yield. However, the detailed properties of stomata in cauline and flag leaves have not been investigated. In Arabidopsis, stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation rate were higher in cauline leaves under white light than in rosette leaves, consistent with higher levels of plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase, a key enzyme for stomatal opening, in guard cells. Moreover, removal of cauline leaves significantly reduced the shoot biomass by approximately 20% and seed production by approximately 46%. In rice, higher stomatal density, stomatal conductance, and CO2 assimilation rate were observed in flag leaves than in fully expanded second leaves. Removal of the flag leaves significantly reduced grain yield by approximately 49%. Taken together, these results show that cauline and flag leaves have important roles in seed production and grain yield through enhanced stomatal conductance and CO2 assimilation rate.
Rapid Evolution of the Fine-scale Recombination Landscape in Wild House Mouse (Mus musculus) Populations
Authors: Wooldridge Lydia K , Dumont Beth L
Published: December 2022

Meiotic recombination is an important evolutionary force and an essential meiotic process. In many species, recombination events concentrate into hotspots defined by the site-specific binding of PRMD9. Rapid evolution of Prdm9's zinc finger DNA-binding array leads to remarkably abrupt shifts in the genomic distribution of hotspots between species, but the question of how Prdm9 allelic variation shapes the landscape of recombination between populations remains less well understood. Wild house mice (Mus musculus) harbor exceptional Prdm9 diversity, with >150 alleles identified to date, and pose a particularly powerful system for addressing this open question. We employed a coalescent-based approach to construct broad- and fine-scale sex-averaged recombination maps from contemporary patterns of linkage disequilibrium in nine geographically isolated wild house mouse populations, including multiple populations from each of three subspecies. Comparing maps between wild mouse populations and subspecies reveals several themes. First, we report weak fine- and broad-scale recombination map conservation across subspecies and populations, with genetic divergence offering no clear prediction for recombination map divergence. Second, most hotspots are unique to one population, an outcome consistent with minimal sharing of Prdm9 alleles between surveyed populations. Finally, by contrasting aggregate hotspot activity on the X versus autosomes, we uncover evidence for population-specific differences in the degree and direction of sex dimorphism for recombination. Overall, our findings illuminate the variability of both the broad- and fine-scale recombination landscape in M. musculus and underscore the functional impact of Prdm9 allelic variation in wild mouse populations.
Prognostic value of the clinical and imaging arm of the ASAS criteria for progression of structural sacroiliac joint lesions
Authors: Arnbak Bodil , Jensen Tue Secher , Hendricks Oliver , Østergaard Mikkel , Zejden Anna , Jurik Anne Grethe , Manniche Claus
Published: December 2022

Objective

To investigate the prognostic value of the two arms of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria regarding the progression of structural lesions in the sacroiliac joints (SIJs).

Methods

Information on baseline fulfilment of the ASAS criteria and baseline and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging of the SIJ in 603 patients aged 18–40 years referred with low back pain to an outpatient spine were collected. Magnetic resonance imaging positivity was defined as bone marrow oedema (BMO) in two or more consecutive slices or two or more lesions in one slice, as described in the ASAS definition of sacroiliitis.

Results

Of 71 participants fulfilling the ASAS criteria at baseline, 66 (93%) fulfilled the ‘imaging arm’ and 14 (20%) fulfilled the ‘clinical arm’. The ‘clinical arm’ predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 55 (compared with not fulfilling the ASAS criteria), while the ‘imaging arm’ predicted the progression of erosions with an odds ratio of 8. Moreover, in 24% of the patients in the ‘imaging arm’, all having BMO at the SIJ at baseline, the BMO disappeared without neither erosions nor ankylosis emerging.

Conclusion

We found that the ‘clinical arm’ was a strong predictor for the progression of SIJ erosion, while the ‘imaging arm’ had a more modest prognostic value for structural progression.
A case of ureteral stenosis due to ureteritis probably associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Nagamura Norihiro , Sugitani Tomoyuki
Published: December 2022

Ureteritis associated with the immunological disorder is rarely reported, and most cases in this category are small vessel vasculitis and immunoglobulin G4-related disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated ureteritis is uncommon, and underlying aetiology is unclear. We present a patient with ureteritis who had a medical history of RA and was successfully treated with steroids and immunosuppressant. A 49-year-old woman who had been treated for RA and atopic dermatitis suffered from gross haematuria for 5 successive days. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed right-dominant upper urinary tract dilatation with enhanced thickened wall. The haematuria continued accompanied with intermittent right back and lower abdominal pain, and the following CT image taken after 3 months presented the progression to bilateral hydronephrosis. Ureteral stents were placed, and antibiotic therapy was introduced for obstructive pyelonephritis. Ureterocystoscopy and following biopsy from the upper ureteral tract showed a chronic inflammatory change in the histopathology, and we finally considered the stenosing ureteritis to be caused by immune-mediated mechanism related to RA. After starting steroid therapy with methotrexate, therapeutic response was obtained to remove the stents. In the cases of ureteritis or ureteral stenosis of unknown aetiology with a medical history of immunological disorders, we should consider the underlying immune-activated state and try to test contrast-enhanced CT and histological examination before performing a surgical procedure. After excluding the common causes of ureteritis or ureteral stenosis, these tests would support the appropriate diagnosis.
Enhancing the Scrutiny Role of Select Committees: The House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee’s New Independent Expert Panel
Authors: Peckham Stephen , Jane Dacre Dame , Appleby John , Charlesworth Anita , Francis Robert
Published: December 2022

We report on a recent innovation for one Departmental Select Committee. While government policy commitments are well publicised, little attention is paid to the quality of commitments made or to assessing progress against those commitments. In 2020, the Health and Social Care Select Committee commissioned an Expert Panel to conduct independent, in-depth evaluations of government progress on selected policy commitments. The first evaluations in 2021/22 assessed commitments in maternity, mental health and cancer services, and workforce and it was the first time a government department has been systematically graded against its own commitments. This is an important new method of scrutiny with the potential to complement and enhance the work of Select Committee inquiries. This paper reviews the development of select committees highlighting issues relating to their operation and, in particular, assessment of evidence. We describe the innovation of the Expert Panel and its role in reviewing policy commitments and discuss implications for parliamentary scrutiny, leadership and improvements to health service.
Interspecies transfer ofRAMOSA1orthologs and promotercissequences impacts maize inflorescence architecture
Authors: Strable Josh , Unger-Wallace Erica , Aragón Raygoza Alejandro , Briggs Sarah , Vollbrecht Erik
Published: December 2022

Grass inflorescences support floral structures that each bear a single grain, where variation in branch architecture directly impacts yield. The maize (Zea mays) RAMOSA1 (ZmRA1) transcription factor acts as a key regulator of inflorescence development by imposing branch meristem determinacy. Here, we show RA1 transcripts accumulate in boundary domains adjacent to spikelet meristems in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sb) and green millet (Setaria viridis, Sv) inflorescences similar as in the developing maize tassel and ear. To evaluate the functional conservation of syntenic RA1 orthologs and promoter cis sequences in maize, sorghum, and setaria, we utilized interspecies gene transfer and assayed genetic complementation in a common inbred background by quantifying recovery of normal branching in highly ramified ra1-R mutants. A ZmRA1 transgene that includes endogenous upstream and downstream flanking sequences recovered normal tassel and ear branching in ra1-R. Interspecies expression of two transgene variants of the SbRA1 locus, modeled as the entire endogenous tandem duplication or just the nonframeshifted downstream copy, complemented ra1-R branching defects and induced unusual fasciation and branch patterns. The SvRA1 locus lacks conserved, upstream noncoding cis sequences found in maize and sorghum; interspecies expression of a SvRA1 transgene did not or only partially recovered normal inflorescence forms. Driving expression of the SvRA1 coding region by the ZmRA1 upstream region, however, recovered normal inflorescence morphology in ra1-R. These data leveraging interspecies gene transfer suggest that cis-encoded temporal regulation of RA1 expression is a key factor in modulating branch meristem determinacy that ultimately impacts grass inflorescence architecture.
Consequences of severe asthma exacerbations
Authors: Busse William W.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Asthma exacerbations are major factors in asthma morbidity and also have long-term consequences.

Recent findings

Asthma is characterized by an accelerated and progressive loss of lung function. Recent evidence has pointed to the frequency of exacerbations as being a significant contributor to a loss of lung function in asthma.

A consequence of asthma exacerbations is a greater loss of lung function. Airway inflammation is central to asthma severity and susceptibility for exacerbations. Evidence suggests that the increase in airway inflammation during an asthma exacerbation further compromised lung function. Treatment of severe asthma with Type (T)-2 directed biologics significantly prevents the frequency of exacerbations in severe asthma. Early indications also suggest that prevention of exacerbations by biologics may reduce a loss in lung function from exacerbations.
Pregnane X receptor gene variant rs7643645 and total mortality in subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Käräjämäki Aki J. , Hukkanen Janne , Ukkola Olavi
Published: December 2022

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) gene variants rs7643645 and rs2461823 are reported to associate with clinically and histologically more severe liver injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is known that the more progressive the NAFLD, the higher the hepatic and extra-hepatic mortality and morbidity. Thus, we investigated the total mortality in Finnish middle-aged ultrasonographically verified NAFLD patients with PXR rs7643645 AA/AG (n = 217) or GG (n = 27) variants and rs2461823 CC/CT (n = 215) or TT (n = 27) variants. In up to 30 years of follow-up, PXR rs7643645 GG subjects were at an increased risk of total mortality compared with AA/AG subjects, 1.676 (1.014–2.772), P = 0.044. The statistically significant difference prevailed after multiple adjustments for potentially confounding factors, RR, 2.024 (1.191–3.440), P = 0.009. In the subjects without NAFLD (n = 731), the mortality risk was not associated with rs7643645 variants, 1.051 (0.708–1.560; P = 0.804). There was no difference in the total mortality between the PXR rs2461823 variant subgroups, 1.141 (0.663–1.962; P = 0.634). As the rs7643645 G variant disrupts a putative hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α binding site located in the PXR gene promoter and is associated with lower hepatic expression of PXR and its target genes, our result suggests that genetic disruption of xenobiotic metabolism increases mortality in subjects with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of the present study.
The impact of low-intensity extracorporeal shock waves on testicular spermatogenesis demonstrated in a rat model
Authors: Huang I-Shen , Chen Wei-Jen , Wang Zhong-Lin , Li Li-Hua , Chen Yu-Kuang , Wu Yuh-Lin , Brannigan Robert E. , Juan Chi-Chang , Huang William J.
Published: December 2022

Background:

In rodent models, low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been shown to negatively impact semen concentration after treatment on the penis, implying that the reproductive system in close proximity may be indirectly affected by this modality. We hypothesized that shock waves are detrimental to spermatogenesis, and the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of shock waves on spermatogenesis after direct shockwave treatment on testes using different energy settings.

Methods:

Twenty-five male Sprague Dawley rats, 8 weeks old, were divided into five groups, including one control group and four treatment groups each treated using shock waves of different intensities. All rats in the treatment groups received 2000 shocks on the left testis twice a week for 4 weeks, with shock wave intensity and frequency varied by treatment group: 0.1 mJ/mm2 at 4 Hz for Group A, 0.15 mJ/mm2 at 4 Hz for Group B, 0.35 mJ/mm2 at 4 Hz for Group C, and 0.55mJ/mm2 at 3 Hz for Group D. At the end of the experiment, sperm collected from the epididymis was evaluated for concentration and motility. Testicular spermatogenesis, the apoptotic index of germ cells, and the expression of a meiotic-specific gene were also analyzed.

Results:

The treatment group receiving shock wave intensity at 0.55 mJ/mm2 showed a significant decrease in sperm concentration, motility, and Johnsen score as compared to other groups. The apoptotic index of spermatogenic cells increased as the intensity of the shock wave treatment escalated, and reach a statistically significant difference at 4 weeks posttreatment. Treating testes with intensity levels of 0.55 mJ/mm2 at 3 Hz interfere with the quality or quantity of spermatogenesis and also increases in spermatogenic cell apoptosis, whereas the expression of the SYCP3 gene significantly decreased after treatment with intensity levels of 0.10 mJ/mm2, 0.15 mJ/mm2, and 0.35 mJ/mm2 at 4 Hz.

Conclusion:

Treating testes with intensity levels of 0.55 mJ/mm2 at 3 Hz interfere with the quality or quantity of spermatogenesis and also increases spermatogenic cell apoptosis, whereas the expression of the SYCP3 gene significantly decreased after treatment with intensity levels of 0.10 mJ/mm2, 0.15 mJ/mm2, and 0.35 mJ/mm2 at 4 Hz.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration for the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis: A 9-year experience at a single center
Authors: Shen Hsiang-Shi , Lin Fang-Chi , Tung Su-Mei , Chang Chih-Yueh , Chen Yuh-Min , Chao Heng-Sheng
Published: December 2022

Background:

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is valuable for diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EBUS-TBNA and cytology in sarcoidosis during the first 9 years at our institution.

Methods:

Patients who underwent EBUS-TBNA for suspected sarcoidosis between January 2011 and November 2019 were identified retrospectively. EBUS-TBNA was performed with rapid on-site cytological evaluation of the samples. The final diagnosis was based on the pathology and/or cytology results, radiologic features, and clinical follow-up findings. The yield rate was analyzed annually.

Results:

Eighty patients underwent 83 EBUS-TBNA procedures for suspected sarcoidosis. In total, 136 lymph nodes were sampled. The mean number of lymph node stations sampled was 2.0 ± 0.6; the mean number of needle passes per lymph node was 3.5 ± 0.8. Sixty-five patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis, with a total of 68 procedures. Nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation was detected in the EBUS-TBNA samples from 49/68 procedures (yield rate: 72.1%). Of 19 patients with sarcoidosis who did not obtain a pathological diagnosis with EBUS-TBNA, epithelioid cells and/or multinuclear giant cells suggestive of granulomatous inflammation were detected in five. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) for pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis using EBUS-TBNA were 72.1%, 100%, 100%, and 24.0%, respectively. On using cytology, the sensitivity and NPV increased to 79.4% and 26.3%, respectively. The yield rate did not increase until 2016.

Conclusion:

EBUS-TBNA is useful for diagnosing sarcoidosis. Cytology resulted in an additional yield rate of 7.3%, which improved as the number of cases increased.
3MC syndrome: molecular findings in previously reported and milder patients expand the natural history and phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Ashton Chloe Jade , Perveen Rahat , Beaman Glenda , Crisponi Giangiorgio , González-Del Angel Ariadna , Garza-Mayén Gilda , Alcántara-Ortigoza Miguel Angel , O’Sullivan James , Clayton-Smith Jill
Published: December 2022

The 3MC syndromes types 1–3 (MIM#257920, 265050 and 248340, respectively) are rare autosomal recessive genetic disorders caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding the lectin complement pathway. Patients with 3MC syndrome have a distinctive facial phenotype including hypertelorism, highly arched eyebrows and ptosis. A significant number of patients have bilateral cleft lip and palate and they often exhibit genitourinary and skeletal anomalies. A clinical clue to 3MC syndrome is the presence of a characteristic caudal appendage. Genetic variants in MASP1, COLEC11 and COLEC10 genes have been identified as the causation of this syndrome, yet relatively few patients have been described so far. We consolidate and expand current knowledge of phenotypic features and molecular diagnosis of 3MC syndrome by describing the clinical and molecular findings in five patients. This includes follow-up of two brothers whose clinical phenotypes were first reported by Crisponi et al in 1999. Our study contributes to the evolving clinical and molecular spectrum of 3MC syndrome.
CD8+ T-cell Density Is an Independent Predictor of Survival and Response to Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage III Colon Cancer
Authors: Garcia Paulo , Hartman Douglas , Choudry Haroon , Pai Reetesh K.
Published: December 2022

We assessed CD8+ T-cell density in 351 resected stage II to III colon cancers from 2011 to 2015 and correlated the findings with disease-free survival and survival effect of adjuvant chemotherapy. Most tumors (70%) had high/intermediate CD8+ T-cell density, and this was significantly associated with mismatch repair deficiency compared with tumors with low CD8+ T-cell density (28% vs. 13%, P=0.003). Fewer tumors with high/intermediate CD8+ T-cell density had adverse histologic features compared with tumors with low CD8+ T-cell density including high tumor budding (16% vs. 27%) and venous (22% vs. 35%), lymphatic (54% vs. 65%), and perineural (23% vs. 33%) invasion (all with P<0.05). In the stage III cohort, high/intermediate CD8+ T-cell density was an independent predictor of disease-free survival on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio: 0.39, 0.21 to 0.71 95% CI, P=0.002). For stage III patients with high/intermediate CD8+ T-cell density, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with improved disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.28, 0.11 to 0.74 95% CI, P=0.01) whereas stage III patients with low CD8+ T-cell density did not have improved survival with adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, in stage III colon cancer, CD8+ T-cell density is an independent prognostic biomarker for disease-free survival and may help to identify patients who benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Reciprocal Donor-recipient Strain Combinations Present Different Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Outcomes in Rodent Models
Authors: Cheng Hui-Yun , Lin Chih-Fan , Anggelia Madonna Rica , Lai Ping-Chin , Shih Ling-Yi , Liu Shiao-Chin , Wei Fu-Chan , Lin Cheng-Hung
Published: December 2022

Background:

Although vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has been the focus of many animal studies, further research is needed to determine the potential for a generalized model and immunosuppression regimen that applies across different donor-recipient combinations. Herein, we evaluated the outcome of VCAs performed on reciprocal rodent donor-recipient combinations.

Methods:

VCA was performed in rats using Lewis (LEW) and Brown Norway (BN) donor-recipient pairs, under the previously reported anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS)/cyclosporine (CsA)/adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) regimen. Similarly, a published costimulatory blockade (CoB)/rapamycin regimen was performed on the mice VCA model between Balb/C and C57BL/6 strains.

Results:

To accommodate the active behaviours of BN recipients, the allograft had to be modified and inset to the neck instead of to the groin. The tolerogenic regimen did not provide the same benefits for BN rats as it did for LEW recipients. Increasing ALS dose and extending the duration of CsA administration from 10 to 21 days significantly prolonged allograft survival and induced donor-specific tolerance. In mice, the CoB/rapamycin regimen produced inferior VCA outcomes in BALB/c recipients than in C57BL/6 recipients. In both rats and mice, we identified an association between the tolerance outcome and the peripheral chimerism measured on post-operative day (POD) 30.

Conclusion:

Reciprocal donor-recipient combinations led to different responses toward the immunosuppression regimen and varied VCA outcomes. Sustained donor chimerism that remained in circulation for one month after surgery supported long-term VCA survival. Modification of the model and immunosuppression regimen accordingly is recommended.
Diagnostic Potential of Minimally Invasive Biomarkers: A Biopsy-centered Viewpoint From the Banff Minimally Invasive Diagnostics Working Group
Authors: Huang Edmund , Mengel Michael , Clahsen-van Groningen Marian C. , Jackson Annette M.
Published: December 2022

With recent advances and commercial implementation of minimally invasive biomarkers in kidney transplantation, new strategies for the surveillance of allograft health are emerging. Blood and urine-based biomarkers can be used to detect the presence of rejection, but their applicability as diagnostic tests has not been studied. A Banff working group was recently formed to consider the potential of minimally invasive biomarkers for integration into the Banff classification for kidney allograft pathology. We review the existing data on donor-derived cell-free DNA, blood and urine transcriptomics, urinary protein chemokines, and next-generation diagnostics and conclude that the available data do not support their use as stand-alone diagnostic tests at this point. Future studies assessing their ability to distinguish complex phenotypes, differentiate T cell–mediated rejection from antibody-mediated rejection, and function as an adjunct to histology are needed to elevate these minimally invasive biomarkers from surveillance tests to diagnostic tests.
A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis of ketamine’s anxiolytic effects
Authors: Hartland Hannah , Mahdavi Kimia , Jelen Luke A , Strawbridge Rebecca , Young Allan H , Alexander Laith
Published: December 2022

Background

Subanaesthetic doses of ketamine may be effective in treating symptoms of anxiety, but the time profile of ketamine’s anxiolytic effect is ill-defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials investigated the anxiolytic effect of ketamine at different time points across a range of clinical contexts.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to capture randomised control trials measuring the anxiolytic effects of ketamine across a range of clinical settings including mood disorders, anxiety disorders and chronic pain. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model. The correlations between (1) improvements in mean anxiety and depression scores, and (2) peak dissociation and improvements in mean anxiety scores were also assessed.

Results

14 studies met inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was high in 11 studies. Ketamine significantly reduced anxiety scores compared to placebo at the acute (<12 hours; SMD: - 1.07 [95% CI: -1.68, -0.46], p < 0.001), subacute (24 hours; SMD: -0.43 [95% CI: -0.65, -0.22], p < 0.001) and sustained (7-14 days; SMD: -0.43 [95% CI: -0.65, -0.20], p < 0.001) time points. Exploratory analyses revealed improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms correlated at both subacute (R2= 0.621,p= 0.035) and sustained time points (R2= 0.773,p= 0.021). The relationship between peak dissociation and improvement in anxiety was not significant.

Conclusions

Ketamine appears to offer rapid and sustained relief from anxiety symptoms across a range of clinical settings, with anxiolytic effects occurring within the first 12 hours of administration and remaining effective for one to two weeks. Future studies with improved blinding could explore ketamine maintenance therapy for anxiety.
Sports injuries and illnesses during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in both athletes and nonathletes in the Zhangjiakou Competition Zone
Authors: Liu Zhen-long , Du Can-can , Gao Jian-li , Hou Yue-yang , Wang Ya-jie , Zhang Yu-han , Jiang Yan-fang , Yang Yu-ping
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To describe the incidences of injuries and illnesses sustained during the XXIV Winter Olympic Games, hosted by Beijing in 2022.

Methods

We recorded the daily number of injuries and illnesses in athletes and nonathletes in the polyclinic and medical venues documented by the Beijing 2022 medical staff.

Results

In total, 35,537 athletes and nonathletes were evaluated for injuries and illnesses. The Beijing 2022 medical staff reported 725 injuries and 1119 illnesses comprising 24 injuries and 31 illnesses per 1000 athletes and nonathletes during the Winter Olympic Games. Altogether, 2.4% of the athletes and nonathletes incurred at least one injury and 3.1% had at least one illness. The injury incidence was highest in athletes (14.4%), team officials (8.8%), staff (2.1%), and volunteers (2.1%), and lowest in national and international technical officials (1.5%) and stakeholders (0.3%). The highest incidences of illness were recorded in team officials (7.5%), volunteers (4.8%), and athletes (4.6%). Seventeen percent of the illnesses and injuries affected the oral structures, 15.4% affected the gastrointestinal system, and 10.5% affected the respiratory system.

Conclusion

The injury morbidity rate of athletes was 14.4%, and the illness morbidity rate was 4.6%. For nonathletes, the injury morbidity rate was 2.0%, and the illness morbidity rate was 3.1%. The incidences of injuries and illnesses varied substantially among the different categories of participants. Analyses of the injury mechanisms and illness causes in athletes and nonathletes during the Winter Olympic Games are essential to devise better injury and illness prevention strategies.

Summary Box

Injury and illness rates have been reported for previous Winter Olympic Games but not for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Previous studies of Winter Olympic Games focused on injuries in athletes, only. In this study, we evaluated injury and illness rates in both athletes and nonathletes.

With the results of this study, we hoped to provide a reference for the formulation of diagnostic and treatment strategies for injuries and illnesses for athletes and nonathletes participating in the Winter Olympic Games.
Expanding the diversity ofAccumulibacterwith a novel type and deciphering the transcriptional and morphological features among co-occurring strains
Authors: Wang Zhongjie , Song Wei , Zhang Xue , Zheng Minjia , Li Hao , Yu Ke , Guo Feng
Published: December 2022

Accumulibacteris the major polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) in global wastewater treatment systems. Its phylogenetic and functional diversity has been continuously updated in recent years. In addition to its widely recognized two sublineages, Types I and II, here we discovered a novel type enriched in laboratory bioreactors. Core gene- and machine learning-based gene feature profiling supported that Type IIIAccumulibacterwas potential PAO with the unique function of using dimethyl sulfoxide as electron acceptor. On the basis of the correlation between the similarity ofppk1and genome, the number ofppk1-representedAccumulibacterspecies was estimated to be over one hundred, suggesting that the currently recognized species are only the tip of the iceberg. Meanwhile, multipleAccumulibacterstrains co-occurring in a bioreactor were investigated for their inter-strain transcriptional and morphological features. Metatranscriptomics of seven co-occurring strains indicated that the expression level and interphasic dynamics of PAO phenotype-related genes had minimal correlation with their phylogeny. In particular, expression of denitrifying and poly-P metabolism genes had higher inter-strain and interphasic divergence compared with glycogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates metabolic genes. A strategy of cloning rRNA genes from different strains based on similar genomic synteny was successfully applied to differentiate their morphology via fluorescence in situ hybridization. Our study further expanded the phylogenetic and functional diversity ofAccumulibacter. We also proposed that deciphering the function and capability of certainAccumulibactershould be environment- and population-specific.

Importance

Accumulibacter, as the core functional but uncultured taxa for enhanced biological phosphorus removal, has attracted much attentions on its phylogenetic and functional diversity and intra-genus niche differentiation in the last two decades. It was well-known that this genus had two sub-lineages (Type I and II) since 2002. In this study, a novel type (Type III) with proposed novel functional feature was discovered by the metagenomic approach. By linking average nucleotide identity ofAccumulibactergenomes and the similarity of theppk1sequences, a phylogenetic biomarker that has been largely deposited in database, we estimated that its global species-level diversity was higher than 100. Moreover, as we found the co-occurrence of multipleAccumulibacterstrains in one bioreactor, the simultaneous transcriptional divergence of the co-occurring strains was interesting for understanding their niche differentiation in a single community. The results suggested the decoupling feature between transcriptional pattern with phylogeny for co-occurring strains.
Exploring the interaction between immune cells in the testicular microenvironment of azoospermia combining RNA-seq and scRNA-seq
Authors: Wu YuanYuan , Huang JinGe , Ding Nan , Lu MengHao , Wang Fang
Published: December 2022

Non-obstructive azoospermia is the most serious cause of male infertility. The testis has a special immunological environment, but the relationship between immune cells in the testicular microenvironment is still unclear. Therefore, it is urgent to identify the interaction mechanism and molecular determinants of immune cells in the testicular microenvironment. To further elucidate the etiology of azoospermia and provide a reference for the treatment of azoospermia. The GSE145467 and GSE9210 datasets were analyzed by Limma package, and then the differential genes were analyzed by enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis. In addition, we combined single-cell analysis(scRNA) to identify immune cell types and verified the expression of Hub genes in these immune cells. Finally, CellChat was used for cell-to-cell communication analysis. We found the distribution of immune cells in the microenvironment of Y chromosome AZF region microdeletions (AZFa_Del), idiopathic NOA (iNOA), and Klinefelter syndrome (KS) was significantly different from that of normal adults, especially monocytes/macrophages. In normal subjects, monocytes/macrophages mainly played the role of the signal source, while in patients with azoospermia, monocytes/macrophages mainly received signals from other immune cells. Monocytes/macrophages in AZFa_Del, iNOA, and KS communicated with other immune cells mainly through MDK-LRP1, PTN-NCL, and MDK-NCL ligand-receptor pairs respectively. Our research provides new ideas for the pathogenesis and treatment of azoospermia.

Author Summary

This article uses the datasets in the public database, including RNA-seq and scRNA-seq. It is a secondary analysis of these databases. Previous studies have found the destruction of Sertoli cells in the testicular microenvironment using scRNA datasets. We have analyzed immune cells in the testicular microenvironment based on previous studies. Found huge changes in macrophages and abnormal macrophages communication through cell communication analysis, The receptor-ligand pairs were screened to provide a basis for the study of macrophages in the testicular microenvironment and the treatment of azoospermia.
‘While my husband was away … ’: Gender and time in the diary of Clara Cornelia van Eijck (1790–1791)
Authors: Verhoeven Gerrit , Paklons Eleonora
Published: December 2022

The late eighteenth century has often been portrayed as a pivotal period in the genesis of modern awareness and use of time. Despite this, empirical research to bolster such claims remains relatively thin. The same holds true for gender differences as surprisingly little is known about women's timekeeping and time‐use in early modern Europe. Drawing on evidence from the late eighteenth‐century diary of Clara Cornelia van Eijck, a Dutch burgeres who spent her days in exile in Ghent, this article provides a fresh perspective on some of the key debates on early modern awareness of time.
Managing Allegations Concerning Black and Asian Police Officers, Cultural Competence and Reflective Practice under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020
Authors: McDaniel John L.M. , Malik Nadeem
Published: December 2022

The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 were introduced in the aftermath of serious findings by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) that many police supervisors are uncomfortable dealing with low‐level misconduct allegations concerning Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) officers. A key component of the new regulations is the use of reflective practice as a way of managing low‐level breaches of professional standards. We argue that there is little in the regulations to ensure that police supervisors can reach a threshold of cultural competency to oversee the new processes authentically. Furthermore, we fear that police misconduct data in coming years may indicate significant improvements in rates of misconduct and disproportionalities when the reality is that many issues are being shunted downward to more informal environments where little effort is made to gather and analyse data. Racial and ethnic disproportionalities may become even harder to identify and address as a result.
Hemodialysis treatment for poisoning patients in the emergency department
Authors: Orhan Ugur , Gulen Muge , Satar Salim , Acehan Selen , Nazik Hakan , Unlu Nurdan , Gediklioglu Mustafa , Isikber Cem , Sonmez Ahmet , Sonmez Gökben Oral
Published: December 2022

Introduction

We aimed to evaluate the hemodialysis (HD) use in adult patients after acute poisoning in the emergency department.

Methods

The study was performed as a retrospective observational cohort study. We analyzed hospital electronic data system and patient files.

Results

A total of 55 patients were included in the study. Among the 10 toxins exposed, the most common were methanol and metformin. The most common indications for HD treatment were: 67.3% (n = 37) for toxin elimination, 20% (n = 11) for treatment‐resistant metabolic acidosis, hemodynamic disorder. The most common complication (50.9%) in all patients was central nervous system depression. Ten patients died from ingestion of methanol, one of aluminum phosphide, and one of opioid‐sympathomimetic‐hallucinogen agents.

Conclusion

HD is the most commonly used extracorporeal treatment method in the treatment of poisoning patients. HD should be considered without any delay in treating poisoned patients if there is no response to conventional treatments.