bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A gas sensing neural circuit for an olfactory neuron
Authors: Hu Xi-Kui , Zhu Song , Yang Juan , Yao Zhao , Zhou Ping , Ma Jun
Published: June 2024

A gas sensor can convert external gas concentration or species into electric voltage or current signals by physical adsorption or chemical changes. As a result, a gas sensor in a nonlinear circuit can be used as a sensitive sensor for detecting external gas signals from the olfactory system. In this paper, a gas sensor and a field-effect transistor are incorporated into a simple FithzHugh–Nagumo neural circuit for capturing and encoding external gas signals. An improved functional neural circuit is obtained, and the effect of gas concentration, gas species and neuronal activity can be discerned as the gate voltage, threshold voltage and activation coefficient of the field-effect transistor, respectively. The gas concentration can affect the neural activities from quiescent to normal working and, finally, to saturation state in bursting, spiking, periodic and chaotic firings with different frequencies. The effects of gas species and neuronal activity on the firing state can also be achieved in this functional neural circuit. In addition, variations in the gate voltage, threshold voltage and activation coefficient can cause switching between different firing modes. These results can be helpful in designing artificial olfactory devices for bionic gas recognition and other coupled systems arising in applied sciences.
A genetically-encoded fluorescence-based reporter to spatiotemporally investigate mannose-6-phosphate pathway
Authors: Bhat Mallika , Nambiar Akshaya , Edakkandiyil Lakshmi , Abraham Irine Maria , Sen Ritoprova , Negi Mamta , Manjithaya Ravi
Published: June 2024

Maintenance of a pool of active lysosomes with acidic pH and degradative hydrolases is crucial for cell health. Abnormalities in lysosomal function are closely linked to diseases, such as lysosomal storage disorders, neurodegeneration, intracellular infections, and cancer among others. Emerging body of research suggests the malfunction of lysosomal hydrolase trafficking pathway to be a common denominator of several disease pathologies. However, available conventional tools to assess lysosomal hydrolase trafficking are insufficient and fail to provide a comprehensive picture about the trafficking flux and location of lysosomal hydrolases. To address some of the shortcomings, we designed a genetically-encoded fluorescent reporter containing a lysosomal hydrolase tandemly tagged with pH sensitive and insensitive fluorescent proteins, which can spatiotemporally trace the trafficking of lysosomal hydrolases. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate that the reporter can detect perturbations in hydrolase trafficking, that are induced by pharmacological manipulations and pathophysiological conditions like intracellular protein aggregates. This reporter can effectively serve as a probe for mapping the mechanistic intricacies of hydrolase trafficking pathway in health and disease and is a utilitarian tool to identify genetic and pharmacological modulators of this pathway, with potential therapeutic implications.
Computer simulations of liquid crystals
Authors: Dierking Ingo , Martins Figueiredo Neto Antônio
Published: June 2024

Computer simulations of liquid crystals have drastically improved over the last decade, due to increased computing power and novel simulation techniques. Yet, due to the complexity of the system, simulations of lyotropic systems are only at its infancy when compared to those of thermotropic liquid crystals. The general length and time regimes are discussed in terms of atomistic coarse-grained, and continuous simulations, and examples are given for thermotropic LCs. Simulations of lyotropic systems are discussed in terms of hard-rod systems, Gay-Berne simulations and the latest atomistic course-grained approaches. Chromonics, bilayer membranes and biaxial nematic phases are outlined via their computer simulations.
Biological and living lyotropics
Authors: Dierking Ingo , Martins Figueiredo Neto Antônio
Published: June 2024

The interface between lyotropic liquid crystals and biology is broad. Phospholipids, one of the structural components of the cellular membrane, are amphiphilic molecules. The formation of micelles in mixtures of amphiphilic molecules and water above the critical micellar concentration is an example of these super-molecular structures. This type of super-molecular structure is observed in the human lipoproteins, Low Density (LDL) and High Density (HDL) Lipoproteins. In this chapter we discuss the existence of lyotropic mesophases in systems where the basic units are viruses (tobacco mosaic virus and filamentous phage virus fd), DNA and RNA, actin filaments, and cellulose nanocrystals and derivatives. The term ‘living liquid crystals’ was proposed to designate a class of active matter composed by bacteria in a lyotropic water-based, non-toxic, liquid crystal. Interestingly, the individual and collective motions of the bacteria strongly couple with the short-range positional and long range orientational ordering of the lyotropic liquid crystal.
Cognitive behavioral program for the prevention of depression in at-risk adolescents: isolating the effects of dose
Authors: Dickerson John F , Clarke Greg , Weersing V Robin , Lynch Frances L , Hollon Steven D , Brent David , Beardslee William , Gladstone Tracy R G , Porta Giovanna , DeBar Lynn , Brooks Neon , Garber Judy
Published: June 2024

The current study estimated effects of intervention dose (attendance) of a cognitive behavioral prevention (CBP) program on depression-free days (DFDs) in adolescent offspring of parents with a history of depression. As part of secondary analyses of a multisite randomized controlled trial, we analyzed the complete intention-to-treat sample of 316 at-risk adolescents ages 13 to 17 years. Youth were randomly assigned to the CBP program plus usual care (n = 159) or to usual care alone (n = 157). The CBP program involved 8 weekly acute sessions and 6 monthly continuation sessions. Results showed that higher CBP program dose predicted more DFDs, with a key threshold of approximately 75% of a full dose in analyses employing instrumental variable methodology to control multiple channels of bias. Specifically, attending at more than 75% of acute phase sessions led to 45.3 more DFDs over the 9-month period after randomization, which accounted for over 12% of the total follow-up days. Instrument sets were informed by study variables and external data, including weather and travel burden. In contrast, conventional analysis methods failed to find a significant dose-outcome relation. Application of the instrumental variable approach, which better controls the influence of confounding, demonstrated that higher CBP program dose resulted in more DFDs.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Mental Health.
Knowledge transfer from macro-world to micro-world: enhancing 3D Cryo-ET classification through fine-tuning video-based deep models
Authors: Jain Sabhay , Li Xingjian , Xu Min
Published: June 2024

Motivation

Deep learning models have achieved remarkable success in a wide range of natural-world tasks, such as vision, language, and speech recognition. These accomplishments are largely attributed to the availability of open-source large-scale datasets. More importantly, pre-trained foundational model learnings exhibit a surprising degree of transferability to downstream tasks, enabling efficient learning even with limited training examples. However, the application of such natural-domain models to the domain of tiny Cryo-Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET) images has been a relatively unexplored frontier. This research is motivated by the intuition that 3D Cryo-ET voxel data can be conceptually viewed as a sequence of progressively evolving video frames.

Results

Leveraging the above insight, we propose a novel approach that involves the utilization of 3D models pre-trained on large-scale video datasets to enhance Cryo-ET subtomogram classification. Our experiments, conducted on both simulated and real Cryo-ET datasets, reveal compelling results. The use of video initialization not only demonstrates improvements in classification accuracy but also substantially reduces training costs. Further analyses provide additional evidence of the value of video initialization in enhancing subtomogram feature extraction. Additionally, we observe that video initialization yields similar positive effects when applied to medical 3D classification tasks, underscoring the potential of cross-domain knowledge transfer from video-based models to advance the state-of-the-art in a wide range of biological and medical data types.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/xulabs/aitom.
Interpretable deep learning in single-cell omics
Authors: Wagle Manoj M , Long Siqu , Chen Carissa , Liu Chunlei , Yang Pengyi
Published: June 2024

Motivation

Single-cell omics technologies have enabled the quantification of molecular profiles in individual cells at an unparalleled resolution. Deep learning, a rapidly evolving sub-field of machine learning, has instilled a significant interest in single-cell omics research due to its remarkable success in analysing heterogeneous high-dimensional single-cell omics data. Nevertheless, the inherent multi-layer nonlinear architecture of deep learning models often makes them ‘black boxes’ as the reasoning behind predictions is often unknown and not transparent to the user. This has stimulated an increasing body of research for addressing the lack of interpretability in deep learning models, especially in single-cell omics data analyses, where the identification and understanding of molecular regulators are crucial for interpreting model predictions and directing downstream experimental validations.

Results

In this work, we introduce the basics of single-cell omics technologies and the concept of interpretable deep learning. This is followed by a review of the recent interpretable deep learning models applied to various single-cell omics research. Lastly, we highlight the current limitations and discuss potential future directions.
Childhood adiposity underlies numerous adult brain traits commonly attributed to midlife obesity
Authors: Chiesa Scott T , Rader Lydia , Garfield Victoria , Foote Isabelle , Suri Sana , Davey Smith George , Hughes Alun D , Richardson Tom G
Published: June 2024

Obese adults are often reported to have smaller brain volumes than their non-obese peers. Whether this represents evidence of accelerations in obesity-driven atrophy or is instead a legacy of developmental differences established earlier in the lifespan remains unclear.

This study investigated whether early-life differences in adiposity explain differences in numerous adult brain traits commonly attributed to mid-life obesity.

We used a two-sample life course Mendelian randomization study in 37 501 adults recruited to UK Biobank (UKB) imaging centres from 2014, with secondary analyses in 6996 children assessed in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD) recruited from 2018. Exposures were genetic variants for childhood (266 variants) and adult (470 variants) adiposity derived from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 407 741 UKB participants. Primary outcomes were: adult total brain volume; grey matter volume, thickness and surface area; white matter volume and hyperintensities; and hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus volumes at mean age 55 in the UKB. Secondary outcomes were equivalent childhood measures collected at mean age 10 in ABCD.

In the UKB, individuals who were genetically predicted to have had higher levels of adiposity in childhood were found to have multiple smaller adult brain volumes relative to intracranial volume [e.g. z-score difference in normalized brain volume per category increase in adiposity—95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.20 (−0.28, −0.12); P = 4 × 10−6]. These effect sizes remained essentially unchanged after accounting for birthweight or current adult obesity in multivariable models, whereas most observed adult effects attenuated towards null [e.g. adult z-score (95% CI) for total volume = 0.06 (−0.05, 0.17); P = 0.3]. Observational analyses in ABCD showed a similar pattern of changes already present in those with a high body mass index by age 10 [z-score (95% CI) = −0.10 (−0.13, −0.07); P = 8 × 10−13], with follow-up genetic risk score analyses providing some evidence for a causal effect already at this early age. Sensitivity analyses revealed that many of these effects were likely due to the persistence of larger head sizes established in those who gained excess weight in childhood [childhood z-score (95% CI) for intracranial volume = 0.14 (0.05, 0.23); P = 0.002], rather than smaller brain sizes per se.

Our data suggest that the persistence of early-life developmental differences across the life course may underlie numerous neuroimaging traits commonly attributed to obesity-related atrophy in later life.
Pain in Parkinson's disease: a neuroanatomy-based approach
Authors: Nardelli Domiziana , Gambioli Francesco , De Bartolo Maria Ilenia , Mancinelli Romina , Biagioni Francesca , Carotti Simone , Falato Emma , Leodori Giorgio , Puglisi-Allegra Stefano , Vivacqua Giorgio , Fornai Francesco
Published: June 2024

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the deposition of misfolded alpha-synuclein in different regions of the central and peripheral nervous system. Motor impairment represents the signature clinical expression of Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, non-motor symptoms are invariably present at different stages of the disease and constitute an important therapeutic challenge with a high impact for the patients’ quality of life. Among non-motor symptoms, pain is frequently experienced by patients, being present in a range of 24–85% of Parkinson's disease population. Moreover, in more than 5% of patients, pain represents the first clinical manifestation, preceding by decades the exordium of motor symptoms. Pain implies a complex biopsychosocial experience with a downstream complex anatomical network involved in pain perception, modulation, and processing. Interestingly, all the anatomical areas involved in pain network can be affected by a-synuclein pathology, suggesting that pathophysiology of pain in Parkinson's disease encompasses a ‘pain spectrum’, involving different anatomical and neurochemical substrates. Here the various anatomical sites recruited in pain perception, modulation and processing are discussed, highlighting the consequences of their possible degeneration in course of Parkinson's disease. Starting from peripheral small fibres neuropathy and pathological alterations at the level of the posterior laminae of the spinal cord, we then describe the multifaceted role of noradrenaline and dopamine loss in driving dysregulated pain perception. Finally, we focus on the possible role of the intertwined circuits between amygdala, nucleus accumbens and habenula in determining the psycho-emotional, autonomic and cognitive experience of pain in Parkinson's disease. This narrative review provides the first anatomically driven comprehension of pain in Parkinson's disease, aiming at fostering new insights for personalized clinical diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.
An irregular plaque of the penile base
Authors: Uppal Encarl , Kravvas Georgios , Freeman Alex , Proctor Ian , Lofaro Thomas , Alnajjar Hussain , Muneer Asif , Bunker Christopher B
Published: June 2024

A 68-year-old man presents with an irregular plaque of the penile base.
Effects of intensive, targeted education by pharmacists on anticoagulant patients with atrial fibrillation: a multicentre randomized controlled trial from China
Authors: Xu Wenlin , Wu Tingting , Chen Jiana , Lv Meina , Wang Na , Qiu Sha , Dai Hengfen , Hu Wei , Chen Pei , Li Meijuan , Li Li , Zhang Feilong , Chang Sijie , Zhang Jinhua
Published: June 2024

Aims

Many people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) may lack awareness of AF and anticoagulants. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of intensive, targeted education by pharmacists on anticoagulant patients with AF.

Methods and results

Three hundred seventy-six AF patients were randomly assigned to receive standard care or pharmacist education. Follow-up is scheduled after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Pharmacists provided intensive education on knowledge deficits revealed by the Jessa Atrial fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) during each visit. Patients also completed two questionnaires to assess their medication adherence and satisfaction. Clinical outcomes were recorded during follow-up. Three hundred sixty-one patients completed follow-up. Baseline scores on the JAKQ were similar in the education group (median: 31.3%) and the standard care group (median: 31.3%) (P = 0.911). Over time, the knowledge score of the education group increased significantly (1 month: 68.8%, 3 months: 81.3%; P < 0.001), while there was no significant improvement in the standard care group (1 month: 37.5%, 3 months: 37.5%; P = 0.314). Adherence scores improved significantly over time in the education group (P < 0.001) but not in the standard care group (P = 0.101). Compared with standard care, pharmacist education was associated with a significantly lower risk of bleeding (P = 0.034).

Conclusion

Given the knowledge deficiency of AF patients in China, standardized patient education should be a part of their daily care. Pharmacist-led education intervention can significantly improve the disease-related knowledge, medication adherence, and drug treatment satisfaction of AF patients while significantly reducing the risk of bleeding.

Registration

ChiCTR1900024455.
Updated outcomes of surgical treatment for recurrent thymic tumour: a report from the Japanese nationwide database
Authors: Mizuno Tetsuya , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi Fengshi , Yoshino Ichiro , Okumura Meinoshin , Ikeda Norihiko , Kuroda Koji , Maniwa Yoshimasa , Kanzaki Masato , Suzuki Makoto ,   for the Japanese Association for Research on the Thymus
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyse the surgical outcomes for recurrent thymic epithelial tumours and identify the factors associated with post-recurrence survival, using an updated Japanese nationwide database.

METHODS

The cohort that developed recurrence after the initial resection was extracted from an updated database of patients whose thymic epithelial tumours were treated surgically between 1991 and 2010. Furthermore, we reviewed clinicopathological and prognostic factors of re-resected cases. Post-recurrence survival outcomes and cause-specific deaths in non-re-resected cases were also reviewed.

RESULTS

We enrolled 191 patients who underwent re-resection and 259 patients who did not. In the surgery group, more patients with early stage disease, less aggressive World Health Organization (WHO) histological classification, initial complete resection and shorter recurrence-free intervals were included. Non-thymic carcinoma, absence of preoperative treatment, longer recurrent-free interval, single-site recurrence and R0-1 re-resection were all significantly favourable prognostic factors for post-recurrence survival in the surgery group, according to univariable analyses. Non-thymic carcinoma histology, longer recurrence-free interval and R0-1 re-resection were identified as independent prognostic factors according to multivariable analysis. The post-recurrence survival of the entire cohort with R2 re-resection was significantly better than that of the non-surgery group, although it was not demonstrated that patients with thymoma who underwent R2 re-resection had significantly better post-recurrence and lower cause-specific death.

CONCLUSIONS

R0-1 re-resection was newly identified as a prognostic factor after re-resection, in addition to non-thymic carcinoma histological classification and longer recurrence-free intervals, as documented in the initial report.
“I know it’s a deepfake”: the role of AI disclaimers and comprehension in the processing of deepfake parodies
Authors: Lu Hang , Yuan Shupei
Published: June 2024

Rapid innovations in media technologies have ushered in diverse entertainment avenues, including politically oriented content, presenting both novel opportunities and societal challenges. This study delves into the implications of the burgeoning deepfake phenomenon, particularly focusing on audience interpretation and engagement with deepfake parodies, a quintessential example of “misinfotainment.” Additionally, it examines the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) disclaimers on audience understanding and related consequences. To probe this, two experiments (N = 2,808) were executed featuring parodied politicians adopting opposing viewpoints on the issue of climate change. U.S. participants were either exposed to deepfake videos prefaced with AI disclaimers or without. Results indicate that the inclusion of an AI disclaimer significantly influenced audience comprehension and their ability to recognize the parody. These factors were subsequently associated with enjoyment, discounting, and counterarguing, which in turn showed different relationships with policy support and sharing intentions. This article culminates with insights into the theoretical underpinnings and practical ramifications of these findings.
Younger Age and Female Gender Are Associated With Delayed Antibiotics in Pediatric Sepsis
Authors: Kandil Sarah B , Lee Seohyuk , Feinn Richard S , Murray Thomas S
Published: June 2024

Sepsis is a leading cause of pediatric mortality and timely antibiotic administration has been shown to improve outcomes. In this retrospective review of a single center sepsis dataset, we identified younger age and female sex as more likely to have delays in antibiotics.
(030) PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES OF CORE EXCISION FOR SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF NEUROPROLIFERATIVE VESTIBULODYNIA
Authors: Ponce S , Goldstein I , Goldstein S , Yee A , Kim N
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Among patients with neuroproliferative vestibulodynia (NPV) experiencing pain on cotton-tip swab testing at the 1:00-11:00 vestibule prior to complete vestibulectomy surgery, a subset also had pain at the 12:00 vestibule. Excision of the 12:00 core region may be performed concomitantly or after healing from the vestibulectomy. Given that a vaginal flap cannot be advanced to this area, only a core excision is removed and closed using surrounding 12:00 tissue. Differences between the post-operative improvement in the 1:00-11:00 and the 12:00 regions have not been examined to date. To better understand the success of core excision of the 12:00 region, we assessed post-operative patient-reported outcomes specifically of this vestibular region.

Objective

To characterize patients who underwent 12:00 excision as well as assess Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) specifically regarding 12:00 core excision in individuals with NPV.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients from one clinic who had undergone a 12:00 core excision. Preoperative baseline assessments included Vulvar Pain Functional Questionnaire (V-Q), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), cotton-tip swab test results. Dimensions of the excised tissue as determined by pathology report, responses to the PGI-I scale at > 6 months post-op, and any adverse events were collected. Descriptive statistics were conducted to analyze the PGI-I scores and other outcomes.

Results

The majority of patients (67%, n=21), with an average age of 26, rated their 12:00 pain as “much improved” or “very much improved” on the PGI-I scale. Mean duration of follow up since surgery was one year and five months, with a minimum follow up of 9 months. Most patients (90%) did not have regrets about having the 12:00 region removed. Most patients (83%) would recommend this surgery to other patients who have 12:00 pain. There were no significant post-operative adverse events with 12:00 excision. Mean dimensions of the excised specimen were 1.01 cm x 0.60 cm x 0.21 cm, 3% of the size of the 1:00-11:00 vestibule excised. Preoperatively, patient reported mean FSFI pain domain was 0.67, SF-MPQ 16.80, affective 5.15 and PPI 3.42. Mean V-Q prior to surgery was 11.68, mean cotton-tip swab test result for the 12:00 region was 6.15.

Conclusions

Performing core excision of a very small volume of tissue during surgery in patients with 12:00 pain is associated with an improved PGI-I score in 67% of patients. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize the management of vestibulodynia. In patients who fail 12:00 core excision surgery, buccal mucosal grafting of the entire 12:00 vestibule may be a future option.

Disclosure

No.
(044) AN INNOVATIVE AND NON-INVASIVE METHOD OF REDUCING PAIN UTILIZING VIBRATION DURING IUD INSERTION: PATIENT REACTIONS AND ONE PROVIDER’S APPROACH
Authors: Mckenzie N , Barnhart K
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Pain is commonly experienced during Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion and a possible barrier to this form of contraception. Pharmacological methods and non-pharmacological techniques are available to reduce pain during this procedure, but the efficacy varies on a case-by-case basis and data is conflicting regarding doses. Additional techniques are needed to increase the likelihood of a more patient centered approach to address pain experienced during IUD placement.

Objective

The purpose of the current project is to describe exploratory use of vibration and propose it as an innovative pain management technique during IUD insertion.

Methods

Recognizing that the umbilicus and the distal third of the vagina are embryologically connected, the current clinician hypothesized that external vibration applied to the umbilicus by a patient during IUD placement may reduce pain. Starting in 2017 external umbilical vibration was added to a previously established list of pain reduction options available during IUD placement at one clinical practice. Patients were consulted prior to IUD insertion and the list of multiple options discussed as part of regular practice. Patients and the provider determined the methods of pain reduction that best fit the individual patient’s needs based on their previous experiences, apprehension, and other concerns related to the procedure. Clinician observation and recall of response and reactions following the use of vibration will be shared.

Results

A detailed description of the umbilical vibration technique will be provided. Provider recall and summary of anonymous patient responses will be discussed, as well as the possible implications for gynecological care. Verbal and non-verbal responses from patients who elected to use umbilical vibration, or a combination of umbilical vibration and other techniques, to reduce pain have been overwhelmingly positive. No negative experiences with this non-invasive technique have occurred.

Conclusions

Umbilical vibration may serve as an effective, low-cost option to reduce pain during IUD placement. Providers considering this technique should be comfortable discussing vibration and open to this type of patient centered care. Umbilical vibration as a pain reduction technique for IUD insertion could be utilized in a trauma informed practice. A more in-depth study to further explore the intricacies of this technique is in preparation.

Disclosure

No.
(055) A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS ON THE BENEFITS OF AN OVER-THE-COUNTER COMBINATION OF ASPIRIN, ACETAMINOPHEN, AND CAFFEINE (AAC) IN MENSTRUAL MIGRAINE
Authors: Mitra A , Araga M , Aher A , Xu J , Shanga G , Franks B , Petruschke R
Published: June 2024

Introduction

• Migraine affects approximately 15% of the general population globally. It is an episodic headache disorder that produces a wide spectrum of pain and associated disability. • Women are 3 times more likely than men to experience migraine headache. More than 60% of women with migraine experience attacks that occur in association with the menstrual periods. • Although some women experience migraine exclusively during the perimenstrual period others have attacks both during the perimenstrual period and at other times of the month. Menstrual migraine is thought to be more severe and disabling and less responsive to non-drug treatments than is non-menstrual migraine

Objective

Since menstrual migraine is an important health issue for women, we wanted to examine whether AAC is more effective than placebo in relieving menstruation associated migraine and improving the quality of life (QoL) of patients.

Methods

The study population selected for this analysis were adapted from a pooled analysis of women associated with menstrual migraine [Clin Therapeutics 21(3) 475, 1999]. A total of 185 women with menstrual associated migraine, of which 85 took one dose of AAC (aspirin/acetaminophen/caffeine – 250 mg/250 mg/65 mg) and 100 took placebo were included in this study. The data was analyzed using SAS Windows version 9.4. All post-rescue medication severity scores were assigned either the baseline value or the last recorded value whichever was most severe. Post-rescue medication pain relief scores were classified as “no relief”.

Results

It was observed that the intensity of the headache pain was reduced to mild or none (1) within 30 min in 20% (AAC treated) vs (10% in placebo). Within 1 hour in 40% (AAC treated) vs (14% placebo) (p<=0.001) treated patients and the pain relief lasted for at least six hours. The quality of life (able to perform all or usual activities with minimal or no additional effort) also improved within 1 hour in 48.2% (AAC treated patients) vs 28% (placebo) (p<=0.005) and within 3 hour in 68.2% AAC treated patients vs 40% (placebo) (p<=0.001). In addition, in terms of relative change (%) difference, there was a 19% improvement in QoL with a 24.6% reduction in pain intensity within 1 hour. At 3 hours the QoL scores improved to 38.1% with a reduction in pain intensity of 41.1% that lasted till 6 hours in AAC treated patients vs placebo.

Conclusions

This post- hoc pooled analysis provides evidence that a single dose of AAC provides significant benefits in relieving menstrual migraine associated pain relief and improves quality of life of patients in their ability to perform usual activities with minimal or no additional effort.

Disclosure

Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Haleon

Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study.

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Haleon.
(096) UNDERSTANDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRONIC PAIN AND DEPRESSION IN LOCALIZED PROVOKED VULVODYNIA
Authors: Emanuelle C , Fischer S , Mahamed Z , Linder M , Falsetta M
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a disease characterized by chronic pain in the vulva in response to touching the vulvar vestibular epithelium. As with other chronic pain disorders, vulvodynia is often found accompanied with depression, and depressive symptoms aggravate pain severity and persistence. While there is clear evidence of a connection between chronic vulvar pain and depression, the mechanism of this bidirectional relationship is largely unknown. Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation plays a central role in depression. Since the pathophysiology of LPV also involves inflammation, we aim to better understand these relationships by pharmacologically inhibiting the enzyme that plays a key role in both inflammation and depression: soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH).

Objective

To elucidate the role of sEH in localized provoked vulvodynia, which might be involved in the chronic pain and depression comorbidity prevalent in vulvodynia patients, and discuss the clinical significance of using sEH inhibitors, such as 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), for patients suffering from this condition.

Methods

Vulvar punch biopsies obtained from painful sites within the vulvar vestibule and non-painful sites within the external vulva of 6 LPV patients and 6 age/race-matched healthy controls were used to generate a library of primary fibroblast strains. Cells were treated with the inflammatory instigator interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and TPPU. Quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the effects of sEH inhibition. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 10.0.2. Comparisons among groups were performed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) or two-way ANOVA, followed by post-hoc Tukey test.

Results

Vulvodynia patients produce increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), when compared with controls. Interestingly, mRNA (P = 0.0091) and protein (P = 0.0198) levels of sEH were significantly lower in the painful vestibule of these patients. When sEH was inhibited with TPPU, we observed a significant decrease in IL-6 levels (P = <0.0001), but not PGE2 (P = 0.6452). These preliminary findings are of fundamental importance as cytokines can directly contribute to the development of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Patients with vulvodynia are more likely to develop depressive symptoms than patients without vulvar pain. Likewise, patients with depression are more likely to develop vulvodynia than patients without depression. Our results suggest that sEH may play a role in this bidirectional mechanism, which could serve as a novel therapeutic target for chronic pain and depression comorbidity.

Disclosure

No.
(125) INTRAPARTUM AND 30-DAY POSTPARTUM COMPLICATIONS IN PREGNANCIES WITH ANTENATAL SARS-COV-2 INFECTION
Authors: Donthi S , Kloos J , Kaelber D , Gibson K , Olson D
Published: June 2024

Introduction

While COVID-19 has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, data regarding intrapartum and postpartum maternal complications after antenatal COVID-19 infection is limited and variable.

Objective

This study compares the intrapartum and postpartum complication rates between pregnant patients with and without an antenatal COVID-19 diagnosis in a national dataset.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of patients who gave birth between January 2020 and May 2023 utilizing the TriNetx Analytics Research Network, an aggregated electronic health record platform. Our data searches were performed on May 1, 2023. ICD-10 codes were used to identify the encounter for delivery (ICD-10 code O80-O82) and pregnant individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis (ICD-10 code U70.1) during their gestational period. The control group was defined as those with one encounter for delivery between January 2020 and May 2023 and without a diagnosis of COVID-19 during the gestational period. Complications included obstetric, cardiovascular, neurovascular, and pulmonary outcomes diagnosed from the day of delivery to 30 days postpartum. The cohort was propensity matched by age, race, and ethnicity. The relative risk values and 95% confidence intervals for the outcomes were calculated and compared.

Results

Of the 368,923 patients who had an encounter for delivery between January 2020 and May 2023, 26,974 (7%) had an antenatal COVID-19 diagnosis. Compared to our matched control cohort, patients with antenatal COVID-19 were at an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.16-1.33), gestational hypertension without significant proteinuria (1.27 [1.21-1.34]), pre-eclampsia (1.25 [1.18-1.32]), eclampsia (1.66 [1.29-2.23]), and preterm labor (1.21 [1.12-1.31]). Patients with antenatal COVID-19 infections were also at an increased risk of postpartum complications, including cerebral infarction (1.74 [1.04-2.90]), pulmonary embolism (2.68 [1.74-4.13]), acute embolism and thrombosis of deep veins of lower extremity (2.32 [1.45-3.71]), sepsis (2.21 [1.54-3.19]), heart failure (1.55 [1.04-2.31]), and cardiomyopathy (2.08 [1.30-3.32]). There was no elevated risk of HELLP syndrome (1.18 [0.96-1.44]), placental abruption (1.14 [0.94-1.37]), and myocardial infarction (1.4 [0.62-3.15]).

Conclusions

Pregnant individuals with antenatal COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to have intrapartum and postpartum encounter diagnoses for obstetric, cardiovascular, neurovascular, and pulmonary complications. This data allows providers to identify antenatal COVID-19 infection as a risk factor and monitor patients for complications.

Disclosure

No.
(126) MATERNAL MENTAL AND SEXUAL WELLNESS
Authors: Glenn V , Lam K , Bachmann G
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Birth trauma can affect physical, mental, and sexual health of post-partum individuals.

Objective

Our aim is to review the effects of birth trauma on maternal mental and sexual wellness in minority women.

Methods

In this literature review, we first defined birth trauma through the DSM-5 and its connection between patient treatment. We then analyzed the impacts of physical birth trauma on sexual wellness in women, with a focus on perineal tearing, dyspareunia, and return to sexual activity postpartum. Along with birth traumas impact on postpartum mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress and depression. We analyzed further data regarding the causes of maternal mortality, reviewing prevalence of mental health conditions, suicide, and preventability of these deaths. We then analyzed data regarding reporting discrimination faced by minority women, prevalence of minority maternal and baby mortality, and complication rates.

Results

Data show that birth trauma negatively affects maternal mental and sexual health. Factors contributing to birth trauma can be described as interpersonal, psychological, or physical. Physical birth trauma can result from third- or fourth-degree perineal tears which has been linked to increased risk for dyspareunia. Dyspareunia, low libido, and other sexual issues can be challenging for women postpartum. Any degree of vaginal or perineal trauma can cause such sexual health issues. Additionally, overall sexual function can decline during pregnancy making it challenging to return to previous levels of sexual function with associated physical trauma. Birth trauma can cause various psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress, depression, or other mental health conditions. Taking preventative measures to ameliorate birth trauma can increase maternal mental and sexual wellness. It also is important to note the disparities faced by minority women in obstetrics. Minority women are at a higher risk for experiencing a negative birthing process. In general, minority communities face challenges in accessing the necessary resources to mitigate birth trauma or receive sufficient mental and sexual health care. In addition, many minority communities stigmatize mental and sexual health, preventing them from accessing the care they need. Since underserved, minority women have more morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy and delivery than other populations of women, they are more subject to adverse outcomes, including compromised sexual function.

Conclusions

Acknowledging racism and stigmas in obstetrics is necessary for establishing culturally competent and equitable healthcare. This is important for creating a safe and positive environment for mothers during the birthing process, lessening the chances of birth trauma, and therefore improving overall maternal mental and sexual wellness post-partum.

Disclosure

No.
A strategy for studying epigenetic diversity in natural populations: proof of concept in poplar and oak
Authors: Lesur Isabelle , Rogier Odile , Sow Mamadou Dia , Boury Christophe , Duplan Alexandre , Garnier Abel , Senhaji-Rachik Abdeljalil , Civan Peter , Daron Josquin , Delaunay Alain , Duvaux Ludovic , Benoit Vanina , Guichoux Erwan , Le Provost Grégoire , Sanou Edmond , Ambroise Christophe , Plomion Christophe , Salse Jérôme , Segura Vincent , Tost Jörg , Maury Stéphane
Published: June 2024

In the last 20 years, several techniques have been developed for quantifying DNA methylation, the most studied epigenetic marks in eukaryotes, including the gold standard method, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). WGBS quantifies genome-wide DNA methylation but has several inconveniences rendering it less suitable for population-scale epigenetic studies. The high cost of deep sequencing and the large amounts of data generated prompted us to seek an alternative approach. Restricting studies to parts of the genome would be a satisfactory alternative had there not been a major limitation: the need to select upstream targets corresponding to differentially methylated regions as targets. Given the need to study large numbers of samples, we propose a strategy for investigating DNA methylation variation in natural populations, taking into account the structural complexity of genomes, their size, and their content in unique coding regions versus repeated regions as transposable elements. We first identified regions of highly variable DNA methylation in a subset of genotypes representative of the biological diversity in the population by WGBS. We then analysed the variations of DNA methylation in these targeted regions at the population level by sequencing capture bisulfite (SeqCapBis). The entire strategy was then validated by applying it to another species. Our strategy was developed as a proof of concept on natural populations of two forest species: Populus nigra and Quercus petraea.
UVIT Study of the MAgellanic Clouds (U-SMAC) – I. Recent star formation history and kinematics of the Shell region in the north-eastern Small Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Hota Sipra , Subramaniam Annapurni , Dhanush S R , Cioni Maria-Rosa L , Subramanian Smitha
Published: June 2024

The interactions between the Magellanic Clouds significantly affect the shape and distribution of the young stellar population, particularly in the periphery of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We present the first far-UV (FUV) map of the north-east SMC-Shell region using the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) onboard AstroSat. The detected FUV stars are combined with Gaia Early Data Release 3 data to create a FUV–optical catalogue of ∼14 400 stars. FUV–optical colour-magnitude diagrams are used along with isochrones to estimate the stellar ages. The detected stars are formed in multiple episodes. We identified two episodes of star formation (∼60 and ∼260 Myr ago), where the episode at ∼260 Myr is linked to the recent interaction with the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the episode at ∼60 Myr is linked to the pericentric passage of the SMC around our Galaxy. The median proper motion (PM) and velocity dispersion are found to be similar to the SMC main body, indicating that this region has not experienced significant tidal effects. The FUV stellar surface density and the dispersion in PM suggest that the extent of the inner SMC in the north-east direction to be around 2.2°. We detect arm-like and arc-like structures in the FUV stellar density map, and their kinematics appear to be similar to the SMC main body. These extended outer features are the spatial stellar overdensities formed over multiple episodes of star formation, but without apparent kinematic distinction.
Turbulence and the characteristics of circumstellar discs
Authors: Riaz R , Schleicher D R G , Vanaverbeke S , Klessen Ralf S , Saavedra-Bastidas J
Published: June 2024

We investigate the properties of circumstellar discs (CDs) produced in hydrodynamical simulations of gravoturbulent core collapse considering Kolmogorov and Burger-type turbulence. We report that massive discs are more prevalent in the Kolmogorov regime than for Burger-type turbulence. A significant number of discs are formed with a radius of ∼15 au in both cases. However, the number of extended discs with radii >15 au is significantly larger in case of Kolmogorov turbulence. The two regimes of turbulence, in general, yield disc radii in the ranges of 7−30 au and 13−39 au, respectively. The corresponding ranges of the disc masses are 30.37 MJup−0.92 M⊙ and 2.09 MJup−0.13 M⊙, respectively. Moreover, the ratio Mdisc/Mstar is higher in models of Kolmogorov-type turbulence than in models of Burgers-type turbulence. We do not find any correlation between Rdisc and Mdisc over the explored range of initial temperatures (8−14 K) and the type of turbulence. Also, for these initial thermal variations, the turbulent CD structures do not exhibit signs of turbulent diffusion. Nonetheless, both sub- and supersonic velocity dispersions cause variations in the specific angular momentum of infalling gas, especially for CDs with radii ∼ 16−21 au. The radial profiles of CDs do not correlate with the initial conditions.
Polar alignment of a dusty circumbinary disc – I. Dust ring formation
Authors: Smallwood Jeremy L , Lin Min-Kai , Aly Hossam , Nealon Rebecca , Longarini Cristiano
Published: June 2024

We investigate the formation of dust traffic jams in polar-aligning circumbinary discs. We use 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamical simulations of both gas and dust to model an initially highly misaligned circumbinary disc around an eccentric binary. As the circumbinary disc evolves to a polar configuration (perpendicular to the binary orbital plane), the difference in the precession between the gas and dust produces dust traffic jams, which become dense dust rings. We find the formation of dust rings exists for different Stokes number, binary eccentricity, and initial disc tilt. Dust rings are only produced while the circumbinary disc is misaligned to the binary orbital plane. When the disc becomes polar aligned, the dust rings are still present and long-lived. Once these dust rings are formed, they drift inward. The drift time-scale depends on the Stokes number. The lower the Stokes number, the faster the dust ring drifts near the inner edge of the disc. The dust rings will have an increased mid-plane dust-to-go ratio, which may be a favourable environment for the steaming instability to operate.
Self-consistent modelling of the Milky Way structure using live potentials
Authors: Durán-Camacho Eva , Duarte-Cabral Ana , Pettitt Alex R , Treß Robin G , Clark Paul C , Klessen Ralf S , Bogue Kamran R J , Smith Rowan J , Sormani Mattia C
Published: June 2024

To advance our understanding of the evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) of our Galaxy, numerical models of Milky Way (MW) type galaxies are widely used. However, most models only vaguely resemble the MW (e.g. in total mass), and often use imposed analytic potentials (which cannot evolve dynamically). This poses a problem in asserting their applicability for the interpretation of observations of our own Galaxy. The goal of this work is to identify a numerical model that is not only an MW-type galaxy, but one that can mimic some of the main observed structures of our Galaxy, using dynamically evolving potentials, so that it can be used as a base model to study the ISM cycle in a galaxy like our own. This paper introduces a suite of 15 MW-type galaxy models developed using the arepo numerical code, that are compared to Galactic observations of $^{12}$CO and H i emission via longitude–velocity plots, from where we extract and compare the skeletons of major galactic features and the terminal gas velocities. We found that our best-fitting model to the overall structure, also reproduces some of the more specific observed features of the MW, including a bar with a pattern speed of $30.0 \pm 0.2$ km s$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-1}$, and a bar half-length of $3.2 \pm 0.8$ kpc. Our model shows large streaming motions around spiral arms, and strong radial motions well beyond the inner bar. This model highlights the complex motions of a dynamic MW-type galaxy and has the potential to offer valuable insight into how our Galaxy regulates the ISM and star formation.