bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Workflow and Electrogram guidance to reduce X-ray Exposure Time during cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation: the SWEET-Cryo strategy
Authors: Rodríguez Muñoz Daniel , Marco del Castillo Álvaro , Rajjoub Al-Mahdi Ez Alddin , Lázaro Rivera Carla , Guisasola Cienfuegos María , Ramos Jiménez Javier , Borrego Bernabé Luis , Arribas Ynsaurriaga Fernando , Salguero-Bodes Rafael
Published: July 2023

Aims

Cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB-PVI) offers similar efficacy to point-by-point radiofrequency PVI for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but generally with higher X-ray exposure. Strategies aimed at reducing fluoroscopy mostly rely on other costly imaging techniques, limiting their applicability. We designed a Systematic Workflow and Electrogram guidance to reduce X-ray Exposure Time during CB-PVI (SWEET-Cryo) strategy and analysed its impact on fluoroscopy use and acute procedural and clinical outcomes.

Methods and results

We enrolled 100 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF undergoing CB-PVI by two operators with different levels of expertise. Patients treated with the SWEET-Cryo strategy (prospective cohort; n = 50) or conventional fluoroscopy (retrospective control cohort; n = 50) were compared. When applied by the senior operator, the SWEET-Cryo strategy significantly reduced the mean fluoroscopy time (FT) (2.6 ± 1.25 vs. 20.3 ± 10.8 min) and mean dose area product (DAP) (5.1 ± 3.8 vs. 35.3 ± 22.3 Gy cm2) compared with those of the control group, respectively (P < 0.001). Significant reductions in FT (6.4 ± 2.5 min vs. 32.5 ± 10.05) and DAP (13.9 ± 7.7 vs. 92.3 ± 63.8) were also achieved by the less experienced operator (P < 0.001). No difference was observed in acute and long-term complications or freedom from AF between fluoroscopy strategies during a 33-month median follow-up. Mean FT was maintained below 3 min in randomly selected cases performed during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

In contrast to conventional protocols and regardless of the operator’s experience, the optimized SWEET-Cryo strategy dramatically reduced fluoroscopy exposure during CB-PVI. The efficacy, safety, or added costs of the ablation procedure were not compromised.
Urine-based Detection of Congenital Portosystemic Shunt in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Yeoh Beng San , Golonka Rachel M , Saha Piu , Kandalgaonkar Mrunmayee R , Tian Yuan , Osman Islam , Patterson Andrew D , Gewirtz Andrew T , Joe Bina , Vijay-Kumar Matam
Published: July 2023

Sporadic occurrence of congenital portosystemic shunt (PSS) at a rate of ∼1 out of 10 among C57BL/6 J mice, which are widely used in biomedical research, results in aberrancies in serologic, metabolic, and physiologic parameters. Therefore, mice with PSS should be identified as outliers in research. Accordingly, we sought methods to, reliably and efficiently, identify PSS mice. Serum total bile acids ≥ 40 µm is a bona fide biomarker of PSS in mice but utility of this biomarker is limited by its cost and invasiveness, particularly if large numbers of mice are to be screened. This led us to investigate if assay of urine might serve as a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive means of PSS diagnosis. Metabolome profiling uncovered that Krebs cycle intermediates, that is, citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and fumarate, were strikingly and distinctly elevated in the urine of PSS mice. We leveraged the iron-chelating and pH-lowering properties of such metabolites as the basis for 3 urine-based PSS screening tests: urinary iron-chelation assay, pH strip test, and phenol red assay. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of using these colorimetric assays, whereby their readout can be assessed by direct observation, to diagnose PSS in an inexpensive, rapid, and noninvasive manner. Application of our urinary PSS screening protocols can aid biomedical research by enabling stratification of PSS mice, which, at present, likely confound numerous ongoing studies.
Dictionary Representation of the Semantics of Adjectives Signifying Emotions
Authors: Halczak Paulina
Published: July 2023

Naming emotions may pose a serious problem for foreign language learners as emotion words constitute a complex semantic field. Here is where monolingual learners’ dictionaries turn out to be useful. The paper reports on a comparative analysis of dictionary representation of the semantics of adjectives signifying emotions. To investigate the treatment of this semantic field, twenty-four adjectives are looked up in the five British pedagogical dictionaries published by Oxford, Cambridge, Longman, Macmillan and Collins. The qualitative analysis concentrates on definitions as primary carriers of meaning. Yet, examples, grammatical information and additional sources of information within a dictionary entry are also given attention. The study demonstrates that some inconsistencies in defining emotion words in individual dictionaries can be spotted. The value of examples is limited: some focus merely on presenting a word’s syntactic properties. Thus, the combination of the definition and the examples both clarifying meaning and illustrating the typical use of the words is judged to best represent meaning. The paper suggests model definitions of adjectives signifying emotions and offers recommendations aiming at improving the representation of their meaning in dictionaries.
Breast cancer care amidst a pandemic: a scoping review to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on health services and health outcomes
Authors: Myers Charlotte , Bennett Kathleen , Cahir Caitriona
Published: July 2023

Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services for breast cancer (BC) have been disrupted. Our scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC services, health outcomes, and well-being for women. Additionally, this review identifies social inequalities specific to BC during the pandemic. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, the literature search was conducted using scientific databases starting from March 2020 through November 2021. Studies were identified and selected by two researchers based on inclusion criteria, and the relevant data were extracted and charted to summarize the findings. Ninety-three articles were included in this review. Main themes included are as follows: (i) the impact of COVID-19 on BC services; (ii) the impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes and well-being in women with BC; and (iii) any variation in the impact of COVID-19 on BC by social determinants of health. There were apparent disruptions to BC services across the cancer continuum, especially screening services. Clinical repercussions were a result of such disruptions, and women with BC experienced worsened quality of life and psychosocial well-being. Finally, there were social inequalities dependent on social determinants of health such as age, race, insurance status, and region. Due to the disruption of BC services during the COVID-19 pandemic, women were impacted on their health and overall well-being. The variation in impact demonstrates how health inequities have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This comprehensive review will inform timely health-care changes to minimize long-term impacts of the pandemic and improve evidence-based multidisciplinary needs.
New Method for Rapid 3D Reconstruction of Semi-Transparent Underwater Animals and Structures
Authors: Daniels Joost , Sainz Giovanna , Katija Kakani
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Morphological features are the primary identifying properties of most animals and key to many comparative physiological studies, yet current techniques for preservation and documentation of soft-bodied marine animals are limited in terms of quality and accessibility. Digital records can complement physical specimens, with a wide array of applications ranging from species description to kinematics modeling, but options are lacking for creating models of soft-bodied semi-transparent underwater animals. We developed a lab-based technique that can live-scan semi-transparent, submerged animals, and objects within seconds. To demonstrate the method, we generated full three-dimensional reconstructions (3DRs) of an object of known dimensions for verification, as well as two live marine animals—a siphonophore and an amphipod—allowing detailed measurements on each. Techniques like these pave the way for faster data capture, integrative and comparative quantitative approaches, and more accessible collections of fragile and rare biological samples.
An E-survey study protocol for the perception of African healthcare professionals on the intrathecal injection of antitetanic serum for the treatment of tetanus
Authors: Tangmi Djabo Eric Adrien , Mbougo Voufo Jolyvette , Muili Abdulbasit Opeyemi , Tchato Ngassam Fustel Valmy , Naeem Ahmed , Ibekwe Jonas Lotanna , Emhemed Marwa SaedAli , Asogwa Chukwebuka Stanley , Kyaruzi Victor Meza
Published: July 2023

Background

Tetanus remains a public health neuroinfectious burden in Africa, accounting for the long stay in hospitals. For the past two decades, intrathecal injection of antitetanic serum has been described by several meta-analyses as the therapy for the treatment of tetanus with the best outcome. Particularly with neonatal tetanus, but in Africa, the reality faced by healthcare professionals is in contradiction to the literature. This study aims to assess the perception of healthcare professionals regarding the intrathecal administration of antitetanic serum for the treatment of tetanus, to decide on which action to undertake to preserve patients’ health.

Methodology

Data will be collected through a self-administered Qualtrics questionnaire from a Qualtrics account. The minimum and maximum sample sizes calculated were, respectively, 384 and 426. Anonymous links to the three versions of the questionnaire will be disseminated from 15 May 2023 to 15 July 2023, through mobile phones, social media (WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Telegram) and e-mail. Ata shall be analyzed with SPSS version 26 (IBM, WA, USA). The analyzed data will be presented as frequency tables and charts. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals, Chi-Square test and analysis of variance will be used to test for associations between independent and dependent variables. A P-value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Dissemination

Our study findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and the abstract will be presented at an international conference.
Clinical evaluation of a dermatophyte RT-PCR assay and its impact on the turn-around-time: A prospective study
Authors: Debuysschere Cyril , Blairon Laurent , Cupaiolo Roberto , Beukinga Ingrid , Tré-Hardy Marie
Published: July 2023

Onychomycosis is an important public health problem whose prevalence continues to grow and impact public health at several levels. Nevertheless, today the main diagnostic methods used in routine practice have many drawbacks. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the clinical performance of a new multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (Novaplex®) in the identification of the causative agent on nail samples, and its impact on the turnaround time, compared to our traditional laboratory methods.

From June 2022 to December 2022, all nail samples sent to our laboratory for suspected onychomycosis were included in this prospective study. We collected for each sample the results obtained with the Novaplex® PCR method and with the traditional direct microscopy examination and culture. Each discordant result was checked using a third method, which is another PCR method (DermaGenius® kit) as a resolver. For culture-positive samples, a turnaround time was calculated and compared to the one obtained with the Novaplex® method.

A total of 131 samples were included. Among them, 5 were positive (3.8%) on direct microscopy, 33 were positive (25.2%) after culture, and 98 were negative (74.8%). All positive (n = 33) and negative (n = 69) cultures were also positive/negative with the Novaplex® PCR. Twenty-nine samples were positive with the Novaplex® method but negative with culture (discordant results). The percentage agreement between the culture and the Novaplex® methods was 77.9% (102 out of 131). While tested with the resolver (DermaGenius® PCR), 28 out of 29 discordant results were similarly found positive. The percentage agreement between the two PCR methods (Novaplex® and DermaGenius®) was 96.6%. The Novaplex® PCR method evaluated proved to be very reliable and allowed the direct identification of 62 out of 131 positive samples (47.3%) with the following distribution: 79.0% of Trichophyton rubrum complex, 11.3% of Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, 6.5% of both Trichophyton rubrum complex and Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex, and 3.2% of Candida albicans. The median time [± 95% CI] for positive culture (between incubation and validation of the final identification) was 15 [12–23] days, while the turnaround time for the Novaplex® method adapted to our clinical laboratory routine is ≤7 days.

Laboratory confirmation of onychomycosis is crucial and should always be obtained before starting treatment. The evaluated PCR method offered a rapid, reliable, robust, and inexpensive method of identification of the causative agent compared to traditional methods.
Testing the dynamic origin of Quasi-periodic Oscillations in MAXI J1535−571 and H 1743−322
Authors: Rawat Divya , Husain Nazma , Misra Ranjeev
Published: July 2023

We investigate spectro-temporal properties for two black hole X-ray binary sources, MAXI J1535−571 and H 1743−322, during their hard and hard-intermediate states. For MAXI J1535−571, we analyse swift/XRT, NuSTAR, and nicer observations, specifically focusing on the occurrence of type-C Quasi-periodic Oscillations (QPOs). Regarding H 1743−322, we analyse multi-epoch observations of nicer and AstroSat, identifying a type-C QPO with centroid frequency ranging from 0.1–0.6 Hz. In both sources, we fit the spectra with a relativistic truncated disc and a power-law component. In MAXI J1535−571, we also observe an additional relativistically smeared iron-line. Through temporal and spectral analysis, we estimate the QPO centroid frequency and spectral parameters, such as the accretion rate and inner disc radii. We test the origin of type-C QPOs as relativistic precession frequency, and dynamic frequency (i.e. the inverse of the sound crossing time $\frac{r}{c_\mathrm{ s}(r)}$). The dependence of QPO frequency on both the accretion rate and inner disc radii favours the QPO origin as dynamic frequency. We discuss the implications of these results.
Mapping the stellar population and gas excitation of MaNGA galaxies with megacubes. Results for AGN versus control sample
Authors: Riffel Rogério , Mallmann Nicolas D , Rembold Sandro B , Ilha Gabriele S , Riffel Rogemar A , Storchi-Bergmann Thaisa , Ruschel-Dutra Daniel , Vazdekis Alexandre , Martín-Navarro Ignacio , Schimoia Jaderson S , Ramos Almeida Cristina , da Costa Luiz N , Vila-Verde Glauber C , Gatto Lara
Published: July 2023

We present spaxel-by-spaxel stellar population fits for the ∼10 000 MaNGA data cubes. We provide multiple extension fits files, nominated as megacubes, with maps of several properties as well as emission-line profiles that are provided for each spaxel. All the megacubes are available through a web interface (https://manga.linea.org.br/ or http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~riffel/software/megacubes/). We also defined a final Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) sample, as well as a control sample matching the AGN host galaxy properties. We have analysed the stellar populations and spatially resolved emission-line diagnostic diagrams of these AGNs and compared them with the control galaxies sample. We find that the relative fractions of young (t ≤56 Myr) and intermediate-age (100 Myr ≤t ≤ 2 Gyr) show predominantly a positive gradient for both AGNs and controls. The relative fraction of intermediate-age stellar population is higher in AGN hosts when compared to the control sample, and this difference becomes larger for higher [O iii] luminosity AGNs. We attribute this to the fact that extra gas is available in these more luminous sources and that it most likely originates from mass-loss from the intermediate-age stars. The spatially resolved diagnostic diagrams reveal that the AGN emission is concentrated in the inner 0.5 Re (effective radius) region of the galaxies, showing that the AGN classification is aperture dependent and that emission-line ratios have to be taken together with the H α equivalent width for proper activity classification. We present a composite ‘BPT+WHAN’ diagram that produces a more comprehensive mapping of the gas excitation.
Galaxy evolution in compact groups – I. Revealing a transitional galaxy population through a multiwavelength approach
Authors: Montaguth Gissel P , Torres-Flores Sergio , Monachesi Antonela , Gómez Facundo A , Lima-Dias Ciria , Cortesi Arianna , Mendes de Oliveira Claudia , Telles Eduardo , Panda Swayamtrupta , Grossi Marco , Lopes Paulo A A , Hernandez-Jimenez Jose A , Kanaan Antonio , Ribeiro Tiago , Schoenell William
Published: July 2023

Compact groups (CGs) of galaxies show members with morphological disturbances, mainly products of galaxy–galaxy interactions, thus making them ideal systems to study galaxy evolution, in high-density environment. To understand how this environment affects the properties of galaxies, we select a sample of 340 CGs in the Stripe 82 region, for a total of 1083 galaxies, and a sample of 2281 field galaxies as a control sample. By performing a multiwavelength morphological fitting process using Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey data, we divide our sample into early-type galaxies (ETGs), late-type galaxies (LTGs), and transition galaxies using the r-band Sérsic index and the colour (u − r). We find a bimodal distribution in the plane of the effective radius – Sérsic index, where a secondary ‘peculiar’ galaxy population of smaller and more compact galaxies is found in CGs, which is not observed in the control sample. This indicates that galaxies are undergoing a morphological transformation in CGs. In addition, we find significant statistical differences in the distribution of specific star-formation rate (sSFR) when we compare both environments for LTGs and ETGs. We also find a higher fraction of quenched galaxies and a lower median sSFR in CGs than in the control sample, suggesting the existence of environmental effects favouring the cessation of star formation, regardless of galaxy type. Our results support the notion that CGs promote morphological and physical transformations, highlighting their potential as ideal systems for galaxy pre-processing.
Hubble Space Telescope survey of Magellanic Cloud star clusters: UV-dim stars in young clusters
Authors: Milone A P , Cordoni G , Marino A F , Muratore F , D’Antona F , Di Criscienzo M , Dondoglio E , Lagioia E P , Legnardi M V , Mohandasan A , Ziliotto T , Dell’Agli F , Tailo M , Ventura P
Published: July 2023

Young and intermediate-age star clusters of both Magellanic Clouds exhibit complex colour–magnitude diagrams. In addition to the extended main-sequence turn-offs (eMSTOs), commonly observed in star clusters younger than ∼2 Gyr, the clusters younger than ∼800 Myr exhibit split main sequences (MSs). These comprise a blue MS, composed of stars with low rotation rates, and a red MS, which hosts fast-rotating stars. While it is widely accepted that stellar populations with different rotation rates are responsible for the eMSTOs and split MSs, their formation and evolution are still debated. A recent investigation of the ∼1.7-Gyr-old cluster NGC 1783 detected a group of eMSTO stars extremely dim in ultraviolet (UV) bands. Here, we use multiband Hubble Space Telescope photometry to investigate five star clusters younger than ∼200 Myr, including NGC 1805, NGC 1818, NGC 1850, and NGC 2164 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and the Small Magellanic Cloud cluster NGC 330. We discover a group of bright MS stars in each cluster that are significantly dim in the F225W and F275W bands, similar to what is observed in NGC 1783. Our result suggests that UV-dim stars are common in young clusters. The evidence that most of them populate the blue MS indicates that they are slow rotators. As a by-product, we show that the star clusters NGC 1850 and BHRT 5b exhibit different proper motions, thus corroborating the evidence that they are not gravitationally bound.
On the need of an ultramassive black hole in OJ 287
Authors: Valtonen Mauri J , Zola Staszek , Gopakumar A , Lähteenmäki Anne , Tornikoski Merja , Dey Lankeswar , Gupta Alok C , Pursimo Tapio , Knudstrup Emil , Gomez Jose L , Hudec Rene , Jelínek Martin , Štrobl Jan , Berdyugin Andrei V , Ciprini Stefano , Reichart Daniel E , Kouprianov Vladimir V , Matsumoto Katsura , Drozdz Marek , Mugrauer Markus , Sadun Alberto , Zejmo Michal , Sillanpää Aimo , Lehto Harry J , Nilsson Kari , Imazawa Ryo , Uemura Makoto , Davidson James W
Published: July 2023

The highly variable blazar OJ 287 is commonly discussed as an example of a binary black hole system. The 130 yr long optical light curve is well explained by a model where the central body is a massive black hole of 18.35 $\times$ 109 solar mass that supports a thin accretion disc. The secondary black hole of 0.15 $\times$ 109 solar mass impacts the disc twice during its 12 yr orbit, and causes observable flares. Recently, it has been argued that an accretion disc with a typical Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) accretion rate and above mentioned central body mass should be at least six magnitudes brighter than OJ 287’s host galaxy and would therefore be observationally excluded. Based on the observations of OJ 287’s radio jet, detailed in Marscher and Jorstad (2011), and up-to-date accretion disc models of Azadi et al. (2022), we show that the V-band magnitude of the accretion disc is unlikely to exceed the host galaxy brightness by more than one magnitude, and could well be fainter than the host. This is because accretion power is necessary to launch the jet as well as to create electromagnetic radiation, distributed across many wavelengths, and not concentrated especially on the optical V-band. Further, we note that the claimed V-band concentration of accretion power leads to serious problems while interpreting observations of other AGN. Therefore, we infer that the mass of the primary black hole and its accretion rate do not need to be smaller than what is determined in the standard model for OJ 287.
On the origin of extreme trans-Neptunian objects within Modified Newtonian Dynamics
Authors: Migaszewski Cezary
Published: July 2023

In this work, we investigate the dynamical origin of extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) under the action of the External Field Effect (EFE), which is a consequence of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) applied to gravity around the Sun embedded in the gravitational field of the Galaxy. We perform N-body integrations of known ETNOs treated as massless particles and perturbed by four giant planets and EFE. Backward integrations show that these objects originated in the giant planet region, from where they were scattered and then evolved to their current orbits. A striking example of such evolution is Sedna, which may have been temporarily in a horseshoe orbit with Jupiter and Saturn only 30 Myr ago. Another interesting example is the newly discovered retrograde ETNOs, whose dynamical connection with prograde ETNOs and Centaurs is shown. The EFE is considered as an alternative to Planet Nine in explaining the anomalous distribution of ETNO orbits, namely the orbital plane clustering and apsidal confinement. We also analyse the effect of MOND on the obliquity of the solar spin with respect to the invariant plane of the solar system.
Delayed appearance and evolution of coronal lines in the TDE AT2019qiz
Authors: Short P , Lawrence A , Nicholl M , Ward M , Reynolds T M , Mattila S , Yin C , Arcavi I , Carnall A , Charalampopoulos P , Gromadzki M , Jonker P G , Kim S , Leloudas G , Mandel I , Onori F , Pursiainen M , Schulze S , Villforth C , Wevers T
Published: July 2023

Tidal disruption events (TDEs) occur when a star gets torn apart by a supermassive black hole as it crosses its tidal radius. We present late-time optical and X-ray observations of the nuclear transient AT2019qiz, which showed the typical signs of an optical-UV transient class commonly believed to be TDEs. Optical spectra were obtained 428, 481, and 828 rest-frame days after optical light-curve peak, and a UV/X-ray observation coincided with the later spectrum. The optical spectra show strong coronal emission lines, including [Fe vii], [Fe x], [Fe xi], and [Fe xiv]. The Fe lines rise and then fall, except [Fe xiv] that appears late and rises. We observe increasing flux of narrow H α and H β and a decrease in broad H α flux. The coronal lines have full width at half-maximum ranging from ∼150−300 km s−1, suggesting they originate from a region between the broad- and narrow-line emitting gas. Between the optical flare and late-time observation, the X-ray spectrum softens dramatically. The 0.3–1 keV X-ray flux increases by a factor of ∼50, while the hard X-ray flux decreases by a factor of ∼6. Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer fluxes also rose over the same period, indicating the presence of an infrared echo. With AT2017gge, AT2019qiz is one of two examples of a spectroscopically confirmed optical-UV TDE showing delayed coronal line emission, supporting speculations that Extreme Coronal Line Emitters in quiescent galaxies can be echos of unobserved past TDEs. We argue that the coronal lines, narrow lines, and infrared emission arise from the illumination of pre-existing material likely related to either a previous TDE or active galactic nucleus activity.
The occurrence rate of quiescent radio emission for ultracool dwarfs using a generalized semi-analytical Bayesian framework
Authors: Kao Melodie M , Shkolnik Evgenya L
Published: July 2023

We present a generalized analytical Bayesian framework for calculating the occurrence rate of steady emission (or absorption) in astrophysical objects. As a proof-of-concept, we apply this framework to non-flaring quiescent radio emission in ultracool (≤M7) dwarfs. Using simulations, we show that our framework recovers the simulated radio occurrence rate to within 1–5 per cent for sample sizes of 10–100 objects when averaged over an ensemble of trials and simulated occurrence rates for our assumed luminosity distribution models. In contrast, existing detection rate studies may underpredict the simulated rate by 51–66 per cent because of sensitivity limits. Using all available literature results for samples of 82 ultracool M dwarfs, 74 L dwarfs, and 23 T/Y dwarfs, we find that the maximum-likelihood quiescent radio occurrence rate is between $15^{+4}_{-4}$ and $20^{+6}_{-5}$ per cent, depending on the luminosity prior that we assume. Comparing each spectral type, we find occurrence rates of $17^{+9}_{-7}$–$25^{+13}_{-10}$ per cent for M dwarfs, $10^{+5}_{-4}$–$13^{+7}_{-5}$ per cent for L dwarfs, and $23^{+11}_{-9}$–$29^{+13}_{-11}$ per cent for T/Y dwarfs. We rule out potential selection effects and speculate that age and/or rotation may account for tentative evidence that the quiescent radio occurrence rate of L dwarfs may be suppressed compared to M and T/Y dwarfs. Finally, we discuss how we can harness our occurrence rate framework to carefully assess the possible physics that may be contributing to observed occurrence rate trends.
Mapping the milky way’s stellar halo with 2D data
Authors: Chen Anda , Li Zhigang , Wang Yougang , Gong Yan , Chen Xuelei , Long Richard J
Published: July 2023

We propose a new method for measuring the spatial density distribution of the stellar halo of the Milky Way. Our method is based on a pairwise statistic of the distribution of stars in the sky, the angular two-point correlation function (ATPCF). The ATPCF utilizes two-dimensional data of stars only and is therefore immune to the large uncertainties in the determination of distances to stars. We test our method using mock stellar data coming from various models including the single power-law (SPL) and the broken power-law (BPL) density profiles. We also test the influence of axisymmetric flattening factors using both constant and varying values. We find that the ATPCF is a powerful tool for recovering the spatial distributions of the stellar haloes in our models. We apply our method to observational data from the type ab RR Lyrae catalogue in the Catalina Survey Data Release 1. In the 3-parameter BPL model, we find that $s_{1}=2.46_{-0.20}^{+0.18}, s_{2}=3.99_{-1.33}^{+0.75}$, and $r_{0}=31.11_{-5.88}^{+7.61}$, which are in good agreement with previous results. We also find that introducing an extra parameter, the radially varying flattening factor, greatly improves our ability to model accurately the observed data distribution. This implies perhaps that the stellar halo of the Milky Way should be regarded as oblate.
CCR4 predicts the efficacy of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis patients through the estimation of Th17 and Treg cell abundance
Authors: Tanaka Shigeru , Etori Keishi , Hattori Koto , Tamura Jun , Ikeda Kei , Kageyama Takahiro , Meguro Kazuyuki , Iwamoto Taro , Iwata Arifumi , Furuta Shunsuke , Suto Akira , Suzuki Kotaro , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Predicting the efficacy of biological disease–modifying antirheumatic drugs is challenging. In this study, we aimed to explore markers that predict the efficacy of abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

Thirty RA patients receiving abatacept were recruited, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the participants were subjected to DNA microarray analysis. The expression of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), which was selected by the result of DNA microarray, was determined by flow cytometry in 16 newly diagnosed treatment-naïve RA patients. CCR4 expression on each helper T-cell subset was also measured.

Results

CCR4 was upregulated in the abatacept responder. The expression levels of CCR4 were significantly correlated with the improvement of the Clinical Disease Activity Index. CCR4 expression was predominantly observed in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The percentage of CCR4-expressing CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in RA patients than in healthy individuals. Interestingly, Th17 and Treg cells expressed high levels of CCR4 compared to non-Th17-related helper T cells.

Conclusions

CCR4 is a Th17- and Treg-related gene, and the high CCR4 expression in peripheral blood samples may predict the efficacy of abatacept in RA.
Detecting intragenic trans-splicing events from non-co-linearly spliced junctions by hybrid sequencing
Authors: Chen Yu-Chen , Chen Chia-Ying , Chiang Tai-Wei , Chan Ming-Hsien , Hsiao Michael , Ke Huei-Mien , Tsai Isheng Jason , Chuang Trees-Juen
Published: July 2023

Trans-spliced RNAs (ts-RNAs) are a type of non-co-linear (NCL) transcripts that consist of exons in an order topologically inconsistent with the corresponding DNA template. Detecting ts-RNAs is often interfered by experimental artifacts, circular RNAs (circRNAs) and genetic rearrangements. Particularly, intragenic ts-RNAs, which are derived from separate precursor mRNA molecules of the same gene, are often mistaken for circRNAs through analyses of RNA-seq data. Here we developed a bioinformatics pipeline (NCLscan-hybrid), which integrated short and long RNA-seq reads to minimize false positives and proposed out-of-circle and rolling-circle long reads to distinguish between intragenic ts-RNAs and circRNAs. Combining NCLscan-hybrid screening and multiple experimental validation steps successfully confirmed that four NCL events, which were previously regarded as circRNAs in databases, originated from trans-splicing. CRISPR-based endogenous genome modification experiments further showed that flanking intronic complementary sequences can significantly contribute to ts-RNA formation, providing an efficient/specific method to deplete ts-RNAs. We also experimentally validated that one ts-RNA (ts-ARFGEF1) played an important role for p53-mediated apoptosis through affecting the PERK/eIF2a/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. This study thus described both bioinformatics procedures and experimental validation steps for rigorous characterization of ts-RNAs, expanding future studies for identification, biogenesis, and function of these important but understudied transcripts.
NAT10-mediated N4-acetylcytidine mRNA modification regulates self-renewal in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Liu Rucong , Wubulikasimu Zibaguli , Cai Runze , Meng Fanyi , Cui Qinghua , Zhou Yuan , Li Yang
Published: July 2023

NAT10-catalyzed N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) has emerged as a vital post-transcriptional modulator on the coding transcriptome by promoting mRNA stability. However, its role in mammalian development remains unclear. Here, we found that NAT10 expression positively correlates with pluripotency in vivo and in vitro. High throughput ac4C-targeted RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (ac4C-RIP-seq), NaCNBH3-based chemical ac4C sequencing (ac4C-seq) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assays revealed noticeable ac4C modifications in transcriptome of hESCs, among which transcripts encoding core pluripotency transcription factors are favorable targets of ac4C modification. Further validation assays demonstrate that genetic inactivation of NAT10, the ac4C writer enzyme, led to ac4C level decrease on target genes, promoted the core pluripotency regulator OCT4 (POU5F1) transcript decay, and finally impaired self-renewal and promoted early differentiation in hESCs. Together, our work presented here elucidates a previously unrecognized interconnectivity between the core pluripotent transcriptional network for the maintenance of human ESC self-renewal and NAT10-catalyzed ac4C RNA epigenetic modification.
4Disability Studies
Authors: Dilodovico Amanda
Published: July 2023

This review of disability studies literature published in 2022 examines the field’s current investment in points of departure from ableist and neurotypical access to communication, work, and care. Such topics have been central to practices and theoretical concepts within disability justice movements, the neurodiversity movement, and the space of disability studies scholarship for at least the past fifteen years. While the literature surveyed in this review builds on that corpus, it is also imbued, whether explicitly or implicitly, with the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rhetorical impacts of the 2020 US presidential election and the responses or lack thereof to the longstanding accessibility needs of disabled and neurodivergent populations illuminated through global lockdowns. The review considers Akemi Nishida’s Just Care: Messy Entanglements of Disability, Dependency and Desire, Joshua St. Pierre’s Cheap Talk: Disability and the Politics of Communication, and the spring 2022 special issue on ‘Sex Work and Disability’ from Disability Studies Quarterly.
A tenuis relationship: traditional taxonomy obscures systematics and biogeography of the ‘Acropora tenuis’ (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) species complex
Authors: Bridge Tom C L , Cowman Peter F , Quattrini Andrea M , Bonito Victor E , Sinniger Frederic , Harii Saki , Head Catherine E I , Hung Julia Y , Halafihi Tuikolongahau , Rongo Teina , Baird Andrew H
Published: July 2023

Molecular phylogenetics has fundamentally altered our understanding of the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of corals. Recently developed phylogenomic techniques have started to resolve species-level relationships in the diverse and ecologically important genus Acropora, providing a path to resolve the taxonomy of this notoriously problematic group. We used a targeted capture dataset (2032 loci) to investigate systematic relationships within an Acropora clade containing the putatively widespread species Acropora tenuis and its relatives. Using maximum likelihood phylogenies and genetic clustering of single nucleotide polymorphisms from specimens, including topotypes, collected across the Indo-Pacific, we show ≥ 11 distinct lineages in the clade, only four of which correspond to currently accepted species. Based on molecular, morphological and geographical evidence, we describe two new species; Acropora rongoi n. sp. and Acropora tenuissima n. sp. and remove five additional nominal species from synonymy. Systematic relationships revealed by our molecular phylogeny are incongruent with traditional morphological taxonomy and demonstrate that characters traditionally used to delineate species boundaries and infer evolutionary history are homoplasies. Furthermore, we show that species within this clade have much smaller geographical ranges and, consequently, population sizes than currently thought, a finding with profound implications for conservation and management of reef corals.
CE: Nursing Care for Patients After Ostomy Surgery
Authors: Cross Heidi H.
Published: July 2023

When patients who undergo ostomy surgery do not have access to an ostomy care nurse, staff nurses must assume responsibility for providing ostomy care and educational support. However, many staff nurses may lack the necessary knowledge and skills to provide this type of care. This article details the basics of pre- and postoperative care and patient education for nurses who encounter patients with two of the most common types of ostomy surgery of the bowel: colostomy and ileostomy. It covers the care of a new stoma and provides information about emptying and changing the pouch, nutritional and lifestyle considerations, and possible complications.
A New Classification for Adipose-derived Stromal-cell Systems
Authors: Copcu H. Eray
Published: July 2023

Obtaining regenerative cells from adipose tissue and their clinical use has become one of the most popular subjects of plastic surgery. However, there is no accepted classification in terms of methods. In this study, classification is proposed for the first time as a new idea. Accordingly, stromal cells can be obtained from adipose tissue by two approaches: direct methods for the bonds between parenchymal and stromal cells, and indirect methods, which target parenchymal cells rather than strong bonds, and increase the stromal cell ratio relatively. These methods can also be subclassified as fat (+), fat (−), fat (±) in terms of using the remaining fat in the final product as a graft. Direct methods include adinizing and enzymatic techniques; indirect methods include emulsification and micro-fragmentation/micronization techniques. In the enzymatic method, the fat tissue in the final product is considered dirty because it contains enzymes and must be discarded. That is why it is a fat (−) method. The adinizing method using ultra-sharp blades is fat (+) because the adipose tissue after the procedure can be used. Because the fat tissue is exposed to blunt pressure in emulsification techniques, it cannot be used as a graft. Thus, these are fat (−) methods. In micronization techniques using filter systems, there may still be intact adipocytes; therefore, it should be classified as fat (±). Adinizing provides both the highest efficiency and the full use of the end product. This classification will guide clinicians in terms of choosing the right product.
Evaluation of Community Benefit Activities Among Nonprofit Hospitals, 2018-2021
Authors: Yeager Valerie A. , Burns Ashlyn , Singh Simone R. , Cronin Cory E. , Franz Berkeley
Published: July 2023

Objective:

This study examined approaches that nonprofit hospitals use to evaluate community benefit activities in the Community Health Needs Assessment/Implementation Plan (CHNA/IP) process.

Design:

Content analysis of CHNAs/IPs completed between 2018 and 2021 from a 20% stratified random sample (n = 503) of US nonprofit hospitals.

Main Outcome Measures:

A coding sheet was used to record details about the evaluation content reported by hospitals in their CHNAs/IPs. Evaluation was coded into 4 categories: (1) no mention of evaluation; (2) description of evaluation without reporting any measures; (3) reporting reach (number of people served) only; and (4) reporting social/health outcomes. For logistic regression analyses, categories 1 and 2 were grouped together into “no evaluation measures” and categories 3 and 4 were grouped into “evaluation measures” for binary comparison. Multinomial logistic regression was also used to individually examine categories 3 and 4 compared with no evaluation measures.

Results:

While a majority of nonprofit hospitals (71.4%, n = 359) mentioned evaluation in their CHNAs, almost half (49.7%, n = 250) did not report any evaluation measures. Among the 50.3% (n = 253) of hospitals that reported evaluation measures, 67.2% (n = 170) only reported reach. Fewer than 1 in 5 hospitals (16.5%, n = 83) reported social/health outcomes. Hospitals that hired a consultant (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-2.43) and system members (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.12-2.75) had higher odds of reporting evaluation measures. Using hospitals that reported no measures as the base category, system members (AOR = 7.71; 95% CI, 2.97-20.00) also had significantly higher odds of reporting social/health outcomes, while rural locations had lower odds (AOR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.94).

Conclusions:

Although hospitals are required to evaluate the impact of actions taken to address the health needs identified in their CHNAs, few hospitals are reporting social/health outcomes of such activities. This represents a missed opportunity, as health/social outcomes could be used to inform the allocation of resources to maximize community benefits and the expansion of successful community initiatives.
Efficacy of Combined Conjoint Fascial Sheath and Levator Muscle Composite Flap Suspension for Congenital Severe Ptosis
Authors: Shi Junhu , Liu Zhaochuan , Li Yadi , Song Lihua , Li Yan , Yang Jianwei , Pang Runhui , Zhang Hongbin , Xiao Li , Bai Ping
Published: July 2023

Background:

Conjoint fascial sheath (CFS) suspension has been gradually recognized and accepted for the treatment of congenital severe blepharoptosis in recent years. To address the problem of postoperative upper eyelid position regression of only CFS suspension, the authors designed and implemented a CFS combined levator muscle (LM) complex flap, and analyzed the surgical efficacy of CFS with LM (CFS+LM) compared with frontalis myofascial flap (FMF) suspension surgery.

Methods:

Patients diagnosed with congenital severe ptosis and LM function of 4 mm or less were enrolled. The patients were assigned to either the CFS+LM group or the FMF group, to compare and statistically analyze the postoperative effects of CFS+LM versus FMF suspension.

Results:

Data from 182 patients (220 eyes) were collected in this study, including 89 patients (103 eyes) in the CFS+LM group and 93 patients (117 eyes) in the FMF group. The full correction rate, patient satisfaction, postoperative upper eyelid excursion, and lagophthalmos in the CFS+LM group were significantly better than those in the FMF group. The eyelid retraction rate was significantly higher in the FMF group than in the CFS+LM group. The complication rate in the CFS+LM group was significantly lower than that in the FMF group.

Conclusions:

CFS+LM suspension had better outcomes than FMF suspension. Considering that the CFS tissue could be weak in patients younger than 5 years and have poor muscle elasticity in patients with LM function less than or equal to 1 mm, FMF suspension is recommended first. For patients older than 5 years with severe ptosis, CFS+LM suspension is recommended.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.
Functional use of esthetic hand prosthesis: A patient's perspective
Authors: Leow Michael E. L. , Das De Soumen , Lim Ambrose K. Y. , Puhaindran Mark E. , Chong Alphonsus K. S.
Published: July 2023

Published reports on the functional benefits of esthetic prosthesis are based on either anecdotal evidence or simplified, nonstandard forms of hand function evaluation performed by the researcher. It is not clear whether and how patients actually make functional use of their prosthesis on a daily basis. We report a case of a patient with a partial hand amputation who was initially ambivalent about fitting an esthetic prosthesis, but went on to make functional use of her prosthesis for activities of daily living, work, and social life at 3 years after injury. We present the patient's own assessment and video recordings, made without influence from rehabilitation personnel that demonstrates this functional use. From this case, we discuss the important factors of a favorable residual limb type, together with targeted modifications made to the prosthesis to optimize function.
Delayed Sublingual Edema Following Neonatal Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Miller Emma Marin , Jungbauer Walter Nicholas , Carroll William W. , Pecha Phayvanh P.
Published: July 2023

The authors aim to report a rare sequela following neonatal mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) involving delayed onset sublingual swelling. They performed a retrospective chart review of 3 patients who presented with delayed onset sublingual edema following neonatal MDO. The 3 patients presented at 2, 4, and 12 months following MDO for micrognathia secondary to Robin sequence with intermittent sublingual swelling associated with sialorrhea and feeding difficulties. There was no associated recent illness, fevers, or purulent drainage. All 3 children underwent magnetic resonance imaging which demonstrated asymmetric sublingual gland edema. The edema was located on the left sublingual gland in 2 children and was bilateral in the third. The symptoms continue to recur 25.5±3.3 months (range, 22.3–28.9) postoperatively and all are being managed conservatively. Chronic delayed onset intermittent sublingual edema is a possible long-term complication following neonatal MDO and further studies should explore the incidence and management of this finding.