bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Working Memory Training Reduces Cigarette Smoking Among Low-Income Individuals With Elevated Delay Discounting
Authors: Collado Anahi , Felton Julia , Grunevski Sergej , Doran Kelly , Yi Richard
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The competing neurobehavioral decision systems theory conceptualizes addictive behavior, such as cigarette smoking, as arising from the imbalance between stronger impulsive relative to weaker executive decision processes. Working memory trainings may enhance executive decision processes, yet few studies have evaluated its efficacy on substance misuse, with mixed evidence. The current study is the first to evaluate the efficacy of a working memory training on cigarette smoking. We consider the moderating role of delay discounting (DD), or the preference for smaller, immediately available rewards relative to larger, delayed rewards, which has been associated with smoking onset, progression, and resumption. The investigation focuses on individuals living in high-poverty, low-resource environments due high burden of tobacco-related disease they experience.

Aims and Methods

The study utilized a subset of data (N = 177 individuals who smoke) generated from a randomized clinical trial that is evaluating the efficacy of working memory training for improving health-related outcomes. Participants were randomized to complete up to 15 sessions of the active, working memory training or a control training.

Results

Findings showed that among participants who were randomized to the working memory condition, those with higher rates of baseline DD demonstrated decreases in cigarette smoking (p = .05). Conversely, individuals randomized to the control condition, who had higher rates of baseline DD exhibited increases in cigarette smoking (p = .025).

Conclusions

Results suggest that DD may be an important indicator of working memory training outcomes and a possible approach for effectively targeting treatments in the future.

Implications

DD is important indicator of working memory training outcomes on cigarette smoking. The findings suggest the possibility to effectively target treatments considering the impact of DD. Given that rates of DD tend to be higher among individuals from low-resource communities, and that computer-based working memory training programs are relatively low-cost and scalable, these findings suggest this approach may have specific utility for adults at heightened risk for cigarette use.

This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03501706).
Extensive variation in feather ornaments of Whiskered Auklets in the Aleutian Islands reflects age, sex, condition, and geography
Authors: Jones Ian L , Hunter Fiona M , Seneviratne Sampath S , Williams Jeffrey C , Montgomerie Robert
Published: January 2022

Both sexes of Whiskered Auklets (Aethia pygmaea) display the most elaborate feather ornaments of any seabird: a slender black forehead crest, and 3 bilaterally symmetrical pairs of white facial plumes (superorbital, suborbital, and auricular). We studied patterns of ornament variation in 796 banded individuals (147 of known sex, 254 of known age from 1 to 16 years) during 1992–2009 at Buldir Island (principally), and 3 other Aleutian Islands (Davidof, Ulak, and Egg) in Alaska, USA. As expected for socially selected traits, ornaments were more variable across individuals than anatomical traits in size but with only slightly male-biased sexual dimorphism. Body condition index increased from age 1 to 3 years but changed little thereafter. Even within birds ≥4 years old, ornament size was positively related to body condition index. Subadults (one-year-olds) had smaller ornaments than adults (age 2–16 years) but there was no further change in ornament size as adults aged and no evidence of senescence even in the oldest birds (>8 years old). Nonetheless, overall ornament size varied from year-to-year at Buldir and was correlated with indices of both ocean climate and auklet productivity in the preceding 2–5 years. From Buldir to Egg Island (1,266 km), the size of both anatomical and ornamental traits increased by 5–15% except for bill depth, which was largest in birds from Buldir and Egg at opposite ends of the Aleutian breeding range. This study is one of few to examine patterns of ornament variation in a long-lived, socially monogamous bird, even though such patterns are crucial to understanding the relationship between sexual selection and life history.
Building an Opt-Out Model for Service-Level Consent in the Context of New Data Regulations
Authors: Howarth A R , Estcourt C S , Ashcroft R E , Cassell J A
Published: January 2022

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced in 2018 to harmonize data privacy and security laws across the European Union (EU). It applies to any organization collecting personal data in the EU. To date, service-level consent has been used as a proportionate approach for clinical trials, which implement low-risk, routine, service-wide interventions for which individual consent is considered inappropriate. In the context of public health research, GDPR now requires that individuals have the option to choose whether their data may be used for research, which presents a challenge when consent has been given by the clinical service and not by individual service users. We report here on development of a pragmatic opt-out solution to this consent paradox in the context of a partner notification intervention trial in sexual health clinics in the UK. Our approach supports the individual’s right to withhold their data from trial analysis while routinely offering the same care to all patients.
The Market Risk Premium for Unsecured Consumer Credit Risk
Authors: Fleckenstein Matthias , Longstaff Francis A
Published: January 2022

We use the prices of credit card asset-backed securities to study the market risk premium associated with unsecured consumer credit risk. We find that the market incorporates a substantial credit risk premium into the prices of these securities. Furthermore, there has been a major repricing of unsecured consumer credit risk since the 2007–2009 financial crisis. We find evidence that this increase is linked to balance-sheet costs imposed by postcrisis changes in regulations that have placed credit card securitizations back onto issuer balance sheets. These regulatory changes may have added more than 100 basis points to the cost of unsecured household credit.
Nature and characteristics of orthopaedic medical emergency team (MET) events: a retrospective study of 263 MET calls
Authors: Kang Lily , Onggo James R. , Simpson Joanna P. , Hau Raphael
Published: January 2022

Background:

Medical emergency teams (MET) are globally recognized strategies to improve outcomes of deteriorating patients. This study aimed to compare characteristics of hypotension and nonhypotension MET calls by characterizing triggers, timings, risk factors, management strategies, and outcomes of postoperative orthopaedic MET calls and provide information in identifying patients who require further perioperative assessment to facilitate better patient care.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-center review of postoperative orthopaedic MET calls between October 2017 and April 2019 was performed. MET calls were categorized into three groups depending on MET triggers and analyzed by preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters.

Results:

Comparing hypotension-only MET events (Group 1) with other triggers (Group 3), Group 1 showed patients who were younger (71.9 yr vs. 75.8 yr, P=0.012), had elective procedures (52.0% vs. 37.1%, P=0.032), and had non-neck of femoral fracture (71.0% vs. 53.0%, P=0.007). They had fewer comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index: 2.7 vs. 3.6, P=0.011), fewer imaging investigations (12.0% vs. 50.8%, P<0.05), larger volume fluid boluses (0.36L vs. 0.09L, P<0.05), and fewer medication changes (27.0% vs. 43.2%, P=0.013) or additions (18.0% vs. 56.8%, P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Older age, emergency surgery, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, preoperative delirium or dementia, and non-neck of femoral fracture orthopaedic patients were at higher risk of nonhypotension METs. In postoperative orthopaedic patients, hypotension-only METs were managed with an average crystalloid fluid bolus of 0.36L. Nonhypotension METs were more likely to be discharged to high level care nursing homes (HLCNH) and less likely to have an ICU admission. These findings have clinical implications for better patient identification and resource allocation of hospital systems.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Role of combined brim and spring plates in the treatment of acetabular fractures involving quadrilateral plates: a retrospective study of early results
Authors: ElSherif Mahmoud , Abonnour Mostafa
Published: January 2022

Background:

Quadrilateral plate (QP) fractures constitute an intrapelvic component of acetabular fractures and are challenging for surgical fixation. Inability to reduce and buttress QP leads to poor functional outcome. The hypothesis was that use of combined brim and spring plates for fixation of fractures that involved QP would maintain reduction and improve functional outcomes of those patients.

Methods:

This was a retrospective case series study of 44 patients with acetabular fractures that involved QPs that were fixed by combined brim and spring plates between March 2015 and January 2020 in the orthopaedic surgery department in Suez Canal University Hospitals. All patients were operated by the same surgical team. A minimum of 12 mo of postoperative follow-up was planned for each. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (version 17 for Windows, Chicago, Illinois).

Results:

The mean patient age was about 40.4 yr. The associated dislocations were present in ten patients (22.7%). Anterior column and posterior hemitransverse fractures were in about 50% of patients. Average operative time was about 146 min. Average intraoperative blood loss was about 583 mL. No patients developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head, heterotopic ossification, or implant failure. Two patients had postoperative obturator nerve injury. Quadrilateral component reduction was anatomical in 28 hips (63.6%). At 1-year follow-up, final clinical scores were excellent in 15 hips (34.1%) and good in 18 hips (40.9%).

Conclusions:

Combined brim and spring plates can maintain anatomical reduction of QP fractures and give good clinical results with less operative time and fewer complications than other methods mentioned in the literature.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Contextualizing Breast Implant Removal Patterns with Google Trends: Big Data Applications in Surgical Demand
Authors: Tian William M. , Rames Jess D. , Blau Jared A. , Taskindoust Mahsa , Hollenbeck Scott T.
Published: January 2022

Background:

The demand for breast implant removal (BIR) has increased substantially in recent years. This study leveraged large datasets available through Google Trends to understand how changes in public perception could be influencing surgical demand, both geographically and temporally.

Methods:

Using Google Trends, we extracted relative search volume for BIR-related search terms in the United States from 2006 to 2019. A network of related search terms was established using pairwise correlative analysis. Terms were assessed for correlation with national BIR case volume based on annual reports provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A surgical demand index for BIR was created on a state-by-state basis.

Results:

A network of internally correlated BIR search terms was found. Search volumes for such terms, including “explant” [ρ = 0.912], “breast implant removal” [ρ = 0.596], “breast implant illness” [ρ = 0.820], “BII” [ρ = 0.600], and “ALCL” [ρ = 0.895] (P < 0.05), were found to be positively correlated with national BIR case volume, whereas “breast augmentation” [ρ = -0.596] (P < 0.05) was negatively correlated. Our 2019 BIR surgical demand index revealed that Nevada, Arizona, and Louisiana were the states with the highest BIR demand per capita.

Conclusions:

Google Trends is a powerful tool for tracking public interest and subsequently, online health information seeking behavior. There are clear networks of related Google search terms that are correlated with actual BIR surgical volume. Understanding the online health queries patients have can help physicians better understand the factors driving patient decision-making.
The Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: Findings From an Emergency Summit Addressing System-Level Changes to Better Support Women Survivors
Authors: Toccalino Danielle , Haag Halina (Lin) , Estrella Maria Jennifer , Cowle Stephanie , Fuselli Pamela , Ellis Michael J. , Gargaro Judith , Colantonio Angela
Published: January 2022

Background:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurring during intimate partner violence (IPV) is a largely unrecognized but significant public health crisis. One in 3 women will experience IPV in their lifetime, up to 75% of whom will sustain a TBI as a result. This article reports on the systems-level findings from a national summit to address barriers, needs, and priorities related to healthcare and support services for women survivors of IPV-TBI.

Objectives:

(1) To identify key needs, facilitators, and barriers to care for women survivors of IPV presenting with TBI; and (2) to cocreate ideas for resources and principles for identification, clinical care, and support for healthcare practitioners who treat women exposed to IPV and TBI.

Methods:

Using a community-based participatory research approach, we engaged 30 stakeholders—drawn from a national IPV-TBI Knowledge-to-Practice (K2P) Network including diverse women survivors, service providers, researchers, and decision makers—in 2 half-day virtual meetings. Data were gathered through small group breakout sessions using semistructured discussion guides. Sessions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Stakeholders contributed to the analysis and knowledge translation through member-checking activities. Ethics approval was obtained through the University of Toronto.

Findings:

Three main systems-level themes arose during these discussions: (1) the need for trauma-informed, anti-racist, and equitable health and social care systems; (2) the need for cross-pollination of knowledge between disciplines; and (3) the need for systems-level support for integrated and coordinated care. This article explores these needs and provides recommendations and suggestions for paths forward.

Conclusions:

The findings of this project enhance understanding of system-level needs among women survivors and provide a template for a national agenda for IPV-TBI research and practice.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Physical Violence–Related Acquired Brain Injury Among Visitors to Justice Center in New York
Authors: Saleem Ghazala T. , Champagne Madeleine , Haider Mohammad Nadir , Leddy John J. , Willer Barry , Asante Isaac , Kent Ariel , Joseph Tamara , Fitzpatrick Jessica M.
Published: January 2022

Objective:

The recent United States Government Accountability Office report highlights the need for improved data on the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV)–related acquired brain injury (ABI) to help direct Health & Human Services public efforts. This article identifies the prevalence and risk factors for IPV-related ABI among survivors of IPV at a Justice Center in New York.

Setting:

Community Justice Center.

Participants:

Forty survivors of IPV, aged 17 to 73 years (median 32, interquartile range: 25.25, 42) were assessed within 60 days of sustaining physical violence.

Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Main Measures:

The HELPS and the Danger Assessment—Revised were used at the initial Center visit.

Results:

Of the 40 physical IPV survivors screened, all (100%) reported a prior history of partner-induced ABI within the past 60 days. Thirty-seven (92.5%) survivors also reported sustaining at least 1 potential hypoxic brain injury from strangulation. However, only 16 (40%) survivors screened positive on the HELPS for a history of IPV-related mild traumatic brain injury. Females (95%) and individuals with low income (67.5%) largely comprised our sample. Compared with the County's average, the proportion of African Americans/Blacks and refugees was 227% higher (42.5% vs 13%) and 650% higher (7.5% vs 1.09%), respectively. Refugee status (P = .017) also correlated with number of previous ABIs. On an exploratory binary logistic regression with stepwise selection, only balance difficulties (P = .023) and difficulty concentrating/remembering (P = .009) predicted a positive screen for mild traumatic brain injury.

Conclusions:

Consistent with previous findings, our data indicate a high prevalence of IPV-related ABI among visitors to a New York Justice Center. An overrepresentation of African Americans/Blacks and refugees in our sample relative to the region signified a higher prevalence of IPV in these populations and warrants a provision of more trauma-informed ABI resources to these groups/communities. Intimate partner violence survivors visiting Justice Centers should be screened for motor/neurocognitive symptoms suggestive of mild traumatic brain injury. Further research to identify the prevalence and risk factors of IPV-related ABI statewide and nationwide is urgently needed to improve resource allocation and clinical management.
Neural Correlates of Traumatic Brain Injury in Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Structural and Functional Connectivity Neuroimaging Study
Authors: Likitlersuang Jirapat , Brown Emma M. , Salat David H. , Iverson Katherine M. , Werner Kimberly , McGlinchey Regina E. , Galovski Tara E. , Fortier Catherine B.
Published: January 2022

Objective:

More than one-third of women in the United States experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime, increasing their risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite the prevalence of TBI among IPV survivors, research is sparse in comparison with parallel populations (eg, military, accidents, sports). This pilot study aimed to provide a preliminary investigation of the effect of TBI on brain morphometry and resting-state functional connectivity in women who experience IPV.

Participants:

A total of 45 community-dwelling women survivors of IPV who screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Design:

Participants completed comprehensive assessments of trauma exposure, PTSD, TBI history, and brain neurological health. Twenty-three participants (51.1%) met diagnostic criteria for lifetime TBI. Of these, 15 participants experienced 1 or more TBIs resulting from IPV. The remaining participants experienced TBI from non-IPV exposures (eg, sports/motor vehicle accident). Surface-based neuroimaging analyses were performed to examine group differences in cortical thickness and in functional connectivity of amygdala and isthmus cingulate seeds to examine emotion regulation and the default mode network, respectively.

Main Measures:

Boston Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury-Lifetime for Intimate Partner Violence (BAT-L/IPV); Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS); structural and functional neuroimaging.

Results:

History of lifetime TBI in women IPV survivors was associated with differences in cortical thickness as well as functional connectivity between the isthmus cingulate seed and a variety of regions, including superior parietal and frontal cortices. Individuals with IPV-related TBI showed greater cortical thickness in the right paracentral gyrus than individuals with TBI from other non-IPV etiologies.

Conclusion:

Significant differences in brain structure and connectivity were observed in individuals with IPV and TBI. A greater mean cortical thickness of the paracentral gyrus was associated with TBI due to IPV than TBI from other etiologies. Although preliminary, findings from this pilot study present a step toward identifying potential mechanisms by which IPV and TBI secondary to IPV impact brain health in women.
Retrieving A retained Heavy Silicone Oil Bubble: Two Novel Surgical Techniques
Authors: Sousa David CORDEIRO , Fabinyi David C. A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

To describe two surgical techniques for rescuing a retained heavy silicone oil bubble in the posterior pole: 1) light pipe method and 2) perfluorocarbon liquid method.

Methods:

The surgical techniques are described in detail, along with an illustrative video for each.

Results:

A short 25-gauge metallic cannula and active suction pump are used for standard heavy silicone oil removal. Both surgical approaches are practical and effective options to complete the removal of heavy silicone oil when a bubble sinks to the posterior pole.

Conclusion:

Both the light pipe and perfluorocarbon methods are suitable to remove retained heavy silicone oil and thus avoid the need for further incisions and the risks associated with the use of larger gauge instrumentation.
Care Coordination Processes in Transitional Care for Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Wei Sijia , McConnell Eleanor S. , Granger Bradi , Corazzini Kirsten N.
Published: January 2022

Background

Transitional care components are well studied, but their coordination has not been systematically reviewed. Viewing transitional care through a social network framework can focus attention on processes leading to information and relationship transferal to ensure continuity and may lead to new strategies to improve transitional care.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine care coordination processes in transitional care interventions for older adults with heart failure by integrating a social network analysis approach.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched to capture transitional care interventions (a) involving care coordination for older adults with heart failure transitioning from hospital to home and (b) published in the United States from 2010 to 2020. Study characteristics, intervention characteristics, and care coordination processes (ie, participants, interactions among participants, and their characteristics) were extracted.

Results

In 17 studies reviewed, the number of individual roles involved in care coordination varied from 3 to 32. Nurses and pharmacists were the most common interventionists. Six studies involved informal caregivers. In-person interactions were most common among individuals within settings; interactions across settings were typically assisted by technology. Despite high variability among the individuals and interactions involved, a common triadic process was found through which interventionists, patients, and primary care providers or outpatient cardiologists aimed to facilitate the transfer of information and care relationships from hospital to community.

Conclusions

High variability in transitional care is likely because the processes are highly relational. Using a network analysis may help uncover the relational structures and processes underlying transitional care to inform intervention development.
Promoting Professional Quality of Life and Resiliency in Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
Authors: Bouchard Lindsay , Williams Deborah , Kiser Lisa , Freese Erica , Taren Douglas
Published: January 2022

Background

Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) have received specialized education and clinical training in providing forensic care for sexual assault and abuse victims. SANEs provide compassionate and competent care that promotes emotional recovery for their patients; however, caring for this population puts SANEs at risk for secondary traumatic stress, professional burnout, and compassion fatigue. The research regarding SANEs indicates that there may be multiple personal and organizational factors that affect their development of negative outcomes related to professional quality of life.

Purpose

This study explored challenges SANEs experience in their work and what resources are utilized to promote their resiliency and professional quality of life.

Methods

SANEs were recruited to complete an anonymous online survey through the International Association of Forensic Nurses community; 69 SANEs completed the survey. Eight of the SANEs also participated in follow-up focus groups.

Results

The participants reported many gratifying aspects of their work. They also described challenges related to personal, professional, organizational, and community factors. Many of the reported negative effects align with secondary traumatic stress and professional burnout. The SANEs identified multiple ways to support their resiliency in the context of this difficult work.

Implications

The nature of this work puts SANEs at risk for developing adverse symptoms related to professional quality of life. SANEs need better support and resources to cope with the demands of their work. Findings of this study will be used to design SANE Well, a support application to promote SANE wellness and resiliency.
Airway Amyloidosis
Authors: Baqir Misbah , Schwegman Alex R. , Maldonado Fabien , Johnson Tucker F. , Ryu Jay H.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Amyloidosis can involve any compartment in the thorax. We aimed to explore the clinical and radiologic presentation, treatment, and clinical course of airway amyloidosis.

Methods:

A computer-assisted search was performed to identify patients who had biopsy-proven airway amyloidosis and were evaluated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, from January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2019. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic features along with clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results:

We identified 43 patients who had airway amyloidosis. Median age was 60 years (range: 33 to 91 y), and 58% were female. Shortness of breath (63% of patients) and cough (44%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Most patients (82%) had localized amyloidosis with light chain being the most common amyloid type; 63% had tracheobronchial amyloidosis, and 23% had tracheal and upper airway involvement. On computed tomography of the chest, the most common findings were airway wall thickening with nodularity (60% of patients), airway calcification (53%), and airway occlusion without collapse (47%). On bronchoscopy (33 patients), the extent of amyloid involvement was most commonly submucosal (n=15) or nodular (n=8). External beam radiotherapy was the most common treatment modality. Among the 30 patients who had follow-up at our institution, the prognosis appeared to depend on the extent of the disease and whether patients had localized or systemic amyloidosis.

Conclusion:

Computed tomography of the chest, bronchoscopy, and biopsy are needed to establish the diagnosis of airway amyloidosis, and systemic amyloidosis should be ruled out. Treatment of amyloidosis requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Evaluation of a Natural Language Processing Approach to Identify Social Determinants of Health in Electronic Health Records in a Diverse Community Cohort
Authors: Rouillard Christopher J. , Nasser Mahmoud A. , Hu Haihong , Roblin Douglas W.
Published: January 2022

Background:

Health care systems in the United States are increasingly interested in measuring and addressing social determinants of health (SDoH). Advances in electronic health record systems and Natural Language Processing (NLP) create a unique opportunity to systematically document patient SDoH from digitized free-text provider notes.

Methods:

Patient SDoH status [recorded by Your Current Life Situation (YCLS) Survey] and associated provider notes recorded between March 2017 and June 2020 were extracted (32,261 beneficiaries; 50,722 YCLS surveys; 485,425 provider notes).

NLP patterns were generated using a machine learning test statistic (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency). Patterns were developed and assessed in a training, training validation, and final validation dataset (64%, 16%, and 20% of total data, respectively).

NLP models analyzed SDoH-specific categories (housing, medical care, and transportation needs) and a combined SDoH metric. Model performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen κ statistic, assuming the YCLS Survey to be the gold standard.

Results:

Within the training validation dataset, NLP models showed strong sensitivity and specificity, with moderate agreement with the YCLS Survey (Housing: sensitivity=0.67, specificity=0.89, κ=0.51; Medical care: sensitivity=0.55, specificity=0.73, κ=0.20; Transportation: sensitivity=0.79, specificity=0.87, κ=0.58). Model performance in the training and training validation datasets were comparable.

In the final validation dataset, a combined SDoH prediction metric showed sensitivity=0.77, specificity=0.69, κ=0.45.

Conclusion:

This NLP algorithm demonstrated moderate performance in identification of unmet patient social needs. This novel approach may enable improved targeting of interventions, allocation of limited resources and monitoring a health care system’s addressing its patients’ SDoH needs.
The Effects of mHealth Versus eHealth on Weight Loss in Adults
Authors: O'Boyle Jamie , Davidson Patricia
Published: January 2022

Accessible behavioral interventions for improving weight loss outcomes are needed for overweight and obese individuals. This systematic review was conducted between 2010 through January 2020 to evaluate the use of mobile technology (mHealth) versus Web-based interventions (eHealth) and weight loss outcomes (weight loss, body fat, waist circumference) with or without individualized clinician feedback. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (7 [mHealth] and 6 [eHealth]) and 1 cohort (mHealth) met the inclusion criteria. The use of both methods with clinician feedback was positively associated with percent weight loss and body fat, waist circumference, and behavior change.
Addendum to: Murre (2021). The Godden and Baddeley (1975) experiment on context-dependent memory on land and underwater: a replication
Authors: Murre Jaap
Published: January 2022

The analysis in Murre (2021) should have been done with a repeated measures ANOVA with an order effect as a between-subjects covariate. A reanalysis reinforces the conclusion that this study was not a successful replication of Godden & Baddeley (1975).
Faster evolution of a premating reproductive barrier is not associated with faster speciation rates in New World passerine birds
Authors: Freeman Benjamin G. , Rolland Jonathan , Montgomery Graham A. , Schluter Dolph
Published: January 2022

Why are speciation rates so variable across the tree of life? One hypothesis is that this variation is explained by how rapidly reproductive barriers evolve. We tested this hypothesis by conducting a comparative study of the evolution of bird song, a premating barrier to reproduction. Speciation in birds is typically initiated when geographically isolated (allopatric) populations evolve reproductive barriers. We measured the strength of song as a premating barrier between closely related allopatric populations by conducting 2339 field experiments to measure song discrimination for 175 taxon pairs of allopatric or parapatric New World passerine birds, and estimated recent speciation rates from molecular phylogenies. We found evidence that song discrimination is indeed an important reproductive barrier: taxon pairs with high song discrimination in allopatry did not regularly interbreed in parapatry. However, evolutionary rates of song discrimination were not associated with recent speciation rates. Evolutionary rates of song discrimination were also unrelated to latitude or elevation, but species with innate song (suboscines) evolved song discrimination much faster than species with learned song (oscines). We conclude that song is a key premating reproductive barrier in birds, but faster evolution of this reproductive barrier between populations does not consistently result in faster diversification between species.
A synthesis of senescence predictions for indeterminate growth, and support from multiple tests in wild lake trout
Authors: Purchase Craig F. , Rooke Anna C. , Gaudry Michael J. , Treberg Jason R. , Mittell Elizabeth A. , Morrissey Michael B. , Rennie Michael D.
Published: January 2022

Senescence—the deterioration of functionality with age—varies widely across taxa in pattern and rate. Insights into why and how this variation occurs are hindered by the predominance of laboratory-focused research on short-lived model species with determinate growth. We synthesize evolutionary theories of senescence, highlight key information gaps and clarify predictions for species with low mortality and variable degrees of indeterminate growth. Lake trout are an ideal species to evaluate predictions in the wild. We monitored individual males from two populations (1976–2017) longitudinally for changes in adult mortality (actuarial senescence) and body condition (proxy for energy balance). A cross-sectional approach (2017) compared young (ages 4–10 years) and old (18–37 years) adults for (i) phenotypic performance in body condition, and semen quality—which is related to fertility under sperm competition (reproductive senescence)—and (ii) relative telomere length (potential proxy for cellular senescence). Adult growth in these particular populations is constrained by a simplified foodweb, and our data support predictions of negligible senescence when maximum size is only slightly larger than maturation size. Negative senescence (aka reverse senescence) may occur in other lake trout populations where diet shifts allow maximum sizes to greatly exceed maturation size.
An electrocardiography score predicts heart failure hospitalization or death beyond that of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Maanja Maren , Schlegel Todd T , Fröjdh Fredrika , Niklasson Louise , Wieslander Björn , Bacharova Ljuba , Schelbert Erik B , Ugander Martin
Published: January 2022

Background

The electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) both provide powerful prognostic information. The aim was to determine the relative prognostic value of ECG and CMR, respectively.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n=783) undergoing CMR and resting 12-lead ECG with a QRS duration <120 ms were included. CMR measures included feature tracking global longitudinal strain (GLS), extracellular volume fraction (ECV), left ventricular mass and volumes, and ischemic and non-ischemic scar size. Prognosis scores for one-year event-free survival were derived using continuous ECG or CMR measures, and multinomial logistic regression, and compared with regards to the combined outcome of survival free from hospitalization for heart failure or death.

Results

Patients (median [interquartile range] age 55 [43–64] years, 44% female) had 155 events during 5.7 [4.4–6.6] years. The ECG prognosis score included 1) the frontal plane QRS-T angle, and 2) the heart rate corrected QT duration (QTc) (log-rank 55, p<0.001). The CMR prognosis score included 1) GLS, and 2) ECV (log-rank 85, p<0.001). The combination of positive scores for both ECG and CMR yielded the highest prognostic value (log-rank 105, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed an association with outcomes for both the ECG prognosis score (log-rank 8.4, hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.29 [1.09–1.54], p=0.004) and the CMR prognosis score (log-rank 47, hazard ratio 1.90 [1.58–2.28], p<0.001).

Conclusions

An ECG prognosis score predicted outcomes independently of, and beyond CMR. Combining the results of ECG and CMR using both prognosis scores improved the overall prognostic performance.
Genome-wide association study of nociceptive musculoskeletal pain treatment response in UK Biobank
Authors: Li Song , Poelmans Geert , van Boekel Regina L.M. , Coenen Marieke J.H.
Published: January 2022

Drug treatment for nociceptive musculoskeletal pain (NMP) follows a three-step analgesic ladder proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), starting from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), followed by weak or strong opioids until the pain is under control. However, effective pain treatment is challenged by inter-individual differences, and unsatisfied pain treatment response (PTR) rates ranging from 34 to 79% in those suffering from NMP. To investigate the underlying genetic component of PTR, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in ∼ 23,000 participants with NMP from the UK Biobank. In our primary analysis, we compared NSAID vs. opioid users as a reflection of (non)response to NSAIDs, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, population substructure, and study-specific covariates. One genome-wide significant hit was identified in an intergenic region on chromosome 4, rs549224715 (P = 3.88×10−8), and seven signals pass the suggestively significant threshold (P < 1×10−6). All identified loci were in non-coding regions, but most variants showed potential regulatory functions. SNPs in LD (r2> 0.6) with the lead SNPs passing the nominal significant threshold (P < 0.05) were mapped to 28 target genes in FUMA. Eight of these 28 genes are involved in processes linked to neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal development. Pathway and network analyses with Ingenuity resulted in the identification of immunity-related processes and a (putative) central role of EGFR. Genetic correlation analysis including 596 traits resulted in the identification of 67 nominally significant (P < 0.05) genetic correlations, and these traits were significantly enriched for chronic pain and socioeconomic status traits (P = 3.35 × 10−12). Additionally, we conducted a subtype GWAS for inflammatory NMP and a secondary GWAS for participants with NMP disease history, but no significant hits or overlap with the primary analysis were observed. Overall, we identified one genome-wide significant association in this first GWAS focusing on pain treatment using the analgesic ladder as phenotype. However, we realize that this study lacked power and should be viewed as a first step to elucidate the genetic background of NMP treatment.
A Comparison Of Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentration And Gut Microbiota Diversity In Bonobos (Pan paniscus)
Authors: Hickmott Alexana J , Boose Klaree J , Wakefield Monica L , Brand Colin M , Snodgrass J. Josh , Ting Nelson , White Frances J
Published: January 2022

Host sex, age, diet, stress, and social environment have all been found to influence the gut microbiota. In non-human primates (NHP), recent evidence from gorillas found fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentration (FGMC) had no significant role in structuring their gut microbiota, but there was a significant differential abundance between family Anaerolineaceae and gorilla FGMC. This pattern has yet to be examined in other NHP, like bonobos (Pan paniscus). We compared FGMC to 16S rRNA amplicons for 201 bonobo fecal samples collected in the wild across five months to evaluate the impact of stress, measured with FGMC, on the gut microbiota. Simpsons index was the only alpha diversity index to have a significant linear relationship with FGMC [R2 = 0.9643, F(4, 210) = 28.56, p = 0.0023]. FGMC level explained 1.63% of the variation in beta diversity for Jensen-Shannon Distance, 2.49% for Weighted UniFrac, and 3.53% for Unweighted UniFrac using PERMANOVAs. Differential abundance models showed seventeen taxa that were significantly correlated with FGMC. We found that genus SHD-231 in the family Anaerolinaceae was significant in our differential abundance model results, similar to western lowland gorilla abundance model results. These results suggest bonobos exhibit different patterns than gorillas in alpha and beta diversity measures and that members of the family Anaerolinaceae may be differentially affected by host stress across great apes. Incorporating FGMC into gut microbiota research can provide a more robust understanding of how stress impacts the gut microbiota of primates and humans and has important ties to overall host health.
Towards an optimal monoclonal antibody with higher binding affinity to the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins from different variants
Authors: Neamtu Andrei , Mocci Francesca , Laaksonen Aatto , Barroso da Silva Fernando L.
Published: January 2022

A highly efficient and robust multiple scales in silico protocol, consisting of atomistic constant charge Molecular Dynamics (MD), constant-charge coarse-grain (CG) MD and constant-pH CG Monte Carlo (MC), has been used to study the binding affinities, the free energy of complexation of selected antigen-binding fragments of the monoclonal antibody (mAbs) CR3022 (originally derived from SARS-CoV-1 patients almost two decades ago) and 11 SARS-CoV-2 variants including the wild type. CR3022 binds strongly to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, but chooses a different site rather than the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of RBD, allowing its combined use with other mAbs against new emerging virus variants. Totally 235,000 mAbs structures were generated using the RosettaAntibodyDesign software, resulting in top 10 scored CR3022-RBD complexes with critical mutations and compared to the native one, all having the potential to block virus-host cell interaction. Of these 10 finalists, two candidates were further identified in the CG simulations to be clearly best against all virus variants, and surprisingly, all 10 candidates and the native CR3022 did exhibit a higher affinity for the Omicron variant with its highest number of mutations (15) of them all considered in this study. The multiscale protocol gives us a powerful rational tool to design efficient mAbs. The electrostatic interactions play a crucial role and appear to be controlling the affinity and complex building. Clearly, mAbs carrying a lower net charge show a higher affinity. Structural determinants could be identified in atomistic simulations and their roles are discussed in detail to further hint at a strategy towards designing the best RBD binder. Although the SARS-CoV-2 was specifically targeted in this work, our approach is generally suitable for many diseases and viral and bacterial pathogens, leukemia, cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid, arthritis, lupus, and more.
Human land-use impacts viral diversity and abundance in a New Zealand river
Authors: French Rebecca , Charon Justine , Lay Callum Le , Muller Chris , Holmes Edward C.
Published: January 2022

Although water-borne viruses have important implications for the health of humans and other animals, little is known about the impact of human land-use on viral diversity and evolution in water systems such as rivers. We used metagenomic next-generation sequencing to compare the diversity and abundance of viruses at sampling sites along a single river in New Zealand that differed in human land use impact, ranging from pristine to urban. From this we identified 504 putative virus species, of which 97% were novel. Many of the novel viruses were highly divergent, and likely included a new subfamily within theParvoviridae. We identified at least 63 virus species that may infect vertebrates – most likely fish and water birds – from theAstroviridae, Birnaviridae, ParvoviridaeandPicornaviridae. No putative human viruses were detected. Importantly, we observed differences in the composition of viral communities at sites impacted by human land-use (farming and urban) compared to native forest sites (pristine). At the viral species level, the urban sites had higher diversity (327 virus species) than the farming (n=150) and pristine sites (n=119), and more viruses were shared between the urban and farming sites (n=76) than between the pristine and farming or urban sites (n=24). The two farming sites had a lower viral abundance across all host types, while the pristine sites had a higher abundance of viruses associated with animals, plants and fungi. We also identified viruses linked to agriculture and human impact at the river sampling sites in farming and urban areas that were not present at the native forest sites. Overall, our study shows that human land-use can impact viral communities in rivers, such that further work is needed to reduce the impact of intensive farming and urbanization on water systems.
Fully Vaccinated and Boosted Patients Requiring Hospitalization for COVID-19: an Observational Cohort Analysis
Authors: Mielke Nicholas , Johnson Steven , Bahl Amit
Published: January 2022

Objective

Real-world data on the effectiveness of boosters against COVID-19, especially as new variants continue to emerge, is limited. It is our objective to assess demographic, clinical, and outcome variables of patients requiring hospitalization for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection comparing fully vaccinated and boosted (FV&B) and unvaccinated (UV) patients.

Methods

This multicenter observational cohort analysis compared demographic, clinical, and outcome variables in FV&B and UV adults hospitalized for COVID-19. A sub-analysis of FV&B patients requiring intensive care (ICU) care versus non-ICU care was performed to describe and analyze common symptom presentations, initial vital signs, initial laboratory workup, and pertinent medication use in these two groups.

Results

Between August 12th, 2021 and December 6th, 2021, 4,571 patient encounters had a primary diagnosis of COVID-19 and required inpatient treatment at an acute-care hospital system in Southeastern Michigan. Of the 4,571 encounters requiring hospitalization, 65(1.4%) were FV&B and 2,935(64%) were UV. FV&B individuals were older (74 [67, 81] vs 58 [45, 70]; p <0.001) with a higher proportion of immunocompromised individuals (32.3% vs 10.4%; p<0.001). Despite a significantly higher baseline risk of in-hospital mortality in the FV&B group compared to the UV (Elixhauser 16 vs 8 (p <0.001)), there was a trend toward lower in-hospital mortality (7.7% vs 12.1%; p=0.38) among FV&B patients. Other severe outcomes followed this same trend, with 7.7% of FV&B vs 11.1% UV patients needing mechanical ventilation and 4.6% vs 10.6% of patients needing vasopressors in each group, respectively (p=0.5 and 0.17).

Conclusions

Fully vaccinated and boosted individuals requiring hospital-level care for breakthrough COVID-19 tended to have less severe outcomes despite appearing to be higher risk at baseline when compared to unvaccinated individuals during the same time period. Specifically, there was a trend that FV&B group had lower rates of mechanical ventilation, use of vasopressors, and in-hospital mortality. As COVID-19 continues to spread, larger expansive trials are needed to further identify risk factors for severe outcomes among the FV&B population.