bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burn Injuries Associated with At-Home Hair Braiding
Authors: Shakir Afaaf , O’Connor Annemarie , Teele Megan , Gottlieb Lawrence J , Vrouwe Sebastian Q
Published: March 2022

Hair braiding that incorporates synthetic extensions has increased in popularity across all age groups. As part of the styling process, the ends of the braid are commonly dipped in scalding water; an increasing number of patients have presented to our center after containers of recently boiled water are accidentally tipped over and spilled onto patients. A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients who sustained burn injuries related to at-home hair braiding presenting to an ABA-verified burn center between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2020. A total of 41 patients presented over the study period, and the frequency of this type of burn increased over time, with 54% of injuries occurring in the past 3 years (2018–2020). The mean patient age was 7.5 years, and the majority of patients were under 18 years of age (97%), female (95%), and African-American (98%). Seventy-three percent of injuries occurred in the home and 88% involved another person in the hair braiding process. The mean TBSA burned was 5% (range 1–20%). The most commonly involved areas were the back (54%), thigh/leg (37%), and neck (24%). Ninety percent were partial-thickness injuries only, with 10% having some degree of full-thickness injury. Ninety percent of patients required inpatient admission, and 34% of patients required at least one operative procedure. Hair braiding, with the use of scalding water to seal and set the ends of braids, can lead to burn injuries that require hospitalization and the need for surgical intervention.
Developing an Injury Severity to Yield Loss Relationship for Soybean Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Helton Mitchell L , Tinsley Nicholas A , McMechan Anthony J , Hodgson Erin W
Published: March 2022

Soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a newly identified pest confirmed on soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabales: Fabaceae). To date, soybean gall midge has been found in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri, and has caused severe economic loss to commercial fields since 2018. Much is still unknown about this pest, so research efforts have been focused on biology and management. Larvae feed on the inside of the stem just above the soil line and are difficult to access and time-consuming to sample. In order to accelerate nondestructive sampling efforts, we developed an injury rating system to quantify the severity of plant injury from soybean gall midge larvae. Research plots from 2019 and 2020 in Iowa and Nebraska were evaluated for injury throughout the growing season and yield was measured. Our objective was to describe the relationship between injury severity and yield loss caused from soybean gall midge. A nonlinear regression model was developed to validate our injury rating system and to express the relationship between season long injury severity and yield loss. Results from our analysis indicate the injury rating system we developed correlates well with yield loss caused by larvae and may be an important tool for understanding the economic impact of this emergent pest of soybeans.
Influence of Trap Location in the Tree Canopy on Captures of Adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)
Authors: Dyer Jared E , Talamas Elijah J , Leskey Tracy C , Bergh J Christopher
Published: March 2022

Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an egg parasitoid of the invasive Asian pest, brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Also native to Asia, adventive T. japonicus populations have been detected in North America since 2014, and are currently reported from 15 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces. Yellow sticky cards (YSC) have proven effective for monitoring the presence, seasonal abundance, and distribution of these adventive populations. Our research has utilized YSC deployed in the midcanopy of H. halys host trees, following a study in which all leaves on felled tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, were inspected for H. halys egg masses, yielding eggs parasitized by T. japonicus only from mid- and upper-canopy leaves. However, given that other investigators have captured T. japonicus using YSC deployed in the lower-canopy, and that the effect of YSC placement in trees on T. japonicus captures had not been examined, captures of T. japonicus on YSC in the mid- and lower-canopy of individual A. altissima were compared. Traps were replaced weekly for five weeks and assessed for scelionid species. In 2020 and 2021, T. japonicus represented ≥53% of all Scelionidae captured, and there was not a significant effect of YSC location in the canopy on its captures. Deploying YSC at either canopy height was effective for measuring the relative abundance of T. japonicus, but sampling from the lower canopy substantially improved the efficiency and convenience of T. japonicus surveillance.
Stellar masses of clumps in gas-rich, turbulent disc galaxies
Authors: Ambachew Liyualem , Fisher Deanne B , Glazebrook Karl , Girard Marianne , Obreschkow Danail , Abraham Roberto , Bolatto Alberto , Lenkić Laura , Damjanov Ivana
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we use Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 observations of six galaxies from the DYnamics of Newly Assembled Massive Object (DYNAMO) survey, combined with stellar population modelling of the SED, to determine the stellar masses of DYNAMO clumps. The DYNAMO sample has been shown to have properties similar to z ≈ 1.5 turbulent, clumpy discs. DYNAMO sample clump masses offer a useful comparison for studies of z > 1 in that the galaxies have the same properties, yet the observational biases are significantly different. Using DYNAMO, we can more easily probe rest-frame near-IR wavelengths and also probe finer spatial scales. We find that the stellar mass of DYNAMO clumps is typically 107−108M⊙. We employ a technique that makes non-parametric corrections in removal of light from nearby clumps, and carries out a locally determined disc subtraction. The process of disc subtraction is the dominant effect, and can alter clump masses at the 0.3 dex level. Using these masses, we investigate the stellar mass function (MF) of clumps in DYNAMO galaxies. DYNAMO stellar MFs follow a declining power law with slope α ≈ −1.4, which is slightly shallower than, but similar to what is observed in z > 1 lensed galaxies. We compare DYNAMO clump masses to results of simulations. The masses and galactocentric position of clumps in DYNAMO galaxies are more similar to long-lived clumps in simulations. Similar to recent DYNAMO results on the stellar population gradients, these results are consistent with simulations that do not employ strong ‘early’ radiative feedback prescriptions.
The study on transmission spectrum and TTV behaviour of the hot Jupiter WASP-12b
Authors: Bai Lu , Gu Shenghong , Wang Xiaobin , Sun Leilei , Kwok Chi-Tai , Hui Ho-Keung
Published: March 2022

By utilizing the 1m and 2.4m telescopes of Yunnan Observatories, we obtained 13 new photometric transit light curves of WASP-12 exoplanetary system from 2009 to 2016. The data were analysed by using the Transit Analysis Package with the aid of Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. Based on the physical parameters from previous work, we have obtained the variation of radius with wavelength and mid-transit times of WASP-12b. Compared with a set of theoretical transmission spectra, its radius variation is almost consistent with a flatten and featureless model along with a slope in the bluer band, except the weak Na signal. The flatten and featureless transmission spectrum implies a possible evidence for the absence of TiO and VO in the upper atmosphere of WASP-12b. The slope in the bluer band may result from the Rayleigh scattering caused by H2/He and there would be hazes or hydride in the upper atmosphere. Combined new mid-transit times with all of the available timing data in literature, we have found that there is a significant change in the planetary orbit, the residuals of the timing prefer the orbital decay model to the apsidal precession model and the planetary interaction-induced TTV model. We updated the decay rate as −37.14 ± 1.31 ms yr−1 and derived a slightly lower modified quality factor $Q^{^{\prime }}_{*}$ for the constant-phase lag model. Furthermore, the current observations cannot rule out the planetary interaction-induced TTV model conclusively.
ATOMS: ALMA Three-millimeter Observations of Massive Star-forming regions – X. Chemical differentiation among the massive cores in G9.62+0.19
Authors: Peng Yaping , Liu Tie , Qin Sheng-Li , Baug Tapas , Liu Hong-Li , Wang Ke , Garay Guido , Zhang Chao , Chen Long-Fei , Lee Chang Won , Juvela Mika , Li Dalei , Tatematsu Ken’ichi , Liu Xun-Chuan , Lee Jeong-Eun , Luo Gan , Dewangan Lokesh , Wu Yue-Fang , Zhang Li , Bronfman Leonardo , Ge Jixing , Tang Mengyao , Zhang Yong , Xu Feng-Wei , Wang Yao , Zhou Bing
Published: March 2022

Investigating the physical and chemical structure of massive star-forming regions is critical for understanding the formation and early evolution of massive stars. We performed a detailed line survey toward six dense cores, named MM1, MM4, MM6, MM7, MM8, and MM11, in the G9.62+0.19 star-forming region resolved in Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) band 3 observations. Toward these cores, about 172 transitions have been identified and attributed to 16 species, including organic oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulphur-bearing molecules and their isotopologues. Four dense cores, MM7, MM8, MM4, and MM11, are line-rich sources. Modelling of these spectral lines reveals that the rotational temperature lies in the range 72–115, 100–163, 102–204, and 84–123 K for MM7, MM8, MM4, and MM11, respectively. The molecular column densities are 1.6 × 1015–9.2 × 1017 cm−2 toward the four cores. The cores MM8 and MM4 show a chemical difference between oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing species, i.e. MM4 is rich in oxygen-bearing molecules, while nitrogen-bearing molecules, especially vibrationally excited HC3N lines, are mainly observed in MM8. The distinct initial temperatures at the accretion phase may lead to this N/O differentiation. Through analysing column densities and spatial distributions of O-bearing complex organic molecules (COMs), we found that C2H5OH and CH3OCH3 might have a common precursor, CH3OH. CH3OCHO and CH3OCH3 are likely chemically linked. In addition, the observed variation in HC3N and HC5N emission may indicate their different formation mechanisms in hot and cold regions.
Metallicity estimation of core-collapse Supernova H iiregions in galaxies within 30 Mpc
Authors: Ganss R , Pledger J L , Sansom A E , James P A , Puls J , Habergham-Mawson S M
Published: March 2022

This work presents measurements of the local H ii environment metallicities of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) within a luminosity distance of 30 Mpc. 76 targets were observed at the Isaac Newton Telescope and environment metallicities could be measured for 65 targets using the N2 and O3N2 strong emission line method. The cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of the environment metallicities of Type Ib and Ic SNe tend to higher metallicity than Type IIP, however Type Ic are also present at lower metallicities whereas Type Ib are not. The Type Ib frequency distribution is narrower (standard deviation ∼0.06 dex) than the Ic and IIP distributions (∼0.15 dex) giving some evidence for a significant fraction of single massive progenitor stars; the low metallicity of Type Ic suggests a significant fraction of compact binary progenitors. However, both the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and the Anderson–Darling test indicate no statistical significance for a difference in the local metallicities of the three SN types. Monte Carlo simulations reveal a strong sensitivity of these tests to the uncertainties of the derived metallicities. Given the uncertainties of the strong emission methods, the applicability of the tests seems limited. We extended our analysis with the data of the Type Ib/Ic/IIP SN sample from Galbany et al. The CDFs created with their sample confirm our CDFs very well. The statistical tests, combining our sample and the Galbany et al. sample, indicate a significant difference between Type Ib and Type IIP with <5 per cent probability that they are drawn from the same parent population.
Properties of the Be-type stars in 30 Doradus
Authors: Dufton P L , Lennon D J , Villaseñor J I , Howarth I D , Evans C J , de Mink S E , Sana H , Taylor W D
Published: March 2022

The evolutionary status of Be-type stars remains unclear, with both single-star and binary pathways having been proposed. Here, VFTS spectroscopy of 73 Be-type stars, in the spectral-type range, B0–B3, is analysed to estimate projected rotational velocities, radial velocities, and stellar parameters. They are found to be rotating faster than the corresponding VFTS B-type sample but simulations imply that their projected rotational velocities are inconsistent with them all rotating at near critical velocities. The de-convolution of the projected rotational velocities estimates leads to a mean rotational velocity estimate of 320–350 km s−1, approximately 100 km s−1 larger than that for the corresponding B-type sample. There is a dearth of targets with rotational velocities less than 0.4 of the critical velocity, with a broad distribution reaching up to critical rotation. Our best estimate for the mean or median of the rotational velocity is 0.68 of the critical velocity. Rapidly rotating B-type stars are more numerous than their Be-type counterparts, whilst the observed frequency of Be-type stars identified as binary systems is significantly lower than that for normal B-type stars, consistent with their respective radial-velocity dispersions. The semi-amplitudes for the Be-type binaries are also smaller. Similar results are found for a Small Magellanic Cloud Be-type sample centred on NGC 346 with no significant differences being found between the two samples. These results are compared with the predictions of single and binary stellar evolutionary models for Be-type stars. Assuming that a single mechanism dominated the production of classical Be-type stars, our comparison would favour a binary evolutionary history.
The flaring TESS Objects of Interest: flare rates for all two-minute cadence TESS planet candidates
Authors: Howard Ward S
Published: March 2022

Although more than 5000 TESS Objects of Interest have been catalogued, no comprehensive survey of the flare rates of their host stars exists. We perform the first flare survey of all 2250 non-retired TOIs with 2-min cadence light curves to measure or place upper limits on their flare rates. We find 93 candidates orbit flare stars and measure their flare frequency distributions. Across the sample, TOIs of ≤1.5R⊕ orbit flare stars more frequently than do TOIs of 1.5 < R< 2.75R⊕, 2.75 < R< 4R⊕, or R≥ 4R⊕. We sort all TOI host stars by their flare rate/upper limit, stellar mass, and distance to create a flare ranking metric (FRM) to determine suitability for follow-up. The FRM of each TOI is then checked against the expected signal-to-noise of atmospheric features in transmission spectroscopy to locate the most promising targets. We find 1/4 of terrestrial M-dwarf planets amenable to transmission spectroscopy orbit flare stars. However, none of the M-dwarf hosts to terrestrial planets are currently flaring at sufficient levels for >99.9 per cent atmospheric ozone depletion. We give the first upper limits on the flare rate of the host star to TOI 700 d and explore the flare rates incident on young planets such as DS Tuc Ab.
Refractory alopecia universalis associated with dermatomyositis successfully treated with tofacitinib
Authors: Castillo Rochelle , Albayda Jemima
Published: March 2022

Dermatomyositis (DM) and alopecia areata are two diseases characterised by aberrant interferon signalling. While patchy alopecia of the scalp is a known feature of DM, alopecia universalis, which involves hair loss over the entire body, has rarely been reported in conjunction with DM. Herein, we report the case of a 30-year-old female with DM who developed refractory cutaneous disease and alopecia universalis that were successfully treated with tofacitinib. This could suggest that concomitant severe alopecia and refractory cutaneous DM may reflect a strong baseline interferon gene signature that may predict responsiveness to janus kinase inhibitors.
Feature selection for kernel methods in systems biology
Authors: Brouard Céline , Mariette Jérôme , Flamary Rémi , Vialaneix Nathalie
Published: March 2022

The substantial development of high-throughput biotechnologies has rendered large-scale multi-omics datasets increasingly available. New challenges have emerged to process and integrate this large volume of information, often obtained from widely heterogeneous sources. Kernel methods have proven successful to handle the analysis of different types of datasets obtained on the same individuals. However, they usually suffer from a lack of interpretability since the original description of the individuals is lost due to the kernel embedding. We propose novel feature selection methods that are adapted to the kernel framework and go beyond the well-established work in supervised learning by addressing the more difficult tasks of unsupervised learning and kernel output learning. The method is expressed under the form of a non-convex optimization problem with a ℓ1 penalty, which is solved with a proximal gradient descent approach. It is tested on several systems biology datasets and shows good performances in selecting relevant and less redundant features compared to existing alternatives. It also proved relevant for identifying important governmental measures best explaining the time series of Covid-19 reproducing number evolution during the first months of 2020. The proposed feature selection method is embedded in the R package mixKernel version 0.8, published on CRAN. Installation instructions are available at http://mixkernel.clementine.wf/.
New progress in zeolite synthesis and catalysis
Authors: Xu Hao , Wu Peng
Published: March 2022

The rational design synthesis of zeolite catalysts with effective, environmentally benign and atom-economic routes is a major topic in the field of microporous materials, as it would avoid the high labor cost and inefficiency of traditional trial-and-error methods in developing new structures and dispel environmental concerns regarding the industrial mass production of zeolites. Catalytic applications of zeolite materials have expanded from conventional single functionalities, such as solid acids or selective oxidation catalysts to bi/multifunctionalities through combination with metals or metal oxides. This is a response to new requirements from petrochemical and fine chemical industries, such as precise control of product distribution, conversion of low-carbon resources for chemical production, and solutions to increasingly severe environmental problems related to CO2 and NOx. Thus, based on the systematic knowledge of zeolite chemistry and science that researchers have acquired in the past half-century and the development requirements, remarkable progress has been made in zeolite synthesis and catalysis in the past 10 years. This includes the manipulation of zeolitic monolayers derived from layered zeolites and germanosilicates to construct novel zeolite materials and effective and green zeolite syntheses as well as the synergistic interaction of zeolites and metal/metal oxides with different space distributions in the conversion of low-carbon resources. With many zeolite catalysts and catalytic processes being developed, our understanding of the close relationship between zeolite synthesis, structure and catalytic properties has deepened. Researchers are gradually approaching the goal of rationally designing zeolite catalysts with precisely controlled activity and selectivity for particular applications.
Quality of Conduct and Reporting of Propensity Score Methods in Studies Investigating the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Eikenboom Anna M , Le Cessie Saskia , Waernbaum Ingeborg , Groenwold Rolf H H , de Boer Mark G J
Published: March 2022

Background

Propensity score methods are becoming increasingly popular in infectious disease medicine to correct for confounding in observational studies. However, applying and reporting propensity score techniques correctly requires substantial knowledge of these methods. The quality of conduct and reporting of propensity score methods in studies investigating the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy is yet undetermined.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to provide an overview of studies (2005–2020) on the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy that used propensity score methods. A quality assessment tool and a standardized quality score were developed to evaluate a subset of studies in which antibacterial therapy was investigated in detail. The scale of this standardized score ranges between 0 (lowest quality) and 100 (excellent).

Results

A total of 437 studies were included. The absolute number of studies that investigated the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy and that used propensity score methods increased 15-fold between the periods 2005–2009 and 2015–2019. Propensity score matching was the most frequently applied technique (65%), followed by propensity score–adjusted multivariable regression (25%). A subset of 108 studies was evaluated in detail. The median standardized quality score per year ranged between 53 and 61 (overall range: 33–88) and remained constant over the years.

Conclusions

The quality of conduct and reporting of propensity score methods in research on the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy needs substantial improvement. The quality assessment instrument that was developed in this study may serve to help investigators improve the conduct and reporting of propensity score methods.
New-Onset Dementia Among Survivors of Pneumonia Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I , Baskett William I , Huang Wei , Naqvi S Hasan , Shyu Chi-Ren
Published: March 2022

Background

Case series without control groups suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may result in cognitive deficits and dementia in the postinfectious period.

Methods

Adult pneumonia patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (index hospitalization) and age-, gender-, and race/ethnicity-matched contemporary control pneumonia patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified from 110 healthcare facilities in United States. The risk of new diagnosis of dementia following >30 days after the index hospitalization event without any previous history of dementia was identified using logistic regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders.

Results

Among 10 403 patients with pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 312 patients (3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.7%–3.4%]) developed new-onset dementia over a median period of 182 days (quartile 1 = 113 days, quartile 3 = 277 days). After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, nicotine dependence/tobacco use, alcohol use/abuse, atrial fibrillation, previous stroke, and congestive heart failure, the risk of new-onset dementia was significantly higher with pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with pneumonia unrelated to SARS-CoV-2 infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1–1.5]). The association remained significant after further adjustment for occurrence of stroke, septic shock, and intubation/mechanical ventilation during index hospitalization (OR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1–1.5]).

Conclusions

Approximately 3% of patients with pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection developed new-onset dementia, which was significantly higher than the rate seen with other pneumonias.
Risk Factors Associated With Hospitalization and Death in COVID-19 Breakthrough Infections
Authors: Suleyman Geehan , Fadel Raef , Brar Indira , Kassab Rita , Khansa Rafa , Sturla Nicholas , Alsaadi Ayman , Latack Katie , Miller Joseph , Tibbetts Robert , Samuel Linoj , Alangaden George , Ramesh Mayur
Published: March 2022

Background

Characterizations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine breakthrough infections are limited. We aim to characterize breakthrough infections and identify risk factors associated with outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective case series of consecutive fully vaccinated patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a multicenter academic center in Southeast Michigan, between December 30, 2020, and September 15, 2021.

Results

A total of 982 patients were identified; the mean age was 57.9 years, 565 (59%) were female, 774 (79%) were White, and 255 (26%) were health care workers (HCWs). The median number of comorbidities was 2; 225 (23%) were immunocompromised. BNT162b2 was administered to 737 (75%) individuals. The mean time to SARS-CoV-2 detection was 135 days. The majority were asymptomatic or exhibited mild to moderate disease, 154 (16%) required hospitalization, 127 (13%) had severeâ€“critical illness, and 19 (2%) died. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04â€“1.07; Pâ€…<â€….001), cardiovascular disease (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.55â€“5.89; Pâ€…=â€….001), and immunocompromised status (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.70â€“3.90; Pâ€…<â€….001) were independent risk factors for hospitalization. Additionally, age (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02â€“1.11; Pâ€…=â€….006) was significantly associated with mortality. HCWs (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05â€“0.50; Pâ€…=â€….002) were less likely to be hospitalized, and prior receipt of BNT162b2 was associated with lower odds of hospitalization (OR, 0.436; 95% CI, 0.303â€“0.626; Pâ€…<â€….001) and/or death (OR, 0.360; 95% CI, 0.145â€“0.898; Pâ€…=â€….029).

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at attenuating disease severity. However, patients with breakthrough infections necessitating hospitalization may benefit from early treatment modalities and COVID-19-mitigating strategies, especially in areas with substantial or high transmission rates.
Resource allocation underlies parental decision-making during incubation in the Manx Shearwater
Authors: Gillies Natasha , Padget Oliver , Syposz Martyna , Bond Sarah , Guilford Tim
Published: March 2022

For many bird species, trade-offs in resource allocation become stark during incubation, when caring demands put into direct conflict their investment in reproduction versus survival. We demonstrate the critical importance of resource allocation, here measured indirectly as body mass, for incubation behavior in the Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), a biparentally-caring seabird. Using daily measurements of body mass from breeding pairs in combination with field observations and remotely collected behavioral data, we examined how changes in mass related to nest attendance and foraging behavior. We furthermore tested whether this differed between the sexes and between pairs of different breeding experience. We found that while body mass predicted the probability that incubating birds would choose to temporarily desert the nest, incubation shift duration was ultimately set by return of the foraging bird. The trip durations of foraging birds in turn were primarily dictated by their body mass reserves on departure from the nest. However, foragers appeared to account for the condition of the incubating partner by returning from sea earlier when their partner was in poor condition. This key finding suggests that decisions relating to resource allocation may be made cooperatively within the breeding pair during incubation. Our results contribute to understanding the mechanisms by which individuals regulate both their own and their partner’s incubation behavior, with implications for interacting with fine-scale resource availability.
La prévention et la prise en charge des complications aiguës de l’anémie falciforme
Authors: Beck Carolyn E , Trottier Evelyne D , Kirby-Allen Melanie , Pastore Yves
Published: March 2022

L’anémie falciforme est une maladie multisystémique chronique qui exige des soins globaux. La falciformation des globules rouges entraîne une hémolyse et une occlusion vasculaire. L’anémie hémolytique, les syndromes douloureux et les atteintes organiques en sont des complications. En raison des profils d’immigration et d’une augmentation du dépistage néonatal, les professionnels de la santé pédiatrique du Canada doivent connaître l’anémie falciforme, tant dans les petits que les grands centres. Le présent document de principes porte sur les principes de prévention, de défense d’intérêts et de traitement rapide des complications aiguës courantes de l’anémie falciforme. Les lignes directrices comprennent l’état actuel du dépistage néonatal, les recommandations en matière de vaccination et de prophylaxie antibiotique et une introduction à l’hydroxyurée, un médicament qui réduit à la fois la morbidité et la mortalité chez les enfants atteints d’anémie falciforme. Des scénarios cliniques démontrent les principes de soins en cas de complications aiguës courantes : les épisodes vaso-occlusifs, le syndrome thoracique aigu, la fièvre, la séquestration splénique, les crises aplasiques et les accidents vasculaires cérébraux. Enfin, les principes de transfusion sanguine sont présentés, de même que les indications de transfusion simple ou d’exsanguinotransfusion.
Chest MRI with CT in the assessment of interstitial lung disease progression in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Hochhegger Bruno , Lonzetti Lilian , Rubin Adalberto , de Mattos Juliane Nascimento , Verma Nupur , Mohammed Tan-Lucien H , Patel Pratik P , Marchiori Edson
Published: March 2022

Objective

To describe the performance of CT and MRI in the assessment of the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with SSc and demonstrate the correlations of MRI with pulmonary function test (PFT) and CT scores.

Methods

This prospective single-centre observational study included patients with SSc diagnoses, and magnetic resonance (MR) images were assessed visually using the Scleroderma Lung Study (SLS) I system. Differences in the median scores were assessed with Student’s t-test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Pearson’s and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated to correlate imaging scores and PFT results. Using disease progression as the gold standard, we calculated the area under the curve (AUC) of the CT and MRI scores with Harrel’s c-index. The best thresholds for the prediction of disease progression were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with maximum Youden’s Index (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the scores were calculated.

Results

The AUCs for MRI and CT scores were 0.86 (0.72–0.98; P = 0.04) and 0.83 (0.70–0.99; P = 0.05), respectively. CT and MRI scores correlated with Forced vital capacity (%FVC) (MRI: r = −0.54, P = 0.0045; CT: r = −0.44; P = 0.137) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (MRI: r = −0.39, P = 0.007; CT r = −0.36, P = 0.006). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 85%, 87.5%, 88.34% and 86.11% (MRI score) and 84.21%, 82.35%, 84.14% and 82.4% (CT score), respectively.

Conclusions

MRI scores from patients with SSc may be an alternative modality for the assessment of ILD progression in patients with SSc.
The Association Between Executive Functioning and Personal Recovery in People With Psychotic Disorders
Authors: van Aken B C , Wierdsma A I , Voskes Y , Pijnenborg G H M , van Weeghel J , Mulder C L
Published: March 2022

Background

Recovery in psychotic disorder patients is a multidimensional concept that can include personal, symptomatic, societal, and functional recovery. Little is known about the associations between personal recovery (PR) and functional recovery (FR). FR involves a person’s ability to recover or compensate for impaired cognition, such as executive functions, and the loss of skills.

Method

In this cross-sectional study (the UP’S study), we used measures of executive functioning and personal recovery to assess a cohort of people with a psychotic disorder. PR was measured using the Recovering Quality of Life (ReQOL) and Individual Recovery Outcomes (I.ROC). FR was assessed using two forms of assessment. The Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning Adult version (BRIEF-A) was used for self-rated executive functioning, and the Tower of London (TOL) for performance-based executive functioning. Regression models were calculated between executive functioning (BRIEF-A and TOL) and PR (ReQOL and I.ROC). Model selection was based on the Wald test.

Results

The study included data on 260 participants. While total scores of BRIEF-A had a small negative association with those of the ReQOL (β = −0.28, P > .001) and the I.ROC (β = −0.41, P > .001), TOL scores were not significantly associated with the ReQOL scores (β = 0.03, P = .76) and the I.ROC scores (β = 0.17, P = 0.17).

Conclusion

Self-reported EF, which measures the accomplishment of goal pursuit in real life was associated with PR. However, processing efficiency and cognitive control as measured by performance-based EF were not.
Early Detection of the Spinach Downy Mildew Pathogen in Leaves by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification
Authors: Clark Kelley J. , Anchieta Amy G. , da Silva Mychele B. , Kandel Shyam L. , Choi Young-Joon , Martin Frank N. , Correll James C. , Van Denyze Allen , Brummer E. Charles , Klosterman Steven J.
Published: March 2022

Downy mildew of spinach, caused by Peronospora effusa, is a major economic threat to both organic and conventional spinach production. Symptomatic spinach leaves are unmarketable and spinach with latent infections are problematic because symptoms can develop postharvest. Therefore, early detection methods for P. effusa could help producers identify infection before visible symptoms appear. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) provides sensitive and specific detection of pathogen DNA and is a rapid, field-applicable method that does not require advanced technical knowledge or equipment-heavy DNA extraction. Here, we used comparative genomics to identify a unique region of the P. effusa mitochondrial genome to develop an RPA assay for the early detection of P. effusa in spinach leaves. In tandem, we established a TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and used this assay to validate the P. effusa specificity of the locus across Peronospora spp. and to compare assay performance. Neither the TaqMan qPCR nor the RPA showed cross reactivity with the closely related beet downy mildew pathogen, P. schachtii. TaqMan qPCR and RPA have detection thresholds of 100 and 900 fg of DNA, respectively. Both assays could detect P. effusa in presymptomatic leaves, with RPA-based detection occurring as early as 5 days before the appearance of symptoms and TaqMan qPCR-based detection occurring after 24 h of plant exposure to airborne spores. Implementation of the RPA detection method could provide real-time information for point-of-care management strategies at field sites.
Frontal Electroencephalography Findings in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Chang Brian A. , Cassim Tuan Z. , Mittel Aaron M. , Brambrink Ansgar M. , García Paul S.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) negatively impacts the central nervous system, and studies using a full montage of electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes have reported nonspecific EEG patterns associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The use of this technology is resource-intensive and limited in its implementation. In this descriptive pilot study, we report neurophysiological patterns and the potential prognostic capability of an abbreviated frontal EEG electrode montage in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods:

Patients receiving mechanical ventilation for SARS-CoV-2 respiratory failure were monitored with Sedline Root Devices using EEG electrodes were placed over the forehead. Qualitative EEG assessments were conducted daily. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were duration of endotracheal intubation and lengths of intensive care and hospitalization stay.

Results:

Twenty-six patients were included in the study, and EEG discontinuity was identified in 22 (84.6%) patients. The limited sample size and patient heterogeneity precluded statistical analysis, but certain patterns were suggested by trends in the data. Survival was 100% (4/4) for those patients in which a discontinuous EEG pattern was not observed. The majority of patients (87.5%, 7/8) demonstrating activity in the low-moderate frequency range (7 to 17 Hz) survived compared with 61.1% (11/18) of those without this observation.

Conclusions:

The majority of COVID-19 patients showed signs of EEG discontinuity during monitoring with an abbreviated electrode montage. The trends towards worse survival among those with EEG discontinuity support the need for additional studies to investigate these associations in COVID-19 patients.
Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fracture AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria: Does Treatment at a Pediatric Level I Trauma Center Comply?
Authors: Douleh Diana G. , Carry Patrick , Sanders Julia S. , Rhodes Jason T.
Published: March 2022

Background:

The primary purpose of this analysis was to compare supracondylar humerus fracture (SCHF) treatment patterns at a single quaternary pediatric hospital relative to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) appropriate use treatment recommendation(s).

Methods:

Among all fractures included in the cohort (n=571), the observed treatment approach was evaluated relative to the AAOS “Appropriate” treatment recommendation(s). The proportion, and corresponding 95% confidence interval, of cases that agreed with the “Appropriate” treatment recommendation was estimated. Demographics and clinical characteristics among cases that were managed in accordance with the “Appropriate,” “May be Appropriate,” or “Rarely Appropriate” were compared.

Results:

All fractures were treated according to the “Appropriate,” “May be Appropriate,” or “Rarely Appropriate” AAOS treatment guidelines. The observed treatment among fractures included in the cohort agreed with AAOS “Appropriate” recommendations in 92.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 89.6%-94.2%] of the cases. Fracture type differed significantly between patients treated according to AAOS “Appropriate” recommendations compared to those treated according to “May be Appropriate,” or “Rarely Appropriate” recommendation.

Conclusions:

The treatment approach implemented at a single level 1 trauma center was in concordance with the appropriate use criteria treatment recommendations in a significant majority of cases. Fractures not treated according to “Appopriate” recommendations were primarily type IIA injuries, and were treated with closed reduction and casting instead of the recommended closed reduction and percutaneous pinning.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Back to Carracci
Authors: Rebello Gleeson , Joseph Benjamin
Published: March 2022

Annibale Carracci’s sketch of a boy with a hunchback conveys the boy’s emotions remarkably well. The possibilities of the underlying cause of the spinal deformity and its neurologic complications are discussed.
Minimal Out-Toeing and Good Hip Scores of Severe SCFE Patients Treated With Modified Dunn Procedure and Contralateral Prophylactic Pinning at Minimal 5-year Follow up
Authors: Lerch Till D. , Boschung Adam , Leibold Christiane , Kalla Roger , Kerkeni Hassen , Baur Heiner , Eichelberger Patric , Steppacher Simon D. , Liechti Emanuel F. , Siebenrock Klaus A. , Tannast Moritz , Ziebarth Kai
Published: March 2022

Background:

Slipped capital femoral epiphyses (SCFE) is associated with out-toeing of the foot and external rotation gait. But it is unknown if SCFE patients treated with the modified Dunn procedure have out-toeing at follow up.

Therefore, we used instrumented gait analysis and questioned (1) do severe SCFE patients treated with a modified Dunn procedure have symmetrical foot progression angle (FPA) compared with contralateral side and compared with asymptomatic volunteers (2) what is the prevalence of out-toeing gait and what are the outcome socres at follow up.

Methods:

Gait analysis of 22 patients (22 hips) treated with an unilateral modified Dunn procedure for severe SCFE (slip angle >60 degrees, 2002 to 2011) was retrospectively evaluated. Of 38 patients with minimal 5-year follow up, 2 hips (4%) had avascular necrosis of the femoral head and were excluded for gait analysis. Twenty-two patients were available for gait analysis at follow up (mean follow up of 9±2 y). Mean age at follow up was 22±3 years. Mean preoperative slip angle was 64±8 degrees (33% unstable slips) and decreased postoperatively (slip angle of 8±4 degrees). Gait analysis was performed with computer-based instrumented walkway system (GAITRite) to measure FPA with embedded pressure sensors. Patients were compared with control group of 18 healthy asymptomatic volunteers (36 feet, mean age 29±6 y).

Results:

(1) Mean FPA of SCFE patients (3.6±6.4 degrees) at follow up was not significantly different compared with their contralateral side (5.6±5.5 degrees) and compared with FPA of controls (4.0±4.5 degrees). (2) Of the 22 SCFE patients, most of them (19 hips, 86%) had normal FPA (−5 to 15 degrees), 2 patients had in-toeing (FPA<−5 degrees) and 1 had out-toeing (FPA >15 degrees) and was not significantly different compared with control group. (3) Mean modified Harris hip score (mHHS) was 93±11 points, mean Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) score was 91±10 points. Three patients (14%) had mHHS <80 points and walked with normal FPA. The 2 patients with in-toeing and one patient with out-toeing had mHHS >95 points.

Conclusions:

Patients with severe SCFE treated with modified Dunn procedure had mostly symmetrical FPA and good hip scores at long term follow up. This is in contrast to previous studies. Although 1 patient had out-toeing and 2 patients had in-toeing at follow up, they had good hip scores.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—retrospective comparative study.
The Efficacy of Intra-articular Subtalar Steroid Injection for Symptomatic Talocalcaneal Coalitions: A 30-Year Single Institution Experience
Authors: Zide Jacob R. , Shivers Claire , Adair Christopher , Le Thanh , Kanaan Yassine , Rathjen Karl , Jo Chan-Hee , Riccio Anthony I.
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

While intra-articular steroid injection has been used anecdotally in patients with symptomatic talocalcaneal coalitions recalcitrant to traditional conservative modalities, the ability of this treatment to provide symptomatic relief and obviate or delay surgical intervention remains unknown. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to assess the treatment efficacy of intra-articular subtalar steroid injection in children with symptomatic talocalcaneal coalitions.

Methods:

A retrospective study of all patients with isolated subtalar coalitions was performed at a single pediatric orthopaedic institution over a 30-year period. Radiographs were analyzed to identify the type of coalition (osseous or nonosseous), presence of any posterior facet involvement, and presence of a planovalgus foot deformity. Patients who underwent a subtalar joint steroid injection after failing other conservative treatments were identified and compared with those who did not receive an injection as part of their nonoperative management with regard to the need for ultimate surgical intervention and the time from presentation to surgery when applicable.

Results:

A total of 83 patients (125 feet) met inclusion criteria, of whom 25 patients (34 feet) received a subtalar steroid injection. When compared with the 58 patients (91 feet) treated with standard nonoperative modalities, there were no differences with regard to sex, age at presentation (12.4 and 12.3 y, respectively), facet involvement, type of coalition, or the presence of a planovalgus deformity. In all, 12/34 (35%) feet in the injection group eventually elected surgical intervention compared with 36/91 (39%) feet that did not receive an injection (P=0.72). For those patients ultimately selecting surgical intervention, the average time from initial presentation to surgery was 878 days in the injection group versus 211 days in the noninjection group (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

While subtalar steroid injection can alleviate symptoms in some patients with a talocalcaneal coalition, this intervention does not appear to decrease the need for surgery when compared with traditional nonoperative therapies. In patients failing other forms of conservative treatment, subtalar steroid injections can delay surgical intervention by an average of nearly 2 years.

Level of Evidence:

Level-III—therapeutic study.
Spine Surgery and Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Joaquim Andrei F. , de Oliveira Samuel A. , Appenzeller Simone , Patel Alpesh A.
Published: March 2022

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common form of axial spondyloarthritis, characterized by inflammatory back pain, radiographic sacroiliitis, excess spinal bone formation, and a high prevalence of HLA-B27. Commonly, AS patients require spinal surgery for kyphotic deformities, spinal trauma, and spinal infections. For preoperative management, proper interruption considering each specific half-lives of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are necessary to avoid complications, such as infections. When feasible, bone quality assessment before surgery is mandatory. For intraoperative measurements, airway management should be carefully evaluated, especially in patients with severe cervical deformities. Cardiac, renal, and pulmonary assessment should be made considering specific pathologic characteristics involved in AS patients, such as pulmonary restrictive disease and chronic anti-inflammatory drugs use. Multimodal neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring is recommended once these patients had a high risk for neurological deterioration. At the postoperative period, early oral intake, early mobilization, and aggressive pain control may decrease complications and enhance recovery. AS presents several unique challenges that require specific attention around spine surgery. This includes handling preoperative and postoperative pharmacotherapeutics, intraoperative airway management, and the mitigation of postoperative complications. In this paper, we provide a literature review of optimal strategies for the perioperative management for patients with AS.