bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-energy gamma-ray emission powered by a young protostar: the case of S255 NIRS 3
Authors: de Oña Wilhelmi Emma , López-Coto Rubén , Su Yang
Published: May 2023

Evidence of efficient acceleration of cosmic rays in massive young stellar objects has been recently reported. Among these massive protostars, S255 NIRS 3, for which extreme flaring events associated with radio jets have been detected, is one of the best objects to test this hypothesis. We search for gamma-ray emission associated with this object in Fermi-LAT data and inspect the gas content in different molecular lines using the MWISP survey. A GeV source dubbed 4FGL J0613.1+1749c lies on top of the MYSO region, where two filamentary ∼10 pc CO structures extend along the same direction of the subparsec radio jets. We investigate the spectrum, morphology, and light curve of the gamma-ray source and compare it with the theoretical emission expected from hadronic and leptonic populations accelerated in the radio jets. We argue that the gamma-ray source could be powered by particles accelerated in the S255 NIRS 3 jets, radiating via bremsstrahlung or proton–proton interaction, and with a synchrotron component shinning in radio from primary or secondary electrons in the case of a leptonic or hadronic population.
XQR-30: The ultimate XSHOOTER quasar sample at the reionization epoch
Authors: D’Odorico Valentina , Bañados E , Becker G D , Bischetti M , Bosman S E I , Cupani G , Davies R , Farina E P , Ferrara A , Feruglio C , Mazzucchelli C , Ryan-Weber E , Schindler J-T , Sodini A , Venemans B P , Walter F , Chen H , Lai S , Zhu Y , Bian F , Campo S , Carniani S , Cristiani S , Davies F , Decarli R , Drake A , Eilers A-C , Fan X , Gaikwad P , Gallerani S , Greig B , Haehnelt M G , Hennawi J , Keating L , Kulkarni G , Mesinger A , Meyer R A , Neeleman M , Onoue M , Pallottini A , Qin Y , Rojas-Ruiz S , Satyavolu S , Sebastian A , Tripodi R , Wang F , Wolfson M , Yang J , Zanchettin M V
Published: May 2023

The final phase of the reionization process can be probed by rest-frame UV absorption spectra of quasars at z ≳ 6, shedding light on the properties of the diffuse intergalactic medium within the first Gyr of the Universe. The ESO Large Programme ‘XQR-30: the ultimate XSHOOTER legacy survey of quasars at z ≃ 5.8–6.6’ dedicated ∼250 h of observations at the VLT to create a homogeneous and high-quality sample of spectra of 30 luminous quasars at z ∼ 6, covering the rest wavelength range from the Lyman limit to beyond the Mg ii emission. Twelve quasar spectra of similar quality from the XSHOOTER archive were added to form the enlarged XQR-30 sample, corresponding to a total of ∼350 h of on-source exposure time. The median effective resolving power of the 42 spectra is R ≃ 11 400 and 9800 in the VIS and NIR arm, respectively. The signal-to-noise ratio per 10 km s−1 pixel ranges from ∼11 to 114 at λ ≃ 1285 Å rest frame, with a median value of ∼29. We describe the observations, data reduction, and analysis of the spectra, together with some first results based on the E-XQR-30 sample. New photometry in the H and K bands are provided for the XQR-30 quasars, together with composite spectra whose characteristics reflect the large absolute magnitudes of the sample. The composite and the reduced spectra are released to the community through a public repository, and will enable a range of studies addressing outstanding questions regarding the first Gyr of the Universe.
Identification of molecular clouds in emission maps: a comparison between methods in the 13CO/C18O (J = 3–2) Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey
Authors: Rani Raffaele , Moore Toby J T , Eden David J , Rigby Andrew J , Duarte-Cabral Ana , Lee Yueh-Ning
Published: May 2023

The growing range of automated algorithms for the identification of molecular clouds and clumps in large observational data sets has prompted the need for the direct comparison of these procedures. However, these methods are complex and testing for biases is often problematic: only a few of them have been applied to the same data set or calibrated against a common standard. We compare the Fellwalker method, a widely used watershed algorithm, to the more recent Spectral Clustering for Interstellar Molecular Emission Segmentation (SCIMES). SCIMES overcomes sensitivity and resolution biases that plague many friends-of-friends algorithms by recasting cloud segmentation as a clustering problem. Considering the 13CO/C18O (J = 3–2) Heterodyne Inner Milky Way Plane Survey (CHIMPS) and the CO High-Resolution Survey (COHRS), we investigate how these two different approaches influence the final cloud decomposition. Although the two methods produce largely similar statistical results over the CHIMPS dataset, FW appears prone to oversegmentation, especially in crowded fields where gas envelopes around dense cores are identified as adjacent, distinct objects. FW catalogue also includes a number of fragmented clouds that appear as different objects in a line-of-sight projection. In addition, cross-correlating the physical properties of individual sources between catalogues is complicated by different definitions, numerical implementations, and design choices within each method, which make it very difficult to establish a one-to-one correspondence between the sources.
Synthesis of infrared Stokes spectra in an evolving solar chromospheric jet
Authors: Matsumoto T , Kawabata Y , Katsukawa Y , Iijima H , Quintero Noda C
Published: May 2023

Chromospheric jets are plausible agents of energy and mass transport in the solar chromosphere, although their driving mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Magnetic field measurements are key for distinguishing the driving mechanisms of chromospheric jets. We performed a full Stokes synthesis in the infrared range with a realistic radiative magnetohydrodynamics simulation that generated a chromospheric jet to predict spectropolarimetric observations from the Sunrise Chromospheric Infrared spectro-Polarimeter (SCIP) onboard the SUNRISE III balloon telescope. The jet was launched by the collision between the transition region and an upflow driven by the ascending motion of the twisted magnetic field at the envelope of the flux tube. This motion is consistent with upwardly propagating non-linear Alfvénic waves. The upflow could be detected as continuous Doppler signals in the Ca ii 849.8 nm line at the envelope where the dark line core intensity and strong linear polarization coexist. The axis of the flux tube was bright in both Fe i 846.8 nm and Ca ii 849.8 nm lines with downflowing plasma inside it. The structure, time evolution, and Stokes signals predicted in our study will improve the physical interpretation of future spectropolarimetric observations with SUNRISE III/SCIP.
The Three Hundred Project: the evolution of physical baryon profiles
Authors: Li Qingyang , Cui Weiguang , Yang Xiaohu , Davé Romeel , Rasia Elena , Borgani Stefano , Massimo Meneghetti , Knebe Alexander , Dolag Klaus , Sayers Jack
Published: May 2023

The distribution of baryons provides a significant way to understand the formation of galaxy clusters by revealing the details of its internal structure and changes over time. In this paper, we present theoretical studies on the scaled profiles of physical properties associated with the baryonic components, including gas density, temperature, metallicity, pressure and entropy as well as stellar mass, metallicity and satellite galaxy number density in galaxy clusters from z = 4 to z = 0 by tracking their progenitors. These mass-complete simulated galaxy clusters are coming from The Three Hundred with two runs: Gizmo-SIMBA and Gadget-X. Through comparisons between the two simulations, and with observed profiles that are generally available at low redshift, we find that (1) the agreements between the two runs and observations are mostly at outer radii r ≳ 0.3r500, in line with the self-similarity assumption. While Gadget-X shows better agreements with the observed gas profiles in the central regions compared to Gizmo-SIMBA; (2) the evolution trends are generally consistent between the two simulations with slightly better consistency at outer radii. In detail, the gas density profile shows less discrepancy than the temperature and entropy profiles at high redshift. The differences in the cluster centre and gas properties imply different behaviours of the AGN models between Gadget-X and Gizmo-SIMBA, with the latter, maybe too strong for this cluster simulation. The high-redshift difference may be caused by the star formation and feedback models or hydrodynamics treatment, which requires observation constraints and understanding.
Genome Context Viewer (GCV) version 2: enhanced visual exploration of multiple annotated genomes
Authors: Cleary Alan M , Farmer Andrew D
Published: May 2023

The Genome Context Viewer is a web application for identifying, aligning, and visualizing genomic regions based on their micro and macrosyntenic structures. By using functional elements such as gene annotations as the unit of search and comparison, the Genome Context Viewer can compute and display relationships between regions across many assemblies from federated data sources in real-time, enabling users to rapidly explore multiple annotated genomes and identify divergence and structural events that can help provide insight into evolutionary mechanisms associated with functional consequences. In this work, we introduce version 2 of the Genome Context Viewer and highlight new features that enhance usability, performance, and ease of deployment.
Abalign: a comprehensive multiple sequence alignment platform for B-cell receptor immune repertoires
Authors: Zong Fanjie , Long Chenyu , Hu Wanxin , Chen Shuang , Dai Wentao , Xiao Zhi-Xiong , Cao Yang
Published: May 2023

The utilization of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) for B-cell receptor (BCR) immune repertoire analysis has become widespread in the fields of adaptive immunity and antibody drug development. However, the sheer volume of sequences generated by these experiments presents a challenge in data processing. Specifically, multiple sequence alignment (MSA), a critical aspect of BCR analysis, remains inadequate for handling massive BCR sequencing data and lacks the ability to provide immunoglobulin-specific information. To address this gap, we introduce Abalign, a standalone program specifically designed for ultrafast MSA of BCR/antibody sequences. Benchmark tests demonstrate that Abalign achieves comparable or even better accuracy than state-of-the-art MSA tools, and shows remarkable advantages in terms of speed and memory consumption, reducing the time required for high-throughput analysis from weeks to hours. In addition to its alignment capabilities, Abalign offers a broad range of BCR analysis features, including extracting BCRs, constructing lineage trees, assigning VJ genes, analyzing clonotypes, profiling mutations, and comparing BCR immune repertoires. With its user-friendly graphic interface, Abalign can be easily run on personal computers instead of computing clusters. Overall, Abalign is an easy-to-use and effective tool that enables researchers to analyze massive BCR/antibody sequences, leading to new discoveries in the field of immunoinformatics. The software is freely available at http://cao.labshare.cn/abalign/.
UMSBP2 is chromatin remodeler that functions in regulation of gene expression and suppression of antigenic variation in trypanosomes
Authors: Soni Awakash , Klebanov-Akopyan Olga , Erben Esteban , Plaschkes Inbar , Benyamini Hadar , Mitesser Vera , Harel Amnon , Yamin Katereena , Onn Itay , Shlomai Joseph
Published: May 2023

Universal Minicircle Sequence binding proteins (UMSBPs) are CCHC-type zinc-finger proteins that bind the single-stranded G-rich UMS sequence, conserved at the replication origins of minicircles in the kinetoplast DNA, the mitochondrial genome of kinetoplastids. Trypanosoma brucei UMSBP2 has been recently shown to colocalize with telomeres and to play an essential role in chromosome end protection. Here we report that TbUMSBP2 decondenses in vitro DNA molecules, which were condensed by core histones H2B, H4 or linker histone H1. DNA decondensation is mediated via protein-protein interactions between TbUMSBP2 and these histones, independently of its previously described DNA binding activity. Silencing of the TbUMSBP2 gene resulted in a significant decrease in the disassembly of nucleosomes in T. brucei chromatin, a phenotype that could be reverted, by supplementing the knockdown cells with TbUMSBP2. Transcriptome analysis revealed that silencing of TbUMSBP2 affects the expression of multiple genes in T. brucei, with a most significant effect on the upregulation of the subtelomeric variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) genes, which mediate the antigenic variation in African trypanosomes. These observations suggest that UMSBP2 is a chromatin remodeling protein that functions in the regulation of gene expression and plays a role in the control of antigenic variation in T. brucei.
Home-based exercise in patients on maintenance dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Battaglia Yuri , Amicone Maria , Mantovani Alessandro , Combe Christian , Mitra Sandip , Basile Carlo ,   EuDial Working Group of ERA
Published: May 2023

Background

The impact of home-based exercise on physical performance and quality of life (QoL) in patients on maintenance dialysis has not yet been fully established.

Methods

We searched four large electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the impact of home-based exercise interventions vs. usual care or intradialytic exercise interventions, on physical performance and QoL in patients on dialysis. The meta-analysis was performed using fixed effects modeling.

Results

We included 12 unique RCTs involving 791 patients of various ages on maintenance dialysis. Home-based exercise interventions were associated with an improvement of walking speed at the 6 Minutes Walking Test [6MWT; nine RCTs; pooled weighted mean differences (WMD): 33.7 m, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.8–44.5; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and in aerobic capacity as assessed by the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak; 3 RCTs; pooled WMD: 2.04 ml/kg/min, 95% CI 0.25–3.83; P = 0.03; I2 = 0%). They were also associated with improved QoL, as assessed by the Short Form (36) Health (SF-36) score. Stratifying the RCTs by control groups, no significant difference was found between home-based exercise and intradialytic exercise interventions. Funnel plots did not reveal any significant publication bias.

Conclusions

Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that home-based exercise interventions for 3–6 months were associated with significant improvements in physical performance in patients on maintenance dialysis. However, further RCTs with a longer follow-up should be conducted to assess the safety, adherence, feasibility, and effects on QoL of home-based exercise programs in dialysis patients.
Plant polygalacturonase structures specify enzyme dynamics and processivities to fine-tune cell wall pectins
Authors: Safran Josip , Tabi Wafae , Ung Vanessa , Lemaire Adrien , Habrylo Olivier , Bouckaert Julie , Rouffle Maxime , Voxeur Aline , Pongrac Paula , Bassard Solène , Molinié Roland , Fontaine Jean-Xavier , Pilard Serge , Pau-Roblot Corinne , Bonnin Estelle , Larsen Danaé Sonja , Morel-Rouhier Mélanie , Girardet Jean-Michel , Lefebvre Valérie , Sénéchal Fabien , Mercadante Davide , Pelloux Jérôme
Published: May 2023

Polygalacturonases (PGs) fine-tune pectins to modulate cell wall chemistry and mechanics, impacting plant development. The large number of PGs encoded in plant genomes leads to questions on the diversity and specificity of distinct isozymes. Herein, we report the crystal structures of 2 Arabidopsis thaliana PGs, POLYGALACTURONASE LATERAL ROOT (PGLR), and ARABIDOPSIS DEHISCENCE ZONE POLYGALACTURONASE2 (ADPG2), which are coexpressed during root development. We first determined the amino acid variations and steric clashes that explain the absence of inhibition of the plant PGs by endogenous PG-inhibiting proteins (PGIPs). Although their beta helix folds are highly similar, PGLR and ADPG2 subsites in the substrate binding groove are occupied by divergent amino acids. By combining molecular dynamic simulations, analysis of enzyme kinetics, and hydrolysis products, we showed that these structural differences translated into distinct enzyme–substrate dynamics and enzyme processivities: ADPG2 showed greater substrate fluctuations with hydrolysis products, oligogalacturonides (OGs), with a degree of polymerization (DP) of ≤4, while the DP of OGs generated by PGLR was between 5 and 9. Using the Arabidopsis root as a developmental model, exogenous application of purified enzymes showed that the highly processive ADPG2 had major effects on both root cell elongation and cell adhesion. This work highlights the importance of PG processivity on pectin degradation regulating plant development.
Cajal bodies: Evolutionarily conserved nuclear biomolecular condensates with properties unique to plants
Authors: Taliansky Michael E , Love Andrew J , Kołowerzo-Lubnau Agnieszka , Smoliński Dariusz Jan
Published: May 2023

Proper orchestration of the thousands of biochemical processes that are essential to the life of every cell requires highly organized cellular compartmentalization of dedicated microenvironments. There are 2 ways to create this intracellular segregation to optimize cellular function. One way is to create specific organelles, enclosed spaces bounded by lipid membranes that regulate macromolecular flux in and out of the compartment. A second way is via membraneless biomolecular condensates that form due to to liquid-liquid phase separation. Although research on these membraneless condensates has historically been performed using animal and fungal systems, recent studies have explored basic principles governing the assembly, properties, and functions of membraneless compartments in plants. In this review, we discuss how phase separation is involved in a variety of key processes occurring in Cajal bodies (CBs), a type of biomolecular condensate found in nuclei. These processes include RNA metabolism, formation of ribonucleoproteins involved in transcription, RNA splicing, ribosome biogenesis, and telomere maintenance. Besides these primary roles of CBs, we discuss unique plant-specific functions of CBs in RNA-based regulatory pathways such as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, mRNA retention, and RNA silencing. Finally, we summarize recent progress and discuss the functions of CBs in responses to pathogen attacks and abiotic stresses, responses that may be regulated via mechanisms governed by polyADP-ribosylation. Thus, plant CBs are emerging as highly complex and multifunctional biomolecular condensates that are involved in a surprisingly diverse range of molecular mechanisms that we are just beginning to appreciate.
Bicarbonate activation of the monomeric photosystem II-PsbS/Psb27 complex
Authors: Fantuzzi Andrea , Haniewicz Patrycja , Farci Domenica , Loi M Cecilia , Park Keunha , Büchel Claudia , Bochtler Matthias , Rutherford A William , Piano Dario
Published: May 2023

In thylakoid membranes, photosystem II (PSII) monomers from the stromal lamellae contain the subunits PsbS and Psb27 (PSIIm-S/27), while PSII monomers (PSIIm) from granal regions lack these subunits. Here, we have isolated and characterized these 2 types of PSII complexes in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). PSIIm-S/27 showed enhanced fluorescence, the near absence of oxygen evolution, and limited and slow electron transfer from QA to QB compared to the near-normal activities in the granal PSIIm. However, when bicarbonate was added to PSIIm-S/27, water splitting and QA to QB electron transfer rates were comparable to those in granal PSIIm. The findings suggest that the binding of PsbS and/or Psb27 inhibits forward electron transfer and lowers the binding affinity for bicarbonate. This can be rationalized in terms of the recently discovered photoprotection role played by bicarbonate binding via the redox tuning of the QA/QA•− couple, which controls the charge recombination route, and this limits chlorophyll triplet-mediated 1O2 formation. These findings suggest that PSIIm-S/27 is an intermediate in the assembly of PSII in which PsbS and/or Psb27 restrict PSII activity while in transit using a bicarbonate-mediated switch and protective mechanism.
Lysine malonylation of DgnsLIPID TRANSFER PROTEIN1 at the K81 site improves cold resistance in chrysanthemum
Authors: Liao Xiaoqin , Zhang Xingsu , Li Xin , Tian Yuchen , Yang Qing , Wang Yongyan , Tang Si , Luo Xuanling , Zhang Fan , Zhang Lei , Jiang Beibei , Liu Qinglin
Published: May 2023

Lysine malonylation (Kmal) is a recently discovered posttranslational modification, and its role in the response to abiotic stress has not been reported in plants. In this study, we isolated a nonspecific lipid transfer protein, DgnsLTP1, from chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum var. Jinba). Overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9–mediated gene editing of DgnsLTP1 demonstrated that the protein endows chrysanthemum with cold tolerance. Yeast 2-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, luciferase complementation imaging, and coimmunoprecipitation experimental results showed that DgnsLTP1 interacts with a plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) DgPIP. Overexpressing DgPIP boosted the expression of DgGPX (glutathione peroxidase), increased the activity of GPX, and decreased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby enhancing the low-temperature stress tolerance of chrysanthemum, while the CRISPR-Cas9–mediated mutant dgpip inhibited this process. Transgenic analyses in chrysanthemum showed that DgnsLTP1 improves the cold resistance of chrysanthemum in a DgPIP-dependent manner. Moreover, Kmal of DgnsLTP1 at the K81 site prevented the degradation of DgPIP in Nicotiana benthamiana and chrysanthemum, further promoted DgGPX expression, enhanced GPX activity, and scavenged excess ROS produced by cold stress, thereby further enhancing the cold resistance of chrysanthemum.
7-UP: Generating in silico CODEX from a small set of immunofluorescence markers
Authors: Wu Eric , Trevino Alexandro E , Wu Zhenqin , Swanson Kyle , Kim Honesty J , D’Angio H Blaize , Preska Ryan , Chiou Aaron E , Charville Gregory W , Dalerba Piero , Duvvuri Umamaheswar , Colevas Alexander D , Levi Jelena , Bedi Nikita , Chang Serena , Sunwoo John , Egloff Ann Marie , Uppaluri Ravindra , Mayer Aaron T , Zou James
Published: May 2023

Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) assays multiple protein biomarkers on a single tissue section. Recently, high-plex CODEX (co-detection by indexing) systems enable simultaneous imaging of 40+ protein biomarkers, unlocking more detailed molecular phenotyping, leading to richer insights into cellular interactions and disease. However, high-plex data can be slower and more costly to collect, limiting its applications, especially in clinical settings. We propose a machine learning framework, 7-UP, that can computationally generate in silico 40-plex CODEX at single-cell resolution from a standard 7-plex mIF panel by leveraging cellular morphology. We demonstrate the usefulness of the imputed biomarkers in accurately classifying cell types and predicting patient survival outcomes. Furthermore, 7-UP's imputations generalize well across samples from different clinical sites and cancer types. 7-UP opens the possibility of in silico CODEX, making insights from high-plex mIF more widely available.
Becoming a Father, Staying a Father: An Examination of the Cumulative Wage Premium for U.S. Residential Fathers
Authors: Gowen Ohjae
Published: May 2023

The instability of fathers’ co-residence with children has become an increasingly prevalent experience for U.S. families. Despite long-standing scholarship examining the relationship between fatherhood and wage advantages, few studies have investigated how variation in fathers’ stable co-residence with a child may produce temporal changes in the wage premium over the life course. Building on prior explanations of the fatherhood wage premium, I test if the wage premium grows with time since the birth of a resident child and if the premium depends on fathers’ co-residence with a child. I use marginal structural models with repeated outcome measures and data from 4060 men in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 to assess the cumulative influence of co-residential biological fatherhood on wages. I find that each year of residential fatherhood is associated with a wage gain of 1.2 percent, while the immediate wage benefit to residential fatherhood is minor. Thus, the fatherhood premium is better understood as an unfolding process of cumulative advantage rather than a one-time bonus. Furthermore, the wage premium ceases to accumulate once fathers lose co-residential status with a child, which highlights the contingency of the premium on stable co-residence. Together, these findings shed light on one pathway through which family (in)stability—a phenomenon fundamentally embedded in individual life experiences—stratifies men’s wages across the life course.
Poor self-reported sleep quality associated with suicide risk in a community sample of American Indian adults
Authors: Ehlers Cindy L , Karriker-Jaffe Katherine J , Bernert Rebecca
Published: May 2023

Study Objectives

Although American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) have high suicide rates few studies have systematically investigated sleep quality and its association with suicidal behaviors in AI/AN. This study is a cross-sectional investigation of self-reported sleep quality and suicidal behaviors in an adult AI population.

Methods

A semi-structured interview was used to collect data on suicidal ideation, suicidal plans, and suicidal attempts and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was collected to assess sleep quality in American Indian adults.

Results

In this sample (n = 477), 91 (19%) of the participants endorsed suicidal ideation (thoughts and plans), and 66 (14%) reported suicidal attempts, including four who subsequently died by suicide. More women reported suicidal thoughts or acts than men. Those endorsing suicidal thoughts slept fewer hours during the night, reported more nocturnal awakenings, and showed poorer subjective sleep quality according to PSQI total scores compared to those with no suicidal thoughts or acts. Participants with suicidal acts (n = 66) reported more bad dreams and higher PSQI total scores compared to those with no suicidal thoughts or acts. When those with any suicidal thoughts or acts (n = 157, 33%) were compared to those without, they were more likely to endorse nocturnal awakenings and bad dreams and demonstrated significantly higher PSQI total scores.

Conclusions

Although additional research is needed to evaluate sleep disturbances as a proximal, causal risk factor for suicidal behaviors in AI, findings highlight need for further study of sleep as a warning sign and intervention tool for suicide prevention among American Indian adults.
Understanding private foundations in the UK—Square pegs and round holes?
Authors: James Georgina
Published: May 2023

There is no entity equivalent to a private foundation under English law. However, private foundations are popular wealth management vehicles and are frequently used by international families for management of and succession to multi-jurisdictional assets. This article examines the competing considerations when trying to understand how private foundations are characterised as a matter of English law, and as a result how they may be treated for tax purposes in the UK.
‘No future to look forward to’, Suicide Pacts, Intimacy and Society in 1920s and 1930s Britain
Authors: Fredrickson Jacob
Published: May 2023

In the years after the First World War, a worrying legal and cultural phenomenon appeared in the English criminal court, something that would captivate the reading public throughout Britain. Young people, specifically young couples, were agreeing to die together, in what would become known as a ‘suicide pact’. This article examines the curiously brief life of the suicide pact as a legal, social, and cultural problem in Britain. It contends that the suicide pact became a site through which the scale and pace of modern life, and particularly intimate life, was debated and judged. The suicide pact, this article argues, provides another vantage point to unpack the fraught twentieth-century relationship between individual freedom in sexual life, and the norms, values and patterns of community and the family. In exploring this tension, this article also presents a new way of thinking about the history of both intimate and social life in twentieth-century Britain.
Neurocysticercosis and hydrocephalus: the value of ventriculoperitoneal shunting in its management
Authors: Cruz Lya , Pacheco Edgar , Soto Walter , Cong Roberto , Suastegui Roberto , Moreno-Jimenez Sergio , Fleury Agnès
Published: May 2023

Background

Hydrocephalus is the main complication of extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (EP-NC). Its symptomatic management relies mainly on the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Previous studies have shown that this surgical procedure is associated with a poor prognosis, but current information is lacking.

Methods

We included 108 patients with a definitive diagnosis of EP-NC and hydrocephalus requiring VPS placement. We evaluated their demographic, clinical, and inflammatory characteristics, as well as the frequency of complications related to VPS placement.

Results

Hydrocephalus was present at the time of NC diagnosis in 79.6% of patients. VPS dysfunction occurred in 48 patients (44.4%), mainly within the first year after placement (66.7%). The dysfunctions were not associated with the location of the cyst, the inflammatory characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid or the administration of cysticidal treatment. They were significantly more frequent in patients in whom the decision to place a VPS was made in the emergency department. Two years after VPS, patients’ Karnofsky score averaged 84.6±15 and only one patient died of a cause directly related to VPS.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the utility of VPS and showed a significant improvement in the prognosis of patients requiring VPS compared with previous studies.
Applicability of Shoulder, Olecranon, and Wrist-based Skeletal Maturity Estimation Systems to the Modern Pediatric Population
Authors: Furdock Ryan J. , Kuo Andy , Chen Kallie J. , Liu Raymond W.
Published: May 2023

Background:

The proximal humerus ossification system (PHOS), olecranon apophyseal ossification system (OAOS), and modified Fels wrist skeletal maturity system (mFWS) were recently developed or updated using a historical, mostly White, pediatric population. These upper extremity skeletal maturity systems have demonstrated skeletal age estimation performance superior or equivalent to Greulich and Pyle in historical patients. Their applicability to modern pediatric populations has not yet been evaluated.

Methods:

We reviewed anteroposterior shoulder, lateral elbow, and anteroposterior hand and wrist x-rays of 4 pediatric cohorts: White males, Black males, White females, and Black females. Peripubertal x-rays were evaluated: males 9 to17 years and females 7 to 15 years. Five nonpathologic radiographs for each age and joint were randomly selected from each group. Skeletal age estimates made by each of the 3 skeletal maturity systems were plotted against the chronological age associated with each radiograph and compared between cohorts, and with the historical patients.

Results:

Five hundred forty modern radiographs were evaluated (180 shoulders, 180 elbows, and 180 wrists). All radiographic parameters had inter- and intra-rater reliability coefficients at or above 0.79, indicating very good reliability. For PHOS, White males had delayed skeletal age compared with Black males (Δ−0.12 y, P=0.02) and historical males (Δ−0.17 y, P<0.001). Black females were skeletally advanced compared with historical females (Δ0.11 y, P=0.01). For OAOS, White males (Δ−0.31 y, P<0.001) and Black males (Δ−0.24 y, P<0.001) had delayed skeletal age compared with historical males. For mFWS, White males (Δ0.29 y, P=0.024), Black males (Δ0.58 y, P<0.001), and Black females (Δ0.44 y, P<0.001) had advanced skeletal age compared with historical counterparts of the same sex. All other comparisons were not significant (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

The PHOS, OAOS, and mFWS have mild discrepancies in skeletal age estimates when applied to modern pediatric populations depending on the race and sex of the patient.

Level of Evidence:

Level III – retrospective chart review.
Stabilization of Recurrent Elbow Instability in the Presence of Hyperlaxity in Children Using a Nonanatomic Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Authors: Jones Neil John , Ayub Anouska , Vaghela Kalpesh R. , DiMascio Livio , Firth Gregory B. , Williams Daniel
Published: May 2023

Despite growing concordance of opinion in the adult setting, pediatric elbow instability and its management are poorly represented in the literature due to its low prevalence and often unique circumstances. The authors present a case of posttraumatic recurrent posterior pediatric elbow instability in a patient with joint hypermobility. Our patient, a 9-year-old girl, sustained a right-sided supracondylar fracture of the humerus in April 2019. Having been managed operatively, the elbow remained unstable and dislocated posteriorly in extension. Definitive surgical management was designed to provide a stable functional elbow. The principle of the surgery was to create a checkrein of tissue, not changing in length in extension and flexion, and to prevent further posterior elbow instability. A 3 mm slip of the central triceps tendon was dissected, leaving its attachment to the olecranon tip. Gracilis allograft was sutured to the strip of the triceps tendon to increase the tensile properties of the native tendon graft using a braided nonabsorbable suture. The tendon construct was then passed through a window made in the olecranon fossa and a transosseous tunnel in the ulna from the coronoid tip to the dorsal cortex. The tendon was tensioned and secured to the radial-dorsal aspect of the ulna with a nonabsorbable suture anchor in 90 degrees of flexion. At one year follow-up, the patient has a stable and pain-free elbow joint with no functional limitations.
Improving Perioperative Preparation for Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment for Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Byrd Jacqueline N. , Huynh Kristine A. , Cho Hoyune E. , Chung Kevin C.
Published: May 2023

Background:

We aimed to review common patient concerns after surgical repair of distal radius fracture (DRF) to identify potential interventions to improve the gap between expectation and education for DRF patients.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 100 consecutive patients who underwent surgical repair of DRF at a level I trauma center. Patient-initiated communication notes were reviewed with thematic analysis to identify the common reasons patients required additional information. We used the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool to score the available educational resources for DRF patients for the understandability and actionability of the educational materials provided to the patients.

Results:

Of 165 patient communication episodes, 88.5% occurred postoperatively. The most common concerns were pain (30, 15.4%) and surgical site changes (24, 12.3%). Most communications (171, 83.4%) were resolved with patient education through instruction or reassurance. The reviewed materials did not address pain or surgical site changes. No reviewed materials provided actionable steps patients could take to facilitate recovery.

Conclusions:

Pain management and normal wound healing were the most common surgical concerns of DRF patients. We identify opportunities to improve expectation-setting in online materials and during face-to-face education to create a more patient-centered perioperative experience.
The Impact of an Intervention to Improve Caregiver Contribution to Heart Failure Self-care on Caregiver Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life, and Sleep
Authors: Locatelli Giulia , Rebora Paola , Occhino Giuseppe , Ausili Davide , Riegel Barbara , Cammarano Andrea , Uchmanowicz Izabella , Alvaro Rosaria , Vellone Ercole , Zeffiro Valentina
Published: May 2023

Background

Better caregiver contribution to self-care in heart failure is associated with better patient outcomes. However, caregiver contribution to self-care is also associated with high anxiety and depression, poor quality of life, and poor sleep in caregivers. It is still unclear whether interventions that encourage caregivers to contribute more to patient self-care might increase caregivers' anxiety and depression and decrease their quality of life and sleep.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a motivational interview intervention aimed at improving caregiver contribution to self-care in heart failure on caregivers' anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep.

Methods

This is a secondary outcome analysis of the MOTIVATE-HF trial. Patients with heart failure and their caregivers were randomized into arm 1 (motivational interview to patients), arm 2 (motivational interview to patients and caregivers), and arm 3 (standard care). Data were collected between June 2014 and October 2018. The article has been prepared following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials checklist.

Results

A sample of 510 patient-caregiver dyads was enrolled. Over the year of the study, the levels of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and sleep in caregivers did not significantly change among the 3 arms.

Conclusions

Motivational interview aimed at improving caregiver contribution to self-care does not seem to increase caregiver anxiety and depression, nor decrease their quality of life and sleep. Thus, such an intervention might be safely delivered to caregivers of patients with heart failure, although further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Insight into the history and trends of surgical simulation training in education: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Chen Guoqiao , Jin Shengxi , Xia Qiming , Wang Zhifei , Shi Zhaoqi , Chen Guojun , Hong Yucai , Fan Xiaoxiao , Lin Hui
Published: May 2023

Background:

Surgical simulation training enables surgeons to acquire clinical experience or skills from the operating room to the simulation environment. Historically, it has changed with advances in science and technology. Moreover, no previous study has analyzed this field from the bibliometric analysis dimension. The study aimed to review changes in surgical simulation training worldwide using bibliometric software.

Materials and Methods:

Two searches were performed on the core collection database, Web of Science (WOS), regarding data from 1991 to the end of 2020 using three topic words (surgery, training, and simulation). From January 1st, 2000, to May 15th, 2022, the keyword ‘robotic’ was added for the hotspot exploration. The data were chiefly analyzed by publication date, country, author(s), and keywords using bibliometric software.

Results:

A total of 5,285 articles were initially analyzed, from which it was clear that laparoscopic skill, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and virtual reality (VR) were the main focuses during those study periods. Subsequently, 348 publications on robotic surgery training were identified.

Conclusion:

This study systematically summarizes the current status in the field of surgical simulation training and provides insights into the research focuses and future hotspot in a global context.
Trauma system establishment and outcome improvement: a retrospective national cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Kwon Junsik , Lee Myeonggyun , Kim Yoon , Moon Jonghwan , Huh Yo , Song Seoyoung , Kim Sora , Ko Jung-in , Jung Kyoungwon
Published: May 2023

Background:

Trauma is a major cause of mortality, disability, and health care costs worldwide. The establishment of a trauma system is known to solve these problems, but few studies have objectively evaluated the impact of a trauma system on outcomes. Since 2012, South Korea has established a national trauma system based on the implementation of 17 regional trauma centers nationwide and the improvement of the prehospital transfer system. This study aimed to measure the changes in performance and outcome according to the established national trauma system.

Material and Methods:

In this national cohort-based, retrospective follow-up observational study, the authors calculated the preventable trauma death rate (PTDR) by conducting a multipanel review of patients who died in 2015, 2017, and 2019. Furthermore, the authors constructed a risk-adjusted mortality prediction model of 4 767 876 patients between 2015 and 2019 using the extended-International Classification of Disease Injury Severity Scores to compare outcomes.

Results:

The PTDR was lower in 2019 than in 2015 (15.7 vs. 30.5, P <0.001) and 2017 (15.7 vs. 19.9%, P<0.001) representing 1247 additional lives saved in 2019 compared to that in 2015. In the risk-adjusted model, total trauma mortality was highest in 2015 at 0.56%, followed by that in 2016 and 2017 (0.50%), 2018 (0.51%), and 2019 (0.48%), revealing a significant decrease in mortality over the years (P<0.001 for trend), representing nearly 800 additional lives saved. The number of deaths for more severe patients with a probability of survival less than 0.25 significantly decreased from 81.50% in 2015 to 66.17% in 2019 (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

The authors observed a significant reduction in the PTDR and risk-adjusted trauma mortality in the 5-year follow-up since 2015 when the national trauma system was established. These findings could serve as a model for low-income and middle-income countries, where trauma systems are not yet established.
Characterizing the most Popular Tinnitus Inquiries: Is Tinnitus Incidence on the Rise Since COVID-19?
Authors: Fritz Christian G. , Choi Jonathan S. , Conway Robert M. , Casale Garrett G. , Bojrab Dennis I. , Babu Seilesh C.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Approximately 50 million US adults experience chronic tinnitus, yet search behaviors and topics of concern to these patients have not been investigated on a national level.

Study Design

Observational

Setting

Online database and tertiary otology clinic

Patients

Nationwide and institutional samples

Interventions

None

Main Outcome Measure

A search engine optimization tool was utilized to extract metadata on “People Also Ask” (PAA) questions pertaining to tinnitus. Website quality was assessed using JAMA benchmark criteria. Search volume trends were investigated along with institutional-level data on tinnitus incidence.

Results

Of the 500 PAA questions assessed, the majority (54.0%) contained value-type content. The most popular question categories pertained to tinnitus treatment (29.3%), alternative treatment approaches (21.5%), technical details (16.9%), and timeline of symptoms (13.4%). Patients were most interested in treatment with wearable masking devices and most commonly searched for tinnitus as being attributable to a neurologic etiology. Online searches pertaining to unilateral tinnitus symptoms have increased >3-fold since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, review of patient encounters at our tertiary otology clinic revealed a nearly 2-fold increase in tinnitus consultations since 2020.

Conclusions

Topics of interest and concern identified herein may inform the development of patient education materials and help guide clinical practice. Online search data suggest an increase in tinnitus searches since the onset of COVID-19, which did correlate clinically with an increase in tinnitus consultations at our institution.
A case study of intrathecal baclofen pump motor shutdown secondary to the effect of the magnetic field created by a personal digital tablet and magnetic cover
Authors: FOSTIER Michele , GUSTIN Thierry , DELTOMBE Thierry
Published: May 2023

We present the case of a post-traumatic C6 AIS A tetraplegic patient with spasticity treated with an intrathecal baclofen pump (ITB), who noticed a transient increase in his spasticity each time he used a digital tablet (Ipad®) protected by a magnetic shell placed on his abdomen. Telemetry confirmed transient motor shutdown responsible for withdrawal symptoms each time the tablet was used. Symptoms resolved after the removal of the protective shell. Effects of magnetic fields like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are known to stall the pump rotor, which recover at the end of MRI. Other sources of magnetic fields like laptops or new smartphones with magnet charging technology may also interfere with implanted devices. We therefore recommend patients to avoid close contact of magnetic devices with the intrathecal baclofen pump. More robust studies are warranted to assess the effect of the new magnetic technologies on the function of intrathecal pumps.
Variability in the Transition of Care to Post-Stroke Rehabilitation During the First Wave of COVID-19
Authors: Venkatachalam Aardhra M. , Hossain Sayeeda R. , Manchi Maunica R , Chavez Audrie A. , Abraham Annie M. , Stone Suzanne , Truong Vincent , Cobos Carrie U. , Khuong Toan , Atem Folefac D. , Welch Babu , Ifejika Nneka L.
Published: May 2023

Objective

Evaluate transitions of acute stroke (AS) and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) care during the first wave of COVID-19.

Design

Retrospective observational study (3 Comprehensive Stroke Centers with hospital-based IRFs) between 1/1/2019-5/31/2019 (AS = 584, IRF = 210) and 1/1/2020-5/31/2020 (AS = 534, IRF = 186). AS characteristics included stroke type, demographics and medical comorbidities. The proportion of patients admitted for AS and IRF care was analyzed graphically and using t-test assuming unequal variances.

Results

The proportion of intracerebral hemorrhage patients (28.5 vs 20.5%, P = 0.035) and those with history of transient ischemic attack (29 vs 23.9%; P = 0.049) increased during the COVID-19 1st wave in 2020. Uninsured AS admissions decreased (7.3 vs 16.6%) while commercially insured increased (42.7 vs 33.4%, P < 0.001).

AS admissions decreased from 116.5/month in 2019 to 98.8/month in 2020 (P = 0.008) with no significant difference in IRF admissions (39/month in 2019, 34.5/month in 2020; P = 0.66).

In 2019, monthly changes in AS admissions coincided with IRF admissions.

In 2020, AS admissions decreased 80.6% from January to February, while IRF admissions remained stable. AS admissions increased 12.8% in Mar 2020, remained stable in April, while IRF admissions decreased by 92%.

Conclusion

Acute stroke hospitalizations significantly decreased per month during the 1st wave of COVID-19, with a delayed effect on the transition from AS to IRF care.
Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided Needle Placement on the L5 Lumbar Nerve Root: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Rodríguez-Sanz Jacobo , Borrella-Andrés Sergio , Pérez-Bellmunt Albert , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César , Albarova-Corral Isabel , López-de-Celis Carlos , Arias-Buría José L. , González-Rueda Vanessa , Malo-Urriés Miguel
Published: May 2023

Objective

To analyze and describe the accuracy of an ultrasound-guided approach to target the L5 root in cadaveric specimens and evaluate if gender differences exist.

Design

A cross-anatomical study on forty cadaver L5 nerve roots was performed. A needle was introduced until contacting the L5 nerve root using ultrasound guidance. After that, specimens were frozen and studied by a cross-anatomical view to see the needle's path. The angulation, length, distance from the vertebral spine, the relevant ultrasound anatomical references, and the accuracy of the procedure were evaluated.

Results

The needle tip reached the L5 root at a 72.5% rate. The mean angulation degrees of the needle relative to the skin surface was 75.53 ± 10.17°, the length of the needle inserted was 5.83 ± 0.82 cm, and the distance from the vertebral spine to the point of entry of the needle was 5.39 ± 1.44 cm.

Conclusion

An ultrasound-guided technique can potentially be an accurate technique to perform invasive procedures on the L5 root. There were statistically significant differences between males and females in the length of the needle introduced. If the L5 root is not clearly visualized, ultrasound will not be the technique of choice.