bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Native T1 mapping for differential diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Lavall D , Vosshage NH , Stoebe S , Denecke T , Hagendorff A , Laufs U
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate native T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tomography for the differential diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.

Background

Mapping techniques are useful to characterize myocardial tissue abnormalities, particularly cardiac amyloidosis. However, specific cut-off values to differentiate LV hypertrophic phenotypes on 3.0 tesla CMR scanners have not been established, yet.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients in the CMR database of Leipzig university hospital with increased LV wall thickness (≥12mm diameter at end-diastole) who were referred for the evaluation of LV hypertrophy or ischemia between 2017 and 2020 on a 3T scanner (Philips Achieva). Patients with suspected or confirmed myocarditis were excluded. Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis was made by either biopsy or non-invasively by bone scintigraphy and screening for monoclonal gammopathy. T1 mapping was measured as global mean value from 3 short axis slices of the LV.

Results

128 consecutive patients were included in the study. 31 subjects without evidence of structural heart disease served as healthy control. The final diagnosis was cardiac amyloidosis in 24 patients (5 patients with light-chain, 18 with transthyretin amyloidosis, 1 undetermined), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 24, and hypertensive heart disease in 80 patients. Mean age of patients was 65 ± 13years, 84% were male. LV mass was increased in patients with LV hypertrophy compared to healthy control (p < 0.001). Native T1 values of the LV myocardium were higher in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (1409 ± 59ms, p < 0.0001 vs. all other groups) compared to healthy control (1225 ± 21ms), patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM; 1263 ± 43ms) and hypertensive heart disease (HHD; 1257 ± 41ms) (Figure). Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease did not differ in their native T1 values, but both groups were increased compared to healthy control (p < 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis of native T1 values demonstrated an area under the curve for the detection of cardiac amyloidosis of 0.9954 (p < 0.0001) vs. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease and healthy control. The optimal cut-off value was 1341ms, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97%.

Conclusion

Native T1 mapping has high diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis among patients with LV hypertrophy. These data need confirmation in a prospective clinical trial.

Study ID

DRKS00022048
Cardio-pulmonary transit-time by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: associates to infarct severity and adverse events after reperfused STEMI
Authors: Troger F , Reindl M , Pamminger M , Tiller C , Holzknecht M , Lechner I , Reinstadler SJ , Metzler B , Klug G , Mayr A
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data on cpTT and its associates with infarct characteristics and clinical outcome after reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are lacking so far.

Purpose

To investigate cardiopulmonary-transit-time (cpTT) and its value as surrogate parameter for integrative cardiac performance and its link to heart failure.

Methods

A total of 207 patients (179 men [87%], median age 55 [interquartile range (IQR) 49-64] with acute STEMI underwent CMR on day 3 [IQR 2-4] and 4 months (m) [IQR 4-5] after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. cpTT was taken as the time between the peaks of time-intensity curves of gadolinium contrast to pass from the right ventricle (RV) to the left ventricle (LV). Infarct size, extent of microvascular obstruction (MVO), RV and LV dimensions and function were assessed at both occasions.

Results

cpTT decreased significantly between baseline and 4m CMR scan (8.6 seconds [IQR 7.5-9.6] to 7.8 sec [IQR 7-8.7], respectively, p < 0.0001). Patients with presence of MVO had significantly prolonged cpTT at baseline and 4m follow-up (all p < 0.022). According to Cox regression analysis ("functional model") baseline cpTT (hazard ratio (HR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–2.2; p= 0.008) remained significantly associated to the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after adjustment for LV ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac index. According to Cox regression analysis ("tissue model") baseline cpTT (HR 1.462, 95% CI 1.02–2.09, p= 0.039) as well as extent of MVO (HR 1.196, 95% CI 1.081–1.324, p= 0.001) remained significantly associated to MACE after adjustment for infarct size. Baseline cpTT (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.725, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57-0.88; p < 0.009) was significantly higher for the prediction of MACE compared to LV ejection fraction (AUC: 0.686, 95% CI 0.51-0.87; p = 0.031. AUC difference: 0.039, p < 0.03). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, cpTT ≥9 sec was associated with clinical adverse cardiovascular events (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Following reperfused STEMI, cpTT predicts prognosis independently of infarct size and systolic function. Moreover, cpTT provides significantly higher prognostic implication in comparison with LV ejection fraction.
Magnetic resonance imaging derived cardiac first pass perfusion in cryptogenic ischemic stroke in the young
Authors: Lehmonen L , Pirinen J , Putaala J , Martinez-Majander N , Kuusisto J , Sinisalo J , Jarvinen V
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Up to 50% of ischemic strokes in adults aged between 18 and 50 are cryptogenic by nature. Heart has been a hypothesised source.

Purpose: Purpose of the study was to investigate the wash in and wash out of gadolinium based contrast agent in the left atrial appendage, and cardiac chambers in first pass cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

The study comprised 30 patients with first-ever cryptogenic ischemic stroke and 30 age and gender matched stroke-free controls included in the prospective multicenter study Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers and Outcome (SECRETO; NCT01934725). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed on all participants with a 1.5T magnetic resonance system. Dynamic contrast enhanced T1 weighted first pass perfusion images were acquired in the superior vena cava, the left atrial appendage (Fig. 1), and the left ventricle. The images were analyzed for time-intensity curves (Fig. 2), and results were normalised to individual heart rate. Arrival times, peak times, areas under the curves, relative blood flows (defined as area under the curve/full width at half maximum), and maximum and minimum rates of bolus wash in / wash out were calculated.

Results

The wash in of the contrast agent bolus was similar in patients and controls. Arrival times and peak timings showed similar characteristics in patients and controls in the left atrial appendage (arrival time: 12.4 [2.3] vs. 13.5 [3.6] cardiac cycles, p = 0.657; peak time: 19.6 [5.1] vs. 19.8 [6.9] cardiac cycles, p = 0.929) and the left atrium (arrival time: 12.2 [2.8] vs. 13.0 [3.6] cardiac cycles, p = 0.535; peak time: 18.7 [5.5] vs. 18.1 [5.2] cardiac cycles, p = 0.790). Areas under under the curves and relative blood flows were similar in patients and controls. A significant difference between patients and controls was found in the wash out rate of gadolinium in the left ventricle (-28 [11] vs. -36 [13] 1/cardiac cycles, p = 0.012), indicating slightly slower wash out in the patients.

Conclusions

Cryptogenic ischemic stroke in the young is not associated with prolonged blood flow in the left atrial appendage or left atrium. There were no significant differences in the first pass perfusion between subjects and healthy controls. However, there might be a slight tendency for stagnation of blood flow in the left ventricles of cryptogenic stroke patients.
Change in left atrioventricular coupling index to predict incident atrial fibrillation: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Pezel T , Ambale Venkatesh B , Quinaglia T , Heckbert S , Kato YOKO , De Vasconcellos H , Wu C , Post W , Henry P , Bluemke D , Lima J
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

BACKGROUND

Left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) structural and functional parameters have independent prognostic values as predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF).

PURPOSE

Due to the intrinsic physiological relationship between LA and LV, we sought to investigate the prognostic value of a left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) as well as change in LACI to predict incident AF in a multi-ethnic population.

METHODS

In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), 1,911 study participants, free of clinically recognized AF and cardiovascular disease at baseline, had LACI assessed with CMR imaging at baseline (Exam 1, 2000–2002), and ten years later (Exam 5, 2010–2012). LACI was defined as the ratio of LA to LV end-diastolic volumes. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the associations of LACI and average annualized change in LACI (ΔLACI) with incident AF.

RESULTS

Among the 1,911 participants (mean age 59 ± 9 years and 47.5% male participants), 87 incident AF events occurred over 3.9 ±0.9 years following the second imaging (Exam 5). After adjustment for traditional risk factors, greater LACI and ΔLACI were independently associated with AF (HR 1.69, 95% CI [1.46-1.96] and HR 1.71, 95% CI [1.50-1.94], respectively; both p < 0.0001). Adjusted models for LACI and ΔLACI showed significant improvement in model discrimination compared to currently used AF risk score model for predicting AF incidence (C-statistic: 0.78 vs. 0.74, and C-statistic: 0.80 vs. 0.74, respectively). The LACI and ΔLACI also showed superior discrimination performance for AF compared to the multivariable model including CHARGE-AF score, and individual LA or LV parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrioventricular coupling (LACI) and coupling change (ΔLACI) are strong predictors for AF incidence in a multi-ethnic population. Both have incremental prognostic value for predicting AF over traditional risk factors, and superior discrimination power compared to the CHARGE-AF score and to individual LA or LV parameters.
Phasic left atrial strain predicts arrhythmia recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Hopman LHG , Mulder MJ , Van Der Laan AM , Demirkiran A , Bhagirath P , Van Rossum AC , Allaart CP , Gotte MJW
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Global left atrial (LA) strain is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation (RF-PVI). However, little is known about phasic LA strain (i.e. LA reservoir strain, LA conduit strain, and LA contractile strain) and arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablative therapy.

Aim

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of phasic LA longitudinal strain on arrhythmia recurrence after catheter ablation.

Methods

A total of 62 AF patients (77% paroxysmal AF, 66% male, mean age 61 ± 7 years) undergoing initial RF-PVI were included in the present analysis. Prior to AF ablation, all patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in sinus rhythm. LA reservoir strain, conduit strain and contractile strain were derived from 2-chamber and 4-chamber cine CMR images using feature tracking. All patients were routinely followed up for arrhythmia recurrence through ECGs, Kardia or Holter monitoring.

Results

One year follow-up was incomplete in nine AF patients. Arrhythmia recurrence after the 90-day blanking period was observed in 20 patients (38%), occurring after a median of 159 (119-291) days. Significantly lower LA reservoir strain and LA contractile strain values were found in AF patients with arrhythmia recurrence after RF-PVI, as compared to AF patients without arrhythmia recurrence (-12.8 ± 4.1% vs. -15.6 ± 3.5%, P = 0.02, -5.4 ± 2.2% vs. -7.7 ± 2.3% P < 0.001, respectively). LA conduit strain did not differ between these two groups (-7.4 ± 2.7% vs. -7.9 ± 2.9%, P = 0.53). Arrhythmia-free survival was assessed using the Kaplan Meier method and compared between strain values below and above the median using the log-rank test (median LA reservoir strain: -13.45%, median LA conduit strain: -7.55%, median LA contractile strain: -5.60%). Arrhythmia-free survival was different between AF patients with a high and low LA reservoir strain, and between patients with a high and low LA contractile strain (P = 0.03 and P = 0.006, respectively).

Conclusion

Low LA reservoir strain and low LA contractile strain both are predictive for arrhythmia recurrence after RF-PVI. LA conduit strain did not differ between patients with and without arrhythmia recurrence. LA contractile strain had the highest predictive value and may be a valuable clinical marker to predict success of AF ablative therapy.
Prognostic implications of left ventricular torsion by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Wei LAI , Ge HENG , Pu JUN
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): the National Key Research and Development Program of China

OnBehalf

Renji Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University

Background

 The prognostic implications of left ventricular (LV) torsion on the long-term prognosis of patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not clear.

Methods

 We analyzed Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) images and followed up 420 first STEMI patients from the EARLY Assessment of MYOcardial Tissue Characteristics by CMR in STEMI (EARLY-MYO-CMR) registry (NCT03768453). These patients received timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12h and CMR examination within 1 week (median,5 days; range, 2-7 days) after infarction. Besides, CMR images of 40 normal people were enrolled as the control group. LV torsion, torsion rate and other conventional CMR indexes were measured. Ultrasound cardiogram examinations were performed in the acute phase and 1 year post-STEMI to assess LV remodeling (≥ 20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume). Primary end point was composite major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including cardiovascular death, re-infarction, re-hospitalization for heart failure and stroke. Secondary end points were the formation of LV aneurysm/thrombus in hospital as well as LV remodeling at 1 year post-STEMI.

Results

During follow-up (median: 52 months, inter-quartile range: 29–78 months), 80 patients developed MACCEs. Compared with normal people, patients with STEMI had more decreased LV torsion (P < 0.001) and torsion rate (P = 0.033). Patients who experienced MACCEs had more impaired LV torsion (P < 0.001) and torsion rate (P < 0.001) than those who didn’t. LV torsion ≤ 0.876 deg/cm in the acute phase of STEMI was an independent predictive factor of MACCE (P = 0.001) and LV remodeling (P = 0.001). Patients with impaired LV torsion were more likely to experience MACCEs (P < 0.001). The impairment of LV torsion was also associated with the higher incidence of LV aneurysm (P < 0.001) and thrombus (P = 0.006). The addition of LV torsion to a risk model comprising LV ejection fraction (LVEF), infarct size (IS), and microvascular obstruction (MVO) led to a net reclassification improvement (continuous NRI 0.499 [95% CI, 0.261–0.737]; P < 0.001). Hypertension (P = 0.047), tobacco use (P = 0.005), worse TIMI flow post-PCI (P < 0.001), more extensive IS (P < 0.001) / MVO size (P = 0.002) were associated with the impairment of LV torsion.

Conclusions

Compared with normal people, patients with STEMI had more decreased LV torsion and torsion rate. LV torsion ≤ 0.876 deg/cm in the acute phase was an independent predictive factor of MACCE and LV remodeling. The addition of LV torsion to a risk model comprising LVEF, LV-IS and LV-MVO significantly improved risk stratification of patients with STEMI .
Recommendations for the use of coronary and valve simulators in cardiac surgical training: a systematic review
Authors: Whittaker George , Salmasi M Yousuf , Aydin Abdullatif , Magouliotis Dimitris , Raja Shahzad G , Asimakopoulos George , Moorjani Narain , Athanasiou Thanos
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically review the simulators that are currently available for coronary artery bypass graft and valve surgery and, in addition, to review the validation evidence supporting them and to recommend several simulators for training based on the analysis of results.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE® (1946 to May 2021) and EMBASE® (1947 to May 2021) databases was performed to identify simulators for coronary artery and valvular procedures in cardiothoracic surgery. A selection of keywords and MeSH terms was used to execute the literature search. After identification of relevant articles, data were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven simulators were found in 31 articles. Simulators were found for coronary artery bypass graft (n = 24) and valve surgery (n = 13). The majority of models were either benchtop (n = 28) or hybrid (n = 8) modalities. Evidence of validity was demonstrated in 15 (40.5%) simulators. Twenty-two (59.5%) simulators had no validation evidence, and 1 (2.7%) simulator had 3 or more elements of validity established.

CONCLUSIONS

Two simulators were recommended for supplemental training in cardiothoracic surgery. Low-fidelity models can provide a broad foundation for surgical skills’ development whereas high-fidelity simulators can be used for immersive training scenarios and appraisals. These should be utilized in early training, at which point the learning curve of trainees is steepest.
Handel’s singers from the London choirs
Authors: Burrows Donald
Published: July 2021

Handel’s musical career in London was largely centred on the theatre—the annual seasons of operas and oratorios, and their performers, often dominated by castratos and sopranos. There was, however, an alternative strand to his creative achievement that related to the singers who held posts in London’s major ecclesiastical choirs—the Chapel Royal, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral—with particular strengths in alto and bass voices, and treble soloists. This relationship stretched from his first years in London, including the ‘Utrecht’ canticles, to the Thanksgiving service and the Foundling Hospital Anthem in 1749. Handel seems to have developed a social relationship with the choir musicians during his first years in London, and his music for the Chapel Royal bears evidence to the musical skills of singers such as the alto Francis Hughes and the bass Samuel Weely. Although these singers formed an independent professional circuit, there were some overlaps in personnel, as for example the tenor John Beard, who had been trained in the Chapel Royal but developed a career as a theatre and concert singer, and the bass Robert Wass, who sang as an oratorio soloist for Handel while also serving as a regular member of the choirs. The ensemble of singers was influential (via, for example, the Coronation Anthems) in the development of chorus movements as a characteristic element in Handel’s theatre oratorios. The choir members also contributed directly as chorus singers for his oratorios, particularly in his later years, and he had similar reliance on ‘church’ singers for his oratorio performances at Oxford and Dublin.
Lute and theorbo toccatas of seicento Italy: the historical significance of a sidelined repertory
Authors: Louw Zirk Walter Eon
Published: July 2021

A survey of the extant toccatas in the 17th-century Italian lute and theorbo repertories reveals that the toccata emerged as an important genre for these instruments in the early Baroque. The assumption that the toccata was primarily a keyboard genre has, however, meant that lute and theorbo toccatas have received little scholarly attention to date. Like the toccatas in the keyboard repertory, the lute and theorbo works in various printed and manuscript sources show the emergence of idiomatic instrumental music that was increasingly freed from vocal style and from contrapuntal traditions. Some lute and theorbo toccatas also reveal how instrumental composers working in different milieus grappled with the expressive possibilities of the new musical language of the seconda pratica. This article considers various musical and contextual aspects of the lute and theorbo toccatas in order to argue that this rich repertory not only deserves more prominence within a representative history of the toccata genre in particular, but also has much to contribute to musical and social studies of the 17th century in general.
Role of Cohort Size in Trends in Class and Occupational Returns to Education at First Job: The Case of Japan
Authors: Mugiyama Ryota , Toyonaga Kohei
Published: July 2021

Downward trends in class and occupational returns to education have mainly been attributed to educational expansion via credential inflation. However, despite this rapid educational expansion, trends in returns to education vary across societies. This study proposes that changes in population size can contribute to offsetting the impact of educational expansion, controlling for demand-side factors. Using nationally representative survey data from Japan, we analysed trends in class and occupational returns to education at the first job of individuals born between 1942 and 1986. We found that a smaller cohort size increased the advantage of the highly educated in reaching higher occupational positions and upper service class positions, while a higher university graduation rate decreased this advantage. A counterfactual simulation demonstrated that the fluctuation in returns to education was driven by the pace of educational expansion relative to reductions in cohort size. These findings suggest that declining cohort sizes have counterbalanced credential inflation and caused stable trends in returns to education. We argue that mixed trends in class and occupational returns to education can be explained by the different paces of population change across societies.
Loss of the Dβ1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit disrupts bursicon-driven wing expansion and diminishes adult viability in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Christesen Danielle , Yang Ying Ting , Chen Wei , Batterham Philip , Perry Trent
Published: July 2021

Cholinergic signaling dominates the insect central nervous system, contributing to numerous fundamental pathways and behavioral circuits. However, we are only just beginning to uncover the diverse roles different cholinergic receptors may play. Historically, insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have received attention due to several subunits being key insecticide targets. More recently, there has been a focus on teasing apart the roles of these receptors, and their constituent subunits, in native signaling pathways. In this study, we use CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to generate germline and somatic deletions of the Dβ1 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit and investigate the consequences of loss of function in Drosophila melanogaster. Severe impacts on movement, male courtship, longevity, and wing expansion were found. Loss of Dβ1 was also associated with a reduction in transcript levels for the wing expansion hormone bursicon. Neuron-specific somatic deletion of Dβ1 in bursicon-producing neurons (CCAP-GAL4) was sufficient to disrupt wing expansion. Furthermore, CCAP-GAL4-specific expression of Dβ1 in a germline deletion background was sufficient to rescue the wing phenotype, pinpointing CCAP neurons as the neuronal subset requiring Dβ1 for the wing expansion pathway. Dβ1 is a known target of multiple commercially important insecticides, and the fitness costs exposed here explain why field-isolated target-site resistance has only been reported for amino acid replacements and not loss of function. This work reveals the importance of Dβ1-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in CCAP neurons for robust bursicon-driven wing expansion.
Next Steps in Integrative Biology: Mapping Interactive Processes Across Levels of Biological Organization
Authors: Cavigelli Sonia , Leips Jeff , Xiang Qiu-Yun (Jenny) , Lemke Dawn , Konow Nicolai
Published: July 2021

Synopsis

Emergent biological processes result from complex interactions within and across levels of biological organization, ranging from molecular to environmental dynamics. Powerful theories, database tools, and modeling methods have been designed to characterize network connections within levels, such as those among genes, proteins, biochemicals, cells, organisms, and species. Here, we propose that developing integrative models of organismal function in complex environments can be facilitated by taking advantage of these methods to identify key nodes of communication across levels of organization. Mapping key drivers or connections among levels of organization will provide data and leverage to model potential rule-sets by which organisms respond and adjust to perturbations at any level of biological organization.
Social determinants and facility type impact adherence to best practices in operable IIIAN2 lung cancer
Authors: Muslim Zaid , Stroever Stephanie , Baig Mirza Zain , Weber Joanna F , Connery Cliff P , Bhora Faiz Y
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify patient- and facility-specific predictors of collective adherence to 4 recommended best treatment practices in operable IIIAN2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and test the hypothesis that collective adherence is associated with superior survival.

METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database for clinical stage IIIAN2 NSCLC patients undergoing surgery during 2010–2015. The following best practices were examined: performance of an anatomic resection, performance of an R0 resection, examination of regional lymph nodes and administration of induction therapy. Multivariable regression models were fitted to identify independent predictors of guideline-concordance.

RESULTS

We identified 7371 patients undergoing surgical resection for IIIAN2 lung cancer, of whom 90.8% underwent an anatomic resection, 88.2% received an R0 resection, 92.5% underwent a regional lymph node examination, 41.6% received induction therapy and 33.7% received all 4 best practices. Higher income, private insurance and treatment at an academic facility were independently associated with adherence to all 4 best practices (P < 0.01). A lower level of education and residence in a rural county were associated with a lack of adherence (P < 0.05). Adherence to all 4 practices correlated with improved survival (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

National adherence to best treatment practices in operable IIIAN2 lung cancer was variable as evidenced by the majority of patients not receiving recommended induction therapy. Socioeconomic factors and facility type are important determinants of guideline-concordance. Future efforts to improve outcomes should take this into account since guideline concordance, in the form of collective adherence to all 4 best practices, was associated with improved survival.
Stirring the Justice Imagination: Countering the Invisibilization and Erasure of Syrian Victims’ Justice Narratives
Authors: Herremans Brigitte , Destrooper Tine
Published: July 2021

With most avenues to pursue justice for Syrian victims of international crimes blocked, Syrian and international justice actors within civil society and formal institutions are active in exploring ways to seek some form of justice and accountability. In doing so, many of them use the language of transitional justice as the most promising paradigm to keep justice on the international agenda and to resist the prevailing defeatism about the possibility to advance justice in the absence of a transition, as well as to remedy the marginalization of victims’ experiences and narratives. Many of these actors are not only interested in criminal accountability. They also seek to stretch the boundaries of what is imaginable in terms of justice, beyond existing mechanisms and even beyond the judicial realm. They are striving to open up the justice imagination. In a maximalist sense, they are foraging for more ambitious justice narratives that can accommodate the victims’ lived experiences. In a minimalist sense, they are resisting the erasure or invisibilization of the experiences of millions of Syrians affected by hackneyed justice narratives. This article refers to the work of these justice actors to expose and conceptualize some of the shortcomings of mainstream transitional justice discourses.
Shanks and Anderson-type acceleration techniques for systems of nonlinear equations
Authors: Brezinski Claude , Cipolla Stefano , Redivo-Zaglia Michela , Saad Yousef
Published: July 2021

This paper examines a number of extrapolation and acceleration methods and introduces a few modifications of the standard Shanks transformation that deal with general sequences. One of the goals of the paper is to lay out a general framework that encompasses most of the known acceleration strategies. The paper also considers the Anderson Acceleration (AA) method under a new light and exploits a connection with quasi-Newton methods in order to establish local linear convergence results of a stabilized version of the AA method. The methods are tested on a number of problems, including a few that arise from nonlinear partial differential equations.
The Intractability of Islamist Insurgencies: Islamist Rebels and the Recurrence of Civil War
Authors: Nilsson Desirée , Svensson Isak
Published: July 2021

There is a large research field focusing on the recurrence of civil wars, yet this literature has omitted to seriously consider religious dimensions and ideational features of armed conflicts. To address this gap, we provide the first global study exploring whether, and why, Islamist civil wars—armed conflicts fought over self-proclaimed Islamist aspirations—are more or less likely to recur compared to other conflicts. We argue that civil wars fought over Islamist claims are more likely to relapse because the ideational features of these conflicts increase the uncertainty regarding the capabilities of the warring actors in terms of the extent and nature of transnational support that may be forthcoming, for rebels as well as the government. In line with our argument, we find that Islamist civil wars are significantly less likely to be terminated and more likely to recur once ended. Thus, our results demonstrate that Islamist civil wars represent a particular challenge with regard to the goal of achieving durable peace.
Improved Light Traps for Early Detection of Insect Pests of Phytosanitary Concern in Shipping Containers
Authors: Marchioro Matteo , Faccoli Massimo
Published: July 2021

The number of introductions of alien insect has been increasing in the last decades, primarily transported in shipping containers. The attraction of light of different wavelengths (white, infrared, ultraviolet, and red) applied on sticky traps was tested for the development of new traps for hitchhiker insects. The addition of entomological glue and insecticide on the trap was also tested. Tests were conducted on Cadra cautella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and released inside a shipping container. In the first test, one light color at a time was tested setting eight traps in the container, one for each possible combination of the variables: light on or off, glue added or not, and insecticide sprayed or not. In the second, five traps were used, all of them coated with the entomological glue: one for each light color and one with light off as control. In all the single color tests (except for infrared), light-on traps captured more, except for T. castaneum that was not attracted to white. In the multi-color test, C. cautella showed no preference among white, ultraviolet, or red; Drosophila melanogaster preferred ultraviolet and white over red; and beetles had a much greater attraction to red. Lastly, the stronger entomological glue improved catches of beetles, whereas insecticides did not. In conclusion, results suggest a possible application of sticky light traps against hitchhiker insects and further studies should verify if the simultaneous use of different light colors can improve the trap performance and does not act as a repellent.
The Crime of Unconstitutional Change of Government
Authors: García-Casas María
Published: July 2021

The entry into force of the Protocol on Amendments to the Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights (hereinafter the Malabo Protocol) will imply the activation of the International Criminal Law Section of the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights, along with the new crimes there included — among them, the crime of unconstitutional change of government. While the African Union (AU)’s concern over these changes of government is understandable, the criminalization of them raises several doubts. First, the lack of precision in the wording makes it difficult for both judges and individuals to know what is prohibited and what is not. This, along with the AU’s approach to popular uprisings, entails a serious risk for the Criminal Section of the Court to be used in accordance with political considerations of the regional organization. Finally, the combination of the crime with the immunity clause, also contained in the Protocol, greatly impedes the achievement of the criminalization’s goal.
Coincidence of fever following COVID-19 vaccine and endemic tropical diseases: a challenge to clinicians during the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Asawapaithulsert Punyisa , Pisutsan Phimphan , Matsee Wasin
Published: July 2021

Coincidence of fever following COVID-19 vaccine and endemic tropical diseases may occur during the global rollout of COVID-19 vaccination. Clinicians should aware of this scenario when dealing with fever post-vaccination to prevent delayed diagnosis.
Lateral roots but not root hairs contribute to high uptake of manganese and cadmium in rice
Authors: Yu En , Yamaji Naoki , Mao Chuanzao , Wang Hua , Ma Jian Feng
Published: July 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) can accumulate high manganese (Mn) in the shoots through uptake by the roots, which consist of crown roots, lateral roots and root hairs. We investigated the role of lateral roots and root hairs in Mn and cadmium (Cd) uptake by using two indica rice mutants defective in formation of lateral roots (osiaa11) and root hairs (osrhl1). The uptake of Mn and Cd in osiaa11 was significantly lower than that in wild type ‘Kasalath’, but there was no difference between wild type and osrhl1. Furthermore, a kinetic study showed that Mn uptake in osiaa11 was much lower than that in wild type and osrhl1 across a wide range of Mn concentrations. The role of lateral roots in Mn and Cd uptake was further confirmed in a japonica rice mutant defective in lateral root formation. We found that expression of Mn transporter gene Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 5 (OsNRAMP5), but not of Metal Tolerance Protein 9 (OsMTP9), was lower in osiaa11 than in wild type; however, there were no differences between osrhl1 and the wild type. Immunostaining showed that OsNRAMP5 and OsMTP9 were localized in the exodermis and endodermis of crown roots and lateral roots, but not in the root hairs. Taken together, our results indicate that lateral roots, but not root hairs, play an important role in high Mn and Cd uptake in rice.
From A to AB: A Caucasian Mother with High Anti-B Titer Causing Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn
Authors: Schooley Nathanael , Chabra Shilpi , Stolla Moritz
Published: July 2021

We report on a term infant with clinically significant hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia. Testing revealed ABO incompatibility between maternal type A and infant type AB. The maternal alloantibody screen was negative. The infant’s direct antiglobulin test was positive, and anti-B IgG was eluted off the infant’s red blood cells (RBCs). Testing of the mother’s plasma revealed a high anti-B titer. The infant was successfully treated with phototherapy and intravenous immunoglobulin. The bilirubin and hematocrit stabilized, and the infant was discharged home. This case was unusual because of its severity and unusual ABO constellation. Furthermore, this report is an exemplary educational case study on how effective collaboration between the clinical team and the blood bank laboratory is critical in reaching the correct diagnosis. In summary, the differential diagnosis of more unusual and atypical ABO-incompatible constellations must be considered when an infant presents with unexplained hemolysis.
How many explosions does one need? Quantifying supernovae in globular clusters from iron abundance spreads
Authors: Wirth Henriette , Jerabkova Tereza , Yan Zhiqiang , Kroupa Pavel , Haas Jaroslav , Šubr Ladislav
Published: July 2021

Many globular clusters (GCs) are known to host multiple populations distinguishable by their light-element content. Less common are GCs displaying iron abundance spreads that are seen as evidence for enrichment through core collapse supernovae (SNe). We present a simple analytical method to estimate the number of SNe required to have occurred in a GC from its metallicity and iron abundance spread. We then use this result to estimate how long star formation (SF) lasted to build the GC. We apply our method to up-to-date measurements and find that, assuming the correctness of these measurements, multiple SNe (up to 105) are required in most GCs with iron abundance spreads. The number of SNe events that contributed to the enrichment of the GCs studied here is typically a factor of 10 less than the expected number of SNe in a canonical initial mass function (IMF). This indicates that gas expulsion from the forming GC occurred after the first 10 per cent of SNe exploded. We compute that for the GCs typically SF ends after only a few Myr (extending up to ${\approx}30 \, \rm Myr$ in a few cases). We also discuss possible improvements of this method and especially its sensitivity to the error of iron abundance measurements of individual stars of a GC. The method presented here can quickly give an estimate for the number of SNe required to explain the iron abundance spread in a GC without the requirement of any hydrodynamical simulations.
Theoretical properties of the autocovariance of wavefront curvature induced by atmospheric turbulence and their potential for Cn2 profiling
Authors: Avila Remy
Published: July 2021

Remote measurements of optical turbulence profiles $C_\mathrm{ \mathit{ n}}^2(h)$ in the Earth atmosphere are nowadays performed from the spatial autocovariance of either scintillation or the wavefront slope. Here, I theoretically study the properties of the spatio-angular autocovariance of the wavefront curvature induced by optical turbulence, assuming the von Kármán model for the complex amplitude fluctuations. The width of the curvature autocovariance function is approximately 10 times smaller than that of the scintillation and 1000 times smaller than that of the wavefront slope. Thus, a significant enhancement of the attainable altitude resolution of turbulence profiles is expected from the spatio-angular autocovariance of the curvature. The curvature autocovariance amplitude is proportional to $C_\mathrm{ \mathit{ n}}^2(h)$ and also depends on the turbulence altitude h and on the turbulence inner scale l0. A simple procedure disentangles those dependencies and leads to $C_\mathrm{ \mathit{ n}}^2(h)$ and also to the inner scale profile l0(h).
Systematic identification of novel cancer genes through analysis of deep shRNA perturbation screens
Authors: Montazeri Hesam , Coto-Llerena Mairene , Bianco Gaia , Zangene Ehsan , Taha-Mehlitz Stephanie , Paradiso Viola , Srivatsa Sumana , de Weck Antoine , Roma Guglielmo , Lanzafame Manuela , Bolli Martin , Beerenwinkel Niko , von Flüe Markus , Terracciano Luigi M , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Ng Charlotte K Y
Published: July 2021

Systematic perturbation screens provide comprehensive resources for the elucidation of cancer driver genes. The perturbation of many genes in relatively few cell lines in such functional screens necessitates the development of specialized computational tools with sufficient statistical power. Here we developed APSiC (Analysis of Perturbation Screens for identifying novel Cancer genes) to identify genetic drivers and effectors in perturbation screens even with few samples. Applying APSiC to the shRNA screen Project DRIVE, APSiC identified well-known and novel putative mutational and amplified cancer genes across all cancer types and in specific cancer types. Additionally, APSiC discovered tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effectors, respectively, for individual cancer types, including genes involved in cell cycle control, Wnt/β-catenin and hippo signalling pathways. We functionally demonstrated that LRRC4B, a putative novel tumor-suppressive effector, suppresses proliferation by delaying cell cycle and modulates apoptosis in breast cancer. We demonstrate APSiC is a robust statistical framework for discovery of novel cancer genes through analysis of large-scale perturbation screens. The analysis of DRIVE using APSiC is provided as a web portal and represents a valuable resource for the discovery of novel cancer genes.
Anatomy and White Matter Connections of the Superior Parietal Lobule
Authors: Lin Yueh-Hsin , Dadario Nicholas B , Hormovas Jorge , Young Isabella M , Briggs Robert G , MacKenzie Alana E , Palejwala Ali H , Fonseka R Dineth , Kim Sihyong J , Tanglay Onur , Fletcher Luke R , Abraham Carol J , Conner Andrew K , O’Donoghue Daniel L , Sughrue Michael E
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

The superior parietal lobule (SPL) is involved in somatosensory and visuospatial integration with additional roles in attention, written language, and working memory. A detailed understanding of the exact location and nature of associated white matter tracts could improve surgical decisions and subsequent postoperative morbidity related to surgery in and around this gyrus.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the fiber tracts of the SPL based on relationships to other well-known neuroanatomic structures through diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI)-based fiber tracking validated by gross anatomical dissection as ground truth.

METHODS

Neuroimaging data of 10 healthy, adult control subjects was obtained from a publicly accessible database published in Human Connectome Project for subsequent tractographic analyses. White matter tracts were mapped between both cerebral hemispheres, and a lateralization index was calculated based on resultant tract volumes. Post-mortem dissections of 10 cadavers identified the location of major tracts and validated our tractography results based on qualitative visual agreement.

RESULTS

We identified 9 major connections of the SPL: U-fiber, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, middle longitudinal fasciculus, extreme capsule, vertical occipital fasciculus, cingulum, and corpus callosum. There was no significant fiber lateralization detected.

CONCLUSION

The SPL is an important region implicated in a variety of tasks involving visuomotor and visuospatial integration. Improved understanding of the fiber bundle anatomy elucidated in this study can provide invaluable information for surgical treatment decisions related to this region.
Cerebral Bypass for Aneurysms in the Era of Flow Diversion: Single-Surgeon Case Series
Authors: Nouri Mohsen , Schneider Julia R , Shah Kevin , White Timothy G , Katz Jeffrey M , Dehdashti Amir R
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

With recent advances in endovascular treatments of brain aneurysms such as flow diverters, the role of cerebral revascularization needs to be re-evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the contemporary indications and outcomes of cerebral revascularization for brain aneurysms.

METHODS

A retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained database was performed to review clinical and imaging data of all the patients who underwent cerebral revascularization for brain aneurysms over the past 10 yr.

RESULTS

Among 174 cerebral revascularizations, 40 (in 36 patients) were done for the treatment of aneurysms. In total, 9 patients underwent combined endovascular treatment and surgical revascularization. Immediate aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 30 patients (83.3%). Immediate postoperative bypass patency was confirmed in 33 patients (92%). Postoperative neurological deficit was observed in 4 patients (11.1%). There were 2 mortalities in the postoperative period. Aneurysm total occlusion rate was 91% at 1 yr. Thirty patients had 1 yr clinical and radiological follow-up. Clinical evaluations showed modified Rankin Scale 2 or less in 25 patients at 1 yr. Bypass patency was confirmed in 27 (90%). Patients with fair/poor outcome were all in the subarachnoid hemorrhage group. Twenty-one patients had follow-up studies for 3 yr or beyond with no evidence of stroke or aneurysm recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our results support that cerebral revascularization can be regarded as a viable and durable treatment option for these challenging aneurysms with acceptable morbidity. Cerebral bypass should be offered in selected cases where standard endovascular or surgical treatment is not efficacious or curative.
Aliens in a Revolutionary World: Refugees, Migration Control and Subjecthood in the British Atlantic, 1790s–1820s
Authors: Jansen Jan C
Published: July 2021

During the political and military upheavals between the 1770s and 1820s, societies and states across the Atlantic world grappled with intricate issues of political belonging and sovereignty. Along with the rise of new concepts of national citizenship, older concepts of monarchical or imperial subjecthood underwent fundamental changes. While scholars tend to ascribe these transformations to revolutionary innovation, the movement of hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing revolutions and violent conflict was no less important in reshaping the terms of political membership. In response to these migrations, national and colonial governments passed legislation meant to control the mobility of foreign refugees. Based on the case of three men of colour, the sons of Haitian refugees, deported from Jamaica in 1823, this article explores the wider impact the regulation of alien status had. The 1823 incident set off a major legal battle and a sprawling debate about the terms of membership in the transforming British Empire. The affair raised fundamental questions about the status and rights of foreigners, the definition of who was a subject of the British Crown, and about how sovereignty was to be conceived in a period of continuous territorial transfers and military occupations.