bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Utility of Risk Factors to Define Complicated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in a Setting With Low Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus Prevalence
Authors: van der Vaart Thomas W , Prins Jan M , Goorhuis Abraham , Lemkes Bregtje A , Sigaloff Kim C E , Spoorenberg Veroniek , Stijnis Cornelis , Bonten Marc J M , van der Meer Jan T M
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Recommended duration of antibiotic treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is frequently based on distinguishing uncomplicated and complicated SAB, and several risk factors at the onset of infection have been proposed to define complicated SAB. Predictive values of risk factors for complicated SAB have not been validated, and consequences of their use on antibiotic prescriptions are unknown.

Methods

In a prospective cohort, patients with SAB were categorized as complicated or uncomplicated through adjudication (reference definition). Associations and predictive values of 9 risk factors were determined, compared with the reference definition, as was accuracy of Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria that include 4 risk factors, and the projected consequences of applying IDSA criteria on antibiotic use.

Results

Among 490 patients, 296 (60%) had complicated SAB. In multivariable analysis, persistent bacteremia (odds ratio [OR], 6.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9–12.0), community acquisition of SAB (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.9–4.7) and presence of prosthetic material (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5–3.6) were associated with complicated SAB. Presence of any of the 4 risk factors in the IDSA definition of complicated SAB had a positive predictive value of 70.9% (95% CI, 65.5–75.9) and a negative predictive value of 57.5% (95% CI, 49.1–64.8). Compared with the reference, IDSA criteria yielded 24 (5%) false-negative and 90 (18%) false-positive classifications of complicated SAB. Median duration of antibiotic treatment of these 90 patients was 16 days (interquartile range, 14–19), all with favorable clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Risk factors have low to moderate predictive value to identify complicated SAB and their use may lead to unnecessary prolonged antibiotic use.
Redo procedures after sinus node sparing hybrid ablation for inappropriate sinus tachycardia/postural orthostatic sinus tachycardia
Authors: de Asmundis Carlo , Marcon Lorenzo , Pannone Luigi , Della Rocca Domenico Giovanni , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya , Beaver Thomas M , Brodt Chad R , Monaco Cinzia , Sorgente Antonio , Audiat Charles , Vetta Giampaolo , Ramak Robbert , Overeinder Ingrid , Kronenberger Rani , Bala Gezim , Almorad Alexandre , Ströker Erwin , Sieira Juan , Sarkozy Andrea , Brugada Pedro , Chierchia Gian Battista , La Meir Mark
Published: December 2023

Aims

A novel sinus node (SN) sparing hybrid ablation for inappropriate sinus node tachycardia (IST)/postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has been demonstrated to be an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with symptomatic drug-resistant IST/POTS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term rate of redo procedures after hybrid IST ablation and procedural strategy, outcomes and safety of redo procedures.

Methods and results

All consecutive patients from 2015 to 2023 were prospectively enrolled in the UZ Brussel monocentric IST/POTS registry. They were analysed if the following inclusion criteria were fulfilled: 1) diagnosis of IST or POTS, 2) symptomatic IST/POTS refractory or intolerant to drugs, and 3) hybrid SN sparing ablation performed. The primary endpoint was redo procedure. The primary safety endpoint was pacemaker (PM) implantation. A total of 220 patients undergone to hybrid IST ablation were included, 185 patients (84.1%) were treated for IST and 61 patients (27.7%) for POTS.

After a follow-up of 73.3 ± 16.2 months, 34 patients (15.4%) underwent a redo. A total of 23 patients (67.6%) had a redo for IST recurrence and 11 patients (32.4%) for other arrhythmias. Pacemaker implantation was performed in 21 patients (9.5%). Nine patients (4.1%) had no redo procedure and experienced sick sinus syndrome requiring a PM. Twelve patients (5.4%) received a PM as a shared therapeutic choice combined with SN ablation procedure.

Conclusion

In a large cohort of patients the long-term free survival from redo procedure after hybrid IST ablation was 84.6% with a low PM implantation rate.
Novel Plastid Genome Characteristics in Fugacium kawagutii and the Trend of Accelerated Evolution of Plastid Proteins in Dinoflagellates
Authors: He Jiamin , Huang Yulin , Li Ling , Lin Sitong , Ma Minglei , Wang Yujie , Lin Senjie
Published: December 2023

Typical (peridinin-containing) dinoflagellates possess plastid genomes composed of small plasmids named “minicircles”. Despite the ecological importance of dinoflagellate photosynthesis in corals and marine ecosystems, the structural characteristics, replication dynamics, and evolutionary forcing of dinoflagellate plastid genomes remain poorly understood. Here, we sequenced the plastid genome of the symbiodiniacean species Fugacium kawagutii and conducted comparative analyses. We identified psbT-coding minicircles, features previously not found in Symbiodiniaceae. The copy number of F. kawagutii minicircles showed a strong diel dynamics, changing between 3.89 and 34.3 copies/cell and peaking in mid-light period. We found that F. kawagutii minicircles are the shortest among all dinoflagellates examined to date. Besides, the core regions of the minicircles are highly conserved within genus in Symbiodiniaceae. Furthermore, the codon usage bias of the plastid genomes in Heterocapsaceae, Amphidiniaceae, and Prorocentraceae species are greatly influenced by selection pressure, and in Pyrocystaceae, Symbiodiniaceae, Peridiniaceae, and Ceratiaceae species are influenced by both natural selection pressure and mutation pressure, indicating a family-level distinction in codon usage evolution in dinoflagellates. Phylogenetic analysis using 12 plastid-encoded proteins and five nucleus-encoded plastid proteins revealed accelerated evolution trend of both plastid- and nucleus-encoded plastid proteins in peridinin- and fucoxanthin-dinoflagellate plastids compared to plastid proteins of nondinoflagellate algae. These findings shed new light on the structure and evolution of plastid genomes in dinoflagellates, which will facilitate further studies on the evolutionary forcing and function of the diverse dinoflagellate plastids. The accelerated evolution documented here suggests plastid-encoded sequences are potentially useful for resolving closely related dinoflagellates.
mRNA-miRNA analyses reveal the involvement of CsbHLH1 and miR1446a in the regulation of caffeine biosynthesis in Camellia sinensis
Authors: Jin Qifang , Wang Zhong , Sandhu Devinder , Chen Lan , Shao Chenyu , Shang Fanghuizi , Xie Siyi , Huang Feiyi , Chen Zhenyan , Zhang Xiangqin , Hu Jinyu , Liu Guizhi , Su Qin , Huang Mengdi , Liu Zhonghua , Huang Jianan , Tian Na , Liu Shuoqian
Published: December 2023

Caffeine, a primary flavor component in tea, has been the subject of intense research. With the goal of shedding light on the complex regulatory processes governing caffeine biosynthesis in tea plants, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS), transcriptomics, and small RNA analyses were employed on diverse tea cultivars such as ‘Jianghua Kucha’ [including ‘Xianghong 3’ (XH3H) and ‘Kucha 3’ (KC3H)], ‘Fuding Dabaicha’ (FDDB), ‘Yaoshan Xiulv’ (YSXL), and ‘Bixiangzao’ (BXZ). The results showed that the caffeine level in ‘Jianghua Kucha’ was significantly higher than that in other tea plant cultivars. In addition, weighted gene co-expression network analysis indicated that that the CsbHLH1 gene might play a pivotal role as a potential hub gene related to the regulation of caffeine biosynthesis. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the CsbHLH1 protein was localized in the nucleus of the cells. Moreover, CsbHLH1 suppresses the transcription of TCS1 by binding to the TCS1 promoter, as evidenced by a yeast one-hybrid assay, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and dual luciferase analysis. In addition, a microRNA, miR1446a, was identified that directly cleaves CsbHLH1, leading to an increase in caffeine levels. Therefore, our findings imply that CsbHLH1 binds to the TCS1 promoter (−971 to −1019 bp) to reduce its expression, thereby negatively regulating caffeine biosynthesis. On the other hand, miR1446a enhances the biosynthesis of caffeine by suppressing the expression of CsbHLH1. This work enhances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of caffeine biosynthesis in tea plants and offers potential directions for manipulating caffeine levels in future tea cultivation.
MdSnRK1.1 interacts with MdGLK1 to regulate abscisic acid-mediated chlorophyll accumulation in apple
Authors: Yang Yu-Ying , An Xiu-Hong , Rui Lin , Liu Guo-Dong , Tian Yi , You Chun-Xiang , Wang Xiao-Fei
Published: December 2023

Abscisic acid (ABA), as a plant hormone, plays a positive role in leaf chlorosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is less known. Our findings provide ABA treatment reduced the chlorophyll accumulation in apple, and Malus × domestica Sucrose Non-fermenting 1-Related Protein Kinase 1.1 (MdSnRK1.1) participates in the process. MdSnRK1.1 interacts with MdGLK1, a GOLDEN2-like transcription factor that orchestrates development of the chloroplast. Furthermore, MdSnRK1.1 affects MdGLK1 protein stability through phosphorylation. We found that Ser468 of MdGLK1 is target site of MdSnRK1.1 phosphorylation. MdSnRK1.1-mediated phosphorylation was critical for MdGLK1 binding to the target gene MdHEMA1 promoters. Collectively, our results demonstrate that ABA activates MdSnRK1.1 to degrade MdGLK1 and inhibit the accumulation of chlorophyll. These findings extend our understanding on how MdSnRK1.1 balances normal growth and hormone response.
CsMLO8/11 are required for full susceptibility of cucumber stem to powdery mildew and interact with CsCRK2 and CsRbohD
Authors: Dong Shaoyun , Liu Xin , Han Jianan , Miao Han , Beckles Diane M , Bai Yuling , Liu Xiaoping , Guan Jiantao , Yang Ruizhen , Gu Xingfang , Sun Jiaqiang , Yang Xueyong , Zhang Shengping
Published: December 2023

Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the most destructive diseases that threaten cucumber production globally. Efficient breeding of novel PM-resistant cultivars will require a robust understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cucumber resistance against PM. Using a genome-wide association study, we detected a locus significantly correlated with PM resistance in cucumber stem, pm-s5.1. A 1449-bp insertion in the CsMLO8 coding region at the pm-s5.1 locus resulted in enhanced stem PM resistance. Knockout mutants of CsMLO8 and CsMLO11 generated by CRISPR/Cas9 both showed improved PM resistance in the stem, hypocotyl, and leaves, and the double mutant mlo8mlo11 displayed even stronger resistance. We found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was higher in the stem of these mutants. Protein interaction assays suggested that CsMLO8 and CsMLO11 could physically interact with CsRbohD and CsCRK2, respectively. Further, we showed that CsMLO8 and CsCRK2 competitively interact with the C-terminus of CsRbohD to affect CsCRK2-CsRbohD module-mediated ROS production during PM defense. These findings provide new insights into the understanding of CsMLO proteins during PM defense responses.
Frobenius on the Cohomology of Thickenings
Authors: Bhatt Bhargav , Blickle Manuel , Lyubeznik Gennady , Singh Anurag K , Zhang Wenliang
Published: December 2023

We investigate the injectivity of the Frobenius map on thickenings of smooth varieties in projective space over a field of positive characteristic. We obtain uniform bounds—that is, independent of the characteristic—on the thickening that ensures an injective Frobenius map when the projective variety is a smooth complete intersection or an arbitrary projective embedding of an elliptic curve. Our bounds are sharp in the case of hypersurfaces, and in the case of elliptic curves.
A commentary on ‘Patient-derived gene and protein expression signatures of NGLY1 deficiency’
Authors: Suzuki Tadashi
Published: December 2023

The cytosolic peptide:N-glycanase (PNGase; NGLY1 in human and PNG1 in budding yeast) is a deglycosylating enzyme widely conserved in eukaryotes. Initially, functional importance of this enzyme remained unknown as the png1Δ mutant in yeast did not exhibit any significant phenotypes. However, the discovery of NGLY1 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder with biallelic mutations in NGLY1 gene, prompted an intensification of research that has resulted in uncovering the significance of NGLY1 as well as the proteins under its influence that are involved in numerous cellular processes. A recent report by Rauscher et al. (Patient-derived gene and protein expression signatures of NGLY1 deficiency. J. Biochem. 2022; 171: 187–199) presented a comprehensive summary of transcriptome/proteome analyses of various cell types derived from NGLY1-deficient patients. The authors also provide a web application called ‘NGLY1 browser’, which will allow researchers to have access to a wealth of information on gene and protein expression signature for patients with NGLY1 deficiency.
Preventing and Managing Operating Room Fires in Plastic Surgery: A Review of Incidence, Risk Factors, and Recommendations With Case Experiences
Authors: Mortada Hatan , Abu alqam Rakan , AlNojaidi Taif Fawaz , Alshammari Abdulmohsen Jameel , Khider Maya , Albarrak Maha , Alrobaiea Saad , Alalola Rayan
Published: December 2023

Fires in operating rooms are rare yet devastating incidents. There are guidelines for the prevention and management of surgical fires; however, these recommendations are based on expert opinion and case reports. Almost all surgical procedures have an oxidizer (oxygen, nitrous oxide), an ignition source (such as a laser or “Bovie”), and a fuel, which together make up the 3 elements of an operating room fire. Our review analyzes each fire component to decide on the most effective clinical approach for reducing the risk of fire. We investigate the incidence, risk factors, legal repercussions, preventive strategies, and the precise management of fires in the operating room, with a particular focus on plastic surgery procedures. In addition, we share insights from our own experiences and propose guidelines based on our findings to enhance safety and response measures in surgical settings. Fires most commonly occur around the head, neck, and upper chest. High-risk procedures include tonsillectomies, tracheostomies, laryngoscopies, and facial/neck surgeries. Checklists help ensure proper precautions are taken, such as using moist towels and lowering oxygen concentration. If a fire erupts, prompt removal of the oxygen source and irrigation is critical. From our experience, fires spread rapidly and can cause severe burns and inhalation injuries. We share an illustrative case of a surgical fire at our institution. Our review underscores the importance of fire prevention and preparedness through safety protocols, equipment maintenance, staff training, and maintaining situational awareness. More research is needed to quantify risk factors and determine optimal management strategies when fires do occur.
All insects matter: a review of 160 entomology cases from 1993 to 2007 in Switzerland—part I (Diptera)
Authors: Hodecek Jiri , Fumagalli Luca , Jakubec Pavel
Published: December 2023

Necrophagous Diptera are the most important group of insects used for the purposes of forensic entomology. While the most utilized fly family in this context is the family Calliphoridae, there are several other families that can be of great importance during real-case investigations. This article analyzes the necrophagous flies of all families recorded from 160 real cases in Switzerland between 1993 and 2007. A total of 56 species belonging to 16 families was identified with Calliphoridae being the most dominant family (90.63% of all cases), followed by Muscidae (26.25%), Sarcophagidae (19.38%), Phoridae (14.38%), and Fanniidae (12.50%). For specimens that were difficult to identify morphologically, a new PCR primer has been specifically designed for the amplification of a short, informative COI barcode in degraded museum samples of forensically important Diptera taxa. The richest family in terms of species was the family Muscidae with 16 species. Fannia fuscula (Fallen) and Fannia monilis (Haliday) were recorded from human cadavers for the first time. The study highlights the importance of different fly families in forensic investigation, enhancing our comprehension of their prevalence and dispersion in real cases in Central Europe. The results pave the way for additional exploration, especially regarding the involvement of less frequently observed species in forensic entomology.
Salvage surgery for mesenteric lymph node metastasis by resection of the first jejunal flap and reconstruction with the second jejunal flap
Authors: Kitano Daiki , Hashikawa Kazunobu , Furukawa Tatsuya , Nomura Tadashi , Tamagawa Kotaro , Sakakibara Shunsuke , Nibu Ken-ichi , Terashi Hiroto
Published: December 2023

We report a case of a second free jejunal transfer to treat metastasis in the mesenteric lymph node of the first jejunal flap. A 73-year-old man underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy, bilateral neck dissection, and free jejunal transfer for recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer [left pyriform sinus, pT2N0, moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] after radiotherapy. Seven years post-surgery, he underwent transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer (soft palate, pT1N0, well-differentiated SCC). Ten years after the first jejunal transfer, metastasis was found in the mesenteric lymph node surrounding the jejunal flap’s vascular pedicle. Under general anesthesia, resection of the first jejunum including the affected lymph node, and second jejunal transfer were performed. Lymph node pathological examination revealed poorly differentiated SCC, compatible with pharyngeal cancer metastasis. After neck dissection and jejunal flap transfer, lymphatic collateral pathways toward the flap’s mesenteric lymph node might form. Possibly, hypopharyngeal or oropharyngeal cancer metastasized via this pathway.
A new simple and innovative technique for surgical drains fixation
Authors: Alsherawi Abeer , Al-Mohannadi Fatima Saoud , Ahmed Mohamed Badie
Published: December 2023

Seroma is a common complication post many plastic surgery procedures. To overcome this issue, drain insertion became a standard of care in many procedures. Existing methods for fixing the drain like the Roman sandal, purse string, and mesentery have limitations, including loosening and skin problems. A new, innovative, and efficient drain fixation technique is introduced in this paper. It involves using silk or similar non-absorbable sutures in a simple five-step process. This method ensures secure drain placement without undesirable outcomes. It avoids the need to force a knot over the skin, reducing the risk of skin damage or necrosis. In conclusion, the study introduces a straightforward, safe, and effective drain fixation method, reducing risks associated with fluid accumulation after surgery.
Reprogramming the translatome during daily light transitions as affected by cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases GAPC1/C2
Authors: Wegener Melanie , Persicke Marcus , Dietz Karl-Josef
Published: December 2023

Dark–light and light–dark transitions during the day are switching points of leaf metabolism that strongly affect the regulatory state of the cells, and this change is hypothesized to affect the translatome. The cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases GAPC1 and GAPC2 function in glycolysis, and carbohydrate and energy metabolism, but GAPC1/C2 also shows moonlighting functions in gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation. In this study we examined the rapid reprogramming of the translatome that occurs within 10 min at the end of the night and the end of the day in wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis and a gapc1/c2 double-knockdown mutant. Metabolite profiling compared to the WT showed that gapc1/c2 knockdown led to increases in a set of metabolites at the start of day, particularly intermediates of the citric acid cycle and linked pathways. Differences in metabolite changes were also detected at the end of the day. Only small sets of transcripts changed in the total RNA pool; however, RNA-sequencing revealed major alterations in polysome-associated transcripts at the light-transition points. The most pronounced difference between the WT and gapc1/c2 was seen in the reorganization of the translatome at the start of the night. Our results are in line with the proposed hypothesis that GAPC1/C2 play a role in the control of the translatome during light/dark transitions.
On the Use of a Cluster Identification Method and a Statistical Approach for Analyzing Atom Probe Tomography Data for GP Zones in Al–Zn–Mg(–Cu) Alloys
Authors: Shah Sohail , Thronsen Elisabeth , De Geuser Frederic , Hatzoglou Constantinos , Marioara Calin D , Holmestad Randi , Holmedal Bjørn
Published: December 2023

Early-stage clustering in two Al–Mg–Zn(–Cu) alloys has been investigated using atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy. Cluster identification by the isoposition method and a statistical approach based on the pair correlation function have both been applied to estimate the cluster size, composition, and volume fraction from atom probe data sets. To assess the accuracy of the quantification of clusters of different mean sizes, synthesized virtual data sets were used, accounting for a simulated degraded spatial resolution. The quality of the predictions made by the two complementary methods is discussed, considering the experimental and simulated data sets.
Color Standardization and Stain Intensity Calibration for Whole Slide Image-Based Immunohistochemistry Assessment
Authors: Ohnishi Chie , Ohnishi Takashi , Ibrahim Kareem , Ntiamoah Peter , Ross Dara , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Yagi Yukako
Published: December 2023

Automated quantification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemistry (IHC) using whole slide imaging (WSI) is expected to eliminate subjectivity in visual assessment. However, the color intensity in WSI varies depending on the staining process and scanner device. Such variations affect the image analysis results. This paper presents methods to diminish the influence of color variation produced in the staining process using a calibrator slide consisting of peptide-coated microbeads. The calibrator slide is stained along with tissue sample slides, and the 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) color intensities of the microbeads are used for calibrating the color variation of the sample slides. An off-the-shelf image analysis tool is employed for the automated assessment, in which cells are classified by the thresholds for the membrane staining. We have adopted two methods for calibrating the color variation based on the DAB color intensities obtained from the calibrator slide: (1) thresholds for classifying the DAB membranous intensity are adjusted, and (2) the color intensity of WSI is corrected. In the experiment, the calibrator slides and tissue of breast cancer slides were stained together on different days and used to test our protocol. With the proposed protocol, the discordance in the HER2 evaluation was reduced to one slide out of 120 slides.
Limits of water maser kinematics: insights from the high-mass protostar AFGL 5142-MM1
Authors: Rosli Zulfazli , Burns Ross A , Nazri Affan Adly , Sugiyama Koichiro , Hirota Tomoya , Kim Kee-Tae , Yonekura Yoshinori , Tie Liu , Orosz Gabor , Chibueze James Okwe , Sobolev Andrey M , Kang Ji Hyun , Lee Chang Won , Hwang Jihye , Mohammad Hafieduddin , Hashim Norsiah , Abidin Zamri Zainal
Published: December 2023

Multi-epoch very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations measure three-dimensional water maser motions in protostellar outflows, enabling analysis of inclination and velocity. However, these analyses assume that water masers and shock surfaces within outflows are co-propagating. We compare VLBI data on maser-traced bow shocks in the high-mass protostar AFGL 5142-MM1, from seven epochs of archival data from the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA), obtained from 2014 April to 2015 May, and our newly conducted data from the KVN and VERA Array (KaVA), obtained in 2016 March. We find an inconsistency between the expected displacement of the bow shocks and the motions of individual masers. The separation between two opposing bow shocks in AFGL 5142-MM1 was determined to be 337.17 ± 0.07 mas in the KaVA data, which is less than an expected value of 342.1 ± 0.7 mas based on extrapolation of the proper motions of individual maser features measured by VERA. Our measurements imply that the bow shock propagates at a velocity of 24 ± 3 km s−1, while the individual masing gas clumps move at an average velocity of 55 ± 5 km s−1; that is ,the water masers are moving in the outflow direction at double the speed at which the bow shocks are propagating. Our results emphasize that investigations of individual maser features are best approached using short-term high-cadence VLBI monitoring, while long-term monitoring on timescales comparable to the lifetimes of maser features is better suited to tracing the overall evolution of shock surfaces. Observers should be aware that masers and shock surfaces can move relative to each other, and that this can affect the interpretation of protostellar outflows.
Pre- and post-processing of cluster galaxies out to 5 × R200: the extreme case of A2670
Authors: Piraino-Cerda Franco , Jaffé Yara L , Lourenço Ana C , Crossett Jacob P , Salinas Vicente , Kim Duho , Sheen Yun-Kyeong , Kelkar Kshitija , Pallero Diego , Bravo-Alfaro Hector
Published: December 2023

We study galaxy interactions in the large-scale environment around A2670, a massive (M200  = $8.5 \pm 1.2~\times 10^{14} \, \mathrm{{M}_{\odot }}$) and interacting galaxy cluster at z  = 0.0763. We first characterize the environment of the cluster out to 5× R200 and find a wealth of substructures, including the main cluster core, a large infalling group, and several other substructures. To study the impact of these substructures (pre-processing) and their accretion into the main cluster (post-processing) on the member galaxies, we visually examined optical images to look for signatures indicative of gravitational or hydrodynamical interactions. We find that ∼21 per cent of the cluster galaxies have clear signs of disturbances, with most of those (∼60 per cent) likely being disturbed by ram pressure. The number of ram-pressure stripping candidates found (101) in A2670 is the largest to date for a single system, and while they are more common in the cluster core, they can be found even at >4 × R200, confirming cluster influence out to large radii. In support of a pre-processing scenario, most of the disturbed galaxies follow the substructures found, with the richest structures having more disturbed galaxies. Post-processing also seems plausible, as many galaxy–galaxy mergers are seen near the cluster core, which is not expected in relaxed clusters. In addition, there is a comparable fraction of disturbed galaxies in and outside substructures. Overall, our results highlight the complex interplay of gas stripping and gravitational interactions in actively assembling clusters up to 5 × R200, motivating wide-area studies in larger cluster samples.
Synchrotron emission on FIRE: equipartition estimators of magnetic fields in simulated galaxies with spectrally resolved cosmic rays
Authors: Ponnada Sam B , Panopoulou Georgia V , Butsky Iryna S , Hopkins Philip F , Skalidis Raphael , Hummels Cameron , Quataert Eliot , Kereš Dušan , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Su Kung-Yi
Published: December 2023

Synchrotron emission is one of few observable tracers of galactic magnetic fields (B) and cosmic rays (CRs). Much of our understanding of B in galaxies comes from utilizing synchrotron observations in conjunction with several simplifying assumptions of equipartition models, however, it remains unclear how well these assumptions hold, and what B these estimates physically represent. Using Feedback in Realistic Environments project simulations which self-consistently evolve CR proton, electron, and positron spectra from MeV to TeV energies, we present the first synthetic synchrotron emission predictions from simulated L* galaxies with ‘live’ spectrally resolved CR-magnetohydrodynamic. We find that synchrotron emission can be dominated by relatively cool and dense gas, resulting in equipartition estimates of B with fiducial assumptions underestimating the ‘true’ B in the gas that contributes the most emission by factors of 2–3 due to small volume-filling factors. Motivated by our results, we present an analytical framework that expands upon equipartition models for estimating B in a multiphase medium. Comparing our spectrally resolved synchrotron predictions to simpler spectral assumptions used in galaxy simulations with CRs, we find that spectral evolution can be crucial for accurate synchrotron calculations towards galactic centres, where loss terms are large.
Pumping and sliding of droplets steered by a hydrogel pattern for atmospheric water harvesting
Authors: Zhang Wei , Ji Qinghua , Zhang Gong , Gu Zhenao , Wang Haozhi , Hu Chengzhi , Liu Huijuan , Ren Zhiyong Jason , Qu Jiuhui
Published: December 2023

Atmospheric water harvesting is an emerging strategy for decentralized and potable water supplies. However, water nucleation and microdroplet coalescence on condensing surfaces often result in surface flooding owing to the lack of a sufficient directional driving force for shedding. Herein, inspired by the fascinating properties of lizards and catfish, we present a condensing surface with engineered hydrogel patterns that enable rapid and sustainable water harvesting through the directional pumping and drag-reduced sliding of water droplets. The movement of microscale condensed droplets is synergistically driven by the surface energy gradient and difference in Laplace pressure induced by the arch hydrogel patterns. Meanwhile, the superhydrophilic hydrogel surface can strongly bond inner-layer water molecules to form a lubricant film that reduces drag and facilitates the sliding of droplets off the condensing surface. Thus, this strategy is promising for various water purification techniques based on liquid–vapor phase-change processes.
To disclose or not to disclose to the DVLA
Authors: Shemtob Lara , Asanati Kaveh , Mansouri Massoud , Jenkins Nick
Published: December 2023

What is the role of an occupational health clinician when a worker refuses to notify the driver and vehicle licensing agency (DVLA) when required to by law? There is no specific guidance on this dilemma for occupational health clinicians, where the context and parameters of the doctor–patient relationship is different to the relationship between the worker and their general practitioner (GP) or specialist treating teams.
Phylogenetic Conflict Between Species Tree and Maternally Inherited Gene Trees in a Clade of Emberiza Buntings (Aves: Emberizidae)
Authors: Zhang Dezhi , She Huishang , Wang Shangyu , Wang Haitao , Li Shi , Cheng Yalin , Song Gang , Jia Chenxi , Qu Yanhua , Rheindt Frank E , Olsson Urban , Alström Per , Lei Fumin
Published: December 2023

Different genomic regions may reflect conflicting phylogenetic topologies primarily due to incomplete lineage sorting and/or gene flow. Genomic data are necessary to reconstruct the true species tree and explore potential causes of phylogenetic conflict. Here, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 4 Emberiza species (Aves: Emberizidae) and discuss the potential causes of the observed mitochondrial non-monophyly of Emberiza godlewskii (Godlewski’s bunting) using phylogenomic analyses based on whole genome resequencing data from 41 birds. Analyses based on both the whole mitochondrial genome and ~39 kilobases from the non-recombining W chromosome reveal sister relationships between each the northern and southern populations of E. godlewskii with E. cioides and E. cia, respectively. In contrast, the monophyly of E. godlewskii is reflected by the phylogenetic signal of autosomal and Z chromosomal sequence data as well as demographic inference analyses, which—in combination—support the following tree topology: ([{E. godlewskii, E. cia}, E. cioides], E. jankowskii). Using D-statistics, we detected multiple gene flow events among different lineages, indicating pervasive introgressive hybridization within this clade. Introgression from an unsampled lineage that is sister to E. cioides or introgression from an unsampled mitochondrial + W chromosomal lineage of E. cioides into northern E. godlewskii may explain the phylogenetic conflict between the species tree estimated from genome-wide data versus mtDNA/W tree topologies. These results underscore the importance of using genomic data for phylogenetic reconstruction and species delimitation.
Inter and intra-host diversity of RSV in hematopoietic stem cell transplant adults with normal and delayed viral clearance
Authors: Avadhanula Vasanthi , Agustinho Daniel Paiva , Menon Vipin Kumar , Chemaly Roy F , Shah Dimpy P , Qin Xiang , Surathu Anil , Doddapaneni Harshavardhan , Muzny Donna M , Metcalf Ginger A , Cregeen Sara Javornik , Gibbs Richard A , Petrosino Joseph F , Sedlazeck Fritz J , Piedra Pedro A
Published: December 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in immunocompromised individuals often leads to prolonged illness, progression to severe lower respiratory tract infection, and even death. How the host immune environment of the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) adults can affect viral genetic variation during an acute infection is not understood well. In the present study, we performed whole genome sequencing of RSV/A or RSV/B from samples collected longitudinally from HCT adults with normal (<14 days) and delayed (≥14 days) RSV clearance who were enrolled in a ribavirin trial. We determined the inter-host and intra-host genetic variation of RSV and the effect of mutations on putative glycosylation sites. The inter-host variation of RSV is centered in the attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoprotein genes followed by polymerase (L) and matrix (M) genes. Interestingly, the overall genetic variation was constant between normal and delayed clearance groups for both RSV/A and RSV/B. Intra-host variation primarily occurred in the G gene followed by non-structural protein (NS1) and L genes; however, gain or loss of stop codons and frameshift mutations appeared only in the G gene and only in the delayed viral clearance group. Potential gain or loss of O-linked glycosylation sites in the G gene occurred both in RSV/A and RSV/B isolates. For RSV F gene, loss of N-linked glycosylation site occurred in three RSV/B isolates within an antigenic epitope. Both oral and aerosolized ribavirin did not cause any mutations in the L gene. In summary, prolonged viral shedding and immune deficiency resulted in RSV variation, especially in structural mutations in the G gene, possibly associated with immune evasion. Therefore, sequencing and monitoring of RSV isolates from immunocompromised patients are crucial as they can create escape mutants that can impact the effectiveness of upcoming vaccines and treatments.
Quantitative comparison of presenilin protein expression reveals greater activity of PS2‐γ‐secretase
Authors: Eccles Melissa K. , Main Nathan , Carlessi Rodrigo , Armstrong Ayeisha Milligan , Sabale Miheer , Roberts‐Mok Brigid , Tirnitz‐Parker Janina E. E. , Agostino Mark , Groth David , Fraser Paul E. , Verdile Giuseppe
Published: December 2023

γ‐secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) has long been of interest in the pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its role in the generation of amyloid‐β. The catalytic component of the enzyme is the presenilins of which there are two homologues, Presenilin‐1 (PS1) and Presenilin‐2 (PS2). The field has focussed on the PS1 form of this enzyme, as it is typically considered the more active at APP processing. However, much of this work has been completed without appropriate consideration of the specific levels of protein expression of PS1 and PS2. We propose that expression is an important factor in PS1‐ and PS2‐γ‐secretase activity, and that when this is considered, PS1 does not have greater activity than PS2. We developed and validated tools for quantitative assessment of PS1 and PS2 protein expression levels to enable the direct comparison of PS in exogenous and endogenous expression systems, in HEK‐293 PS1 and/or PS2 knockout cells. We show that exogenous expression of Myc‐PS1‐NTF is 5.5‐times higher than Myc‐PS2‐NTF. Quantitating endogenous PS protein levels, using a novel PS1/2 fusion standard we developed, showed similar results. When the marked difference in PS1 and PS2 protein levels is considered, we show that compared to PS1‐γ‐secretase, PS2‐γ‐secretase has equal or more activity on APP and Notch1. This study has implications for understanding the PS1‐ and PS2‐specific contributions to substrate processing, and their potential influence in AD pathogenesis.
Clinical Predictors of Major Intrathoracic Injury in Pediatric Blunt Trauma
Authors: Gunnink Stephen M. , Butz Alysa M. , Griep Jordan , Starrs Mary , Ponkowski Michael , Parker Jessica L. , Benner Christopher
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Blunt trauma in pediatric patients accounts for a significant proportion of pediatric death from traumatic injury. Currently, there are no clinical decision-making tools available to guide imaging choice in the evaluation of pediatric patients with blunt thoracic trauma (BTT). This study aimed to analyze the rates of missed major intrathoracic injuries on chest x-ray (CXR) and identify clinical risk factors associated with major intrathoracic injuries to formulate a clinical decision-making tool for computed tomography (CT) use in pediatric patients with BTT.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center study using an institutional trauma database of pediatric patients. Inclusion criteria included age, blunt trauma, and patients who received a CXR and thoracic CT within 24 hours of presentation. Thoracic CT findings were graded as major, minor, or none, and comparison CXR was used to determine the rate of missed thoracic injuries. Eighty-four patient variables were then collected, and clinically relevant variables associated with major intrathoracic injuries were placed in a logistic regression model to determine the best predictors of major injury in pediatric BTT patients.

Results

A total of 180 patients (48.3%) had CXR that missed an injury that was seen on thoracic CT. In our cohort, 20 patients (5.4%) had major injuries that were missed on CXR. Characteristics correlating with major thoracic injuries were older age (odds ratio [OR], 1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.015–1.247), chest pain (OR, 4.907; 95% CI, 2.173–11.083), abnormal chest auscultation (OR, 3.564; 95% CI, 1.406–9.035), and tachycardia (OR, 2.876; 95% CI, 1.256–6.586). Using these 4 variables, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.7903.

Conclusions

Pediatric BTT patients older than 15 years with tachycardia, chest pain, or abnormal chest auscultation are at increased risk for major intrathoracic injuries and may benefit from thoracic CT.
Serratus Anterior Fascia for Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Chen Ying , Yang Can , Yang Sujuan , Chen Xia , Huang Liying
Published: December 2023

Objective

After immediate implant-based breast reconstruction (IIBR) after mastectomy, implant exposure or capsular contracture can occur. This study aimed to evaluate IIBR using serratus anterior fascia in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

This retrospective case series study enrolled patients with breast cancer underwent IIBR using the serratus anterior fascia after mastectomy in the Department of Breast Surgery of Fujian Cancer Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022.

Results

Sixty-five cases with breast cancer underwent IIBR using serratus anterior fascia were enrolled, with a median age of 39 years (range, 24–57 years) and body mass index of 21.32 kg/m2 (range, 19–25 kg/m2). The aesthetic outcomes of the reconstructed breasts showed good in 53 cases (81.6%), moderate in 11 cases (16.9%), and poor in 1 case (1.5%) due to offset position. Two cases showed poor wound healing, which improved after repeat suturing and 5 cases developed partial ischemic necrosis of the nipple, which scabbed and healed spontaneously.

Conclusions

Implant-based breast reconstruction using serratus anterior fascia may provide good aesthetic outcomes with few complications.
A recurrent neural network and parallel hidden Markov model algorithm to segment and detect heart murmurs in phonocardiograms
Authors: McDonald Andrew , Gales Mark JF , Agarwal Anurag
Published: December 2023

Detection of heart disease using a stethoscope requires significant skill and time, making it expensive and impractical for widespread screening in low-resource environments. Machine learning analysis of heart sound recordings can improve upon the accessibility and accuracy of diagnoses, but existing approaches require further validation on larger and more representative clinical datasets. For many previous algorithms, segmenting the signal into its individual sound components is a key first step. However, segmentation algorithms often struggle to find S1 or S2 sounds in the presence of strong murmurs or noise that significantly alter or mask the expected sound. Segmentation errors then propagate to the subsequent disease classifier steps. We propose a novel recurrent neural network and hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM) algorithm that can both segment the signal and detect a heart murmur, removing the need for a two-stage algorithm. This algorithm formed the ‘CUED Acoustics’ entry to the 2022 George B. Moody PhysioNet challenge, where it won the first prize in both the challenge tasks. The algorithm’s performance exceeded that of many end-to-end deep learning approaches that struggled to generalise to new test data. As our approach both segments the heart sound and detects a murmur, it can provide interpretable predictions for a clinician. The model also estimates the signal quality of the recording, which may be useful for a screening environment where non-experts are using a stethoscope. These properties make the algorithm a promising tool for screening of abnormal heart murmurs.

Author summary

The use of machine learning algorithms to detect heart disease from sound recordings has great potential to enable widespread and low-skill screening, improving early detection and treatment. The area has seen increasing interest in recent years, with many novel algorithms inspired by deep learning advancements in other fields. However, the size of heart sound datasets remains small, making deep learning models particularly susceptible to overfitting. In addition, the performance of these algorithms has rarely been directly compared on unseen data. We describe a novel lightweight algorithm to detect and classify murmurs in heart sound recordings. This algorithm was the winning entry into the George B. Moody PhysioNet 2022 challenge, beating many complex deep-learning approaches. Our approach both detects and localises the murmur, providing an interpretable result for a clinician.
Unpredictable chaos or an individual stable habit – a correlational analysis of repeatedly assessed tooth brushing behavior
Authors: Weik Ulrike , Sämann Thorben , Eidenardt Zdenka , Subramanian Sadhvi Shankar , Wöstmann Bernd , Margraf-Stiksrud Jutta , Deinzer Renate
Published: December 2023

Effective tooth brushing is an important part of maintaining good oral health. Epidemiological data indicate that people have difficulties to achieve oral cleanliness when brushing their teeth. Various cross-sectional studies therefore observed people while brushing and found some widespread behavioral deficits like neglect of inner surfaces and inconsistent brushing movements. Yet, longitudinal studies are missing that explore, whether people show these deficits consistently over time. To clarify this, the intra-individual stability of tooth brushing performance was investigated by repeated observation of n = 105 students at two brushing appointments (T1/T2) two weeks apart. Half of them (n = 52) were instructed to brush to the best of their ability and the other half to brush as usual (n = 53). Calibrated observers analyzed brushing behavior with respect to brushing duration, brushing movements (horizontal, circular, vertical), brushing time on tooth surfaces (outer, inner, occlusal), and distribution of time across sextants. Correlational analyses revealed a high intra-individual stability of all parameters under both instructions. Correlation coefficients varied between r = 0.72 (horizontal movements at outer surfaces) and r = 0.93 (total tooth contact time). Results indicate that people develop very specific individual toothbrushing patterns. It is important that preventive measures take into account the challenge of changing such established habits. Healthcare professionals and patients alike need to recognize this challenge when addressing oral hygiene deficiencies.
The influence of home versus clinic anal human papillomavirus sampling on high-resolution anoscopy uptake in the Prevent Anal Cancer Self-Swab Study
Authors: Nitkowski Jenna , Ridolfi Timothy J. , Lundeen Sarah J. , Giuliano Anna R. , Chiao Elizabeth , Fernandez Maria E. , Schick Vanessa , Smith Jennifer S. , Brzezinski Bridgett , Nyitray Alan G.
Published: December 2023

Background

Anal cancer disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. High-resolution anoscopy (HRA) is an in-clinic procedure to detect precancerous anal lesions and cancer, yet prospective data on factors associated with HRA attendance are lacking. We examined whether anal HPV sampling at home versus in a clinic impacts HRA uptake and assessed HRA acceptability.

Method

MSM and trans persons 25 years and older were randomized to home-based self-sampling or clinical sampling. All were asked to attend in-clinic HRA one year later. We regressed HRA attendance on study arm using multivariable Poisson regression and assessed HRA acceptability usingχ2tests.

Results

62.8% of 196 participants who engaged in screening attended HRA. Although not significant (p=0.13), a higher proportion of participants who engaged in clinic-based screening attended HRA (68.5%) compared to home-based participants (57.9%). Overall, HRA uptake was higher among participants with anal cytology history (aRR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11 – 1.87) and lower among participants preferring versatile anal sex position versus insertive (aRR 0.70, 95% CI 0.53 – 0.91), but did not differ by race or HIV serostatus. In the clinic arm, persons living with HIV had lower HRA attendance (42.9%) versus HIV-negative participants (73.3%) (p=0.02) and Black non-Hispanic participants had lower HRA attendance (41.7%) than White non-Hispanic participants (73.1%), (p=0.04); however, no differences in attendance by race or HIV status were observed in the home arm.

Conclusions

HRA uptake differed significantly by race and HIV status in the clinic arm but not the home arm.