bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and time-resolved anisotropy of nanomaterial-induced changes to red blood cell membranes
Authors: Sydor Matthew J , Anderson Donald S , Steele Harmen B B , Ross J B Alexander , Holian Andrij
Published: May 2021

With the use of engineered nano-materials (ENM) becoming more prevalent, it is essential to determine potential human health impacts. Specifically, the effects on biological lipid membranes will be important for determining molecular events that may contribute to both toxicity and suitable biomedical applications. To better understand the mechanisms of ENM-induced hemolysis and membrane permeability, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was performed on human red blood cells (RBC) exposed to titanium dioxide ENM, zinc oxide ENM, or micron-sized crystalline silica. In the FLIM images, changes in the intensity-weighted fluorescence lifetime of the lipophilic fluorescence probe Di-4-ANEPPDHQ were used to identify localized changes to membrane. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and FLIM of RBC treated with methyl-ß-cyclodextrin was performed to aid in interpreting how changes to membrane order influence changes in the fluorescence lifetime of the probe. Treatment of RBC with methyl-ß-cyclodextrin caused an increase in the wobble-in-a-cone angle and shorter fluorescence lifetimes of di-4-ANEPPDHQ. Treatment of RBC with titanium dioxide caused a significant increase in fluorescence lifetime compared to non-treated samples, indicating increased membrane order. Crystalline silica also increased the fluorescence lifetime compared to control levels. In contrast, zinc oxide decreased the fluorescence lifetime, representing decreased membrane order. However, treatment with soluble zinc sulfate resulted in no significant change in fluorescence lifetime, indicating that the decrease in order of the RBC membranes caused by zinc oxide ENM was not due to zinc ions formed during potential dissolution of the nanoparticles. These results give insight into mechanisms for how these three materials might disrupt RBC membranes and membranes of other cells. The results also provide evidence for a direct correlation between the size, interaction-available surface area of the nano-material and cell membrane disruption.
Treatments of natural fiber as reinforcement in polymer composites—a short review
Authors: Nurazzi N M , Harussani M M , Aisyah H A , Ilyas R A , Norrrahim M N F , Khalina A , Abdullah N.
Published: May 2021

The demand for environmental awareness, preserving nature and being beneficial for societal economics has attracted the attention of many researchers and industries to examine the potential usage of natural fibers. There are a lot of beneficial natural fiber sources in a wide range of applications in the composites industry. It is worth mentioning that the performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites can be tailored through a certain natural fiber treatment, and hybridization by employing an appropriate number of synthetic fibers or with other natural fibers. In addition to cost-effectiveness balance, a balance between environmental impacts and desired performance can be achieved by designing the composite based on the product requirements. Yet, certain drawbacks such as incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, hydrophilic nature and the tendency to absorb moisture during processing greatly reduce the potential of natural fibers to be used as reinforcements in polymer composites. In this short review, the main results presented in the literature are summarized, focusing on the properties and challenges of natural fibers, the processing behavior of natural fiber treatments, and paying attention to the use of physical and chemical treatments for the improvement of fiber-matrix interaction as reinforcement for polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and biodegradables).
Comparison of structural variants detected by optical mapping with long-read next-generation sequencing
Authors: Savara Jakub , Novosád Tomáš , Gajdoš Petr , Kriegová Eva
Published: May 2021

Motivation

Recent studies have shown the potential of using long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approaches and optical mapping (OM) for the detection of clinically relevant structural variants (SVs) in cancer research. Three main long-read WGS platforms are currently in use: Pacific Biosciences (PacBio), Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and 10x Genomics. Recently, whole-genome OM technology (Bionano Genomics) has been introduced into human diagnostics. Questions remain about the accuracy of these long-read sequencing platforms, how comparable/interchangeable they are when searching for SVs and to what extent they can be replaced or supplemented by OM. Moreover, no tool can effectively compare SVs obtained by OM and WGS.

Results

This study compared optical maps of the breast cancer cell line SKBR3 with AnnotSV outputs from WGS platforms. For this purpose, a software tool with comparative and filtering features was developed. The majority of SVs up to a 50 kbp distance variance threshold found by OM were confirmed by all WGS platforms, and ∼99% of translocations and ∼80% of deletions found by OM were confirmed by both PacBio and ONT, with ∼70% being confirmed by 10x Genomics in combination with PacBio and/or ONT. Interestingly, long deletions (>100 kbp) were detected only by 10x Genomics. Regarding insertions, ∼74% was confirmed by PacBio and ONT, but none by 10x Genomics. Inversions and duplications detected by OM were not detected by WGS. Moreover, the tool enabled the confirmation of SVs that overlapped in the same gene(s) and was applied to the filtering of disease-associated SVs.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/novosadt/om-annotsv-svc.
Evidence, not eminence, for surgical management during COVID-19: a multifaceted systematic review and a model for rapid clinical change
Authors: Kovoor J G , Tivey D R , Ovenden C D , Babidge W J , Maddern G J
Published: May 2021

Background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) forced surgical evolution worldwide. The extent to which national evidence-based recommendations, produced by the current authors early in 2020, remain valid, is unclear. To inform global surgical management and a model for rapid clinical change, this study aimed to characterize surgical evolution following COVID-19 through a multifaceted systematic review.

Methods

Rapid reviews were conducted targeting intraoperative safety, personal protective equipment and triage, alongside a conventional systematic review identifying evidence-based guidance for surgical management. Targeted searches of PubMed and Embase from 31 December 2019 were repeated weekly until 7 August 2020, and systematic searches repeated monthly until 30 June 2020. Literature was stratified using Evans’ hierarchy of evidence. Narrative data were analysed for consistency with earlier recommendations. The systematic review rated quality using the AGREE II and AMSTAR tools, was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020205845. Meta-analysis was not conducted.

Results

From 174 targeted searches and six systematic searches, 1256 studies were identified for the rapid reviews and 21 for the conventional systematic review. Of studies within the rapid reviews, 903 (71.9 per cent) had lower-quality design, with 402 (32.0 per cent) being opinion-based. Quality of studies in the systematic review ranged from low to moderate. Consistency with recommendations made previously by the present authors was observed despite 1017 relevant subsequent publications.

Conclusion

The evidence-based recommendations produced early in 2020 remained valid despite many subsequent publications. Weaker studies predominated and few guidelines were evidence-based. Extracted clinical solutions were globally implementable. An evidence-based model for rapid clinical change is provided that may benefit surgical management during this pandemic and future times of urgency.
Talking Through Race: Two Raced Women’s Tinder Stories
Authors: Lee Jin
Published: May 2021

While as an epitome of contemporary pairing culture Tinder has been reported as dangerous for its association with sex-centered post-feminist culture, including hook ups and toxic masculinity, an original case study exploring women of color (WOC) in the culture has not been undertaken yet. By inviting WOC Tinder users into an ethnographic study, I show the instability of race that mediates their lived experiences in line with gender in the culture of sexual intimacy. I focus on two female study participants living in the United States: Greek–Black biracial Betty and Korean-Asian Rose. By examining their processes of revisiting their Tinder episodes and developing their conclusive stories vis-à-vis their identities, I argue that they perform their race processed through ongoing negotiation with the social systems and their personal lived experiences, to respond to racialization, gendering, and sexualization in the pairing culture, mediated by the image-centered dating app, Tinder.
Intersection of Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Networks to Identify Opportunities to Enhance HIV Prevention
Authors: Dennis Ann M , Cressman Andrew , Pasquale Dana , Frost Simon D W , Kelly Elizabeth , Guy Jalila , Mobley Victoria , Samoff Erika , Hurt Christopher B , Mcneil Candice , Hightow-Weidman Lisa , Carry Monique , Hogben Matthew , Seña Arlene C
Published: May 2021

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis infection continue at disproportionate rates among minority men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. The integration of HIV genetic clustering with partner services can provide important insight into local epidemic trends to guide interventions and control efforts.

Methods

We evaluated contact networks of index persons defined as minority men and transgender women diagnosed with early syphilis and/or HIV infection between 2018 and 2020 in 2 North Carolina regions. HIV clusters were constructed from pol sequences collected through statewide surveillance. A combined “HIV-risk” network, which included persons with any links (genetic or sexual contact) to HIV-positive persons, was evaluated by component size, demographic factors, and HIV viral suppression.

Results

In total, 1289 index persons were identified and 55% named 1153 contacts. Most index persons were Black (88%) and young (median age 30 years); 70% had early syphilis and 43% had prevalent HIV infection. Most people with HIV (65%) appeared in an HIV cluster. The combined HIV-risk network (1590 contact network and 1500 cluster members) included 287 distinct components; however, 1586 (51%) were in a single component. Fifty-five percent of network members with HIV had no evidence of viral suppression. Overall, fewer index persons needed to be interviewed to identify 1 HIV-positive member without viral suppression (1.3 vs 4.0 for contact tracing).

Conclusions

Integration of HIV clusters and viral loads illuminate networks with high HIV prevalence, indicating recent and ongoing transmission. Interventions intensified toward these networks may efficiently reach persons for HIV prevention and care re-engagement.
Cardiovascular risk factors as predictors of new onset atrial fibrillation during hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Santos H , Santos M , Almeida I , Miranda H , Sa C , Chin J , Almeida S , Sousa C , Almeida L
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

OnBehalf

Portuguese Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background

Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) are a growing health problem in developed countries, being directly associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence and atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, new onset of AF in context of ACS is a clinical problem with prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Objective

Evaluate the impact of the CVRF in new onset AF during the hospitalization for ACS.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective study, based on the Portuguese Registry of ACS between 1/10/2010-4/09/2019. Patients were divided in two groups: A – without new onset of AF during the hospitalization for ACS and B – with new onset of AF during the hospitalization for ACS. CVFR was defined by body mass index, diabetes, arterial hypertension, smoking, coronary artery disease, neoplasia, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease and peripheral arterial disease. Logistic regression was performed to assess predictors of new onset AF in these patients.

Results

14037 patients were included, 637 in group B (4.8%). Both groups were similar regarding diabetes mellitus (p = 0.116), coronary artery disease (p = 0.264) and neoplasia (p = 0.327). Curiously the group A exhibited higher body mass index (27.5 ± 4.3 vs 27.2 ± 4.4, p < 0.001), smokers (28.1 vs 18.5%, p < 0.001) and dyslipidemia (62.8 vs 56.7%, p < 0.001). On the other hand, group B presented more females (26.4 vs 35.0%, p < 0.001), arterial hypertension (70.0 vs 74.9%, p = 0.002), peripheral arterial disease (5.4 vs 8.4%, p < 0.001) and chronic kidney disease (6.7 vs 9.5%, p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that body mass index, smoker status, diabetes, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, neoplasia, chronic kidney disease and peripheral arterial disease were not predictors of AF during the hospitalization for ACS. Nonetheless, female gender (odds ratio (OR) 1.23, p = 0.025, confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.47), obesity (OR 1.39, p = 0.004, CI 1.11-1.74) and arterial hypertension (OR 1.22, p = 0.049, CI 1.01-1.50) were predictors of new onset of AF during hospitalization for ACS. Conclusions: Female gender, obesity and arterial hypertension were predictors of new onset of AF in during hospitalization for ACS.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, rural residence is associated to healthier lifestyle behaviours in patients with chronic coronary syndrom
Authors: Chague F , Cransac-Miet A , Boulin M , Saint-Jalmes M , Bichat F , Soudry A , Danchin N , Zeller M , Cottin Y
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Dijon Football Côte d"Or

OnBehalf

CLEO-CD

Background

Lifestyle behaviours (LB) are keystones of coronary prevention and might be impacted during Covid-19 (C19) lockdown.

Purpose

To compare the LB in urban and rural patients suffering from chronic coronary syndrom (CCS)

Methods

250 outpatients suffering from CCS were invited during the 6th week of the 1st C19 lockdown to answer to a phone-call questionnaire.

Results

220 questionnaires were fit for analysis, of whom about 1/4 declared a psychologic impairment; people staying at home in urban zones trended to be more impacted. Unhealthier behaviours including cigarette smoking, decrease in physical activity and increase in screentime were common, especially in patients from urban zones. Telehealth partially counterbalanced limitation in care access and none declared discontinuation of medications.

Conclusion

The lockdown impacted wellbeing of CCS patients; living in rural zone was associated with a healthier LB.

Main results TOTAL URBAN RURAL N (%) 220 107 113 p * Age (years, SD) 66.4+/-12.0 64.5+/-14.0 68.2+/-9.5 0.02 Male/Female 154/66 76/31 78/35 0.77 Alone at home 47(21.7) 28(26.2) 19(17.3) 0.13 Feeling cramped 16(7.6) 13(12.5) 3(2.8) 0.008 Feeling less well 50(22.9) 29(27.1) 21(18.9) 0.19 Kessler-6 score ≥ 5 57(26.8) 33(32.0) 24(21.8)) 0.12 Sleep impairment 53(24.5) 30(28.6) 23(20.7) 0.20 Angina pectorisdestabilization 13(6.6) 8(7.9) 5(5.3) 0.57 Cancelled physical examination** 67(63.8) 40(65.6) 27(61.4) 0.68 Switched to Telehealth*** 16(17.0) 7(17.5) 9(16.7) 1 Coronavirus testing 7(3.2) 3(2.8) 4(3.6) 1 Lifestyle behaviours Cigarette smoking 36(16.4) 26(23.3) 10(9.3) 0.006 Cigarette smoking increase 11(30.6) 8(40.0) 3(18.8) 0.27 Decreased physical activity 96(44.2) 56(53.3) 40(35.7) 0.009 Screentime increase 98(45.0) 59(55.1) 39(35.1) 0.004 Alcohol intake increase 10(5.2) 5(5.3) 5(5.2) 1 Weight increase ≥ 2 kg 52(24.5) 28(26.9) 24(22.2) 0.52 * between Urban and Rural **from scheduled physical examination ***from cancelled scheduled physical examination
Association between circulatory microRNAs in plasma and atrial fibrillation among men and women from the general population
Authors: Geurts S , Mens MMJ , Bos MM , Ikram MA , Ghanbari M , Kavousi M
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): The Rotterdam Study is funded by Erasmus Medical Center and Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands Organization for the Health Research and Development (ZonMw), the Research Institute for Diseases in the Elderly (RIDE), the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sports, the European Commission (DG XII), and the Municipality of Rotterdam. This project is further supported by the Gender and Prevention grant (555003017) from ZonMw.

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. They have shown to play an important role in cardiovascular disease, but there is limited population-based data regarding the relationship between circulatory miRNAs in plasma and atrial fibrillation (AF). Moreover, it remains unclear if the associations between miRNAs with AF differ by sex.

Purpose

To determine the association of miRNAs with the risk of prevalent and incident AF among men and women from the general population.

Methods

Plasma levels of circulatory miRNAs were measured in 858 men and 1141 women from a large prospective population-based cohort study. Logistic regression and Cox Proportional Hazards models were used to assess the associations of 591 well-expressed miRNAs with the prevalence and incidence of AF. Models were adjusted for age and cardiovascular risk factors. We further examined the link between predicted target genes of identified miRNAs and AF.

Results

The mean age was 71.7 years (57.1% women), 58 men and 40 women had prevalent AF at baseline. Moreover, 96 men and 100 women developed AF during a median follow-up of 9.0 years. After adjusting for multiple testing, miR-4798-3p was significantly associated with prevalent AF among men; odds ratio: 0.39 (95% CI 0.24-0.66). No miRNAs were significantly associated with incident AF. MiR-4798-3p could potentially regulate the expression of AF-related genes, including genes involved in calcium and potassium handling in myocytes, protection of cells against oxidative stress, and cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions

Plasma levels of miR-4798-3p were significantly associated with prevalent AF among men. Various target genes in relation to AF pathophysiology could potentially be regulated by miR-4798-3p that warrant further investigations in future experimental studies.
Smoking cessation after coronary angiography
Authors: Ramotowski B , Dziekan-Wislawska K , Lenarczyk E , Dzida M , Budaj A
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education

Background

Smoking cessation is crucial for risk reduction among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Effective support in smoking cessation (SC) and data regarding factors related to SC are still a matter of concern.

Purpose

To assess SC rates and factors related to effective smoking cessation in patients after coronary angiography (CA)

Methods

Patients scheduled to CA between 01.2014 and 11.2018 were screened for active smoking. Patients were contacted by phone after at least 6 months after procedure and investigated about current smoking, history of smoking and nicotine dependence.

Results

3719 consecutive patients were screened, overall 921 (24.8%) patients declared active smoking within the last month before CA. 241 patients were contacted and questionnaired after at least 6 months. The mean age of patients was 61.2 ± 9.3, 168 (69.7%) patients were men, 115 (47,7%) patients had acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Mean hospitalization time was 6 ± 4.4 days, 67 (27.8%) patients were scheduled for the second stage procedure. 80 (33.2%) patients declared SC during follow-up. In multivariate logistic regression analysis hospitalization time ≥4 days (OR 3.62; 95% CI 1.9-6.89), Fagerstrome score ≤4 (OR 1.96; 95%CI 1.01-3.79), scheduled second hospitalization (OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.32-4.86), and unexpectedly smoking load with ≥51 pack-years (OR 2.28; 95%CI 1.16-4.47) increased the chance of SC.

Conclusion

Substantial group of patients scheduled to CA are current smokers. Self-reported SC rates after procedure are higher than in general population but still reasonably low. Prolonged in-hospital stay and repeated hospitalization increase chances for smoking cessation as well as low measured nicotine dependence. Paradoxically high load of packing-years also increase the chances of SC which may support repetitive attempts to SC in this group of patients.
The effects of exercise training on muscle oxygenation of patients with intermittent claudication
Authors: Chatzinikolaou P , Cornelis N , Claes J , Buys R , Fourneau I , Cornelissen I
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background. Intermittent claudication (IC) is characterized by a cramp-like pain during walking caused by insufficient blood flow to the lower limbs during exercise. The walking impairment caused by IC can lead to a vicious cycle of physical inactivity, decreased quality of life and progression of cardiovascular risk factors. Although current evidence supports the benefits of walking training to increase walking capacity, little is known about its effect on muscle oxygenation in this population. Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a hybrid 12-week walking program (combined center- and home-based walking) on muscle oxygenation of IC patients. Methods. Thirty-seven patients with IC were enrolled of which 33 completed follow-up measurements (age 71 ± 9 yrs, body mass index 26 ± 4 kg/m2, ankle brachial index (ABI) 0.7 ± 0.2) after the 12-week intervention. Outcome measures were pain-free walking capacity (PFWC), maximal walking capacity (MWC) and calf muscle oxygenation, respectively evaluated using a submaximal treadmill test, a Gardner treadmill test and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Results. After the 12-week intervention, significantly higher values (reported as median and interquartiles) for PFWC (162 m [122, 217] to 272 m [150, 401]; p < 0.001) and MWC (458 m [260, 638] to 611 m [333, 840]; p < 0.001) were observed. As shown in Table 1, NIRS data measured during the submaximal walking test showed an increased availability of oxygenated hemoglobin (p = 0.048) and decreased deoxyhemoglobin (p = 0.013), while total hemoglobin remained unchanged after the 12-week intervention. During the Gardner test, time to reach minimum tissue saturation index (TSI%) increased (p < 0.001), yet no change was noted on minimum TSI during exercise, despite increased MWC. Despite a trend towards faster recovery times, no significant changes were observed after the 12-week intervention. Conclusion. Hybrid walking exercise therapy improves deoxygenation kinetics and walking capacity in IC patients. Increased availability of oxygenated hemoglobin might underly the improvement in walking capacity.
Multimarker method in the study of laboratory predictors of vascular wall elasticity as the basis for the development of a personalized approach to the treatment of socially significant diseases
Authors: Petelina T , Avdeeva K , Musikhina N , Gapon L , Bykova S , Leonovich S , Gorbatenko E , Zueva E , Valeeva L
Published: May 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Aim

To investigate the role of markers of vascular inflammation, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone as predictors of increased pulse-wave velocity (PWV) and degenerative bone changes in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension (AH).

Methods

164 females were examined. Gr.1 included 42 healthy individuals, Gr.2 - 58 patients with AH and Gr.3 - 64 postmenopausal women with AH and osteoporosis. Parameters of blood pressure monitoring; PWV, osteodensitometry (T-Score); inflammatory markers: hsCRP, TNFα, homocysteine, IL-1β, 6, 8, endothelin-1; lipid profile parameters; sex and parathyroid hormones, vitamin D  were measured.

Results

In Gr.3 excess levels of PWV, hsCRP, homocysteine, IL8, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, endothelin-1 and parathyroid hormone was detected with decrease in the level of sex hormones and vitamin D. Besides, negative correlations of T-Score with age, PWV, duration of menopause, IL-6, hsCRP were registered; positive correlations between PWV with IL6, LDL cholesterol, hsCRP, endothelin-1, DBP variability were found. The logistic regression method revealed the main markers that affect increase of PWV, such as hsCRP and endothelin-1.Rise of each marker by unit of measurement leads to increase in PWV by 1.3 times and 2.4%, respectively. In Gr.2 increase in PWV level of more than 12.05 m/s was associated with 3.8-fold increase in the risk of osteoporosis. In Gr.3 increase in PWV level on 1 m/s was associated with 6 fold increase in the risk of osteoporosis.

Conclusions

Elevated levels of PWV are associated with markers of inflammation, levels of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, T-Score and may be part of the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular continuum in postmenopausal women, which will require an individual approach to the treatment of AH with comorbid metabolic disorders.
Postweaning Isolation Alters the Responses of Auditory Neurons to Serotonergic Modulation
Authors: Davis Sarah E D , Sansone Jack M , Hurley Laura M
Published: May 2021

Juvenile social experience, such as social isolation, has profound effects on communicative behavior, including signal production and reception. In the current study, we explored responsiveness to the neuromodulator serotonin as a potential mechanistic link between early life social isolation and auditory processing. The serotonergic system is sensitive to social isolation in many brain regions including the inferior colliculus (IC), an auditory midbrain nucleus. We investigated the effects of social experience on serotonergic responsiveness by measuring cFos, an immediate early gene product, in the IC of female mice. Serotonin was manipulated pharmacologically by administering fenfluramine, pCPA, or saline to mice that had undergone an extreme dichotomy in social experience after weaning: being housed in social groups versus individually. These mice were exposed to a 60-min recording of vocalizations from an opposite-sex interaction and perfused. Using immunohistochemistry, we measured the density of cFos-positive (cFos+) nuclei in the major subdivisions of the IC. Housing condition, drug treatment, and IC subregion all had a significant effect on cFos+ density. The central IC showed the highest density of cFos+ cells and also the most pronounced effects of housing condition and drug treatment. In the central IC, cFos+ density was higher following fenfluramine treatment than saline, and lower following pCPA treatment than fenfluramine. Individually housed mice showed a higher cFos+ density than socially housed mice in both of the pharmacological treatment groups, but not in the saline group. Drug treatment but not housing condition had strong effects on the behaviors of grooming, digging, rearing, and movement. Once the effects of drug condition were controlled, there were no across-individual correlations between cFos+ densities and behaviors. These findings suggest that the responses of auditory neurons to neuromodulation by serotonin are influenced by early life experience.
From Telson to Attack in Mantis Shrimp: Bridging Biomechanics and Behavior in Crustacean Contests
Authors: deVries Maya S , Lowder Kaitlyn B , Taylor Jennifer R A
Published: May 2021

Synopsis

In the spirit of this symposium on the physical mechanisms of behavior, we review mantis shrimp ritualized fighting, from the telson to the attack, as an inspiring example of how the integration of biomechanics and behavioral research can yield a penetrating narrative for how animals accomplish important activities, including agonistic actions. Resolving conflicts with conspecifics over valuable resources is an essential task for animals, and this takes an unusual form in mantis shrimp due to their powerful raptorial appendages. Decades of field and laboratory research have provided key insights into the natural agonistic interactions of diverse mantis shrimp species, including how they use their raptorial weapons against one another in telson sparring matches over cavities. These insights provided the foundation for functional morphologists, biomechanists, and engineers to work through different levels of organization: from the kinematics of how the appendages move to the elastic mechanisms that power the strike, and down to the structure, composition, and material properties that transmit and protect against high-impact forces. Completing this narrative are studies on the defensive telson and how this structure is biomechanically matched to the weapon and the role it plays in ritualized fighting. The biomechanical understanding of the weapon and defense in mantis shrimp has, in turn, enabled a better understanding of whether mantis shrimp assess one another during contests and encouraged questions of evolutionary drivers on both the arsenal and behavior. Altogether, the body of research focused on mantis shrimp has presented perhaps the most comprehensive understanding of fighting, weapons, and defenses among crustaceans, from morphology and biomechanics to behavior and evolution. While this multi-level analysis of ritualized fighting in mantis shrimp is comprehensive, we implore the need to include additional levels of analysis to obtain a truly holistic understanding of this and other crustacean agonistic interactions. Specifically, both molting and environmental conditions are often missing from the narrative, yet they greatly affect crustacean weapons, defenses, and behavior. Applying this approach more broadly would generate a similarly profound understanding of how crustaceans carry out a variety of important tasks in diverse habitats.
Is genetic liability to ADHD and ASD causally linked to educational attainment?
Authors: Dardani Christina , Riglin Lucy , Leppert Beate , Sanderson Eleanor , Rai Dheeraj , Howe Laura D , Davey Smith George , Tilling Kate , Thapar Anita , Davies Neil M , Anderson Emma , Stergiakouli Evie
Published: May 2021

Background

The association patterns of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with educational attainment (EA) are complex; children with ADHD and ASD are at risk of poor academic outcomes, and parental EA has been associated with risk of ADHD/ASD in the offspring. Little is known on the causal links between ADHD, ASD, EA and the potential contribution of cognitive ability.

Methods

Using the latest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary data on ADHD, ASD and EA, we applied two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the effects of genetic liability to ADHD and ASD on EA. Reverse direction analyses were additionally performed. Multivariable MR was performed to estimate any effects independent of cognitive ability.

Results

Genetic liability to ADHD had a negative effect on EA, independently of cognitive ability (MVMRIVW: -1.7 months of education per doubling of genetic liability to ADHD; 95% CI: -2.8 to -0.7), whereas genetic liability to ASD a positive effect (MVMRIVW: 30 days per doubling of the genetic liability to ASD; 95% CI: 2 to 53). Reverse direction analyses suggested that genetic liability to higher EA had an effect on lower risk of ADHD, independently of cognitive ability (MVMRIVWOR: 0.33 per SD increase; 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.43) and increased risk of ASD (MRIVWOR: 1.51 per SD increase; 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.77), which was partly explained by cognitive ability (MVMRIVWOR per SD increase: 1.24; 95%CI: 0.96 to 1.60).

Conclusions

Genetic liability to ADHD and ASD is likely to affect educational attainment, independently of underlying cognitive ability.
Persistence of Antibody and Cellular Immune Responses in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Over Nine Months After Infection
Authors: Yao Lin , Wang Guo-Lin , Shen Yuan , Wang Zhuang-Ye , Zhan Bing-Dong , Duan Li-Jun , Lu Bing , Shi Chao , Gao Yu-Meng , Peng Hong-Hong , Wang Guo-Qiang , Wang Dong-Mei , Jiang Ming-Dong , Cao Guo-Ping , Ma Mai-Juan
Published: May 2021

Background

The duration of humoral and T and B cell response after the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study to assess the virus-specific antibody and memory T and B cell responses in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients up to 343 days after infection. Neutralizing antibodies and antibodies against the receptor-binding domain, spike, and nucleoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Virus-specific memory T and B cell responses were analyzed.

Results

We enrolled 59 patients with COVID-19, including 38 moderate, 16 mild, and 5 asymptomatic patients; 31 (52.5%) were men and 28 (47.5%) were women. The median age was 41 years (interquartile range, 30–55). The median day from symptom onset to enrollment was 317 days (range 257 to 343 days). We found that approximately 90% of patients still have detectable immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies against spike and nucleocapsid proteins and neutralizing antibodies against pseudovirus, whereas ~60% of patients had detectable IgG antibodies against receptor-binding domain and surrogate virus-neutralizing antibodies. The SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG+ memory B cell and interferon-γ-secreting T cell responses were detectable in more than 70% of patients.

Conclusions

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-specific immune memory response persists in most patients approximately 1 year after infection, which provides a promising sign for prevention from reinfection and vaccination strategy.
A very rare case report of an iatrogenic bladder perforation in a young female with concurrent Fitz-Hugh–Curtis syndrome
Authors: Roy Susmit Prosun , Combes Alexander Dimitri , Perera Dayashan Shevantha
Published: May 2021

Acute bladder injuries are rare and usually occur following significant amount of trauma. It has also been reported to occur in patients with chronic conditions like carcinoma, prolonged indwelling catheters, chronic infections of the bladder among others.

We present a case of an otherwise fit and healthy young woman who presented to our emergency department following an episode of binge drinking and urinary retention. She had a perforation of the bladder following a simple indwelling 18-Fr Foley’s catheter insertion.

In our knowledge, this is probably the first case to be described for such an injury with such mechanism.
Structure and folding of four putative kink turns identified in structured RNA species in a test of structural prediction rules
Authors: Huang Lin , Liao Xinli , Li Mengxiao , Wang Jia , Peng Xuemei , Wilson Timothy J , Lilley David M J
Published: May 2021

k-Turns are widespread key architectural elements that occur in many classes of RNA molecules. We have shown previously that their folding properties (whether or not they fold into their tightly kinked structure on addition of metal ions) and conformation depend on their local sequence, and we have elucidated a series of rules for prediction of these properties from sequence. In this work, we have expanded the rules for prediction of folding properties, and then applied the full set to predict the folding and conformation of four probable k-turns we have identified amongst 224 structured RNA species found in bacterial intergenenic regions by the Breaker lab (1). We have analyzed the ion-dependence of folding of the four k-turns using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and determined the conformation of two of them using X-ray crystallography. We find that the experimental data fully conform to both the predicted folding and conformational properties. We conclude that our folding rules are robust, and can be applied to new k-turns of unknown characteristics with confidence.
KOBAS-i: intelligent prioritization and exploratory visualization of biological functions for gene enrichment analysis
Authors: Bu Dechao , Luo Haitao , Huo Peipei , Wang Zhihao , Zhang Shan , He Zihao , Wu Yang , Zhao Lianhe , Liu Jingjia , Guo Jincheng , Fang Shuangsang , Cao Wanchen , Yi Lan , Zhao Yi , Kong Lei
Published: May 2021

Gene set enrichment (GSE) analysis plays an essential role in extracting biological insight from genome-scale experiments. ORA (overrepresentation analysis), FCS (functional class scoring), and PT (pathway topology) approaches are three generations of GSE methods along the timeline of development. Previous versions of KOBAS provided services based on just the ORA method. Here we presented version 3.0 of KOBAS, which is named KOBAS-i (short for KOBAS intelligent version). It introduced a novel machine learning-based method we published earlier, CGPS, which incorporates seven FCS tools and two PT tools into a single ensemble score and intelligently prioritizes the relevant biological pathways. In addition, KOBAS has expanded the downstream exploratory visualization for selecting and understanding the enriched results. The tool constructs a novel view of cirFunMap, which presents different enriched terms and their correlations in a landscape. Finally, based on the previous version's framework, KOBAS increased the number of supported species from 1327 to 5944. For an easier local run, it also provides a prebuilt Docker image that requires no installation, as a supplementary to the source code version. KOBAS can be freely accessed at http://kobas.cbi.pku.edu.cn, and a mirror site is available at http://bioinfo.org/kobas.
The Effectiveness of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device in Managing Intramuscular Tuberculosis
Authors: Othman Sharifah A. , ElSharkawy Tarek M. , Alfaifi Doaa , Aljehani Yasser
Published: May 2021

Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic to some geographic areas such as Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It is called the great mimicker because of its diverse and variable presentation and affects almost every organ in the body with different symptomatology. Often, TB causes empyema necessitans, the rarest forms of which are intramuscular and cutaneous. Here, the authors report a case of empyema necessitans and intramuscular TB, which was managed successfully with negative-pressure wound therapy. The treatment provided a good outcome and patient satisfaction compared with traditional invasive surgical options.
Inhalational anaesthetics, ozone depletion, and greenhouse warming: the basics and status of our efforts in environmental mitigation
Authors: Lopes Rita , Shelton Cliff , Charlesworth Mike
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review

Following their use for medicinal purposes, volatile inhalational anaesthetic agents are expelled into the atmosphere where they contribute to anthropogenic climate change. We describe recent evidence examining the benefits and harms associated with their use.

Recent findings

The environmental harms associated with desflurane and nitrous oxide likely outweigh any purported clinical benefits. Life cycle analyses are beginning to address the many gaps in our understanding, and informing choices made on all aspects of anaesthetic care. There is, however, an urgent need to move beyond the debate about anaesthetic technique A vs. B and focus also on areas such as sustainable procurement, waste management, pharmacological stewardship and joined-up solutions.

There is now compelling evidence that anaesthetists, departments and hospitals should avoid desflurane completely, and limit nitrous oxide use to settings where there is no viable alternative, as their environmental harms outweigh any perceived clinical benefit. Life cycle analyses seem supportive of total intravenous and/or regional anaesthesia. There are many other areas where choices can be made by individual anaesthetists that contribute towards reducing the environmental burden of healthcare, such as prioritising the reduction of inappropriate resource use and over-treatment. However, this all requires joined up solutions where all parts of an organisation engage.
Drugs in anesthesia: preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting
Authors: Schlesinger Tobias , Weibel Stephanie , Meybohm Patrick , Kranke Peter
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be a burden for patients, medical staff and healthcare facilities because of inadequate adherence to available recommendations. This review gives an overview on recent recommendations, new evidence and remaining issues in the field of PONV management.

Recent findings

A wide range of drugs is available for the management of PONV including corticosteroids, 5-HT3-antagonists, dopamine-antagonists, neurokinin-receptor-1 (NK1)-antagonists, antihistamines and anticholinergics. The updated PONV guidelines from 2020 recommend a universal multimodal strategy for PONV prophylaxis, which is an important paradigm shift to improve implementation of the existing evidence. A recent Cochrane network meta-analysis ranked single drugs and drug combinations for PONV prophylaxis in terms of efficacy and safety. Notably, NK1-antagonists and new 5-HT3-antagonists ranged among the most effective drugs. However, safety data on antiemetics are generally scarce.

Numerous drug (combinations) and strategies are available for PONV management. New and very effective (single) drugs could result in a simplification compared with a combination of several drugs, and thus lead to better implementation.
Milk Volume Outcomes in Pump-Dependent Mothers of Critically Ill Infants
Authors: Bendixen Marion M. , Weaver Michael T. , Parker Leslie A.
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Mother's own milk improves health outcomes in infants of all gestational ages. Although pump-dependent mothers of extremely premature infants are at risk of insufficient milk production, whether mother's milk production is impacted by gestational age and pump dependency in mothers of more mature critically ill infants is unknown.

Purpose:

To determine whether there is a relationship between gestational age, milk production, and time to secretory activation in mothers delivering a critically ill infant.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 136 pump-dependent mothers whose infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit was enrolled between 2013 and 2016 as part of a quality improvement project. Group 1 (early preterm) delivered infants at 30 to 33 weeks of gestation (n = 41), group 2 (late preterm) 34 to 36 weeks (n = 48), and group 3 (term) 37 weeks and more (n = 47). Milk volume on days 1 to 7 was measured by weighing each vial of expressed milk and compared using general linear mixed-model analysis. Time to the onset of secretory activation was compared using censored regression analysis.

Results:

Main effect for gestational age controlling for day was statistically significant (P = .0234). The early preterm group produced more milk over the 7-day study than the term (P = .01) and late preterm (P = .02) groups. The early preterm group achieved secretory activation earlier than the late preterm group (adjusted P = .039).

Implications for Practice:

Pump-dependent mothers of all infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit may be at risk of inadequate milk production and delayed secretory activation and may therefore benefit from early milk production monitoring and lactation support.

Implications for Research:

Further studies should examine targeted interventions to increase milk production in pump-dependent mothers.
Pain Associated With Cervical Priming for First-Trimester Surgical Abortion
Authors: Hamdaoui Naima , Cardinale Chloé , Fabre Cyprien , Baumstarck Karine , Agostini Aubert
Published: May 2021

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effect of cervical priming with mifepristone with that of misoprostol on pain perception during surgical induced abortion under paracervical block.

METHODS:

We conducted a randomized, single-blind, two-center study of women undergoing surgical induced abortion at less than 14 weeks of gestation under paracervical block. Participants were randomized to receive cervical priming with 200 mg of oral mifepristone 36 hours or 400 micrograms buccal misoprostol 3 hours before surgery. The primary outcome was pain during mechanical cervical dilation evaluated by a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were pain during aspiration, preoperative and postoperative pain, participant satisfaction, duration of the procedure, occurrence of complications, and ease of performing the procedure (assessed by a 100-mm VAS). We estimated that 110 women would have to be included to have 90% power to detect a 13mm-difference of VAS for pain.

RESULTS:

Between June 2017 and May 2019, 314 women were eligible and 110 were randomized (55 in each group). Patient characteristics were similar in the two groups. The mean VAS score during mechanical cervical dilation was lower in the mifepristone group (35.6±21 vs 43.5±21, P=.04) as was the mean VAS during aspiration (34±24 vs 47.8±23, P=.003). The preoperative and postoperative mean VAS, satisfaction and duration of procedures were similar between groups. The procedure was significantly easier to perform in the mifepristone group (88±16 vs 80±23, P=.004).

CONCLUSION:

Cervical priming with mifepristone for surgical induced abortion under paracervical block up to 14 weeks of gestation is more effective than misoprostol in reducing pain perception.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03043014.
Topical Imiquimod for the Treatment of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix
Authors: Fonseca Bruno O. , Possati-Resende Júlio C. , Salcedo Mila P. , Schmeler Kathleen M. , Accorsi Guilherme S. , Fregnani José H. T. G. , Antoniazzi Marcio , Pantano Naitielle P. , Santana Iara V. V. , Matsushita Graziela M. , dos Reis Ricardo
Published: May 2021

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the histologic response rate of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) of the cervix after topical application of 5% imiquimod cream.

METHODS:

In this phase II trial, women with cervical HSIL (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] 2–3) were randomly assigned to 250 mg of 5% imiquimod cream applied to the cervix weekly for 12 weeks, followed by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) without preceding treatment. The sample size was calculated based on the HSIL regression rates previously reported by Grimm et al. The primary outcome was rate of histologic regression (to CIN 1 or less) in LEEP specimens. Prespecified secondary endpoints included surgical margin status and adverse events. Outcomes were stratified by human papillomavirus type and lesion grade (CIN 2 or CIN 3). Results were reported according to per protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses.

RESULTS:

Ninety women were enrolled: 49 in the experimental group and 41 in the control group. In the PP population, histologic regression was observed in 23 of 38 participants (61%) in the experimental group compared with 9 of 40 (23%) in the control group (P=.001). Surgical margins were negative for HSIL in 36 of 38 participants (95%) in the experimental group and 28 of 40 (70%) in the control group (P=.004). In the ITT population, rates of histologic regression also were significantly higher in the experimental group. Rates of adverse events in the experimental group were 74% (28/38) in the PP population and 78% (35/45) in the ITT population. Adverse events were mild, with abdominal pain being the most common. Three patients in the experimental group had grade 2 adverse events, including vaginal ulcer, vaginal pruritus with local edema, and moderate pelvic pain.

CONCLUSION:

Weekly topical treatment with imiquimod is effective in promoting regression of cervical HSIL.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03233412.