bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colonic perforation in 4 dogs following treatment with meloxicam
Authors: Longley Mark J. , Baines Stephen J. , Chanoit Guillaume
Published: January 2022

Objective

To describe the clinical findings and treatment of 4 dogs that developed colonic perforation shortly after meloxicam administration.

Series Summary

Three cases were treated with meloxicam for variable nonspecific signs including lethargy and pyrexia. Hemorrhagic diarrhea developed following meloxicam administration in 2 cases. Gastrointestinal perforation was suspected on diagnostic imaging leading to exploratory celiotomy in all 3 cases. Partial colectomy was performed in 2 cases and suture repair with serosal patching in 1 followed by broad spectrum antimicrobials. All 3 dogs recovered from surgery well. One dog that had undergone perineal herniorrhaphy and received meloxicam perioperatively collapsed and died 7 days postsurgery. Postmortem examination revealed ulceration and perforation of the ascending colon with resultant generalized septic peritonitis. Histopathologic findings in all cases showed full thickness infiltration of the colonic wall with inflammatory cells along with ulceration and perforation. Thrombosis of vessels underlying the ulcerated areas was also noted.

New or Unique Information Provided

This report suggests that colonic perforation may be a complication of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use in some cases. To the authors’ knowledge, this has not previously been described in dogs. Colonic perforation associated with NSAIDs administration may be more commonly identified in dogs with concurrent morbidities. Caution may be warranted when using NSAIDs in dogs with colonic pathology or possible risk factors to develop such pathology. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential for a positive outcome.
Owner experiences with and perceptions of owner‐witnessed CPR in veterinary medicine
Authors: Gradilla Sarah M. , Balakrishnan Anusha , Silverstein Deborah C. , Pratt Chap L. , Fletcher Daniel J. , Wolf Jacob M.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To examine owner experiences with and perceptions of owner‐witnessed resuscitation (OWR) in veterinary medicine and to determine if previous experience with family‐witnessed resuscitation (FWR) influenced perceptions.

Design

Multicenter survey.

Setting

Two academic and 2 private practice referral hospitals in the United States.

Subjects

Four hundred and seven clients presenting their small animal or exotic pet to the emergency service, or owners of patients hospitalized in the small animal ICU, April 1 to May 15, 2019.

Interventions

None

Measurements and Main Results

Anonymous, online survey. Demographic variables, familiarity with CPR, previous experience with FWR or OWR, and open‐ended questions and 4‐point Likert items assessing level of agreement with statements on OWR were included. Scores equal or greater than 2 represented positive agreement. An overall OWR mean score was calculated from Likert items. Seventy‐nine (19.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.7%–23.7%) participants reported having been involved with FWR, and 13 (3.2%; 95% CI, 1.8%–5.5%) reported having witnessed CPR on their pet. Owners were significantly more likely to participate in OWR if they had been present for FWR (P = 0.0004). Ninety‐two percent of respondents who had been present for OWR would elect to be present again (95% CI, 62.1%–99.6%). Whether present for OWR or not, owners believed there may be benefits from witnessing CPR and had overall positive feelings toward the practice (OWR mean score, 2.87, SD 0.45 and 2.68, SD 0.54, respectively). Most respondents (78.6%; 95% CI, 74.2%–82.4%) felt that owners should be offered the opportunity to witness CPR on their pets.

Conclusions

Owners expressed overall positive experiences with and attitudes toward OWR and believe the option for presence should be provided. As pet owners become more aware of FWR in human medicine, veterinarians may need to be prepared to entertain the possibility of OWR and owners’ wishes to remain with their pet during CPR.
Ketogenic diet, African American women, and cardiovascular health: A systematic review
Authors: Hanners Audra , Melnyk Bernadette Mazurek , Volek Jeff , Kelley Marjorie M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the United States of America and across the world. The high prevalence of obesity (56.9%) in African American women contributes to high rates of CVD. Ketogenic nutritional therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective therapy for weight loss and reduction in other CVD risk factors (e.g., HgbA1C and blood pressure). However, the evidence investigating ketogenic nutritional therapy among African American women to improve CVD risk factors has not yet been synthesized.

Aims

To conduct a systematic review of the evidence on CVD risk reduction and ketogenic nutrition therapy among African American women.

Methods

CINAHL Plus, Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched for quantitative studies focused on ketogenic nutritional therapy and CVD risk factors among African American women. Included studies measured beta‐hydroxybutyrate as an indicator of dietary adherence.

Results

Of 4,799 articles identified, six articles representing five studies were included in this review. The majority of participants were female, with very few identified as African American women. Primary outcomes included weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipids. Dietary adherence was difficult to assess. Significant reductions in weight and BMI were noted. Heterogeneity in study design, intervention length, and measurement of dietary adherence made generalizations difficult. Few studies continually monitored dietary adherence using beta‐hydroxybutyrate levels, thus threatening the internal validity of the studies. A gap in our understanding remains concerning CVD risk and ketogenic nutritional therapy among African American women specifically.

Linking evidence to action

Ketogenic nutritional therapy is effective in women to reduce weight and BMI. Ketogenic nutritional therapy may be beneficial in reducing CVD risk factors. Monitoring dietary adherence using beta‐hydroxybutyrate levels with commercially available monitors is key to intervention success.
Sleep protocol—Use of evidence‐based practice (EBP) to improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction while hospitalized
Authors: Williams Kathy M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Anecdotal observation at a 55‐bed training hospital indicated decreased patient satisfaction from patients not feeling rested during hospitalization related to staggered nighttime nursing care.

Aims

The main aim of this study is to implement a new culture of patient centeredness to enhance patient care and improve outcomes at a 34‐bed Medical‐Surgical Inpatient Unit (MSIU) within the training hospital.

Methods

An evidence‐based practice approach was chosen to address the aim. This included the development of a PICOT (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and time frame) question, a systematic search of the literature, a critical appraisal of the evidence, implementation of the intervention, evaluation of outcomes, and dissemination of the results.

Results

Twenty‐three articles were critically appraised, resulting in 11 keeper articles. The body of evidence reviewed demonstrated that minimizing nighttime patient interruptions through bundled care could improve patient sleep, pain perception, and patient outcomes and reduce fatigue. Bundled care was implemented in the MSIU for 1 year. During this year, there was a significant reduction in hydrocodone administration, a notable reduction in prescription sleep aid administration, a 75% reduction in fall rates, a cost savings of $64,000, and a decrease in patient length of stay.

Linking Evidence to Action

Allowing patients to rest could have benefits. Rest improves outcomes, length of stay, satisfaction scores, and fall rates and reduces the need for medications. Clustering care allows patients to receive uninterrupted rest.
Local kisspeptin excitation of rat oxytocin neurones in late pregnancy
Authors: Abbasi Mehwish , Perkinson Michael R. , Seymour Alexander J. , Piet Richard , Campbell Rebecca E. , Iremonger Karl J. , Brown Colin H.
Published: January 2022

The hormone, oxytocin, is synthesised by magnocellular neurones of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and is released from the posterior pituitary gland into the circulation to trigger uterine contractions during parturition. Kisspeptin fibre density increases around the supraoptic nucleus over pregnancy and intracerebroventricular kisspeptin excites oxytocin neurones only in late pregnancy. However, the mechanism of this excitation is unknown. Here, we found that microdialysis administration of kisspeptin into the supraoptic nucleus consistently increased the action potential (spike) firing rate of oxytocin neurones in urethane‐anaesthetised late‐pregnant rats (gestation day 18–21) but not in non‐pregnant rats. Hazard analysis of action potential firing showed that kisspeptin specifically increased the probability of another action potential firing immediately after each action potential (post‐spike excitability) in late‐pregnant rats. Patch‐clamp electrophysiology in hypothalamic slices showed that bath application of kisspeptin did not affect action potential frequency or baseline membrane potential in supraoptic nucleus neurones. Moreover, kisspeptin superfusion did not affect the frequency or amplitude of excitatory postsynaptic currents or inhibitory postsynaptic currents in supraoptic nucleus neurones. Taken together, these studies suggest that kisspeptin directly activates oxytocin neurones in late pregnancy, at least in part, via increased post‐spike excitability.

Key points

Oxytocin secretion is triggered by action potential firing in magnocellular neurones of the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to induce uterine contractions during birth.

In late pregnancy, kisspeptin expression increases in rat periventricular nucleus neurones that project to the oxytocin system.

Here, we show that intra‐supraoptic nucleus administration of kisspeptin increases the action potential firing rate of oxytocin neurones in anaesthetised late‐pregnant rats, and that the increased firing rate is associated with increased oxytocin neurone excitability immediately after each action potential.

By contrast, kisspeptin superfusion of hypothalamic slices did not affect the activity of supraoptic nucleus neurones or the strength of local synaptic inputs to supraoptic nucleus neurones.

Hence, kisspeptin might activate oxytocin neurons in late pregnancy by transiently increasing oxytocin neuron excitability after each action potential.
Bifurcations of Limit Cycles in Rotating Shafts Mounted On Partial Arc and Lemon Bore Journal Bearings in Elastic Pedestals
Authors: Anastasopoulos Lysandros , Chasalevris Athanasios
Published: January 2022

The paper investigates the bifurcations encountered in a simple rotor dynamic system interacting with nonlinear impedance forces, generated by the supporting journal bearings of realistic profile geometry. Bearing configurations of finite arc length and of finite width, as implemented in standard design of turbomachinery have been selected, namely the cylindrical partial arc and the elliptical (lemon) bore profile. The way in which the key design parameters influence the stability of elastic or rigid Jeffcott rotor is discussed. In the scope of this study, the following bearing design parameters are considered: arc length, length to diameter ratio, geometric preload and offset, and properties of the supporting pedestal by codimension-two studies. The bearing model is coupled to a six degree of freedom shaft-disc-pedestal model with nonlinear forces calculated from the journal kinematics, bearing design and operating conditions by numerical evaluation of the Reynolds equation for laminar, isothermal flow on a two dimensional mesh. An autonomous system of differential equations is implemented. Stability of fixed points and of limit cycles for this system is evaluated applying numerical continuation. The results confirm that minor variations in journal bearing design and pedestal properties have the potential to render substantial changes in the quality of stability and the bifurcation set of the rotor dynamic system. Specific bearing profiles render significant increment of instability threshold speed while at the same time supercritical Hopf bifurcations can be shifted to subcritical with resulting instability envelopes to be generated at speeds lower than the threshold speed.
Effect of Differential Tip Clearance on the Performance of a Tandem Rotor
Authors: Kumar Amit , Chhugani Hitesh , More Shubhali , Pradeep A. M.
Published: January 2022

Tandem blade is an interesting concept that promises a higher total pressure rise per stage. Owing to two separate tip leakage vortices and their interaction, losses are likely to increase particularly near the tip region. Although rotors are designed with optimum tip clearance, the clearance changes during engine operation as well as during its service life. In the case of tandem rotors, the forward and the aft rotors can have different tip clearances. This will also impact the performance of the stage. Six different tip clearances have been investigated. ANSYS CFX is used for steady RANS computational analysis. The results suggest that the performance of the tandem rotor is highly sensitive to the forward rotor tip clearance. Higher tip clearance adversely affects the total pressure rise and operation stability of the tandem rotor. At design mass flowrate, the performance degradation for tandem configuration with the higher tip clearance (Case2, Case 3, Case 5, and Case 6) is attributed to the vortex breakdown of TLV1, which leads to the sudden expansion of the blockage region near the rotor tip. Vortex breakdown primarily depends upon the swirling strength of TLV1 and TLV2 as well as on the adverse pressure gradient. Near the stall point, the role of the adverse pressure gradient becomes more dominant in the vortex breakdown.
Normative values of the internal genital organs of the female pelvis in transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound
Authors: Mathis Judith , Dong Yi , Abendstein Burghard , Hollerweger Alois , Jenssen Christian , Westerway Sue , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: January 2022

Aim: To conduct a systemic review of published data on reference values for both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound in gynecology.Materials and methods: Literature from 1970 to 2020 of reference values for the female pelvis in healthy subjects was reviewed. According to the determination of reference intervals for laboratory values reference values are generally determined using 95%-reference intervals and their associated 90%-confidence intervals. The list of articles was supplemented with extensive crosschecking of the reference lists of all retrieved articles.Results: A total of 33 studies were included and analyzed. The diagnostic performance of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) has a higher sensitivity and specificity than transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) for high quality imaging of the uterus and the bilateral adnexa. The length of normal uterus is about 50-80 mm in fertile age. There is no consensus about the cut off value of the thickness of the endometrium in asymptomatic postmenopausal women, while a measurement of >5 mm and postmenopausal bleeding is suspect and requires further examination. The distribution of normal ovarian volumes is narrow with small volumes in postmenopausal women.Conclusion: Normal values are helpful in delimiting the pathological changes in the female pelvis. While sonomorphologic criteria are more important than the ovarian size for the assessment of ovarian masses and reference values of the uterus in adults have little impact on routine practice, normative values in pediatric patients are important for the detection of pathologies. Normative values of the internal genital organs in females are sufficiently validated; still further research is required to assess the role of normative values in routine clinical practice and in sonographic screening for endometrial and ovarian cancer.
Atomic layer deposition of GdF3 thin films
Authors: Atosuo Elisa , Mizohata Kenichiro , Mattinen Miika , Mäntymäki Miia , Vehkamäki Marko , Leskelä Markku , Ritala Mikko
Published: January 2022

Gadolinium fluoride is an attractive optical material with applications in, e.g., deep-UV lithography, solar cells, and medical imaging. Despite the interest toward this material, no atomic layer deposition (ALD) process has been published. In this article, an ALD process for GdF3 using Gd(thd)3 and NH4F as precursors is presented. The deposition was studied at temperatures 275–375 °C, but 285–375 °C produce the purest films. The saturation of the growth per cycle (GPC) with respect to precursor pulses and purges was proved at 300 °C. The GPC value at this temperature is ∼0.26 Å, and the deposition temperature has very little effect on the GPC. According to x-ray diffraction, all the films consist of orthorhombic GdF3. The impurity contents, evaluated by time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis, is low, and the films are close to stoichiometric. The nitrogen content is less than <0.04 at. %. The antireflection properties were qualitatively evaluated by UV-vis spectrometry in a transmission mode at a 190–1100 nm range: on sapphire substrates, GdF3 serves as an antireflective coating. Dielectric properties of the films were studied, and for example, a permittivity value of 9.3 was measured for a ∼64 nm film deposited at 300 °C.
Closed-form existence conditions for bandgap resonances in a finite periodic chain under general boundary conditions
Authors: Bastawrous Mary V. , Hussein Mahmoud I.
Published: January 2022

Bragg scattering in periodic media generates bandgaps, frequency bands where waves attenuate rather than propagate. Yet, a finite periodic structure may exhibit resonance frequencies within these bandgaps. This is caused by boundary effects introduced by the truncation of the nominal infinite medium. Previous studies of discrete systems determined existence conditions for bandgap resonances, although the focus has been limited to mainly periodic chains with free–free boundaries. In this paper, we present closed-form existence conditions for bandgap resonances in discrete diatomic chains with general boundary conditions (free–free, free–fixed, fixed–free, or fixed–fixed), odd or even chain parity (contrasting or identical masses at the ends), and the possibility of attaching a unique component (mass and/or spring) at one or both ends. The derived conditions are consistent with those theoretically presented or experimentally observed in prior studies of structures that can be modeled as linear discrete diatomic chains with free–free boundary conditions. An intriguing case is a free–free chain with even parity and an arbitrary additional mass at one end of the chain. Introducing such an arbitrary mass underscores a transition among a set of distinct existence conditions, depending on the type of chain boundaries and parity. The proposed analysis is applicable to linear periodic chains in the form of lumped-parameter models, examined across the frequency spectrum, as well as continuous granular media models, or similar configurations, examined in the low-frequency regime.
Lack of practical identifiability may hamper reliable predictions in COVID-19 epidemic models
Authors: Gallo Luca , Frasca Mattia , Latora Vito , Russo Giovanni
Published: January 2022

Compartmental models are widely adopted to describe and predict the spreading of infectious diseases. The unknown parameters of these models need to be estimated from the data. Furthermore, when some of the model variables are not empirically accessible, as in the case of asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), they have to be obtained as an outcome of the model. Here, we introduce a framework to quantify how the uncertainty in the data affects the determination of the parameters and the evolution of the unmeasured variables of a given model. We illustrate how the method is able to characterize different regimes of identifiability, even in models with few compartments. Last, we discuss how the lack of identifiability in a realistic model for COVID-19 may prevent reliable predictions of the epidemic dynamics.
Class I histone deacetylases (HDAC1–3) are histone lysine delactylases
Authors: Moreno-Yruela Carlos , Zhang Di , Wei Wei , Bæk Michael , Liu Wenchao , Gao Jinjun , Danková Daniela , Nielsen Alexander L. , Bolding Julie E. , Yang Lu , Jameson Samuel T. , Wong Jiemin , Olsen Christian A. , Zhao Yingming
Published: January 2022

Lysine L-lactylation [K(L-la)] is a newly discovered histone mark stimulated under conditions of high glycolysis, such as the Warburg effect. K(L-la) is associated with functions that are different from the widely studied histone acetylation. While K(L-la) can be introduced by the acetyltransferase p300, histone delactylases enzymes remained unknown. Here, we report the systematic evaluation of zinc- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent histone deacetylases (HDACs) for their ability to cleave ε-
N
-L-lactyllysine marks. Our screens identified HDAC1–3 and SIRT1–3 as delactylases in vitro. HDAC1–3 show robust activity toward not only K(L-la) but also K(D-la) and diverse short-chain acyl modifications. We further confirmed the de-L-lactylase activity of HDACs 1 and 3 in cells. Together, these data suggest that histone lactylation is installed and removed by regulatory enzymes as opposed to spontaneous chemical reactivity. Our results therefore represent an important step toward full characterization of this pathway’s regulatory elements.
Recapitulating hepatitis E virus–host interactions and facilitating antiviral drug discovery in human liver–derived organoids
Authors: Li Pengfei , Li Yunlong , Wang Yijin , Liu Jiaye , Lavrijsen Marla , Li Yang , Zhang Ruyi , Verstegen Monique M. A. , Wang Yining , Li Tian-Cheng , Ma Zhongren , Kainov Denis E. , Bruno Marco J. , de Man Robert A. , van der Laan Luc J. W. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , Pan Qiuwei
Published: January 2022

Hepatotropic viruses naturally have narrow host and tissue tropisms, challenging the development of robust experimental models. The advent of organoid technology provides a unique opportunity for moving the field forward. Here, we demonstrate that three-dimensional cultured organoids from fetal and adult human liver with cholangiocyte or hepatocyte phenotype support hepatitis E virus (HEV) replication. Inoculation with infectious HEV particles demonstrates that human liver–derived organoids support the full life cycle of HEV infection. By directing organoids toward polarized monolayers in a transwell system, we observed predominantly apical secretion of HEV particles. Genome-wide transcriptomic and tRNAome analyses revealed robust host responses triggered by viral replication. Drug screening in organoids identified brequinar and homoharringtonine as potent HEV inhibitors, which are also effective against the ribavirin resistance variant harboring G1634R mutation. Thus, successful recapitulation of HEV infection in liver-derived organoids shall facilitate the study of virus-host interactions and development of antiviral therapies.
Inverse design of soft materials via a deep learning–based evolutionary strategy
Authors: Coli Gabriele M. , Boattini Emanuele , Filion Laura , Dijkstra Marjolein
Published: January 2022

Colloidal self-assembly—the spontaneous organization of colloids into ordered structures—has been considered key to produce next-generation materials. However, the present-day staggering variety of colloidal building blocks and the limitless number of thermodynamic conditions make a systematic exploration intractable. The true challenge in this field is to turn this logic around and to develop a robust, versatile algorithm to inverse design colloids that self-assemble into a target structure. Here, we introduce a generic inverse design method to efficiently reverse-engineer crystals, quasicrystals, and liquid crystals by targeting their diffraction patterns. Our algorithm relies on the synergetic use of an evolutionary strategy for parameter optimization, and a convolutional neural network as an order parameter, and provides a way forward for the inverse design of experimentally feasible colloidal interactions, specifically optimized to stabilize the desired structure.
Ambient-pressure lignin valorization to high-performance polymers by intensified reductive catalytic deconstruction
Authors: O’Dea Robert M. , Pranda Paula A. , Luo Yuqing , Amitrano Alice , Ebikade Elvis O. , Gottlieb Eric R. , Ajao Olumoye , Benali Marzouk , Vlachos Dionisios G. , Ierapetritou Marianthi , Epps Thomas H.
Published: January 2022

Chemocatalytic lignin valorization strategies are critical for a sustainable bioeconomy, as lignin, especially technical lignin, is one of the most available and underutilized aromatic feedstocks. Here, we provide the first report of an intensified reactive distillation–reductive catalytic deconstruction (RD-RCD) process to concurrently deconstruct technical lignins from diverse sources and purify the aromatic products at ambient pressure. We demonstrate the utility of RD-RCD bio-oils in high-performance additive manufacturing via stereolithography 3D printing and highlight its economic advantages over a conventional reductive catalytic fractionation/RCD process. As an example, our RD-RCD reduces the cost of producing a biobased pressure-sensitive adhesive from softwood Kraft lignin by up to 60% in comparison to the high-pressure RCD approach. Last, a facile screening method was developed to predict deconstruction yields using easy-to-obtain thermal decomposition data. This work presents an integrated lignin valorization approach for upgrading existing lignin streams toward the realization of economically viable biorefineries.
From structure to sequence: Antibody discovery using cryoEM
Authors: Antanasijevic Aleksandar , Bowman Charles A. , Kirchdoerfer Robert N. , Cottrell Christopher A. , Ozorowski Gabriel , Upadhyay Amit A. , Cirelli Kimberly M. , Carnathan Diane G. , Enemuo Chiamaka A. , Sewall Leigh M. , Nogal Bartek , Zhao Fangzhu , Groschel Bettina , Schief William R. , Sok Devin , Silvestri Guido , Crotty Shane , Bosinger Steven E. , Ward Andrew B.
Published: January 2022

One of the rate-limiting steps in analyzing immune responses to vaccines or infections is the isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies. Here, we present a hybrid structural and bioinformatic approach to directly assign the heavy and light chains, identify complementarity-determining regions, and discover sequences from cryoEM density maps of serum-derived polyclonal antibodies bound to an antigen. When combined with next-generation sequencing of immune repertoires, we were able to specifically identify clonal family members, synthesize the monoclonal antibodies, and confirm that they interact with the antigen in a manner equivalent to the corresponding polyclonal antibodies. This structure-based approach for identification of monoclonal antibodies from polyclonal sera opens new avenues for analysis of immune responses and iterative vaccine design.
Targeted gene silencing in the nervous system with CRISPR-Cas13
Authors: Powell Jackson E. , Lim Colin K. W. , Krishnan Ramya , McCallister Tristan X. , Saporito-Magriña Christian , Zeballos Maria A. , McPheron Garrett D. , Gaj Thomas
Published: January 2022

Cas13 nucleases are a class of programmable RNA-targeting CRISPR effector proteins that are capable of silencing target gene expression in mammalian cells. Here, we demonstrate that RfxCas13d, a Cas13 ortholog with favorable characteristics to other family members, can be delivered to the mouse spinal cord and brain to silence neurodegeneration-associated genes. Intrathecally delivering an adeno-associated virus vector encoding an RfxCas13d variant programmed to target superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a protein whose mutation can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, reduced SOD1 mRNA and protein in the spinal cord by >50% and improved outcomes in a mouse model of the disorder. We further show that intrastriatally delivering an RfxCas13d variant programmed to target huntingtin (HTT), a protein whose mutation is causative for Huntington’s disease, led to a ~50% reduction in HTT protein in the mouse brain. Our results establish RfxCas13d as a versatile platform for knocking down gene expression in the nervous system.
Bacterial Biofilm Thickness and Fungal Inhibitory Bacterial Richness Both Prevent Establishment of the Amphibian Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: Chen Melissa Y. , Alexiev Alexandra , McKenzie Valerie J.
Published: January 2022

Our finding highlights the fact that diversity, as measured through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, may obscure the true mechanisms behind microbe-mediated pathogen defense and that physical space occupation by biofilm-forming symbionts may significantly contribute to pathogen protection. These findings have implications across a wide range of host-microbe systems since 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a standard tool used across many microbial systems.
Hepatitis C Virus-Induced ROS/JNK Signaling Pathway Activates the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Itch to Promote the Release of HCV Particles via Polyubiquitylation of VPS4A
Authors: Deng Lin , Liang Yujiao , Ariffianto Adi , Matsui Chieko , Abe Takayuki , Muramatsu Masamichi , Wakita Takaji , Maki Masatoshi , Shibata Hideki , Shoji Ikuo
Published: January 2022

The ROS/JNK signaling pathway contributes to liver diseases, including steatosis, metabolic disorders, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We previously reported that HCV activates the ROS/JNK signaling pathway, leading to the enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis and apoptosis induction.
Expanding the Colorectal Cancer Biomarkers Based on the Human Gut Phageome
Authors: Shen Siyuan , Huo Dongxue , Ma Chenchen , Jiang Shuaiming , Zhang Jiachao
Published: January 2022

Worldwide, by 2020, colorectal cancer has become the third most common cancer after lung and breast cancer. Phages are strictly host-specific, and this specificity makes them more accurate as biomarkers, but phage biomarkers for colorectal cancer have not been thoroughly explored.
Commensals Serve as Natural Barriers to Mammalian Cells during Acanthamoeba castellanii Invasion
Authors: Wang Yu-Jen , Chen Chun-Hsien , Chen Jenn-Wei , Lin Wei-Chen
Published: January 2022

Acanthamoeba castellanii
, an opportunistic protozoan widely present in the environment, can cause
Acanthamoeba
keratitis and encephalitis in humans. However, only a few reports describe how the ameba acts as an opportunistic pathogen.
SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Destabilizes Microvascular Homeostasis
Authors: Panigrahi Soumya , Goswami Tamal , Ferrari Brian , Antonelli Christopher J. , Bazdar Douglas A. , Gilmore Hannah , Freeman Michael L. , Lederman Michael M. , Sieg Scott F.
Published: January 2022

SARS-CoV-2 causes complex effects on microvascular homeostasis that potentially contribute to organ dysfunction and coagulopathies. SARS-CoV-2 binds to, and causes downregulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on cells that it infects.
Sub-Inhibitory Concentrations of Oxacillin, but Not Clindamycin, Linezolid, or Tigecycline, Decrease Staphylococcal Phenol-Soluble Modulin Expression in Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Hodille Elisabeth , Beraud Laetitia , Périan Séverine , Berti Valentine , Bes Michèle , Tristan Anne , Blond Emilie , Lina Gérard , Dumitrescu Oana
Published: January 2022

Staphylococcal toxins play an important role in the physiopathology of staphylococcal infections. Subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of antibiotics modulate
in vitro
toxins expression in
S. aureus
: clindamycin (CLI) and linezolid (LIN) display an anti-toxin effect on Panton-Valentine leucocidin and alpha-hemolysin production, while oxacillin (OXA) has an inducing effect.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Pneumococcal Carriage Isolates from Children under 2 Years of Age in Rural Pakistan
Authors: Nisar Muhammad Imran , Shahid Shahira , Jehan Fyezah , Ahmed Sheraz , Shakoor Sadia , Kabir Furqan , Hotwani Aneeta , Munir Sahrish , Khalid Farah , Muhammad Sajid , Whitney Cynthia G. , Ali Asad , Zaidi Anita K. M. , Omer Saad B. , Iqbal Najeeha
Published: January 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging public health concern particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is poor regulation and easy availability of antibiotics. This is the first study from Pakistan to report antimicrobial resistance patterns of pneumococcus after vaccine introduction in the community.
Evaluation of Bacterial Diversity and Evolutionary Dynamics of Gut Bifidobacterium longum Isolates Obtained from Older Individuals in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Zhang Zhendong , Hou Qiangchuan , Wang Yurong , Xiang Fanshu , Guo Zhuang
Published: January 2022

Bifidobacterium longum
are common inhabitants of the human gut throughout the life span, and have been associated with health-promoting effects, yet little is known about the genotype profile and evolution of these isolates. Our study showed that there was significant difference in gut bacterial community and abundance of
B. longum
between the elderly from two neighboring cities.
Its not all about sprinting: mechanisms of acute hamstring strain injuries in professional male rugby union—a systematic visual video analysis
Authors: Kerin Fearghal , Farrell Garreth , Tierney Peter , McCarthy Persson Ulrik , De Vito Giuseppe , Delahunt Eamonn
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The mechanisms of hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) in professional Rugby Union are not well understood. The aim of this study was to describe the mechanisms of HSIs in male professional Rugby Union players using video analysis.

Methods

All time-loss acute HSIs identified via retrospective analysis of the Leinster Rugby injury surveillance database across the 2015/2016 to 2017/2018 seasons were considered as potentially eligible for inclusion. Three chartered physiotherapists (analysts) independently assessed all videos with a consensus meeting convened to describe the injury mechanisms. The determination of the injury mechanisms was based on an inductive process informed by a critical review of HSI mechanism literature (including kinematics, kinetics and muscle activity). One of the analysts also developed a qualitative description of each injury mechanism.

Results

Seventeen acute HSIs were included in this study. Twelve per cent of the injuries were sustained during training with the remainder sustained during match-play. One HSI occurred due to direct contact to the injured muscle. The remainder were classified as indirect contact (ie, contact to another body region) or non-contact. These HSIs were sustained during five distinct actions—‘running’ (47%), ‘decelerating’ (18%), ‘kicking’ (6%), during a ‘tackle’ (6%) and ‘rucking’ (18%). The most common biomechanical presentation of the injured limb was characterised by trunk flexion with concomitant active knee extension (76%). Fifty per cent of cases also involved ipsilateral trunk rotation.

Conclusion

HSIs in this study of Rugby Union were sustained during a number of playing situations and not just during sprinting. We identified a number of injury mechanisms including: ‘running’, ‘decelerating’, ‘kicking’, ‘tackle’, ‘rucking’ and ‘direct trauma’. Hamstring muscle lengthening, characterised by trunk flexion and relative knee extension, appears to be a fundamental characteristic of the mechanisms of acute HSIs in Rugby Union.
DNA methylation analysis of cord blood samples in neonates born to gestational diabetes mothers diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks
Authors: Kasuga Yoshifumi , Kawai Tomoko , Miyakoshi Kei , Hori Asuka , Tamagawa Masumi , Hasegawa Keita , Ikenoue Satoru , Ochiai Daigo , Saisho Yoshifumi , Hida Mariko , Tanaka Mamoru , Hata Kenichiro
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Genome-wide methylation analyses of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosed after 24 gestational weeks (late GDM (L-GDM)) using cord blood have been reported. However, epigenetic changes in neonates born to mothers with GDM diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks (early GDM (E-GDM)) have not been reported. We investigated DNA methylation in neonates born to mothers with E-GDM using cord blood samples.

Research design and methods

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed using an Illumina EPIC array to compare methylation rates of 754 255 autosomal sites in cord blood samples from term neonates born to 162 mothers with GDM (E-GDM: n=84, L-GDM: n=78) and 60 normal glucose tolerance (normal OGTT) pregnancies. GDM was diagnosed based on Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology criteria modified with International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Group criteria. In this study, all GDM mothers underwent dietary management, while self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin administration was initiated when dietary modification did not achieve glycemic control.

Results

There were no significant differences in genome-wide DNA methylation of cord blood samples between the GDM (E-GDM and L-GDM) groups and normal OGTT group or between the E-GDM and normal OGTT groups, L-GDM and normal OGTT groups, and E-GDM and L-GDM groups.

Conclusions

This is the first report to determine the DNA methylation patterns in neonates born to mothers with E-GDM. Neonates born to mothers with GDM, who were diagnosed based on Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology criteria, may not differ in DNA methylation compared with those born to normal OGTT mothers.
Prediction of diabetic kidney disease with machine learning algorithms, upon the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Allen Angier , Iqbal Zohora , Green-Saxena Abigail , Hurtado Myrna , Hoffman Jana , Mao Qingqing , Das Ritankar
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) accounts for the majority of increased risk of mortality for patients with diabetes, and eventually manifests in approximately half of those patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although increased screening frequency can avoid delayed diagnoses, this is not uniformly implemented. The purpose of this study was to develop and retrospectively validate a machine learning algorithm (MLA) that predicts stages of DKD within 5 years upon diagnosis of T2DM.

Research design and methods

Two MLAs were trained to predict stages of DKD severity, and compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) risk score to evaluate performance. The models were validated on a hold-out test set as well as an external dataset sourced from separate facilities.

Results

The MLAs outperformed the CDC risk score in both the hold-out test and external datasets. Our algorithms achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.75 on the hold-out set for prediction of any-stage DKD and an AUROC of over 0.82 for more severe endpoints, compared with the CDC risk score with an AUROC <0.70 on all test sets and endpoints.

Conclusion

This retrospective study shows that an MLA can provide timely predictions of DKD among patients with recently diagnosed T2DM.
Diabetic hand: prevalence and incidence of diabetic hand problems using data from 1.1 million inhabitants in southern Sweden
Authors: Rydberg Mattias , Zimmerman Malin , Gottsäter Anders , Svensson Ann-Marie , Eeg-Olofsson Katarina , Dahlin Lars B
Published: January 2022

Introduction

‘The diabetic hand’ has traditionally referred to hand complications due to diabetes mellitus (DM), including trigger finger (TF) and Dupuytren’s disease (DD). Recent publications have also proposed DM as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE), and possibly osteoarthritis (OA) of the first carpometacarpal (CMC-1) joint. This study aimed to explore prevalence and incidence of diabetic hand complications among the population in southern Sweden.

Research design and methods

Approximately 1.1 million inhabitants in the region of Skåne aged ≥18 years, whereof 50 000 with DM, were included. Data on incident CTS, UNE, TF, DD, and OA of the CMC-1 joint between 2004 and 2019 were collected from the Skåne Healthcare Register and cross-linked with the National Diabetes Register. Prevalences on December 31, 2019 and 10-year incidence ratios were calculated for type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the population without DM, stratified for sex. Prevalence ratios and incidence rate ratios with 95% CIs were used for group comparisons.

Results

The prevalences of all five studied diagnoses were higher in both men and women with T1D and T2D (p<0.01) and both T1D and T2D had more concomitant prevalent diagnoses (p<0.0001). The 10-year incidence rates of all diagnoses were higher among T1D and T2D (p<0.0001), except OA of the CMC-1 joint in men with T1D (p=0.055).

Conclusions

CTS, UNE, and possibly also OA of the CMC-1 joint should be included together with TF and DD when referring to ‘the diabetic hand’. The incidence of hand disorders was up to eight times higher among T1D, and both T1D and T2D had more concomitant prevalent diagnoses compared with the population without DM. Future studies should elucidate the pathophysiology behind diabetic hand complications to enable development of effective preventive measures in patients with diabetes.
Mapping registered nurse anaesthetists’ intraoperative work: tasks, multitasking, interruptions and their causes, and interactions: a prospective observational study
Authors: Olin Karolina , Göras Camilla , Nilsson Ulrica , Unbeck Maria , Ehrenberg Anna , Pukk-Härenstam Karin , Ekstedt Mirjam
Published: January 2022

Introduction

Safe anaesthesia care is a fundamental part of healthcare. In a previous study, registered nurse anaesthetists (RNAs) had the highest task frequency, with the largest amount of multitasking and interruptions among all professionals working in a surgical team. There is a lack of knowledge on how these factors are distributed during the intraoperative anaesthesia care process, and what implications they might have on safety and quality of care.

Objective

To map the RNAs’ work as done in practice, including tasks, multitasking, interruptions and their causes, and interactions, during all phases of the intraoperative anaesthesia work process.

Methods

Structured observations of RNAs (n=8) conducted during 30 procedures lasting a total of 73 hours in an operating department at a county hospital in Sweden, using the Work Observation Method By Activity Timing tool.

Results

High task intensity and multitasking were revealed during preparation for anaesthesia induction (79 tasks/hour, 61.9% of task time spent multitasking), anaesthesia induction (98 tasks/hour, 50.7%) and preparation for anaesthesia maintenance (86 tasks/hour, 80.2%). Frequent interruptions took place during preoperative preparation (4.7 /hour), anaesthesia induction (6.2 /hour) and preparation for anaesthesia maintenance (4.3 /hour). The interruptions were most often related to medication care (n=54, 19.8%), equipment issues (n=40, 14.7%) or the procedure itself (n=39, 14.3%). RNAs’ work was conducted mostly independently (58.4%), but RNAs interacted with multiple professionals in and outside the operating room during anaesthesia.

Conclusion

The tasks, multitasking, interruptions and their causes, and interactions during different phases illustrated the RNAs’ work as done, as part of a complex adaptive system. Management of safety in the most intense phases—preparing for anaesthesia induction, induction and preparing for anaesthesia maintenance—should be investigated further. The complexity and adaptivity of the nature of RNAs’ work should be taken into consideration in future management, development, research and education.
Association between health literacy and multimorbidity: a nationwide, cross-sectional study of a Japanese population
Authors: Tomita Shiori , Aoki Takuya , Ohde Sachiko , Takahashi Osamu , Kimura Takeshi , Matsushima Masato
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To examine the relationship between health literacy and multimorbidity.

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional study.

Setting

Community settings across Japan.

Participants

Community-dwelling participants aged 20 years or older were selected based on a quota sampling method that adjusted for age, sex and residential area. In total, 3678 participants from the Health Diary Study, with a mean age of 52.3 years (SD, 18.2 years; 1943 (52.8%) female participants), were included.

Primary outcome measure

Multimorbidity, the primary outcome measure, was defined as the presence of two or more chronic diseases.

Results

Of the 3678 participants, 824 (22.4%) had multimorbidity. The mean functional health literacy (FHL) and communicative and critical health literacy (CCHL) scores were 3.2 (SD, 0.7) and 3.6 (SD, 0.9), respectively. In the univariable analysis, both scores were associated with multimorbidity (p<0.001). However, in the multivariable modified Poisson regression analysis, only the FHL score was significantly associated with multimorbidity (per 1-point increase, 0.91; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.99).

Conclusions

After adjusting for confounding variables, FHL, not CCHL, was significantly related to the presence of multimorbidity. Further longitudinal studies are required to examine the causal relationship between health literacy and multimorbidity.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of cancer in a large community population under investigation for cardiovascular disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Jaeun , Dong Yuan , Naugler Christopher T , de Koning Lawrence
Published: January 2022

Objectives

It remains unclear whether vitamin D status is related to cancer risk. We examined this relationship using laboratory, administrative and survey data.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

All care settings within Calgary, Alberta, Canada and surrounding rural communities.

Participants

Patients tested for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D from 2009 to 2013 without a past cancer diagnosis but with an ECG and body mass index ±3 months from testing were included. Age, sex, mean hours of daylight during month of testing were linked to census dissemination area-level indicators of socioeconomic status measured in 2011.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Hospital discharge diagnoses for any cancer, major cancer (colorectal, breast, lung, prostate, skin) and other cancers >3 months from testing from 2009 to 2016. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine associations with incident cancer after adjusting for potential confounders. Interactions were tested using multiplicative terms.

Results

Among 72 171 patients, there were 3439 cancer diagnoses over a median of 5.9 years. After adjustment, increasing quartile of serum 25-OH vitamin D was significantly associated with an increased risk of any cancer and major cancer, however this was completely driven by an increased risk of skin cancer (Q4 vs Q1: HR=2.56, 95% CI 1.70 to 3.86, p for linear trend <0.01). This association was strengthened among individuals residing in communities with higher proportions of non-citizens, recent immigrants, visible (non-white) minorities and those not speaking an official Canadian language (English or French) at home.

Conclusions

Higher vitamin D status was associated with a greater risk of skin cancer in a large community population under investigation for cardiovascular disease. This association was likely due to sun exposure and may be modified by community variation in vitamin D supplementation.