bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thiazide Diuretics and Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Rouette Julie , McDonald Emily G , Schuster Tibor , Matok Ilan , Brophy James M , Azoulay Laurent
Published: August 2023

Evidence from clinical trials and observational studies on the association between thiazide diuretics and colorectal cancer risk is conflicting. We aimed to determine whether thiazide diuretics are associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk compared with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (dCCBs). A population-based, new-user cohort was assembled using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Between 1990–2018, we compared thiazide diuretic initiators with dCCB initiators and estimated hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of colorectal cancer using Cox proportional hazard models. Models were weighted using standardized morbidity ratio weights generated from calendar time-specific propensity scores. The cohort included 377,760 thiazide diuretic initiators and 364,300 dCCB initiators, generating 3,619,883 person-years of follow-up. Compared with dCCBs, thiazide diuretics were not associated with colorectal cancer (weighted HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.04). Secondary analyses yielded similar results, although an increased risk was observed among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (weighted HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.13, 5.35) and potentially polyps (weighted HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 0.93, 2.30). Compared with dCCBs, thiazide diuretics were not associated with an overall increased colorectal cancer risk. While these findings provide some reassurance, research is needed to corroborate the elevated risks observed among patients with inflammatory bowel disease and history of polyps.
Patient-reported outcomes and pharmacist actions in patients with multiple sclerosis managed by health-system specialty pharmacies
Authors: Zuckerman Autumn D , Banks Aimee M , Wawrzyniak Julie , Rightmier Elizabeth , Simonson Dana , Zagel Alicia L , Turco Evan , Blevins Abbi , DeClercq Josh , Choi Leena
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study evaluated patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and pharmacist actions for patients on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) through health-system specialty pharmacies (HSSPs).

Methods

A multisite, prospective cohort study of patients utilizing an HSSP for DMT fulfillment was performed. Primary outcomes were affirmative answers to PRO questions regarding impacted productivity, hospitalization, and relapse and pharmacist actions. Rates of pharmacist actions were reported as the number of person-years of treatment per action. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between each PRO and covariates, including the number of pharmacist actions performed, age, sex, insurance, site, and route of administration.

Results

The 968 patients included had 10,562 fills and 6,946 PRO assessments. The most common affirmative PRO was impacted productivity (14.6%). Pharmacists performed 3,683 actions, most commonly general medication education (42.6%) and safety (33.3%). Rates of general medication education and nonfinancial coordination of care actions were similar across medication classes; other pharmacist actions varied by medication class. Insurance type was significantly associated with reporting impacted productivity; patients with Medicare and Medicaid were 2.2 and 3.1 times more likely to have reported impacted productivity, respectively (P < 0.001) than commercially insured patients. Patients who reported impacted productivity had more pharmacist actions (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients on DMTs through an HSSP reported low rates of impacted productivity, relapse, and hospitalization due to MS, although patients with noncommercial insurance were more likely to have impacted productivity. Patients reporting impacted productivity and those taking certain DMTs may require more frequent pharmacist actions.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department alcohol intoxication presentations and positive screens for problem drinking
Authors: Sutariya R , Hamzeh M , Desale S , Mete M , Mazer-Amirshahi M , Nelson Lewis S
Published: August 2023

Our aim was to assess the changes in patients presenting with acute alcohol intoxications or positive screens for problem drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic in a seven-hospital health system. A retrospective chart review of emergency department (ED) visits from seven hospitals in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, and MD area from January 2019 to June 2021 is provided. The health system utilizes a validated system for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for ED patients. We evaluated trends in patients who had a positive SBIRT screen for problem drinking (AUDIT-C score ≥ 3 in women, 4 in men), alcohol misuse (≥5), and those presenting with acute alcohol intoxication before March 2020 and during the early COVID pandemic period. There were 510 648 patients who were screened, ranging from ages of 16 to 95 years during the study period. There was an overall increase in patients who screened positive for problem drinking, alcohol misuse, and acute intoxications. While there was an overall decrease in the total number of ED visits during the start of the pandemic, which later increased near prepandemic levels, alcohol-related presentations as a percentage of total visits increased during the early pandemic period. There was an overall decrease in ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic study period; problem drinking and acute intoxication presentation held steady, leading to an overall increase in proportion compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Future research should focus on lessons learned during this time and should navigate the postpandemic care of patients with AUD. There was an increase in the proportion of ED visits for alcohol intoxications and positive screens for problem drinking during the COVID-19 pandemic in our seven-hospital system.
A note on mimicry with multiple dupes
Authors: Süskind Jakob
Published: August 2023

This note explores the possibility of a mimetic relationship that requires multiple dupes (usually predators) with different preferences. Two prey species that have different defence mechanisms effective against complementary sets of predators could both benefit from mimicking each other, given that the resulting uncertainty could deter both types of predators from attacking either of them. A mimetic interaction with multiple dupes could thus give rise to a mutualistic, yet deceptive kind of mimicry. This kind of mimicry does not seem to fit easily into the established categories and might thus be interesting for the theory of mimicry classification. It could also provide a new potential mechanism for some interesting phenomena such as deceptive mimetic convergence and imperfect resemblance.
Dupilumab significantly improves sleep in adults with atopic dermatitis: results from the 12-week placebo-controlled period of the 24-week phase IV randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled DUPISTAD study
Authors: Merola Joseph F , Chiou Albert S , During Emmanuel , Costanzo Antonio , Foley Peter , Alfalasi Amani , Gogate Shaila , Pinter Andreas , Dodiuk-Gad Roni , Simon Dagmar , Tauber Marie , Weller Richard , Pereyra-Rodriguez Jose-Juan , Ardeleanu Marius , Wu Jiangming , Ozturk Zafer E
Published: August 2023

Background

Sleep disturbance is a prominent symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD) and can result in insomnia, daytime fatigue, drowsiness, reduced productivity and impaired quality of life (QoL).

Objectives

The Dupilumab Effect on Sleep in AD Patients (DUPISTAD) phase IV randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled study evaluated the impact of dupilumab treatment on sleep and other patient- and physician-reported outcomes.

Methods

Adults with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized 2 : 1 to dupilumab 300 mg once every 2 weeks (q2w) or placebo for 12 weeks; concomitant topical corticosteroids were permitted. Patients subsequently entered an open-label phase and received dupilumab 300 mg q2w for a further 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage change in sleep quality from baseline to week 12, assessed using a novel numeric rating scale (NRS). Secondary and exploratory endpoints included percentage change in peak pruritus NRS (PP NRS), change in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), SCORAD sleep visual analogue scale (VAS), Eczema Area and Severity Index, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep-related impairment T-score and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep diary and wrist actigraphy measurements were recorded throughout the study.

Results

In total, 127 patients received dupilumab and 61 patients received placebo. Demographic and baseline disease characteristics were balanced between groups. Sleep quality NRS significantly improved in patients treated with dupilumab by week 12 vs. placebo [least squares mean of the difference (LSMD) −15.5%, P < 0.001]. PP NRS (LSMD −27.9%, P < 0.001), SCORAD (LSMD −15.1, P < 0.001), SCORAD sleep VAS (LSMD −2.1, P < 0.001) and PROMIS T-score (LSMD −3.6, P < 0.001) were also significantly improved at week 12 with dupilumab vs. placebo. The overall percentage of patients reporting treatment-emergent adverse events was lower in the dupilumab group (56.7%) than in the placebo group (67.2%).

Conclusions

Dupilumab significantly improved sleep quality and perception of sleep continuity, itch, metrics of AD severity and QoL in adults with moderate-to-severe AD, with an acceptable safety profile compared with placebo.
Utilising the ADAPT-ITT Method to Adapt an Evidence-based Intervention Addressing HIV, Trauma and Mental Health Risks among Female Fish Traders in Zambia
Authors: Michalopoulos Lynn , Jiwatram-Negrón Tina , Ahmed Sabeen , Diaz Mario , Asombang Mah , Ward Malorie , Nemphos Nick , Aggarwal Nikita , Kamugisha Simpson , Mwansa Melvin
Published: August 2023

HIV interventions that attend to mental health problems among vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa have become a priority. This is especially so among mobile populations, such as female fish traders in Zambia, who are at increased risk of trauma, subsequent adverse mental health risks including post-traumatic stress and HIV risk or transmission risk behaviours. To date, there have been no known integrated HIV and mental health interventions among mobile populations in Zambia. Furthermore, although the adaptation of evidence-based interventions to address intersecting risks in non-western contexts has been growing, there is a gap in rigorous adaptation research methods that rely upon the target population for collaborative contextual input. This article aims to describe the application of the ADAPT-ITT (Assessment, Decisions, Administration, Production, Topical experts, Integration, Training staff and Testing) method to adapt an evidence-based intervention (Living in the Face of Trauma) to address intersecting HIV, trauma and mental health risks among female fish traders in Zambia. More specifically, we describe the collaborative and iterative process used and highlight the unique role of social workers throughout this process. Results from the ADAPT-ITT method show promise for the adapted intervention, In Solidarity: Emotional-Coping, Problem-Solving and Entrepreneurship.
Social Work Practitioner Research into Participation of People with Learning Disabilities in Elections in the UK—A Local Case Study
Authors: James Elaine , Mitchell Rob , Reeves Clare , Ali Amani
Published: August 2023

There has been renewed interest across social work in professional discourse into the conceptualisation of social work as an activist profession with upholding human rights as a centrally organising principle. Implementing social work practice which upholds human rights is not, however, without difficulties. The contextual and abstract nature of the expression of human rights poses challenges to conceptual and measurement work. Practitioner researchers have a key role here, translating abstract concepts into rights-related personal outcomes and ultimately into evidence and knowledge informed practice. This article presents a case study of a local activist research project, Promote the Vote. The international literature indicates discrimination through denial of the rights of people with learning disabilities regarding political participation. In writing our learning from this case study, the authors have set out to consider the following: how can social workers engage in practice based research?; does an activist project such as Promote the Vote act as a mechanism through which social workers can evidence allyship with disabled people’s self-determined right to political participation? and how does a project which applies research methods support generation of practitioner-research evidence, which in turn contributes towards knowledge informed practice?
Targeting T-cell integrins in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
Authors: Kelly Aidan J , Long Aideen
Published: August 2023

The recruitment of T cells to tissues and their retention there are essential processes in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The mechanisms regulating these processes have become better understood over the past three decades and are now recognized to involve temporally and spatially specific interactions between cell-adhesion molecules. These include integrins, which are heterodimeric molecules that mediate in-to-out and out-to-in signalling in T cells, other leukocytes, and most other cells of the body. Integrin signalling contributes to T-cell circulation through peripheral lymph nodes, immunological synapse stability and function, extravasation at the sites of inflammation, and T-cell retention at these sites. Greater understanding of the contribution of integrin signalling to the role of T cells in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases has focused much attention on the development of therapeutics that target T-cell integrins. This literature review describes the structure, activation, and function of integrins with respect to T cells, then discusses the use of integrin-targeting therapeutics in inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. Efficacy and safety data from clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance are presented for currently approved therapeutics, therapeutics that have been withdrawn from the market, and novel therapeutics currently in clinical trials. This literature review will inform the reader of the current means of targeting T-cell integrins in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as recent developments in the field.
Natural killer cells and innate lymphoid cells but not NKT cells are mature in their cytokine production at birth
Authors: Swieboda Dawid , Rice Thomas F , Guo Yanping , Nadel Simon , Thwaites Ryan S , Openshaw Peter J M , Holder Beth , Culley Fiona J
Published: August 2023

Early life is a time of increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and development of allergy. Innate lymphocytes are crucial components of the initiation and regulation of immune responses at mucosal surfaces, but functional differences in innate lymphocytes early in life are not fully described. We aimed to characterize the abundance and function of different innate lymphocyte cell populations in cord blood in comparison to that of adults. Blood was collected from adult donors and umbilical vessels at birth. Multicolor flow cytometry panels were used to identify and characterize lymphocyte populations and their capacity to produce hallmark cytokines. Lymphocytes were more abundant in cord blood compared to adults, however, mucosal-associated invariant T cells and natural killer T (NKT)-like cells, were far less abundant. The capacity of NKT-like cells to produce cytokines and their expression of the cytotoxic granule protein granzyme B and the marker of terminal differentiation CD57 were much lower in cord blood than in adults. In contrast, natural killer (NK) cells were as abundant in cord blood as in adults, they could produce IFNγ, and their expression of granzyme B was not significantly different from that of adult NK cells, although CD57 expression was lower. All innate lymphoid cell (ILC) subsets were more abundant in cord blood, and ILC1 and ILC2 were capable of production of IFNγ and IL-13, respectively. In conclusion, different innate lymphoid cells differ in both abundance and function in peripheral blood at birth and with important implications for immunity in early life.
Neural underpinnings of processing combinatorial unstated meaning and the influence of individual cognitive style
Authors: Lai Yao-Ying , Sakai Hiromu , Makuuchi Michiru
Published: August 2023

We investigated the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the processing of combinatorial unstated meaning. Sentences like “Charles jumped for 5 minutes.” engender an iterative meaning that is not explicitly stated but enriched by comprehenders beyond simple composition. Comprehending unstated meaning involves meaning contextualization—integrative meaning search in sentential-discourse context. Meanwhile, people differ in how they process information with varying context sensitivity. We hypothesized that unstated meaning processing would vary with individual socio-cognitive propensity indexed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), accompanied by differential cortical engagements. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined the processing of sentences with unstated iterative meaning in typically-developed individuals and found an engagement of the fronto-parietal network, including the left pars triangularis (L.PT), right intraparietal (R.IPS), and parieto-occipital sulcus (R.POS). We suggest that the L.PT subserves a contextual meaning search, while the R.IPS/POS supports enriching unstated iteration in consideration of event durations and interval lengths. Moreover, the activation level of these regions negatively correlated with AQ. Higher AQ ties to lower L.PT activation, likely reflecting weaker context sensitivity, along with lower IPS activation, likely reflecting weaker computation of events’ numerical-temporal specifications. These suggest that the L.PT and R.IPS/POS support the processing of combinatorial unstated meaning, with the activation level modulated by individual cognitive styles.
Individual prefrontal neurons contribute to sensory-to-motor information transformation by rotating reference frames during spatial working memory performance
Authors: Funahashi Shintaro , Gao Binbin , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Watanabe Yumiko , Wu Jinglong , Yan Tianyi
Published: August 2023

Performing working memory tasks correctly requires not only the temporary maintenance of information but also the visual-to-motor transformation of information. Although sustained delay-period activity is known to be a mechanism for temporarily maintaining information, the mechanism for information transformation is not well known. An analysis using a population of delay-period activities recorded from prefrontal neurons visualized a gradual change of maintained information from sensory to motor as the delay period progressed. However, the contributions of individual prefrontal neurons to this process are not known. In the present study, we used a version of the delayed-response task, in which monkeys needed to make a saccade 90o clockwise from a visual cue after a 3-s delay, and examined the temporal change in the preferred directions of delay-period activity during the delay period for individual neurons. One group of prefrontal neurons encoded the cue direction by a retinotopic reference frame and either maintained it throughout the delay period or rotated it 90o counterclockwise to adjust visual information to saccade information, whereas other groups of neurons encoded the cue direction by a saccade-based reference frame and rotated it 90o clockwise. The results indicate that visual-to-motor information transformation is achieved by manipulating the reference frame to adjust visual coordinates to motor coordinates.
Sex differences in cognition and structural covariance-based morphometric connectivity: evidence from 28,000+ UK Biobank participants
Authors: Yang Crystal C , Totzek Jana F , Lepage Martin , Lavigne Katie M
Published: August 2023

There is robust evidence for sex differences in domain-specific cognition, where females typically show an advantage for verbal memory, whereas males tend to perform better in spatial memory. Sex differences in brain connectivity are well documented and may provide insight into these differences. In this study, we examined sex differences in cognition and structural covariance, as an index of morphometric connectivity, of a large healthy sample (n = 28,821) from the UK Biobank. Using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans and regional cortical thickness values, we applied jackknife bias estimation and graph theory to obtain subject-specific measures of structural covariance, hypothesizing that sex-related differences in brain network global efficiency, or overall covariance, would underlie cognitive differences. As predicted, females demonstrated better verbal memory and males showed a spatial memory advantage. Females also demonstrated faster processing speed, with no observed sex difference in executive functioning. Males showed higher global efficiency, as well as higher regional covariance (nodal strengths) in both hemispheres relative to females. Furthermore, higher global efficiency in males mediated sex differences in verbal memory and processing speed. Findings contribute to an improved understanding of how biological sex and differences in cognition are related to morphometric connectivity as derived from graph-theoretic methods.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Hospital Antibiograms in Predicting the Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae Isolates: A Nationwide Multicenter Evaluation at the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Hasegawa Shinya , Livorsi Daniel J , Perencevich Eli N , Church Jonas N , Goto Michihiko
Published: August 2023

Background

Many clinical guidelines recommend that clinicians use antibiograms to inform empiric antimicrobial therapy. However, hospital antibiograms are typically generated by crude aggregation of microbiologic data, and little is known about an antibiogram's reliability in predicting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risk at the patient-level. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of antibiograms as a tool for selecting empiric therapy for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. for individual patients.

Methods

We retrospectively generated hospital antibiograms for the nationwide Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities from 2000 to 2019 using all clinical culture specimens positive for E. coli and Klebsiella spp., then assessed the diagnostic accuracy of an antibiogram to predict resistance for isolates in the following calendar year using logistic regression models and predefined 5-step interpretation thresholds.

Results

Among 127 VHA facilities, 1 484 038 isolates from 704 779 patients for E. coli and 671 035 isolates from 340 504 patients for Klebsiella spp. were available for analysis. For E. coli and Klebsiella spp., the discrimination abilities of hospital-level antibiograms in predicting individual patient AMR were mostly poor, with the areas under the receiver operating curve at 0.686 and 0.715 for ceftriaxone, 0.637 and 0.675 for fluoroquinolones, and 0.576 and 0.624 for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the antibiogram varied widely by antimicrobial groups and interpretation thresholds with substantial trade-offs.

Conclusions

Conventional hospital antibiograms for E. coli and Klebsiella spp. have limited performance in predicting AMR for individual patients, and their utility in guiding empiric therapy may be low.
Case report: management of refractory cardiogenic shock with Impella 5.5 in patients with transcatheter aortic valves
Authors: Harada Rakushumimarika , George Timothy J , Schaffer Justin , Kabra Nitin , Rawitscher David , Afzal Aasim
Published: August 2023

Background

Impella is a transaortic valvular pump commonly utilized in patients with cardiogenic shock. However, its use with transcatheter aortic valves (TAVI) remains rare. We present two cases where surgical Impella 5.5 was placed across both Sapien 3 Ultra and Evolute Pro+ valves.

Case summary

Patient 1: A 74-year-old male with history of ischaemic cardiomyopathy with ejection fraction 20–25% status post-cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator, severe aortic stenosis (AS) status post-recent Sapien 3 Ultra TAVI presented with cardiogenic shock. Due to persistent unstable haemodynamic status, Impella 5.5 was placed and was utilized as a bridge to left ventricular assist device. Patient 2: A 74-year-old male with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis and AS underwent Evolute Pro+ TAVI at outside facility. The implantation was complicated by left main coronary artery occlusion, leading to cardiogenic shock. Patient required femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and emergent single vessel coronary bypass of a saphenous venous graft to the left anterior descending artery. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was decannulated on Day 20 and Impella 5.5 was placed as a bridge to recovery. In both cases, there were no procedural complications or residual aortic or perivalvular regurgitation.

Discussion

Impella 5.5 implanted via the axillary surgical cutdown is safe and feasible approach to manage refractory cardiogenic shock in patients with TAVI including different types of valves, Sapien 3 Ultra, and Evolute Pro+. As it can provide full haemodynamic support, Impella 5.5 can be used as bridge to recovery or durable mechanical support.
Effect of social integration on family doctor contracting services among migrant populations in China: a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Gao Tiantian , Yan Genquan , Zhang Meiying , Leng Bing , Jiang Fan , Mi Wei
Published: August 2023

Background

The family doctor (FD) contracting system is a key reform in the development of the Chinese health system, and is considered an effective way to ensure equitable access to healthcare services. This study investigates the effects of social integration on FD contracting services among migrant populations.

Methods

In total, 120,106 respondents from the 2018 China Migrants Dynamic Survey were included in this study. Two multivariate regression models were used to estimate the effect of social integration and other factors on FD contracting services among migrant populations.

Results

This study found that only 14.0% of the migrant populations had a FD. Multiple dimensions of social integration and some covariates were shown to be positively associated with FD contracting services, including average monthly household income, local medical insurance (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29–1.39), employment status (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.82–0.91), settlement intention (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09–1.22), received health education (OR = 4.88, 95% CI = 4.51–5.27), sex (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.12–1.20), age (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.51–1.82), marital status (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.31–1.46), sickness within a year (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.79–0.89), and flow range (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.07–1.16).

Conclusions

All dimensions of social integration, including economic integration, social identity, and social involvement, are associated with FD contracting services among migrant populations. Policymakers should focus on improving the signing rates of migrant populations and implement more effective measures to enhance their social integration, such as settlement incentives and encouraging social participation.
Natural methylation epialleles correlate with gene expression in maize
Authors: Zeng Yibing , Dawe R Kelly , Gent Jonathan I
Published: August 2023

DNA methylation in plants is depleted from cis-regulatory elements in and near genes but is present in some gene bodies, including exons. Methylation in exons solely in the CG context is called gene body methylation (gbM). Methylation in exons in both CG and non-CG contexts is called TE-like methylation (teM). Assigning functions to both forms of methylation in genes has proven to be challenging. Toward that end, we utilized recent genome assemblies, gene annotations, transcription data, and methylome data to quantify common patterns of gene methylation and their relations to gene expression in maize. We found that gbM genes exist in a continuum of CG methylation levels without a clear demarcation between unmethylated genes and gbM genes. Analysis of expression levels across diverse maize stocks and tissues revealed a weak but highly significant positive correlation between gbM and gene expression except in endosperm. gbM epialleles were associated with an approximately 3% increase in steady-state expression level relative to unmethylated epialleles. In contrast to gbM genes, which were conserved and were broadly expressed across tissues, we found that teM genes, which make up about 12% of genes, are mainly silent, are poorly conserved, and exhibit evidence of annotation errors. We used these data to flag teM genes in the 26 NAM founder genome assemblies. While some teM genes are likely functional, these data suggest that the majority are not, and their inclusion can confound the interpretation of whole-genome studies.
Modelling of subsurface geological structure related to anomalous magnetotelluric phase data exceeding 90° in Central India
Authors: Raju Khasi , Patro Prasanta K
Published: August 2023

We note anomalous phase (>90°) in magnetotelluric (MT) measurements at several stations along the Narmada river course normal to the Tan Shear Zone (TSZ) in central India. We made efforts to derive a possible cause of the anomalous phase by comparing the results of numerical modelling based on the tectonics of the TSZ with the measured impedance tensor data. A zone of multiple reactivations of the TSZ leads to the formation of a damage zone and conjugate Riedel shear faults parallel and normal to the TSZ, respectively. The conjugate Riedel shear faults act as a pathway for the Narmada River course. The multiple tectonic activities associated with the TSZ induce surficial heterogeneity that results in distortion in the MT data. The Mohr circle and phase tensor analysis establish the effect of distortion in the data. To understand the cause of distortion as well as anomalous phase in the present data, we carried out synthetic 3-D modelling. We modelled the damage zone and conjugate Riedel shear faults by a cross shape. From the results, we noted that the near-surface 3-D heterogeneity across the TSZ critically distorted the YX component of the MT impedance tensor due to the strong current channelling. When the current flows across the conjugate Riedel shear zone (Narmada river course) charges are accumulated along the boundaries of near-surface heterogeneity. The charges associated with the current channelling brought out the reversion of the electric field direction that is reflected in the form of an anomalous phase in the YX component of the impedance tensor in measured data.
Enforcing Put Backs in German and European Law
Authors: Sprenger Tim
Published: August 2023

While ‘takedowns’ are a familiar term in the liability and regulation of online platforms, the opposite act of reuploading legal content after an incorrect takedown, the so-called ‘put back’, does not receive the same amount of attention. This paper aims to provide an overview of different legal bases of put back claims against platforms in German and European law. Even though the procedural approach to platform governance with its internal complaint-handling systems is one way to mitigate incorrect decisions, the recourse to the courts also needs to be viable. The paper concludes on a positive note showing numerous existing legal bases of put backs, especially in contract law. Nevertheless, the safest way would be the implementation of an explicit legal base for put back claims, for which the paper offers a proposal for discussion.
Postvaccination Symptoms After SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective, Comparative Study
Authors: Mujukian Angela , Kumar Rashmi , Li Dalin , Debbas Philip , Botwin Gregory J , Cheng Susan , Ebinger Joseph , Braun Jonathan , McGovern Dermot , Melmed Gil Y ,   The CORALE-IBD Study Group, Appel Keren , Banty Andrea , Bonthala Nirupama , Feldman Edward , Ha Christina , Reckamp Karen , Lee Susie , Merin Noah , Merchant Akil , Rabizadeh Shervin , Stein Theodore , Syal Gaurav , Targan Stephan , Vasiliauskas Eric , Ziring David , Hampton Melissa , Mengesha Emebet , Stewart James L , Frias Edwin C , Figueredo Jane , Boland Brigid , Charabaty Aline , Chiorean Michael , Cohen Erica , Ehrlich Adam , Flynn Ann , Valentine John , Fudman David , Horizon Arash , Karayev Dmitry , Kretzmann Benjamin , Glover Sarah , Hou Jason , Hwang Caroline , Lazarev Mark , Lum Donald , Fausel Rebecca , Reddy Swapna , Mattar Mark , McConnell Ryan , Metwally Mark , Ostrov Arthur , Parekh Nimisha , Raffals Laura , Rubin David , Sheibani Sarah , Siegel Corey , Wolf Douglas , Younes Ziad
Published: August 2023

Background

Vaccine hesitancy is prevalent among people with IBD, in part due to insufficient evidence regarding comparative safety of vaccines in this population.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide comparative study of postvaccination symptoms among those with IBD and health care workers (HCWs) without IBD. Symptom frequency, severity, and duration were measured. Continuous and categorical data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher’s exact test. Regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding variables.

Results

We had 2910 and 2746 subjects who completed a survey after dose 1 (D1) and dose 2 (D2) respectively (D1: HCW = 933, IBD = 1977; D2: HCW = 884, IBD = 1862). Mean age was 43 years, 67% were female, and 23% were nonwhite; 73% received BNT162b2 (Pfizer) including almost all HCWs and 60% of IBD patients. Most postvaccine symptoms were mild and lasted ≤2 days after both doses in both groups. Health care workers experienced more postvaccination symptoms overall than IBD patients after each dose (D1: 57% vs 35%, P < .001; D2: 73% vs 50%, P < .001). Gastrointestinal symptoms were noted in IBD more frequently after D1 (5.5% vs 3%, P = .003) but not after D2 (10% vs 13%, P = .07). Inflammatory bowel disease subjects who received mRNA-1273 (Moderna) reported more overall symptoms compared with BNT162b2 (57% vs 46%, P < .001) including gastrointestinal symptoms (12% vs 8%, P = .002) after D2.

Conclusions

People with IBD had fewer postvaccination symptoms following the first 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines than HCWs. Among those with symptoms, most symptoms were mild and of short duration.
Caputo’s fractional discrete-time stability connection for stabilizing controllers
Authors: Hernández-Galván Blanca L , Pulido-Luna Jesus R , Cazarez-Castro Nohe R , Fernández-Anaya Guillermo , López-Rentería Jorge A
Published: August 2023

This work aims to give a method to connect a set of polynomials having all of their zeros inside the stability zone for fractional difference systems with Caputo’s fractional discrete operator. Due to the complexity of the stability zone, it is necessary to use a set that describes explicitly the stability zone for fractional-order difference systems, in order to build a polynomial family with zeros belonging to the described zone. Such a construction of the polynomial family will be based on the connection of their zeros. Moreover, the applicability is shown with the design of a robust stabilizing controller, which is illustrated by stabilizing the fractional discrete Duffing oscillator.
Classification of Consistent Systems of Handlebody Group Representations
Authors: Müller Lukas , Woike Lukas
Published: August 2023

The classifying spaces of handlebody groups form a modular operad. Algebras over the handlebody operad yield systems of representations of handlebody groups that are compatible with gluing. We prove that algebras over the modular operad of handlebodies with values in an arbitrary symmetric monoidal bicategory $\mathcal{M}$ (we introduce for these the name ansular functor) are equivalent to self-dual balanced braided algebras in $\mathcal{M}$. After specialization to a linear framework, this proves that consistent systems of handlebody group representations on finite-dimensional vector spaces are equivalent to ribbon Grothendieck-Verdier categories in the sense of Boyarchenko-Drinfeld. Additionally, it produces a concrete formula for the vector space assigned to an arbitrary handlebody in terms of a generalization of Lyubashenko’s coend. Our main result can be used to obtain an ansular functor from vertex operator algebras subject to mild finiteness conditions. This includes examples of vertex operator algebras whose representation category has a non-exact monoidal product.
An Antiviral Role for TRIM14 in Ebola Virus Infection
Authors: Kuroda Makoto , Halfmann Peter J , Thackray Larissa B , Diamond Michael S , Feldmann Heinz , Marzi Andrea , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: August 2023

Ebola virus (EBOV) is a highly pathogenic virus that encodes 7 multifunctional structural proteins. Multiple host factors have been reported to interact with the EBOV proteins. Here, we found that tripartite motif-containing 14 (TRIM14), an interferon-stimulated gene that mediates cellular signaling pathways associated with type I interferon and inflammatory cytokine production, interacts with EBOV nucleoprotein to enhance interferon-β (IFN-β) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) promotor activation. Moreover, TRIM14 overexpression reduced viral replication in an infectious but biologically contained EBOVΔVP30 system by approximately 10-fold without affecting viral protein expression. Furthermore, TRM14-deficient mice were more susceptible to mouse-adapted EBOV infection than wild-type mice. Our data suggest that TRIM14 is a host factor with anti-EBOV activity that limits EBOV pathogenesis.
Human Papillomavirus Concordance Between Parents and Their Newborn Offspring: Results From the Finnish Family Human Papillomavirus Study
Authors: Suominen Nelli T , Luukkaala Tiina H , Laprise Claudie , Haataja Marjut A , Grénman Seija E , Syrjänen Stina M , Louvanto Karolina
Published: August 2023

Background

The knowledge on vertical human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission is limited. We aimed to determine whether HPV transmission from parents to their offspring occurs before or during birth.

Methods

Altogether, 321 mothers, 134 fathers, and their 321 newborn offspring from the Finnish Family HPV study cohort were included. Parents’ genital and oral brush samples and semen samples were collected for HPV testing at baseline (36 weeks of pregnancy). Oral, genital, and umbilical samples from the newborn and placenta samples were collected for HPV testing immediately after delivery. HPV risk for the newborn was calculated from the mother's and father's HPV status by using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Concordances between mothers’ and their newborns’ HPV genotype at any site were statistically significant with HPV-6, -16, -18, -31, and -56; odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 3.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80–6.48) for HPV-16 to 634 (95% CI, 28.5–14 087) for HPV-31. Father–newborn HPV concordance was statistically significant with HPV-6 and HPV-31 (ORs, 4.89 [95% CI, 1.09–21.9] and 65.0 [95% CI, 2.92–1448], respectively).

Conclusions

The genotype-specific HPV concordance between parents and their newborn is suggestive for vertical HPV transmission. However, transmission from the father to the newborn remains more uncertain.
Repeated Bordetella pertussis Infections Are Required to Reprogram Acellular Pertussis Vaccine–Primed Host Responses in the Baboon Model
Authors: Kapil Parul , Wang Yihui , Zimmerman Lindsey , Gaykema Mara , Merkel Tod J
Published: August 2023

Background

The United States has experienced a resurgence of pertussis following the introduction of acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines. This is likely due to the failure of aP vaccines to induce durable immunity and prevent infection, carriage, and transmission.

Methods

To evaluate the impact of aP vaccination on the immune response to infection and test the ability of infection to reprogram aP-imprinted immune responses, we challenged unvaccinated and aP-vaccinated baboons with Bordetella pertussis multiple times and accessed the immune responses and outcomes of infections after each exposure.

Results

Multiple infections were required to elicit T-helper 17 responses and protection in aP-vaccinated animals comparable to responses seen in unvaccinated animals after a single challenge. Even after 3 challenges, T-helper 1 responses were not observed in aP-vaccinated animals. Immunoglobulin G responses to vaccine and nonvaccine antigens were not negatively affected in aP-vaccinated animals.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that it is possible to retrain aP-primed immune responses, but it will likely require an optimal booster and multiple doses. Our results in the baboon model suggest that circulation of B. pertussis in aP-vaccinated populations is concentrated in the younger age bands of the population, providing information that can guide improved modeling of B. pertussis epidemiology in aP-vaccinated populations.
A high-throughput sensory assay for parasitic and free-living nematodes
Authors: Nunn Leonardo R , Juang Terry D , Beebe David J , Wheeler Nicolas J , Zamanian Mostafa
Published: August 2023

Sensory pathways first elucidated in Caenorhabditis elegans are conserved across free-living and parasitic nematodes, even though each species responds to a diverse array of compounds. Most nematode sensory assays are performed by tallying observations of worm behavior on two-dimensional planes using agarose plates. These assays have been successful in the study of volatile sensation but are poorly suited for investigation of water-soluble gustation or parasitic nematodes without a free-living stage. In contrast, gustatory assays tend to be tedious, often limited to the manipulation of a single individual at a time. We have designed a nematode sensory assay using a microfluidics device that allows for the study of gustation in a 96-well, three-dimensional environment. This device is suited for free-living worms and parasitic worms that spend their lives in an aqueous environment, and we have used it to show that ivermectin inhibits the gustatory ability of vector-borne parasitic nematodes.

Insight box Nematodes are powerful model organisms for understanding the sensory biology of multicellular eukaryotes, and many parasitic species cause disease in humans. Simple sensory assays performed on agarose plates have been the bedrock for establishing the neuronal, genetic, and developmental foundations for many sensory modalities in nematodes. However, these classical assays are poorly suited for translational movement of many parasitic nematodes and the sensation of water-soluble molecules (gustation). We have designed a device for high-throughput nematode sensory assays in a gel matrix. This ‘gustatory microplate’ is amenable to several species and reveals novel responses by free-living and parasitic nematodes to cues and drugs.
Vacuum extraction: an effective larval sampling method for spotted-wing drosophila in small fruit crops
Authors: Babu Arun , Adhikari Rosan , Sial Ashfaq A
Published: August 2023

Detecting and sampling the pest for pest management, either through enumerating their life stages or by quantifying the crop damage, is the cornerstone in deploying integrated pest management. Currently, for spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, larval extraction from the fruit samples involves immersing the fruits in hot water, salt, or sugar solution. We are introducing a novel, fast, and effective larval sampling technique where D. suzukii larvae can be extracted from infested fruits by subjecting the fruit samples to vacuum pressure. We optimized the vacuum pressure and vacuum duration for larval extraction from blueberries by testing a range of vacuum pressures and durations. A vacuum pressure of –98 kPa for 60 min resulted in the maximum larval recovery of the small, medium, and large larvae from blueberries. A 30-min incubation at –98 kPa also yielded similar results. Larval extraction at –98 kPa for 60 min on average recovered 61, 70, and 83% of larvae from 2, 4, and 6-day incubated fruit samples, respectively. The fruit sample size (37, 149, and 298 g) did not affect the larval extraction efficacy. Additionally, comparing larval extraction efficacy at –98 kPa with the salt and sugar extraction, incubated for 10, 30, and 60 min, suggests that vacuum extraction is comparable to or more efficient than the salt and sugar methods in extracting larvae from the infested blueberries. Overall, our results indicate that vacuum sampling is a promising method for detecting D. suzukii larval infestation in small fruit crops.
Suicidal Risk Behaviors in Adolescents With Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Role of Sex, Autistic Traits, and Mental Health Difficulties
Authors: Orm Stian , Wood Jeffrey , Corbett Blythe , Fjermestad Krister
Published: August 2023

Objective

Autistic traits are associated with mental health difficulties and risk of suicidal risk behaviors among adolescents. Little is known about how autistic traits affect the mental health of adolescents with rare neurodevelopmental disorders (RNDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between autistic traits, mental health difficulties, and suicidal risk behaviors in adolescents with RNDs.

Methods

Parents (N = 93) completed the Child Behavior Checklist, Social Communication Questionnaire, and Social Responsiveness Scale about their adolescent (Mage = 13.1, SD = 2.3, 62.4% females) with an RND (e.g., sex chromosome aneuploidies, Fragile X syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome). The data were analyzed with hierarchical logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of suicidal risk behaviors (16.1%) was similar to that reported among autistic youth and was higher among boys than girls. More autistic traits were associated with suicidal risk behaviors in bivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, more anxiety/depressive symptoms were associated with more suicidal risk behaviors and externalizing problems associated with suicidal risk behaviors beyond autistic traits and anxiety/depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Adolescents with RNDs are at risk of suicidal risk behaviors, especially those with higher levels of autistic traits, anxiety/depressive symptoms, and externalizing problems. Assessment of autistic traits, mental health difficulties, and suicide risk may be indicated for adolescents with RNDs to determine if corresponding intervention is needed.
Congenital epulis: a rare diagnosis of newborn
Authors: Rauniyar Dilip , Upadhyaya Chandan , Chaurasia Nitesh , Sharma Siddhartha , Bhandari Anima
Published: August 2023

Congenital epulis is a rare benign soft tissue lesion that occurs exclusively in neonates and usually develops from the alveolar mucosa at the frontal region of the maxilla. Lesions may be sessile or pedunculated, normal in color or reddish and vary in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. Although spontaneous regression has also been reported, surgical excision is indicated for large tumors that may obstruct the airway and make feeding the child difficult. In this case report, we present a rare case of congenital epulis involving the right side of the maxillary alveolar mucosa in a neonate delivered vaginally at Dhulikhel Hospital, Kavreplanchok, Nepal. The lesion was surgically removed by electrocautery, and histologic examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of congenital epulis. No complications occurred after surgery, and when the child was examined 6 months later, no evidence of recurrence noticed.