bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristic Magnetic Resonance Image Features of Acute Network Injury in Young Patients
Authors: Kim Sohyeon , Sohn Sung-Il , Park Hyungjong , Kim JoonSik , Hong Jeong-Ho
Published: September 2021

Cerebral infarction is known to cause secondary degeneration of the areas connected to the primarily damaged regions. This has been named as acute network injury and is usually recognized in newborns or babies by high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). In this article, we present 2 cases demonstrating several characteristics of network injury. Some features are comparable to previous studies and others are distinctive to our cases. The patients not only showed secondary injury in the thorough pyramidal tract along the longitudinal extensions of neural tracts as expected but also followed transverse connections to reach the contralateral hemisphere. The location of network injury varied according to the initial lesion and projected in an omnidirectional manner as long as the brain parts are interconnected. In addition, the cases well demonstrated the temporal changes on brain imaging. Network injury appeared on DWI around a week after major damage and then subsequently disappeared. The overall process of appearance to disappearance was completed within 2 weeks from the symptom onset. As ominous neurological outcomes are thought to be related to acute network injuries, a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon is pivotal in improving diagnosis and management.
Effect of Blood Flow Rate on the Accuracy of Central Venous Pressure Measurement during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Yu Aijie , Li Yanxia , Hong Xiuqin , Gao Kai , Guo Dongdong , Yang Rongli , Zhao Lin
Published: September 2021

Background: The objective of this study was to study the influence of extracorporeal blood flow rate (BFR) on the accuracy of central venous pressure (CVP) measurement during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods: Eligible patients were randomly divided into 3 groups based on the location of catheters used for their CRRT and CVP measurement. CVP levels measured at increased extracorporeal BFR (from 0 to 300 mL/min) in the normal and reverse positions of inlet and outlet lines connected to the CV catheter (CVC) in the course of the CRRT session were collected. Results: CVP levels measured at different extracorporeal BFRs did not significantly differ between and among the 3 groups. Inversion of inlet and outlet lines connected to the catheters did not affect the accuracy of CVP measurement. BFR had a negative correlation with inflow/access pressure but a positive correlation with outflow/return pressure. Neither inflow pressure nor outflow pressure was correlated with CVP. Conclusions: Extracorporeal BFR has no influence on the accuracy of CVP measurement during CRRT with the net machine balance adjusted to zero regardless of the location of the catheter and the connection method between catheters and CRRT lines. Thus, CRRT does not need to be discontinued to obtain an accurate CVP measurement.
DNA Methylation and Demethylation Underlie the Sex Difference in Estrogen Receptor Alpha in the Arcuate Nucleus
Authors: Cortes Laura R. , Cisternas Carla D. , Cabahug Iagn N.K.V. , Mason Damian , Ramlall Emma K. , Castillo-Ruiz Alexandra , Forger Nancy G.
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Neurons expressing estrogen receptor (ER) ɑ in the arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial (VMH) nuclei of the hypothalamus sex-specifically control energy homeostasis, sexual behavior, and bone density. Females have more ERɑ neurons in the VMH and ARC than males, and the sex difference in the VMH is eliminated by neonatal treatment with testosterone or a DNA methylation inhibitor. Objective: Here, we tested the roles of testosterone and DNA methylation/demethylation in development of ERɑ in the ARC. Methods: ERɑ was examined at birth and weaning in mice that received vehicle or testosterone subcutaneously, and vehicle or DNA methyltransferase inhibitor intracerebroventricularly, as neonates. To examine effects of DNA demethylation on the ERɑ cell number in the ARC, mice were treated neonatally with small interfering RNAs against ten-eleven translocase enzymes. The methylation status of the ERɑ gene (Esr1) was determined in the ARC and VMH using pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA. Results: A sex difference in ERɑ in the ARC, favoring females, developed between birth and weaning and was due to programming effects of testosterone. Neonatal inhibition of DNA methylation decreased ERɑ in the ARC of females, and an inhibition of demethylation increased ERɑ in the ARC of males. The promoter region of Esr1 exhibited a small sex difference in percent of total methylation in the ARC (females > males) that was opposite to that in the VMH (males > females). Conclusion: DNA methylation and demethylation regulate ERɑ cell number in the ARC, and methylation correlates with activation of Esr1 in this region.
Traduzir para criar: literatura e ensino de projeto
Authors: Jorge Luiz Antonio
Published: September 2021

Conhecida por obras neoconcretas e pela experimentação dos anos 1960 e 1970, a artista carioca Lygia Pape (1927-2004) manteve um interesse constante pela cultura não erudita. Destacam-se neste artigo três de seus pouco conhecidos escritos: “Tramas de caboclo ou a geometria do mato” (s/d), “Favela da Maré ou milagre das palafitas” (1972) e “A mulher na iconografia de massa” (1978). Em conjunto, revelam tanto uma abordagem original e positiva sobre essa produção, visão que compartilhou com seu amigo e interlocutor Hélio Oiticica, quanto uma inflexão em seu interesse inicial pelo popular urbano, que se desloca em direção à cultura de massa.
Small NGOs and Agenda-Setting in Global Conservation Governance: The Case of Pangolin Conservation
Authors: Shibaike Takumi
Published: September 2021

The study of global environmental governance suggests that agenda-setting power is concentrated in a handful of high-profile, leading nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The recent rise of interest in pangolin conservation constitutes a deviant case in this theoretical tradition. In order to explain the puzzle, I introduce a new theory of small NGO influence and illustrate the mechanisms through the case study of pangolin conservation. Based on in-depth interviews with conservation NGOs, I show how small NGOs raised the salience of pangolin trafficking in global conservation governance by appealing to the shared values of the people who are highly interested in conservation. Moreover, the targeting of traditional Chinese medicine as the driver of pangolin extinction, while unintentionally, helped raise the salience of pangolin trafficking by leveraging the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment in the Global North. Finally, small NGOs were able to use their expertise to guide leading NGOs and state officials in rule-making processes. The findings offer a corrective to the hierarchical view of civil society, calling for more careful evaluations of small NGOs in global conservation governance.
Pwojé Bon Vwazen (The Good Neighbor Project) An initiative to develop a community health worker project as a response to COVID-19 in Haiti.
Authors: Kunnumpurath Anthony
Published: September 2021

Understanding the resource limitations in developing countries, a community health worker (CHW) project was developed to help educate, provide materials, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Haiti. CHWs have shown to be an evidence-driven alternative in resource-limited settings. Pwojé Bon Vwazen (The Good Neighbor Project) took place from May 2020 to September 2020 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Through the project, 9 CHWs were trained. The project had two coordinators in Haiti. The CHWs, over the period of 4 months, were able to reach 1350 individuals and provide them with education regarding spread and prevention of COVID-19 and distribute materials including soap, hand sanitizers, and masks which were sewn in Haiti. Access to affordable health care presents a unique challenge in resource-limited countries. Training of CHWs and implementation of a CHW program can be an alternative in certain situations.
Autologous Adipose Tissue Injection of Vocal Cords in Presbyphonia
Authors: González‐Herranz Ramón , Navarro‐Mediano Andrés , Hernández‐García Estefanía , Plaza Guillermo
Published: September 2021

Objective

This series evaluates the long‐term results of autologous adipose injection (AAI) in patients older than 65 years with presbyphonia.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic secondary medical center.

Methods

This was a retrospective study with a minimum follow‐up of 12 months. All patients underwent AAI for atrophy of both vocal folds due to presbyphonia. We measured subjective parameters as Voice Handicap Index–10 (VHI‐10) or GRBAS scale (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) and objective measures such as maximum phonation time (MPT) or square pixel closure defect. We reviewed the medical records of patients undergoing AAI during the 2011‐2018 period. An analysis of the demographic variables of the group was performed, as well as the values of VHI‐10, GRBAS, and MPT, and the minimum closure defect measured in square pixels and the number of closed frames in the glottal cycle before and after the intervention.

Results

At 12 months, 17 of 18 patients reported subjective and VHI‐10 improvement. The mean preoperative VHI‐10 (26.7) was significantly higher than the postoperative value (14.4), and the GRBAS scale had a preoperative mean of 8.7 and a postoperative mean of 4.3, both with statistical significance. MPT increased from 7.7 to 12.4 seconds (P <. 0001). The minimum closure defect measurements obtained in square pixels changed from 305 to 124, achieving complete closure in 3 patients. The closed phase of the glottal cycle change from 14.3% to 38.2% after the AAI.

Conclusions

AAI improves long‐term vocal fold closure, demonstrating utility in patients with presbyphonia.
Managing post-stroke fatigue: A qualitative study to explore multifaceted clinical perspectives
Authors: Drummond Avril , Nouri Fiona , Ablewhite Joanne , Condon Laura , das Nair Roshan , Jones Amanda , Jones Fiona , Sprigg Nikola , Thomas Shirley
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is common and debilitating. However, while its effective management is a priority for clinicians and stroke survivors, there remains little evidence to provide guidance or underpin practice. Our aim, therefore, was to gain insights into the experiences of clinicians who routinely manage patients with fatigue.

Method

Qualitative interview study. The target was to recruit a purposeful sample of approximately 20 participants with expertise in managing PSF and fatigue arising from other conditions. Maximum variation sampling was used to ensure a balance of participants across different settings. Data were analysed using a framework approach, iteratively developed and refined by including emergent themes.

Results

We recruited 20 participants: nine occupational therapists (OTs), five physiotherapists, three nurses and three psychologists, which included three ‘fatigue experts’ from Europe and Australia. Analysis generated core themes around management and strategies used; these were similar regardless of professional background, clinical or geographical setting or condition treated. OTs felt a particular responsibility for fatigue management, although multidisciplinary teamwork was stressed by all.

Conclusion

There are clear similarities in clinicians’ experiences of managing PSF and fatigue across different conditions and also across professional groups. Clinicians rely predominantly on their own clinical knowledge for guidance.
‘Like the snail that dissolves’: Construction of Identity of Psalmist and Enemy in the Lament Psalms of the Individual
Authors: Stocks Simon P.
Published: September 2021

The paper explores how the psalms of lament of the individual constructed the identity not only of the Israelites who used them in worship but also of their antagonists. It starts with a critique of Amy Cottrill’s Language, Power, and Identity in the Lament Psalms of the Individual, which is critical of the psalmist’s non-specific presentation of the enemies that ‘obscures the humanity of the one he prays against’. This alleged dehumanisation of the enemies is explored further through the dialogical framework of Martin Buber’s ‘I-Thou’. A consideration of Buber’s two basic word pairs, ‘I-You’ and ‘I-It’, prompts the question of whether the psalmist treats the enemies as ‘You’ or ‘It’. Further arguments based on the social setting of the lament psalms lead to the conclusion that they construct an identity of a psalmist who is in real relationship with both God and the enemy and who treats them as genuine relational beings.
Walter Benjamin’s communism
Authors: Ross Alison
Published: September 2021

What does ‘communism’ mean in Walter Benjamin’s writing? It has been used in some quarters to claim that Benjamin has a quasi-Marxist theory of communist society. This paper will argue instead that Benjamin’s communism is framed by his distinctive conception of experience and that it is understandable only through that conception. Benjamin’s image of ‘communist society’ refers to a specific type of experience (‘collective experience’) rather than a type of social organization. The paper discusses the conceptual background of that image and also points out a number of the difficulties that Benjamin’s conception of collective experience faces given its genesis in a model of individual experience.
Price collusion, rationalisation and Admiralty oversight in British shipbuilding: The case of the Warship Group, 1926–1945
Authors: Miller Christopher W. , Murphy Hugh
Published: September 2021

Between 1925 and 1935, several private firms capable of constructing warships, or parts thereof, collapsed, merged or were partly or fully ‘sterilised’ against any return to shipbuilding during a period of ‘rationalisation’ to reduce perceived overcapacity relative to demand in British shipbuilding. Thereafter, rearmament had the opposite effect upon industry; lack of capacity in some key areas created almost unprecedented demand, and led eventually to uncontrolled price collusion and profits, particularly on warship contracts. An investigation into profiteering was undertaken in 1943, which embarrassed the remaining builders and their principal contractors. This article establishes that the Admiralty had allowed a form of price-fixing at taxpayers’ expense to proliferate for some time, a largely unknown episode that spanned the years of disarmament and rearmament. Further, it explains how and why collusion occurred when it did, and discusses the catalytic role of shipyard rationalisation. Finally, we conclude by suggesting reasons for such loose Admiralty control of warship costs during rearmament.
Development of primary design guidelines for supportive underwear to elevate the bladder neck in women based on finite element analysis of the pelvis
Authors: Tawara Daisuke , Nishiki Tomohiro , Ninomiya Sanae , Okayama Hisayo , Naito Kiyoko , Morikawa Shigehiro
Published: September 2021

The use of supportive underwear has been applied for preventing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) which is caused by descent of the bladder neck due to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, because it is known that SUI can be improved by elevating the descended bladder neck. However, appropriate approaches to the underwear design are still being explored. In order to establish an appropriate first-order design strategy for supportive underwear, clarifying the relationship between the pressure from the underwear and the amount of elevation of the bladder neck is necessary. We constructed a finite element model of the pelvis based on magnetic resonance images of a subject in an upright position, experimentally explored Young’s modulus of the soft tissue and analyzed the amount of elevation of the bladder neck when changing the combination of applied pressures from the underwear. The position of the bladder neck relatively elevated when the pressure in the region from the abdomen to the pubis decreased and when the pressure in the region from the perineum to the coccyx increased, suggesting an appropriate design for the supportive underwear.
A comparative study of intralesional bleomycin versus cryotherapy in the treatment of condyloma accuminata
Authors: Shahidi-Dadras Mohammad , Gholizadeh Nasim , Dadkhahfar Sahar , Gheisari Mehdi , Heydarifakher Parsa , Moslemi Haghighi Shima , Mozafari Nikoo
Published: September 2021

Bleomycin is an antineoplastic agent, which is used off label for various dermatologic conditions. There are numerous reports on the use of intralesional bleomycin (ILB) for the treatment of common warts. However, reports on the efficacy of bleomycin in the treatment of anogenital warts (AGWs) are still limited. The aim is to compare the efficacy/tolerability and recurrence rates of AGW treatment with ILB versus cryotherapy. In this prospective study, 50 patients with AGWs were assigned either to receive triple freeze–thaw cycle of cryotherapy or to receive 1.5 mg/mL ILB for a maximum of four sessions with 3-week intervals. Clinical efficacy was determined by the percentage of the patients with complete clearance. The patients with complete clearance were visited by passing 3 months from the last treatment session to evaluate any recurrence. Of 44 patients completing the study, 16 of 21 (76.19%) patients in the ILB group and 15 of 23 (65.22%) patients in the cryotherapy group showed complete resolution ( p value = .425). Moreover, recurrence occurred after 3 months in 18.75% and 46.66% of the ILB and the cryotherapy groups’ patients, respectively ( p value = .096). The most common local adverse events in both treatment groups were pain, dyspigmentation, and ulceration/erosion, while the delayed ulceration and secondary infection were only observed in the bleomycin group. Intralesional bleomycin is as effective as cryotherapy in the treatment of AGWs, but it is more invasive and associated with post-treatment pain, the delayed ulceration, and cutaneous infection. Intralesional bleomycin is not accompanied with the major risk of necrosis or fibrosis, so the use of ILB in the anogenital area is likely to be safe.

This clinical trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials site with code: IRCT20190519043631N1.
A Study on Effect of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance in Indian Automotive Sector
Authors: Bhatia Shilki , Arora Arshia
Published: September 2021

Growing competition and the increasing need for adaptability often require organizations to switch and convert themselves according to the demand of circumstances. In this process of reformation, employee performance gets affected by many aspects. Aiming at connecting two broad occupational concepts this article analyses and tests the effect of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance and the relatedness of Job Design and Ergonomics. The research was conducted in 32 organizations, having managers and supervisors at about 64 categories of designations handling teams of workers in the manufacturing units, of the automotive sector of India. This quantitative study, based on a sample collected through 5 points Likert scale questionnaires, was analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), correlation, and multivariate regression analysis. The results manifested that CFA model and regression analysis described a significant impact of Job Design and Ergonomics on Employee Performance. The correlation outcomes revealed that Job Design and Ergonomics were well connected having p-value of .00, p < .005. The findings suggested, while focusing on improving the employee upshot, it becomes necessary for organizations to include Ergonomics in Job Design as a Design for Safety.
Mission (im)possible? UN military peacekeeping operations in civil wars
Authors: Pushkina Darya , Siewert Markus B. , Wolff Stefan
Published: September 2021

Under what conditions can UN military peacekeeping operations (PKOs) succeed in contexts of civil war? This is an important question given the prevalence and cost of civil wars and the high, yet not always fulfilled, expectations of very costly military PKOs as responses to them by the international community. Yet, the academic and policy debates on this question are as long-standing as they are unresolved. Our article contributes to existing scholarship in several ways. First, adopting a nuanced and multi-dimensional definition of success that considers violence, displacement, and contagion as its 3 essential components, we identified 19 cases of full or partial successes, and 13 full or partial failures, covering all 32 UN military PKOs deployed to civil war settings. Second, we develop an original dataset and analytical framework that identifies a wide range of plausible factors related to the dynamics of both the intervention and the underlying conflict it is meant to address. Third, applying qualitative comparative analysis to our dataset of these 32 military PKOs, our key finding is that what matters most and consistently across all of these missions is the presence or absence of domestic consent to, and cooperation with, deployed PKOs.
Transition outcomes for young people discharged from adolescent medium secure services in England: A qualitative study exploring adolescents’ and carers’ experiences
Authors: Livanou Maria I , Bull Marcus , Lane Rebecca , D’Souza Sophie , El Asam Aiman , Singh Swaran P
Published: September 2021

Background

Young people in secure services present with multiple vulnerabilities; therefore, transition periods are especially challenging for this group. In this study, we followed up young people discharged from adolescent medium secure services to adult and community settings with the aim to explore transition experiences and outcomes.

Methods

Participants were recruited from 15 child and adult mental health services in England. We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 13 young people, aged 18–19 years, moving from adolescent medium secure units 2–6 months post-transition, and five carers 1–3 months pre-transition. Thematic analysis was performed to identify predetermined or data-driven themes elicited from face-to-face interviews.

Results

The findings indicated poor transition outcomes for young people with the most severe mental health symptoms and those who committed serious offences. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) unsettling environmental factors within adult services; (2) experiences of transition management and preparation and (3) parental experiences of transition process and engagement with adult services.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that young people and carers value ongoing involvement in the transition process by well-informed parallel care. They also highlight the need for a national integrative care model that diverges from the traditional ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
Suicide justice: Adopting Indigenous feminist methods in settler suicidology
Authors: Cardon Kristen
Published: September 2021

White settler colonies around the world have long reported disproportionately high rates of Indigenous suicides, a consequence of the continuing violence of imperialism. This article posits a need for interdisciplinary approaches to address this crisis and therefore turns to humanist methods developed in Indigenous and feminist scholarship. I analyze texts from U.S. psychologist Edwin Shneidman to rearticulate their relationship to what I call settler suicidology. I then evoke literary critic Eve K. Sedgwick’s reparative reading method to reimagine suicide prevention as suicide justice, reading the novel There There by Tommy Orange (Cheyenne and Arapaho) to advocate for distributive justice as a new approach to Indigenous suicide crises. My term suicide justice names increasing accountability between settler suicide workers and the communities they seek to serve.
Electric performance of fastened hybrid busbars: An experimental and numerical study
Authors: Sampaio Rui FV , Pragana João PM , Bragança Ivo MF , Silva Carlos MA , Nielsen Chris V , Martins Paulo AF
Published: September 2021

This paper is focused on fastened hybrid busbars made from copper and aluminium with the purpose of analysing the influence of the steel bolts, of their tightening torque and of the surface condition of the sheets on the electric current flow and electric resistance of the joints. The methodology combines experimentation with unit cells that are representative of the joints and electro-mechanical numerical simulation using a finite element computer program developed by the authors. Results are a step forward in understanding the combined influence of bolts, contact pressure and surface roughness on the electric performance of fastened hybrid busbars. Design guidelines for dimensioning the cross sections of the copper and aluminium sheets and for effectively distributing bolts across the contacting surfaces are also provided.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Is a Significant Risk Factor for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Male Veterans
Authors: Gundlach Bradley S. , Tsui Irena
Published: September 2021

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether psychosocial factors, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, are independently associated with the development of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), a predominantly male eye disorder. A secondary aim was to verify previously determined risk factors in a veteran population. All CSCR subjects seen in one year at a veteran eye clinic were included. Chart review was performed to identify general health information as well as eye history. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors that were independently associated with the development of CSCR. Fifty-one cases of CSCR were identified and an additional 51 age-matched controls with healthy eyes were used for analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that history of PTSD was strongly associated with the development of CSCR (OR = 9.43, p = .002), even more so than previously reported risk factors. Anxiety was significant at the univariate level (OR = 6.48, p = .001) but lost significance at the multivariate level. At the multivariate level, several existing risk factors were confirmed including sleep apnea (OR = 5.76, p = .004), heart disease (OR = 7.06, p = .004), smoking (OR = 5.52, p = .003) and steroid use (OR = 4.55, p = .005). PTSD was strongly associated with the development of CSCR in the veteran population studied and may represent an important modifiable risk factor.
Three Theories of Choice and Their Psychology of Losses
Authors: Lejarraga Tomás , Hertwig Ralph
Published: September 2021

Loss aversion has long been regarded as a fundamental psychological regularity, yet evidence has accumulated to challenge this conclusion. We review three theories of how people make decisions under risk and, as a consequence, value potential losses: expected-utility theory, prospect theory, and risk-sensitivity theory. These theories, which stem from different behavioral disciplines, differ in how they conceptualize value and thus differ in their assumptions about the degree to which value is dependent on state and context; ultimately, they differ in the extent to which they see loss aversion as a stable individual trait or as a response to particular circumstances. We highlight points of confusion that have at least partly fueled the debate on the reality of loss aversion and discuss four sources of conflicting views: confusion of loss aversion with risk aversion, conceptualization of loss aversion as a trait or as state dependent, conceptualization of loss aversion as context dependent or independent, and the attention–aversion gap—the observation that people invest more attentional resources when evaluating losses than when evaluating gains, even when their choices do not reveal loss aversion.
Trends in Destination Choice in Tourism Research: A 25-year Bibliometric Review
Authors: Pandey Kshitija , Joshi Sujata
Published: September 2021

Evolution of family leisure time have increased the demand for attractive destinations. In tourism, destination choice (DC) is considered a critical, complex and contextual decision. This, first of its kind, comprehensive, mix method bibliometric analysis of 627 papers from Scopus database spanning 25 years, is aimed to identify and review the most influential DC literature. It shows that DC is an interdisciplinary and evolving subject. Five themes, namely DC conceptualization, DC decision-making, DC modelling, DC internal and external factors are prevalent. DC conceptualization is explained by modified TPB and other models. DC decision-making process is hierarchical, sequential, multistage and varies across psychological, demographic and social profiles. Multiple choice, econometric and utility maximization models along with push–pull internal and external motivational factors have been extensively published. Growing academic interest in DC is evident from a threefold jump in average number of articles post-2007, 2500+ citations in 2019 out of 21,664 across 25 years, a growing trend of cross-country collaboration, rising number of publications in mainstream journals and 9 out of top 10 authors getting published in the short period of 2008–2016. Future research themes include empirical investigations of models, non-linear multifaceted decision-making and the pandemic’s impact on motivational factors.
A Prediction Model for Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Tamimi Iskandar , Ballesteros Joaquin , Lara Almudena Perez , Tat Jimmy , Alaqueel Motaz , Schupbach Justin , Marwan Yousef , Urdiales Cristina , Gomez-de-Gabriel Jesus Manuel , Burman Mark , Martineau Paul Andre
Published: September 2021

Background:

Supervised machine learning models in artificial intelligence (AI) have been increasingly used to predict different types of events. However, their use in orthopaedic surgery has been limited.

Hypothesis:

It was hypothesized that supervised learning techniques could be used to build a mathematical model to predict primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries using a set of morphological features of the knee.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included were 50 adults who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction between 2008 and 2015. All patients were between 18 and 40 years of age at the time of surgery. Patients with a previous ACL injury, multiligament knee injury, previous ACL reconstruction, history of ACL revision surgery, complete meniscectomy, infection, missing data, and associated fracture were excluded. We also identified 50 sex-matched controls who had not sustained an ACL injury. For all participants, we used the preoperative magnetic resonance images to measure the anteroposterior lengths of the medial and lateral tibial plateaus as well as the lateral and medial bone slope (LBS and MBS), lateral and medial meniscal height (LMH and MMH), and lateral and medial meniscal slope (LMS and MMS). The AI predictor was created using Matlab R2019b. A Gaussian naïve Bayes model was selected to create the predictor.

Results:

Patients in the ACL injury group had a significantly increased posterior LBS (7.0° ± 4.7° vs 3.9° ± 5.4°; P = .008) and LMS (–1.7° ± 4.8° vs –4.0° ± 4.2°; P = .002) and a lower MMH (5.5 ± 0.1 vs 6.1 ± 0.1 mm; P = .006) and LMH (6.9 ± 0.1 vs 7.6 ± 0.1 mm; P = .001). The AI model selected LBS and MBS as the best possible predictive combination, achieving 70% validation accuracy and 92% testing accuracy.

Conclusion:

A prediction model for primary ACL injury, created using machine learning techniques, achieved a >90% testing accuracy. Compared with patients who did not sustain an ACL injury, patients with torn ACLs had an increased posterior LBS and LMS and a lower MMH and LMH.
Sickle cell disease promotes sex-dependent pathological bone loss through enhanced cathepsin proteolytic activity in mice
Authors: Selma Jada , Song Hannah , Rivera Christian , Douglas Simone , Akella Abhiramgopal , Bollavaram Keval , Thompson Nishone , Platt Manu O. , Botchwey Edward A.
Published: September 2021

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hereditary blood disorder in the United States. SCD is frequently associated with osteonecrosis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and other bone-related complications such as vaso-occlusive pain, ischemic damage, osteomyelitis, and bone marrow hyperplasia known as sickle bone disease (SBD). Previous SBD models have failed to distinguish the age- and sex-specific characteristics of bone morphometry. In this study, we use the Townes mouse model of SCD to assess the pathophysiological complications of SBD in both SCD and sickle cell trait. Changes in bone microarchitecture and bone development were assessed by using high-resolution quantitative micro–computed tomography and the three-dimensional reconstruction of femurs from male and female mice. Our results indicate that SCD causes bone loss and sex-dependent anatomical changes in bone. SCD female mice in particular are prone to trabecular bone loss, whereas cortical bone degradation occurs in both sexes. We also describe the impact of genetic knockdown of cathepsin K– and E-64–mediated cathepsin inhibition on SBD.
Integrated safety analysis of umbralisib, a dual PI3Kδ/CK1ε inhibitor, in relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Davids Matthew S. , O’Connor Owen A. , Jurczak Wojciech , Samaniego Felipe , Fenske Timothy S. , Zinzani Pier Luigi , Patel Manish R. , Ghosh Nilanjan , Cheson Bruce D. , Derenzini Enrico , Brander Danielle M. , Reeves James A. , Knopińska-Posłuszny Wanda , Allan John N. , Phillips Tycel , Caimi Paolo F. , Lech-Maranda Ewa , Burke John M. , Agajanian Richy , Pettengell Ruth , Leslie Lori A. , Cheah Chan Y. , Fonseca Gustavo , Essell James , Chavez Julio C. , Pagel John M. , Sharman Jeff P. , Hsu Yanzhi , Miskin Hari P. , Sportelli Peter , Weiss Michael S. , Flinn Ian W.
Published: September 2021

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-δ (PI3Kδ) inhibitors are active in lymphoid malignancies, although associated toxicities can limit their use. Umbralisib is a dual inhibitor of PI3Kδ and casein kinase-1ε (CK1ε). This study analyzed integrated comprehensive toxicity data from 4 open-label, phase 1 and 2 studies that included 371 adult patients (median age, 67 years) with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (follicular lymphoma [n = 147]; marginal zone lymphoma [n = 82]; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma/mantle cell lymphoma [n = 74]; chronic lymphocytic leukemia [n = 43]; and other tumor types [n = 25]) who were treated with the recommended phase 2 dose of umbralisib 800 mg or higher once daily. At data cutoff, median duration of umbralisib treatment was 5.9 months (range, 0.1-75.1 months), and 107 patients (28.8%) received umbralisib for ≥12 months. Any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 366 (98.7%) of 371 patients, with the most frequent being diarrhea (52.3%), nausea (41.5%), and fatigue (31.8%). Grade 3 or higher treatment-emergent AEs occurred in 189 (50.9%) of 371 patients and included neutropenia (11.3%), diarrhea (7.3%), and increased aminotransferase levels (5.7%). Treatment-emergent serious AEs occurred in 95 (25.6%) of 371 patients. AEs of special interest were limited and included pneumonia (29 of 371 [7.8%]), noninfectious colitis (9 of 371 [2.4%]), and pneumonitis (4 of 371 [1.1%]). AEs led to discontinuation of umbralisib in 51 patients (13.7%). Four patients (1.1%) died of AEs, none of which was deemed related to umbralisib. No cumulative toxicities were reported. The favorable long-term tolerability profile and low rates of immune-mediated toxicities support the potential use of umbralisib for the benefit of a broad population of patients with lymphoid malignancies.
The prevalence and profile of autism in individuals born preterm: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Laverty Catherine , Surtees Andrew , O’Sullivan Rory , Sutherland Daniel , Jones Christopher , Richards Caroline
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Preterm birth (<37 weeks) adversely affects development in behavioural, cognitive and mental health domains. Heightened rates of autism are identified in preterm populations, indicating that prematurity may confer an increased likelihood of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The present meta-analysis aims to synthesise existing literature and calculate pooled prevalence estimates for rates of autism characteristics in preterm populations.

Methods

Search terms were generated from inspection of relevant high-impact papers and a recent meta-analysis. Five databases were searched from database creation until December 2020 with PRISMA guidelines followed throughout.

Results

10,900 papers were retrieved, with 52 papers included in the final analyses, further classified by assessment method (screening tools N=30, diagnostic assessment N=29). Pooled prevalence estimates for autism in preterm samples was 20% when using screening tools and 6% when using diagnostic assessments. The odds of an autism diagnosis were 3.3 times higher in individuals born preterm than in the general population.

Conclusions

The pooled prevalence estimate of autism characteristics in individuals born preterm is considerably higher than in the general population. Findings highlight the clinical need to provide further monitoring and support for individuals born preterm.
Effect of COVID-19-restrictive measures on ambient particulate matter pollution in Yangon, Myanmar
Authors: Aung Win-Yu , Paw-Min-Thein-Oo  , Thein Zaw-Lin , Matsuzawa Sadao , Suzuki Takehiro , Ishigaki Yo , Fushimi Akihiro , Mar Ohn , Nakajima Daisuke , Win-Shwe Tin-Tin
Published: September 2021

Background

Particulate matter (PM) is recognized as the most harmful air pollutant to the human health. The Yangon city indeed suffers much from PM-related air pollution. Recent research has interestingly been focused on the novel subject of changes in the air quality associated with the restrictive measures in place during the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Myanmar was diagnosed on March 23, 2020. In this article, we report on our attempt to evaluate any effects of the COVID-19-restrictive measures on the ambient PM pollution in Yangon.

Methods

We measured the PM concentrations every second for 1 week on four occasions at three study sites with different characteristics; the first occasion was before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the remaining three occasions were while the COVID-19-restrictive measures were in place, including Stay-At-Home and Work-From-Home orders. The Pocket PM2.5 Sensor [PRO] designed by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan, in cooperation with Yaguchi Electric Co., Ltd., (Miyagi, Japan) was used for the measurement of the ambient PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations.

Results

The results showed that there was a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in both the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations while the COVID-19-restrictive measures were in place as compared to the measured values prior to the pandemic. The city experienced a profound improvement in the PM-related air quality from the “unhealthy” category prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to the “good” category during the pandemic, when the restrictive measures were in place. The percent changes in the PM concentrations varied among the three study sites, with the highest percent reduction noted in a semi-commercial crowded area (84.8% for PM2.5; 88.6% for PM10) and the lowest percent reduction noted in a residential quiet area (15.6% for PM2.5; 12.0% for PM10); the percent reductions also varied among the different occasions during the COVID-19 pandemic that the measurements were made.

Conclusions

We concluded that the restrictive measures which were in effect to combat the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the ambient PM concentrations. The changes in the PM concentrations are considered to be largely attributable to reduction in anthropogenic emissions as a result of the restrictive measures, although seasonal influences could also have contributed in part. Thus, frequent, once- or twice-weekly Stay-At-Home or Telework campaigns, may be feasible measures to reduce PM-related air pollution. When devising such an action plan, it would be essential to raise the awareness of public about the health risks associated with air pollution and create a social environment in which Telework can be carried out, in order to ensure active compliance by the citizens.
KinOrtho: a method for mapping human kinase orthologs across the tree of life and illuminating understudied kinases
Authors: Huang Liang-Chin , Taujale Rahil , Gravel Nathan , Venkat Aarya , Yeung Wayland , Byrne Dominic P. , Eyers Patrick A. , Kannan Natarajan
Published: September 2021

Background

Protein kinases are among the largest druggable family of signaling proteins, involved in various human diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite their clinical relevance, nearly 30% of the 545 human protein kinases remain highly understudied. Comparative genomics is a powerful approach for predicting and investigating the functions of understudied kinases. However, an incomplete knowledge of kinase orthologs across fully sequenced kinomes severely limits the application of comparative genomics approaches for illuminating understudied kinases. Here, we introduce KinOrtho, a query- and graph-based orthology inference method that combines full-length and domain-based approaches to map one-to-one kinase orthologs across 17 thousand species.

Results

Using multiple metrics, we show that KinOrtho performed better than existing methods in identifying kinase orthologs across evolutionarily divergent species and eliminated potential false positives by flagging sequences without a proper kinase domain for further evaluation. We demonstrate the advantage of using domain-based approaches for identifying domain fusion events, highlighting a case between an understudied serine/threonine kinase TAOK1 and a metabolic kinase PIK3C2A with high co-expression in human cells. We also identify evolutionary fission events involving the understudied OBSCN kinase domains, further highlighting the value of domain-based orthology inference approaches. Using KinOrtho-defined orthologs, Gene Ontology annotations, and machine learning, we propose putative biological functions of several understudied kinases, including the role of TP53RK in cell cycle checkpoint(s), the involvement of TSSK3 and TSSK6 in acrosomal vesicle localization, and potential functions for the ULK4 pseudokinase in neuronal development.

Conclusions

In sum, KinOrtho presents a novel query-based tool to identify one-to-one orthologous relationships across thousands of proteomes that can be applied to any protein family of interest. We exploit KinOrtho here to identify kinase orthologs and show that its well-curated kinome ortholog set can serve as a valuable resource for illuminating understudied kinases, and the KinOrtho framework can be extended to any protein-family of interest.
The molecular interplay of the establishment of an infection – gene expression of Diaphorina citri gut and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus
Authors: Bento Flavia Moura Manoel , Darolt Josiane Cecília , Merlin Bruna Laís , Penã Leandro , Wulff Nelson Arno , Cônsoli Fernando Luis
Published: September 2021

Background

Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) is one the causative agents of greening disease in citrus, an unccurable, devastating disease of citrus worldwide. CLas is vectored by Diaphorina citri, and the understanding of the molecular interplay between vector and pathogen will provide additional basis for the development and implementation of successful management strategies. We focused in the molecular interplay occurring in the gut of the vector, a major barrier for CLas invasion and colonization.

Results

We investigated the differential expression of vector and CLas genes by analyzing a de novo reference metatranscriptome of the gut of adult psyllids fed of CLas-infected and healthy citrus plants for 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 days. CLas regulates the immune response of the vector affecting the production of reactive species of oxygen and nitrogen, and the production of antimicrobial peptides. Moreover, CLas overexpressed peroxiredoxin, probably in a protective manner. The major transcript involved in immune expression was related to melanization, a CLIP-domain serine protease we believe participates in the wounding of epithelial cells damaged during infection, which is supported by the down-regulation of pangolin. We also detected that CLas modulates the gut peristalsis of psyllids through the down-regulation of titin, reducing the elimination of CLas with faeces. The up-regulation of the neuromodulator arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase implies CLas also interferes with the double brain-gut communication circuitry of the vector. CLas colonizes the gut by expressing two Type IVb pilin flp genes and several chaperones that can also function as adhesins. We hypothesized biofilm formation occurs by the expression of the cold shock protein of CLas.

Conclusions

The thorough detailed analysis of the transcritome of Ca. L. asiaticus and of D. citri at different time points of their interaction in the gut tissues of the host led to the identification of several host genes targeted for regulation by L. asiaticus, but also bacterial genes coding for potential effector proteins. The identified targets and effector proteins are potential targets for the development of new management strategies directed to interfere with the successful utilization of the psyllid vector by this pathogen.
Genome sequencing of the neotype strain CBS 554.65 reveals the MAT1–2 locus of Aspergillus niger
Authors: Ellena Valeria , Seekles Sjoerd J. , Vignolle Gabriel A. , Ram Arthur F. J. , Steiger Matthias G.
Published: September 2021

Background

Aspergillus niger is a ubiquitous filamentous fungus widely employed as a cell factory thanks to its abilities to produce a wide range of organic acids and enzymes. Its genome was one of the first Aspergillus genomes to be sequenced in 2007, due to its economic importance and its role as model organism to study fungal fermentation. Nowadays, the genome sequences of more than 20 A. niger strains are available. These, however, do not include the neotype strain CBS 554.65.

Results

The genome of CBS 554.65 was sequenced with PacBio. A high-quality nuclear genome sequence consisting of 17 contigs with a N50 value of 4.07 Mbp was obtained. The assembly covered all the 8 centromeric regions of the chromosomes. In addition, a complete circular mitochondrial DNA assembly was obtained. Bioinformatic analyses revealed the presence of a MAT1-2-1 gene in this genome, contrary to the most commonly used A. niger strains, such as ATCC 1015 and CBS 513.88, which contain a MAT1-1-1 gene. A nucleotide alignment showed a different orientation of the MAT1–1 locus of ATCC 1015 compared to the MAT1–2 locus of CBS 554.65, relative to conserved genes flanking the MAT locus. Within 24 newly sequenced isolates of A. niger half of them had a MAT1–1 locus and the other half a MAT1–2 locus. The genomic organization of the MAT1–2 locus in CBS 554.65 is similar to other Aspergillus species. In contrast, the region comprising the MAT1–1 locus is flipped in all sequenced strains of A. niger.

Conclusions

This study, besides providing a high-quality genome sequence of an important A. niger strain, suggests the occurrence of genetic flipping or switching events at the MAT1–1 locus of A. niger. These results provide new insights in the mating system of A. niger and could contribute to the investigation and potential discovery of sexuality in this species long thought to be asexual.