bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why do we need a sociocognitive-CDA in hate speech studies? A corpus-based systematic review
Authors: Sirulhaq Ahmad , Yuwono Untung , Muta’ali Abdul
Published: March 2023

This article is a systematic review of previous research on hate speech in discourse studies indexed in the Scopus database in the last five years, from 2015 to 2021. This review aims to map the main topics and methods used in hate speech studies and then provide critical remarks related to the methodological issues. The review focused on 70 selected articles and was analyzed using the NVivo 12 combined with the LancsBox 6.0. Based on the analysis, previous studies show a strong relationship between hate speech, political issues, and discrimination. Although many studies of hate speech have applied the CDA approach, and some of them have used sociocognitive CDA, it is surprising and unfortunate that previous researchers did not show much attention and further exploration of the cognitive aspects of the theory itself. It means that the cognitive aspects of hate speech have yet to be appropriately explored.
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Low Birth Weight in the Solomon Islands: Evidence From the 2015 Solomon Islands Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Kaforau Lydia Sandrah , Tessema Gizachew A. , Jancey Jonine , Bugoro Hugo , Pereira Gavin
Published: March 2023

Low birth weight (LBW) has contributed to more than 80% of under-5 deaths worldwide, most occurring in low- and middle-income countries. We used the 2015 Solomon Islands Demographic and Health Survey data to identify the prevalence and risks associated with LBW in the Solomon Islands. Low birth weight prevalence estimated was 10%. After adjustment for potential confounders, we found the risk of LBW for women with a history of marijuana and kava use was 2.6 times, adjusted relative risk (aRR) 2.64 and 2.5 times (aRR: 2.50) than among unexposed women, respectively. Polygamous relationship, no antenatal care, decision-making by another person were 84% (aRR: 1.84), 73% (aRR: 1.73), and 73% (aRR: 1.73) than among unexposed women, respectively. We also found that 10% and 4% of LBW cases in the Solomon Islands were attributable to a household of more than five members and tobacco and cigarette use history respectively. We concluded that LBW in the Solomon Islands relied more on behavioral risk factors, including substance use as well as health and social risk factors. We recommended further study on kava use and its impact on pregnancy and LBW.
Sleep Quality in the Advanced Heart Failure ICU
Authors: Edmiston Elizabeth A. , Hardin Heather K. , Dolansky Mary A.
Published: March 2023

In this study, we evaluated sleep quality changes in persons with advanced heart failure (HF) who were admitted to the intensive care unit. Sleep quality was assessed at admission, during hospitalization, and post-discharge. Statistical tests compared within subject mean sleep quality over time ( n = 22). Poor quality sleep was reported by 96% of participants at admission, 96% during hospitalization, and 86% post-discharge. Significant differences were found between timepoints in global sleep quality, subject sleep quality, sleep duration, and habitual sleep efficiency. A greater proportion of these participants had poor global sleep quality during hospitalization than previously reported. Participants reported better sleep post-discharge than admission and during hospitalization. Interventions enhancing hospital sleep, along with home sleep self-management education, would improve HF outcomes. Implementation science methods are warranted to integrate efficacious interventions in this population.
Using a Role-Based Approach to Develop a Comprehensive Typology of Follower Characteristics and Behaviors
Authors: Coyle Patrick T. , Goswami Ashita , Foti Roseanne J.
Published: March 2023

Although numerous typologies, taxonomies, characteristics, and behaviors of followers have been proposed, there has been little systematic work to integrate these efforts. Guided by literature on follower role theory and expectations for those in follower roles, we propose a theoretical descriptive typology of follower characteristics and behaviors from the perspective of how leaders view followers within their role(s). Specifically, we constructed our typological model based on the three core tenets of follower role theory: (1) active versus passive characteristics and behaviors, (2) self-directed versus relationship-directed characteristics and behaviors, and (3) stability-focused versus change-focused characteristics and behaviors demonstrated in response to organizational constraints. We then conducted a systematic review of existing follower typologies, taxonomies, characteristics, and behaviors and synthesized 173 follower concepts from 36 Journal articles and book chapters to build out our typological model of 8 specific types of followers, labeled as follows: Politically strategic followers, independent followers, proactive followers, conforming followers, deviant followers, alienated followers, devoted followers, and submissive followers. This typology has important implications for scholars and practitioners. For scholars, this is the first effort to integrate prior attempts to classify follower in-role characteristics and behaviors, thus providing a useful framework to examine various ways in which followers interact with leaders in organizational frameworks. For practitioners, this typology can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine how to effectively engage subordinates.
Publishing in The Family Journal
Authors: Southern Stephen
Published: March 2023

The Family Journal ( TFJ) has experienced increases in manuscripts submitted for publication, especially from international scholars and quantitative researchers. This reverses a previous trend to publish more practice-oriented articles for our clinical readership. The journal will take efforts to balance theory, research, and practice. Some manuscripts are rejected for distribution to the editorial board (or “unsubmitted”) due to problems conforming to the APA Publication Manual 7th Edition guidelines. Some submissions would benefit from reviews by colleagues and securing the services of an editor. Authors are asked to attend to guidelines concerning levels of headings and formatting of citations and references. Most importantly, authors should follow bias-free language guidelines. There are additional considerations in the desk review process such as including practice implications for Marriage and Family Counselors in the article and incorporating relevant previously published articles from TFJ in the literature review.
Context effects in the L2: Evidence for compensatory mechanisms
Authors: Norman Tal , Degani Tamar
Published: March 2023

Aims and objectives:

We examined how context is used to facilitate reading in the second language (L2) compared with the first language (L1), and how L2 availability and age modulate these context effects.

Methodology:

Using self-paced reading, participants read high- and low-constraint Hebrew sentences. In Experiment 1, L1 ( n = 45) and L2 ( n = 48) Hebrew readers were compared, whereas in Experiment 2, only L2 readers ( n = 131) were examined, testing modulations by L2 availability and age.

Data and analysis:

Reading times of target, post target, and sentence final words were analyzed using linear-mixed-effects models.

Findings:

In Experiment 1, L2 readers differed from L1 readers in contextual processing, as evident in the significant interaction between context type and language background on the final word measure. In Experiment 2, L2 readers with lower L2 availability scores differed from those with higher scores, and younger readers differed from older ones, in the way high- and low-constraining context affected their reading behavior in the target word and in the final word of the sentence. These differences were indicated by significant interactions between context type and L2 availability as well as between context type and age group. These findings are best understood under a compensatory processing account.

Originality:

By complementing L1–L2 group comparisons with in-depth examination of the L2 profile, the current study reveals a continuous effect of L2 availability, such that a lower L2 availability is associated with a greater reliance on context. Furthermore, the inclusion of older and younger adults provides converging evidence to the use of contextual support as a compensatory mechanism when lexical processing is more effortful.
The characterization of plastic behavior and mechanical properties in the gradient nanostructured copper
Authors: Siswanto Waluyo Adi , Romero-Parra Rosario Mireya , Sivaraman Ramaswamy , Turki Jalil Abduladheem , Gatea M Abdulfadhil , Alhassan Muataz S , Mahmoud Zaid H
Published: March 2023

Due to their individual plastic deformation behavior and mechanistic performances, gradient nano-grained (GNG) metals have been identified as promising materials for application in advanced engineering applications. However, their plasticity mechanism has not been thoroughly investigated. Hence, in this work, molecular dynamics simulation was employed to characterize the atomistic behavior of copper GNG structures under tensile loading with different grain sizes (2–9 nm) at varied temperatures (100, 300, and 600 K). The results indicated that there existed a critical grain size value (6 nm) for the Hall–Petch and inverse Hall–Petch relationship. Besides, it was found that the high-temperature loading (600 K) negatively affected the plasticity-induced strengthening, while low-temperature loading induced outstanding plasticity-induced strengthening owing to the excessive strain hardening events. The details of plastic deformation from the perspective of grain boundary, deformation twining, stacking faults, and dislocations were analyzed and a thorough discussion was presented to elucidate the grain size and temperature effects on the plasticity mechanism.
Starting to care: making place with microbes
Authors: McConnell Molly
Published: March 2023

Despite the many conversations in the environmental humanities about care and making kin with the more-than-human, there has been little focus on the sourdough starter and its relation with human cultivators. This essay works alongside the sourdough starter to encourage the growth of these conversations – their rise – by using a material geography framework and emphasizing the practices of care through which microbes and humans can explore new ways of knowing. This approach allows for explorations of new notions of place-making and generates questions of ethical working alongside when the thing-place being cultivated is consumed by the cultivator.
The use of electrospun nanofibers for absorption and separation of carbon dioxide: A review
Authors: Shaki Hanieh
Published: March 2023

Air pollution as a result of industrialization is a serious problem in many developed and developing countries. Gaseous nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) produced primarily due to the coal combustion process and automobiles, cause severe environmental problems such as acid rain, smog, ground level ozone etc. These have far reaching consequences on the ecosystem and in many cases direct toxicology effects on humans. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) are another important class of air pollutants, which are widely regarded to be responsible for the global warming effect. Nanofibers could play an important role as gas sensors for the detection of acceptable emission limits for a variety of gases. Various methods have been proposed for carbon dioxide separation and eventual storage. Ideal materials for carbon dioxide capture and separation must have a porous structure, good strength and stability, and an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. In this regard, electrospun polymer nanofibers are among the ideal materials for carbon dioxide separation. Today, due to the appropriate physical structure and easy and cost-effective manufacturing method, electrospun polymer nanofibers have received more attention from scientists. In recent years, the use of polymer nanofibers has been identified as a high-efficiency method for the separation of gaseous pollutants, including carbon dioxide, from gaseous streams. In this review article, an attempt has been made to investigate the separation of CO2 gas from air using various methods, including the membrane separation method. The recent progress in the design and fabrication of electrospun nanofibers for chemical separation reviews. Also, the different CO2 capture mechanisms including electrostatic, affinity, covalent bonding, chelation, and magnetic adsorption by adsorbents, solvents, and membranes are explained
Recognition of facial expressions in autism: Effects of face masks and alexithymia
Authors: Gehdu Bayparvah Kaur , Tsantani Maria , Press Clare , Gray Katie LH , Cook Richard
Published: March 2023

It is often assumed that the recognition of facial expressions is impaired in autism. However, recent evidence suggests that reports of expression recognition difficulties in autistic participants may be attributable to co-occurring alexithymia—a trait associated with difficulties interpreting interoceptive and emotional states—not autism per se. Due to problems fixating on the eye-region, autistic individuals may be more reliant on information from the mouth region when judging facial expressions. As such, it may be easier to detect expression recognition deficits attributable to autism, not alexithymia, when participants are forced to base expression judgements on the eye-region alone. To test this possibility, we compared the ability of autistic participants (with and without high levels of alexithymia) and non-autistic controls to categorise facial expressions (a) when the whole face was visible, and (b) when the lower portion of the face was covered with a surgical mask. High-alexithymic autistic participants showed clear evidence of expression recognition difficulties: they correctly categorised fewer expressions than non-autistic controls. In contrast, low-alexithymic autistic participants were unimpaired relative to non-autistic controls. The same pattern of results was seen when judging masked and unmasked expression stimuli. In sum, we find no evidence for an expression recognition deficit attributable to autism, in the absence of high levels of co-occurring alexithymia, either when participants judge whole-face stimuli or just the eye-region. These findings underscore the influence of co-occurring alexithymia on expression recognition in autism.
Ethnic differences in stroke outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national linkage study
Authors: Denison Hayley J , Corbin Marine , Douwes Jeroen , Thompson Stephanie G , Harwood Matire , Davis Alan , Fink John N , Barber P Alan , Gommans John H , Cadilhac Dominique A , Levack William , McNaughton Harry , Kim Joosup , Feigin Valery L , Abernethy Virginia , Girvan Jackie , Wilson Andrew , Ranta Anna
Published: March 2023

Background:

Ethnic differences in post-stroke outcomes have been largely attributed to biological and socioeconomic characteristics resulting in differential risk factor profiles and stroke subtypes, but evidence is mixed.

Aims:

This study assessed ethnic differences in stroke outcome and service access in New Zealand (NZ) and explored underlying causes in addition to traditional risk factors.

Methods:

This national cohort study used routinely collected health and social data to compare post-stroke outcomes between NZ Europeans, Māori, Pacific Peoples, and Asians, adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, socioeconomic deprivation, and stroke characteristics. First and principal stroke public hospital admissions during November 2017 to October 2018 were included (N = 6879). Post-stroke unfavorable outcome was defined as being dead, changing residence, or becoming unemployed.

Results:

In total, 5394 NZ Europeans, 762 Māori, 369 Pacific Peoples, and 354 Asians experienced a stroke during the study period. Median age was 65 years for Māori and Pacific Peoples, and 71 and 79 years for Asians and NZ Europeans, respectively. Compared with NZ Europeans, Māori were more likely to have an unfavorable outcome at all three time-points (odds ratio (OR) = 1.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3–1.9); 1.4 (1.2–1.7); 1.4 (1.2–1.7), respectively). Māori had increased odds of death at all time-points (1.7 (1.3–2.1); 1.5 (1.2–1.9); 1.7 (1.3–2.1)), change in residence at 3 and 6 months (1.6 (1.3–2.1); 1.3 (1.1–1.7)), and unemployment at 6 and 12 months (1.5 (1.1–2.1); 1.5 (1.1–2.1)). There was evidence of differences in post-stroke secondary prevention medication by ethnicity.

Conclusion:

We found ethnic disparities in care and outcomes following stroke which were independent of traditional risk factors, suggesting they may be attributable to stroke service delivery rather than patient factors.
Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience With Obesity, High Blood Pressure, and Parental Report of Behavioral Health Symptoms in Children: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Hall Ashleigh , West Xandria , Brown Marilyn , Hall Erin , Kim Ella , Leib Alexa , Mergaman Paige , Salih Zanaib , Aronoff Stephen
Published: March 2023

The interplay between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and resilience on health in children is not well understood. Parents completed 3 questionnaires: ACEs, Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM), and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17(PSC-17). BMI and blood pressure were measured. 19.8% of children had 4 or more ACEs, resilience ranged from 25 to 51, 14.3% had a positive PSC-17 score, 25.6% were obese, 3.1% had systolic hypertension, and 1.2% had diastolic hypertension. Higher ACEs (ACE OR: 1.398, 95% CI = 1.044-1.893, P = .026) and lower resilience (Resilience OR: 0.740, 95% CI 0.668-0.812; P = 1.13 × 10−9) were predictive of increased reports of behavioral health symptoms, but not obesity or hypertension. The personal resilience subscale was a predictor of positive PSC-17 score (OR 0.646, 95% CI = 0.546-0.749, P = 3.18 × 10−8); relationship subscale was not. Cultivating resilience, especially personal aspects, may provide an effective intervention for behavioral health symptoms in children.
Self-care Management in Heart Failure Using Roy Adaptation Theory-guided Intervention in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Roussia Soufiane , Muthu Priyalatha , Ilesanmi Rose Ekama
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To assess the knowledge and practice of self-care management among patients with heart failure (HF) after Roy adaptation theory-guided educational program.

Methodology

One group quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design of 30 purposively selected patients with HF was conducted. Outcomes were examined under three domains: knowledge, self-care maintenance, and monitoring pre- and post-intervention, using a validated instrument based on four adaptive modes of Roy's theory.

Major results

Most of the respondents were male (76.6%) and 56.7% were over 60 years of age. At the pretest, only 16.7% demonstrated adequate knowledge of self-care, and 76.7% reported poor practices in the domains of self-care maintenance and monitoring. Also, 90% scored poorly in self-care management. Knowledge of self-care practices increased at post-test (93.3%). There was a significant difference in knowledge ( t = 15.79, df = 29, p < .001) and practice ( t = 9.35, df = 29, p < .001) pre- and post-intervention. However, there was no significant association between selected demographic characteristics, knowledge, and self-care practice ( p > .05).

Conclusion

Knowledge and practice of self-care management are poor among patients with HF. However, theory-driven practice can enhance care and patients’ quality of life.
Natural killer cell memory precedes HLH in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic active Epstein-Barr virus disease
Authors: Lim Chrissie K. , Zhong Youjia , Hopkins Richard , Sin Wei-Xiang , Au Bijin Veonice , Narayanan Sriram , Huang Chiung-Hui , Lee Colin YC , Oon Ming Liang , Chowdhury Avisha , Wong Benjamin , Yeap Frances , Villegas Mariflor , Pompon Julien , Ng Patricia PL , Ng Siok-Bian , Quah Thuan Chong T , Tan Poh-Lin , Chin Keh-Chuang , Connolly John E
Published: March 2023

Severe mosquito bite allergy (SMBA) is a manifestation of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (CAEBV) infection defined by necrotic ulceration of the stings. CAEBV with SMBA has a high mortality rate as most patients eventually develop fulminant and refractory hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). However, how self-resolving SMBA escalates to systemic lethal HLH remains unclear. Through comprehensive immune profiling of a SMBA patient with CAEBV and her healthy monozygotic twin, we found that both twins were seropositive for EBV but showed high discordance in their circulating natural killer (NK) cells. The patient's EBV-infected NK cells displayed memory-like properties, including low CD16, high CD226 and induction of enhanced IFNγ production by IL-2 or IL-12. Her leukocytes also produced high levels of IL-2 and IL-12 when stimulated with salivary gland extract (SGE) specifically from A. albopictus mosquitoes, connected again with hyperproduction of IFNγ by her NK cells. Strikingly, pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 suppressed the NK memory-associated cytokine axis of IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-12 that is generated by A. albopictus SGE stimulation. Altogether, this study shows that NK memory is promoted during CAEBV with SMBA by repeated cytokine restimulation leading up to lethal HLH, and proposes STAT3 as a therapeutic target to halt its progression.
CDK7 controls E2F- and MYC-driven proliferative and metabolic vulnerabilities in multiple myeloma
Authors: Yao Yao , Fong Ng Jessica , Park Woojun Daniel , Samur Mehmet K. , Morelli Eugenio , Encinas Jessica , Chyra Zuzana , Xu Yan , Derebail Sanika , Epstein Charles B. , Nabet Behnam , Chesi Marta , Gray Nathanael S , Young Richard , Kwiatkowski Nicholas , Mitsiades Constantine S. , Anderson Kenneth C. , Lin Charles Y. , Munshi Nikhil C. , Fulciniti Mariateresa
Published: March 2023

Therapeutic targeting of CDK7 has proven beneficial in pre-clinical studies, yet the off-target effects of currently available CDK7 inhibitors make it difficult to pinpoint the exact mechanisms behind MM cell death mediated by CDK7 inhibition. Here, we show that CDK7 expression positively correlates with E2F and MYC transcriptional programs in multiple myeloma (MM) patient cells; and its selective targeting counteracts E2F activity via perturbation of the CDKs/Rb axis and impairs MYC-regulated metabolic gene signatures translating into defects in glycolysis and reduced levels of lactate production in MM cells. CDK7 inhibition using the covalent small molecule inhibitor YKL-5-124 elicits a strong therapeutic response with minimal effects on normal cells, and causes in vivo tumor regression increasing survival in several MM mouse models including a genetically engineered mouse model of MYC-dependent MM. Through its role as a critical cofactor and regulator of MYC and E2F activity, CDK7 is therefore a master regulator of oncogenic cellular programs supporting MM growth and survival, and a valuable therapeutic target providing rationale for development of YKL-5-124 for clinical use.
3D genomics and its applications in precision medicine
Authors: Chen Mengjie , Liu Xingyu , Liu Qingyou , Shi Deshun , Li Hui
Published: March 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) genomics is an emerging discipline that studies the three-dimensional structure of chromatin and the three-dimensional and functions of genomes. It mainly studies the three-dimensional conformation and functional regulation of intranuclear genomes, such as DNA replication, DNA recombination, genome folding, gene expression regulation, transcription factor regulation mechanism, and the maintenance of three-dimensional conformation of genomes. Self-chromosomal conformation capture (3C) technology has been developed, and 3D genomics and related fields have developed rapidly. In addition, chromatin interaction analysis techniques developed by 3C technologies, such as paired-end tag sequencing (ChIA-PET) and whole-genome chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C), enable scientists to further study the relationship between chromatin conformation and gene regulation in different species. Thus, the spatial conformation of plant, animal, and microbial genomes, transcriptional regulation mechanisms, interaction patterns of chromosomes, and the formation mechanism of spatiotemporal specificity of genomes are revealed. With the help of new experimental technologies, the identification of key genes and signal pathways related to life activities and diseases is sustaining the rapid development of life science, agriculture, and medicine. In this paper, the concept and development of 3D genomics and its application in agricultural science, life science, and medicine are introduced, which provides a theoretical basis for the study of biological life processes.
RGT: a toolbox for the integrative analysis of high throughput regulatory genomics data
Authors: Li Zhijian , Kuo Chao-Chung , Ticconi Fabio , Shaigan Mina , Gehrmann Julia , Gusmao Eduardo Gade , Allhoff Manuel , Manolov Martin , Zenke Martin , Costa Ivan G.
Published: March 2023

Background

Massive amounts of data are produced by combining next-generation sequencing with complex biochemistry techniques to characterize regulatory genomics profiles, such as protein–DNA interaction and chromatin accessibility. Interpretation of such high-throughput data typically requires different computation methods. However, existing tools are usually developed for a specific task, which makes it challenging to analyze the data in an integrative manner.

Results

We here describe the Regulatory Genomics Toolbox (RGT), a computational library for the integrative analysis of regulatory genomics data. RGT provides different functionalities to handle genomic signals and regions. Based on that, we developed several tools to perform distinct downstream analyses, including the prediction of transcription factor binding sites using ATAC-seq data, identification of differential peaks from ChIP-seq data, and detection of triple helix mediated RNA and DNA interactions, visualization, and finding an association between distinct regulatory factors.

Conclusion

We present here RGT; a framework to facilitate the customization of computational methods to analyze genomic data for specific regulatory genomics problems. RGT is a comprehensive and flexible Python package for analyzing high throughput regulatory genomics data and is available at: https://github.com/CostaLab/reg-gen. The documentation is available at: https://reg-gen.readthedocs.io
coda4microbiome: compositional data analysis for microbiome cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
Authors: Calle M. Luz , Pujolassos Meritxell , Susin Antoni
Published: March 2023

Background

One of the main challenges of microbiome analysis is its compositional nature that if ignored can lead to spurious results. Addressing the compositional structure of microbiome data is particularly critical in longitudinal studies where abundances measured at different times can correspond to different sub-compositions.

Results

We developedcoda4microbiome, a new R package for analyzing microbiome data within the Compositional Data Analysis (CoDA) framework in both, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The aim ofcoda4microbiomeis prediction, more specifically, the method is designed to identify a model (microbial signature) containing the minimum number of features with the maximum predictive power. The algorithm relies on the analysis of log-ratios between pairs of components and variable selection is addressed through penalized regression on the “all-pairs log-ratio model”, the model containing all possible pairwise log-ratios. For longitudinal data, the algorithm infers dynamic microbial signatures by performing penalized regression over the summary of the log-ratio trajectories (the area under these trajectories). In both, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, the inferred microbial signature is expressed as the (weighted) balance between two groups of taxa, those that contribute positively to the microbial signature and those that contribute negatively. The package provides several graphical representations that facilitate the interpretation of the analysis and the identified microbial signatures. We illustrate the new method with data from a Crohn's disease study (cross-sectional data) and on the developing microbiome of infants (longitudinal data).

Conclusions

coda4microbiomeis a new algorithm for identification of microbial signatures in both, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. The algorithm is implemented as an R package that is available at CRAN (https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/coda4microbiome/) and is accompanied with a vignette with a detailed description of the functions. The website of the project contains several tutorials:https://malucalle.github.io/coda4microbiome/
Genomic and evolutionary relationships among wild and cultivated blueberry species
Authors: Manzanero Byron R. , Kulkarni Krishnanand P. , Vorsa Nicholi , Reddy Umesh K. , Natarajan Purushothaman , Elavarthi Sathya , Iorizzo Massimo , Melmaiee Kalpalatha
Published: March 2023

Background

Blueberries (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus) are an economically important fruit crop in the United States. Understanding genetic structure and relationships in blueberries is essential to advance the genetic improvement of horticulturally important traits. In the present study, we investigated the genomic and evolutionary relationships in 195 blueberry accessions from five species (comprising 33 V. corymbosum, 14 V. boreale, 81 V. darrowii, 29 V. myrsinites, and 38 V. tenellum) using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mined from genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data.

Results

GBS generated ~ 751 million raw reads, of which 79.7% were mapped to the reference genome V. corymbosum cv. Draper v1.0. After filtering (read depth > 3, minor allele frequency > 0.05, and call rate > 0.9), 60,518 SNPs were identified and used in further analyses. The 195 blueberry accessions formed three major clusters on the principal component (PC) analysis plot, in which the first two PCs accounted for 29.2% of the total genetic variance. Nucleotide diversity (π) was highest for V. tenellum and V. boreale (0.023 each), and lowest for V. darrowii (0.012). Using TreeMix analysis, we identified four migration events and deciphered gene flow among the selected species. In addition, we detected a strong V. boreale lineage in cultivated blueberry species. Pairwise SweeD analysis identified a wide sweep (encompassing 32 genes) as a strong signature of domestication on the scaffold VaccDscaff 12. From this region, five genes encoded topoisomerases, six genes encoded CAP-gly domain linker (which regulates the dynamics of the microtubule cytoskeleton), and three genes coded for GSL8 (involved in the synthesis of the cell wall component callose). One of the genes, augustus_masked-VaccDscaff12-processed-gene-172.10, is a homolog of ArabidopsisAT2G25010 and encodes the protein MAINTENANCE OF MERISTEMS-like involved in root and shoot growth. Additional genomic stratification by admixture analysis identified genetic lineages and species boundaries in blueberry accessions. The results from this study indicate that V. boreale is a genetically distant outgroup, while V. darrowii, V. myrsinites, and V. tenellum are closely related.

Conclusion

Our study provides new insights into the evolution and genetic architecture of cultivated blueberries.
Charlson Comorbidity Index is correlated with all-cause readmission within six months in patients with heart failure: a retrospective cohort study in China
Authors: Sheng Song , Xu Feng-qin , Zhang Yan-hong , Huang Ye
Published: March 2023

Background

Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is positively associated with all-cause readmission in patients with heart failure (HF) in western countries. However, there is a scarcity of strong scientific evidence supporting the correlation in China. This study aimed at testing this hypothesis in Chinese.  

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of 1,946 patients with HF in Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital in China between December 2016 to June 2019. Logistic regression models were used to study the hypotheses, with adjustments for the four regression models. We also explore the linear trend and possible nonlinear relationship between CCI and readmission within six months. We further conducted subgroup analysis and tests for interaction to examine the possible interaction between CCI and the endpoint. Additionally, CCI alone and several combinations of variables based on CCI were used to predict the endpoint. Under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were reported to evaluate the performance of the predicted model.

Results

In the adjusted II model, CCI was an independent prognostic factor for readmission within six months in patients with HF (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03–1.26, P = 0.011). Trend tests revealed that there was a significant linear trend for the association. A nonlinear association was identified between them and the inflection point of CCI was 1. Subgroup analyses and tests for interaction indicated that cystatin played an interactive role in the association. ROC analysis indicated neither CCI alone nor combinations of variables based on CCI were adequate for prediction.

Conclusion

CCI was independently positively correlated with readmission within six months in patients with HF in Chinese population. However, CCI has limited value on predicting readmission within six months in patients with HF.
A novel nomogram for identifying candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IB gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xie Yangyang , Song Xue , Du Danwei , Jin Haimin , Li Xiaowen , Ni Zhongkai , Huang Hai
Published: March 2023

Background

The purpose of this research was to construct a novel predictive nomogram to identify specific stage IB gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) populations who could benefit from postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT).

Method

Between 2004 and 2015, 1889 stage IB GAC patients were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program database. Then Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, univariate and multivariable Cox analyses, and univariate and multivariable logistic analyses were implemented. Finally, the predictive nomograms were constructed. The methods of area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to validate the clinical effectiveness of the models.

Results

Of these patients, 708 cases underwent ACT, while the other 1181 patients didn’t receive ACT. After PSM, the patients in the ACT group presented a longer median overall survival (133 vs. 85 months, p = 0.0087). Among the ACT group, 194 (36.0%) patients achieving more prolonged overall survival than 85 months were regarded as the beneficiary population. Then the logistic regression analyses were performed, and age, gender, marital status, primary site, tumor size, and regional nodes examined were included as predicting factors to construct the nomogram. The AUC value was 0.725 in the training cohort and 0.739 in the validation cohort, which demonstrated good discrimination. And calibration curves indicated ideal consistency between the predicted and observed probabilities. Decision curve analysis presented a clinically useful model. Furthermore, the prognostic nomogram predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year cancer-specific survival presented good predictive ability.

Conclusion

The benefit nomogram could guide clinicians in decision-making and selecting optimal candidates for ACT among stage IB GAC patients. And the prognostic nomogram presented great prediction ability for these patients.
Clinical prediction rule for identifying older patients with toxigenic clostridioides difficile at the time of hospital admission
Authors: Lee Ki-Byung , Lee Mina , Suh Jin Woong , Yang Kyung-Sook , Chung Youseung , Kim Jeong Yeon , Kim Sun Bean , Sohn Jang Wook , Yoon Young Kyung
Published: March 2023

Background

This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical prediction rule to screen older patients at risk of being toxigenic Clostridioides difficile carriers at the time of hospital admission.

Methods

This retrospective case-control study was performed at a university-affiliated hospital. Active surveillance using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the toxin genes of C. difficile was conducted among older patients (≥ 65 years) upon admission to the Division of Infectious Diseases of our institution. This rule was drawn from a derivative cohort between October 2019 and April 2021 using a multivariable logistic regression model. Clinical predictability was evaluated in the validation cohort between May 2021 and October 2021.

Results

Of 628 PCR screenings for toxigenic C. difficile carriage, 101 (16.1%) yielded positive findings. To establish clinical prediction rules in the derivation cohort, the formula was derived using significant predictors for toxigenic C. difficile carriage at admission, such as septic shock, connective tissue diseases, anemia, recent use of antibiotics, and recent use of proton-pump inhibitors. In the validation cohort, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the prediction rule, based on a cut-off value of ≥ 0.45, were 78.3%, 70.8%, 29.5%, and 95.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

This clinical prediction rule for identifying toxigenic C. difficile carriage at admission may facilitate the selective screening of high-risk groups. To implement it in a clinical setting, more patients from other medical institutions need to be prospectively examined.
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae related urinary tract infection in adult cancer patients: a multicenter retrospective study, 2015–2019
Authors: Wang Guojing , Zhu Yu , Feng Shana , Wei Baojun , Zhang Yujuan , Wang Jingzhi , Huang Shengkai , Qin Shengling , Liu Xuan , Chen Bing , Cui Wei
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae related urinary tract infections (UTI) in adult cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of three cancer hospitals centered on Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2015 to 2019. The clinical characters, risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae UTI in adult cancer patients were described and analyzed.

Results

A total of 4967 specimens of UTI were evaluated, of which 909 were positive. After excluding multiple infection bacteria, non-conforming strains, inconsistent pathological information, no drug sensitivity test or medical records, 358 episodes remained. Among them, 160 episodes belonged to ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, while 198 were classified into non-ESBL group. The prevalence of ESBL UTI circled around 39.73 to 53.03% for 5 years. Subgroup analysis by tumor type revealed that 62.5% of isolates from patients with urological tumors were ESBL positive. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor metastasis (OR 3.41, 95%CI 1.84–6.30), urological cancer (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.34–6.53), indwelling catheter (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.22–3.55) and surgery or invasive manipulation (OR 1.98, 95%CI 1.13–3.50) were the independent risk factors. According to antimicrobial sensitivity, meropenem, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were the most commonly used antibiotics for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae UTI.

Conclusions

In view of the high prevalence, clinicians should be alert to the occurrence of ESBL UTI, especially for patients with urological cancer or metastatic tumors. Regular replacement of urinary catheters, reduction of unnecessary invasive operations and selection of appropriate antibiotics are the necessary conditions to deal with the occurrence of ESBL UTI in adult cancer patients.
Estimating the burden of influenza-attributable severe acute respiratory infections on the hospital system in Metropolitan France, 2012–2018
Authors: Bernadou Anne , Sommen C. , Pivette M. , Hubert B.
Published: March 2023

Background

To date, estimating the burden of seasonal influenza on the hospital system in France has been restricted to influenza diagnoses in patients (estimated hospitalization rate of 35/100,000 on average from 2012 to 2018). However, many hospitalizations for diagnosed respiratory infections (e.g. pneumonia, acute bronchitis) occur without concurrent screening for virological influenza, especially in the elderly. Specifically, we aimed to estimate the burden of influenza on the French hospital system by examining the proportion of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) attributable to influenza.

Methods

Using French national hospital discharge data from 1/7/2012 to 30/6/2018, we extracted SARI hospitalizations with ICD-10 codes J09-J11 (influenza codes) in main or associated diagnoses, and J12-J20 (pneumonia and bronchitis codes) in main diagnoses. We estimated influenza-attributable SARI hospitalizations during influenza epidemics, as the number of influenza-coded hospitalizations plus the influenza-attributable number of pneumonia- and acute bronchitis-coded hospitalizations using periodic regression and generalized linear models. Additional analyses stratified by age group, diagnostic category (pneumonia and bronchitis), and region of hospitalization were performed using the periodic regression model only.

Results

The average estimated hospitalization rate of influenza-attributable SARI during the five annual influenza epidemics covered (2013–2014 to 2017–2018) was 60/100,000 with the periodic regression model, and 64/100,000 with the generalized linear model. Over the six epidemics (2012–2013 to 2017–2018), of the 533,456 SARI hospitalizations identified, an estimated 227,154 were influenza-attributable (43%). Fifty-six percent of cases were diagnosed with influenza, 33% pneumonia, and 11% bronchitis. Diagnoses varied between age groups: 11% of patients under 15 years old had pneumonia versus 41% of patients aged 65 and older.

Conclusion

Compared to influenza surveillance in France to date, analyzing excess SARI hospitalizations provided a much larger estimate of the burden of influenza on the hospital system. This approach was more representative and allowed the burden to be assessed according to age group and region. The emergence of SARS-Cov-2 has led to a change in the dynamics of winter respiratory epidemics. The co-circulation of the three current major respiratory viruses (influenza, SARS-Cov-2, and RSV) and the evolution of diagnostic confirmation practices must now be taken into account when analyzing SARI.
Multiple branch retinal artery occlusions following the new facial cosmetic filler (Poly-D, L-lactic Acid) injection a case report
Authors: Wang I , Lin Hui-Ju , Tsai Yi-Yu , Chen Wen-Lu , Lin Chun-Ju , Chen San-Ni , Hsieh Ming-Chieh , Wan Lei , Tien Peng-Tai
Published: March 2023

Background

Poly-D, L-lactic acid is (PDLLA) a new cosmetic filler. We reported the first case of PDLLA-related devastating complication of multiple branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO).

Case presentation

A 23-year-old female had sudden blindness after injection of PDLLA at the glabella. After emergency intraocular pressure-lowering medicine, ocular massage, steroid pulse therapy, heparin and alprostadil infusion, and subsequent treatments including acupuncture and 40 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, her best-corrected visual acuity improved from hand motion at 30 cm to 0.3 within 2 months.

Conclusion

Although safety of PDLLA was evaluated in animal studies and in 16,000 human cases, it could still cause rare but devastating retinal artery occlusion as in the present case. Proper and immediate therapies could still improve patient’s vision and scotoma. Surgeons should keep in mind the possibility of iatrogenic filler-related retinal artery occlusion.
Views on increased federal access to state and local National Syndromic Surveillance Program data: a nominal group technique study with state and local epidemiologists
Authors: Schmit Cason D. , Willis Brooke , McCall Hayleigh , Altabbaa Alyaa , Washburn David
Published: March 2023

Background

US public health authorities use syndromic surveillance to monitor and detect public health threats, conditions, and trends in near real-time. Nearly all US jurisdictions that conduct syndromic surveillance send their data to the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP), operated by the US. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, current data sharing agreements limit federal access to state and local NSSP data to only multi-state regional aggregations. This limitation was a significant challenge for the national response to COVID-19. This study seeks to understand state and local epidemiologists’ views on increased federal access to state NSSP data and identify policy opportunities for public health data modernization.

Methods

In September 2021, we used a virtual, modified nominal group technique with twenty regionally diverse epidemiologists in leadership positions and three individuals representing national public health organizations. Participants individually generated ideas on benefits, concerns, and policy opportunities relating to increased federal access to state and local NSSP data. In small groups, participants clarified and grouped the ideas into broader themes with the assistance of the research team. An web-based survey was used to evaluate and rank the themes using five-point Likert importance questions, top-3 ranking questions, and open-ended response questions.

Results

Participants identified five benefit themes for increased federal access to jurisdictional NSSP data, with the most important being improved cross-jurisdiction collaboration (mean Likert = 4.53) and surveillance practice (4.07). Participants identified nine concern themes, with the most important concerns being federal actors using jurisdictional data without notice (4.60) and misinterpretation of data (4.53). Participants identified eleven policy opportunities, with the most important being involving state and local partners in analysis (4.93) and developing communication protocols (4.53).

Conclusion

These findings identify barriers and opportunities to federal-state-local collaboration critical to current data modernization efforts. Syndromic surveillance considerations warrant data-sharing caution. However, identified policy opportunities share congruence with existing legal agreements, suggesting that syndromic partners are closer to agreement than they might realize. Moreover, several policy opportunities (i.e., including state and local partners in data analysis and developing communication protocols) received consensus support and provide a promising path forward.