bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpopulation differences in male reproductive effort drive the population dynamics of a host exposed to an emerging fungal pathogen
Authors: Valenzuela‐Sánchez Andrés , Azat Claudio , Cunningham Andrew A. , Delgado Soledad , Bacigalupe Leonardo D. , Beltrand Jaime , Serrano José M. , Sentenac Hugo , Haddow Natashja , Toledo Verónica , Schmidt Benedikt R. , Cayuela Hugo
Published: October 2021

Compensatory recruitment is a key demographic mechanism that has allowed the coexistence of populations of susceptible amphibians with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungus causing one of the most devastating emerging infectious disease ever recorded among vertebrates. However, the underlying processes (e.g. density‐dependent increase in survival at early life stages, change in reproductive traits) as well as the level of interpopulation variation in this response are poorly known.

We explore potential mechanisms of compensatory recruitment in response to Bd infection by taking advantage of an amphibian system where male reproductive traits are easy to quantify in free‐living populations. The Southern Darwin's frog Rhinoderma darwinii is a vocal sac‐brooding species that exhibits a high susceptibility to lethal Bd infection.

Using a 7‐year capture–recapture study at four populations with contrasting Bd infection status (one high prevalence, one low prevalence and two Bd‐free populations), we evaluated whether Bd‐positive populations exhibited a higher adult recruitment and a higher male reproductive effort than Bd‐negative populations. We also estimated population growth rates to explore whether recruitment compensated for the negative impacts of Bd on the survival of adults. In addition, we evaluated a potential demographic signal of compensatory recruitment (i.e. positive relationship between the proportion of juveniles and Bd prevalence) in response to Bd infection using raw count data from 13 R. darwinii populations.

The high Bd prevalence population exhibited the highest male reproductive effort and the highest recruitment among the four monitored populations. This led to a growing population during the study period despite high mortality of adult hosts. In contrast, males from the population with low Bd prevalence had a low reproductive effort and this population, which had the lowest adult recruitment, was declining during the study period despite adults having a higher survival in comparison to the high Bd prevalence population. We also found a demographic signal of compensatory recruitment in response to Bd infection in our broader analysis of 13 R. darwinii populations.

Our study underlines the importance of interpopulation variation in life‐history strategies on the fate of host populations after infectious disease emergence. Our results also suggest that an increase in reproductive effort can be one of the processes underlying compensatory recruitment in populations of Bd‐susceptible amphibians.
Electrical modelling of tissue experiments confirms precise locations of resistance and compliance in systemic arterial tree—they are mutually exclusive
Authors: Gangadharan Naveen , Venkatachalapathi Aravindhan , Jebaraj Benjamin , Zachariah Shikha Mary , Devasahayam Suresh , Saravana Kumar Gurunathan , Subramani Sathya
Published: October 2021

This study presents electrical modelling of the arterial system to understand the effect of adrenaline on the aortae and small arteries in terms of their resistance and compliance. There is no categorical documentation in the current literature on the precise locations of arterial resistance (R) and compliance (C) in vasculature. Knowledge of their exact locations in the arterial tree enables re‐assessment of the differential action of vasoactive drugs on resistance versus compliance vessels once we resolve beat‐to‐beat changes in R and C in response to these drugs. Isolated goat aortae and small arteries were perfused with a pulsatile pump and lumen pressures were recorded before and after addition of adrenaline. Equivalent electrical models were simulated, and biological data was compared against the electrical equivalents to derive interpretations. In the aortae, systolic pressure increased, diastolic pressure decreased, pulse pressure increased (P = .018); but the mean pressure remained the same (P = .357). Whereas in small artery, vasoconstriction caused an increase in systolic, diastolic, and mean pressures (P = .028). Simulations allow us to infer that vasoconstriction in the aorta leads to a reduction in compliance, but an increase in resistance if any, is not sufficient to alter the mean aortic pressure. Whereas vasoconstriction in small arteries increases resistance, but a decrease in compliance, if any, does not affect any of the pressure parameters measured. The presented study is first of its kind to give experimental evidence that large arteries and aorta are the only compliance vessels and small arteries are the only resistance vessels.
Comparing survival and treatment response of patients with acquired T790M mutation second‐line osimertinib versus sequential treatment of chemotherapy followed by osimertinib: A real‐world study
Authors: Wang Chin‐Chou , Lai Chien‐Hao , Chang Yu‐Ping , Chang Huang‐Chih , Tseng Chia‐Cheng , Huang Kuo‐Tung , Lin Meng‐Chih
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To investigate the survival benefit with first/second generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) and osimertinib in different treatment sequences.

Methods

We retrospectively screened 3807 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2013 and 2019 at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. In total, 76 patients with EGFR T790M mutation who received osimertinib after re‐biopsy or liquid biopsy were enrolled for the analysis.

Results

The median progression‐free survival (PFS), median overall survival (OS), and median OS2 of the 76 patients were 11.93, 66.53, and 29.57 months, respectively. A significant difference was observed in the disease control rate between those who received osimertinib treatment after chemotherapy (group A) and those who received osimertinib immediately following EGFR‐TKI therapy (group B) (34 [94.4%] vs. 31 [77.5%], p = 0.036). In addition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tended to be a poor prognostic factor for PFS and OS.

Conclusion

This real‐world analysis revealed that previous chemotherapy could affect the treatment outcomes of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer treated with osimertinib. Osimertinib treatment following first/second generation EGFR‐TKI treatment or chemotherapy resulted in improved survival benefit.
Prediction modeling using routine clinical parameters to stratify survival in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients complicated with malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Zhang Shu , Zhang Yuan , Feng Wei , Shi Zhongyue , Shi Huanzhong , Zhang Yuhui
Published: October 2021

Background

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is common in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The survival of patients with MPM and MPE is heterogeneous. The LENT and BRIMS scores using routine clinical parameters were developed to predict the survival of patients with unselected MPE and MPM, respectively. This study aimed to stratify the survival of selected MPM patients with MPE.

Methods

Data were collected from subjects diagnosed with MPM and MPE. The LENT and BRIMS scores were applied using a combination of clinical variables to stratify subjects and compare survival characteristics.

Results

In total, 101 patients with MPM complicated by MPE were included in the study. The median follow‐up time was 71 months (interquartile range: 24–121 months). Overall median survival was 24 (interquartile range: 12–52 months). Based on the LENT score, the low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk groups accounted for 65.3% (66 cases), 34.7% (35 cases), and 0%, respectively. The cumulative survival rates of the two groups were statistically significant (p = 0.031). The area under the curve (AUC) of the LENT score was 0.662. Based on the BRIMS score, the first, second, third, and fourth risk groups accounted for 1.0% (1 case), 42.9% (35 cases), 28.7% (29 cases), and 19.4% (36 cases), respectively. Survival was significantly higher in patients in the risk groups 1 and 2 than in patients in the risk groups 3 and 4 (p  = 0.037). The AUC of the BRIMS score was 0.605.

Conclusions

Using routinely available clinical variables, both LENT and BRIMS scores could stratify selected MPM and MPE patients into risk groups with statistically different survival.
DA: Population structure inference using discriminant analysis
Authors: Qin Xinghu , Lock Thomas Ryan , Kallenbach Robert L.
Published: October 2021

Genetic variations in a species across geographic areas typically exhibit spatial clines. There is increasing interest in inferring population genetic structure to understand the patterns of genetic variation and the evolution of a species.

Here, we present the da package and propose to infer population structure using discriminant analysis (DA). We incorporate five supervised learning approaches (DAPC, LDAKPC, LFDA, LFDAKPC and KLFDA) into da package within the same DA family, but with different linear and nonlinear properties.

We tested the performance and properties of these five approaches for population structure inference using both simulated and empirical data. Results showed that these five approaches preserved the same global genetic structure under each genetic scenario. Notably, genetic features produced from KLFDA and LFDA had higher correlations with under isolation‐by‐distance model and higher discriminatory power in population structure identification, with KLFDA achieving the best performance. The applications to empirical data indicated that all these methods could intuitively capture the continuous genetic gradients while LFDA and KLFDA could discriminate nuanced population structures that the other approaches cannot.

These DA methods can be applied to other statistical inferences in genetics and beyond. The da package is available at https://cran.r‐project.org/web/packages/DA/index.html. We recommend users choosing these approaches appropriately depending on their scientific questions and target data.
Deletion of BCG_2432c from the Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccine enhances autophagy‐mediated immunity against tuberculosis
Authors: Wu Yaqi , Tian Maopeng , Zhang Yandi , Peng Huiming , Lei Qing , Yuan Xuefeng , Liu Shijie , Xiong Yulong , Lin Xiaosong , Jo‐Lewis Banga Ndzouboukou , Yao Zongjie , Fu Hui , Fan Xionglin
Published: October 2021

Background

Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) is an attenuated live vaccine that provides insufficient protection against tuberculosis (TB), the underlying mechanisms for which remain unknown. Assuming that the BCG vaccine inherits immune evasive strategies from virulent parent M. bovis strains, we aimed to identify the associated genes and assess their effects on the vaccine efficacy.

Methods

Three genes, BCG_3174, BCG_1782, and BCG_2432c, associated with immune evasion were first identified via bioinformatics analysis and then confirmed in the genome of M. bovis and 12 commercial BCG vaccine substrains using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. These genes were disrupted to develop mutant strains, and their effects on autophagy and their protective efficacy were further compared with the BCG vaccine in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Of the three identified genes, only the disruption of BCG_2432c, namely ΔBCG_2432c, conferred stronger protection against intranasal TB in vaccinated mice, when compared with the BCG vaccine. ΔBCG_2432c showed a stronger ability to trigger intracellular ROS‐mediated complete autophagic flux in infected THP‐1 cells that resulted in higher antigen presentation. The improved protection could be attributed to early and increased IFN‐γ+ CD4+ TEM and IL‐2+CD4+TCM cells in the spleens and lungs of ΔBCG_2432c‐vaccinated mice.

Conclusions

The insufficient efficacy of the BCG vaccine is attributable to the important autophagy‐inhibition gene BCG_2432c that blocks the autophagosome‐lysosome pathway of antigen presentation. ΔBCG_2432c provides a promising platform to either replace the current BCG vaccine or develop vaccines that are more effective against TB.
External evaluation of population pharmacokinetic models of imatinib in adults diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Corral Alaejos Álvaro , Zarzuelo Castañeda Aránzazu , Jiménez Cabrera Silvia , Sánchez‐Guijo Fermín , Otero María José , Pérez‐Blanco Jonás Samuel
Published: October 2021

Aims

Imatinib is considered the standard first‐line treatment in newly diagnosed patients with chronic‐phase myeloid leukaemia (CML). Several imatinib population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models have been developed. However, their predictive performance has not been well established when extrapolated to different populations. Therefore, this study aimed to perform an external evaluation of available imatinib popPK models developed mainly in adult patients, and to evaluate the improvement in individual model‐based predictions through Bayesian forecasting computed by each model at different treatment occasions.

Methods

A literature review was conducted through PubMed and Scopus to identify popPK models. Therapeutic drug monitoring data collected in adult CML patients treated with imatinib was used for external evaluation, including prediction‐ and simulated‐based diagnostics together with Bayesian forecasting analysis.

Results

Fourteen imatinib popPK studies were included for model‐performance evaluation. A total of 99 imatinib samples were collected from 48 adult CML patients undergoing imatinib treatment with a minimum of one plasma concentration measured at steady‐state between January 2016 and December 2020. The model proposed by Petain et al showed the best performance concerning prediction‐based diagnostics in the studied population. Bayesian forecasting demonstrated a significant improvement in predictive performance at the second visit. Inter‐occasion variability contributed to reducing bias and improving individual model‐based predictions.

Conclusions

Imatinib popPK studies developed in Caucasian subjects including α1‐acid glycoprotein showed the best model performance in terms of overall bias and precision. Moreover, two imatinib samples from different visits appear sufficient to reach an adequate model‐based individual prediction performance trough Bayesian forecasting.
Effect of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics and safety of dorzagliatin, a novel dual‐acting glucokinase activator
Authors: Miao Jia , Fu Ping , Ren Shuang , Hu Chao , Wang Ying , Jiao Chengfeng , Li Ping , zhao Yu , Tang Cui , Qian Yuli , Yang Rong , Dong Yanli , Rong Jing , Wang Yaohui , Jin Xiaowei , Sun Yu , Chen Li
Published: October 2021

Dorzagliatin is a novel allosteric glucokinase activator targeting both pancreatic and hepatic glucokinase currently under clinical investigation for treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to investigate the effect of renal impairment (RI) on dorzagliatin’s pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety, and to guide appropriate clinical dosing in patients with diabetic kidney disease, including end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Based on the results from physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling, the predicted outcome of RI on dorzagliatin PK property would be minimum that the plasma exposure area under concentration (AUC) of dorzagliatin in patients with ESRD would increase at about 30% with minimal change in peak concentration (Cmax) comparing to those in healthy volunteers (HVs). To definitively confirm the prediction, a two‐part RI study was designed and conducted based on regulatory guidance starting with the patients with ESRD matched with HVs. Results of the RI study showed minimum difference between patients with ESRD and HVs with respect to dorzagliatin exposure with geometric mean ratio of ESRD to HV at 0.81 for Cmax and 1.11 for AUC. The elimination half‐life, volume of distribution, and systemic clearance for dorzagliatin were similar between the two groups. Dorzagliatin was well‐tolerated in patients with ESRD during the study. Therefore, RI showed no significant impact on dorzagliatin PK, suggesting that dorzagliatin can be readily used in patients with T2D at all stages of RI without need for dose adjustment.
Neurodevelopmental profile of HIVEP2‐related disorder
Authors: Mo Alisa , Snyder Leeanne G , Babington Owen , Chung Wendy K , Sahin Mustafa , Srivastava Siddharth
Published: October 2021

Aim

To characterize the neurodevelopmental profile and systemic features of HIVEP2‐related disorder.

Method

This study used retrospective medical history and standardized assessment data from Simons Searchlight to describe the clinical characteristics of 12 individuals (eight males, four females; age range 3y 3mo–12y 8mo; mean age [SD] 7y 7mo [2y 11mo]) with pathogenic HIVEP2 variants, focusing on their levels of adaptive functioning, autism symptomology, and emotional and behavioral characteristics.

Results

Common features included neonatal complications, hypotonia, developmental delay, intellectual disability, language impairment, gastroesophageal reflux, and strabismus. A minority of individuals had epilepsy, microcephaly, or a movement disorder. Based on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition, affected individuals showed impairments in adaptive behavior (mean composite standard score [SD] 56.4 [10.2]; n=8). The cohort also had significant impairments in social problems, as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (mean total score [SD] 76.4 [11.3]; n=10) and clinically significant emotional and behavioral difficulties, as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6–18 (mean total T score [SD] 66.9 [8.2]; n=8).

Interpretation

These results show that individuals with HIVEP2‐related disorder have impairments in adaptive and social‐related behaviors as well as difficulties in emotional and behavioral symptoms.
Using maps of biogeographical ignorance to reveal the uncertainty in distributional data hidden in species distribution models
Authors: Tessarolo Geiziane , Ladle Richard J. , Lobo Jorge M. , Rangel Thiago Fernando , Hortal Joaquín
Published: October 2021

Species distribution models (SDMs) are subject to many sources of uncertainty, limiting their application in research and practice. One of their main limitations is the quality of the distributional data used to calibrate them, which directly influences the accuracy of model predictions. We propose a standardized methodology to create maps, describing the limitations of occurrence data for covering the distribution of a species. We develop a set of tools based on the general framework of Maps of Biogeographical Ignorance to describe the main sources of data‐driven uncertainty: taxonomic stability, environmental similarity, geographical proximity and temporal decay of the underlying biodiversity data. The so‐derived indicators of data‐driven uncertainty account for inventory completeness, taxonomic quality, time since the surveys and geographical (and environmental) distance to localities with information. These indicators form the basis of ignorance maps, which can be used to visualize the reliability of SDM projections in geographical space, to estimate the uncertainty of these predictions and to identify target survey areas. To demonstrate the application of our approach, we use data on fourteen Iberian species of Scarabaeidae dung beetles. Data‐driven uncertainty is widespread even for this well‐surveyed group; more than 60% of the region has distributional uncertainty values higher than 0.6, and 30% higher than 0.7. Ignorance maps can be jointly evaluated with SDM predictions to generate spatially explicit maps of uncertainty, identifying where predictions are reliable/unreliable. Neglecting such uncertainty can severely affect SDM effectiveness, as it can introduce biases and inaccuracies into the measured species–environment relationships. These errors could result in incorrect theoretical or practical applications, including ill‐advised conservation actions. We therefore advocate for the routine use of ignorance maps or similar techniques as supporting information in SDM applications.
Revisiting global imbalances: A comparative analysis of income and consumption inequality
Authors: Sheng Li , Zhang Zhaoyong
Published: October 2021

This article presents a simple model that reveals the reverse relation of the ratio of current account balance to inequality in income and consumption. Consumption smoothing schemes have been aggregated, among which the linchpin is a policy intervention that mitigates the worsening consumption inequality problem. However, in the long run, short‐sighted policies could have a corresponding impact on current accounts.
Using intersectionality to explore social inequalities amongst Christian family migrants in China
Authors: Gao Quan , Hopkins Peter
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we explore how an intersectional frame offers new insights into the issue of social inequalities in relation to family migration. We bring research about family migration and intersectionality into conversation with one another by empirically examining the experiences of rural Christian family migrants in Shenzhen, China. We consider how neoliberal labour regimes and the Chinese state's project of building a secular and modernised state operates through an intersectional process of de‐familiarisation that turns rural migrants into gendered, class‐based, atomised labouring subjects. We argue that a more nuanced analysis of social inequalities in family migration could usefully focus on the intersectional processes within and among migrant families.
Turning Big Brother upside down: Revisiting surveillance from Latin America
Authors: Ragas José
Published: October 2021

This essay discusses the emergence of a vibrant body of research embracing surveillance in Modern Latin America. By focusing on a specific yet complex region, scholars have expanded the original framework associated with the term, applying this new lens to periods ranging from after the Wars of Independence to contemporary episodes. Moreover, the examination of surveillance in this region reveals how researchers have engaged not only with trending research but their willingness to respond to the social, political, and technological phenomena that have become more visible since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the implementation of a new paradigm based on state security. This concern has become augmented with the revelations on the role of the National Security Agency and social media companies obtaining data from citizens. I conclude by suggesting new avenues for this nascent scholarship to move away from its rigid Orwellian nature and turn surveillance into a more flexible analytical tool.
ENDOGENOUS LABOR MARKET CYCLES
Authors: Li Yunan , Wang Cheng
Published: October 2021

We offer a new way of thinking about labor market fluctuations. In a perfectly stationary physical environment of the labor market, moral hazard and competition in long‐term contracting generate cycles in market tightness, which may induce job creation and destruction, and two‐period and longer cycles in wages and employment. Long‐term contracts use termination as an incentive device. Underlying the cycles is an intertemporal negative externality. In prescribing a larger (smaller) probability of termination, each current period long‐term contract puts pressure on all next period long‐term contracts to prescribe a smaller (larger) probability of termination, by affecting the tightness of the market for long‐term contracts in the next period.
Analysis of clinical characteristics, prognosis and antibody pathogenicity of pemphigus patients positive for anti‐desmoglein IgG autoantibodies in remission: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao W.L. , Ishii K. , Egami S. , Xu Z. , Funakoshi T. , Takahashi H. , Tanikawa A. , Ishiko A. , Amagai M. , Yamagami J.
Published: October 2021

Background

The detection of serum anti‐desmoglein (Dsg) IgG autoantibodies has been reported to be useful for assessment of disease activity in pemphigus. However, previous studies have reported that anti‐Dsg autoantibodies remain detectable in some patients without active pemphigus lesions.

Objectives

To investigate the clinical characteristics and antibody pathogenicity of pemphigus patients positive for anti‐Dsg IgG autoantibodies in remission.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated pemphigus patients with a history of clinical remission who visited the Department of Dermatology of Keio University during 2019 and 2020. The antibody pathogenicity was assessed by bead aggregation assay.

Results

When patients were recognized as having entered remission (PDAI = 0 and PSL ≦ 10 mg/day for 2 months), serum autoantibodies against Dsg were detected in 72 of 132 patients (54.5%, positive group; PG), but were not detected in 60 patients (45.5%, negative group; NG). Anti‐Dsg antibody titres in remission declined from the active phase in 33 patients in the PG for whom data were available. There were no differences in the chance of reducing PSL to 5 mg/day (P = 0.885) and rate of relapse (P = 0.279) between PG and NG, but fewer patients in PG discontinued corticosteroids (P = 0.004). The ability of patients' sera to block aggregation of Dsg/desmocollin beads was significantly reduced in remission compared to the active phase. However, our results revealed that whole sera in remission still had pathogenic activity in seven of nine patients, and the approximately equal amounts of anti‐Dsg antibodies in active phase and remission showed similar pathogenicity.

Conclusions

This study will provide guidance in cases where autoantibodies are found to be positive in pemphigus patients during remission or steroid reduction.
Adherence to self‐management in patients with multimorbidity and associated factors: A cross‐sectional study in primary health care
Authors: Paukkonen Leila , Oikarinen Anne , Kähkönen Outi , Kyngäs Helvi
Published: October 2021

Aim

The aim of the study was to explore the adherence to self‐management of patients with multimorbidity, identify associated factors, and determine explanatory factors of their adherence to self‐management in terms of the Theory of Adherence of People with Chronic Disease.

Background

Adherence to self‐management is essential for successful care of multimorbid patients, but multimorbidity poses challenges for both patients and practitioners due to its care complexity and broad impact on patients’ lives.

Design

A cross‐sectional, descriptive exploratory design with the STROBE reporting checklist was applied.

Methods

Adult multimorbid patients who attended primary healthcare consultations in Finland were surveyed using self‐administered questionnaires with several instruments including the Adherence of People with Chronic Disease Instrument, Kasari's FIT Index, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification test. Responses of 124 patients were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, binary logistic regression analysis, and Chi‐squared, or corresponding, tests.

Results

Most patients’ responses indicated good or adequate adherence to care regimens and medications. However, adherence to self‐management for a healthy lifestyle was more frequently inadequate. Adherence was significantly associated with several patient‐related factors, including demographic and health‐related factors, perceived adequacy of loved ones, and patient activation. Significant explanatory factors for adherence included energy and willpower, motivation, results of care, sense of normality, fear of complications and additional diseases, and support from nurses, from physicians, and from family and friends. Various factors were relevant for specific aspects of self‐management.

Conclusions

Multimorbid patients’ adherence to self‐management is not an ‘all or none phenomenon, but a multifaceted process with numerous associated and explanatory factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings highlight needs for an individualised whole‐person approach in multimorbid patients’ care to provide the required support for good adherence to self‐management. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses working in primary health care, are well‐positioned to meet this need.
Annual report of the Women's Healthcare Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2021
Authors: Kato Kiyoko , Terauchi Masakazu
Published: October 2021

Our committee was founded in 2010 with the goal of improving women's health. This academic year we focused on the following five activities for the second consecutive year: cooperation between the department of pediatric surgery and the department of obstetrics and gynecology for the treatment of persistent cloaca and Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome in Japan; assessment of the educational training of women's healthcare advisers; increasing screening for breast and cervical cancer; conducting the Nationwide Survey of Prescribing Practices for the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms; and preventing osteoporosis in survivors of gynecologic cancer. The activities of each subcommittee are detailed below. This report is based on the Japanese version of the annual report (Acta Obst Gynaec Jpn 2021;73(6):684–699).
In vitro ruminal fermentation, methane production and nutrient degradability as affected by fruit and vegetable pomaces in differing concentrations
Authors: Giller Katrin , Bossut Laura , Eggerschwiler Lukas , Terranova Melissa
Published: October 2021

Pomaces are food industry by‐products and may serve as animal feed to increase sustainability of meat and milk production. The aim of the present study was to evaluate fermentation characteristics of dried fruit and vegetable pomaces in a short‐term in vitro experiment using the Hohenheim Gas Test. A selection of six fruit (apple, aronia, orange, pomegranate, red, white grape) and three vegetable (beetroot, carrot, tomato) pomaces was tested in three concentrations (150, 300, 500 g kg−1 of dry matter (DM)) as supplement to the basal diet (hay, used as control). Three runs were performed, using rumen fluid from one of three different rumen‐cannulated cows in each run. Per run, each compound was tested in duplicate. After 24 h incubation, total gas production, methane and CO2 concentration, short‐chain fatty acids, in vitro organic matter digestibility as well as microbial counts were determined. In addition, the pomaces' polyphenol content including the fractions non‐tannin phenols, condensed tannins and hydrolysable tannins were analysed. Most pomaces did not significantly affect rumen fermentation characteristics in any of the tested dosages and may thus be applied in ruminant nutrition without adverse effects. Aronia significantly decreased (−14.5%) the organic matter digestibility in the highest concentration whereas apple (+12%), carrot (+10%) and beetroot (+8%) increased gas formation related to digestible organic matter. The 500 g kg−1 dosage of pomegranate significantly decreased methane formation by about 28% without impairing digestibility. Pomegranate was the only pomace of those high in total tannins that contained exceptionally high amounts of hydrolysable (90% of total tannins) and proportionally low amounts of condensed tannins (10% of total tannins), indicating that the hydrolysable tannins most likely reduced the methane production. Therefore, pomegranate pomace may be an interesting option for a methane mitigating feed supplement in ruminants and should be considered for following in vivo testing.
Reproductive water supply is prioritized during drought in tomato
Authors: Harrison Day Beatrice L. , Carins‐Murphy Madeline R. , Brodribb Timothy J.
Published: October 2021

Reproductive success largely defines the fitness of plant species. Understanding how heat and drought affect plant reproduction is thus key to predicting future plant fitness under rising global temperatures. Recent work suggests reproductive tissues are highly vulnerable to water stress in perennial plants where reproductive sacrifice could preserve plant survival. However, most crop species are annuals where such a strategy would theoretically reduce fitness. We examined the reproductive strategy of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. Rheinlands Ruhm) to determine whether water supply to fruits is prioritized above vegetative tissues during drought. Using optical methods, we mapped xylem cavitation and tissue shrinkage in vegetative and reproductive organs during dehydration to determine the priority of water flow under acute water stress. Stems and peduncles of tomato showed significantly greater xylem cavitation resistance than leaves. This maintenance of intact water supply enabled tomato fruit to continue to expand during acute water stress, utilizing xylem water made available by tissue collapse and early cavitation of leaves. Here, tomato plants prioritize water supply to reproductive tissues, maintaining fruit development under drought conditions. These results emphasize the critical role of water transport in shaping life history and suggest a broad relevance of hydraulic prioritization in plant ecology.
Management of refractory chylothorax in the neonatal intensive care unit: A 22‐year experience
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiaki , Kinoshita Yoshiaki , Kobayashi Takashi , Arai Yuhki , Ohyama Toshiyuki , Yokota Naoki , Saito Koichi , Sugai Yu , Takano Shoichi
Published: October 2021

Background

The aim was to assess the therapeutic strategy of patients with chylothorax in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods

Twenty‐eight infants with chylothorax were included in this study. Their clinical characteristics and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

The male‐to‐female ratio was 1:1. The mean gestational age and birthweight were 35.1 ± 3.5 weeks and 2,692 ± 791 g, respectively. Eighteen patients were diagnosed with congenital chylothorax; chylothorax occurred postoperatively in 10 patients. Chromosomal anomalies were diagnosed in 8 patients. Six patients received surgical therapy, such as pleurodesis, thoracic duct ligation, or lymphaticovenous anastomosis. Two patients required surgery due to resistance to pleurodesis. In surgically managed patients, the daily maximum amount of pleural effusion (mL)/bodyweight (kg) ratio was significantly larger than in non‐surgically managed patients: 229.0 ± 180.5 versus 59.7 ± 49.2 mL/kg. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis of the daily maximum amount of pleural effusion/bodyweight ratio, the area under the curve was 0.889 when the cut‐off value was 101 mL/kg, and the sensitivity was 0.8333 and the specificity was 0.8095 (P = 0.0059).

Conclusions

Pleurodesis using OK432 could become a surgical first‐line therapy for chylothorax even for neonates. It was important to initiate pleurodesis for refractory chylothorax at an earlier stage. A daily chylous effusion/bodyweight ratio of >101 mL/kg was a good predictor and seemed to be a useful parameter for prompt surgical intervention.
Impacts of high‐intensity exercise on the metabolomics profile of human skeletal muscle tissue
Authors: Zagatto Alessandro M. , Bishop David J. , Antunes Barbara Moura , Beck Wladimir R. , Malta Elvis S. , de Poli Rodrigo A.B. , Cavaglieri Claudia R. , Chacon‐Mikahil Mara Patrícia T. , Castro Alex
Published: October 2021

The study aimed to identify and quantify the metabolites profile and metabolic pathways in human muscle tissue engaged during exhaustive high‐intensity cycling exercise. Seven healthy physically active men performed a graded exercise test and an exhaustive supramaximal effort at 115% of maximal aerobic power with muscles biopsies performed in rest and immediately after exhaustion for quantifying of muscle metabolites changes by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The time until exhaustion (tlim) recorded was 224.7 ± 35.5 s whereas the muscle pH at exhaustion was 6.48 ± 0.05. A total of 54 metabolites were identified and quantified. The most enriched and impacted pathways included: beta oxidation of very long chain fatty acids, mitochondrial electron transport chain, alanine aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, citric acid cycle, arginine biosynthesis, propanoate metabolism, threonine and 2‐oxobutanoate degradation and pyruvate metabolism. In addition, the muscle concentrations in Post exercise, compared to Pre increased significantly (p < 0.0398) for fumarate (42.0%), succinate (101.2%), glucose (249.7%), lactate (122.8%), O‐acetylcarnitine (164.7%), glycerol (79.3%), AMP (288.2%), 2‐oxobutyrate (121.0%), and methanol (58.5%), whereas decreased significantly (p < 0.010) for creatine phosphate (−70.2%), ADP (−56.5%), carnitine (−33.5%), and glutamate (−42.3%). Only the succinate was significantly correlated with tlim (r = −0.76; p = 0.0497). Besides the classical expected contribution of glycolytic and phosphagen energetic pathways, it was demonstrated that the high‐intensity exercise is also associated with pathways indicatives of amino acid and fatty acid oxidation metabolisms, highlighting the inverse relation between changes in the intramuscular succinate levels and tlim.
Cognitive–motor multitasking in athletes with and without intellectual impairment
Authors: Pineda Roi Charles , Krampe Ralf Th , Vanlandewijck Yves , Van Biesen Debbie
Published: October 2021

Purpose

We investigated cognitive–motor multitasking in 29 top athletes with intellectual impairment (II) recruited during the European Championship Games organized by Virtus (World Intellectual Impairment Sports) and 29 control (CT) athletes matched for age, sex, sports practiced, and lifetime accumulated practice hours.

Methods

Participants performed a cognitive task that required recognizing previously displayed visual objects among distractors. The motor task required maintaining a stable upright posture balancing on a rocking board placed atop a force plate which assessed center‐of‐pressure (COP) movement. Both tasks were performed separately (with participants seated for the cognitive single task) and concurrently under dual‐task conditions, wherein participants memorized objects while balancing. We analyzed recognition accuracy, COP path length, and sample entropy of the COP trajectory as a measure for automaticity of postural control.

Results

As expected, CT‐athletes outperformed II‐athletes in the cognitive task but the two groups have comparable performance in the postural task under single‐ and dual‐task conditions. When multitasking, CT‐athletes switched to more automatic postural control and maintained their postural sway at single‐task levels. II‐athletes prioritized balance thereby successfully keeping COP excursion comparable to single‐task conditions. However, this came with pronounced costs for memory performance, which was unaffected by multitasking in CT‐athletes.

Conclusion

The adaptive capacity observed in control athletes was not at the disposal of II‐athletes who revealed pronounced sensitivities to multitasking interference. This sensitivity obviously was not compensated for by either athletic competence or potential transfer of athletic skill to domain‐general cognitive functions.
Theory and applications of new fractional-order chaotic system under Caputo operator
Authors: Sene Ndolane
Published: October 2021

This paper introduces the properties of a fractional-order chaotic system described by the Caputo derivative. The impact of the fractional-order derivative has been focused on. The phase portraits in different orders are obtained with the aids of the proposed numerical discretization, including the discretization of the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral. The stability analysis has been used to help us to delimit the chaotic region. In other words, the region where the order of the Caputo derivative involves and where the presented system in this paper is chaotic. The nature of the chaos has been established using the Lyapunov exponents in the fractional context. The schematic circuit of the proposed fractional-order chaotic system has been presented and simulated in via Mutltisim. The results obtained via Multisim simulation of the chaotic circuit are in good agreement with the results with Matlab simulations. That provided the fractional operators can be applied in real- worlds applications as modeling electrical circuits. The presence of coexisting attractors for particular values of the parameters of the presented fractional-order chaotic model has been studied.
An Affordable Self-Built Spectrometer for the Physics and Astronomy Classroom: A Useful Teaching Tool and Demonstration Instrument
Authors: Faust Carl , Ashman Seth
Published: October 2021

The study of the electromagnetic spectrum, how light interacts with matter, and optical instruments such as lenses, mirrors, and gratings are important concepts in the Advanced Placement (AP) physics and introductory undergraduate physics and astronomy courses. The production, control, and analysis of light helps scientists to learn about the natural world. A spectrometer is an instrument that utilizes several components (lenses, mirrors, diffraction grating, or prism) that students commonly study in an introductory optics unit and can be helpful to demonstrate for students how light can be separated on the basis of wavelength. The authors designed and built a simple tabletop spectrometer. The layout is compact so as to make it easy to construct on a rolling cart to be easily transported for classroom demo or lab purposes. Additionally, we focused on keeping the spectrometer affordable, and discuss options for sourcing parts and scavenging for items in existing supplies. We constructed and tested two spectrometers, one at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania and one at Providence College in Rhode Island. Similar to Isaac Newton leaving Trinity College in 1665 during the bubonic plague outbreak, the final testing and building of these spectrometers was completed in the basements of the authors’ homes amid the COVID-19 shelter-at-home orders.
Multicenter Clinical Evaluation of Vitek 2 Meropenem-Vaborbactam for Susceptibility Testing of
Enterobacterales
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Dwivedi Hari P. , Franklin Simone , Chandrasekaran Sukantha , Garner Omai , Traczewski Maria M. , Beasley Denise , Procop Gary W. , Tuohy Marion , Wilson Deborah , Bala Yohann , Pincus David H.
Published: October 2021

The carbapenem/beta-lactamase inhibitor meropenem-vaborbactam (MEV) used to treat complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis in adults was approved in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here, we evaluated Vitek 2 MEV (bioMérieux, Durham, NC) compared to the reference broth microdilution (BMD) method.
Influence of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Molecular Rapid Diagnostic Tests on Antimicrobial Prescribing for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase- and Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichiacoli and Klebsiellapneumoniae in Bloodstream Infection
Authors: Kunz Coyne Ashlan J. , Casapao Anthony M. , Isache Carmen , Morales James , McCarter Yvette S. , Jankowski Christopher A.
Published: October 2021

Our study supports the additional benefit of molecular rapid diagnostic test in combination with timely antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) intervention on shortening the time to both optimal and effective antimicrobial therapy in patients with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- or carbapenemase-producing
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
bloodstream infections, compared to conventional microbiological methods and ASP. Gram-negative infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, often resulting in life-threatening organ dysfunction.
The Invasin and Complement-Resistance Protein Rck of Salmonella is More Widely Distributed than Previously Expected
Authors: Koczerka Michael , Douarre Pierre-Emmanuel , Kempf Florent , Holbert Sébastien , Mistou Michel-Yves , Grépinet Olivier , Virlogeux-Payant Isabelle
Published: October 2021

The foodborne pathogen
Salmonella
is responsible for a wide variety of pathologies depending on the infected host, the infecting serovars, and its set of virulence factors. However, the implication of each of these virulence factors and their role in the specific host-pathogen interplay are not fully understood.
Biogeography of Bacterial Communities and Specialized Metabolism in Human Aerodigestive Tract Microbiomes
Authors: Stubbendieck Reed M. , Zelasko Susan E. , Safdar Nasia , Currie Cameron R.
Published: October 2021

Bacteria produce specialized metabolites to compete with other microbes. Though the biological activities of many specialized metabolites have been determined, our understanding of their ecology is limited, particularly within the human microbiome.
Deformation between the highly oblique Yakutat–North American plate boundary and the Eastern Denali fault
Authors: Enkelmann Eva , Falkowski Sarah
Published: October 2021

This study investigates the spatial and temporal pattern of rock exhumation inboard of the highly oblique Yakutat–North American plate boundary. We aim to quantify how far deformation is transferred inboard of the Fairweather transform plate boundary and across the Eastern Denali fault. We present new detrital apatite and zircon fission track data from 27 modern drainages collected on both sides of the Eastern Denali fault and from the Alsek and Tatshenshini River catchments that drain the mountainous region between the Fairweather fault and the Eastern Denali fault. By integrating our data with published bedrock and detrital geochronology and thermochronology, we show that exhumation reaches much farther inboard (>100 km) of the Fairweather fault than farther north in the St. Elias syntaxial region (<30 km). This suggests that the entire corridor between the Fairweather and Eastern Denali faults exhumed since mid-Miocene time. The Eastern Denali fault appears to be the backstop, and late Cenozoic exhumation northeast of the fault is very limited.
Early warning scores to assess the probability of critical illness in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Veldhuis Lars , Ridderikhof Milan L , Schinkel Michiel , van den Bergh Joop , Beudel Martijn , Dormans Tom , Douma Renee , Gritters van den Oever Niels , de Haan Lianne , Koopman Karen , de Kruif Martijn D , Noordzij Peter , Reidinga Auke , de Ruijter Wouter , Simsek Suat , Wyers Caroline , Nanayakkara Prabath WB , Hollmann Markus
Published: October 2021

Objective

Validated clinical risk scores are needed to identify patients with COVID-19 at risk of severe disease and to guide triage decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the performance of early warning scores (EWS) in the ED when identifying patients with COVID-19 who will require intensive care unit (ICU) admission for high-flow-oxygen usage or mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Patients with a proven SARS-CoV-2 infection with complete resuscitate orders treated in nine hospitals between 27 February and 30 July 2020 needing hospital admission were included. Primary outcome was the performance of EWS in identifying patients needing ICU admission within 24 hours after ED presentation.

Results

In total, 1501 patients were included. Median age was 71 (range 19–99) years and 60.3% were male. Of all patients, 86.9% were admitted to the general ward and 13.1% to the ICU within 24 hours after ED admission. ICU patients had lower peripheral oxygen saturation (86.7% vs 93.7, p≤0.001) and had a higher body mass index (29.2 vs 27.9 p=0.043) compared with non-ICU patients. National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) ≥ 6 and q-COVID Score were superior to all other studied clinical risk scores in predicting ICU admission with a fair area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.740 (95% CI 0.696 to 0.783) and 0.760 (95% CI 0.712 to 0.800), respectively. NEWS2 ≥6 and q-COVID Score ≥3 discriminated patients admitted to the ICU with a sensitivity of 78.1% and 75.9%, and specificity of 56.3% and 61.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

In this multicentre study, the best performing models to predict ICU admittance were the NEWS2 and the Quick COVID-19 Severity Index Score, with fair diagnostic performance. However, due to the moderate performance, these models cannot be clinically used to adequately predict the need for ICU admission within 24 hours in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection presenting at the ED.