bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐ethnic appeals in plural democracies
Authors: Devasher Madhavi , Gadjanova Elena
Published: January 2021

Whether and how parties reach across ethnic lines matters for the quality of democracy, the state of interethnic relations and substantive minority representation in plural societies. Existing explanations have focused on how politicians facing electoral incentives to seek broader support attempt to either redefine or transcend ethnic identities, but have overlooked the various ways, in which candidates from one ethnic community often directly address the ethno‐political interests, concerns and demands of other communities whose votes are being courted. To address this gap, we introduce the concept and develop a typology of cross‐ethnic appeals in plural democracies. Drawing on primary research in India and Kenya—two countries with salient ethnic divisions and ethnic party systems—we show that cross‐ethnic appeals are common, follow the logic of our typology, and can result in increased resources and representation for some electorally pivotal minorities, even going beyond what coethnic politicians have offered. The article contributes to the emerging academic literature on how parties foster cross‐ethnic linkages in plural societies. Our argument has implications for ethnic boundaries, the structure of political cleavages and the substantive representation of minorities in multiethnic states.
Sharp injuries and their relationship with stress among nurses working in acute care settings
Authors: Asfour Hayam Ibrahim , Tayyib Nahla Abdul‐Gadir , Lindsay Grace , Alsolami Fatmah Jabr , Alshmemri Mohammed Salah
Published: January 2021

Background

Sharp injuries are common reasons for the transmission of blood‐borne diseases in acute care settings. Fear of sharp injuries and their consequences can expose nurses to high levels of stress (sharp injuries stress).

Aim

To examine the occurrence of sharp injuries and to assess their relationship with stress among nurses working in acute care settings.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A total of 150 nurses working in 10 acute care settings in two selected hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt, were selected as the population of this study. Data on the occurrence of sharp injuries were collected using a sharp injuries circumstances questionnaire (including questions regarding number, instrument and reasons/procedures that caused sharp injuries, etc.), and two scales were used to measure sharp injuries stress (the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised and the Post‐Traumatic Stress Syndrome Questions Inventory).

Results

More than 13% of nurses experienced sharp injuries, and 25% of injuries were caused by contaminated instruments. Sharp injuries stress scores were high in nurses, with 65% of nurses experiencing sharp injuries and 30.8% of nurses who did not experience sharp injuries having high Impact of Event Scale‐Revised scores. In addition, 45% of nurses who experienced sharp injuries and 15.39% of nurses who did not experience sharp injuries had high Post‐Traumatic Stress Syndrome Questions Inventory (PTSSQI) scores. There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of sharp injuries and stress scales at P < .05.

Conclusions

Nurses are exposed to sharp injuries, leading to sharp injury stress pre‐ and post‐occurrence of injuries. Sharp injuries stress can make nurses prone to Post‐Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS).

Relevance to clinical practice

Factors that lead to the occurrence of sharp injuries and sharp injuries stress should be investigated, and a psychological rehabilitation unit should be instituted to help nurses working in acute care settings deal with the sharp injuries‐related stressors they are facing.
A nuclear‐targeted effector of Rhizophagus irregularis interferes with histone 2B mono‐ubiquitination to promote arbuscular mycorrhization
Authors: Wang Peng , Jiang Henan , Boeren Sjef , Dings Harm , Kulikova Olga , Bisseling Ton , Limpens Erik
Published: January 2021

Arguably, symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have the broadest host range of all fungi, being able to intracellularly colonise root cells in the vast majority of all land plants. This raises the question how AM fungi effectively deal with the immune systems of such a widely diverse range of plants.

Here, we studied the role of a nuclear‐localisation signal‐containing effector from Rhizophagus irregularis, called Nuclear Localised Effector1 (RiNLE1), that is highly and specifically expressed in arbuscules.

We showed that RiNLE1 is able to translocate to the host nucleus where it interacts with the plant core nucleosome protein histone 2B (H2B). RiNLE1 is able to impair the mono‐ubiquitination of H2B, which results in the suppression of defence‐related gene expression and enhanced colonisation levels.

This study highlights a novel mechanism by which AM fungi can effectively control plant epigenetic modifications through direct interaction with a core nucleosome component. Homologues of RiNLE1 are found in a range of fungi that establish intimate interactions with plants, suggesting that this type of effector may be more widely recruited to manipulate host defence responses.
Full‐Endoscopic Foraminotomy with a Novel Large Endoscopic Trephine for Severe Degenerative Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis at L5S1 Level: An Advanced Surgical Technique
Authors: Song Qing‐peng , Hai Bao , Zhao Wen‐kui , Huang Xin , Liu Kai‐xi , Zhu Bin , Liu Xiao‐guang
Published: January 2021

To (i) introduce the technical notes of a novel full‐endoscopic foraminotomy with a large endoscopic trephine for the treatment of severe degenerative lumbar foraminal stenosis at L5S1 level; (ii) assess the primary clinical outcomes of this technique; (iii) compare the effectiveness of this full‐endoscopic foraminotomy technique and other previous techniques for lumbar foraminal stenosis. From January 2019 to August 2019, a retrospective study of L5S1 severe degenerative lumbar foraminal stenosis was performed in our center. All patients who were diagnosed with severe foraminal stenosis at L5S1 level and failed conservative treatment for at least 6 weeks were identified. Patients with segmental instability or other coexisting contraindications were excluded. A total of 21 patients were enrolled in the study. All patients were treated by full‐endoscopic foraminotomy using large endoscopic trephine. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery, and the modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate clinical outcomes at the last follow‐up. There were 10 males and 11 females with a mean age of 66.38 ± 9.51 years. Five patients had a history of lumbar surgery. The mean operative time was 63.57 ± 25.74 min. The mean follow‐up time was 13.29 ± 1.38 months. The mean postoperative hospital stay time was 1.29 ± 0.56 days. The mean preoperative VAS score significantly decreased from 7.38 ± 1.02 to 2.76 ± 1.09 (t = 19.759, P < 0.01), 2.25 ± 1.02 (t = 21.508, P < 0.01), 1.60 ± 1.05 (t = 31.812, P < 0.01), and 1.45 ± 1.10 (t = 25.156, P < 0.01) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation. The mean preoperative ODI score significantly decreased from 64.66% ± 4.91% to 30.69% ± 4.59% (t = 33.724, P < 0.01), 29.44% ± 4.50% (t = 32.117, P < 0.01), 24.22% ± 4.14% (t = 33.951, P < 0.01), and 22.44% ± 4.94% (t = 30.241, P < 0.01) at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the operation. At the last follow‐up, 19 patients (90.48%) got excellent or good outcomes. One patient suffered postoperative dysesthesia, and the symptoms were controlled by conversion treatment. One patient took revision surgery due to the incomplete decompression. There were no other major complications. Percutaneous endoscopic decompression is minimally invasive spine surgery. However, the application of endoscopic decompression for L5S1 foraminal stenosis is relatively difficult due to the high iliac crest and narrow foramen. Full‐endoscopic foraminotomy with the large endoscopic trephine is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of degenerative lumbar foraminal stenosis.
The Untold Story of 50 Years of Adolescent Fertility in West Africa: A Cohort Perspective on the Quantum, Timing, and Spacing of Adolescent Childbearing
Authors: Garbett Ann , Perelli‐Harris Brienna , Neal Sarah
Published: January 2021

Although recent studies examine overall fertility trends in West Africa, few using advanced demographic techniques focus on adolescents. This study explores long‐term patterns of adolescent childbearing in 12 West African countries using 51 Demographic and Health Surveys covering birth cohorts that span 54 years (1940–1994). We employ classic demographic measures as well as disaggregation by early‐ (10–14 years old), middle‐ (15–17), and late adolescence (18–19). Cohort‐based estimates of total adolescent births, parity progression ratios, and rapid repeat birth probabilities reveal little change over time. Most women begin childbearing in adolescence, the progression to additional adolescent births remains common, and the incidence of rapid repeat births is high. In recent cohorts, women exit adolescence with an average of between 0.4 (Ghana) to 1.3 (Niger) births. Contrary to common assumptions, it is women commencing motherhood in early‐ and middle‐, not later adolescence, who account for most West African adolescent fertility.
Spinoza on Counterpossible Inferences
Authors: Barry Galen
Published: January 2021

As part of his geometrical method, Spinoza uses inferences involving impossibilities: what would follow if some impossibility were true. This paper examines a puzzle surrounding his use of such ‘counterpossible’ inferences. The puzzle consists of Spinoza's apparent acceptance of the following three claims: that counterpossible inferences can produce knowledge; that inference‐making produces knowledge only on the basis of a transition between ideas; and that counterpossible inferences are unthinkable. I argue for a solution to this puzzle, which interprets Spinoza's geometrical method as a form of syntactical manipulation.
Practice variation in the immediate postoperative care of pediatric liver transplant patients: Framework for a national consensus
Authors: Maue Danielle K. , Mangus Richard S. , Lutfi Riad , Hobson Michael J. , Rao Girish S. , Nitu Mara E. , Abu‐Sultaneh Samer
Published: January 2021

Advancements in critical care management have led to improvement in pediatric LT outcomes. However, there are no specific guidelines for many aspects of immediate post‐LT care. This survey examines practice variations in the immediate postoperative care of pediatric LT patients at a large number of active US centers. This study is a cross‐sectional survey of medical directors at PALISI‐affiliated PICU in the United States. Centers performing pediatric LT were analyzed. Study measures included PICU practices regarding staffing, composition of the multidisciplinary team, early post‐LT graft and patient monitoring, and anticoagulation. Of the thirty‐five responding centers, twenty‐five had a LT program which accounted for one‐half of all US pediatric LTs. For analysis, centers were categorized by volume: high (7), medium (11), and low (7). The majority of PICU teams included an intensivist (80%) and hepatologist (84%). High‐volume centers were less likely to have 24‐hour in‐house attending coverage (29%, compared to 64% (medium) and 100% (low)). High‐volume centers were most likely to have pre‐printed orders, but least likely to have written PICU management protocols. Most centers utilize routine daily liver ultrasound. Routine prophylactic anticoagulation, and the agent of choice, was variable. There is marked inconsistency in post‐LT practice across PALISI centers in regards to team composition and immediate post‐LT management. A national US consensus for post‐LT PICU practices would facilitate outcomes research and would establish a platform for multicenter studies.
Children’s restorative justice in an intergroup context
Authors: Yang Xin , Wu Zhen , Dunham Yarrow
Published: January 2021

The present study investigated 3‐ to 6‐year‐old (total n = 158) children's restoration behaviors both when they were second‐party victims (Experiment 1) and when they were third‐party bystanders (Experiment 2) of transgressions. We also explored how group membership (based on color preference) affects these behaviors. We found that children preferred restoration to punishment, and that they emphasized restorative justice not only for themselves, but also for others. Furthermore, when they were victims of transgressions, the tendency to choose restoration over punishment was stronger in older than younger children. Second‐party restoration behavior was influenced by group concerns in that children treated in‐group transgressors more leniently than out‐group and unaffiliated transgressors, but third‐party restoration behavior was not. Our research challenges the view that punishment is the standard response to transgressions and suggests that alternative options like restoration are sometimes preferred over punishment by young children.
Towards a more all‐inclusive evaluation of interventions for unemployed youth: A longitudinal investigation of participant, programme, relational and contextual factors
Authors: Wesseling Wendy Ida Elisabeth
Published: January 2021

Youth unemployment has severe and long‐lasting consequences. Despite the abundance of programmes that aim to integrate unemployed youth into the labour market, little is known about what factors have an impact on ensuring a durable labour market transition. This study reports on an employment programme for high‐educated, unemployed young adults. The effect of participant, programme, relational and contextual factors on employment success was examined in a longitudinal study among 1,306 young adults. Twelve months after the programme, 1,069 participants were employed. Participant and relational factors increased the likelihood of employment success, while the effect of programme factors was mixed. Contextual factors decreased the likelihood of employment quality. The prediction of employment status and quality was based on a different combination of factors, which underscores the importance of investigating both, especially in a highly educated sample. More insight into the role, the four primary determinants play in finding employment can help improve employment interventions. Several courses of action are presented.
New HIV infections from blood transfusions averted in 28 countries supported by PEPFAR blood safety programs, 2004‐2015
Authors: Mili Fatima D. , Teng Yu , Shiraishi Ray W. , Yu Junping , Bock Naomi , Drammeh Bakary , Watts D. Heather , Benech Irene
Published: January 2021

Background

To quantify the impact of the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) on the risk of HIV transmission through infected blood donations in countries supported by PEPFAR blood safety programs.

Methods

Data reported to the World Health Organization Global Database on Blood Safety were analyzed from 28 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), Asia, and the Caribbean during 2004‐2015. We used the Goals model of Spectrum Spectrum System Software, version 5.53, to perform the modeling, assuming laboratory quality for HIV testing had 91.9% sensitivity and 97.7% specificity irrespective of testing method based on results of two external quality assurance and proficiency testing studies of transfusion screening for HIV in SSA blood centers. We calculated the number of new HIV infections from the number of transfusions and the prevalence of HIV infection acquired from blood transfusions with infected blood donations. We determined the impact of laboratory testing programs by estimating the number of new HIV infections averted since PEPFAR implementation.

Results

Assuming that HIV testing would not be performed in any of these countries without PEPFAR funding, the number of new HIV infections acquired from blood transfusions averted by laboratory testing increased over time in all 28 countries. The total number of HIV infections averted was estimated at 229 278 out of 20 428 373 blood transfusions during 2004‐2015.

Conclusion

Our mathematical modeling suggests a positive impact achieved over 12 years of PEPFAR support for blood safety. Standardized HIV testing of donated blood has reduced the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusions in SSA, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Analysis of extracellular spike waveforms and associated receptive fields of neurons in cat primary visual cortex
Authors: Sun Shi H. , Almasi Ali , Yunzab Molis , Zehra Syeda , Hicks Damien G. , Kameneva Tatiana , Ibbotson Michael R. , Meffin Hamish
Published: January 2021

Key points

Extracellular spikes recorded in the visual cortex (Area 17/18, V1) are commonly classified into either regular‐spiking (RS) or fast‐spiking (FS).

Using multi‐electrode arrays positioned in cat V1 and a broadband stimulus, we show that there is also a distinct class with positive‐spiking (PS) waveforms.

PS units were associated mainly with non‐oriented receptive fields while RS and FS units had orientation‐selective receptive fields.

We suggest that PS units are recordings of axons originating from the thalamus. This conclusion was reinforced by our finding that we could record PS units after cortical silencing, but not record RS and FS units.

The importance of our findings is that we were able to correlate spike shapes with receptive field characteristics with high precision using multi‐electrode extracellular recording techniques. This allows considerable increases in the amount of information that can be extracted from future cortical experiments.

Extracellular spike waveforms from recordings in the visual cortex have been classified into either regular‐spiking (RS) or fast‐spiking (FS) units. While both these types of spike waveforms are negative‐dominant, we show that there are also distinct classes of spike waveforms in visual Area 17/18 (V1) of anaesthetised cats with positive‐dominant waveforms, which are not regularly reported.

The spatial receptive fields (RFs) of these different spike waveform types were estimated, which objectively revealed the existence of oriented and non‐oriented RFs. We found that units with positive‐dominant spikes, which have been associated with recordings from axons in the literature, had mostly non‐oriented RFs (84%), which are similar to the centre‐surround RFs observed in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). Thus, we hypothesise that these positive‐dominant waveforms may be recordings from dLGN afferents. We recorded from V1 before and after the application of muscimol (a cortical silencer) and found that the positive‐dominant spikes (PS) remained while the RS and FS cells did not. We also noted that the PS units had spiking characteristics normally associated with dLGN units (i.e. higher response spike rates, lower response latencies and higher proportion of burst spikes). Our findings show quantitatively that it is possible to correlate the RF properties of cortical neurons with particular spike waveforms. This has implications for how extracellular recordings should be interpreted and complex experiments can now be contemplated that would have been very challenging previously, such as assessing the feedforward connectivity between brain areas in the same location of cortical tissue.
Protection and Identification of Thermoacoustic Azimuthal Modes
Authors: Ghirardo G. , Gant F. , Boudy F. , Bothien M. R.
Published: January 2021

This paper first characterizes the acoustic field of two annular combustors by means of data from acoustic pressure sensors. In particular, the amplitude, orientation, and nature of the acoustic field of azimuthal order n are characterized. The dependence of the pulsation amplitude on the azimuthal location in the chamber is discussed, and a protection scheme making use of just one sensor is proposed. The governing equations are then introduced, and a low-order model of the instabilities is discussed. The model accounts for the nonlinear response of M distinct flames, for system acoustic losses by means of an acoustic damping coefficient α and for the turbulent combustion noise, modeled by means of the background noise coefficient σ. Keeping the response of the flames arbitrary and in principle different from flame to flame, we show that, together with α and σ, only the sum of their responses and their 2n Fourier component in the azimuthal direction affect the dynamics of the azimuthal instability. The existing result that only this 2n Fourier component affects the stability of standing limit-cycle solutions is recovered. It is found that this result applies also to the case of a nonhomogeneous flame response in the annulus, and to flame responses that respond to the azimuthal acoustic velocity. Finally, a parametric flame model is proposed, depending on a linear driving gain β and a nonlinear saturation constant κ. The model is first mapped from continuous time to discrete time, and then recast as a probabilistic Markovian model. The identification of the parameters {α,β,κ,σ} is then carried out on engine time-series data. The optimal four parameters {α,σ,β,κ} are estimated as the values that maximize the data likelihood. Once the parameters have been estimated, the phase space of the identified low-order problem is discussed on selected invariant manifolds of the dynamical system.
Experimental Measurements of the Wake of a Sphere at Subcritical Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Muyshondt Robert , Nguyen Thien , Hassan Y. A. , Anand N. K.
Published: January 2021

This work experimentally investigated the flow phenomena and vortex structures in the wake of a sphere located in a water loop at Reynolds numbers of Re = 850, 1,250, and 1,700. Velocity fields in the wake region were obtained by applying the time-resolved stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (TR-SPIV) technique. From the acquired TR-SPIV velocity vector fields, the statistical values of mean and fluctuating velocities were computed. Spectral analysis, two-point velocity–velocity cross-correlation, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and vortex identification analyses were also performed. The velocity fields show a recirculation region that decreases in length with an increase of Reynolds numbers. The power spectra from the spectral analysis had peaks corresponding to a Strouhal number of St = 0.2, which is a value commonly found in the literature studies of flow over a sphere. The two-point cross-correlation analysis revealed elliptical structures in the wake, with estimated integral length scales ranging between 12% and 63% of the sphere diameter. The POD analysis revealed the statistically dominant flow structures that captured the most flow kinetic energy. It is seen that the flow kinetic energy captured in the smaller scale flow structures increased as Reynolds number increased. The POD modes contained smaller structure as the Reynolds number increased and as mode order increased. In addition, spectral analysis performed on the POD temporal coefficients revealed peaks corresponding to St = 0.2, similar to the spectral analysis on the fluctuating velocity. The ability of POD to produce low-order reconstructions of the flow was also utilized to facilitate vortex identification analysis, which identified average vortex sizes of 0.41D for Re1, 0.33D for Re2, and 0.32D for Re3.
Micro x-ray fluorescence analysis of trace element distribution in frozen hydrated HeLa cells at the P06 beamline at Petra III
Authors: Rumancev Christoph , Vöpel Tobias , Stuhr Susan , von Gundlach Andreas , Senkbeil Tobias , Ebbinghaus Simon , Garrevoet Jan , Falkenberg Gerald , De Samber Björn , Vincze Laszlo , Rosenhahn Axel , Schroeder Walter
Published: January 2021

X-ray fluorescence analysis enables the study of trace element distributions in biological specimens. When this analysis is done under cryogenic conditions, cells are cryofixed as closely as possible to their natural physiological state, and the corresponding intracellular elemental densities can be analyzed. Details about the experimental setup used for analysis at the P06 beamline at Petra III, DESY and the used cryo-transfer system are described in this work. The system was applied to analyze the elemental distribution in single HeLa cells, a cell line frequently used in a wide range of biological applications. Cells adhered to silicon nitride substrates were cryoprotected within an amorphous ice matrix. Using a continuous scanning scheme and a KB x-ray focus, the distribution of elements in the cells was studied. We were able to image the intracellular potassium and zinc levels in HeLa cells as two key elements relevant for the physiology of cells.
Ultrasound Measurements of Subcutaneous Fat Thickness Are Robust Against Hydration Changes
Authors: Wagner Dale R. , Cotter James D.
Published: January 2021

Ultrasound is an appealing tool to assess body composition, combining the portability of a field method with the accuracy of a laboratory method. However, unlike other body composition methods, the effect of hydration status on validity is unknown. This study evaluated the impact of acute hydration changes on ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness and estimates of body fat percentage. In a crossover design, 11 adults (27.1 ± 10.5 years) completed dehydration and hyperhydration trials to alter body mass by approximately ±2%. Dehydration was achieved via humid heat (40 °C, 60% relative humidity) with exercise, whereas hyperhydration was via ingestion of lightly salted water. Ultrasound measurements were taken at 11 body sites before and after each treatment. Participants lost 1.56 ± 0.58 kg (−2.0 ± 0.6%) during the dehydration trial and gained 0.90 ± 0.21 kg (1.2 ± 0.2%) during the hyperhydration trial even after urination. The sum of fat thicknesses as measured by ultrasound differed by <0.90 mm across trials (p = .588), and ultrasound estimates of body fat percentage differed by <0.5% body fat. Ultrasound measures of subcutaneous adipose tissue were unaffected by acute changes in hydration status by extents beyond which are rare and overtly self-correcting, suggesting that this method provides reliable and robust body composition results even when subjects are not euhydrated.
Trump downplayed the cost of carbon. That's about to change
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: January 2021

Biden administration set to update the "social cost of carbon" used in greenhouse regulations.
Exploring the origins of urban living
Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age
Annalee Newitz
Norton, 2021. 320 pp.
Authors: Hassett B. R.
Published: January 2021

Ancient human settlements are brought vividly to life in an engaging new analysis
Folding DNA to foil the clotting cascade
Authors: Baca Justin T.
Published: January 2021

Origami-inspired DNA aptamer arrays prevent blood clotting in hemodialysis circuits.
Comparative Pharmacodynamics of Echinocandins against Aspergillus fumigatus Using an
In Vitro
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model That Correlates with Clinical Response to Caspofungin Therapy: Is There a Place for Dose Optimization?
Authors: Siopi Maria , Perlin David S. , Arendrup Maiken C. , Pournaras Spyros , Meletiadis Joseph
Published: January 2021

Echinocandins have been used as primary therapy of invasive aspergillosis (IA), with suboptimal results at standard dosing. Here, we explored the efficacy of dose escalation in a validated
in vitro
pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model.
Using Split Luciferase Assay and Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein Monoclonal Antibodies To Predict a Functional Binding Site between gD and gH/gL
Authors: Atanasiu Doina , Saw Wan Ting , Cairns Tina M. , Eisenberg Roselyn J. , Cohen Gary H.
Published: January 2021

Virus entry and cell-cell fusion mediated by HSV require four essential glycoproteins, gD, gH/gL, gB, and a gD receptor. Virus-neutralizing antibodies directed against any of these proteins bind to residues within key functional sites and interfere with essential steps in the fusion pathway.
Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus-Induced Novel MicroRNA miR-3 Contributes To Inhibit Type I IFN Production by Targeting IRAK1
Authors: Li Huan , Xue Qinghong , Wan Yangli , Chen Yan , Zeng Wei , Wei Shaopeng , Zhang Yanming , Wang Jingyu , Qi Xuefeng
Published: January 2021

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) induces in the host a transient but severe immunosuppression, which threatens both small livestock and endangered susceptible wildlife populations in many countries. Despite extensive research, the mechanism underlying PPRV immune system evasion remains elusive.
Production of HIV-1 Env-Specific Antibodies Mediating Innate Immune Functions Depends on Cognate Interleukin-21- Secreting CD4
+
T Cells
Authors: Pušnik Jernej , Fischinger Stephanie , Dittmer Ulf , Esser Stefan , van Gils Marit J. , Sanders Rogier W. , Alter Galit , Streeck Hendrik
Published: January 2021

To develop a vaccine or immunotherapy that would cure the HIV-1 infection, it is important to identify helper T cells able to mount an efficient antibody response. Here, we demonstrate that the generation of HIV-1 Env-specific antibodies facilitating antibody-dependent innate immune responses likely depends on Env-specific IL-21-secreting CD4
+
T and peripheral T follicular helper cells.
The Avian Retroviral Receptor Tva Mediates the Uptake of Transcobalamin Bound Vitamin B
12
(Cobalamin)
Authors: Krchlíková Veronika , Mikešová Jana , Geryk Josef , Bařinka Cyril , Nexo Ebba , Fedosov Sergey N. , Kosla Jan , Kučerová Dana , Reinišová Markéta , Hejnar Jiří , Elleder Daniel
Published: January 2021

We demonstrate that the ASLV receptor Tva participates in the physiological uptake of TC-Cbl because the viral infection suppresses the uptake of Cbl and vice versa. Our results pave the road for future studies addressing the following issues: (i) whether a virus infection can be inhibited by TC-Cbl complexes
in vivo
, and (ii) whether any human virus employs the human TC-Cbl receptor CD320.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Jumbo Phage Miami
Authors: Mora Daniel , Lessor Lauren , Le Tram , Clark James , Gill Jason J. , Liu Mei
Published: January 2021

Bacteriophage Miami infects
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, a Gram-negative pathogen that is becoming an increasing threat to public health due to its multidrug resistance. Here, we describe the annotation of the 253,383-bp jumbo phage Miami genome sequence and its similarity to other myophages.
Supplemental Material: Cambrian magmatic flare-up, central Tibet: Magma mixing in proto-Tethyan arc along north Gondwanan margin
Authors: Hu Pei-yuan , al. et
Published: January 2021

Data, magma mixing model, and analytical methods of the Cambrian magmatic rocks from the North Lhasa terrane, central Tibetan Plateau.
Face mask versus nasal prong or nasopharyngeal tube for neonatal resuscitation in the delivery room: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mangat Avneet , Bruckner Marlies , Schmölzer Georg M
Published: January 2021

Importance

The current neonatal resuscitation guidelines recommend positive pressure ventilation via face mask or nasal prongs at birth. Using a nasal interface may have the potential to improve outcomes for newborn infants.

Objective

To determine whether nasal prong/nasopharyngeal tube versus face mask during positive pressure ventilation of infants born <37 weeks’ gestation in the delivery room reduces in-hospital mortality and morbidity.

Data sources

MEDLINE (through PubMed), Google Scholar and EMBASE, Clinical Trials.gov and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through August 2019.

Study selection

Randomised controlled trials comparing nasal prong/nasopharyngeal tube versus face mask during positive pressure ventilation of infants born <37 weeks’ gestation in the delivery room.

Data analysis

Risk of bias was assessed using the Covidence Collaboration Tool, results were pooled into a meta-analysis using a random effects model.

Main outcome

In-hospital mortality.

Results

Five RCTs enrolling 873 infants were combined into a meta-analysis. There was no statistical difference in in-hospital mortality (risk ratio (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.52, p=0.92, I2=11%), rate of chest compressions in the delivery room (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.33, p=0.13, I2=28%), rate of intraventricular haemorrhage (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.88 to 2.70, p=0.13, I2=0%) or delivery room intubations in infants ventilated with a nasal prong/tube (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.39,1.02, p=0.06, I2=52%).

Conclusion

In infants born <37 weeks’ gestation, in-hospital mortality and morbidity were similar following positive pressure ventilation during initial stabilisation with a nasal prong/tube or a face mask.
Interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of rare visual illusions in a veteran
Authors: Zeller Michelle , Stamps Wilhelmina
Published: January 2021

Upside-down reversal of vision (UDRV) is a rare form of metamorphopsia, or visual illusions that can distort the size, shape or inclination of objects. This phenomenon is paroxysmal and transient in nature, with patients reporting a sudden inversion of vision in the coronal plane, which typically remains for seconds or minutes, though occasionally persists for hours or days, before returning to normal. Distorted egocentric orientation (ie, the patient perceives the body to be tilted away from the vertical plane) is even more rare as a co-occurring phenomenon. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a veteran who presented with UDRV and distorted egocentric orientation during hospitalisation on an inpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation setting following an elective hip surgery. This case serves not only to document the presence of rare visual illusions, but also illustrates the importance and value of an interdisciplinary team approach.
Convalescent plasma for COVID-19 complicated by ARDS due to TRALI
Authors: Wang Kevin Y , Shah Pratik , Pierce Matthew
Published: January 2021

Convalescent plasma, which contains antibodies from recovered individuals, has been used as an effective treatment for infectious diseases in the past and is currently being used as a potential treatment option for COVID-19. Multiple studies have reported this treatment to be safe. We report a case of a patient who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with features suggestive of transfusion-related acute lung injury after being treated with convalescent plasma for COVID-19. We emphasise the need to be aware of the potential risk of transfusion reactions and disease worsening with convalescent plasma administration and to weigh the risk and benefits of this therapy before administration to patients and propose that further study be done regarding the potential risks of convalescent plasma.
Laryngeal lymphangioma as a cause of respiratory distress in an adult with Down’s syndrome: an extremely rare presentation
Authors: Chauhan Neha , Ramamourthy Balaji , Muraleedharan Manjul , Virk Ramandeep Singh
Published: January 2021

A 32-year-old man with Down’s syndrome was referred to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department in view of failed attempts at extubation, and subsequently, at decannulation of tracheotomy tube. He had previously required ventilatory support and had history of intubation for 1 week. A flexible fibre-optic laryngoscopy showed a smooth mass covering the laryngeal inlet which moved with respiration. Direct laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia revealed a smooth mucosa covered fleshy mass arising from the left aryepiglottic fold and arytenoid, obstructing the laryngeal inlet. The mass was removed using controlled plasma ablation, and histopathological examination of the same was consistent with lymphangioma. Endoscopic examinations during the regular follow-up visits revealed well-healed supraglottic area with adequate glottic chink and the patient could be successfully decannulated.
Project hyperopic power prediction: accuracy of 13 different concepts for intraocular lens calculation in short eyes
Authors: Wendelstein Jascha , Hoffmann Peter , Hirnschall Nino , Fischinger Isaak Raphael , Mariacher Siegfried , Wingert Tina , Langenbucher Achim , Bolz Matthias
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in a patient cohort with short axial eye length to assess the performance of IOL power calculation schemes in strong hyperopes.

Methodology

The study was a single centre, single surgeon retrospective consecutive case series at the Augen- und Laserklinik, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany. Inclusion of patients after uneventful cataract surgery implanting either spherical (SA60AT) or aspheric (ZCB00) IOLs. Inclusion criteria were axial eye length <21.5 mm and/or emmetropising IOL power >28.5 D. Lens constants were optimised on a separate patient cohort considering the full bandwidth of axial eye length. Data of one single eye per patient were randomly included. The outcome measures were: mean absolute prediction error (MAE), median absolute prediction error, mean prediction error with SD and median prediction error and the percentage of eyes with an MAE within 0.25 D, 0.5 D, 0.75 D and 1.0 D.

Results

A total of 150 eyes from 150 patients were assessed. Okulix, PEARL-DGS, Kane and Castrop provided a statistically significantly smaller MAE compared with the Hoffer Q and SRK/T formulae.

Conclusion

In our patient cohort with short axial eye length, the use of PEARL-DGS, Okulix, Kane or Castrop formulae showed the lowest MAE. The Castrop formula has not been published before, but will be disclosed with a ready-to-use Excel sheet as an addendum to this paper.
Time spent in hypoglycemia is comparable when the same amount of exercise is performed 5 or 2 days weekly: a randomized crossover study in people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Steineck Isabelle Isa Kristin , Ranjan Ajenthen G , Schmidt Signe , Norgaard Kirsten
Published: January 2021

Introduction

People with type 1 diabetes are recommended to exercise regularly. However, limited evidence exists on how frequency and duration of exercise affect the risk of hypoglycemia. The study aimed to compare the percentage of time spent in hypoglycemia between two 5-day periods with different frequency and duration of physical activity.

Research design and methods

In this outpatient randomized crossover study, 26 participants aged 18–65 years with type 1 diabetes for ≥2 years and insulin pump use for ≥1 year were included. After a 7-day observation period, participants completed two 5-day intervention periods separated by a washout period of at least 14 days. One period included five exercise sessions on 5 consecutive days (5S), each consisting of 4 min of resistance training and 30 min of aerobic exercise. Another period included two exercise sessions on 2 days with at least 2 days in between (2S), each consisting of 10 min of resistance training and 75 min of aerobic exercise. During each period, participants performed in total 150 min of aerobic exercise and 20 min of resistance training and wore continuous glucose monitors (Dexcom G6) and accelerometers (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT).

Results

Twenty insulin pump-treated adults (10 women) with type 1 diabetes completed the study. The baseline median (range) age was 48 (24–64) years, glycated hemoglobin 55 (44–66) mmol/mol, diabetes duration 24 (8–57) years, and body mass index 28.4 (22.3–35.8) kg/m2. No differences were observed between 5S and 2S in the percentage (mean±SD) of time spent below 3.9 mmol/L (3.5%±2.8% vs 4.5%±4.2%, p=0.28), time spent in 3.9–10.0 mmol/L (65.3%±15.0% vs 68.5%±13.6%, p=0.31), time spent above 10.0 mmol/L (31.2%±16.4% vs 27.3%±14.5%, p=0.15), mean glucose (8.7±1.3 mmol/L vs 8.5±1.2 mmol/L, p=0.33) and glycemic variability (35.8%±5.3% vs 35.8%±6.6%, p=0.97).

Conclusions

Time spent in hypoglycemia was comparable between the two 5-day periods with different duration and frequency of physical activity.

Trial registration number

NCT04089462.
Caesarean sections in teaching hospitals: systematic review and meta-analysis of hospitals in 22 countries
Authors: Hoxha Ilir , Zhubi Esra , Grezda Krenare , Kryeziu Blerta , Bunjaku Jeta , Sadiku Fitim , Agahi Riaz , Lungu Daniel Adrian , Bonciani Manila , Little George
Published: January 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine the odds of caesarean section in all births in teaching hospitals as compared with non-teaching hospitals.

Setting

Over 3600 teaching and non-teaching hospitals in 22 countries. We searched CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, sciELO, Scopus and Web of Science from the beginning of records until May 2020.

Participants

Women at birth. Over 18.5 million births.

Intervention

Caesarean section.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome measures are the adjusted OR of caesarean section in a variety of teaching hospital comparisons. The secondary outcome is the crude OR of caesarean section in a variety of teaching hospital comparisons.

Results

In adjusted analyses, we found that university hospitals have lower odds than non-teaching hospitals (OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.78) and other teaching hospitals (OR=0.46, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.89), and no significant difference with unspecified teaching status hospitals (OR=0.92, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.05, τ2=0.009). Other teaching hospitals had higher odds than non-teaching hospitals (OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.35). Comparison between unspecified teaching hospitals and non-teaching hospitals (OR=0.91, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.65, τ2=1.007) and unspecified hospitals (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.20), τ2<0.001) showed no significant difference. While the main analysis in larger sized groups of analysed studies reveals no effect between hospitals, subgroup analyses show that teaching hospitals carry out fewer caesarean sections in several countries, for several study populations and population characteristics.

Conclusions

With smaller sample of participants and studies, in clearly defined hospitals categories under comparison, we see that university hospitals have lower odds for caesarean. With larger sample size and number of studies, as well as less clearly defined categories of hospitals, we see no significant difference in the likelihood of caesarean sections between teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Nevertheless, even in groups with no significant effect, teaching hospitals have a lower or higher likelihood of caesarean sections in several analysed subgroups. Therefore, we recommend a more precise examination of forces sustaining these trends.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020158437.
Sampling endoscopically normal large bowel mucosa from patients presenting with elevated faecal calprotectin levels is not clinically justified
Authors: Wong Newton A C S , Wallage Michael John , Virgo Paul , Lowes Hannah
Published: January 2021

Aims and methods

Faecal calprotectin (FCP) measurement is used especially to investigate for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To assess the utility of sampling endoscopically normal large bowel among patients first presenting with elevated FCP, this study identified 115 such patients out of 652 patients with elevated FCP from approximately 6000 primary care tests processed over 15 months.

Results

23 cohort patients showed histologically abnormal large bowel biopsies. Only four cases demonstrated acute inflammation and two such patients only showed scattered cryptitis and did not develop IBD. A third patient demonstrated similar histology but, following repeat colonoscopy, her elevated FCP was attributed to small intestinal inflammation. Only the fourth patient’s large bowel biopsies showed features suggesting Crohn’s disease, but this represented an IBD detection rate out of 115 sets of large bowel biopsies of 0.9%.

Conclusions

Sampling of endoscopically normal large bowel among patients first presenting with elevated FCP is not clinically justified.
Shadow of HIV exceptionalism 40 years later
Authors: Blain Michela , Wallace Stephaun E , Tuegel Courtney
Published: January 2021

During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, it was crucial that providers take steps to protect patients by managing HIV with the perspective of ‘HIV exceptionalism’. However, in 2020, the social and historical barriers erected by this concept, as demonstrated in this patient’s case, are considerably impeding progress to end the epidemic. With significant medical advances in HIV treatment and prevention, the policies informed by HIV exceptionalism now paradoxically perpetuate stigma and inequities, particularly for people of colour. To improve overall HIV care, the medical community must move past HIV exceptionalism by liberalising diagnostics, instituting clinician implicit bias training and advocating to fully decriminalise HIV non-disclosure.
Flavoured tobacco product restrictions in Massachusetts associated with reductions in adolescent cigarette and e-cigarette use
Authors: Hawkins Summer Sherburne , Kruzik Claudia , O'Brien Michael , Levine Coley Rebekah
Published: January 2021

Background

In the USA, many states do not pre-empt municipalities from enacting stricter tobacco-control policies than state or federal laws. Several municipalities in Massachusetts have passed progressive local laws aimed at reducing adolescent tobacco use. We exploited this variability to examine the associations between county-level flavoured tobacco product restrictions, tobacco 21 policies and smoke-free laws prohibiting e-cigarettes with adolescent cigarette and e-cigarette use in Massachusetts, and to assess whether policy effects varied by age.

Methods

We conducted difference-in-differences models to link changes in county-level tobacco-control policies to changes in adolescents’ use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes using 2011–2017 biennial Massachusetts Youth Health Surveys.

Results

Counties with greater implementation of flavoured tobacco product restrictions were associated with a decrease in the level of cigarette use among users (Coefficient −1.56; 95% CI −2.54 to −0.58). A significant interaction (p=0.03) revealed the largest reductions among 14 and 18 year olds. Increasing flavoured tobacco product restrictions were also associated with reductions in the likelihood of e-cigarette use (Coefficient −0.87; 95% CI −1.68 to −0.06). Increasing tobacco 21 restrictions were associated with decreases in cigarette use only among 18 year olds, while there was no evidence of associations between smoke-free laws with use of either tobacco product.

Conclusions

Adolescents in Massachusetts decreased their use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes in response to local restrictions that limited the sale of flavoured tobacco products to adult-only retail tobacco stores. Local legislation can reduce adolescent tobacco use and municipalities should enact stricter tobacco-control policies when not pre-empted by state law.
DKW basal salts improve micropropagation and callogenesis compared with MS basal salts in multiple commercial cultivars ofCannabis sativa
Authors: Page Serena R.G. , Monthony Adrian S. , Jones A. Maxwell P.
Published: January 2021

Existing Cannabis sativa micropropagation protocols use a limited number of cultivars and the results are often not reproducible. Currently, Murashige and Skoog basal salt mixture (MS) + 0.5 μmol/L thidiazuron (TDZ) has been reported as the optimal medium for nodal micropropagation, yet our preliminary studies with this medium have resulted in abnormal morphology and high mortality rates in multiple cultivars. Following an initial screen of basal salt mixtures [MS, B5, BABI, and Driver–Kuniyaki–Walnut (DKW)], we determined that DKW produced the healthiest plants. In a second experiment, the multiplication rate and canopy area of explants grown on MS + 0.5 μmol/L TDZ and DKW + 0.5 μmol/L TDZ were compared using five drug-type cultivars. The combined multiplication average of explants grown on DKW + 0.5 μmol/L TDZ was 1.5× higher than explants grown on MS + 0.5 μmol/L TDZ. Similarly, the combined average of the canopy area was twice as large on DKW + 0.5 μmol/L TDZ. In the third experiment, callogenesis was compared using a concentration range of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0–30 μmol/L) on both MS and DKW, and similarly, callus growth was superior on DKW. This study presents the largest comparison of basal salt compositions on the micropropagation of five commercially grown Cannabis cultivars to date.