bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demographic changes in pelvic fracture patterns at a Swiss academic trauma center from 2007 to 2017
Authors: Villiger Karin , Meier Malin Kristin , Hasler Rebecca Maria , Bastian Johannes Dominik , Tannast Moritz , Exadaktylos Aristomenis Konstantinos , Steppacher Simon Damian
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Increasing life expectancy has led to higher incidence of fragility fractures of the pelvis. These demographic changes may have a direct impact on fracture patterns. The goal of this study was (1) to evaluate demographical trends in patients with pelvic ring injuries at a tertiary Swiss trauma center and (2) to analyze the influence on fracture patterns.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study including 958 patients (mean ± SD age, 57 ± 21 years; 48% women) with a pelvic ring injury between 2007 and 2017. Fractures were classified according to Tile, Young and Burgess or Rommens and Hofmann (fragility fractures) using conventional and computer tomography imaging. Low-energy fractures were defined as fractures resulting from fall from standing height or less. Fracture classifications, age, sex, Injury Severity Score, and trauma mechanism were compared using analysis of variance or χ2 test. Cluster analysis was performed to identify groups with similarities in fracture patterns and demographic parameters.

RESULTS

From 2007 to 2017, the frequency of pelvic ring injuries increased by 115% (increase per decade), and mean age increased by 15% (p = 0.031). A trimodal age distribution was found; highest increase for fractures occurred in the older (265%) patient group. Low-energy fracture was the most common trauma mechanism (43% of all fractures, an increase of 249%). Changes in fracture pattern showed a disproportioned increase of lateral compression (LC) fractures (LC type 1 in 64%) or partially stable fracture (B2, with 39%). In patient older than 65 years, the strongest increase was found for nondisplaced posterior fractures with an overall prevalence of 62%. Five clusters were found with the most frequent cluster representing older female patients with low-energy fracture (LC, Tile type B) in 30%.

CONCLUSION

The current results corroborate the trend of increasing frequency of fragility fractures in an aging society. The demographic shift has a direct impact on fracture pattern with a disproportionate increase in partially stable compression fracture of the pelvis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic/Epidemiologic, Level III.
Effects of iloperidone on hERG 1A/3.1 heterotetrameric channels
Authors: Lee Hong Joon , Choi Bok Hee , Choi Jin-Sung , Hahn Sang June
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Iloperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is widely used for the treatment of schizophrenia. hERG 3.1, alternatively spliced form of hERG 1A, is considered a potential target for an antipsychotic drug. The present study was designed to study the effects of iloperidone on hERG 1A/3.1 heterotetrameric channels.

Methods

The interactions of iloperidone with hERG 1A/3.1 heterotetrameric channels stably expressed in HEK cells were investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and western blot analysis.

Results

Iloperidone inhibited the hERG 1A/3.1 tail currents at −50 mV in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 0.44 μM. The block of hERG 1A/3.1 currents by iloperidone was voltage-dependent and increased over a range of voltage for channel activation. However, the block by iloperidone was voltage-independent at more depolarized potentials where the channels were fully activated. A fast application of iloperidone inhibited the hERG 1A/3.1 current elicited by a 5-s depolarizing pulse to +60 mV to fully inactivate the hERG 1A/3.1 currents. Iloperidone also induced a rapid and reversible inhibition of hERG 1A/3.1 tail currents during repolarization. However, iloperidone had no effect on either hERG 1A or hERG 1A/3.1 channel trafficking to the cell membrane.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that iloperidone concentration-dependently inhibited hERG 1A/3.1 currents by preferentially interacting with the open states of channels, but not by the disruption of membrane trafficking or surface membrane expression of hERG 1A and hERG 1A/3.1 channel proteins.
Identification of a novel statovirus in a faecal sample from a calf with enteric disease
Authors: Hause Ben M. , Nelson Eric , Christopher-Hennings Jane
Published: September 2021

A novel clade of RNA viruses was identified in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract by next-generation sequencing. Phylogenetically, these viruses are related to the genera Tombusviridae (plant viruses) and Flaviviridae, which includes mammalian, avian and insect hosts. Named in line with their characterization as stool-associated Tombus-like viruses, it is unclear if statoviruses infect mammals or are dietary in origin. Here, metagenomic sequencing of faecal material collected from a 10-week-old calf with enteric disease found that 20 % of the reads mapped to a de novo-assembled 4 kb contig with homology to statoviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the statovirus genome found a clear evolutionary relationship with statovirus A, but, with only 47 % similarity, we propose that the statovirus sequence presents a novel species, statovirus F. A TaqMan PCR targeting statovirus F performed on faecal material found a cycle threshold of 11, suggesting a high titre of virus shed from the calf with enteric disease. A collection of 48 samples from bovine enteric disease diagnostic submissions were assayed by PCR to investigate statovirus F prevalence and 6 of 48 (12.5 %) were positive. An ELISA to detect antibodies to the coat protein found that antibodies to statovirus F were almost ubiquitous in bovine serum. Combined, the PCR and ELISA results suggest that statovirus F commonly infects cattle. Further research is needed to elucidate the aetiological significance of statovirus infection.
Impact of pH on growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro
Authors: Iyer Vidula , Raut Janhavi , Dasgupta Anindya
Published: September 2021

The pH of skin is critical for skin health and resilience and plays a key role in controlling the skin microbiome. It has been well reported that under dysbiotic conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD), eczema, etc. there are significant aberrations of skin pH, along with a higher level of

Staphylococcus aureus

compared to the commensal

Staphylococcus epidermidis

on skin. To understand the effect of pH on the relative growth of

S. epidermidis

and

S. aureus

, we carried out simple in vitro growth kinetic studies of the individual microbes under varying pH conditions. We demonstrated that the growth kinetics of

S. epidermidis

is relatively insensitive to pH within the range of 5–7, while

S. aureus

shows a stronger pH dependence in that range. Gompertz’s model was used to fit the pH dependence of the growth kinetics of the two bacteria and showed that the equilibrium bacterial count of

S. aureus

was the more sensitive parameter. The switch in growth rate happens at a pH of 6.5–7. Our studies are in line with the general hypothesis that keeping the skin pH within an acidic range is advantageous in terms of keeping the skin microbiome in balance and maintaining healthy skin.
A random forest model based on core genome allelic profiles of MRSA for penicillin plus potassium clavulanate susceptibility prediction
Authors: Zhuang Hemu , Zhu Feiteng , Lan Peng , Ji Shujuan , Sun Lu , Chen Yiyi , Wang Zhengan , Jiang Shengnan , Zhang Linyue , Zhu Yiwei , Jiang Yan , Chen Yan , Yu Yunsong
Published: September 2021

Treatment failure of methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus

(MRSA) infections remains problematic in clinical practice because therapeutic options are limited. Penicillin plus potassium clavulanate combination (PENC) was shown to have potential for treating some MRSA infections. We investigated the susceptibility of MRSA isolates and constructed a drug susceptibility prediction model for the phenotype of the PENC. We determined the minimum inhibitory concentration of PENC for MRSA (n=284) in a teaching hospital (SRRSH-MRSA). PENC susceptibility genotypes were analysed using a published genotyping scheme based on the mecA sequence. mecA expression in MRSA isolates was analysed by qPCR. We established a random forest model for predicting PENC-susceptible phenotypes using core genome allelic profiles from cgMLST analysis. We identified S2-R isolates with susceptible mecA genotypes but PENC-resistant phenotypes; these isolates expressed mecA at higher levels than did S2 MRSA (2.61 vs 0.98, P<0.05), indicating the limitation of using a single factor for predicting drug susceptibility. Using the data of selected UK-sourced MRSA (n=74) and MRSA collected in a previous national survey (NA-MRSA, n=471) as a training set, we built a model with accuracies of 0.94 and 0.93 for SRRSH-MRSA and UK-sourced MRSA (n=287, NAM-MRSA) validation sets. The AUROC of this model for SRRSH-MRSA and NAM-MRSA was 0.96 and 0.97. Although the source of the training set data affects the scope of application of the prediction model, our data demonstrated the power of the machine learning approach in predicting susceptibility from cgMLST results.
SARS-CoV-2 evolved during advanced HIV disease immunosuppression has Beta-like escape of vaccine and Delta infection elicited immunity
Authors: Cele Sandile , Karim Farina , Lustig Gila , San James Emmanuel , Hermanus Tandile , Tegally Houriiyah , Snyman Jumari , Moyo-Gwete Thandeka , Wilkinson Eduan , Bernstein Mallory , Khan Khadija , Hwa Shi-Hsia , Tilles Sasha W. , Singh Lavanya , Giandhari Jennifer , Mthabela Ntombifuthi , Mazibuko Matilda , Ganga Yashica , Gosnell Bernadett I. , Karim Salim Abdool , Hanekom Willem , Van Voorhis Wesley C. , Ndung’u Thumbi ,   COMMIT-KZN Team, Lessells Richard J. , Moore Penny L. , Moosa Mahomed-Yunus S. , de Oliveira Tulio , Sigal Alex
Published: September 2021

Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 evolution in specific geographies may help predict the properties of variants coming from these regions. We mapped neutralization of a SARS-CoV-2 strain that evolved over 6 months from the ancestral virus in a person with advanced HIV disease. Infection was before the emergence of the Beta variant first identified in South Africa, and the Delta variant. We compared early and late evolved virus to the ancestral, Beta, Alpha, and Delta viruses and tested against convalescent plasma from ancestral, Beta, and Delta infections. Early virus was similar to ancestral, whereas late virus was similar to Beta, exhibiting vaccine escape and, despite pre-dating Delta, strong escape of Delta-elicited neutralization. This example is consistent with the notion that variants arising in immune-compromised hosts, including those with advanced HIV disease, may evolve immune escape of vaccines and enhanced escape of Delta immunity, with implications for vaccine breakthrough and reinfections.

Highlights

A prolonged ancestral SARS-CoV-2 infection pre-dating the emergence of Beta and Delta resulted in evolution of a Beta-like serological phenotype

Serological phenotype includes strong escape from Delta infection elicited immunity, intermediate escape from ancestral virus immunity, and weak escape from Beta immunity

Evolved virus showed substantial but incomplete escape from antibodies elicited by BNT162b2 vaccination

Graphical abstract
Machine learning-supported interpretation of kidney graft elementary lesions in combination with clinical data
Authors: Labriffe Marc , Woillard Jean-Baptiste , Gwinner Wilfried , Braesen Jan-Hinrich , Anglicheau Dany , Rabant Marion , Koshy Priyanka , Naesens Maarten , Marquet Pierre
Published: September 2021

Background

The Banff classification standardizes the diagnoses of kidney transplant rejection based on histological criteria. Clinical decisions are generally made after integration of the Banff diagnoses in the clinical context. However, interpretation of the biopsy cases is still heterogeneous among pathologists or clinicians. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms may be trained from expertly assessed cases to provide clinical decision support.

Methods

The ML technique of Extreme Gradient Boosting learned from two large training datasets from the European programs BIOMARGIN and ROCKET (n= 631 and 304), in which biopsies were read centrally and consensually interpreted by a group of experts and used as a reference for untargeted biomarker screenings. The model was then externally validated in three independent datasets (n= 3744, 589 and 360).

Results

In the three validation datasets, the algorithm yielded a ROC curve AUC of mean (95% CI) 0.97 (0.92-1.00), 0.97 (0.96-0.97) and 0.95 (0.93-0.97) for antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR); 0.94 (0.91-0.96), 0.94 (0.92-0.95) and 0.91 (0.88-0.95) for T cell-mediated rejection; >0.96 (0.90-1.00) in all three for interstitial fibrosis - tubular atrophy (IFTA). Finally, using the largest validation cohort, we developed an additional algorithm to discriminate active and chronic active ABMR with an accuracy of 0.95.

Conclusion

We built an Artificial Intelligence algorithm able to interpret histological lesions together with a few routine clinical data with very high sensitivity and specificity. This algorithm should be useful in routine or clinical trials to help pathologists and clinicians and increase biopsy interpretation homogeneity.
Multi-modal single-cell sequencing identifies cellular immunophenotypes associated with juvenile dermatomyositis disease activity
Authors: Neely Jessica , Hartoularos George , Bunis Daniel , Sun Yang , Lee David , Kim Susan , Ye Chun Jimmie , Sirota Marina
Published: September 2021

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare autoimmune condition with insufficient biomarkers and treatments, in part, due to incomplete knowledge of the cell types mediating disease. We investigated immunophenotypes and cell-specific genes associated with disease activity using multiplexed RNA and protein single-cell sequencing applied to PBMCs from 4 treatment-naïve JDM (TN-JDM) subjects at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months and 4 subjects with inactive disease. Analysis of 55,564 cells revealed separate clustering of TN-JDM cells within monocyte, NK, CD8+ effector T and naïve B populations. The proportion of CD16+ monocytes was reduced in TN-JDM, and naïve B cells were expanded. Cell-type differential gene expression analysis and hierarchical clustering identified a pan-cell-type IFN gene signature over-expressed in TN-JDM in all cell types and correlated with disease activity. TN-JDM monocytes displayed an inflammatory state: CD16+ monocytes expressed the highest IFN gene score and differential protein expression of adhesion molecules, CD49d and CD56, compared to CD14+ inflammatory monocytes. A transitional B cell population expressing higher CD24 and CD5 proteins and an IFN-hi naïve B population were associated with TN-JDM and exhibited less CD39, an immunoregulatory protein. This data provides new insights into JDM immune dysregulation at cellular resolution and novel resource for myositis investigators.
Spatial simulation of COVID-19 new cases development
Authors: Chen Isaac , Liu F.
Published: September 2021

The time dependent SIR model is extended to simulate infection across spatial boundaries. We used New Jersey data as an example to test the extended SIR model. Infection from neighboring counties are modelled by connectivity matrix where each pair of neighboring counties has an element in the connectivity matrix. The magnitude of this matrix element represents the degree to which the infected from one county can affect the susceptible in one of its neighboring counties. Simulated result from the extended spatial SIR model is compared with observed new COVID-19 cases measured in the 21 counties in New Jersey. The extended model has to solve 84 simulated functions simultaneously and the large number of parameters involved in the spatial SIR model are auto tuned using genetic algorithm.
Design and proof-of-concept evaluation of a touchless connector system for preventing peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.
Authors: Yekinni Ibrahim O. , Viker Thomas , Hunter Ryan , Tucker Aaron , Elfering Sarah , Rheault Michelle N. , Erdman Arthur
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we describe the design of a touchless peritoneal dialysis connector system and how we evaluated its potential for preventing peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, in comparison to the standard of care. The unique feature of this system is an enclosure within which patients can connect and disconnect for therapy, protecting their peritoneal catheters from touch or aerosols. We simulated a worst-case contamination scenario by spraying 40mL of a standardized inoculum [1x107 colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter] of test organisms, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC1228 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC39327, while test participants made mock connections for therapy. We then compared the incidence of fluid path contamination by test organisms in the touchless connector system and the standard of care. 4 participants were recruited to perform a total of 56 tests, divided in a 1:1 ratio between both systems. Peritoneal dialysis fluid sample from each test was collected and maintained at body temperature (37 C) for 16 hours before being plated on Luria Bertani agar, Mannitol Salts Agar and Pseudomonas isolation agar for enumeration. No contamination was observed in the test samples from the touchless connector system, compared to 65%, 75% and 70% incidence contamination for the standard of care on Luria Bertani agar, Mannitol Salts Agar and Pseudomonas isolation agar respectively. In conclusion, the results show that the touchless connector system can prevent fluid path contamination even in heavy bacterial exposures and may help reduce peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis risks from inadvertent contamination with further development.
Identifying functional genes and pathways towards a unifying model for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wass Sojin Youn , Offerman Erik J. , Sun Han , Hsu Jeffrey , Rennison Julie H. , Cantlay Catherine C. , McHale Meghan L. , Gillinov A. Marc , Moravec Christine , Smith Jonathan D. , Van Wagoner David R. , Barnard John , Chung Mina K.
Published: September 2021

Rationale

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have associated >100 genetic loci with atrial fibrillation (AF), yet the biological pathways of AF remain elusive.

Objective

To determine candidate causal genes associated with AF risk loci and their coexpression partners, modules, biologic and mechanistic pathways.

Methods and Results

Cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) were identified for candidate genes near AF risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human left atrial tissues. Genes were categorized into 3 sets according to likelihood of being a causative AF gene: 1) All Candidate Genes (with significant eQTLs or previously prioritized); 2) Any eQTL Genes (with ≥1 significant eQTL); and 3) Top GWAS SNP eQTL Genes (top SNP within the top 10 eQTL SNPs). Coexpression partners were identified for each candidate gene. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) identified modules and modules with overrepresentation of candidate AF genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was applied to the coexpression partners of each candidate gene, and IPA and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to each WGCNA module. 166 AF-risk SNPs were located in 135 distinct loci. The All Candidate Genes group contained 233, the Any eQTL Genes group 131 (83 novel), and the Top GWAS SNP eQTL Genes group 37 genes. IPA identified mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, epithelial adherens junction signaling, and sirtuin signaling as the most frequent pathways. WGCNA characterized 64 modules; candidate AF genes were overrepresented in 8. Modules were represented by cell injury, death, stress, developmental, metabolic/mitochondrial, transcription/translation, and immune activation/inflammation regulatory pathways.

Conclusions

AF candidate gene coexpression analyses suggest significant roles for cellular stress and remodeling in AF. We propose a dual risk model for AF: Genetic susceptibility to AF may not manifest until later in life, when cellular stressors overwhelm adaptive responses. These analyses provide a resource for further functional studies on potential causal AF genes.
Real-time audio processing of real-life soundscapes for EEG analysis: ERPs based on natural sound onsets
Authors: Hölle Daniel , Blum Sarah , Kissner Sven , Debener Stefan , Bleichner Martin G.
Published: September 2021

With smartphone-based mobile electroencephalography (EEG), we can investigate sound perception beyond the lab. To understand sound perception in the real world, we need to relate naturally occurring sounds to EEG data. For this, EEG and audio information need to be synchronized precisely, only then it is possible to capture fast and transient evoked neural responses and relate them to individual sounds. We have developed Android applications (AFEx and Record-a) that allow for the concurrent acquisition of EEG data and audio features, i.e., sound onsets, average signal power (RMS) and power spectral density (PSD) on smartphone. In this paper, we evaluate these apps by computing event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by everyday sounds. One participant listened to piano notes (played live by a pianist) and to a home-office soundscape. Timing tests showed that the temporal precision of the system is very good. We calculated ERPs to sound onsets and observed the typical P1-N1-P2 complex of auditory processing. Furthermore, we show how to relate information on loudness (RMS) and spectra (PSD) to brain activity. In future studies, we can use this system to study sound processing in everyday life.
Initial contact shapes the perception of friction
Authors: Willemet Laurence , Kanzari Khoubeib , Monnoyer Jocelyn , Birznieks Ingvars , Wiertlewski Michaël
Published: September 2021

Humans efficiently estimate the grip force necessary to lift a variety of objects, including slippery ones. The regulation of grip force starts with the initial contact, and takes into account the surface properties, such as friction. This estimation of the frictional strength has been shown to depend critically on cutaneous information. However, the physical and perceptual mechanism that provides such early tactile information remains elusive. In this study, we developed a friction-modulation apparatus to elucidate the effects of the frictional properties of objects during initial contact. We found a correlation between participants’ conscious perception of friction and radial strain patterns of skin deformation. The results provide insights into the tactile cues made available by contact mechanics to the sensorimotor regulation of grip, as well as to the conscious perception of the frictional properties of an object.
ProteInfer: deep networks for protein functional inference
Authors: Sanderson Theo , Bileschi Maxwell L. , Belanger David , Colwell Lucy J.
Published: September 2021

Predicting the function of a protein from its amino acid sequence is a long-standing challenge in bioinformatics. Traditional approaches use sequence alignment to compare a query sequence either to thousands of models of protein families or to large databases of individual protein sequences. Here we instead employ deep convolutional neural networks to directly predict a variety of protein functions – EC numbers and GO terms – directly from an unaligned amino acid sequence. This approach provides precise predictions which complement alignment-based methods, and the computational efficiency of a single neural network permits novel and lightweight software interfaces, which we demonstrate with an in-browser graphical interface for protein function prediction in which all computation is performed on the user’s personal computer with no data uploaded to remote servers. Moreover, these models place full-length amino acid sequences into a generalised functional space, facilitating downstream analysis and interpretation. To read the interactive version of this paper, please visit https://google-research.github.io/proteinfer/

Abstract Figure

QR code for the interactive version of this preprint at https://google-research.github.io/proteinfer/
Possible environmental and meteorological factors underlying scaly-breasted munia Lonchura punctulata (L.) mass mortality events in Southeast Asia’s urban and rural areas in September 2021
Authors: Wibowo Andri
Published: September 2021

Mass bird mortality is a rare event. This event could be happened and could be a combination of numerous factors. It could be something that’s still completely unknown to us. In September 2021 in SE Asia, there were 2 mass bird mortality events of Lonchura punctulata. The first event happens on 9 September in rural area at 08.00 AM and second happens on 14 September at 12.00 PM in urban area. The results show that precipitation combined with the wind gust might be correlated with mass mortality. The results showed precipitation factors have contributed 71.18% (R2 = 0.714, P = 0.008) to the mortality and followed by wind gust with 28.81% contribution (R2 = 0.41, P = 0.08). The meteorological parameter was not the only factors affecting the mortality events. The landscapes in urban and rural areas have experienced fragmentations. Urban areas have severe fragmentation of vegetation covers with remaining vegetation covers were only 17.4% and patch density indices of 0.29. In contrast rural areas still have higher vegetation cover remnants about 21.12% and patch density indices of 0.93. Then severe meteorological events combined with the fragmented habitats of L. punctulata may explain the mass mortality of this bird species.
Plant-host shift, spatial persistence, and the viability of an invasive insect population
Authors: Silva Isabelle Bueno , McGrane-Corrigan Blake , Mason Oliver , de Andrade Moral Rafael , Augusto Conde Godoy Wesley
Published: September 2021

Assessing the effects of a plant-host shift is important for monitoring insect populations over long time periods and for interventions in a conservation or pest management framework. In a heterogeneous environment, individuals may disperse between sources and sinks in order to persist. Here we propose a single-species two-patch model that aims to capture the generational movement of an insect that exhibits density-dependent dispersal, to see how shifting between hosts could alter its viability and asymptotic dynamics. We then analyse the stability and persistence properties of the model and further validate it using parameter estimates derived from laboratory experiments. In order to evaluate the potential of this model, we applied it to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), which has become a harmful pest in several countries around the world. Although many studies have investigated the preference and attractiveness of potential hosts on this invasive drosophilid, no studies thus far have investigated whether a shift of fruit host could affect such a species’ ecological viability or spatiotemporal persistence. The model results show that a shift in host choice can significantly affect the growth potential and fecundity of a species such as D. suzukii, which ultimately could aid such invasive populations in their ability to persist within a changing environment.
A Cellular Reference Resource for the Mouse Urinary Bladder
Authors: Baker Dylan , Al-Naggar Iman M. , Sivajothi Santhosh , Flynn William F. , Amiri Anahita , Luo Diane , Hardy Cara C. , Kuchel George A. , Smith Phillip P. , Robson Paul
Published: September 2021

The urinary bladder functions as a reservoir to store and extrude liquid bodily waste. Significant debate exists as to this tissue’s cellular composition and genes associated with their functions. We use a repertoire of cell profiling tools to comprehensively define and spatial resolve cell types. We characterize spatially validated, basal-to-luminal gene expression dynamics within the urothelium, the cellular source of most bladder cancers. We define three distinct populations of fibroblasts that spatially organize from the sub-urothelial layer through to the detrusor muscle, clarifying knowledge around these controversial interstitial cells, and associate increased fibroblasts with aging. We overcome challenges of profiling the detrusor muscle, absence from earlier single cell studies, to report on its transcriptome with many novel and neuronal-like features presumably associated with neuromuscular junctions. Our approach provides a blueprint for tissue atlas construction and the data provides the foundation for future studies of bladder function in health and disease.
Baseline QRS Duration Associates with Cardiac Recovery in Patients with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Khan Muhammad S. , Kyriakopoulos Christos P. , Taleb Iosif , Dranow Elizabeth , Scott Monte , Ranjan Ravi , Yin Michael , Tseliou Eleni , Alharethi Rami , Caine William , Shaw Robin M. , Selzman Craig H. , Drakos Stavros G. , Dosdall Derek J.
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

In chronic heart failure (HF) patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD), we aimed to assess the clinical association of baseline QRS duration (QRSd) with post-LVAD cardiac recovery, and its correlation with pre- to post-LVAD change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD).

METHODS

Chronic HF patients (n=402) undergoing CF-LVAD implantation were prospectively enrolled, at one of the centers comprising the U.T.A.H. (Utah Transplant Affiliated Hospitals) consortium. After excluding patients with acute HF etiologies, hypertrophic or infiltrative cardiomyopathy, and/or inadequate post-LVAD follow up (<3 months), 315 patients were included in the study. Cardiac recovery was defined as LVEF ≥40% and LVEDD <6 cm within 12 months post-LVAD implantation. Patients fulfilling this condition were termed as responders (R) and results were compared with non-responders (NR).

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients (11%) achieved ‘R’ criteria, and exhibited a 15% shorter QRSd compared to ‘NR’ (123±37 ms vs 145±36 ms; p<0.001). A univariate analysis identified association of baseline QRSd with post-LVAD cardiac recovery (OR:0.986, 95% CI:0.976-0.996, p<0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, after adjusting for duration of HF (OR:0.990, 95% CI:0.983-0.997, p=0.006) and gender (OR:0.388, 95% CI:0.160-0.943, p=0.037), pre-LVAD QRSd exhibited a significant association with post-LVAD cardiac structural and functional improvement (OR:0.987, 95% CI:0.977-0.998, p=0.027) and the predictive model showed a c-statistic of 0.73 with p<0.001. The correlations for baseline QRSd with pre- to post-LVAD change in LVEF and LVEDD were also investigated in ‘R’ and ‘NR’ groups.

CONCLUSION

Chronic advanced HF patients with a shorter baseline QRSd exhibit an increased potential for cardiac recovery after LVAD support.
Laboratory and field evaluation of the STANDARD Q and Panbio™ SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid test in Namibia using nasopharyngeal samples
Authors: Konstantinus Iyaloo , Chiwara Douglas , Ndevaetela Emmy-Else , Ndarukwa-Phiri Victoria , !Garus-oas Nathalia , Frans Ndahafa , Ndumbu Pentikainen , Shiningavamwe Andreas , van Rooyen Gerhard , Schiceya Ferlin , Hlahla Lindile , Namundjebo Pendapala , Ndozi-Okia Ifeoma , Chikuse Francis , Bantiewalu Sirak Hailu , Tjombonde Kapena
Published: September 2021

Background

As new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerge, there is a need to scale up testing to minimize transmission of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many countries especially those in the developing world continue to struggle with scaling up reverse transcriptase polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 due to scarcity of resources. Alternatives such as antigen rapid diagnostics tests (Ag-RDTs) may provide a solution to enable countries to scale up testing.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated the Panbio™ and STANDARD Q Ag-RDTs in the laboratory using 80 COVID-19 RT-PCR confirmed and 80 negative nasopharyngeal swabs. The STANDARD-Q was further evaluated in the field on 112 symptomatic and 61 asymptomatic participants.

Results

For the laboratory evaluation, both tests had a sensitivity above 80% (Panbio™ = 86% vs STANDARD Q = 88%). The specificity of the Panbio™ was 100%, while that of the STANDARD Q was 99%. When evaluated in the field, the STANDARD Q maintained a high specificity of 99%, however the sensitivity was reduced to 56%.

Conclusion

Using Ag-RDTs in low resource settings will be helpful, however, negative results should be confirmed by RT-PCR where possible to rule out COVID-19 infection.
Demographic Analysis of Mutations in Indian SARS-CoV-2 Isolates
Authors: Agarwal Kushagra , Parekh Nita
Published: September 2021

In this study we carried out the early distribution of clades and subclades state-wise based on shared mutations in Indian SARS-CoV-2 isolates collected (27th Jan – 27th May 2020). Phylogenetic analysis of these isolates indicates multiple independent sources of introduction of the virus in the country, while principal component analysis revealed some state-specific clusters. It is observed that clade 20A defining mutations C241T (ORF1ab: 5’ UTR), C3037T (ORF1ab: F924F), C14408T (ORF1ab: P4715L), and A23403G (S: D614G) are predominant in Indian isolates during this period. Higher number of coronavirus cases were observed in certain states, viz., Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Genetic analysis of isolates from these states revealed a cluster with shared mutations, C6312A (ORF1ab: T2016K), C13730T (ORF1ab: A4489V), C23929T, and C28311T (N: P13L). Analysis of region-specific shared mutations carried out to understand the large number of deaths in Gujarat and Maharashtra identified shared mutations defining subclade, I/GJ-20A (C18877T, C22444T, G25563T (ORF3a: H57Q), C26735T, C28854T (N: S194L), C2836T) in Gujarat and two sets of co-occurring mutations C313T, C5700A (ORF1ab: A1812D) and A29827T, G29830T in Maharashtra. From the genetic analysis of mutation spectra of Indian isolates, the insights gained in its transmission, geographic distribution, containment, and impact are discussed.
NOVEL MANAGEMENT OF DEPRESSION USING KETAMINE IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Authors: Kaur Nirmaljot , Yarrarapu Siva Naga S. , Giri Abhishek R. , Rottman Pietrzak Kathleen A. , Santos Christan , Lowman Philip E. , Niaz Shehzad , Franco Pablo Moreno , Sanghavi Devang K.
Published: September 2021

Background

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, induces remission of depression by antagonizing glutaminergic NMDA receptors. Ketamine has been used previously in outpatient setting for treatment-resistant depression, but we showcase its utility in depression management at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Research Question

Can ketamine be used for depression treatment in ICU patients?

Study Design and Methods

A retrospective chart review of ICU patients was done at a tertiary center from 2018 to 2021, to assess the ketamine usage. Among the patients reviewed, ketamine was used for depression in 12, and for analgesia & sedation in 2322 patients. Ketamine was administered in doses of 0.5mg/kg & 0.75mg/kg for depression. Each course consisted of 3 doses of ketamine administered over 3 days. 7 in 12 patients received a single course of ketamine. The rest received 3-4 courses 1 week apart.

Results

Ketamine was found to improve mood and affect in most of the patients with depression. 11 in 12 patients had a positive response with better sleep. It has a major advantage over conventional anti-depressants since it takes only a few hours to induce remission. Patients who refused to eat and follow treatment protocol, and who would otherwise succumb to death if not for the rapid remission of depression, were administered ketamine.

Conclusion

A major drawback of ketamine is that the duration of remission is short, with the response lasting only up to 7 days after a single dose. Hence, all the patients in our study were weaned off ketamine with a supporting antidepressant. Ketamine has been documented to cause cardio-neurotoxicity; however, only one patient had worsening lethargy in our study. To conclude, ketamine has a monumental benefit in treating depression in the ICU. Although our study was associated with positive outcomes, there is a need for prospective studies with long-term follow-up assessments.
Aldh2 is a lineage-specific metabolic gatekeeper in melanocyte stem cells
Authors: Brunsdon Hannah , Brombin Alessandro , Peterson Samuel , Postlethwait John H. , Patton E. Elizabeth
Published: September 2021

Melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) in zebrafish serve as an on-demand source of melanocytes during growth and regeneration, but metabolic programs associated with their activation and regenerative processes are not well known. Here, using live imaging coupled with scRNA-sequencing, we discovered that quiescent McSCs during regeneration activate a dormant embryonic neural crest transcriptional program followed by an aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh) 2 metabolic switch to generate progeny. Unexpectedly, while ALDH2 is well known for its aldehyde clearing mechanisms we find that in regenerating McSCs, Aldh2 activity is required to generate formate – the one-carbon (1C) building block for nucleotide biosynthesis – through formaldehyde metabolism. Consequently, we find that disrupting the 1C cycle with low-doses of methotrexate caused melanocyte regeneration defects. In the absence of Aldh2, we find that purines (but not pyrimidines) are the metabolic end product sufficient for activated McSCs to generate progeny. Together, our work reveals McSCs undergo a two-step cell state transition during regeneration, and that the reaction products of Aldh2 enzymes have tissue-specific stem cell functions that meet metabolic demands in regeneration.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

In melanocyte regeneration, quiescent McSCs respond by re-expressing a neural crest identity, followed by an Aldh2-dependent metabolic switch to generate progeny.
An analysis of celebrity repositioning through reality television
Authors: Kabra Shradha , Dass Sumanjit , Popli Sapna
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Reality television is a dynamic, profit-making platform that occupies prime-time slots on the television almost all over the world. Despite its immense popularity and influence, it has received little attention in the extant literature and almost none in terms of its impact on celebrity repositioning. This study aims at examining the relationship between the film stars as brands and the impact of the platform of reality television in repositioning these celebrities in the Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Through extensive literature review and qualitative interviews, the paper expounds that reality television provides an opportunity to celebrities to successfully reposition themselves at crucial junctures in their career. The framework to study this repositioning has been adopted from the work of Chris Simms and Paul Trott (2007) who created it to study the brand repositioning of various consumer goods.

Findings

The literature establishes celebrities as brands. This study provides evidence that brand repositioning through reality television is possible for these celebrity brands. The symbolic and functional repositioning of these celebrities is presented through thematic content analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides a useful framework to understand celebrity brand repositioning through reality TV. It can also be replicated to understand the repositioning of a wide variety of celebrities other than film-stars such as sportspersons, social media influencers and politicians.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the need of expanding the corpus of Indian reality television and explains how Indian celebrities reposition themselves through reality television.
Construction over operation? A study of the usage of digital humanities databases in China
Authors: Gao Dan , He Lin , Liu Jingru , Li Zhangchao
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Digital humanities database is one of the essential tools in digital humanities research area. Therefore, examining the usage of digital humanities database in academic papers is conducive to assessing the value of digital humanities database for scientific research activities and improving the construction of digital humanities infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs an evaluation system of digital humanities database from the perspective of academic influence and social influence, with mention frequency, usage motivation, platform access data, usage region and usage discipline as indicators and takes China Biographical Database Project as the empirical object to explore the usage of digital humanities database in China.

Findings

The data analysis result demonstrates that digital humanities databases are widely used and recognized in China. However, the problem of low actual usage remains.

Originality/value

This paper constructs the digital humanistic database's evaluation system and discusses applying the digital humanistic database in China, which provides a new perspective and method for the influence evaluation study of the digital humanistic database.
Effects of globalization on food production in five European countries
Authors: Khatami Fahimeh , Ricciardi Francesca , Cavallo Angelo , Cantino Valter
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of globalization convergence (GC) and its components (social, economic, political, technological and ecological) on food production (FP).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach adopted is based on a quantitative approach, using a static panel data analysis with relevant data from five European countries within five time intervals (2013–2017).

Findings

The results indicated that three components of globalization (social, technological and ecological) could significantly contribute to the food industry, while two other components of globalization (economic and political) are negatively correlated with FP.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the theoretical recognition of the role of globalization in influencing FP in multidisciplinary interactions. Meanwhile, this study's main limitation lies in the statistical method of panel data analysis, since temporal and spatial changes have not been investigated.

Originality/value

Despite the literature on globalization's effect on FP, each globalization component's effect has not been investigated appropriately within cross-countries studies. Hence, the present study addresses a gap in the extant literature by examining the globalization effects on the food industry to promote globalized food security, opportunities and solutions in the study areas.
When pursuing more career, success hits home and job: examining the cost of vocational delay of gratification
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Yu Kun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to understand the detrimental effects of vocational delay of gratification (VDG) based on the ego-depletion perspective and to explore the specific mechanism in this dynamic process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used experience sampling to survey 89 employees at 3 time points within each day over 10 days and built a 4-stage sequential mediation model.

Findings

Results revealed that, at the daily level, afternoon VDG had a positive effect on end-of-day work–family conflict through afternoon ego depletion. The work–family conflict continued the state of ego depletion to the next morning and led to poor job dedication the next morning.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest organizations and employees should consider not only the benefits of delay of gratification (DG) but the costs as well.

Originality/value

The current study is the first to investigate a dark side of VDG and to explore its underlying mechanism.
Hydrothermal characteristics of a double flow parabolic trough solar collector equipped with sinusoidal-wavy grooved absorber tube and twisted tape insert
Authors: Abbasian Arani Ali Akbar , Memarzadeh Ali
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Present investigation conducts a study on the hydrothermal features of a double flow Parabolic Trough Solar Collector (PTSC) equipped with sinusoidal-wavy grooved absorber tube and twisted tape insert filled with nanofluid. This paper aims to present an effectual PTSC which is comprised by nanofluid numerically by means of finite volume method.

Design/methodology/approach

The beneficial results such as pressure drop inside the absorber tube, mean predicted friction factor, predicted average Nusselt number and hydrothermal Performance Evaluation Criteria (PEC) are evaluated and reported to present the influences of numerous factors on studied interest outcomes. Effects of different Reynolds numbers and environmental conditions are also determined in this investigation.

Findings

It is found that using the absorber roof (canopy) can enhance the heat transfer ratio of PTSCs significantly during all studied Reynolds numbers. Also, it is realized that the combination of inner grooved surface, outer corrugated surface and inserting turbulator can improve the thermal-hydraulic characteristics of PTSCs sharply.

Originality/value

Novel PTSC (N.PTSC) filling with two Heat Transfer Fluids (HTFs), inner and outer surface corrugated absorber tube, absorber roof and inserting twisted tape (N.PTSC.f) has the highest PEC values among all novel configurations along all investigated Reynolds numbers which is followed by configurations N.PTSC with two HTFs and inserting twisted tape (N.PTSC.e), N.PTSC with two HTFs and outer surface corrugated absorber tube (N.PTSC.b) and N.PTSC with two HTFs and inner surface corrugated absorber tube (N.PTSC.c), respectively. N.PTSC.f Nusselt number values can overcome the high values of friction factor, and therefore is introduced as the most efficient model in the current study.
Hand measurement and analysis based on image and mark watershed algorithm
Authors: Fan Danyi , Ma Ximing , Wang Lijun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for hand measurement based on image and marker watershed algorithm, and combine the data to analyze the shape and characteristics of the hand.

Design/methodology/approach

A portable hand image capturing instrument was designed and manufactured, and the hand images and dimensions of 328 young men in Zhejiang area were obtained. The outer contour curve of the hand and the key points of finger root, fingertip, wrist and knuckle position were extracted. Then, the size of each hand part was calculated. The hand data obtained from the two-dimensional image was compared with the manual measurement data. Finally, the hands were classified according to the measurement data, and the relationship between hand control size and hand length, hand width and the relationship between hand length and height were explored.

Findings

The data comparison results show that the two measurement methods have high data consistency and are replaceable. In addition, analyzing the data obtained four major characteristic factors that affect the shape of the hand, divided the hands of young men in Zhejiang into five categories, and obtained the regression equations of basic hand size, hand length and hand width, and obtained the regression equation of hand length and height.

Originality/value

The method proposed in this study to obtain hand size based on the image and mark watershed algorithm has lower requirements on the external environment and testers, conforms to the development trend of applying artificial intelligence to anthropometric engineering and provides a useful reference value for data collection of gloves specification design. In addition, the results of data analysis can provide a valuable reference basis for consumer hand shape predictions, which can be used to guide the research and production of hand instruments, the design of specifications series and the purchase of hand products.