bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of molecular subtype, metastatic site and primary tumor surgery for survival in primary metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Li Yang , Wang Shuaibing , Yang Wenbo , Liu Hong
Published: July 2021

The incidence of primary metastatic breast cancer (PMBC) has not decreased despite the increasing popularity of mammography screening and data on the survival among these patients are limited. Therefore, we conducted an extensive population-based study to investigate the factors influencing the survival of patients with PMBC.

We identified 14,306 patients with de novo stage-IV breast cancer using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data from 2010 to 2015. The overall survival (OS) time and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) time were compared by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the effect of different prognostic factors.

Patients with hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive showed the longest median survival time in OS (39 months) and BCSS (43 months), and those with triple negative exhibited the shortest in OS (11 months) and BCSS (12 months). We concluded that patients who had undergone primary tumor surgery had better survival than those who did not. The incidence of distant visceral metastasis in the whole cohort was as follows: bone, lung, liver, and brain. This study also substantiated that patients with only brain metastasis had poorer survival than patients with metastasis at multiple sites metastasis, not including brain metastasis (P < .0001).

This study confirmed that molecular subtypes, metastatic site and primary tumor surgery were associated with the survival of PMBC patients.
Long-term antithyroid drug therapy
Authors: Cooper David S.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

Over the last 1–2 decades, patients and physicians have preferred antithyroid drug therapy as the initial treatment of Graves’ disease, rather than radioactive iodine or surgery. More recently, the concept of long-term antithyroid drug therapy (LTADT; >24 months of treatment) has also become increasingly popular.

Recent findings

Data from cohort studies and a prospective randomized trial suggest that LTATD therapy is safe and is associated with a higher chance of remission from Graves’ disease than is shorter-term therapy. Also, LTADT may be associated with better quality of life and other clinical outcomes compared to radioiodine and surgery.

Long-term antithyroid drug therapy is appropriate for children and young adults. This approach is a reasonable option in those who are doing well on a stable low dose of antithyroid drug therapy, and especially those who wish to avoid definitive treatment with radioactive iodine or surgery, given their inherent risks and need for lifelong hormonal replacement therapy.
Impact of VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 Polymorphisms on Optimal Warfarin Dose: Does Ethnicity Matters?
Authors: Li Jia X. , Kim Moo H. , Song Kai , Guo Long Z. , Jin En Z. , Kim Soo J. , Lee Kwang M. , Serebruany Victor
Published: July 2021

Background:

Conventional anticoagulation with warfarin remains the cornerstone strategy for numerous preventive strategies. It is established that Asian patients require lower warfarin doses than Caucasians potentially attributing to the genetic polymorphism (GP) differences.

Areas of Uncertainty:

The impact of GP on optimal warfarin dose (OWD) in Koreans is unclear when compared with other ethnicities. It is also not well established whether GP linked to OWD in Korean patients to the similar extend as in Chinese, Japanese, and Caucasians.

Data Sources:

Single-center prospective observational study in Koreans, matched with historic cohorts of other ethnicities.

Therapeutic Advances:

Clinical characteristics, concomitant medications, OWD, international normalized ratio, and VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 GPs were assessed in consecutive Korean patients. The OWD was defined when patient's international normalized ratio was within target range for at least 3 consecutive times separated by 1 week. We included 133 (mean age 62.6 ± 12.1 years, 49% males) warfarin-treated patients of Korean descend. The mean OWD was 3.30 ± 1.34 (range: 1–9) mg/d. Homozygous wild-type patients required lower OWD (3.1 ± 1.1 mg/d vs. 4.7 ± 1.8 mg/d, P < 0.001) for VKORC1 and higher OWD for both CYP2C9 (3.4 ± 1.3 mg/d vs. 2.3 ± 1.1 mg/d, P = 0.002) and CYP4F2 (3.0 ± 1.2 mg/d vs. 3.4 ± 1.3 mg/d vs. 4.0 ± 1.7 mg/d, P = 0.033) than those carrying heterozygote genes.

Conclusions:

Korean patients exhibit different VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 profiles impacting lower OWD in Eastern Asians than required in Caucasians. Universal international OWD guidelines may consider patient ethnicity as a confounder; however, this hypothesis needs further clarification.
Pharmacological Agents That Prevent Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With General Anesthesia: A Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Mingguo , Yang Yuanyuan , Ma Yanfang , Wang Qi
Published: July 2021

Background:

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is associated with prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality, and negative socioeconomic consequences. Dexmedetomidine, ketamine, dexamethasone, and lidocaine have previously been reported to be effective for preventing POCD.

Study question:

In this network meta-analysis, we apply direct and indirect comparisons to rank these pharmacological agents in terms of their effect on POCD, through which we seek to provide evidence for future clinical medication.

Data sources:

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, dexamethasone, or lidocaine on POCD induced by general anesthesia.

Study design:

For eligible studies, 2 reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the respective risk of bias. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using R-3.4.1 software. A total of 30 articles were included in this meta-analysis.

Results:

Direct comparison showed that dexmedetomidine [odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.32–0.55] may decrease the incidence of POCD for noncardiac surgery; dexmedetomidine (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01–0.63) and ketamine (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.32) were found to decrease POCD for cardiac surgery. The R-software ranking result for prevention of POCD was dexmedetomidine, lidocaine, ketamine, placebo, and dexamethasone, respectively, in noncardiac surgery, and dexmedetomidine, ketamine, lidocaine, placebo, and dexamethasone in cardiac surgery.

Conclusion:

Dexmedetomidine exhibited obvious superiority to other agents for noncardiac surgery; dexmedetomidine and ketamine exhibited a significantly better performance than other agents for cardiac surgery. Dexamethasone did not show better efficacy than the placebo. However, more rigorously designed studies comprising larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings.
Astrocyte activation imaging with 11C-acetate and amyloid PET in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer pathology
Authors: Duong Michael Tran , Chen Yin Jie , Doot Robert K. , Young Anthony J. , Lee Hsiaoju , Cai Jenny , Pilania Arun , Wolk David A. , Nasrallah Ilya M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Neuroinflammation is a well-known feature of early Alzheimer disease (AD) yet astrocyte activation has not been extensively evaluated with in vivo imaging in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to amyloid plaque pathology. Unlike neurons, astrocytes metabolize acetate, which has potential as a glial biomarker in neurodegeneration in response to AD pathologic features. Since the medial temporal lobe (MTL) is a hotspot for AD neurodegeneration and inflammation, we assessed astrocyte activity in the MTL and compared it to amyloid and cognition.

Methods

We evaluate spatial patterns of in vivo astrocyte activation and their relationships to amyloid deposition and cognition in a cross-sectional pilot study of six participants with MCI and five cognitively normal participants. We measure 11C-acetate and 18F-florbetaben amyloid standardized uptake values ratios (SUVRs) and kinetic flux compared to the cerebellum on PET, with MRI and neurocognitive testing.

Results

MTL 11C-acetate SUVR was significantly elevated in MCI compared to cognitively normal participants (P = 0.03; Cohen d = 1.76). Moreover, MTL 11C-acetate SUVR displayed significant associations with global and regional amyloid burden in MCI. Greater MTL 11C-acetate retention was significantly related with worse neurocognitive measures including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (P = 0.001), word list recall memory (P = 0.03), Boston naming test (P = 0.04) and trails B test (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

While further validation is required, this exploratory pilot study suggests a potential role for 11C-acetate PET as a neuroinflammatory biomarker in MCI and early AD to provide clinical and translational insights into astrocyte activation as a pathological response to amyloid.
Mechanisms of immunothrombosis in COVID-19
Authors: Portier Irina , Campbell Robert A. , Denorme Frederik
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. Over the past year, COVID-19 has posed a significant threat to global health. Although the infection is associated with mild symptoms in many patients, a significant proportion of patients develop a prothrombotic state due to a combination of alterations in coagulation and immune cell function. The purpose of this review is to discuss the pathophysiological characteristics of COVID-19 that contribute to the immunothrombosis.

Recent findings

Endotheliopathy during COVID-19 results in increased multimeric von Willebrand factor release and the potential for increased platelet adhesion to the endothelium. In addition, decreased anticoagulant proteins on the surface of endothelial cells further alters the hemostatic balance. Soluble coagulation markers are also markedly dysregulated, including plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue factor, leading to COVID-19 induced coagulopathy. Platelet hyperreactivity results in increased platelet-neutrophil and -monocyte aggregates further exacerbating the coagulopathy observed during COVID-19. Finally, the COVID-19-induced cytokine storm primes neutrophils to release neutrophil extracellular traps, which trap platelets and prothrombotic proteins contributing to pulmonary thrombotic complications.

Immunothrombosis significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Understanding the mechanisms behind COVID-19-induced coagulopathy will lead to future therapies for patients.
Still a burning question: the interplay between inflammation and fibrosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Gleitz Hélène F.E. , Benabid Adam , Schneider Rebekka K.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of review

Bone marrow fibrosis is the progressive replacement of blood-forming cells by reticulin fibres, caused by the acquisition of somatic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells. The molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive the progression of bone marrow fibrosis remain unknown, yet chronic inflammation appears to be a conserved feature in most patients suffering from myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Recent findings

Here, we review recent literature pertaining to the role of inflammation in driving bone marrow fibrosis, and its effect on the various hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell populations.

Recent evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of MPN is primarily driven by the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, together with their mutated progeny, which in turn results in chronic inflammation that disrupts the bone marrow niche and perpetuates a disease-permissive environment. Emerging data suggests that specifically targeting stromal inflammation in combination with JAK inhibition may be the way forward to better treat MPNs, and bone marrow fibrosis specifically.
Fall Prevention and Injury Reduction Utilizing Continuous Video Monitoring
Authors: Hogan Quigley Beth , Renz Susan M. , Bradway Christine
Published: July 2021

Background:

Reduction of falls and fall-related injuries in hospital patients remains a priority. Consideration of technology via continuous video monitoring (CVM) is relevant for safe, quality care with favorable cost implications.

Local Problem:

Although fall rates were in the acceptable national safety standard guidelines, interventions were explored with the aim to further decrease falls using CVM.

Methods:

The quality improvement project collected descriptive statistics. Run charts portrayed data trends for falls and injuries in 2-week increments over a 6-month period.

Interventions:

Two-way cameras and a virtual sitter were used to observe fall risk patients.

Results:

Implementation of CVM with virtual sitters depicted a 14% decline in fall rates and a 6% decrease in fall-related injury rates with positive budget implications.

Conclusion:

Cost savings, fall rates, and fall injury rates all improved with the inception of video monitoring.
Eyebrows, Facial Expression, and “Poem to the Eyebrow (Blason du Sourcil)”
Authors: Hwang Kun
Published: July 2021

This review aims to introduce the role of facial expression in communication, the areas involved in facial expression especially the eye and eyebrow, the “Poem of the Eyebrow” (Blason du Sourcil), and preferred brow archetypes.

The ability to interpret and respond properly to facial expressions contributes to emotional self-competence and satisfactory social and cognitive development. Certain areas may intensify the emotional message, clarifying the expression and reducing ambiguity. Specific facial areas might make expressions more difficult to interpret. The region of the eye is the most prominent facial region for emotion interpretation. Roles of eyebrow density and position in the interpretation of facial expression of emotion depend, at least in part, upon the emotion being expressed. For face recognition, the eyebrows may be at least as influential as the eyes.

French poet Maurice Sceve wrote “Poem to the Eyebrow.” This poem contains some noteworthy verses about the function of the eyebrow: Eyebrow that makes the boldest fearful, and gives courage to even cowards.

Among brow archetypes, “Anastasia type” (brow starts on a perpendicular line drawn from the middle of the nostril, arches on a line drawn from the center of the nose through the center of the pupil, and ends on a line drawn from the edge of the corresponding nasal ala through the outer edge of the eye) was the most preferred. The middle brow height was most preferred (the distance from the lateral canthus to the lateral end of eyebrow is two-thirds of the eye width).
What is the Role of Force in Correcting Scaphocephaly Through Spring-Mediated Cranial Vault Expansion for Sagittal Craniosynostosis?
Authors: Shakir Sameer , Humphries Laura S. , Lanni Michael A. , Kalmar Christopher L. , Vu Giap , Heuer Gregory , Lang Shih-Shan , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A. , Swanson Jordan W.
Published: July 2021

Objectives:

Spring-mediated cranial vault expansion (SMC) may enable less invasive treatment of sagittal craniosynostosis than conventional methods. The influence of spring characteristics such as force, length, and quantity on cranial vault outcomes are not well understood. Using in vivo and ex vivo models, we evaluate the interaction between spring force, length, and quantity on correction of scaphocephalic deformity in patients undergoing SMC.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively studied subjects with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis who underwent SMC between 2011 and 2019. The primary outcome measure of in vivo analysis was head shape determined by cephalic index (CI). Ex vivo experimentation analyzed the impact of spring length, bend, and thickness on resultant force.

Results:

Eighty-nine subjects underwent SMC at median 3.4 months with median preoperative CI 69% (interquartile range: 66, 71%). Twenty-six and 63 subjects underwent SMC with 2 and 3 springs, with mean total force 20.1 and 27.6 N, respectively (P < 0.001).

Postoperative CI increased from 71% to 74% and 68% to 77% in subjects undergoing 2- and 3-spring cranioplasty at the 6-month timepoint, respectively (P < 0.001). Total spring force correlated to increased change in CI (P < 0.002). Spring length was inversely related to transverse cranial expansion at Postoperative day 1, however, directly related at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.001). Ex vivo modeling of spring length was inversely related to spring force regardless of spring number (P < 0.0001). Ex vivo analysis demonstrated greater resultant force when utilizing wider, thicker springs independent of spring arm length and degree of compression.

Conclusions:

A dynamic relationship among spring characteristics including length, bend, thickness, and quantity appear to influence SMC outcomes.
Evolution of Hematological Parameters in Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery With a View to Hospital Discharge: A Prospective Study
Authors: Pereira Vinicius Balan Santos , Veras Gabriella Aguiar Rodrigues , Rocha Nelson Studart , Barbirato Davi da Silva , Neto Joaquim Celestino da Silva , Vasconcelos Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito
Published: July 2021

Background:

The length of hospital stays of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery depends on related local and systemic factors. Hematological changes resulting from orthognathic surgery, followed up in the postoperative period until hospital discharge, have neither yet been established for specific cases, nor for normal situations. This study aimed to describe the hemodynamic parameters of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, considering a prediction of hospital discharge. A prospective analytical study was carried out on a sample of convenience for this purpose.

Methods:

The erythrogram, leukogram, and platelet count were assessed 24 and 72 hours after surgery and compared with preoperative values. Intraoperative volume loss was also assessed. Inferential statistical analyses were performed as analysis of variance or Friedman test, paired Wilcoxon test, Mann–Whitney test, and 2-tailed Spearman correlation.

Results:

The red blood cell count (mean ± standard deviation [median]); (4.60 ± 0.24 [4.56]), hemoglobin (12.82 ± 1.03 [12.75]), hematocrit (39.51 ± 3.47 [39.60]), and red cell distribution with (32.60 ± 0.88 [33.05]) were higher preoperatively (P < 0.001). Mean corpuscular volume (83.87 ± 5.63 [83.10]), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (27.50 ± 1.47 [28.00]), leukocytes (6262.00 ± 1448.36 [6380.00]). The volume loss varied between 463.87 and 752.13 mL (608.00 ± 144.13 [630.00]).

Conclusions:

The results of the hematological evaluations corroborate the expectation of standard discharge from the hospital, with reflected changes resulting from volume loss and intense postoperative inflammatory response, even under the anti-inflammatory pharmacological effect.
The Influence of Sex and Ancestry on Three-Dimensional Palate Shape
Authors: El Sergani Ahmed M. , Brandebura Stephanie , Padilla Carmencita , Butali Azeez , Adeyemo Wasiu L. , Valencia-Ramírez Consuelo , Muñeton Claudia P. Restrepo , Moreno Lina M. , Buxó Carmen J. , Neiswanger Katherine , Shaffer John R. , Marazita Mary L. , Weinberg Seth M.
Published: July 2021

Modern human palate shape has been reported to vary by sex and ancestry, but limitations in the methods used to quantify shape and in population coverage have led to inconsistent findings. In the present study, the authors aim to characterize the effects of sex and ancestry on normal-range three-dimensional palate shape through landmark-based morphometrics.

Three-dimensional digital dental casts were obtained and landmarked from 794 adults of European (n = 429), African (n = 295), and East Asian (n = 70) ancestry. Principal component analysis was conducted to identify patterns of shape variation present in our cohort, and canonical variates analysis was performed to test for shape differences between sexes and ancestries.

Principal component analysis showed that 3 principal components, explaining 76.52% of variance, linked higher palatal vault with either a relative reduction in anteroposterior or mediolateral dimensions. Canonical variates analysis showed that males had wider and shorter palates with more posteriorly located maximum vault depth than females. Individuals of African ancestry, having higher vaults with more posteriorly located maximal depths, also had wider and shorter palates, whereas individuals of European ancestry had narrower and longer palates with more anteriorly located maximum vault depths. Individuals of East Asian ancestry showed the shallowest vaults.

It was found that both sex and ancestry influence palate shape, suggesting a possible genetic component underlying this variation. Additionally, our findings indicate that vault height tends to co-vary with anteroposterior or mediolateral dimensions. Further investigation of these morphological patterns may shed light on possible links to common congenital anomalies such as orofacial clefting.
The Stress Concentration and Biomechanical Properties of the Intraoral Distractors and the Extraoral Distractors Used in Treatment of Hemifacial Microsomia Patients: A Simulation Finite Element Analysis Study
Authors: El Hadidi Yasser Nabil , Askar Mohamed Gamal
Published: July 2021

The Aim of the Study:

Finite element analysis of the stresses subjected to both the intraoral and the extraoral distractors devices used in the mandibular distraction of hemifacial microsomia patients.

Methodology:

Two models were included in the current study. The first model was an extraoral distractor and the second model was an intraoral distractor model. To generate the results in the simulated models; 2 vertical loads were applied (222.7 and 137.78 N) on the defective and normal side, respectively.

Results:

The intraoral system observed lower stress (6.85 MPa) in the mandibular bone compared to the extraoral system (13.21 MPa). The intraoral distractor had a higher stress concentration on the distractor fixing screws (352 MPa) compared to the extraoral distractor fixing pins (15 MPa). The extraoral distractor had a higher displacement effect on the mandibular bone around the pins of 263.35 μm in comparison to the intraoral distractor effect which was 77.87 μm.

Conclusions:

Internal oral distractor provides a sort of stress shielding to the distracted bone and less displacement, so it is more advisable to be used in general. The external devices are advised only in extralong distraction distance because the distractor is subjected to lower stresses compared to intraoral counterparts.
Spatiotemporal expression of Rap1 and Ras mediates the acquisition and reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in mice via extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation
Authors: Qian Hongyan , Xiao Jing , Shang Qing , Wang Jing , Liang Min , Gao Baoyao , Chen Gang , Li Tao , Liu Xinshe
Published: July 2021

Drug addiction is a chronic recurrent brain disease characterized by compulsive drug use and a high tendency to relapse. We previously reported that the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-ΔFosB pathway in the caudate putamen (CPu) was involved in methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization. Rap1, as an antagonist of Ras originally, was found to participate in neuronal synaptic plasticity recently, but the role of Rap1 in methamphetamine addiction is unclear. First, in this study, we constructed the acquisition, extinction and reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice, respectively. Then, protein levels of Rap1, Ras and pERK/ERK in the prefrontal cortex (PFc), CPu and hippocampus of CPP mice on three phases were detected. We found that protein levels of Rap1, Ras and pERK/ERK in the CPu were significantly increased after repeated methamphetamine administration, as well as Rap1 and pERK/ERK in the hippocampus. However, protein levels of Rap1 and pERK/ERK in the CPu were decreased on the reinstatement of CPP mice. Therefore, Rap1 and Ras in the CPu and Rap1 in the hippocampus may participate in the regulation of the acquisition of methamphetamine-induced CPP in mice by activating ERK. Moreover, Rap1-ERK cascade in the CPu contributes to both the acquisition and reinstatement of methamphetamine-induced CPP in mice.
Involvement of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated histone acetylation in the regulation of depression
Authors: Zhu Li-Juan , Sun Yan-Qiu , Wang Shuang , Shi Hu-Jiang , Li Na
Published: July 2021

Depression is one of the most common and disabling mental disorders. There is growing evidence that 5-HT1A receptor is involved in the regulation of depressive-related behaviors. However, the exact mechanism underlying the role of 5-HT1A receptor in depression remains unknown. Histone acetylation is associated with the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. In the current study, we investigated whether the epigenetic histone deacetylase (HDAC)-induced histone acetylation mediates the regulation of 5-HT1A receptor in depressive behaviors. We showed that 5-HT1A receptor selective agonist (±)−8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin hydrobromide led to significant increase in acetylation of H3 at lysine 9 (Ac-H3K9) and H4 at lysine 5 (Ac-H4K5) and lysine 12 (Ac-H4K12) with obviously decreasing histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1), histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) and histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) expression in hippocampus of mice. Conversely, 5-HT1A receptor selective antagonist NAN-190 decreased the level of acetylation of H3 and H4 with increasing the expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC4 and HDAC5 in the hippocampus. Furthermore, we found that HDAC inhibitors, trichostatin A or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid infusion to hippocampus prevented the depressive behaviors induced by NAN-190, as well as histone H3 and H4 acetylation in mice. Our results suggested that epigenetic histone acetylation coupled with 5-HT1A receptor may play vital role in the pathophysiology and treatment of depressive disorders.
Paraliobacillus salinarum sp. nov., isolated from saline soil in Yingkou, China
Authors: Yin Ya-Lin , Li Fang-Ling , Du Xian-Yuan , Zhang Ya-Xi , Wang Lei
Published: July 2021

A novel Gram-stain-positive, facultatively aerobic, slightly halophilic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated G6-18T, was isolated from saline soil collected in Yingkou, Liaoning, PR China. Cells of strain G6-18T grew at 10–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 2–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 5 %). The strain could be clearly distinguished from the related species of the genus

Paraliobacillus

by its phylogenetic position and biochemical characteristics. It presented MK-7 as the major quinone and the dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major components. The G+C content of strain G6-18T genome was 35.3 mol%. 16S rRNA analysis showed that strain G6-18T had the highest similarity to

Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis

DSM 15140T, reaching 97.0 %, followed by

Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis

CGMCC 1.6333T with a value of 96.3 %. The average nucleotide identity values between strain G6-18T and

Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis

DSM 15140T, Paraliobacillus sedimins KCTC 33762T,

Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis

CGMCC 1.6333T and

Paraliobacillus zengyii

DSM 107811T were 74.3, 72.0, 73.2 and 72.8 %, respectively, and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain G6-18T and the neighbouring strains were 15.6, 13.8, 14.2 and 14.2 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic inferences, strain G6-18T represents a novel species of the genus

Paraliobacillus

, for which the name Paraliobacillus salinarum sp. nov. (=CGMCC 1.12058T=DSM 25428T) is proposed.
Break-through COVID-19 infection rate with Indian strain in Single-center Healthcare Workers – A real world data
Authors: Sabnis Ravindra , Patil Abhijit , Shete Nitiraj , Rastogi Arun Kumar
Published: July 2021

Introduction

It is observed that many healthcare workers got COVID-19 infection despite of completing both doses of Covishield vaccine. This study aimed to find real incidence of vaccine breakthrough infection.

Material and methods

All hospital employees, who were fully vaccinated were included in study. Details about their vaccine side effects, infection prior to vaccination, post vaccination infection, severity of infection, hospital and ICU admission were noted.

Results

None encountered any significant side effects of vaccine. Of the 461 participants – 86 (18.65%) got infection average 38 days (range 14-70days) after vaccination. As per the NIH classification, out of 86, disease was mild in 69(80.2%), moderate in 10(11.62%), severe in 6(6.97%) and critical in 1(1.16%). Of these, 10(11.62%) required hospital admission. Of these 10, 2 were shifted to ICU. Of the 2, One recovered while one died. Thus mortality was 1/86(1.6%).

Conclusion

Breakthrough infection rate in health care workers was 18.65%. Moderate, severe or critical disease occurred in 19.7% participants even after two doses of vaccine. Mortality due to disease cannot be completely obviated due to vaccine. The vaccine was safe without any significant adverse events.
Anaesthetic Higher Specialty Training Recruitment in the United Kingdom During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Survey
Authors: Durrant Fionnuala , Edwardson Stuart , El-Ghazali Sally , Holt Christopher , McCrossan Roopa , Pramanik Ileena , Subramaniam Jeevakan , Wong Danny J. N.
Published: July 2021

The most recent ST3 Anaesthetic recruitment for posts commencing in August 2021 saw larger numbers of applicants (n = 1,056) compared to previous years, with approximately 700 applicants failing to secure an ST3 post. We surveyed 536 anaesthetic junior doctors who applied for ST3 posts during this application round with the aim of investigating their experience of the recruitment process this year (response rate 536/1,056 = 51%). Approximately 61% were not offered ST3 posts (n = 326), a similar proportion to that previously reported. We asked all respondents what their potential career plans were for the next 12 to 24 months. The majority expressed intentions to take up either CT3 top-up posts or non-training fellow posts from August 2021 (79%). Other options considered by respondents included: pursuing work abroad (17%), embarking on a career break (16%), taking up an ST3 post in intensive care medicine instead of anaesthetics (15%) and permanently leaving the medical profession (9%). A number of respondents expressed a desire to pursue training in a different medical specialty (9%). Some respondents expressed an intention to pursue further education or research (10%). A large proportion of respondents (42%) expressed a lack of confidence in being able to achieve the necessary training requirements to later apply for ST4 in August 2023. The majority of respondents reported not feeling confident in achieving GMC Specialty Registration in Anaesthesia in the future without a training number (75%), and that their wider life plans have been disrupted due to the impending time out of training (78%). We received a total of 384 free-text responses to a question asking about general concerns regarding the ST3 applications process. Sentiment analysis of these free-text responses indicated that respondents felt generally negatively about the ST3 recruitment process. Some themes that were elicited from the responses included: respondents feeling the recruitment process lacked fairness, respondents suffering burnout and negative impacts on their wellbeing, difficulties in making plans for their personal lives, and feeling undervalued and abandoned despite having made personal sacrifices to support the health service during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results suggest that junior anaesthetic doctors in the UK currently have a negative perception towards postgraduate training structures, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to the postgraduate training curriculum and difficulties in securing higher training posts.
Acute-stress induced change in salience network coupling prospectively predicts post-trauma symptom-development
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kaldewaij Reinoud , Hashemi Mahur M. , Koch Saskia B.J. , Smit Annika , van Ast Vanessa , Beckmann Christian F. , Klumpers Floris , Roelofs Karin
Published: July 2021

Substantial individual differences exist in how acute stress affects large-scale neurocognitive networks, including Salience (SN), Default Mode (DMN) and Central Executive Networks (CEN). Changes in the connectivity strength of these network upon acute stress may predict vulnerability to long-term stress effects, which can only be tested in prospective longitudinal studies. Using such longitudinal design, we investigated whether the magnitude of acute-stress induced functional connectivity changes (delta-FC) predicts the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a relatively resilient group of young police students that are known to be at high risk for trauma-exposure.

Using resting-state fMRI, we measured acute-stress induced delta-FC in 190 police recruits before (baseline) and after trauma exposure during repeated emergency aid services (16-month follow-up). Delta-FC was then linked to the changes in perceived stress levels (PSS) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PCL and CAPS).

Weakened connectivity between the SN and DMN core regions upon acute stress induction at baseline predicted longitudinal increases in perceived stress level but not of post-traumatic stress symptoms, whereas increased coupling between the overall SN and anterior cerebellum was observed in participants with higher clinician-rated PTSD symptoms, particularly intrusion levels. All effects remained significant when controlling for trauma exposure-levels and cortisol stress-reactivity. Neither hormonal nor subjective measures exerted similar predictive or acquired effects.

The reconfiguration of large-scale neural networks upon acute stress induction is relevant for assessing and detecting risk and resilience factors for PTSD. This study highlights the SN connectivity-changes as a potential marker for trauma-related symptom-development, which is sensitive even in a relatively resilient sample.
Critical Role of the Subways in the Initial Spread of SARS-CoV-2 in New York City
Authors: Harris Jeffrey E.
Published: July 2021

We studied the possible role of the subways in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in New York City during late February and March 2020. Data on cases and hospitalizations, along with phylogenetic analyses of viral isolates, demonstrate rapid community transmission throughout all five boroughs within days. The near collapse of subway ridership during the second week of March was followed within 1-2 weeks by the flattening of COVID-19 incidence curve. We observed persistently high entry into stations located along the subway line serving a principal hotspot of infection in Queens. We used smartphone tracking data to estimate the volume of subway visits originating from each zip code tabulation area (ZCTA). Across ZCTAs, the estimated volume of subway visits on March 16 was strongly predictive of subsequent COVID-19 incidence during April 1-8. In a spatial analysis, we distinguished between the conventional notion of geographic contiguity and a novel notion of contiguity along subway lines. We found that the March 16 subway-visit volume in subway-contiguous ZCTAs had an increasing effect on COVID-19 incidence during April 1-8 as we enlarged the radius of influence up to 5 connected subway stops. By contrast, the March 31 cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in geographically-contiguous ZCTAs had an increasing effect on subsequent COVID-19 incidence as we expanded the radius up to 3 connected ZCTAs. The combined evidence points to the initial citywide dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 via a subway-based network, followed by percolation of new infections within local hotspots.
Fear of COVID-19 among nurses in mobile COVID-19 testing units in Greece
Authors: Galanis Petros , Petrogianni Emmanouela , Vraka Irene , Konstantakopoulou Olympia , Siskou Olga , Bilali Angeliki , Kaitelidou Daphne
Published: July 2021

Background

Mobile COVID-19 testing units are used worldwide to test quickly and easily individuals for COVID-19.

Aim

To assess the level of fear of COVID-19 among nurses in mobile COVID-19 testing units and compare it with demographic characteristics.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during November and December 2020. Study population included 57 nurses working in mobile COVID-19 testing units in Attica, Greece. We collected demographic data from the nurses, i.e. gender, age, marital status, children, living status (alone or with others), clinical experience, and chronic disease. We used the fear of COVID-19 scale to measure fear of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The mean score on the fear of COVID-19 scale was 14.3. Among nurses, 31.6% experienced elevated fear indicative of presence of anxiety symptoms, while the respective percentages for health anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptomatology were 22.8% and 17.5%. Fear of COVID-19 was not affected by demographic variables. However, fear was higher in females, nurses who had children and nurses who lived with others. Increased clinical experience was related with decreased fear.

Conclusions

Creating a secure work environment for nurses in these units could decrease fear of COVID-19 and increase work performance.
Visual perturbation of balance suggests impaired neuromuscular stability but intact visuo-motor control in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Engel David , Student Justus , Schwenk Jakob C.B. , Morris Adam P. , Waldthaler Josefine , Timmermann Lars , Bremmer Frank
Published: July 2021

Postural instability marks one of the most disabling features of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but only reveals itself after affected brain areas have already been significantly damaged. Thus, there is a need to detect deviations in balance and postural control before visible symptoms occur. In this study, we visually perturbed balance in the anterior-posterior direction using sinusoidal oscillations of a moving room in virtual reality at different frequencies. We tested three groups: individuals with PD under dopaminergic medication, an age-matched control group, and a group of young healthy adults. We tracked their centre of pressure and their full-body motion. We investigated sway amplitudes and applied newly introduced phase-locking analyses to investigate responses across participants’ bodies. Patients exhibited significantly higher sway amplitudes as compared to the control subjects. However, their sway was phase-locked to the visual motion like that of age-matched and young healthy adults. Furthermore, all groups successfully compensated for the visual perturbation by – most likely reflexively - phase-locking their sway to the stimulus. As frequency of the perturbation increased, distribution of phase-locking (PL) across the body revealed a shift of the highest PL-values from the upper body towards the hip-region for young healthy adults, which could not be observed in patients and elderly healthy adults. Our findings suggest an impaired neuromuscular stability, but intact visuomotor processing in early stages of PD, while less flexibility to adapt postural strategy to different perturbations revealed to be an effect of age rather than disease.

New & Noteworthy

A better understanding of visuomotor control in Parkinson’s disease (PD) potentially serves as a tool for earlier diagnosis, which is crucial for improving patient’s quality of life. In our study, we assess body sway responses to visual perturbations of the balance control system in patients with early-to-mid stage PD, using motion tracking along with recently established phase-locking techniques. Our findings suggest patients at this stage to have an impaired muscular stability but intact visuomotor control.
A case-control study of autoimmune AEFIs following COVID-19 vaccination reported to VAERS
Authors: von Csefalvay Chris
Published: July 2021

Autoimmune adverse effects following immunisation (AEFIs) are widely regarded as a chief concern driving vaccine hesitancy. This case-control study seeks to shed light on the true risk of autoimmune AEFIs associated with the COVID-19 vaccine through a case-control analysis of VAERS reports. Reports of autoimmune aetiology were matched with reports of non-autoimmune controls. Statistical analysis reveals that the safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines with regard to autoimmune AEFIs is highly favourable. In particular, neuroautoimmune AEFIs have statistically significant reporting odds ratios below unity (Guillain-Barre syndrome: 0.35, multiple sclerosis: 0.70, transverse myelitis: 0.79), indicating a reduced association of reports of these conditions with the COVID-19 vaccine versus other vaccines. Only three autoimmune aetiologies exceed a ROR of 2.0 and thus present a potential signal. Of these, myasthenia gravis (ROR = 3.90, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.63-5.80) may be the result of epidemiological confounding factors not sufficiently controlled by matching, as the population most likely to develop myasthenia gravis was strongly prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccine’s initial rollout. Immune thrombocytopaenia (ROR = 26.83, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 16.93-42.54) is a clear safety signal, confirming a large number of case reports and studies that indicate a risk of immune thrombocytopaenic events following the COVID-19 vaccine. The lone strong safety signal of immune thrombocytopaenia notwithstanding, this study attests to the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine where autoimmune conditions are concerned. Through quantifying the risk of autoimmune disorders associated with COVID-19 vaccination, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the safety of such vaccines.
Chasing the metabolism of novel syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria in thermophilic methanogenic chemostats
Authors: Zeng Yan , Zheng Dan , Gou Min , Xia Zi-Yuan , Chen Ya-Ting , Nobu Masaru Konishi , Tang Yue-Qin
Published: July 2021

Background

Acetate is the major intermediate of anaerobic digestion of organic waste to CH4. In anaerobic methanogenic systems, acetate degradation is carried out by either acetoclastic methanogenesis or a syntrophic degradation by a syntrophy of acetate oxidizers and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Due to challenges in isolation of syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacteria (SAOB), the diversity and metabolism of SAOB, as well as the mechanisms of their interactions with methanogenic partners remain poorly understood.

Results

In this study, we successfully enriched previously unknown SAOB by operating continuous thermophilic anaerobic chemostats fed with acetate, propionate, butyrate, or isovalerate as the sole carbon and energy source. They represent novel clades belonging to Clostridia, Thermoanaerobacteraceae, Anaerolineae, and Gemmatimonadetes. In these SAOB, acetate is degraded through reverse Wood-Ljungdahl pathway or an alternative pathway mediated by the glycine cleavage system, while the SAOB possessing the latter pathway dominated the bacterial community. Moreover, H2 is the major product of the acetate degradation by these SAOB, which is mediated by [FeFe]-type electron-confurcating hydrogenases, formate dehydrogenases, and NADPH reoxidation complexes. We also identified the methanogen partner of these SAOB in acetate-fed chemostat, Methanosarcina thermophila, which highly expressed genes for CO2-reducing methanogenesis and hydrogenases to supportively consuming H2 at transcriptional level. Finally, our bioinformatical analyses further suggested that these previously unknown syntrophic lineages were prevalent and might play critical roles in thermophilic methanogenic reactors.

Conclusion

This study expands our understanding on the phylogenetic diversity and in situ biological functions of uncultured syntrophic acetate degraders, and presents novel insights on how they interact with their methanogens partner. These knowledges strengthen our awareness on the important role of SAO in thermophilic methanogenesis and may be applied to manage microbial community to improve the performance and efficiency of anaerobic digestion.
Spontaneous pauses in firing of external pallidum neurons are associated with exploratory behavior
Authors: Kaplan Alexander , Mizrahi-Kliger Aviv D. , Rappel Pnina , Iskhakova Liliya , Fonar Gennadiy , Israel Zvi , Bergman Hagai
Published: July 2021

Spontaneous pauses in firing are the hallmark of external pallidum (GPe) neurons. However, their role in the basal ganglia (BG) network remains unknown. Pupil size and saccades have been linked to attention and exploration. Here, we show that pauses are associated with dilated pupils and increased saccade rate. Our results suggest that pauses are a powerful mechanism by which the GPe may influence BG downstream structures and affect behavioral output.
Social experience alters oxytocinergic modulation in the nucleus accumbens of female prairie voles
Authors: Borie Amélie M. , Agezo Sena , Lunsford Parker , Boender Arjen J. , Guo Ji-Dong , Zhu Hong , Berman Gordon J. , Young Larry J. , Liu Robert C.
Published: July 2021

Social relationships are dynamic and evolve with shared and personal experiences. Whether the functional role of social neuromodulators also evolves with experience to shape the trajectory of relationships is unknown. We utilized pair bonding in the socially monogamous prairie voles as an example of socio-sexual experience that dramatically alters behaviors displayed toward other individuals. We investigated oxytocin-dependent modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the nucleus accumbens as a function of pair bonding status. We found that an oxytocin receptor agonist decreases the amplitude of spontaneous Excitatory Postsynaptic Currents (EPSCs) in sexually naive virgin, but not pair-bonded, female voles, while it increases the amplitude of electrically evoked EPSCs in paired voles, but not in virgins. This oxytocin-dependent potentiation of synaptic transmission relies on the de novo coupling between oxytocin receptor signaling and endocannabinoid CB1 receptor signaling in pair bonded voles. Blocking CB1 receptors after pair bond formation increases the occurrence of a specific form of social rejection – defensive upright response – that is displayed towards the partner but not towards a novel individual. Altogether, our results demonstrate that oxytocin’s action in the nucleus accumbens is changed through social experience in a way that regulates the trajectory of social interactions as the relationship with the partner unfolds, potentially promoting the maintenance of a pair bond by inhibiting aggressive responses. These results provide a mechanism by which social experience and context shift oxytocinergic signaling to impact neural and behavioral responses to social cues.