bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Markers of obesity in Danish pediatric liver transplantation recipients
Authors: Trier Cæcilie , Schaffalitzky de Muckadell Vibeke , Borgwardt Lise , Rasmussen Allan , Hørby Jørgensen Marianne
Published: June 2022

Background

Long‐time survivors of pediatric liver transplantation have an increased incidence of the metabolic syndrome. Adult recipients have an increased risk of post‐transplantation obesity; however, pediatric data are limited.

Methods

The study included 42 recipients of pediatric liver transplantation in Denmark, transplanted between 1990 and 2014. The study participants were examined with anthropometric measures, dual‐energy X‐ray scans and blood samples. From the anthropometric measures, body mass index (BMI) and BMI standard deviation score (SDS) were calculated. From the dual‐energy X‐ray scans, fat percent was assessed, and body fat mass index (BFMI) was calculated.

Results

The median age was 17.4 years (range 4.1–38.9) at the time of the study, and the median time since transplantation was 8.5 years (range 0.4–23.9). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.0% based on BMI SDS (age below 18) and BMI (age 18 and above). When compared to the participants with normal weight, the participants with overweight and obesity had a higher BFMI (9.29 vs 5.57 kg/m2, p < .001) and fat percent (38.35% vs 29.50%, p = .006). They had higher levels of total cholesterol (4.3 vs 3.6 mmol/L, p = .023) and low‐density lipoprotein (2.5 vs 1.7, p = .015), and had had longer time since transplantation (15.6 vs 8.5 years respectively, p = .045).

Conclusions

Long‐time survivors of pediatric liver transplantation have a higher BMI or BMI SDS than the general pediatric population. The obesity is characterized by a higher BFMI, fat percent, and cholesterols levels, when compared to recipients without overweight or obesity.
Political Extremism and a Generalized Propensity to Discriminate Among Values
Authors: Rigoli Francesco
Published: June 2022

Research exploring the psychological differences between people supporting extreme versus moderate ideologies is growing. However, this research has rarely examined the domain of values. Here, we explore this domain by assessing the possibility that political extremists discriminate more among values compared to moderates, namely, that extremists exhibit strong commitment toward some values at the expense of other values, whereas moderates would acknowledge a multiplicity of values as equally important. First, we propose a model positing that a value discriminability parameter captures a general tendency to discriminate among values. Second, we test empirically the prediction that, compared to moderates, political extremists exhibit a higher discriminability parameter. This prediction is supported by four studies (including one based on the European Social Survey where representative samples from 29 European countries are examined) where participants reported their ideological orientation and rated the importance of basic human values (we focused on basic values because these transcend the political domain, thus highlighting general effects). Specifically, in all studies we observed a positive correlation between political extremism and residual variability in ratings, a hallmark of a higher discriminability parameter. These findings highlight the value domain as critical to understanding differences between political extremists and moderates.
Effects of epididymal sperm recovery methods on fresh and frozen–thawed sperm characteristics in dogs
Authors: Mogheiseh Asghar , Divar Mohammad Reza , Vesal Nasser , Mahdivand Moradloo Fereshteh
Published: June 2022

The cauda epididymis holds a collectible source of fertile spermatozoa in cases of obstructive azoospermia, sudden death, and after elective or emergency castration. The current study was conducted to compare three different epidydimal sperm collection methods (Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and retrograde epididymal wash (EW)) in the dog. Fifteen large‐breed adult dogs were applied for comparing the PESA (left testicles) with MESA (right testicles) techniques, while five dogs were used for evaluation of MESA (left testicles) versus EW (right testicles). The recovered sperm cells from MESA and EW were subjected to cryopreservation. Total sperm recovery, level of blood contamination and sperm quality markers (viability, morphology, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, and metabolic activity) were evaluated for fresh and frozen–thawed spermatozoa. We showed that the collection of epididymal sperm cells through the PESA method resulted in lower total sperm recovery and significantly reduced fresh sperm kinematic and quality measures. While, both MESA and EW procedures resulted in a high number of intact epididymal spermatozoa with appropriate cryo‐tolerance potential. In conclusion, EW and MESA methods provide high‐quality epidydimal spermatozoa with high cryopreservation potential in domestic dogs.
Regulating the retirement age—Lessons from Nordic pension policy approaches
Authors: von Nordheim Fritz , Kvist Jon
Published: June 2022

The likelihood that longevity will continue to increase has generated a search for regulation that make people work longer as they live longer, and thus not just containing pension expenditure but also enlarging labor supply, economic growth, and tax revenue. In public pension policy, Nordic countries have led the world with three types of approaches aimed at making people retire later. The first came when Sweden, followed by Finland and Norway, installed life expectancy coefficients in benefit calculation formulas. The second followed as Finland introduced age‐related accrual rates and the third when Denmark indexed the pensionable age to developments in life expectancy. Since economic incentive‐based regulations failed to raise exit ages sufficiently, Finland and Sweden subsequently linked pensionable ages to life expectancy like Denmark. While this policy brings out inequalities in health and workability, the fact that countries found it necessary to index the pensionable age to longevity instead of just relying on economic incentives in regulating retirement behavior may hold lessons for other countries.
Insurance research in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe: What we can learn from XPRIMM data
Authors: Born Patricia , Bujakowski Douglas
Published: June 2022

Central, Eastern, and Southeastern European insurance markets have garnered considerable research attention in recent years. Yet, that research has been constrained by a dearth of insurer‐level data. This paper highlights XPRIMM as a promising source of insurer data and uses this data set to provide an illustrative analysis of insurance prices in Central and Eastern Europe. We also discuss the limitations of XPRIMM data and efforts to overcome these limitations through the creation of a more comprehensive data set.
Carry trades and US monetary policy
Authors: Falconio Andrea
Published: June 2022

I document that Federal Reserve expansionary monetary policy has a positive impact on the excess returns arising from currency carry trades. I show that expansive monetary surprises are associated with an increase in future real interest differentials between high interest rate currencies and the US dollar, which leads to higher capital flows toward those currencies and an increase in their returns. Since this increase is not fully compensated by a decrease in the returns from the short position in low interest rate currencies, unexpected monetary expansions in the US result in higher carry trade returns.
Comparison of corneal culture results obtained using theESwab™ and Amies charcoal swab in canine and feline patients
Authors: Large Thomas P. , Mack Sarah , Villiers Elizabeth , Oliver James
Published: June 2022

Objective

The objective of the study was to compare corneal culture results using the ESwab™ and Amies charcoal swab.

Animals studied

One hundred fourteen canine and fifteen feline eyes.

Procedures

Retrospective analysis of Dick White Referrals bacterial and fungal corneal culture data was conducted. Results were included from canine and feline patients, which presented with suspected infectious keratitis that had samples taken using an Amies charcoal swab followed by an ESwab™ in the same eye. In respect to positive and negative cultures, a McNemar test was conducted comparing instances of disagreement between swab types, and the Kappa coefficient (κ) was calculated to assess the level of agreement between swab types.

Results

The ESwab™ produced more positive corneal cultures (71/129 [55.0%]) than the Amies charcoal swab (41/129 [31.8%]). 2/129 eyes produced positive fungal cultures. Considering 37/129 eyes in which both swab types detected a positive corneal culture, the same bacterial species were cultured from each swab type in 34/37 (91.9%) eyes, and an additional bacterial species was cultured by the ESwab™ in 3/37 (8.1%) eyes. In 34/38 (89.5%), instances of disagreement between swab types, the ESwab™ showed a positive culture, and the Amies charcoal swab showed a negative culture from the same eye, and this difference was significant (p < 0.0001). There was a moderate level of agreement between results from both swab types (κ = 0.432).

Conclusions

ESwab™ sampling alone may be superior to Amies charcoal swabs for detecting presence of bacteria in suspected infectious keratitis in cats and dogs.
Connectivity and synaptic features of hilar mossy cells and their effects on granule cell activity along the hippocampal longitudinal axis
Authors: Abdulmajeed Wahab Imam , Wang Kai‐Yi , Wu Jei‐Wei , Ajibola Musa Iyiola , Cheng Irene Han‐Juo , Lien Cheng‐Chang
Published: June 2022

The hippocampus is an elongated brain structure which runs along a ventral‐to‐dorsal axis in rodents, corresponding to the anterior‐to‐posterior axis in humans. A glutamatergic cell type in the dentate gyrus (DG), the mossy cells (MCs), establishes extensive excitatory collateral connections with the DG principal cells, the granule cells (GCs), and inhibitory interneurons in both hippocampal hemispheres along the longitudinal axis. Although coupling of two physically separated GC populations via long‐axis projecting MCs is instrumental for information processing, the connectivity and synaptic features of MCs along the longitudinal axis are poorly defined. Here, using channelrhodopsin‐2 assisted circuit mapping, we showed that MC excitation results in a low synaptic excitation–inhibition (E/I) balance in the intralamellar (local) GCs, but a high synaptic E/I balance in the translamellar (distant) ones. In agreement with the differential E/I balance along the ventrodorsal axis, activation of MCs either enhances or suppresses the local GC response to the cortical input, but primarily promotes the distant GC activation. Moreover, activation of MCs enhances the spike timing precision of the local GCs, but not that of the distant ones. Collectively, these findings suggest that MCs differentially regulate the local and distant GC activity through distinct synaptic mechanisms.

image

Key points

Hippocampal mossy cell (MC) pathways differentially regulate granule cell (GC) activity along the longitudinal axis.

MCs mediate a low excitation–inhibition balance in intralamellar (local) GCs, but a high excitation–inhibition balance in translamellar (distant) GCs.

MCs enhance the spiking precision of local GCs, but not distant GCs.

MCs either promote or suppress local GC activity, but primarily promote distant GC activation.
El ojo interior o la imaginación en Ignacio de Loyola y Carl Gustav Jung: una interpretación espiritual
Authors: López Hortelano Eduard
Published: June 2022

Este artículo investiga el significado de la imagen en la experiencia espiritual de Ignacio de Loyola (1491-1556) y Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961). Este es el marco que movió la investigación, cuyo objetivo no apunta a las teorías psicoanalíticas de Jung, sino al estudio comparativo de dos imágenes simbólicas en ambos: Cristo y la serpiente. En primer lugar, hemos acudido a las fuentes documentales en Ignacio de Loyola y en Jung, en su Libro rojo. Al seguir el método comparativo y analítico, hemos acotado los términos sobre el significado del ojo interior y las imágenes surreales o simbólicas. En segundo lugar, nos hemos adentrado en el estudio comparativo de las figuras de Cristo y de la serpiente.El resultado ha sido que la Autobiografía está construida bajo dos parámetros: “Se le abrieron un poco los ojos” (8-10), hilo conductor hasta “la apertura ocular” (30-31). Esta progresiva apertura de los ojos teje el discernimiento de las mociones que acompañan el arco de estos números: mirar(se) a sí mismo (8-27), a los misterios de la fe (28-29) y a Cristo (30-31), donde la serpiente adquiere un valor simbólico fuerte. Las conclusiones de nuestra investigación son las siguientes:– Las tres imágenes –la serpiente, los misterios de la fe y Cristo– revelan un camino hacia la forma Christi, tanto en Ignacio como en Jung, para desvelar los engaños.– Ignacio y Jung se ejercitan en la imagen. Ambos, pese a sus diferencias, se suman a esa tradición que recupera el sentido de la vida como ejercicio espiritual.– Asumir la propia vida y conducirla a la forma Christi son dos de los ejercicios de quienes miran a Cristo, porque mediante el arte de figurar y figurarse, ellas se van conociendo interiormente y van adoptando la forma Christi: el acontecer de Dios y la emergencia de su sí mismo.
Impacts of Ship Waves on Bed Morphology of a Trapezoidal Cross-Sectional Channel
Authors: Mao Lilei , Li Xin , Chen Yimei
Published: June 2022

Ship waves could alter the hydrodynamic field and play an important role for sediment movement and morphological changes, especially in shallow water regions of inland waterways. However, the response of riverbed morphology to ship waves is still unclear. In this paper, the impacts of ship waves on the bed profile in inland waterways are investigated by means of laboratory experiments. Observations of ship waves and bed profile changes exposed to different ship wave conditions are conducted. There exists a power exponential relationship between the corresponding polygon area and perimeter of the cross-sectional bed profile after the action of ship waves, which indicates that the bed profile is only adjusted in the geometric direction. Moreover, the dimensionless local scour depth is well predicted through the dimensionless expression of ship-induced near-bed velocity, ship draft, and offshore distance, which describes the impacts of ship waves on the bed morphology in inland waterways.
Holographic entanglement in spin network states: A focused review
Authors: Colafranceschi Eugenia , Adesso Gerardo
Published: June 2022

In the long-standing quest to reconcile gravity with quantum mechanics, profound connections have been unveiled between concepts traditionally pertaining to a quantum information theory, such as entanglement, and constitutive features of gravity, like holography. Developing and promoting these connections from the conceptual to the operational level unlock access to a powerful set of tools which can be pivotal toward the formulation of a consistent theory of quantum gravity. Here, we review recent progress on the role and applications of quantum informational methods, in particular tensor networks, for quantum gravity models. We focus on spin network states dual to finite regions of space, represented as entanglement graphs in the group field theory approach to quantum gravity, and illustrate how techniques from random tensor networks can be exploited to investigate their holographic properties. In particular, spin network states can be interpreted as maps from bulk to boundary, whose holographic behavior increases with the inhomogeneity of their geometric data (up to becoming proper quantum channels). The entanglement entropy of boundary states, which are obtained by feeding such maps with suitable bulk states, is then proved to follow a bulk area law with corrections due to the entanglement of the bulk state. We further review how exceeding a certain threshold of bulk entanglement leads to the emergence of a black hole-like region, revealing intriguing perspectives for quantum cosmology.
The rise and demise of the Paleogene Central Tibetan Valley
Authors: Xiong Zhongyu , Liu Xiaohui , Ding Lin , Farnsworth Alex , Spicer Robert A. , Xu Qiang , Valdes Paul , He Songlin , Zeng Deng , Wang Chao , Li Zhenyu , Guo Xudong , Su Tao , Zhao Chenyuan , Wang Houqi , Yue Yahui
Published: June 2022

Reconstructing the Paleogene topography and climate of central Tibet informs understanding of collisional tectonic mechanisms and their links to climate and biodiversity. Radiometric dates of volcanic/sedimentary rocks and paleotemperatures based on clumped isotopes within ancient soil carbonate nodules from the Lunpola Basin, part of an east-west trending band of basins in central Tibet and now at 4.7 km, suggest that the basin rose from <2.0 km at 50 to 38 million years (Ma) to >4.0 km by 29 Ma. The height change is quantified using the rates at which wet-bulb temperatures (
T
w
) decline at land surfaces as those surface rise. In this case,
T
w
fell from ~8°C at ~38 Ma to ~1°C at 29 Ma, suggesting at least ~2.0 km of surface uplift in ~10 Ma under warm Eocene to Oligocene conditions. These results confirm that a Paleogene Central Tibetan Valley transformed to a plateau before the Neogene.
The recent evolutionary rescue of a staple crop depended on over half a century of global germplasm exchange
Authors: Muleta Kebede T. , Felderhoff Terry , Winans Noah , Walstead Rachel , Charles Jean Rigaud , Armstrong J. Scott , Mamidi Sujan , Plott Chris , Vogel John P. , Lemaux Peggy G. , Mockler Todd C. , Grimwood Jane , Schmutz Jeremy , Pressoir Gael , Morris Geoffrey P.
Published: June 2022

Rapid environmental change can lead to population extinction or evolutionary rescue. The global staple crop sorghum (
Sorghum bicolor
) has recently been threatened by a global outbreak of an aggressive new biotype of sugarcane aphid (SCA;
Melanaphis sacchari
). We characterized genomic signatures of adaptation in a Haitian breeding population that had rapidly adapted to SCA infestation, conducting evolutionary population genomics analyses on 296 Haitian lines versus 767 global accessions. Genome scans and geographic analyses suggest that SCA adaptation has been conferred by a globally rare East African allele of
RMES1
, which spread to breeding programs in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. De novo genome sequencing revealed potential causative variants at
RMES1
. Markers developed from the
RMES1
sweep predicted resistance in eight independent commercial and public breeding programs. These findings demonstrate the value of evolutionary genomics to develop adaptive trait technology and highlight the benefits of global germplasm exchange to facilitate evolutionary rescue.
Barred from employment: More than half of unemployed men in their 30s had a criminal history of arrest
Authors: Bushway Shawn , Cabreros Irineo , Paige Jessica Welburn , Schwam Daniel , Wenger Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2022

We investigate what portion of the pool of unemployed men in the United States have been arrested, convicted, or incarcerated by age 35. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997, we estimate 64% of unemployed men have been arrested, and 46% have been convicted. Unexpectedly, these rates vary only slightly by race and ethnicity. Further investigation of other outcomes such as marriage, education, household net worth, and earnings shows large differences between unemployed men who have a criminal history record and those who do not. One major implication of these findings is that employment services should focus more on the special challenges facing unemployed men with criminal history records. A second implication is that statistical discrimination against unemployed members of racial minority groups, to avoid hiring those with criminal histories, is both illegal and ineffective.
Significant loophole-free test of Kochen-Specker contextuality using two species of atomic ions
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Zhang Junhua , Luan Chun-Yang , Um Mark , Wang Ye , Qiao Mu , Xie Tian , Zhang Jing-Ning , Cabello Adán , Kim Kihwan
Published: June 2022

Quantum measurements cannot be thought of as revealing preexisting results, even when they do not disturb any other measurement in the same trial. This feature is called contextuality and is crucial for the quantum advantage in computing. Here, we report the observation of quantum contextuality simultaneously free of the detection, sharpness, and compatibility loopholes. The detection and sharpness loopholes are closed by adopting a hybrid two-ion system and highly efficient fluorescence measurements offering a detection efficiency of 100% and a measurement repeatability of >98%. The compatibility loophole is closed by targeting correlations between observables for two different ions in a Paul trap, a
171
Yb
+
ion and a
138
Ba
+
ion, chosen so measurements on each ion use different operation laser wavelengths, fluorescence wavelengths, and detectors. The experimental results show a violation of the bound for the most adversarial noncontextual models and open a way to certify quantum systems.
DExD/H-box helicase 9 intrinsically controls CD8
+
T cell–mediated antiviral response through noncanonical mechanisms
Authors: Jiao Anjun , Sun Chenming , Wang Xin , Lei Lei , Liu Haiyan , Li Wenhui , Yang Xiaofeng , Zheng Huiqiang , Ding Renyi , Zhu Kun , Su Yanhong , Zhang Cangang , Zhang Lianjun , Zhang Baojun
Published: June 2022

Upon virus infection, CD8
+
T cell accumulation is tightly controlled by simultaneous proliferation and apoptosis. However, it remains unclear how TCR signal coordinates these events to achieve expansion and effector cell differentiation. We found that T cell–specific deletion of nuclear helicase Dhx9 led to impaired CD8
+
T cell survival, effector differentiation, and viral clearance. Mechanistically, Dhx9 acts as the key regulator to ensure LCK- and CD3ε-mediated ZAP70 phosphorylation and ERK activation to protect CD8
+
T cells from apoptosis before proliferative burst. Dhx9 directly regulates
Id2
transcription to control effector CD8
+
T cell differentiation. The DSRM and OB_Fold domains are required for LCK binding and
Id2
transcription, respectively. Dhx9 expression is predominantly increased in effector CD8
+
T cells of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we revealed a previously unknown regulatory mechanism that Dhx9 protects activated CD8
+
T cells from apoptosis and ensures effector differentiation to promote antiviral immunity independent of nuclear sensor function.
Solid with infused reactive liquid (SWIRL): A novel liquid-based separation approach for effective CO
2
capture
Authors: Yeganeh Mohsen S. , Jusufi Arben , Deighton Shane P. , Ide Matthew S. , Siskin Michael , Jaishankar Aditya , Maldarelli Charles , Bertolini Pedro , Natarajan Bharath , Vreeland Jessica L. , King Mark A. , Konicek Andrew R.
Published: June 2022

Economical CO
2
capture demands low-energy separation strategies. We use a liquid-infused surface (LIS) approach to immobilize reactive liquids, such as amines, on a textured and thermally conductive solid substrate with high surface-area to volume ratio (A/V) continuum geometry. The infused, micrometer-thick liquid retains that high A/V and directly contacts the gas phase, alleviating mass transport resistance typically encountered in mesoporous solid adsorbents. We name this LIS class “solid with infused reactive liquid” (SWIRL). SWIRL-amine requires no water dilution or costly mixing unlike the current liquid-based commercial approach. SWIRL–tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) shows stable, high capture capacities at power plant CO
2
concentrations near flue gas temperatures, preventing energy-intensive temperature swings needed for other approaches. Water vapor increases CO
2
capacity of SWIRL-TEPA without compromising stability.
Surface Ig variable domain glycosylation affects autoantigen binding and acts as threshold for human autoreactive B cell activation
Authors: Kissel Theresa , Ge Changrong , Hafkenscheid Lise , Kwekkeboom Joanneke C. , Slot Linda M. , Cavallari Marco , He Yibo , van Schie Karin A. , Vergroesen Rochelle D. , Kampstra Arieke S.B. , Reijm Sanne , Stoeken-Rijsbergen Gerrie , Koeleman Carolien , Voortman Lennard M. , Heitman Laura H. , Xu Bingze , Pruijn Ger J.M. , Wuhrer Manfred , Rispens Theo , Huizinga Tom W.J. , Scherer Hans Ulrich , Reth Michael , Holmdahl Rikard , Toes Rene E.M.
Published: June 2022

The hallmark autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by variable domain glycans (VDGs). Their abundant occurrence results from the selective introduction of N-linked glycosylation sites during somatic hypermutation, and their presence is predictive for disease development. However, the functional consequences of VDGs on autoreactive B cells remain elusive. Combining crystallography, glycobiology, and functional B cell assays allowed us to dissect key characteristics of VDGs on human B cell biology. Crystal structures showed that VDGs are positioned in the vicinity of the antigen-binding pocket, and dynamic modeling combined with binding assays elucidated their impact on binding. We found that VDG-expressing B cell receptors stay longer on the B cell surface and that VDGs enhance B cell activation. These results provide a rationale on how the acquisition of VDGs might contribute to the breach of tolerance of autoreactive B cells in a major human autoimmune disease.
A functional genomic approach to actionable gene fusions for precision oncology
Authors: Li Jun , Lu Hengyu , Ng Patrick Kwok-Shing , Pantazi Angeliki , Ip Carman Ka Man , Jeong Kang Jin , Amador Bianca , Tran Richard , Tsang Yiu Huen , Yang Lixing , Song Xingzhi , Dogruluk Turgut , Ren Xiaojia , Hadjipanayis Angela , Bristow Christopher A. , Lee Semin , Kucherlapati Melanie , Parfenov Michael , Tang Jiabin , Seth Sahil , Mahadeshwar Harshad S. , Mojumdar Kamalika , Zeng Dong , Zhang Jianhua , Protopopov Alexei , Seidman Jonathan G. , Creighton Chad J. , Lu Yiling , Sahni Nidhi , Shaw Kenna R. , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Futreal Andrew , Chin Lynda , Scott Kenneth L. , Kucherlapati Raju , Mills Gordon B. , Liang Han
Published: June 2022

Fusion genes represent a class of attractive therapeutic targets. Thousands of fusion genes have been identified in patients with cancer, but the functional consequences and therapeutic implications of most of these remain largely unknown. Here, we develop a functional genomic approach that consists of efficient fusion reconstruction and sensitive cell viability and drug response assays. Applying this approach, we characterize ~100 fusion genes detected in patient samples of The Cancer Genome Atlas, revealing a notable fraction of low-frequency fusions with activating effects on tumor growth. Focusing on those in the RTK-RAS pathway, we identify a number of activating fusions that can markedly affect sensitivity to relevant drugs. Last, we propose an integrated, level-of-evidence classification system to prioritize gene fusions systematically. Our study reiterates the urgent clinical need to incorporate similar functional genomic approaches to characterize gene fusions, thereby maximizing the utility of gene fusions for precision oncology.
Microtubule-based perception of mechanical conflicts controls plant organ morphogenesis
Authors: Stöckle Dorothee , Reyes-Hernández Blanca Jazmin , Barro Amaya Vilches , Nenadić Milica , Winter Zsofiá , Marc-Martin Sophie , Bald Lotte , Ursache Robertas , Fujita Satoshi , Maizel Alexis , Vermeer Joop EM
Published: June 2022

Precise coordination between cells and tissues is essential for differential growth in plants. During lateral root formation in
Arabidopsis thaliana
, the endodermis is actively remodeled to allow outgrowth of the new organ. Here, we show that microtubule arrays facing lateral root founder cells display a higher order compared to arrays on the opposite side of the same cell, and this asymmetry is required for endodermal remodeling and lateral root initiation. We identify that MICROTUBULE ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 70-5 (MAP70-5) is necessary for the establishment of this spatially defined microtubule organization and endodermis remodeling and thus contributes to lateral root morphogenesis. We propose that MAP70-5 and cortical microtubule arrays in the endodermis integrate the mechanical signals generated by lateral root outgrowth, facilitating the channeling of organogenesis.
Evolution of cooperation with contextualized behavior
Authors: Su Qi , McAvoy Alex , Plotkin Joshua B.
Published: June 2022

How do networks of social interaction govern the emergence and stability of prosocial behavior? Theoretical studies of this question typically assume unconditional behavior, meaning that an individual either cooperates with all opponents or defects against all opponents—an assumption that produces a pessimistic outlook for the evolution of cooperation, especially in highly connected populations. Although these models may be appropriate for simple organisms, humans have sophisticated cognitive abilities that allow them to distinguish between opponents and social contexts, so they can condition their behavior on the identity of opponents. Here, we study the evolution of cooperation when behavior is conditioned by social context, but behaviors can spill over between contexts. Our mathematical analysis shows that contextualized behavior rescues cooperation across a broad range of population structures, even when the number of social contexts is small. Increasing the number of social contexts further promotes cooperation by orders of magnitude.
Mutant glucocerebrosidase impairs α-synuclein degradation by blockade of chaperone-mediated autophagy
Authors: Kuo Sheng-Han , Tasset Inmaculada , Cheng Melody M. , Diaz Antonio , Pan Ming-Kai , Lieberman Ori J. , Hutten Samantha J. , Alcalay Roy N. , Kim Sangjun , Ximénez-Embún Pilar , Fan Li , Kim Donghoon , Ko Han Seok , Yacoubian Talene , Kanter Ellen , Liu Ling , Tang Guomei , Muñoz Javier , Sardi Sergio Pablo , Li Aiqun , Gan Li , Cuervo Ana Maria , Sulzer David
Published: June 2022

The most common genetic risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD) are a set of heterozygous mutant (MT) alleles of the
GBA1
gene that encodes β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), an enzyme normally trafficked through the ER/Golgi apparatus to the lysosomal lumen. We found that half of the GCase in lysosomes from postmortem human GBA-PD brains was present on the lysosomal surface and that this mislocalization depends on a pentapeptide motif in GCase used to target cytosolic protein for degradation by chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA). MT GCase at the lysosomal surface inhibits CMA, causing accumulation of CMA substrates including α-synuclein. Single-cell transcriptional analysis and proteomics of brains from GBA-PD patients confirmed reduced CMA activity and proteome changes comparable to those in CMA-deficient mouse brain. Loss of the MT GCase CMA motif rescued primary substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons from MT GCase–induced neuronal death. We conclude that MT
GBA1
alleles block CMA function and produce α-synuclein accumulation.
Genetic Determinants for Virulence and Transmission of the Panzootic Avian Influenza Virus H5N8 Clade 2.3.4.4 in Pekin Ducks
Authors: Scheibner David , Breithaupt Angele , Luttermann Christine , Blaurock Claudia , Mettenleiter Thomas C. , Abdelwhab Elsayed M.
Published: June 2022

Since 2014, several waves of avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N8 of clade 2.3.4.4 occurred globally on unprecedented levels. Unlike viruses in the first wave in 2014–2015 (H5N8-A), viruses in 2015–2016 (H5N8-B) exhibited unusually high pathogenicity (HP) in wild and domestic ducks.
Genome Sequence of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum SL1931, a Causal Phytopathogen of Bacterial Wilt Disease in Capsicum annuum and Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Riu Myoungjoo , Ryu Choong-Min , Lee Soohyun , Lee Seon-Woo , Lee Seungdon , Oh Sang-Keun , Jeong Haeyoung
Published: June 2022

Here, we report the genome sequence of
Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum
(
R. solanacearum
phylotype I) strain SL1931 (KACC10711), isolated from pepper (
Capsicum annuum
L.) stems;
R. solanacearum
is the causal pathogen of bacterial wilt. Strain SL1931 had a different type III effector profile than that of the reference genome strain GMI1000.
Complete Genome Sequence of the World Health Organization Mumps Reference Strain, MuVi/Sheffield.GBR/1.05
Authors: Frost Jasmine Rae , Severini Alberto
Published: June 2022

The World Health Organization has designated the MuVi/Sheffield.GBR/1.05 strain as a genotype G mumps reference strain. However, currently only the SH and HN gene sequences are available. We are reporting the complete genome sequence of this strain so that it can now be used as a standard for mumps molecular epidemiology.
Association of predicted fat mass, predicted lean mass and predicted percent fat with diabetes mellitus in Chinese population: a 15-year prospective cohort
Authors: Liu Lu , Ban Chao , Jia Shanshan , Chen Xiaoping , He Sen
Published: June 2022

Objectives

With body mass index (BMI) failing to distinguish the mass of fat from lean, several novel predicted equations for predicted fat mass (FM), predicted lean mass (LM) and predicted per cent fat (PF) were recently developed and validated. Our aim was to explore whether the three novel parameters could better predict diabetes mellitus (DM) than the commonly used obesity indicators, including BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio.

Design

A 15-year prospective cohort was used.

Setting

It was a prospective cohort, consisting of a general Chinese population from 1992 to 2007.

Participants

This cohort enrolled 711 people. People suffering from DM at baseline (n=24) were excluded, and 687 non-diabetics with complete data were included to the analysis.

Primary outcome

New-onset DM.

Results

After the follow-up, 74 (48 men and 26 women) incidences of DM were documented. For men, the adjusted HRs were 1, 5.19 (p=0.003) and 7.67 (p<0.001) across predicted PF tertiles; 1, 2.86 (p=0.029) and 5.60 (p<0.001) across predicted FM tertiles; 1, 1.21 (p=0.646) and 2.27 (p=0.025) across predicted LM tertiles. Predicted FM performed better than other commonly used obesity indicators in discrimination with the highest Harrell’s C-statistic among all the body composition parameters. Whereas, for women, none of the three novel parameters was the independent predictor.

Conclusion

Predicted PF, predicted LM and predicted FM could independently predict the risk of DM for men, with predicted FM performing better in discrimination than other commonly used obesity indicators. For women, larger samples were further needed.
Relationships among thriving at work, organisational commitment and job satisfaction among Chinese front-line primary public health workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a structural equation model analysis
Authors: Yi Mo , Jiang Di , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Zeyi , Jia Yuanmin , Zhao Baosheng , Guo Lei , Chen Ou
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study aims to explore the mediating effect and influence mechanism of organisational commitment on the association among thriving at work and job satisfaction among frontline primary public health workers (PHWs) in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

This study is a cross-sectional written survey.

Setting

We included 20 primary care units in northern provinces of China.

Participants

A total of 601 PHWs who worked in primary organisations and against COVID-19 on the front line were included.

Methods

We collected the data from the participants’ written questionnaire (Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, thriving at work scale and organisational commitment scale), and programmed AMOS V.26.0 to develop a structural equation model (SEM) based on the relationships among the three variables.

Results

The thriving at work scores of the primary PHWs were (M=3.17, SD=0.65), and job satisfaction was (M=3.05, SD=0.69); the scores of their thriving at work, organisational commitment and job satisfaction were all significantly correlated (p<0.01); and the SEM indicated that organisational commitment had a significant partial mediating effect between thriving at work and job satisfaction. The overall effect value was 0.867, and the mediated effect value was 0.422, accounting for 48.7% of the total effect size.

Conclusion

The thriving at work and job satisfaction scores of primary PHWs in China are moderate, and thriving at work not only affects job satisfaction directly, but also indirectly through organisational commitment. This study suggests that health policy-makers should promote job satisfaction among PHWs through relative inventions aiming to improve their thriving at work and organisational commitment.
Point-of-care diagnostic technology in paediatric ambulatory care: a qualitative interview study of English clinicians and stakeholders
Authors: Raymond Meriel Elizabeth , Bird Chris , van Hecke Oliver , Glogowska Margaret , Hayward Gail
Published: June 2022

Point-of-care (POC) tests have the potential to improve paediatric healthcare. However, both the development and evaluation of POC technology have almost solely been focused on adults. We aimed to explore frontline clinicians’ and stakeholders’ current experience of POC diagnostic technology in children in England; and to identify areas of unmet need.

Design, setting and participants

Qualitative semistructured telephone interviews were carried out with purposively sampled participants from clinical paediatric ambulatory care and charity, industry and policymaking stakeholders. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results

We interviewed 19 clinicians and 8 stakeholders. The main perceived benefits of POC tests and technologies were that they aided early decision-making and could be convenient and empowering when used independently by patients and families. Clinicians and stakeholders wanted more POC tests to be available for use in clinical practice. Most recognised that play and reward are important components of successful POC tests for children. Clinicians wanted tests to give them answers, which would result in a change in their clinical management. Detecting acute serious illness, notably distinguishing viral and bacterial infection, was perceived to be an area where tests could add value. POC tests were thought to be particularly useful for children presenting atypically, where diagnosis was more challenging, such as those less able to communicate, and for rare serious diseases. Many participants felt they could be useful in managing chronic disease.

Conclusions

This exploratory study found that clinicians and stakeholders supported the use of diagnostic POC technology in paediatric ambulatory care settings in England. Some existing tests are not fit for purpose and could be refined. Industry should be encouraged to develop new child-friendly tests tackling areas of unmet need, guided by the preferred characteristics of those working on the ground.
Social innovations to increase health coverage: evidence from a crowdsourcing contest in Ghana
Authors: Dako-Gyeke Phyllis , Asampong Emmanuel , Opoku-Mensah Kwabena , Tabong Philip Teg-Nefaah , Awor Phyllis , Tucker Joseph D
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Despite progress made to expand access to health service in Ghana, inequities still exist. Social innovations have been developed as community-engaged solutions to decrease inequities.

Methods

In partnership with a multistakeholder group, our social innovation team organised a crowdsourcing contest to identify health innovations in Ghana. Informed by a WHO-Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases framework, we organised a six-stage crowdsourcing challenge.

Results

In all, 13 innovations were received in the contest, while 2 innovations were rejected after initial screening. The 11 innovations were reviewed by a panel of four independent expert judges. Inter-rated reliability index (kappa) was 0.86. Following the review of the average score, five top innovations were recognised. These submissions can be put into three main themes: technology and strengthening (eg, mHealth for cervical cancer screening, video directly observed therapy), inclusiveness and reaching the marginalised (people with disability and infertility) and data utilisation for project improvement (seasonal calendar to reduce morbidity and mortality of children under 5 for malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia).

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study shows that solutions to local problems exist. Therefore, policymakers, the government and development partners should support the scale-up of such innovations.
Description of global innovative methods in developing the WHO Community Engagement Package
Authors: Bayugo Yolanda Vargas , Labarda Meredith , Cruz Jose Rene Bagani , Mier-Alpaño Jana Deborah , Tiangco Pauline Marie Padilla , Oyene Ukam Ebe , Omoleke Semeeh Akinwale , Ulitin Allan , Ong Jr Alberto , Fajardo Marvinson See , Echavarria Maria Isabel , Alger Jackeline , Mathanga Don , Msiska Barwani Khaura , Ekwunife Obinna Ikechukwu , Nwaorgu Obioma , Abella Lizcano Lorena , Gomez Quenguan Natalia , Nieto Anderson Claudia Ivette , Beltran Briana Yasmin , Carcamo Rodriguez Elsy Denia , Núñez Eduardo Salomón , Nkosi-Kholimeliwa Vera , Mwafulirwa-Kabaghe Glory , Juban Noel
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Development of a Community Engagement Package composed of (1) database of community engagement (CE) experiences from different contexts, (2) CE learning package of lessons and tools presented as online modules, and (3) CE workshop package for identifying CE experiences to enrich the CE database and ensure regular update of learning resources. The package aims to guide practitioners to promote local action and enhance skills for CE.

Setting and participants

The packages were co-created with diverse teams from WHO, Social Innovation in Health Initiative, UNICEF, community practitioners, and other partners providing synergistic contributions and bridging existing silos.

Methods

The design process of the package was anchored on CE principles. Literature search was performed using standardised search terms through global and regional databases. Interviews with CE practitioners were also conducted.

Results

A total of 356 cases were found to fit the inclusion criteria and proceeded to data extraction and thematic analysis. Themes were organised according to rationale, key points and insights, facilitators of CE and barriers to CE. Principles and standards of CE in various contexts served as a foundation for the CE learning package. The package comprises four modules organised by major themes such as mobilising communities, strengthening health systems, CE in health emergencies and CE as a driver for health equity.

Conclusion

After pilot implementation, tools and resources were made available for training and continuous collection of novel CE lessons and experiences from diverse socio-geographical contexts.
Prevalence of muscle imbalance and its potential influence on injury among female acrobatic dancers
Authors: Smith Devenney , Noorbhai Habib
Published: June 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of muscle imbalance among young adolescent acrobats (n=15) and if there was a potential link to injury.

Methods

Isokinetic strength of the lower extremity, isometric strength of the trunk, and flexibility of both the trunk and lower extremity were assessed. Pearson correlation (r) and χ2correlation tests were performed on all explanatory variables.

Results

Significant correlations were found between isokinetic peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings (p=0.000) and the plantar flexors and dorsiflexors (p=0.000) on both sides, along with plantar flexor dominance (p=0.000). Non-significant findings were seen when identifying dominance between the quadriceps and hamstrings (p=0.933) as well as when correlating peak torque and flexibility of the lower extremity (right hamstrings: p=0.668, left hamstrings: p=0.338, right quadriceps: p=0.171, left quadriceps: p=0.707, right plantar flexors: p=0.282, left plantar flexors: p=0.382, right dorsiflexors: p=0.297 and left dorsiflexors: p=0.393).

Conclusion

Acrobats demonstrated noticeably high ranges of flexibility, and the most common injury site was found to be the ankle. However, these mentioned injuries were not all due to acrobatic participation. The limited sample size warrants extensive research with a larger sample size to further verify or dispute the results found in this study. Muscle imbalances found within this population could increase the risk of injury.
Abstracts from international emergency medicine journals
Authors: Production EMJ
Published: June 2022

Editor’s note: EMJ has partnered with the journals of multiple international emergency medicine societies to share from each a highlighted research study, as selected by their editors. This edition will feature an abstract from each publication.
1134 A comparison of the aerogen vibrating mesh nebuliser versus a standard jet nebuliser to deliver bronchodilators in moderate to severe asthma in the emergency department
Authors: Abdalla Mohamed , ElKhodiar Samer , Perez Fabiola Sevilla , Wong Rebecca , Austin Helena , Rau Clovis , Patterson Michael , Garcia Bobby , Leal Tania , Murphy Ciara , Ceris Tuckey , Walton Harriet
Published: June 2022

Aims/Objectives/Background

Nebulised bronchodilators provide effective therapy for patients with Asthma. We sought to investigate the effectiveness of vibrating mesh nebuliser(VMN) when compared to a standard jet nebuliser(JN) in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma presenting to the Emergency Department (ED). we compared time to discharge from ED, drug delivery, and rate admission when using VMN technology compared to the JN.

Methods/Design

A prospective, single-centre, non-blinded study comparing the efficacy of the VMN (Aerogen Solo) against the current standard jet nebuliser (JN)(Cirrus2 Nebuliser) to deliver nebulised Salbutamol (2.5 mg) in moderate to severe adult asthma within the ED. Patients requiring bronchodilator therapy were allocated for each arm to receive medications via the VMN, or by standard JN. Patients were managed by emergency physicians according to the joint BTS guidance. The primary endpoint was time to discharge from ED (mins) after initial physician assessment, while among the secondary endpoints examined were Salbutamol dose (mg), and rate of discharge from ED (binary). Time to discharge & salbutamol dose were summarized via the Median (IQR), and a nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was applied to derive a p-value for the comparison. The mean (SD) was also tabulated. The rate of admission for each arm was calculated, and compared using a chi-squared test.

Results/Conclusions

124 patients completed the study. Time to discharge and salbutamol dose, were significantly lower in those patients treated with VMN showing a statistical significance (p=0.003 and p=0.023 respectively).VMN time to discharge: Mean (SD) 136.44 mins (89.50). VMN salbutamol dose 7.58 mg; In comparison to those treated in the JN arm. JN time to discharge: Mean (SD) 175.31 mins (97.15) JN salbutamol: 9.69 mg. No Statistical Significance for the rate of admission.

Treatment with a VMN led to a significant reduction in both the median length of stay and the requirement for bronchodilators in the ED.