bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common pathomechanism of migraine and depression
Authors: Wachowska Katarzyna , Bliźniewska-Kowalska Katarzyna , Sławek Jarosław , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika , Szulc Agata , Maes Michael , Kuan-Pin Su , Gałecki Piotr
Published: February 2022

Migrena i depresja często współwystępują, stanowiąc ważny problem kliniczny. Oba zaburzenia związane są z koniecznością przewlekłego leczenia, a ich wzajemne współwystępowanie sprzyja zjawisku lekooporności. Wpływając na funkcjonowanie pacjentów powodują także liczne konsekwnecje społeczne - oddziałując na jakość życia i realizację celów osobistych osób chorych. W prezentowanej pracy przeglądowej przedstawiono czynniki, które mogą wyjaśniać wspólne patomechanizmy depresji i migreny. Uwzględniono zaburzenia strukturalne i czynnościowe ośrodkowego układu nerwowego (OUN), zaburzenia w zakresie układów neuroprzekaźników, teorie zapalne, zaburzenia hormonalne, a także możliwe podłoże genetyczne. Ze względu na fakt, że zarówno depresja, jak i migrena mają etiologię wieloczynnikową i na obecnym etapie badań naukowych trudno jednoznacznie określić, który czynnik jest tym najważniejszym, zaprezentowano tak szeroki przegląd. Trudno także określić, które z wymienionych czynników, dobrze udokumentowanych w międzynarodowych badaniach, jedycznie współwystępują, a które z nich mogą mieć związek przyczynowo-skutkowy w opisywanych zaburzeniach. Podjęcie dalszych badań w zakresie współwystępowania migreny i depresji oraz przyczyn tego zjawiska wydają się warte rozważenia.
Uście Ruskie (1785-1789) in the View of the First Galician Cadaster
Authors: Nowak Daniel Krzysztof
Published: February 2022

Uście Ruskie (1785-1789) in the View of the First Galician Cadaster

The article focuses on the description of Uście Ruskie in the second half of the 1780s. The study is based on the fragment of First Galician Cadaster illustrating Uście Ruskie, a small town situated in Beskid Niski, in the southern part of Dukla district. The depiction of the town in this period of time may be viewed as an example of a place populated by Lemkos, as the whole region inhabited by this group of people was characterized by the same economic system. First, the text generally presents the domain of Uście Ruskie and covers some selected introductory aspects correlated with the First Galician Cadaster. Next, it moves to two vital issues, the first one being the land. Here, the land is understood as an area of soil or forest, and the study presents the division of Uście Ruskie into leas and discusses their size, the area of their plots as well as their categorization in terms of owners and land development. The second part of the text moves to the productivity of land in the discussed period of time, its cultivation, gathered agricultural produce (grain and hay from fields, and wood from forests) and their value.
What Makes Resource Provision an Effective Means of Poverty Alleviation? A Resourcing Perspective
Authors: Sutter Christopher , Bhatt Babita , Qureshi Israr
Published: February 2022

Adequately addressing the grand challenge of poverty requires addressing resource scarcity. However, efforts to provide resources as a means of poverty alleviation have met with mixed success. We explore what makes resource provision effective as a means of poverty alleviation. We adopt a resourcing perspective, which focuses on the relationship between potential resources and schemas, or shared understandings, that shape how resources are used. Consistent with prior research, we find that schemas shape how resources are used in practice. However, we also find that who can access the resources is as consequential as how they are used. In exploring this issue, we identify a new category of schemas related not to use but to access, which we refer to as access schemas. We define access schemas as shared understandings regarding who can appropriately access potential resources. We find that different social groups have distinct schemas regarding access, and we identify three mechanisms—precedence, complementarity, and scaffolding—that shape the way that access schemas are enacted in resource-scarce settings. Our study contributes to the literature on grand challenges by clarifying the link between resource provision and resource use. We also contribute to the literature on resourcing by uncovering mechanisms that shape schema enactment in the presence of conflicting access schemas held by different social groups.

Funding: This work was supported by the Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee [GRF Grants PolyU 548210 and PolyU 549211], and International Development Research Centre [Doctoral Research Award 107473-99906075-074].

Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1570 .
Journal scan
Authors: Welyczko Nikki
Published: February 2022

A brief overview of recently published articles on gastroenterology, hepatology and stoma care
A collaborative coaching approach to practice learning and placement expansion in gastroenterology
Authors: Hill Rebekah , Coughlan Claire , Regan Cathy , Whayman Kathy , Duncan Julie , Ball Alison , Hibberts Fiona
Published: February 2022

Practice learning is an essential part of pre-registration nursing education, and the number of placements needs to be expanded to keep up with demand, including in NHS gastroenterology services. This potential could be reached with a collaborative coaching approach, with groups of up to six students in each specialist area working together, supported by assessors using a coaching strategy.
Nursing associates: enhancing the endoscopy workforce
Authors: Donnelly Leigh , Cleave Sarah , Thompson Donna
Published: February 2022

Endoscopy services are under considerable pressure to meet increasing demand for procedures. A large hospital foundation trust was offered the opportunity to develop its endoscopy workforce by seconding three of its endoscopy technicians to the nursing associate course. The Health Education England ‘Shape of caring’ review identified a gap in skills and knowledge between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. The nursing associate plays an active role as a member of the multidisciplinary team, collaborating and communicating effectively with the registered nurse and a range of other health professionals, as well as improving care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of the patient experience in the endoscopy setting.
A review of 100 iatrogenic nerve injuries: delays in referrals remain significant
Authors: Ajwani SH , Singh J , Ng CY
Published: February 2022

Introduction

This is a retrospective study of 100 consecutive patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries, as seen in a tertiary referral centre over a six-year period.

Materials and methods

Patients who presented with new-onset nerve palsy involving a motor or mixed motor/sensory nerve following an operation were studied.

Results

There were 44 male and 56 female patients with a mean age of 53 years (range 5–87 years). The median duration from the index procedures to referral was six months (range 0 days to 12 years). Approximately one third of referrals were made over 12 months since the index procedures. Twenty patients recovered spontaneously and were managed expectantly. Eighty patients underwent secondary interventions.

Discussion

There remains a significant delay in referring postoperative nerve palsy to a nerve specialist. The majority of these cases will warrant secondary reconstructive surgery and delay in treatment may have a negative effect on the ultimate outcomes.
Successes and Challenges in Treating Severe Communication Disorders
Authors: Brady Nancy C.
Published: February 2022

This article summarizes research focusing on communication skills of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who communicate primarily without speech, sign language, or augmentative communication. Importantly, developmental theories were emphasized as useful for interpreting communication in children and adults. These studies led to research aimed at developing improved assessments and interventions for individuals with IDD, who may have a variety of diagnoses. Future research is needed to facilitate more widespread use of these tools by clinicians and researchers.
Spectral filter in short-wave infrareds based on a metasurface on
silicon-on-insulator with polarizing bandpass
Authors: Pan Xiaohang , Tian Shuoqiu , Liu Tao , Feng Bo , Yuan Wentao , Lu Bingrui , Chen Yifang
Published: February 2022

Spectral filters with polarimetric character in short-wave infrareds are urgently
needed because of their broad applications in optic-fiber
communications, polarimetric detections, and imaging. Based on our
earlier progress in developing polarimetric devices in infrared
wavelengths, in this work, a plasmonic-metasurface-based
polarization-dependency multi-channel narrowband filter in short-wave
infrareds was developed. To meet requirements by the developing trend
of polarimetric detection/spectral imaging in short-wave infrareds, a
resonant cavity in the form of the Au hat/elliptical

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i

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pillars/Au layer as the filters was
proposed. Numerical simulations by finite-difference time-domain
(FDTD) show resonant and polarized transmissions of the designed
devices to infrared light in short wavelengths, and the peak positions
are relevant to the structural dimensions. Optical characteristics of
the filters, fabricated by electron beam lithography/dry-etch
technique, agree well with the simulated behavior. To enhance the
transmission efficiency to the applicable level, nanoprocessing of the
filters still needs to be optimized. Nevertheless, the progress
reported is promising for this new type of spectral filters based on
modern metasurfaces.
Numerical analysis of the optical fluence rate at the scalp for noninvasive brain tumor detection
Authors: Mahdy Shimaa , Hamdy Omnia , Hassan Mohammed A. , Eldosoky Mohamed A.
Published: February 2022

The present study provides a noninvasive, safe approach for brain tumor detection by numerically analyzing the optical fluence rate at the scalp. The proposed numerical investigation demonstrates the application of different laser wavelengths for identifying different types and volumes of brain tumors (glioma “grade II astrocytoma” and meningioma). The proposed method analyzes the spatial fluence rate distribution over the surface of the head after probing it with different infrared laser wavelengths (1000 and 1100 nm) to distinguish between normal and brain tumors. A multilayer head model is created with COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 simulation software, where the Helmholtz equation is solved using a finite element method to visualize the optical fluence rate at the model’s surface. The resultant fluence rate images show different features between normal brain and brain tumors, especially at 1000 nm.
Statistical mechanics of beam self-cleaning in GRIN multimode optical fibers
Authors: Mangini F. , Gervaziev M. , Ferraro M. , Kharenko D. S. , Zitelli M. , Sun Y. , Couderc V. , Podivilov E. V. , Babin S. A. , Wabnitz S.
Published: February 2022

Since its first demonstration in graded-index multimode fibers, spatial beam self-cleaning has attracted a growing research interest. It allows for the propagation of beams with a bell-shaped spatial profile, thus enabling the use of multimode fibers for several applications, from biomedical imaging to high-power beam delivery. So far, beam self-cleaning has been experimentally studied under several different experimental conditions. Whereas it has been theoretically described as the irreversible energy transfer from high-order modes towards the fundamental mode, in analogy with a beam condensation mechanism. Here, we provide a comprehensive theoretical description of beam self-cleaning, by means of a semi-classical statistical mechanics model of wave thermalization. This approach is confirmed by an extensive experimental characterization, based on a holographic mode decomposition technique, employing laser pulses with temporal durations ranging from femtoseconds up to nanoseconds. An excellent agreement between theory and experiments is found, which demonstrates that beam self-cleaning can be fully described in terms of the basic conservation laws of statistical mechanics.
Evaluation of eye response using a wearable display with automatic interpupillary distance adjustment
Authors: Lee Hyoung , Kim Jung , Son Jung-Young , Kim Insup , Noh Jinhong , Yoon Yong-Jin , Yoon MinSung
Published: February 2022

In this study, we introduce a design for a near-eye, wearable display (HMD: head mounted display) that can automatically control the user's interpupillary distance (IPD). In addition, we demonstrate a test-bed module for the wearable AR display based on proposed design. Both the adjustment accuracy and the viewing effect through distance matching between the user’s eyes are evaluated by the user’s experience in actual wearing of the module. We demonstrate that the distance between the left and right eye pupils can be measured and adjusted using a set of IR camera sensors and a micro-actuator module that we proposed. A half-mirror unit to be mechanically controlled for each eye is designed to combine the image displayed from the projector and an image taken by the IR camera, leading to fine adjustment of the user’s IPD. A set of images taken by the IR camera sensors is image-processed in real time to determine each pupil’s position with high accuracy under infrared light illumination. Based on the measured information, a micro-actuator module we fabricated for the test bed can automatically adjust the binocular distance to fit each viewer’s IPD. The maximum movement distance of each micro-actuator motor is ±10 mm with precision control of at least 0.5 mm. It takes about 18 seconds to calculate the user’s IPD from two IR photographs and then to accurately adjust the actual binocular distance of the module that the participant wears. Using the demonstrated test bed, a total of 50 subjects participated to confirm the accuracy in the automatic IPD adjustment with an error of 0.25% as well as the improvement of the displayed image quality and 3D immersive experience.
Dual projectile beams
Authors: Chouaib Boumeddine Ouis , Zannotti Alessandro , Abdelhalim Bencheikh , Denz Cornelia
Published: February 2022

Accelerating beams, of which the Airy beam is an important representative, are characterized by intensity maxima that propagate along curved trajectories. In this work we present a simple approach to directly generate accelerating beams with controllable trajectories by means of binary phase structures that consist of only a π phase step modulation in comparison to previous studies where two-dimensional cubic phase modulations for example are required, and which have practical limitations due to their challenging fabrication with phase plates or diffractive optical elements (DOEs), or the spatially extended system needed for their generation at the Fourier plane. In our approach, two intensity maxima are formed that propagate along root parabolic trajectories in contrast to Airy and higher order caustic beams that propagate along a parabolic curve, hence we call these beams Dual Projectile Beams (DPBs). By tailoring a step or slit phase patterns with additional Fresnel lenses, we either generate hollow-core or abruptly focusing beams and control their curvatures. Moreover, using DPBs as a simpler complement to complex structured light fields, we demonstrate their versatility at the example of their interaction with nonlinear matter, namely the formation of a spatial soliton in a photorefractive material. We show that the formed solitary state propagates almost unchanged for a distance of several Rayleigh lengths. This light matter interaction can be regarded as a light beam deceleration. The simplicity of this approach makes these beams suitable for integrated optics and high-power laser applications using DOEs or meta-surfaces.
Carrier-envelope phase stable few-cycle laser system delivering more than 100 W, 1 mJ, sub-2-cycle pulses
Authors: Hädrich Steffen , Shestaev Evgeny , Tschernajew Maxim , Stutzki Fabian , Walther Nico , Just Florian , Kienel Marco , Seres Imre , Jójárt Péter , Bengery Zsolt , Gilicze Barnabás , Várallyay Zoltán , Börzsönyi Ádám , Müller Michael , Grebing Christian , Klenke Arno , Hoff Dominik , Paulus Gerhard G. , Eidam Tino , Limpert Jens
Published: February 2022

Two-stage multipass-cell compression of a fiber–chirped-pulse amplifier
system to the few-cycle regime is presented. The output delivers a
sub-2-cycle (5.8 fs), 107 W average power, 1.07 mJ pulses at 100 kHz
centered at 1030 nm with excellent spatial beam quality (M2 = 1.1, Strehl ratio S = 0.98), pointing stability (2.3 µrad), and
superior long-term average power stability of 0.1% STD over more than
8 hours. This is combined with a carrier-envelope phase stability of
360 mrad in the frequency range from 10 Hz to 50 kHz, i.e., measured
on a single-shot basis. This unique system will serve as an HR1 laser
for the Extreme Light Infrastructure Attosecond Light Pulse Source
research facility to enable high repetition rate isolated attosecond
pulse generation.
Blood and brain gene expression signatures of chronic intermittent ethanol consumption in mice
Authors: Ferguson Laura B. , Roberts Amanda J. , Mayfield R. Dayne , Messing Robert O.
Published: February 2022

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic, relapsing syndrome diagnosed by a heterogeneous set of behavioral signs and symptoms. There are no laboratory tests that provide direct objective evidence for diagnosis. Microarray and RNA-Seq technologies enable genome-wide transcriptome profiling at low costs and provide an opportunity to identify biomarkers to facilitate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of patients. However, access to brain tissue in living patients is not possible. Blood contains cellular and extracellular RNAs that provide disease-relevant information for some brain diseases. We hypothesized that blood gene expression profiles can be used to diagnose AUD. We profiled brain (prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus) and blood gene expression levels in C57BL/6J mice using RNA-seq one week after chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure, a mouse model of alcohol dependence. We found a high degree of preservation (rho range: [0.50, 0.67]) between blood and brain transcript levels. There was small overlap between blood and brain DEGs, and considerable overlap of gene networks perturbed after CIE related to cell-cell signaling (e.g., GABA and glutamate receptor signaling), immune responses (e.g., antigen presentation), and protein processing / mitochondrial functioning (e.g., ubiquitination, oxidative phosphorylation). Blood gene expression data were used to train classifiers (logistic regression, random forest, and partial least squares discriminant analysis), which were highly accurate at predicting alcohol dependence status (maximum AUC: 90.1%). These results suggest that gene expression profiles from peripheral blood samples contain a biological signature of alcohol dependence that can discriminate between CIE and Air subjects.
A neonatal ward-strengthening program improves survival for neonates treated with CPAP at district hospitals in Malawi
Authors: Carns Jennifer , Liaghati-Mobarhan Sara , Asibon Aba , Ngwala Samuel , Molyneux Elizabeth , Oden Maria , Richards-Kortum Rebecca , Kawaza Kondwani , Chalira Alfred , Lufesi Norman
Published: February 2022

From 2013–2015, a CPAP quality improvement program (QIP) was implemented to introduce and monitor CPAP usage and outcomes in the neonatal wards at all government district and central hospitals in Malawi. In 2016 the CPAP QIP was extended into healthcare facilities operated by the Christian Health Association of Malawi. Although clinical outcomes improved, ward assessments indicated that many rural sites lacked other essential equipment and a suitable space to adequately treat sick neonates, which likely limited the impact of improved respiratory care. The aim of this study was to determine if a ward-strengthening program improved outcomes for neonates treated with CPAP. To address the needs identified from ward assessments, a ward-strengthening program was implemented from 2017–2018 at rural hospitals in Malawi to improve the care of sick neonates. The ward-strengthening program included the distribution of a bundle of equipment, supplemental training, and, in some cases, health facility renovations. Survival to discharge was compared for neonates treated with CPAP at 12 rural hospitals for one year before and for one year immediately after implementation of the ward-strengthening program. In the year prior to ward strengthening, 189 neonates were treated with CPAP; in the year after, 232 neonates received CPAP. The overall rate of survival for those treated with CPAP improved from 46.6% to 57.3% after ward strengthening (p = 0.03). For the subset of neonates with admission weights between 1.00–2.49 kg diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome, survival increased from 39.4% to 60.3% after ward strengthening (p = 0.001). A ward-strengthening program including the distribution of a bundle of equipment, supplemental training, and some health facility renovations, further improved survival among neonates treated with CPAP at district-level hospitals in Malawi.
Repeatability and reproducibility of a handheld quantitative G6PD diagnostic
Authors: Ley Benedikt , Winasti Satyagraha Ari , Kibria Mohammad Golam , Armstrong Jillian , Bancone Germana , Bei Amy K. , Bizilj Greg , Brito Marcelo , Ding Xavier C. , Domingo Gonzalo J. , von Fricken Michael E. , Gornsawun Gornpan , Lam Brandon , Menard Didier , Monteiro Wuelton , Ongarello Stefano , Pal Sampa , Panggalo Lydia Visita , Parikh Sunil , Pfeffer Daniel A. , Price Ric N. , da Silva Orfano Alessandra , Wade Martina , Wojnarski Mariusz , Worachet Kuntawunginn , Yar Aqsa , Alam Mohammad Shafiul , Howes Rosalind E.
Published: February 2022

Background

The introduction of novel short course treatment regimens for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax requires reliable point-of-care diagnosis that can identify glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals. While deficient males can be identified using a qualitative diagnostic test, the genetic make-up of females requires a quantitative measurement. SD Biosensor (Republic of Korea) has developed a handheld quantitative G6PD diagnostic (STANDARD G6PD test), that has approximately 90% accuracy in field studies for identifying individuals with intermediate or severe deficiency. The device can only be considered for routine care if precision of the assay is high.

Methods and findings

Commercial lyophilised controls (ACS Analytics, USA) with high, intermediate, and low G6PD activities were assessed 20 times on 10 Biosensor devices and compared to spectrophotometry (Pointe Scientific, USA). Each device was then dispatched to one of 10 different laboratories with a standard set of the controls. Each control was tested 40 times at each laboratory by a single user and compared to spectrophotometry results.

When tested at one site, the mean coefficient of variation (CV) was 0.111, 0.172 and 0.260 for high, intermediate, and low controls across all devices respectively; combined G6PD Biosensor readings correlated well with spectrophotometry (rs = 0.859, p<0.001). When tested in different laboratories, correlation was lower (rs = 0.604, p<0.001) and G6PD activity determined by Biosensor for the low and intermediate controls overlapped. The use of lyophilised human blood samples rather than fresh blood may have affected these findings. Biosensor G6PD readings between sites did not differ significantly (p = 0.436), whereas spectrophotometry readings differed markedly between sites (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Repeatability and inter-laboratory reproducibility of the Biosensor were good; though the device did not reliably discriminate between intermediate and low G6PD activities of the lyophilized specimens. Clinical studies are now required to assess the devices performance in practice.
Understanding care relationships in diabetes practice: A psychodynamic interview-based exploratory study
Authors: Marchini Francesco , Caputo Andrea , Langher Viviana , Giuliani Chiara , Convertino Alessio , Mazzilli Rossella , Faggiano Antongiulio , Napoli Angela
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore the subjective experience of physicians working in diabetic settings about their care relationships in order to find some unique clues contributing to physician professional health and capacity to manage patients’ adherence.

Research design and methods

An interview-based exploratory study has been carried out involving 18 physicians (77.8% female) with at least 3 years of clinical practice in diabetes care. In-depth interviews about the emotional experience with patients with diabetes were conducted and audio recorded. Interviews transcripts were analyzed through a computer-based text analysis which allowed the identification of thematic domains (Cluster Analysis) and latent factors (Correspondence Analysis) viewed through a psychodynamic and constructivist lens.

Results

Six thematic domains emerged respectively referring to: Concern (8.43%), Control (14.42%), Ambivalence (22.08%), Devotion (22.49%), Guilt (19.29%) and Strive for Achievement (13.30%). Moreover, three latent dimensions were taken into account, which explained 69.20% of data variance: Affect Repression (28.50%), Tendency to Repair (22.70%) and Anxiety Pattern (18.00%).

Conclusions

Overall, the results of the present study confirm the challenging nature of diabetes care. In particular, physicians ongoing effort to restore patients’ psychological integrity in chronic condition constitute the most novel finding above all. In this regard, the need for emotional labor in physicians’ education and training is suggested in order to both prevent burnout symptoms (e.g. depersonalization) and promote shared decision making in care relationships. However, findings should be treated as preliminary given the convenience nature of the sample and its reduced size.
Considerations and practical implications of performing a phenotypic CRISPR/Cas survival screen
Authors: Ashoti Ator , Limone Francesco , van Kranenburg Melissa , Alemany Anna , Baak Mirna , Vivié Judith , Piccioni Frederica , Dijkers Pascale F. , Creyghton Menno , Eggan Kevin , Geijsen Niels
Published: February 2022

Genome-wide screens that have viability as a readout have been instrumental to identify essential genes. The development of gene knockout screens with the use of CRISPR-Cas has provided a more sensitive method to identify these genes. Here, we performed an exhaustive genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 phenotypic rescue screen to identify modulators of cytotoxicity induced by the pioneer transcription factor, DUX4. Misexpression of DUX4 due to a failure in epigenetic repressive mechanisms underlies facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FHSD), a complex muscle disorder that thus far remains untreatable. As the name implies, FSHD generally starts in the muscles of the face and shoulder girdle. Our CRISPR/Cas9 screen revealed no key effectors other than DUX4 itself that could modulate DUX4 cytotoxicity, suggesting that treatment efforts in FSHD should be directed towards direct modulation of DUX4 itself. Our screen did however reveal some rare and unexpected genomic events, that had an important impact on the interpretation of our data. Our findings may provide important considerations for planning future CRISPR/Cas9 phenotypic survival screens.
Consecutive deletions in a unique Uruguayan SARS-CoV-2 lineage evidence the genetic variability potential of accessory genes
Authors: Panzera Yanina , Calleros Lucía , Goñi Natalia , Marandino Ana , Techera Claudia , Grecco Sofía , Ramos Natalia , Frabasile Sandra , Tomás Gonzalo , Condon Emma , Cortinas María Noel , Ramas Viviana , Coppola Leticia , Sorhouet Cecilia , Mogdasy Cristina , Chiparelli Héctor , Arbiza Juan , Delfraro Adriana , Pérez Ruben
Published: February 2022

Deletions frequently occur in the six accessory genes of SARS-CoV-2, but most genomes with deletions are sporadic and have limited spreading capability. Here, we analyze deletions in the ORF7a of the N.7 lineage, a unique Uruguayan clade from the Brazilian B.1.1.33 lineage. Thirteen samples collected during the early SARS-CoV-2 wave in Uruguay had deletions in the ORF7a. Complete genomes were obtained by Illumina next-generation sequencing, and deletions were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and capillary electrophoresis. The N.7 lineage includes several individuals with a 12-nucleotide deletion that removes four amino acids of the ORF7a. Notably, four individuals underwent an additional 68-nucleotide novel deletion that locates 44 nucleotides downstream in the terminal region of the same ORF7a. The simultaneous occurrence of the 12 and 68-nucleotide deletions fuses the ORF7a and ORF7b, two contiguous accessory genes that encode transmembrane proteins with immune-modulation activity. The fused ORF retains the signal peptide and the complete Ig-like fold of the 7a protein and the transmembrane domain of the 7b protein, suggesting that the fused protein plays similar functions to original proteins in a single format. Our findings evidence the remarkable dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and the possibility that single and consecutive deletions occur in accessory genes and promote changes in the genomic organization that help the virus explore genetic variations and select for new, higher fit changes.
Determinants of vaccine coverage and timeliness in a northern Pakistani village
Authors: Jamison Alexandra F. , McCormick Benjamin J. J. , Hussain Ejaz , Thomas Elizabeth D. , Azam Syed Iqbal , Hansen Chelsea L. , Rasmussen Zeba A.
Published: February 2022

The incidence of vaccine preventable disease in Pakistan remains high despite a long-standing Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). We describe vaccine completeness, timeliness and determinants of coverage from a remote rural cohort (2012–2014). Vaccination histories were taken from EPI records. Vaccination was complete if all doses were received according to the EPI schedule and timely if doses were not ≥3 days early or ≥ 28 days late. Three models are presented: a multivariable logistic regression of household demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with complete vaccination, a multivariable mixed effects logistic regression assessing whether or not the vaccine was administered late (versus on-time), and a mixed effects multivariable Poisson regression model analysing the interval (in days) between vaccine doses. Of 959 enrolled children with full vaccination histories, 88.2 and 65.1% were fully vaccinated following either the pentavalent or DPT/HBV schedules if measles was excluded; coverage dropped to 50.0 and 27.1% when both doses of measles were included. Sixty-four (6.7%) were unvaccinated. Coverage and timeliness declined with subsequent doses. Migrating into the village after 1995 (95%CI 1.88 to 5.17) was associated with late vaccination. Being male, having an older father, and having parents with at least some formal education reduced the likelihood of a late dose. The interval between doses was consistent at 5 weeks (compared with the 4 weeks recommended by EPI). None of the socio-demographic variables were related to the likelihood of receiving full coverage. Vaccine coverage in Oshikhandass was higher than national averages. Measles vaccine coverage and timeliness were low; special consideration should be paid to this vaccine. The local vaccination schedule differed from the EPI, but the consistency suggests good local administration.
Long-term survey of longhorn beetles revealed changes in faunal features in Ito on the Izu peninsula
Authors: Yamasako Junsuke , Kiritani Keizi , Makihara Hiroshi , Yamanaka Takehiko
Published: February 2022

Long-term biodiversity monitoring is essential for unveiling the impact of environmental changes on local fauna. Although private local records can contribute significantly to biodiversity evaluation, they are seldom published in scientific journals. In this study, a retired scientist recorded the longhorn beetles (Distiniidae and Cerambycidae) present in Ito on the Izu peninsula, Japan, for 12 years. The records showed the dynamical changes in longhorn beetles, which indicated the environmental changes around the survey site over 12 years. We also compared the longhorn beetle composition in the Ito study site to those in the survey records in 13 other locations in Kanto, Japan. We found that the species composition in Ito was stable throughout the 12 years, while the general composition in Ito reflected the land-use pattern of urban areas and the collecting methods. The species composition in the Ito study site differed from that in some of the other satoyama locations (human-influenced natural environment), but this was possibly due to methodological differences. Long-term backyard biodiversity surveys, especially those conducted by retired professionals, can play important roles in future investigations of insect groups, such as longhorn beetles, even if they are not agricultural pests nor endangered species.
The application of machine learning to predict genetic relatedness using human mtDNA hypervariable region I sequences
Authors: Govender Priyanka , Fashoto Stephen Gbenga , Maharaj Leah , Adeleke Matthew A. , Mbunge Elliot , Olamijuwon Jeremiah , Akinnuwesi Boluwaji , Okpeku Moses
Published: February 2022

Human identification of unknown samples following disaster and mass casualty events is essential, especially to bring closure to family and friends of the deceased. Unfortunately, victim identification is often challenging for forensic investigators as analysis becomes complicated when biological samples are degraded or of poor quality as a result of exposure to harsh environmental factors. Mitochondrial DNA becomes the ideal option for analysis, particularly for determining the origin of the samples. In such events, the estimation of genetic parameters plays an important role in modelling and predicting genetic relatedness and is useful in assigning unknown individuals to an ethnic group. Various techniques exist for the estimation of genetic relatedness, but the use of Machine learning (ML) algorithms are novel and presently the least used in forensic genetic studies. In this study, we investigated the ability of ML algorithms to predict genetic relatedness using hypervariable region I sequences; that were retrieved from the GenBank database for three race groups, namely African, Asian and Caucasian. Four ML classification algorithms; Support vector machines (SVM), Linear discriminant analysis (LDA), Quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) and Random Forest (RF) were hybridised with one-hot encoding, Principal component analysis (PCA) and Bags of Words (BoW), and were compared for inferring genetic relatedness. The findings from this study on WEKA showed that genetic inferences based on PCA-SVM achieved an overall accuracy of 80–90% and consistently outperformed PCA-LDA, PCA-RF and PCA-QDA, while in Python BoW-PCA-RF achieved 94.4% accuracy which outperformed BoW-PCA-SVM, BoW-PCA-LDA and BoW-PCA-QDA respectively. ML results from the use of WEKA and Python software tools displayed higher accuracies as compared to the Analysis of molecular variance results. Given the results, SVM and RF algorithms are likely to also be useful in other sequence classification applications, making it a promising tool in genetics and forensic science. The study provides evidence that ML can be utilized as a supplementary tool for forensic genetics casework analysis.
Duration, frequency, and time distortion: Which is the best predictor of problematic smartphone use in adolescents? A trace data study
Authors: Marciano Laura , Camerini Anne-Linda
Published: February 2022

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) during adolescence has been associated with negative short- and long-term consequences for personal well-being and development. Valid and reliable predictors and indicators of PSU are urgently needed, and digital trace data can add valuable information beyond self-report data. The present study aimed to investigate whether trace data (duration and frequency of smartphone use), recorded via an app installed on participants’ smartphone, are correlated with self-report data on smartphone use. Additionally, the present study aimed to explore which usage indicators, i.e., duration, frequency, and time distortion of smartphone use, better predict PSU levels cross-sectionally and longitudinally, one year later. Results from a sample of 84 adolescents showed that adolescents tend to rely on the frequency of smartphone use when reporting on the time they spent with the smartphone. Traced duration of smartphone use as well as time distortion, i.e., over-estimation, are significant predictors of PSU. Methodological issues and theoretical implications related to predictors and indicators of PSU are discussed.
Isolating and cryopreserving pig skin cells for single-cell RNA sequencing study
Authors: Han Li , Jara Carlos P. , Wang Ou , Shi Yu , Wu Xinran , Thibivilliers Sandra , Wóycicki Rafał K. , Carlson Mark A. , Velander William H. , Araújo Eliana P. , Libault Marc , Zhang Chi , Lei Yuguo
Published: February 2022

The pig skin architecture and physiology are similar to those of humans. Thus, the pig model is very valuable for studying skin biology and testing therapeutics. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology allows quantitatively analyzing cell types, compositions, states, signaling, and receptor-ligand interactome at single-cell resolution and at high throughput. scRNA-seq has been used to study mouse and human skins. However, studying pig skin with scRNA-seq is still rare. A critical step for successful scRNA-seq is to obtain high-quality single cells from the pig skin tissue. Here we report a robust method for isolating and cryopreserving pig skin single cells for scRNA-seq. We showed that pig skin could be efficiently dissociated into single cells with high cell viability using the Miltenyi Human Whole Skin Dissociation kit and the Miltenyi gentleMACS Dissociator. Furthermore, the obtained single cells could be cryopreserved using 90% FBS + 10% DMSO without causing additional cell death, cell aggregation, or changes in gene expression profiles. Using the developed protocol, we were able to identify all the major skin cell types. The protocol and results from this study are valuable for the skin research scientific community.
Relative changes in brain and kidney biomarkers with Exertional Heat Illness during a cool weather marathon
Authors: Stacey Michael J. , Hill Neil E. , Parsons Iain T. , Wallace Jenny , Taylor Natalie , Grimaldi Rachael , Shah Nishma , Marshall Anna , House Carol , O’Hara John P. , Brett Stephen J. , Woods David R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Medical personnel may find it challenging to distinguish severe Exertional Heat Illness (EHI), with attendant risks of organ-injury and longer-term sequalae, from lesser forms of incapacity associated with strenuous physical exertion. Early evidence for injury at point-of-incapacity could aid the development and application of targeted interventions to improve outcomes. We aimed to investigate whether biomarker surrogates for end-organ damage sampled at point-of-care (POC) could discriminate EHI versus successful marathon performance.

Methods

Eight runners diagnosed as EHI cases upon reception to medical treatment facilities and 30 successful finishers of the same cool weather marathon (ambient temperature 8 rising to 12 ºC) were recruited. Emerging clinical markers associated with injury affecting the brain (neuron specific enolase, NSE; S100 calcium-binding protein B, S100β) and renal system (cystatin C, cysC; kidney-injury molecule-1, KIM-1; neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL), plus copeptin as a surrogate for fluid-regulatory stress, were sampled in blood upon marathon collapse/completion, as well as beforehand at rest (successful finishers only).

Results

Versus successful finishers, EHI showed significantly higher NSE (10.33 [6.37, 20.00] vs. 3.17 [2.71, 3.92] ug.L-1, P<0.0001), cysC (1.48 [1.10, 1.67] vs. 1.10 [0.95, 1.21] mg.L-1, P = 0.0092) and copeptin (339.4 [77.0, 943] vs. 18.7 [7.1, 67.9] pmol.L-1, P = 0.0050). Discrimination of EHI by ROC (Area-Under-the-Curve) showed performance that was outstanding for NSE (0.97, P<0.0001) and excellent for copeptin (AUC = 0.83, P = 0.0066).

Conclusions

As novel biomarker candidates for EHI outcomes in cool-weather endurance exercise, early elevations in NSE and copeptin provided sufficient discrimination to suggest utility at point-of-incapacity. Further investigation is warranted in patients exposed to greater thermal insult, followed up over a more extended period.
Contemporary clinical and economic outcomes among oral anticoagulant treated and untreated elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: Insights from the United States Medicare database
Authors: Munir Muhammad Bilal , Hlavacek Patrick , Keshishian Allison , Guo Jennifer D. , Mallampati Rajesh , Ferri Mauricio , Russ Cristina , Emir Birol , Cato Matthew , Yuce Huseyin , Hsu Jonathan C.
Published: February 2022

Background

Oral anticoagulants (OACs) mitigate the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.

Objective

Elderly AF patients who were treated with OACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, or warfarin) were compared against AF patients who were not treated with OACs with respect to their clinical and economic outcomes.

Methods

Newly diagnosed AF patients were identified between January 2013 and December 2017 in the Medicare database. Evidence of an OAC treatment claim on or after the first AF diagnosis was used to classify patients into treatment-defined cohorts, and these cohorts were further stratified based on the initial OAC prescribed. The risks of stroke/systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding (MB), and death were analyzed using inverse probability treatment weighted time-dependent Cox regression models, and costs were compared with marginal structural models.

Results

The two treatment groups were composed of 1,421,187 AF patients: OAC treated (N = 583,350, 41.0% [36.4% apixaban, 4.9% dabigatran, 0.1% edoxaban, 26.7% rivaroxaban, and 31.9% warfarin patients]) and untreated (N = 837,837, 59.0%). OAC-treated patients had a lower adjusted risk of stroke/SE compared to untreated patients (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68–0.72). Additionally patients receiving OACs had a lower adjusted risk of death (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.55–0.56) and a higher risk of MB (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.54–1.59) and this trend was consistent across each OAC sub-group. The OAC-treated cohort had lower adjusted total healthcare costs per patient per month ($4,381 vs $7,172; p < .0001).

Conclusion

For the OAC-treated cohort in this elderly US population, stroke/SE and all-cause death were lower, while risk of MB was higher. Among OAC treated patients, total healthcare costs were lower than those of the untreated cohort.
An analysis of the factors affecting children and adolescent lifestyle in South Korea: A cross-sectional study with KCYPS 2018
Authors: Kim Ah-Ram , Lee Seohyun , Park Ji-Hyuk
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study is to identify lifestyle factors that affect the subjective health conditions of adolescents in South Korea by utilizing data from the Korean Children’s and Youth Panel Survey 2018 conducted in Korea.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from 4,490 students (2,399 students in the fourth grade of elementary school and 2,541 students in the first grade of middle school). The data obtained were evaluated using living time (sleep time, study time, leisure time), emotions (happiness, self-esteem, emotional problems), capabilities (cooperative attitude, grit), health (life satisfaction, exercise time, number of breakfasts, quality of sleep), media (smartphone use and dependence), school (school life satisfaction, relationship with friends and teachers), and home (time spent with parents, parenting attitude).

Results

We confirmed that regardless of grade, living time (leisure time), emotion (happiness, self-esteem, emotional problems), capabilities (grit), health (life satisfaction, exercise time, quality of sleep), media (smartphone dependence), and school (school life satisfaction, friendly, and teacher relations) are related to subjective health conditions. These results confirmed that evaluation parameters are related to subjective health conditions regardless of grade.

Conclusion

This investigation revealed that the higher the quality of sleep enhanced positive emotions while increased exercise
Stiffness reduction and collagenase resistance of aging lungs measured using scanning acoustic microscopy
Authors: Miura Katsutoshi
Published: February 2022

Lung tissue stiffness is altered with aging. Quantitatively evaluating lung function is difficult using a light microscope (LM) alone. Scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) calculates the speed-of-sound (SOS) using sections to obtain histological images by plotting SOS values on the screen. As SOS is positively correlated with stiffness, SAM has a superior characteristic of simultaneously evaluating tissue stiffness and structure. SOS images of healthy bronchioles, arterioles, and alveoli were compared among young, middle-aged, and old lung sections. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections consistently exhibited relatively higher SOS values than fresh-frozen sections, indicating that FFPE became stiffer but retained the relative stiffness reflecting fresh samples. All lung components exhibited gradually declining SOS values with aging and were associated with structural alterations such as loss of smooth muscles, collagen, and elastic fibers. Moreover, reaction to collagenase digestion resulted in decreased SOS values. SOS values of all components were significantly reduced in young and middle-aged groups, whereas no significant reduction was observed in the old group. Protease damage in the absence of regeneration or loss of elastic components was present in old lungs, which exbited dilated bronchioles and alveoli. Aging lungs gradually lose stiffness with decreasing structural components without exposure to specific insults such as inflammation.