bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colony characteristics influence nest survival of Caribbean Roseate Terns
Authors: Byerly Paige A , Zaluski Susan , Nellis Daniel , Leberg Paul L
Published: April 2021

Determining how site characteristics influence reproductive success can help guide conservation planning for declining wildlife populations. For colonially breeding seabirds, nest survival and predation risk can be influenced by both colony and nest site characteristics such as colony size, nest density, and nest location. We evaluated the reproductive success of a declining population of Roseate Terns (Sterna dougallii) in the United States and British Virgin Islands to identify primary causes of nest failure and investigate the influence of colony and nest site covariates on nest survival. In addition, we measured the influence of colony characteristics on chick provisioning to determine if resource competition in larger colonies affected foraging rates. Monitoring was conducted in 2017–2018 via motion-triggered cameras, which enable 24-hr monitoring with minimal nest disturbance. Nest survival was defined by both hatch success and early chick success, defined as a chick surviving from hatching through the fourth post-hatch day. We monitored 118 nests in 6 colonies over the 2 breeding seasons. We found that predation was the primary cause of nest failure. Both hatch and nest success increased with colony size, and neither nest survival nor predation probability was influenced by individual nest site characteristics. Provisioning rates were comparable among colony sites and did not vary with colony size. Our results suggest that directing management efforts toward enhancing colony size, rather than focusing on nest site characteristics, can be beneficial for tropical seabird conservation.
Extensive hybridization between two Andean warbler species with shallow divergence in mtDNA
Authors: Céspedes-Arias Laura N , Cuervo Andrés M , Bonaccorso Elisa , Castro-Farias Marialejandra , Mendoza-Santacruz Alejandro , Pérez-Emán Jorge L , Witt Christopher C , Cadena Carlos Daniel
Published: April 2021

Studying processes acting on differentiated populations upon secondary contact, such as hybridization, is important to comprehensively understand how species are formed and maintained over time. However, avian speciation studies in the tropical Andes have largely focused on the role of topographic and ecological barriers promoting divergence in allopatry, seldom examining hybridization and introgression. We describe a hybrid zone involving 2 closely related Andean warblers (Parulidae), the Golden-fronted Redstart (Myioborus ornatus), and the Spectacled Redstart (Myioborus melanocephalus). Geographic ranges of these species abut near the Colombia-Ecuador border and many specimens from the region exhibit intermediate phenotypes, but a formal description of phenotypic variation in the contact zone was heretofore lacking. We collected specimens across a transect encompassing the area where ranges abut and areas where only “pure” parental phenotypes of M. ornatus chrysops and M. melanocephalus ruficoronatus occur. We described variation in plumage traits including patterns of head and ventral coloration and tail markings based on 321 specimens. To describe genetic variation in the contact zone and over a broader phylogeographic context, we used sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 gene for 219 individuals across the transect and the entire range of both species, including all subspecies, from Venezuela to Bolivia. We documented a hybrid zone ~200 km wide based on head coloration, where intermediate plumage phenotypes are most common and “pure” forms do not overlap geographically, consistent with extensive hybridization. Across the range of the M. ornatus–M. melanocephalus complex, mitochondrial genetic structure was shallow, with genetic breaks only coinciding clearly with one topographic feature. Such a low genetic structure is striking given the high diversity in plumage phenotypes and the current taxonomy of the group. Our phenotypic data suggest that barriers to hybridization are not strong, and allow us to postulate hypotheses to be tested using forthcoming genomic data.
Discontinuation of biologic DMARDs in a real-world population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in remission: outcome and risk factors
Authors: Arnold Simone , Jaeger Veronika K , Scherer Almut , Ciurea Adrian , Walker Ulrich A , Kyburz Diego
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Data from randomized controlled trials have shown the feasibility of discontinuation of bDMARD therapy in patients with RA that have reached remission. Criteria for selecting patients that are likely to remain in remission are still incompletely defined. We aimed to identify predictors of successful discontinuation of bDMARD therapy in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management (SCQM) registry, a real-world cohort of RA patients.

Methods

RA patients in DAS28-ESR remission who stopped bDMARD/tsDMARD treatment were included. Loss of remission was defined as a DAS28-ESR > 2.6 or restart of a bDMARD/tsDMARD. Time to loss of remission was the main outcome. Kaplan–Meier methods were applied and Cox regression was used for multivariable analyses adjusting for confounding factors. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation.

Results

A total of 318 patients in a bDMARD/tsDMARD-free remission were followed between 1997 and 2017. In total, 241 patients (76%) lost remission after a median time of 0.9 years (95% CI: 0.7, 1.0). The time to loss of remission was shorter in women, in patients with a longer disease duration >4yrs and in patients who did not meet clinical disease activity index (CDAI) remission criteria at baseline. Remission was longer in patients with csDMARD therapy during b/tsDMARD free remission [hazard ratio (HR) 0.8, P =0.05, 95% CI: 0.6, 1.0].

Conclusion

In a real-world patient population, the majority of patients who discontinued b/tsDMARD treatment lost remission within <1 year. Our study confirms that fulfilment of more rigorous remission criteria and csDMARD treatment increases the chance of maintaining b/tsDMARD-free remission.
Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum-aaes for the Treatment of Cellulite in Women: Results From Two Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials
Authors: Kaufman-Janette Joely , Joseph John H. , Kaminer Michael S. , Clark James , Fabi Sabrina G. , Gold Michael H. , Goldman Mitchel P. , Katz Bruce E. , Peddy Kappa , Schlessinger Joel , Young V. Leroy , Davis Matthew , Hurley David , Liu Genzhou , McLane Michael P. , Vijayan Saji , Bass Lawrence S.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Fibrous septae play a role in contour alterations associated with cellulite.

OBJECTIVE

To assess collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes (CCH) for the treatment of cellulite.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two identically designed phase 3, double-blind, randomized studies (RELEASE-1 and RELEASE-2) were conducted. Adult women with moderate/severe cellulite (rating 3–4 on the Patient Reported Photonumeric Cellulite Severity Scale [PR-PCSS] and Clinician Reported PCSS [CR-PCSS]) on the buttocks received up to 3 treatment sessions of subcutaneous CCH 0.84 mg or placebo per treatment area. Composite response (≥2-level or ≥1-level improvement from baseline in both PR-PCSS and CR-PCSS) was determined at Day 71.

RESULTS

Eight hundred forty-three women received ≥1 injection (CCH vs placebo: RELEASE-1, n = 210 vs n = 213; RELEASE-2, n = 214 vs n = 206). Greater percentages of CCH-treated women were ≥2-level composite responders versus placebo in RELEASE-1 (7.6% vs 1.9%; p = .006) and RELEASE-2 (5.6% vs 0.5%; p = .002) and ≥1-level composite responders in RELEASE-1 (37.1% vs 17.8%; p < .001) and RELEASE-2 (41.6% vs 11.2%; p < .001). Most adverse events (AEs) in the CCH group were injection site related; few CCH-treated women discontinued because of an AE (≤4.3%).

CONCLUSION

Collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes significantly improved cellulite appearance and was generally well tolerated.
RETINAL AND CHOROIDAL BLOOD PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH BIETTI CRYSTALLINE DYSTROPHY
Authors: Xu Yufei , Qin Zuoxin , Wu Nan , Zhao Tongtao , Gu Peng , Ren Bangqi , Li Lin , Meng Xiaohong , Liu Yong
Published: April 2021

Purpose:

To compare changes of chorioretinal blood perfusion between Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) and typical retinitis pigmentosa and perform a staging and a longitudinal analysis of chorioretinal perfusion in BCD.

Methods:

Twenty-eight patients with BCD (56 eyes), 28 patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa (56 eyes), and 28 healthy subjects (56 eyes) were enrolled. Macular structural parameters and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography. Retinal vessel and perfusion densities were calculated using optical coherence tomography angiography. Choroidal blood perfusion was assessed through indocyanine green angiography. The results of the BCD group were compared with those of the retinitis pigmentosa and control groups and followed by a staging and a longitudinal analysis of BCD.

Results:

Macular structural and perfusion parameters were decreased less in the BCD group than those in the retinitis pigmentosa group. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly thinner in the BCD group, with a remarkable choroidal perfusion deficit using indocyanine green angiography. The staging analysis revealed damage of both retinal and choroidal perfusion in BCD; however, the longitudinal analysis showed the impairment of choroidal perfusion outweighed retinal.

Conclusion:

Both retinal and choroidal blood perfusion are impaired in BCD, but choroidal perfusion deficit caused by CYP4V2 mutations may play a more vital pathologic role.
Hospital Magnet Status Associates With Inpatient Safety in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Aamodt Whitley W. , Travers Jasmine , Thibault Dylan , Willis Allison W.
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND: Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) have complex care needs that may benefit from enhanced nursing care provided in Magnet-designated hospitals. Our primary objective was to determine whether an association exists between hospital Magnet status and patient safety events for PD inpatients in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality databases from 2000 to 2010. Parkinson disease diagnosis and demographic variables were retrieved, along with Magnet designation and other hospital characteristics. Inpatient mortality and preventable adverse events in hospitals with and without Magnet status were then compared using relevant Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality patient safety indicators. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2010, 493 760 hospitalizations among PD patients were identified. Of those, 40 121 (8.1%) occurred at one of 389 Magnet hospitals. When comparing PD patients in Magnet versus non-Magnet hospitals, demographic characteristics were similar. Multivariate regression models adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics identified a 21% reduction in mortality among PD inpatients in Magnet hospitals (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–0.85). PD inpatients in Magnet hospitals also had a lower odds of experiencing any patient safety indicator (AOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.68–0.79), pressure ulcers (AOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.55–0.67), death from a low mortality condition (AOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.68–0.79), and a higher odds of postoperative bleeding (AOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.04–2.04). CONCLUSIONS: PD patients had a reduced risk of inpatient mortality and several nursing-sensitive patient safety events, highlighting the possible benefits of Magnet status on inpatient safety in PD.
Machine-Based Hand Massage Ameliorates Preoperative Anxiety in Patients Awaiting Ambulatory Surgery
Authors: NI Cheng-Hua , WEI Li , WU Chia-Che , LIN Chueh-Ho , CHOU Pao-Yu , CHUANG Yeu-Hui , KAO Ching-Chiu
Published: April 2021

Background

Hand massage therapies have been used to relieve anxiety and pain in various clinical situations. The effects of machine-based hand massage on preoperative anxiety in ambulatory surgery settings have not been evaluated.

Purpose

This prospective study was designed to investigate the effect of machine-based hand massage on preoperative anxiety and vital signs in ambulatory surgery patients.

Methods

One hundred ninety-nine patients aged 18 years and older who were scheduled to receive ambulatory surgery were recruited from the Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital in Taipei City, Taiwan. The patients were assigned randomly to the experimental group (n = 101), which received presurgical machine-based hand massage therapy, and the control group (n = 98), which received no intervention. The patients in both groups completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form at preintervention (baseline) and postintervention.

Results

Within-group comparisons of Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form scores showed significant decreases between preintervention and postintervention scores in the experimental group (44.3 ± 11.2 to 37.9 ± 8.7) and no significant change in the control group. Within-group comparisons of vital signs revealed a significant increase in mean respiration rate between baseline and postintervention in both groups (both ps < .05). Blood pressure was found to have decreased significantly only in the control group at postintervention (p < .05). No significant preintervention to postintervention change in pulse was observed in either group.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate that machine-based hand massage reduces anxiety significantly in patients awaiting ambulatory surgery while not significantly affecting their vital signs.
Pediatric Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries in United States Trauma Centers
Authors: Habermehl Nikita , Minich Nori Mercuri , Malay Sindhoosha , Mahran Amr , Kim Grace
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children ages 1 to 18 years. There are limited studies about pediatric thoracolumbar (TL) spinal injuries; the purpose of this study was to characterize TL spinal injuries among pediatric patients evaluated in US trauma centers.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of the National Trauma Data Bank. Patients aged 1 to 18 years with a thoracic or lumbar spinal injury sustained by blunt trauma during calendar years 2011 through 2016 were included. Cervical spinal injuries, death before arrival, or penetrating trauma were excluded. The data was abstracted, and missing data was addressed by imputations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regressions.

Results

A total of 20,062 patients were included in the study. Thoracolumbar spinal injuries were more commonly sustained by 16- to 17-year-olds (45.7%), boys (56.6%), and White (74.8%). The injuries were often from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) (55.2%) and resulted in a bone injury (82.3%). Mechanism of injury and age were significant in predicting injury type. A fall was more likely than MVC to result in disc injury (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24–2.33), strain injury (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05–1.34), or cord injury (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.12–1.45). Younger children were more likely than adolescents to present with disc injury (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.75–4.45), cord injury (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.18–1.81), or strain injury (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09–1.72).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the largest pediatric TL spinal study. Clinicians should consider TL spinal injuries when adolescents present after an MVC, and specifically, TL spinal cord injuries when young children present after a fall. Additionally, pediatric TL spinal injury prevention should highlight motor vehicle and fall safety.
Fatal Outcome in Acutely Poisoned Children With Hospitalization
Authors: Gholami Narges , McDonald Rebecca , Farnaghi Fariba , Hosseini Yazdi Maryam , Zamani Nasim , Hassanian-Moghaddam Hossein
Published: April 2021

Background

Acute poisoning is a significant and preventable cause of mortality among children internationally. The aims of this study were to assess the case fatality rate of children admitted to an inner-city hospital for acute poisoning and to compare the demographics and source of poisoning of fatal cases.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of patient data recorded in the Hospital Information System for Loghman Hakim Hospital, that is, the central referral hospital for poisoning in Tehran, Iran. We searched Hospital Information System for all admissions for poisoning in children (age, 0–12 years) over the 10-year period from March 2010 to March 2020, and all cases were included in the analysis. We determined the case fatality rate by dividing the number of fatal cases by the number of included cases.

Results

Of 8158 children admitted for poisoning, 28 cases (0.3%) died, among whom 19 (67.9%) were boys and 9 (32.1%) girls. The median age was 42 months, ranging from 2 to 144 months. Twenty-two cases (78.6%) were 0 to 5 years old. The most common cause of mortality in acute poisoning was methadone (n = 13, 46.4%), followed by raw opium (n = 5, 17.9%), aluminum phosphide, carbon monoxide, and wild mushrooms (n = 2 deaths each, 7.1%). Tramadol, colchicine, and petroleum accounted for 1 death each (3.6%).

Conclusions

Mortality from unintentional poisoning disproportionately affects children younger than 5 years. Opioids (ie, methadone, opium, tramadol) accounted for two thirds of deaths in our sample. Our findings highlight the importance of educating parents that any toxic materials (licit or illicit) must be stored out of reach for children.
The Combined Application of Augmented Reality and Guide Template Technology in the Treatment of Nasal Deformities
Authors: Huang Chenyu , Zeng Wei , Chen Juntian , Liu Chang , Xiong Yutao , Luo Dan , Tang Wei
Published: April 2021

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to propose a surgical plan based on augmented reality (AR) and guide template technology for restoration of nasal deformities, and evaluate its feasibility and clinical efficacy.

Methods:

Patients were scanned with a FaceScan to obtain the three-dimensional (3D) facial model, and computed tomography was also performed to obtain the maxillofacial computed tomography images while wearing the artificial marker. The mirroring tool and database searching and matching technology were employed to restore the nasal deformities for a normal nose (preoperative planning model). The design of guide template for deciding the incision area was based on the preoperative planning model, which was also imported into the AR image guidance system named HuaxiAR1.0 for reconstruction of the nose contour. One week after the surgery, the postoperative 3D facial model was obtained. Then, the clinical efficacy was evaluated by comparing the difference between the preoperative planning and postoperative 3D facial model.

Results:

The patients obtained satisfactory nasal shapes after surgery. Comparison of the difference between the preoperative and postoperative 3D model revealed that the maximum error was ranging from 2.24 mm to 3.10 mm with the mean error from 0.54 mm to 0.65 mm.

Conclusion:

The combined application of AR and guide template technology provides a new approach for the treatment of nasal deformities, and has a certain significance in realizing the precise repair of other craniofacial soft tissue deformities.
Early Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Yamazaki Ryuichi , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Matsuda Yuki , Kito Shinsuke , Morita Kojiro , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: April 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate whether early electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can reduce length of hospital stay and total hospitalization costs in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients.

Methods

Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database from April 2011 to March 2018 linked with the Annual Report for Functions of Medical Institutions, we identified patients admitted for MDD. Patients who received ECT within 8 days of admission were assigned to the early ECT group and the remaining patients to the control group. The primary outcomes were length of hospital stay and total hospitalization costs. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and fatal adverse events. Propensity score-matched analyses were performed to compare the outcomes between the 2 groups.

Results

We identified 41,248 eligible patients, comprising 1169 in the early ECT group and 40,079 in the control group. After 1:1 propensity score matching, patients in the early ECT group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay than those in the control group (difference: −12.6 days; 95% confidence interval: −17.4 to −7.7 days). There was no significant difference in total hospitalization costs between the 2 groups. Early ECT was not significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality or fatal adverse events.

Conclusions

Early ECT may reduce length of hospital stay without increasing total hospitalization costs or fatal adverse events in patients with MDD.
Duration of Treatment in Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Patients Beginning With Acute Course Right Unilateral Brief Pulse Stimuli
Authors: Luccarelli James , McCoy Thomas H. , Shannon Alec P. , Forester Brent P. , Seiner Stephen J. , Henry Michael E.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Right unilateral brief pulse (RUL-BP) electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been adopted as a technique for reducing the cognitive side effects of ECT relative to sine wave or bilateral treatments, but it is unknown how often patients are transitioned to alternative electrode placements. This study analyzes time in first lifetime acute course RUL-BP ECT.

Methods

A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients receiving a first lifetime course of ECT from 2000 to 2017 beginning with individualized seizure threshold determination using RUL-BP treatment parameters.

Results

A total of 1383 patients met study criteria and received a mean number of 9.4 ± 3.1 treatments, of which 7.6 ± 3.3 were using RUL-BP stimuli. Only 37.5% of patients were transitioned from RUL to bilateral treatments. Younger patients and those diagnosed with bipolar disorder were more likely to transition from RUL-BP to bilateral treatments, but the overall number of treatments did not differ based on age or primary diagnosis.

Conclusions

Among patients who begin treatment with RUL-BP ECT, more than 60% use exclusively those parameters throughout their acute course.
Pathogenicity and transmissibility of a novel respirovirus isolated from a Malayan pangolin
Authors: Yang Rou , Peng Jinyu , Zhai Junqiong , Xiao Kangpeng , Zhang Xu , Li Xiaobing , Chen Xiaoyuan , Chen Zu-Jin , Holmes Edward C. , Irwin David M. , Shan Fen , Shen Xuejuan , Chen Wu , Shen Yongyi
Published: April 2021

The identification of SARS-CoV-2-like viruses in Malayan pangolins (Manis javanica) has focused attention on these endangered animals and the viruses they carry. We successfully isolated a novel respirovirus from the lungs of a dead Malayan pangolin. Similar to murine respirovirus, the full-length genome of this novel virus was 15 384 nucleotides comprising six genes in the order 3′–(leader)–NP-P-M-F-HN-l-(trailer)−5’. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that this virus belongs to the genus Respirovirus and is most closely related to murine respirovirus. Notably, animal infection experiments indicated that the pangolin virus is highly pathogenic and transmissible in mice, with inoculated mice having variable clinical symptoms and a fatality rate of 70.37 %. The virus was found to replicate in most tissues with the exception of muscle and heart. Contact transmission of the virus was 100 % efficient, although the mice in the contact group displayed milder symptoms, with the virus mainly being detected in the trachea and lungs. The isolation of a novel respirovirus from the Malayan pangolin provides new insight into the evolution and distribution of this important group of viruses and again demonstrates the potential infectious disease threats faced by endangered pangolins.
Microbe Profile: Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus: a specialized bacterial predator of bacteria
Authors: Lovering Andrew L. , Sockett R. Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

is an environmentally-ubiquitous bacterium that uses unique adaptations to kill other bacteria. The best-characterized strain, HD100, has a multistage lifestyle, with both a free-living attack phase and an intraperiplasmic growth and division phase inside the prey cell. Advances in understanding the basic biology and regulation of predation processes are paving the way for future potential therapeutic and bioremediation applications of this unusual bacterium.
Changing patterns of sickness absence among healthcare workers in England during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Edge Rhiannon , van der Plaat Diana A , Parsons Vaughan , Coggon David , van Tongeren Martie , Muiry Rupert , Madan Ira , Cullinan Paul
Published: April 2021

Objective

To explore impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of sickness absence among staff employed by the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

Methods

We analysed prospectively collected, pseudonymised data on 959,356 employees who were continuously employed by NHS trusts during 1 January 2019 to 31 July 2020, comparing the frequency of new sickness absence in 2020 with that at corresponding times in 2019.

Results

After exclusion of episodes directly related to COVID-19, the overall incidence of sickness absence during the initial 10 weeks of the pandemic (March-May 2020) was more than 20% lower than in corresponding weeks of 2019, but trends for specific categories of illness varied. Marked increases were observed for asthma (122%), infectious diseases (283%) and mental illness (42.3%), while reductions were apparent for gastrointestinal problems (48.4%), genitourinary/gynaecological disorders (33.8%), eye problems (42.7%), injury and fracture (27.7%), back problems (19.6%), other musculoskeletal disorders (29.3%), disorders of ear, nose and throat (32.7%), cough/flu (24.5%) and cancer (24.1%). A doubling of new absences for pregnancy-related disorders during 18 May to 19 July of 2020 was limited to women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence.

Conclusions

Various factors will have contributed to the large and divergent changes that were observed. The findings add to concerns regarding delays in diagnosis and treatment of cancers, and support a need to plan for a large backlog of treatment for many other diseases. Further research should explore the rise in absence for pregnancy-related disorders among women with earlier COVID-19 sickness absence.

1. What is already known about this subject?

Historically, rates of sickness absence among the NHS workforce in England have been relatively high but stable. Reports of a marked increase during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic have not distinguished between different categories of underlying illness.

2. What are the new findings?

During the first wave of COVID-19, incidence of sickness-absence changed markedly when compared to the previous year, with major increases for some categories of illness, and large declines for many others, including cancer.

3. How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

The findings support a need to plan for effects from delayed diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and to manage a large backlog of treatment for many other diseases.
Light-triggered and phosphorylation-dependent 14-3-3 association with NONPHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL 3 is required for hypocotyl phototropism
Authors: Reuter Lea , Schmidt Tanja , Manishankar Prabha , Throm Christian , Keicher Jutta , Bock Andrea , Oecking Claudia
Published: April 2021

NON-PHOTOTROPIC HYPOCOTYL 3 (NPH3) is a key component of the phototropic response, acting downstream of the primary photoreceptor phototropin and upstream of auxin redistribution. Despite the obvious physiological significance of the blue light-induced differential growth process, the molecular mode of NPH3 action is poorly understood. Light-triggered dephosphorylation of NPH3, however, is thought to constitute a major signaling event. Here, we show that NPH3 directly binds to polyacidic phospholipids via a polybasic motif in its C-terminal domain, allowing for plasma membrane association in darkness. We further demonstrate that blue light induces phosphorylation of a C-terminal 14-3-3 binding motif in NPH3. Subsequent binding of 14-3-3 to the phosphorylated NPH3 in turn is required for light-triggered release of NPH3 from the plasma membrane. In the cytosol, NPH3 undergoes a dynamic transition from a dilute to a condensed state. Intriguingly, the dephosphorylated state of the 14-3-3 binding site as well as NPH3 plasma membrane association are recoverable in darkness. Given that NPH3 variants constitutively localizing either to the plasma membrane or to cytosolic condensates are non-functional, the phototropin-triggered and 14-3-3 mediated dynamic change in the subcellular localization of NPH3 seems to be crucial for its function. Taken together, our data demonstrate a fundamental role for 14-3-3 members in regulating NPH3 localization and auxin-dependent phototropic responses.
Brain-based Authentication: Towards A Scalable, Commercial Grade Solution Using Noninvasive Brain Signals
Authors: Kopito Ronen , Haruvi Aia , Brande-Eilat Noa , Kalev Shai , Kay Eitan , Furman Dan
Published: April 2021

Here we report on a field test where we asked if it is feasible to deliver a scalable, commercial-grade solution for brain-based authentication given currently available head wearables. In this study, forty-nine (49) participants completed multiple sessions in their natural home environment over a single week. Participants used an off-the-shelf brain signal measuring headband to record their own brain activity while completing various tasks. Recording sessions were self-operated by the participants and unsupervised by any expert or technician to simulate real world use cases, while also contrasting common research approaches to this topic that rely on data from controlled laboratory conditions. Although brain signals have a non-stationary, complex nature, when participants watched rapidly presented images, our authentication system was able to successfully construct a unique and robust “brain ID” for each participant. Based on this brain ID, we developed a simplified brain-based authentication method that captures distinguishable information with reliable, commercial-grade performance from participants at their own homes. We conclude that noninvasively measured brain signals are ideal for use in biometric authentication systems, especially in environments where head wearables such as headphones or AR/VR devices are used as these devices offer a natural form factor for capturing participant brain ID continuously.
NosocomialPseudomonas aeruginosaregulates alginate biosynthesis and Type VI secretion system during adaptive and convergent evolution for coinfection in critically ill COVID-19 patients
Authors: Qu Jiuxin , Cai Zhao , Duan Xiangke , Zhang Han , Han Shuhong , Yu Kaiwei , Jiang Zhaofang , Zhang Yingdan , Liu Yang , Liu Yingxia , Liu Lei , Yang Liang
Published: April 2021

COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions of death globally and caused huge impact on the health of infected patients. Shift in the lung microbial ecology upon such viral infection often worsens the disease and increases host susceptibility to secondary infections. Recent studies have indicated that bacterial coinfection is an unignorable factor contributing to the aggravation of COVID-19 and posing great challenge to clinical treatments. However, there is still a lack of in-depth investigation on the coinfecting bacteria in COVID-19 patients for better treatment of bacterial coinfection. With the knowledge thatPseudomonas aeruginosais one of the top coinfecting pathogens, we analyzed the adaptation and convergent evolution of nosocomialP. aeruginosaisolated from two critical COVID-19 patients in this study. We sequenced and compared the genomes and transcriptomes ofP. aeruginosaisolates longitudinally and parallelly for its evolutionary traits.P. aeruginosaoverexpressed alginate and attenuated Type VI secretion system (T6SS) during coinfection for excessive biofilm formation and suppressed virulence. Results of bacterial competition assay and macrophage cytotoxicity test indicated thatP. aeruginosareduced its virulence towards both prokaryotic competitors and eukaryotic host through inhibiting its T6SS during evolution.P. aeuginosaT6SS is thus one of the reasons for its advantage to cause coinfection in COVID-19 patients while the attenuation of T6SS could cause a shift in the microecological composition in the lung. Our study will contribute to the development of therapeutic measures and the discovery of novel drug target to eliminateP. aeruginosacoinfection in COVID-19 patient.
High-speed widefield handheld swept-source OCT angiography with a VCSEL light source
Authors: Ni Shuibin , Wei Xiang , Ng Ringo , Ostmo Susan , Chiang Michael F , Huang David , Jia Yali , Campbell J. Peter , Jian Yifan
Published: April 2021

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) enable noninvasive structural and angiographic imaging of the eye. Portable handheld OCT/OCTA systems are required for imaging patients in the supine position. Examples include infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and operating room (OR). The speed of image acquisition plays a pivotal role in acquiring high quality OCT/OCTA images, particularly with the handheld system, since both the operator hand tremor and subject motion can cause significant motion artifacts. In addition, having a large field of view and the ability of real-time data visualization are critical elements in rapid disease screening, reducing imaging time, and detecting peripheral retinal pathologies. The arrangement of optical components is less flexible in the handheld system due to the limitation of size and weight. In this paper, we introduce a 400-kHz, 55-degree field of view handheld OCT/OCTA system that has overcome many technical challenges as a portable OCT system as well as a high-speed OCTA system. We demonstrate imaging premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the NICU, and patients with incontinentia pigmenti (IP) in the OR using our handheld OCT system. Our design may have potential for improving the diagnosis of retinal diseases and help provide a practical guideline for designing a flexible and portable OCT system.
Undergraduate student interest in healthcare career in the context of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jo Stephanie Y , Li Jingxin , Dewan Ananya , Cheng Yu-Chia , Hou Haoxiang , Sebro Ronnie A.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The healthcare profession has been long considered an excellent career choice. Pre-medical experience is documented to be important in shaping future medical landscape. In the wake of the pandemic, there has been intense media spotlight on the healthcare profession and change in academic environment, necessitating analyses of student experience. This project aims to assess change in undergraduate student interest in healthcare career using cross-sectional survey study.

Methods

The project was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Voluntary survey collected data on demographics, socioeconomics, media exposure, academic environment, and change in interest in a healthcare profession. Survey was distributed through the university undergraduate pre-health listserv. Total of 297 responses were obtained. Descriptive statistics including Fisher’s exact test were applied in the analysis.

Results

Majority of the respondents were Asians (54.9%), second generation immigrants (52.2%), and female (73.4%). Large proportion of the respondents were negatively affected by the pandemic, with losing a job or internship personally (42.1%) or a family member or a friend (62.6%). Students had mixed response to online learning environment, with 27.3% of students noting no change, 40.4% students noting increased difficulty, and 32.3% students noting decreased difficulty of classes. During the pandemic, 47.5% of students noted increased interest in pursuing healthcare career. The change in interest in healthcare career was not associated with xdemographics, economic hardship, or online learning environment.

Discussion

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, students showed strong interest in pursuing healthcare careers.
Complete neuroanatomy of dragonfly wings suggests direct sensing of aeroelastic deformations
Authors: Fabian Joseph , Siwanowicz Igor , Uhrhan Myriam , Maeda Masateru , Bomphrey Richard J , Lin Huai-Ti
Published: April 2021

Can mechanosensors in animal wings allow reconstruction of the wing aeroelastic states? Little is known about how flying animals utilize wing mechanosensation to monitor the dynamic state of their highly deformable wings. Odonata, dragonflies and damselflies, are a basal lineage of flying insects with excellent flight performance, and their wing mechanics have been studied extensively. Here, we present a comprehensive map of the wing sensory system for two Odonata species, including both the external sensor morphologies and internal neuroanatomy. We identified eight morphological classes of sensors; most were mechanosensors innervated by a single neuron. Their innervation patterns and morphologies minimize axon length and allow morphological latency compensation. We further mapped the major veins of another 13 Odonata species across 10 families and identified consistent sensor distribution patterns, with sensor count scaling with wing length. Finally, we constructed a high-fidelity finite element model of a dragonfly wing for structural analysis. Our dynamic loading simulations revealed features of the strain fields that wing sensor arrays could detect to encode different wing deformation states. Taken together, this work marks the first step toward an integrated understanding of fly-by-feel control in animal flight.
Emergent RNA-RNA interactions can promote stability in a nascent phototrophic endosymbiosis
Authors: Jenkins Benjamin H. , Maguire Finlay , Leonard Guy , Eaton Joshua D. , West Steve , Housden Benjamin E. , David S. Milner , Richards Thomas A.
Published: April 2021

Eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis was responsible for the spread of chloroplast (plastid) organelles. Stability is required for the metabolic and genetic integration that drives the establishment of new organelles, yet the mechanisms which act to stabilise nascent endosymbioses – between two fundamentally selfish biological organisms – are unclear. Theory suggests that enforcement mechanisms, which punish misbehaviour, may act to stabilise such interactions by resolving conflict. However, how such mechanisms can emerge in a nascent endosymbiosis has yet to be explored. Here, we propose that endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions, arising from digestion of the endosymbiont population, can result in a cost to host growth for breakdown of the endosymbiosis. Using the model nascent endosymbiosis,Paramecium bursaria – Chlorellaspp., we demonstrate that this mechanism is dependent on the host RNA-interference (RNAi) system. We reveal through small RNA (sRNA) sequencing that endosymbiont-derived mRNA released upon endosymbiont digestion can be processed by the host RNAi system into 23-nt sRNA. We predict multiple regions of shared sequence identity between endosymbiont and host mRNA, and demonstrate through delivery of synthetic endosymbiont sRNA that exposure to these regions can knock-down expression of complementary host genes, resulting in a cost to host growth. This process of host gene knock-down in response to endosymbiont-derived RNA processing by host RNAi factors, which we term ‘RNAi-collisions’, represents a mechanism which can promote stability in a nascent eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis. By imposing a cost for breakdown of the endosymbiosis, endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions may drive maintenance of the symbiosis across fluctuating ecological conditions and symbiotic status.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Stable endosymbiosis between eukaryotic microbes has driven the evolution of further cellular complexity. Yet the mechanisms which can act to stabilise a nascent eukaryote-eukaryote endosymbiosis are unclear. Using the model nascent endosymbiotic system,Paramecium bursaria–Chlorella, we demonstrate that endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions can drive a cost to host growth upon endosymbiont digestion, punishing the host for misbehaviour. These RNA-RNA interactions are facilitated by the host RNA-interference system. For endosymbiont mRNA sharing a high-level of sequence identity with host transcripts, this process can result in host gene knock-down. We propose that these endosymbiont-host RNA-RNA interactions–‘RNAi collisions’–represent a viable enforcement mechanism to sanction the host for breakdown of the endosymbiosis, promoting the stability of a nascent endosymbiotic interaction.
Isolation of sensory hair cell specific exosomes in human perilymph
Authors: Zhuang Pei , Phung Suiching , Warnecke Athanasia , Arambula Alexandra , St. Peter Madeleine , He Mei , Staecker Hinrich
Published: April 2021

Evaluation of hearing loss patients using clinical audiometry has been unable to give a definitive cellular or molecular diagnosis, hampering the development of treatments of sensorineural hearing loss. However, biopsy of inner ear tissue without losing residual hearing function for pathologic diagnosis is extremely challenging. In a clinical setting, perilymph can be accessed, so alternative methods for molecular characterization of the inner ear may be developed. Recent approaches to improving inner ear diagnostics have been focusing on the evaluation of the proteomic or miRNA profiles of perilymph. Inspired by recent characterization and classification of many neurodegenerative diseases using exosomes which not only are produced in locally in diseased tissue but are transported beyond the blood brain barrier, we demonstrate the isolation of human inner ear specific exosomes using a novel ultrasensitive immunomagnetic nano pom-poms capture-release approach. Using perilymph samples harvested from surgical procedures, we were able to isolate exosomes from sensorineural hearing loss patients in only 2-5 μL of perilymph. By isolating sensory hair cell derived exosomes through their expression level of myosin VII, we for the first time sample material from hair cells in the living human inner ear. This work sets up the first demonstration of immunomagnetic capture-release nano pom-pom isolated exosomes for liquid biopsy diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss. With the ability to isolate exosomes derived from different cell types for molecular characterization, this method also can be developed for analyzing exosomal biomarkers from more accessible patient tissue fluids such as plasma.
An AI-guided signature reveals the nature of the shared proximal pathways of host immune response in MIS-C and Kawasaki disease
Authors: Sahoo Debashis , Katkar Gajanan D. , Shimizu Chisato , Kim Jihoon , Khandelwal Soni , Tremoulet Adriana H. , Kanegaye John ,   Pediatric Emergency Medicine Kawasaki Disease Research Group, Bocchini Joseph , Das Soumita , Burns Jane C. , Ghosh Pradipta
Published: April 2021

A significant surge in cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C, also called Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome - PIMS) has been observed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. MIS-C shares many clinical features with Kawasaki disease (KD), although clinical course and outcomes are divergent. We analyzed whole blood RNA sequences, serum cytokines, and formalin fixed heart tissues from these patients using a computational toolbox of two gene signatures, i.e., the 166-gene viral pandemic (ViP) signature, and its 20-gene severe (s)ViP subset that were developed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a 13-transcript signature previously demonstrated to be diagnostic for KD. Our analyses revealed that KD and MIS-C are on the same continuum of the host immune response as COVID-19. While both the pediatric syndromes converge upon anIL15/IL15RA-centric cytokine storm, suggestive of shared proximal pathways of immunopathogenesis, they diverge in other laboratory parameters and cardiac phenotypes. The ViP signatures also revealed unique targetable cytokine pathways in MIS-C, place MIS-C farther along in the spectrum in severity compared to KD and pinpoint key clinical (reduced cardiac function) and laboratory (thrombocytopenia and eosinopenia) parameters that can be useful to monitor severity.
RhizoVision Explorer: Open-source software for root image analysis and measurement standardization
Authors: Seethepalli Anand , Dhakal Kundan , Griffiths Marcus , Guo Haichao , Freschet Gregoire T. , York Larry M.
Published: April 2021

Roots are central to the function of natural and agricultural ecosystems by driving plant acquisition of soil resources and influencing the carbon cycle. Root characteristics like length, diameter, and volume are critical to measure to understand plant and soil functions. RhizoVision Explorer is an open-source software designed to enable researchers interested in roots by providing an easy-to-use interface, fast image processing, and reliable measurements. The default broken roots mode is intended for roots sampled from pots or soil cores, washed, and typically scanned on a flatbed scanner, and provides measurements like length, diameter, and volume. The optional whole root mode for complete root systems or root crowns provides additional measurements such as angles, root depth, and convex hull. Both modes support providing measurements grouped by defined diameter ranges, the inclusion of multiple regions of interest, and batch analysis. RhizoVision Explorer was successfully validated against ground truth data using a novel copper wire image set. In comparison, the current reference software, the commercial WinRhizo™, drastically underestimated volume when wires of different diameters were in the same image. Additionally, measurements were compared with WinRhizo™ and IJ_Rhizo using a simulated root image set, showing general agreement in software measurements, except for root volume. Finally, scanned root image sets acquired in different labs for the crop, herbaceous, and tree species were used to compare results from RhizoVision Explorer with WinRhizo™. The two software showed general agreement, except that WinRhizo™ substantially underestimated root volume relative to RhizoVision Explorer. In the current context of rapidly growing interest in root science, RhizoVision Explorer intends to become a reference software, improve the overall accuracy and replicability of root trait measurements, and provide a foundation for collaborative improvement and reliable access to all.

Abstract Figure