bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of routine investigations post cardiac devices implants in detecting peri‐procedural complications: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary UK center
Authors: Menexi Christina , ElRefai Mohamed , Abouelasaad Mohamed , Chua Anne Y. T. , Handa Ishita , Newbery Clare , Hoskins Nicola , Ullah Waqas , Yue Arthur , Roberts Paul R. , Paisey John
Published: January 2024

Background

Peri‐procedural complications associated with cardiac implantable electronic devices are not uncommon. European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend device checks of all devices within 72 h of implant. European Heart Rhythm Association expert practical guide on Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) recommend that a chest x‐ray (CXR) should be performed within 24 h to rule out pneumothorax and document lead positions. First, the rate of peri‐procedural complications associated with CIED implants at our center, as well as patient and/or procedural‐related factors that are associated with higher rates of complications, is analyzed. Second, the yield of the guideline‐recommended measures in the early detection of peri‐procedural complications is examined.

Materials and methods

Consecutive de novo transvenous device implants at our center in 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients’ demographics, types and indications for device therapy, procedural reports, device checks, and CXRs were obtained from the hospital electronic records.

Results

A total of 578 patients (Age 74 ± 16 years, 68% male) were included. All patients had routine post‐procedure CXRs and device checks. There were 16 (2.8%) complications; 7 (1.2%) pneumothoraxes, 6 (1%) pericardial effusions, and 3 (0.5%) lead displacements. Procedure time correlated significantly with complications; in uncomplicated cases it was 99 ± 43 min versus 127 ± 50 min in procedures associated with complications (p = .02).

Conclusions

Routine post CIED implantation CXRs can detect early peri‐procedural complications, while repeat post mobilization device checks has low yield of detection of complications. The only statistically significant predictor of peri‐procedural complications is the duration of the procedure; longer procedures were associated with higher rates of complications.
COVID‐19 and Contraceptive Use in Two African Countries: Examining Conflicting Pressures on Women
Authors: Yu Jiao , Grace Kathryn , Boyle Elizabeth Heger , Mikal Jude P. , Gunther Matthew , Kristiansen Devon
Published: January 2024

Women in Africa may have experienced conflicting pressures during the COVID‐19 pandemic. While the unpredictable nature of the pandemic was prompting some women to delay pregnancies, the pandemic was potentially limiting access to reproductive health services due to supply shortages, fears of virus exposure, and mobility restrictions. In this study, we used longitudinal data from Kenya and Burkina Faso and applied a multilevel perspective to better understand the factors contributing to change or persistence in contraceptive use during the early months of the pandemic. We found a marginal increase in contraceptive uptake in the early days of the pandemic. Multilevel logistic regression results revealed that interpersonal trust and accurate knowledge of COVID‐19 precautions were associated with a greater likelihood of initiating contraception. These factors appeared to have provided women with confidence to navigate the complicated COVID‐19 landscape. At the same time, we observed a decrease in contraceptive use in regions with high COVID‐19 cases, suggesting the virus was limiting access to contraception in some contexts. These findings highlighted the need for public health officials to ensure that women have the necessary knowledge and ability to safely access contraception during public health crises, when overall demand for contraception may be increasing.
The genetic architecture of flowering in the Arabidopsis accession colonising southern Patagonia
Authors: Matsusaka Daniel , Sanchez Diego H. , Botto Javier F.
Published: January 2024

Flowering is a critical developmental step impacting the survival of plant species, and a plethora of complex interdependent regulatory pathways have evolved to sense and integrate environmental with endogenous signals. Extensive explorations in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed some key genes controlling flowering time and associated phenotypic traits. However, quantitative and population genetics suggest that other less explored flowering players may also have relevant impact on the natural variability, explaining adaptive developmental responses to local environments. Here, we report on the flowering time genetic architecture in A. thaliana, using a Recombinant‐Inbred‐Line (RIL) population constructed with accessions bearing contrasting flowering phenotypes, such as the laboratory standard Col‐0 and the anthropically introduced southern Patagonia accession (Pat). Informative Quantitative‐Trait‐Loci (QTLs) mapping resulted in the recognition of a most significant QTL under vernalisation, localised at the end of chromosome V, and independently confirmed genetically by Heterogeneous‐Inbred‐Family lines (HIFs) and Near‐Isogenic‐Lines (NILs). Importantly, classical genes controlling flowering time and vernalisation, such as FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) and FRIGIDA (FRI) do not occur in this QTL. Furthermore, the associated Col‐0 allele contributed to delayed flowering with an increased number of leaves and correlated increase in leaf length; however, this was counterintuitive, as Col‐0 presented the contrary phenotypes when compared to Pat. We conclude that vernalisation contributing to local adaptation may be more diversely influenced across natural species variants than previously thought, with causative alleles having both positive and negative effects depending on genetic background.
Effects of congruent emotional contexts during encoding on recognition: An ERPs study
Authors: Xie Miaomiao , Han Meng , Liu Zejun , Li Xian , Guo Chunyan
Published: January 2024

Past research showed that emotional contexts can impair recognition memory for the target item. Given that item‐context congruity may enhance recognition memory, the present study aims to examine the effect of the congruent emotional encoding contexts on recognition memory. Participants studied congruent word‐picture pairs (e.g., the word “cow” – a picture describing a cow) and incongruent word‐picture pairs (e.g., the word “cow” – a picture describing a goat) and, subsequently, were asked to report the nature of the picture (emotional or neutral). Behavioral results revealed that emotional contexts impaired source but not item recognition, with congruent word‐context mitigating this impairment and enhancing item recognition. Neural results from ERPs and theta oscillations found the recollection process, as shown by the LPC old/new effect and theta oscillations, for both item and source recognition across emotional contexts, irrespective of congruity. Meanwhile, the familiarity process as indexed by the FN400 old/new effect was found only for item recognition in congruent emotional contexts. These findings suggest that the congruent relationship of item‐context could mitigate the emotion‐induced source memory impairment and enhance item memory, with neural results elucidating the memory processes involved in retrieval of emotional information. Specifically, while emotion‐related information generally elicits the recollection‐based memory process, only congruent emotional information elicits the familiarity‐based process.
Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and progressive pulmonary fibrosis: A position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2023 revision
Authors: Mackintosh John A. , Keir Gregory , Troy Lauren K. , Holland Anne E. , Grainge Christopher , Chambers Daniel C. , Sandford Debra , Jo Helen E. , Glaspole Ian , Wilsher Margaret , Goh Nicole S. L. , Reynolds Paul N. , Chapman Sally , Mutsaers Steven E. , de Boer Sally , Webster Susanne , Moodley Yuben , Corte Tamera J.
Published: January 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease leading to significant morbidity and mortality. In 2017 the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) and Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) published a position statement on the treatment of IPF. Since that time, subsidized anti‐fibrotic therapy in the form of pirfenidone and nintedanib is now available in both Australia and New Zealand. More recently, evidence has been published in support of nintedanib for non‐IPF progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). Additionally, there have been numerous publications relating to the non‐pharmacologic management of IPF and PPF. This 2023 update to the position statement for treatment of IPF summarizes developments since 2017 and reaffirms the importance of a multi‐faceted approach to the management of IPF and progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
Amplified P2X3 pathway activity in muscle afferent dorsal root ganglion neurons and exercise pressor reflex regulation in hindlimb ischaemia–reperfusion
Authors: Qin Lu , Li Qin , Li Jianhua
Published: January 2024

Hindlimb ischaemia–reperfusion (IR) is among the most prominent pathophysiological conditions observed in peripheral artery disease (PAD). An exaggerated arterial blood pressure (BP) response during exercise is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular events in individuals with PAD. However, the precise mechanisms leading to this exaggerated BP response are poorly elucidated. The P2X3 signalling pathway, which plays a key role in modifying the exercise pressor reflex (EPR), is the focus of the present study. We determined the regulatory role of P2X3 on the EPR in a rat model of hindlimb IR. In vivo and in vitro approaches were used to determine the expression and functions of P2X3 in muscle afferent nerves and EPR in IR rats. We found that in IR rats there was (1) upregulation of P2X3 protein expression in the L4–6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG); (2) amplified P2X currents in isolated isolectin B4 (IB4)‐positive muscle DRG neurons; and (3) amplification of the P2X‐mediated BP response. We further verified that both A‐317491 and siRNA knockdown of P2X3 significantly decreased the activity of P2X currents in isolated muscle DRG neurons. Moreover, inhibition of muscle afferents’ P2X3 receptor using A‐317491 was observed to alleviate the exaggerated BP response induced by static muscle contraction and P2X‐induced BP response by α,β‐methylene ATP injection. P2X3 signalling pathway activity is amplified in muscle afferent DRG neurons in regulating the EPR following hindlimb IR.
On the Aero-Thermal Performance of Rim Film Cooling in the Squealer Tip of a Linear Turbine Cascade
Authors: Luo Lei , Zhao Zhiqi , Qiu Dandan , Wang Songtao , Zhou Xun , Wang Zhongqi , Li Guangchao
Published: January 2024

The present study proposes a novel rim film cooling design, motivated by the fact that the suction-side rim and the cavity floor near the leading edge of a conventional squealer tip with a camber-line film hole array are directly subjected to high-temperature gas. The new design consists of cooling injection for rim-hole or -slot cooling at the leading edge. The parameters of injection geometry and cavity depth are also discussed in this study. The flow physics, leakage flowrate, heat transfer characteristics, and vortices in the cavity are carefully analyzed. The results show that rim film cooling can substantially inhibit tip heat transfer and the amount of hot leakage flow. Compared with the typical design, the maximum and average heat transfer coefficients of the blade tip of the rim slot case are reduced by 12.83% and 5.43%,, respectively. The variation in cavity depth is sensitive to the heat transfer on the cavity floor of the squealer tip blade. With the optimal design, the average and maximum heat transfer coefficients are reduced by 14.42% and 14.21%,, respectively. In addition, the leakage flowrate can be reduced by a maximum of 3.67% by rim injection compared with the conventional squealer tip.
Multi-Physics Three-Dimensional Component Placement and Routing Optimization Using Geometric Projection
Authors: Bello Waheed B. , Peddada Satya R. T. , Bhattacharyya Anurag , Zeidner Lawrence E. , Allison James T. , James Kai A.
Published: January 2024

This article presents a novel three-dimensional topology optimization framework developed for 3D spatial packaging of interconnected systems using a geometric projection method (GPM). The proposed gradient-based topology optimization method simultaneously optimizes the locations and orientations of system components (or devices) and lengths, diameters, and trajectories of interconnects to reduce the overall system volume within the prescribed 3D design domain. The optimization is subject to geometric and physics-based constraints dictated by various system specifications, suited for a wide range of transportation (aerospace or automotive), heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration, and other complex system applications. The system components and interconnects are represented using 3D parametric shapes such as cubes, cuboids, and cylinders. These objects are then projected onto a three-dimensional finite element mesh using the geometric projection method. Sensitivities are calculated for the objective function (bounding box volume) with various geometric and physics-based (thermal and hydraulic) constraints. Several case studies were performed with different component counts, interconnection topologies, and system boundary conditions and are presented to exhibit the capabilities of the proposed 3D multi-physics spatial packaging optimization framework.
Thermally Driven Multi-Objective Packing Optimization Using Acceleration Fields
Authors: Connor Moffatt W. , Huh JaeSung , Jun Sangkook , Kim Il Yong
Published: January 2024

The packing optimization of three-dimensional components into a design space is a challenging and time-intensive task. Of particular concern is the thermal performance of the system, as tightly packed components typically exhibit poor heat dissipation performance which can result in overheating and system failure. As temperature modeling can be quite complex, there is a growing demand in the industry for software tools that aid designers in the packing process whilst considering heat transfer. This work outlines a novel multi-objective algorithm that considers temperature and thermal effects directly within the packing optimization process itself using thermal optimization objectives. In addition, the algorithm can consider functional objectives such as a desired center of mass position and minimizing rotational inertia. The algorithm packs components from initial to optimal positions within a design domain using a set of dynamic acceleration fields. There are multiple accelerations, each designed to improve the objective values for the systems (e.g., minimize temperature variance). Component temperatures are calculated using thermal finite element analyses modeling conduction and natural convection. Forced convection is approximated via computational fluid dynamics simulations. Numerical results for two academic and one real-world case studies are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the presented algorithm.
Optimal baseline exploitation in vertical dark-matter detectors based on atom interferometry
Authors: Di Pumpo Fabio , Friedrich Alexander , Giese Enno
Published: January 2024

Several terrestrial detectors for gravitational waves and dark matter based on long-baseline atom interferometry are currently in the final planning stages or already under construction. These upcoming vertical sensors are inherently subject to gravity and thus feature gradiometer or multi-gradiometer configurations using single-photon transitions for large momentum transfer. While there has been significant progress on optimizing these experiments against detrimental noise sources and for deployment at their projected sites, finding optimal configurations that make the best use of the available resources is still an open issue. Even more, the fundamental limit of the device's sensitivity is still missing. Here, we fill this gap and show that (a) resonant-mode detectors based on multi-diamond fountain gradiometers achieve the optimal, shot-noise limited, sensitivity if their height constitutes 20% of the available baseline; (b) this limit is independent of the dark matter oscillation frequency; and (c) doubling the baseline decreases the ultimate measurement uncertainty by approximately 65%. Moreover, we propose a multi-diamond scheme with less mirror pulses where the leading-order gravitational phase contribution is suppressed and compare it to established geometries and demonstrate that both configurations saturate the same fundamental limit.
Thermal transport of defective β-Ga2O3 and B(In)GaO3 alloys from atomistic simulations
Authors: Zhang Xiaoning , Dong Haoyu , Yang Chao , Liang Xi , Li Xing , Yang Jia-Yue , Liu Linhua
Published: January 2024

β-Ga2O3 is a new generation of semiconductor material with a wide bandgap of 4.9 eV. However, the β-Ga2O3 devices inevitably produce defects within them after irradiation, leading to changes in their thermal conductivities. At present, the effect of radiation-damage-induced defects on thermal conductivity of β-Ga2O3 has not been carried out. Herein, we have employed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the impact of defects on the thermal transport of β-Ga2O3, and the obtained thermal conductivity of non-defect β-Ga2O3 is in good agreement with recent reports. Our findings indicate that the thermal conductivity of β-Ga2O3 at room temperature exhibits a consistent decrease with an increase in the concentration of Ga vacancies, but shows a decreasing and then increasing trend as the number of O vacancies increases. In addition, doping/alloying is found to improve the irradiation resistance of β-Ga2O3 based on reported defect formation energy calculations, so the mechanism of alloying effect on the thermal conductivity is deeply analyzed through first-principles calculations. Moreover, the lattice thermal conductivities of ordered InGaO3 and BGaO3 alloys are predicted by solving the phonon Boltzmann transport equation. The obtained results that κ(Ga2O3) = κ(BGaO3) > κ(InGaO3) are attributed to the combined effect of volume, specific heat capacity, group velocity, and phonon lifetime of the three materials. This work can help to disclose the radiation damage influence on thermal properties of β-Ga2O3 semiconductors.
Micromechanical properties of micro- and nanocrystalline CVD diamond thin films with gradient microstructures and stresses
Authors: Meindlhumer M. , Ziegelwanger T. , Grau J. , Sternschulte H. , Sztucki M. , Steinmüller-Nethl D. , Keckes J.
Published: January 2024

Chemical vapor deposition produced diamonds attract considerable scientific and industrial interest due to their exceptional mechanical and functional properties. Here, hot filament (HF) chemical vapor deposition was used to synthesize two diamond thin films with different cross-sectional microstructure and residual stresses. Structural characterization by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and cross-sectional synchrotron x-ray nanodiffraction revealed different diamond morphologies. While the microcrystalline diamond film exhibits pronounced microstructural gradients expressed by gradually increasing (i) intensities of the 111 Debye-Scherrer rings, (ii) ⟨110⟩ fiber texture sharpness, (iii) grain size, and (iv) slightly oscillating residual stress at the level of −0.5 GPa, the nanocrystalline diamond film showed no pronounced cross-sectional variation of microstructure above the nucleation zone of ∼0.5 μm and a steady stress level of 0.25 GPa. In situ micromechanical cantilever bending tests revealed highly different mechanical properties of the two films. In detail, Young's modulus of 830 ± 53 and 459 ± 53 GPa, fracture stress of 12.4 ± 0.8 and 7.8 ± 1.0 GPa, and fracture toughness values of 6.9 ± 0.4 and 3.6 ± 0.3 MPa⋅m½ were evaluated for the micro- and nanocrystalline diamond films, respectively. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the microstructure-residual stress correlation in micro- and nanocrystalline diamond films, especially illuminating their influence on micromechanical properties.
Hydrogen absorption in an epitaxial thin film of high-entropy perovskite oxide
Authors: Ozawa Takahiro , Wang Kaidong , Nishio Kazunori , Shimizu Ryota , Hitosugi Taro , Fukutani Katsuyuki
Published: January 2024

We synthesized an epitaxial film of high-entropy perovskite oxide (HEPO) consisting of three elements (Ca, Sr, Ba) in the A site and 12 elements (Si, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ge, Zr, Sn, Ce, Hf) in the B site of ABO3, and investigated hydrogen absorption properties in the HEPO film. The hydrogen depth profile was measured by nuclear reaction analysis via the 1H(15N,αγ)12C reaction, showing the hydrogen absorption in the HEPO film with a maximum atomic concentration of 0.3 in the ABO3 unit. The diffusion coefficient of H in the film was analyzed from the H depth profile, and the activation barrier for diffusion was estimated to be (0.54±0.13) eV. An absorption band was observed at 3290 cm−1 in the infrared absorption spectrum, which corresponds to the O–H stretching vibration. Simultaneous measurements of nuclear reaction and resistance revealed that the HEPO film remained electrically insulating regardless of the hydrogen concentration. We demonstrated that hydrogen is incorporated in HEPO forming OH species while keeping HEPO electrically insulating.
The effects of range and echo-phase on range resolution in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) performing a successive comparison task
Authors: Christman Katie A. , Finneran James J. , Mulsow Jason , Houser Dorian S. , Gentner Timothy Q.
Published: January 2024

Echolocating bats and dolphins use biosonar to determine target range, but differences in range discrimination thresholds have been reported for the two species. Whether these differences represent a true difference in their sensory system capability is unknown. Here, the dolphin's range discrimination threshold as a function of absolute range and echo-phase was investigated. Using phantom echoes, the dolphins were trained to echo-inspect two simulated targets and indicate the closer target by pressing a paddle. One target was presented at a time, requiring the dolphin to hold the initial range in memory as they compared it to the second target. Range was simulated by manipulating echo-delay while the received echo levels, relative to the dolphins' clicks, were held constant. Range discrimination thresholds were determined at seven different ranges from 1.75 to 20 m. In contrast to bats, range discrimination thresholds increased from 4 to 75 cm, across the entire ranges tested. To investigate the acoustic features used more directly, discrimination thresholds were determined when the echo was given a random phase shift (±180°). Results for the constant-phase versus the random-phase echo were quantitatively similar, suggesting that dolphins used the envelope of the echo waveform to determine the difference in range.
Effects of High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on High-Intensity Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation
Authors: Koizumi Jun , Ohya Toshiyuki
Published: January 2024

Purpose: An inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) improves inspiratory muscle function, but the effects of high-intensity exercise are inconsistent. We aimed to determine the effects of high-intensity IMW on high-intensity exercise performance and muscle oxygenation. Methods: Ten healthy men (maximal oxygen uptake [] 52.2 [5.0] mL·kg–1·min–1) performed constant-load exercise to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer at under 2 IMW conditions: a placebo condition (PLA) and a high-intensity IMW condition (HIGH). The inspiratory loads were set at 15% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure, respectively. Maximal inspiratory pressure was measured before and after IMW. Oxyhemoglobin was measured in the vastus lateralis by near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for a leg was measured after 1 and 2 minutes of exercise. Results: Exercise tolerance was significantly higher under HIGH than PLA (228 [49] s vs 218 [49] s, P = .003). Maximal inspiratory pressure was significantly increased by IMW under HIGH (from 125 [20] to 136 [25] cm H2O, P = .031). Oxyhemoglobin was significantly higher under HIGH than PLA at 80% of the total duration of exercise (P = .048). RPE for the leg was significantly lower under HIGH than PLA after 2 minutes of exercise (P = .019). Conclusions: Given that oxyhemoglobin is an index of local oxygen supply, the results of this study suggest that high-intensity IMW increases the oxygen supply to active limbs. It may also reflect a reduction in RPE in the leg. In addition, high-intensity IMW may improve exercise performance.
STEM in situ thermal wave observations for investigating thermal diffusivity in nanoscale materials and devices
Authors: Nguyen Hieu Duy , Yamada Isamu , Nishimura Toshiyuki , Pang Hong , Cho Hyunyong , Tang Dai-Ming , Kikkawa Jun , Mitome Masanori , Golberg Dmitri , Kimoto Koji , Mori Takao , Kawamoto Naoyuki
Published: January 2024

Practical techniques to identify heat routes at the nanoscale are required for the thermal control of microelectronic, thermoelectric, and photonic devices. Nanoscale thermometry using various approaches has been extensively investigated, yet a reliable method has not been finalized. We developed an original technique using thermal waves induced by a pulsed convergent electron beam in a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode at room temperature. By quantifying the relative phase delay at each irradiated position, we demonstrate the heat transport within various samples with a spatial resolution of ~10 nm and a temperature resolution of 0.01 K. Phonon-surface scatterings were quantitatively confirmed due to the suppression of thermal diffusivity. The phonon-grain boundary scatterings and ballistic phonon transport near the pulsed convergent electron beam were also visualized.
The
Chlamydia
-related
Waddlia chondrophila
encodes functional type II toxin-antitoxin systems
Authors: Ardissone Silvia , Greub Gilbert
Published: January 2024

Bacterial toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in chromosomes and plasmids of free-living microorganisms, but only a few have been identified in obligate intracellular species. We found seven putative type II TA modules in
Waddlia chondrophila
, a
Chlamydia
-related species that is able to infect a very broad series of eukaryotic hosts, ranging from protists to mammalian cells. The RNA levels of
Waddlia
TA systems are significantly upregulated by iron starvation and novobiocin, but they are not affected by antibiotics such as β-lactams and glycopeptides, which suggests different mechanisms underlying stress responses. Five of the identified TA modules, including HigBA1 and MazEF1, encoded on the
Waddlia
cryptic plasmid, proved to be functional when expressed in a heterologous host. TA systems have been associated with the maintenance of mobile genetic elements, bacterial defense against bacteriophages, and persistence upon exposure to adverse conditions. As their RNA levels are upregulated upon exposure to adverse conditions,
Waddlia
TA modules may be involved in survival to stress. Moreover, as
Waddlia
can infect a wide range of hosts including free-living amoebae, TA modules could also represent an innate immunity system to fight against bacteriophages and other microorganisms with which
Waddlia
has to share its replicative niche.

IMPORTANCE

The response to adverse conditions, such as exposure to antibiotics, nutrient starvation and competition with other microorganisms, is essential for the survival of a bacterial population. TA systems are modules composed of two elements, a toxic protein and an antitoxin (protein or RNA) that counteracts the toxin. Although many aspects of TA biological functions still await to be elucidated, TAs have often been implicated in bacterial response to stress, including the response to nutrient starvation, antibiotic treatment and bacteriophage infection. TAs are ubiquitous in free-living bacteria but rare in obligate intracellular species such as chlamydiae. We identified functional TA systems in
Waddlia chondrophila
, a chlamydial species with a strikingly broad host range compared to other chlamydiae. Our work contributes to understand how obligate intracellular bacteria react to adverse conditions that might arise from competition with other viruses/bacteria for the same replicative niche and would threaten their ability to replicate.
Metabolic dormancy in
Chlamydia trachomatis
treated with different antibiotics
Authors: Rockey Daniel D. , Wang Xisheng , Debrine Abigail , Grieshaber Nicole , Grieshaber Scott S.
Published: January 2024

Diseases caused by
Chlamydia
spp. are often associated with persistent infections. Chlamydial persistence is commonly associated with a unique non-infectious intracellular developmental form, termed an aberrant form. Although infectious chlamydiae can be cultured consistently in cells stressed to aberrancy, their role in persistence is not clear. Recovery from antibiotic stress was explored as a model to determine how survival of non-aberrant chlamydiae, in the presence of fully inhibitory drug concentrations, may participate in persistence. Assays included incubation in quinolones, tetracyclines, or chloramphenicol for differing lengths of time, followed by an extended recovery period in antibiotic-free media. Culturable elementary bodies were not detected during treatment with each antibiotic, but viable and culturable
Chlamydia trachomatis
emerged after the drug was removed. Time-lapse imaging of live, antibiotic-treated infected cells identified metabolically dormant developmental forms within cells that emerged to form typical productive inclusions. The effects of the increasing concentration of most tested antibiotics led to predictable inhibitory activity, in which the survival rate decreased with increasing drug concentration. In contrast, in fluoroquinolone-treated cells, there was a paradoxical increase in productive development that was directly correlated with drug concentration and inversely associated with aberrant form production. This model system uncovers a unique chlamydial persistence pathway that does not involve the chlamydial aberrant form. The association between productive latency and metabolic dormancy is consistent with models for many bacterial species and may lead to a different interpretation of mechanisms of chlamydial persistence in patients.

IMPORTANCE

The life history of most pathogens within the genus
Chlamydi
a relies on lengthy persistence in the host. The most generally accepted model for
Chlamydia
spp. persistence involves an unusual developmental stage, termed the aberrant form, which arises during conditions that mimic a stressful host environment. In this work, we provide an alternate model for chlamydial persistence in the face of antibiotic stress. This model may be relevant to antibiotic treatment failures in patients infected with
C. trachomatis
.
A robust yeast chassis: comprehensive characterization of a fast-growing
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Long Yangdanyu , Han Xiao , Meng Xuanlin , Xu Ping , Tao Fei
Published: January 2024

Yeast is known as an outstanding starting strain for constructing microbial cell factories. However, its growth rate restricts its application. A yeast strain XP, which grows fast in high concentrations of sugar and acidic environments, is revealed to demonstrate the potential in industrial applications. A toolbox was also built for its genetic manipulation including gene insertion, deletion, and ploidy transformation. The knowledge of its metabolism, which could guide the designing of genetic experiments, was generated with multi-omics analyses. This novel strain along with its toolbox was then tested by constructing an
l
-lactic acid efficient producer, which is conducive to the development of degradable plastics. This study highlights the remarkable competence of nonconventional yeast for applications in biotechnology.
Crucial role of water-present melting in metagranite: Implications for the instigation of crustal-scale shear zones
Authors: Vanardois Jonas , Trap Pierre , Marquer Didier
Published: January 2024

Where, when, and why large-scale shear zones nucleate and propagate into the continental lithosphere are critical issues that challenge the research in tectonics. The East Variscan shear zone is one of the crustal-scale strike-slip faults that shaped the Variscan orogenic crust during late Carboniferous time. Field-based structural analysis and petrological observations demonstrate that suprasolidus high-strain deformation zones and metagranite occurrences are spatially correlated. Among the three dominant lithologies forming this orogenic middle crust (metapelite, metagraywacke, and metagranite), petrological observations and phase equilibrium modeling indicate that the latter is the first lithology that melts during collision-induced heating, in response to H2O-fluid-saturated melting. Our field data and modeling suggest that the water-fluxed melting of metagranite has a primary rheological control on the localization, instigation, and growth of crustal-scale shear zones in the middle crust. Thus, the distribution and geometry of metagranite at the crustal scale could be regarded as critical parameters influencing the rheological inheritance governing the tectonic evolution and localization of bulk strain in the continental lithosphere.
Supplemental Material: Late refugium for Classopollis in the Paleocene Lower Wilcox Group along the Texas Gulf Coast
Authors: Smith Vann , al. et
Published: January 2024

 Well information, Classopollis abundance, biostratigraphic interpretation, and geochemical data.  
Erratum to: Hypothesis on the Reasons for Strong Variability in the Concentrations of Impurities in Natural Waters
Authors: Danilov-Danilyan V. I. , Rozenthal O. M.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X2305001X
Erratum to: Anomalous Seismic Noises from the December 9, 2020 MW = 5.6 KUDARA Earthquake in the Baikal Basin
Authors: Dobrynina A. A. , Sankov V. A. , Bornyakov S. A. , Korol S. A. , Sankov A. V.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050021
Erratum to: Methane in Carbonate Melt Inclusions in the Rock-Forming Minerals of Calc-Silicate Rocks of the Kokchetav Massif
Authors: Mikhno A. O. , Vinogradova Yu. G. , Rashchenko S. V. , Korsakov A. V.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050045
Erratum to: Neotectonic Dislocations on the Barents Sea Shelf and Their Origin on the Basis of Morphometry of the Seafloor Relief, Seismic Survey, and the Deep Structure of the Mantle
Authors: Sokolov S. Yu. , Abramova A. S. , Shkarubo S. I.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050069
Erratum to: Experimental Justification of the Influence of S and Ni on Crystallization of Low-Nitrogen Diamonds in a Melt of Fe at High Pressure
Authors: Sonin V. M. , Zhimulev E. I. , Chepurov A. A. , Tomilenko A. A. , Chepurov A. I. , Pokhilenko N. P.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050070
Erratum to: Isotope Sm-Nd Characteristics of the Juvenile Crust in the Central Mongol–Okhotsk Orogenic Belt
Authors: Dril S. I. , Kuzmin M. I. , Noskova Ju. V. , Zarubina O. V.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050082
Erratum to: U–Pb Age of Detrital Zircon in the Cement of Early Precambrian Polymict Conglomerates of the Central Karelia Domain, Karelian Province, Fennoscandian Shield
Authors: Kucherovskiy G. A. , Chekulaev V. P. , Kuznetsov A. B. , Egorova J. S. , Arestova N. A. , Zaitseva T. S. , Adamskaya E. V. , Plotkina Yu. V.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050094
Erratum to: Formation of Winter Surface Temperature Anomalies in the North Atlantic in Decades of Negative and Positive Values of the North Atlantic Oscillation Index
Authors: Sizov A. A. , Bayankina T. M. , Pososhkov V. L.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050100
Erratum to: U–Pb (ID-TIMS) Age of Garnet from Aillikites of the Kola Alkali Province
Authors: Stifeeva M. V. , Salnikova E. B. , Nosova A. A. , Kotov A. B. , Voznyak A. A. , Dimitrova D. A.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050112
Erratum to: A Variety of Transformations of Nonlinear Internal Tidal Waves of the Northwestern Shelf of Australia
Authors: Holloway P. E. , Serebryany A. N.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050148
Erratum to: Geochemical Aspects of the Frictional Melting of Metapsammites during Seismic Slips (with Reference to Pseudotachylytes of the Ladoga Region)
Authors: Morozov Yu. A. , Matveev M. A. , Skublov S. G. , Smulskaya A. I. , Terekhov E. N. , Larkov A. S.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050173
Erratum to: Stability of Carbonates during Subduction: Influence of the Dehydration Regime of Chlorine-Bearing Metapelite
Authors: Sokol A. G. , Kruk A. N. , Palyanov Yu. N.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050185
Erratum to: Vertical Distribution of Dust Aerosol Under Conditions of Weak and Moderate Winds
Authors: Malinovskaya E. A. , Chhetiani O. G. , Golitsyn G. S. , Lebedev V. A.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050239
Erratum to: Copper Isotope Composition of Pt–Fe Minerals from the Nizhny Tagil Massif, Middle Urals: First Results
Authors: Malitch K. N. , Soloshenko N. G. , Votyakov S. L. , Badanina I. Yu. , Okuneva T. G. , Sidoruk A. R.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050240
Erratum to: Regional Effects of Global Climate Changes in the Ural River Basin
Authors: Sivokhip Zh. T. , Pavleichik V. M. , Chibilyov A. A.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050252
If we build it together, will they use it? A mixed-methods study evaluating the implementation of Prep-to-Play PRO: an injury prevention programme for women’s elite Australian Football
Authors: Bruder Andrea M , Patterson Brooke E , Crossley Kay M , Mosler Andrea B , Haberfield Melissa J , Hägglund Martin , Culvenor Adam G , Cowan Sallie M , Donaldson Alex
Published: January 2024

Objectives

We evaluated the implementation of Prep-to-Play PRO, an injury prevention programme for women’s elite Australian Football League (AFLW).

Methods

The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) of Prep-to-Play PRO were assessed based on the proportion of AFLW players and/or staff who: were aware of the programme (R), believed it may reduce anterior cruciate ligament injury (E), attempted to implement any/all programme components (A), implemented all intended components as practically as possible (I) and intended future programme implementation (M). Quantitative and qualitative data were triangulated to assess 58 RE-AIM items (evidence of yes/no/unsure/no evidence) and the 5 RE-AIM dimensions (fully achieved=evidence of yes on >50% dimension items, partially achieved=50% of items evidence of yes and 50% unsure or 50% mix of unsure and unanswered, or not met=evidence of yes on <50% dimension items).

Results

Multiple sources including AFLW training observations (n=7 total), post-implementation surveys (141 players, 25 staff), semistructured interviews (19 players, 13 staff) and internal programme records (9 staff) contributed to the RE-AIM assessment. After the 2019 season, 8 of 10 (80%) AFLW clubs fully met all five RE-AIM dimensions. All 10 clubs participating in the AFLW fully achieved the reach (R) dimension. One club partially achieved the implementation (I) dimension, and one club partially achieved the effectiveness (E) and adoption (A) dimensions.

Conclusion

The Prep-to-Play PRO injury prevention programme for the AFLW achieved high implementation, possibly due to the programme’s deliberately flexible approach coupled with our pragmatic definition of implementation. Engaging key stakeholders at multiple ecological levels (organisation, coaches, athletes) throughout programme development and implementation likely enhanced programme implementation.
Availability of results of clinical trials registered on EU Clinical Trials Register: cross sectional audit study
Authors: DeVito Nicholas J , Morley Jessica , Smith James Andrew , Drysdale Henry , Goldacre Ben , Heneghan Carl
Published: January 2024

Objective

To identify the availability of results for trials registered on the European Union Clinical Trials Register (EUCTR) compared with other dissemination routes to understand its value as a results repository.

Design

Cross sectional audit study.

Setting

EUCTR protocols and results sections, data extracted 1-3 December 2020.

Population

Random sample of 500 trials registered on EUCTR with a completion date of more than two years from the beginning of searches (ie, 1 December 2018).

Main outcome measures

Proportion of trials with results across the examined dissemination routes (EUCTR, ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN registry, and journal publications), and for each dissemination route individually. Prespecified secondary outcomes were number and proportion of unique results, and the timing of results, for each dissemination route.

Results

In the sample of 500 trials, availability of results on EUCTR (53.2%, 95% confidence interval 48.8% to 57.6%) was similar to the peer reviewed literature (58.6%, 54.3% to 62.9%) and exceeded the proportion of results available on other registries with matched records. Among the 383 trials with any results, 55 (14.4%, 10.9% to 17.9%) were only available on EUCTR. Also, after the launch of the EUCTR results database, median time to results was fastest on EUCTR (1142 days, 95% confidence interval 812 to 1492), comparable with journal publications (1226 days, 1074 to 1551), and exceeding ClinicalTrials.gov (3321 days, 1653 to undefined). For 117 trials (23.4%, 19.7% to 27.1%), however, results were published elsewhere but not submitted to the EUCTR registry, and no results were located in any dissemination route for 117 trials (23.4%, 19.7% to 27.1).

Conclusions

EUCTR should be considered in results searches for systematic reviews and can help researchers and the public to access the results of clinical trials, unavailable elsewhere, in a timely way. Reporting requirements, such as the EU's, can help in avoiding research waste by ensuring results are reported. The registry's true value, however, is unrealised because of inadequate compliance with EU guidelines, and problems with data quality that complicate the routine use of the registry. As the EU transitions to a new registry, continuing to emphasise the importance of EUCTR and the provision of timely and complete data is critical. For the future, EUCTR will still hold important information from the past two decades of clinical research in Europe. With increased efforts from sponsors and regulators, the registry can continue to grow as a source of results of clinical trials, many of which might be unavailable from other dissemination routes.
Monash-Alfred protocol for assessment of atypical parkinsonian syndromes (MAP-APS)
Authors: Siejka Timothy P , Bertram Kelly L , Tang Huiliang M , Thyagarajan Dominic , O’Brien Terence J , Butzkueven Helmut , Vivash Lucy , Harding Ian H
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS) are rare neurodegenerative syndromes for which parkinsonism is one significant feature. APS includes progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS). The diagnosis of APS remains reliant on clinical features with no available diagnostic or prognostic biomarker. Clinical scales remain the gold standard assessment measures in clinical trials and research. The lack of standardised approach for research cohorts has contributed to shortcomings in disease understanding and limits collaboration between researchers. The primary objectives of this study are to (1) establish an assessment protocol for parkinsonian syndromes and (2) to implement it at a single site to establish the viability and utility of populating a clinical and biological databank of patients with APS.

Methods

The Monash Alfred Protocol for Assessment of APS was devised by expert consensus within a broad multidisciplinary team. Eligible patients are diagnosed as possible or probable PSP, MSA or CBS by a consultant neurologist with expertise in movement disorders. Participants will be assessed at recruitment and then annually for up to 3 years; individuals within 5 years of index symptom onset will also undergo a once-off 6-month assessment.

Ethics and dissemination

Each participant or their legally authorised representative will provide informed written consent prior to commencement of the study. Data will be stored on a locally hosted Research Electronic Data Capture database.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTN 12622000923763).
Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) with a flow gap in straight sinus on magnetic resonance venography
Authors: Jeong Seung-Cheol , Han Seokwon , Hwang Jihye
Published: January 2024

Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) are cytotoxic lesions observed in the splenium of the corpus callosum and are also called mild encephalitis or encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesions or reversible splenial lesion syndrome. It was first reported in patients with epilepsy and since then has been observed in a wide variety of diseases, including infections, trauma, metabolic disorders (hyperglycaemia, hypernatraemia and hyponatraemia), mountain sickness and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Here, we present a patient with CLOCCs accompanied by a flow gap in the straight sinus on magnetic resonance venography without any evidence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and discuss the possible clinical implications.