bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling coexisting GSF and shear instabilities in rotating stars
Authors: Chang Eonho , Garaud Pascale
Published: July 2021

Zahn’s widely used model for turbulent mixing induced by rotational shear has recently been validated (with some caveats) in non-rotating shear flows. It is not clear, however, whether his model remains valid in the presence of rotation, even though this was its original purpose. Furthermore, new instabilities arise in rotating fluids, such as the Goldreich–Schubert–Fricke (GSF) instability. Which instability dominates when more than one can be excited, and how they influence each other, were open questions that this paper answers. To do so, we use direct numerical simulations of diffusive stratified shear flows in a rotating triply periodic Cartesian domain located at the equator of a star. We find that either the GSF instability or the shear instability tends to take over the other in controlling the system, suggesting that stellar evolution models only need to have a mixing prescription for each individual instability, together with a criterion to determine which one dominates. However, we also find that it is not always easy to predict which instability ‘wins’ for given input parameters, because the diffusive shear instability is subcritical, and only takes place if there is a finite-amplitude turbulence ‘primer’ to seed it. Interestingly, we find that the GSF instability can in some cases play the role of this primer, thereby providing a pathway to excite the subcritical shear instability. This can also drive relaxation oscillations, which may be observable. We conclude by proposing a new model for mixing in the equatorial regions of stellar radiative zones due to differential rotation.
Supernova explosions in active galactic nuclear discs
Authors: Grishin Evgeni , Bobrick Alexey , Hirai Ryosuke , Mandel Ilya , Perets Hagai B
Published: July 2021

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are prominent environments for stellar capture, growth, and formation. These environments may catalyse stellar mergers and explosive transients, such as thermonuclear and core-collapse supernovae (SNe). SN explosions in AGN discs generate strong shocks, leading to unique observable signatures. We develop an analytical model that follows the evolution of the shock propagating in the disc until it eventually breaks out. We derive the peak luminosity, bolometric light curve, and breakout time. The peak luminosities may exceed 1045 erg s−1 and last from hours to days. The brightest explosions occur in regions of reduced density: either off-plane, or in discs around low-mass central black holes (${\sim} 10^6\ \rm {M}_\odot$), or in starved subluminous AGNs. Explosions in the latter two sites are easier to observe due to a reduced AGN background luminosity. We perform suites of 1D Lagrangian radiative hydrodynamics snec code simulations to validate our results and obtain the luminosity in different bands, and 2D axisymmetric Eulerian hydrodynamics code hormone simulations to study the morphology of the ejecta and its deviation from spherical symmetry. The observed signature is expected to be a bright blue, UV or X-ray flare on top of the AGN luminosity from the initial shock breakout, while the subsequent red part of the light curve will largely be unobservable. We estimate the upper limit for the total event rate to be $\mathcal {R}\lesssim 100\ \rm yr^{-1}\ Gpc^{-3}$ for optimal conditions and discuss the large uncertainties in this estimate. Future high-cadence transient searches may reveal these events. Some existing tidal disruption event candidates may originate from AGN SNe.
Impact of astrophysical binary coalescence time-scales on the rate of lensed gravitational wave events
Authors: Mukherjee Suvodip , Broadhurst Tom , Diego Jose M , Silk Joseph , Smoot George F
Published: July 2021

The expected event rate of lensed gravitational wave sources scales with the merger rate at redshift z ≥ 1, where the optical depth for lensing is high. It is commonly assumed that the merger rate of the astrophysical compact objects is closely connected with the star formation rate, which peaks around redshift z ∼ 2. However, a major source of uncertainty is the delay time between the formation and merger of compact objects. We explore the impact of delay time on the lensing event rate. We show that as the delay time increases, the peak of the merger rate of gravitational wave sources gets deferred to a lower redshift. This leads to a reduction in the event rate of the lensed events which are detectable by the gravitational wave detectors. We show that for a delay time of around 10 Gyr or larger, the lensed event rate can be less than one per year for the design sensitivity of LIGO/Virgo. We also estimate the merger rate for lensed sub-threshold for different delay time scenarios, finding that for larger delay times the number of lensed sub-threshold events is reduced, whereas for small-delay time models they are significantly more frequent. This analysis shows for the first time that lensing is a complementary probe to explore different formation channels of binary systems by exploiting the lensing event rate from the well-detected events and sub-threshold events which are measurable using the network of gravitational wave detectors.
Plasmid replication based on the T7 origin of replication requires a T7 RNAP variant and inactivation of ribonuclease H
Authors: Becker Katja , Meyer Andreas , Roberts Tania Michelle , Panke Sven
Published: July 2021

T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a valuable tool in biotechnology, basic research and synthetic biology due to its robust, efficient and selective transcription of genes. Here, we expand the scope of T7 RNAP to include plasmid replication. We present a novel type of plasmid, termed T7 ori plasmids that replicate, in an engineered Escherichia coli, with a T7 phage origin as the sole origin of replication. We find that while the T7 replication proteins; T7 DNA polymerase, T7 single-stranded binding proteins and T7 helicase-primase are dispensable for replication, T7 RNAP is required, although dependent on a T7 RNAP variant with reduced activity. We also find that T7 RNAP-dependent replication of T7 ori plasmids requires the inactivation of cellular ribonuclease H. We show that the system is portable among different plasmid architectures and ribonuclease H-inactivated E. coli strains. Finally, we find that the copy number of T7 ori plasmids can be tuned based on the induction level of RNAP. Altogether, this study assists in the choice of an optimal genetic tool by providing a novel plasmid that requires T7 RNAP for replication.
A Disfiguring Rash
Authors: Zambrano Andrea I , Church Elizabeth C , McKay Kenneth M , Carnes Stephanie K , Morse Ryan J , Leveque Thellea K , Roxby Alison C
Published: July 2021

Patients with rheumatologic conditions can have complex dermatologic manifestations. In addition, immunosuppressing treatment for autoimmune disorders can also increase incidence of infectious complications. Skin conditions in rheumatologic patients present particular challenges and this case highlights a rare infectious complication.
False Positives and the “More-is-Better” Assumption in Sensitive Question Research
Authors: Wolter Felix , Diekmann Andreas
Published: July 2021

Several special questioning techniques have been developed in order to counteract misreporting to sensitive survey questions, for example, on criminal behavior. However, doubts have been raised concerning their validity and practical value as well as the strategy of testing their validity using the “more-is-better” assumption in comparative survey experiments. This is because such techniques can be prone to generating false positive estimates, that is, counting “innocent” respondents as “guilty” ones. This article investigates the occurrence of false positive estimates by comparing direct questioning, the crosswise model (CM), and the item count technique (ICT). We analyze data from two online surveys (N = 2,607 and 3,203) carried out in Germany and Switzerland. Respondents answered three questions regarding traits for which it is known that their prevalence in reality is zero. The results show that CM suffers more from false positive estimates than ICT. CM estimates amount to up to 15 percent for a given true value of zero. The mean of the ICT estimates is not significantly different from zero. We further examine factors causing the biased estimates of CM and show that speeding through the questionnaire (random answering) and problems with the measurement procedure—namely regarding the unrelated questions—are responsible. Our findings suggest that CM is problematic and should not be used or evaluated without the possibility of accounting for false positives. For ICT, the issue is less severe.
Women in toxicology in the United States
Authors: Melo Luma
Published: July 2021

Since the toxicology field was established, women have played a critical role in it. This article is written to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Special Interest Group for Women in Toxicology, affiliated with the Society of Toxicology. Six female pioneers in modern Toxicology from different social classes and education backgrounds are featured. Despite these differences, they overcame similar obstacles in gender, politics, and scientific barriers to disseminate their research. This discussion will start with Ellen Swallow Richards, who, besides being the pioneer in sanitary engineering, founded the home economics movement that applied science to the home. The discussion will continue with Alice Hamilton, a contributor to occupational health, a pioneer in the field of industrial toxicology, and an example of generosity to social movements and those in need. Subsequently, the most famous woman we discuss in this paper is Rachel Carson, whose fundamental work in environmental Toxicology is evidenced in her important book Silent Spring. This article also features Elizabeth Miller, a biochemist known for her fundamental research in cancer carcinogenesis, followed by Mary Amdur. Nowadays much of what we know about air pollution comes due to Mary, who paid from her own pocket for her experimental animals to investigate Donora smog pollutants and their health damages. And last but not least Elizabeth Weisburger, a chemist who made significant contributions in carcinogenesis and chemotherapy drugs who worked for 40 years at the National Cancer Institute. Here, we discuss the aforementioned women’s careers and personal struggles that transformed toxicology into the field we know now.
Osteological characters of birds and reptiles are more congruent with molecular phylogenies than soft characters are
Authors: Callender-Crowe Leah M , Sansom Robert S
Published: July 2021

Despite increased use of genomic data in phylogenetics, morphological information remains vital for resolving evolutionary relationships, particularly for fossil taxa. The properties and models of evolution of molecular sequence data are well characterized and mature, relative to those of morphological data. Furthermore, heterogeneity, integration and relative homoplasy of empirical morphological data could prove problematic for phylogenetic reconstruction. Here we compare osteological and non-osteological characters of 28 morphological datasets of extant saurians in terms of their homoplasy relative to molecular trees. Analysis of individual avian datasets finds osteological characters to be significantly more consistent with molecular data than soft characters are. Significant differences between morphological partitions were also observed in the age at which characters resolved on molecular trees. Osteological character changes occur relatively earlier in deep branches, whilst soft-tissue character transitions are more recent in shallow branches. The combined results demonstrate differences in evolutionary dynamics between morphological partitions. This may reflect evolutionary constraints acting on osteological characters, compared with the relative lability of soft characters. Furthermore, it provides some support to phylogenetic interpretations of fossil data, including dinosaurs, which are predominately osteological. Recent advances in amphibian and mammal phylogenetics may make these patterns possible to test for all tetrapods.
Using Newly Developed Software to Enhance the Efficiency of the Nursing Process in Patient Care
Authors: Alsadat Hosseini Fahimeh , Parvan Kobra , Jasemi Madineh , Parizad Naser , Esmaili Zabihi Roghayeh , Aazami Sanaz
Published: July 2021

The nursing process is a systematic decision-making method of problem-solving that increases the quality of patient care. Implementation of modern technology in nursing can reduce documentation time, make nursing care safer, and improve the quality of patient care. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of applying newly developed nursing process software on the efficiency of the nursing process in patient care. In this randomized clinical trial, 80 nursing students were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. The student in the intervention group used the software to care for patients for two semesters. Students in the control group used routine hospital protocol to care for their patients. Modified Brooking nursing process measuring scale was used to evaluate the effectiveness of software before and after the intervention. The results showed a statistically significant difference in the mean efficiency score of the nursing process in the two groups after the intervention (P < .001). Using nursing process software leads to increasing the efficiency of the nursing process in patient care. Thus, providing executive support and electronic resources with relevant training for nursing students can be beneficial in students' education and be a practical application of the nursing process in caring for patients.
Congenital Measles in a Premature 25-week Gestation Infant
Authors: Hanft Erin , Brachio Sandhya , Messina Maria , Zachariah Philip , Sutton Desmond , Goffman Dena , Pike Janett , Covington Lesley , Graham Krishika A. , Crouch Bindy , Adams Eleanor , Ahmad Nina , Rausch-Phung Elizabeth , Southwick Karen , Bryant Patrick , Fuschino Meghan , Khandekar Anagha , Kulas Karen , Saiman Lisa
Published: July 2021

We describe a premature infant with congenital measles. Laboratory testing confirmed measles in the mother (polymerase chain reaction- and IgM-positive) and congenital measles in the infant (polymerase chain reaction-positive, culture-positive and IgM-positive). The infant never developed a rash, pneumonia, or neurologic complications. This case supports using compatible laboratory findings to diagnose congenital measles in infants without clinical manifestations of measles.
The Indirect Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Invasive Group a Streptococcus, Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Staphylococcus Aureus Infections in Houston Area Children
Authors: McNeil J. Chase , Flores Anthony R. , Kaplan Sheldon L. , Hulten Kristina G.
Published: July 2021

Masking and social distancing have been adopted to mitigate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic. We evaluated the indirect impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 prevention strategies on invasive Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Group A Streptococcus in Houston area children. We observed a decline in invasive pneumococcal disease and invasive Group A Streptococcus temporally associated with social distancing/masking/school closures.
Non-pharmacological interventions to improve the success of electrical cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Nguyen Stephanie T. , Belley-Côté Emilie P. , Lengyel Alexandra , Qiu Yuan , Adli Taranah , Um Kevin J. , Ibrahim Omar , Sibilio Serena , Wong Michael , Benz Alexander , Whitlock Nicola , Acosta J. Gabriel , Healey Jeff S. , McIntyre William F.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Electrical cardioversion (ECV) is a common management strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF). ECV contains multiple modifiable components, including pad size and placement, shock energy, and waveform phases. Guidance on optimal technique, however, is limited. A comprehensive review of interventions used to increase ECV success will guide ideal clinical practice and identify techniques that could be studied in future randomized controlled trials.

Methods:

This review will include RCTs randomized controlled trial and observational studies that compare acute cardioversion success between 2 or more non-pharmacological interventions in patients with AF undergoing ECV. We will search CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to present and will also include the grey literature as part of our search. We will assess the risk of bias for each study and summarize the extracted data in a narrative report with a table of findings included.

Results:

Based on a full search strategy developed for MEDLINE along with findings from the grey literature search, the non-pharmacological interventions are expected to include pad placement, shock energy, waveform phases, and manual pressure, among others.

Conclusions:

The objective of this scoping review is to identify and examine the evidence on non-pharmacological interventions to improve electrical cardioversion in patients with AF.

Registered on Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/gdh27/
Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Endoscopic Reassessment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Khalaf Racha T. , Rosenwald Kent , Zhou Wenru , Pan Zhaoxing , Kramer Robert E. , Menard-Katcher Calies
Published: July 2021

Background:

The eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) endoscopic reference score (EREFS) is a validated system for description, recognition, and reporting of EoE findings during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). This scoring system correlates with esophageal eosinophilia and therapeutic responses and has validated diagnostic accuracy with good inter- and intraobserver reliability in pediatric and adult patients. In this study, we aimed to improve physician education on and documentation of EREFS and correlate EREFS scoring with eosinophil density on histology.

Methods:

Applying the “Plan, Do, Study, Act” methodology for quality improvement between October 2018 and November 2019, we established a baseline rate of EREFS completion by review of the electronic medical record (EMR). Key drivers were identified, and 3 interventions were implemented.

Results:

Over 12 months, 542 distinct endoscopies were performed on 410 patients for EoE surveillance. Patients were 68% male with a mean age of 10.9 years (SD 5.7 years), mean EREFS score of 2.14 (SD 1.88), and mean peak eosinophil count 30.9 eos/hpf (SD 37.1 eos/hpf). Baseline EREFS completion rate of 72.7% (90% CI, 67.4-77.4). Following all 3 PDSA cycles, EREFS completion rate significantly improved to greater than desired target of 90% (94.9%; 90% CI, 90.6-97.6; P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Interventions including provider education and the inclusion of EREFS in documentation templates can increase adoption rates of EREFS among providers caring for patients with known EoE.
Racial Disparities in the Surgical Management of Benign Craniomaxillofacial Bone Lesions
Authors: Phillips Sarah J. , Reategui Alvaro , Peck Connor J. , Ibrahim Giovanni , Lopez Joseph , Steinbacher Derek M.
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

Racial disparities can influence surgical care in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine if race and ethnicity were independent risk factors for adverse 30-day outcomes after surgical management of benign craniomaxillofacial bone tumors.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program databases. Patients undergoing surgical removal of craniomaxillofacial benign lesions based on Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes were included. Patients who had unrelated concurrent surgeries, or malignant, skull-based or soft tissue lesions were excluded. Primary outcomes were surgical complications and hospital length of stay (LOS). Univariate analyses were used with race as the independent variable to identify predictors of primary outcomes. Statistically significant factors were added to a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results:

This study included 372 patients. Postoperative complications were highest among Black patients, who had a 4-fold increase in minor complications (P = 0.023) and over a 6-fold increase in major complications (P = 0.008) compared to White patients. Black patients also had a mean increase of 2.3 days in LOS compared to White patients (P < 0.001). The multivariate regression model showed higher rates of major complications and longer LOS for Black patients (P = 0.003, P = 0.006, respectively).

Conclusions:

Even when controlling for other variables, Black race was an independent risk factor for major complications and increased LOS. Further research should seek to identify the root cause of these findings in order to ensure safe and equitable surgery for all patients, regardless of race or ethnicity.
Comparisons of Intracranial Volume and Cephalic Index After Correction of Sagittal Craniosynostosis With Either Two or Three Springs
Authors: Fischer Sara , Maltese Giovanni , Tarnow Peter , Wikberg Emma , Søfteland Madiha Bhatti , Kölby Lars
Published: July 2021

In this retrospective study, the authors determined changes in intracranial volume (ICV) and cephalic index (CI) in patients with sagittal craniosynostosis and operated with craniotomy combined with either 2 or 3 springs. The authors included patients (n = 112) with complete follow-up that had undergone surgical correction for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis with craniotomy combined with springs between 2008 and 2017. All patients underwent computed tomography examination preoperative, at the time of spring extraction, and at 3 years of age. Intracranial volume was measured using a semiautomatic MATLAB program, and CI was calculated as the width/length of the skull. The authors found that craniotomy combined with 2 springs increased the ICV from a preoperative value of 792 ± 113 mL (mean ± standard deviation) to 1298 ± 181 mL at 3 years of age and increased the CI from 72.1 ± 4.1 to 74.6 ± 4.3, whereas craniotomy combined with 3 springs increased the ICV from 779 ± 128 mL to 1283 ± 136 mL and the CI from 70.7 ± 4.3 to 74.8 ± 3.7. The relative increase in ICV was 65 ± 21% in the two-spring group and 68 ± 34% in the three-spring group (P value = 0.559), and the relative increase in CI was 3.6 ± 3.3% in the two-spring group as compared with 6.0 ± 5.0% in the three-spring group (P = 0.004). These findings demonstrated that use of 3 springs resulted in additional absolute and relative CI-specific effects as compared with 2 springs during the time when the springs were in place, with this effect maintained at 3 years of age.
How to Learn a Complex Endoscopic Procedure: Knots in Transanal Endoscopic Surgery: Different Skill Among Surgeons
Authors: Serra-Aracil Xavier , Gracia-Roman Raquel , Badía-Closa Jesus , Mora-Lopez Laura , Pallisera-Lloveras Anna , Serra-Pla Sheila , Garcia-Nalda Albert , Navarro-Soto Salvador
Published: July 2021

Purpose:

The intrarectal suture is considered a high technically complex procedure. The study’s objectives were to assess the feasibility of making an intrarectal knot, through an in vitro study and assessing whether the video tutorial facilitates learning.

Materials and Methods:

A detailed description of the technique. A comparative observational cross-sectional study in surgeons with no previous experience in intrarectal knots.

Results:

Twenty-one of these 32 participants passed the intrarectal knot test without video tutorial (T1) (65.6%), and 26 (81.2%) after the video tutorial (T2) (P=0.26). The mean time taken to tie the knot fell from 74 seconds (SD=46) in T1 to 41 seconds (SD=41) in T2 (P<0.001). At T1, 26 participants (81.3%) described the technique as difficult, but only 7 (21.9%) at T2 (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Performing the intrarectal knot suture is feasible. Despite the technical difficulty, the video tutorial is sufficient for surgeons to learn the technique.
Long-term survival in high-risk older adults following emergency general surgery admission
Authors: Guttman Matthew P. , Tillmann Bourke W. , Nathens Avery B. , Saskin Refik , Bronskill Susan E. , Huang Anjie , Haas Barbara
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions are increasingly common among nursing home residents. While such patients have a high risk of in-hospital mortality, long-term outcomes in this group are not well described, which may have implications for goals of care discussions. In this study, we evaluate long-term survival among nursing home residents admitted for EGS conditions.

METHODS

We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of nursing home residents (65 years or older) admitted for one of eight EGS diagnoses (appendicitis, cholecystitis, strangulated hernia, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer disease, intestinal ischemia, or perforated viscus) from 2006 to 2018 in a large regional health system. The primary outcome was 1-year survival. To ascertain the effect of EGS admission independent of baseline characteristics, patients were matched to nursing home residents without an EGS admission based on demographics and baseline health. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate survival across groups.

RESULTS

A total of 7,942 nursing home residents (mean age, 85 years) were admitted with an EGS diagnosis and matched to controls. One quarter of patients underwent surgery, and 18% died in hospital. At 1 year, 55% of cases were alive, compared with 72% of controls (p < 0.001). Among those undergoing surgery, 61% were alive at 1 year, compared with 72% of controls (p < 0.001). The 1-year survival probability was 57% in patients who did not require mechanical ventilation, 43% in those who required 1 to 2 days of ventilation, and 30% in those who required ≥3 days of ventilation.

CONCLUSION

Although their risk of in-hospital mortality is high, most nursing home residents admitted for an EGS diagnosis survive at least 1 year. While nursing home residents presenting with an EGS diagnosis should be cited realistic odds for the risk of death, long-term survival is achievable in the majority of these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiological, level III.
Identification of unique microRNA expression patterns in bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells after hemorrhagic shock and multiple injuries in young and old adult mice
Authors: Darden Dijoia B. , Mira Juan C. , Lopez Maria-Cecilia , Stortz Julie A. , Fenner Brittany P. , Kelly Lauren S. , Nacionales Dina C. , Budharaju Ashrita , Loftus Tyler J. , Baker Henry V. , Moore Frederick A. , Brakenridge Scott C. , Moldawer Lyle L. , Mohr Alicia M. , Efron Philip A.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

After severe trauma, the older host experiences more dysfunctional hematopoiesis of bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and dysfunctional differentiation of circulating myeloid cells into effective innate immune cells. Our main objective was to compare BM HSPC microRNA (miR) responses of old and young mice in a clinically relevant model of severe trauma and shock.

METHODS

C57BL/6 adult male mice aged 8 to 12 weeks (young) and 18 to 24 months (old) underwent multiple injuries and hemorrhagic shock (polytrauma [PT]) that engenders the equivalent of major trauma (Injury Severity Score, >15). Pseudomonas pneumonia (PNA) was induced in some young and old adult mice 24 hours after PT. MicroRNA expression patterns were determined from lineage-negative enriched BM HSPCs isolated from PT and PT-PNA mice at 24 and 48 hours postinjury, respectively. Genome-wide expression and pathway analyses were also performed on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) leukocytes from both mouse cohorts.

RESULTS

MicroRNA expression significantly differed among all experimental conditions (p < 0.05), except for old-naive versus old-injured (PT or PT-PNA) mice, suggesting an inability of old mice to mount a robust early miR response to severe shock and injury. In addition, young adult mice had significantly more leukocytes obtained from their BAL, and there were greater numbers of polymorphonuclear cells compared with old mice (59.8% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.0069). Despite increased gene expression changes, BAL leukocytes from old mice demonstrated a more dysfunctional transcriptomic response to PT-PNA than young adult murine BAL leukocytes, as reflected in predicted upstream functional pathway analysis.

CONCLUSION

The miR expression pattern in BM HSPCs after PT (+/−PNA) is dissimilar in old versus young adult mice. In the acute postinjury phase, old adult mice are unable to mount a robust miR HSPC response. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell miR expression in old PT mice reflects a diminished functional status and a blunted capacity for terminal differentiation of myeloid cells.
Levosulpiride Relieved Persistent Hiccups in a Patient With COVID-19 and Vascular Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Chiquete Erwin , Toapanta-Yanchapaxi Liz , Aceves-Buendía José Jesús , Ruiz-Ruiz Eduardo , Rodríguez-Perea Elizabeth , Durán-Coyote Salvador , Cantú-Brito Carlos
Published: July 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic illness that implies neurological features and complications. Persistent (>48 hours) hiccups (ie, singultus or hiccoughs) have been recently described as a rare presentation of COVID-19. Even when considered benign, the frequency and duration of hiccup spells can be burdensome and sometimes difficult to treat.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 62-year-old man known by the treating physicians for vascular cognitive impairment, who consulted for progressive persistent hiccups that commenced 5 days earlier, about 24 hours after testing positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The patient could barely sleep because the hiccups reached the highest rate of 47 per minute in a spell lasting almost 72 hours. The patient initially received levomepromazine 25 mg by mouth, but sedation and delirium impeded the continuation of treatment, which only reduced the frequency of the hiccup spells by about 25%. Afterward, the patient was offered levosulpiride 25 mg thrice a day by mouth, resulting in a steady reduction in the hiccups rate, as well as the duration and daily frequency of spells, which disappeared after 3 days of levosulpiride treatment. COVID-19 pneumonia was moderate by chest computed tomography scan imaging and biomarkers, meriting continuous oxygen therapy, dexamethasone 6 mg once a day by mouth for 10 days, and enoxaparin 40 mg once a day, subcutaneously, for 7 days (due to elevated D-dimer serum concentration). Oxygen therapy was gradually withdrawn after 12 days.

Conclusions

Oral levosulpiride is a suitable option in persistent hiccups that occur in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. To our knowledge, this is the fourth published case of persistent hiccups as a clinical feature of COVID-19.
Rapid vigilance and episodic memory decrements in COVID-19 survivors
Authors: Zhao Sijia , Shibata Kengo , Hellyer Peter J. , Trender William , Manohar Sanjay , Hampshire Adam , Husain Masud
Published: July 2021

Recent studies indicate that COVID-19 infection can lead to serious neurological consequences in a small percentage of individuals. However, in the months following acute illness, many more suffer from fatigue, low motivation, disturbed mood, poor sleep and cognitive symptoms, colloquially referred to as ‘brain fog’. But what about individuals who had asymptomatic to moderate COVID-19 and report no concerns after recovering from COVID-19? Here we examined a wide range of cognitive functions critical for daily life (including sustained attention, memory, motor control, planning, semantic reasoning, mental rotation and spatial-visual attention) in people who had previously suffered from COVID-19 but were not significantly different from a control group on self-reported fatigue, forgetfulness, sleep abnormality, motivation, depression, anxiety and personality profile. Reassuringly, COVID-19 survivors performed well in most abilities tested, including working memory, executive function, planning and mental rotation. However, they displayed significantly worse episodic memory (up to 6 months post-infection) and greater decline in vigilance with time on task (for up to 9 months). Overall, the results show that specific chronic cognitive changes following COVID-19 are evident on objective testing even amongst those who do not report a greater symptom burden. Importantly, in the sample tested here, these were not significantly different from normal after six-nine months, demonstrating evidence of recovery over time.
A joint spatial marked point process model for dengue and severe dengue in Medellin, Colombia
Authors: Carabali Mabel , Schmidt Alexandra M. , Restrepo Berta N. , Kaufman Jay S.
Published: July 2021

The spatial distribution of surveillance-reported dengue cases and severity are usually analyzed separately, assuming independence between the spatial distribution of non-severe and severe cases. Given the availability of data for the individual geo-location of surveillance-notified dengue cases, we conducted a spatial analysis to model non-severe and severe dengue simultaneously, using a hierarchical Bayesian model. We fit a joint model to the spatial pattern formed by dengue cases as well as to the severity status of the cases. Results showed that age and socioeconomic status were associated with dengue presence, and there was evidence of clustering for overall cases but not for severity. Our findings inform decision making to address the preparedness or implementation of dengue control strategies at the local level.

Highlights

A model to jointly assess the spatial distribution of reported dengue and severity.

We account for uncertainty in the surveillance-reported dengue while modelling severe cases.

We assess spatial clustering of dengue and severe dengue cases in Medellin.

Non-monotonic distribution of reported dengue cases across socioeconomic status.
Forward Entrainment: Evidence, Controversies, Constraints, and Mechanisms
Authors: Saberi Kourosh , Hickok Gregory
Published: July 2021

We define forward entrainment as that part of the entrainment process that outlasts the entraining stimulus. In this study, we examine conditions under which one may or may not observe forward entrainment. In part 1, we review and evaluate studies that have observed forward entrainment using a variety of psychophysical methods (detection, discrimination and reaction times), different target stimuli (tones, noise, gaps), different entraining sequences (sinusoidal, rectangular or sawtooth waveforms), a variety of physiological measures (MEG, EEG, ECoG, CSD), in different modalities (auditory and visual), across modalities (audiovisual and auditory-motor), and in different species. In part 2, we review those studies that have failed to observe forward entrainment, with emphasis on evaluating the methodological and stimulus design differences that may clarify the contrasting findings across these two classes of studies. In part 3, we describe those experimental conditions under which we ourselves have failed to observe forward entrainment, and provide new data on use of complex envelope patterns as entraining stimuli, show data on intersubject variability, and provide new findings on psychometric functions that characterize the strength of forward entrainment at different SNRs. In part 4 we theorize on potential mechanisms, describe how neurophysiological and psychophysical studies approach the study of entrainment, and caution against drawing direct causal inferences between the two without compelling evidence beyond correlative measures.
Anthropometric measurements as predictors of hypertension in Busia, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia and Siaya counties of Western Kenya
Authors: Andale Thomas , Orango Vitalis , Lwande Gerald O. , Mwaura Grace W. , Mugo Richard , Limo Obed K. , Mwangi Ann , Kamano Jemima H.
Published: July 2021

Emerging data suggest a rise in the incidence rate of hypertension in many countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been attributed to socioeconomic factors that have influenced diet and reduced physical activity further deranging anthropometric measurements. We assessed the predictive power of three anthropometric indicators namely: waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI) in detecting hypertension. This cross-sectional community survey was conducted in four counties within Western Kenya between October 2018 to April 2019 among 3594 adults. The participants’ sociodemographic data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements taken. We used the R-software for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the association between anthropometric measurements and hypertension while logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of hypertension. Youden method was used to identify optimal anthropometric cut-offs for sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve computation. The crude prevalence of hypertension was 23.3%, however it rose with advancement in age. Furthermore, obese individuals had a three-fold (AOR=2.64; 95% CI: 2.09, 3.35) increased likelihood of hypertension compared to those with a normal BMI. The optimal WC cut-off was 82.5cm for men and 87cm for women, an optimal WHtR of 0.47 for men and 0.55 for women; while the optimal BMI cut-off was 23.7 kg/m2 and 22.6 kg/m2 for men and women respectively. The sensitivity of WC, WHtR and BMI for men was 0.60, 0.65 and 0.39 respectively and 0.71, 0.65 and 0.78 respectively for women. BMI is the best predictor for hypertension among women but a poor predictor for men; WC had a high hypertension predictive power for both gender while WHtR is the best hypertension predictor for men.
Estimating the prevalence of discrepancies between study registrations and publications: A systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors:   TARG Meta-Research Group & Collaborators, Thibault Robert T , Clark Robbie , Pedder Hugo , van den Akker Olmo , Westwood Samuel , Thompson Jacqueline , Munafo Marcus
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Prospectively registering study plans in a permanent time-stamped and publicly accessible document is becoming more common across disciplines and aims to reduce risk of bias and make risk of bias transparent. Selective reporting persists, however, when researchers deviate from their registered plans without disclosure. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of undisclosed discrepancies between prospectively registered study plans and their associated publication. We further aimed to identify the research disciplines where these discrepancies have been observed, whether interventions to reduce discrepancies have been conducted, and gaps in the literature.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analyses.

Data sources

Scopus and Web of Knowledge, published up to 15 December 2019.

Eligibility criteria

Articles that included quantitative data about discrepancies between registrations or study protocols and their associated publications.

Data extraction and synthesis

Each included article was independently coded by two reviewers using a coding form designed for this review (osf.io/728ys). We used random-effects meta-analyses to synthesize the results.

Results

We reviewed k = 89 articles, which included k = 70 that reported on primary outcome discrepancies from n = 6314 studies and, k = 22 that reported on secondary outcome discrepancies from n = 1436 studies. Meta-analyses indicated that between 29% to 37% (95% confidence interval) of studies contained at least one primary outcome discrepancy and between 50% to 75% (95% confidence interval) contained at least one secondary outcome discrepancy. Almost all articles assessed clinical literature, and there was considerable heterogeneity. We identified only one article that attempted to correct discrepancies.

Conclusions

Many articles did not include information on whether discrepancies were disclosed, which version of a registration they compared publications to, and whether the registration was prospective. Thus, our estimates represent discrepancies broadly, rather than our target ofundiscloseddiscrepancies betweenprospectivelyregistered study plans and their associated publications. Discrepancies are common and reduce the trustworthiness of medical research. Interventions to reduce discrepancies could prove valuable.

Registration

osf.io/ktmdg. Protocol amendments are listed in Supplementary Material A.
Modeling the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants with Gaussian convolution COVID-19: Could the wrong strategy ruin vaccine efficiency?
Authors: Bongiorno Christian , Cagnol John
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has been shown to mutate. In the absence of a vaccine, natural selection will favor variants with higher transmissibility rates. However, when a substantial portion of the population is vaccinated, natural selection will shift towards favoring variants that can resist the vaccine. These variants can therefore become dominant and even cancel out the benefit of the vaccine. This paper develops a compartmental model which simulates this phenomenon and shows how various vaccination strategies can lead to the emergence of vaccine-resistant variants.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping improves the detection of calcified carotid vessels by multi-contrast MRI using computed tomography angiography as the reference standard
Authors: Nguyen Thanh D. , Wen Yan , Du Jingwen , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi , Qi Yang , Kamel Hooman , Gupta Ajay
Published: July 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate initial feasibility and improvement in the detection of calcified carotid arteries by including quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the carotid vessel wall multi-contrast MRI (mcMRI) protocol using CTA as the reference standard. In a pilot cohort of ten patients with significant carotid artery stenosis, calcified vessel detection by mcMRI achieved 64.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Adding QSM to mcMRI improved sensitivity to 100% while not affecting specificity.
Mapping psychological distress, depression and anxiety measures to adolescent AQoL-6D utility using data from a sample of young people presenting to primary mental health services
Authors: Hamilton Matthew P , Gao Caroline , Filia Kate M , Menssink Jana M , Sharmin Sonia , Telford Nic , Herrman Helen , Hickie Ian B , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Rickwood Debra J , McGorry Patrick D , Cotton Sue M
Published: July 2021

Background

Health utility data are rarely routinely collected in mental helath services. Mapping models that predict health utility from other outcome measures are typically derived from cross-sectional data but often used to predict longitudinal change.

Objective

We aimed to develop models to map six psychological measures to adolescent Assessment of Quality of Life – Six Dimensions (AQOL-6D) health utility for youth mental health service clients and assess the ability of mapping models to predict longitudinal change.

Methods

We recruited 1107 young people attending Australian primary mental health services, collecting data at two time points, three months apart. Five linear and three generalised linear models were explored to identify the best mapping model. Ten-fold cross-validation usingR2, root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to compare models and assess predictive ability of six candidate measures of psychological distress, depression and anxiety. Linear / generalised linear mixed effect models were used to construct longitudinal predictive models for AQoL-6D change.

Results

A depression measure (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) was the strongest independent predictor of health utility. Linear regression models with complementary log-log transformation of utility score were the best performing models. Between-person associations were slightly larger than within-person associations for most of the predictors.

Conclusions

Adolescent AQoL-6D utility can be derived from a range of psychological distress, depression and anxiety measures. Mapping models estimated from cross-sectional data can approximate longitudinal change but may slightly bias health utility predictions.

Data

Replication code and model catalogues are available at:https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/DKDIB0.
Reconstruction of nitrogenase predecessors suggests origin from maturase-like proteins
Authors: Garcia Amanda K. , Kolaczkowski Bryan , Kaçar Betül
Published: July 2021

The evolution of biological nitrogen fixation, uniquely catalyzed by nitrogenase enzymes, has been one of the most consequential biogeochemical innovations over life’s history. Though understanding the early evolution of nitrogen fixation has been a longstanding goal from molecular, biogeochemical, and planetary perspectives, its origins remain enigmatic. In this study, we reconstructed the evolutionary histories of nitrogenases, as well as homologous maturase proteins that participate in the assembly of the nitrogenase active-site cofactor but are not able to fix nitrogen. We combined phylogenetic and ancestral sequence inference with an analysis of predicted functionally divergent sites between nitrogenases and maturases to infer the nitrogen-fixing capabilities of their shared ancestors. Our results provide phylogenetic constraints to the emergence of nitrogen fixation and are consistent with a model wherein nitrogenases emerged from maturase-like predecessors. Though the precise functional role of such a predecessor protein remains speculative, our results highlight evolutionary contingency as a significant factor shaping the evolution of a biogeochemically essential enzyme.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The origin of nitrogenase-catalyzed nitrogen fixation was a transformative event in life’s history, garnering long-term study from molecular, biogeochemical, and planetary perspectives. Reconstruction of ancestral nitrogenases suggests that the protein sequence space capable of yielding a nitrogen-fixing enzyme in the past was likely more constrained than previously thought. Specifically, here we show that nitrogenases likely evolved from ancestors that resemble maturases, homologs that today participate in nitrogenase cofactor assembly, contrary to the commonly accepted view that maturases evolved from a nitrogenase ancestor. We further submit that the molecular architecture that may have been required for nitrogenase origins was unlikely to have been shaped by the same environmental drivers often implicated in the evolution of nitrogen fixation. If this decoupling is found to be a recurring pattern in metabolic origins, then the presented results would undercut the common, systems-focused rationale of using ancient environmental conditions to explain the timing of critical and singular biogeochemical innovations in life’s past.