bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring Modes of Colonization for Pest Species Using Heterozygosity Comparisons and a Shared-Allele Test
Authors: Sved J A , Yu H , Dominiak B , Gilchrist A S
Published: April 2021

Long-range dispersal of a species may involve either a single long-distance movement from a core population or spreading via unobserved intermediate populations. Where the new populations originate as small propagules, genetic drift may be extreme and gene frequency or assignment methods may not prove useful in determining the relation between the core population and outbreak samples. We describe computationally simple resampling methods for use in this situation to distinguish between the different modes of dispersal. First, estimates of heterozygosity can be used to test for direct sampling from the core population and to estimate the effective size of intermediate populations. Second, a test of sharing of alleles, particularly rare alleles, can show whether outbreaks are related to each other rather than arriving as independent samples from the core population. The shared-allele statistic also serves as a genetic distance measure that is appropriate for small samples. These methods were applied to data on a fruit fly pest species, Bactrocera tryoni, which is quarantined from some horticultural areas in Australia. We concluded that the outbreaks in the quarantine zone came from a heterogeneous set of genetically differentiated populations, possibly ones that overwinter in the vicinity of the quarantine zone.
Phenotype-Based Identification of Mouse Chromosome Instability Mutants
Authors: Shima Naoko , Hartford Suzanne A , Duffy Ted , Wilson Lawriston A , Schimenti Kerry J , Schimenti John C
Published: April 2021

There is increasing evidence that defects in DNA double-strand-break (DSB) repair can cause chromosome instability, which may result in cancer. To identify novel DSB repair genes in mice, we performed a phenotype-driven mutagenesis screen for chromosome instability mutants using a flow cytometric peripheral blood micronucleus assay. Micronucleus levels were used as a quantitative indicator of chromosome damage in vivo. Among offspring derived from males mutagenized with the germline mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), we identified a recessive mutation conferring elevated levels of spontaneous and radiation- or mitomycin C-induced micronuclei. This mutation, named chaos1 (chromosome aberration occurring spontaneously 1), was genetically mapped to a 1.3-Mb interval on chromosome 16 containing Polq, encoding DNA polymerase θ. We identified a nonconservative mutation in the ENU-derived allele, making it a strong candidate for chaos1. POLQ is homologous to Drosophila MUS308, which is essential for normal DNA interstrand crosslink repair and is unique in that it contains both a helicase and a DNA polymerase domain. While cancer susceptibility of chaos1 mutant mice is still under investigation, these data provide a practical paradigm for using a forward genetic approach to discover new potential cancer susceptibility genes using the surrogate biomarker of chromosome instability as a screen.
Sex-Specific Quantitative Trait Loci Govern Susceptibility to Theiler’s Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus-Induced Demyelination
Authors: Butterfield Russell J , Roper Randall J , Rhein Dominic M , Melvold Roger W , Haynes Lia , Ma Runlin Z , Doerge R W , Teuscher Cory
Published: April 2021

Susceptibility to Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelination (TMEVD), a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), is genetically controlled. Through a mouse-human comparative mapping approach, identification of candidate susceptibility loci for MS based on the location of TMEVD susceptibility loci may be possible. Composite interval mapping (CIM) identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling TMEVD severity in male and female backcross populations derived from susceptible DBA/2J and resistant BALBc/ByJ mice. We report QTL on chromosomes 1, 5, 15, and 16 affecting male mice. In addition, we identified two QTL in female mice located on chromosome 1. Our results support the existence of three linked sex-specific QTL on chromosome 1 with opposing effects on the severity of the clinical signs of TMEV-induced disease in male and female mice.
Group Sequential Methods and Sample Size Savings in Biomarker-Disease Association Studies
Authors: Aplenc R , Zhao H , Rebbeck T R , Propert K J
Published: April 2021

Molecular epidemiological association studies use valuable biosamples and incur costs. Statistical methods for early genotyping termination may conserve biosamples and costs. Group sequential methods (GSM) allow early termination of studies on the basis of interim comparisons. Simulation studies evaluated the application of GSM using data from a case-control study of GST genotypes and prostate cancer. Group sequential boundaries (GSB) were defined in the EAST-2000 software and were evaluated for study termination when early evidence suggested that the null hypothesis of no association between genotype and disease was unlikely to be rejected. Early termination of GSTM1 genotyping, which demonstrated no association with prostate cancer, occurred in >90% of the simulated studies. On average, 36.4% of biosamples were saved from unnecessary genotyping. In contrast, for GSTT1, which demonstrated a positive association, inappropriate termination occurred in only 6.6%. GSM may provide significant cost and sample savings in molecular epidemiology studies.
A Saccharomyces cerevisiae Genome-Wide Mutant Screen for Altered Sensitivity to K1 Killer Toxin
Authors: Pagé Nicolas , Gérard-Vincent Manon , Ménard Patrice , Beaulieu Maude , Azuma Masayuki , Dijkgraaf Gerrit J P , Li Huijuan , Marcoux José , Nguyen Thuy , Dowse Tim , Sdicu Anne-Marie , Bussey Howard
Published: April 2021

Using the set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants individually deleted for 5718 yeast genes, we screened for altered sensitivity to the antifungal protein, K1 killer toxin, that binds to a cell wall β-glucan receptor and subsequently forms lethal pores in the plasma membrane. Mutations in 268 genes, including 42 in genes of unknown function, had a phenotype, often mild, with 186 showing resistance and 82 hypersensitivity compared to wild type. Only 15 of these genes were previously known to cause a toxin phenotype when mutated. Mutants for 144 genes were analyzed for alkali-soluble β-glucan levels; 63 showed alterations. Further, mutants for 118 genes with altered toxin sensitivity were screened for SDS, hygromycin B, and calcofluor white sensitivity as indicators of cell surface defects; 88 showed some additional defect. There is a markedly nonrandom functional distribution of the mutants. Many genes affect specific areas of cellular activity, including cell wall glucan and mannoprotein synthesis, secretory pathway trafficking, lipid and sterol biosynthesis, and cell surface signal transduction, and offer new insights into these processes and their integration.
Multiple Translational Control Sequences in the 5′ Leader of the Chloroplast psbC mRNA Interact With Nuclear Gene Products in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Zerges William , Auchincloss Andrea H , Rochaix Jean-David
Published: April 2021

Translation of the chloroplast psbC mRNA in the unicellular eukaryotic alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is controlled by interactions between its 547-base 5′ untranslated region and the products of the nuclear loci TBC1, TBC2, and possibly TBC3. In this study, a series of site-directed mutations in this region was generated and the ability of these constructs to drive expression of a reporter gene was assayed in chloroplast transformants that are wild type or mutant at these nuclear loci. Two regions located in the middle of the 5′ leader and near the initiation codon are important for translation. Other deletions still allow for partial expression of the reporter gene in the wild-type background. Regions with target sites for TBC1 and TBC2 were identified by estimating the residual translation activity in the respective mutant backgrounds. TBC1 targets include mostly the central part of the leader and the translation initiation region whereas the only detected TBC2 targets are in the 3′ part. The 5′-most 93 nt of the leader are required for wild-type levels of transcription and/or mRNA stabilization. The results indicate that TBC1 and TBC2 function independently and further support the possibility that TBC1 acts together with TBC3.
A Fine-Scale Genetic Analysis of Hybrid Incompatibilities in Drosophila
Authors: Presgraves Daven C
Published: April 2021

The sterility and inviability of species hybrids is thought to evolve by the accumulation of genes that cause generally recessive, incompatible epistatic interactions between species. Most analyses of the loci involved in such hybrid incompatibilities have suffered from low genetic resolution. Here I present a fine-resolution genetic screen that allows systematic counting, mapping, and characterizing of a large number of hybrid incompatibility loci in a model genetic system. Using small autosomal deletions from D. melanogaster and a hybrid rescue mutation from D. simulans, I measured the viability of hybrid males that are simultaneously hemizygous for a small region of the D. simulans autosomal genome and hemizygous for the D. melanogaster X chromosome. These hybrid males are exposed to the full effects of any recessive-recessive epistatic incompatibilities present in these regions. A screen of ∼70% of the D. simulans autosomal genome reveals 20 hybrid-lethal and 20 hybrid-semilethal regions that are incompatible with the D. melanogaster X. In further crosses, I confirm the epistatic nature of hybrid lethality by showing that all of the incompatibilities are rescued when the D. melanogaster X is replaced with a D. simulans X. Combined with information from previous studies, these results show that the number of recessive incompatibilities is approximately eightfold larger than the number of dominant ones. Finally, I estimate that a total of ∼191 hybrid-lethal incompatibilities separate D. melanogaster and D. simulans, indicating extensive functional divergence between these species’ genomes.
Tufted Is a Gain-of-Function Allele That Promotes Ectopic Expression of the Proneural Gene amos in Drosophila
Authors: Villa-Cuesta Eugenia , de Navascués Joaquín , Ruiz-Gómez Mar , del Corral Ruth Diez , Domínguez María , de Celis José Félix , Modolell Juan
Published: April 2021

The Tufted1 (Tft1) dominant mutation promotes the generation of ectopic bristles (macrochaetae) in the dorsal mesothorax of Drosophila. Here we show that Tft1 corresponds to a gain-of-function allele of the proneural gene amos that is associated with a chromosomal aberration at 36F-37A. This causes ectopic expression of amos in large domains of the lateral-dorsal embryonic ectoderm, which results in supernumerary neurons of the PNS, and in the notum region of the third instar imaginal wing, which gives rise to the mesothoracic extra bristles. Revertants of Tft1, which lack ectopic neurons and bristles, do not show ectopic expression of amos. One revertant is a loss-of-function allele of amos and has a recessive phenotype in the embryonic PNS. Our results suggest that both normal and ectopic Tft1 bristles are generated following similar rules, and both are subjected to Notch-mediated lateral inhibition. The ability of Tft1 bristles to appear close together may be due to amos having a stronger proneural capacity than that of other proneural genes like asense and scute. This ability might be related to the wild-type function of amos in promoting development of large clusters of closely spaced olfactory sensilla.
The Synergistic Activation of FLOWERING LOCUS C by FRIGIDA and a New Flowering Gene AERIAL ROSETTE 1 Underlies a Novel Morphology in Arabidopsis
Authors: Poduska Branislava , Humphrey Tania , Redweik Antje , Grbić Vojislava
Published: April 2021

The genetic changes underlying the diversification of plant forms represent a key question in understanding plant macroevolution. To understand the mechanisms leading to novel plant morphologies we investigated the Sy-0 ecotype of Arabidopsis that forms an enlarged basal rosette of leaves, develops aerial rosettes in the axils of cauline leaves, and exhibits inflorescence and floral reversion. Here we show that this heterochronic shift in reproductive development of all shoot meristems requires interaction between dominant alleles at AERIAL ROSETTE 1 (ART1), FRIGIDA (FRI), and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) loci. ART1 is a new flowering gene that maps 14 cM proximal to FLC on chromosome V. ART1 activates FLC expression through a novel flowering pathway that is independent of FRI and independent of the autonomous and vernalization pathways. Synergistic activation of the floral repressor FLC by ART1 and FRI is required for delayed onset of reproductive development of all shoot meristems, leading to the Sy-0 phenotype. These results demonstrate that modulation in flowering-time genes is one of the mechanisms leading to morphological novelties.
A Haplotype-Based Algorithm for Multilocus Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci With Epistasis
Authors: Lou Xiang-Yang , Casella George , Littell Ramon C , Yang Mark C K , Johnson Julie A , Wu Rongling
Published: April 2021

For tightly linked loci, cosegregation may lead to nonrandom associations between alleles in a population. Because of its evolutionary relationship with linkage, this phenomenon is called linkage disequilibrium. Today, linkage disequilibrium-based mapping has become a major focus of recent genome research into mapping complex traits. In this article, we present a new statistical method for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) of additive, dominant, and epistatic effects in equilibrium natural populations. Our method is based on haplotype analysis of multilocus linkage disequilibrium and exhibits two significant advantages over current disequilibrium mapping methods. First, we have derived closed-form solutions for estimating the marker-QTL haplotype frequencies within the maximum-likelihood framework implemented by the EM algorithm. The allele frequencies of putative QTL and their linkage disequilibria with the markers are estimated by solving a system of regular equations. This procedure has significantly improved the computational efficiency and the precision of parameter estimation. Second, our method can detect marker-QTL disequilibria of different orders and QTL epistatic interactions of various kinds on the basis of a multilocus analysis. This can not only enhance the precision of parameter estimation, but also make it possible to perform whole-genome association studies. We carried out extensive simulation studies to examine the robustness and statistical performance of our method. The application of the new method was validated using a case study from humans, in which we successfully detected significant QTL affecting human body heights. Finally, we discuss the implications of our method for genome projects and its extension to a broader circumstance. The computer program for the method proposed in this article is available at the webpage http://www.ifasstat.ufl.edu/genome/~LD.
Acute and chronic tirasemtiv treatment improves in vivo and in vitro muscle performance in actin-based nemaline myopathy mice
Authors: de Winter Josine M , Gineste Charlotte , Minardi Elisa , Brocca Lorenza , Rossi Maira , Borsboom Tamara , Beggs Alan H , Bernard Monique , Bendahan David , Hwee Darren T , Malik Fady I , Pellegrino Maria Antonietta , Bottinelli Roberto , Gondin Julien , Ottenheijm Coen A C
Published: April 2021

Nemaline myopathy, a disease of the actin-based thin filament, is one of the most frequent congenital myopathies. To date, no specific therapy is available to treat muscle weakness in nemaline myopathy. We tested the ability of tirasemtiv, a fast skeletal troponin activator that targets the thin filament, to augment muscle force—both in vivo and in vitro—in a nemaline myopathy mouse model with a mutation (H40Y) in Acta1. In Acta1H40Y mice, treatment with tirasemtiv increased the force response of muscles to submaximal stimulation frequencies. This resulted in a reduced energetic cost of force generation, which increases the force production during a fatigue protocol. The inotropic effects of tirasemtiv were present in locomotor muscles and, albeit to a lesser extent, in respiratory muscles, and they persisted during chronic treatment, an important finding as respiratory failure is the main cause of death in patients with congenital myopathy. Finally, translational studies on permeabilized muscle fibers isolated from a biopsy of a patient with the ACTA1H40Y mutation revealed that at physiological Ca2+ concentrations, tirasemtiv increased force generation to values that were close to those generated in muscle fibers of healthy subjects. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of fast skeletal muscle troponin activators to improve muscle function in nemaline myopathy due to the ACTA1H40Y mutation, and future studies should assess their merit for other forms of nemaline myopathy and for other congenital myopathies.
Usefulness of dynamic fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in diagnosing pulmonary arteriovenous malformation mimicking a lung tumour
Authors: Gungor Serkan , Yakar Halil İbrahim
Published: April 2021

A 61-year-old male patient with known kidney dysfunction who underwent a non-contrast thorax CT and was then referred to our department for metabolic assessment of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). The patient underwent dynamic FDG PET/CT to differentiate benign from malignant SPN. This case illustrates the usefulness of dynamic FDG PET/CT imaging when assessing SPN especially in patients with suspicion for pulmonary arterio-venous malformation accompanying renal failure or contrast allergy.
Giant malignant Triton tumour of the posterior mediastinum
Authors: Tsimpinos Michalis , Pigadiotis Eleni , Kontaxis Vasileios , Lioulias Achilleas
Published: April 2021

Outsized tumours of the mediastinum are always present a challenge for the thoracic surgeon. This is a case report of a giant malignant Triton tumour occupying almost the entire right hemithorax. The patient presented in the accident and emergency (A&E) with severe dyspnoea. He referred a history of surgically excised fibromyxomatous sarcoma of the left lower limb with 2 local recurrences. The imaging studies revealed apart the giant neoplasm, total right lung atelectasis and pleural effusion. After diagnostic evacuation of the pleural effusion and bronchoscopy, the patient operated through a right postero-lateral thoracotomy; a giant well-encapsulated tumour not invading any anatomic structures or lymph nodes originated from the posterior mediastinum was excised radically. The patient recovered well and received radiotherapy after the operation for preventing local recurrence.
Obligatory Publicity Increases Charitable Acts
Authors: Yang Adelle X , Hsee Christopher K
Published: April 2021

To entice new donors and spread awareness of the charitable cause, many charity campaigns encourage donors to broadcast their charitable acts with self-promotion devices such as donor pins, logoed apparel, and social media hashtags. However, this voluntary-publicity strategy may not be particularly attractive because potential donors may worry that observers will attribute their publicized charitable behavior to “impure” image motives rather than “pure” altruistic motives. We propose and test a counterintuitive campaign strategy—obligatory publicity, which requires prospective donors to use a self-promotion device as a prerequisite for contributing to the campaign. Five studies (N = 10,866) test the application and effectiveness of the proposed strategy. The first three studies, including two field experiments, find that obligatory-publicity campaigns recruit more contributions and campaign promoters than voluntary-publicity campaigns. The last two studies demonstrate that the obligatory-publicity strategy produces a greater effect among people with stronger image motives and that the effect is mitigated when the publicized charitable act signals a low level of altruism. Finally, we discuss limitations and implications of this research.
Osthole improves pulmonary artery hypertension by inducing apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Zhu Ling , Li Ye-li , Qian Zhi-qiang , Hua Liang , Yue Yun , Yang Dan-li
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of Osthole (Ost) on apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and investigate the potential mechanism of this effect.

Methods

Rats were injected subcutaneously with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish a PAH model, and Ost were intragastrically administrated from day 1 to day 35. After 35 days administration, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and lung weight index were measured. HE and TUNEL staining were used to observe the morphology of pulmonary artery and the apoptosis of PASMCs. In addition, the apoptosis of PASMCs were detected by flow cytometry in cultured PASMCs. The proteins of Bax and Bcl-2, and the levels of p-ASK1 and cleaved caspase 3 were measured by Western blot.

Key findings

Ost decreased the mean pulmonary artery pressure and lung weight index in MCT-induced rats, and promoted apoptosis in PASMCs in MCT-induced rats and PDGF-BB stimulated PASMCs. Ost increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and the levels of p-ASK1, cleaved caspase 3 in MCT-induced rats and PDGF-BB stimulated PASMCs.

Conclusion

Ost promoted apoptosis in PASMCs in vivo and in vitro, and the mechanism may be associated with upregulation of ASK1 and the Bax/Bcl-2-caspase 3 signalling pathway.
DoChaP: the domain change presenter
Authors: Gal-Oz Shani T , Haiat Nimrod , Eliyahu Dana , Shani Guy , Shay Tal
Published: April 2021

Alternative splicing results in multiple transcripts of the same gene, possibly encoding for different protein isoforms with different domains. Whereas it is possible to manually determine the effect of alternative splicing on the domain composition for a single event, the process requires the tedious integration of several data sources; it is error prone and not feasible for genome-wide characterization of domains affected by differential splicing. To fulfill the need for an automated solution, we developed the Domain Change Presenter (DoChaP, https://dochap.bgu.ac.il/), a web server for the visualization of exon–domain associations. DoChaP visualizes all transcripts of a given gene, the encoded proteins and their domains, and enables a comparison between the transcripts and between their protein products. The colors and organization make the structural effect of alternative splicing events on protein structures easily identified. To enable the study of the conservation of exons structure, alternative splicing, and the effect of alternative splicing on protein domains, DoChaP also provides a two-species comparison of exon–domain associations. DoChaP thus provides a unique and easy-to-use visualization of the exon–domain association and conservation, and will facilitate the study of the structural effects of alternative splicing in health and disease.
Music for Global Human Development
Authors: Frishkopf Michael
Published: April 2021

This chapter outlines a model for engaged ethnomusicology fostering human development, locally and globally, through sustainable music-centered community collaborations. Human development is a process of upholding human value in the world—rights, freedoms, social justice. Human development is impeded by dehumanization—the human treated as a nonhuman through an impersonal world system (and ironically shaping much “development” work today). The model builds on Habermas’s duality of system and lifeworld, but argues that the maintenance of the lifeworld—locus of human value—depends not only on rational “communicative action” (as per Habermas), but equally on affective social connectivity, constructed primarily through a profoundly social “soundworld,” where sonic feedback loops of thought-feeling produce “resonance.” The chapter describes projects that use participatory action research to forge collaborative, community-engaged networks, blurring differences between “researcher” and “researched,” drawing participants into a shared, resonant soundworld, across boundaries of ethnicity, religion, nation, and class. Projects based in Liberia, Ghana, and Egypt address post-conflict trauma, public health issues, maternal and neonatal health, cultural continuity and civil society. The chapter suggests that resonant networks of participatory action research in ethnomusicology have the potential not only to transform local communities—whether rich or poor—but also to transform the networks themselves, toward global human development.
Neural networks and robotic microneedles enable autonomous extraction of plant metabolites
Authors: Bae Hansol , Paludan Magnus , Knoblauch Jan , Jensen Kaare H.
Published: April 2021

Plant metabolites comprise a wide range of extremely important chemicals. In many cases, like savory spices, they combine distinctive functional properties—deterrence against herbivory—with an unmistakable flavor. Others have remarkable therapeutic qualities, for instance, the malaria drug artemisinin, or mechanical properties, for example natural rubber. We present a breakthrough in plant metabolite extraction technology. Using a neural network, we teach a computer how to recognize metabolite-rich cells of the herbal plant rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and automatically extract the chemicals using a microrobot while leaving the rest of the plant undisturbed. Our approach obviates the need for chemical and mechanical separation and enables the extraction of plant metabolites that currently lack proper methods for efficient biomass use. Computer code required to train the neural network, identify regions of interest, and control the micromanipulator is available as part of the Supplementary Material.
A molecular toolkit for the green seaweedUlva mutabilis
Authors: Blomme Jonas , Liu Xiaojie , Jacobs Thomas B , De Clerck Olivier
Published: April 2021

The green seaweed Ulva mutabilis is an ecologically important marine primary producer as well as a promising cash crop cultivated for multiple uses. Despite its importance, several molecular tools are still needed to better understand seaweed biology. Here, we report the development of a flexible and modular molecular cloning toolkit for the green seaweed U. mutabilis based on a Golden Gate cloning system. The toolkit presently contains 125 entry vectors, 26 destination vectors, and 107 functionally validated expression vectors. We demonstrate the importance of endogenous regulatory sequences for transgene expression and characterize three endogenous promoters suitable to drive transgene expression. We describe two vector architectures to express transgenes via two expression cassettes or a bicistronic approach. The majority of selected transformants (50%–80%) consistently give clear visual transgene expression. Furthermore, we made different marker lines for intracellular compartments after evaluating 13 transit peptides and 11 tagged endogenous Ulva genes. Our molecular toolkit enables the study of Ulva gain-of-function lines and paves the way for gene characterization and large-scale functional genomics studies in a green seaweed.
Locating Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health at the Heart of Social Work
Authors: Walsh Tova B , Paris Ruth , Ribaudo Julie , Gilkerson Linda
Published: April 2021

Infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH)—an interdisciplinary field dedicated to advancing understanding of early relationships, socioemotional development, and cultural and contextual influences on caregiving—offers essential tools for social workers to support the well-being of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Even though social worker Selma Fraiberg was a founder of the field, and social workers are central to the work of assessment and intervention with young children and their caregivers in many settings, few schools of social work offer training in IECMH, and few social workers are familiar with its core principles, scholarship, and intervention approaches. In this article, faculty members from four U.S. social work programs address the vital role of IECMH in social work training, research, and practice as well as issue a call to the field to recover and renew commitment to a practice perspective and knowledge base with roots in social work. Twenty-five years ago, Social Work published a similar call, but the request has gone largely unheeded. The authors examine the changing landscape and argue that it is more important and timelier than ever for social workers to learn and integrate the relationship-based approach to promotion, prevention, intervention, and treatment offered by IECMH.
Global scientific research progress in mycetoma: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Musa Hassan H , Musa Taha H , Musa Ibrahim H , Musa Idriss H
Published: April 2021

Background

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease that attracts little attention in regard to research and publications and hence this study was undertaken to determine the trends and global scientific research output in mycetoma-related fields.

Methods

Mycetoma data were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. The MeSH Browser was used to extract relevant keywords. Biblioshiny software (R-studio cloud), VOSviewer v. 1.6.6 and SPSS software were used for data management.

Results

Research trends on mycetoma increased globally from 1999 to 2020. The results were 404 documents (4444 citations) in WoS and 513 documents (5709 citations) in Scopus, and the average number of citations per article was 11 in WoS and 11.13 in Scopus. There was a significant association between the total number of citations and the total citations per year in both WoS (r=0.833, p<0.0001) and Scopus (r=0.926, p<0.0001). Sudan, India, the Netherlands and Mexico were the top-ranking productive countries for mycetoma publications in WoS, while India, the USA and Mexico were the top-ranking countries in Scopus. Articles on mycetoma were mainly published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the International Journal of Dermatology and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology. A. H. Fahal from the Mycetoma Research Centre, University of Khartoum, Sudan, had the highest number of citations in mycetoma research during 1999–2020, followed by W. W. J. van de Sande from the Erasmus Medical Centre, University of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, during 2003–2020.

Conclusion

The analysis provides insight into a global overview of Mycetoma research. In addition, the analysis holds a better understanding of the development trends that have emerged in Mycetoma over the past 21 years, which can also offer a scientific reference for future research.
Nasal cannula or high-flow oxygen for patients with COPD in acute respiratory distress?
Authors: Tasota Frederick J. , Kress Terri L. , Conlin Tiffany L. , Scarmack Natalie M.
Published: April 2021

There may be some confusion regarding the use of supplemental oxygen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are experiencing acute respiratory distress. This article addresses a common nursing misconception regarding the use of high-flow oxygen administration via non-rebreather masks instead of low-flow oxygen administration via nasal cannulas in patients with COPD who are in acute respiratory distress, an issue that was investigated in a simulation education exercise and survey of the nursing staff at the authors' facility.
What Influences Outcomes From Inpatient Multidisciplinary Pain Management Programs?
Authors: Lewis Gwyn N. , Bean Debbie J.
Published: April 2021

Objectives:

Although inpatient multidisciplinary pain management programs (PMPs) are effective for chronic pain, not all patients benefit equally and there is limited evidence regarding predictors of outcome. This meta-analysis aimed to identify patient or program characteristics associated with outcomes from inpatient PMPs, and to examine the time course of effects following discharge.

Materials and Methods:

Medline, EBSCO, and Scopus were searched to identify articles reporting outcomes from inpatient multidisciplinary PMPs. Information was extracted on study design, participant and program characteristics, and outcomes. Effect sizes were computed for pain, physical function, depression, anxiety, and mental health outcomes. Study-level predictors of outcome were investigated with moderator analyses and meta-regression. A risk of bias assessment and sensitivity analyses were conducted and the GRADE criteria for prognostic studies were applied to assess confidence in findings.

Results:

In all, 85 studies (111 cohorts; 15,255 participants) were included. Three quarters of studies demonstrated low risk of bias. Larger effect sizes (for at least 1 outcome measure) occurred in studies where participants had more severe pain (greater intensity/longer duration), participants with alcohol or drug problems were not excluded, samples comprised mixed pain conditions, and programs included a cognitive component and/or a passive therapy component. Effect sizes for pain and physical function were maintained at follow-up, but effect sizes for depression and anxiety declined over time.

Discussion:

Inpatient multidisciplinary PMPs may be well suited to patients with severe or long-lasting pain. Programs should adopt broad patient inclusion criteria, and outcomes were similar for programs based on cognitive-behavioral versus mindfulness/acceptance-based therapies.
Long-term exposure to road traffic noise and incident myocardial infarction
Authors: Lim Youn-Hee , Jørgensen Jeanette T. , So Rina , Cramer Johannah , Amini Heresh , Mehta Amar , Mortensen Laust H. , Westendorp Rudi , Hoffmann Barbara , Loft Steffen , Bräuner Elvira V. , Ketzel Matthias , Hertel Ole , Brandt Jørgen , Jensen Steen Solvang , Backalarz Claus , Cole-Hunter Tom , Simonsen Mette K. , Andersen Zorana J.
Published: April 2021

Background:

Evidence of nonauditory health effects of road traffic noise exposure is growing. This prospective cohort study aimed to estimate the association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise above a threshold and incident myocardial infarction (MI) in Denmark.

Methods:

In the Danish Nurse Cohort study, we used data of 22,378 women, at recruitment in 1993 and 1999, who reported information on MI risk factors. The participants’ first hospital contact or out-of-hospital death due to MI were followed-up until 2014. We investigated a relationship between residential exposures to road traffic noise levels (Lden) up to 23 years and incident MI (overall, nonfatal, and fatal) using time-varying Cox regression models adjusting for potential confounders and air pollutants. We estimated thresholds of road traffic noise (53, 56, and 58 dB) associated with incident MI in a piece-wise linear regression model.

Results:

Of the 22,378 participants, 633 developed MI, 502 of which were nonfatal. We observed a non-linear relationship between the 23-year running mean of Lden and incident MI with a threshold level of 56 dB, above which hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.30 (0.97, 1.75) for overall and 1.46 (1.05, 2.03) for nonfatal MI per 10 dB. The association with nonfatal MI attenuated slightly to 1.34 (0.95, 1.90) after adjustment for fine particles.

Conclusions:

We found that long-term exposure to road traffic noise above 56 dB may increase the risk of MI. The study findings suggest that road traffic noise above 56 dB may need regulation in addition to the regulation of ambient pollutants.
Effects of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the elevated plus maze in mice
Authors: Liu Junhan , Scott Brian W. , Burnham Willets McIntyre
Published: April 2021

The present study tested the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) alone, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alone, and CBD and THC in combination (15:1 ratio) in the elevated plus maze (EPM), a test useful for the study of anxiety. In dose-response studies, adult, male CD1 mice were injected intraperitoneally with (1) CBD alone (0–96 mg/kg), (2) THC alone (0–6.4 mg/kg) or (3) CBD+THC in a 15:1 combination (0.0 + 0.0 mg/kg to 96.0 + 6.4 mg/kg). Diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) was also tested as a positive control. It was found that diazepam significantly increased open arm time in the EPM. CBD alone had no significant effect at any dose or injection-test interval. THC alone, however, caused a significant increase in open arm time at 3.2 and 6.4 mg/kg – doses which did not affect locomotion as measured by closed-arm entries. The effect of the combination of CBD and THC was not significantly different than the effect of THC alone. CBD alone did not have anxiolytic-like effects. THC had anxiolytic-like effects at nontoxic doses. No interaction between THC and CBD was seen when the two were combined.
Autophagy Induced by a Novel Triazol Derivative Promotes Angiogenesis Through Decreasing Interferon-Inducible Protein 10 Level in Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Meng Ning , Mu Xin , Gong Yan , Wang Yan Hong , Zhang Juan , Wang Mao Hua , Yang Feng Ying , Jiang Cheng Shi , Zhang Hua
Published: April 2021

Autophagy plays an important role in angiogenesis, whereas the mechanisms of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) autophagy associated with angiogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we identified a novel triazol derivative (JL025) that significantly promoted angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, JL025 had no effects on cell proliferation but dramatically increased the autophagy level of VEC. The suppression of autophagy inhibited JL025-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that JL025-induced angiogenesis was dependent on the enhanced autophagy. Mechanistic studies indicated that JL025-induced VEC autophagy was related to the Protein Kinase B/mTOR signaling pathway. Meanwhile, JL025 decreased the antiangiogenic chemokine interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP10) protein level in human VECs. Importantly, the suppression of autophagy inhibited JL025-induced decrease of IP10 protein level, indicating that autophagy mediated the degradation of IP10. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the relationship of VEC autophagy with angiogenesis, and JL025 may have a therapeutic potential in related diseases.
Evaluation of the Mechanisms Underlying Amino Acid and Microbiota Interactions in Intestinal Infections Using Germ-Free Animals
Authors: Yang Yapeng , Bin Peng , Tao Shiyu , Zhu Guoqiang , Wu Zhifeng , Cheng Wei , Ren Wenkai , Wei Hong
Published: April 2021

Intestinal infectious diseases refer to the inflammatory changes in the intestinal tract caused by pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or parasites) or their toxic products. A large number of microorganisms colonize the intestinal tract of healthy people, which together with the intestinal epithelium constitute the biological barrier of the intestinal tract to resist infectious diseases. As an “invisible organ,” the intestinal flora is closely related to human nutrition metabolism and intestinal infections. A variety of intestinal flora participates in the nutritional metabolism of amino acids, and the small molecular substances produced by the amino acid metabolism through the intestinal flora can enhance intestinal immunity and resist bacterial infections. In turn, amino acids can also regulate the composition of the intestinal flora, maintain the steady-state of the intestinal flora, protect the intestinal barrier, and inhibit colonization by pathogenic bacteria. As a model animal with a clear microbial background, germ-free (GF) animals can clarify the mechanisms of interactions between intestinal microbes and amino acid metabolism in intestinal infections by combining genetic engineering technology and multi-omics studies. This article reviews related researches on the involvement of intestinal microbes in host amino acid metabolism and resistance to intestinal infections and discusses the advantages of GF animal models for studying the underlying mechanisms. The GF animal model is helpful to further study the intervention effects of amino acid metabolism of targeted intestinal flora on intestinal infections.
Are Urogenital Symptoms Caused by Sexually Transmitted Infections and Colonizing Bacteria?
Authors: Andersson Nirina , Allard Annika , Lidgren Yvonne , Boman Jens , Nylander Elisabet
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and colonizing bacteria in relation to urogenital symptoms.

Materials and Methods

In this cross-sectional study, patients visiting the STI clinic at Umeå University Hospital were asked for symptoms and condom use. Samples from 759 patients (465 male and 294 female) were analyzed for 4 STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium) and 3 colonizing bacteria (Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma parvum, and Ureaplasma urealyticum).

Results

Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence was 11% among women and 9.5% among men. Neisseria gonorrhoeae prevalence was 0.7% among women and 0.9% among men. Mycoplasma genitalium was found in 11% and 5.6% of women and men, respectively. Asymptomatic men and women had similar distribution patterns of microorganisms as those with urogenital symptoms, with the exceptions of Neisseria gonorrhoeae– and Mycoplasma genitalium–infected men who declared symptoms more frequently. Of 158 men with urogenital symptoms, 55% were test-negative. Of 129 women with urogenital symptoms, 12% were test-negative.

Conclusions

This study reveals a complex picture, where a large number of multi-positive tests made it complicated to correlate urogenital symptoms with microorganisms. A high number of test-negative but symptomatic patients indicate a need of searching for additional pathogens.
Use of Pharmacologic Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Injured Children
Authors: Mahajerin Arash , Petty John K. , Hanson Sheila J. , Shabanova Veronika , Faustino Edward Vincent Suarez
Published: April 2021

Despite a practice management guideline and risk prediction model for venous thromboembolism (VTE), pediatric-specific evidence on pharmacologic prophylaxis is lacking. In a retrospective study, we characterized receipt of prophylaxis and explored its effectiveness in hospitalized injured patients below 18 years old using data from the Trauma Quality Improvement Program. Concordance of receipt of prophylaxis with guideline and predicted risk of VTE was estimated using κ statistic. Effectiveness was explored using cohorts matched based on the risk prediction model. A total of 11,165 (6.2%) of 180,932 patients received prophylaxis. Those who received prophylaxis were more commonly post-pubertal and more severely injured. Receipt of prophylaxis was fairly concordant with the guideline (κ=0.32) and predicted risk of VTE (κ=0.29). Receipt of prophylaxis was associated with higher rates of VTE likely due to confounding by indication. Low molecular weight heparin seemed more effective against VTE than unfractionated heparin (incidence rate ratio: 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.36, 0.75), but less effective when received ≥72 hours after admission to the hospital. We showed that hospitalized injured children did not commonly receive prophylaxis. We also showed that prophylaxis may be effective in hospitalized injured children, but it needs to be proven definitively in a randomized clinical trial.
Eutectic Mixture of Lidocaine and Prilocaine Decreases Movement and Propofol Requirements for Pediatric Lumbar Puncture During Deep Sedation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double Blind Trial
Authors: Hammon Dudley E. , Pearsall Katharine , Smith Nancy M. , McBride Allison S. , Bass Andora L. , Tooze Janet A. , McLean Thomas W.
Published: April 2021

Deep sedation/general anesthesia is commonly used in pediatric oncology patients undergoing lumbar puncture (LP). Propofol is often used for sedation, with or without a narcotic. We hypothesized that eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA) would allow for lower cumulative doses of propofol and less movement. We performed a prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial in children undergoing sedation for LP. Standard initial weight-based doses of propofol and fentanyl were administered, with either EMLA cream or a placebo cream applied topically. The primary outcome was the total dose of propofol administered to each patient. We also tracked patient movement and complications. Twenty-seven patients underwent 152 LPs. Patients randomized to EMLA cream (n=75) were significantly more likely to receive a lower dose of propofol (2.94 mg/kg, SE=0.25, vs. 3.22 mg/kg, SE=0.19; P=0.036) and to not require additional propofol doses (probability 0.49, SE=0.08 vs. 0.69, SE=0.06; P=0.001) compared with patients randomized to placebo cream (n=77). In addition, patients with EMLA cream were significantly less likely to demonstrate minor or major movement. EMLA cream results in less movement and less propofol administration in pediatric oncology patients undergoing sedation for LP.
Just-in-Time Qualitative Research
Authors: Jairath Nalini N. , Benetato Bonnie B. , O’Brien Sandra L. , Griffin Agazio Janice B.
Published: April 2021

Background

Methodological guidelines are required to ensure both the rigor and feasibility of just-in-time, qualitative research addressing the human experience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic and major public health crises.

Objectives

This article presents methodological guidelines for just-in-time qualitative research based on our current, pandemic-relevant research.

Methods

The processes followed while conducting two longitudinal, online qualitative studies addressing the lived experience and response to the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. Methodological challenges faced were then identified, and specific design and implementation guidelines were developed. The ways in which these guidelines can be applied to conduct just-in-time research during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises were further delineated using examples from our pandemic-relevant research.

Results

Six guidelines were identified: (a) capitalize on fast track review and reporting processes; (b) prioritize accessibility during sample specification and selection; (c) optimize recruitment and retention strategies; (d) maximize current and future data use through strategic research design; (e) tailor data collection to participants’ characteristics, preferences, and priorities; and (f) incorporate timeline mapping of personal and contemporaneous phenomena.

Discussion

Public health measures taken to slow disease spread during the current COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises may slow the pace of research and make its implementation all the more challenging. However, just-in-time qualitative research advances our understanding of the human experience and response to the COVID-19 and major public health crises. It also complements existing behavioral theory and research. The guidelines presented may assist researchers to initiate necessary qualitative research more rapidly, with fewer logistic challenges, and with methodological rigor. They may also help expand research on groups experiencing collateral effects of the pandemic and major public health crisis. Lastly, the guidelines may support the development of more robust data for alternate analysis at a later date.