bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchrotron emission from a nearby zone of Sgr A
Authors: Gogaberishvili G , Osmanov Z N , Mahajan S M
Published: March 2021

Quasi-linear diffusion (QLD), driven by cyclotron instability, is proposed as a mechanism for the possible generation of synchrotron emission in the nearby zone of Sgr A*. For physically reasonable parameters, QLD, by causing non-zero pitch angle scattering, lets electrons with relativistic factors of the order of 108 emit synchrotron radiation in the hard X-ray spectral band ∼120 keV.
From Exoticism to Interculturalism: Counterframing the East–West Binary
Authors: Everett Yayoi U
Published: March 2021

This essay addresses the need to expand the musical repertory for analysis beyond the western canon, as well as to develop intercultural strategies for analysis that reflect the multicultural subject positions of composers, performers, and theorists. In my area of specialization, discourses on exoticism, transculturation, Orientalism, and globalization have provided frameworks for examining music composed by postwar composers of East Asian heritage, such as Chou Wen-chung, Tōru Takemitsu, Chen Yi, Isang Yun, and others. However, scholarly writings and reception of this music have tended to perpetuate the East–West binary by reinforcing musical stereotypes and familiar labels. Within the music theory, this repertory has been assimilated into the canon and legitimized through application of post-tonal and other formalized models of analysis. Prompted by developments in studies of gesture, semiotics, and East Asian cultural history and aesthetics, I explore analytical approaches that counter-frame the binarism by illustrating culture-specific modes of attending to musical gestures and expressive meanings, as exemplified in recent publications on music by Chou and Chen.
Feeding Strategies in Preterm Very Low Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Parker Leslie A. , Desorcy-Scherer Katelyn , Magalhães Marina
Published: March 2021

Background:

Providing enteral feeds to preterm very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants is critical to optimize nutrition, enhance growth, and reduce complications. Protocols guiding feeding practices can improve outcomes, but significant variation exists between institutions, which may limit their utility. To be most effective, protocols should be based on the best available evidence.

Purpose:

To examine the state of the science on several key components of feeding protocols for VLBW infants.

Search Strategy:

The authors searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases for terms related to feeding VLBW infants less than 32 weeks' gestational age, including initiation of feedings, rate of feeding advancement, timing of human milk (HM) fortification, and feeding during blood transfusions, when diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and during medical treatment of PDA closure.

Results:

Initiation of feeds within the first 3 days of life and advancement by 30 mL/kg/d may decrease time to attain full feeds without increasing complications. Insufficient evidence guides optimal timing of HM fortification, as well as feeding infants undergoing blood transfusions, infants diagnosed with a PDA, and infants receiving medical treatment of PDA closure.

Implications for Practice:

Integration of existing research regarding feeding initiation and advancement into feeding protocols may improve outcomes. Infants at highest risk of feeding-related complications may benefit from a personalized feeding approach.

Implications for Research:

Additional research is needed to provide evidence concerning the optimal timing of HM fortification and feeding strategies for infants undergoing blood transfusions and those diagnosed with a PDA or receiving medical treatment of PDA closure to incorporate into evidence-based feeding protocols.
Nurses' Electronic Medical Record Workarounds in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital
Authors: Lee Seonah , Lee Myeong-Seon
Published: March 2021

The objective of this study was to identify nurses' workarounds related to the use of electronic medical records in a tertiary teaching hospital. A total of 106 nurses (84.8%) using the electronic medical records completed 10-item questionnaires scored on a Likert scale and five open-ended questions with written responses. The numerical data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and the written descriptions were categorized by meaning. The mean of the scored items ranged from 3.29 to 3.74. Approximately 38% to 50% of the participants reported (very) frequent workflow delays due to the use of the electronic medical records, and 46% to 64% reported (very) frequently using workarounds. Twenty-nine workarounds of the electronic medical records were due to electronic documentation, difficulty accessing the electronic medical records, medication administration, covering physician responsibilities, electronic communication with the physicians, respondents and physicians not skilled in using the electronic medical records, and connection failures between devices or machines and the electronic medical records. Although none of these identified workarounds were intended to be harmful, and certain workarounds were efficient for patient care and workflow, whether patient safety can be jeopardized by workarounds should be considered. This study contributes to the understanding of why and how workarounds occur in the hospital. It will be useful for achieving greater alignment between work contexts and the electronic medical record in the future.
Validating a Methodology That Associates Minimum Detectable Activity with Detector Velocity
Authors: Falkner James T. , Marianno Craig M.
Published: March 2021

Mobile radiation detection systems are used widely in remediation and nuclear security. However, their detection efficiency and thus their minimum detectable activity is not completely understood. It is recognized that the detector’s velocity will affect its detection efficiency. At lower speeds, detection efficiency will be higher than a detector moving at higher speeds. The relationship describing how speed and efficiency are related was only recently quantified using a modified four-parameter logistic function (M4PL). The current research verifies the M4PL function in a controlled laboratory setting using a 5.08 cm × 5.08 cm sodium iodide detector at speeds between 20-120 cm s−1. As expected, the M4PL function indicates a detection system’s highest efficiency at low speeds and its lowest efficiency at higher speed. In between is a transition region of decreasing detector efficiency. This decrease is gradual within initial speeds but quickly steepens and then approaches a minimum at higher detector speeds. This general shape was observed in the experimental data and validated the M4PL function as a predictive tool. To conclude this research and to demonstrate the function’s usefulness, a relationship between speed and minimum detectable activity (MDA) was developed. Using this function and the methods described in this research, planners can now optimize surveys by controlling velocity to maintain MDA. It is also possible to use this technique to accelerate surveys while having the ability to predict the reduction in MDA. This foundational relationship between detector speed and detection efficiency has the potential to improve detector performance in various applications for both the academic and operational fields.
UTILITY OF EN FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IN INTRAOCULAR LYMPHOMA
Authors: Venkatesh Ramesh , Sridharan Akhila , Pereira Arpitha , Mahendradas Padmamalini , Sangai Sajjan , Gurram Reddy Nikitha , Kumar Yadav Naresh
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

To report the en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of intraocular lymphoma.

Methods:

Retrospective, observational case report.

Results:

A 59-year-old man, a known case of primary testicular carcinoma, complained of right eye blurred vision since 1 week. He had previously undergone systemic intravenous chemotherapy (R-CHOP regimen), orchiectomy, and external beam radiotherapy for the primary malignancy. His right eye vision was 20/30, 6/6 reduced Snellen. The right eye anterior segment examination was normal. Fundus examination showed vitreous cells 1+ and a large, bumpy, subretinal dull-yellow lesion sparing the fovea with multiple discrete yellow retinal lesions at the posterior pole. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was normal. Multimodal imaging was used to document the clinical features. On the en face OCT, multiple hyperreflective lesions were identified on the superficial, deep, and outer retinal slabs of the scan corresponding to the vertical hyperreflective lesions extending from the retinal nerve fiber layer to the retinal pigment epithelium. The subretinal pigment epithelium lesion can be well delineated in the choriocapillaris segment. He was treated with multiple injections of intravitreal methotrexate 400 μg/0.1 mL along with systemic chemotherapy in conjunction with the oncologist. At the 6-month follow-up, fundus lesions had regressed. In addition, resolution of the lesions was noted on the OCT and en face OCT scans.

Conclusion:

En face OCT imaging can be considered for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy after intravitreal chemotherapy in intraocular lymphoma.
Agreement Between Physical Therapists in Diagnosing Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Galgon Anne K. , Tate Angela , Fitzpatrick Margaret , Schoenewald Wendy Webb
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose:

Individuals with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are frequently referred to physical therapy for management, but little is known on how reliable therapists are at diagnosing BPPV. The purpose of the study was to examine the agreement between physical therapists in identifying nystagmus and diagnosing BPPV.

Methods:

Thirty-eight individuals with complaints of positional vertigo, 19 from each of 2 clinics (clinics 1 and 2) that specialize in vestibular rehabilitation, had eye movements recorded using video goggles during positioning tests including supine-to-sit, supine roll, and Dix-Hallpike tests. Three therapists from each of the clinics independently observed videos, documented nystagmus characteristics of each testing position, and made a diagnosis for each case. Kappa (κ) statistics were calculated between therapists within each clinic for nystagmus identification and diagnosis.

Results:

Clinic 1 therapists demonstrated substantial to almost perfect agreement in identifying nystagmus during positional tests (κ = 0.68-1, P < 0.005). Clinic 2 therapists showed moderate to almost perfect agreement for presence of nystagmus (κ = 0.57-1, P < 0.005). Therapists at both sites had almost perfect agreement of diagnosis side, canal, and mechanism (κ = 0.81-1, P < 0.005).

Discussion and Conclusion:

Therapists utilized observations from multiple positional tests to determine diagnoses. This was evident by occasional disagreement in nystagmus presence and characteristics, but agreement in diagnosis, including ruling out BPPV. The results may not be generalizable to all physical therapists or therapists' ability to diagnose central and atypical nystagmus presentations. Experienced physical therapists demonstrated strong agreement in diagnosing common forms of BPPV.

Video Abstract available for more insight from the authors (see the Video Supplemental Digital Content 1, available at: http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A340).
A Nasal Bone Fracture Caused by a Dog Bite in an Adult
Authors: Hwang Kun , Ma Sung Hwan
Published: March 2021

The authors report a case of nasal bone fracture caused by a dog bite in a 25-year-old woman.

A 25-year-old woman presented with lacerations of the face caused by a dog bite. When visiting her friend's house, a malamute attacked her. The dog's maxillary teeth bit her right canthal area and right infraorbital area, and the mandibular teeth traversed her left cheek through the buccal mucosa. She had full-thickness lacerations on the left cheek from the skin to the buccal mucosa, and deep lacerations in the right infraorbital area and the right medial canthal area. She had tenderness on the dorsum and right side of her nose. Computed tomography revealed a depressed nasal bone fracture on the right side. The wound was irrigated using betadine solution, and antibiotics were injected. On the seventh post-trauma day, closed reduction and delayed primary repair were performed.

The biting force of German shepherds, huskies, and malamutes is approximately 320 pounds per square inch. The nasal bones are the most fragile facial bones, and their tolerance levels for minimal fractures are in the 25 to 75 lbs range. The maxilla has low tolerance level (140–445 lbs). The zygomatic arch is relatively fragile (tolerance level, 208–475 Ibs), while the zygomatic body has higher tolerance level (200–450 lbs). Thereafter, the biting strength of these dogs suffices to fracture the nasal bone, maxilla, or even zygoma.

When a dog bite injury occurs near the orbit, nose, and cheek, facial fracture should be suspected in both children and adults.
Surgical Management of Odontogenic Infection in Sturge–Weber Syndrome: Report of a Case
Authors: Gonçalves Kalyne Kelly Negromonte , Martins-de-Barros Allan Vinícius , Silva Joana de Ângelis Alves , Lessa Thayane Celina Silva , Diniz Demóstenes Alves , do Lago Carlos Augusto Pereira , Vasconcelos Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito
Published: March 2021

Surgical management of odontogenic infections in Sturge–Weber Syndrome is challenging, due to the risk of massive bleeding and difficulty to achieve hemostasis. The authors describe the use of preoperative vascular embolization for oral surgery in a 29-year-old patient. The authors highlight the importance of hemostatic agents and primary wound closure and the role of vascular embolization as a potential tool for preventing hemorrhage in these cases.
Arabidopsis AtPME2 has a pH-dependent processivity and control cell wall mechanical properties
Authors: Hocq Ludivine , Habrylo Olivier , Voxeur Aline , Pau-Roblot Corinne , Safran Josip , Sénéchal Fabien , Fournet Françoise , Bassard Solène , Battu Virginie , Demailly Hervé , Tovar José C. , Pilard Serge , Marcelo Paulo , Savary Brett J. , Mercadante Davide , Njo Maria Fransiska , Beeckman Tom , Boudaoud Arezki , Pelloux Jérôme , Lefebvre Valérie
Published: March 2021

Pectin methylesterases (PMEs) modify homogalacturonan’s (HG) chemistry and play a key role in regulating primary cell wall mechanical properties. How PME activity can fine-tune pectin structure in the growing plant has remained elusive. Here we report on the Arabidopsis AtPME2, which we found to be highly expressed during lateral root emergence and dark-grown hypocotyl elongation. We produced the mature active enzyme using heterologous expression inPichia pastorisand characterized it through the use of a generic plant PME antiserum suitable for detecting recombinant and native enzyme independent of species source. At neutral pH AtPME2 is preferentially active on pectins with a degree of 55-70% methylesterification and can be inhibited by PME inhibitor protein (PMEI). We show that the mode of action for AtPME2 can switch from full processivity (at pH 8), creating large blocks of unmethylated galacturonic acid, to low processivity (at pH 5) and relate these observations to the differences in electrostatic potential of the protein at acidic and alkaline pH. To assess the role of AtPME2 in development, we characterized two knock-out lines. We show that in the context of acidified apoplast, low-processive demethylesterification by AtPME2 can loosen the cell wall, with consequent increase in cell elongation and etiolated hypocotyl length. Our study brings insights into how the pH-dependent regulation by PME activity could affect pectin structure and associated cell wall mechanical properties in expansion.

One sentence summary

The processivity of AtPME2, a pectin methylesterase that fine-tunes cell wall pectins is modulated by pHin vitroand impacts the mechanical properties of the wall, affecting developmentin planta.
Electrophysiological correlates of mood and reward dynamics in human adolescents
Authors: Liuzzi Lucrezia , Chang Katharine K. , Keren Hanna , Zheng Charles , Saha Dipta , Nielson Dylan M. , Stringaris Argyris
Published: March 2021

Despite its omnipresence in everyday interactions and its importance for mental health, mood and its neuronal underpinnings are poorly understood. Computational models can help identify parameters affecting self-reported mood during mood induction tasks. Here we test if computationally modelled dynamics of self-reported mood during monetary gambling can be used to identify trial-by-trial variations in neuronal activity. To this end, we shifted mood in healthy (N=24) and depressed (N=30) adolescents by delivering individually tailored reward prediction errors whilst recording magnetoencephalography (MEG) data. Following a pre-registered analysis, we hypothesize that expectation (defined by previous reward outcomes) would be predictive of beta-gamma oscillatory power (25-40Hz), a frequency shown to modulate to reward feedback. We also hypothesize that trial variations in the evoked response to the presentation of gambling options and in source localized responses to reward feedback. Through our multilevel statistical analysis, we found confirmatory evidence that beta-gamma power is positively related to reward expectation during mood shifts, with possible localized sources in the posterior cingulate cortex. We also confirmed reward prediction error to be predictive of trial-level variations in the response of the paracentral lobule and expectation to have an effect on the cerebellum after presentation of gambling options. To our knowledge, this is the first study to relate fluctuations in mood on a minute timescale to variations in neural oscillations with noninvasive electrophysiology.

Significance Statement

Brain mechanisms underlying mood and its relationship with changes in reward contingencies in the environment are still elusive but could have a strong impact on our understanding and treatment of debilitating mood disorders. Building on a previously proposed computational mood model we use multilevel statistical models to find relationship between trial-by-trial variations in model components of mood and neural responses to rewards measured with non-invasive electrophysiology (MEG). Through confirmatory analysis we show that it is possible to observe relationships between trial variations in neural responses and computational parameters describing mood dynamics. Identifying the dynamics of mood and the neural processes it affects could pave the way for more effective neuromodulation treatments.
Honeybees exposure to veterinary drugs: how the gut microbiota is affected
Authors: Baffoni L. , Alberoni D. , Gaggìa F. , Braglia C. , Stanton C. , Ross P.R. , Di Gioia D.
Published: March 2021

Several studies have outlined that a balanced gut microbiota offers metabolic and protective functions supporting honeybee health and performances. The present work contributes to increasing knowledge on the impact on the honeybee gut microbiota of the administration of three different veterinary drugs (oxytetracicline, sulphonamides and tylosin). The trial was designed with a semi-field approach in micro-hives containing about 500 bees, i.e. in experimental conditions as close as possible to real hives considering the restrictions on the use of antibiotics; 6 replicates were considered for each treatment plus the control. The absolute abundance of the major gut microbial taxa in newly eclosed individuals was studied with qPCR and next generation sequencing. Antimicrobial resistance genes for the target antibiotics were also monitored using a qPCR approach. The results showed that none of the veterinary drugs altered the total amount of gut bacteria, but qualitative variations were observed. Tylosin treatment determined a significant decrease of α- and β-diversity indexes and a strong the depletion of the rectum population (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) while favoring the hindgut population (Gilliamella,SnodgrassellaandFrischellaspp.). Major changes were also observed in honeybees treated with sulphonamides, with a decrease inBartonellaandFrischellacore taxa an increase ofBombilactobacillusspp. andSnodgrassellaspp. Conversely, minor effects were observed in oxytetracycline treated honeybees. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance genes confirmed that honeybees represent a great reservoir of tetracycline resistance genes. Tetracycline and sulphonamides resistant genes tended to increase in the gut microbiota population upon antibiotic administration.

Importance

This study investigates the impact of the three most widely used antibiotics in the beekeeping sector (oxytetracycline, tylosin and sulphonamides) on the honeybee gut microbiota and on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. The research represents an advancement to the present literature considering that tylosin and sulphonamides effect on the gut microbiota has never been studied. Another original aspect lies in the experimental approach used, as the study looks at the impact of veterinary drugs and feed supplements 24 days after the beginning of the administration, thus exploring perturbations in newly eclosed honeybees, instead of the same treated honeybee generation. Moreover, the study is not performed with cage tests but in micro-hives thus reaching conditions closer to real hives. The study reaches the conclusion that tylosin and sulfonamides determine major changes in some core members and that antibiotic resistance genes for tetracycline and sulphonamides increase upon antibiotic treatment.
Complementary task representations in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex for generalising the structure of problems
Authors: Samborska Veronika , Butler James , Walton Mark , Behrens Timothy E.J. , Akam Thomas
Published: March 2021

Few situations in life are completely novel. We effortlessly generalise prior knowledge to solve novel problems, abstracting common structure and mapping it onto new sensorimotor specifics. Here we trained mice on a series of reversal learning problems that shared the same structure but had different physical implementations. Performance improved across problems, demonstrating transfer of knowledge. Neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) maintained similar representations across multiple problems, despite their different sensorimotor correlates, whereas hippocampal (dCA1) representations were more strongly influenced by the specifics of each problem. Critically, this was true both for representations of the events that comprised each trial, and those that integrated choices and outcomes over multiple trials to guide subjects’ decisions. These data suggest that PFC and hippocampus play complementary roles in generalisation of knowledge, with the former abstracting the common structure among related problems, and the latter mapping this structure onto the specifics of the current situation.
Brucellaouter membrane proteins to control maturation and antigen presentation of mouse dendritic cells
Authors: Yang Ningning , Tong Zhixia , Wang Zhen , Xu Mingguo , Zhang Qian , Zhang Huan , Wang Yueli , Yi Jihai , Sun Tianhao , Cui Buyun , Chen Chuangfu
Published: March 2021

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease, which seriously endangers animal husbandry in China. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) are full-time antigen presenting cells (APC) that play an important role in the interaction between pathogens and host immunity. DCs were stimulated withBrucellamajor outer membrane proteins (OMPs: OMP10, OMP19, OMP25, BP26 and OMP31) andBrucellamutants (Δomp10, Δomp19, Δomp25, Δbp26, Δomp31) to examine effects on DC maturity and antigen presentation.BrucellaOMP10, OMP19 and BP26;Brucellamutants Δomp10, Δomp19, Δomp25, Δbp26, Δomp31andBrucellaRB51 induced DC maturation and antigen presentation efficiency in mice, activated proliferation of T lymphocytes, and decreased apoptosis, which helped the host recognize antigens and eliminate pathogens. However,B. abortus2308 evaded the host immune function and established chronic infection by maintaining a balance between intracellular replication and inducing apoptosis, thus reducing DC maturation and antigen presentation to T cells. Toll-like receptor (TLR) -mediated signaling pathways were involved in the DC maturation and antigen presentation induced byBrucellaOMPs. These results enhance understanding ofBrucellapathogenesis and the host protective immune response mechanism and lay the foundation for the rational design ofBrucellavaccines.
Neurocomputational mechanisms of confidence in self and others
Authors: Bang Dan , Moran Rani , Daw Nathaniel D. , Fleming Stephen M.
Published: March 2021

Computing confidence in one’s own and others’ decisions is crucial for success in many social situations. While there has been substantial progress in our understanding of confidence in oneself, little is known about how we form confidence about others. Here, we address this question by asking subjects undergoing fMRI to place bets on perceptual decisions made by themselves or one of three other players of varying ability. We show that subjects compute confidence in another player’s decisions by combining distinct estimates of player ability and decision difficulty – allowing them to predict that a good player may get a difficult decision wrong and that a bad player may get an easy decision right. We find that this computation is supported by an interaction between brain systems traditionally implicated in decision-making (LIP) and theory of mind (TPJ, dmPFC). These results reveal a neurocomputational interplay between self- and other-related processes during social cognition.
Cumulative growth and stress responses to the 2018–2019 drought in a European floodplain forest
Authors: Schnabel Florian , Purrucker Sarah , Schmitt Lara , Engelmann Rolf A. , Kahl Anja , Richter Ronny , Seele-Dilbat Carolin , Skiadaresis Georgios , Wirth Christian
Published: March 2021

Droughts increasingly threaten the world’s forests and their potential to mitigate climate change. In 2018–2019, Central European forests were hit by two consecutive hotter drought years, an unprecedented phenomenon that is likely to occur more frequently with climate change. Here, we examine tree growth and physiological stress responses (increase in carbon isotope composition; Δδ13C) to this consecutive drought based on tree-rings of dominant tree species in a Central European floodplain forest. Tree growth was not reduced for most species in 2018, indicating that water supply in floodplain forests can partly buffer meteorological water deficits. Drought stress responses in 2018 were comparable to former single drought years but the hotter drought in 2018 induced drought legacies in tree growth while former droughts did not. We observed strong decreases in tree growth and increases in Δδ13C across all tree species in 2019, which are likely driven by the cumulative stress both consecutive hotter droughts exerted. Our results show that consecutive hotter droughts pose a novel threat to forests under climate change, even in forest ecosystems with comparably high levels of water supply.
Fine-tuned repression of Drp1 driven mitochondrial fission primes a ‘stem/progenitor-like state’ to accelerate neoplastic transformation
Authors: Spurlock B , Parker D , Basu MK , Hjelmeland A , Sajina G , Liu S , Siegal GP , Gunter A , Moran A , Mitra K
Published: March 2021

The opposing processes of mitochondrial fission and fusion are emerging as crucial regulators of stemness. Gene knockout of the master regulator of mitochondrial fission, Drp1, prevents neoplastic transformation. However, stem/progenitor cells maintaining repressed mitochondrial fission are primed for self-renewal and proliferation. Here, we demonstrate that only fine-tuned repression of Drp1 establishes a ‘stem/progenitor-like state’ towards supporting carcinogen driven neoplastic transformation of keratinocytes, while more complete Drp1 repression prevents it. Only fine-tuned Drp1 repression maintains small networks of fused mitochondria to sustain a unique gene-expression profile with elevated stem/progenitor cell functional markers (Krt15, Sox2 etc) and their regulators (Cyclin E). Cells with such a mitochondria-primed state are slow cycling, susceptible to transformation, and when enriched by mild carcinogen exposure sustains elevated self-renewal/proliferation to form less differentiated tumors. Therefore, our data for the first time highlights a ‘goldilocks’ level of Drp1 repression that supports stem/progenitor state dependent neoplastic transformation.
SARS-CoV-2-host chimeric RNA-sequencing reads do not necessarily signify virus integration into the host DNA
Authors: Kazachenka Anastasiya , Kassiotis George
Published: March 2021

The human genome bears evidence of extensive invasion by retroviruses and other retroelements, as well as by diverse RNA and DNA viruses. High frequency of somatic integration of the RNA virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the DNA of infected cells was recently suggested, partly based on the detection of chimeric RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) reads between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and RNA transcribed from human host DNA. Here, we examined the possible origin of human-SARS-CoV-2 chimeric reads in RNA-seq libraries and provide alternative explanations for their origin. Chimeric reads were frequently detected also between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and RNA transcribed from mitochondrial DNA or episomal adenoviral DNA present in transfected cell lines, which was unlikely the result of SARS-CoV-2 integration. Furthermore, chimeric reads between SARS-CoV-2 RNA and RNA transcribed from nuclear DNA was highly enriched for host exonic, than intronic or intergenic sequences and often involved the same, highly expressed host genes. These findings suggest that human-SARS-CoV-2 chimeric reads found in RNA-seq data may arise during library preparation and do not necessarily signify SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription, integration in to host DNA and further transcription.
Scalable, Micro-Neutralization Assay for Qualitative Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Human Clinical Samples
Authors: Bennett Richard S. , Postnikova Elena N. , Liang Janie , Gross Robin , Mazur Steven , Dixit Saurabh , Lukin Vladimir V. , Kocher Greg , Yu Shuiqing , Georgia-Clark Shalamar , Gerhardt Dawn , Cai Yingyun , Marron Lindsay , Holbrook Michael R.
Published: March 2021

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was expanding, it was clear that effective testing for the presence of neutralizing antibodies in the blood of convalescent patients would be critical for development of plasma-based therapeutic approaches. To address the need for a high-quality neutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2, a previously established fluorescence reduction neutralization assay (FRNA) against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was modified and optimized. The SARS-CoV-2 FRNA provides a quantitative assessment of a large number of infected cells through use of a high-content imaging system. Because of this approach, and the fact that it does not involve subjective interpretation, this assay is more efficient and more accurate than other neutralization assays. In addition, the ability to set robust acceptance criteria for individual plates and specific test wells provided further rigor to this assay. Such agile adaptability avails use with multiple virus variants. By February 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 FRNA had been used to screen over 5,000 samples, including acute and convalescent plasma or serum samples and therapeutic antibody treatments, for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing titers.
Comprehensive evolutionary analysis of complete Epstein Barr virus genomes from Argentina and other geographies
Authors: Blazquez Ana Catalina , Berenstein Ariel José , Torres Carolina , Izquierdo Agustín , Lezama Carol , Moscatelli Guillermo , De Matteo Elena , Lorenzetti Mario Alejandro , Preciado María Victoria
Published: March 2021

Epstein Barr virus sequence variability has been deeply studied throughout the past years in isolates from various geographic regions and consequent geographic variation at both genetic and genomic levels has been described. However, isolates from South America have been underrepresented in these studies. Here, we sequenced 15 complete EBV genomes that we analyzed, by means of a custom-built bioinformatic pipeline, together with publicly available raw NGS data for 199 EBV isolates from other parts of the globe. Phylogenetic relations of the genomes, geographic structure and variability of the data set, and evolution rates for the whole genome and each gene were assessed. The present study contributes to overcome the scarcity of EBV complete genomes from South America, and hence, achieves the most comprehensive geography-related variability study by determining the actual contribution of each EBV gene to the geographic segregation of the entire genomes. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, we established for the first time the evolution rate for the entire EBV genome, on a host-virus codivergence-independent assumption, and statistically demonstrate that evolution rates, on a gene-by-gene basis, are related to the encoded protein function. Considering evolution of dsDNA viruses with a codivergence-independent approach, may lay the basis for future research on EBV evolution. Additionally, this work also expands the sampling-time lapse of available complete genomes derived from different EBV-related conditions, a matter that until today, prevents for detailed phylogeographic analysis.
KinOrtho: a method for mapping human kinase orthologs across the tree of life and illuminating understudied kinases
Authors: Huang Liang-Chin , Taujale Rahil , Gravel Nathan , Venkat Aarya , Yeung Wayland , Byrne Dominic P , Eyers Patrick A , Kannan Natarajan
Published: March 2021

Protein kinases are among the largest druggable family of signaling proteins, involved in various human diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Despite their clinical relevance, nearly 30% of the 545 human protein kinases remain highly understudied. Comparative genomics is a powerful approach for predicting and investigating the functions of understudied kinases. However, an incomplete knowledge of kinase orthologs across fully sequenced kinomes severely limits the application of comparative approaches for illuminating understudied kinases. Here, we propose KinOrtho, a query- and graph-based orthology inference method that combines full-length and domain-based approaches to map one-to-one kinase orthologs across 17 thousand species. Using multiple metrics, we show that KinOrtho performed better than existing methods in identifying kinase orthologs across evolutionarily divergent species and eliminated potential false positives by flagging sequences without a proper kinase domain for further evaluation. We demonstrate the advantage of using domain-based approaches for identifying domain fusion events, highlighting a case between an understudied serine/threonine kinase TAOK1 and a metabolic kinase PIK3C2A with high co-expression in human cells. We also identify evolutionary fission events involving the understudied OBSCN kinase domains, further highlighting the value of domain-based orthology inference approaches. Using KinOrtho-defined orthologs, Gene Ontology annotations, and machine learning, we propose putative biological functions of several understudied kinases, including the role of TP53RK in cell cycle checkpoint(s), the involvement of TSSK3 and TSSK6 in acrosomal vesicle localization, and potential functions for the ULK4 pseudokinase in neuronal development.

The well-curated kinome ortholog set can serve as a valuable resource for illuminating understudied kinases, and the KinOrtho framework can be extended to any gene-family of interest.
Can continuous learning amplify employees' change-efficacy and contextual performance? Evidence from post-merger Indian organization
Authors: Budhiraja Sunil
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Continuous learning has been referred to as an integral phenomenon of learning organization. While a range of studies have associated continuous learning with employee performance; understanding of this relationship remains underdeveloped in the context of mergers and acquisitions. The present study investigates the relationship among continuous learning, change-efficacy and contextual performance of employees working with a recently merged bank and further explores the mediating role of employees' change-efficacy in relationship between continuous learning and contextual performance of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model with underlying hypothesis is proposed by drawing upon the theory of transformative learning, social cognitive theory and theory of change management. Cross-sectional data was collected from bank employees undergoing integration in a post-merger phase.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that continuous learning influences employees' change-efficacy and change-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between continuous learning and contextual performance of employees. The empirical association drawn from the variables has been recognized by extant research as a brighter manifestation of learning organizations.

Research limitations/implications

The research is undertaken in a large Indian bank and the analysis is based on cross-sectional data which may not be generalized across a broader range of sectors and international environment.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have a potential to help HR practitioners to utilize continuous learning in change management by enhancing contextual performance of employees post-mergers and acquisitions.

Originality/value

The study is one of its kinds in a post-merger setup which captures the outcomes of continuous learning by either confirming or extending the existing theories.
A protocol for the management of hyponatremia peri‐liver transplant reduces post‐transplant neurological complications
Authors: Crismale James F. , Huisman Tsipora , Deshpande Richa , Law Cindy , Im Gene Y. , Bronster David , DeMaria Samuel , Florman Sander , Schiano Thomas D.
Published: March 2021

Rapid changes in serum sodium (ΔSNa) peri‐liver transplant (LT) predispose to post‐LT neurological complications (NC). We aimed to assess whether implementation of a protocol directed at limiting peri‐LT ΔSNa reduced post‐LT NC. A retrospective single‐center review of adult LT recipients from 1/2016 to 10/2017 was performed. Patients with hyponatremia (SNa < 135 mEq/L) within 7 days of LT were analyzed in two eras: pre‐protocol (1/2016‐9/2016) and post‐protocol (10/2016‐10/2017). The primary outcome was the development of NC within 1 month of LT. Perioperative ΔSNa (ΔSNaPost‐LT) was assessed as a secondary outcome. Among 85 and 107 patients who underwent LT pre‐ and post‐protocol, 39 (46%) and 42 (39%) were hyponatremic within 7 days of LT, respectively. Significantly fewer patients in the post‐protocol era developed NC vs. pre‐protocol (7.1% vs. 25.6%, p = .02). Additionally, fewer LT recipients in the post‐protocol era developed ΔSNaPost‐LT ≥ 10 mEq/L (9.5% vs. 30.7%, p = .02). Intraoperatively, more patients post‐protocol received hypotonic saline (33.3% vs. 2.6%, p < .01). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that transplantation in the post‐protocol era was associated with significantly reduced odds (odds ratio 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.50) of developing NC. In conclusion, the implementation of a multidisciplinary protocol aimed at reducing ΔSNa peri‐LT was independently associated with a reduction in post‐LT NC.
The usefulness of echocardiography in the diagnosis of myocarditis in a young man after sudden cardiac arrest
Authors: Sacharczuk Wioletta , Dankowski Rafał , Szyszka Andrzej
Published: March 2021

The diagnosis of acute myocarditis (AM) remains challenging because of its diverse clinical manifestations. Thus, a wide range of diagnostic tests may be warranted. Although cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the preferred imaging technique, it may not be applicable in the acute AM phase. Our case report highlights the usefulness and diagnostic accuracy of echocardiographic examination. In the first 2‐dimensional echocardiography, the focal echobright was presented. A reduced value of global longitudinal strain and regional disturbances of segmental myocardial strain, both longitudinal and circumferential, in the epicardial layer, were detected with a good correlation with CMR results.
Indocyanine green guidance improves the efficiency of extended pelvic lymph node dissection during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Claps Francesco , Ramírez‐Backhaus Miguel , Mir Maresma Maria Carmen , Gómez‐Ferrer Álvaro , Mascarós Juan Manuel , Marenco Josè , Collado Serra Argimiro , Casanova Ramón‐Borja Juan , Calatrava Fons Ana , Trombetta Carlo , Rubio‐Briones Jose
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To evaluate whether indocyanine green guidance can improve the quality of extended pelvic lymph node dissection in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.

Methods

A total of 214 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with indocyanine green‐guided lymph node dissection plus extended pelvic lymph node dissection. These patients (group A) were matched 1:1 for clinical risk groups according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network classification with patients who underwent the same procedure without fluorescence guidance (group B). Biochemical recurrence was defined as two consecutive prostate‐specific antigen rises of at least 0.2 ng/mL. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression models were used to identify predictors of biochemical recurrence.

Results

The median number of retrieved nodes was significantly higher in group A (22 vs 14, P < 0.001). The rate of lymph node metastases was higher in group A (65.9% vs 34.1%, P = 0.01). Increasing the yield of lymph node dissection was independently and negatively correlated with the biochemical recurrence risk in both overall and pN‐positive patients (hazard ratio 0.97, P = 0.03; and hazard ratio 0.95, P = 0.02). The 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival rates were (75.8% vs 65.9, P = 0.09) and (54.1% vs 24.9%, P = 0.023) for group A and group B in the overall cohort and pN‐positive cohort, respectively.

Conclusion

Indocyanine green‐guided lymph node dissection plus extended pelvic lymph node dissection improves identification of lymphatic drainage, resulting in a higher number of lymph nodes and retrieved lymph node metastases, and allowing a more accurate local staging and a prolonged biochemical recurrence‐free survival.
Non‐interventional weight changes affect systolic blood pressure in normotensive individuals
Authors: Shlomai Gadi , Ovdat Tal , Klempfner Robert , Leibowitz Avshalom , Grossman Ehud
Published: March 2021

The association between obesity and hypertension is well established. Weight loss has been shown to reduce blood pressure (BP) among hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, the effect of weight changes on BP in normotensive individuals is less clear. The author explored the association between non‐interventional weight alterations and BP changes in a large cohort of normotensive adults. This is a retrospective analysis of normotensive individuals, between 2010 and 2018. All weight changes were non‐interventional. Body mass index (BMI) and BP were measured annually. Patients were divided according to the change in BMI between visits: reduction of more than 5% ("large reduction"), between 2.5% and 5% ("moderate reduction"), reduction of <2.5% or elevation of <2.5% ("unchanged"), elevation between 2.5% and 5% ("moderate increase"), and elevation of more than 5% ("large increase"). The primary outcome was the change in systolic BP (SBP) between the visits. The final analysis included 8723 individuals. 20% of the patients reduced their BMI by at least 2.5% and 24.5% increased their BMI by more than 2.5%. "High reduction" inferred an absolute decrease of 3.6 mmHg in SBP, while "large increase" resulted in an absolute increase of 1.9 mmHg in SBP. The proportion of individuals with at least 10 mmHg decrease in SBP progressively declined according to the relative decrease in BMI, and the proportion of patients with at least 10 mmHg increase in SBP progressively increased. This effect was more pronounced in individuals with higher baseline SBP. Among normotensive adults, modest non‐interventional weight changes may have significant effects on SBP.
Commentary: Schizophrenia prevention and prodromal psychosis in children and adolescents
Authors: Taylor Jerome H. , Huque Zeeshan M.
Published: March 2021

Catalan and colleagues aggregated findings related to detection, prognosis, and intervention in Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR‐P) children and adolescents through October 7, 2019 (Catalan et al., 2020). While a sufficient number of studies were available to meta‐analytically summarize evidence on detection and prognosis, the authors highlight the need for more studies on interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis, in CHR‐P youth. Further research on the biological and neural correlates of CHR‐P in children and adolescents is also needed. Though results from the few existing biomarker studies in CHR‐P youth were included in the systematic review, disparate study methodologies and outcomes prohibited biomarker study meta‐analysis.
On the link of self‐esteem, life satisfaction, and Neuroticism
Authors: Hufer‐Thamm Anke , Riemann Rainer
Published: March 2021

Objective

Self‐esteem (SE) and life satisfaction (LS) are highly correlated but little is known about the sources of this association. Both characteristic adaptations are negatively correlated with Neuroticism (N). We investigated the relationship between SE, LS, and N and the degree to which shared variance was explained by N from a behavior genetic perspective.

Method

We analyzed more than 2,000 German same‐sex twin pairs and their siblings. Twins were 17 and  23 years old and siblings were M = 21.6 years old. The sample was balanced regarding gender. We applied multivariate twin‐sibling Cholesky models to obtain genetic and environmental correlations and estimated the impact N had on genetic and environmental correlations of SE and LS.

Results

The genetic correlation between SE and LS was .99 and 47% of this phenotypic correlation was explained by genetics. About 28% of the common genetic variance between SE and LS was explained by shared genes with N.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that N is not a common factor of SE and LS. The results are not in line with theories assuming that N is a basic tendency whose genetic factors account for most of the genetic variance between the assumed characteristic adaptations SE and LS.