bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome at a tertiary paediatric hospital
Authors: Kucera Filip , Laurence Craig , Simmonds Jacob , Gavela Javier , Bodnar Tetyana , Brogan Paul , Hoskote Aparna , Skellett Sophie , Moshal Karyn , Bamford Alasdair , Khambadkone Sachin
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

We describe a cohort of children referred with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and compare this cohort with a 2019 cohort of children with Kawasaki disease.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2019 and 2020 referrals to the inflammatory cardiology service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. We compared cardiac and inflammatory parameters of a sub-section of the 2020 cohort who presented with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction with the remainder of the cohort.

Results:

Referrals significantly increased between February and June 2020 compared to 2019 (19.8/30 days versus 3.9/30 days). Frequency of coronary artery aneurysms (11/79 (13.9%) versus 7/47 (14.9%)) or severe coronary artery aneurysms (6/79 (7.6%) versus 3/47 (6.4%)) was similar between 2020 and 2019, respectively. The 2020 cohort was older (median age 9.07 years versus 2.38 years), more likely to be of Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic group (60/76 (78.9%) versus 25/42 (59.5%)), and more likely to require inotropic support (22 (27.5%) versus 0 (0%)). Even children with significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction demonstrated complete recovery of cardiac function within 10 days (mean 5.25 days ± 2.7).

Discussion:

We observed complete recovery of myocardial dysfunction and an overall low rate of permanent coronary sequelae, indicating that the majority of children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children are unlikely to encounter long-term cardiac morbidity. Although the frequency of myocardial dysfunction and inotropic support requirement is not consistent with a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease, the frequency of coronary artery abnormalities and severe coronary artery abnormalities suggests a degree of phenotypic overlap.
Was the COVID-19 Pandemic Associated with Gender Disparities in Authorship of Manuscripts Submitted to Clinical Neuropsychology Journals?
Authors: Babicz Michelle A. , Matchanova Anastasia , Broomfield Robiann , DesRuisseaux Libby A. , Gereau Michelle M. , Brothers Stacey L. , Radigan Lauren , Porter Erik , Lee Gregory P. , Rapport Lisa J. , Suchy Yana , Yeates Keith Owen , Woods Steven Paul
Published: December 2021

Objective:

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated gender disparities in some academic disciplines. This study examined the association of the pandemic with gender authorship disparities in clinical neuropsychology (CN) journals.

Method:

Author bylines of 1,018 initial manuscript submissions to four major CN journals from March 15 through September 15 of both 2019 and 2020 were coded for binary gender. Additionally, authorship of 40 articles published on pandemic-related topics (COVID-19, teleneuropsychology) across nine CN journals were coded for binary gender.

Results:

Initial submissions to these four CN journals increased during the pandemic (+27.2%), with comparable increases in total number of authors coded as either women (+23.0%) or men (+25.4%). Neither the average percentage of women on manuscript bylines nor the proportion of women who were lead and/or corresponding authors differed significantly across time. Moreover, the representation of women as authors of pandemic-related articles did not differ from expected frequencies in the field.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that representation of women as authors of peer-reviewed manuscript submissions to some CN journals did not change during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies might examine how risk and protective factors may have influenced individual differences in scientific productivity during the pandemic.
Structural and Ultrastructural Analysis of the Multiple Myeloma Cell Niche and a Patient-Specific Model of Plasma Cell Dysfunction
Authors: Harmon Katrina A. , Roman Sara , Lancaster Harrison D. , Chowhury Saeeda , Cull Elizabeth , Goodwin Richard L. , Arce Sergio , Fanning Suzanne
Published: December 2021

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a deadly, incurable malignancy in which antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) become neoplastic. Previous studies have shown that the PC niche plays a role cancer progression. Bone marrow (BM) cores from MM and a premalignant condition known as monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) patients were analyzed with confocal and transmission electron microscopy. The BM aspirates from these patients were used to generate 3D PC cultures. These in vitro cultures were then assayed for the molecular, cellular, and ultrastructural hallmarks of dysfunctional PC at days 1 and 5. In vivo, evidence of PC endoplasmic reticulum stress was found in both MM and MGUS BM; however, evidence of PC autophagy was found only in MM BM. Analysis of in vitro cultures found that MM PC can survive and maintain a differentiated phenotype over an unprecedented 5 days, had higher levels of paraprotein production when compared to MGUS-derived cultures, and showed evidence of PC autophagy as well. Increased fibronectin deposition around PC associated with disease severity and autophagy dysregulation was also observed. 3D cultures constructed from BM aspirates from MGUS and MM patients allow for long-term culture of functional PC while maintaining their distinct morphological phenotypes.
Comparison of preoperative chemoradiation with radiation or chemotherapy alone in patients with non-metastatic, resectable retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Ma Sung Jun , Yu Brian , Serra Lucas M. , Bartl Austin J. , Oladeru Oluwadamilola T. , Farrugia Mark , Shekher Rohil , Iovoli Austin J. , Fekrmandi Fatemeh , Yu Han , Singh Anurag K.
Published: December 2021

Aim:

Optimal preoperative therapy regimen in the treatment of resectable retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) remains unclear. This study compares the impact of preoperative radiation, chemoradiation and chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) in RPS patients.

Materials and Methods:

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients with non-metastatic, resectable RPS (2006–15). The primary endpoint was OS, evaluated by Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, Cox multivariable analysis and propensity score matching.

Results:

A total of 1,253 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 210 patients (17%) receiving chemoradiation, 850 patients (68%) receiving radiation and 193 patients (15%) receiving chemotherapy. On Cox multivariable analysis, when compared to preoperative chemoradiation, preoperative radiation was not associated with improved OS (hazards ratio [HR] 0·98, 95% CI 0·76–1·25, p = 0·84), while preoperative chemotherapy was associated with worse OS (HR 1·64, 95% CI 1·24–2·18, p < 0·001). Similar findings were observed in 199 and 128 matched pairs for preoperative radiation and chemotherapy, respectively, when compared to preoperative chemoradiation.

Findings:

Our study suggested an OS benefit in using preoperative chemoradiation compared to chemotherapy alone, but OS outcomes were comparable between preoperative chemoradiation and radiation alone.
Lebensraum’s Tropical Turn
Authors: Vickerman Milton
Published: December 2021

In 1981 the ATF, FBI, and U.S. Customs Service agents arrested a group of American and Canadian White nationalists as they were on their way to overthrow the government of Dominica. Although seemingly improbable, the event is important because it illustrates the hegemonic nature of the relationship between the United States and Caribbean countries and, also, the globalization of White nationalist violence. In this paper I show that extant theory on White nationalism can be used to explain the White nationalist plot. In particular, I invoke the concept ofLebensraumand the fact that White nationalists espouse multiple objectives—in addition to racism—to explain their intent to subvert a Black country and to live there.
Zusammenhänge zwischen Zielorientierungen, Einstellungen gegenüber Hilfesuche und Belastungserleben bei angehenden Lehrkräften im Verlauf des Vorbereitungsdienstes
Authors: Kastens Claudia Pereira , Schlag Sabine
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung. Der Vorbereitungsdienst gilt als belastende, aber auch für die professionelle Entwicklung wichtige Phase in der Ausbildung angehender Lehrkräfte. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die längsschnittlichen Zusammenhänge zwischen Zielorientierungen (Annäherungs- und Vermeidungsleistungszielorientierung, Lernzielorientierung, Arbeitsvermeidung) und Einstellungen gegenüber Hilfesuche (Nutzen, Bedrohung, Aufwand) sowie deren Effekte auf das Belastungserleben im Verlauf des Vorbereitungsdienstes bei N = 991 angehenden Lehrkräften. Die Ergebnisse von Strukturgleichungsmodellen zeigen, dass die Einstellungen gegenüber Hilfesuche zu Beginn des Vorbereitungsdienstes zwar die Zielorientierungen nach etwa sechs Monaten erklären, die Zusammenhänge jedoch nicht mehr bedeutsam werden, wenn im späteren Verlauf die längsschnittlichen korrelativen Stabilitäten beider Konstrukte kontrolliert werden. Stattdessen lassen sich bekannte Befunde u.a. von Dickhäuser, Butler & Tönjes (2007) auch im Längsschnitt replizieren, wonach bestimmte Zielorientierungen bedeutsam sind zur Erklärung bestimmter Einstellungen gegenüber Hilfesuche: Vermeidungsleistungszielorientierung geht positiv, die Annäherungsleistungszielorientierung negativ mit einer Zunahme der Wahrnehmung von Hilfesuche als bedrohlich einher. Die Lernzielorientierung hat positive Effekte auf die Wahrnehmung von Hilfesuche als nützlich und Arbeitsvermeidung auf die Wahrnehmung von Hilfesuche als aufwändig. Für die Entwicklung des Belastungserlebens am Ende des Vorbereitungsdienstes erwiesen sich die Vermeidungsleistungszielorientierung und alle drei Facetten der Einstellungen gegenüber Hilfesuche als bedeutsam. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der multiplen Anforderungen im Vorbereitungsdienst diskutiert.
Improving Atmospheric Angular Momentum Forecasts by Machine Learning
Authors: Dill R. , Saynisch‐Wagner J. , Irrgang C. , Thomas M.
Published: December 2021

Earth angular momentum forecasts are naturally accompanied by forecast errors that typically grow with increasing forecast length. In contrast to this behavior, we have detected large quasi‐periodic deviations between atmospheric angular momentum wind term forecasts and their subsequently available analysis. The respective errors are not random and have some hard to define yet clearly visible characteristics which may help to separate them from the true forecast information. These kinds of problems, which should be automated but involve some adaptation and decision‐making in the process, are most suitable for machine learning methods. Consequently, we propose and apply a neural network to the task of removing the detected artificial forecast errors. We found that a cascading forward neural network model performed best in this problem. A total error reduction with respect to the unaltered forecasts amounts to about 30% integrated over a 6‐days forecast period. Integrated over the initial 3‐days forecast period, in which the largest artificial errors are present, the improvements amount to about 50%. After the application of the neural network, the remaining error distribution shows the expected growth with forecast length. However, a 24‐hourly modulation and an initial baseline error of 2 × 10−8 became evident that were hidden before under the larger forecast error.
Simulation of Martian Dust Effects on Polar CO2 Ice Caps and Atmospheric Circulation Using the MarsWRF Model
Authors: Zhao Yang , Zhong Lei , Yuan Renming , Zhao Chun , Li Rui , Wang Yu , Lian Yuan , Richardson Mark
Published: December 2021

Martian dust plays an important role in modulating climate. However, the effects of dust on polar CO2 ice caps, atmospheric circulation processes and the relationship between them are not yet clear. In this study, a Mars general circulation model (MarsWRF) was applied to investigate the impacts of the magnitude and timing of Martian dust storms on the spatiotemporal characteristics of polar CO2 ice caps and atmospheric circulation. The results show that dust can inhibit the sublimation of southern CO2 ice through the radiation effect. Under the “High Dust” scenario, the ice edge can extend up to 5° more equatorward than that under the “Standard” scenario around Ls = 220°. The extent of northern CO2 ice cap is hardly affected by dust because the impacts induced by dust mainly appear north of 80°N. By shifting the timing of maximum dust loading during the dust season, the "Early Dust" scenario inhibits the sublimation of the southern ice cap, while the "Late Dust" scenario accelerates the sublimation process. In addition, the variations in dust loading strength can lead to changes in three near‐surface wind belts, which are related to intensified Hardly circulation. The appearance of the warming vortex under the "Early Dust" scenario is delayed, and its intensity is 60 K lower than that observed in the "High Dust" and "Late Dust" scenarios. When dust loading increases, the northern CO2 condensation process in the Western Hemisphere accelerates, which is due to the increased pole‐to‐equator temperature gradient and the increased meridional wind speed.
Paleoclimate Evolution on Titan After Episodic Massive Methane Outgassing Simulated by a Global Climate Model
Authors: Tokano Tetsuya , Lorenz Ralph D.
Published: December 2021

Titan's paleoclimate after the onset of the putative last major methane outgassing event 700 Myr ago is simulated by a global climate model. If the atmosphere was methane‐depleted prior to outgassing, outgassed methane initially causes warming due to increased greenhouse effect. Further outgassing leads to methane snowfall, which in turn cools the troposphere and surface by an ice‐albedo feedback and thereby initiates a lengthy ice age. Formation of ice sheets begins in the polar region, but with increasing methane inventory the entire globe is eventually covered by surface methane frost as thick as 100 m, with local accumulation on elevated terrains. Among various time‐dependent input parameters the methane inventory by far exerts the greatest control over the climate evolution. As Titan's climate transitions from a dry state via a partially ice‐covered state to a globally ice‐covered state, the circulation and precipitation pattern change profoundly and the tropospheric temperature further decreases. Globally ice‐covered snowball Titan is characterized by weak meridional circulation, weak seasonality and widespread snowfall. Frost ablation begins after the end of outgassing due to photochemical destruction of atmospheric methane. It is conceivable that Titan's polar seas resulted from melting of the polar caps within the past 10 Myr and subsequent drainage to the polar basins. Surface methane frost could only melt when the frost retreated to the polar region, which led to global warming by lowering of the surface albedo at low latitudes and increased greenhouse effect.
Machine‐Learning Research in the Space Weather Journal: Prospects, Scope, and Limitations
Authors: Lugaz Noé , Liu Huixin , Hapgood Mike , Morley Steven
Published: December 2021

Manuscripts based on machine‐learning techniques have significantly increased in Space Weather over the past few years. We discuss which manuscripts are within the journal's scope and emphasize that manuscripts focusing purely on a forecasting technique (rather than on understanding and forecasting a phenomenon) must correspond to a substantial improvement over the current state‐of‐the‐art techniques and present this comparison. All manuscripts shall include information about data preparation, including splitting of data between training, validation and testing sets. The software and/or algorithms used for to develop the machine‐learning technique should be included in a repository at the time of submission. Comparison with published results using other methods must be presented, and uncertainties of the forecast results must be discussed.
A New Method for Fault‐Scarp Detection Using Linear Discriminant Analysis in High‐Resolution Bathymetry Data From the Alarcón Rise and Pescadero Basin
Authors: Vega‐Ramírez L. A. , Spelz R. M. , Negrete‐Aranda R. , Neumann F. , Caress D. W. , Clague D. A. , Paduan J. B. , Contreras J. , Peña‐Dominguez J. G.
Published: December 2021

The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) is a common technique used in machine learning and pattern recognition for dimensionality reduction problems. Here, the LDA is applied to detect faults‐scarps in high‐resolution bathymetric profiles in the Southern Pescadero Basin (SPB) in the Gulf of California. The LDA uses fault scarps and cuestas (sloping topography) identified by a geomorphologist in the neighboring Alarcón Rise (AR). These geometric representations are transformed into a parametric space by an idealized fault‐scarp degradation model. Through inversion, we extracted the product of the mass diffusion coefficient with time (τ), scarp height (u0), and goodness of fit of the model on the scarp profiles and cuestas (ε). The LDA transforms the parametric space τ, u0, ε by the Fisher’s criterion into a 1D dimensional space that maximizes separability of classes. Then, the classification is performed by Bayes decision rule using the probability density functions (PDF) built from the 1D projected data for each class (fault‐scarps and cuestas). The implementation results in cross‐sectional profiles across the SPB show the ability to detect faults in the deepest part of the basin where the flat basin floor is interrupted by morphologically young fault‐scarp arrays. The LDA interpretation outperforms manual identification, particularly in faults scarps that are longer than ∼3 km, whereas shorter faults are challenging to discern from other linear features like channels. The model can extract information about the state of degradation of the scarps. This application allows the identification of fault generation episodes and resolves kinematic interactions between faults.
COVID-19 presents an opportunity for dental teams to become ready for person-centred care
Authors: Asimakopoulou Koula , Mills Ian , Neville Patricia , Scambler Sasha
Published: December 2021

Two publications that recently appeared in the British Dental Journal mooted the position that dentistry may not be ready for person-centred care. This commentary takes up this discussion and agrees that while person-centred care is essential to dentistry, it is not without its challenges. Drawing on the multidisciplinary expertise of its authors (two sociologists, one psychologist and a dentist), the nature of these challenges is interrogated further. It also identifies opportunities for change on this position from within the literature, as well as by clinical practice. We present evidence to suggest that the current pandemic has shown that dental teams are capable of rising to a challenge and adapting to change. In this light, we propose that the pandemic presents dental teams with an opportunity to be even more person-centred.
Impact of KRAS, BRAF and microsatellite instability status after cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC in a national cohort of colorectal peritoneal metastasis patients
Authors: Larsen S. G. , Goscinski M. A. , Dueland S. , Steigen S. E. , Hofsli E. , Torgunrud A. , Lund-Iversen M. , Dagenborg V. J. , Flatmark K. , Sorbye H.
Published: December 2021

Background

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) carrying BRAF (mutBRAF) or KRAS mutation (mutKRAS) have an inferior prognosis after liver or lung surgery, whereas the prognostic role in the context of peritoneal metastasis (PM) after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been less investigated.

Methods

In total, 257 patients with non-appendiceal PM-CRC were included from the Norwegian National Unit for CRS-HIPEC.

Results

In total, 180 patients received CRS-HIPEC with Mitomycin C, 77 patients received palliative surgery only. In the CRS-HIPEC group, mutBRAF was found in 24.7%, mutKRAS 33.9% and double wild-type 41.4% without differences in survival. MSI was found in 29.3% of mutBRAF cases. Patients with mutBRAF/MSI had superior 5-year survival compared to mutBRAF with MSS (58.3% vs 25.2%, P = 0.022), and better 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) compared to mutKRAS (48.6% vs 17.2%, P = 0.049). Peritoneal Cancer Index and the number of lymph node metastasis were prognostic for OS, and the same two, location and gender prognostic for DFS in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

PM-CRC with CRS-HIPEC patients has a surprisingly high proportion of mutBRAF (24.7%). Survival was similar comparing mutBRAF, mutKRAS and double wild-type cases, whereas a small subgroup with mutBRAF and MSI had better survival. Patients with mutBRAF tumours and limited PM should be considered for CRS-HIPEC.
Accurate detection of circulating tumor DNA using nanopore consensus sequencing
Authors: Marcozzi Alessio , Jager Myrthe , Elferink Martin , Straver Roy , van Ginkel Joost H. , Peltenburg Boris , Chen Li-Ting , Renkens Ivo , van Kuik Joyce , Terhaard Chris , de Bree Remco , Devriese Lot A. , Willems Stefan M. , Kloosterman Wigard P. , de Ridder Jeroen
Published: December 2021

Levels of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsies may serve as a sensitive biomarker for real-time, minimally-invasive tumor diagnostics and monitoring. However, detecting ctDNA is challenging, as much fewer than 5% of the cell-free DNA in the blood typically originates from the tumor. To detect lowly abundant ctDNA molecules based on somatic variants, extremely sensitive sequencing methods are required. Here, we describe a new technique, CyclomicsSeq, which is based on Oxford Nanopore sequencing of concatenated copies of a single DNA molecule. Consensus calling of the DNA copies increased the base-calling accuracy ~60×, enabling accurate detection of TP53 mutations at frequencies down to 0.02%. We demonstrate that a TP53-specific CyclomicsSeq assay can be successfully used to monitor tumor burden during treatment for head-and-neck cancer patients. CyclomicsSeq can be applied to any genomic locus and offers an accurate diagnostic liquid biopsy approach that can be implemented in clinical workflows.
Suppressed-moment 2-k order in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd2Ti2O7
Authors: Paddison Joseph A. M. , Ehlers Georg , Cairns Andrew B. , Gardner Jason S. , Petrenko Oleg A. , Butch Nicholas P. , Khalyavin Dmitry D. , Manuel Pascal , Fischer Henry E. , Zhou Haidong , Goodwin Andrew L. , Stewart J. Ross
Published: December 2021

In partially ordered magnets, order and disorder coexist in the same magnetic phase, distinct from both spin liquids and spin solids. Here, we determine the nature of partial magnetic ordering in the canonical frustrated antiferromagnet Gd2Ti2O7, in which Gd3+ spins occupy a pyrochlore lattice. Using single-crystal neutron-diffraction measurements in applied magnetic field, magnetic symmetry analysis, inelastic neutron-scattering measurements, and spin-wave modeling, we show that its low-temperature magnetic structure involves two propagation vectors (2-k structure) with suppressed ordered magnetic moments and enhanced spin-wave fluctuations. Our experimental results are consistent with theoretical predictions of thermal fluctuation-driven order in Gd2Ti2O7, and reveal that inelastic neutron-scattering measurements on powder samples can solve the longstanding problem of distinguishing single-k and multi-k magnetic structures.
Sex differences in innate anti-viral immune responses to respiratory viruses and in their clinical outcomes in a birth cohort study
Authors: Regis Eteri , Fontanella Sara , Lin Lijing , Howard Rebecca , Haider Sadia , Curtin John A. , Edwards Michael R. , Rattray Magnus , Simpson Angela , Custovic Adnan , Johnston Sebastian L.
Published: December 2021

The mechanisms explaining excess morbidity and mortality in respiratory infections among males are poorly understood. Innate immune responses are critical in protection against respiratory virus infections. We hypothesised that innate immune responses to respiratory viruses may be deficient in males. We stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 345 participants at age 16 years in a population-based birth cohort with three live respiratory viruses (rhinoviruses A16 and A1, and respiratory syncytial virus) and two viral mimics (R848 and CpG-A, to mimic responses to SARS-CoV-2) and investigated sex differences in interferon (IFN) responses. IFN-α responses to all viruses and stimuli were 1.34–2.06-fold lower in males than females (P = 0.018 −  < 0.001). IFN-β, IFN-γ and IFN-induced chemokines were also deficient in males across all stimuli/viruses. Healthcare records revealed 12.1% of males and 6.6% of females were hospitalized with respiratory infections in infancy (P = 0.017). In conclusion, impaired innate anti-viral immunity in males likely results in high male morbidity and mortality from respiratory virus infections.
The neural basis of authenticity recognition in laughter and crying
Authors: Kosilo Maciej , Costa Mónica , Nuttall Helen E. , Ferreira Hugo , Scott Sophie , Menéres Sofia , Pestana José , Jerónimo Rita , Prata Diana
Published: December 2021

Deciding whether others’ emotions are genuine is essential for successful communication and social relationships. While previous fMRI studies suggested that differentiation between authentic and acted emotional expressions involves higher-order brain areas, the time course of authenticity discrimination is still unknown. To address this gap, we tested the impact of authenticity discrimination on event-related potentials (ERPs) related to emotion, motivational salience, and higher-order cognitive processing (N100, P200 and late positive complex, the LPC), using vocalised non-verbal expressions of sadness (crying) and happiness (laughter) in a 32-participant, within-subject study. Using a repeated measures 2-factor (authenticity, emotion) ANOVA, we show that N100’s amplitude was larger in response to authentic than acted vocalisations, particularly in cries, while P200’s was larger in response to acted vocalisations, particularly in laughs. We suggest these results point to two different mechanisms: (1) a larger N100 in response to authentic vocalisations is consistent with its link to emotional content and arousal (putatively larger amplitude for genuine emotional expressions); (2) a larger P200 in response to acted ones is in line with evidence relating it to motivational salience (putatively larger for ambiguous emotional expressions). Complementarily, a significant main effect of emotion was found on P200 and LPC amplitudes, in that the two were larger for laughs than cries, regardless of authenticity. Overall, we provide the first electroencephalographic examination of authenticity discrimination and propose that authenticity processing of others’ vocalisations is initiated early, along that of their emotional content or category, attesting for its evolutionary relevance for trust and bond formation.
miR1908-5p regulates energy homeostasis in hepatocyte models
Authors: Soubeyrand Sébastien , Lau Paulina , Beehler Kaitlyn , McShane Kelsey , McPherson Ruth
Published: December 2021

We previously identified genomic variants that are quantitative trait loci for circulating miR-1908-5p and then showed this microRNA to causally associate with plasma levels of LDL-C, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. The link to LDL-C was subsequently validated and clarified by the identification of a miR1908-5p-TGFB-LDLR regulatory axis. Here, we continue our investigations on miR1908-5p function by leveraging human primary hepatocytes and HuH-7 hepatoma models. Expression of miR1908-5p was shown to be sensitive to glucose and agents affecting glucose metabolism. Transcriptome-wide changes in primary hepatocytes and HuH-7 cells treated with a miR1908-5p mimic were investigated by enrichment approaches to identify targeted transcripts and cognate pathways. Significant pathways included autophagy and increased mitochondrial function. Reduced activation and/or levels of several key energy and metabolic regulators (AKT, mTOR, ME1, G6PD, AMPK and LKB) were subsequently confirmed in mimic treated HuH-7 cells. These effects were associated with reduced NADPH to NADP+ ratio in HuH-7 cells. LKB1 was validated as a direct target of miR1908-5p, the reintroduction of which was however insufficient to compensate for the impact of the miR1908-5p mimic on AMPK and ACC1. These findings implicate miR1908-5p in metabolic and energy regulation in hepatocyte models via multiple, independent, pathways.
Short-term changes in retinal and choroidal relative flow volume after anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Calzetti Giacomo , Mora Paolo , Borrelli Enrico , Sacconi Riccardo , Ricciotti Guido , Carta Arturo , Gandolfi Stefano , Querques Giuseppe
Published: December 2021

The effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents on the native ocular vasculature are poorly understood. This pilot study aimed to assess short-term changes in retinal and choroidal perfusion after anti-VEGF treatment for neovascular exudative age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using the relative flow volume (RFV) parameter derived from laser speckle flowgraphy. Ten treatment-naïve nAMD patients underwent measurements of mean, maximum, minimum, and differential RFV within a retinal arteriolar segment and a choroidal vessel segment outside the neovascular area. Measurement of retinal RFV (rRFV), choroidal RFV (cRFV), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) was repeated 9 and 35 days after a single anti-VEGF injection. The treatment caused a statistically significant decrease in the mean rRFV, mean cRFV, and SCT during the follow-up (p < 0.05). At the intermediate visit, the mean cRFV and SCT were − 17.6% and − 6.4% compared to baseline, respectively. However, at the final measurement, the mean cRFV was not different from the baseline value, which indicated waning of the anti-VEGF effect. In conclusion, a single anti-VEGF injection in treatment-naïve nAMD resulted in a decrease in retinal arteriolar and choroidal perfusion, according to the RFV parameter, which is a promising tool to simultaneously assess retinal and choroidal perfusion changes in response to anti-VEGF therapy.
Southeast Asian protected areas are effective in conserving forest cover and forest carbon stocks compared to unprotected areas
Authors: Graham Victoria , Geldmann Jonas , Adams Vanessa M. , Negret Pablo Jose , Sinovas Pablo , Chang Hsing-Chung
Published: December 2021

Protected areas aim to conserve nature, ecosystem services, and cultural values; however, they have variable success in doing so under high development pressure. Southeast Asian protected areas faced the highest level of human pressure at the turn of the twenty-first century. To estimate their effectiveness in conserving forest cover and forest carbon stocks for 2000–2018, we used statistical matching methods to control for the non-random location of protected areas, to compare protection against a matched counterfactual. We found Southeast Asian protected areas had three times less forest cover loss than similar landscapes without protection. Protected areas that had completed management reporting using the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) conserved significantly more forest cover and forest carbon stocks than those that had not. Management scores were positively associated with the level of carbon emissions avoided, but not the level of forest cover loss avoided. Our study is the first to find that METT scores could predict the level of carbon emissions avoided in protected areas. Given that only 11% of protected areas in Southeast Asia had completed METT surveys, our results illustrate the need to scale-up protected area management effectiveness reporting programs to improve their effectiveness for conserving forests, and for storing and sequestering carbon.
Incidence and risk factor of allergic contact dermatitis to 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives
Authors: Park Young Hwan , Choi Jeong Seok , Choi Jung Woo , Kim Hak Jun
Published: December 2021

Although the use of topical skin adhesives has increased as an alternative to conventional skin closure methods, studies on the incidence and risk factors of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to topical skin adhesives have been limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of ACD after the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives. We retrospectively reviewed 1145 patients (739 patients with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and 406 patients with n-butyl cyanoacrylate) who underwent skin closure with topical skin adhesives. Variables suspected to correlate with ACD were retrieved from medical records and analyzed to determine risk factors. The incidence of ACD from the use of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives was 2.7% and 2.2%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence between the two ingredients. In logistic regression analysis, none of the variables were found to increase the risk of ACD in both 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives. As ACD occurs without risk factors in 2–3% of patients who used 2-octyl cyanoacrylate or n-butyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives, clinicians and patients should be aware of these facts before using topical skin adhesives.
Randomized trial of two artificial intelligence coaching interventions to increase physical activity in cancer survivors
Authors: Hassoon Ahmed , Baig Yasmin , Naiman Daniel Q. , Celentano David D. , Lansey Dina , Stearns Vered , Coresh Josef , Schrack Jennifer , Martin Seth S. , Yeh Hsin-Chieh , Zeilberger Hadas , Appel Lawrence J.
Published: December 2021

Physical activity (PA) has numerous health benefits. Personalized coaching may increase adherence to PA recommendations, but it is challenging to deliver personalized coaching in a scalable manner. The objective of our study was to determine whether novel artificially intelligent (AI) coaching interventions increase PA among overweight or obese, physically inactive cancer survivors compared to a control arm that receives health information. We conducted a single-center, three-arm randomized trial with equal allocation to (1) voice-assisted AI coaching delivered by smart speaker (MyCoach), (2) autonomous AI coaching delivered by text message (SmartText), and (3) control. Data collection was automated via sensors and voice technology, effectively masking outcome ascertainment. The primary outcome was change in mean steps per day from baseline to the end of follow-up at 4 weeks. Of the 42 randomized participants, 91% were female, and 36% were Black; mean age was 62.1 years, and mean BMI was 32.9 kg/m2. The majority were breast cancer survivors (85.7%). At the end of 4 weeks follow-up, steps increased in the MyCoach arm by an average of 3618.2 steps/day; the net gain in this arm was significantly greater [net difference = 3568.9 steps/day (95% CI: 1483–5655), P value <0.001] compared to control arm, and [net difference = 2160.6 steps/day (95% CI: 11–4310), P value 0.049] compared to SmartText. In conclusion, AI-based voice-assisted coaching shows promise as a practical method of delivering scalable, individualized coaching to increase physical activity in sedentary cancer survivors. Additional research is needed to replicate these findings in a broader population of cancer survivors and to investigate the effects of these interventions in the general population.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03212079, July 11, 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03212079.
Low-rank Gallus gallus domesticus chicks are better at transitive inference reasoning
Authors: Daisley Jonathan Niall , Vallortigara Giorgio , Regolin Lucia
Published: December 2021

A form of deductive reasoning, transitive inference, is thought to allow animals to infer relationships between members of a social group without having to remember all the interactions that occur. Such an ability means that animals can avoid direct confrontations which could be costly. Here we show that chicks perform a transitive inference task differently according to sex and rank. In female chicks, low-ranking birds performed better than did the highest ranked. Male chicks, however, showed an inverted U-shape of ability across rank, with the middle ranked chicks best able to perform the task. These results are explained according to the roles the sexes take within the group. This research directly links the abilities of transitive inference learning and social hierarchy formation and prompts further investigation into the role of both sex and rank within the dynamics of group living.
PUFA synthase-independent DHA synthesis pathway in Parietichytrium sp. and its modification to produce EPA and n-3DPA
Authors: Ishibashi Yohei , Goda Hatsumi , Hamaguchi Rie , Sakaguchi Keishi , Sekiguchi Takayoshi , Ishiwata Yuko , Okita Yuji , Mochinaga Seiya , Ikeuchi Shingo , Mizobuchi Takahiro , Takao Yoshitake , Mori Kazuki , Tashiro Kosuke , Okino Nozomu , Honda Daiske , Hayashi Masahiro , Ito Makoto
Published: December 2021

The demand for n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3LC-PUFAs), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), will exceed their supply in the near future, and a sustainable source of n-3LC-PUFAs is needed. Thraustochytrids are marine protists characterized by anaerobic biosynthesis of DHA via polyunsaturated fatty acid synthase (PUFA-S). Analysis of a homemade draft genome database suggested that Parietichytrium sp. lacks PUFA-S but possesses all fatty acid elongase (ELO) and desaturase (DES) genes required for DHA synthesis. The reverse genetic approach and a tracing experiment using stable isotope-labeled fatty acids revealed that the ELO/DES pathway is the only DHA synthesis pathway in Parietichytrium sp. Disruption of the C20 fatty acid ELO (C20ELO) and ∆4 fatty acid DES (∆4DES) genes with expression of ω3 fatty acid DES in this thraustochytrid allowed the production of EPA and n-3docosapentaenoic acid (n-3DPA), respectively, at the highest level among known microbial sources using fed-batch culture.
Impacts of hydropower on the habitat of jaguars and tigers
Authors: Palmeirim Ana Filipa , Gibson Luke
Published: December 2021

The rapid expansion of hydropower across tropical landscapes has caused extensive habitat loss and degradation, triggering biodiversity loss. Despite known risks to freshwater biodiversity, the flooding of terrestrial habitats caused by dam construction, and associated impacts on terrestrial biota, have been rarely considered. To help fill this knowledge gap, we quantified the habitat loss following inundation of hydropower reservoirs across the range of two iconic species, jaguars and tigers. To do so, we compiled existing and planned dams intersecting the distribution of these apex predators. We found 164 dams intersecting the jaguar range, in total flooding 25,397 km2. For tigers, we identified 421 dams, amounting to 13,750 km2. As hydropower infrastructure is projected to expand in the decades ahead, these values are expected to increase greatly, particularly within the distribution of jaguars where the number of dams will nearly quadruple (429 planned dams). Despite the relatively few dams (41) planned across the range of tigers, most will intersect priority conservation areas for this species. We recommend a more cautious pursuit of hydropower in topographically flat regions, to avoid extensive habitat flooding which has occurred in the Neotropics, and avoiding dam construction in priority conservation landscapes for tigers.
Energetics of lipid transport by the ABC transporter MsbA is lipid dependent
Authors: Guo Dawei , Singh Himansha , Shimoyama Atsushi , Guffick Charlotte , Tang Yakun , Rowe Sam M. , Noel Timothy , Spring David R. , Fukase Koichi , van Veen Hendrik W.
Published: December 2021

The ABC multidrug exporter MsbA mediates the translocation of lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids across the plasma membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. Although MsbA is structurally well characterised, the energetic requirements of lipid transport remain unknown. Here, we report that, similar to the transport of small-molecule antibiotics and cytotoxic agents, the flopping of physiologically relevant long-acyl-chain 1,2-dioleoyl (C18)-phosphatidylethanolamine in proteoliposomes requires the simultaneous input of ATP binding and hydrolysis and the chemical proton gradient as sources of metabolic energy. In contrast, the flopping of the large hexa-acylated (C12-C14) Lipid-A anchor of lipopolysaccharides is only ATP dependent. This study demonstrates that the energetics of lipid transport by MsbA is lipid dependent. As our mutational analyses indicate lipid and drug transport via the central binding chamber in MsbA, the lipid availability in the membrane can affect the drug transport activity and vice versa.
Dimeric and high-resolution structures of Chlamydomonas Photosystem I from a temperature-sensitive Photosystem II mutant
Authors: Caspy Ido , Schwartz Tom , Bayro-Kaiser Vinzenz , Fadeeva Mariia , Kessel Amit , Ben-Tal Nir , Nelson Nathan
Published: December 2021

Water molecules play a pivotal functional role in photosynthesis, primarily as the substrate for Photosystem II (PSII). However, their importance and contribution to Photosystem I (PSI) activity remains obscure. Using a high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) PSI structure from a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii temperature-sensitive photoautotrophic PSII mutant (TSP4), a conserved network of water molecules - dating back to cyanobacteria - was uncovered, mainly in the vicinity of the electron transport chain (ETC). The high-resolution structure illustrated that the water molecules served as a ligand in every chlorophyll that was missing a fifth magnesium coordination in the PSI core and in the light-harvesting complexes (LHC). The asymmetric distribution of the water molecules near the ETC branches modulated their electrostatic landscape, distinctly in the space between the quinones and FX. The data also disclosed the first observation of eukaryotic PSI oligomerisation through a low-resolution PSI dimer that was comprised of PSI-10LHC and PSI-8LHC.
Cryo-EM reveals unique structural features of the FhuCDB Escherichia coli ferrichrome importer
Authors: Hu Wenxin , Zheng Hongjin
Published: December 2021

As one of the most elegant biological processes developed in bacteria, the siderophore-mediated iron uptake demands the action of specific ATP-binding cassette (ABC) importers. Although extensive studies have been done on various ABC importers, the molecular basis of these iron-chelated-siderophore importers are still not fully understood. Here, we report the structure of a ferrichrome importer FhuCDB from Escherichia coli at 3.4 Å resolution determined by cryo electron microscopy. The structure revealed a monomeric membrane subunit of FhuB with a substrate translocation pathway in the middle. In the pathway, there were unique arrangements of residues, especially layers of methionines. Important residues found in the structure were interrogated by mutagenesis and functional studies. Surprisingly, the importer’s ATPase activity was decreased upon FhuD binding, which deviated from the current understanding about bacterial ABC importers. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, these studies not only reveal a new structural twist in the type II ABC importer subfamily, but also provide biological insights in the transport of iron-chelated siderophores.
Phase-contrast X-ray tomography resolves the terminal bronchioles in free-breathing mice
Authors: Shaker Kian , Häggmark Ilian , Reichmann Jakob , Arsenian-Henriksson Marie , Hertz Hans M.
Published: December 2021

Phase-contrast X-ray lung imaging has broken new ground in preclinical respiratory research by improving contrast at air/tissue interfaces. To minimize blur from respiratory motion, intubation and mechanical ventilation is commonly employed for end-inspiration gated imaging at synchrotrons and in the laboratory. Inevitably, the prospect of ventilation induced lung injury (VILI) renders mechanical ventilation a confounding factor in respiratory studies of animal models. Here we demonstrate proof-of-principle 3D imaging of the tracheobronchial tree in free-breathing mice without mechanical ventilation at radiation levels compatible with longitudinal studies. We use a prospective gating approach for end-expiration propagation-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging where the natural breathing of the mouse dictates the acquisition flow. We achieve intrapulmonary spatial resolution in the 30-μm-range, sufficient for resolving terminal bronchioles in the 60-μm-range distinguished from the surrounding lung parenchyma. These results should enable non-invasive longitudinal studies of native state murine airways for translational lung disease research in the laboratory.
Large diatom bloom off the Antarctic Peninsula during cool conditions associated with the 2015/2016 El Niño
Authors: Costa Raul Rodrigo , Mendes Carlos Rafael Borges , Ferreira Afonso , Tavano Virginia Maria , Dotto Tiago Segabinazzi , Secchi Eduardo Resende
Published: December 2021

Diatoms play crucial functions in trophic structure and biogeochemical cycles. Due to poleward warming, there has been a substantial decrease in diatom biomass, especially in Antarctic regions that experience strong physical changes. Here we analyze the phytoplankton contents of water samples collected in the spring/summer of 2015/2016 off the North Antarctic Peninsula during the extreme El Niño event and compare them with corresponding satellite chlorophyll-a data. The results suggest a close link between large diatom blooms, upper ocean physical structures and sea ice cover, as a consequence of the El Niño effects. We observed massive concentrations (up to 40 mg m–3 of in situ chlorophyll-a) of diatoms coupled with substantially colder atmospheric and oceanic temperatures and high mean salinity values associated with a lower input of meltwater. We hypothesize that increased meltwater concentration due to continued atmospheric and oceanic warming trends will lead to diatom blooms becoming more episodic and spatially/temporally restricted.
Rational design of carborane-based Cu2-paddle wheel coordination polymers for increased hydrolytic stability
Authors: Li Zhen , Choquesillo-Lazarte Duane , Fraile Julio , Viñas Clara , Teixidor Francesc , Planas José G.
Published: December 2021

Water stable and functional coordination polymers can be prepared by appropriate selection of hydrophobic linkers.
A GPx-mimetic copper vanadate nanozyme mediates the release of nitric oxide fromS-nitrosothiols
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , Roy Punarbasu , Prasad Sanjay , Mugesh Govindasamy
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we discuss for the first time that copper vanadate (CuV2O6) can not only release NO fromS-nitrosothiols but can also control ROS levels by functionally mimicking the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase at physiological pH..
The enhanced thermal stability and reduced hygroscopicity of aluminum hydride coated with vinyltrimethoxysilane
Authors: Shi Zhe , Lu Taojie , Zhang Jian , Zhu Zhaoyang , Xu Yidong , Xia Debin , Hu Yinghui , Lin Kaifeng , Yang Yulin
Published: December 2021

The vinyltrimethoxysilane was utilized to modify the surface of α-AlH3 by a simple surface coating method. The α-AlH3@A171 composite obtained presents excellent stability, regarded as a potential fuel in the field of solid propellants.
Small molecule peptidomimetic trypsin inhibitors: validation of an EKO binding mode, but with a twist
Authors: Lyu Rui-Liang , Joy Shaon , Packianathan Charles , Laganowsky Arthur , Burgess Kevin
Published: December 2021

A commonality noticed between structures of trypsin and natural trypsin inhibitors leads to a new small molecule inhibitor design strategy.