bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early abnormal fibrinolysis and mortality in patients with thermal injury: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Pusateri A E , Le T D , Keyloun J W , Moffatt L T , Orfeo T , Brummel-Ziedins K E , McLawhorn M M , Callcut R A , Shupp J W ,   SYSCOT Study Group, Cohen M J , Petzold L R , Varner J D , Bravo M C , Freeman K , Mann K G , Gautam A , Hammamieh R , Jett M
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Abnormal fibrinolysis early after injury has been associated with increased mortality in trauma patients, but no studies have addressed patients with burn injury. This prospective cohort study aimed to characterize fibrinolytic phenotypes in burn patients and to see if they were associated with mortality.

Methods

Patients presenting to a regional burn centre within 4 h of thermal injury were included. Blood was collected for sequential viscoelastic measurements using thromboelastography (RapidTEG™) over 12 h. The percentage decrease in clot strength 30 min after the time of maximal clot strength (LY30) was used to categorize patients into hypofibrinolytic/fibrinolytic shutdown (SD), physiological (PHYS) and hyperfibrinolytic (HF) phenotypes. Injury characteristics, demographics and outcomes were compared.

Results

Of 115 included patients, just over two thirds were male. Overall median age was 40 (i.q.r. 28–57) years and median total body surface area (TBSA) burn was 13 (i.q.r. 6–30) per cent. Some 42 (36.5 per cent) patients had severe burns affecting over 20 per cent TBSA. Overall mortality was 18.3 per cent. At admission 60.0 per cent were PHYS, 30.4 per cent were SD and 9.6 per cent HF. HF was associated with increased risk of mortality on admission (odds ratio 12.61 (95 per cent c.i. 1.12 to 142.57); P = 0.041) but not later during the admission when its incidence also decreased. Admission SD was not associated with mortality, but incidence increased and by 4 h and beyond, SD was associated with increased mortality, compared with PHYS (odds ratio 8.27 (95 per cent c.i. 1.16 to 58.95); P = 0.034).

Discussion

Early abnormal fibrinolytic function is associated with mortality in burn patients.
Fucosylation and Sialylation of Fc-Fragment of anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha Antibodies do not Influence Their Immunogenicity in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Authors: Wawrzyniak Marcin , Morsy Yasser , Mladenov Radoslav , Tontodonati Giulia , Turgay Yagmur , Herwig Stefan , Back Jonathan , Mally Manuela , Faridmoayer Amirreza , Scharl Michael
Published: February 2021

Background and Aims: Antibodies targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] are a mainstay in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, they fail to demonstrate efficacy in a considerable proportion of patients. On the other hand, glycosylation of antibodies might influence not only their immunogenicity but also their structure and function. We investigated whether specific glycosylation patterns of the Fc-fragment would affect the immunogenicity of anti-TNF-alpha antibody in monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Methods: The effect of a specific Fc-glycosylation pattern on antibody uptake by monocyte-derived dendritic cells [mo-DCs] and how this process shapes the immunologic profile of mo-DCs was investigated. Three N-glycoforms of the anti-TNF-alpha antibody adalimumab, that differed in the content of fucose or sialic acid, were tested: [1] mock treated Humira, abbreviated ‘Fuc-G0’, where the N-glycan mainly consist of fucose and N-acetylglucosamine [GlcNAc], without sialic acid; [2] ‘Fuc-G2S1/G2S2’ with fucose and alpha 2,6 linked sialic acid; and [3] ‘G2S1/G2S2’ with alpha 2,6 linked sialic acid, without fucose.

Results: Our data demonstrated that neither fucosylation nor sialylation of anti-TNF-Abs [Fuc-G0, FucG2S1/G2S2, G2S1/G2S2] influence their uptake by mo-DCs. Additionally, none of the differentially glycosylated antibodies altered CD80, CD86, CD273, CD274 levels on mo-DCs stimulated in with lipopolysaccharide in the presence of antibodies. Next, we evaluated the levels of cytokines in the supernatant of mo-DCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in the presence of Fuc-G0, Fuc-G2S1/G2S2 or G2S1/G2S2-glycosylated anti-TNF antibodies. Only IL-2 and IL-17 levels were downregulated, and IL-5 production was upregulated by uptake of Fuc-G0 antibodies, as compared to control without antibodies.

Conclusions: The specific modification in the Fc-glycosylation pattern of anti-TNF-alpha Abs does not affect their immunogenicity under the tested conditions. As this study was limited to mo-DCs, further investigation is required to clarify whether Ab uptake into mo-DCs might change the immunological profile of T- and B-cells, in order to ultimately reduce the formation of anti-drug antibodies and to improve the patient care.
Case report: Thrombus in transit—a cause of impending paradoxical embolism
Authors: Nuñez Rodrigo , Sanchez Jesus A , Berber Salvador , Loaiza Felipe , Nuñez Jose G , Arias Sergio , Almeida Eduardo
Published: February 2021

Background

A thrombus in transit (TIT) is a life-threatening condition associated with pulmonary embolism (PE). While TIT was once considered a rare diagnosis, its emergence has risen in recent years mainly through advancement in medical technology. Rare cases of a thrombus in transit crossing a patent foramen ovale in the context of pulmonary embolism have been reported. The appropriate treatment of patients in this setting remains unclear.

Case summary

We describe a 64-year-old man who presented with syncope to the emergency room secondary to acute pulmonary embolism. Initial transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large intracardiac thrombus in transit across a patent foramen ovale, verified by transoesophageal echocardiogram. He underwent anticoagulation and urgent surgical thrombectomy with a favourable outcome.

Discussion

Risk stratification of patient with acute PE is mandatory for determining the appropriate therapeutic management. Initial risk stratification is based on clinical symptoms and signs of haemodynamic instability which indicate a high risk or early death associated massive PE. Thrombolytic therapy is indicated in high-risk patients (Grade 1B), while anticoagulation alone is recommended for intermediate-high- to low-risk patients. Assessment for intracardiac thrombi in PE modifies the treatment strategy in case of a thrombus in transit.
Challenges in the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a case series
Authors: Chirillo Fabio , Baritussio Anna , Cucchini Umberto , Toniolli Ermanno , Polo Angela , Iavernaro Antonio
Published: February 2021

Background

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is usually characterized by overt heart failure, but other clinical scenarios are possible, sometimes making the diagnosis challenging.

Case summary

We report a case series of four patients with PPCM. The first patient presented with acute heart failure due to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Following medical treatment, LV function recovered completely at 1 month. The second patient had systemic and pulmonary thromboembolism, secondary to severe biventricular dysfunction with biventricular thrombi. The third patient presented with myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries and evidence of an aneurysm of the mid-anterolateral LV wall. The fourth patient, diagnosed with PPCM 11 years earlier, presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia. A repeat cardiac magnetic resonance, compared to the previous one performed 11 years earlier, showed an enlarged LV aneurysm in the mid-LV anterolateral wall with worsened global LV function.

Discussion

Peripartum cardiomyopathy may have different clinical presentations. Attentive clinical evaluation and multimodality imaging can provide precise diagnostic and prognostic information.
Ventricular septal defect complicating delayed presentation of acute myocardial infarction during COVID-19 lockdown: a case report
Authors: Evans Matthew C , Steinberg Daniel H , Rhodes John F , Tedford Ryan J
Published: February 2021

Background 

Post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defects (VSDs) have become rare in the reperfusion era but remain associated with very high morbidity and mortality. As patients defer prompt evaluation and management of acute coronary syndromes during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the incidence of these and other post-infarction mechanical complications is expected to increase.

Case summary 

A 37-year-old gentleman with multiple coronary artery disease risk factors presented with intermittent chest discomfort and 1 week of heart failure symptoms. An echocardiogram demonstrated a large muscular VSD and coronary angiography confirmed the presence of an anterior wall infarction. He was subsequently referred for transcatheter VSD repair and showed rapid clinical improvement in his symptoms.

Discussion 

Post-infarction VSDs remain associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. Surgical repair of acutely ruptured myocardium can be technically challenging, and transcatheter repair has emerged as a safe and effective alternative.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a 13-year-old child with end-stage heart failure: a case report
Authors: Unbehaun Axel , Kelm Marcus , Miera Oliver , Kempfert Joerg
Published: February 2021

Background

Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) has been reported in association with almost all types of congenital heart valve disease. The presence of LVNC-related ventricular dysfunction increases the perioperative risk in these patients. The advantages of transcatheter treatment modalities outweigh those of surgical strategies, as they avoid cardioplegic arrest and myocardial trauma. To our knowledge, there have been no reports on transcatheter treatment of pure aortic regurgitation in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and concomitant LVNC.

Case summary

In this article, we present the case of a 13-year-old boy with a regurgitant BAV and concomitant LVNC who presented with end-stage heart failure and severe pulmonary hypertension. As a bridge to definitive therapy, the patient underwent an uneventful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a 26-mm balloon-expandable prosthesis. Device success without paravalvular regurgitation was achieved. At 17 months of follow-up, a steady reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure, persistent normalization of systolic left ventricular function and a tremendous improvement in the patient’s physical resilience was observed. The initially considered heart–lung transplantation was avoided and will not be necessary.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case performed with TAVI for BAV regurgitation in the context of LVNC. With technical modifications and appropriate planning, TAVI in paediatric patients with a non-calcified BAV is feasible. Different imaging modalities revealed an intriguing relationship between aortic regurgitation and morphological signs of a left ventricular non-compaction myocardium.
A lacZ reporter with high activity in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Klimova Natalia , Chu Siwei , Turcotte Bernard
Published: February 2021

Reporter genes are useful tools to study gene transcription in various organisms. For example, the lacZ gene encoding β-galactosidase has been extensively used as a reporter in bacteria, budding yeast, fruit fly, mouse etc. However, use of this gene in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans has been limited, probably due to low β-galactosidase activity. Here, we describe a reporter derived from the Vibrio cholerae lacZ gene in which codons have been optimized for expression in C. albicans. The constitutively active ACT1 promoter was fused to this synthetic lacZ reporter and integrated in the C. albicans genome. High β-galactosidase activity in liquid assays was observed for this reporter as well as coloration on X-gal plates. When the lacZ reporter expression was driven by the MET3 promoter, β-galactosidase activity in liquid assays and coloration on X-gal plates was higher in the absence of methionine, thus recapitulating the regulation of the native MET3 gene. This synthetic lacZ gene extends the toolbox of C. albicans reagents by providing a useful reporter for analysis of promoter activity in this organism of medical importance.
Foreign Policy in the Fourth Dimension (FP4D): Locating Time in Decision-Making
Authors: Beasley Ryan K , Hom Andrew R
Published: February 2021

While international relations scholarship has taken a “temporal turn,” foreign policy decision-making (FPDM) research reveals little explicit theoretical attention to time. Time is an important aspect of several prominent frameworks, yet these either fail to make explicit their conception of time or fail to reflect upon the implications of their temporal assumptions and understandings. We address this lacuna by developing a timing perspective on FPDM. We present the central features of this perspective, including the nature of timing agency, temporal motivations, the timing of decision-making processes, and timing as a foreign policy tool. Illustrated with empirical examples, we show how timing plays out in FPDM and helps to shed new light on our understanding of crises and ways decision-makers may grapple with them. We conclude by considering the theoretical and empirical benefits and challenges of bridging FPDM with theoretical approaches to time.
China's “Major Country Diplomacy”: Legitimation and Foreign Policy Change
Authors: Smith Stephen N
Published: February 2021

This paper probes China's official political concept of “Major Country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics” to argue that the boundaries of legitimate state action have been dramatically expanded since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012. Building on Patrick Jackson's transactional social constructivism, I place the causal mechanism in China's new assertiveness in seminal changes to how Chinese elites legitimize their country's role in global politics. Drawing upon elite speeches, Party documents, and Chinese-language scholarship between 2013 and 2019, I show how new legitimation strategies are used to justify China's effort to proactively reform international order, engage in ideological competition with the West, and assume greater responsibility for global affairs in accordance with its elevated power and status. The boundaries of action sanctioned by this new discourse are likely to persist in the short to medium term, with implications for regional order in Asia and beyond.
A novel allele of the Arabidopsis thaliana MACPF protein CAD1 results in deregulated immune signaling
Authors: Holmes Danalyn R , Bredow Melissa , Thor Kathrin , Pascetta Sydney A , Sementchoukova Irina , Siegel Kristen R , Zipfel Cyril , Monaghan Jacqueline
Published: February 2021

Immune recognition in plants is governed by two major classes of receptors: pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs). Located at the cell surface, PRRs bind extracellular ligands originating from microbes (indicative of “non-self”) or damaged plant cells (indicative of “infected-self”), and trigger signaling cascades to protect against infection. Located intracellularly, NLRs sense pathogen-induced physiological changes and trigger localized cell death and systemic resistance. Immune responses are under tight regulation in order to maintain homeostasis and promote plant health. In a forward-genetic screen to identify regulators of PRR-mediated immune signaling, we identified a novel allele of the membrane-attack complex and perforin (MACPF)-motif containing protein CONSTITUTIVE ACTIVE DEFENSE 1 (CAD1) resulting from a missense mutation in a conserved N-terminal cysteine. We show that cad1-5 mutants display deregulated immune signaling and symptoms of autoimmunity dependent on the lipase-like protein ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1), suggesting that CAD1 integrity is monitored by the plant immune system. We further demonstrate that CAD1 localizes to both the cytosol and plasma membrane using confocal microscopy and subcellular fractionation. Our results offer new insights into immune homeostasis and provide tools to further decipher the intriguing role of MACPF proteins in plants.
Concordance Invariants and the Turaev Genus
Authors: Jung Hongtaek , Kang Sungkyung , Kim Seungwon
Published: February 2021

We show that the differences between various concordance invariants of knots, including Rasmussen’s $s$-invariant and its generalizations $s_n$-invariants, give lower bounds to the Turaev genus of knots. Using the fact that our bounds are nontrivial for some quasi-alternating knots, we show the additivity of Turaev genus for a certain class of knots. This leads us to the 1st example of an infinite family of quasi-alternating knots with Turaev genus exactly $g$ for any fixed positive integer $g$, solving a question of Champanerkar–Kofman.
The Role of Molecular Testing in Pediatric Meningitis Surveillance in Southern and East African Countries, 2008–2017
Authors: du Plessis Mignon , de Gouveia Linda , Freitas Cesar , Abera Negga Asamene , Lula Budiaki Sylvie , Raboba Julia Liliane , Nhantumbo Aquino Albino , Jantjies Elana , Uwimana Jeannine , Phungwayo Nomcebo , Maphalala Gugu , Masona Gilbert , Muyombe John , Mugisha David , Nalumansi Esther , Odongkara Moses , Lukwesa-Musyani Chileshe , Nakazwe Ruth , Dondo Vongai , Macharaga John , Weldegebriel Goitom G , Mwenda Jason M , Serhan Fatima , Cohen Adam L , Lessa Fernanda C , von Gottberg Anne
Published: February 2021

Background

As part of the global Invasive Bacterial Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance Network, 12 African countries referred cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to South Africa’s regional reference laboratory. We evaluated the utility of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting and serotyping/grouping Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (HNS).

Methods

From 2008 to 2017, CSF samples collected from children <5 years old with suspected meningitis underwent routine microbiology testing in-country, and 11 680 samples were submitted for HNS PCR at the regional reference laboratory. Unconditional logistic regression, with adjustment for geographic location, was performed to identify factors associated with PCR positivity.

Results

The overall HNS PCR positivity rate for all countries was 10% (1195 of 11 626 samples). In samples with both PCR and culture results, HNS PCR positivity was 11% (744 of 6747 samples), and HNS culture positivity was 3% (207 of 6747). Molecular serotype/serogroup was assigned in 75% of PCR-positive specimens (762 of 1016). Compared with PCR-negative CSF samples, PCR-positive samples were more often turbid (adjusted odds ratio, 6.80; 95% confidence interval, 5.67–8.17) and xanthochromic (1.72; 1.29–2.28), had elevated white blood cell counts (6.13; 4.71–7.99) and high protein concentrations (5.80; 4.34–7.75), and were more often HNS culture positive (32.70; 23.18–46.12).

Conclusion

PCR increased detection of vaccine-preventable bacterial meningitis in countries where confirmation of suspected meningitis cases is impeded by limited culture capacity.
Heterogeneous Models and Modelling Approaches for Engineering of Interactive Systems
Authors: Aït-Ameur Yamine , Bowen Judy , Campos José , Palanque Philippe , Weyers Benjamin
Published: February 2021

This editorial introduces the special issue of Interacting with Computer on Heterogeneous Models and Modelling Approaches for Engineering of Interactive Systems. This special issue was proposed to gather the best contributions from a series of workshops organized alongside conferences such as FM’19 (3rd World Congress on Formal Methods) and EICS’19 (11th ACM SIGCHI Symposium on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems). It also encompasses papers submitted directly to this special issue.
Kant on Aesthetic Ideas, Rational Ideas and the Subject-Matter of Art
Authors: Geiger Ido
Published: February 2021

The notion of aesthetic ideas is of great importance to Kant's thinking about art. Despite its importance, he says little about it. He characterizes aesthetic ideas as representations of the imagination and says that the gift of artistic genius is the inscrutable capacity to envision them. Furthermore, they are counterparts of rational ideas. Works of art thus sensibly present rational ideas; the pleasure they occasion is a consequence of the enriching process of reflection upon the wealth of content they sensibly present. The purpose of this article is to ask whether all rational ideas have aesthetic ideas as counterparts, and so can be presented in art, or whether only some do and which. The answer should reveal what, for Kant, is the subject-matter of art. I argue that for Kant art is concerned with the range and variety of human freedom as well as with its highest fulfillment in morality.
Local sectoral specialization in a warming world
Authors: Conte Bruno , Desmet Klaus , Nagy Dávid Krisztián , Rossi-Hansberg Esteban
Published: February 2021

This paper quantitatively assesses the world’s changing economic geography and sectoral specialization due to global warming. It proposes a two-sector dynamic spatial growth model that incorporates the relation between economic activity, carbon emissions and temperature. The model is taken to the data at the 1° by 1° resolution for the entire world. Over a 200-year horizon, rising temperatures consistent with emissions under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 push people and economic activity northwards to Siberia, Canada and Scandinavia. Compared with a world without climate change, clusters of agricultural specialization shift from Central Africa, Brazil and India’s Ganges Valley, to Central Asia, parts of China and northern Canada. Equatorial latitudes that lose agriculture specialize more in non-agriculture but, due to their persistently low productivity, lose population. By the year 2200, predicted losses in real GDP and utility are 6% and 15%, respectively. Higher trade costs make adaptation through changes in sectoral specialization more costly, leading to less geographic concentration in agriculture and larger climate-induced migration.
A new species of the genus Oligoryzomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Peru
Authors: Hurtado Natali
Published: February 2021

The genus Oligoryzomys is the most speciose genus in the tribe Oryzomyini; however, under the general lineage concept of species, at least nine lineages are pending review and naming. In this study, I carry out qualitative and quantitative morphological analyses of specimens of Oligoryzomys andinus, O. aff. andinus, and O. arenalis, to delimit these three lineages. I show that O. aff. andinus is morphologically distinct both from O. andinus and O. arenalis, corroborating that the lineage merits recognition as a species, as suggested by previously published molecular analyses (Hurtado and D’Elía 2019). I therefore describe O. aff. andinus as a new species endemic to the Polylepis forests on the western slope of the Andes and coastal Lomas in central Peru. Finally, I propose two hypotheses about the biogeographical history of O. andinus, O. arenalis, and this new species.
Hydroxyurea Use Associated with Nonverbal and Executive Skills in Sickle Cell Anemia
Authors: Tarazi Reem A , Patrick Kristina E , Iampietro Mary , Apollonsky Nataly
Published: February 2021

Objective

Hydroxyurea (HU) is used in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to increase fetal hemoglobin (HF), contributing to a decrease in physical symptoms and potential protection against cerebral microvasculopathy. There has been minimal investigation into the association between HU use and cognition in this population. This study examined the relationship between HU status and cognition in children with SCD.

Methods

Thirty-seven children with SCD HbSS or HbS/β0 thalassaemia (sickle cell anemia; SCA) ages 4:0–11 years with no history of overt stroke or chronic transfusion completed a neuropsychological test battery. Other medical, laboratory, and demographic data were obtained. Neuropsychological function across 3 domains (verbal, nonverbal, and attention/executive) was compared for children on HU (n = 9) to those not taking HU (n = 28).

Results

Children on HU performed significantly better than children not taking HU on standardized measures of attention/executive functioning and nonverbal skills. Performance on verbal measures was similar between groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that treatment with HU may not only reduce physical symptoms, but may also provide potential benefit to cognition in children with SCA, particularly in regard to attention/executive functioning and nonverbal skills. Replication with larger samples and longitudinal studies are warranted.
Shoulder Pain of Spinal Source in the Military: A Case Series
Authors: Hathcock Joseph A , Boyer Chris W , Morris Jamie B
Published: February 2021

Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) presents the greatest threat to military mission readiness. Atraumatic shoulder pain is a common military MSI that often results in persistent functional limitations. Shoulder orthopedic evaluation presents many diagnostic challenges, due in part to the possibility of a spinal source of symptoms. This case series outlines the use of mechanical diagnosis and therapy to screen the cervical and thoracic spine in active duty (AD) service members (SMs) with a chief complaint of unchanging or worsening shoulder pain. All three SMs previously received shoulder-specific diagnoses from experienced clinicians, yet repeated movements revealed a possible spinal nociceptive driver that guided targeted intervention. Treatment directed only at the cervical spine resulted in a clinically important improvement within an average of 10 days from the initial evaluation, return to duty (RTD) within an average of 32 days, and continued resolution at 3 months. SMs can independently complete the screening process with guidance from healthcare providers, ultimately shaping the treatment strategy and possibly facilitating self-management of future recurrence. This case series demonstrates that identification of shoulder pain of spinal source in the military population may be an important step in facilitating timely RTD. These cases also highlight the use of a standardized, systematic method to screen the cervical and thoracic spine that concurrently reveals the indicated treatment. Further research to determine the prevalence of shoulder pain of spinal source in the AD population and its impact on RTD rates has the potential to reduce the substantial burden of MSI in the military.
Adult-diagnosed Chronic Granulomatous Disease: The Need to Increase Awareness
Authors: Baxter Joseph , Smith Derek , Webb Charles
Published: February 2021

Chronic granulomatous disease is genetic disorder characterized by the inability of phagocytes to produce sufficient oxidative burst needed to kill intracellular organisms. Patients have recurrent, life-threatening infections involving multiple systems including the lungs, skin, lymph nodes, and liver. The majority of patients with chronic granulomatous disease are diagnosed in childhood although some may present in adulthood due to a milder phenotype. Unfortunately, these patients may also present with concomitant autoimmune diseases. We describe a 48-year-old woman with a history of immune thrombocytopenia and systemic lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressive therapy. She developed subsequent bacterial and fungal infections initially attributed to immunosuppressive drugs. Further evaluation revealed the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease. We review the diagnosis and treatment of chronic granulomatous disease in hopes to increase awareness of this disease in adulthood in order to initiate potential life-saving prophylactic antibiotics.
3D1D hydro-nucleosynthesis simulations – I. Advective–reactive post-processing method and its application to H ingestion into He-shell flash convection in rapidly accreting white dwarfs
Authors: Stephens David , Herwig Falk , Woodward Paul , Denissenkov Pavel , Andrassy Robert , Mao Huaqing
Published: February 2021

We present two mixing models for post-processing of 3D hydrodynamic simulations applied to convective–reactive i-process nucleosynthesis in a rapidly accreting white dwarf (RAWD) with [Fe/H] = −2.6, in which H is ingested into a convective He shell. A 1D advective two-stream model adopts physically motivated radial and horizontal mixing coefficients constrained by 3D hydrodynamic simulations. A simpler approach uses diffusion coefficients calculated from the same simulations. All 3D simulations include the energy feedback of the 12C(p, γ)13N reaction from the H entrainment. Global oscillations of shell H ingestion in two of the RAWD simulations cause bursts of entrainment of H and non-radial hydrodynamic feedback. With the same nuclear network as in the 3D simulations, the 1D advective two-stream model reproduces the rate and location of the H burning within the He shell closely matching the 3D simulation predictions, as well as qualitatively displaying the asymmetry of the XH profiles between the upstream and downstream. With a full i-process network the advective mixing model captures the difference in the n-capture nucleosynthesis in the upstream and downstream. For example, 89Kr and 90Kr with half-lives of $3.18\,\,\mathrm{\mathrm{min}}$ and $32.3\,\,\mathrm{\mathrm{s}}$ differ by a factor 2–10 in the two streams. In this particular application the diffusion approach provides globally the same abundance distribution as the advective two-stream mixing model. The resulting i-process yields are in excellent agreement with observations of the exemplary CEMP-r/s star CS31062-050.
Chondrules from high-velocity collisions: thermal histories and the agglomeration problem
Authors: Choksi Nick , Chiang Eugene , Connolly Harold C , Gainsforth Zack , Westphal Andrew J
Published: February 2021

We assess whether chondrules, once-molten mm-sized spheres filling the oldest meteorites, could have formed from super-km s−1 collisions between planetesimals in the solar nebula. High-velocity collisions release hot and dense clouds of silicate vapour which entrain and heat chondrule precursors. Thermal histories of CB chondrules are reproduced for colliding bodies ∼10–100 km in radius. The slower cooling rates of non-CB, porphyritic chondrules point to colliders with radii ≳ 500 km. How chondrules, collisionally dispersed into the nebula, agglomerated into meteorite parent bodies remains a mystery. The same orbital eccentricities and inclinations that enable energetic collisions prevent planetesimals from re-accreting chondrules efficiently and without damage; thus the sedimentary laminations of the CB/CH chondrite Isheyevo are hard to explain by direct fallback of collisional ejecta. At the same time, planetesimal surfaces may be littered with the shattered remains of chondrules. The micron-sized igneous particles recovered from comet 81P/Wild-2 may have originated from in-situ collisions and subsequent accretion in the proto-Kuiper belt, obviating the need to transport igneous solids across the nebula. Asteroid sample returns from Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx may similarly contain chondrule fragments.
Reprograming of sRNA target specificity by the leader peptide peTrpL in response to antibiotic exposure
Authors: Melior Hendrik , Li Siqi , Stötzel Maximilian , Maaß Sandra , Schütz Rubina , Azarderakhsh Saina , Shevkoplias Aleksei , Barth-Weber Susanne , Baumgardt Kathrin , Ziebuhr John , Förstner Konrad U , Chervontseva Zoe , Becher Dörte , Evguenieva-Hackenberg Elena
Published: February 2021

Trans-acting regulatory RNAs have the capacity to base pair with more mRNAs than generally detected under defined conditions, raising the possibility that sRNA target specificities vary depending on the specific metabolic or environmental conditions. In Sinorhizobium meliloti, the sRNA rnTrpL is derived from a tryptophan (Trp) transcription attenuator located upstream of the Trp biosynthesis gene trpE(G). The sRNA rnTrpL contains a small ORF, trpL, encoding the 14-aa leader peptide peTrpL. If Trp is available, efficient trpL translation causes transcription termination and liberation of rnTrpL, which subsequently acts to downregulate the trpDC operon, while peTrpL is known to have a Trp-independent role in posttranscriptional regulation of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Here, we show that tetracycline (Tc) causes rnTrpL accumulation independently of Trp availability. In the presence of Tc, rnTrpL and peTrpL act collectively to destabilize rplUrpmA mRNA encoding ribosomal proteins L21 and L27. The three molecules, rnTrpL, peTrpL, and rplUrpmA mRNA, form an antibiotic-dependent ribonucleoprotein complex (ARNP). In vitro reconstitution of this ARNP in the presence of competing trpD and rplU transcripts revealed that peTrpL and Tc cause a shift of rnTrpL specificity towards rplU, suggesting that sRNA target prioritization may be readjusted in response to changing environmental conditions.
Smokers’ Perceptions of Incentivized Smoking Cessation Programs: Examining How Payment Thresholds Change With Income
Authors: Breen Rachel J , Ferguson Stuart G , Palmer Matthew A
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Studies demonstrate that financial incentive programs increase smoking cessation. However, there is little guidance on which incentive magnitudes will ensure optimal enrollment and motivation levels. This study investigates current smokers’ perceptions of varying incentive magnitudes to identify whether there is evidence for optimal amount(s) and whether perceptions differ by income group.

Methods

Studies 1 (N = 56) and 2 (N = 147) were conducted online via Prolific.co. Current smokers were randomly shown multiple hypothetical incentive programs that differed only in the incentive amount offered. For each program, smokers rated its appeal and their likelihood of enrolling and predicted their motivation to quit if enrolled. Growth models were used to investigate the relationship between perspectives and the incentive amount.

Results

An increasing quadratic trend in smokers’ perceptions of programs as the incentive amount increased was identified. Incentive amounts beyond approximately £50–75 per week (£500–£750 total) did not significantly alter perceptions of programs. In Study 2, high-income smokers found programs significantly less appealing and motivating than low-income smokers, although no significant between-group differences were observed in the likelihood of enrollment. No significant differences were observed between low- and middle-income smokers.

Conclusions

Increasing the incentive amount increased smoker’s perceptions of programs. This relationship was curvilinear, meaning there may be a point beyond which further increasing the amount will not improve enrollment or motivation levels. Incentives appear equally appealing to low- and middle-income smokers; the population among whom smoking is most prevalent. Future research could explore other elements of program design and whether findings hold under real-world conditions.

Implications

While acknowledging that they work, policymakers frequently request information about the monetary amount needed for incentive programs to be effective, and if this differs by income level. We investigated these questions using smokers’ perceptions of hypothetical cessation programs that differed in the amount offered. An increasing quadratic trend in perceptions of programs by the amount and potential cut points was observed, suggesting a point may exist beyond which increasing the incentive will not improve perceptions of programs or enrollment levels. High-income smokers may not perceive incentives to be as appealing as other income groups, but appear equally willing to enroll.
Particularizing an Internal Morality of Physical Therapy
Authors: Gorman-Badar Debra
Published: February 2021

While the American Physical Therapy Association has upheld a code of ethics since 1935, the philosophical underpinnings of physical therapist practice have yet to be robustly explicated. Theoretical work in the field of philosophy of medicine can be engaged to study physical therapist practice. Modifying the phenomenological and teleological framework of Edmund Pellegrino, a physician and prominent bioethicist, the purpose of this theoretical paper is to particularize Pellegrino’s philosophy of medicine to construct an internal morality of physical therapy. Acknowledging that the internal morality of health care professions is founded in the relationship between a patient and a health care professional, this paper analyzes the nature and telos, or end, of physical therapy through 3 phenomena of physical therapy—the fact of disability, the act of profession, and the act of physical therapy. This paper claims that, rather than medicine’s clinical truth of a good treatment decision, physical therapy’s clinical truth is a good process that capacitates patients. This relational approach to an internal morality robustly underpins a philosophy and ethics of physical therapy.
Phylogenomic Analysis of Concatenated Ultraconserved Elements Reveals the Recent Evolutionary Radiation of the Fairy Wrasses (Teleostei: Labridae: Cirrhilabrus)
Authors: Tea Yi-Kai , Xu Xin , DiBattista Joseph D , Lo Nathan , Cowman Peter F , Ho Simon Y W
Published: February 2021

The fairy wrasses (genus Cirrhilabrus) are among the most successful of the extant wrasse lineages (Teleostei: Labridae), with their 61 species accounting for nearly 10$\%$ of the family. Although species complexes within the genus have been diagnosed on the basis of coloration patterns and synapomorphies, attempts to resolve evolutionary relationships among these groups using molecular and morphological data have largely been unsuccessful. Here, we use a phylogenomic approach with a data set comprising 991 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial COI to uncover the evolutionary history and patterns of temporal and spatial diversification of the fairy wrasses. Our analyses of phylogenetic signal suggest that most gene-tree incongruence is caused by estimation error, leading to poor resolution in a summary-coalescent analysis of the data. In contrast, analyses of concatenated sequences are able to resolve the major relationships of Cirrhilabrus. We determine the placements of species that were previously regarded as incertae sedis and find evidence for the nesting of Conniella, an unusual, monotypic genus, within Cirrhilabrus. Our relaxed-clock dating analysis indicates that the major divergences within the genus occurred around the Miocene–Pliocene boundary, followed by extensive cladogenesis of species complexes in the Pliocene–Pleistocene. Biogeographic reconstruction suggests that the fairy wrasses emerged within the Coral Triangle, with episodic fluctuations of sea levels during glacial cycles coinciding with shallow divergence events but providing few opportunities for more widespread dispersal. Our study demonstrates both the resolving power and limitations of UCEs across shallow timescales where there is substantial estimation error in individual gene trees.[Biogeography; concatenation; gene genealogy interrogation; gene trees; molecular dating; summary coalescent; UCEs.]
Effect of the Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation on Auditory Event-Related Potentials
Authors: Tramonti Fantozzi Maria Paola , Artoni Fiorenzo , Di Galante Marco , Briscese Lucia , De Cicco Vincenzo , Bruschini Luca , d’Ascanio Paola , Manzoni Diego , Faraguna Ugo , Carboncini Maria Chiara
Published: February 2021

Trigeminal sensorimotor activity stimulates arousal and cognitive performance, likely through activation of the locus coeruleus (LC). In this study we investigated, in normal subjects, the effects of bilateral trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) on the LC-dependent P300 wave, elicited by an acoustic oddball paradigm. Pupil size, a proxy of LC activity, and electroencephalographic power changes were also investigated. Before TNS/sham-TNS, pupil size did not correlate with P300 amplitude across subjects. After TNS but not sham-TNS, a positive correlation emerged between P300 amplitude and pupil size within frontal and median cortical regions. TNS also reduced P300 amplitude in several cortical areas. In both groups, before and after TNS/sham-TNS, subjects correctly indicated all the target stimuli. We propose that TNS activates LC, increasing the cortical norepinephrine release and the dependence of the P300 upon basal LC activity. Enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical neurons, norepinephrine may improve the sensory processing, allowing the subject to reach the best discriminative performance with a lower level of neural activation (i.e., a lower P300 amplitude). The study suggests that TNS could be used for improving cognitive performance in patients affected by cognitive disorders or arousal dysfunctions.
Gastrointestinal manifestations in COVID-19
Authors: Kariyawasam Jayani C , Jayarajah Umesh , Riza Rishdha , Abeysuriya Visula , Seneviratne Suranjith L
Published: February 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory viral infection, has affected more than 78 million individuals worldwide as of the end of December 2020. Previous studies reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus infections may affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. In this review we outline the important GI manifestations of COVID-19 and discuss the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and their diagnosis and management. GI manifestations are reported in 11.4–61.1% of individuals with COVID-19, with variable onset and severity. The majority of COVID-19-associated GI symptoms are mild and self-limiting and include anorexia, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain/discomfort. A minority of patients present with an acute abdomen with aetiologies such as acute pancreatitis, acute appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, bowel ischaemia, haemoperitoneum or abdominal compartment syndrome. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA has been found in biopsies from all parts of the alimentary canal. Involvement of the GI tract may be due to direct viral injury and/or an inflammatory immune response and may lead to malabsorption, an imbalance in intestinal secretions and gut mucosal integrity and activation of the enteric nervous system. Supportive and symptomatic care is the mainstay of therapy. However, a minority may require surgical or endoscopic treatment for acute abdomen and GI bleeding.
Sorryatlanticus, you are not my type: molecular assessment splitsZophoscolex(Lumbricidae: Crassiclitellata) into French and Iberian genera
Authors: Jiménez Pinadero Sergio , Marchán Daniel Fernández , Novo Marta , Trigo Dolores , Domínguez Jorge , Díaz Cosín Darío J
Published: February 2021

Molecular phylogenetics contributes to making important advances in the challenging field of earthworm taxonomy. Use of this type of analysis has enabled clarification of the phylogenetic relationships between early-branching genera of Lumbricidae within the highly diverse Franco-Iberian realm. However, molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus Zophoscolex are scarce and have led to taxonomic uncertainty due to insufficient sampling and the absence of the type species, Z. atlanticus, from such studies. The present study investigated 11 species of Zophoscolex (including Z. atlanticus), and the phylogenetic relationships were deduced from seven molecular markers (COI, COII, 16S, tRNAs, ND1, 12S, 28S) by Bayesian and maximum likelihood inference. The findings show that species of Zophoscolex did not belong to a single clade. Zophoscolex atlanticus was placed in a clade with Z. micellus, Z. graffi and Ethnodrilus zajonci. Other species of the genus were found to belong to the genera Cataladrilus and Compostelandrilus. Finally, most of the Iberian species form a distinct clade, which was formally described as the revised genus Castellodrilus. Based on these findings, Zophoscolex is restricted to French representatives. These results highlight the importance of incorporating type species in molecular phylogenetic analyses in order to reconcile taxonomy and systematics.
TEMPORARY KERATOPROSTHESIS WITH PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR REPAIR OF RETINAL DETACHMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR SEGMENT PATHOLOGY
Authors: Omari Amro , Khan Noreen , Tausif Hassan , Nyalakonda Ramitha , Williams George A. , Gupta Chirag
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

To review the visual and anatomical outcomes of combined anterior and posterior segment surgery for retinal detachment repair.

Methods and Patients:

Eight patients with combined retinal and corneal disease underwent combined temporary keratoprosthesis with penetrating keratoplasty combined with pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment repair with silicone oil tamponade. Visual and anatomical outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Follow-up ranged from 12 months to 37 months.

Results:

Preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to hand motion. All but one case had proliferative vitreoretinopathy present at the time of surgery. Postoperative visual acuity ranged from hand motion to light perception. At the most recent follow-up visit, all of the patients had attached retinas, no patients had phthisis bulbi, and all but one patient had a clear cornea. However, 3 of these cases (38%) required repeat retinal detachment repair and one of them also required repeat penetrating keratoplasty, which was performed at the time of retinal repair.

Conclusion:

Combined full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty and retinal detachment repair has good anatomical outcomes and is an efficient way to treat complex anterior and posterior segment abnormality. Although postoperative visual function is limited; almost all patients were agreeable to repeat surgery if they were presented with the choice again.
Longitudinal changes in brain diffusion MRI indices during and after proton beam therapy in a child with pilocytic astrocytoma: a case report
Authors: Novello Lisa , Agarwal Nivedita , Lorentini Stefano , Vennarini Sabina , Zacà Domenico , Mussano Anna , Pasternak Ofer , Jovicich Jorge
Published: February 2021

Background

Proton beam therapy (PBT) is an effective pediatric brain tumor treatment. However, resulting microstructural changes within and around irradiated tumors are unknown. We retrospectively applied Diffusion-Tensor-Imaging (DTI) and Free-Water-Imaging (FWI) on diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) data to monitor microstructural changes during-PBT and after 8 months, in a pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM).

Methods

We evaluated conventional MRI and dMRI-derived indices from six MRI sessions in a child with a hypothalamic PA: at baseline (t0), during-PBT (t1-t4), and after 8 months (t5). Tumor voxels were classified as “solid” or “fluid” based on FWI.

Results

While during PBT tumor volume remained stable, dMRI analyses identified two different response patterns: i) an increase in fluid content and diffusivity with anisotropy reductions in solid voxels at t1, followed by ii) smaller variations in fluid content but higher anisotropy in solid voxels at t2-t4. At follow-up (t5), tumor volume, its fluid content, and diffusivity in solid voxels increased. NAWM showed dose-dependent microstructural changes.

Conclusions

The use of dMRI and FWI showed complex dynamic microstructural changes in the irradiated mass during PBT and at follow-up, opening new avenues in our understanding of radiation-induced pathophysiologic mechanisms in tumor and surrounding tissues.