bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemporary biomedical engineering perspective on volitional evolution for human radiotolerance enhancement beyond low-earth orbit
Authors: Borg Alexander M , Baker John E 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA primary objective of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is expansion of humankind’s presence outside low-Earth orbit, culminating in permanent interplanetary travel and habitation. Having no inherent means of physiological detection or protection against ionizing radiation, humans incur capricious risk when journeying beyond low-Earth orbit for long periods. NASA has made large investments to analyze pathologies from space radiation exposure, emphasizing the importance of characterizing radiation’s physiological effects. Because natural evolution would require many generations to confer resistance against space radiation, immediately pragmatic approaches should be considered. Volitional evolution, defined as humans steering their own heredity, may inevitably retrofit the genome to mitigate resultant pathologies from space radiation exposure. Recently, uniquely radioprotective genes have been identified, conferring local or systemic radiotolerance when overexpressed in vitro and in vivo. Aiding in this process, the CRISPR/Cas9 technique is an inexpensive and reproducible instrument capable of making limited additions and deletions to the genome. Although cohorts can be identified and engineered to protect against radiation, alternative and supplemental strategies should be seriously considered. Advanced propulsion and mild synthetic torpor are perhaps the most likely to be integrated. Interfacing artificial intelligence with genetic engineering using predefined boundary conditions may enable the computational modeling of otherwise overly complex biological networks. The ethical context and boundaries of introducing genetically pioneered humans are considered.
Fluctuations in Arousal Correlate with Neural Activity in the Human Thalamus
Authors: Iidaka Tetsuya 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The neural basis of consciousness has been explored in humans and animals; however, the exact nature of consciousness remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to elucidate which brain regions are relevant to arousal in humans. Simultaneous recordings of brain activity and eye-tracking were conducted in 20 healthy human participants. Brain activity was measured by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging with a multiband acquisition protocol. The subjective levels of arousal were investigated based on the degree of eyelid closure that was recorded using a near-infrared eye camera within the scanner. The results showed that the participants were in an aroused state for 79% of the scan time, and the bilateral thalami were significantly associated with the arousal condition. Among the major thalamic subnuclei, the mediodorsal nucleus (MD) showed greater involvement in arousal when compared with other subnuclei. A receiver operating characteristic analysis with leave-one-out crossvalidation conducted using template-based brain activity and arousal-level data from eye-tracking showed that, in most participants, thalamic activity significantly predicted the subjective levels of arousal. These results indicate a significant role of the thalamus, and in particular, the MD, which has rich connectivity with the prefrontal cortices and the limbic system in human consciousness.
‘The Violet Killer’—Successful Treatment of an Infant with Chromobacterium violaceum Sepsis
Authors: Mohammed Jawad M , Sajana T M , Raj Reshma , Rachana Babu A , Paul George , Pillai P Rajappan 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Chromobacterium violaceum, a facultative anaerobic proteobacterium, is isolated from water and soil in tropical areas and has been implicated in infections like septicemia, visceral abscesses, skin and soft tissue infections, meningitis and diarrhea. Chromobacterium violaceum sepsis, a rarely reported phenomenon has a very high mortality rate. Here, we report a unique case of Chromobacterium sepsis in an infant. A 48-day-old baby boy was referred to our institution with h/o fever, loose stools and reduced activity. He was intubated and referred to us in septic shock. Radiological investigations revealed multiple abscesses in the liver, spleen and kidneys. The infant was successfully treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin.
Ancient viral integrations in marsupials: a potential antiviral defence
Authors: Harding Emma F , Russo Alice G , Yan Grace J H , Waters Paul D , White Peter A 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Marsupial viruses are understudied compared to their eutherian mammal counterparts, although they may pose severe threats to vulnerable marsupial populations. Genomic viral integrations, termed ‘endogenous viral elements’ (EVEs), could protect the host from infection. It is widely known past viral infections and EVEs play an active role in antiviral defence in invertebrates and plants. This study aimed to characterise actively transcribed EVEs in Australian marsupial species, because they may play an integral role in cellular defence against viruses. This study screened publicly available RNA sequencing data sets (n = 35) and characterised 200 viral transcripts from thirteen Australian marsupial species. Of the 200 transcripts, 188 originated from either Bornaviridae, Filoviridae, or Parvoviridae EVEs. The other twelve transcripts were from putative active infections from members of the Herpesviridae and Anelloviridae, and Hepadnaviridae. EVE transcripts (n = 188) were mapped to marsupial genomes (where available, n = 5/13) to identify the genomic insertion sites. Of the 188 transcripts, 117 mapped to 39 EVEs within the koala, bare-nosed wombat, tammar wallaby, brushtail possum, and Tasmanian devil genomes. The remaining eight animals had no available genome (transcripts n = 71). Every marsupial has Bornaviridae, Filoviridae, and Parvoviridae EVEs, a trend widely observed in eutherian mammals. Whilst eutherian bornavirus EVEs are predominantly nucleoprotein-derived, marsupial bornavirus EVEs demonstrate a surprising replicase gene bias. We predicted these widely distributed EVEs were conserved within marsupials from ancient germline integrations, as many were over 65 million years old. One bornavirus replicase EVE, present in six marsupial genomes, was estimated to be 160 million years old, predating the American–Australian marsupial split. We considered transcription of these EVEs through small non-coding RNA as an ancient viral defence. Consistent with this, in koala small RNA sequence data sets, we detected Bornaviridae replicase and Filoviridae nucleoprotein produced small RNA. These were enriched in testis tissue, suggesting they could protect marsupials from vertically transmitted viral integrations.
Etiology of Septoria Leaf Spot of Pistachio in Southern Spain
Authors: López-Moral Ana , Agustí-Brisach Carlos , Raya María del Carmen , Lovera María , Trapero Carlos , Arquero Octavio , Trapero Antonio 
Published: September 2021

Septoria leaf spot (SLS) is the most prevalent disease of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) in Spain. To elucidate its etiology, 22 samples of pistachio leaves showing SLS symptoms were collected mainly from 1993 to 2018 across southern Spain. Affected leaves from terebinth (P. terebinthus) were also collected for comparative purposes. Six Septoria-like isolates were recovered from pistachio leaves. They were identified as S. pistaciarum by sequencing internal transcribed spacers, partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit locus, and 28S ribosomal RNA genes. The phenotypic characteristics of conidia and colonies were evaluated, confirming the identity of S. pistaciarum. Conidia were solitary, hyaline, and straight to curved. Large differences in length were observed between conidia from leaf samples, with those from terebinth being slightly larger than those from pistachio. Colonies showed slow mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The effect of temperature on conidial germination and mycelial growth was evaluated in vitro on PDA. For both characters, the optimum temperature was approximately 19 to 20°C. Eight culture media were tested, with oatmeal agar and Spezieller Nährstoffarmer agar showing the highest mycelial growth and pistachio leaf agar (PLA) showing the highest sporulation. A specific culture medium integrating lyophilized-powdered pistachio leaves into diluted PDA improved sporulation compared with PLA. Pathogenicity tests were conducted by inoculating detached and in planta pistachio and terebinth leaflets with conidial suspensions. Typical symptoms of SLS and cirri of S. pistaciarum developed at 10 and 21 days after inoculation, respectively, in both hosts. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. pistaciarum causing SLS in pistachio and terebinth in Spain.
Cortical mechanisms of visual hypersensitivity in women at risk for chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Kmiecik Matthew J. , Tu Frank F. , Silton Rebecca L. , Dillane Katlyn E. , Roth Genevieve E. , Harte Steven E. , Hellman Kevin M. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Increased sensory sensitivity across non-nociceptive modalities is a common symptom of chronic pain conditions and is associated with chronic pain development. Providing a better understanding of the brain–behavior relationships that underlie multimodal hypersensitivity (MMH) may clarify the role of MMH in the development of chronic pain. We studied sensory hypersensitivity in a cohort of women (n = 147) who had diary confirmation of menstrual status and were enriched with risk factors for chronic pelvic pain, such as dysmenorrhea and increased bladder sensitivity. We administered 2 experimental tasks to evaluate the cross-modal relationship between visual and visceral sensitivity. Visual sensitivity was probed by presenting participants with a periodic pattern-reversal checkerboard stimulus presented across 5 brightness intensities during electroencephalography recording. Self-reported visual unpleasantness ratings for each brightness intensity were simultaneously assessed. Visceral sensitivity was evaluated with an experimental bladder-filling task associated with early clinical symptoms of chronic pelvic pain. Visually evoked cortical activity increased with brightness intensity across the entire scalp, especially at occipital electrode sites. Visual stimulation–induced unpleasantness was associated with provoked bladder pain and evoked primary visual cortex activity. However, the relationship between unpleasantness and cortical activity was moderated by provoked bladder pain. These results demonstrate that activity in the primary visual cortex is not greater in individuals with greater visceral sensitivity. We hypothesize that downstream interpretation or integration of this signal is amplified in individuals with visceral hypersensitivity. Future studies aimed at reducing MMH in chronic pain conditions should prioritize targeting of cortical mechanisms responsible for aberrant downstream sensory integration.
Case Report: Atypical Presentation of Neuroretinitis in a Middle-aged Woman with Pre-existing Maculopathy
Authors: Yadav Sandhya , Kumawat Devesh , Afroz Khan Shama , Patel Siddharth , Samanta Ramanuj 
Published: September 2021

SIGNIFICANCE
Neuroretinitis classically presents with sudden vision loss, disc edema, and macular star formation. However, the classical triad may not always be seen, especially in the case of a pre-existing macular disorder. A thorough clinical examination may still clinch the appropriate diagnosis and prevent unwarranted treatment.

PURPOSE
This study aimed to report a case of neuroretinitis in an adult woman with pre-existing type 2 macular telangiectasia where the classical pattern of exudation could not be seen.

CASE REPORT
A 48-year-old woman, type 2 diabetic and hypertensive, presented with sudden painless blurring of vision in the right eye for the past 1 week. Macula in both eyes had loss of transparency and intraretinal crystalline deposits and pigments. The right eye had hyperemic edematous disc with peripapillary retinal hemorrhages and hard exudates. Color vision was grossly abnormal, and a centrocecal scotoma was noted on visual field analysis in the right eye. After a normal systemic evaluation, a diagnosis of right eye neuroretinitis and coexistent bilateral type 2 macular telangiectasia (nonproliferative type) was made. Unilateral painless visual loss, severe dyschromatopsia, and peripapillary hard exudates pointed to the correct diagnosis of neuroretinitis. Observation was advised, and visual acuity improved spontaneously. The disc edema resolved with consequent optic atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS
Absence of the classical “macular star” appearance does not refute the diagnosis of neuroretinitis when pre-existing maculopathy is present.
Topical Review: Bibliometric Analysis of the Emerging Field of Myopia Management
Authors: Efron Nathan , Morgan Philip B. , Jones Lyndon W. , Nichols Jason J. 
Published: September 2021

SIGNIFICANCE
Identification of the most impactful articles, authors, institutions, countries, and journals in myopia management provides a useful baseline reference for clinicians, researchers, and funding agencies in respect of this emerging field.
This work aims to assemble publication metrics for myopia management to identify the most impactful articles, authors, institutions, countries, and journals in this emerging field of research. A search of the titles of articles was undertaken on the Scopus database to identify myopia management–related articles. The 25 most highly cited articles were determined from the total list of 1064 articles found. Rank-order lists by count were assembled for the top 25 in each of four categories: authors, institutions, countries, and journals. A subject-specific myopia management–related h-index (h
MM-index) was derived for the entire field, in addition to each of the four categories, to serve as measures of impact in the field. Top 15 lists were generated for each category ranked by hMM-index and tabulated for consideration. An article by Christine Wildsoet and colleagues, describing choroidal and scleral mechanisms of compensation for spectacle lenses in chicks, has generated the most citations (412); Earl Smith is the most impactful author (h
MM = 19); the University of Houston produces the most impactful articles (h
MM = 31); the United States is the most highly ranked country (h
MM = 60); and Optometry and Vision Science is the most impactful journal. Although still in its infancy, myopia management is a topic of emerging interest in the clinical and scientific ophthalmic literature. Impactful authors, institutions, countries, and journals are identified. Optometry is revealed as the leading profession in relation to the publication of myopia management–related articles.
Risk and Benefit Evaluation: Application of Multiphase Computed Tomography Angiography in Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yu Xiang , Pan Jingjiang , Zhao Xiaoying , Yu Xianfeng , Liu Bin 
Published: September 2021

Objective
The objective of this study was to evaluate the collateral circulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) by multiphase computed tomography angiography (mCTA) and explore its application value in the risk and benefit assessment after thrombectomy.

Methods
Clinical and imaging parameters of AIS patients who underwent thrombectomy were consecutively collected. The 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was used as the standard for evaluating the recovery of neurological functions. The receiver operating characteristic curve and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of collateral circulation in the clinical outcomes at 90 days and the correlation with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), respectively.

Results
Thirty of 58 AIS patients (51.7%) had favorable functional recovery (90-day mRS score, ≤2). Significant differences were observed in age, time from symptom onset to groin puncture, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission and 24 hours after thrombectomy, mRS score at discharge, collateral circulation score, and target mismatch between the favorable and unfavorable groups (P < 0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of mCTA collateral score (area under the curve, 0.697; 95% confidence interval, 0.563–0.831) was similar to that of computed tomography perfusion target mismatch (area under the curve, 0.740; 95% confidence interval, 0.609–0.872) (DeLong test, P = 0.575). The collateral circulation score was significantly negatively correlated with sICH (ρ = −0.607, P < 0.001). Patients with sICH had lower collateral circulation scores and higher 90-day mRS scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
The mCTA collateral score has good application value in the risk and benefit evaluation after mechanical thrombectomy, and it is well suited for routine emergency assessment of AIS patients.
Predicting transitions between longitudinal classes of posttraumatic stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Protocol of a latent transition model in a general Dutch sample
Authors: Lenferink Lonneke I.M. , Mouthaan Joanne , Fritz Anna M. , Soydas Suzan , Eidhof Marloes , van Hoof Marie-José , Groen Simon , Mooren Trudy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundA growing body of literature shows profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, among which increased rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AD). However, current research efforts have largely been unilateral, focusing on psychopathology and not including well-being, and are dominated by examining average psychopathology levels or on disorder absence/presence, thereby ignoring individual differences in mental health. Knowledge on individual differences, as depicted by latent subgroups, in the full spectrum of mental health may provide valuable insights in how individuals transition between health states and factors that predict transitioning from resilient to symptomatic classes. Our aim is to (1) identify longitudinal classes (i.e., subgroups of individuals) based on indicators of PTSD, AD, and well-being in response to the pandemic and (2) examine predictors of transitioning between these subgroups.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a three-wave longitudinal online survey-study of n ≥ 2000 adults from the general Dutch population. The first measurement occasion takes place six months after the start of the pandemic, followed by two follow-up measurements with six months intervals. Latent transition analysis will be used for data-analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from four Dutch universities. Longitudinal study designs are vital to monitor mental health (and predictors thereof) in the pandemic to develop preventive and curative mental health interventions. This study is carried out by researchers who are board members of the Dutch Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and is part of a pan-European study (initiated by the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies) examining the impact of the pandemic in eleven countries. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at conferences, via newsletters, and media-appearance among (psychotrauma-)professionals and the general public.Strengths and limitations of this studyThis is one of the first studies examining the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on negative and positive mental health in the general population.A longitudinal research design is used, which enable us to examine predictors of transitioning between mental health classes over three time points.A limitation of this study is that we used self-report measures, instead of clinical interviews, to assess mental health.
Ensemble model estimates of the global burden of measles morbidity and mortality from 2000 to 2019: a modeling study
Authors: Santos Heather , Eilertson Kirsten , Lambert Brian , Hauryski Sarah , Patel Minal , Ferrari Matthew 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundMeasles remains a significant source of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Two doses of measles containing vaccine are recommended for all children and delivered through a combination of routine and supplemental immunization activities. Uncertainty about the degree to which second dose opportunities reach previously unvaccinated children presents a challenge in the assessment of vaccination programs and the estimation of the global burden of measles disease and mortality.MethodsWe fit an ensemble of models that represent alternative assumptions about the degree to which second dose opportunities reach previously unvaccinated children to routine measles surveillance from 100 countries. Using maximum likelihood we selected the best fit model for each country. We compare the resulting estimates of the burden of measles disease and mortality to existing methods for estimating the burden of measles that assume that second dose opportunities are independent of receipt of the first dose.FindingsWe find that 78 of 100 countries are best-fit by a model that assumes that second doses that are delivered through supplemental campaigns are preferentially delivered to children who have received a first dose. Using a country-specific best-fit model we estimate that measles mortality has declined by 73% from 2000-2019 compared to an estimated decline of 83% using an assumption of independent doses in all countries.InterpretationDespite large decreases in measles cases over the last two decades, the observed trajectories in most countries suggest that supplemental immunization activities are disproportionately reaching previously vaccinated children. To accelerate measles reduction goals efforts to reach unvaccinated children through supplemental activities and second dose opportunities should be intensified.FundingBill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organization
Psychological antecedents towards COVID-19 vaccination using the Arabic 5C validated tool: An online study in 13 Arab countries
Authors: Abdou Marwa Shawky , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Aly Maged Ossama , Ramadan Ahmed , Elhadi Yasir Ahmed Mohammed , Elbarazi Iffat , Deghidy Ehsan Akram , El Saeh Haider M. , Salem Karem Mohamed , Ghazy Ramy Mohamed 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and aimFollowing emergency approval of vaccines, the amount of scientific literature investigating population hesitancy towards vaccination against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has increased exponentially. Nevertheless, the associated psychological behaviors with this phenomenon are still not clearly understood. This study aims to assess the psychological antecedents of the Arab population toward COVID-19 vaccines.MethodsA cross-sectional, online study using a validated Arabic version of the 5C questionnaire was conducted through different media platforms in different Arabic-speaking countries. The questionnaire included three sections: socio-demographics, COVID-19 related questions, and the 5C scale of vaccine psychological antecedents, namely confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility.ResultsA total of 4,474 participants, 40.8% males from 13 Arab countries were included in the study. About 26.7% of participants had confidence in COVID-19 vaccination, 10.7% had complacency, 96.5% had no constraints, 48.8% had calculation and 40.4% had collective responsibility. The 5C antecedents showed variation among countries with confidence and collective responsibility being higher in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (59% and 58%, respectively), complacency and constraints were higher in Morocco (21% and 7%, respectively) and calculation was higher in Sudan (60%). Regression analysis revealed that sex, age, educational degrees, being a health care professional, getting a COVID-19 infection, having a relative infected or died from COVID-19 can affect the 5C psychological antecedents by different degrees.Conclusion and recommendationsWide variations of psychological antecedents between Arab countries exist. Different determinants can affect vaccine psychological antecedents.