bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and immunogenicity of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents with rheumatic diseases treated with immunomodulatory medications
Authors: Heshin-Bekenstein Merav , Ziv Amit , Toplak Natasa , Hagin David , Kadishevich Danielle , Butbul Yonatan A , Saiag Esther , Kaufman Alla , Shefer Gabi , Sharon Orli , Pel Sara , Elkayam Ori , Uziel Yosef 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Objectives
Adolescents with juvenile-onset autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) could be at risk for disease flare secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or to withholding anti-inflammatory therapy. While vaccination can protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), safety and immunogenicity data regarding anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines among adolescents with AIIRDs are limited. This international, prospective, multicentre study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the BNT162b2 anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine among adolescents and young adults with juvenile-onset AIIRDs, 80% of whom are on chronic immunomodulatory therapy.

Methods
Vaccine side effects, disease activity and short-term efficacy were evaluated after 3 months in 91 patients. Anti-spike S1/S2 IgG antibody levels were evaluated in 37 patients and 22 controls 2–9 weeks after the second dose.

Results
A total of 91 patients and 40 healthy controls were included. The safety profile was good, with 96.7% (n = 88) of patients reporting mild or no side effects and no change in disease activity. However, three patients had transient acute symptoms: two following the first vaccination (renal failure and pulmonary haemorrhage) and one following the second dose (mild lupus flare vs viral infection). The seropositivity rate was 97.3% in the AIIRD group compared with 100% among controls. However, anti-S1/S2 antibody titres were significantly lower in the AIIRD group compared with controls [242 (s.d. 136.4) vs 387.8 (57.3) BAU/ml, respectively; P &lt; 0.0001]. No cases of COVID-19 were documented during the 3 month follow-up.

Conclusion
Vaccination of juvenile-onset AIIRD patients demonstrated good short-term safety and efficacy and a high seropositivity rate but lower anti-S1/S2 antibody titres compared with healthy controls. These results should encourage vaccination of adolescents with juvenile-onset AIIRDs, even while on immunomodulation.
Persistent Inequalities in College Completion, 1980–2010
Authors: Voss Kim , Hout Michael , George Kristin 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Fewer than half of America’s college students complete their bachelor’s degrees. To many, cost seems to be the crucial barrier. Sociologists of education have long argued, though, that inequalities start before costs matter. Entrenched “sort and sieve” processes apportion outcomes to family background. The whole system of grading, testing, and selecting some students while rejecting others makes a degree much more likely for students from higher status families—and that system was in place long before states limited appropriations and tuition skyrocketed. Analyzing longitudinal data from three cohorts of high school students, we find only small changes in the college graduation rate as of 1988, 1998, and 2010. Second, baseline socioeconomic and racial disparities in college completion were just as high in 1988 as in 2010. Third, mediation analysis shows that half of the socioeconomic disparities work through pre-college factors such as grades and curriculum choices. The other half reflect higher graduation rates at selective colleges. Fourth, the only notable change concerned community colleges; the potential disadvantage of starting at one declined after the 1980s. Our analysis affirms sociologists’ focus on persistent aspects of academic sorting, not recent changes, as the root of inequality of opportunity in American higher education.
Characterization of the Mechanistic Linkages Between Iodothyronine Deiodinase Inhibition and Impaired Thyroid-Mediated Growth and Development inXenopus laevisUsing Iopanoic Acid
Authors: Haselman Jonathan T , Olker Jennifer H , Kosian Patricia A , Korte Joseph J , Denny Jeffrey S , Tietge Joseph E , Hornung Michael W , Degitz Sigmund J 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIodothyronine deiodinases (DIO) are key enzymes that influence tissue-specific thyroid hormone levels during thyroid-mediated amphibian metamorphosis. Within the larger context of evaluating chemicals for thyroid system disrupting potential, chemical activity toward DIOs is being evaluated using high-throughput in vitro screening assays as part of U.S. EPA’s ToxCast program. However, existing data gaps preclude any inferences between in vitro chemical inhibition of DIOs and in vivo outcomes relevant to ecological risk assessment. This study aimed to generate targeted data in a laboratory model species (Xenopus laevis) using a model DIO inhibitor, iopanoic acid (IOP), to characterize linkages between in vitro potency, in vivo biochemical responses, and adverse organismal outcomes. In vitro potency of IOP toward DIOs was evaluated using previously developed in vitro screening assays, which showed concentration-dependent inhibition of human DIO1 (IC50: 97 µM) and DIO2 (IC50: 231 µM) but did not inhibit human or X. laevis DIO3 under the assay conditions. In vivo exposure of larval X. laevis to 0, 2.6, 5.3, and 10.5 µM IOP caused thyroid-related biochemical profiles in the thyroid gland and plasma consistent with hyperthyroxinemia but resulted in delayed metamorphosis and significantly reduced growth in the highest 2 exposure concentrations. Independent evaluations of dio gene expression ontogeny, together with existing literature, supported interpretation of IOP-mediated effects resulting in a proposed adverse outcome pathway for DIO2 inhibition leading to altered amphibian metamorphosis. This study highlights the types of mechanistic data needed to move toward predicting in vivo outcomes of regulatory concern from in vitro bioactivity data.
Effects of elevated ozone and warming on terpenoid emissions and concentrations of Norway spruce depend on needle phenology and age
Authors: Kivimäenpää Minna , Riikonen Johanna , Valolahti Hanna , Elina Häikiö , Holopainen Jarmo K , Holopainen Toini 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNorway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst) trees are affected by ongoing climate change, including warming and exposure to phytotoxic levels of ozone. Non-volatile terpenoids and volatile terpenoids (biogenic organic volatile compounds, BVOCs) protect spruce against biotic and abiotic stresses. BVOCs also affect the atmosphere’s oxidative capacity. Four-year-old Norway spruce were exposed to elevated ozone (EO) (1.4 × ambient) and warming (1.1 °C + ambient air) alone and in combination on an open-field exposure site in Central Finland. Net photosynthesis, needle terpenoid concentrations and BVOC emissions were measured four times during the experiment’s second growing season: after bud opening in May, during the mid-growing season in June, and after needle maturation in August and September. Warming increased terpene concentrations in May due to advanced phenology and decreased them at the end of the growing season in matured current-year needles. Ozone enhanced these effects of warming on several compounds. Warming decreased concentrations of oxygenated sesquiterpenes in previous-year needles. Decreased emissions of oxygenated monoterpenes by warming and ozone alone in May were less prominent when ozone and warming were combined. A similar interactive treatment response in isoprene, camphene, tricyclene and α-pinene was observed in August when the temperature and ozone concentration was high. The results suggest long-term warming may reduce the terpenoid-based defence capacity of young spruce, but the defence capacity can be increased during the most sensitive growth phase (after bud break), and when high temperatures or ozone concentrations co-occur. Reduced BVOC emissions from young spruce may decrease the atmosphere’s oxidative capacity in the warmer future, but the effect of EO may be marginal because less reactive minor compounds are affected.
The Medicago truncatula IEF Gene Is Crucial for the Progression of Bacterial Infection During Symbiosis
Authors: Kovács Szilárd , Kiss Ernő , Jenei Sándor , Fehér-Juhász Erzsébet , Kereszt Attila , Endre Gabriella 
Published: February 2022

Legumes are able to meet their nitrogen need by establishing nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with rhizobia. Nitrogen fixation is performed by rhizobia, which has been converted to bacteroids, in newly formed organs, the root nodules. In the model legume Medicago truncatula, nodule cells are invaded by rhizobia through transcellular tubular structures called infection threads (ITs) that are initiated at the root hairs. Here, we describe a novel M. truncatula early symbiotic mutant identified as infection-related epidermal factor (ief), in which the formation of ITs is blocked in the root hair cells and only nodule primordia are formed. We show that the function of MtIEF is crucial for the bacterial infection in the root epidermis but not required for the nodule organogenesis. The IEF gene that appears to have been recruited for a symbiotic function after the duplication of a flower-specific gene is activated by the ERN1-branch of the Nod factor signal transduction pathway and independent of the NIN activity. The expression of MtIEF is induced transiently in the root epidermal cells by the rhizobium partner or Nod factors. Although its expression was not detectable at later stages of symbiosis, complementation experiments indicate that MtIEF is also required for the proper invasion of the nodule cells by rhizobia. The gene encodes an intracellular protein of unknown function possessing a coiled-coil motif and a plant-specific DUF761 domain. The IEF protein interacts with RPG, another symbiotic protein essential for normal IT development, suggesting that combined action of these proteins plays a role in nodule infection. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Effects of Temperature on Development of Canker-Causing Pathogens in Almond and Prune
Authors: Luo Y. , Ma R. , Barrera E. , Gusella G. , Michailides T. J. 
Published: February 2022

Between 2000 and 2020, canker diseases of nut and stone fruit trees have become very widespread and severe in California. This study determined the effects of temperature on the development of canker-causing pathogens of almond and prune. Five pathogen taxa, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Cytospora leucostoma, Diaporthe (Phomopsis) neotheicola, Lasiodiplodia citricola, and Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, were used. Colony growth on medium and canker lesion development on detached shoots were measured at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. The effects of temperature on colony growth differed among different pathogen taxa, although 25°C was the optimal temperature for most of the pathogens tested. The patterns of lesion growth as response to temperature were different among the different pathogens and tree crops. On almond, the highest growth rates appeared at 30°C for B. dothidea and L. citricola, but at 20°C for N. mediterraneum. The growth rates for C. leucostoma were lower than those of the other three pathogen taxa, with the highest rates recorded at 25°C. However, on prune, C. leucostoma showed greater lesion growth rates at different temperatures than the other pathogen taxa and maximum growth at 30 to 35°C. Similar trends were observed for L. citricola. The growth rates of B. dothidea and N. mediterraneum were comparatively lower than those of C. leucostoma and L. citricola.
Reduction of Pythium Damping-Off in Soybean by Biocontrol Seed Treatment
Authors: Pimentel Mirian F. , Arnao Erika , Warner Amanda J. , Rocha Leonardo F. , Subedi Arjun , Elsharif Nariman , Chilvers Martin I. , Matthiesen Rashelle , Robertson Alison E. , Bradley Carl A. , Neves Danilo L. , Pedersen Dianne K. , Reuter-Carlson Ursula , Lacey Jonathan V. , Bond Jason P. , Fakhoury Ahmad M. 
Published: February 2022

Pythium spp. is one of the major groups of pathogens that cause seedling diseases on soybean, leading to both preemergence and postemergence damping-off and root rot. More than 100 species have been identified within this genus, with Pythium irregulare, P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum var ultimum, and P. torulosum being particularly important for soybean production given their aggressiveness, prevalence, and abundance in production fields. This study investigated the antagonistic activity of potential biological control agents (BCAs) native to the U.S. Midwest against Pythium spp. First, in vitro screening identified BCAs that inhibit P. ultimum var. ultimum growth. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated evidence of mycoparasitism of all potential biocontrol isolates against P. ultimum var. ultimum and P. torulosum, with the formation of appressorium-like structures, short hyphal branches around host hyphae, hook-shaped structures, coiling, and parallel growth of the mycoparasite along the host hyphae. Based on these promising results, selected BCAs were tested under field conditions against six different Pythium spp. Trichoderma afroharzianum 26 used alone and a mix of T. hamatum 16 + T. afroharzianum 19 used as seed treatments protected soybean seedlings from Pythium spp. infection, as BCA-treated plots had on average 15 to 20% greater plant stand and vigor than control plots. Our results also indicate that some of these potential BCAs could be added with a fungicide seed treatment with minimum inhibition occurring, depending on the fungicide active ingredient. This research highlights the need to develop tools incorporating biological control as a facet of soybean seedling disease management programs. The harnessing of native BCAs could be integrated with other management strategies to provide efficient control of seedling diseases.
Identification, Genetic Diversity, and Chemical Control of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in China
Authors: Luo Mei , Meng Fan-Zhu , Tan Qin , Zhou Yang , Chaisiri Chingchai , Fan Fei , Yin Wei-Xiao , Luo Chao-Xi 
Published: February 2022

Peach bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni has become widespread in most peach-producing areas of China and has caused devastating losses to the peach industry. However, little is known about the population biology and epidemiology of X. arboricola pv. pruni in China, thus no effective management strategy is available. Altogether, 321 symptomatic samples of peach bacterial spot from 12 provinces in China were collected from which 612 bacterial isolates were obtained. Based on 16S rDNA sequence comparison in GenBank, the obtained isolates were identified as Pantoea spp. (514) and Xanthomonas spp. (98). The pathogenicity test demonstrated that the causal agent of the peach bacterial spot was the Xanthomonas spp. instead of the Pantoea spp. Based on morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characterization, and molecular identification, the Xanthomonas spp. were further identified to be X. arboricola pv. pruni. Then, 41 X. arboricola pv. pruni isolates representing different populations were selected and analyzed with repetitive element sequence based-PCR and intersimple sequence repeat markers to understand the genetic diversity and population structure along with four X. arboricola pv. pruni isolates from plum and three isolates of X. arboricola pv. juglandis as comparison. A total of 98 polymorphic alleles were identified, with a mean value of percentage of polymorphic loci of 14. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis revealed the profound heterogeneity between X. arboricola pv. juglandis and X. arboricola pv. pruni, moderate genetic differentiation within X. arboricola pv. pruni, and obvious host specificity but weak geographical differentiation in X. arboricola population. Finally, the efficiency of bactericides on X. arboricola pv. pruni was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The parallel repeated field trials in two orchards demonstrated that 80% Mancozeb (1:800) and 47% Kocide (1:800, 1:1,500, and 1:2,000) had excellent control efficacies for X. arboricola pv. pruni, especially as the control efficacy of Kocide could even reach 90%. This study conducted a systematic investigation for the occurrence, population variance, and chemical control of X. arboricola pv. pruni. It improved the understanding of the pathogen populations of peach bacterial spot in China and provided solid theoretical and practical guidance for X. arboricola pv. pruni control.
An introduction to gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender and gender-nonbinary patients
Authors: Harris Miles S. , Goodrum B. Ashby , Krempasky Chance N. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:
Transgender and gender-nonbinary patients may present to primary care providers seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy. Patients who meet criteria for diagnosis of gender incongruence may start or continue hormone therapy after providing informed consent. Prescribing and monitoring of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy can be managed in primary care settings.
Educational Outcomes of Childhood Survivors of Critical Illness—A Population-Based Linkage Study*
Authors: Tomaszewski Wojtek , Ablaza Christine , Straney Lahn , Taylor Catherine , Millar Johnny , Schlapbach Luregn J. ,   on behalf of the Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) Centre for Outcomes & Resource Evaluation (CORE) and the Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Society Paediatric Study Group (ANZICS PSG)
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVES:
Major postintensive care sequelae affect up to one in three adult survivors of critical illness. Large cohorts on educational outcomes after pediatric intensive care are lacking. We assessed primary school educational outcomes in a statewide cohort of children who survived PICU during childhood.

DESIGN:
Multicenter population-based study on children less than 5 years admitted to PICU. Using the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy database, the primary outcome was educational achievement below the National Minimum Standard (NMS) in year 3 of primary school. Cases were compared with controls matched for calendar year, grade, birth cohort, sex, socioeconomic status, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, and school. Multivariable logistic regression models to predict educational outcomes were derived.

SETTING:
Tertiary PICUs and mixed ICUs in Queensland, Australia.

PATIENTS:
Children less than 5 years admitted to PICU between 1998 and 2016.

INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Year 3 primary school data were available for 5,017 PICU survivors (median age, 8.0 mo at first PICU admission; interquartile range, 1.9–25.2). PICU survivors scored significantly lower than controls across each domain (p < 0.001); 14.03% of PICU survivors did not meet the NMS compared with 8.96% of matched controls (p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, socioeconomic status (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.67–2.74), weight (0.94; 0.90–0.97), logit of Pediatric Index of Mortality-2 score (1.11; 1.03–1.19), presence of a syndrome (11.58; 8.87–15.11), prematurity (1.54; 1.09–2.19), chronic neurologic conditions (4.38; 3.27–5.87), chronic respiratory conditions (1.65; 1.24–2.19), and continuous renal replacement therapy (4.20; 1.40–12.55) were independently associated with a higher risk of not meeting the NMS.

CONCLUSIONS:
In this population-based study of childhood PICU survivors, 14.03% did not meet NMSs in the standardized primary school assessment. Socioeconomic status, underlying diseases, and severity on presentation allow risk-stratification to identify children most likely to benefit from individual follow-up and support.
One-stage versus staged ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for simultaneous ureteral and renal stones
Authors: Atwa Ahmed M. , Elawdy Mohamed Mohamed , Taha Diaa-Eldin , Abouelkheir Rasha T. , Abouelenein Ebrahim Elsaeed , El-Halwagy Samer , El-Hefnawy Ahmed S. , El-Tabey Naser , EL-Nahas Ahmed R. , Shoma Ahmed M. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Objectives:
This study is aimed to investigate the outcome of one-stage ureteroscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for simultaneous ureteral and renal stones over 10years at a tertiary urology institute.

Materials and methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who were operated on for simultaneous ureteral and renal stones from January 2011 to December 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A, who underwent one-stage URS and prone PCNL, and group B, who underwent staged procedures. The overall success, complications, operative time, and hospital stays were compared between the 2 groups.

Results:
Data for 190 patients were reviewed; mean age was 50 ± 13years old, and 146 (77%) were male. The one-stage (A) and staged (B) groups included 102 and 88 patients, respectively. Group A included older patients, with a high The American Society of Anesthesiologists score, while group B included more patients with multiple or staghorn stones. The one-stage group recorded shorter operative time (120 ± 12min vs. 140 ± 16min, p = 0.02) and shorter hospital stays (3days [2-6] vs. 4days [3-9], p = 0.06). Otherwise, both groups had equal outcomes in terms of success rates and complications.

Conclusions:
PCNL and URS can be performed in one-session for simultaneous ureteral and renal stones, except for multiple renal and staghorn stones. The results are comparable to those of the staged procedure in terms of success rate and complications, with the advantage of a shorter operative time and hospital stay.
Granulomatous Dermatitis Heralding Myelodisplastic/Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Neoplastic or Reactive Cells? A Study of 2 Cases
Authors: Prieto-Torres Lucía , Santonja Carlos , Chamizo Cristina , García-Gil Miguel F. , Lezcano Victoria , Arranz-Sánchez Dulce-María , Rodríguez-Pinilla Socorro María , Azaceta Gemma , García-García Mar 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:Skin manifestations in the context of underlying hematological malignancies are well known and not an infrequent clinical finding. They can represent specific neoplastic infiltrates or be considered as reactive. In the latter group, where granulomatous dermatitis is included, controversy has emerged recently. According to newly reported data, the histiocytes comprising these granulomata can carry the same molecular alterations found in the primary process. Moreover, the skin manifestations in these patients are sometimes the initial clue for the diagnosis of the underlying malignancy. We present here 2 cases with granulomatous skin infiltrates preceding the diagnosis of myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms. In one of them, the sameIDH2mutation was detected in granulomatous lesions on the skin and in the bone marrow. This was performed by pyrosequencing instead of next-generation sequencing, with improved cost-effectiveness.