bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep Behavior in Royal Australian Navy Shift Workers by Shift and Exposure to the SleepTank App
Authors: Devine Jaime K , Cooper Nadine , Choynowski Jake , Hursh Steven R
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Rotating shiftwork schedules are known to disrupt sleep in a manner that can negatively impact safety. Consumer sleep technologies (CSTs) may be a useful tool for sleep tracking, but the standard feedback provided by CSTs may not be salient to shift-working populations. SleepTank is an app that uses the total sleep time data scored by a CST to compute a percentage that equates hours of sleep to the fuel in a car and warns the user to sleep when the “tank” is low. Royal Australian Navy aircraft maintenance workers operating on a novel rotational shift schedule were given Fitbit Versa 2s to assess sleep timing, duration, and efficiency across a 10-week period. Half of the participants had access to just the Fitbit app while the other half had access to Fitbit and the SleepTank app. The goal of this study was to evaluate differences in sleep behavior between shifts using an off-the-shelf CST and to investigate the potential of the SleepTank app to increase sleep duration during the 10-week rotational shift work schedule.

Materials and Methods

Royal Australian Navy volunteers agreed to wear a Fitbit Versa 2 with the SleepTank app (SleepTank condition), or without the SleepTank app (Controls), for up to 10 weeks from May to July 2023 during the trial of a novel shift rotation schedule. Participants from across 6 units worked a combination of early (6:00 AM to 2:00 PM), day (7:30 AM to 4:30 PM), late (4:00 PM to 12:00 AM), and night shifts (12:00 AM to 6:00 AM) or stable day shifts (6:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Differences in sleep behavior (time in bed, total sleep time, bedtime, wake time, sleep efficiency [SE]) between conditions and shift types were tested using Analysis of Variance. This study was approved by the Australian Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee.

Results

Thirty-four participants completed the full study (n = 17 Controls; n = 17 SleepTank). There was a significant effect of shift type on 24-hour time in bed (TIB24; F(4,9) = 8.15, P < .001, η2 = 0.15) and total sleep time (TST24; F(4,9) = 8.54, P < .001, η2 = 0.18); both were shorter in early shifts and night shifts compared to other shift types. TIB24 and TST24 were not significantly different between conditions, but there was a trend for greater SE in the SleepTank condition relative to Controls (F(1,9) = 2.99, P = .08, η2 = 0.11).

Conclusions

Sleep data collected by Fitbit Versa 2s indicated shorter sleep duration (TIB24, TST24) for Royal Australian Navy workers during early and late shifts relative to stable day shifts. Access to the SleepTank app did not greatly influence measures of sleep duration but may be protective against fatigue by affecting SE. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility of the SleepTank app as a means of improving sleep hygiene in real-world, shift-working environments.
Enhancing neuro-oncology care through equity-driven applications of artificial intelligence
Authors: Mehari Mulki , Sibih Youssef , Dada Abraham , Chang Susan M , Wen Patrick Y , Molinaro Annette M , Chukwueke Ugonma N , Budhu Joshua A , Jackson Sadhana , McFaline-Figueroa J Ricardo , Porter Alyx , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L
Published: August 2024

The disease course and clinical outcome for brain tumor patients depend not only on the molecular and histological features of the tumor but also on the patient’s demographics and social determinants of health. While current investigations in neuro-oncology have broadly utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to enrich tumor diagnosis and more accurately predict treatment response, postoperative complications, and survival, equity-driven applications of AI have been limited. However, AI applications to advance health equity in the broader medical field have the potential to serve as practical blueprints to address known disparities in neuro-oncologic care. In this consensus review, we will describe current applications of AI in neuro-oncology, postulate viable AI solutions for the most pressing inequities in neuro-oncology based on broader literature, propose a framework for the effective integration of equity into AI-based neuro-oncology research, and close with the limitations of AI.
Crystal Resorption as a Driver for Mush Maturation: an Experimental Investigation
Authors: Mangler Martin F , Humphreys Madeleine C S , Iveson Alexander A , Cooper Kari M , Clynne Michael A , Lindoo Amanda , Brooker Richard A , Wadsworth Fabian B
Published: August 2024

The thermal state of a magma reservoir controls its physical and rheological properties: at storage temperatures close to the liquidus, magmas are dominated by melt and therefore mobile, while at lower temperatures, magmas are stored as a rheologically locked crystal network with interstitial melt (crystal mush). Throughout the lifetime of a magmatic system, temperature fluctuations drive transitions between mush-dominated and melt-dominated conditions. For example, magma underplating or magma recharge into a crystal mush supplies heat, leading to mush disaggregation and an increase in melt fraction via crystal resorption, before subsequent cooling reinstates a crystal mush via crystal accumulation and recrystallisation. Here, we examine the textural effects of such temperature-driven mush reprocessing cycles on the crystal cargo. We conducted high-P-T resorption experiments during which we nucleated, grew, resorbed, and recrystallised plagioclase crystals in a rhyolitic melt, imposing temperature fluctuations typical for plumbing systems in intermediate arc volcanoes (20–40 °C). The experiments reproduce common resorption textures and show that plagioclase dissolution irreversibly reduces 3D crystal aspect ratios, leading to more equant shapes. Comparison of our experimental results with morphologies of resorbed and unresorbed plagioclase crystals from Mount St. Helens (MSH) (USA) reveals a consistent trend in natural rocks: unresorbed plagioclase crystals (found in MSH dacite, basalt and quenched magmatic inclusions [QMIs]) have tabular shapes, while plagioclase crystals with one or more resorption horizons (found in MSH dacite, QMIs, and mush inclusions) show more equant shapes. Plagioclase crystals showing pervasive resorption (found in the dacite and mush inclusions) have even lower aspect ratios. We therefore suggest that crystal mush maturation results in progressively more equant crystal shapes: the shapes of plagioclase crystals in a magma reservoir will become less tabular every time they are remobilised and resorbed. This has implications for magma rheology and, ultimately, eruptibility, as crystal shape controls the maximum packing fraction and permeability of a crystal mush. We hypothesise that a mature mush with more equant crystals due to multiple resorption–recrystallisation events will be more readily remobilised than an immature mush comprising unresorbed, tabular crystals. This implies that volcanic behaviour and pre-eruptive magmatic timescales may vary systematically during thermal maturation of a crustal magmatic system, with large eruptions due to rapid wholesale remobilisation of mushy reservoirs being more likely in thermally mature systems.
In vivo induction of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) haploids by genome editing
Authors: Guo Yuqiang , Sun Shengren , Chen Shaojiang , Zhang Yage , Wang Wenzhi , Deng Zuhu , Liu Zhuang , Yu Zehuai , Xu Huanyin , Guo Jianchun , Zhang Shuzhen , Zhong Yu , Zhang Wei , Chen Junlv , Zhou Feng , Chang Hailong , Gao San-Ji , Wang Qinnan
Published: August 2024

Mutation of the MATRILINEAL gene in sugarcane induces in vivo maternal haploids and suggests prospects for sugarcane breeding.
Wheat MYOSIN-RESEMBLING CHLOROPLAST PROTEIN controls B-type starch granule initiation timing during endosperm development
Authors: Chen Jiawen , Chen Yi , Watson-Lazowski Alexander , Hawkins Erica , Barclay J Elaine , Fahy Brendan , Denley Bowers Robin , Corbin Kendall , Warren Frederick J , Blennow Andreas , Uauy Cristobal , Seung David
Published: August 2024

Molecular factors that contribute to the diverse spatial and temporal patterns of starch granule initiation between species and organs are poorly understood. Wheat (Triticum sp.) endosperm contains both large A-type granules initiated during early grain development and small B-type granules that initiate about 10 to 15 days later. Here, we identify that the MYOSIN-RESEMBLING CHLOROPLAST PROTEIN (MRC) is required for the correct timing of B-type granule initiation in wheat endosperm during grain development. MRC is expressed in the endosperm exclusively in early grain development, before B-type granule initiation. We isolated three independent TILLING mutants of tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum cv. ‘Kronos’) with premature stop or missense mutations in the A-genome homeolog, which we showed to be the only active homeolog in tetraploid wheat due to a disruption of the B-genome homeolog. The mrc mutants had significantly smaller A-type granules and a higher relative volume of B-type granules in the endosperm than the wild type. Whereas B-type granules initiated 15 to 20 days post-anthesis (dpa) in the wild type, they appeared as early as 10 dpa in the mrc-1 mutant. These results suggest a temporal role for MRC in repressing B-type granule initiation, providing insight into how the distinct biochemical mechanisms that control A- and B-type granule initiation are regulated. This role of MRC in the wheat endosperm is distinct from the previously described role of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) MRC in promoting granule initiation in leaves, providing an example of functional diversification among granule initiation proteins.
Hypoxia represses pattern-triggered immune responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Mooney Brian C , Doorly Catherine M , Mantz Melissa , García Pablo , Huesgen Pitter F , Graciet Emmanuelle
Published: August 2024

Biotic and abiotic stresses frequently co-occur in nature, yet relatively little is known about how plants coordinate the response to combined stresses. Protein degradation by the ubiquitin/proteasome system is central to the regulation of multiple independent stress response pathways in plants. The Arg/N-degron pathway is a subset of the ubiquitin/proteasome system that targets proteins based on their N-termini and has been specifically implicated in the responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, including hypoxia, via accumulation of group VII ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF-VII) transcription factors that orchestrate the onset of the hypoxia response program. Here, we investigated the role of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Arg/N-degron pathway in mediating the crosstalk between combined abiotic and biotic stresses using hypoxia treatments and the flg22 elicitor of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), respectively. We uncovered a link between the plant transcriptional responses to hypoxia and flg22. Combined hypoxia and flg22 treatments showed that hypoxia represses the flg22 transcriptional program, as well as the expression of pattern recognition receptors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and callose deposition during PTI through mechanisms that are mostly independent from the ERF-VIIs. These findings improve our understanding of the tradeoffs between plant responses to combined abiotic and biotic stresses in the context of our efforts to increase crop resilience to global climate change. Our results also show that the well-known repressive effect of hypoxia on innate immunity in animals also applies to plants.
Chromosome-specific painting reveals the Y genome origin and chromosome rearrangements of the St genome in Triticeae
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhang Xuan , Li Yuling , Zou Bingcan , Xiao He , Han Yangshuo , Yang Xunzhe , Wu Dandan , Sha Lina , Yang Cairong , Liu Songqing , Cheng Yiran , Wang Yi , Kang Houyang , Fan Xing , Zhou Yonghong , Zhang Peng , Chen Zhong-Hua , Zhang Tao , Zhang Haiqin
Published: August 2024

Karyotypes provide key cytogenetic information on phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary origins in related plant species. The St genome of Pseudoroegneria contributes to 8 alloploid genera, representing over half of the species that are highly valuable for wheat (Triticum aestivum) breeding and for understanding Triticeae species evolution. However, St chromosome characterization is challenging due to limited cytogenetic markers and DNA information. We developed a complete set of St genome-specific chromosome painting probes for identification of the individual chromosomes 1St to 7St based on the genome sequences of Pseudoroegneria libanotica and wheat. We revealed the conservation of St chromosomes in St-containing species by chromosome painting, including Pseudoroegneria, Roegneria, Elymus, and Campeiostachys. Notably, the Y genome showed hybridization signals, albeit weaker than those of the St genome. The awnless species harboring the Y genome exhibited more intense hybridization signals compare to the awned species in Roegneria and Campeiostachys, yet weaker than the hybridization signals of the St genome in autotetraploid Pseudoroegneria strigosa. Although awnless species were morphologically more similar to each other, phenotypic divergence progressively increased from awnless to awned species. Our results indicate that the Y genome originated from the St genome and shed light on the possible origin of the Roegneria and Campeiostachys species, enhancing our understanding of St-genome-containing species evolution.
Having a granddaughter and voting for female candidates
Authors: Yamamura Eiji
Published: August 2024

This study examines the influence of grandchildren’s sex on grandparents’ voting behaviour by using independently collected individual-level data. The survey was conducted immediately after the 2016 House of Councillors election in Japan. It was found that individuals who had a granddaughter were more likely to vote for female candidates by a 10 per cent margin compared to those who did not. However, having a daughter did not affect parents’ voting behaviour. Furthermore, having a son or grandson also did not influence grandparents’ voting behaviour. This finding implies that grandparents vote with their granddaughters’ future benefits in mind, because granddaughters may be too young to vote in a male-dominated and ageing society.
Human inborn errors of long‐chain fatty acid oxidation show impaired inflammatory responses to TLR4‐ligand LPS
Authors: Mosegaard Signe , Twayana Krishna S. , Denis Simone W. , Kroon Jeffrey , Schomakers Bauke V. , van Weeghel Michel , Houtkooper Riekelt H. , Olsen Rikke K. J. , Holm Christian K.
Published: August 2024

Stimulation of mammalian cells with inflammatory inducers such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to alterations in activity of central cellular metabolic pathways. Interestingly, these metabolic changes seem to be important for subsequent release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. This has become particularly clear for enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). LPS leads to inhibition of SDH activity and accumulation of succinate to enhance the LPS‐induced formation of IL‐1β. If enzymes involved in beta‐oxidation of fatty acids are important for sufficient responses to LPS is currently not clear. Using cells from various patients with inborn long‐chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (lcFAOD), we report that disease‐causing deleterious variants of Electron Transfer Flavoprotein Dehydrogenase (ETFDH) and of Very Long Chain Acyl‐CoA Dehydrogenase (ACADVL), both cause insufficient inflammatory responses to stimulation with LPS. The insufficiencies included reduced TLR4 expression levels, impaired TLR4 signaling, and reduced or absent induction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐6. The insufficient responses to LPS were reproduced in cells from healthy controls by targeted loss‐of‐function of either ETFDH or ACADVL, supporting that the deleterious ETFDH and ACADVL variants cause the attenuated responses to LPS. ETFDH and ACADVL encode two distinct enzymes both involved in fatty acid beta‐oxidation, and patients with these deficiencies cannot sufficiently metabolize long‐chain fatty acids. We report that genes important for beta‐oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids are also important for inflammatory responses to an acute immunogen trigger like LPS, which may have important implications for understanding infection and other metabolic stress induced disease pathology in lcFAODs.
GSK805 inhibits alpha‐smooth muscle expression and modulates liver inflammation without impairing the well‐being of mice
Authors: Nierath Wiebke‐Felicitas , Leitner Emily , Reimann Sabrina , Schwarz Rico , Hinz Burkhard , Bleich André , Vollmar Brigitte , Zechner Dietmar
Published: August 2024

Cholestatic liver diseases, such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), lead to inflammation and severe hepatic damage with limited therapeutic options. This study assessed the efficacy of the inverse RORγt agonist, GSK805, both in vitro using the hepatic stellate cell‐line LX‐2 and in vivo using male bile duct‐ligated BALB/c mice. In vitro, 0.3 μM GSK805 reduced alpha‐smooth muscle actin expression in LX‐2 cells. In vivo, GSK805 significantly decreased IL‐23R, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ expression in cholestatic liver. Despite high concentrations of GSK805 in the liver, no significant reduction in fibrosis was noticed. GSK805 significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity in the blood, while levels of glutamate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin were not substantially increased. Importantly, GSK805 did neither increase an animal distress score nor substantially reduce body weight, burrowing activity, or nesting behavior. These results suggest that a high liver concentration of GSK805 is achieved by daily oral administration and that this drug modulates inflammation in cholestatic mice without impairing animal well‐being.
Combined Medial Displacement Calcaneal Osteotomy and Hintermann Osteotomy Fixed With a Single Antegrade Screw: How Do We Do It?
Authors: Gallagher Brian W. , Day Jonathan , Schon Lew C. , McCann Julia A. , Hembree Walter C.
Published: August 2024

Progressive collapsing foot deformity stage 1AB is often managed surgically with lateral column lengthening and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy (MDCO), among other procedures. The Hintermann osteotomy is an option for lateral column lengthening with the theoretical advantage of decreased risk of subtalar and calcaneocuboid joint degeneration relative to the Evans osteotomy. It can be easily performed in conjunction with an MDCO to amplify the mechanical effects of each osteotomy. This paper serves as a technique guide for the Hintermann osteotomy combined with the MDCO and fixed with a single antegrade screw.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic level 5. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Evaluation of the Dysfunctional Scapula
Authors: Sanchez-Sotelo Joaquin
Published: August 2024

Periscapular pain and dysfunction are relatively common complaints in the practice of upper extremity surgeons. However, evaluation of the dysfunctional scapula is intimidating for most. Physical examination of the periscapular muscles is very rich, and a systematic approach provides the opportunity to establish a diagnosis for most patients. Conditions underlying scapular dysfunction include trapezius palsy, serratus palsy, brachial plexus injuries, muscular dystrophy, snapping scapula, pectoralis minor syndrome, congenital undescended scapula, and functional scapular dyskinesis, among others. Patients should be examined with their torso uncovered and assessed from the front and back. Inspection, evaluation of motion, and strength testing may be followed by certain examination maneuvers specific for each condition. The scapular assistance test may help predict the outcome of treatment for certain conditions. Plain radiographs oftentimes need to be complemented with magnetic resonance of the chest to capture periscapular muscles as well as an electromyogram with nerve conduction studies. Computed tomography is particularly helpful for skeletal abnormalities. Ultrasound is used to assess certain peripheral nerve injuries and to guide diagnostic and therapeutic injections. A focused evaluation of the scapula followed by a more specific and directed approach for each condition suspected will allow upper extremity surgeons to approach the evaluation of the dysfunctional scapula with much more confidence.
Using Digital Technology to Promote Patient Participation in the Rehabilitation Process in Hip Replacement
Authors: Gonçalves Helena Isabel Teixeira , Ferreira Marta Campos , Campos Maria Joana , Fernandes Carla Sílvia
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and summarize how technology can promote patient participation in the rehabilitation process in hip replacement. We conducted a scoping review following the steps outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The PRISMA Checklist (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) was utilized to systematically organize the gathered information. A thorough search of articles was performed on PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases for all publications up to December 2022. Twenty articles were included in this study. Various technologies, such as mobile applications, Web sites, and platforms, offer interactive approaches to facilitate total hip replacement rehabilitation. The analyzed studies were based on the rehabilitation of total hip arthroplasty, which in most of them was developed in mobile applications and Web sites. The studies identified reflect trends in the application of digital health technologies to promote patient engagement in the rehabilitation process and provide risk monitoring and patient education.
The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Breathing on Strain, Burden, and Burnout in Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients
Authors: Yildirim Dilek , Çiriș Yildiz Cennet , Harman Özdoğan Merve
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of online mindfulness-based breathing therapy combined with music on the levels of perceived strain, caregiver burden and burnout in caregivers of palliative care patients. This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized-controlled study. A total of 100 caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 50) and the control group (n = 50). Participants in the intervention group agreed to 3 sessions of mindfulness-based breathing therapy per week. Participants in the control group agreed to sit in a comfortable position in a quiet environment for 30 minutes for 3 consecutive days. We found statistical differences in groups in strain (P < .001), burden (P = .015) and burnout (P = .039) when comparing intervention and control groups. Mindfulness-based breathing therapy combined with music is a non-pharmacological approach that may reduce perceived strain, caregiver burden and burnout in caregivers.
Main pancreatic duct 360° denudation technique for local resection of solid pseudopapillary tumor: a case report
Authors: Liu Li , Zheng Zhen-Jiang , Wang Xing , Tan Chun-Lu
Published: August 2024

Pancreatic enucleation is a reasonable surgical procedure for small pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumors (SPTs). For patients with tumors close to the main pancreatic duct, enucleation surgery was previously considered contraindicated. We reported a 36-year-old Asian woman with SPT of 1.8×1.5 cm which contacting with part of the main pancreatic duct, that was once considered contraindicated for enucleation. We adopted the "main pancreatic duct approach" surgical method, and denuded main pancreatic duct with a length of about 2 cm for 360°, to locally resect the tumor, successfully preserving the continuity of the pancreatic duct in this patient. The patient did not complain of discomfort, had no symptoms of indigestion, normal blood sugar levels, and no dilation of the main pancreatic duct was seen on CT and MRI examinations in the 1st month and 3rd month after surgery.
Nurses' Experiences of the Prerequisites for Implementing Family-Centered Care to Prevent Pediatric Delirium
Authors: Saarenpää Tiina , Jansson Miia , Kerimaa Heli , Alanko Riitta , Peltoniemi Outi , Tervonen Miikka , Lahtela Tiina , Pölkki Tarja
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of the prerequisites for implementing family-centered care to prevent pediatric delirium.

Design

The research employed a qualitative, descriptive study design.

Methods

A total of 10 nurses working in the pediatric intensive care unit at 1 university hospital participated in the study. The quality data were collected using individual semistructured interviews, and the data were then analyzed by inductive content analysis.

Results

The prerequisites for implementing family-centered care to prevent delirium among pediatric patients consisted of 30 subcategories that were grouped into 11 generic categories. The generic categories were further grouped into 5 main categories: (1) an environment that supports family presence, (2) psychosocial support for the family, (3) individual family involvement, (4) family participation in shared decision-making, and (5) nurses' professional competence.

Conclusions

According to the nurses' experiences, the implementation of a family-centered approach to preventing delirium in pediatric patients requires creating a supportive environment for families, providing psychosocial support, encouraging family involvement in decision-making, and ensuring that all nurses have the necessary skills.
Efficacy of Calcium Sulfate Antibiotic Carriers in the Treatment of Severe Infections of the Temporal Bone
Authors: Müller-Goebel Justus M. , Bächinger David , Röösli Christof , Huber Alexander , Dalbert Adrian
Published: August 2024

Objective:

To study the additional use of topical antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate pellets in difficult-to-treat cases of temporal bone infections.

Patients:

Four patients with advanced and pretreated temporal bone disease.

Intervention:

Application of topical antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate pellets following surgical debridement in infections of the temporal bone.

Main Outcome Measures:

Reinfection- and revision-free follow-up analysis and assessment of audiometric data.

Results:

A total of 4 patients were included (3 females and 1 male, mean age of 29.5 years [SD 19.8]). All patients (4/4) had a revision-free follow-up during a mean of 24.5 (SD, 6.19) months. Reinfections (n = 3) were observed in 2 patients (2/4) occurring 1 and 15, as well as 8 months after surgery. Reinfections could be successfully treated using topically and/or orally applied antibiotic therapy. No change in air-conducted pure-tone average was observed after treatment (mean change 1.3 dB; P = 0.99).

Conclusion:

Local application of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate pellets in combination with surgical debridement represents an effective treatment for local infection control in difficult-to-treat cases of temporal bone infections.
Physician Assistants in Plastic Surgery
Authors: Bautista Catherine H. , Chen Joanna , Bhagat Neel D. , Moss Whitney D. , Walzer Norelle K. , Bruza-Augatis Mirela , Puckett Kasey , Agarwal Jayant P. , Kwok Alvin C.
Published: August 2024

Physician assistants (PAs) play a vital role in the US health care system, particularly amid the persistent surgeon shortage and escalating health care demands. We aim to characterize the current cohort of PAs in plastic surgery by comparing them to PAs in all other specialties. Using a cross-sectional analysis of the 2022 National Commission on Certification of PAs dataset, we examined demographic and practice characteristics of PAs in plastic surgery with those in all other specialties. Analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics. In 2022, 1.0% of PAs worked in plastic surgery, with the specialty's numbers nearly doubling from 2015 (n = 647) to 2022 (n = 1186). Bivariate analysis among PAs in plastic surgery and those in other settings revealed several important attributes (all P's < 0.001); PAs in plastic surgery were younger (median age, 36 vs 39), identified as female (91.0% vs 69.4%), resided in urban locations (97.6% vs 92.5%), and performed a higher proportion of clinical procedures (66.5% vs 33.9%). Furthermore, a statistically significant higher percentage of PAs in plastic surgery reported high job satisfaction and was more likely to report no symptoms of professional burnout. The expanding PA profession amid the scarcity of surgeons presents an ideal prospect for enhanced collaboration. In an era where surgeon burnout is increasingly common and PAs express a readiness to function at an advanced level, expanding PAs' role becomes desirable and imperative. This collaborative approach has the potential to address workforce challenges, elevate patient care, and enhance provider satisfaction.
Double-Flap Elevation From the Ipsilateral Lower Extremity
Authors: Tsuge Itaru , Yamanaka Hiroki , Katsube Motoki , Sakamoto Michiharu , Morimoto Naoki
Published: August 2024

The free fibular flap has been elevated by a “lateral approach” from the posterior edge of the peroneal muscle for more than 40 years. However, in this approach, the surgical view is limited because flap elevation in mandibular reconstruction is performed simultaneously with tumor resection in the supine position, even when using positioning pillows. We herein propose an “anterior approach” as a new surgical method. We retrospectively investigated free fibular flap surgeries performed using the anterior approach, which consists of three anterior approaches, over a seven-year period. First, to avoid the course of the superficial peroneal nerve, the crural fascia was incised 1–2 cm posterior to the anterior edge of the peroneal muscle. The anterior edge of the peroneus muscle is detached from the anterior intermuscular septum. After performing osteotomies distal and proximal to the fibula, the interosseous membrane was incised from the anterior view. Pulling out the fibula to the anterior space between the anterior intermuscular septum and the peroneal muscle made the surgical field shallow. No postoperative superficial or deep peroneal nerve palsies were found in the 55 patients. Only one tourniquet was used in 31 of the 55 cases (56.4%), with an average of 95 min. Twenty-four patients (43.6%) required a second tourniquet 38 min after an interval. Only one tourniquet was used in 25 of the 30 (83.3%) cases in the last 3 years. Moreover, double flaps were used in 21 cases (38.2%), all of which involved ipsilateral ALT flaps. In 18 cases, double-flap elevation and prefabrication were successfully finished before the completion of tumor resection by otorhinolaryngologists.
Successful Resuscitation of Porcine Hearts After 12 and 24 h of Static Cold Storage With Normothermic Ex Situ Perfusion
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. , Urrea Kristopher A. , Spencer Brianna L. , Singh Jasnoor , Niman Joseph B. , Owens Gabe E. , Haft Jonathan W. , Bartlett Robert H. , Drake Daniel H. , Rojas-Peña Alvaro
Published: August 2024

Background.

Heart transplantation is always an emergency because the transplant needs to occur within 6 h after procurement to prevent primary graft dysfunction. Static cold storage (SCS) is the gold-standard preservation method. This study describes the outcomes of hearts preserved after prolonged SCS (12 and 24 h); those are then resuscitated with a novel normothermic ex situ heart perfusion (NEHP) system.

Methods.

Anesthetized piglets (n = 10) were used as heart donors. Hearts were procured and stored at 5 °C CoStorSol following standard SCS protocols. Two groups were studied: SCS-12 h and SCS-24 h. After SCS, 8 h of NEHP (37 °C blood-based perfusate) was performed at 0.7–1.0 mL/min/g of cardiac tissue. NEHP parameters were monitored continuously. Results were corroborated with 3 additional hearts transplanted orthotopically in healthy recipients (n = 3) after SCS (24 h) + NEHP (5 h). Recipients were observed for 90 min after weaning off cardiopulmonary bypass support.

Results.

All hearts (after 12 and 24 h of SCS) regained normal function and metabolism within 10 min and retained it throughout 8 h of NEHP. No differences were observed in NEHP parameters and histopathology between groups. Three hearts were successfully transplanted after a total ~30 h of preservation (24 h of SCS + 5 h of NEHP + 1 h of second cold ischemia time). The 3 recipients were weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass with mild vasopressor support.

Conclusions.

NEHP has the potential to routinely resuscitate porcine hearts that have undergone SCS for up to 24 h, restoring them to viable function. By objectively assessing heart function before transplant, NEHP may enhance the success rate of transplants. If these resuscitated hearts can be successfully transplanted, it would support the effectiveness of NEHP in ensuring heart viability.
Ethnokinesiology: towards a neuromechanical understanding of cultural differences in movement
Authors: Ting Lena H. , Gick Bryan , Kesar Trisha M. , Xu Jing
Published: August 2024

Each individual’s movements are sculpted by constant interactions between sensorimotor and sociocultural factors. A theoretical framework grounded in motor control mechanisms articulating how sociocultural and biological signals converge to shape movement is currently missing. Here, we propose a framework for the emerging field of
ethnokinesiology
aiming to provide a conceptual space and vocabulary to help bring together researchers at this intersection. We offer a first-level schema for generating and testing hypotheses about cultural differences in movement to bridge gaps between the rich observations of cross-cultural movement variations and neurophysiological and biomechanical accounts of movement. We explicitly dissociate two interacting feedback loops that determine culturally relevant movement: one governing
sensorimotor tasks
regulated by neural signals internal to the body, the other governing
ecological tasks
generated through actions in the environment producing ecological consequences. A key idea is the emergence of individual-specific and culturally influenced
motor concepts
in the nervous system, low-dimensional functional mappings between sensorimotor and ecological task spaces.
Motor accents
arise from perceived differences in
motor concept topologies
across cultural contexts. We apply the framework to three examples: speech, gait and grasp. Finally, we discuss how ethnokinesiological studies may inform personalized motor skill training and rehabilitation, and challenges moving forward.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Minds in movement: embodied cognition in the age of artificial intelligence’.
Soluble IL-2R contributes to impaired muscle cell mitochondrial respiration in fatigued individuals with post-acute sequelae of COVID
Authors: Brown Laura P. , Joshi Jai , Kosmac Kate , Long Douglas E. , Montgomery-Yates Ashley A. , Kalema Anna G. , Sturgill Jamie L. , Vekaria Hemendra , Sullivan Patrick , Wilburn Dylan , Koutakis Panagiotis , Latham Christine M. , Fry Christopher S. , Kern Philip A. , Miller Benjamin , Dupont-Versteegden Esther E. , Ismaeel Ahmed , Mayer Kirby P. , Wen Yuan
Published: August 2024

Post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC) persist in many patients for weeks and months after recovery from initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recent evidence suggests that pathological changes in skeletal muscle may contribute significantly to ongoing pain and fatigue, particularly post-exertional malaise. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PASC-related fatigue by examining skeletal muscle function and circulating factors in affected individuals.

We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study of patients with fatigue-associated PASC who had experienced mild to moderate COVID-19 without hospitalization. Skeletal muscle biopsies revealed reduced mitochondrial respiration and content in PASC participants compared to healthy controls. This lower respiratory capacity was accompanied by markedly elevated circulating levels of soluble IL-2 receptor alpha subunit (sIL2R), a T cell-specific receptor.

In vitroexperiments demonstrated that sIL2R directly impairs mitochondrial oxygen consumption and reduces mitochondrial complex III subunit protein levels in cultured muscle cells. These findings suggest a mechanism linking systemic immune dysregulation to muscle-specific mitochondrial dysfunction in PASC.

This work provides new insights into the pathophysiology of PASC identifying sIL2R as a promising therapeutic target for addressing mitochondrial deficits in PASC-related fatigue and opening avenues for developing targeted interventions.
Phyloepigenetics in phylogeny analyses
Authors: Santourlidis Simeon
Published: August 2024

Long-standing, continuous blurring and controversies in the field of phylogenetic interspecies relations, associated with insufficient explanations for dynamics and variability of speeds of evolution in mammals, hint to a crucial missing link. It has been suggested that transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and the concealed mechanisms behind play a distinct role in mammalian evolution. Here, a comprehensive sequence alignment approach in hominid species, i.e., Homo sapiens, Homo neanderthalensis, denisovan human, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla and Pongo pygmaeus, comprising conserved CpG islands of housekeeping genes, uncover evidence for a distinct variability of CpG dinucleotides. Applying solely these evolutionary consistent and inconsistent CpG sites in a classic phylogenetic analysis, calibrated by the divergence time point of the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo or pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus), a "phylo-epigenetic" tree has been generated which precisely recapitulates branch points and branch lengths, i.e., divergence events and relations, as they have been broadly suggested in the current literature, based on comprehensive molecular phylogenomics and fossil records. I suggest here that CpG dinucleotides changes at CpG islands are of superior importance for evolutionary development and determine the emerging DNA methylation profiles.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment does not impair ovarian or endocrine function in a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer
Authors: De La Cruz Payton , Woodman-Sousa Morgan F. , McAdams Julia N. , Sweeney Ellia , Hakim Lola , Aquino Melanie Morales , Grive Kathryn J.
Published: August 2024

Background

Representing 15-20% of all breast cancer cases, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is diagnosed more frequently in reproductive-age women and exhibits higher rates of disease metastasis and recurrence when compared with other subtypes. Few targeted treatments exist for TNBC, and many patients experience infertility and endocrine disruption as a result of frontline chemotherapy treatment. While they are a promising option for less toxic therapeutic approaches, little is known about the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reproductive and endocrine function.

Results

Our findings in a syngeneic TNBC mouse model revealed that therapeutically relevant immunotherapies targeting PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3 had no effect on the quality and abundance of ovarian follicles, estrus cyclicity, or hormonal homeostasis. Similarly, in a tumor-free mouse model, we found that ovarian architecture, follicle abundance, estrus cyclicity, and ovulatory efficiency remain unchanged by PD-1 blockade.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that immunotherapy may be a promising component of fertility-sparing therapeutic regimens for patients that wish to retain ovarian and endocrine function after cancer treatment.
Enhancing wheat yield potential through the QFFE.perg-5A and QFEm.perg-3A associated to spike fruiting efficiency: Insights from plot-level analysis
Authors: Pretini Nicole , Vanzetti Leonardo Sebastian , Terrile Ignacio Ismale , Silva Paula Maria , Ferrari Giuliana , González Fernanda Gabriela
Published: August 2024

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key global crop, essential for food security. To enhance its productivity this study focused on two quantitative trait loci (QTL), QFFE.perg-5A and QFEm.perg-3A, previously associated with fruiting efficiency at the spike level. We extended the analysis to the plot level to evaluate their impact on yield, thousand grain weight, and related traits, using a double haploid population of 102 lines in three environments. The results showed an epistatic interaction between a QTL for spike dry weight and grain number per spike. QFFE.perg-5A showed no interaction with the environment, increasing fruiting efficiency (13-15%), grain number per spike (7%), and spike number per unit area (9%), leading to an 8% rise in grain number per unit area and a 5% yield increase. In contrast, QFEm.perg-3A's impact depended on the environment. This study connects spike-level QTL analysis with plot-level effects, providing valuable insights for breeding programs to improve wheat varieties with desirable traits and increased productivity.
Ultra-low-field brain MRI morphometry: test-retest reliability and correspondence to high-field MRI
Authors: Váša František , Bennallick Carly , Bourke Niall J. , Padormo Francesco , Baljer Levente , Briski Ula , Cawley Paul , Arichi Tomoki , Wood Tobias C. , Lythgoe David J. , Dell'Acqua Flavio , Booth Thomas C. , Venkataraman Ashwin V. , Ljungberg Emil , Deoni Sean C. L. , Moran Rosalyn J. , Leech Robert , Williams Steven C. R.
Published: August 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables non-invasive monitoring of healthy brain development and disease. Widely used higher field (>1.5 T) MRI systems are associated with high energy and infrastructure requirements, and high costs. Recent ultra-low-field (<0.1T) systems provide a more accessible and cost-effective alternative. However, it is not known whether anatomical ultra-low-field neuroimaging can be used to extract quantitative measures of brain morphometry, and to what extent such measures correspond to high-field MRI. Here we scanned 23 healthy adults aged 20-69 years on two identical 64 mT systems and a 3 T system, using T1w and T2w scans across a range of (64 mT) resolutions. We segmented brain images into 4 global tissue types and 98 local structures, and systematically evaluated between-scanner reliability of 64 mT morphometry and correspondence to 3 T measurements, using correlations of tissue volume and Dice spatial overlap of segmentations. We report high 64 mT reliability and correspondence to 3 T across 64 mT scan contrasts and resolutions, with highest performance shown by combining three T2w scans with low through-plane resolution into a single higher-resolution scan using multi-resolution registration. Larger structures show higher 64 mT reliability and correspondence to 3 T. Finally, we showcase the potential of ultra-low-field MRI for mapping neuroanatomical changes across the lifespan, and monitoring brain structures relevant to neurological disorders. Raw images and code are publicly available (upon publication), enabling systematic validation of pre-processing and analysis approaches for ultra-low-field neuroimaging.
LncRNA 3222401L13Rik Is Up-regulated in Aging Astrocytes and Regulates Neuronal Support Function Through Interaction with Npas3
Authors: Schroeder Sophie , Sakib M. Sadman , Krüger Dennis , Pena Tonatiuh , Burkhardt Susanne , Schütz Anna-Lena , Sananbenesi Farahnaz , Fischer André
Published: August 2024

Aging is linked to a decline in cognitive functions and significantly increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. While molecular changes in all central nervous system (CNS) cell types contribute to aging-related cognitive decline, the mechanisms driving disease development or offering protection remain poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of cellular functions and gene expression, yet their roles in aging, particularly within glial cells, are not well characterized. In this study, we investigated lncRNA expression profiles in non-neuronal cells from aged mice. We identified 3222401L13Rik, a previously unstudied lncRNA enriched in glial cells, as being specifically upregulated in astrocytes during aging. Knockdown of 3222401L13Rik in primary astrocytes revealed its critical role in regulating genes essential for neuronal support and synapse organization. This function was also conserved in human iPSC-derived astrocytes. Additionally, we found that 3222401L13Rik mediates its cellular effects through interaction with the transcription factor Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 3 (Npas3), and that overexpression of Npas3 effectively rescued the functional deficits observed in astrocytes lacking 3222401L13Rik. Our findings suggest that upregulation of 3222401L13Rik in aging astrocytes acts as a compensatory mechanism to enhance neuronal and synaptic support, potentially delaying the onset of molecular and structural changes in both astrocytes and neurons. Strategies to boost 3222401L13Rik expression earlier in life may help mitigate age-associated loss of neuronal plasticity.
Insect size responses to climate changes vary across elevations according to seasonal timing
Authors: Nufio César R. , Sheffer Monica M. , Smith Julia M. , Troutman Michael , Bawa Simran , Taylor Ebony , Schoville Sean D. , Williams Caroline M. , Buckley Lauren B.
Published: August 2024

Widespread plastic and evolutionary responses to temperature have led to body size declines being proposed as a universal response to warming, but the high degree of variation in terrestrial ectotherms has challenged this view. We investigate whether temperature dependent development and growth rates in ectothermic organisms drive departures from universal size responses. Leveraging a long-term study of montane grasshoppers, we detect size shifts over recent decades that depend on elevation and species’ seasonal timing. Size shifts have been focused at low elevations with the earliest emerging species (those that overwinter as juveniles) getting bigger, and later season species getting smaller. The shifts correspond to warmer temperatures at low elevation increasing the sizes of the earliest season species but decreasing the sizes of the later season species. This is consistent with our hypothesis that the earliest season species may be able to take advantage of warmer conditions accelerating growth during early spring development, whereas warm temperatures may adversely impact later season species via mechanisms such as increased rates of energy use or thermal stress. Grasshoppers tend to capitalize on warm conditions by both getting bigger and reaching adulthood earlier. Our analysis further reinforces the need to move beyond expectations of universal responses to climate change to consider how environmental exposure and sensitivity varies across elevations and life histories.
Dynamic assembly of pentamer-based protein nanotubes
Authors: Koziej Lukasz , Fatehi Farzad , Aleksejczuk Marta , Byrne Matthew J. , Heddle Jonathan G , Twarock Reidun , Azuma Yusuke
Published: August 2024

The molecular mechanisms and the geometrical theory underlying the polymorphic behavior of protein cages provide a basis for designing ones with the desired morphology and assembly properties. We show here that a circularly permuted cage-forming enzyme can controllably assemble into a variety of hollow spherical and cylindrical structures composed entirely of pentamers. A dramatic cage-to-tube transformation is facilitated by an untethered alpha-helix domain that prevents the 3-fold symmetry interaction and imparts a torsion between the building blocks. The unique double- and triple-stranded helical arrangements of subunits are mathematically optimal tiling patterns for this type of pentamer. These structural insights afford guidelines for the design of customized protein nanotubes for smart delivery and nanoreactor systems.