bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The human sperm proteome—Toward a panel for male fertility testing
Authors: Greither Thomas , Dejung Mario , Behre Hermann M. , Butter Falk , Herlyn Holger
Published: March 2023

Background

Although male factor accounts for 40%–50% of unintended childlessness, we are far from fully understanding the detailed causes. Usually, affected men cannot even be provided with a molecular diagnosis.

Objectives

We aimed at a higher resolution of the human sperm proteome for better understanding of the molecular causes of male infertility. We were particularly interested in why reduced sperm count decreases fertility despite many normal‐looking spermatozoa and which proteins might be involved.

Material and methods

Applying mass spectrometry analysis, we qualitatively and quantitatively examined the proteomic profiles of spermatozoa from 76 men differing in fertility. Infertile men had abnormal semen parameters and were involuntarily childless. Fertile subjects exhibited normozoospermia and had fathered children without medical assistance.

Results

We discovered proteins from about 7000 coding genes in the human sperm proteome. These were mainly known for involvements in cellular motility, response to stimuli, adhesion, and reproduction. Numbers of sperm proteins showing at least threefold deviating abundances increased from oligozoospermia (N= 153) and oligoasthenozoospermia (N= 154) to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (N= 368). Deregulated sperm proteins primarily engaged in flagellar assembly and sperm motility, fertilization, and male gametogenesis. Most of these participated in a larger network of male infertility genes and proteins.

Discussion

We expose 31 sperm proteins displaying deviant abundances under infertility, which already were known before to have fertility relevance, including ACTL9, CCIN, CFAP47, CFAP65, CFAP251 (WDR66), DNAH1, and SPEM1. We propose 18 additional sperm proteins with at least eightfold differential abundance for further testing of their diagnostic potential, such as C2orf16, CYLC1, SPATA31E1, SPATA31D1, SPATA48, EFHB (CFAP21), and FAM161A.

Conclusion

Our results shed light on the molecular background of the dysfunctionality of the fewer spermatozoa produced in oligozoospermia and syndromes including it. The male infertility network presented may prove useful in further elucidating the molecular mechanism of male infertility.
High yield on aetiology using a systematic diagnostic approach to paediatric acute liver failure, analysis of a nationwide cohort
Authors: Nordmann Winther Thilde , Nielsen Alex Yde , Lund Allan , Larsen Fin Stolze , Jørgensen Marianne Hørby
Published: March 2023

Aim

Paediatric acute liver failure (P‐ALF) is a rare and devastating condition that leads to death or liver transplantation (LTx) in 40%–60% of cases. Determining the aetiology can enable disease‐specific treatment, aid in prognostication for hepatic recovery and guide the decision‐making for liver transplantation. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate a systematic diagnostic approach to P‐ALF in Denmark and to collect epidemiological nationwide data.

Methods

All Danish children aged 0–16 years with P‐ALF diagnosed between 2005 and 2018, and who were evaluated using a standardised diagnostic assessment programme, were eligible for retrospective analysis of clinical data.

Results

A total of 102 children with P‐ALF were included (presentation at 0 days to 16.6 years of age, 57 females). Aetiological diagnosis was established in 82% of cases, the remainder were indeterminate. Fifty percent of children with P‐ALF of indeterminate aetiology died or underwent LTx within 6 months after their P‐ALF diagnosis, compared to 24% of children with an aetiological diagnosis, p = 0.04.

Conclusion

Following a systematic diagnostic evaluation programme, made it possible to identify the aetiology of P‐ALF in 82% of cases which is associated with improved outcomes. The diagnostic workup should never be considered complete but rather adapt to ongoing diagnostic advances.
Effects of parathyroid hormone on renal tubular calcium and phosphate handling
Authors: Alexander R. Todd , Dimke Henrik
Published: March 2023

Central to the maintenance of calcium homeostasis is the regulated reabsorption of calcium along the nephron. To this end, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is released from the parathyroid gland in response to lowered plasma calcium levels. This hormone acts through the PTH 1 receptor along the nephron to increase urinary phosphate excretion and decrease urinary calcium excretion. In the proximal tubule, PTH inhibits phosphate reabsorption by reducing the abundance of sodium phosphate cotransporters in the apical membrane. PTH likely decreases calcium reabsorption from the proximal tubule, by reducing the reabsorption of sodium, an event necessary for the paracellular movement of calcium across this segment. In the thick ascending limb (TAL), PTH increases calcium permeability and may increase the electrical driving force thereby increasing calcium reabsorption in the TAL. Finally, in the distal convolution, PTH acts to increase transcellular calcium reabsorption by increasing the activity and abundance of the apically expressed calcium channel TRPV5.
5‐aminosalicylate maintenance is not superior to no maintenance in patients with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease—A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Atia Ohad , Goren Idan , Fischler Tali Sharar , Weisband Yisca Loewenberg , Greenfeld Shira , Kariv Revital , Ledderman Natan , Matz Eran , Rimon Ramit Magen , Dotan Iris , Turner Dan , Yanai Henit
Published: March 2023

Background

5‐aminosalicylates (5‐ASA) are widely used in Crohn's disease (CD) despite guidelines advising otherwise. We aimed to assess in nationwide study the outcomes of first‐line 5‐ASA maintenance therapy (5‐ASA‐MT) compared with no maintenance treatment (no‐MT) in patients with newly diagnosed CD.

Methods

We utilised data from the epi‐IIRN cohort, including all patients with CD diagnosed in Israel between 2005 and 2020. Propensity score (PS) matching was utilised to compare outcomes in the 5‐ASA‐MT versus no‐MT groups.

Results

Of the 19,264 patients diagnosed with CD, 8610 (45%) fulfilled the eligibility criteria (3027 [16%] received 5‐ASA‐MT and 5583 [29%] received no‐MT). Both strategies declined over the years; 5‐ASA‐MT from 21% of CD patients diagnosed in 2005 to 11% in 2019 (p < 0.001) and no‐MT from 36% to 23% (p < 0.001). The probability of maintaining therapy at 1, 3 and 5 years from diagnosis: 5‐ASA‐MT—78%, 57% and 47% and no‐MT—76%, 49% and 38% respectively (p < 0.001). PS analysis successfully matched 1993 pairs of treated and untreated patients and demonstrated comparable outcomes of time to: biologic (p = 0.2), steroid dependency (p = 0.9), hospitalisation (p = 0.5) and CD‐related surgery (p = 0.1). Rates of acute kidney injury (5.2% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001) and pancreatitis (2.4% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.03) were higher in the 5‐ASA‐MT group compared with the no‐MT group but after PS matching the rates of adverse events were similar.

Conclusion

First‐line 5‐ASA monotherapy was not superior to no‐MT but associated with a slightly higher rates of adverse events, while both strategies have declined over the years. These findings suggest that a subset of patients with mild CD may be offered a watchful waiting approach.
Effects of rutin supplementation on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum parameters, and meat quality of Nubian goats
Authors: Zhan Jinshun , Gu Zhiyong , Wang Haibo , Liu Yuhang , Wang Liyuan , Huang Liewu , Huo Junhong , Wu Yanping
Published: March 2023

Previous studies found that rutin can improve production performance of sheep and dairy cows. However, it is not clear whether rutin has similar effects in goats. Hence, the aim of this experiment was to study the effects of rutin supplementation on growth performance, slaughter performance, serum parameters, and meat quality of Nubian goats. A total of 36 healthy Nubian ewes were randomly divided into three groups. Goats were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0 (R0), 25 (R25), and 50 (R50) mg rutin per kg of diet. The growth performance and slaughter performance of goats had no significant difference among three groups. The meat pH45min and moisture were significantly higher in the R25 group than the R50 group (p < 0.05), but the color value b* and contents of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1n9c, C20:1, saturated fatty acid (SFA), and monounsaturated fatty acid (MSFA) in meat had an opposite outcome. The dressing percentage had an increasing tendency in the R25 group compared with the R0 group (0.05 < p < 0.10), but the shear force, water loss rate and crude protein of meat had opposite results. In conclusion, rutin could not affect the growth performance and slaughter performance of goats; low levels could possibly improve meat quality.
Immune responses to COVID‐19 booster vaccinations in intensively anti‐CD38 antibody treated patients with ultra‐high‐risk multiple myeloma: results from the Myeloma UK (MUK) nine OPTIMUM trial
Authors: Faustini Sian E. , Hall Andrew , Brown Sarah , Roberts Sadie , Hill Harriet , Stamataki Zania ,   (PITCH) consortium, Jenner Matthew W. , Owen Roger G. , Pratt Guy , Cook Gordon , Richter Alex , Drayson Mark T. , Kaiser Martin F. , Heaney Jennifer L. J.
Published: March 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) and anti‐MM therapy cause profound immunosuppression, leaving patients vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and other infections. We investigated anti‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antibodies longitudinally in ultra‐high‐risk patients with MM receiving risk‐adapted, intensive anti‐CD38 combined therapy in the Myeloma UK (MUK) nine trial. Despite continuous intensive therapy, seroconversion was achieved in all patients, but required a greater number of vaccinations compared to healthy individuals, highlighting the importance of booster vaccinations in this population. Reassuringly, high antibody cross‐reactivity was found with current variants of concern, prior to Omicron subvariant adapted boostering. Multiple booster vaccine doses can provide effective protection from COVID‐19, even with intensive anti‐CD38 therapy for high‐risk MM.
The prevalence and phenotypic range associated with biallelic PKDCC variants
Authors: Pagnamenta Alistair T. , Belles Rebecca S. , Salbert Bonnie Anne , Wentzensen Ingrid M. , Guillen Sacoto Maria J. , Santos Francis Jeshira Reynoso , Caffo Alesky , Ferla Matteo , Banos‐Pinero Benito , Pawliczak Karolina , Makvand Mina , Najmabadi Hossein ,   Genomics England Research Consortium, Maroofian Reza , Lester Tracy , Yanez‐Felix Ana Lucia , Villarroel‐Cortes Camilo E. , Xia Fan , Al Fayez Khowla , Al Hashem Amal , Shears Deborah , Irving Melita , Offiah Amaka C. , Kariminejad Ariana , Taylor Jenny C.
Published: March 2023

PKDCC encodes a component of Hedgehog signalling required for normal chondrogenesis and skeletal development. Although biallelic PKDCC variants have been implicated in rhizomelic shortening of limbs with variable dysmorphic features, this association was based on just two patients. In this study, data from the 100 000 Genomes Project was used in conjunction with exome sequencing and panel‐testing results accessed via international collaboration to assemble a cohort of eight individuals from seven independent families with biallelic PKDCC variants. The allelic series included six frameshifts, a previously described splice‐donor site variant and a likely pathogenic missense variant observed in two families that was supported by in silico structural modelling. Database queries suggested that the prevalence of this condition is between 1 of 127 and 1 of 721 in clinical cohorts with skeletal dysplasia of unknown aetiology. Clinical assessments, combined with data from previously published cases, indicate a predominantly upper limb involvement. Micrognathia, hypertelorism and hearing loss appear to be commonly co‐occurring features. In conclusion, this study strengthens the link between biallelic inactivation of PKDCC and rhizomelic limb‐shortening and will enable clinical testing laboratories to better interpret variants in this gene.
Will this umbrella leak? A caribou umbrella index for boreal landbird conservation
Authors: Micheletti Tatiane , Haché Samuel , Stralberg Diana , Stewart Frances E. C. , Chubaty Alex M. , Barros Ceres , Bayne Erin M. , Cumming Steven G. , Docherty Teegan D. S. , Dookie Amanda , Duclos Isabelle , Eddy Ian M. S. , Gadallah Zuzu , Haas Claudia A. , Hodson James , Leblond Mathieu , Mahon C. Lisa , Schmiegelow Fiona , Tremblay Junior A. , Van Wilgenburg Steven L. , Westwood Alana R. , McIntire Eliot J. B.
Published: March 2023

Conservation approaches that efficiently protect multiple values, such as the umbrella species concept, have been widely promoted with expected dramatic ecosystem changes. Due to its social and cultural importance, and recent declining trends, boreal populations of woodland caribou have been suggested as potential umbrella species for other declining taxa, such as boreal landbirds. We propose a generic pixel‐based umbrella index that focuses on fine‐grained habitat overlaps. In light of ongoing conservation efforts worldwide implementing area‐based targets (e.g., 30% by 2030), we used a random neutral model as baseline, as opposed to a no‐conservation scenario, which has been used elsewhere. We found that the conservation efficiency of caribou as an umbrella for 71 co‐occurring landbirds—three of which are priority species—in the Northwest Territories, Canada, is generally lower than our random model, as 53% of the species presented negative umbrella index medians with the interquartile range not overlapping zero. We conclude that in cases where area‐based targets drive decision‐making and the issue at stake involves identifying which areas to conserve—not whether to conserve—woodland caribou may be a leaky umbrella for most co‐occurring landbird species and these might need complementary conservation actions to be brought in from the rain.
Mobile money taxation and informal workers: Evidence from Ghana's E‐levy
Authors: Anyidoho Nana Akua , Gallien Max , Rogan Mike , van den Boogaard Vanessa
Published: March 2023

Motivation

In recent years, governments in low‐income countries have increasingly introduced taxes on mobile money transfers. These are often explicitly promoted as a way of taxing informal economic activity, but critics have noted their potential negative impact on lower‐income groups and specifically those in the informal sector. Yet there is virtually no evidence base on the effects of mobile money taxes on informal workers.

Purpose

This article assesses how informal workers in Accra, Ghana, use mobile money and how they perceive Ghana's Electronic Transfer Levy (E‐levy), introduced in May 2022. This provides a particularly interesting case study to explore the equity implications of the tax, as the policy was explicitly justified as a way of taxing the informal economy but also includes measures to limit the tax burden on lower‐income groups.

Methods and approach

The article uses data from a survey of 2,700 self‐employed informal workers in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to capture citizen perceptions of the policy and to examine the likely impact of the E‐levy on informal workers with reference to equity.

Findings

Overall, our results suggest that the E‐levy is highly regressive. Further, we show that most informal workers disapprove of the E‐levy, reflecting not just concerns about its equity impacts, but also disappointment with the government's performance.

Policy implications

Our findings suggest that taxes on digital financial services should be reconsidered from an equity perspective. While some policy measures, including those undertaken in Ghana, can protect low‐income earners, they are often insufficient to counteract overall regressive impacts. Where they are implemented, social spending from the revenue from these taxes should target low‐income populations in the informal economy, while governments should focus on building trust among informal workers with regard to revenue raising and spending.
Vegetation cover and biodiversity reduce parasite infection in wild hosts across ecological levels and scales
Authors: Andreazzi Cecilia S. , Martinez‐Vaquero Luis A. , Winck Gisele R. , Cardoso Thiago S. , Teixeira Bernardo R. , Xavier Samanta C. C. , Gentile Rosana , Jansen Ana Maria , D'Andrea Paulo S.
Published: March 2023

Land use changes and biodiversity loss critically disrupts ecosystem functioning and are major drivers of infectious disease outbreaks. Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is a multi‐host parasite whose epidemiology has changed due to the expansion of anthropogenic activities over natural areas. We aimed to understand the ecological processes increasing parasite prevalence at the individual, the community and the landscape levels using the largest database on small mammal infection by T. cruzi in Brazil. We applied machine learning techniques and structural equation models to show that allometric traits and the relative abundance of rodents in the community were important predictors of infection risk, followed by variables associated with the landscape environmental quality. Natural vegetation cover change and the taxonomic and functional dimensions of biodiversity indirectly reduced infection through its effect on the abundance distribution and composition of host communities. According to our findings, approaches to biodiversity conservation and restoration based on the integration of social inclusion and human welfare would contribute to regulate the prevalence of T. cruzi in wild hosts, which may reduce overall transmission risk.
Calvarial suture interdigitation in hadrosaurids (Ornithischia: Ornithopoda): Perspectives through ontogeny and evolution
Authors: Dudgeon Thomas W. , Evans David C.
Published: March 2023

Lambeosaurine hadrosaurids exhibited extreme modifications to the skull, where the premaxillae, nasals, and prefrontals were modified to form their iconic supracranial crests. This morphology contrasts with their sister group, Hadrosaurinae, which possessed the plesiomorphic arrangement of bones. Although studies have discussed differences between lambeosaurine and hadrosaurine skull morphology and ontogeny, there is little information detailing suture modifications through ontogeny and evolution. Suture morphology is of particular interest due to its correlation with the mechanical loading of the skull in extant vertebrates. We quantify and contrast the morphology of calvarial sutures in iguanodontians and ontogenetic series of Corythosaurus and Gryposaurus to test whether the evolution of lambeosaurine crests impacted the mechanical loading of the skull. We found that suture interdigitation (SI) increases through ontogeny in hadrosaurids, although this increase is more extreme in Corythosaurus than Gryposaurus, and overall suture complexity (i.e., overall shape) remained constant. Lambeosaurines also have higher SI than other iguanodontians, even in crestless juveniles, suggesting that increased sinuosity is unrelated to the structural support of the crest. Hadrosaurines and basal iguanodontians did not differ. Similarly, lambeosaurines have more complexly shaped sutures than hadrosaurines and basal iguanodontians, while the latter two groups do not differ. Taken together, these results suggest that lambeosaurine calvarial sutures are more interdigitated than other iguanodontians, and although suture sinuosity increased through ontogeny, the suture shape remained constant. These ontogenetic and evolutionary patterns suggest that increased suture complexity in lambeosaurines coincided with crest evolution, and corresponding modifications to their facial skeleton altered the distribution of stress while feeding.
Seasonal distribution of the early life stages of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) and its dynamic controls adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary
Authors: Xu Min , Wang Yihe , Liu Zunlei , Liu Yong , Zhang Yi , Yang Linlin , Wang Fei , Wu Hui , Cheng Jiahua
Published: March 2023

The distribution of the early life stages of Larimichthys polyactis indicates the availability of suitable spawning and nursing grounds and enables a better understanding of the distribution of its geographic subpopulations and isolation. Large‐scale quantitative ichthyoplankton surveys of L. polyactis were performed from March to July 2018, and a numerical hydrodynamic model was applied to explore the spatiotemporal distribution and habitats of L. polyactis early life stages adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary. Two distinct early life stage distribution patterns were found. One occurred during March and April in the deep waters seaward of the Changjiang River bottom plume front, to the east and southeast of the Changjiang River Estuary. The other occurred in May and June throughout the entire water column in coastal waters to the east and north of the Changjiang River Estuary. Rising seasonal temperatures, and the local dynamic processes such as the Changjiang River plume, determined the transitions between the two distribution patterns. A potential fish larval migration route from the southern deep shelf waters to the northern coastal waters within the motor‐trawl prohibition line was suggested. This study contributes to our understanding of the mixture of habitats used by the two L. polyactis subpopulations in the southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.
Asymmetric effects of daytime and nighttime warming on alpine treeline recruitment
Authors: Shi Hang , Zhou Quan , He Rui , Zhang Quanfa , Dang Haishan
Published: March 2023

Trees at their upper range limits are highly sensitive to climate change, and thus alpine treelines worldwide have changed their recruitment patterns in response to climate warming. However, previous studies focused only on daily mean temperature, neglecting the asymmetric influences of daytime and nighttime warming on recruitments in alpine treelines. Here, based on the compiled dataset of tree recruitment series from 172 alpine treelines across the Northern Hemisphere, we quantified and compared the different effects of daytime and nighttime warming on treeline recruitment using four indices of temperature sensitivity, and assessed the responses of treeline recruitment to warming‐induced drought stress. Our analyses demonstrated that even in different environmental regions, both daytime and nighttime warming could significantly promote treeline recruitment, and however, treeline recruitment was much more sensitive to nighttime warming than to daytime warming, which could be attributable to the presence of drought stress. The increasing drought stress primarily driven by daytime warming rather than by nighttime warming would likely constrain the responses of treeline recruitment to daytime warming. Our findings provided compelling evidence that nighttime warming rather than daytime warming could play a primary role in promoting the recruitment in alpine treelines, which was related to the daytime warming‐induced drought stress. Thus, daytime and nighttime warming should be considered separately to improve future projections of global change impacts across alpine ecosystems.
At the intersection of trust and mistrust: A qualitative analysis of motivators and barriers to research participation at a safety‐net hospital
Authors: Tamlyn Autumn L. , Tjilos Maria , Bosch Nicholas A. , Barnett Katherine Gergen , Perkins Rebecca B. , Walkey Allan , Assoumou Sabrina A. , Linas Benjamin P. , Drainoni Mari‐Lynn
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals in healthcare research limits generalizability and contributes to healthcare inequities. Existing barriers and attitudes toward research participation must be addressed to increase the representation of safety net and other underserved populations.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews with patients at an urban safety net hospital, focusing on facilitators, barriers, motivators, and preferences for research participation. We conducted direct content analysis guided by an implementation framework and used rapid analysis methods to generate final themes.

Results

We completed 38 interviews and identified six major themes related to preferences for engagement in research participation: (1) wide variation in research recruitment preferences; (2) logistical complexity negatively impacts willingness to participate; (3) risk contributes to hesitation toward research participation; (4) personal/community benefit, interest in study topic, and compensation serve as motivators for research participation; (5) continued participation despite reported shortcomings of informed consent process; and (6) mistrust could be overcome by relationship or credibility of information sources.

Conclusion

Despite barriers to participation in research studies among safety‐net populations, there are also facilitators that can be implemented to increase knowledge and comprehension, ease of participation, and willingness to join research studies. Study teams should vary recruitment and participation methods to ensure equal access to research opportunities.

Patient/Public Contribution

Our analysis methods and study progress were presented to individuals within the Boston Medical Center healthcare system. Through this process community engagement specialists, clinical experts, research directors, and others with significant experience working with safety‐net populations supported data interpretation and provided recommendations for action following the dissemination of data.
Deodorants and antiperspirants: New trends in their active agents and testing methods
Authors: Teerasumran Paweenuch , Velliou Eirini , Bai Shuo , Cai Qiong
Published: March 2023

Sweating is the human body's thermoregulation system but also results in unpleasant body odour which can diminish the self‐confidence of people. There has been continued research in finding solutions to reduce both sweating and body odour. Sweating is a result of increased sweat flow and malodour results from certain bacteria and ecological factors such as eating habits. Research on deodorant development focuses on inhibiting the growth of malodour‐forming bacteria using antimicrobial agents, whereas research on antiperspirant synthesis focuses on technologies reducing the sweat flow, which not only reduces body odour but also improves people's appearance. Antiperspirant's technology is based on the use of aluminium salts which can form a gel plug at sweat pores, obstructing the sweat fluid from arising onto the skin surface. In this paper, we perform a systematic review on the recent progress in the development of novel antiperspirant and deodorant active ingredients that are alcohol‐free, paraben‐free, and naturally derived. Several studies have been reported on the alternative class of actives that can potentially be used for antiperspirant and body odour treatment including deodorizing fabric, bacterial, and plant extracts. However, a significant challenge is to understand how the gel‐plugs of antiperspirant actives are formed in sweat pores and how to deliver long‐lasting antiperspirant and deodorant benefits.
Fabrication and corrosion resistance of a superhydrophobic coating on Mg‐Li alloys via MAO and HDTMS modification
Authors: Ma Xiaochun , Wang Dan , Wu Ruizhi , Fang Ziming , Jin Siyuan , Wang Jiahao , Qian Bingyu , Hou Legan
Published: March 2023

A simple and environment‐friendly method was designed to prepare superhydrophobic (SHP) surface on Mg‐Li alloy by the combination of microarc oxidation and a subsequent hexadecyltrimethoxysilane modification. In the coating, a low‐energy surface with rough structure was successfully synthesized, resulting in a high contact angle of 163.1° and a superior corrosion resistance. The high corrosion resistance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of superhydrophobicity and physical barrier ability of SHP coating. Furthermore, the SHP coating exhibits excellent self‐cleaning property and chemical stability.
Authenticating starch adulteration in sweet potato starch using small‐angle X‐ray scattering
Authors: Zhang Yiping , Jiang Xiaobing , Wang Hailei
Published: March 2023

Authenticating the adulteration of sweet potato starch with other large‐scale‐produced commercial starches is an urgent matter to control the qualities of sweet potato starch and its related foods. This study discussed the application of small‐angle X‐ray scattering on authenticating the adulteration of sweet potato starch with cassava starch, maize starch and rice starch. Rice starch had a similar thickness of semi‐crystalline lamellae but cassava starch and maize starch exhibited different thicknesses of semi‐crystalline lamellae compared with sweet potato starch. The thickness of semi‐crystalline lamellae of mixed starches changed depending on the proportion of sweet potato starch (X) and obeyed the functions of Thickness = −0.01633X + 11.39637 (sweet potato starch‐cassava starch) and Thickness = −0.01768X + 11.5631 (sweet potato starch‐maize starch), respectively. These functions were then verified and confirmed their potential in the adulteration of sweet potato starch with cassava starch and maize starch but not rice starch.
RETRACTED: Incidence rate and risk factors of surgical wound infection in general surgery patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ashoobi Mohammad Taghi , Asgary Mohammad Reza , Sarafi Milad , Fathalipour Narjes , Pirooz Amir , Jafaryparvar Zakiyeh , Rafiei Elahe , Farzin Mohaya , Samidoust Pirouz , Delshad Mohammad Sadegh Esmaeili
Published: March 2023

Hospital‐acquired infections (HAIs) are considered a major challenge in health care systems. One of the main HAIs, playing an important role in increased morbidity and mortality, is surgical wound infection. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence rate and risk factors of surgical wound infection in general surgery patients. This cross‐sectional study was performed on 506 patients undergoing general surgery at Razi hospital in Rasht from 2019 to 2020. Bacterial isolates, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, antibiotic administration, and its type, operation duration and shift, the urgency of surgery, people involved in changing dressings, length of hospitalisation, and levels of haemoglobin, albumin, and white blood cells after surgery were assessed. The frequency of surgical wound infection and its association with patient characteristics and laboratory results were evaluated. The SPSS software package (version 16.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyse the data. Quantitative and qualitative variables were presented using mean (standard deviation) and number (percentage). The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to evaluate the normality of the data in this study. The data did not have a normal distribution. Hence, χ2 and Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the relationship between variables. Surgical wound infection occurred in 4.7% (24 cases) of patients with a mean age of 59.34 (SD = 14.61) years. Preoperative (>3 days) and postoperative (>7 days) hospitalisation, history of immunodeficiency (P < 0.001), and interns responsible for changing dressings (P = 0.021) were associated with surgical wound infection incidence. About 9.5% and 4.4% of surgical wound infection cases were significantly associated with pre‐ and postoperative antibiotic use. Gram‐positive cocci were the most prevalent strains isolated from 24 surgical wound infection cases (15/24, 62.5%). Among these, Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant species, followed by coagulase‐negative staphylococci. In addition, the most common Gram‐negative isolates identified were Escherichia coli bacteria. Overall, administration of antibiotics, emergency surgery, surgery duration, and levels of white blood cells and creatinine were identified as surgical wound infection‐associated risk factors. Identifying important risk factors could help control or prevent surgical wound infections.
Bioinformatics analysis and verification of m6A related genes based on the construction of keloid diagnostic model
Authors: Yang Ronghua , Wang Xiaoxiang , Zheng Wenlian , Chen Wentao , Gan Wenjun , Qin Xinchi , Huang Jie , Chen Xiaodong , Zhou Sitong
Published: March 2023

Keloids are formed due to abnormal hyperplasia of the skin connective tissue. We explored the relationship between N6‐methyladenosine (m6A)‐related genes and keloids. The transcriptomic datasets (GSE44270 and GSE185309) of keloid and normal skin tissues samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We constructed the m6A landscape and verified the corresponding genes using immunohistochemistry. We extracted hub genes for unsupervised clustering analysis using protein–protein interaction (PPI) network; gene ontology enrichment analysis was performed to determine the biological processes or functions affected by the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We performed immune infiltration analysis to determine the relationship between keloids and the immune microenvironment using single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis and CIBERSORT. Differential expression of several m6A genes was observed between the two groups; insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) was significantly upregulated in keloid patients. PPI analysis elucidated six genes with significant differences between the two keloid sample groups. Enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in cell division, proliferation, and metabolism. Moreover, significant differences in immunity‐related pathways were observed. Therefore, the results of this study will provide a reference for the elucidation of the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of keloids.
Low‐temperature reactive hot‐pressing of Ta0.2Hf0.8C–SiC ceramics at 1700°C
Authors: Qin Yanyan , Ni Dewei , Chen Bowen , Lu Jun , Cai Feiyan , Zou Xuegang , Gao Le , Zhang Xiangyu , Ding Yusheng , Dong Shaoming
Published: March 2023

Temperature above 2000°C and additional pressure is generally required to achieve the full densification of TaxHf1−xC‐based ceramics. This work proposed a novel method to fabricate dense Ta0.2Hf0.8C ceramics at relatively low temperature. Using a small amount of Si as a sintering aid, Ta0.2Hf0.8C was densified at 1700°C by reactive hot‐pressing (RHP), with SiC formed in situ. Microstructure evolution mechanisms of the ceramics during RHP were investigated. The effect of silicon content on the densification and mechanical properties of the ceramics was revealed. It is indicated that the apparent porosity of the Ta0.2Hf0.8C–SiC ceramics was as low as 0.5%, whereas bending strength and fracture toughness of the ceramics were as high as ∼637 MPa and 6.7 MPa m1/2, respectively, when the silicon content was 8 wt.%. This work provides a new idea for the low‐temperature densification of TaxHf1−xC and other ultrahigh temperature ceramics with high performance.
Licensing standard‐essential patents with costly enforcement
Authors: Bourreau Marc , Ferraz Rafael C. de M. , Ménière Yann
Published: March 2023

We study the interaction between the holder of a standard‐essential patent (SEP) and two downstream firms using the patented technology to design standard‐compliant products. The SEP holder approaches the downstream firms simultaneously in the shadow of patent litigation and is subject to fair, reasonable, and non‐discriminatory licensing requirements. We show that the patent holder faces a litigation credibility constraint and a license acceptability constraint when setting its licensing terms. For patents of intermediate strength, there is no royalty that allows the patent holder to reconcile these constraints. Consequently, it cannot license its technology and must go to court against infringers. We show that the availability of an injunction improves the patent holder's ability to license its technology, but it tends to inflate the royalty rate for implementers.
Association of individual‐socioeconomic variation in quality‐of‐primary care with area‐level service organisation: A multilevel analysis using linked data
Authors: Butler Danielle C. , Larkins Sarah , Korda Rosemary J
Published: March 2023

Rationale, Aims and Objectives

Ensuring equitable access to primary care (PC) contributes to reducing differences in health related to people's socioeconomic circumstances. However, there is limited data on system‐level factors associated with equitable access to high‐quality PC. We examine whether individual‐level socioeconomic variation in general practitioner (GP) quality‐of‐care varies by area‐level organisation of PC services.

Methods

Baseline data (2006–2009) from the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study, involving 267,153 adults in New South Wales, Australia, were linked to Medicare Benefits Schedule claims and death data (to December 2012). Small area‐level measures of PC service organisation were GPs per capita, bulk‐billing (i.e., no copayment) rates, out‐of‐pocket costs (OPCs), rates of after‐hours and chronic disease care planning/coordination services. Using multilevel logistic regression with cross‐level interaction terms we quantified the relationship between area‐level PC service characteristics and individual‐level socioeconomic variation in need‐adjusted quality‐of‐care (continuity‐of‐care, long‐consultations, and care planning), separately by remoteness.

Results

In major cities, more bulk‐billing and chronic disease services and fewer OPCs within areas were associated with an increased odds of continuity‐of‐care—more so among people of high‐ than low education (e.g., bulk‐billing interaction with university vs. no school certificate 1.006 [1.000, 1.011]). While more bulk‐billing, after‐hours services and fewer OPCs were associated with long consultations and care planning across all education levels, in regional locations alone, more after‐hours services were associated with larger increases in the odds of long consultations among people with low‐ than high education (0.970 [0.951, 0.989]). Area GP availability was not associated with outcomes.

Conclusions

In major cities, PC initiatives at the local level, such as bulk‐billing and after‐hours access, were not associated with a relative benefit for low‐ compared with high‐education individuals. In regional locations, policies supporting after‐hours access may improve access to long consultations, more so for people with low‐ compared with high‐education.
Translation rate underpins specific targeting of N‐terminal transmembrane proteins to mitochondria
Authors: Lee Junho , Moon Byeongho , Lee Dong Wook , Hwang Inhwan
Published: March 2023

Protein biogenesis is a complex process, and complexity is greatly increased in eukaryotic cells through specific targeting of proteins to different organelles. To direct targeting, organellar proteins carry an organelle‐specific targeting signal for recognition by organelle‐specific import machinery. However, the situation is confusing for transmembrane domain (TMD)‐containing signal‐anchored (SA) proteins of various organelles because TMDs function as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) targeting signal. Although ER targeting of SA proteins is well understood, how they are targeted to mitochondria and chloroplasts remains elusive. Here, we investigated how the targeting specificity of SA proteins is determined for specific targeting to mitochondria and chloroplasts. Mitochondrial targeting requires multiple motifs around and within TMDs: a basic residue and an arginine‐rich region flanking the N‐ and C‐termini of TMDs, respectively, and an aromatic residue in the C‐terminal side of the TMD that specify mitochondrial targeting in an additive manner. These motifs play a role in slowing down the elongation speed during translation, thereby ensuring mitochondrial targeting in a co‐translational manner. By contrast, the absence of any of these motifs individually or together causes at varying degrees chloroplast targeting that occurs in a post‐translational manner.
Young Leaf White Stripe encodes a P‐type PPR protein required for chloroplast development
Authors: Lan Jie , Lin Qibing , Zhou Chunlei , Liu Xi , Miao Rong , Ma Tengfei , Chen Yaping , Mou Changling , Jing Ruonan , Feng Miao , Nguyen Thanhliem , Ren Yulong , Cheng Zhijun , Zhang Xin , Liu Shijia , Jiang Ling , Wan Jianmin
Published: March 2023

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins function in post‐transcriptional regulation of organellar gene expression. Although several PPR proteins are known to function in chloroplast development in rice (Oryza sativa), the detailed molecular functions of many PPR proteins remain unclear. Here, we characterized a rice young leaf white stripe (ylws) mutant, which has defective chloroplast development during early seedling growth. Map‐based cloning revealed that YLWS encodes a novel P‐type chloroplast‐targeted PPR protein with 11 PPR motifs. Further expression analyses showed that many nuclear‐ and plastid‐encoded genes in the ylws mutant were significantly changed at the RNA and protein levels. The ylws mutant was impaired in chloroplast ribosome biogenesis and chloroplast development under low‐temperature conditions. The ylws mutation causes defects in the splicing of atpF, ndhA, rpl2, and rps12, and editing of ndhA, ndhB, and rps14 transcripts. YLWS directly binds to specific sites in the atpF, ndhA, and rpl2 pre‐mRNAs. Our results suggest that YLWS participates in chloroplast RNA group II intron splicing and plays an important role in chloroplast development during early leaf development.
Effect of leave‐on cosmetic antimicrobial preservatives on healthy skin resident Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Xueshuo , Zhao Linna , Gu Yihai , Chen Yiwen , Liu Na , An Lin , Lu Yong , Cui Shenghui
Published: March 2023

Background

The effect of high doses preservatives in the leave‐on cosmetic products to the skin microbiota is not clear. Studies have shown that the preservatives might alter the balance of the skin microbiota.

Aim

In this study, we aimed to evaluate antimicrobial effect of nine cosmetic chemical preservatives.

Material & Method

A total of 77 Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from 46 healthy zygomatic skin samples were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Nine preservatives used in leave‐on cosmetics were analyzed by testing the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against S. epidermidis isolates. We also determined the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) and bactericidal kinetics on selected isolates.

Results

More than 17 sequence types were recognized among 77 S. epidermidis isolates. Our data demonstrated that the maximum permitted doses of 2‐bromo‐2‐nitro‐1,3‐propanediol, ethyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, and imidazolidinyl urea were significantly higher than both their MICs and MPCs. We showed that, at the maximum permitted doses, two preservatives could completely kill 107 CFU/mL S. epidermidis in less than 1 h in MH broth.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrated that certain preservatives of the leave‐on cosmetics might inhibit or kill S. epidermidis cells and perturb the skin microbiota balance. The determination of the maximum permitted doses of the preservatives should not only be based on the toxicological data, but also antimicrobial susceptibility analysis. This comprehensive evaluation would ensure a balanced and healthy skin microbiota.
A randomised controlled trial to improve the resilience of oesophageal cancer survivors in rural China: A study protocol
Authors: Ge Hui , Wang Haiman , Ma Xuanxuan , Sun Di , Zhang Zonghao , Li Shuwen
Published: March 2023

Aim

To design a protocol based on the experiences of long‐term survivors to facilitate resilience for oesophageal cancer patients in rural China.

Background

According to the latest Global Cancer Statistics Report, 604,000 new cases of oesophageal cancer were reported, of which over 60% of the disease burden is distributed in China. The incidence of oesophageal cancer in rural China (15.95/100,000) is twice as high as those in urban areas (7.59/100,000). To be sure, resilience can help patients better adapt to post‐cancer life. But universal interventions involving improving the resilience of oesophageal cancer patients have much less been explored, especially for rural patients.

Methods

The two‐arm, parallel design, non‐blinded, randomised controlled trial will be implemented in 86 adults diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and will be randomly assigned to the control group or the intervention group via the blocked randomisation. The intervention group will undergo an intervention with one‐on‐one guidance from a nurse while viewing a CD of the experiences of long‐term survivors with oesophageal cancer in rural areas. Every 2 weeks, a theme session will be introduced, and the entire intervention will continue for 12 weeks. Psychosocial variables (resilience, self‐efficacy, coping mode and family support) will be surveyed at baseline, post‐intervention and 3 months after the intervention. The paper complies with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials 2013 and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines for study protocols adapted for designing and reporting parallel group randomised trials.

Conclusion

The intervention programme transitions from hospitalisation to discharge, which includes one‐on‐one interventions by medical personnel and a portable CD describing the experiences of long‐term survivors with rural oesophageal cancer. Once the intervention's effectiveness is proven, this protocol will provide psychological support for massive oesophageal cancer patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The intervention programme may be used as an auxiliary therapy to promote patients' postoperative psychological rehabilitation. This programme has the advantages of being cost‐effective, flexible, accessible, and convenient and can be implemented without the limitation of time, place and clinical medical staff.

Trial registration

The Chinese Clinical Trial Registration number is ChiCTR2100050047. Registered on 16 August 2021.
Grass trait–abundance relationships and the role of the functional composition of the neighboring community
Authors: Griffin‐Nolan Robert J. , Sandel Brody
Published: March 2023

Questions

Plant traits can predict a species‘ relative abundance and its influence on ecosystem processes. However, trait expression and the relative abundance of a species are also influenced by its abiotic and biotic environment. Here, we ask whether the relationship between plant traits and relative abundance is modified by abiotic (e.g., climate and topography) and biotic factors (e.g., community taxonomic and functional diversity) across Californian grasslands.

Location

San Francisco Bay Area.

Methods

We measured specific leaf area (SLA; leaf area/dry mass) and plant height of 19 grass species (family: Poaceae) across 117 plots. We also quantified the relative abundance of each species as well as several biotic attributes of the neighboring grass community including total plant cover, species richness and evenness, community‐weighted mean (CWM) traits, and functional diversity. Using multiple linear regression, we assessed whether abundance could be predicted from traits and the interactions between traits and both biotic and abiotic factors. We fit similar models predicting traits from relative abundance.

Results

Grass species had higher relative abundance in plots where they were taller and had higher SLA. They were also more abundant in communities with low functional richness (FRic) and high functional evenness (FEve), perhaps because of the low resource‐use efficiency of their neighbors and a lack of dominant grasses. Neither abundance nor plant height were associated with abiotic variables, although SLA responded predictably to precipitation according to a bell‐shaped curve. Grasses were taller where they were more abundant, but the impact of abundance on SLA depended on community FEve. Finally, we show strong evidence for community trait similarity, whereby an individual‘s trait expression was positively correlated with the traits of its grass neighbors.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results imply that traits are predictive of abundance and vice versa, and these relationships depend on biotic interactions more than climate.