bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of protected areas in conserving African elephants
Authors: Correa Roberto J. , Lindsey Peter A. , Critchlow Rob , Beale Colin M. , Geldmann Jonas , Plumptre Andrew J.
Published: July 2024

Protected areas have been gazetted to protect natural resources and biodiversity, but evaluations of effectiveness rarely include measures of species population change. We compiled annual site‐level spending and elephant population data for 102 protected areas conserving either savannah (Loxodonta africana) or forest (Loxodonta cyclotis) elephants, which showed a median annual population decline of −0.78% across the protected areas. Site‐level population change was strongly associated with funding and government effectiveness. Annual funding deficits occurred in 78% of the protected areas, and when comparing necessary levels of annual spend to stabilize elephant populations, we estimate a US$1.5 billion annual funding deficit across all the protected areas. While financial investment can improve elephant conservation outcomes, there is still a need to identify where and how to best finance elephant poaching interventions, requiring a global commitment to improve the socioeconomic impacts of protected areas on local communities and reduce ivory demand.
Primary cutaneous EBV+ extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma of gamma/delta T‐cell lineage in the posttransplantation setting
Authors: Williams Jessica F. , Lucas Fabienne M. , Carrasco Ruben D. , Lovitch Scott B. , Fisher David C. , Kupper Thomas S. , Sadigh Sam
Published: July 2024

Posttransplantation primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (PT‐CTCL) are a rare complication of sustained immunosuppression in the posttransplant setting. When present, PT‐CTCLs are typically EBV− and exhibit features of mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome or CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders. We present a case of a 75‐year‐old individual who developed skin lesions 30 years after liver transplantation. Pathologic evaluation of the skin biopsy revealed involvement by a clonal, EBV+ T‐cell population of gamma/delta lineage with no evidence of systemic disease. Comprehensive genomic profiling was performed, confirming focal one‐copy loss of 6q23.3, altogether consistent with the extremely rare and unusual diagnosis of primary cutaneous EBV+ extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma of gamma/delta T‐cell lineage in the posttransplantation setting.
Management of diabetes‐related hyperglycaemic emergencies in advanced chronic kidney disease: Review of the literature and recommendations
Authors: Stathi Dimitra , Dhatariya Ketan K. , Mustafa Omar G.
Published: July 2024

Aims

Despite the substantial progress in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains one of the most common complications. Although uncommon, diabetic emergencies [diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS)] can still occur in stage 4 and 5 CKD, at times with less typical clinical manifestations due to the altered pathophysiology, presence of chronic metabolic acidosis and effect of haemodialysis on glycaemic control and metabolic parameters. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature and provide recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of DKA, euglycaemic DKA and HHS in people with advanced CKD.

Methods and Results

Guidance on the management of diabetes‐related emergencies mainly focuses on individuals with preserved renal function or early‐stage CKD. Existing literature is limited, and recommendations are based on expert opinions and case reports. Given the clinical need for amended guidelines for this population, we are proposing a management algorithm for DKA and HHS based on clinical and metabolic parameters.

Conclusions

In this review article, we propose treatment algorithms for diabetes‐related hyperglycaemic emergencies in people with advanced CKD. Further research is needed to validate our proposed algorithms.
The interaction between the import carrier Hikeshi and HSP70 is modulated by heat, facilitating the nuclear import of HSP70 under heat stress conditions
Authors: Kose Shingo , Yoshioka Sakie , Ogawa Yutaka , Watanabe Ai , Imamoto Naoko
Published: July 2024

Heat stress strongly triggers the nuclear localization of the molecular chaperone HSP70. Hikeshi functions as a unique nuclear import carrier of HSP70. However, how the nuclear import of HSP70 is activated in response to heat stress remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of heat on the nuclear import of HSP70. In vitro transport assays revealed that pretreatment of the test samples with heat facilitated the nuclear import of HSP70. Furthermore, binding of Hikeshi to HSP70 increased when temperatures rose. These results indicated that heat is one of the factors that activates the nuclear import of HSP70. Previous studies showed that the F97A mutation in Hikeshi in an extended loop induced an opening in the hydrophobic pocket and facilitated the translocation of Hikeshi through the nuclear pore complex. We found that nuclear accumulation of HSP70 occurred at a lower temperature in cells expressing the Hikeshi‐F97A mutant than in cells expressing wild‐type Hikeshi. Collectively, our results show that the movement of the extended loop may play an important role in the interaction of Hikeshi with both FG (phenylalanine‐glycine)‐nucleoporins and HSP70 in a temperature‐dependent manner, resulting in the activation of nuclear import of HSP70 in response to heat stress.
Moving towards Normalization of haemostasis and health equity: Evolving treatment goals for haemophilia A
Authors: Holme Pål André , Blatný Jan , Chowdary Pratima , Lassila Riitta , O'Connell Niamh , Hermans Cédric , Álvarez Román María Teresa , Négrier Claude , Coppola Antonio , Oldenburg Johannes
Published: July 2024

Background

Treatment options for people with haemophilia are evolving at a rapid pace and a range of prophylactic treatment options using various technologies are currently available, each with their own distinct safety and efficacy profile.

Treatment goals

The access to replacement therapy and prophylaxis has driven a dramatic reduction in mortality and resultant increase in life expectancy. Beyond this, the abolition of bleeds and preservation of joint health represent the expected, but rarely attained, goals of haemophilia treatment and care. These outcomes also do not address the complexity of health‐related quality of life impacted by haemophilia and its treatment.

Conclusion

Capitalizing on the major potential of therapeutic innovations, ‘Normalization’ of haemostasis, as a concept, should include the aspiration of enabling individuals to live as normal a life as possible, free from haemophilia‐imposed limitations. To achieve this—being supported by the data reviewed in this manuscript—the concept of haemostatic and life Normalization needs to be explored and debated within the wider multidisciplinary teams and haemophilia community.
A clinical practice guideline for primary care physiotherapy in patients with haemophilia
Authors: Blokzijl Johan , Pisters Martijn F. , Aspdahl Magnus , de Boer Wypke , Dybvik Matlary Ruth Elise , Douma‐van Riet Danielle , de Kleijn Piet , Lobet Sébastien , Loughnane Paula , McLaughlin Paul , Bladen Melanie , Roche Sheila , Stephensen David , van Vlimmeren Leo , van Vulpen Lize F. D. , Timmer Merel A. ,   the EAHAD physiotherapy committee
Published: July 2024

Introduction

As a result of centralisation of haemophilia care to a limited number of intramural settings, many persons with haemophilia have to travel long distances to attend their haemophilia specialised treatment centre. However, regular physiotherapy treatment can be provided by primary care physiotherapists in the personʼs own region. Due to the rarity of the disease most primary care physiotherapists have limited experience with this population. This study aims to provide a clinical practice guideline for primary care physiotherapists working with persons with bleeding disorders.

Method

A list of the most urgent key‐questions was derived from a previous study. Literature was summarised using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) evidence‐to‐decision framework. Recommendations were drafted based on four 90 min consensus meetings with expert physiotherapists. Recommendations were finalised after feedback and >80% consensus of all stakeholders (including PWH, physiotherapists, haematologists and the corresponding societies).

Results

A list of 82 recommendations was formulated to support primary care physiotherapists when treating a person with a bleeding disorder. These recommendations could be divided into 13 categories: two including recommendations on organisation of care, six on therapy for adult patients with bleeding disorders and five on therapy adaptations for paediatric care. Therapy recommendations included treatment after a joint‐ or muscle bleed, haemophilic arthropathy, chronic synovitis, non‐haemophilia related conditions and orthopaedic surgery.

Conclusion

An evidence‐based practice guideline, based on current evidence from literature and clinical expertise, has been developed for primary care physiotherapists treating a person with haemophilia. To improve care, the recommendations should be implemented in daily practice.
Clinical lessons for diabetes treatment from the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hamamoto Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2024

In this paper, lessons from the reports about COVID‐19 from Japan are summarized.
Combining treat‐to‐target principles and shared decision‐making: International expert consensus‐based recommendations with a novel concept for minimal disease activity criteria in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Silverberg Jonathan I. , Gooderham Melinda , Katoh Norito , Aoki Valeria , Pink Andrew E. , Binamer Yousef , Rademaker Marius , Fomina Daria , Gutermuth Jan , Ahn Jiyoung , Valenzuela Fernando , Ameen Mahreen , Steinhoff Martin , Kirchhof Mark G. , Lio Peter , Wollenberg Andreas
Published: July 2024

Background

Current treat‐to‐target recommendations for atopic dermatitis (AD) may not include high enough treatment targets and do not fully consider patient needs.

Objective

To develop recommendations for optimized AD management, including disease severity assessments, treatment goals and targets, and guidance for treatment escalation/modification.

Methods

An international group of expert dermatologists drafted a series of recommendations for AD management using insights from a global patient study and 87 expert dermatologists from 44 countries. Experts voted on recommendations using a modified eDelphi voting process.

Results

The Aiming High in Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis (AHEAD) recommendations establish a novel approach to AD management, incorporating shared decision‐making and a concept for minimal disease activity (MDA). Consensus (≥70% agreement) was reached for all recommendations in 1 round of voting; strong consensus (≥90% agreement) was reached for 30/34 recommendations. In the AHEAD approach, patients select their most troublesome AD feature(s); the clinician chooses a corresponding patient‐reported severity measure and objective severity measure. Treatment targets are chosen from a list of ‘moderate’ and ‘optimal’ targets, with achievement of ‘optimal’ targets defined as MDA.

Conclusions

Patient and expert insights led to the development of AHEAD recommendations, which establish a novel approach to AD management. Patients were not involved in the eDelphi voting process used to generate consensus on each recommendation. However, patient perspectives were captured in a global, qualitative patient research study that was considered by the experts in their initial drafting of the recommendations.
Circular strategies for building sector decarbonization in China: A scenario analysis
Authors: Mastrucci Alessio , Guo Fei , Zhong Xiaoyang , Maczek Florian , van Ruijven Bas
Published: July 2024

The building sector in China is responsible for 40% of total energy‐related CO2 emissions, driven by its large population, continuous economic growth, and construction boom. In addition to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from energy use, buildings drive significant emissions for construction activities and production of energy‐intensive materials, such as steel and cement. While supply‐side energy strategies have been extensively explored, a demand‐side perspective that considers stock dynamics and circularity improvements is essential to assess sustainable pathways for the buildings sector. Here, we explore a set of decarbonization scenarios for the building sector in China considering a range of circular strategies and their interplay with different climate policies. The strategies include lifetime extension of buildings, switch to wood‐based construction, reduction of per‐capita floorspace, and a combination of all three strategies. We use the building sector model MESSAGEix‐Buildings soft linked to the integrated assessment model (IAM) MESSAGEix‐GLOBIOM and prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the effects of these circular strategies on building material and energy demands, and operational and embodied emissions. We find that the three strategies could reduce building material demand up to 60% on mass basis by 2060 compared to a reference scenario with continuation of current policies. This translates into a reduction of embodied and total GHG emissions of 62% and 24%, respectively, significantly contributing to achieving decarbonization targets. Integrating industrial ecology methods in IAMs, as demonstrated in this study, can provide valuable insights to inform national policy decisions on mitigation strategies accounting for both demand and supply sides.
Expression of novel androgen receptors in three GnRH neuron subtypes in the cichlid brain
Authors: Dussenne Mélanie , Alward Beau A.
Published: July 2024

In teleosts, GnRH1 neurons stand at the apex of the Hypothalamo‐Pituitary‐Gonadal (HPG) axis, which is responsible for the production of sex steroids by the gonads (notably, androgens). To exert their actions, androgens need to bind to their specific receptors, called androgen receptors (ARs). Due to a teleost‐specific whole genome duplication, A. burtoni possess two AR paralogs (ARα and ARβ) that are encoded by two different genes, ar1 and ar2, respectively. In A. burtoni, males stratify along dominance hierarchies, in which an individuals' social status determines its physiology and behavior. GnRH1 neurons have been strongly linked with dominance and circulating androgen levels. Similarly, GnRH3 neurons are implicated in the display of male specific behaviors. Some studies have shown that these GnRH neurons are responsive to fluctuations in circulating androgens levels, suggesting a link between GnRH neurons and ARs. While female A. burtoni do not naturally form a social hierarchy, their reproductive state is positively correlated to androgen levels and GnRH1 neuron size. Although there are reports related to the expression of ar genes in GnRH neurons in cichlid species, the expression of each ar gene remains inconclusive due to technical limitations. Here, we used immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization chain reaction (HCR), and spatial transcriptomics to investigate ar1 and ar2 expression specifically in GnRH neurons. We find that all GnRH1 neurons intensely express ar1 but only a few of them express ar2, suggesting the presence of genetically‐distinct GnRH1 subtypes. Very few ar1 and ar2 transcripts were found in GnRH2 neurons. GnRH3 neurons were found to express both ar genes. The presence of distinct ar genes within GnRH neuron subtypes, most clearly observed for GnRH1 neurons, suggests differential control of these neurons by androgenic signaling. These findings provide valuable insight for future studies aimed at disentangling the androgenic control of GnRH neuron plasticity and reproductive plasticity across teleosts.
Efficacy and safety of eculizumab in Guillain‐Barré syndrome: A phase 3, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Kuwabara Satoshi , Kusunoki Susumu , Kuwahara Motoi , Yamano Yoshihisa , Nishida Yoichiro , Ishida Hirokazu , Kasuya Tomoyuki , Kupperman Erik , Lin Qun , Frick Glen , Misawa Sonoko
Published: July 2024

Background and Aims

Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, self‐limited, immune‐mediated peripheral neuropathy. Current treatments for GBS include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange, which may not sufficiently benefit severely affected patients. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of eculizumab add‐on therapy to IVIg (standard‐of‐care treatment) in patients with severe GBS.

Methods

This phase 3, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial (NCT04752566), enrolled Japanese adults (age ≥ 18 years) with severe GBS (Hughes functional grade [FG] score FG3 or FG4/FG5 within 2 weeks of onset of GBS). Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive intravenous infusion of eculizumab or placebo (once weekly for 4 weeks) with IVIg treatment with 20 weeks of follow‐up. Primary efficacy endpoint was the time to first reach FG score ≤1 (able to run). Key secondary endpoints were proportion of participants achieving FG ≤1 at weeks 8 and 24 and FG improvement ≥3 at week 24. Pharmacodynamic analysis of serum free C5 concentration over time was performed. Safety was evaluated.

Results

The analysis included 57 participants (eculizumab, n = 37; placebo, n = 20). Primary endpoint was not achieved (hazard ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.45–1.97; p = .89). Key secondary endpoints did not reach statistical significance. Serum C5 concentration was reduced by 99.99% at 1 h postdose and sustained to week 5 but returned to baseline at the end of follow‐up period. No new safety signals for eculizumab were identified.

Interpretation

Although well tolerated, eculizumab treatment did not show significant effects on motor function recovery compared to placebo in patients with GBS.
Digital fabrication of custom tracheostomy appliances: A clinical report
Authors: Frias Vladimir , Wachowiak Lindsay
Published: July 2024

The use of rapid prototyping technology has revolutionized the fabrication of intraoral prostheses. With the advancement of digital technology, its applications have expanded to extraoral prostheses and appliances to replace a variety of head and neck defects. The following clinical report illustrates the use of a new technique that allows the digital replication and recontouring of a stock tracheostomy tube to improve patient fit, comfort, and esthetics.
Comparative plastome and mitogenome analyses indicate that the marine prasinophyte green algae Pycnococcus provasolii and Pseudoscourfieldia marina (Pseudoscourfieldiophyceae class nov., Chlorophyta) represent morphotypes of the same species
Authors: Crépeault Olivier , Otis Christian , Pombert Jean‐François , Turmel Monique , Lemieux Claude
Published: July 2024

The marine prasinophyte green algae Pycnococcus provasolii and Pseudoscourfieldia marina represent the only extant genera and known species of the Pycnococcaceae. However, their taxonomic status needs to be reassessed, owing to the very close relationship inferred from previous sequence comparisons of individual genes. Although Py. provasolii and Ps. marina are morphologically different, their plastid rbcL and nuclear small subunit rRNA genes were observed to be nearly or entirely identical in sequence, thus leading to the hypothesis that they represent distinct growth forms or alternate life‐cycle stages of the same organism. To evaluate this hypothesis, we used organelle genomes as molecular markers. The plastome and mitogenome of Ps. marina UIO 007 were sequenced and compared with those available for two isolates of Py. provasolii (CCMP 1203 and CCAP 190/2). The Ps. marina organelle genomes proved to be almost identical in size and had the same gene content and gene order as their Py. provasolii counterparts. Single nucleotide substitutions and insertions/deletions were localized using genome‐scale sequence alignments. Over 99.70% sequence identities were observed in all pairwise comparisons of plastomes and mitogenomes. Alignments of both organelle genomes revealed that Ps. marina UIO 007 is closer to Py. provasolii CCAP 190/2 than are the two Py. provasolii strains to one another. Therefore, our results are not consistent with the placement of Ps. marina and Py. provasolii strains into distinct genera. We propose a taxonomic revision of the Pycnococcaceae and the erection of a new class of Chlorophyta, the Pseudoscourfieldiophyceae.
Stapled functional end‐to‐end intestinal anastomosis with endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis staplers in cats and small dogs
Authors: Genoni S. , Cinti F. , Pilot M. , Rossanese M. , McCready D. , Cantatore M.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To investigate the use of endovascular gastrointestinal stapling devices to perform intestinal functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis in small dogs and cats.

Materials and Methods

Medical records of dogs (≤10 kg) and cats that underwent intestinal resection and functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis with an endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis (endovascular‐GIA) stapling device at five small animal referral centres between April 2014 and September 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Data including clinical findings, surgical technique, histopathology and complications were collected. A minimum follow‐up of 10 days was required. Patients with follow‐up of less than 10 days were included if they developed a major complication. Outcome was obtained from assessing the clinical records and contacting the referring veterinarians or owners. Estimated survival was generated according to the Kaplan–Meier method. Differences between survival curves were tested by log‐rank test.

Results

Twenty‐five patients (10 dogs and 15 cats) were included. The median bodyweight was 4.6 kg (range 2.6 to 10 kg). Nine patients were diagnosed with intestinal neoplasia, 16 with non‐neoplastic intestinal disease. The median follow‐up was 126 days (range 18 to 896 days). Five patients developed minor postoperative complications, including three superficial surgical site infections. No major postoperative complications were reported. Eighteen patients were alive at the end of the study, one patient was lost to follow‐up. Kaplan–Meier estimated median survival time was not reached. Survival was significantly longer for patients with non‐neoplastic versus neoplastic intestinal.

Clinical Significance

The study suggests that the use of endovascular gastrointestinal anastomosis staplers is safe and effective to perform intestinal functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis in dogs ≤10 kg and cats.
Physics‐informed neural operator solver and super‐resolution for solid mechanics
Authors: Kaewnuratchadasorn Chawit , Wang Jiaji , Kim Chul‐Woo
Published: July 2024

Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) have solved numerous mechanics problems by training to minimize the loss functions of governing partial differential equations (PDEs). Despite successful development of PINNs in various systems, computational efficiency and fidelity prediction have remained profound challenges. To fill such gaps, this study proposed a Physics‐Informed Neural Operator Solver (PINOS) to achieve accurate and fast simulations without any required data set. The training of PINOS adopts a weak form based on the principle of least work for static simulations and a strong form for dynamic systems in solid mechanics. Results from numerical examples indicated that PINOS is capable of approximating solutions notably faster than the benchmarks of PINNs in both static an dynamic systems. The comparisons also showed that PINOS reached a convergence speed of over 20 times faster than finite element software in two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional static problems. Furthermore, this study examined the zero‐shot super‐resolution capability by developing Super‐Resolution PINOS (SR‐PINOS) that was trained on a coarse mesh and validated on fine mesh. The numerical results demonstrate the great performance of the model to obtain accurate solutions with a speed up, suggesting effectiveness in increasing sampling points and scaling a simulation. This study also discusses the differentiation methods of PINOS and SR‐PINOS and suggests potential implementations related to forward applications for promising machine learning methods for structural designs and optimization.
Nomen omen: Euglena gracilis possesses a rhodopsin‐based photoreceptor
Authors: Lorenzetti Giulia , Barsanti Laura , Birindelli Lorenzo , Gualtieri Paolo , Legnaioli Stefano
Published: July 2024

The unicellular microalga Euglena gracilis has always been considered the ideal alga to investigate photoreceptive responses and systems, and it has been the subject of hundreds of articles. Moreover, because of its detectable photoreceptor, it has been given a key role in the evolution of photoreception, from single and simple cells to complex visual system of higher organisms. In this article, we report the Raman spectra recorded in vivo on photoreceptors of E. gracilis and Bos taurus retina. The almost perfect superimposability (correlation coefficient r = 0.955) of these spectra states that the Euglena possesses a photoreceptor with the same structural characteristic of a vertebrate photoreceptor, i.e. a stack of membrane layers embedding rhodopsin‐like proteins. Raman spectra recorded in vivo on photoreceptors of E. gracilis after hydroxylamine treatment further confirm our findings, which should lead to a reconsideration of most of the scientific literature on algae photoreception and eye evolution.
Factors influencing job satisfaction and professional competencies in clinical practice among internationally educated nurses during the migration journey: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Cubelo Floro , Al Jabri Fatma , Jokiniemi Krista , Turunen Hannele
Published: July 2024

Background

The increasing migration of internationally educated nurses (IENs) from developing to developed countries highlights the importance of implementing integration strategies that facilitate their workplace transition, leading to improved job satisfaction and professional competence.

Aim

The mixed‐methods systematic review aimed to synthesise the current literature on factors influencing job satisfaction and professional competencies among IENs throughout their transition process, including the pre‐migration, migration, and post‐migration periods.

Methods

This study conducted a mixed‐methods systematic review from 2013 to 2023, using the CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed databases and employing a Population, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes (PICO) framework. Quality assessment employed the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), and data analysis followed a convergent parallel design. Data synthesis was presented narratively, and the literature review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

Out of 565 articles, eleven studies (eight qualitative, two quantitative, and one mixed‐method) met the inclusion criteria. Three key themes that influenced job satisfaction and professional competencies among IENs were identified: pre‐migration and pre‐deployment demands, challenges in workplace integration, and post‐migration career challenges and retention strategies.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on IENs recruited from developing countries, potentially limiting the generalisability of the findings to IENs from other regions or countries. Furthermore, the inclusion of nurses from developed countries who also migrated was limited in the available studies, which further restricts the applicability of the research findings.

Conclusions

It is essential to reconsider the pre‐migration language requirements and evaluate the feasibility of completing them during the integration period to enhance the job satisfaction and professional competencies of IENs. Additionally, key factors for improving job satisfaction among IENs include providing personalised support, addressing managerial barriers, facilitating career advancement, efficiently managing workloads, and promoting effective communication within the healthcare team.
Emotional reactivity and past self‐injurious behavior moderate the association between trauma exposure and fearlessness about death
Authors: Stumps Anna D. , Bounoua Nadia , Sheehan Ana E. , Sadeh Naomi
Published: July 2024

Introduction

As suicide remains a global public health concern, recent work has sought to characterize mechanisms underlying the transition from suicidal ideation to action. Acquired capability for suicide, or fearlessness about death, has been identified as one key factor underlying this transition; however, understanding how this capability emerges remains limited. This study sought to extend previous work on the correlates of fearlessness about death by examining its relationship with painful and provocative events and emotional reactivity.

Methods

We tested the extent to which trait emotional reactivity and past self‐injurious behavior moderated the relationship between assaultive trauma exposure and fearlessness about death in a diverse sample of 273 community adults (aged 18–55, M/SD = 32.77/10.78).

Results

A three‐way interaction emerged, such that among individuals with heightened emotional reactivity and a history of self‐injurious behavior (suicide attempt or non‐suicidal self‐injury), assaultive trauma was associated with increased fearlessness about death. In contrast, among adults with low emotional reactivity and a history of self‐injurious behavior, assaultive trauma was associated with reduced fearlessness about death.

Conclusions

Results suggest that emotional reactivity may be a key dispositional factor that influences how trauma exposure and self‐injurious behavior impact fearlessness about death.
Worlding and weirding with beaver: A more‐than‐human political ecology of ecosystem engineering
Authors: Lorimer Jamie
Published: July 2024

Scientists and policy‐makers promote 'Nature‐based Solutions' to the interconnected challenges associated with the Anthropocene. Often these involve the strategic use of ecosystem engineers: animals, plants, and microbes with disproportionate ecological agency capable of regional or even planetary‐scale niche construction. This environmental mode of biopolitics is promoted as biomimicry: restoring, rewilding, or rewetting diverse ecological systems. This paper critically examines the multispecies relations promised by this model through a focus on beaver in Britain over the last 12,000 years. It begins with beaver making Britain hospitable for early settlers and agriculturalists as they returned after the last ice age. It traces the subsequent demise of beaver due to hunting and land use change, and then follows the recent return of beaver as tools for natural flood management and nature recovery. It attends to situations in which these multispecies world‐making projects go awry in the weird ecologies of the Anthropocene. This story of beaver helps situate enthusiasms for proactive ecosystem engineering in deeper time. It highlights the beguiling potential of Nature‐based Solutions while cautioning against tendencies towards anthropocentrism, an apolitical mononaturalism, and an ecomodernist hubris. The paper combines concepts from archaeology, ecology, anthropology, and geography into a new framework for theorising multispecies acts of worlding and weirding.
Machine learning-based prediction of the electron energy distribution function and electron density of argon plasma from the optical emission spectra
Authors: Arellano Fatima Jenina , Kusaba Minoru , Wu Stephen , Yoshida Ryo , Donkó Zoltán , Hartmann Peter , Tsankov Tsanko V. , Hamaguchi Satoshi
Published: July 2024

Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is a highly valuable tool for plasma characterization due to its nonintrusive and versatile nature. The intensities of the emission lines contain information about the parameters of the underlying plasma–electron density ne and temperature or, more generally, the electron energy distribution function (EEDF). This study aims to obtain the EEDF and ne from the OES data of argon plasma with machine learning (ML) techniques. Two different models, i.e., the Kernel Regression for Functional Data (KRFD) and an artificial neural network (ANN), are used to predict the normalized EEDF and Random Forest (RF) regression is used to predict ne. The ML models are trained with computed plasma data obtained from Particle-in-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision simulations coupled with a collisional–radiative model. All three ML models developed in this study are found to predict with high accuracy what they are trained to predict when the simulated test OES data are used as the input data. When the experimentally measured OES data are used as the input data, the ANN-based model predicts the normalized EEDF with reasonable accuracy under the discharge conditions where the simulation data are known to agree well with the corresponding experimental data. However, the capabilities of the KRFD and RF models to predict the EEDF and ne from experimental OES data are found to be rather limited, reflecting the need for further improvement of the robustness of these models.
The Anabolic Response to Protein Ingestion During Recovery From Exercise Has No Upper Limit in Magnitude and Duration In Vivo in Humans: A Commentary
Authors: Witard Oliver C. , Mettler Samuel
Published: July 2024

A comprehensive recent study by Trommelen et al. demonstrated that muscle tissue exhibits a greater capacity to incorporate exogenous exogenous protein-derived amino acids into bound muscle protein than was previously appreciated, at least when measured in “anabolically sensitive,” recreationally active (but not resistance-trained), young men following resistance exercise. Moreover, this study demonstrated that the duration of the postprandial period is modulated by the dose of ingested protein contained within a meal, that is, the postexercise muscle protein synthesis response to protein ingestion was more prolonged in 100PRO than 25PRO. Both observations represent important scientific advances in the field of protein metabolism. However, we respectfully caution that the practical implications of these findings may have been misinterpreted, at least in terms of dismissing the concept of protein meal distribution as an important factor in optimizing muscle tissue anabolism and/or metabolic health. Moreover, based on emerging evidence, this idea that the anabolic response to protein ingestion has no upper limit does not appear to translate to resistance-trained young women.
In Science Journals
Authors: Funk Michael A. , Osborne Ian S. , Szuromi Phil , Smith Jesse , Jiang Di , Yeston Jake S. , Fogg Christiana N. , Gagné Michel , Simonti Corinne N. , Kelly Pricilla N. , Ash Caroline , Grocholski Brent , VanHook Annalisa M. , Ogle Molly
Published: July 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Development and implementation of a core genome multilocus sequence typing scheme for
Yersinia enterocolitica:
a tool for surveillance and outbreak detection
Authors: Pires Joao , Brandal Lin T. , Naseer Umaer
Published: July 2024

Yersinia enterocolitica
(
Y. enterocolitica
) is the most frequent etiological agent of yersiniosis and has been responsible for several national outbreaks in Norway and elsewhere. A standardized high-resolution method, such as core genome Multilocus Sequence Typing (cgMLST), is needed for pathogen traceability at the national and international levels. In this study, we developed and implemented a cgMLST scheme for
Y. enterocolitica
. We designed a cgMLST scheme in SeqSphere + using high-quality genomes from different
Y. enterocolitica
biotype sublineages. The scheme was validated if more than 95% of targets were found across all tested
Y. enterocolitica
: 563 Norwegian genomes collected between 2012 and 2022 and 327 genomes from public data sets. We applied the scheme to known outbreaks to establish a threshold for identifying major complex types (CTs) based on the number of allelic differences. The final cgMLST scheme included 2,582 genes with a median of 97.9% (interquartile range 97.6%–98.8%) targets found across all tested genomes. Analysis of outbreaks identified all outbreak strains using single linkage clustering at four allelic differences. This threshold identified 311 unique CTs in Norway, of which CT18, CT12, and CT5 were identified as the most frequently associated with outbreaks. The cgMLST scheme showed a very good performance in typing
Y. enterocolitica
using diverse data sources and was able to identify outbreak clusters. We recommend the implementation of this scheme nationally and internationally to facilitate
Y. enterocolitica
surveillance and improve outbreak response in national and cross-border outbreaks.
Initiation of H1-T6SS dueling between
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: George M. , Narayanan S. , Tejada-Arranz A. , Plack A. , Basler M.
Published: July 2024

The Type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a multicomponent apparatus, present in many Gram-negative bacteria, which can inhibit bacterial prey in various ecological niches.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
assembles one of its three T6SS (H1-T6SS) to respond to attacks from adjacent competing bacteria. Surprisingly, repeated assemblies of the H1-T6SS, termed dueling, were described in a monoculture in the absence of an attacker strain; however, the underlying mechanism was unknown. Here, we explored the role of H2-T6SS of
P. aeruginosa
in triggering H1-T6SS assembly. We show that H2-T6SS inactivation in
P. aeruginosa
causes a significant reduction in H1-T6SS dueling and that H2-T6SS activity directly triggers retaliation by the H1-T6SS. Intraspecific competition experiments revealed that elimination of H2-T6SS in non-immune prey cells conferred protection from H1-T6SS. Moreover, we show that the H1-T6SS response is triggered independently of the characterized lipase effectors of the H2-T6SS, as well as those of
Acinetobacter baylyi
and
Vibrio cholerae
. Our results suggest that H1-T6SS response to H2-T6SS in
P. aeruginosa
can impact intraspecific competition, particularly when the H1-T6SS effector-immunity pairs differ between strains, and could determine the outcome of multistrain colonization.

IMPORTANCE

The opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
harbors three different Type VI secretion systems (H1, H2, and H3-T6SS), which can translocate toxins that can inhibit bacterial competitors or inflict damage to eukaryotic host cells. Unlike the unregulated T6SS assembly in other Gram-negative bacteria, the H1-T6SS in
P. aeruginosa
is precisely assembled as a response to various cell damaging attacks from neighboring bacterial cells. Surprisingly, it was observed that neighboring
P. aeruginosa
cells repeatedly assemble their H1-T6SS toward each other. Mechanisms triggering this “dueling” behavior between sister cells were unknown. In this report, we used a combination of microscopy, genetic and intraspecific competition experiments to show that H2-T6SS initiates H1-T6SS dueling. Our study highlights the interplay between different T6SS clusters in
P. aeruginosa
, which may influence the outcomes of multistrain competition in various ecological settings such as biofilm formation and colonization of cystic fibrosis lungs.
MBX-7591: a promising drug candidate against drug-resistant fungal infections
Authors: Pereira de Sa Nivea , Del Poeta Maurizio
Published: July 2024

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by pathogenic fungi pose a significant public health concern, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Mortality rates for IFIs remain high, and currently available treatment options are limited. Existing antifungal agents often suffer from limited clinical efficacy, poor fungicidal activity within the host, potential toxicity, and increasing ineffectiveness due to emerging resistance, especially against triazole drugs, the current mainstay of antifungal treatment. A recent study has identified MBX-7591, a small molecule with promising antifungal activity against
Aspergillus fumigatus
and other pathogenic fungi, including strains resistant to triazoles (C. Gutierrez-Perez, C. Puerner, J. T. Jones, S. Vellanki, E. M. Vesely, et al., mBio e01166-24, 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01166-24
). This novel compound appears to inhibit stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase, a key enzyme involved in fungal fatty acid biosynthesis. By disrupting the conversion of saturated fatty acids to oleic acid, MBX-7591 offers a unique mechanism of action, potentially reducing the risk of resistance development. Here, we now discuss the implications of these groundbreaking findings for overcoming antifungal drug resistance.
Draft genome sequence of
Nitrobacter vulgaris
DSM 10236
T
Authors: Soghomonian Mark , Soghomonian Angela , Escobar Matthew , Thiel Vera , Göker Markus , Ivanova Natalia , Seshadri Rekha , Maitra Kalyani
Published: July 2024

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Nitrobacter vulgaris
DSM 10236
T
, a nitrite-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a sewage system in Hamburg, Germany. The genome is 4.3 Mb in size with 4,585 predicted genes, including the full complement of genes necessary for growth on nitrite (
narK, nxrA, nxrB, nxrC,
and
nxrD
).
Haemolysis index conundrum in a COVID-19 patient
Authors: Zhao Chong Qin Michael , Steinberg Jordan , Otero Espinal Dennise , Vele Oana
Published: July 2024

In this study, we report a preanalytical challenge noted in our laboratory on plasma samples from a critically ill COVID-19 patient treated with hydroxychloroquine. This is significant because, in critically ill COVID-19 patients on hydroxychloroquine, plasma samples can have a high measured haemolysis index in the absence of haemolysis, with the impact on reporting the results for potassium and other analytes.
CLinical EValuation of WEB 17 device in intracranial aneuRysms (CLEVER): 1-year effectiveness results for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms
Authors: Spelle Laurent , Costalat Vincent , Caroff Jildaz , Wodarg Fritz , Fischer Sebastian , Herbreteau Denis , Möhlenbruch Markus A , Januel Anne-Christine , Papagiannaki Chrysanthi , Klisch Joachim , Numminen Jussi , Rautio Riitta , Berlis Ansgar , Mihalea Cristian , Chalumeau Vanessa , Downer Jonathan , Cortese Jonathan , Ikka Leon , Gallas Sophie , Bester Maxim , Liebig Thomas , Velasco Stéphane , Grimaldi Lamiae , Byrne James , Szikora Istvan , Pierot Laurent , Cognard Christophe
Published: July 2024

Background

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is designed to treat wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. The WEB 17 is the latest iteration and can be delivered through a 0.017″ microcatheter. The CLEVER study demonstrated that WEB 17 is safe and effective for providing protection against bleeding or rebleeding at 1 month and 1 year.

Objective

To evaluate angiographic stability at 1 year.

Methods

The CLEVER study was a prospective multicenter study conducted in 17 European centers, involved 163 subjects, comprising 60 ruptured and 103 unruptured aneurysms. Independent assessment of 1-year follow-up imaging was incorporated into the study design.

Results

Aneurysm diameters ranged from 2.0 to 9.2 mm, with 95.7% being broad-based (dome-to-neck ratio <2). Follow-up imaging at 1 year was completed for 146 out of 163 subjects (89.6%) and evaluated by an independent core laboratory. The primary efficacy endpoint of adequate occlusion without re-treatment at 1 year was achieved for 120 (82.2%) of all subjects. At 1 year, the adequate occlusion rate was 86.5% for ruptured aneurysms (73.1% complete occlusion) and 82.4% for unruptured aneurysms (57.1% complete occlusion). The overall re-treatment rate at 1 year was 2.6% (4/152), with 3.1% (3/97) for unruptured aneurysms and 1.8% (1/55) for ruptured aneurysms

Conclusion

Delivery of the WEB 17 via 0.017 inch catheters represents a significant evolution of the WEB design. The results of CLEVER presented here demonstrate that it maintains the same efficacy as previous generations of WEB.
Pilot epinephrine dose-finding study to counter epidural-related blood pressure reduction
Authors: Nin Olga C , Boezaart Andre , Giordano Christopher , Hughes Steven J , Parvataneni Hari K , Reina Miguel A , Schirmer Abigail , Vasilopoulos Terrie
Published: July 2024

Objective

An unwanted side effect associated with epidural analgesia is the reduction in blood pressure (BP) due to the sympathetic blockade. This study evaluated the hemodynamic effects of adding different epinephrine concentrations to epidurally injected local anesthetic solution to counteract sympathectomy. We hypothesized that epinephrine could mitigate the decrease in BP possibly caused by the local anesthetic, specifically decreasing the incidence of hypotension.

Methods

Sixty-six patients were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, quadruple-blinded prospective study into three groups: epidural ropivacaine 0.2% without epinephrine (control) or with 2 µg/mL or 5 µg/mL epinephrine. Our primary outcome was the assessment of differences in hypotension between groups, defined as a >20% decrease in hypotension from baseline to the end of the intraoperative period.

Results

Forty-seven patients completed the study, and 19 were withdrawn. Fifteen patients were in the control group, while 16 patients received 0.2% ropivacaine +2 µg/mL epinephrine, and 16 received 0.2% ropivacaine +5 µg/mL epinephrine. The overall rate of hypotension was 21.3% (10/47). There were no statistically significant differences in hypotension rates between the control group (33%) and groups receiving either +2 µg/mL (13%, p=0.165) or +5 µg/mL (19%, p=0.353) of epinephrine. In secondary analyses, respiratory rate showed greater decreases in control groups across the perioperative period compared with treatment groups (p=0.016)

Conclusion

Adding epinephrine to the epidural local anesthetic did not significantly decrease the rate of hypotension. However, epinephrine mitigated decreases in respiratory rate across the perioperative period. Future studies will focus on increasing group size and higher epinephrine concentrations (10 µg/mL).

Trial registration number

NCT02722746.
Local calibration of flexible performance models using maximum likelihood estimation approach
Authors: Singh Rahul Raj , Haider Syed Waqar
Published: July 2024

The pavement mechanistic-empirical design (PMED) is a widely used pavement analysis and design approach. The transfer functions are generally calibrated to implement the PMED for local conditions. The least square (LS) approach has been commonly used to calibrate these transfer functions. Although LS is a simplistic approach, the assumptions may not be valid, especially for non-normally distributed data. This paper uses the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) approach to calibrate bottom-up cracking, total rutting, and international roughness index (IRI) transfer function for flexible pavements. The results show that overall, MLE outperforms the LS approach for synthetic and measured data. The difference is more evident in the case of bottom-up cracking data, which does not follow a normal distribution. Gamma distribution for bottom-up cracking and total rutting, whereas negative binomial for IRI is the most suitable distribution for the MLE approach. Overall, MLE using resampling methods provides a robust and better estimate than the LS approach.