bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of the trueness of linear measurements using direct and indirect scanning protocols compared to actual clinical measurements
Authors: Abdelhafez Reem S. , Mustafa Noor M. , Khader Yousef S.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To assess the trueness of digital measurements using direct and indirect scanning approaches compared to the actual clinical measurements.

Materials and Methods

The crown length, width, and width/length ratio were measured in 36 anterior maxillary teeth using three different methods. The first was clinically using a digital caliper, the second was by scanning the teeth using a digital scanner and the third was by making an impression of the teeth, constructing a stone cast in the lab, and scanning it to obtain digital measurements. Bland–Altman test and intraclass correlation were used to assess the data and make comparisons.

Results

Measurements taken using both approaches were highly reliable, with intraclass correlations ranging from 0.934 to 0.977 (p ≤ 0.000). Bland–Altman plot reflected a minimal mean difference between measurements especially in crown width measurements. Crown width/crown length measurement displayed the highest mean difference.

Conclusions

Both direct and indirect optical surface scans showed similar high trueness in linear measurements of teeth. A higher discrepancy was detected in the crown width/length ratio.

Clinical Significance

Digital dentistry is the new era in patient management. The use of conventional impression techniques and physical dental casts is associated with several disadvantages. Scanning dental casts to convert physical records into digital ones has multiple advantages. Optical surface scans (digital models) of the dentition are currently being more broadly used and advocated in the different dental disciplines including the construction of surgical guides for esthetic crown lengthening procedures. The trueness and reliability of linear measurements are of paramount importance to allow for proper fit and predictable outcomes. In this study, the trueness of these linear measurements obtained using direct and indirect methods was compared to the actual clinical measurements.
Spatiotemporal variations and influential factors affecting reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury in the Northwest Pacific during fishing season
Authors: Hung Wei‐Che , Hsu Jhen , Chang Yi‐Jay , Huang Wen‐Bin , Hsieh Chih‐Hao , Chung Ming‐Tsung
Published: August 2023

This study examined the spatial and monthly variations in reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury collected in the high sea (40°N−49°N, 149°E−168°E) of the northwestern Pacific during the fishing season of the Taiwanese stick‐held dip‐net fisheries (July–November) from 2018 to 2019. Generalized additive mixed‐effects models (GAMMs) were applied to explore the relationship between the probability of maturing and spawning occurrence (PMOS) and the explanatory variables (month, body length, sea‐surface temperature [SST] as fixed effects, and fishing set as a random effect) for the age 0 and age 1 fish, respectively. In addition, the impact of the geographical difference in growth rates of age 0 fish, quantified as the radius of the otolith annual ring, on the PMOS of age 1 fish was explored in the GAMMs. Results showed that the mean values of the condition factor (CF) varied by months, and higher mean CFs were observed north of 45°N. However, the mean values of the gonado‐somatic index did not show a clear spatiotemporal pattern. The spatial distribution of the ovarian maturation states revealed that the spawning ground of Pacific saury during July–November was broader than that previously known and had partly overlapped with the high‐sea fishing ground. The best GAMM showed that the predicted PMOS of the age 0 fish were generally low (mean = 19%, standard deviation [SD] = 10%) and tended to increase with increasing body length. In contrast, the predicted PMOS were relatively higher (mean = 37%, SD = 10%) for the age 1 fish and increased with increasing SST and decreasing latitude. Two candidate GAMMs, which are equally supported as the best model (ΔAIC < 2), provide evidence that a higher growth rate of age 0 fish may result in higher reproductive activity in age 1 fish. This is one of few studies focusing on the reproductive dynamics of Pacific saury during the fishing season; current limitations, future directions, and conservation implications were discussed.
Numerical study of heat and mass transfer during drying process of barley grain piles based on the pore scale
Authors: Li Xin , Wang Yuancheng , Yang Kaimin , Du Xinming
Published: August 2023

Drying conditions greatly affect the quality of grains, and efforts should be made to minimize the loss of grains during the drying process. In this study, numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the drying behavior of barley at both the particle and grain pile scales by solving the coupled heat and moisture equation. The model was validated using thin‐layer drying experimental results from the literature, and it was found that the simulated values of average moisture content of the grain had a maximum relative error of 7.73% compared to the experimental values. Furthermore, the impact of air temperature and relative humidity on drying was analyzed. The results showed that the heat and mass transfer coefficients of barley grains varied along the surface, the irregularity of the barley grains resulted in an asymmetric distribution of the surface heat transfer coefficient. Regions with lower porosity in the grain pile exhibited lower rates of heat and moisture transfer, particularly in the central area. Moisture transfer within the grain pile dominated the drying time compared to heat transfer. It was also observed that air temperature and relative humidity were the main variables influencing the drying rate of the grains. As the inlet air temperature increased from 45 to 70°C, the drying rate of the grain pile increased from 0.068% to 0.085%(d.b.)/min. Similarly, reducing the relative humidity from 40% to 18% resulted in an increase in the drying rate from 0.062% to 0.075%(d.b.)/min (within the first 10 min).

Practical Applications

This study employed numerical simulations to investigate the drying behavior of barley at both the particle scale and grain pile scale. The developed model was validated using experimental data from thin‐layer drying studies, confirming a significant agreement between the simulated and experimental values. Moreover, the study unveiled the impact of air temperature and relative humidity on the drying process. It was observed that regions with lower porosity within the grain pile experienced reduced rates of heat and moisture transfer. Notably, moisture transfer dominates the drying time. Additionally, the study emphasized the substantial influence of air temperature and relative humidity on the drying rates. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing drying parameters, including air temperature and relative humidity, in order to enhance the efficiency and quality of the barley grain drying process.
Numerical simulation of rice drying process in a deep bed under an angular air duct
Authors: Li Bin , Feng Shaopeng , He Qiyu , Zhu Yansong , Hu Zhigang , Jiang Yajun , Su Lihua
Published: August 2023

The deep‐bed drying process of rice grains was investigated through numerical simulation, employing the porous medium flow field theory and the local thermal nonequilibrium method. Moisture field of rice grains described using thin‐layer equations. On this basis, the deep‐bed drying of rice grains modeled with COMSOL, and verified its plausibility. The results showed that the drying rate of rice grains was significantly accelerated when the hot air temperature was increased from 40°C to 70°C, but the inhomogeneity of rice grains temperature increased by 29.79%, 22.31%, and 17.41% for every 10°C increase. Drying grains faster with vertically arranged an angular air duct, with a 4.88% increase in drying speed in 300 min. The temperature difference between the top and the bottom of an angular air duct with a small width is smaller, about 11°C, and the heating efficiency is better at the top, by 31.28%.

Practical Applications

Grain dryers are often used in high‐volume grain drying operations and it has been a great challenge to save the energy consumption of the drying process. It is necessary to use numerical simulation to design a reasonable structure of the heating section to improve the energy utilization efficiency of the heating section of the grain dryer. The numerical model proposed in this article can effectively simulate the spatial distribution of moisture content of rice under different structures of grain drying units, which can be used not only for the prediction of drying time but also for analyzing the optimal heating structure from it. A technical basis is provided for the design of grain dryers.
Housing Boom‐Bust Cycles and Asymmetric Macroprudential Policy
Authors: Gatt William
Published: August 2023

In this paper, I argue that occasionally binding borrowing constraints are a source of nonlinearity that warrant an appropriate nonlinear macroprudential policy response. Nonlinear policy responses likely better capture the spirit of macroprudential policy. I show that an asymmetric macroprudential policy rule, which lowers the borrowing limit more aggressively during credit booms, obtains better economic outcomes compared to an optimized symmetric rule that is typically studied in the literature. An asymmetric policy response reduces output and inflation tail risks, generating not only better economic stabilization but also positive externalities to monetary policy.
Fatal Simplexvirus humanalpha1 infection in howler‐monkeys (Alouatta sp.) under human care: Clinical, molecular, and pathological findings
Authors: Echenique Joanna V. Z. , Gris Anderson H. , Camargo Laura J. , De Lorenzo Cíntia , Bertolini Marianna , Barbosa Franscisca M. S. , Ansolch Moira , Canal Cláudio W. , Panziera Welden , Pavarini Saulo P. , Sonne Luciana
Published: August 2023

Background

Simplexvirus humanalpha1 (HuAHV‐1) are common anthropozoonosis reported in marmosets but rare in howler monkeys (Alouatta sp.).

Methods

Necropsy of two brown‐howler monkeys (A. caraya) and one red‐howler monkey (A. guariba clamitans) from different zoo collections were performed. Fragments of all organs were examined through microscopy. Samples were submitted to IHC for Simplexvirus humanalpha 2 (HuAHV‐2) [sin. Herpesvirus simplex type 2] and PCR.

Results

Grossly, only the A. guariba showed liver lesions characterized by multifocal, pinpoint white areas corresponding microscopically as random necrotizing herpetic hepatitis and ulcerative glossitis. Both A. caraya showed necrotizing meningoencephalitis with Cowdry A‐type body inclusions within neurons and astrocytes. Immunolabeling for HuAHV‐1/2 was observed in the tongue, liver, and brain. HuAHV‐1 was confirmed in all samples by PCR, Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses.

Conclusion

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis was appreciated in 2/3 of animals, and it is associated with neurologic signs. Along with ulcerative glossitis, a hallmark lesion in marmosets, it was present in one animal. Regarding herpetic hepatitis, it is not frequent in monkeys and occurs mainly in immunocompromised animals. HuAHV‐1 infection was confirmed corroborating with a human source. This is the second report on captive black‐howler monkeys and the first gross, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular description of herpetic hepatitis and ulcerative glossitis in red‐howler monkeys (A. guariba).
Indigenous collective land titling and the creation of leftovers: Insights from Paraguay and Cambodia
Authors: Leemann Esther , Tusing Cari
Published: August 2023

Collective land titling often drags on for decades, while private land concessions and holdings do not face the same problem, creating ‘leftovers’ of land available for Indigenous peoples to attempt to collectively title. In two ethnographic case studies in Cambodia and Paraguay, we analyse community‐based Indigenous land titling by focusing on the on‐the‐ground dynamics of property relations, Indigenous livelihood shifts and ecological change. In both countries, large agricultural players implemented a staggering change in local landscapes through deforestation, configuring new realities that in turn feed into local environments and titling processes. Adapting their livelihoods to living in the leftovers, in Cambodia, the Indigenous Bunong shifted from rice to rubber as they navigated the slow titling process. In Paraguay, some Indigenous Guarani shifted from corn to cattle by renting out their collectively titled land. The case studies show that the liberal titling approach to secure Indigenous lands overestimates the ability of title to remove land from capitalist logics such as the push to rent or sell, while some spaces of autonomy are opened. We critique the liberal approaches to formalising title, where Indigenous struggles for their ways of life are funnelled into fighting for collective property.
When meaning in life protects against fear of death: The moderating role of self‐alienation
Authors: Maffly‐Kipp Joseph , Gause Chase , Hicks Joshua A. , Vess Matthew
Published: August 2023

Objective

A sense of meaning in life (MIL) is thought to help protect people against experiencing explicit anxiety about death. However, the experience of meaning is complex and subjective and may relate to death anxiety in nuanced ways. We examine how self‐alienation—a feeling of not knowing/being disconnected from one's self—might moderate the relationship between MIL and death anxiety.

Method

Across five studies, we tested the hypothesis that MIL would negatively predict death anxiety more strongly for people relatively low in self‐alienation. These studies were similar in design and included exploratory, confirmatory, and pre‐registered tests.

Results

A meta‐regression across our five studies (N = 2001) provided clear evidence that MIL was most strongly associated with lower death anxiety at low self‐alienation. We also observed that MIL was positively associated with death anxiety at high self‐alienation. These effects were consistent in direction but inconsistent in strength.

Conclusions

We interpreted these results as evidence that MIL is existentially protective when experienced in combination with a relatively strong, clear, and connected sense of self. In contrast, MIL may be existentially problematic when people feel relatively unaware and disconnected from themselves. These findings align with aspects of terror management theory and highlight the potentially complex ways that MIL might relate to death anxiety.
Building Conceptual Understanding of Multiplicative Reasoning Content in Third Graders Struggling to Learn Mathematics: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Jitendra Asha K. , Dougherty Barbara , Sanchez Victoria , Harwell Michael R. , Harbour Sydney
Published: August 2023

This formative study of a multiplicative reasoning (MR) intervention explored the intervention's potential for improving the ability of third–grade struggling students’ ability to reason with multiplicative concepts and procedures. The feasibility of the study was examined in a school setting before a randomized control trial was conducted. Students who scored between the 10th and 35th percentile on a district–administered math screening test received the MR intervention from their teachers. We developed intervention units to build a conceptual foundation in a student–centered approach to Tier 2 instruction that included opportunities for students to engage in critical thinking as they generalized big ideas, participated in classroom discourse, and modeled multiplicative relationships with multiple representations. Preliminary data demonstrate the potential of the intervention to promote students’ MR skills. Instructional implications are discussed in terms of opportunities for these students to engage in grade–level mathematics content.
Management of alcoholic hepatitis: A clinical perspective
Authors: Kasper Philipp , Lang Sonja , Steffen Hans‐Michael , Demir Münevver
Published: August 2023

Alcohol‐associated liver disease is the primary cause of liver‐related mortality worldwide and one of the most common indications for liver transplantation. Alcoholic hepatitis represents the most acute and severe manifestation of alcohol‐associated liver disease and is characterized by a rapid onset of jaundice with progressive inflammatory liver injury, worsening of portal hypertension, and an increased risk for multiorgan failure in patients with excessive alcohol consumption. Severe alcoholic hepatitis is associated with a poor prognosis and high short‐term mortality. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, rates of alcohol‐associated hepatitis have increased significantly, underscoring that it is a serious and growing health problem. However, adequate management of alcohol‐associated hepatitis and its complications in everyday clinical practice remains a major challenge. Currently, pharmacotherapy is limited to corticosteroids, although these have only a moderate effect on reducing short‐term mortality. In recent years, translational studies deciphering key mechanisms of disease development and progression have led to important advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. Emerging pathophysiology‐based therapeutic approaches include anti‐inflammatory agents, modifications of the gut‐liver axis and intestinal dysbiosis, epigenetic modulation, antioxidants, and drugs targeting liver regeneration. Concurrently, evidence is increasing that early liver transplantation is a safe treatment option with important survival benefits in selected patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis not responding to medical treatment. This narrative review describes current pathophysiology and management concepts of alcoholic hepatitis, provides an update on emerging treatment options, and focuses on the need for holistic and patient‐centred treatment approaches to improve prognosis.
Recent parallel speciation in Antirrhinum involved complex haplotypes and multiple adaptive characters
Authors: Barnbrook Matthew , Durán‐Castillo Mario , Critchley Jo , Wilson Yvette , Twyford Alex , Hudson Andrew
Published: August 2023

A role of ecological adaptation in speciation can be obscured by stochastic processes and differences that species accumulate after genetic isolation. One way to identify adaptive characters and their underlying genes is to study cases of speciation involving parallel adaptations. Recently resolved phylogenies reveal that alpine morphology has evolved in parallel in the genus Antirrhinum (snapdragons): first in an early split of an alpine from a lowland lineage and, more recently, from within the lowland lineage to produce closely related sympatric species with contrasting alpine and lowland forms. Here, we find that two of these later diverged sympatric species are differentiated by only around 2% of nuclear loci. Though showing evidence of recent gene flow, the species remain distinct for a suite of morphological characters typical of earlier‐diverged alpine or lowland lineages and their morphologies correlate with features of the local landscape, as expected of ecological adaptations. Morphological differences between the two species involve multiple, unlinked genes so that parental character combinations are readily broken up by recombination in hybrids. We detect little evidence for post‐pollination barriers to gene flow or recombination, suggesting that genetic isolation related to ecological adaptation is important in maintaining character combinations and might have contributed to parallel speciation. We also find evidence that genes involved in the earlier alpine‐lowland split were reused in parallel evolution of alpine species, consistent with introgressive hybridisation, and speculate that many non‐ecological barriers to gene flow might have been purged during the process.
Sperm of more colourful males are better adapted to ovarian fluids in lake char (Salmonidae)
Authors: Nusbaumer David , Garaud Laura , de Guttry Christian , Ançay Laurie , Wedekind Claus
Published: August 2023

Fish often spawn eggs with ovarian fluids that have been hypothesized to support the sperm of some males over others (cryptic female choice). Alternatively, sperm reactions to ovarian fluids could reveal male strategies. We used wild‐caught lake char (Salvelinus umbla) to experimentally test whether sperm react differently to the presence of ovarian fluid, and whether any differential sperm reaction could be predicted by male breeding coloration, male inbreeding coefficients (based of 4150 SNPs) or the kinship coefficients between males and females. Male coloration was positively linked to body size and current health (based on lymphocytosis and thrombocytosis) but was a poor predictor of inbreeding or kinship coefficients. We found that sperm of more colourful males were faster in diluted ovarian fluids than in water only, while sperm of paler males were faster in water than in ovarian fluids. We then let equal numbers of sperm compete for fertilizations in the presence or absence of ovarian fluids and genetically assigned 1464 embryos (from 70 experimental trials) to their fathers. The presence of ovarian fluids significantly increased the success of the more colourful competitors. Sperm of less inbred competitors were more successful when tested in water only than in diluted ovarian fluids. The kinship coefficients had no significant effects on sperm traits or fertilization success in the presence of ovarian fluids, although parallel stress tests on embryos had revealed that females would profit more from mating with least related males rather than most coloured ones. We conclude that sperm of more colourful males are best adapted to ovarian fluids, and that the observed reaction norms suggest male strategies rather than cryptic female choice.
Three‐dimensional spatial quantitative analysis of cardiac lymphatics in the mouse heart
Authors: Phillips Evan H. , Bindokas Vytautas P. , Jung Dahee , Teamer Jay , Kitajewski Jan K. , Solaro R. John , Wolska Beata M. , Lee Steve Seung‐Young
Published: August 2023

Objective

Three‐dimensional (3D) microscopy and image data analysis are necessary for studying the morphology of cardiac lymphatic vessels (LyVs) and their association with other cell types. We aimed to develop a methodology for 3D multiplexed lightsheet microscopy and highly sensitive and quantitative image analysis to identify pathological remodeling in the 3D morphology of LyVs in young adult mouse hearts with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods

We developed a 3D lightsheet microscopy workflow providing a quick turn‐around (as few as 5–6 days), multiplex fluorescence detection, and preservation of LyV structure and epitope markers. Hearts from non‐transgenic and transgenic (TG) HCM mice were arrested in diastole, retrograde perfused, immunolabeled, optically cleared, and imaged. We built an image‐processing pipeline to quantify LyV morphological parameters at the chamber and branch levels.

Results

Chamber‐specific pathological alterations of LyVs were identified, and significant changes were seen in the right atrium (RA). TG hearts had a higher volume percent of ER‐TR7+fibroblasts and reticular fibers. In the RA, we found associations between ER‐TR7+volume percent and both LyV segment density and median diameter.

Conclusions

This workflow and study enabled multi‐scale analysis of pathological changes in cardiac LyVs of young adult mice, inviting ideas for research on LyVs in cardiac disease.
Improving visual question answering for bridge inspection by pre‐training with external data of image–text pairs
Authors: Kunlamai Thannarot , Yamane Tatsuro , Suganuma Masanori , Chun Pang‐Jo , Okatani Takayaki
Published: August 2023

This paper explores the application of visual question answering (VQA) in bridge inspection using recent advancements in multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) systems. VQA involves an AI model providing natural language answers to questions about the content of an input image. However, applying VQA to bridge inspection poses challenges due to the high cost of creating training data that requires expert knowledge. To address this, we propose leveraging existing bridge inspection reports, which already include image–text pairs, as external knowledge to enhance VQA performance. Our approach involves training the model on a large collection of image–text pairs, followed by fine‐tuning it on a limited amount of training data specifically designed for the VQA task. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in VQA accuracy using this approach. These findings highlight the potential of AI models for VQA as valuable tools for assessing the condition of bridges.
Effects of antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin on the growth of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Authors: Preußer Daniel , Fischer Thomas , Juretzek Thomas
Published: August 2023

Lucilia sericata is one of the most studied species in forensic entomology due to its widespread distribution, forensic importance as well as medical use. The growth and development stage of maggots is often used to determine the post‐mortem interval in forensic cases. L. sericata can cause myiasis in humans who are not able to maintain personal hygiene due to age or medical condition and can therefore be used to determine the time period of neglect. The influence of the temperature on the maggot development has been examined in various studies. Different examinations on the effects of toxic substances on the maggot development and survival have been conducted in order to test the influence and resulting deviations. In this study, the effects of different therapeutical doses of the antibiotics ceftriaxone and levofloxacin were examined on L. sericata in order to determine and compare deviations in maggot development and survival. The used antibiotics did not significantly influence the maggot weight and length. A significant delay in the time of pupation has been determined in the treatments with high concentrations of levofloxacin. The mortality was significantly increased in all treatments with antibiotics compared to the control, whereby the survivability of all treatments remained over 80%. Because of the high doses needed to produce an effect, we concluded that an overestimation of the post‐mortem interval is unlikely but higher antibiotic concentrations or possible interactions with other medications could increase the maggot development time.
Long‐term ecological responses of a lowland dipterocarp forest to climate changes and nutrient availability
Authors: Prohaska Ana , Seddon Alistair W. R. , Rach Oliver , Smith Andrew , Sachse Dirk , Willis Katherine J.
Published: August 2023

Understanding the long‐term impact of projected climate change on tropical rainforests is critical given their central role in the Earth's system. Palaeoecological records can provide a valuable perspective on this problem. Here, we examine the effects of past climatic changes on the dominant forest type of Southeast Asia – lowland dipterocarp forest.

We use a range of proxies extracted from a 1400‐yr‐old lacustrine sedimentary sequence from north‐eastern Philippines to determine long‐term vegetation responses of lowland dipterocarp forest, including its dominant tree group dipterocarps, to changes in precipitation, fire and nutrient availability over time.

Our results show a positive relationship between dipterocarp pollen accumulation rates (PARs) and leaf wax hydrogen isotope values, which suggests a negative effect of drier conditions on dipterocarp abundance. Furthermore, we find a positive relationship between dipterocarp PARs and the proxy for phosphorus availability, which suggests phosphorus controls the productivity of these keystone trees on longer time scales. Other pollen taxa show widely varying relationships with the abiotic factors, demonstrating a high diversity of plant functional responses.

Our findings provide novel insights into lowland dipterocarp forest responses to changing climatic conditions in the past and highlight potential impacts of future climate change on this globally important ecosystem.
Orosomucoid proteins limit endoplasmic reticulum stress in plants
Authors: Wang Ling‐Yan , Li Jian , Gong Benqiang , Wang Rui‐Hua , Chen Yi‐Li , Yin Jian , Yang Chang , Lin Jia‐Ting , Liu Hao‐Zhuo , Yang Yubing , Li Jianfeng , Li Chunyu , Yao Nan
Published: August 2023

Sphingolipids are cell membrane components and signaling molecules that induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. Orosomucoid proteins (ORMs) negatively regulate serine palmitoyltransferase activity, thus helping maintain proper sphingolipid levels in humans, yeast, and plants.

In this report, we explored the roles of ORMs in regulating ER stress in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Loss of ORM1 and ORM2 function caused constitutive activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), as did treatment with the ceramide synthase inhibitor Fumonisin B1 (FB1) or ceramides. FB1 treatment induced the transcription factor bZIP28 to relocate from the ER membrane to the nucleus. The transcription factor WRKY75 positively regulates the UPR and physically interacted with bZIP28. We also found that the orm mutants showed impaired ER‐associated degradation (ERAD), blocking the degradation of misfolded MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS‐O 12 (MLO‐12). ORM1 and ORM2 bind to EMS‐MUTAGENIZED BRI1 SUPPRESSOR 7 (EBS7), a plant‐specific component of the Arabidopsis ERAD complex, and regulate its stability. These data strongly suggest that ORMs in the ER membrane play vital roles in the UPR and ERAD pathways to prevent ER stress in Arabidopsis.

Our results reveal that ORMs coordinate sphingolipid homeostasis with ER quality control and play a role in stress responses.
Epigenetic regulation of female germline development through ERECTA signaling pathway
Authors: Huang Youmei , Liu Liping , Chai Mengnan , Su Han , Ma Suzhuo , Liu Kaichuang , Tian Yaru , Cao Zhuangyuan , Xi Xinpeng , Zhu Wenhui , Qi Jingang , Palanivelu Ravishankar , Qin Yuan , Cai Hanyang
Published: August 2023

Germline development is a key step in sexual reproduction. Sexual plant reproduction begins with the formation of haploid spores by meiosis of megaspore mother cells (MMCs). Although many evidences, directly or indirectly, show that epigenetics plays an important role in MMC specification, how it controls the commitment of the MMC to downstream stages of germline development is still unclear.

Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), western blot, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR analyses were performed. Genetic interactions between BZR1 transcription factor family and the SWR1‐SDG2‐ER pathway in the control of female germline development were further studied.

The present findings showed in Arabidopsis that two epigenetic factors, the chromatin remodeling complex SWI2/SNF2‐RELATED 1 (SWR1) and a writer for H3K4me3 histone modification SET DOMAIN GROUP 2 (SDG2), genetically interact with the ERECTA (ER) receptor kinase signaling pathway and regulate female germline development by restricting the MMC cell fate to a single cell in the ovule primordium and ensure that only that single cell undergoes meiosis and subsequent megaspore degeneration. We also showed that SWR1‐SDG2‐ER signaling module regulates female germline development by promoting the protein accumulation of BZR1 transcription factor family on the promoters of primary miRNA processing factors, HYPONASTIC LEAVES 1 (HYL1), DICER‐LIKE 1 (DCL1), and SERRATE (SE) to activate their expression.

Our study elucidated a Gene Regulation Network that provides new insights for understanding how epigenetic factors and receptor kinase signaling pathways function in concert to control female germline development in Arabidopsis.
Production of yellow‐flowered gentian plants by genetic engineering of betaxanthin pigments
Authors: Nishihara Masahiro , Hirabuchi Akiko , Goto Fumina , Nishizaki Yuzo , Uesugi Shota , Watanabe Aiko , Tasaki Keisuke , Washiashi Rie , Sasaki Nobuhiro
Published: August 2023

Genetic engineering of flower color provides biotechnological products such as blue carnations or roses by accumulating delphinidin‐based anthocyanins not naturally existing in these plant species. Betalains are another class of pigments that in plants are only synthesized in the order Caryophyllales. Although they have been engineered in several plant species, especially red‐violet betacyanins, the yellow betaxanthins have yet to be engineered in ornamental plants.

We attempted to produce yellow‐flowered gentians by genetic engineering of betaxanthin pigments. First, white‐flowered gentian lines were produced by knocking out the dihydroflavonol 4‐reductase (DFR) gene using CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing.

Beta vulgaris BvCYP76AD6 and Mirabilis jalapa MjDOD, driven by gentian petal‐specific promoters, flavonoid 3′,5′‐hydroxylase (F3′5′H) and anthocyanin 5,3′‐aromatic acyltransferase (AT), respectively, were transformed into the above DFR‐knockout white‐flowered line; the resultant gentian plants had vivid yellow flowers. Expression analysis and pigment analysis revealed petal‐specific expression and accumulation of seven known betaxanthins in their petals to c. 0.06–0.08 μmol g FW−1.

Genetic engineering of vivid yellow‐flowered plants can be achieved by combining genome editing and a suitable expression of betaxanthin‐biosynthetic genes in ornamental plants.
The role of basophil activation test and component‐resolved diagnostics in the workup of egg allergy in children at low risk for severe allergic reactions: A real‐life study
Authors: Licari Amelia , D'Auria Enza , De Amici Mara , Castagnoli Riccardo , Sacchi Lucia , Testa Giorgia , Marseglia Gian Luigi
Published: August 2023

Background

The gold standard for diagnosing egg allergy in children is the oral food challenge (OFC). However, OFCs are time‐consuming and risky procedures. Our study aimed to evaluate the utility of the basophil activation test (BAT) and component‐resolved diagnostic in the diagnostic workup of children with egg allergy.

Methods

Overall, 86 children aged 6 months to 17 years, suspected of egg allergy, underwent OFC with boiled egg according to international standardized protocols. BAT and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) testing to component egg proteins (Gal d 1‐4) were also performed.

Results

Of the 22 children who reacted to boiled egg, only one experienced anaphylaxis during the challenge. BAT was performed in samples obtained by 75 of the 86 patients of our cohort. Egg white and yolk protein extracts induced CD63 upregulation in the egg‐allergic (EA) children compared with sensitized children that tolerated boiled egg (we registered an overall mean of CD63 expression in the EA population of 44.4% [SD 34.1] for egg white and 34.7% [SD 31.3] for egg yolk vs. 12.5% [SD 19.1] and 10.0% [SD 16.0] in sensitized children). BAT could discriminate between true egg allergy and egg sensitization in our population. As a second‐line diagnostic step, the positivity of BAT for egg white or Gal d 1‐sIgE resulted in a 40.9% OFC reduction, especially for those with a positive outcome.

Conclusion

The BAT may be implemented in the diagnostic workup of egg allergy in children and, in a stepwise approach, separately or combined with Gal d 1‐sIgE, may predict the allergic status and reduce the number of positive OFCs in children with egg allergy at low risk for severe reactions.
Lead migration rate in dorsal root ganglion stimulation using lead anchoring techniques: A follow‐up study
Authors: Chapman Kenneth B. , Yousef Tariq , Amireh Ahmad , Kallewaard Jan Willem , van Helmond Noud
Published: August 2023

Background

Lead anchoring has previously been shown to reduce the rate of dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG‐S) lead migration. The aim of this study was to assess longer‐term follow‐up and consistency of lead migration prevention with lead anchoring in a new cohort of patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review from September 2017 to November 2022 of all patients who had DRG‐S implants at our institute to identify the number of lead migrations that occurred over this period. The first cohort consisted of patients reported on in a previous publication (implanted from September 2017 through September 2020) subdivided into unanchored or anchored lead groups. The second cohort consisted of patients implanted during or after October 2020 who were not previously reported on for whom leads were anchored using silastic anchoring only.

Results

At the November 2022 data cutoff, in the initial cohort, 8 migrations had occurred in unanchored leads over an average follow‐up of 49 months, equating to a migration rate of 9.1% per lead. Patients with anchored leads in the initial cohort experienced 2 migrations over an average follow‐up of 38 months (0.7% migration rate per lead). There were no new lead migrations in these groups over the extended follow‐up reported here. The migration rate in the new cohort was similar, with 1 migration over an average follow‐up of 13 months (0.5% migration rate per lead).

Conclusion

These results underscore the necessity of anchor placement during DRG‐S lead implantation to prevent lead migration.
Competition co‐immunoprecipitation reveals the interactors of the chloroplast CPN60 chaperonin machinery
Authors: Ries Fabian , Weil Heinrich Lukas , Herkt Claudia , Mühlhaus Timo , Sommer Frederik , Schroda Michael , Willmund Felix
Published: August 2023

The functionality of all metabolic processes in chloroplasts depends on a balanced integration of nuclear‐ and chloroplast‐encoded polypeptides into the plastid's proteome. The chloroplast chaperonin machinery is an essential player in chloroplast protein folding under ambient and stressful conditions, with a more intricate structure and subunit composition compared to the orthologous GroEL/ES chaperonin of Escherichia coli. However, its exact role in chloroplasts remains obscure, mainly because of very limited knowledge about the interactors. We employed the competition immunoprecipitation method for the identification of the chaperonin's interactors in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Co‐immunoprecipitation of the target complex in the presence of increasing amounts of isotope‐labelled competitor epitope and subsequent mass spectrometry analysis specifically allowed to distinguish true interactors from unspecifically co‐precipitated proteins. Besides known substrates such as RbcL and the expected complex partners, we revealed numerous new interactors with high confidence. Proteins that qualify as putative substrate proteins differ from bulk chloroplast proteins by a higher content of beta‐sheets, lower alpha‐helical conformation and increased aggregation propensity. Immunoprecipitations targeted against a subunit of the co‐chaperonin lid revealed the ClpP protease as a specific partner complex, pointing to a close collaboration of these machineries to maintain protein homeostasis in the chloroplast.
Epistemic control without voluntarism
Authors: Kearl Timothy R.
Published: August 2023

It is tempting to think (though many deny) that epistemic agents exercise a distinctive kind of control over their belief‐like attitudes. My aim here is to sketch a “bottom‐up” model of epistemic agency, one that draws on an analogous model of practical agency, according to which an agent's conditional beliefs are reasons‐responsive planning states that initiate and sustain mental behavior so as to render controlled.
Synergistic effects of follicle‐stimulating hormone and epidermal growth factor on in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic development of red‐rumped agouti oocytes
Authors: Praxedes Érika A. , Santos Maria Valéria de O. , de Oliveira Lhara Ricarliany M. , de Aquino Leonardo Vitorino C. , de Oliveira Moacir F. , Pereira Alexsandra F.
Published: August 2023

Although oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) is routinely used for in vitro embryo production in mice and rats, its use in wild rodents remains unexplored. Evidence suggests that hormone and growth factor supplementation influence oocyte meiotic resumption. This study evaluated the synergistic effects of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the IVM and parthenogenetic development of red‐rumped agouti oocytes. Initially, we evaluated the IVM rates, mature oocyte quality, oocyte morphometry, and early embryonic development during IVM in the presence of 10, 50, and 75 mIU/mL FSH. No differences among the FSH concentrations were observed for IVM rates, oocyte morphometry, cumulus cell expansion, and viability. Although oocytes matured with 50 mIU/mL FSH showed a higher rate of cumulus expansion index (CEI), only oocytes matured with 10 mIU/mL FSH resulted in morulae after chemical activation (7.9% ± 4.2%). Thus, 10 mIU/mL FSH was used for further experiments. We subsequently evaluated the synergistic effects of 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL EGF and 10 mIU/mL FSH on the same parameters. No differences among the groups were observed in IVM rates, oocyte morphometry, and cumulus viability. Nevertheless, FSH with 10 ng/mL EGF showed a CEI superior to that of the other groups. Furthermore, oocytes matured with FSH alone or with both FSH and 10 or 50 ng/mL EGF developed morulae after activation (5.8%–8.3%). In conclusion, oocytes matured with 10 mIU/mL FSH and 10 ng/mL EGF are recommended for use in red‐rumped agouti oocyte IVM, as they positively influence embryonic development.
Morphometric assessment of cryopreserved livestock bull spermatozoa in the tropics
Authors: Víquez Luis , Sevilla Francisco , Araya‐Zúñiga Ignacio , Soler Carles , Barquero Vinicio , Roldan Eduardo R. S. , Valverde Anthony
Published: August 2023

The identification of different morphometric patterns of spermatozoa serves as a basis for improving our understanding of the diversity in an ejaculate and to relate them to the potential fertility of males. In this study, we aimed to examine the semen subpopulation structure, following dilution in semen of extenders, using a mathematical approach a possible application to fertility analyses. Ten sexually mature Bos taurus bulls were randomly allotted to one of three groups: (1) Tris–citric acid–egg yolk extender (Tris‐EY); (2) commercial egg yolk extender OptiXcell® and (3) commercial egg yolk extender Triladyl®. The results showed significant differences (p < .05) between extenders in terms of values for head size and head shape variables of individual sperm, indicating an influence of extender composition. Sperm head width was found to significantly differ (p < .05) according to the extender, decreasing in the following order: OptiXcell® (4.836 ± 0.017 μm), Triladyl® (4.695 ± 0.012 μm) and Tris‐EY (4.638 ± 0.010 μm). Principal component analysis allowed us to identify two subpopulations in OptiXcell®, and three subpopulations were each found in Triladyl® and Tris‐EY. Overall, we observed significant differences between sperm subpopulations within each extender (p < .05), with differences in sperm head size and shape between bovine species that can be related to functionality and fertility capabilities.
Asset accumulation, financial inclusion and subjective well‐being: The role of financial formality in South Africa's households
Authors: Chipunza Kudakwashe Joshua , Fanta Ashenafi Beyene
Published: August 2023

Asset building and financial inclusion programmes have contributed to the enhancement of consumers' welfare through asset accumulation. Employing the FinScope consumer survey for South Africa, we extended the analysis of the relationship between financial inclusion and asset holding by examining whether this, in turn, improves consumers' subjective well‐being (SWB). Financial inclusion was captured by credit, savings, and insurance whereas multiple correspondence analysis was employed to compute an asset index that captured indicators of individual material possessions. Results from the partial least squares path model suggested that financial inclusion had an indirect positive association with consumers' SWB through increased asset holding, but the association was more pronounced via formal channels of saving, credit, and insurance. As such, social policymakers are encouraged to integrate access to insurance, credit, and savings through formal channels in poverty interventions since this has a greater indirect association with consumers' SWB via increased asset ownership.
TanshinoneIIA inhibits melanocyte pyroptosis by regulating the ROS/NLRP3 signaling axis
Authors: Li Xiaosha , Tang Shiyang , Wang Haizhen , Li Xin
Published: August 2023

Background

Pyroptosis has been implicated in the development of human diseases, including vitiligo. TanshinoneIIA has been confirmed to play anti‐vitiligo role. However, whether tanshinoneIIA inhibits vitiligo progression via regulating cell pyroptosis remains unclear.

Methods

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced melanocytes were used to mimic vitiligo cell model in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by cell counting kit 8 assay, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was detected by DCFH‐DA staining. Nod‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Cell pyroptosis was measured using flow cytometry, and the contents of interleukin‐1β and interleukin‐18 were determined by ELISA. Besides, the protein levels of apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing CARD (ASC) and cleaved‐Caspase‐1 were examined by western blot analysis.

Results

H2O2 could induce ROS production, NLRP3 expression and pyroptosis in melanocytes. TanshinoneIIA inhibited ROS production, pyroptosis, and the expression of NLRP3, ASC and cleaved‐caspase‐1 in H2O2‐induced melanocytes. Compared with the function of ROS inhibitor (NAC), tanshinoneIIA acted as a ROS scavenger to relieve melanocyte pyroptosis. In addition, NLRP3 inhibitor (MCC950) also could aggravate the inhibition effect of tanshinoneIIA on melanocyte pyroptosis.

Conclusion

TanshinoneIIA suppressed melanocyte pyroptosis probably through modulating the ROS/NLRP3 signaling axis, which provides the evidence for therapeutic effect in vitiligo.
Application of double‐tube negative pressure drainage in repair of refractory wounds
Authors: Sun Qing‐Qing , Yan Lei , Cai Jia , Zhan Hong‐Bo
Published: August 2023

Objective

To observe the application effect of double‐tube negative pressure drainage in the repair of refractory wounds.

Methods

From January 2020 to April 2023, 50 patients undergoing refractory wound repair in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery of Jingjiang People's Hospital, Jiangsu were selected. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into an observation group and a control group, with 25 patients in each group. The observation group was treated with double‐tube negative pressure drainage inside and outside the wound, while the control group was treated with negative pressure drainage inside the wound. By two‐week observation, the wound healing status and complication rate after treatment, as well as the wound bacterial clearance rate, wound pain score and patient satisfaction 3, 7 and 14 d after treatment were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the efficacy.

Results

After treatment for two weeks, the observation group showed a higher grade A healing rate (92% vs. 60%, X2 = 7.018, P = 0.008), a higher wound bacterial clearance rate (100% vs. 76%, X2 = 6.818, P = 0.03), a lower pain score (1.44 ± 0.51 vs. 2.36 ± 0.49, t = ‐6.53, P < 0.01), a higher patient satisfaction score (8.48 ± 0.96 vs. 6.64 ± 0.95, t = 6.80, P < 0.01), and a lower complication rate (8% vs. 40%, X2= 7.018, P = 0.008) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Double‐tube negative pressure drainage has a significant application effect in the repair of refractory wounds. It can accelerate wound healing, shorten treatment time, effectively eliminate bacteria, relieve wound infection, reduce complications, alleviate pain and improve patient satisfaction. Therefore, the application, promotion and research of double‐tube negative pressure drainage should be strengthened in clinical practice.