bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved glycaemic control induced by evening activity breaks does not persist overnight amongst healthy adults: A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Gale Jennifer T. , Haszard Jillian J. , Peddie Meredith C.
Published: April 2024

Aims

To compare the effects of 4 hours of laboratory‐based regular activity breaks (RABs) and prolonged sitting (SIT) on subsequent 48‐h free‐living interstitial glucose levels in a group of healthy adults.

Materials and Methods

In this randomized crossover trial, participants completed two 4‐h laboratory‐based interventions commencing at ~5:00 pm: (1) SIT and (2) SIT interrupted with 3 min of body weight resistance exercise activity breaks every 30 min (RABs). Continuous glucose monitoring was performed during the intervention and for 48‐h after, during which time participants returned to a free‐living setting.

Results

Twenty‐eight adults (female n = 20, mean ± SD age 25.5 ± 5.6 years, body mass index 29.2 ± 6.9 kg/m2) provided data for this analysis. During the intervention period, RABs lowered mean interstitial glucose by 8.3% (−0.47 mmol/L/4 h, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.74 to −0.20; p = 0.001) and area under the curve (AUC) by 8.9% (−2.01 mmol/L/4 h, 95% CI −3.05 to −0.97; p < 0.001) compared to SIT. Measures of glycaemic variability were not significantly different during the intervention. There were no significant differences in mean glucose and AUC between conditions during the first nocturnal period and 24‐h post intervention. When compared to SIT, RABs increased continuous overall net action of glucose at 1 h and SD glucose by 22% (0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.29; p = 0.018) and 26% (95% CI 4.9 to 42.7; p = 0.019) in the first nocturnal period and by 10% (0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.01, 0.17; p = 0.025) and 15% (95% CI 6.6 to 22.4; p = 0.001) in the 24‐h post intervention period, respectively.

Conclusion

Performing activity breaks in the evening results in acute reductions in interstitial glucose concentrations; however, the magnitude of these changes is not maintained overnight or into the following 48 hours.
Sign language choice and policy among the signing community in Kuwait
Authors: Almubayei Dalal S.
Published: April 2024

Sign language is significant in its linguistic complexity and sociocultural values to its users. The linguistic situation of sign languages in the Middle East is controversial. For Arab deaf communities, each country has a rich and complex national sign language without the need for a superior, more standard unifying Arabic sign language (ArSL). There have been attempts to unify sign languages by creating ArSL. This initiative has been mostly taken by nondeaf persons and has been met with opposition and resistance. This paper investigates sign languages in Kuwait and the attitudes towards both Kuwaiti Sign Language (KSL) and ArSL from both deaf individuals and sign language translators/teachers using surveys, informal interviews, and fieldwork visits. The research question is: What sign language would the deaf community and sign language interpreters/teachers in Kuwait choose (KSL, ArSL, or both) to better serve the deaf community. This paper is designed to uncover the impact of language policies on communities' representations of self and explore the richness and complexity of national sign languages that can be underestimated by language policymakers. The findings of this study indicate a preference for KSL or the use of both KSL and ArSL, but not ArSL alone.
Public diplomacy of authoritarianism: Strategic use of Suzanne Mubarak
Authors: Menshawy Mustafa
Published: April 2024

A leader's wife can be a key player in consolidating his authoritarianism through her public diplomacy activities. Taking the example of Egypt's former First Lady, Suzanne Mubarak (1981–2011), this article demonstrates how her role in public diplomacy framed her as a “modern” woman with a mission of “modernizing” women or the country's whole population. The modernization model adopted in these frames presumes the need for agents to transform “traditional” societies into “modern” societies and the need for agents to build more networks of collaboration with the “West.” The second section of the article focuses on political instrumentality, showing how former President Hosni Mubarak attempted to look good, to look democratic, and to look useful to his allies. This process was partly organized by Mrs. Mubarak herself, who used her public diplomacy roles as opportunities and resources to build a personality cult drawn on glorifying herself and aggrandizing her activities.
Managerial discretion and debt financing under information uncertainty
Authors: Liu Yu‐Hong , Jiang I‐Ming , Huang Hung‐Chieh
Published: April 2024

This study investigates how information uncertainty influences managers' decisions and compensation. It reveals varying financial choices under uncertainty levels. Initially, information uncertainty results in debtholders undervaluing debt in comparison to situations without such uncertainty. Consequently, they consistently estimate a default threshold that is lower than the threshold managers choose to maximize their value. Low uncertainty prompts overinvestment, heightening agency issues. Increased uncertainty leads debt holders to reduce the capital they are willing to lend to companies for investment. To invest early, funds must be injected or costs incurred. Information uncertainty can ease agency conflicts, shifting decisions from overinvestment to underinvestment. Managerial compensation matters: higher fixed salaries curb overinvestment, while increased reservation income exacerbates it.
Dynamics and fisher perception of fishery exploitation in a transboundary pocket of the River Atrai, India
Authors: Ghosh Monika , Panja Soumyadip , Dutta Mrinmay , Homechaudhuri Sumit
Published: April 2024

Transboundary freshwater fish are critical for both biodiversity and community well‐being but face alarming overexploitation in shared rivers. Such rivers greatly aid the livelihood and nutrition of local people on both sides of shared borders. However, a lack of understanding of resource dynamics and utilization patterns hinders sustainable management of resources. We investigated spatiotemporal fish assemblages along the River Atrai, a transboundary river between India and Bangladesh. The socioeconomic status of fishers was quantified from personal interviews and group discussions to estimate the exploitation trajectory of piscine resources. Fish assemblages varied significantly among locations and seasons. Species diversity was highest downstream and lowest upstream. Spatiotemporal fishery exploitation aligned with fish diversity among sites and seasons, with fishers preferring to fish in downstream areas during the post‐monsoon season. Fishers were economically weak, with limited sources of income. Therefore, adequate integrated management plans should be implemented to ensure resource resilience in a transboundary pocket, sustainably supporting the livelihood of concomitant fishers.
Effects of amount of yttria on dielectric breakdown strength of sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride
Authors: Nakashima Yuki , Zhou You , Tanabe Keisuke , Arima Souhei , Okuno Teruhisa , Hirao Kiyoshi , Ohji Tatsuki , Murayama Norimitsu , Fukushima Manabu
Published: April 2024

We prepared sintered reaction‐bonded silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics using various amounts of yttria (Y2O3) and a fixed amount of magnesia as sintering additives and evaluated their effects on the microstructure and dielectric breakdown strength (DBS). The DBS tests were conducted at substrate thicknesses of approximately .3, .2, .1, and .05 mm for each sample. All the prepared samples exhibited a high relative density (> 98%) and were composed of grains of almost identical sizes and shapes. The DBS decreased as the amount of added Y2O3 increased, with the degree of decrease being more pronounced for the thinner substrates. In the case of substrates with the largest Y2O3 amount (5 mol%), the DBS decreased to the level observed for the thinnest substrate of .05 mm. The presence of yttrium ions around the grains increased the electrical conductivity of the glassy phase, resulting in a decreased DBS. Therefore, a smaller amount of Y2O3 led to a higher DBS. The observed decrease in the DBS (.05 mm) was attributed to the connection between the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate through a highly conductive path.
Mechanical and thermal properties for corrosion products of lutetium silicates against CMAS
Authors: Yang Fan , Fan Yun , Zhao Juanli , Liu Yuchen , Chu Kaili , Li Yiran , Li Wenxian , Liu Bin
Published: April 2024

Rare earth silicates are promising environmental/thermal barrier coating (E/TBC) materials facing severe CMAS (CaO‐MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2) corrosion. Previous studies mainly focused on the intrinsic properties of precorrosion coatings, but there were few studies on their CMAS corrosion products that play a crucial role in the performance of coatings in postservice stage. In this work, the mechanical and thermal properties of nine corrosion products between lutetium silicates and CMAS are studied using first‐principles calculations. Their differences of elastic stiffness are attributed to the different crystal structures and bonding strength. The T:O ratio is identified as a factor of the crystal structure for silicate products, and it has a good correlation with their elastic stiffness. Moreover, the divergences of thermal conductivity are dominated by three essential factors, that is, atomic vibration intensity, lattice vibrational anharmonicity, and complexity of crystal structure. Compared with rare earth silicates, six products, that is, the α‐CaSiO3, β‐CaSiO3, Ca2MgSi2O7, Ca2Al2SiO7, CaAl2Si2O8, and Ca2Lu8(SiO4)6O2, showing good damage tolerance and low thermal conductivities, are predicted to be advantageous to E/TBCs. These discoveries reveal the mechanical/thermal properties of corrosion products between lutetium silicates and CMAS and are expected to support the future researches on the performance of E/TBC in the postservice stage.
Excitation‐dependent afterglow evolution based on constructing dual crystal field glass ceramics
Authors: Li Panpan , Song Enhai , Wang Weichao , Zhang Qinyuan
Published: April 2024

Distinctive luminescent properties and excellent stability of long persistent luminescent (LPL) glass‐ceramic hold promise for anti‐counterfeiting and encryption applications. However, rational synthesis and a deep understanding of the precipitation of dual‐phase microcrystals in glass substrate to improve the encryption level remain challenging. Here, we carefully designed the components based on the phase diagram and combined them with the glass‐forming region. By utilizing the different crystallization behaviors of SrAl2O4 and CaAl2O4 in the glass matrix to realize dual crystals coexistence in a borate glass matrix, which provides different crystal field environments for Eu2+ luminescence, thus obtaining excitation‐dependent tunable LPL characteristics in a single sample. Mechanism studies unveiled that this excitation‐dependent behavior arises from the differential capture of charge carriers by defect oxygen vacancies in the sample when charged with different laser sources, providing a channel for multimode anti‐counterfeiting encryption. This strategy of constructing a double crystal field in a glass matrix overcomes the stringent requirements of a single heat treatment method for the crystallization temperature of biphasic crystals, which could become a stable and promising advanced anti‐counterfeiting encryption material and provide new insights into the multi‐band luminescence regulation of rare earth ions.
Management of moderate to severe psoriasis with brodalumab—Real‐world evidence from the LIBERO study
Authors: von Kiedrowski R. , Hinz T. , Mauer G. , Schwinn A. , Timmel A. , Hutt H. J. , Augustin M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Brodalumab, a fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin IgG2 antibody that binds the human interleukin 17 receptor subunit A, is available for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis in Europe since September 2017, but so far there are only a few studies on its use in real‐world conditions.

Objectives

To assess the management of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis with brodalumab 210 mg in daily practice after 12 and 52 weeks (W). In addition, patient profiles and treatment pathways are described.

Methods

LIBERO is a prospective, multicenter, non‐interventional study including adult patients with plaque psoriasis treated with brodalumab 210 mg.

Results

In total, 638 patients (65% male, mean age: 49.3 ± 14.4 years) from 148 sites in Germany were enrolled. The majority suffered from severe (51.1%) or very severe (13.1%) psoriasis according to physician global assessment (PGA0‐5). When starting with brodalumab, 58.5% were biologic naïve and 41.5% were previously treated with another biologic, mainly adalimumab (18.5%) and secukinumab (17.9%). About 74.0% of patients met the primary endpoint of an absolute PASI ≤3 at ~W12 (n = 618, LOCF). The mean PASI was reduced significantly as of ~W2 from 17.2 (±11.7) to 9.7 (±8.8) and improved further to 3.3 (±6.3) at ~W12 (p < 0.001). At ~W52 85.5% of patients reached a PGA0/1‐response (primary endpoint) and 54.1% patients were assessed as completely clear (PGA0) (both n = 399, as observed). Effectiveness of brodalumab was confirmed in relevant subgroup analysis by previous treatment regimen. Most frequently reported adverse events were nasopharyngitis (4.6%), psoriasis (4.6%) and arthralgia (4.1%), new safety signals were not detected.

Conclusions

This representative, non‐interventional study confirms the short‐ and long‐term effectiveness and safety profile of brodalumab in the management of psoriasis in daily practice as well as in relevant treatment pathways.
Fluids in the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in children: A systematic review
Authors: Patino‐Galarza Daniela , Duque‐Lopez Andres , Cabra‐Bautista Ginna , Calvache Jose A. , Florez Ivan D.
Published: April 2024

Aim

To determine the comparative effectiveness of fluid schemes for children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review with an attempt to conduct network meta‐analysis (NMA). We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Epistemonikos, Virtual Health Library, and gray literature from inception to July 31, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in children with DKA evaluating any intravenous fluid schemes. We planned to conduct NMA to compare all fluid schemes if heterogeneity was deemed acceptable.

Results

Twelve RCTs were included. Studies were heterogeneous in the population (patients and DKA episodes), interventions with different fluids (saline, Ringer's lactate (RL), and polyelectrolyte solution‐PlasmaLyte®), tonicity, volume, and administration systems. We identified 47 outcomes that measured clinical manifestations and metabolic control, including single and composite outcomes and substantial heterogeneity preventing statistical combination. No evidence was found of differences in neurological deterioration (main outcome), but differences were found among interventions in some comparisons to normalize acid‐base status (∼2 h less with low vs. high volume); time to receive subcutaneous insulin (∼1 h less with low vs. high fluid rate); length of stay (∼6 h less with RL vs. saline); and resolution of the DKA (∼3 h less with two‐bag vs. one‐bag scheme). However, available evidence is scarce and poor.

Conclusions

There is not enough evidence to determine the best fluid therapy in terms of fluid type, tonicity, volume, or administration time for DKA treatment. There is an urgent need for more RCTs, and the development of a core outcome set on DKA in children.
Pathogen‐ and host‐directed pharmacologic strategies for control of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honey bees
Authors: Parrella Parker , Elikan Annabelle B. , Snow Jonathan W.
Published: April 2024

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of the Fungal Kingdom that cause widespread infections in nature, with important effects on invertebrates involved in food production systems. The two microsporidian species Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae (and the less common Vairimorpha (Nosema) apis) can cause individual disease in honey bees and contribute to colony collapse. The efficacy, safety, and availability of fumagillin, the only drug currently approved to treat microsporidia infection in bees, is uncertain. In this review, we will discuss some of the most promising alternative strategies for the mitigation of Vairimorpha spp. with an emphasis on infection by V. ceranae, now the dominant species infecting bees. We will focus on pharmacologic interventions where the mechanism of action is known and examine both pathogen‐directed and host‐directed approaches. As limiting toxicity to host cells has been especially emphasized in treating bees that are already facing numerous stressors, strategies that disrupt pathogen‐specific targets may be especially advantageous. Therefore, efforts to increase the knowledge and tools for facilitating the discovery of such targets and pharmacologic agents directed against them should be prioritized.
Body contouring effects of at‐home beauty device equipped with suction, radiofrequency, and electrical muscle stimulation functions
Authors: Choi Yeji , Hur Yukyung , Kwak Soyoung , Shin Dasom
Published: April 2024

Background

With the rise in interest and demand for body contouring, beauty devices have continuously developed. Suction can aid in increasing the rate of fat breakdown by inducing a massage‐like effect, thereby increasing blood flow. Moreover, radiofrequency (RF) can boost fibroblast activity and help reduce cellulite. In addition, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can use electrical stimulation to induce muscle contraction, leading to an athletic, and skin elasticity‐increasing effect.

Aims

This study aimed to assess the effects of body contouring, such as cellulite and swelling, in healthy Korean women to objectively prove the efficacy of an at‐home beauty device equipped with suction, RF, and EMS functions.

Methods

For 8 weeks, 21 participants used the at‐home beauty device 3 days a week on their abdomen, thighs, and left calf. Validity assessments and subjective surveys were conducted at 4 and 8 weeks, including the first visit.

Results

The results of the validity assessments revealed that cellulite, swelling, elasticity, femoral skin texture, and dermal density were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in the experimental group compared with those at the baseline.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that the combination of suction, RF, and EMS function is effective for body skin, fat, and body shape management. For better body‐contouring effects, combining the beauty device with regular exercise and healthy eating habits is recommended.
Exploring the role of biotic factors in regulating the spatial variability in land surface phenology across four temperate forest sites
Authors: Zhao Yingyi , Wang Zhihui , Yan Zhengbing , Moon Minkyu , Yang Dedi , Meng Lin , Bucher Solveig Franziska , Wang Jing , Song Guangqin , Guo Zhengfei , Su Yanjun , Wu Jin
Published: April 2024

Land surface phenology (LSP), the characterization of plant phenology with satellite data, is essential for understanding the effects of climate change on ecosystem functions. Considerable LSP variation is observed within local landscapes, and the role of biotic factors in regulating such variation remains underexplored.

In this study, we selected four National Ecological Observatory Network terrestrial sites with minor topographic relief to investigate how biotic factors regulate intra‐site LSP variability. We utilized plant functional type (PFT) maps, functional traits, and LSP data to assess the explanatory power of biotic factors for the start and end of season (SOS and EOS) variability.

Our results indicate that PFTs alone explain only 0.8–23.4% of intra‐site SOS and EOS variation, whereas including functional traits significantly improves explanatory power, with cross‐validation correlations ranging from 0.50 to 0.85. While functional traits exhibited diverse effects on SOS and EOS across different sites, traits related to competitive ability and productivity were important for explaining both SOS and EOS variation at these sites.

These findings reveal that plants exhibit diverse phenological responses to comparable environmental conditions, and functional traits significantly contribute to intra‐site LSP variability, highlighting the importance of intrinsic biotic properties in regulating plant phenology.
Methylated chalcones are required for rhizobial nod gene induction in the Medicago truncatula rhizosphere
Authors: Wu Wenjuan , Zhuang Yuxin , Chen Dasong , Ruan Yiting , Li Fuyu , Jackson Kirsty , Liu Cheng‐Wu , East Alison , Wen Jiangqi , Tatsis Evangelos , Poole Philip S. , Xu Ping , Murray Jeremy D.
Published: April 2024

Legume nodulation requires the detection of flavonoids in the rhizosphere by rhizobia to activate their production of Nod factor countersignals. Here we investigated the flavonoids involved in nodulation of Medicago truncatula.

We biochemically characterized five flavonoid‐O‐methyltransferases (OMTs) and a lux‐based nod gene reporter was used to investigate the response of Sinorhizobium medicae NodD1 to various flavonoids.

We found that chalcone‐OMT 1 (ChOMT1) and ChOMT3, but not OMT2, 4, and 5, were able to produce 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐2′‐methoxychalcone (DHMC). The bioreporter responded most strongly to DHMC, while isoflavones important for nodulation of soybean (Glycine max) showed no activity. Mutant analysis revealed that loss of ChOMT1 strongly reduced DHMC levels. Furthermore, chomt1 and omt2 showed strongly reduced bioreporter luminescence in their rhizospheres. In addition, loss of both ChOMT1 and ChOMT3 reduced nodulation, and this phenotype was strengthened by the further loss of OMT2.

We conclude that: the loss of ChOMT1 greatly reduces root DHMC levels; ChOMT1 or OMT2 are important for nod gene activation in the rhizosphere; and ChOMT1/3 and OMT2 promote nodulation. Our findings suggest a degree of exclusivity in the flavonoids used for nodulation in M. truncatula compared to soybean, supporting a role for flavonoids in rhizobial host range.
Prevalence of obesity in religious clergy in the United States: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Eagle David , Holleman Anna , Olvera Brianda Barrera , Blackwood Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Objective

This systematic review aims to summarize the current body of evidence concerning the prevalence of obesity among clergy (i.e., the officially designated leaders of a religious group) in the United States.

Method

From November 2022 to February 2023, five databases, one data repository, and gray matter were searched for articles and data sources. The search was restricted to articles published or raw data collected from 2001 to 2021. Study quality was assessed with a template, and heterogeneity was assessed using the
statistic. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022376592).

Results

Forty‐seven studies of clergy obesity involving 35,064 individuals were eligible. The pooled prevalence estimate of obesity across studies was 34.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.5–37.2). Obesity prevalence was found to be increasing over time and to vary considerably between clergy from different religious traditions. Compared to national estimates, from 2005 onwards, obesity prevalence was higher than in the US adult population.
Lidocaine patch as noninvasive alternative treatment option in children with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: A retrospective case series
Authors: ten Have Tom , Zwaans Willem A. R. , Scheltinga Marc R. M. , Roumen Rudi M. H.
Published: April 2024

Background

Chronic abdominal pain in children is occasionally caused by anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES). Diagnosing and treating this typical peripheral abdominal wall neuropathy is challenging. Management usually starts with minimally invasive tender point injections. Nevertheless, these injections can be burdensome and might even be refused by children or their parents. However, a surgical neurectomy is far more invasive. Treatment with a Lidocaine 5% medicated patch is successfully used in a variety of peripheral neuropathies.

Aims

This single center retrospective case series aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of lidocaine patches in children with ACNES.

Methods

Children aged under 18 diagnosed with ACNES who were treated with a 10 day lidocaine patch treatment between December 2021 and December 2022 were studied. Patient record files were used to collect treatment outcomes including pain reduction based on NRS and complications.

Results

Twelve of sixteen children (mean age 13 years; F:M ratio 3:1) diagnosed with ACNES started the lidocaine patch treatment. Two patients achieved a pain free status and remained pain free during a 4 and 7 months follow‐up. A third child reported a lasting pain reduction, but discontinued treatment due to a temporary local skin rash. Five additional patients reported pain reduction only during application of the patch. The remaining four children experienced no pain relief. No adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion

Lidocaine patches provides pain relief in a substantial portion of children with ACNES.
Facial adult female acne in China: An analysis based on artificial intelligence over one million
Authors: Li Tian‐Hao , Ma Xu‐Da , Li Zi‐Ming , Yu Nan‐Ze , Song Jin‐Yan , Ma Zi‐Tao , Ying Han‐Ting , Zhou Beibei , Huang Jiu‐Zuo , Wu Liang , Long Xiao
Published: April 2024

Background

To further clarify the acne profile of Chinese adult women, we included 1,156,703 adult women. An artificial intelligence algorithm was used to analyze images taken by high‐resolution mobile phones to further explore acne levels in Chinese adult women.

Method

In this study, we assessed the severity of acne by evaluating patients' selfies through a smartphone application. Furthermore, we gathered basic user information through a questionnaire, including details such as age, gender, skin sensitivity, and dietary habits.

Results

This study showed a gradual decrease in acne severity from the age of 25 years. A trough was reached between the ages of 40 and 44, followed by a gradual increase in acne severity. In terms of skin problems and acne severity, we have found that oily skin, hypersensitive skin, frequent makeup application and unhealthy dietary habits can affect the severity of acne. For environment and acne severity, we observed that developed city levels, cold seasons and high altitude and strong radiation affect acne severity in adult women. For the results of the AI analyses, the severity of blackheads, pores, dark circles and skin roughness were positively associated with acne severity in adult women.

Conclusions

AI analysis of high‐res phone images in Chinese adult women reveals acne severity trends. Severity decreases after 25, hits a low at 40–44, then gradually rises. Skin type, sensitivity, makeup, diet, urbanization, seasons, altitude, and radiation impact acne. Blackheads, pores, dark circles, and skin roughness are linked to acne severity. These findings inform personalized skincare and public health strategies for adult women.
SUPPRESSOR CELLS (MDSC) REGULATE THE T-CELL RESPONSE IN OLD MICE IMMUNIZED WITH THE WHOLE-VIRION SARS-CoV-2 VACCINE
Authors: Perfilyeva Y.V. , Abdolla N. , Kali A. , Tleulieva R. , Aben D. , Abdusattarova Y. , Lushova A. , Ostapchuk Ye. , Karalnik B. , Belyaev N.
Published: April 2024

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are an immunosuppressive population involved in pathological processes associated with chronic inflammation. In recent years, the role of these cells in the regulation of a number of non-pathological processes, in particular, in the development of vaccine-induced immune response, has been actively discussed. This work was aimed at investigating the role of MDSC in the development of an immune response in old mice immunized with an inactivated whole virion SARS-CoV-2. Immunization of old animals induced an increase in the relative content of B cells and the production of specific antibodies to S1 and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in titers comparable to those of young animals. At the same time, elevated MDSC levels in aged animals negatively correlated with the level of CD8+ T cells. Splenic MDSCs in old animals were characterized by increased production of reactive oxygen species compared to young animals. In vitro experiments showed that MDSC depletion increased antigen-specific production of IFNγ  by CD4+ T cells. The data obtained suggest a negative role for MDSC in regulating the T-cell vaccine-induced response to inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and encourage further studies in this direction, which may be a key to developing approaches to increase the efficacy of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in at-risk groups.
Interaction of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond with a dense ensemble of carbon-13
Authors: Rubinas O. R. , Soshenko V. V. , Cojocaru I. S. , Bolshedvorskii S. V. , Vilyuzhanina P. G. , Primak E. A. , Drofa S. M. , Kozodaev A. M. , Vins V. G. , Sorokin V. N. , Smolyaninov A. N. , Akimov A. V.
Published: April 2024

The nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond attracts a lot of attention in sensing applications, mainly for temperature, magnetic field, and rotation measurements. Nuclear spins of carbon-13 surrounding the nitrogen-vacancy center can be used as a memory or sensing element. In the current work, a diamond plate with a relatively large concentration of carbon-13 was synthesized and examined. The spectrum of optically detected magnetic resonance was recorded and analyzed in a magnetic field range of 5–200 G. A strain-independent measurement technique of carbon-13 isotope concentration based on the analysis of magnetic resonance spectra was developed. Additionally, narrow features in the spectrum were detected and understood.
Pseudo-nanostructure and trapped-hole release induce high thermoelectric performance in PbTe
Authors: Jia Baohai , Wu Di , Xie Lin , Wang Wu , Yu Tian , Li Shangyang , Wang Yan , Xu Yanjun , Jiang Binbin , Chen Zhiquan , Weng Yuxiang , He Jiaqing
Published: April 2024

Thermoelectric materials can realize direct and mutual conversion between electricity and heat. However, developing a strategy to improve high thermoelectric performance is challenging because of strongly entangled electrical and thermal transport properties. We demonstrate a case in which both pseudo-nanostructures of vacancy clusters and dynamic charge-carrier regulation of trapped-hole release have been achieved in p-type lead telluride–based materials, enabling the simultaneous regulations of phonon and charge carrier transports. We realized a peak
zT
value up to 2.8 at 850 kelvin and an average
zT
value of 1.65 at 300 to 850 kelvin. We also achieved an energy conversion efficiency of ~15.5% at a temperature difference of 554 kelvin in a segmented module. Our demonstration shows promise for mid-temperature thermoelectrics across a range of different applications.
Bronchoconstriction damages airway epithelia by crowding-induced excess cell extrusion
Authors: Bagley Dustin C. , Russell Tobias , Ortiz-Zapater Elena , Stinson Sally , Fox Kristina , Redd Polly F. , Joseph Merry , Deering-Rice Cassandra , Reilly Christopher , Parsons Maddy , Brightling Christopher , Rosenblatt Jody
Published: April 2024

Asthma is deemed an inflammatory disease, yet the defining diagnostic feature is mechanical bronchoconstriction. We previously discovered a conserved process called cell extrusion that drives homeostatic epithelial cell death when cells become too crowded. In this work, we show that the pathological crowding of a bronchoconstrictive attack causes so much epithelial cell extrusion that it damages the airways, resulting in inflammation and mucus secretion in both mice and humans. Although relaxing the airways with the rescue treatment albuterol did not affect these responses, inhibiting live cell extrusion signaling during bronchoconstriction prevented all these features. Our findings show that bronchoconstriction causes epithelial damage and inflammation by excess crowding-induced cell extrusion and suggest that blocking epithelial extrusion, instead of the ensuing downstream inflammation, could prevent the feed-forward asthma inflammatory cycle.
Epithelial cells crowded out in asthma
Authors: Drazen Jeffrey M. , Fredberg Jeffrey J.
Published: April 2024

Bronchoconstriction causes epithelial cell extrusion that promotes airway inflammation
Comparison of methods proposed for monitoring cefotaxime-resistant
Escherichia coli
in the water environment
Authors: Calarco Jeanette , Pruden Amy , Harwood Valerie J.
Published: April 2024

Escherichia coli
is a promising subject for globally coordinated surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in water environments due to its clinical relevance and widespread use as an indicator of fecal contamination. Cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
was recently evaluated favorably for this purpose by the World Health Organization TriCycle Protocol, which specifies tryptone bile x-glucuronide (TBX) medium and incubation at 35°C. We assessed comparability with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved method for
E. coli
quantification, which uses membrane-thermotolerant
E. coli
(mTEC) agar and incubation at 44.5°C, in terms of recovery of
E. coli
and cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
from wastewater influent and surface waters. Total
E. coli
concentrations in wastewater influent were 10
6
–10
8
CFU/100 mL, while cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
were ~100-fold lower. Total
E. coli
in surface waters were ~10
2
CFU/100 mL, and cefotaxime-resistant isolates were near the limit of detection (0.4 CFU/100 mL). Total and putative cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
concentrations did not differ significantly between media or by incubation method; however, colonies isolated on mTEC were more frequently confirmed to species (97.1%) compared to those from TBX (92.5%). Incubation in a water bath at 44.5°C significantly decreased non-specific background growth and improved confirmation frequency on both media (97.4%) compared to incubation at 35°C (92.3%). This study helps to advance globally coordinated AMR in water environments and suggests that the TriCycle Protocol is adaptable to other standard methods that may be required in different locales, while also offering a means to improve specificity by decreasing the frequency of false-positive identification of cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
by modifying incubation conditions.

IMPORTANCE

As antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water environments are increasingly recognized as contributors to the global antibiotic resistance crisis, the need for a monitoring subject that captures antibiotic resistance trends on a global scale increases. The World Health Organization TriCycle Protocol proposes the use of cefotaxime-resistant
Escherichia coli
isolated on tryptone bile x-glucuronide agar. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) criteria for safe recreational waters also use
E. coli
as an indicator but specify the use of mTEC agar at a higher incubation temperature (44.5°C vs 35°C). We assessed the comparability of these methods for isolating total and cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
, finding overall good agreement and performance, but significantly higher specificity toward
E. coli
selection with the use of the USEPA incubation protocol and mTEC agar. This study is the first to directly compare these methods and provides evidence that the methods may be used interchangeably for global surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Development and evaluation of an artificial intelligence for bacterial growth monitoring in clinical bacteriology
Authors: Jacot Damien , Gizha Shklqim , Orny Cedrick , Fernandes Mathieu , Tricoli Carmelo , Marcelpoil Raphael , Prod'hom Guy , Volle Jean-Marc , Greub Gilbert , Croxatto Antony
Published: April 2024

In clinical bacteriology laboratories, reading and processing of sterile plates remain a significant part of the routine workload (30%–40% of the plates). Here, an algorithm was developed for bacterial growth detection starting with any type of specimens and using the most common media in bacteriology. The growth prediction performance of the algorithm for automatic processing of sterile plates was evaluated not only at 18–24 h and 48 h but also at earlier timepoints toward the development of an early growth monitoring system. A total of 3,844 plates inoculated with representative clinical specimens were used. The plates were imaged 15 times, and two different microbiologists read the images randomly and independently, creating 99,944 human ground truths. The algorithm was able, at 48 h, to discriminate growth from no growth with a sensitivity of 99.80% (five false-negative [FN] plates out of 3,844) and a specificity of 91.97%. At 24 h, sensitivity and specificity reached 99.08% and 93.37%, respectively. Interestingly, during human truth reading, growth was reported as early as 4 h, while at 6 h, half of the positive plates were already showing some growth. In this context, automated early growth monitoring in case of normally sterile samples is envisioned to provide added value to the microbiologists, enabling them to prioritize reading and to communicate early detection of bacterial growth to the clinicians.
Femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy versus toric IOL implantation for correcting astigmatism in cataract patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Yen Wei-Ting , Weng Tzu-Heng , Lin Ting-Yi , Tai Ming-Cheng , Chen Yi-Hao , Chang Yu-Min
Published: April 2024

Aims

To compare the refractive and visual outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) and toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for correcting astigmatism in cataract patients.

Methods

Studies were retrieved from the Ovid-Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus which compared FSAK and toric IOL for astigmatism correction in cataract patients. Outcome measures included postoperative refractive cylinder, correction index, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), the proportion of patients achieving a residual refractive cylinder of 1.00 dioptre or less, target-induced astigmatism (TIA) and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA). The trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to collect firm evidence supporting our conclusion.

Results

9 studies encompassing 590 participants were analysed. The meta-analysis revealed that toric IOLs could result in less postoperative refractive cylinder and provide better UDVA compared with FSAK. The TSA disclosed strong evidence of lower postoperative refractive cylinder in the toric IOL group compared with that of the FSAK group. FSAK showed a smaller correction index and lower mean TIA and SIA compared with toric IOLs.

Conclusions

For cataract patients, both FSAK and toric IOLs are effective methods for correcting astigmatism. However, toric IOLs offer less postoperative astigmatism and result in better postoperative UDVA compared with FSAK. In vector analysis of astigmatism, toric IOLs can also produce higher TIA and SIA. Additionally, neither method is associated with severe untreatable complications. Therefore, the conclusion is that toric IOLs are the preferred choice for astigmatism correction in cataract patients and FSAK serves as a viable alternative when toric IOLs are contraindicated.
Role of kidney function on Nrf2 mRNA levels in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Spoto Belinda , Politi Cristina , Postorino Maurizio , Parlongo Rosa Maria , Testa Alessandra , Tripepi Giovanni Luigi , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication in patients with diabetes and the main contributor to the chronic kidney disease (CKD) global burden. Oxidative stress is a crucial factor in DKD pathogenesis but the role of the antioxidant nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its molecular regulators has been poorly investigated in man.

Research design and methods

In this case-control study, we analyzed the roles of Nrf2, a transcription factor shielding cells from oxidative stress, its repressor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and six microRNAs (miRNAs) that potentially suppress Nrf2. We categorized 99 participants into 3 groups: 33 non-dialysis patients with type 2 diabetes with DKD, 33 patients with type 2 diabetes without DKD and 33 control subjects and quantified the gene expression (messenger RNA (mRNA)) levels of Nrf2, Keap1 and 6 miRNAs. Moreover, we studied the correlation between gene expression levels and clinical indicators of kidney health.

Results

In patients with diabetes with DKD, Nrf2 mRNA levels were significantly lower than in patients without DKD (p=0.01) and controls (p=0.02), whereas no difference in Nrf2 expression levels existed between patients without DKD and controls. Conversely, in patients with and without DKD, Keap1 expression levels were significantly higher than in controls. Of the six miRNAs studied, miRNA 30e-5p showed differential expression, being markedly reduced in patients with DKD (p=0.007). Nrf2 mRNA levels directly correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with DKD (r=0.34, p=0.05) and in a formal mediation analysis the eGFR emerged as the first factor in rank for explaining the difference in Nrf2 mRNA levels between patients with and without DKD.

Conclusions

The observed dysregulation in the Nrf2-Keap1 axis and the unique expression pattern of miRNA30e-5p in DKD underscore the need for more focused research in this domain that can help identify novel intervention strategies for DKD in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Diagnostic error in mental health: a review
Authors: Bradford Andrea , Meyer Ashley N D , Khan Sundas , Giardina Traber D , Singh Hardeep
Published: April 2024

Diagnostic errors are associated with patient harm and suboptimal outcomes. Despite national scientific efforts to advance definition, measurement and interventions for diagnostic error, diagnosis in mental health is not well represented in this ongoing work. We aimed to summarise the current state of research on diagnostic errors in mental health and identify opportunities to align future research with the emerging science of diagnostic safety. We review conceptual considerations for defining and measuring diagnostic error, the application of these concepts to mental health settings, and the methods and subject matter focus of recent studies of diagnostic error in mental health. We found that diagnostic error is well understood to be a problem in mental healthcare. Although few studies used clear definitions or frameworks for understanding diagnostic error in mental health, several studies of missed, wrong, delayed and disparate diagnosis of common mental disorders have identified various avenues for future research and development. Nevertheless, a lack of clear consensus on how to conceptualise, define and measure errors in diagnosis will pose a barrier to advancement. Further research should focus on identifying preventable missed opportunities in the diagnosis of mental disorders, which may uncover generalisable opportunities for improvement.
Evaluating the real-world effectiveness of belimumab in patients with SLE using SLE-related laboratory values and rheumatoid arthritis-derived disease activity measures: RAPID3, swollen joint count and tender joint count
Authors: Germain Guillaume , Worley Karen , MacKnight Sean D , Rubin Bernard , Bell Christopher F , Laliberté François , Urosevic Ana , Sheng Duh Mei , Concoff Andrew
Published: April 2024

Objective

To investigate the real-world impact of intravenous belimumab treatment among patients with SLE using rheumatoid arthritis-derived disease activity measures and SLE-related laboratory values.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used US electronic medical record data from the United Rheumatology Normalised Integrated Community Evidence (UR-NICE) database. Adult patients with SLE who initiated intravenous belimumab between 1 January 2012 and 3 December 2019 (index), had 12 months of pre-index and 24 months of post-index clinical activity, and had ≥6 infusions of belimumab during the 24 months post-index were included. The primary outcome measure was time to first improvement of minimally important difference (MID) for Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), Patient Pain Index (PPI), swollen joint count, tender joint count (TJC), complement C3 and C4 and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies during the on-treatment follow-up period of up to 24 months. The secondary outcome measure evaluated the trajectories of these outcome measures for up to 24 months of belimumab treatment.

Results

Of 495 patients included, between 21.0% and 52.1% had ≥1 record for each of the disease activity measures or laboratory values in the pre-index and post-index periods and were included in analyses for that measure. The proportion of patients achieving MID for each measure increased rapidly within 3 months, with continued gradual improvement throughout the remaining on-treatment period, up to 24 months. After 6 months, 52.3% and 55.3% of patients had achieved MID in RAPID3 and PPI, respectively. Outcome measure trajectories indicated improved disease activity with belimumab treatment, particularly in RAPID3, TJC and laboratory values.

Conclusions

In this real-world effectiveness study, belimumab therapy for SLE resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in rheumatoid arthritis-derived disease activity measures within 3 months of treatment, with patients who remained on belimumab therapy experiencing improvement even up to 24 months of observation.
The $$B^0 \rightarrow J/\psi f_0(1370,1500,1710)$$ decays: an opportunity for scalar glueball hunting
Authors: Ren Jia-Le , Li Min-Qi , Liu Xin , Zou Zhi-Tian , Li Ying , Xiao Zhen-Jun
Published: April 2024

The scalars $$f_0$$

f
0

closest to 1.5 GeV contain the mesons $$f_0(1370)$$

f
0

(
1370
)

, $$f_0(1500)$$

f
0

(
1500
)

and $$f_0(1710)$$

f
0

(
1710
)

, and the latter two ones are usually viewed as the potential candidates for the scalar glueballs. In this work, by including the important contributions from the vertex corrections, we study the decays $$B^0 \rightarrow J/\psi f_0$$

B
0

→
J
/
ψ

f
0

within the improved perturbative QCD approach and analyze the possible scalar glueball hunting. Together with the two mixing models, namely, $$f_0(1500) (f_0(1710))$$

f
0

(
1500
)

(

f
0

(
1710
)

)

being the primary scalar glueball in model I (II), and two classification scenarios, namely, $$f_0$$

f
0

being the $$q\bar{q}$$

q

q

¯

excited (ground) states in scenario 1 (2), the branching fractions associated with their ratios for $$B^0 \rightarrow J/\psi f_0$$

B
0

→
J
/
ψ

f
0

are evaluated comprehensively. The predictions with still large uncertainties in the considered two mixing models are roughly consistent with currently limited data, which indicates that both more rich data and more precise predictions are urgently demanded to figure out the scalar glueball clearly in the future. Moreover, several interesting ratios between the branching fractions of $$B^0 \rightarrow J/\psi f_0(\rightarrow \pi ^+ \pi ^-/K^+ K^-)$$

B
0

→
J
/
ψ

f
0

(
→

π
+

π
-

/

K
+

K
-

)

and $$B^0 \rightarrow J/\psi \rho ^0/\phi (\rightarrow \pi ^+ \pi ^-/ K^+ K^-)$$

B
0

→
J
/
ψ

ρ
0

/
ϕ

(
→

π
+

π
-

/

K
+

K
-

)

that could help us to understand the nature of scalar $$f_0$$

f
0

are defined and predicted theoretically. These ratios should be examined in future experiments.