bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral frailty: A concept analysis
Authors: Yang Chengfengyi , Gao Yajing , An Ran , Lan Yue , Yang Yue , Wan Qiaoqin
Published: January 2024

Aim

To clarify the concept of oral frailty to provide a clear and standardized conceptual basis for further research in older people.

Design

Rodgers and Knafl's evolutionary concept analysis approach.

Methods

The narrative analysis detailedly extracted and synthesized the attributes of oral frailty, as well as its antecedents, consequences and related terms under the guidance of Rodgers' evolutionary method.

Data Sources

Multiple databases including Pubmed, CINAHL and Cochrane were searched using selected search terms ‘oral frail*’, ‘oral health’ and ‘aged’ respectively. Articles written between 2013 and 2023 were included, and grey literature was excluded.

Results

A total of 32 articles were included for further analysis and synthesis. The attributes of oral frailty were hypofunction, predisposing in nature, non‐specific and multidimensional. Antecedents of prefrailty were classified into four categories, namely, sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, physical function and psychosocial factors. Consequences of oral frailty include three themes: increased risk of adverse outcomes, poor nutritional status and possibility of social withdrawal. Related terms that had shared attributes with oral frailty were oral health, functional dentition, oral hypofunction and deterioration of oral function.

Conclusions

Oral frailty is an age‐related phenomenon reflected in decreased oral function. The findings of this concept analysis are conducive to understanding and clarifying the oral frailty, which can help clinicians or other healthcare providers to consider how to distinguish oral frailty in older adults and further promote the development of this field.

Impact

Oral frailty is increasingly recognized as an age‐related phenomenon reflected in decreased oral function. As it is newly proposed, no consensus has been reached regarding the theoretical and operational concept of it. Through clarifying the concept, this paper will guide future healthcare research on oral frailty regarding the influencing factors, mechanisms and interventions, thus raising the awareness with regard to oral health among older adults.

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?

In the context of older adults, oral frailty is a concept that requires further research to guide future theoretical development, and the influencing factors, mechanisms and interventions need to be further studied.

Raise awareness with regard to oral health among older people and more attention will be paid to the early identification and intervention of oral frailty, so as to further improve the quality of life of older adults.
Challenges and needs in cerebrovascular disease pathway: A qualitative descriptive study from the patients' and healthcare professionals' perspectives
Authors: Härkönen Henna , Myllykangas Kirsi , Gomes Julius , Immonen Milla , Kärppä Mikko , Hyvämäki Piia , Jansson Miia
Published: January 2024

Aim(s)

To understand patients' and healthcare professionals' experiences to improve care in and across different domains of the cerebrovascular disease pathway.

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

Semi‐structured in‐person interviews were conducted among 22 patients diagnosed with acute cerebrovascular disease and 26 healthcare professionals taking care of them in a single tertiary‐level hospital from August 2021 to March 2022. Data were analysed using deductive and inductive content analysis. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research was used to ensure reliable reporting.

Results

Overall, 19 generic and 79 sub‐categories describing perceived challenges with 17 generic and 62 sub‐categories describing perceived needs were identified related to primary prevention, organization of stroke services, management of acute stroke, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, evaluation of stroke outcome and quality assessment, and life after stroke.

Conclusion

Several challenges and needs were identified in and across the different domains of the cerebrovascular disease pathway. There is a requirement for adequate resources, early initiation of treatment, early diagnostics and recanalization, dedicated rehabilitation services, long‐term counselling and support, and impact evaluation of services to improve cerebrovascular disease care. Future research on caregivers', and clinical leadership experiences in and across the cerebrovascular disease pathway is needed to explore the provision of services.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The results of this study can be applied by organizations, managers and research for developing and improving services in the cerebrovascular disease pathway.

Impact

This study identified several patient‐related, organizational and logistical needs and challenges, with suggestions for required actions, that can benefit the provision of effective, high‐quality cerebrovascular disease care.

Reporting Method

We have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines with the COREQ reporting method.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public involvement.
Different leadless pacemakers working in harmony (Aveir in the atrium/Micra AV2 in the ventricle) in a patient with dextrocardia and double outlet right ventricle after high‐risk infected device extraction
Authors: English Carter , Fan Dali , Ing Frank , Cortez Daniel
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Patients with congenital heart disease are at increased risk for requiring cardiac pacing during their lifetime.

Methods

We present the first described case of using two leadless pacing systems manufactured by separate companies implanted within the same patient to provide atrial and ventricular pacing due to complex congenital anatomy.

Results

A 27‐year‐old male with dextrocardia with double outlet right ventricle, subaortic ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary stenosis status‐post pulmonary valve replacement complicated by ventricular pacing dependence and subsequent atrial pacing dependence after atriotomy‐based atypical flutter ablation developed recurrent mediastinitis and pocket infection with erosion despite prolonged antibiotic treatment. Due to atrial and ventricular pacing dependence, a comprehensive congenital care team concluded the need for lead extraction and replacement of pacemaker via leadless peacemaking device. Laser‐lead extraction and temporary atrial pacemaker placement was performed. Afterward, a transesophageal echocardiogram guided implantation of both a Micra AV 2 (Medtronic) leadless pacemaker in the interventricular septum within the right ventricle and an Aveir (Abbott) leadless pacemaker in the superior base of the right atrial appendage was performed with successful pacing. Although there is no communication between these devices, atrial‐mechanical ventricular pacing was reliable with good implant thresholds, impedances and sensing from both devices.

Conclusion

Our case demonstrates the feasibility of using dual leadless pacing modalities to simultaneously pace someone at complex, prohibitive risk for temporary permanent or permanent pacemaker devices.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and midlife maternal cognition in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Birnie Kate , Catov Janet , Anderson Emma L. , Lapidaire Winok , Kilpi Fanny , Lawlor Deborah A. , Fraser Abigail
Published: January 2024

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, with recent evidence linking pre‐eclampsia with vascular dementia. We examined associations of HDP with cognitive performance measured in midlife, in a prospective cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Six cognitive function domains were measured 20 years after pregnancy at a mean age of 51 years. The cognition tests were repeated at clinics in the following two years. Cognitive function domains measured were immediate and delayed verbal episodic memory, working memory, processing speed, verbal intelligence, and verbal fluency. Exposures were pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension (GH), and a combined category of any HDP, all compared to normotensive pregnancy. Of 3393 pregnancies included in the analysis, GH was experienced by 417 (12.3%) and pre‐eclampsia by 57 (1.7%). GH was associated with lower verbal episodic memory, in the delayed logic memory test (‐0.16 SDs; 95% CI ‐0.30, ‐0.03; p = .015) and there was weak evidence of an association with the immediate logic memory test (‐0.13 SDs; ‐0.27, 0.001; p = .058). However, we did not see steeper declines by age for women with GH and there was no evidence of associations with other cognitive domains or for pre‐eclampsia with any domains. Results were not substantially changed after controlling for midlife blood pressure. Our findings suggest that a history of GH is associated with slightly reduced episodic memory 20 years after pregnancy, but we found no evidence of a quicker age‐related decline compared to women with normotensive pregnancies.
Nrf2/HO‐1, NF‐κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways decipher the therapeutic mechanism of pitavastatin in early phase liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Elbaset Marawan A. , Mohamed Bassim M. S. A. , Hessin Alyaa , Abd El‐Rahman Sahar S. , Esatbeyoglu Tuba , Afifi Sherif M. , Fayed Hany M.
Published: January 2024

Liver fibrosis is a common chronic hepatic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pitavastatin (Pit) against thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver fibrosis. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) TAA group (100 mg/kg, i.p.) three times weekly for 2 weeks; (3 and 4) TAA/Pit‐treated group, in which Pit was administered orally (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks following TAA injections. TAA caused liver damage manifested by elevated serum transaminases, reduced albumin and histological alterations. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased, and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased in TAA‐administered rats. TAA upregulated the inflammatory markers NF‐κB, NF‐κB p65, TNF‐α and IL‐6. Treatment with Pit ameliorated serum transaminases, elevated serum albumin and prevented histopathological changes in TAA‐intoxicated rats. Pit suppressed MDA, NF‐κB, NF‐κB p65, the inflammatory cytokines and PI3K mRNA in TAA‐intoxicated rats. In addition, Pit enhanced hepatic antioxidants and boosted the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) mRNA. Moreover, immunohistological studies supported the ability of Pit to reduce liver fibrosis via suppressing p‐AKT expression. In conclusion, Pit effectively prevents TAA‐induced liver fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. The hepatoprotective efficacy of Pit was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO‐1 and downregulation of NF‐κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways.
Development and validation of a rule‐based algorithm to identify periodontal diagnosis using structured electronic health record data
Authors: Tokede Bunmi , Brandon Ryan , Lee Chun‐Teh , Lin Guo‐Hao , White Joel , Yansane Alfa , Jiang Xiaoqian , Kalenderian Elsbeth , Walji Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Aim

To develop and validate an automated electronic health record (EHR)‐based algorithm to suggest a periodontal diagnosis based on the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal Diseases and Conditions.

Materials and Methods

Using material published from the 2017 World Workshop, a tool was iteratively developed to suggest a periodontal diagnosis based on clinical data within the EHR. Pertinent clinical data included clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival margin to cemento‐enamel junction distance, probing depth, furcation involvement (if present) and mobility. Chart reviews were conducted to confirm the algorithm's ability to accurately extract clinical data from the EHR, and then to test its ability to suggest an accurate diagnosis. Subsequently, refinements were made to address limitations of the data and specific clinical situations. Each refinement was evaluated through chart reviews by expert periodontists at the study sites.

Results

Three‐hundred and twenty‐three charts were manually reviewed, and a periodontal diagnosis (healthy, gingivitis or periodontitis including stage and grade) was made by expert periodontists for each case. After developing the initial version of the algorithm using the unmodified 2017 World Workshop criteria, accuracy was 71.8% for stage alone and 64.7% for stage and grade. Subsequently, 16 modifications to the algorithm were proposed and 14 were accepted. This refined version of the algorithm had 79.6% accuracy for stage alone and 68.8% for stage and grade together.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a rule‐based algorithm for suggesting a periodontal diagnosis using EHR data can be implemented with moderate accuracy in support of chairside clinical diagnostic decision making, especially for inexperienced clinicians. Grey‐zone cases still exist, where clinical judgement will be required. Future applications of similar algorithms with improved performance will depend upon the quality (completeness/accuracy) of EHR data.
A meta‐study analysing the discourses of discourse analysis in health professions education
Authors: MacLeod Anna , Ellaway Rachel H. , Cleland Jennifer
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Discourse analysis has been used as an approach to conducting research in health professions education (HPE) for many years. However, because there is no one ‘right’ interpretation of or approach to it, quite what discourse analysis is, how it could or should be used, and how it can be appraised are unclear. This ambiguity risks undermining the trustworthiness and coherence of the methodology and any findings it produces.

Method

A meta‐study review was conducted to explore the current state of discourse analysis in HPE, to guide researchers engaging using the methodology and to improving methodological, analytical and reporting rigour. Structured searches were conducted, returns were filtered for inclusion and 124 articles critically analysed.

Results

Of 124 included articles, 64 were from medical education, 51 from nursing and 9 were mutli‐disciplinary or from other HPE disciplines. Of 119 articles reporting some sort of data, 50 used documents/written text as the sole data source, while 27 were solely based on interview data. Foucault was the most commonly cited theorist (n = 47), particularly in medical education articles. The quality of articles varied: many did not provide a clear articulation what was meant by discourse, definitions and methodological choices were often misaligned, there was a lack of detail regarding data collection and analysis, and positionality statements and critiques were often underdeveloped or absent.

Discussion

Seeking to address these many lacunae, the authors present a framework to facilitate rigorous discourse analysis research and transparent, complete and accurate reporting of the same, to help readers assess the trustworthiness of the findings from discourse analysis in HPE. Scholars are encouraged to reflect more deeply on the applications and practices of discourse analysis, with the ultimate aim of ensuring more breadth and depth when using discourse analysis for understanding and constructing meaning in our field.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi are more sensitive to high soil nitrogen levels in forests exposed to nitrogen deposition
Authors: Jörgensen Karolina , Clemmensen Karina E. , Wallander Håkan , Lindahl Björn D.
Published: January 2024

Ectomycorrhizal fungi are essential for nitrogen (N) cycling in many temperate forests and responsive to anthropogenic N addition, which generally decreases host carbon (C) allocation to the fungi. In the boreal region, however, ectomycorrhizal fungal biomass has been found to correlate positively with soil N availability. Still, responses to anthropogenic N input, for instance through atmospheric deposition, are commonly negative.

To elucidate whether variation in N supply affects ectomycorrhizal fungi differently depending on geographical context, we investigated ectomycorrhizal fungal communities along fertility gradients located in two nemo‐boreal forest regions with similar ranges in soil N : C ratios and inorganic N availability but contrasting rates of N deposition.

Ectomycorrhizal biomass and community composition remained relatively stable across the N gradient with low atmospheric N deposition, but biomass decreased and the community changed more drastically with increasing N availability in the gradient subjected to higher rates of N deposition. Moreover, potential activities of enzymes involved in ectomycorrhizal mobilisation of organic N decreased as N availability increased.

In forests with low external input, we propose that stabilising feedbacks in tree‐fungal interactions maintain ectomycorrhizal fungal biomass and communities even in N‐rich soils. By contrast, anthropogenic N input seems to impair ectomycorrhizal functions.
Epidemiology of Lateral Patellar Dislocation Including Bone Bruise Incidence: Five Years of Data from a Trauma Center
Authors: Dai Ruilan , Wu Yue , Jiang Yanfang , Huang Hongshi , Meng Qingyang , Shi Weili , Ren Shuang , Ao Yingfang
Published: January 2024

Objective

Systematic summary of the epidemiology of patellar dislocation is rare. This study aims to investigate sex‐, age‐, type‐, injury causing events‐, incidence of bone bruise and time from last injury (TFLI)‐specific characteristics, and detail the epidemiological characteristics of patellar dislocation.

Method

In this descriptive epidemiological study, a total of 743 patients who have a history of lateral patellar dislocation with either first‐time patellar dislocation (FPD) or recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) between August 2017 and June 2022 at our institution met the inclusion criteria and were selected in this study. Patient characteristics including the type, gender, age, events leading to patellar dislocation, incidence of patellar bone bruise, and the time from last injury (TFLI) of patellar dislocation were retrospectively obtained and described. Magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI) of the knee were reviewed for insuring bone bruise.

Results

Among the 743 patients with patellar dislocation who required surgical reconstruction of the medial retinaculum, 418 (56.2%) had RPD and 325 (43.8%) had FPD. There were more females (65.0%) than males (35.0%) in patellar dislocation patients. Among the female patients, those aged <18 years had higher incidence (31.4%) of patellar dislocation. Among the male patients, those aged <18 and 19–28 years had higher incidence (16.8%) of patellar dislocation. Of all age groups, the prevalence rate of patellar dislocation was high in juvenile population and females, but with no statistical significance. The most common patellar dislocation‐causing event was sport accidents (40.1%), followed by life accidents (23.2%). The incidence of left‐knee patellar dislocation was slightly higher than that of right‐knee patellar dislocation. The incidence of patellar bone bruise of RPD (63.2%) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of FPD (82.2%). Patellar dislocation patients with bone bruise had shorter time from last injury (TFLI) than those without patellar bone bruise (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The incidence of bone bruise of RPD was lower than that of FPD, and patients with patellar bone bruise may have a shorter time from last injury than those without bone bruise.
What predicts psychosocial functioning in borderline personality disorder? Investigating the association with reflective functioning
Authors: Volkert Jana , Ilagan Gabrielle S. , Iliakis Evan A. , Ren Boyu , Schröder‐Pfeifer Paul , Choi‐Kain Lois W.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with functioning in participants with and without borderline personality disorder (BPD). In particular, we were interested whether mentalizing and related social cognitive capacities, as factors of internal functioning, are important in predicting psychosocial functioning, in addition to other psychopathological and sociodemographic factors.

Method

This is a cross‐sectional study with N = 53 right‐handed females with and without BPD, without significant differences in age, IQ, and socioeconomic status, who completed semi‐structured diagnostic and self‐report measures of social cognition. Mentalizing was assessed using the Reflective Functioning Scale based on transcribed Adult Attachment Interviews. A regularized regression with the elastic net penalty was deployed to investigate whether mentalizing and social cognition predict psychosocial functioning.

Results

Borderline personality disorder symptom severity, sexual abuse trauma, and social and socio‐economic factors ranked as the most important variables in predicting psychosocial functioning, while reflective functioning (RF) was somewhat less important in the prediction, social cognitive functioning and sociodemographic variables were least important.

Conclusions

Borderline personality disorder symptom severity was most important in determining functional impairment, alongside trauma related to sexual abuse as well as social and socio‐economic factors. These findings verify that BPD symptoms themselves most robustly predict functional impairment, followed by history of sexual abuse, then contextual factors (e.g. housing, financial, physical health), and then RF. These results lend marginal support to the conceptualization that mentalizing may enhance psychosocial functioning by facilitating social learning, but emphasize symptom reduction and stabilization of life context as key intervention targets.
Temporal and spatial variability of phloem structure in Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica and its link to climate
Authors: Gričar Jožica , Jevšenak Jernej , Giagli Kyriaki , Eler Klemen , Tsalagkas Dimitrios , Gryc Vladimír , Vavrčík Hanuš , Čufar Katarina , Prislan Peter
Published: January 2024

Using a unique 8‐year data set (2010–2017) of phloem data, we studied the effect of temperature and precipitation on the phloem anatomy (conduit area, widths of ring, early and late phloem) and xylem‐ring width in two coexisting temperate tree species, Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica, from three contrasting European temperate forest sites. Histometric analyses were performed on microcores taken from tree stems in autumn. We found high interannual variability and sensitivity of phloem anatomy and xylem‐ring widths to precipitation and temperature; however, the responses were species‐ and site‐specific. The contrasting response of xylem and phloem‐ring widths of the same tree species to weather conditions was found at the two Slovenian sites generally well supplied with precipitation, while at the driest Czech site, the influence of weather factors on xylem and phloem ring widths was synchronised. Since widths of mean annual xylem and phloem increments were narrowest at the Czech site, this site is suggested to be most restrictive for the radial growth of both species. By influencing the seasonal patterns of xylem and phloem development, water availability appears to be the most important determinant of tissue‐ and species‐specific responses to local weather conditions.
Effects of 625 nm light‐emitting diode irradiation on preventing ER stress‐induced apoptosis via GSK‐3β phosphorylation in MC3T3‐E1
Authors: Fu Wenqi , Liu Guo , Kim Sun‐Hun , Kim Byunggook , Kim Ok‐Su , Ma Guowu , Yang Ying , Liu Danyang , Zhu Siyu , Kang Jae‐Seok , Kim Okjoon
Published: January 2024

Prolonged endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to cell apoptosis and interferes with bone homeostasis. Although photobiomodulation (PBM) might be used for ER stress‐induced diseases, the role of PBM in relieving cell apoptosis remains unknown. During ER stress, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) is critical; however, its functions in PBM remain uncertain. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of GSK‐3β in 625 nm light‐emitting diode irradiation (LEDI) relieving tunicamycin (TM)‐induced apoptosis. Based on the results, pre‐625 nm LEDI (Pre‐IR) phosphorylated GSK‐3β via ROS production. Compared with the TM group, Pre‐IR + TM group reduced the phosphorylation of the α‐subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF‐2α) and B‐cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl‐2)‐associated X (Bax)/Bcl‐2 ratio through regulating GSK‐3β. Furthermore, a similar tendency was observed between Pre‐IR + TM and Pre‐LiCl+TM groups in preventing TM‐induced early and late apoptosis. In summary, this study suggests that the Pre‐IR treatment in TM‐induced ER stress is beneficial for preventing cell apoptosis via GSK‐3β phosphorylation.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*05:279 allele in a Spanish renal transplant recipient
Authors: Torio Alberto , Cabo‐Zabala Laura , Rodriguez‐Nicolas Antonio , Caballero Abelardo
Published: January 2024

Identification of the novel HLA‐C*05:279 allele that differs from C*05:01:01:11 by two nucleotide substitutions.
Adaptation Through Communication: Assessing Human–Artificial Intelligence Partnership for the Design of Complex Engineering Systems
Authors: Xu Zeda , Hong Chloe Soohwa , Soria Zurita Nicolás F. , Gyory Joshua T. , Stump Gary , Nolte Hannah , Cagan Jonathan , McComb Christopher
Published: January 2024

Exploring the opportunities for incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support team problem-solving has been the focus of intensive ongoing research. However, while the incorporation of such AI tools into human team problem-solving can improve team performance, it is still unclear what modality of AI integration will lead to a genuine human–AI partnership capable of mimicking the dynamic adaptability of humans. This work unites human designers with AI Partners as fellow team members who can both reactively and proactively collaborate in real-time toward solving a complex and evolving engineering problem. Team performance and problem-solving behaviors are examined using the HyForm collaborative research platform, which uses an online collaborative design environment that simulates a complex interdisciplinary design problem. The problem constraints are unexpectedly changed midway through problem-solving to simulate the nature of dynamically evolving engineering problems. This work shows that after the unexpected design constraints change, or shock, is introduced, human–AI hybrid teams perform similarly to human teams, demonstrating the capability of AI Partners to adapt to unexpected events. Nonetheless, hybrid teams do struggle more with coordination and communication after the shock is introduced. Overall, this work demonstrates that these AI design partners can participate as active partners within human teams during a large, complex task, showing promise for future integration in practice.
Sweat Characteristics and Fluid Balance Responses During Two Heat Training Camps in Elite Female Field Hockey Players
Authors: Goods Paul S.R. , Wall Bradley , Galna Brook , McKay Alannah K.A. , Jennings Denise , Peeling Peter , Watson Greig
Published: January 2024

We examined the sweat characteristics and fluid balance of elite female field hockey players during two heat training camps. Fourteen elite female field hockey players from the Australian national squad participated in two heat training camps held ∼6 months apart, following winter- (Camp 1) and summer-based training (Camp 2). Daily waking body mass (BM) and urine specific gravity (USG) were collected, along with several markers of sweat and fluid balance across two matches per camp. There was a 19% mean reduction in estimated whole-body sweat sodium concentration from Camp 1 (45.8 ± 6.5 mmol/L) to Camp 2 (37.0 ± 5.0 mmol/L; p < .001). Waking urine specific gravity ≥ 1.020 was observed in 31% of samples, with no significant differences in mean urine specific gravity or BM between camps (p > .05), but with substantial interindividual variation. Intramatch sweat rates were high (1.2–1.8 L/hr), with greater BM losses in Camp 1 (p = .030), resulting in fewer players losing ≥2% BM in Camp 2 (0%–8%), as compared with Camp 1 (36%–43%; p = .017). Our field data suggest that elite female field hockey players experience substantial sweat losses during competition in the heat regardless of the season. In agreement with previous findings, we observed substantial interindividual variation in sweat and hydration indices, supporting the use of individualized athlete hydration strategies.
N
-acetyltransferase NAT10 controls cell fates via connecting mRNA cytidine acetylation to chromatin signaling
Authors: Hu Zhensheng , Lu Yunkun , Cao Jie , Lin Lianyu , Chen Xi , Zhou Ziyu , Pu Jiaqi , Chen Guo , Ma Xiaojie , Deng Qian , Jin Yan , Jiang Liling , Li Yuhan , Li Tengwei , Liu Jianzhao , Zhu Saiyong
Published: January 2024

Cell fate transition involves dynamic changes of gene regulatory network and chromatin landscape, requiring multiple levels of regulation, yet the cross-talk between epitranscriptomic modification and chromatin signaling remains largely unknown. Here, we uncover that suppression of
N
-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10), the writer for mRNA
N
4
-acetylcytidine (ac
4
C) modification, can notably affect human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lineage differentiation and pluripotent reprogramming. With integrative analysis, we identify that NAT10-mediated ac
4
C modification regulates the protein levels of a subset of its targets, which are strongly enriched for fate-instructive chromatin regulators, and among them, histone chaperone ANP32B is experimentally verified and functionally relevant. Furthermore, NAT10-ac
4
C-ANP32B axis can modulate the chromatin landscape of their downstream genes (e.g., key regulators of Wnt and TGFβ pathways). Collectively, we show that NAT10 is an essential regulator of cellular plasticity, and its catalyzed mRNA cytidine acetylation represents a critical layer of epitranscriptomic modulation and uncover a previously unrecognized, direct cross-talk between epitranscriptomic modification and chromatin signaling during cell fate transitions.
Spin-torque–driven antiferromagnetic resonance
Authors: Zhou Yongjian , Guo Tingwen , Han Lei , Liao Liyang , He Wenqing , Wan Caihua , Chen Chong , Wang Qian , Qiao Leilei , Bai Hua , Zhu Wenxuan , Zhang Yichi , Chen Ruyi , Han Xiufeng , Pan Feng , Song Cheng
Published: January 2024

The intrinsic fast dynamics make antiferromagnetic spintronics a promising avenue for faster data processing. Ultrafast antiferromagnetic resonance–generated spin current provides valuable access to antiferromagnetic spin dynamics. However, the inverse effect, spin-torque–driven antiferromagnetic resonance (ST-AFMR), which is attractive for practical utilization of fast devices but seriously impeded by difficulties in controlling and detecting Néel vectors, remains elusive. We observe ST-AFMR in Y
3
Fe
5
O
12
/α-Fe
2
O
3
/Pt at room temperature. The Néel vector oscillates and contributes to voltage signal owing to antiferromagnetic negative spin Hall magnetoresistance–induced spin rectification effect, which has the opposite sign to ferromagnets. The Néel vector in antiferromagnetic α-Fe
2
O
3
is strongly coupled to the magnetization in Y
3
Fe
5
O
12
buffer, resulting in the convenient control of Néel vectors. ST-AFMR experiment is bolstered by micromagnetic simulations, where both the Néel vector and the canted moment of α-Fe
2
O
3
are in elliptic resonance. These findings shed light on the spin current–induced dynamics in antiferromagnets and represent a step toward electrically controlled antiferromagnetic terahertz emitters.
HOCl-producing electrochemical bandage for treating
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
-infected murine wounds
Authors: Fleming Derek , Bozyel Ibrahim , Ozdemir Dilara , Otero Judith Alvarez , Karau Melissa J. , Anoy Md Monzurul Islam , Koscianski Christina , Schuetz Audrey N. , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E. , Mandrekar Jayawant N. , Beyenal Haluk , Patel Robin
Published: January 2024

The growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens necessitates the development of alternative antimicrobial approaches. This is particularly true for chronic wound infections, which commonly harbor biofilm-dwelling bacteria. A novel electrochemical bandage (e-bandage) delivering low-levels of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) was evaluated against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
murine wound biofilms. 5 mm skin wounds were created on the dorsum of mice and infected with 10
6
colony-forming units (CFU) of
P. aeruginosa
. Biofilms were formed over 2 days, after which e-bandages were placed on the wound beds and covered with Tegaderm. Mice were administered Tegaderm-only (control), non-polarized e-bandage (no HOCl production), or polarized e-bandage (using an HOCl-producing potentiostat), with or without systemic amikacin. Purulence and wound areas were measured before and after treatment. After 48 hours, wounds were harvested for bacterial quantification. Forty-eight hours of polarized e-bandage treatment resulted in mean biofilm reductions of 1.4 log
10
CFUs/g (
P
= 0.0107) vs non-polarized controls and 2.2 log
10
CFU/g (
P
= 0.004) vs Tegaderm-only controls. Amikacin improved CFU reduction in Tegaderm-only (
P
= 0.0045) and non-polarized control groups (
P
= 0.0312) but not in the polarized group (
P
= 0.3876). Compared to the Tegaderm-only group, there was less purulence in the polarized group (
P
= 0.009). Wound closure was neither impeded nor improved by either polarized or non-polarized e-bandage treatment. Concurrent amikacin did not impact wound closure or purulence. In conclusion, an HOCl-producing e-bandage reduced
P. aeruginosa
in wound biofilms with no impairment in wound healing, representing a promising antibiotic-free approach for addressing wound infection.
Supplemental Material: On the occurrence of a Variscan eclogite in the Argentera-Mercantour Massif, Western Alps: Implications for the evolution of the southern Variscan belt
Authors: Filippi Marco , et al.
Published: January 2024

Table S1: Whole-rock composition of the Bois de Sélasse eclogite and mafic eclogites and HP granulites in the external crystalline massifs. Table S2: Mineral compositions in the Bois de Sélasse eclogite and results of Zr-in rutile and Ti-in zircon thermometry. Table S3: Zircon compositions in the Bois de Sélasse eclogite. Table S4: Zircon U-Pb isotopic ratios and ages in the Bois de Sélasse eclogite. Figure S1: X-ray element maps (Fe, Mn, Mg, Al, Ca) of garnet in the Bois de Sélasse eclogite.
Erratum to: Retrieving the Angular Distribution of Sea Wave Energy according to Satellite Imagery Spectra
Authors: Bondur V. G. , Dulov V. A. , Kozub V. A. , Murynin A. B. , Yurovskaya M. V. , Yurovsky Yu. Yu.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050136
Erratum to: Zircon-Based Comparative Geothermometry of the Adzh-Bogd Granitoid Pluton, Southern Mongolia
Authors: Andreeva O. A. , Aranovich L. Ya. , Kozlovsky A. M. , Golunova M. A. , Kaplanskaya D. D. , Borisovsky S. E.
Published: January 2024

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23050215
Aorta to left ventricle tunnel presenting with cardiac failure in a neonate
Authors: Blackmer Kara , Shillingford Michael , Ferns Sunita
Published: January 2024

We report an unusual case of an aorta to left ventricular communication in a neonate presenting with cardiac failure. Although extremely rare, this defect is the most common cause of abnormal blood flow from the aorta to a ventricle in infancy. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical repair are critical to management and results are generally excellent. Long-term follow-up is required to monitor for aortic insufficiency.
Very rare tumour of the palatine tonsil: a molecular approach
Authors: Ramael Maaike , Van Steelandt Hilde , Puls Tony , Ramael Marc
Published: January 2024

Mucoepidermoid cancer (MEC) is extremely rare in the palatine tonsil with only three adequately described cases in the literature.

We describe a woman in her late 70s with vague pharyngeal discomfort who underwent tonsillectomy, lymph node dissection of the neck and radiotherapy for MEC with loco-regional lymph node metastasis of the palatine tonsil. To confirm this extremely rare diagnosis and to gain deeper insight in the molecular oncogenesis, an extensive molecular study including next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry was performed. Immunoreactivity for p16 protein and real-time PCR showed high-risk oncogenic human papillomavirus 16 DNA and mutations in the BRAF, BARD and DNMT3A genes. Tumour mutational burden was low. After a follow-up of 7 years the patient is still alive and well without any residual or disseminated disease.
Cervical bronchogenic cyst in a toddler
Authors: Ooi Kar Mun , Saniasiaya Jeyasakthy , Kulasegarah Jeyanthi , Ong Diana-Bee Lan
Published: January 2024

Bronchogenic cyst is a congenital abnormality arising from the tracheobronchial system. Localisation of such cysts in the head and neck region is rare. We report a girl in her early childhood with a painless enlarging right lateral neck mass diagnosed with a branchial cleft cyst based on clinical and radiological MRI findings. An incidental finding of a cervical bronchogenic cyst was made on the final histopathological specimen. Although rare, bronchogenic cysts should be considered as differential diagnoses for paediatric patients’ lateral and midline cervical masses.
Necrotising cellulitis of the breast associated with a fungating mucinous adenocarcinoma
Authors: Abeshouse Marnie , Lopez-May Martina , Bernik Stephanie , Balija Tara
Published: January 2024

Breast necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are rare surgical emergencies with limited cases described in the literature. Here, we discuss a unique case of a woman in her 70s who presented with newly diagnosed diabetes and a neglected right breast cancer associated with breast erythema, skin necrosis, crepitus on examination and breast soft tissue gas seen on CT requiring emergent total mastectomy with partial pectoralis muscle excision. Pathology revealed a 15 cm invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and necrotising polymicrobial cellulitis with a large abscess cavity. She recovered from her surgery with strict glycaemic control and a 10-day course of antibiotics. Multidisciplinary tumour board recommended adjuvant anastrozole, abemaciclib and postmastectomy radiation to complete her oncological treatment. Although exceedingly rare, it is important that clinicians be aware of, promptly recognise and properly treat NSTIs of the breast, as correct care can be life-saving from both infection and malignancy.
Suction and anisotropy effects on the stiffness characteristics of a compacted lateritic clay from small to large strains
Authors: Bentil O.T. , Zhou C.
Published: January 2024

Lateritic clay has distinct properties from other clays due to its high sesquioxide content. Its stiffness characteristics have not been well understood, especially when the soil is unsaturated and anisotropic. This study investigated the stiffness characteristics of compacted lateritic clay through suction-controlled triaxial compression tests equipped with local strain measurements. Both vertically and horizontally cut specimens were tested to determine the evolution of stiffness anisotropy during shearing. Three suctions (0, 10, and 150 kPa) and two confining pressures (50 and 200 kPa) were considered. When strains are relatively small (e.g., less than 0.2%), the secant Young's modulus Esec of vertical specimens is consistently higher than that of horizontal specimens at all suctions and stresses due to the inherent anisotropic structure. The degree of anisotropy increases with increasing suction since suction enhances the stiffness more significantly in vertical specimens than in horizontal specimens. This behaviour may be due to an enhanced force chain in the vertical direction during shearing. As strains increase, the degradation of Esec normalized by the maximum Young's modulus E0 is almost independent of suction and anisotropy. Lateritic clay has a higher degradation rate than other clays with a similar plasticity index because of its aggregated microstructure.
Estimation of the installation torque–capacity correlation of helical pile considering spatially variable clays
Authors: Cheng Po , Liu Fei , Chen Xuejian , Zhang Yuhe , Yao Kai
Published: January 2024

In the offshore fields, helical piles are increasingly deemed to constitute suitable tools for anchoring floating structures and wind turbines. A large number of studies have been published to explore the installation torque–capacity correlation, and most of them are conducted in a deterministic manner. However, natural soils are inherently spatially varying, and analyses taking such variation into account might be closer to the reality. To address this issue, this paper examines the installation and uplift process of helical piles considering spatially varying soils via three-dimensional large deformation random finite element analyses within a Monte Carlo framework. Computed values of the installation torques and the uplift capacities compare well with the results in existing publications, therefore verifying the applicability of the numerical model. Spatially varying soil strength is mapped through the random field, followed by Monte Carlo simulations conducted to determine the torque–capacity correlation in random soils. The results suggest that the torque–capacity correlation might be misestimated once the spatially random soil properties are overlooked. Besides, probabilistic assessments of the pile torque–capacity correlation are performed, which may be of great interest to engineering practitioners in the design method of the helical pile.
Effects of partial replacement of fishmeal with dried porcine soluble on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal score in weaning pig
Authors: Hossain Md Mortuza , Cho Sung Bo , Kim In Ho
Published: January 2024

Dried porcine solubles (DPSs) are the by-product obtained during the extraction of heparin from the porcine mucosa of the small intestine. The effects of partially replacing fishmeal with DPS in weaning pig diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbial count, and fecal score were investigated here. A total of 70 crossbred ((Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc) weaning pigs were divided into two dietary treatment groups: dietary treatments, CON: 3% fishmeal; DPS: 1.5% fishmeal and 1.5% DPSs. Average daily gain was tended to increase ( p < 0.10) in weaning pigs fed DPS compared to the CON group in week 2. The digestibility of dry matter was tended to improve ( p < 0.10) in weaning pigs fed DPS diet group in week 2 and week 5. Fecal Lactobacillus count was tended to increase ( p < 0.10) and Escherichia coli was tended to decrease ( p < 0.10) in weaning pigs fed DPSs compared to the weaning pigs fed CON at week 5 of the feeding trial. Our findings suggest that partially replacing fishmeal with DPSs in weaning pig diets can have beneficial effects on the growth performance through the tendency to improve dry matter digestibility and fecal microbiota.
Predictive map of soil texture classes using decision tree model and neural network with features of geomorphology level
Authors: Sabbaghi Mohammad Ali , Esfandiari Mehrdad , Eftekhari Kamran , Torkashvand Ali Mohammadi
Published: January 2024

This study aims to compare decision tree (DT) and artificial neural network (ANN) models, in addition, the efficiency of geomorphic surface attributes in predicting soil texture classes. The study area is located in the north of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, central west Iran, and covers 6875 ha. Ninety-six pedons were excavated on separated geoforms. Soil samples of top soil (A horizon) were analyzed for clay, sand, and silt contents. Totally 57 auxiliary variables, including the derivatives of digital elevation model (DEM), Landsat 8 images, geomorphic surface map, geology map, and land-use map, were used to predict both soil texture classes and soil particle size fractions. Root-mean-square error (RMSE), R² or the coefficient of determination ( R_square), overall accuracy, and Kappa coefficient were selected as criteria for evaluating model performance. The R-square coefficients of clay, silt, and sand fractions for both models, respectively, were 0.41, 0.25, and 0.63 for ANN and 0.52, 0.62, and 0.75 for DT. According to RMSE, R-square, overall accuracy, and Kapa coefficient of validation data, the DT model produced better prediction fits to the both soil particle-size fraction and soil texture classes and was the most accurate classifier model. The parameters were 0.59, 0.09, 0.66, and 0.24 for ANN and 0.41, 0.75, 0.76, and 0.60 for DT models, respectively. The accuracy of each individual soil texture class was generally dependent upon the number of soil texture observations in each texture class. According to this fact, both models had better prediction for silty clay loam and clay loam texture classes.
Multi-Semantic Decoding of Visual Perception with Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Li Rong , Li Jiyi , Wang Chong , Liu Haoxiang , Liu Tao , Wang Xuyang , Zou Ting , Huang Wei , Yan Hongmei , Chen Huafu
Published: January 2024

Constructing computational decoding models to account for the cortical representation of semantic information plays a crucial role in understanding visual perception. The human visual system processes interactive relationships among different objects when perceiving the semantic contents of natural visions. However, the existing semantic decoding models commonly regard categories as completely separate and independent visually and semantically and rarely consider the relationships from prior information. In this work, a novel semantic graph learning model was proposed to decode multiple semantic categories of perceived natural images from brain activity. The proposed model was validated on the functional magnetic resonance imaging data collected from five normal subjects while viewing 2750 natural images comprising 52 semantic categories. The results showed that the Graph Neural Network-based decoding model achieved higher accuracies than other deep neural network models. Moreover, the co-occurrence probability among semantic categories showed a significant correlation with the decoding accuracy. Additionally, the results suggested that semantic content organized in a hierarchical way with higher visual areas was more closely related to the internal visual experience. Together, this study provides a superior computational framework for multi-semantic decoding that supports the visual integration mechanism of semantic processing.
Equivariant spectral flow and equivariant η-invariants on manifolds with boundary
Authors: Lim Johnny , Wang Hang
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study several closely related invariants associated to Dirac operators on odd-dimensional manifolds with boundary with an action of the compact group [Formula: see text] of isometries. In particular, the equality between equivariant winding numbers, equivariant spectral flow and equivariant Maslov indices is established. We also study equivariant [Formula: see text]-invariants which play a fundamental role in the equivariant analog of Getzler’s spectral flow formula. As a consequence, we establish a relation between equivariant [Formula: see text]-invariants and equivariant Maslov triple indices in the splitting of manifolds.
Revisiting Lindemann’s criterion from a minimal viscosity perspective
Authors: Tello Pablo G. , Succi Sauro
Published: January 2024

A revisiting of the Lindemann criterion under the recently established minimal viscosity formulation is proposed which uncovers intriguing insights into the melting process. The approach suggests that melting involves competition between the electron rest energy and the thermal one caused by temperature increase when considering a defect-free crystal structure. However, when accounting for the role of vacancies in the melting process, the analysis suggests that the key competing factors are the thermal energy and the one needed for vacancy migration. The estimated value of the Lindemann constant, in this case, is close to the reported values and with recent simulations studying the correlation between Born and Lindemann melting criteria.