bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avulsion fracture is associated with more pain after anatomic repair procedure for ATFL injury at the talar side
Authors: Xiong Shikai , Xie Xing , Shi Weili , Yang Shuai , Zhang Keying , Pi Yanbin , Chen Linxin , Jiang Dong , Hu Yuelin , Jiao Chen , Guo Qinwei
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anatomic repair procedure for chronic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury at the talar side, and to compare the outcomes between patients with and without concomitant avulsion fractures. It was hypothesized that anatomic repair procedure could produce similarly satisfactory outcomes for those two groups.

Methods

Thirty‐nine consecutive patients with chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side who underwent anatomic repair procedure at the department of sports medicine at Peking University Third Hospital between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Tegner score, and Foot & Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were recorded as the primary outcomes. Time to return to sports (RTS), surgical satisfaction, deficiency of ankle range of motion (ROM), recurrent sprain, and postoperative complications were recorded as the secondary outcomes. Outcomes were compared between patients with (Group A, 16 cases) and without (Group B, 23 cases) concomitant avulsion fractures.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 79.4 ± 17.0 and 76.6 ± 18.5 months for Group A and B, respectively. VAS, AOFAS, Tegner, FAOS, and all subscale scores of FAOS were significantly improved in both groups at the final follow up. Patients in group A had inferior postoperative VAS, AOFAS, FAOS, and pain score of FAOS compared to group B (1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, 89.1 ± 10.1 vs. 95.2 ± 5.2, 87.2 ± 7.2 vs. 91.5 ± 4.1, and 88.4 ± 11.3 vs. 96.7 ± 3.5, respectively).The mean time to RTS, rate of satisfaction and recurrent sprain had no significant differences between group A and B (6.1 ± 2.8, 93.8%, and 18.8% vs. 5.2 ± 2.2, 100.0%, and 13.0%, respectively), and the rate of ROM deficiency was significantly higher in group A (37.5 vs. 8.7%). Avulsion fracture was identified as an independent risk factor for inferior pain score of FAOS.

Conclusion

Anatomic repair procedure for chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side produces favourable results for patients with and without avulsion fractures at 5 to 10 years follow‐up, however, avulsion fracture is associated with more pain.

Level of evidence

III.
Is peer-to-peer demand cointegrated at the listing level?
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Jorge V. , Rachinger Heiko , Suárez-Vega Rafael
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we analyse the long-run equilibrium demand of the peer-to-peer sharing economy. Our panel data demand model relates occupancy rates to relative prices of Airbnb and HomeAway listings, prices of competitors (hotels and apartments) and a proxy for income of tourists visiting the Canary Islands (Spain). We use a fractional heterogeneous panel data model which allows for a more general persistence and cointegration relationship and incorporates individual and interactive fixed effects. We find some evidence for (fractional) cointegration in P2P at the listing level. Regarding elasticities, classic cointegration methods give larger estimates for individual slopes and mean group coefficients than the fractional integrated heterogeneous model. Finally, own-price elasticities are inelastic, and the cross-price elasticity indicates that P2P listings and hotels are substitute goods. Income elasticity is lower than 1 and is not statistically significant, indicating that the demand for tourism in the Canary Islands is not sensitive to the economic conditions in the origin countries.
A tailored approach to the management of post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus
Authors: Hall Benjamin J. , Duddy John C. , Apostolopoulou Katerina , Pettorini Benedetta
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Neuro-endoscopic lavage (NEL) is an increasingly popular intervention for intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), with considerable variation in technique dependent on clinician and clinical circumstances. Whilst efforts to standardise the technique are ongoing, this work describes a tertiary centre experience utilising NEL, highlighting potential caveats to standardisation.

Methods

A retrospective review of electronic case notes for patients undergoing temporising surgical intervention for IVH between 2012 and 2021 at our centre was performed. Data collected included (i) gestational age, (ii) aetiology of hydrocephalus, (iii) age at time of intervention, (iv) intervention performed, (v) need for permanent CSF diversion, (vi) ‘surgical burden’, i.e. number of procedures following primary intervention, and (vii) wound failure and infection rate. Data was handled in Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis SPSS v27.0

Results

49 neonates (n = 25 males) were included. Overall mean gestational age was 27 weeks and at intervention 35 + 3 weeks. IVH was the predominant cause of hydrocephalus (93.8%) and primary surgical interventions included insertion of a ventriculosubgaleal shunt (VSGS) in n = 41 (83.6%) patients, NEL in n = 6 (12.2%) patients and insertion of an EVD in n = 2 (4.1%). N = 9 (18.4%) patients underwent NEL at some point during the time interval reviewed; n = 4 (8.2%) received NEL monotherapy and n = 5 (10.2%) also received a VSGS. Rate of conversion to definitive CSF diversion between NEL (n = 8, 88.9%) and VSGS cohorts (n = 37, 92.5%) was not significantly different (p = 0.57), nor between NEL alone (n = 3, 75%) and NEL + VSGS (n = 5, 100%) (p = 0.44). None of the patients that underwent NEL monotherapy had any wound issues or CNS infection as a result of the initial intervention, compared to n = 3 (60%) of those that underwent NEL and implantation of VSGS (p = 0.1).

Conclusion

Both NEL and VSGS are effective in temporising hydrocephalus in neonates, occasionally offering a definitive solution in and of themselves. The benefit of dual therapy however remains to be seen, with the addition of VSGS potentially increasing the risk of wound failure in an already vulnerable cohort.
An Alternative Scheme for Pionless EFT: Neutron-Deuteron Scattering in the Doublet S-Wave
Authors: Ebert M. , Hammer H.-W. , Rusetsky A.
Published: November 2023

Using the effective-range expansion for the two-body amplitudes may generate spurious sub-threshold poles outside of the convergence range of the expansion. In the infinite volume, the emergence of such poles leads to the breakdown of unitarity in the three-body amplitude. We discuss the extension of our alternative subtraction scheme for including effective range corrections in pionless effective field theory for spinless bosons to nucleons. In particular, we consider the neutron-deuteron system in the doublet S-wave channel explicitly.
Association of anemia with mortality in young adult patients with intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Tian Yixin , Zhang Yu , He Jialing , Hao Pengfei , Li Tiangui , Xiao Yangchun , Peng Liyuan , Feng Yuning , Cheng Xin , Deng Haidong , Wang Peng , Chong Weelic , Hai Yang , Chen Lvlin , You Chao , Fang Fang
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to examine the association of hemoglobin concentration with a 90-day mortality of young adult patients with ICH in a large retrospective cohort. A retrospective observational study was conducted between December 2013 and June 2019 in two tertiary academic medical centers in China. We defined patients with hemoglobin concentration < 80 g/L as severe anemia and 80–120/130 g/L as mild to moderate anemia. We also defined patients with hemoglobin concentration > 160 g/L as high hemoglobin. Associations of hemoglobin and outcomes were evaluated in multivariable regression analyses. The primary outcome was mortality at 90 days. We identified 4098 patients with ICH who met the inclusion criteria. After adjusting primary confounding variables, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly higher in young patients with severe anemia (OR, 39.65; 95% CI 15.42–101.97), moderate anemia (OR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.24–5.00), mild anemia (OR, 1.89; 95% CI 1.20–2.98), and high hemoglobin (OR, 2.03; 95% CI 1.26–3.26) group than in young patients of the normal group. The younger age was associated with a higher risk of death from anemia in patients with ICH (P for interaction = 0.01). In young adult patients with ICH, hemoglobin concentration was associated with 90-day mortality, and even mild to moderate anemia correlated with higher mortality. We also found that in ICH patients with anemia, younger age was associated with higher risk.
Research on rapid imaging with cosmic ray muon scattering tomography
Authors: Wen Qun-Gang
Published: November 2023

Cosmic ray muons tomography is a non-destructive imaging technique that uses the natural radiation of cosmic ray muons to create tomographic images of objects. This article presents a novel imaging algorithm that effectively utilizes experimental measurement data to achieve rapid and clear imaging of cosmic ray muons. A clear image can be obtained with only 20 min of measurement time and approximately 200 effective muons. However, the current detection flux is only about 0.044 cm$$^{-2}$$

-
2

min$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, which is significantly lower than the natural cosmic ray flux of about 1 cm$$^{-2}$$

-
2

min$$^{-1}$$

-
1

.
Analysis of flow rate of continuous bladder irrigation according to the height of the irrigation infusion set
Authors: Yang Boeun , Han Jeongwon
Published: November 2023

This is a control volume analysis to examine the flow rate of irrigation fluid according to the size of indwelling catheter and the height of the fluid bag in consideration of the temperature of irrigation fluid and intra-bladder pressure during continuous bladder irrigation. In case of minimum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were − 0.045 to 0.993 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.053 to 1.176 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.055 to 1.227 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.055 to 1.243 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with room temperature, the flow rates were − 0.180 to 0.868 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.212 to 1.028 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.220 to 1.072 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.223 to 1.086 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of minimum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were − 0.028 to 0.365 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.033 to 0.749 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.034 to 0.781 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.035 to 0.791 cc/sec for 24Fr. In case of maximum bladder pressure with cold fluid, the flow rates were − 0.112 to 0.553 cc/sec for 18Fr, − 0.131 to 0.653 cc/sec for 20Fr, − 0.137 to 0.681 cc/sec for 22Fr, and − 0.139 to 0.689 cc/sec for 24Fr. This study is significant in that it utilized a fluid dynamics approach to provide basic data for continuous bladder wash care. Through the findings of this study, nurses can plan the exchange time of irrigation fluid and the pattern of urinary drainage when performing continuous bladder irrigation. It is also inferred that there may be an advantage in not having to calculate additional material costs for using an infusion pump for patients by determining the hourly injection rate of irrigation fluid based on the height of the infusion set's drop chamber.
Survey on the scheme evaluation, opportunities and challenges of software defined‐information centric network
Authors: Ai Zhengyang , Zhang Ming , Zhang Weiting , Kang Jiawen , Tong Lingling , Duan Yunqiang
Published: November 2023

As a promising architecture of next‐generation network, software defined‐information centric network (SD‐ICN) inherits the advantages of software defined network (SDN) and information‐centric network (ICN) to enable flexible and fast content retrieval, especially in the current era of artificial intelligence. However, the existing researches mainly focus on a single respective in this field, which motivates in comprehensively providing a forward‐looking guidance and development direction for scholars and engineers. To this end, the latest developments of SD‐ICN is presented. First, the widely‐accepted concepts and impacts on traditional networks are introduced. Second, the shortcomings of SDN and ICN over conventional networks are respectively analyzed to illustrate the necessity of SD‐ICN. Third, based on extensive analysis and deep deliberation, a methodical taxonomy for existing combination studies is proposed. They are divided into SDN over ICN, ICN over SDN, and mutual immersive pattern. Fourth, the performances of three integration categories are compared and the limitations of related works are highlighted. Fifth, the maturity index from six development indicators are evaluated. Further, the maturity and practicality of these schemes are generalized. Based on the above studies and comparisons, the lessons learned by SDN and ICN developments are concluded. Finally, future research directions and opportunities are discussed for the readers.
oggmap: a Python package to extract gene ages per orthogroup and link them with single-cell RNA data
Authors: Ullrich Kristian K , Glytnasi Nikoleta E
Published: November 2023

For model species, single-cell RNA-based cell atlases are available. A good cell atlas includes all major stages in a species’ ontogeny, and soon, they will be standard even for nonmodel species. Here, we propose a Python package called oggmap, which allows for the easy extraction of an orthomap (gene ages per orthogroup) for any given query species from OrthoFinder and other gene family data resources, like homologous groups from eggNOG or PLAZA. oggmap provides extracted gene ages for more than thousand eukaryotic species which can be further used to calculate gene age-weighted expression data from scRNA sequencing objects using the Python Scanpy toolkit. Not limited to one transcriptome evolutionary index, oggmap can visualize the individual gene category (e.g. age class, nucleotide diversity bin) and their corresponding expression profiles to investigate scRNA-based cell type assignments in an evolutionary context.

Availability and implementation

oggmap source code is available at https://github.com/kullrich/oggmap, documentation is available at https://oggmap.readthedocs.io/en/latest/. oggmap can be installed via PyPi or directly used via a docker container.
Penalized regression with multiple sources of prior effects
Authors: Rauschenberger Armin , Landoulsi Zied , van de Wiel Mark A , Glaab Enrico
Published: November 2023

Motivation

In many high-dimensional prediction or classification tasks, complementary data on the features are available, e.g. prior biological knowledge on (epi)genetic markers. Here we consider tasks with numerical prior information that provide an insight into the importance (weight) and the direction (sign) of the feature effects, e.g. regression coefficients from previous studies.

Results

We propose an approach for integrating multiple sources of such prior information into penalized regression. If suitable co-data are available, this improves the predictive performance, as shown by simulation and application.

Availability and implementation

The proposed method is implemented in the R package transreg (https://github.com/lcsb-bds/transreg, https://cran.r-project.org/package=transreg).
Testing serial independence of object-valued time series
Authors: Jiang Feiyu , Gao Hanjia , Shao Xiaofeng
Published: November 2023

We propose a novel method for testing serial independence of object-valued time series in metric spaces, which are more general than Euclidean or Hilbert spaces. The proposed method is fully nonparametric, free of tuning parameters and can capture all nonlinear pairwise dependence. The key concept used in this paper is the distance covariance in metric spaces, which is extended to the autodistance covariance for object-valued time series. Furthermore, we propose a generalized spectral density function to account for pairwise dependence at all lags and construct a Cramér–von Mises-type test statistic. New theoretical arguments are developed to establish the asymptotic behaviour of the test statistic. A wild bootstrap is also introduced to obtain the critical values of the nonpivotal limiting null distribution. Extensive numerical simulations and two real data applications on cumulative intraday returns and human mortality data are conducted to illustrate the effectiveness and versatility of our proposed test.
Interpreter resources for people who speak Spanish at dermatology residency programme clinics
Authors: Ortega Keily , Shah Vrusha K , Ortiz Camila , James Alaina J
Published: November 2023

Many residency programmes have inadequate interpreter services and health information available for patients. This cross-sectional study found that although most programme clinics had interpreter services, many were inapt, and five programme clinics (4.1%) had none. With regard to clinic paperwork, nearly half of the clinics did not have all of the paperwork available in Spanish.
Evaluation of objective tools and artificial intelligence in robotic surgery technical skills assessment: a systematic review
Authors: Boal Matthew W E , Anastasiou Dimitrios , Tesfai Freweini , Ghamrawi Walaa , Mazomenos Evangelos , Curtis Nathan , Collins Justin W , Sridhar Ashwin , Kelly John , Stoyanov Danail , Francis Nader K
Published: November 2023

Background

There is a need to standardize training in robotic surgery, including objective assessment for accreditation. This systematic review aimed to identify objective tools for technical skills assessment, providing evaluation statuses to guide research and inform implementation into training curricula.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Ovid Embase/Medline, PubMed and Web of Science were searched. Inclusion criterion: robotic surgery technical skills tools. Exclusion criteria: non-technical, laparoscopy or open skills only. Manual tools and automated performance metrics (APMs) were analysed using Messick's concept of validity and the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) Levels of Evidence and Recommendation (LoR). A bespoke tool analysed artificial intelligence (AI) studies. The Modified Downs–Black checklist was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

Two hundred and forty-seven studies were analysed, identifying: 8 global rating scales, 26 procedure-/task-specific tools, 3 main error-based methods, 10 simulators, 28 studies analysing APMs and 53 AI studies. Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills and the da Vinci Skills Simulator were the most evaluated tools at LoR 1 (OCEBM). Three procedure-specific tools, 3 error-based methods and 1 non-simulator APMs reached LoR 2. AI models estimated outcomes (skill or clinical), demonstrating superior accuracy rates in the laboratory with 60 per cent of methods reporting accuracies over 90 per cent, compared to real surgery ranging from 67 to 100 per cent.

Conclusions

Manual and automated assessment tools for robotic surgery are not well validated and require further evaluation before use in accreditation processes.

PROSPERO: registration ID CRD42022304901
CircCDK17 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells by sponging miR-22-3p to regulate CD147 expression
Authors: Qu Bin , Sun Lisha , Xiao Ping , Shen Haoming , Ren Yuxi , Zhang Jing
Published: November 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common malignancy in women of reproductive age. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging players in OC progression. We investigated the function and mechanism of circular RNA hsa_circ_0027803 (circCDK17) in OC pathogenesis. Real‑time PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot were utilized for gene and protein expression analysis, respectively. Cell counting kit‑8 (CCK-8), EdU and Transwell assays investigated OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The associations between circCDK17, miR-22-3p and CD147 were examined by dual-luciferase reporter and RNA-protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. The in vivo model of OC nude mice was constructed to explore the role of circCDK17. CircCDK17 was increased in OC tissue and cells, and patients with higher expression of circCDK17 had a shorter survival. CircCDK17 downregulation inhibited OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers. In vivo experiments showed that circCDK17 silencing inhibited OC tumor growth and metastasis. CircCDK17 depletion reduced CD147 level via sponging miR-22-3p. MiR-22-3p knockdown overturned effect of circCDK17 depletion on OC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Meanwhile, overexpressed CD147 restored functions of circCDK17 downregulation on OC development. CircCDK17 is an important molecule that regulates OC pathogenic process through miR-22-3p/CD147.
The CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays an important role in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Hosaka Sho , Imagawa Kazuo , Yano Yusuke , Lin Lisheng , Shiono Junko , Takahashi-Igari Miho , Hara Hideki , Hayashi Daisuke , Imai Hironori , Morita Atsushi , Fukushima Hiroko , Takada Hidetoshi
Published: November 2023

The precise pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease remains unknown. In an attempt to elucidate the pathogenesis of KD through the analysis of acquired immunity, we comprehensively examined the immunophenotypic changes in immune cells such as lymphocytes and monocytes along with various cytokines, focusing on differences between pre- and post- treatment samples. We found high levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 chemokines that decreased with treatment, which coincided with a post-treatment expansion of Th1 cells expressing CXCR3. Our results show that the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of KD.
FooDrugs: a comprehensive food–drug interactions database with text documents and transcriptional data
Authors: Lacruz-Pleguezuelos Blanca , Piette Oscar , Garranzo Marco , Pérez-Serrano David , Milešević Jelena , Espinosa-Salinas Isabel , Ramírez de Molina Ana , Laguna Teresa , Carrillo de Santa Pau Enrique
Published: November 2023

Food–drug interactions (FDIs) occur when a food item alters the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug. FDIs can be clinically relevant, as they can hamper or enhance the therapeutic effects of a drug and impact both their efficacy and their safety. However, knowledge of FDIs in clinical practice is limited. This is partially due to the lack of resources focused on FDIs. Here, we describe FooDrugs, a database that centralizes FDI knowledge retrieved from two different approaches: a natural processing language pipeline that extracts potential FDIs from scientific documents and clinical trials and a molecular similarity approach based on the comparison of gene expression alterations caused by foods and drugs. FooDrugs database stores a total of 3 430 062 potential FDIs, with 1 108 429 retrieved from scientific documents and 2 321 633 inferred from molecular data. This resource aims to provide researchers and clinicians with a centralized repository for potential FDI information that is free and easy to use.

Database URL:  https://zenodo.org/records/8192515

Database DOI:  https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6638469
PlantIntronDB: a database for plant introns that host functional elements
Authors: Wang Weiping , Hu Jiming , Li Han , Yan Jun , Sun Xiaoyong
Published: November 2023

Although more and more attention has been focused on introns and the important role of plant introns in plant growth and development has been discovered, there is still a lack of an open and comprehensive database on plant introns with functional elements in current research. In order to make full use of large-scale sequencing data and help researchers in related fields to achieve high-throughput functional verification of identified plant introns with functional elements, we designed a database containing five plant species, PlantIntronDB and systematically analyzed 358, 59, 185, 210 and 141 RNA-seq samples from Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), Gossypium raimondii (cotton), Zea mays (maize), Brassica napus (oilseed rape) and Oryza sativa Japonica Group (rice). In total, we found 100 126 introns that host functional elements in these five species. Specifically, we found that among all species, the number of introns with functional elements on the positive and negative strands is similar, with a length mostly smaller than 1500 bp, and the Adenine/Thymine (A/T) content is much higher than that of Guanine/Cytosine (G/C). In addition, the distribution of functional elements in introns varies among different species. All the above data can be downloaded for free in this database. This database provides a concise, comprehensive and user-friendly web interface, allowing users to easily retrieve target data based on their needs, using relevant organizational options. The database operation is simple and convenient, aiming to provide strong data support for researchers in related fields to study plant introns that host functional elements, including circular RNAs, lncRNAs, etc.

Database URL:  http://deepbiology.cn/PlantIntronDB/
Fluctuating selection facilitates the discovery of broadly effective but difficult to reach adaptive outcomes in yeast
Authors: Fasanello Vincent J , Liu Ping , Fay Justin C , Botero Carlos A
Published: November 2023

Evolutionary compromises are thought to be common under fluctuating selection because the mutations that best enable adaptation to one environmental context can often be detrimental to others. Yet, prior experimental work has shown that generalists can sometimes perform as well as specialists in their own environments. Here we use a highly replicated evolutionary experiment (N = 448 asexual lineages of the brewer’s yeast) to show that even though fluctuation between two environmental conditions often induces evolutionary compromises (at least early on), it can also help reveal difficult to reach adaptive outcomes that ultimately improve performance in both environments. Specifically, we begin by showing that yeast adaptation to chemical stress can involve fitness trade-offs with stress-free environments and that, accordingly, lineages that are repeatedly exposed to occasional stress tend to respond by trading performance for breadth of adaptation. We then show that on rare occasions, fluctuating selection leads to the evolution of no-cost generalists that can even outcompete constant selection specialists in their own environments. We propose that the discovery of these broader and more effective adaptive outcomes under fluctuating selection could be partially facilitated by changes in the adaptive landscape that result from having to deal with fitness trade-offs across different environmental conditions. Overall, our findings indicate that reconciling the short- and long-term evolutionary consequences of fluctuating selection could significantly improve our understanding of the evolution of specialization and generalism.
Hybridization and its impact on the ontogenetic allometry of skulls in macaques
Authors: Ito Tsuyoshi , Kimura Ryosuke , Wakamori Hikaru , Tanaka Mikiko , Tezuka Ayumi , Nagano Atsushi J , Hamada Yuzuru , Kawamoto Yoshi
Published: November 2023

The role of hybridization in morphological diversification is a fundamental topic in evolutionary biology. However, despite the accumulated knowledge on adult hybrid variation, how hybridization affects ontogenetic allometry is less well understood. Here, we investigated the effects of hybridization on postnatal ontogenetic allometry in the skulls of a putative hybrid population of introduced Taiwanese macaques (Macaca cyclopis) and native Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Genomic analyses indicated that the population consisted of individuals with varying degrees of admixture, formed by male migration from Japanese to Taiwanese macaques. For overall skull shape, ontogenetic trajectories were shifted by hybridization in a nearly additive manner, with moderate transgressive variation observed throughout development. In contrast, for the maxillary sinus (hollow space in the face), hybrids grew as fast as Taiwanese macaques, diverging from Japanese macaques, which showed slow growth. Consequently, adult hybrids showed a mosaic pattern, that is, the maxillary sinus is as large as that of Taiwanese macaques, while the overall skull shape is intermediate. Our findings suggest that the transgressive variation can be caused by prenatal shape modification and nonadditive inheritance on regional growth rates, highlighting the complex genetic and ontogenetic bases underlying hybridization-induced morphological diversification.
Genome-wide identification of the histone acetyltransferase gene family in Citrus clementina and its potential roles in citrate metabolism
Authors: Lin Xiahui , Shi Yanna , Liu Shengchao , Liu Xincheng , Zhang Minglei , Zhang Bo , Li Shaojia , Chen Kunsong
Published: November 2023

Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) catalyzes histone acetylation and is involved in plant growth and development and stress responses. Here, 37 CitHAT genes were identified in Citrus clementina. Their physicochemical properties, chromosomal location, gene structure, conserved domain and motif, and cis-acting elements were characterized. CitHATs were classified into four subfamilies based on protein sequence homology, which was strongly supported by gene structure, conserved domain, and motif analysis. The cis-acting elements in gene promoter regions were predicted to be associated with the regulation of plant growth, stress resistance, and response to hormones. Phenotypic and transcriptomic analyses of citrus callus with mock treatment and HAT inhibitor treatment revealed that increased citric acid content in inhibitor treatment may be attributed to differential expression of CitPEPCK2 and CitGS2, which may be due to the hypo-acetylation of histone H3. The expression patterns of CitHATs in citrus fruit development stages showed that CitHAG11 and CitHAG28 exhibited a negative correlation with citric acid content. Our study associates the potential function of histone acetyltransferases in citrate metabolism and extends the molecular mechanism of citrate metabolism in fruits.
Fate of ochratoxin A in dried red chilies during roasting process
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Chen Jiang , Zhu Qiujin , Wan Jing
Published: November 2023

Dried red chilies are widely used globally and are susceptible to contamination by fungi and fungal toxins. Roasting is a common way of processing dried red chilies. This study explored the effects of Aspergillus niger and ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination on the quality of roasted chilies, and the fate of OTA during the roasting process. Three optimum roasting conditions (140 °C×8 min, 160 °C×6 min, and 180 °C×4 min) were screened out by a combination of instrumental and manual sensory evaluations. Under these roasting conditions, A. niger and OTA contamination diminished the quality and taste of roasted chilies. With increasing roasting temperature and time duration, OTA content and mold counts gradually decreased, together with the DNA degradation of OTA biosynthesis-related genes of A. niger in roasted chilies. The roasting condition at 180 °C×4 min showed the greatest decomposition effect on OTA, while also maintaining good sensory quality of roasted chilies. This study shed light on the fate of OTA during the chili roasting process.
Assessing midwifery services in Iran via the balanced scorecard framework
Authors: Rezaei GholamReza , SadeghzadehMaharluie Mohammad , Ebrahimi Maedeh , Ebrahimi Marziyeh
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the impact of intra-organizational information, midwife job satisfaction and performance assessment on the quality of midwife services. The questions are empirically tested with survey data obtained from 276 midwives, specialist doctors and nurses, and mothers who recently gave birth in a cross-section of Iranian public healthcare organizations. The results from a structural equation model suggest that an improved performance assessment system leads to higher quality midwife services. In addition, the results indicate that midwife job satisfaction and intra-organizational information increases the quality of midwife services, both directly and indirectly, through the mediating effect of a performance assessment system. Our study contributes to the growing research exploring the interface between accounting and health issues by recognizing the importance of a performance assessment system of midwifery services via the balanced scorecard framework for understanding the quality of midwife services.
Vaping harms awareness messaging: exploring young South Australians’ responses to vaping prevention campaign materials
Authors: Trigg Joshua , Ela Ola , Bowden Jacqueline , Bartram Ashlea , Cenko Clinton , Bonevski Billie
Published: November 2023

Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) pose health risks associated with nicotine dependence and increased likelihood of tobacco consumption. Despite having a secondary role in smoking cessation, recreational NVP use is increasing among younger people. Vaping prevention campaigns aim to influence views on the health risks of vaping. This study examined perceptions of Australian and international vaping prevention campaigns among 27 young South Australians aged 16–26 years who do and do not use NVPs, to inform targeting and framing of vaping risk messaging. Participants viewed example materials from three vaping prevention campaigns: ‘Epidemic’, ‘Do you know what you’re vaping’ and ‘Unveil what you inhale’. Focus groups and interviews assessed whether materials were easily understood, appropriate, relevant, credible and effective in health communication. Participants indicated that all campaigns would influence their thoughts and actions related to vaping. The ‘Do you know what you’re vaping’ campaign prompted thoughts about uncertainty about individual health risks, though participants did not indicate that this was enough to motivate vaping cessation. Participants considered the ‘Unveil’ campaign effective, with those who did not vape indicating they would click through to access resources, and those who did vape responding well to the ‘challenge’ aspect of the messaging. The ‘Epidemic’ campaign fear appeal did not clearly prompt change in vaping views or behaviours. Campaigns using a challenge approach may generate conversation about vaping harms, while fear appeals can be dismissed by younger audiences. Evidence-based short messages and the presentation of multiple versions of content were considered effective approaches.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Risk of Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions and Anal Cancer in Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Field Justin , Fenton Cynthia , Zhang Li , Brickman Cristina , Mahadevan Uma
Published: November 2023

Background

The risk of anal cancer is increased in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and among men who have sex with men (MSM). High grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) are precursor lesions to anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and treatment of these lesions can decrease progression to anal SCC. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HSIL and anal cancer among MSM patients with and without IBD referred for anal cancer screening.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of all MSM patients seen at an anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (aSILs) and anal cancer screening specialty clinic. Data were manually and electronically collected from clinical documentation and pathology results for the primary outcomes of HSIL and anal cancer. Demographics, HIV status, IBD disease status, disease phenotype, and immunosuppressive medication use were collected through the electronic health record. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

In all, 4623 patients were included for analysis. Among 57 MSM patients with IBD, 25 (43.9%) had a history of HSIL, and 2 (3.5%) had a history of anal cancer. Among 4618 MSM patients without IBD, 2417 (52.3%) had a history of HSIL, and 139 (3.0%) had a history of anal cancer (P = .744). Rates of HIV were 49.1% among MSM patients with IBD and 69.8% among MSM patients without IBD (P = .001). There remained no difference in prevalence of HSIL and anal cancer between groups when adjusting for HIV status. Among IBD patients, only 21.6% were referred for screening by their gastroenterologist.

Conclusions

Among MSM with and without IBD, both groups had an equally high prevalence of HSIL and anal SCC. Awareness of appropriate surveillance to identify aSIL in MSM patients with IBD is needed among gastroenterologists.
Development of a maturity matrix to assess organizational readiness of community pharmacies for implementation of guideline recommendations in diabetes care
Authors: Teichert Martina , Fujita Kenji , Braspenning Jozé
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Pharmaceutical care for people with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) has been described in professional guidelines. To apply their recommendations, organizational changes are needed. We aimed to describe, for the first time, the development of a maturity matrix for community pharmacy teams (MM-CP) to assess organizational readiness in implementing the guideline recommendations on pharmaceutical DMT2 care.

Methods

MM-CP development was conducted in a systematic consensus process with pharmacists from existing working groups. In three meetings with preparatory assignments, mutually exclusive domains were chosen for the DMT2 guideline implementation. After determining the growth steps, the resulting matrix cells were filled with examples of the organizational implementation activities. To explore the generalizability of domains and growth steps, two other working groups for “medication surveillance” and “multidose drug dispensing” guidelines were consulted.

Key findings

A five-by-five matrix was developed using the domains “personalized care,” “teamwork,” “information systems and data exchange,” “external collaboration,” and “education and research” on the horizontal axis, and the growth steps “being aware and motivated,” “being able to,” “performing, evaluating and improving,” and “innovating” on the vertical axis. The MM-CP cells were filled with examples to implement the core recommendations of the DMT2 guideline. The matrix is to be used by pharmacy teams as a formative instrument.

Conclusions

The MM-CP is ready for use by community pharmacy teams for self-assessing their organizational readiness. However, further research is required to evaluate its potential in stimulating targeted improvement during the implementation of the DMT2-guideline recommendations in community pharmacies.
Networks of Power in the Nineteenth Century: The Sampradaya, Princely States and Company Rule
Authors: Patel Shruti
Published: November 2023

This article reconsiders a religious institution in India during the early colonial era as a manifestation of regional influence, or a non-statist public force. Founded by Sahajanand Swami, the Hindu devotional (bhakti) community known as the Swaminarayan Sampradaya expanded in the area that is today Gujarat in western India. The community arose as a source of popular influence in a region that lacked a dominant state at this time. Its creation was forged in relation to local struggles for power and resources, involving princely states, Maratha and East India Company powers, Kathi chieftains, and broader social and cultural changes in the nineteenth century. Historically examining the process of community expansion in the region through aspects like patronage and cultural production, I argue that the sampradaya’s articulation of devotion internalized political acumen to navigate material realities successfully. Effectively, the modern articulation enabled adherents to broker power from diverse networks and strengthen the community’s complex, multifaceted authority in Gujarat.
Antioxidant effect of lactic acid bacteria in human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke
Authors: Babic Mirjana , Veljovic Katarina , Popović Nikola , Golic Natasa , Radojkovic Dragica , Stankovic Marija
Published: November 2023

Aims

Chronic lung diseases are a major and increasing global health problem, commonly caused by cigarette smoke. We aimed to explore the antioxidant effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) against cigarette smoke in bronchial epithelial cells.

Methods and results

The antioxidant effects of 21 heat-killed (HK) LAB strains were tested in cigarette smoke-stimulated BEAS-2B cells and 3-D bronchospheres organoids. We showed that HK Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGPKM22 possesses antioxidant activity against cigarette smoke, resistance to hydrogen peroxide, and free radical neutralizing activity. We demonstrated that HK BGPKM22 inhibited cigarette smoke-induced expression of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and Nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) genes. The cell-free supernatant (SN) of BGPKM22 fully confirmed the effects of HK BGPKM22.

Conclusions

For the first time, we revealed that HK and SN of Lactip. plantarum BGPKM22 possess antioxidant activity and modulate AhR and Nrf2 gene expression in bronchial epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke.
A multiplex real-time RT-PCR system to simultaneously diagnose 16 pathogens associated with swine respiratory disease
Authors: Goto Yusuke , Fukunari Kazuhiro , Tada Shigekatsu , Ichimura Satoki , Chiba Yuzumi , Suzuki Tohru
Published: November 2023

Aims

Swine respiratory disease (SRD) is a major disease complex in pigs that causes severe economic losses. SRD is associated with several intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as host health status, viruses, bacteria, and environmental factors. Particularly, it is known that many pathogens are associated with SRD to date, but most of the test to detect those pathogens can be normally investigated only one pathogen while taking time and labor. Therefore, it is desirable to develop rapidly and efficiently detectable methods those pathogens to minimize the damage caused by SRD.

Methods and results

We designed a multiplex real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) system to diagnose simultaneously 16 pathogens, including nine viruses and seven bacteria associated with SRD, on the basis of single qPCR and RT-qPCR assays reported in previous studies. Multiplex RT-qPCR system we designed had the same ability to single RT-qPCR without significant differences in detection sensitivity for all target pathogens at minimum to maximum genomic levels. Moreover, the primers and probes used in this system had highly specificity because the sets had not been detected pathogens other than the target and its taxonomically related pathogens. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that this system would be useful to detect a causative pathogen in the diagnosis using oral fluid from healthy pigs and lung tissue from pigs with respiratory disorders collected in the field.

Conclusions

The rapid detection of infected animals from the herd using our system will contribute to infection control and prompt treatment in the field.
High-sensitivity neonatal urine drug testing has similar positivity rates to meconium for detecting in utero exposure to methamphetamine and cocaine
Authors: Brown Hannah M , Roper Stephen M , Dietzen Dennis J , Crews Bridgit O
Published: November 2023

Current guidelines recommend universal screening for substance use disorders in obstetric patients, and neonatal drug testing is also frequently performed. Meconium is often the preferred specimen type to detect neonatal drug exposure due to a longer window of detection compared to urine, but most laboratories send out meconium testing to specialized reference laboratories, which can delay results for several days or more. Here, we evaluate a rapid and definitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for neonatal urine drug testing and compare results obtained using this method to paired meconium drug testing in 1,424 neonates for amphetamines, cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates, oxycodone and phencyclidine. Urine testing showed equivalent sensitivity to current meconium methods for detecting in utero exposure to amphetamines and cocaine.
Photographic characterisation of acidification-induced larval malformations in the European lobster Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)
Authors: Ramesh Kirti , Svanberg Linda , Casties Isabel , Eriksson Susanne , Dupont Sam
Published: November 2023

Occurrence of developmental malformations is of interest since they potentially influence organismal performance and fitness. We report an increased incidence (⁓ 46 fold) of physical malformations in the larvae of the American lobster Homarus Gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758) in response to seawater acidification (–0.58 pH units relative to nominal pH 8.0). We observed three malformations under the influence of seawater acidification previously undescribed in lobster larvae: a flared carapace, twisted tail, and cross claw. Larvae reared under seawater acidification exhibit significantly lower survivorship (by ⁓14%) and the occurrence of a malformation decreases survivorship (12.7%). Larvae with four types of malformations did not progress through development to reach post-larval stages. Namely, these malformations were a flared carapace, curled carapace, twisted tail, and cross claw. Results from this study provide photographic documentation of various lobster larval malformations that ultimately affect individual success and can be applied for quality-control in hatcheries.
Antifungal activity and mechanism of action of natural product derivates as potential environmental disinfectants
Authors: Silva-Beltrán Norma Patricia , Boon Stephanie A , Ijaz M Khalid , McKinney Julie , Gerba Charles P
Published: November 2023

There have been a considerable number of antifungal studies that evaluated natural products (NPs), such as medicinal plants and their secondary metabolites, (phenolic compounds, alkaloids), essential oils, and propolis extracts. These studies have investigated natural antifungal substances for use as food preservatives, medicinal agents, or in agriculture as green pesticides because they represent an option of safe, low-impact, and environmentally friendly antifungal compounds; however, few have studied these NPs as an alternative to disinfection/sanitation for indoor air or environmental surfaces. This review summarizes recent studies on NPs as potential fungal disinfectants in different environments and provides information on the mechanisms of inactivation of these products by fungi. The explored mechanisms show that these NPs can interfere with ATP synthesis and Ca++ and K+ ion flow, mainly damaging the cell membrane and cell wall of fungi, respectively. Another mechanism is the reactive oxygen species effect that damages mitochondria and membranes. Inhibition of the overexpression of the efflux pump is another mechanism that involves damage to fungal proteins. Many NPs appear to have potential as indoor environmental disinfectants.

One-Sentence Summary

This review shows the latest advances in natural antifungals applied to different indoor environments. Fungi have generated increased tolerance to the mechanisms of traditional antifungals, so this review also explores the various mechanisms of action of various natural products to facilitate the implementation of technology.