bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the Threats Beneath: Fish Mislabeling in the Brazilian Amazon Coast and its Impacts on the Critically Endangered Daggernose Shark
Authors: Wosnick Natascha , Charvet Patricia , Hauser-Davis Rachel Ann , Rincon Getulio , Nunes Ana Rita Onodera Palmeira , Nunes Jorge Luiz Silva
Published: August 2023

Fish mislabeling is a global issue with far-reaching consequences for both food security and biodiversity conservation. This practice involves the intentional or unintentional misidentification of fish species sold in markets and restaurants, often driven by economic gain or cultural preferences. The mislabeling of threatened fish species further exacerbates the problem. This manuscript focuses on an emerging mislabeling practice in the Brazilian Amazon coast, which impacts a critically endangered elasmobranch species, the Daggernose Shark Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus. More specifically, the mislabeling of the Atlantic Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis as the Acoupa Weakfish Cynoscion acoupa has led to intensified fishing activities and incidental capture of the Daggernose Shark. Traditional enforcement approaches have shown limited effectiveness, and alternative conservation interventions, including participatory management and education programs for artisanal fishers, are needed to address this complex issue.
Stadttunnel Feldkirch – ein Generationenprojekt
Authors: Seidl Hans‐Peter , Braza Bernhard , Kitzler Christian
Published: August 2023

The topography of Feldkirch is shaped by hills, local mountains and the Ill gorge, therefore various districts are separated and all local, regional and international traffic in the tripoint of Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland passes through the inner‐city streets of L190 and L191a. The intention of this project is the long‐term relief of the historic center of Feldkirch and the surrounding settlement areas from transit traffic and to improve the overall quality of life of the local population through the reduction of traffic‐related pollution (air pollutants and noise).
Organic matter enrichment mechanism in saline lacustrine basins: A review
Authors: Xu Shang , Wang Yuxuan , Bai Nan , Wu Shiqiang , Liu Bingchang
Published: August 2023

Organic‐rich shale in saline lacustrine basins holds significant importance as a source rock for conventional hydrocarbon exploration and has emerged as a prominent target for unconventional hydrocarbon exploration and development in recent years. Based on saline lacustrine basins, this paper provides a summary of the organic matter enrichment mechanisms in saline lacustrine basins, considering sedimentary characteristics, biological activities, factors for the organic matter enrichment and consumption, and hydrocarbon generation. The implications for these factors are discussed in relation to the distribution prediction of high‐quality lacustrine shale district settings and the exploration and development of shale oil. Saline lacustrine basins undergo distinct evolutionary stages, each corresponding to different sedimentary stages involving carbonate minerals, sulphate minerals, and alkaline minerals. Moreover, these basins exhibit diverse biological types and experience extensive biological activities. The prosperity of organisms and the accumulation of sedimentary organic matter are ensured by halophilic organisms. Organic matter enrichment in saline lacustrine basins is influenced by two main aspects: the primary productivity of organic matter, which is promoted by the proliferation of halophilic organisms, and the efficient preservation of organic matter facilitated by the strong reducing environment resulting from promoted water salinity stratification. The organic matter consumption in saline lacustrine basins involves bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR) in the early stages, thermochemical sulphate reduction (TSR) in the late stages, and dilution of salt minerals with higher depositional rates. of the presence of salt beds and saline minerals positively influences hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in organic‐rich shale within saline lacustrine deposition. Consequently, continental saline lacustrine basins in China offer favourable conditions for the formation of organic‐rich shale and present broad prospects for the exploration of shale oil and gas resources.
Retinotopic connectivity maps of human visual cortex with unconstrained eye movements
Authors: Tangtartharakul Gene , Morgan Catherine A. , Rushton Simon K. , Schwarzkopf D. Samuel
Published: August 2023

Human visual cortex contains topographic visual field maps whose organization can be revealed with retinotopic mapping. Unfortunately, constraints posed by standard mapping hinder its use in patients, atypical subject groups, and individuals at either end of the lifespan. This severely limits the conclusions we can draw about visual processing in such individuals. Here, we present a novel data‐driven method to estimate connective fields, resulting in fine‐grained maps of the functional connectivity between brain areas. We find that inhibitory connectivity fields accompany, and often surround facilitatory fields. The visual field extent of these inhibitory subfields falls off with cortical magnification. We further show that our method is robust to large eye movements and myopic defocus. Importantly, freed from the controlled stimulus conditions in standard mapping experiments, using entertaining stimuli and unconstrained eye movements our approach can generate retinotopic maps, including the periphery visual field hitherto only possible to map with special stimulus displays. Generally, our results show that the connective field method can gain knowledge about retinotopic architecture of visual cortex in patients and participants where this is at best difficult and confounded, if not impossible, with current methods.
A comparative study of scientific collaborations in medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences among Iranian research communities: A bibliometric study
Authors: Siamian Hasan , Ramezani‐Pakpour‐Langeroudi Fatemeh , Ramezani Aboozar , Mehdizadeh Hamed
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim

Scientific collaborations play a vital role in advancing research in various disciplines, including medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences. This study aims to provide an overview of Iranian researchers' scientific output in three disciplines and their collaboration networks.

Methods

The study utilized data from Scopus database and analyzed 2086 records of Iranian researchers' research outcomes over 10 years. Each article's citations were averaged to determine its impact factor. The study also reviewed the number of articles and citations in the past decade.

Results

The findings show that scientific output in the disciplines of medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences has significantly increased among Iranian researchers in the past decade. The analysis of collaboration networks indicates a strong connection between these disciplines, with medical informatics having the highest degree of collaboration.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the scientific collaborations among Iranian researchers in medical informatics, health information management, medical librarianship, and information sciences. The findings can be used to inform future research and collaboration initiatives in these disciplines. The results suggest that Iranian researchers in these disciplines have made significant progress in scientific output and collaboration. However, further efforts are required to improve the quality and impact of their research.
Curcumin alleviates imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like inflammation and regulates gut microbiota of mice
Authors: Cai Zhenguo , Wang Wuqing , Zhang Yao , Zeng Yibin
Published: August 2023

Background

As a polyphenolic compound originated from the food spice turmeric, curcumin (CUR) has various pharmacological effects, such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidation, antiproliferative, and antiangiogenic activities. Psoriasis is centered on the overproduction of Th1‐ and Th2‐related cytokines (e.g., interleukin [IL]‐23, IL‐17, TNF‐α, IL‐22), which is involved in the occurrence and development of its pathogenesis. However, whether CUR is involved in the treatment of psoriasis and its specific mechanisms are not fully understood.

Methods

In this study, we detected the therapeutic effect of CUR (100 mg/kg/day) on IMQ‐induced dermatitis in mice, analyzed by PASI scores, ELISA, HE staining, immunofluorescence. Moreover, we further confirmed the alteration in the relative abundance of the gut microbiota through 16sRNA to explore whether CUR could regulate the gut microbiota of IMQ‐induced mice.

Result

Through intragastric administration, CUR can alleviate psoriasis‐like lesions of mice by decreasing PASI scores, reducing the level of IL‐6, IL‐17A, IL‐22, IL‐23, TNF‐α, and TGF‐β1, promoting the expression of IL‐10. Moreover, 16sRNA sequencing revealed that CUR could regulate the alteration in the abundance alteration of gut microbiota related to inflammation, such as Alistipes, Mucispirillum, and Rikenella at genus level. The correlation analysis further confirmed the close association between important microflora and psoriasis‐like inflammation indicators.

Conclusions

CUR exerts the effect of alleviating dermatitis of psoriatic mice by regulating Th‐17 related inflammatory factors. Moreover, the changes in gut microbiota via CUR may be another factor of relieving IMQ‐induced lesions in mice. Therefore, CUR may be a highly promising candidate for the treatment of psoriasis.
Aspirin and nonaspirin nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and occurrence of colorectal adenoma in Black American women
Authors: Barber Lauren E. , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Sheehy Shanshan , White Laura F. , Roy Hemant K. , Rosenberg Lynn , Palmer Julie R. , Petrick Jessica L.
Published: August 2023

Evidence suggests that aspirin use reduces the occurrence of colorectal neoplasia. Few studies have investigated the association among Black Americans, who are disproportionately burdened by the disease. We assessed aspirin use in relation to colorectal adenoma among Black women. The Black Women's Health Study is a prospective cohort of self‐identified Black American women established in 1995. Participants reported regular aspirin use on baseline and follow‐up questionnaires. Beginning in 1999, participants reported undergoing a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, the only procedures through which colorectal adenomas can be diagnosed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between aspirin use and colorectal adenoma among 34 397 women who reported at least 1 colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. From 1997 through 2018, 1913 women were diagnosed with an adenoma. Compared to nonaspirin users, regular users had 14% (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78‐0.95) lower odds of adenoma. The odds of adenoma decreased with increasing duration of aspirin use (≥10 years: OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66‐0.96). Initiating aspirin at a younger age was associated with a reduced adenoma occurrence (age < 40 years at initiation: OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55‐0.86). Regular aspirin use was associated with a decreased odds of colorectal adenoma in our study of Black women. These findings support evidence demonstrating a chemopreventive impact of aspirin on colorectal neoplasia and suggest that aspirin may be a useful prevention strategy among US Black women.
The femtech revolution—A new approach to pregnancy management: Digital transformation of maternity care—The hybrid e‐health perinatal clinic addressing the unmet needs of low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Hod Moshe , Divakar Hema , Kihara Anne B. , Geary Michael
Published: August 2023

Prenatal care and infant mortality rates are crucial indicators of healthcare quality. However, millions of women in low‐income countries lack access to adequate care. Factors such as high‐risk pregnancies and unmanaged diet increase the risk of developing complications during pregnancy, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of maternal health. The increasing burden of non‐communicable diseases represents a significant threat to fragile health systems. The lack of access to appropriate prenatal care and poor maternal and newborn health outcomes are major concerns in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). It emphasizes the need for innovative, integrative approaches to healthcare delivery, especially in pregnant women. The health services need to be reorganized holistically and effectively, focusing on factors that directly impact maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality, resulting in improved access to maternity services and survival of “at‐risk” mothers and their offspring in many LMICs. Based on the FIGO (the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics) recommendations of extending preconception care to the postpartum stage, the authors of this review have developed a new model of care—PregCare—based on the triple‐intervention‐based holistic and multidisciplinary maternal and fetal medicine model for low‐risk pregnancies. This model will help transform the traditional model's high visitation frequency into a safe and reduced office visit, while increasing virtual connections, point of care and self‐care with doctors, nurses, and community‐based providers of self‐care. This shall be based on a sophisticated central PregCare call center powered by innovative technologies combined with experienced personnel in perinatal management (doctors and nurses/midwives).
Relapsed urachal carcinoma responding to first‐line chemotherapy with capecitabine‐oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab
Authors: Hatano Akihiko , Wakaki Kunihiko , Miyajima Norio , Komatsu Shuichi
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Advanced urachal carcinoma has a poor prognosis; however, a standard systemic treatment has not been established. We treated a patient with relapsed urachal carcinoma with capecitabine‐oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab, a standard regimen for colon cancer, and obtained favorable responses.

Case presentation

A 47‐year‐old woman presented with hematuria. Under the diagnosis of non‐metastatic urachal carcinoma, an extended partial cystectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed adenocarcinoma with negative surgical margins and lymph nodes. Thirty‐two months postoperatively, lung metastases and local recurrence were confirmed, along with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, and nine chemotherapy cycles were administered. Subsequently, the recurrent lesion regressed, and tumor marker levels normalized. Fourteen months after treatment discontinuation, the disease remained stable without progression.

Conclusion

This is the first report of advanced urachal carcinoma treated with capecitabine‐oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab, demonstrating the potential of this treatment as first‐line chemotherapy for this disease.
Indocyanine green‐based fluorescence imaging improved by deep learning
Authors: Xiong Xiao , He Li , Ma Qingchao , Wang Yihan , Li Ke , Wang Zhongliang , Chen Xueli , Zhu Shouping , Zhan Yonghua , Cao Xu
Published: August 2023

Intraoperative identification of malignancies using indocyanine green (ICG)‐based fluorescence imaging could provide real‐time guidance for surgeons. Existing ICG‐based fluorescence imaging mostly operates in the near‐infrared (NIR)‐I (700–1000 nm) or the NIR‐IIa′ windows (1000–1300 nm), which is not optimal in terms of spatial resolution and contrast as their light scattering is higher than the NIR‐IIb window (1500–1700 nm). It is highly desired to achieve ICG‐based fluorescence imaging in the NIR‐IIb window, but it is hindered by its ultra‐low NIR‐IIb emission tail of ICG. Herein, we employ a generative adversarial network to generate NIR‐IIb ICG images directly from the acquired NIR‐I ICG images. This approach was investigated by in vivo imaging of sub‐surface vascular, intestine structure, and tumors, and their results demonstrated significant improvement in spatial resolution and contrast for ICG‐based fluorescence imaging. It is potential for deep learning to improve ICG‐based fluorescence imaging in clinical diagnostics and image‐guided surgery in clinics.
Large field of view aberrations correction with deformable lenses and multi conjugate adaptive optics
Authors: Furieri T. , Bassi A. , Bonora S.
Published: August 2023

Optical microscopes can have limited resolution due to aberrations caused by samples and sample holders. Using deformable mirrors and wavefront sensorless optimization algorithms can correct these aberrations, but the correction is limited to a small area of the field of view. This study presents an adaptive optics method that uses a series of plug‐and‐play deformable lenses for large field of view wavefront correction. A direct wavefront measurement method using the spinning sub‐pupil aberration measurement technique is combined with correction based on the deformable lenses. Experimental results using fluorescence microscopy with a wide field and a light sheet fluorescence microscope show that the proposed method can achieve detection and correction over an extended field of view with a compact transmissive module placed in the detection path of the microscope. This method could improve the resolution and accuracy of imaging in a variety of fields, including biology and materials science.
Unlocking the transformative power of mentoring for youth development in communities, schools, and talent domains
Authors: Luo Linlin , Stoeger Heidrun
Published: August 2023

Mentoring is a highly individualized educational measure that can support youth development in communities, schools, and talent domains. Depending on the target population, goals, structure, and medium, mentoring for youths can differ considerably. This article first reviews the main types of mentoring programs and practices for youth development in communities, schools, and talent domains. Despite the popularity of mentoring programs, many programs fail to realize the full potential of mentoring as meta‐analyses consistently show relatively small effects of mentoring. The discrepancy between the potential and actual effect of mentoring is referred to as the mentoring paradox. Crucial aspects that are held responsible for the mentoring paradox, such as adequate planning and implementation of mentoring programs, adherence to research‐based mentoring practices, as well as quality assurance of mentoring programs through systematic program research and evaluation are described. Finally, implications on how to professionalize mentoring are provided for different stakeholders.
Breastfeeding lifespan control of growth, maintenance, and metabolism of small intestinal epithelium
Authors: Costa Aline Vasques da , Rattes Isadora Campos , Goes Carolina Purcell , Lobo Larissa Honda Greco , Barreto Laylla Barreto e , Gama Patricia
Published: August 2023

Gastrointestinal epithelial cells respond to milk‐born molecules throughout breastfeeding, influencing growth, and development. The rapid renewal of the small intestine depends on the proliferation in the crypt that drives cell fates. We used early weaning model to investigate immediate and late effects of breastfeeding on proliferation, differentiation of jejunal epithelial cells. Wistar rats were either allowed to suckle (S) until 21 postnatal days or submitted to early weaning (EW) at 15 days. By comparing ages (18, 60, and 120 days), we found that EW decreased Ki67 indices and villi height at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05), and at 120 days they were similar between diets. Proliferative reduction and augmented expression of Cdkn1b (p27 gene) were parallel. In the stem cell niche, EW increased the number and activity (Defa24) of Paneth cells at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05), and Lgr5 and Ascl2 genes showed inverted responses between ages. Among target cells, EW decreased goblet cell number at 18 and 60 days (p < 0.05) and increased it at 120 days (p < 0.05), whereas enteroendocrine marker genes were differentially altered. EW reduced enterocytes density at 18 days (p < 0.05), and at 120 days this population was decreased (vs. 60 days). Among cell fate crypt‐controlling genes, Notch and Atoh1 were the main targets of EW. Metabolically, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was immediately reduced (18 days), being reverted until 120 days (p < 0.05). Currently, we showed that breastfeeding has a lifespan influence on intestinal mucosa and on its stem cell compartment. We suggest that, although jejunum absorptive function is granted after early weaning, the long lasting changes in gene expression might prime the mucosa with a different sensitivity to gut disorders that still have to be further explored.
Medically ready for discharge: A multisite “point‐in‐time” assessment of hospitalized patients
Authors: Bann Maralyssa , Meo Nicholas , Lopez J. P. , Ou Amy , Rosenthal Molly , Khawaja Hussain , Goodman Leigh A. , Barone Melanie , Coleman Bernice , High Heidi J. , Overbeek Lori , Shelbourn Pam , VerMaas Lisa , Baughman Amy , Sekaran Adith , Cyrus Rachel , O'Dorisio Nathan , Beatty Lane , Loica‐Mersa Silvia , Kubey Alan , Jaffe Rebecca , Vokoun Chad , Koom‐Dadzie Kwame , Graves Kencee , Tuck Matthew , Helgerson Paul
Published: August 2023

Background

Time spent awaiting discharge after the acute need for hospitalization has resolved is an important potential contributor to hospital length of stay (LOS).

Objective

To measure the prevalence, impact, and context of patients who remain hospitalized for prolonged periods after completion of acute care needs.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We conducted a cross‐sectional “point‐in‐time” survey at each of 15 academic US hospitals using a structured data collection tool with on‐service acute care medicine attending physicians in fall 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were number and percentage of patients considered “medically ready for discharge” with emphasis on those who had experienced a “major barrier to discharge” (medically ready for discharge for ≥1 week). Estimated LOS attributable to major discharge barriers, contributory discharge needs, and associated hospital characteristics were measured.

Results

Of 1928 patients sampled, 35.0% (n = 674) were medically ready for discharge including 9.8% (n = 189) with major discharge barriers. Many patients with major discharge barriers (44.4%; 84/189) had spent a month or longer medically ready for discharge and commonly (84.1%; 159/189) required some form of skilled therapy or daily living support services for discharge. Higher proportions of patients experiencing major discharge barriers were found in public versus private, nonprofit hospitals (12.0% vs. 7.2%; p = .001) and county versus noncounty hospitals (14.5% vs. 8.8%; p = .002).

Conclusions

Patients experience major discharge barriers in many US hospitals and spend prolonged time awaiting discharge, often for support needs that may be outside of clinician control.
Integrative omics approaches to advance rare disease diagnostics
Authors: Smirnov Dmitrii , Konstantinovskiy Nikita , Prokisch Holger
Published: August 2023

Over the past decade high‐throughput DNA sequencing approaches, namely whole exome and whole genome sequencing became a standard procedure in Mendelian disease diagnostics. Implementation of these technologies greatly facilitated diagnostics and shifted the analysis paradigm from variant identification to prioritisation and evaluation. The diagnostic rates vary widely depending on the cohort size, heterogeneity and disease and range from around 30% to 50% leaving the majority of patients undiagnosed. Advances in omics technologies and computational analysis provide an opportunity to increase these unfavourable rates by providing evidence for disease‐causing variant validation and prioritisation. This review aims to provide an overview of the current application of several omics technologies including RNA‐sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics and DNA‐methylation profiling for diagnostics of rare genetic diseases in general and inborn errors of metabolism in particular.
SERS evidence of urea‐disordered G‐quadruplex structure
Authors: Petrović Petra , Saftić Dijana Pavlović , Kenđel Adriana , Miljanić Snežana
Published: August 2023

Structural changes of the human telomeric d(TTAGGG)4 sequence (Tel24) in the presence of sodium ions and urea were studied using SERS spectroscopy. The SERS spectra indicated that Tel24 (4 × 10−5 mol/l) formed an anti‐parallel G‐quadruplex in a medium containing Na+ ions (100 mmol/l), which was disrupted by the subsequent addition of urea (7.2 mol/l). Intensity ratios of SERS bands originating from breathing vibrations of adenine (~730 cm−1) and guanine (~660 cm−1) rings clearly pointed to the urea‐induced unfolding of G‐quadruplex. In addition, SERS bands assigned to guanine implied the breaking of Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds, most likely due to the bonding of guanine bases with the urea molecules. Considering various experimental conditions applied, the structure‐related SERS response was more pronounced in the silver than in the gold colloid as well as upon NIR (785 nm) rather than Vis (532 nm) laser excitation. The CD spectra of the same colloidal samples supported structural changes of Tel24 obtained by SERS.
The protective effect of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. polysaccharide on DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice via the modulation of gut microbiota and inhibition of NF‐κB activation
Authors: Guo Xiaorong , Liu Lei , Zhao Wenqi , Li Xingyun , Wang Xiaoli , Ning Anhong , Cao Jing , Zhang Wei , Cao Liang , Zhong Mintao
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, a fruit utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medical application. It has been used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide (SACP) is an important biologically active ingredient that has been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects including immune regulation and anti‐oxidative properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a complicated gastrointestinal inflammatory disease. We explore the protective effect of SACP against UC.

RESULTS

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) and levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in colonic tissue. It also alleviated weight loss and histopathological damage of mice. The expression of MUC2 and occludin proteins was increased and the barrier function of the colonic mucosa was enhanced by SACP treatment. NF‐κB pathway activation was also inhibited and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines was decreased whereas anti‐inflammatory cytokines were increased. 16SrDNA sequencing of fecal flora showed that SACP increased the abundance of Muribaculaceaeunclassified, LachnospiraceaeNK4A136group and reduced the abundance of Bacteroides and Erysipelatoclostridium.

CONCLUSION

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill polysaccharide can protect against Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (DSS)‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Functional vegetation community responses to soil and topographic factors in the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Zhang Hengshuo , Zha Tonggang , Yu Yang , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xiaoxia , Zhang Hongli , Ji Xiaodong
Published: August 2023

Given the developmental program outlined in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and the to effectively address the challenge of biodiversity decline while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, particularly drought, on terrestrial forest ecosystems, a fundamental reorientation of global forest restoration paradigms is warranted. It is imperative to move beyond a narrow emphasis on expanding forest area and instead prioritize the enhancement of biodiversity and functional attributes within these ecosystems. However, the differential response mechanisms of forest ecosystem functional communities and main plant functional types (PFTs) to environmental factors, especially soil and topography, remains unclear, especially at plant level. Here, we divided the functional communities of 93 sites in the study area into seven groups through Two‐way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), and studied the different functional communities, namely dynamic succession, species richness, and PFT compositional differences. We also analyzed the various PFTs and functional community response mechanisms to soil and topographic factors using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The main results were as follows: (1) With the successional stages of PFTs, vegetation diversity across multiple functional communities inceased, tree and shrub proportions and importance increased, while herbs decreased. (2) From the arid and barren areas (i.e., G2), to the humid and fertile areas (i.e., G6 and G7), various compositional PFT differences, and their responses to soil and topographic factors, were found, namely, xerophytic, annual and biennial species gradually changed to mesophytic, hygrophytic, and perennial species (richness increased 6.94 ~ 27.33%, important value (IV) increased 8.73 ~ 29.45%) for shrubs and herbs. (3) Functional communities in various successional stages display distinct sensitivities to soil and topographic factors, as evidenced by a notable increase in the richness and IV of deciduous broad‐leaved tree species, rendering their communities more responsive to SOC and AS, whereas evergreen coniferous trees (e.g., Pinus tabuliformis Carr.) were sensitive to altitude (AL) and exhibited a tendency to transition from plantations to natural secondary forests predominantly at higher altitudes (above 1200 m). Our findings suggest that site conditions influence scenarios, and that different PFT responses and adjustments to soil and topography factors affect whole functional community dynamic succession processes, which can profoundly impact forest ecosystem function predictions based on PFT changes in the Loess Plateau of China.
Fractional ablative CO2 laser and oral isotretinoin—A prospective randomized controlled split‐face trial comparing concurrent versus delayed laser treatment for acne scars
Authors: Taleb Eyal , Gallo Elisa S. , Salameh Fares , Koren Amir , Shehadeh Waseem , Artzi Ofir
Published: August 2023

Background

Therapeutic dogma has been to treat acne scars with ablative fractional laser no less than 6 months after isotretinoin (ITN) cessation.

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of fractional ablative CO2 laser (FACL) in patients treated concurrently with ITN.

Methods

We conducted a prospective split‐face randomized control trial in patients treated with FACL concurrently with ITN versus patients treated with FACL 6 months post‐ITN treatment. Patients received 3 monthly sessions of FACL with concurrent ITN treatment on half of the face; the other side of the face received the same FACL treatment regimen 6 months post‐ITN cessation. Patients were followed for adverse effects up to 6 months post‐FACL treatment. Final cosmesis was scored using the Quantitative Global Acne Scarring Grading System (GASGS) by three independent dermatologists.

Results

The GASGS of the concurrent ITN‐FACL treated side of the face was significantly lower than the side treated with delayed laser therapy (4.7 ± 2.5 vs. 7.7 ± 2.9, respectively, p < 0.001).

Limitations

The laser's settings were standardized, and not adjusted per patient skin type.

Conclusion

Per our prospective trial, concurrent treatment of FACL ‐ITN is superior to delayed FACL treatment 6 months post‐ITN cessation.

Fractional ablative laser treatment is effective in improving acne scars, which persist despite isotretinoin therapy.
Regulation of SELENOF translation by eIF4a3: Possible role in prostate cancer progression
Authors: Bera Soumen , Kadkol Shrinidhi , Hong Lenny K. , Ali Waleed , Brockman John D. , Sverdlov Maria , Brister Eileen , Macais Virgilia , Kajdacsy‐Balla Andre , Valyi‐Nagy Klara , Xu Ziqiao , Kastrati Irida , Liu Li , Diamond Alan M.
Published: August 2023

The levels of the SELENOF selenoprotein are dramatically reduced in prostate cancer compared to adjacent benign tissue and reducing SELENOF in prostate epithelial cells results in the acquisition of features of the transformed phenotype. It was hypothesized that the aberrant increase in the eiF4a3 translation factor, which has an established role in RNA splicing and the regulation of selenoprotein translation, contributes to the lower levels of SELENOF. Using the available databases, eIF4a3 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels are elevated in prostate cancer compared to normal tissue as is the hypomethylation of the corresponding gene. Using a prostate cancer tissue microarray, we established that eiF4a3 levels are higher in prostate cancer tissue. Ectopic expression of eIF4a3 in prostate cancer cells reduced SELENOF levels and attenuated the readthrough of the UGA codon using a specialized reporter construct designed to examine UGA decoding, with the opposite effects observed using eIF4a3 knock‐down constructs. Direct binding of eIF4a3 to the regulatory regions of SELENOF mRNA was established with pull‐down experiments. Lastly, we show that an eIF4a3 inhibitor, eIF4a3‐IN‐2, increases SELENOF levels, UGA readthrough, and reduces binding of eIF4a3 to the SELENOF mRNA 3′‐UTR in exposed cells. These data establish eIF4a3 as a likely prostate cancer oncogene and a regulator of SELENOF translation.
Selection of pricing tactics in a dual‐channel supply chain under demand information asymmetry
Authors: Sun Haining , Cai Jianhu , Jia Lishuang , Hu Xiaoqing
Published: August 2023

This paper explores the differences of three pricing tactics in the dual‐channel supply chain (SC) under demand information asymmetry. The manufacturer holds confidential demand information. According to the decision sequences, three pricing tactics are considered. Specifically, the corresponding signaling games based on the three pricing tactics are analyzed under no information sharing. The results show when the confidential information is shared, the first move of retail pricing brings the positive impact on the SC members. However, under demand information asymmetry, the first move of retail pricing may not always benefit the member based on the signaling games.
Task‐Related Reorganization of Cognitive Network in Parkinson's Disease Using Electrophysiology
Authors: Bar‐On May , Baharav Shaked , Katzir Zoya , Mirelman Anat , Sosnik Ronen , Maidan Inbal
Published: August 2023

Background

Cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are well described, however, their underlying neural mechanisms as assessed by electrophysiology are not clear.

Objectives

To reveal specific neural network alterations during the performance of cognitive tasks in PD patients using electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods

Ninety participants, 60 PD patients and 30 controls underwent EEG recording while performing a GO/NOGO task. Source localization of 16 regions of interest known to play a pivotal role in GO/NOGO task was performed to assess power density and connectivity within this cognitive network. The connectivity matrices were evaluated using a graph‐theory approach that included measures of cluster‐coefficient, degree, and global‐efficiency. A mixed‐model analysis, corrected for age and levodopa equivalent daily dose was performed to examine neural changes between PD patients and controls.

Results

PD patients performed worse in the GO/NOGO task (P < 0.001). The power density was higher in δ and θ bands, but lower in α and β bands in PD patients compared to controls (interaction group × band: P < 0.001), indicating a general slowness within the network. Patients had more connections within the network (P < 0.034) than controls and these were used for graph‐theory analysis. Differences between groups in graph‐theory measures were found only in cluster‐coefficient, which was higher in PD compared to controls (interaction group × band: P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Cognitive deficits in PD are underlined by alterations at the brain network level, including higher δ and θ activity, lower α and β activity, increased connectivity, and segregated network organization. These findings may have important implications on future adaptive deep brain stimulation. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
An improved fractional Halanay inequality with distributed delays
Authors: Thi Thu Huong Nguyen , Nhu Thang Nguyen , Dinh Ke Tran
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we establish global fractional Halanay‐type inequalities with distributed delays in differential and integral forms and consequently give a simple sufficient condition for Mittag–Leffler stability of solutions to fractional differential equations with this type of delays. Our essential tool is the submultiplicative property of the Mittag–Leffler functions which imitates the multiplicative property of the exponential functions in the classical theory of differential equations. The estimation with explicit decaying rate and amplitude constant is a faithful extension of the classical Halanay inequality.
Adverse Events and Subsequent Management Associated With Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation
Authors: Jeoung Sarah , Man Li‐Xing , Mandych Alexander K. , Schmale Isaac L.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Eustachian tube balloon dilation is a minimally invasive technique used to improve persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction. Currently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of balloon dilation devices produced by three manufacturers, but little is known about associated adverse events and subsequent management.

Study Design

Case series.

Setting

FDA Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database.

Methods

Reports submitted to the FDA using the MAUDE database searched from January 2000 to July 2022 were analyzed for adverse events and management.

Results

A total of 13 adverse events were found in the database. Subcutaneous emphysema (n = 8) was the most common event. Other less frequent events included patulous Eustachian tube (n = 2), vascular dissection (n = 1), nasopharyngeal mucocele (n = 1), and tinnitus (n = 1). A majority of patients who experienced subcutaneous emphysema received antibiotics (n = 5) and were admitted to the hospital (n = 4). The patient with a carotid dissection 7 days postprocedure presented with a stroke and fully recovered after stent placement. There was limited preprocedure information in the MAUDE database. There were 2 patients who did not fully recover after a complication. Three patients underwent corrective surgical interventions. No one company had more associated adverse events reported.

Conclusion

Subcutaneous emphysema is the most common adverse event after Eustachian tube dilation. Further studies exploring potential balloon dilation adverse events to allow for better patient counseling are warranted.
Prediction of coexisting invasive carcinoma on ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) lesions by mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Chen Hong , Li Xin , Li Fengling , Li Yijie , Chen Fei , Zhang Lu , Ye Feng , Gong Meng , Bu Hong
Published: August 2023

Due to limited biopsy samples, ~20% of DCIS lesions confirmed by biopsy are upgraded to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) upon surgical resection. Avoiding underestimation of IDC when diagnosing DCIS has become an urgent challenge in an era discouraging overtreatment of DCIS. In this study, the metabolic profiles of 284 fresh frozen breast samples, including tumor tissues and adjacent benign tissues (ABTs) and distant surrounding tissues (DSTs), were analyzed using desorption electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (DESI‐MS) imaging. Metabolomics analysis using DESI‐MS data revealed significant differences in metabolite levels, including small‐molecule antioxidants, long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phospholipids between pure DCIS and IDC. However, the metabolic profile in DCIS with invasive carcinoma components clearly shifts to be closer to adjacent IDC components. For instance, DCIS with invasive carcinoma components showed lower levels of antioxidants and higher levels of free fatty acids compared to pure DCIS. Furthermore, the accumulation of long‐chain PUFAs and the phosphatidylinositols (PIs) containing PUFA residues may also be associated with the progression of DCIS. These distinctive metabolic characteristics may offer valuable indications for investigating the malignant potential of DCIS. By combining DESI‐MS data with machine learning (ML) methods, various breast lesions were discriminated. Importantly, the pure DCIS components were successfully distinguished from the DCIS components in samples with invasion in postoperative specimens by a Lasso prediction model, achieving an AUC value of 0.851. In addition, pixel‐level prediction based on DESI‐MS data enabled automatic visualization of tissue properties across whole tissue sections. Summarily, DESI‐MS imaging on histopathological sections can provide abundant metabolic information about breast lesions. By analyzing the spatial metabolic characteristics in tissue sections, this technology has the potential to facilitate accurate diagnosis and individualized treatment of DCIS by inferring the presence of IDC components surrounding DCIS lesions. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
A (Ba0.94Ca0.06)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 ceramic sheet doping to improve the inverse piezoelectric effect of the poly (vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene)‐based composite film
Authors: Ping Yufan , Xia Weimin , Zhou Jiahong , Zhang Xiaofang , Li Zhong
Published: August 2023

A lead‐free tetragonal‐phase (Ba0.94Ca0.06)(Ti0.95Zr0.05)O3 (BCTZ) micro sheet is prepared by molten‐salt growth method, which exhibits a polarizing behavior of relaxor ferroelectricity and possesses a high dielectric constant (εr) of ~2400. Subsequently, the BCTZ sheet is evenly doped into ferroelectric copolymer P(VDF‐TrFE)55/45 mol% with different mass fractions, and the flexible BCTZ/P(VDF‐TrFE) composite films are prepared using a conventional solution casting process. εr of BCTZ/P(VDF‐TrFE) increases with the mass content of BCTZ, and reaches 23.8 in 20 wt% BCTZ sample. Meanwhile, at a high electrical field of 30 MV/m, the strain and electric field of BCTZ/P(VDF‐TrFE) are in the opposite direction, indicating a negative value of piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33) caused by inverse piezoelectric effect. In addition, d33 of different BCTZ/P(VDF‐TrFE) films are fitted using a strain‐electrical field curve, which firstly increases and then decreases with increases in BCTZ content. As such, a high d33 of −47.3 pC/N is obtained in BCTZ/P(VDF‐TrFE)15/85 wt% film. Thus, this research concerning the inverse piezoelectric effect may provide a reference for designing a piezoelectric composite using in transducers and actuators.
Mitigating impact of neurological rehabilitation unit decommissioning
Authors: Gaber Tarek , Dunbar Ed , Allcock Sarah , Basu Bhaskar
Published: August 2023

Most inpatient rehabilitation services enjoy deep connections with their local communities. Therefore, decommissioning services often results in resentment and risks, which are shared by patients, clinicians and communities the unit serves. In this comment article, we discuss our experience dealing with the closure of a popular local neurological rehabilitation unit and how we tried not just to safeguard our patients but also to take the opportunity to further develop and improve our patients’ experience.
Exploring the phenomenon of emigrating psychiatrists from the UK
Authors: Kulkarni Alok , Adebekun Israel , Chakraborty Nandini
Published: August 2023

Emigration of doctors is an international, longstanding, and ongoing phenomenon. Emigration of psychiatrists at various levels of their career from the UK to other countries is an occurrence talked about within peer groups and organisations. Here, the authors explore the numbers of trained psychiatrists on the specialist register of the General Medical Council who left the UK in the last five years and their countries of destination. The research uncovers the scale of the issue and the countries that exhibit strong ‘pull’ factors for psychiatrists.
Estimating protein complex model accuracy based on ultrafast shape recognition and deep learning in CASP15
Authors: Liu Jun , Liu Dong , He Guangxing , Zhang Guijun
Published: August 2023

This article reports and analyzes the results of protein complex model accuracy estimation by our methods (DeepUMQA3 and GraphGPSM) in the 15th Critical Assessment of techniques for protein Structure Prediction (CASP15). The new deep learning‐based multimeric complex model accuracy estimation methods are proposed based on the ensemble of three‐level features coupling with deep residual/graph neural networks. For the input multimeric complex model, we describe it from three levels: overall complex features, intra‐monomer features, and inter‐monomer features. We designed an overall ultrafast shape recognition (USR) to characterize the relationship between local residues and the overall complex topology, and an inter‐monomer USR to characterize the relationship between the residues of one monomer and the topology of other monomers. DeepUMQA3 (Group name: GuijunLab‐RocketX) ranked first in the interface residue accuracy estimation of CASP15. The Pearson correlation between the interface residue Local Distance Difference Test (lDDT) predicted by DeepUMQA3 and the real lDDT is 0.570, the only method that exceeds 0.5. Among the top 5 methods, DeepUMQA3 achieved the highest Pearson correlation of lDDT on 25 out of 39 targets. GraphGPSM (Group name: GuijunLab‐PAthreader) has TM‐score Pearson correlations greater than 0.9 on 14 targets, showing a good ability to estimate the overall fold accuracy. The DeepUMQA3 server is available at http://zhanglab-bioinf.com/DeepUMQA/ and the GraphGPSM server is available at http://zhanglab-bioinf.com/GraphGPSM/.
Suspension Concentrate crop protection formulation design and performance for low spray volume and UAS spray application
Authors: Faers Malcolm A , Sato Yoshitaka , Hilz Emilia , Lamprecht Sybille , Dong Jun , Qi Feng , Ratschinski Arno , Peris Gorka , Gaertzen Oliver , Roechling Andreas
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are providing interesting disruptive solutions for spray application of crop protection products with very‐low spray volumes (VLV) down to 8 L/ha that offer improved sustainability through reduced water volumes and reduced soil compaction. However, the efficacy of products can be reduced by the significantly lower crop/plant spray coverage and formulation designs that can compensate for this are highly important here.

RESULTS

Suspension Concentrate (SC) formulations designed for VLV use containing and delivering low dose rates (g/ha) of organosilicone alkoxylate high‐spreading surfactants were found to result in leaf coverage of VLVs comparable to those observed at higher spray volumes. High spreading was observed on textured leaf surfaces containing sub‐micron sized epicuticular wax crystals. Greenhouse fungal disease studies showed enhanced efficacy with these SC formulations compared to standard SC formulations without these additives and maintained the observed increase in efficacy when applied at VLV. Alternatively, SC formulations without high spreading formulants but containing uptake promoting nonionic surfactants showed enhanced cuticle penetration through isolated cuticles at VLV in comparison to higher spray volumes, with coffee‐ring spray deposit microstructures present at VLVs. Similarly, greenhouse studies showed enhanced efficacy that was maintained at VLV relative to SCs without these additives.

CONCLUSION

At VLVs, SC formulations applied at relatively low dose rates (g/ha) of formulants (adjuvants) enhancing spreading on the leaf surface and/or uptake of the active ingredient(s) maintained good spreading, uptake and biological efficacy in greenhouse studies overcoming the coverage limitations of SC formulations without these additives. This result is unexpected considering the low dose rate of adjuvants used. © 2023 Bayer AG. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.