bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of the relationship between lymphovascular invasion and prognosis of patients with stage I gastric cancer
Authors: Li Dailong , Li Wanqiang , Pang Yaqi , Liu Siqi , Xu Lu , Xu Xinhua
Published: June 2022

Lymphovascular invasion is considered to be a high-risk pathological feature after radical resection of gastric cancer, but the relationship between lymphovascular invasion and the prognosis of stage I gastric cancer is still controversial. Therefore, we used meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the relationship between lymphovascular invasion and the prognosis of stage I gastric cancer. Up to September 2, 2021, the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 2 researchers independently completed the screening of literature, extraction of data, and quality evaluation. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software merged with HR and 95%CI. A total of 7508 patients with stage I gastric cancer were included in 9 studies, and the positive rate of lymphovascular invasion was 17%. Lymphovascular invasion was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (univariate: HR = 4.05, 95%CI: 1.91–8.58; multivariate: HR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.37–3.22) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (univariate: HR = 4.79, 95%CI: 2.30–9.99; multiple: HR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.56–3.00). This study indicates that lymphovascular invasion is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with stage I gastric cancer, and can be used as a reference index for postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Clinical significance and prospective molecular mechanism of NUF2 in gastric cancer exploration: A comprehensive study based on the GeneChip, GEO, Oncomine, and TCGA databases
Authors: Ge Lv’rong , Sun Qing , Xia Lian , Xu Xin
Published: June 2022

Nuf2 is a combination of silica and spindle microtubules during the cells in the cells, participating in regulatory cell proliferation and apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that the growth of gastric cancer (GC) cells is significantly inhibited after siRNA-mediated Nuf2 gene knockout. However, the expression, survival and molecular mechanism of nuf2 in patients with GC are still unclear.

This study revealed the prognostic role of Nuf2 in GC and its relationship with immune cells. The expression of Nuf2 in GC by TIMER database and Oncomine database, and evaluated the relationship between the expression of Nuf2 and the survival and prognosis of patients with GC by Kaplan–Meier Plotter database and gene expression profiling interactive analysis database.

Here, we revealed that Nuf2 is highly expressed in GC and is related to the prognosis of patients with GC. And there is a significant negative correlation between the Nuf2 transcription level and high immune cell infiltration. Notably, the expression of Nuf2 in GC patients with Her2 negative rather than positive is related to poor OS, FP and PPS, indicating the potential to target Nuf2 gene in GC patients with Her2 negative.

We suggested that Nuf2 could be used as a diagnostic gene as a biomarker of the occurrence and prognosis of GC.
Process of cerebral edema in the infarct core after reperfusion: A case report
Authors: Peng Liebiao , Wang Rongfei
Published: June 2022

Rationale:

It is generally believed that cerebral infarction shows hypoattenuation on computed tomography (CT) scans 12 to 24 hours after onset. Cerebral edema affects the occurrence of hypoattenuation, originating from the inner edge of the infarct and extending to the core. When reperfusion occurs in the infarct, the process of cerebral edema changes significantly, affecting the imaging of cerebral infarction on CT scans. This article focused on the mechanism of cerebral edema to provide a new perspective for understanding the impact of reperfusion on cerebral infarction.

Patient concerns:

We describe the case of a 77-year-old man who presented with an acute onset of right limb weakness with speech difficulties 10 hours before the visit. He had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 4 months ago. During the acute phase of infarction, the central area of the hypoattenuated infarct appears as isodensity on CT scans in this case.

Diagnoses:

The patient was diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction, cardiogenic cerebral embolism, and spontaneous recanalization of left middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Interventions:

Metoprolol was given to control the ventricular rate. The patient received blood pressure control, symptomatic management, and rehabilitation treatments.

Outcomes:

Finally, the patient became alert.

Lessons:

Cerebral edema originating directly in the infarct core after reperfusion could lead to a significantly accelerated edema process and imaging evolution, causing more severe cerebral damage. In such a case, the patient should not receive antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in order to prevent bleeding conversion.
Femoral prosthesis fracture after hip arthroplasty revision: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Yuan Long , Li Sen , Li Wanxiang , Bian Jichao , Bao Yahui , Zhou Xiaopeng , Zhang Yuanmin , Li Wang , Wang Guodong
Published: June 2022

Rationale:

A solution revision prosthesis has a multilayer microporous Porocoat coating, and the availability of multiple stem body sizes ensures that the prosthesis is adapted to each patient’s anatomical structure so that there a firm attachment with the bone cortex in the middle of the femur. Therefore, the Solution prosthesis is one of the most commonly used and most effective prostheses in total hip arthroplasty worldwide.

Patient concerns:

We reported a case of a 54-year-old female patient with periprosthetic femoral fractures after hip arthroplasty.

Diagnosis:

The case was identified as type B2 prosthesis loosening according to the Vancouver classification.

Interventions:

We performed revision surgery on her using the Solution prosthesis. Seven months after the surgery, the patient developed a mid-femoral prosthesis fracture for no apparent reason. We performed a second revision surgery of the hip joint and allogeneic bone plate fixation.

Outcomes:

The patient was satisfied with the treatment.

Lessons:

For patients with type B2 prosthesis loosening and prosthesis fracture, hip arthroplasty revision and an allogeneic bone plate could be used to ensure more stable support.
Comparison of learning curves for laparoendoscopic single-site myomectomy performed by 2 surgeons
Authors: Lu Yuanyuan , Yang Fan , Tong Longxia , Zheng Ying
Published: June 2022

We aimed to compare the learning curves of 2 surgeons with different endoscopic bases when performing laparoendoscopic single-site myomectomy (LESS-M).

We retrospectively analyzed and compared 2 groups of patients who underwent LESS-M performed by 2 surgeons with different bases in multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MLS) from October 2019 to December 2020 at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University. Patients’ characteristics and related surgical indicators were compared, and surgeons’ learning curves were analyzed using a cumulative sum analysis.

All of the patients completed LESS-M without converting to MLS or laparotomy, despite Surgeon A being MLS-unqualified and Surgeon B being MLS-qualified. There were no significant differences in patients’ characteristics or surgical indicators between the 2 groups (P > 0.05 for all). Surgeons A and B crossed the learning curve after 21 and 18 cases, respectively.

LESS-M is safe and feasible. Approximately 20 cases are required for surgeons to achieve LESS-M proficiency, and surgeons without MLS experience can still master LESS-M.
Association of empty nest with depressive symptom among Chinese elderly population: The China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey
Authors: Zheng Pianpian , Yang Hanmo , Wang Zhenjie
Published: June 2022

Currently, empty nest has become one type of the family pattern among the old population and it influences the old population’s mental health. The current study aimed to explore the association between the empty nest and depressive symptoms (DSs) among the elderly population in China. Data were obtained from baseline of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the empty nest and DS among Chinese older adults. In the current study, 48% of the subjects were empty-nest elderly. The prevalence of DS was 43.7% among the empty-nest old population, which was higher than the nonempty nesters. A positive association was found between the empty nest and DS; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.28 (1.16–1.42). No matter living with a spouse or living alone, empty nesters were more likely to have DS than nonempty nesters. Empty nest is a risk factor for having DS among the old population in China, especially among those who live without a spouse. Our result is valuable for the development of special family support DS prevention programs for those who were empty nest.
Computed tomography study of bovine arch in patients with coarctation of aorta: A retrospective report analysis
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed , Alotay Abdelmajeed , Alkashlan Ebrahim , Ghazy Mohamed , Abdelkader Ashraf
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study was to define the frequency of the bovine aortic arch in patients with coarctation using the tomographic studies.

This is a descriptive retrospective study involving analysis of reports of computed tomographic angiography done at the Prince Sultan Cardiac center for 700 children with congenital heart diseases over a span of about 10 years from April 1, 2008, to August 1, 2018. Cases with coarctation of aorta were chosen to determine the frequency of the bovine aortic arch using the tomographic studies.

From a total of 700 cases which underwent computed tomographic angiography, 117 (16.71%) were diagnosed with coarctation and 19 (2.71%) had bovine arch. Among the 117 patients with coarctation, the total number of patients with bovine arch was 7 patients representing 5.98%, while in patients without coarctation we found a total number of bovine arches of 12 out of 583 patients representing 2.06%. Patients having coarctation with normal branching pattern were at a slight increased incidence of atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and anomalous pulmonary venous return than patients having coarctation with bovine arch.

In the face of increased incidence of bovine aortic arch in patients with coarctation, we recommend multislice computed tomographic angiography as a noninvasive and potentially safe and accurate method to precisely delineate the branching pattern of the arch of aorta in patients with coarctation before the interventional procedures and surgeries.
Establishing a Nurse Champion Education Program for Perinatal Home Health Nurses
Authors: Smith Pamela C. , Yonkaitis Catherine F.
Published: June 2022

Professional development is essential for the ongoing professional growth of nurses and ensures employers and patients that staff have current knowledge in the field. But what happens when there's no budget for professional development? This quality improvement project describes the use of a nurse champion intervention for a professional development program for perinatal home health nurses at a nonprofit health organization. A nurse champion mentors and advocates for nurse colleagues during a change project. In this case, the nurse champion partnered with nurse educators from the supporting hospital and instituted a program to provide regular professional development content to perinatal home health nurses. Results showed their level of confidence in providing prenatal, labor and delivery, and early pediatric education improved. Level of confidence in providing postpartum education stayed the same, and level of confidence in providing neonatal intensive care unit education decreased. The Nurse Champion Education Program was a budget-friendly solution that fostered professional nursing development. Although this intervention was applied to a specific population, all home health nurses could benefit from a nurse champion education model in their professional setting.
An Evaluation of Traditional Versus Virtual Nurse Residency Programs on New Graduate Nurses’ Perceptions of Preparedness to Provide Safe Patient Care
Authors: Healy Allison , Luca Wendy , Gallagher Kelly , Angelia Andre J. , Book Karyn A. , Smith Beth A. , Renkema Angela , Kempf Sheila G. , Giordano Nicholas A. , Polomano Rosemary , Mastro Kari A.
Published: June 2022

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse residents’ perceptions of preparedness while learning in a virtual environment remains unknown. This cohort study compared nurse residents’ perceptions of preparedness in traditional in-person versus virtual learning environments. Results found no statistically significant differences between these two groups over 1 year. This demonstrates that a virtual learning format can achieve comparable outcomes to a traditional in-person learning format in successfully transitioning newly licensed nurses into the profession.
Paired Exchange Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Nine-year Experience From North India
Authors: Agrawal Dhiraj , Saigal Sanjiv , Jadaun Shekhar Singh , Singh Shweta A. , Agrawal Shaleen , Gupta Subhash
Published: June 2022

Background.

Paired exchange liver transplantation is an evolving strategy to overcome ABO blood group incompatibility and other barriers such as inadequate graft-to-recipient weight ratio and low remnant liver volume in donors. However, for the transplant team to carry 4 major operations simultaneously is a Herculean effort. We analyzed our experience with liver paired exchange (LPE) program over the past 9 y.

Methods.

This prospective study included 34 of 2340 (1.45%) living donor liver transplantations performed between May 2012 and April 2021. The reason for LPE was ABO incompatibility in all (n = 34) patients included in the study. After donor reassignment through 2-by-2 paired exchange with directed donors, the ABO matching status changed from A to A (n = 17) and B to B (n = 17), which made all matches ABO-identical. Recipients (R) and donors (D) of each swap pair were prospectively divided into R1/D1 and R2/D2 groups for comparative and survival analyses.

Results.

The recipients (n = 34) had a median age of 45.5 y (11–59 y), and 31 were men. LPEs were performed in 4 operating rooms running simultaneously by 2 independent surgical teams. Donor survival was 100%. Baseline clinical and perioperative parameters, postoperative complications, median intensive care unit/hospital stay, and early deaths were comparable (P > 0.1) between the R1 and R2 groups. The median follow-up period was 27 mo (1–108 mo). The 30-d and 1-y survivals were 88.2% (n = 30) and 85.3% (n = 29), respectively.

Conclusions.

Our experience suggests that with careful attention to ethical and logistical issues, the LPE program can expand the living donor liver pool and facilitate a greater number of living donor liver transplantations.
Acinar-to-ductal metaplasia in the pancreas requires a glycolytic switch and functional mitochondria
Authors: Neuß Thorsten , Wirges Nils , Chen Min-Chun , Usluer Sinem , Oellinger Rupert , Lier Svenja , Dudek Michael , Madl Tobias , Jastroch Martin , Steiger Katja , Schmitz Werner , Einwächter Henrik , Schmid Roland M.
Published: June 2022

Reprogramming of the cellular metabolism is a hallmark of pancreatic cancer, yet it remains unclear at what stage during carcinogenesis it occurs. Here, we investigated the metabolic requirements for acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), the first step in pancreatic carcinogenesis. We detected increased glycolytic marker expression in human ADM suggesting that a metabolic switch occurs during ADM formation. We report that this switch was similarly required for ADM formation in different oncogenic mouse models (KRAS, PI3K, and MEK1) and in ligand-induced ADM in mouse wild-type acini.

In addition, we show that a functional electron transport chain (ETC), but not mitochondrial ATP production, was essential to ADM formation. We conclude that the ETC provides NAD+for thede novosynthesis of serine from glycolysis intermediates. Our findings demonstrate that metabolic programming is essential for the initiation of pancreatic carcinogenesis and thus identifies potential targets for metabolic intervention.
Frequent spontaneous structural rearrangements promote rapid genome diversification in a Brassica napus F1 generation
Authors: Orantes-Bonilla Mauricio , Makhoul Manar , Lee HueyTyng , Chawla Harmeet Singh , Vollrath Paul , Langstroff Anna , Sedlazeck Fritz J. , Zou Jun , Snowdon Rod J.
Published: June 2022

In a cross between two homozygous Brassica napus plants of synthetic and natural origin, we demonstrate that novel structural genome variants from the synthetic parent cause immediate genome diversification among F1 offspring. Long read sequencing in twelve F1 sister plants revealed five large-scale structural rearrangements where both parents carried different homozygous alleles but the heterozygous F1 genomes were not identical heterozygotes as expected. Such spontaneous rearrangements were part of homoeologous exchanges or segmental deletions and were identified in different, individual F1 plants. The variants caused deletions, gene copy-number variations, diverging methylation patterns and other structural changes in large numbers of genes and may have been causal for unexpected phenotypic variation between individual F1 sister plants, for example strong divergence of plant height and leaf area. This example supports the hypothesis that spontaneous de novo structural rearrangements after de novo polyploidization can rapidly overcome intense allopolyploidization bottlenecks to re-expand crops genetic diversity for ecogeographical expansion and human selection. The findings imply that natural genome restructuring in allopolyploid plants from interspecific hybridization, a common approach in plant breeding, can have a considerably more drastic impact on genetic diversity in agricultural ecosystems than extremely precise, biotechnological genome modifications.
Persistence of pneumococcal carriage among older adults in the community despite COVID-19 mitigation measures
Authors: Wyllie Anne L. , Mbodj Sidiya , Thammavongsa Darani A. , Hislop Maikel S. , Yolda-Carr Devyn , Waghela Pari , Nakahata Maura , Watkins Anne E. , Vega Noel J. , York Anna , Allicock Orchid M. , Wilkins Geisa , Ouyang Andrea , Siqueiros Laura , Strong Yvette , Anastasio Kelly , Alexander-Parrish Ronika , Arguedas Adriano , Gessner Bradford D. , Weinberger Daniel M.
Published: June 2022

Background

Reported rates of invasive pneumococcal disease were markedly lower than normal during the 2020/2021 winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the first year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about rates of carriage of pneumococcus among adults during this period.

Methods

Between October 2020-August 2021, couples living in the Greater New Haven Area were enrolled if both individuals were aged 60 years and above and did not have any individuals under the age of 60 years living in the household. Saliva samples and questionnaires regarding social activities and contacts and medical history were obtained every 2 weeks for a period of 10 weeks. Following culture-enrichment, extracted DNA was tested using qPCR for pneumococcus-specific sequences piaB and lytA. Individuals were considered positive for pneumococcal carriage when Ct-values for piaB were less than 40.

Results

We collected 567 saliva samples from 95 individuals aged 60 years and above (47 household pairs and one singleton). Of those, 7.1% of samples tested positive for pneumococcus by either piaB only (n=6) or both piaB and lytA (n=34), representing 22/95 (23.2%) individuals and 16/48 (33.3%) households over the course of the 10-week study period. Study participants attended few social events during this period. However, many participants continued to have regular contact with children. Individuals who had regular contact with preschool and school aged children (i.e., 2-9 year olds) had a higher prevalence of carriage (15.9% vs 5.4%).

Conclusions

Despite COVID-19-related disruptions, a large proportion of older adults carried pneumococcus at least once during the 10-week study period. Prevalence was particularly high among those who had contact with school-aged children, but carriage was not limited to this group.
Preventing diabetic foot ulcers in low resource settings using Pedal Elevated Temperature Risk Assessment (PETRA)
Authors: Huemer Kayla , Wei Qingyue , Nallan Srikar , Jebasingh Felix , Palaniappan Latha
Published: June 2022

Diabetic foot ulcers develop for up to 1 in 3 patients with diabetes. While ulcers are costly to manage and often necessitate an amputation, they are preventable if intervention is initiated early. However, with current standard of care, it is difficult to know which patients are at highest risk of developing an ulcer. Recently, thermal monitoring has been shown to catch the development of complications around 35 days in advance of onset. We seek to use thermal scans of patients’ with diabetes feet to automatically detect and classify a patient’s risk for foot ulcer development so that intervention may be initiated. We began by comparing performance of various architectures (backbone: DFTnet, ResNet50, and Swin Transformer) trained on visual spectrum images for monofilament task. We moved forward with the highest accuracy model which used ResNet50 as backbone (DFTNet acc. 68.18%, ResNet50 acc. 81.81%, Transformers: acc. 72.72%) to train on thermal images for the risk prediction task and achieved 96.4% acc. To increase interpretability of the model, we then trained this same architecture to predict two standard of care risk scores: high vs low-risk monofilament scores (81.8% accuracy) and high vs low-risk biothesiometer score (77.4% accuracy). We then sought to improve performance by facilitating the model’s learning. By annotating feet bounding boxes, we trained our own YoloV4 detector to automatically detect feet in our images (mAp accuracy of 99.7% and IoU of 86.%). By using these bounding box predictions as input to the model, this improved performance of our two classification tasks: MF 84.1%, BT 83.9%. We then sought to further improve the accuracy of these classification tasks with two further experiments implementing visual images of the feet: 1) training the models only on visual images (Risk: 97.6%, MF: 86.3%, BT: 80.6%), 2) concatenating visual images alongside the thermal images either early (E) or late (L) fusion in the architecture (Risk, E: 99.4%, L: 98.8% ; MF, E: 86.4%, L: 90.9%; BT, E: 83.9%, L: 83.9%). Our results demonstrate promise for thermal and visible spectrum images to be capable of providing insight to doctors such that they know which patients to intervene for in order to prevent ulceration and ultimately save the patient’s limb.
Manufacturing Processes of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Allergen Powder-dnfp
Authors: Leonard Stephanie A. , Ogawa Yasushi , Jedrzejewski Paul T. , Maleki Soheila J. , Chapman Martin D. , Tilles Stephen A. , Toit George Du , Mustafa S. Shahzad , Vickery Brian P.
Published: June 2022

Important components of drug safety, efficacy, and acceptability involve manufacturing and testing of the drug substance and drug product. Peanut flour sourcing/processing and manufacturing processes may affect final drug product allergen potency and contamination level, possibly impacting drug safety, quality, and efficacy. We describe key steps in the manufacturing processes of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) allergen powder-dnfp (PTAH; Palforzia®), a drug used in oral immunotherapy (OIT) for the treatment of peanut allergy. Established criteria for source material must be met for manufacturing PTAH drug product. Degree of roasting was determined with a Hunter colorimeter. Protein/allergen content, identity, potency, safety, and quality of each batch of PTAH drug substance were assessed with a combustion analyzer, allergen-specific Western blot (immunoblotting), ELISA, and HPLC; contaminants (i.e., aflatoxin) were measured by UPLC. Roasting degree beyond “light roast” was associated with variable degrees of protein allergen degradation, or potentially aggregation, particularly for Ara h 1 and Ara h 3. Relative potency and amounts of protein allergens showed variability due in part to seasonal/manufacturing variability. Proportion of lots not meeting aflatoxin limits has increased in recent years. Up to 60% of peanut flour source material failed to meet screening selection acceptance criteria for proceeding to drug substance testing, mostly because of failure to meet potency acceptance criteria. Other lots were rejected due to safety and quality. Influence of potency variation, within specification parameters, on safety/tolerability observed in trials was considered low, in part due to stringent controls placed at each step of manufacture. Extensive variability in allergen potency is a critical issue during immunotherapy, particularly during OIT initial dose escalation and up-dosing, as it may result in lack of efficacy or avoidable adverse allergic reactions. Based on EU and US regulatory requirements, the production of PTAH includes manufacturing controls to ensure drug product safety, potency, and quality. For example, although PTAH contains all peanut allergens, each lot has met strict criteria ensuring consistent allergenic potency of Ara h 1, Ara h 2, and Ara h 6. The rigor of PTAH’s manufacturing process ensures reliable dose consistency and stability throughout its shelf life.
Hybrid and vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in MS patients on different disease-modifying therapies
Authors: Kister Ilya , Curtin Ryan , Pei Jinglan , Perdomo Katherine , Bacon Tamar E. , Voloshyna Iryna , Kim Joseph , Tardio Ethan , Velmurugu Yogambigai , Nyovanie Samantha , Calderon Andrea Valeria , Dibba Fatoumatta , Idga Stanzin , Samanovic Marie I. , Raut Pranil , Raposo Catarina , Priest Jessica , Cabatingan Mark , Winger Ryan C. , Mulligan Mark J. , Patskovsky Yury , Silverman Gregg J. , Krogsgaard Michelle
Published: June 2022

Objective

To compare ‘hybrid immunity’ (prior COVID-19 infection plus vaccination) and post-vaccination immunity to SARS CoV-2 in MS patients on different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and to assess the impact of vaccine product and race/ethnicity on post-vaccination immune responses.

Methods

Consecutive MS patients from NYU MS Care Center (New York, NY), aged 18-60, who completed COVID-19 vaccination series ≥6 weeks previously were evaluated for SARS CoV-2-specific antibody responses with electro-chemiluminescence and multiepitope bead-based immunoassays and, in a subset, live virus immunofluorescence-based microneutralization assay. SARS CoV-2-specific cellular responses were assessed with cellular stimulation TruCulture IFNγ and IL-2 assay and, in a subset, with IFNγ and IL-2 ELISpot assays. Multivariate analyses examined associations between immunologic responses and prior COVID-19 infection while controlling for age, sex, DMT at vaccination, time-to-vaccine, and vaccine product.

Results

Between 6/01/2021-11/11/2021, 370 MS patients were recruited (mean age 40.6 years; 76% female; 53% non-White; 22% with prior infection; common DMT classes: ocrelizumab 40%; natalizumab 15%, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators 13%; and no DMT 8%). Vaccine-to-collection time was 18.7 (±7.7) weeks and 95% of patients received mRNA vaccines. In multivariate analyses, patients with laboratory-confirmed prior COVID-19 infection had significantly increased antibody and cellular post-vaccination responses compared to those without prior infection. Vaccine product and DMT class were independent predictors of antibody and cellular responses, while race/ethnicity was not.

Interpretation

Prior COVID-19 infection is associated with enhanced antibody and cellular post-vaccine responses independent of DMT class and vaccine type. There were no differences in immune responses across race/ethnic groups.
Fibroblastic cells are a site of mouse cytomegalovirusin vivolytic replication and latent persistence oppositely regulated byStat1
Authors: Sitnik Katarzyna M. , Krstanović Fran , Gödecke Natascha , Rand Ulfert , Kubsch Tobias , Maaß Henrike , Kim Yeonsu , Brizić Ilija , Čičin-Šain Luka
Published: June 2022

To date, no herpesvirus has been shown to latently persist in fibroblastic cells. Here, we demonstrate that mouse CMV (MCMV), a β-herpesvirus, persists for the long term and across organs in PDGFRα+fibroblastic cells, with similar or higher genome loads than in the previously known sites of MCMV latency. Whereas MCMV gene transcription in PDGFRα+fibroblastic cells was almost completely silenced at 5 months post-infection, these cells gave rise to reactivated virusex vivo, arguing that they supported latent MCMV infection. Notably, PDGFRα+fibroblastic cells also supported productive virus replication during primary MCMV infection. Mechanistically,Stat1-deficiency resulted in increased lytic but abolished latent infection of fibroblastic cellsin vivo. In sum, fibroblastic cells have a dual role as a site of lytic MCMV replication and a reservoir of latent MCMVin vivoandStat1is critically involved in the regulation of MCMV latency.
RootSlice– a novel functional-structural model for root anatomical phenotypes
Authors: Sidhu Jagdeep Singh , Ajmera Ishan , Arya Sankalp , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: June 2022

Root anatomy is an important determinant of root metabolic costs, soil exploration, and soil resource capture. Root anatomy varies substantially within and among plant species.RootSliceis a multicellular functional-structural model of root anatomy developed to facilitate the analysis and understanding of root anatomical phenotypes.RootSlicecan capture phenotypically accurate root anatomy in three dimensions of different root classes and developmental zones, of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species. Several case studies are presented illustrating the capabilities of the model. For maize nodal roots, the model illustrated the role of vacuole expansion in cell elongation; and confirmed the individual and synergistic role of increasing root cortical aerenchyma and reducing the number of cortical cell files in reducing root metabolic costs. Integration ofRootSlicefor different root zones as the temporal properties of the nodal roots in the whole-plant and soil modelOpenSimRoot/maizeenabled the multiscale evaluation of root anatomical phenotypes, highlighting the role of aerenchyma formation in enhancing the utility of cortical cell files for improving plant performance over varying soil nitrogen supply. Such integrativein silicoapproaches present avenues for exploring the fitness landscape of root anatomical phenotypes.

Summary statement

Root anatomy remains an underutilized target for crop breeding.RootSlice, a multicellular functional-structural model of root anatomy, simulates the costs and benefits of diverse root anatomical phenotypes to estimate their utility for plant fitness in unfavorable soil environments.
Vitamin D and the ability to produce 1,25(OH)2D are critical for protection from viral infection of the lungs
Authors: Arora Juhi , Patel Devanshi , Nicol McKayla J. , Field Cassandra J , Restori Katherine H. , Wang Jinpeng , Froelich Nicole E. , Katkere Bhuvana , Terwilliger Josey A. , Weaver Veronika , Luley Erin , Kelly Kathleen , Kirimanjeswara Girish S. , Sutton Troy C. , Cantorna Margherita T.
Published: June 2022

Vitamin D supplementation has been linked to improved outcomes from respiratory virus infection, and the COVID19 pandemic has renewed interest in understanding the potential role of vitamin D in protecting the lung from viral infections. Therefore, we evaluated the role of Vitamin D using animal models of pandemic H1N1 influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection. In mice, dietary induced vitamin D deficiency resulted in lung inflammation that was present prior to infection. Vitamin D sufficient (D+) and deficient (D-) wildtype (WT) and D+ and D-Cyp27B1 (Cyp) knockout (KO, cannot produce 1,25(OH)2D) mice were infected with pandemic H1N1. D- WT, D+ Cyp KO, and D- Cyp KO mice all exhibited significantly reduced survival compared to D+ WT mice. Importantly, survival was not the result of reduced viral replication as influenza M gene expression in the lungs was similar for all animals. Based on these findings, additional experiments were performed using the mouse and hamster models of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In these studies, high dose vitamin D supplementation reduced lung inflammation in mice but not hamsters. A trend to faster weight recovery was observed in 1,25(OH)2D treated mice that survived SARS-CoV-2 infection. There was no effect of vitamin D on SARS-CoV-2 N gene expression in the lung of either mice or hamsters. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency enhanced disease severity, while vitamin D sufficient/supplementation reduced inflammation following infections with H1N1 influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
A point mutation in Chl biosynthesis gene Mg-chelatase I subunit influences on leaf color and metabolism in strawberry
Authors: Ma Yang-Yang , Shi Jian-Cheng , Wang Dan-Juan , Liang Xia , Wei Feng , Gong Chun-mei , Qiu Li-juan , Wen Ying-Qiang , Feng Jia-Yue
Published: June 2022

Magnesium chelatase catalysis the insertion of magnesium into protoporphyrin IX is a vital step in chlorophyll biogenesis. It consists of three subunits, CHLI, CHLD and CHLH. The CHLI subunit is an ATPase and hydrolysis ATP in the catalysis. However, its key point on influencing flavonoid biosynthesis and chlorophyll accumulation under different light density was still unknown. In this study, we identified an N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutant, p240 from strawberry Fragaria pentaphylla that has yellow-green leaves and lower chlorophyll level. We verified the mutation occurs in the 186th amino acid of CHLI subunit, which is conserved in most photosynthetic organism. Mutants generated from RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing confirmed this phenotype. In addition, we found that FpCHLI was localized in chloroplast and its subcellular location have not been changed by mutation. Further study showed that the interaction between FpCHLI and FpCHLD were not affected by mutagenesis. In contrast, all types of mutants showed reduced ATPase and magnesium chelatase activity indicating mutagenesis decreased enzymatic activities. Furthermore, mutagenesis suppressed the biosynthesis of Mg-proto IX. Metabolites analysis of gene knock-out mutant and WT revealed that CHLI may help to keep stabilizing the flavonoid level in leaves. Furthermore, both p240 and chli mutants are light sensitive, which has yellow leaves under high light but pale green leaves under poor light. The photosynthesis ability of mutants was also increased under shade. Moreover, stomatal apertures of mutants were wider than WT. Taken together, these results suggest that CHLI plays an important role in both leaf coloration and metabolism.
The antecedents of m-banking usage under capital controls in Greece – a mixed methods approach
Authors: Patsiotis Athanasios , Krasonikolakis Ioannis , Lyu Jing
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Capital controls restrict cash withdrawals and international transfers, among other restrictions. The purpose of the study is to explore how capital controls have influenced m-banking usage and disclose the underlying factors that explain m-banking usage intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Grounded on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study assumes that usage behavior may be different from intentions to adopt. In-depth interviews (study 1) were employed with both consumers and bank employees to explore the factors of m-banking adoption under capital controls, followed by an online survey (study 2) pertaining to examine the relationships between underlying factors.

Findings

Study 1 reveals that the growth of m-banking usage is strongly associated with capital controls that perceived ease of use, usefulness, risk, technology anxiety and decision comfort are significant attributes in influencing usage intention. Study 2 verifies that most underlying factors are important predictors of m-banking usage intention, except technology anxiety does not impact m-banking usage.

Research limitations/implications

The respective effects on usage intentions may be different in the absence of capital controls. A similar study could examine the importance of the respective constructs in conditions of no forced use. The case of forcing consumers to adopt a technological innovation could be further explored.

Practical implications

Retail banking consumers have changed their banking and financing behaviors because of capital controls. Forced usage may cause customers to cultivate positive attitudes towards the technology and consider it for continuous usage.

Originality/value

Capital controls were found to impact positively customer behavior towards m-banking. It is revealed that capital controls have forced bank customers to adopt and use m-banking for their financial needs.
The impact of fossil fuel subsidies on income inequality: accounting for the interactive roles of corruption and economic uncertainty
Authors: Solarin Sakiru Adebola
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of this empirical study is to examine the determinants of income inequality with particular concentration on the impact of fossil fuel subsidies, while controlling for corruption, economic uncertainty and democratisation in developing nations.

Design/methodology/approach

Generalised method of moments (GMM) is the principal method used in this study due to time and cross-sectional dimensions of the series under observation. Augmented mean group (AMG) method has been used as an alternative estimator.

Findings

The results revealed that increase in fossil fuel subsidies causes greater income inequality. The results indicate that corruption and uncertainty aggravate the impact of fossil fuel subsidies on inequality. The results are not materially different when an alternative estimation technique is used to estimate the regressions.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses data for 31 developing countries. So, with availability of more datasets in the future, further studies can include more countries in their analyses.

Practical implications

Price reforms resulting in a major decrease in the fossil fuel subsidies is needed in these developing countries. The authorities must ensure that fiscal savings, structural adjustment and enhanced efficiency in production resulting from energy price reforms serve as catalyst to promote income distribution in these countries.

Originality/value

The author’s first addition to the literature is that the study has concentrated on the fossil fuel subsidies and income inequality relationship, which has not been sufficiently treated in the existing literature. Without adequately knowing the key factors determining income inequality, it may be difficult to use appropriate programmes that will safeguard appropriate income distribution.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2021-0675
Does media exposure moderate the relationship between ownership structure and environmental disclosure quality: evidence from Jordan
Authors: Ananzeh Husam , Bugshan Abdullah , Amayreh Ibrahim
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Given the increasing emphasis on environmental issues, this study attempts to offer concrete evidence on the relationship between ownership structure and environmental disclosure quality and whether media exposure moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample adopted in this study includes a group of 94 Jordanian companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2016. Data about companies' environmental disclosure were manually collected using the content analysis method.

Findings

Our findings reveal that increasing the levels of ownership concentration and management ownership can negatively impact the quality of environmental reporting among companies in Jordan. This type of reporting, however, is likely to be benefited from the presence of a high level of foreign ownership. In terms of the role played by media, media coverage may act as a buffer against the negative relationship between environmental reporting and ownership concentration and management ownership. On the other hand, the relationship between foreign ownership and environmental reporting remains positive and significant no matter the amount of media attention the company is receiving.

Originality/value

This study is crucial because it contributes to the existing environmental debate studies in two crucial ways. It first offers the first evidence on how media exposure can moderate the relationship between ownership structure and environmental disclosure. Second, this study's findings provide important implications for regulators and policymakers in Jordan.
Thermal remote sensing for plant ecology from leaf to globe
Authors: Farella Martha M. , Fisher Joshua B. , Jiao Wenzhe , Key Kesondra B. , Barnes Mallory L.
Published: June 2022

Surface temperatures are mechanistically linked to vegetation biophysical and physiological processes. Although remote sensing in the thermal infrared (TIR) domain can offer novel insights into the impacts of changing surface temperatures on vegetation, the transformative potential of remote sensing for plant ecology has not yet been realized.

Remotely sensed surface temperatures can be used to derive stomatal behaviour and identify stressful environmental conditions in near‐real time. Plant species, traits and structural characteristics can be evaluated with high spectral resolution TIR emissivity.

Beyond canopy scales, thermal remote sensing can enhance the inferences obtained from manipulative experiments and empirical evidence, providing unique insight into shifts in species ranges and phenology with changing climate conditions.

Scaling leaf traits, canopy structure and regional patterns require an integrated understanding of both process and technology. Theory linking surface temperatures to vegetation dynamics is summarized from an energy balance perspective. We outline scaling considerations including the impacts of morphology on leaf energy balance, canopy structure influences on convective heat exchange and potential confounding impacts of non‐vegetated surfaces.

Synthesis. We introduce a unifying framework to link leaf to globe through thermal remote sensing. Recent and emerging advances in sensors, data availability and analytics, together with synergies between TIR remote sensing and other data sources, present a timely opportunity for ecologists to advance our understanding of plant physiology, ecology and biogeography with thermal remote sensing.
The Colorado River Basin Operational Prediction Testbed: A Framework for Evaluating Streamflow Forecasts and Reservoir Operations
Authors: Baker Sarah A. , Wood Andy W. , Rajagopalan Balaji , Prairie James , Jerla Carly , Zagona Edith , Butler Robert A. , Smith Rebecca
Published: June 2022

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) plays a central management role in the Colorado River Basin (CRB), with an increasing focus on meeting the needs of stakeholders during the current drought. One aspect of this role involves generating five‐year projections of reservoir operating conditions in the federal multi‐reservoir system. These projections are the basis for estimating the probability of shortage conditions, which are relied on by stakeholders, and are particularly important during drought. Currently, Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP) forecasts drive Reclamation's Colorado River Mid‐term Modeling System to produce probabilistic reservoir projections to be used in risk‐based analysis and decision support for the first two years of the outlook period. The lack of significant forecast skill beyond the first year motivates interest in alternative forecasting approaches. The CRB Operational Prediction Testbed was created to provide a quantitative and consistent framework for assessing the skill of streamflow forecasts and their impact on associated reservoir system projections. Reservoir system projections are evaluated by analyzing Lakes Powell and Mead operations, including projected pool elevation and operating tiers. In an initial application of this testbed, ESP forecasts were compared to experimental streamflow forecasts to assess their skill impact on two‐year reservoir projections, which are critical information for managing drought.
Using national data to model the New Zealand radiation oncology workforce
Authors: Dunn Alex , Costello Shaun , Imlach Fiona , Jo Emmanuel , Gurney Jason , Simpson Rose , Sarfati Diana
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Demand for radiation therapy is expected to increase over time. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, the radiation oncology workforce experiences high numbers of clinical hours but an intervention rate that is lower than in comparable countries, suggesting unmet treatment need. Accurate models on the supply and demand for radiation oncologists (ROs) are needed to ensure adequate staffing levels.

Methods

We developed a demand model that predicted the future number of ROs required, using national data from the Radiation Oncology Collection (ROC) and a survey of ROs. Radiation therapy intervention and retreatment rates (IR/RTRs), and benign and non‐cancer conditions being treated, were derived from the ROC and applied to Census population projections. Survey data provided definitions of treatment by complexity, time spent in different activities and time available for work. Results were linked to radiation oncology workforce forecasts from a supply model developed by the Ministry of Health.

Results

The demand model showed that 85 ROs would be needed in 2031, if current IR/RTRs were maintained, an increase from 68 in 2021. The supply model predicted a decrease in ROs over time, leaving a significant shortfall. Model parameters could be modified to assess the impact of workforce or practice changes; more ROs would be needed if average working hours reduced or IR/RTRs increased.

Conclusion

Workforce models based on robust data collections are an important tool for workforce planning. The RO demand model presented here combines detailed information on treatment and work activities to provide credible estimates that can be used to inform actions on training, recruitment and retention.