bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and narrow pelvis prolong the operative time in conventional laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, but not in a two‐team transanal total mesorectal excision approach
Authors: Hasegawa Hiroshi , Matsuda Takeru , Yamashita Kimihiro , Sawada Ryuichiro , Harada Hitoshi , Urakawa Naoki , Goto Hironobu , Kanaji Shingo , Oshikiri Taro , Kakeji Yoshihiro
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Narrow pelvis, tumor diameter, and obesity have been reported as clinical variables correlated with the difficulty of conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection (Lap‐LAR). A two‐team transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) approach where the transabdominal and TaTME are performed simultaneously might reduce the difficulty associated with these factors. This study aimed to clarify the factors associated with the longer time required for TME (TME time) in conventional Lap‐LAR and a two‐team approach for TaTME.

Methods

We analyzed 52 patients with rectal carcinoma treated with Lap‐LAR and 35 patients treated with TaTME. We performed simple linear regression analysis to assess the association between TME time and bony pelvic size using 3D pelvimetry, longest tumor diameter, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Linear regression analysis demonstrated a highly significant association between TME time and obstetric conjugate (R2 = 0.098, P = .024) and BMI (R2 = 0.307, P < .001) in the Lap‐LAR group, while no significant association was observed in the TaTME group. Male patients, who had a narrower bony pelvis and higher BMI than female patients, had longer TME time than female patients in the Lap‐LAR group (213 minutes vs 172 minutes, P = .021), while the TME time of male and female patients did not differ in the TaTME group (122 minutes vs 108 minutes, P = .451). The TME time in the TaTME group was significantly shorter than that in the Lap‐LAR group (121 minutes vs 197 minutes, P < .001).

Conclusion

A two‐team TaTME approach provided a shorter TME time compared to conventional Lap‐LAR, regardless of pelvic size and BMI.
Multi‐proxy climate and environmental records from a Holocene eutrophic mire, southern taiga subzone, West Siberia
Authors: Kurina Irina V. , Veretennikova Elena E. , Il’ina Anna A. , Egorova Marina L. , Salisch Lyudmila V. , Dolgin Vladimir N. , Udaloi Albert V. , Golovatskaya Evgeniya A. , Dyukarev Egor A. , Smirnov Sergei V.
Published: October 2022

Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions from peat are strongly focused on ombrotrophic mires, but this study demonstrates that eutrophic mires can also be used. A multi‐proxy approach was applied to a eutrophic mire on a floodplain terrace in the southern taiga of West Siberia. The results of the reconstruction were considered in the wide geographic context of the surrounding regions, including Siberia and Central Asia. Different palaeoecological proxies (analysis of plant macrofossils, testate amoebae, oribatid mites, molluscs, peat humification, ash content and spectral characteristics of humic acids) were used in this study. The results of different proxies showed a high level of consistency among themselves, which allowed for a robust interpretation of Holocene mire development. Throughout the ~7800 years history of the mire, there was a high level of surface wetness. The presence of mineral matter in the peat between 7800 and 5100 cal. a BP indicates regular flooding caused by the intensive fluvial activity, apparently resulting from increased precipitation. This was followed by a trend towards a gradual decrease in surface wetness from conditions of high surface moisture (stagnant water) between 5100 and 3000 cal. a BP to present day conditions of moderate surface moisture with a water table slightly below the mire surface. This pattern is consistent with the well‐documented long‐term trend from palaeoecological records throughout the taiga and arctic zones in West Siberia and central arid Asia. Our data further support the idea that the westerlies were the dominant driver of climate for the southern taiga of West Siberia during the Middle to Late Holocene.
The heterogeneity of cancer‐associated fibroblast subpopulations: Their origins, biomarkers, and roles in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Yamamoto Yurie , Kasashima Hiroaki , Fukui Yasuhiro , Tsujio Gen , Yashiro Masakazu , Maeda Kiyoshi
Published: October 2022

The prognosis for patients with cancers known for a highly activated stromal reaction, including diffuse‐type (scirrhous) gastric cancer, consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4) colorectal cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, is extremely poor. To explore the resistance of conventional therapy for those refractory cancers, detailed classification and investigation of the different subsets of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) involved are needed. Recent studies with a single‐cell transcriptomics strategy (single‐cell RNA‐seq) have demonstrated that CAF subpopulations contain different origins and marker proteins with the capacity to either promote or suppress cancer progression. Through multiple signaling pathways, CAFs can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling; they can also interact with tumor‐infiltrating immune cells and modulate the antitumor immunological state in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we review the recent literature on the various subpopulations of CAFs to improve our understanding of the cell‐cell interactions in the TME and highlight future avenues for CAF‐targeted therapy.
Gossypin: A flavonoid with diverse pharmacological effects
Authors: Song Bocui , Shen Xue , Tong Chunyu , Zhang Shuang , Chen Qian , Li Yuqi , Li Shuang
Published: October 2022

Gossypin is a flavonoid compound prepared from chinese medicine Hibiscus, which not only has significant pharmacological activities in antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti‐cancer, anti‐tumor, and anti‐diabetic aspects, but also has the advantages of small side effects and easy preparation because it is extracted from traditional chinese medicine, so it has received widespread attention from scholars and researchers. This paper reviews the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of gossypin in recent years, and hopes to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application.
Six case reports of NTHL1‐associated tumor syndrome further support it as a multi‐tumor predisposition syndrome
Authors: Weatherill Chelsey B. , Burke Sarah A. , Haskins Carolyn G. , Berry Darcy K. , Homer Jeanne P. , Demeure Michael J. , Darabi Sourat
Published: October 2022

NTHL1‐associated tumor syndrome (NATS) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by an increased risk for colorectal polyposis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Only 46 case reports have been previously published. In a retrospective review, we analyzed the clinical histories of six patients found to have NATS after genetic counseling and testing. NATS appears to be associated with an increased risk for colorectal polyposis, CRC, female breast cancer, meningiomas, and endometrial cancer. Although research is limited, prior publications have reported a multi‐tumor predisposition for individuals with biallelic pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in NTHL1. Additional data are necessary to further define the cancer risks so affected individuals can be appropriately managed.
Natural weathering of spruce wood chemically modified by re‐used ε‐caprolactone solution
Authors: Cambazoglu Merve , Tomak Eylem D. , Ermeydan Mahmut A.
Published: October 2022

Increasing environmental pressures over the last few years have led to attention for non‐biocide treatments in the wood protection field. The ε‐caprolactone modification of wood by substitution or blocking of hydroxyl groups with hydrophobic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) is one of the novel modification methods developed in recent years. In this study, ring‐opening polymerisation of ε‐caprolactone in wood cell walls was evaluated by the third and sixth re‐use of recovered monomer and by oven‐curing method. Spruce samples were modified by re‐used ε‐caprolactone and exposed to the natural weathering agents for 12 months. After weathering, the colour change, surface roughness measurements, and macroscopic and ultra‐microscopic observations revealed that the modified wood had better surface properties than reference wood. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) analysis proved that PCL could be found on the weathered surface up to the sixth month, but very little amount was detected on the surfaces with a longer weathering period. The results clearly showed that the efficiency of PCL modification with re‐use of the monomer solution was sufficient during the initial weathering periods, but efficiency was reduced after a prolonged exposure period.
Mitigating ipatasertib‐induced glucose increase through dose and meal timing modifications
Authors: Sutaria Dhruvitkumar S. , Agarwal Priya , Huang Kuan‐Chieh , Miles Dale R. , Rotmensch Jacob , Hinton Heather , Gallo Jorge Daniel , Rasuo Grozdana , Sane Rucha S.
Published: October 2022

Ipatasertib, an AKT inhibitor, in combination with prednisone and abiraterone, is under evaluation for the treatment of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Hyperglycemia is an on‐target effect of ipatasertib. An open‐label, single‐arm, single‐sequence, signal‐seeking study (n = 25 mCRPC patients) was conducted to evaluate the glucose changes across four different treatment periods: ipatasertib alone, ipatasertib‐prednisone combination, ipatasertib‐prednisone‐abiraterone combination (morning dose), and ipatasertib‐prednisone‐abiraterone combination (evening dose). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was used in this study to compare the dynamic glucose changes across the different treatment periods. Four key parameters: average glucose, peak glucose and % time in range (70–180 and >180 mg/dl) were evaluated for this comparison. Ipatasertib‐prednisone‐abiraterone combination when administered in the morning after an overnight fast significantly increased average glucose, peak glucose and % time in range >180 mg/dl compared to ipatasertib monotherapy. Ipatasertib, when co‐administered with abiraterone, increased ipatasertib and M1 (G‐037720) metabolite exposures by approximately 1.5‐ and 2.2‐fold, respectively. Exposure–response analysis results show that increased exposures of ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone are associated with increased glucose levels. When ipatasertib‐prednisone‐abiraterone combination was administered as an evening dose compared to a morning dose, lowered peak glucose and improved % time in range was observed. The results from this study suggest that dosing ipatasertib after an evening meal followed by overnight fasting can be an effective strategy for managing increased glucose levels.
Using a systematic approach to synthesize existing knowledge on Gymnopus fusipes (syn. Collybia fusipes), the cause of Collybia root rot
Authors: Pettifor Bethany J. , Denman Sandra , McDonald James E.
Published: October 2022

Gymnopus fusipes (syn. Collybia fusipes; syn. Agaricus fusipes) is an agaricomycete fungus known to cause root rot on a number of economically important tree species, including oak, where it has been linked to the development of chronic oak decline. Due to lack of correlation between above‐ground decline symptoms and G. fusipes infection, its presence can often go undiagnosed until mortality. Although G. fusipes was first described over 200 years ago, there is still a paucity of information on the biology and ecology of this species, which represents a barrier to understanding its impacts on tree health. The aim of this review was to synthesize existing knowledge on the biology, ecology, host range and host interactions of G. fusipes. Using a systematic search, five online databases were used to obtain published literature resulting from the search terms ‘Gymnopus fusipes’, ‘Collybia fusipes’ and ‘Agaricus fusipes’. After a strict filtering process, the papers were examined for data pertaining to the biochemistry, distribution, ecology, genomic information, host range, infection biology, morphology and phylogeny of the species. The results reveal that there is a large amount of ambiguous and sometimes spurious citation of G. fusipes in the literature. However, it can be confirmed that G. fusipes is a facultative saproparasite, found in several countries, mainly in Europe, and is associated with several socioeconomically important host species, including oak, chestnut, and fir. Gymnopus fusipes has repeatedly been investigated with regard to oak decline in Europe, where it is believed to play a crucial role in the early stage of decline development. Key knowledge gaps highlighted in this review include a lack of information on the basic biology of the species, including its life cycle, which is crucial to fully understanding G. fusipes infection and epidemiology. Further work is needed to assess G. fusipes distribution, phylogeny and host range through molecular identification. There is also a need to characterize the pathogen–host interaction at a molecular level, with identification of active genes and therefore the mechanisms of infection. A combination of culture‐based and molecular techniques should be utilized in order to close these key knowledge gaps.
Altered cerebellar‐motor loop in benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy type 1: The structural basis of cortical tremor
Authors: Wang Ge , Song Yanmin , Su Jianpo , Fan Zhipeng , Xu Lin , Fang Peng , Liu Chaorong , Long Hongyu , Hu Chongyu , Zhou Luo , Huang Sha , Zhou Pinting , Wang Kangrun , Pang Nan , Shen Hui , Li Shuyu , Hu Dewen , Xiao Bo , Zeng Ling‐Li , Long Lili
Published: October 2022

Objective

Cortical tremor/myoclonus is the hallmark feature of benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME), the mechanism of which remains elusive. A hypothesis is that a defective control in the preexisting cerebellar‐motor loop drives cortical tremor. Meanwhile, the basal ganglia system might also participate in BAFME. This study aimed to discover the structural basis of cortical tremor/myoclonus in BAFME.

Methods

Nineteen patients with BAFME type 1 (BAFME1) and 30 matched healthy controls underwent T1‐weighted and diffusion tensor imaging scans. FreeSurfer and spatially unbiased infratentorial template (SUIT) toolboxes were utilized to assess the motor cortex and the cerebellum. Probabilistic tractography was generated for two fibers to test the hypothesis: the dentato‐thalamo‐(M1) (primary motor cortex) and globus pallidus internus (GPi)‐thalamic projections. Average fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) of each tract were extracted.

Results

Cerebellar atrophy and dentate nucleus alteration were observed in the patients. In addition, patients with BAFME1 exhibited reduced AD and FA in the left and right dentato‐thalamo‐M1 nondecussating fibers, respectively false discovery rate (FDR) correction q < .05. Cerebellar projections showed negative correlations with somatosensory‐evoked potential P25‐N33 amplitude and were independent of disease duration and medication. BAFME1 patients also had increased FA and decreased MD in the left GPi‐thalamic projection. Higher FA and lower RD in the right GPi‐thalamic projection were also observed (FDR q < .05).

Significance

The present findings support the hypothesis that the cerebello‐thalamo‐M1 loop might be the structural basis of cortical tremor in BAFME1. The basal ganglia system also participates in BAFME1 and probably serves a regulatory role.
Ablation of apparent diffusion coefficient hyperintensity clusters in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy improves seizure outcomes after laser interstitial thermal therapy
Authors: Kim Min Jae , Hwang Brian , Mampre David , Negoita Serban , Tsehay Yohannes , Sair Haris , Kang Joon Y. , Anderson William S.
Published: October 2022

Objective

Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for intractable mesial temporal epilepsy (mTLE). LiTT is safe and effective, but seizure outcomes are highly variable due to patient variability, suboptimal targeting, and incomplete ablation of the epileptogenic zone. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence that can identify potential epileptogenic foci in the mesial temporal lobe to improve ablation and seizure outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether ablation of tissue clusters with high ADC values in the mesial temporal structures is associated with seizure outcome in mTLE after LiTT.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients with mTLE who underwent LiTT at our institution were analyzed. One‐year seizure outcome was categorized as complete seizure freedom (International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] Class I) and residual seizures (ILAE Class II–VI). Volumes of hippocampus and amygdala were segmented from the preoperative T1 MRI sequence. Spatially distinct hyperintensity clusters were identified in the preoperative ADC map. Proportion of cluster volume and number ablated were associated with seizure outcomes.

Results

The mean age at surgery was 37.5 years and the mean follow‐up duration was 1.9 years. Proportions of hippocampal cluster volume (p = .013) and number (p = .03) ablated were significantly higher in patients with seizure freedom. For amygdala clusters, the proportion of cluster number ablated was significantly associated with seizure outcome (p = .026). In the combined amygdalohippocampal complex, ablation of amygdalohippocampal clusters reliably predicted seizure outcome by their volume ablated (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.7670, p = .02).

Significance

Seizure outcome after LiTT in patients with mTLE was associated significantly with the extent of cluster ablation in the amygdalohippocampal complex. The results suggest that preoperative ADC analysis may help identify high‐yield pathological tissue clusters that represent epileptogenic foci. ADC‐based cluster analysis can potentially assist ablation targeting and improve seizure outcome after LiTT in mTLE.
ASDFL: An adaptive super‐pixel discriminative feature‐selective learning for vehicle matching
Authors: Qin Rong , Lv Huanhuan , Zhang Yi , Huangfu Luwen , Huang Sheng
Published: October 2022

There are a large number of cameras in modern transportation system that capture numerous vehicle images continuously. Therefore, automatic analysis of these vehicle images is helpful for traffic flow management, criminal investigations and vehicle inspections. Vehicle matching, which aims to determine whether two input images depict an identical vehicle, is one of the core tasks in vehicle analysis. Recent relevant studies have focused on local feature extraction instead of global extraction, since local details can provide crucial cues to distinguish between cars. However, these methods do not select local features; that is, they do not assign weights to local features. Therefore, in this research, we systematically study the vehicle matching task, and present a novel annotation‐free local‐based deep learning method called Adaptive super‐pixel discriminative feature‐selective learning (ASDFL) to address this issue. In ASDFL, vehicle images are segmented into clusters of super‐pixels of similar size by considering the location and colour similarities of pixels without using any component‐level annotation. These super‐pixels are deemed to be the virtual components of vehicles. Moreover, a convolutional neural network is used to extract the deep features of these virtual components. Thereafter, an instance‐specific mask generation module driven by the extracted global features is enhanced to produce a mask to select the most distinctive virtual components of each vehicle image pair in the feature space. Finally, the vehicle matching task is accomplished by classifying the selected virtual component features of each imaged vehicle pair. Extensive experiments on two popular vehicle identification benchmarks demonstrate that our method is 1.57% and 0.8% more accurate than the previous baselines in a vehicle matching task on the VeRi and VehicleID datasets, respectively, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our method.
RNA‐sequencing analysis reveals the potential molecular mechanism of RAD54B in the proliferation of inflamed human dental pulp cells
Authors: Huang Pei , Wang Fushi , Wang Xinhuan , Meng Xiujiao , Qiao Weiwei , Meng Liuyan
Published: October 2022

Aim

To investigate the role of RAD54B in the proliferation of inflamed human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methodology

Normal, carious and pulpitic human dental pulp tissues were collected. Total RNA was subjected to RNA‐sequencing (seq) and gene expression profiles were studied by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in homologous recombination repair (HRR) were validated with qRT‐PCR. The expression of RAD54B and TNF‐α in human dental pulp tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry. HDPCs were cultured and RAD54B level in hDPCs was detected after LPS stimulation using western blot. CCK‐8 was used to investigate the proliferation of hDPCs transfected with negative control (Nc) small interfering RNA (siRNA), RAD54B siRNA, P53 siRNA or both siRNAs with or without LPS stimulation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution, and western blot and immunofluorescence were used to analyse the expression of RAD54B, P53 and P21 under the above treatments. One‐way and two‐way anova followed by least significant difference posttest were used for statistical analysis.

Results

RNA‐seq results identified DEGs amongst the three groups. KEGG pathway analysis revealed enrichment of DEGs in the replication and repair pathway. HRR and non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) components were further verified and qRT‐PCR results were basically consistent with the sequencing data. RAD54B, an HRR accessory factor highly expressed in carious and pulpitic tissues as compared to that in normal pulps, was chosen as our gene of interest. High RAD54B expression was confirmed in inflamed human dental pulp tissues and LPS‐stimulated hDPCs. Upon RAD54B knockdown, P53 and P21 expressions in hDPCs were upregulated whereas the proliferation was significantly downregulated, accompanied by increased G2/M phase arrest. After inhibiting P53 expression in RAD54B‐knockdown hDPCs, P21 expression and cell proliferation were reversed.

Conclusions

Gene expression profiles of normal, carious and pulpitic human dental pulp tissues were revealed. HRR components were elucidated to function in dental pulp inflammation. Amongst the DEGs in HRR, RAD54B regulated the proliferation of inflamed hDPCs via P53/P21 signalling. This research deepens our understanding of dental pulp inflammation and provides new insight to clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Building collaborative relationships with family caregivers of hospitalized older persons with delirium superimposed on dementia: A qualitative study
Authors: Julian Patricia , Ploeg Jenny , Kaasalainen Sharon , Markle‐Reid Maureen
Published: October 2022

Aims

To explore experiences of family caregivers providing support to older persons with delirium superimposed on dementia in acute care hospitals, their role in detection and management of this condition, and support they require.

Design

This study has an exploratory‐descriptive design using interpretive description methodology.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine caregivers from January to April 2020. Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis.

Findings

Three themes were identified: (1) family caregivers found delirium superimposed on dementia to be an overwhelming experience, (2) family caregivers can play an important role in the detection and management of delirium superimposed on dementia and (3) family caregivers' experiences were influenced by the nature of their relationship with the health care team. Family caregivers found the experience distressing and felt unprepared to face the condition. Family caregivers also possessed knowledge helpful in detecting acute changes and caring for the older person. Family caregivers' relationships with the health care team varied: some felt supported by the team, while others experienced a power imbalance, characterized by lack of communication and opportunities to participate in care.

Conclusions

Family caregivers were distressed to see family members hospitalized with delirium superimposed on dementia. Family caregivers are also ideally positioned to detect the condition and participate in care. However, power imbalances remain, leaving family caregivers feeling disempowered and believing the health care team had more control over the older person's care.

Impact

Findings highlight the need for strategies to address the distress and disempowerment experienced by family caregivers of hospitalized older persons with delirium superimposed on dementia. By building collaborative relationships, nurses and other health care team members can help family caregivers navigate the complex experience with delirium superimposed on dementia and reduce distress, with the ultimate goal of facilitating family caregivers' ability to care for older persons in the community.

No Patient or Public Contribution

While the study participants are members of the public, this population was not involved in the study design and analysis. This method aligns with interpretive description, where researchers are not just a medium through which participants speak, but also interpretive instruments who discern insights not accessible to persons who may be familiar with only a single case.
Evolution of physical linkage between loci controlling ecological traits and mating preferences
Authors: Schuldiner‐Harpaz Tarryn , Merrill Richard M. , Jiggins Chris D.
Published: October 2022

Coupling of multiple barriers to gene‐flow, such as divergent local adaptation and reproductive isolation, facilitates speciation. However, alleles at loci that contribute to barrier effects can be dissociated by recombination. Models of linkage between diverging alleles often consider elements that reduce recombination, such as chromosomal inversions and alleles that modify recombination rate between existing loci. In contrast, here, we consider the evolution of linkage due to the close proximity of loci on the same chromosome. Examples of such physical linkage exist in several species, but in other cases, strong associations are maintained without physical linkage. We use an individual‐based model to study the conditions under which the physical linkage between loci controlling ecological traits and mating preferences might be expected to evolve. We modelled a single locus controlling an ecological trait that acts also as a mating cue. Mating preferences are controlled by multiple loci, formed by mutations that are randomly placed in the “genome”, within varying distances from the ecological trait locus, allowing us to examine which genomic architectures spread across the population. Our model reveals that stronger physical linkage is favoured when mating preferences and selection are weaker. Under such conditions mating among divergent phenotypes is more frequent, and matching ecological trait and mating preference alleles are more likely to become dissociated by recombination, favouring the evolution of genetic linkage. While most theoretical studies on clustering of divergent loci focus on how physical linkage influences speciation, we show how physical linkage itself can arise, establishing conditions that can favour speciation.
Suitable areas for the invasion expansion of Xylocopa bees in South America
Authors: do Nascimento Andressa Carneiro , Montalva José , Lucia Mariano , de Paiva Silva Daniel
Published: October 2022

The introduction of exotic species into native ecosystems can be a cause for concern when those species are invasive. Invasive species cause ecological problems and have socio‐cultural impacts on human health and the economy; for example, invasive bees may negatively impact their introduced ecosystem by spreading diseases or outcompeting native pollinators. Xylocopa spp. bees are diverse and distributed throughout the Neotropics. However, Xylocopa augusti (Lepeletier, 1841) and Xylocopa splendidula (Lepeletier, 1841) are not native to Mediterranean Chile. This study aimed to evaluate the invasive potential of these exotic species and predict the potential macroecological effects of their invasions. We also aimed to pinpoint possible distributions for these species throughout South America. We correlated biogeographic occurrence data with climatic variables for each species to model their potential distribution in both current and future scenarios. The models provide strong evidence that both species are changing their distributions: their ranges are expanding towards western South America, particularly Bolivia, Chile and Peru. We demonstrate an increase in niche overlap between these species and show there are new geographic areas vulnerable to the establishment of these invasive bees under current and future climate conditions. These data suggest that these bees may adapt their geographic distribution as the climate changes and pose a threat to native pollinators in new geographic areas.
Impact of infrared and dry‐air roasting on antioxidant potential, oxidative stability, chemical characteristics, and fatty acid profile of black and white sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) oil
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Singh Balwinder , Kaur Amritpal , Yadav Madhav P.
Published: October 2022

The present study reports the impact of infrared (IRR) and dry‐air roasting (DAR) at 160, 180, and 200°C for 5, 10, and 15 min on the moisture content of sesame seeds, oil extraction yield (OEY), chemical characteristics, oxidative stability index (OSI), viscosity, color, browning index (BI), pigments, radical scavenging activity (RSA), total flavonoid (TFC), and phenolic (TPC) content and fatty acid composition (FAC) of white sesame oil (WSO) and black sesame oil (BSO). The OEY, OSI, viscosity, BI, pigments, TPC, TFC, and RSA increased, whereas acid, peroxide, L*, and b* values of WSO and BSO declined by increasing DAR and IRR conditions. Fourier transform infra‐red spectra exhibited a minor variation in peak intensities that relate to changes in FAC and p‐AV of WSO and BSO. Both DAR and IRR techniques had improved WSO and BSO quality. However, DAR (180°C for 15 min) is suggested for enhancing WSO and BSO yield and quality characteristics.

Novelty impact statement

Sesame oil is considered a highly nutritious and healthy oil owing to its desirable fatty acid composition. This study reported the impact of dry‐air and infrared roasting on sesame oil quality and stability characteristics. Dry‐air roasting at 180°C for 15 min proved effective for improving sesame oil stability and quality characteristics.
Evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin to detect renal tubular damage in dogs with stable myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Troia Roberta , Sabetti Maria Chiara , Crosara Serena , Quintavalla Cecilia , Romito Giovanni , Mazzoldi Chiara , Fidanzio Francesca , Cescatti Maura , Bertazzolo Walter , Giunti Massimo , Dondi Francesco
Published: October 2022

Background

Dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) can experience progressive renal tubular damage and dysfunction. The prevalence of renal tubular damage is not known in dogs with stable MMVD.

Objective

To evaluate renal tubular damage in dogs with stable MMVD by evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL).

Animals

Ninety‐eight MMVD dogs grouped according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) staging (group B1, n = 23; group B2, n = 27; group C + D, n = 48) and 46 healthy dogs.

Methods

Multicenter prospective observational study. Serum and urine chemistry including NGAL reported as uNGAL concentration (uNGAL) and normalized with urinary creatinine (uNGALC) were compared between MMVD dogs and healthy controls, and among different MMVD ACVIM stages.

Results

The MMVD dogs had significantly higher uNGAL and uNGALC (1204 pg/mL; range, 30‐39 732 and 1816 pg/mg; range, 22‐127 693, respectively) compared to healthy dogs (584 pg/mL; range, 56‐4072 and 231 pg/mg; range, 15‐2407, respectively; P = .002 and P < .0001, respectively). Both uNGAL and uNGALC increased with the increasing ACVIM stage (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Renal tubular damage is present in dogs with stable MMVD, as measured by increased uNGAL. This tubular damage is subclinical, occurs in all stages of MMVD even in the absence of azotemia, and increases with the severity of MMVD. Reno‐protective approaches to manage MMVD dogs should be explored to slow the progression of renal tubular damage in these patients.
Treatment endpoints for chronic hepatitis D
Authors: Metin Olga , Zeybel Müjdat , Yurdaydin Cihan
Published: October 2022

Management of chronic hepatitis D (CHD) has entered a new era. In this new era, the virus entry inhibitor bulevirtide has received conditional approval as a treatment for compensated CHD. Three phase 3 studies with two new compounds are ongoing for the treatment of CHD. In this context, surrogate markers of treatment efficacy have been well defined for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (7) and chronic hepatitis C (8) but not for CHD. The aim of this review is to give a perspective on treatment endpoints in CHD. For this, we took guidance from CHB studies and tried to make suggestions which differed according to finite versus prolonged treatment durations and also took into account the different characteristics of the new compounds.
Modeling the Contribution of Genetic Variation to Cognitive Gains Following Training with a Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Musso Mariel F. , Cómbita Lina M. , Cascallar Eduardo C. , Rueda M. Rosario
Published: October 2022

The objective of this research was to develop robust predictive models of the gains in working memory (WM) and fluid intelligence (Gf) following executive attention training in children, using genetic markers, gender, and age variables. We explore the influence of genetic variables on individual differences in susceptibility to intervention. Sixty‐six children (males: 54.2%) aged 50.9–75.9 months participated in a four‐weeks computerized training program. Information on genes involved in the regulation of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine was collected. The standardized pre‐ to post‐training gains of two dependent measures were considered: WM Span backwards condition (WISC‐III) and the IQ‐f factor from the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K‐BIT). A machine‐learning methodology was implemented utilizing multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks (ANN) with a backpropagation algorithm. Both ANN models reached high overall accuracy in their predictive classification. Variations in genes involved in dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmission affect children's susceptibility to benefit from executive attention training, a pattern that is consistent with previous studies.
Financing the energy transition in a green sub‐Saharan African (SSA) environment: Does energy intensity matter?
Authors: Kalu Ebere Ume , Arize Chuck Augustine , Okoyeuzu Chinwe R. , Nwafor Florence U. , Okwueze Felicia Osondu
Published: October 2022

This study looked at the impact of financial development, environmental sustainability and energy intensity on the transition of SSA countries to safe and green energy use. This was pursued using a dynamic panel model—system generalized method of moments (SGMM), given its capacity to address endogeneity problems in panel estimation processes. The study used datasets covering a 25‐year period (1995–2020) for 46 countries out of 52 SSA countries chosen on the basis of the availability of data on energy and financial development indicators. Findings arising from this study are summarized as follows: firstly, that energy transition is negatively responsive to the monetization ratio and positively responsive to bank development. Secondly, that the energy transition is a response to increasing emissions in the studied countries. In addition, it was discovered that the greater the degree of energy intensity (energy inefficiency), the higher the need for an energy transition. Energy sources whose intensity vary inversely with productive activities are recommended for SSA countries. Also, to meet the Paris climate goals, there is the need for policies that drive energy transitions while decoupling and reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Genetic diversity and thermotolerance in Holstein cows: Pathway analysis and marker development using whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Kalemkeridou Maria , Nanas Ioannis , Moutou Katerina , Amiridis Georgios S. , Tsipourlianos Andreas , Dovolou Eleni , Mamuris Zissis , Giannoulis Themistoklis
Published: October 2022

Heat stress causes extensive losses in the dairy sector, due to negative effects on milk production and reproduction. Cows have evolved a series of protective mechanisms, (physiological, biochemical, behavioural) to cope with the thermostressing environments, which have allowed the preservation of productive and reproductive potential of specific animals during summer; these animals are considered thermotolerant and could be used to design programs of selective breeding. These programs, targeting the generations of a population of heat‐resistant animals, would increase the frequency of the desired phenotypes, tackling the financial losses on one hand and reducing the carbon footprints of the dairy sector on the other. The development of genomics techniques has enabled genome wide variant calling, to detect SNPs associated with the desired phenotypes. In this study, we used a comparative genomics approach to detect genetic variation associated with thermotolerance and to design molecular markers for characterizing the animals as tolerant/sensitive. A total of 40 cows from each group were split in four sequencing pools and a whole‐genome sequencing approach was used. Results and conclusion: Genome‐wide genetic variation between groups was characterized and enrichment analysis revealed specific pathways which participate in the adaptive mechanisms of thermotolerance, implicated into systemic and cellular responses, including the immune system functionality, Heat Stress and Unfolded Protein Response. The markers made a promising set of results, as specific SNPs in five genes encoding for Heat Shock Proteins were significantly associated with thermotolerance.
Spatial concentration and variability of rainfall in the Iguaçu River Basin, State of Paraná−Brazil
Authors: de Andrade Aparecido Ribeiro , Nery Jonas Teixeira , Toledo Bruno Henrique Costa
Published: October 2022

The analysis of rainfall as an environmental factor that influences landscape dynamics is an important and ongoing topic of discussion. This discussion can be centred on the discovery of impacts caused by the increase or decrease in rainfall frequency and intensity. From this perspective, this study sought to analyse the rainfall variability in the Iguaçu River basin, located in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. The main objective was focused on the temporal‐spatial rainfall distribution in the study area and its interaction with landscape dynamics (different land uses). Precipitation data for the period 1988−2018 were obtained from the ‘Águas Paraná’ Institute. To calculate the Concentration Index−CI values of the study area, data analysis was performed using the ‘R’ software with Climatol and Precindicon subroutines of the software, and analysis of Landsat 8 satellite images through ArcGIS. The results indicated that there was a well‐defined spatial variability in the study area, as the CIs defined higher rainfall concentrations upstream from the river basin and lower rainfall concentrations downstream—implying that these processes may be strongly associated with land use.
Motor unit dysregulation following 15 days of unilateral lower limb immobilisation
Authors: Inns Thomas B. , Bass Joseph J. , Hardy Edward J.O. , Wilkinson Daniel J. , Stashuk Daniel W. , Atherton Philip J. , Phillips Bethan E. , Piasecki Mathew
Published: October 2022

Disuse atrophy, caused by situations of unloading such as limb immobilisation, causes a rapid yet diverging reduction in skeletal muscle function when compared to muscle mass. While mechanistic insight into the loss of mass is well studied, deterioration of muscle function with a focus towards the neural input to muscle remains underexplored. This study aimed to determine the role of motor unit adaptation in disuse‐induced neuromuscular deficits. Ten young, healthy male volunteers underwent 15 days of unilateral lower limb immobilisation with intramuscular electromyography (iEMG) bilaterally recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL) during knee extensor contractions normalised to maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), pre and post disuse. Muscle cross‐sectional area was determined by ultrasound. Individual MUs were sampled and analysed for changes in motor unit (MU) discharge and MU potential (MUP) characteristics. VL CSA was reduced by approximately 15% which was exceeded by a two‐fold decrease of 31% in muscle strength in the immobilised limb, with no change in either parameter in the non‐immobilised limb. Parameters of MUP size were reduced by 11% to 24% with immobilisation, while neuromuscular junction (NMJ) transmission instability remained unchanged, and MU firing rate decreased by 8% to 11% at several contraction levels. All adaptations were observed in the immobilised limb only. These findings highlight impaired neural input following immobilisation reflected by suppressed MU firing rate which may underpin the disproportionate reductions of strength relative to muscle size.

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Key points

Muscle mass and function decline rapidly in situations of disuse such as bed rest and limb immobilisation.

The reduction in muscle function commonly exceeds that of muscle mass, which may be associated with the dysregulation of neural input to muscle.

We have used intramuscular electromyography to sample individual motor unit and near fibre potentials from the vastus lateralis following 15 days of unilateral limb immobilisation. Following disuse, the disproportionate loss of muscle strength when compared to size coincided with suppressed motor unit firing rate.

These motor unit adaptations were observed at multiple contraction levels and in the immobilised limb only. Our findings demonstrate neural dysregulation as a key component of functional loss following muscle disuse in humans.
INFLUENCE OF TUNGSTEN AND MOLYBDENUM ON Н2О2 ACCUMULATION IN N.BENTHAMIANA PLANT
Authors: Beisekova M. , Zhangazin S. , Kurmanbayeva A. , Masalimov Zh. , Akbassova A.
Published: October 2022

The problem of soil pollution with heavy metals is one of the main factors hindering the development of agriculture in Kazakhstan. Soil pollution with heavy metals, especially tungsten, leads to a deterioration in plant growth and development, the formation of active oxygen radicals, and oxidative stress. In plants, tungsten (W) acts as an inhibitor of molybdoenzymes, replacing molybdenum (Mo) in the Mo-cofactor structure. At the same time, Mo itself at high concentrations also negatively affects plant cells. When exposed to tungsten and molybdenum, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate excessively in the plant. When the test plant N. benthamiana is exposed to molybdenum, the accumulation of Н2О2 is sharply reduced compared to the control plant, and in plants treated with a solution of tungsten, the accumulation of Н2О2 is increased by 2 times. The accumulation of Н2О2 in plants treated with a combined solution of molybdenum and tungsten was higher compared to the control plant. An interesting result is an increase in the accumulation of Н2О2 by 3.5 times when exposed to tungsten compared to molybdenum.
Sedimentary Patterns and Spatial Distributions of Heavy Minerals along the Continental Shelf in the Espírito Santo State, Brazil
Authors: Costa Júnior Adeildo De Assis , Quaresma Valéria Da Silva , Gabrig Turbay Caio Vinícius , Oliveira Natacha De , Leite Marcos Daniel de Almeida , Vieira Fernanda Vedoato , Bastos Alex Cardoso
Published: October 2022

Heavy minerals can be used as tools to better understand sedimentary patterns across continental shelves, in addition to their economic importance, where they form marine placers. This study investigates the spatial distributions of heavy minerals in sand deposits along the three different morpho-sedimentary compartments (i.e., Paleovalley Shelf, Doce river Shelf, and Abrolhos Shelf) of the Espírito Santo Continental Shelf, which presents distinct sedimentary regimes. A mineralogical characterization of 180 surface sediment samples allowed to identify fifteen different heavy mineral species across the study area, with a predominance of ilmenite. The qualitative characterization shows similar heavy mineral patterns among the three compartments, while their mineral proportion (quantitative analysis) is heterogeneous. Also, the supply and accommodation regimes do not responsible by influence the heavy mineral assemblages and sediment maturity. However, there is a significant relationship between supply regime (delta sedimentation) and higher average abundances of each heavy mineral species. With results found here is possible to affirm that marine placers are closely related to Holocene sedimentation.
A raypath-consistent receiver correction in PS converted wave processing through seismic interferometry: New application for tropical zones
Authors: Salamanca Andrés Felipe , Montes-Vides Luis Alfredo
Published: October 2022

The estimation of static corrections is an issue still unsolved for PS converted wave processing. Due to the PS converted wave usually arriving at the surface at non-zero angles, the surface consistent approach is no longer valid, and corrections become non-stationary, i.e. the correction is not static. Seismic interferometry is used in receiver gathers transformed to the radial domain to estimate functions that contain the delay caused by the weathered layer, considering the emergence angle of the PS converted wave. Inverse filters, derived from these functions, are applied by convolution to the raw traces to supply traces corrected for weathering layer effects. Seismic interferometry was satisfactorily tested in two synthetic models and then applied to a 2C seismic line from the Llanos Basin (Colombia). This is the first application of the technique in Colombia, initially developed for permafrost zones, with different assumptions and surface complexity; and it resulted in an improved PS converted wave image.
Design for Artificial Intelligence: Proposing a Conceptual Framework Grounded in Data Wrangling
Authors: Williams Glen , Meisel Nicholas A. , Simpson Timothy W. , McComb Christopher
Published: October 2022

The intersection between engineering design, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence offers countless opportunities for breakthrough improvements in how we develop new technology. However, achieving this synergy between the physical and the computational worlds involves overcoming a core challenge: few specialists educated today are trained in both engineering design and artificial intelligence. This fact, combined with the recency of both fields’ adoption and the antiquated state of many institutional data management systems, results in an industrial landscape that is relatively devoid of high-quality data and individuals who can rapidly use that data for machine learning and artificial intelligence development. In order to advance the fields of engineering design and manufacturing to the next level of preparedness for the development of effective artificially intelligent, data-driven analytical and generative tools, a new design for X principle must be established: design for artificial intelligence (DfAI). In this paper, a conceptual framework for DfAI is presented and discussed in the context of the contemporary field and the personas which drive it.