bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of probiotic bacteria using polyelectrolytes stabilized nanoliposomes for improved viability under hostile conditions
Authors: Adeel Muhammad , Afzaal Muhammad , Saeed Farhan , Ahmed Aftab , Mahmood Kaiser , Abbas shah Yasir , Ateeq Huda , Sibat Amaima , Khan Mohammad Rizwan , Busquets Rosa
Published: August 2023

Probiotics viability and stability is a core challenge for the food processing industry. To prolong the viability of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus), gelatin (GE)–chitosan (CH) polyelectrolytes‐coated nanoliposomes were developed and characterized. The average particle size of the nanoliposomes was in the range of 131.7–431.6 nm. The mean zeta potential value of the nanoliposomes differed significantly from −42.2 to −9.1 mV. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that the nanoliposomes were well distributed and had a spherical shape with a smooth surface. The Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that the GE–CH polyelectrolyte coating has been effectively applied on the surface of nanoliposomes and L. acidophilus cells were successfully encapsulated in the lipid‐based nanocarriers. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that nanoliposomes are semicrystalline and GE–CH polyelectrolyte coating had an influence on the crystalline nature of nanoliposomes. Moreover, the coating of L. acidophilus‐loaded nanoliposomes with GE–CH polyelectrolytes significantly improved its viability when exposed to simulated gastrointestinal environments. The findings of the current study indicated that polyelectrolyte‐coated nanoliposomes could be used as an effective carrier for the delivery of probiotics and their application to food matrix for manufacturing functional foods.
Ambient temperature, refrigerator food load, and door openings effect on a preservation performance indicator based on chicken temperature data and predictive microbiology
Authors: Martinez‐Martinez Enrique , de la Cruz‐Quiroz Reynaldo , Fagotti Fabian , Torres J. Antonio
Published: August 2023

Home preservation depends on the food matrix, refrigerator design/technology, consumer actions, and ambient temperature. Storing different food matrices in product‐relevant refrigerator locations generating different temperature histories can be used to develop an indicator of how refrigerator technology, consumer habits, and environment conditions impact the refrigerator food preservation performance. In this study, poultry, particularly prone to spoilage reflecting its pH, nutrient availability, and high aw, was used to evaluate refrigerator preservation performance as affected by compressor technology (single [SS] and variable speed [VS]), ambient temperature (21.1°C [LT] and 32.2°C [HT]), and refrigerator load (22.5 kg [RL] and 39 kg [HL]). Time‐temperature values collected for chicken breast stored in a drawer independently controlled at 0°C in a refrigerator set 5°C, and a Pseudomonas predictive microbiology model, were used to estimate a normalized refrigerator performance indicator (RPI). Values <1, ∼1, and >1 described excellent, good, or poor performance, respectively. A first analysis revealed that up to 54% of chicken breast temperatures were above its recommended refrigerated storage value. When ignoring variability sources, SS technology yielded RPI values ranging 0.61–0.70, whereas the more energy efficient VS compressor yielded values ranging 0.86–1.14. The higher and wider VS RPI range reflects a compressor control logic optimized for energy efficiency compliance while disregarding effects on food preservation. When considering the variability of model parameters and temperature measurements through one‐sided 95% confidence intervals yielded RPI reaching 1.16. Although the independently controlled drawer preservation performance was near optimal, it can improve by considering energy use and preservation impact when optimizing the compressor speed control protocol.

Practical Application

Worldwide poultry meat consumption has reached 15 kg per person. Refrigeration is widely used for its safety and quality preservation. Efficiency regulations decreased the energy use of residential refrigerators by nearly tenfold even though their size increased by 50% in the last half century. In this study, we provide quantitative evidence that their preservation performance must be improved. This is particularly true for upper end units typically equipped with quieter and more energy‐efficient variable speed compressors. The same methodology can be used to evaluate the preservation performance of the storage units, trucks, and display cases used for refrigerated products.
Magnetic resonance imaging RAMRIS‐SAFE score—A low‐risk effective measure of rapid response to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials
Authors: Bird Paul , Needham Scott , Spiers Stefanie , Hall Stephen
Published: August 2023

Aim

To assess the rapidity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measured synovitis (as measured by synovial thickening using the RAMRIS‐SAFE score) and bone edema in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) subjects treated with golimumab. Secondary aims: to correlate MRI measures with disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH), physician global (PhysG) and patient global (PatG) assessments.

Methods

Patients with active RA and inadequate response to methotrexate were recruited. Active RA was defined as RA with a Disease Activity Score of 28 joints – C‐reactive protein ≥4.2 at screening AND active disease (synovitis and edema) of the chosen hand or wrist on MRI at screening, as determined by the central blinded MRI reader (PB). Outcomes measures were assessed at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks. MRI results were interpreted by one experienced observer (PB), blinded to clinical measures. Pearson's correlation co‐efficient (SPSS) was used to express the relationship between DASH, PhysG, PatG and MRI measures.

Results

Eighteen patients were included in the study. All subjects completed follow‐up visits and MRI assessment. Mean age was 60.6 years (range 22–72), and 10 were female, 8 male, and disease duration was mean 4.72 years (range 1–28); all patients were taking background methotrexate. The changes in MRI synovial volume were evident by visit 2. The strongest correlations with the DASH for MRI parameters were total synovial thickening (0.923) and edema (0.921).

Conclusion

Golimumab was associated with rapid improvement in clinical measures and patient‐reported outcome measures. Mean synovial thickening demonstrated early rapid improvement. MRI synovial thickening demonstrated a strong correlation with DASH, PatG and PhysG.
Malta: Political Developments and Data in 2022
Authors: FENECH DOMINIC
Published: August 2023

The year was marked by a general election that gave the Labour Party a third consecutive victory over its rival Nationalist Party as usual with no other parties gaining seats. Following insistent pressure from financial monitoring agencies, the government received a clean bill of health after being ‘grey‐listed’ by the Financial Action Task Force. Issues concerning women included the increase in women's representation in Parliament, femicide and abortion. The economy continued to show growth, but so did the deficit, inflation, population size and pressure on amenities and the environment.
COVID‐19 control accelerates the decline in illegal drug use in China
Authors: Lv Liying , Yang Liping , Sun Yan
Published: August 2023

This work illustrates the accelerated decline in illegal drug use during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China. We first reviewed the global effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the situation of illegal drugs. We then compared the data of the pre‐pandemic (2016–2019) and pandemic period (2020–2022) for drug seizures, individuals identified as using drugs, registered and newly discovered illegal drug users and the number of community‐treated drug users to demonstrate the fast decline in the use of illegal drugs in China. We then discussed the possible reasons and additional considerations for these changes. Overall, the COVID‐19 controls in China, such as all‐staff nucleic acid testing and ID‐based dynamic monitoring, substantially reduced illegal drug use. Being wary of a possible rebound in drug use and preventing new types of drug crimes are still essential in post‐COVID China.
Postoperative systemic inflammation after major abdominal surgery: patient‐centred outcomes
Authors: Bain C. R. , Myles P. S. , Martin C. , Wallace S. , Shulman M. A. , Corcoran T. , Bellomo R. , Peyton P. , Story D. A. , Leslie K. , Forbes A. ,   the RELIEF trial investigators
Published: August 2023

Postoperative systemic inflammation is strongly associated with surgical outcomes, but its relationship with patient‐centred outcomes is largely unknown. Detection of excessive inflammation and patient and surgical factors associated with adverse patient‐centred outcomes should inform preventative treatment options to be evaluated in clinical trials and current clinical care. This retrospective cohort study analysed prospectively collected data from 3000 high‐risk, elective, major abdominal surgery patients in the restrictive vs. liberal fluid therapy for major abdominal surgery (RELIEF) trial from 47 centres in seven countries from May 2013 to September 2016. The co‐primary endpoints were persistent disability or death up to 90 days after surgery, and quality of recovery using a 15‐item quality of recovery score at days 3 and 30. Secondary endpoints included: 90‐day and 1‐year all‐cause mortality; septic complications; acute kidney injury; unplanned admission to intensive care/high dependency unit; and total intensive care unit and hospital stays. Patients were assigned into quartiles of maximum postoperative C‐reactive protein concentration up to day 3, after multiple imputations of missing values. The lowest (reference) group, quartile 1, C‐reactive protein ≤ 85 mg.l‐1, was compared with three inflammation groups: quartile 2 > 85 mg.l‐1 to 140 mg.l‐1; quartile 3 > 140 mg.l‐1 to 200 mg.l‐1; and quartile 4 > 200 mg.l‐1 to 587 mg.l‐1. Greater postoperative systemic inflammation had a higher adjusted risk ratio (95%CI) of persistent disability or death up to 90 days after surgery, quartile 4 vs. quartile 1 being 1.76 (1.31–2.36), p < 0.001. Increased inflammation was associated with increasing decline in risk‐adjusted estimated medians (95%CI) for quality of recovery, the quartile 4 to quartile 1 difference being ‐14.4 (‐17.38 to ‐10.71), p < 0.001 on day 3, and ‐5.94 (‐8.92 to ‐2.95), p < 0.001 on day 30. Marked postoperative systemic inflammation was associated with increased risk of complications, poor quality of recovery and persistent disability or death up to 90 days after surgery.
Chapter 11 Sacred Places and Contested Spaces in Maine: The Long Shadow of Colonial Science in the Light of Repatriation
Authors: Wheeler Ryan J. , Newsom Bonnie
Published: August 2023

The Nevin site in Maine has become a contested space as Wabanaki people seeking to repatriate their ancestors confront archaeologists who adhere to the antiquated postulates of their predecessors. Warren K. Moorehead, of Phillips Academy's archaeology department, focused field work on Maine's so‐called “Red Paint” cemeteries from 1912–1920. Moorehead acknowledged the antiquity of the cemeteries but saw the people as members of a “lost civilization” culturally distinct from later Indigenous groups. Douglas Byers succeeded Moorehead and excavated graves at the Nevin site from 1936–1940. Despite radiocarbon dates and a better understanding of the Archaic period, Byers did not attribute Nevin's lavish grave goods to that early era. The confusion sowed by Moorehead and Byers still influences contemporary archaeologists and museum personnel who resist Wabanaki efforts to repatriate their ancestors under contemporary legislation. Despite the lack of robust research on in‐migration, prevailing ideas about the Late Archaic in Maine envision a population replacement by southern immigrants. This hypothesis opposes claims of cultural connectedness by contemporary Wabanaki peoples. Here, we explore the archaeological legacy associated with the Nevin cemetery and challenge archaeologists to confront colonialist science that permeates repatriation.
Chapter 6 “… and his wife Sally”: The Binford Legacy and Uncredited Work in Archaeology
Authors: Quinlan Liz M.
Published: August 2023

Often mentioned as an afterthought in sentences about her more (in)famous husband, Sally R. Binford has long been a focus of feminist archaeological discussion. She helped create the ‘New Archaeology’ and thus set the stage for an academic revolution, yet she has become one of the discipline's hidden figures, overshadowed by the lengthy career of Lewis Binford. Sally's own words allow us insight into the dynamic between the two Binfords; a case study on academic exploitation that may be more of a rule than of an exception. Rossiter's (1993) ‘Matthew/Matilda effect’—the paradigm whereby the work of influential scientific men can often be directly attributed to their unpublished or otherwise disenfranchised wives—is a useful analytical lens with which to expand discussions of ethics in citation, collaboration, and mentorship. How does archaeology as a discipline reconcile the legacy of unattributed fieldwork and research that has bolstered its growth? A review of publicly available documents on authorship and attribution reveals a lack of clear guidance on the subject. Institutional frameworks can ensure that students and faculty have these types of discussions early and often.
Chapter 3 Our Only Sin Was Being Black: Reflecting on Maria Franklin (1997) in the Time of Black Lives Matter in Archaeology
Authors: Jones Alexandra , Carey Mia
Published: August 2023

It has been over 25 years since Maria Franklin (1997b) asked, “Why are there so few black American archaeologists?” While low numbers can still be attributed to Black Americans choosing to pursue more lucrative careers, we must also understand that barriers instituted and perpetuated by racism also play a major factor. Through highlighting the experiences of archaeologists from John Wesley Gilbert (1863–1923) to contemporary professionals, the legacy of racism and discriminatory treatment of Black archaeologists assists in answering Franklin's question. Though numbers have increased since the creation of the Society of Black Archaeologists in 2011, the retention of Black graduate students and professionals in the field is still a challenge. Revisiting this question in the time of Black Lives Matter in Archaeology may provide some clarity.
Chapter 2 Diversity is Not Enough: Advocating and Organizing for Inclusion in Archaeology
Authors: Lee Jocelyn , Carr Sarah , Herzing Lissa J. , Norton Claire , Palmer Leah
Published: August 2023

Racism, microaggressions, sexism, gendered, financial, ableism, and many more facets of discrimination are legacies still prevalent within the field of archaeology, perpetuating an environment of exclusion. Graduate students are particularly cognizant of the ways in which exclusion impacts their academic experiences and their choices to continue pursuing archaeology professionally and academically. Despite the rise of critical and collaborative approaches to the historical archaeologies of Indigeneity, the African Diaspora, and more, graduate programs often do not critically examine the historical and structural elements preventing an inclusive environment when courting students of visibly diverse backgrounds. There is a pragmatic disconnect between institutional discussions surrounding diversity and the tangible outcomes of these discussions at a grassroots level. Through the creation of the Community, Anti‐Racist, Respect, Engagement (CARE) Inclusivity Committee, conversations among the student body in an interdisciplinary, community‐centered, and collaborative historical archaeology graduate program have begun to address problems with exclusion and identify ways in which inclusion can be furthered. This chapter outlines the process and methodology used in the creation of the CARE Inclusivity Committee and subsequent workshop and offers thoughtful reflection about the effectiveness of grassroots organization at the graduate student level in advocating for change. CARE aims to create safe spaces where uncomfortable conversations are encouraged, to help both students and faculty acknowledge the different levels of exclusion. The goal is not only to foster an inclusive environment, but to create a sustainable process for future cohorts and empower other graduate students to enact tangible change.
Birth order and intergenerational income mobility in Japan: Is the first‐born child different?
Authors: Jia Zhi‐xiao
Published: August 2023

This study examines how birth order affects intergenerational income mobility (IGM) in Japan, focusing on the difference in IGM between firstborn and later‐born children. The elasticities of sons’ income with respect to fathers’ income are separately estimated for sons who are firstborn and sons who are later born by family size using a two‐sample, two‐stage least squares approach. For sons born in 1926–1981, this study finds that in families with four or more children, intergenerational income elasticity (IGE) for firstborn sons is substantially and significantly higher than that for later‐born sons. However, no significant birth order effects are found in households with two or three children.
The short‐term feeding of low‐ and high‐histidine diets prior to market affects the muscle carnosine and anserine contents and meat quality of broilers
Authors: Sharula  , Kai Shinichi , Okada Toru , Shimamoto Saki , Fujimura Shinobu
Published: August 2023

Functional dipeptides carnosine and anserine are abundant in muscle. We determined the effect of short‐term dietary histidine (His) content on muscle carnosine and anserine contents and meat quality of broilers. Three groups of 28‐day‐old female broilers were fed diets with His contents of 67%, 100%, or 150% of requirement for 10 days before market (His contents 0.21%, 0.32%, and 0.48%, respectively). The carnosine and anserine contents of 0‐h aged muscle significantly increased with dietary His content; in particular, the carnosine content was 162% higher in the His 0.48% group than in the His 0.32% group. The contents of both peptides also increased with dietary His content in 48‐h aged muscle, but carnosine was not detected in 0‐ and 48‐h aged muscle of the His 0.21% group. The drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and pH of meat were not affected by the dietary His content. The 2‐thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances contents of 24‐ and 48‐h aged muscles were lower in the His 0.48% group than in the other groups, and the a* and b* values were lower in the His 0.21% group. These results suggest that short‐term dietary His content affects imidazole dipeptide contents, antioxidative capacity, and color of broiler meat.
Ticagrelor inverse agonist activity at the P2Y12 receptor is non‐reversible versus its endogenous agonist adenosine 5´‐diphosphate
Authors: Khalil Jawad , Dimofte Tudor , Roberts Timothy , Keith Michael , Amaradasa Kumuthu , Hindle Matthew S. , Bancroft Sukhinder , Hutchinson James L. , Naseem Khalid , Johnson Thomas , Mundell Stuart J.
Published: August 2023

Background and Purpose

Ticagrelor is labelled as a reversible, direct‐acting platelet P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R) antagonist that is indicated clinically for the prevention of thrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). As with many antiplatelet drugs, ticagrelor therapy increases bleeding risk in patients, which may require platelet transfusion in emergency situations. The aim of this study was to further examine the reversibility of ticagrelor at the P2Y12R.

Experimental Approach

Studies were performed in human platelets, with P2Y12R‐stimulated GTPase activity and platelet aggregation assessed. Cell‐based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays were undertaken to assess G protein‐subunit activation downstream of P2Y12R activation.

Key Results

Initial studies revealed that a range of P2Y12R ligands, including ticagrelor, displayed inverse agonist activity at P2Y12R. Only ticagrelor was resistant to washout and, in human platelet and cell‐based assays, washing failed to reverse ticagrelor‐dependent inhibition of ADP‐stimulated P2Y12R function. The P2Y12R agonist 2MeSADP, which was also resistant to washout, was able to effectively compete with ticagrelor. In silico docking revealed that ticagrelor and 2MeSADP penetrated more deeply into the orthosteric binding pocket of the P2Y12R than other P2Y12R ligands.

Conclusion and Implications

Ticagrelor binding to P2Y12R is prolonged and more akin to that of an irreversible antagonist, especially versus the endogenous P2Y12R agonist ADP. This study highlights the potential clinical need for novel ticagrelor reversal strategies in patients with spontaneous major bleeding, and for bleeding associated with urgent invasive procedures.
Personalized medicine with germline pathogenic variants: Importance of population‐ and region‐wide evidence
Authors: Usui Yoshiaki , Momozawa Yukihide
Published: August 2023

Rare germline pathogenic variants in cancer‐predisposing genes have a high impact and potential for clinical utility. In the last 30 years, based on evidence of cancer risk associated with germline pathogenic variants, several measures have been suggested for personalized medicine, including the development of novel treatments, treatment stratification, risk reduction by surgical measures, chemoprevention, removal of environmental factors, and surveillance for early detection among specific high‐risk individuals. However, this evidence is mainly based on evaluations of European populations. Our large‐scale analyses of more than 100,000 individuals, including 14 disease cases and non‐cancer controls in the Japanese population, suggest some discrepancies in the associations between cancer‐predisposing genes and diseases, expansion of the targeted diseases of BRCA1 and BRCA2, and a potential novel risk‐reduction measure for gastric cancer. They are likely to be explained by population and region variations; therefore, more population‐wide and region‐wide research could provide improved personalized medicine as well as a better understanding of disease mechanisms. This review summarizes current personalized medicine and discusses the potential use of germline pathogenic variants.
Efficacy of a basal insulin dose management smartphone application for controlling fasting blood glucose in patients with type‐2 diabetes mellitus: A single‐centre, randomised clinical study
Authors: Luo Ensi , Wan Jiejun , Su Minting , Wang Jieying , Feng Jiahua , Xie Xia , Hong Xiaocheng
Published: August 2023

Objective

To explore the efficacy and safety of the ‘Walk with you’ application for titrating basal insulin (BI) doses in type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) hospitalised patients.

Methods

This was a randomised, single‐centre, open‐label, controlled clinical trial to compare the changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PBG), time to reach target FBG (FBG‐TRT), incidence of hypoglycaemia events and FBG coefficient of variation in the application group (weight‐based titration of BI dose regimen) and control group (typical adjustment regimen).

Patients

This study selected 173 patients with T2DM using basal–prandial insulin therapy who were admitted to Binhaiwan Central Hospital of Dongguan between December 2021 and December 2022. Patients were randomised to the control group or the application group (App group) and then titrated to achieve an FBG concentration of less than 7.0 mmol/L.

Results

There were 86 patients in the control group and 87 patients in the App group. The FBG concentrations in the control and App groups were decreased by 6.77 ± 4.75 and 5.95 ± 4.06 mmol/L, respectively. The FBG‐TRTs in the control and App groups were 3.80 ± 1.52 and 2.82 ± 1.34 days, respectively (p < .001). Fewer patients in the control group reached the FBG‐TRT within 3 days than in the App group, with 46.5% and 71.3% of patients reaching that target, respectively. There was no significant between‐group difference in hypoglycaemia incidence.

Conclusion

The use of this weight‐based insulin dose titration protocol for BI app is effective and safe for achieving the target FBG in noncritically ill patients with T2DM and is free, easy to use and user friendly.
Social work's colonial past with Indigenous children and communities in Australia and Canada: A cross‐national comparison
Authors: Yu Nilan , Morgenshtern Marina , Schmid Jeanette
Published: August 2023

This article offers a cross‐national comparison of social work in two countries, Australia and Canada, about the care of Indigenous children within the context of colonization and the evolving profession. The discussion is based on data from two empirical studies that examined professional discourse relating to the removal of Indigenous children from their families and Indigenous peoples more broadly within key historical time frames. The studies involved a content analysis of the flagship journals of the Australian and Canadian professional associations. It is argued that a critical interrogation of professional discourse within these historical and national particularities provides insights that can inform a broader understanding of how practices and constructions of social work are shaped within contemporary practice contexts. The studies revealed that very little attention was paid to problematizing colonial policies and practices, including the state‐sanctioned forcible removal of countless Indigenous children from their biological families, while the professions in both countries were complicit in the oppressive treatment of Indigenous peoples that have left a legacy of intergenerational trauma. The findings suggest a way of understanding social work as a discipline beyond the historical specificities of the two countries that has relevance to social work across the globe.
‘You've got to love her’—Perceptions of birth mothers among children in long‐term foster care
Authors: Ie Judite , Ellingsen Ingunn T.
Published: August 2023

Research shows differences in gendered caring expectations between mothers and fathers across countries and how they are affected by the development of different family forms and cultural practices. In this study, we explore the meaning that 14 children and youths in long‐term non‐kinship foster care in Spain ascribe to their birth mothers. We found three main perspectives among the participants. Within these perspectives, age, gender and socio‐cultural context seem to be intertwined in how children and youths in foster care perceive their birth mother's role in their lives. The analysis gives insight into the complexity of child–mother relationships and how young people navigate these. In light of these findings, we discuss some practical implications for social workers in child protection services.
Sampling Visible GGX Normals with Spherical Caps
Authors: Dupuy Jonathan , Benyoub Anis
Published: August 2023

Importance sampling the distribution of visible GGX normals requires sampling those of a hemisphere. In this work, we introduce a novel method for sampling such visible normals. Our method builds upon the insight that a hemispherical mirror reflects parallel light rays uniformly within a solid angle shaped as a spherical cap. This spherical cap has the same apex as the hemispherical mirror, and its aperture given by the angle formed by the orientation of that apex and the direction of incident light rays. Based on this insight, we sample GGX visible normals as halfway vectors between a given incident direction and directions drawn from its associated spherical cap. Our resulting implementation is even simpler than that of Heitz and leads to systematic speed‐ups in our benchmarks.
Data Parallel Multi‐GPU Path Tracing using Ray Queue Cycling
Authors: Wald Ingo , Jaroš Milan , Zellmann Stefan
Published: August 2023

We propose a novel approach to data‐parallel path tracing on single‐node/multi‐GPU hardware that builds on ray forwarding, but which aims—above all else—at generality and practicability. We do this by avoiding any attempts at reducing the number of traces or forward operations performed, and instead focus on always using all GPUs' aggregate compute and bandwidth to effectively trace each ray on every GPU. We show that—counter‐intuitively—this is both feasible and desirable; and that when run on typical data‐center/cloud hardware, the resulting framework not only achieves good performance and scalability, but also comes with significantly fewer limitations, assumptions, or preprocessing requirements than existing techniques.
Donor safety of remnant liver volumes of less than 30% in living donor liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Sang‐Hoon , Kim Ki‐Hun , Cho Hwui‐Dong
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the acceptability of donor remnant liver volume (RLV) to total liver volume (TLV) ratio (RLV/TLV) being <30% as safe in living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs).

Methods

Online databases were searched from January 2000 to June 2022. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed‐ or random‐effects model.

Results

One prospective and seven retrospective studies comprising 1935 patients (164 RLV/TLV <30% vs. 1771 RLV/TLV ≥30%) were included. Overall (OR = 1.82; 95% CI [1.24, 2.67]; p = .002) and minor (OR = 1.88; 95% CI [1.23, 2.88]; p = .004) morbidities were significantly lower in the RLV/TLV ≥30% group than in the RLV/TLV <30% group (OR = 1.82; 95% CI [1.24, 2.67]; p = .002). No significant differences were noted in the major morbidity, biliary complications, and hepatic dysfunction. Peak levels of bilirubin (SMD = .50; 95% CI [.07, .93]; p = .02) and international normalized ratio (SMD = .68; 95% CI [.04, 1.32]; p = .04) were significantly lower in the RLV/TLV ≥ 30% group than in the RLV/TLV <30% group. No significant differences were noted in the peak alanine transferase and aspartate transaminase levels and hospital stay.

Conclusions

Considering the safety of the donor as the top priority, the eligibility of a potential liver donor in LDLT whose RLV/TLV is expected to be <30% should not be accepted.
Principles for good scholarship in systematic reviews
Authors: Kolaski Kat , Romeiser Logan Lynne , Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: August 2023

Many sources document problems that jeopardize the trustworthiness of systematic reviews. This is a major concern given their potential to influence patient care and impact people's lives. Responsibility for producing trustworthy conclusions on the evidence in systematic reviews is borne primarily by authors who need the necessary training and resources to correctly report on the current knowledge base. Peer reviewers and editors are also accountable; they must ensure that systematic reviews are accurate by demonstrating proper methods. To support all these stakeholders, we attempt to distill the sprawling guidance that is currently available in our recent co‐publication about best tools and practices for systematic reviews. We specifically address how to meet methodological conduct standards applicable to key components of systematic reviews. In this complementary invited review, we place these standards in the context of good scholarship principles for systematic review development. Our intention is to reach a broad audience and potentially improve the trustworthiness of evidence syntheses published in the developmental medicine literature and beyond.
From ‘bench to bedside’: Dissolving muscle contractures in cerebral palsy
Authors: Chambers Henry G.
Published: August 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Howard et al on pages 1639–1645 of this issue.
Cardiovascular prevention with glucose‐lowering drugs in type 2 diabetes: An evidence‐based approach to the categories of primary and secondary prevention
Authors: Mannucci Edoardo , Silverii Giovanni Antonio
Published: August 2023

Aims

Whether to recommend specifically the glucose‐lowering therapies with cardiovascular benefit only in secondary prevention, or also in patients with multiple risk factors (MRF) but without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), is controversial across the guidelines for diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis of clinical trials with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) as an outcome.

Results

The definitions of ASCVD and MRF were heterogeneous across trials; nevertheless, the incidence of MACE was 2.8‐fold higher in people with ASCVD in trials with sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), and 3.9‐fold in trials with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RA). Both SGLT2i and GLP‐1 RA were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of MACE in people with previous ASCVD [inverse variance‐odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval (0.86: 0.97) for SGLT2i, Mantel‐Haenszel odds ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval (0.81: 0.90) for GLP‐1 RA], whereas no significant reduction was detected in those without; on the other hand, no significant difference in effect was found between the two groups as well. The sample of patients without ASCVD enrolled in clinical trials is insufficient to draw reliable conclusions in this population; however, even assuming the same benefit detected in people with ASCVD also in those with MRF, the number needed to treat would differ (35 for secondary, 99 for primary prevention of a MACE with a SGLT2i; 21 for secondary, 82 for primary prevention with a GLP‐1 RA, respectively), given the difference in absolute cardiovascular risk at baseline.

Conclusion

The distinction between patients with ASCVD and those without ASCVD and MRF appears therefore justified by available evidence.
Niche construction and the environmental term of the price equation: How natural selection changes when organisms alter their environments
Authors: Wade Michael J. , Sultan Sonia E.
Published: August 2023

Organisms construct their own environments and phenotypes through the adaptive processes of habitat choice, habitat construction, and phenotypic plasticity. We examine how these processes affect the dynamics of mean fitness change through the environmental change term of the Price Equation. This tends to be ignored in evolutionary theory, owing to the emphasis on the first term describing the effect of natural selection on mean fitness (the additive genetic variance for fitness of Fisher's Fundamental Theorem). Using population genetic models and the Price Equation, we show how adaptive niche constructing traits favorably alter the distribution of environments that organisms encounter and thereby increase population mean fitness. Because niche‐constructing traits increase the frequency of higher‐fitness environments, selection favors their evolution. Furthermore, their alteration of the actual or experienced environmental distribution creates selective feedback between niche constructing traits and other traits, especially those with genotype‐by‐environment interaction for fitness. By altering the distribution of experienced environments, niche constructing traits can increase the additive genetic variance for such traits. This effect accelerates the process of overall adaption to the niche‐constructed environmental distribution and can contribute to the rapid refinement of alternative phenotypic adaptations to different environments. Our findings suggest that evolutionary biologists revisit and reevaluate the environmental term of the Price Equation: owing to adaptive niche construction, it contributes directly to positive change in mean fitness; its magnitude can be comparable to that of natural selection; and, when there is fitness G × E, it increases the additive genetic variance for fitness, the much‐celebrated first term.
The sting of negativity: Irad Kimhi and Michael Della Rocca on the Parmenidean challenge
Authors: Koch Anton Friedrich
Published: August 2023

Irad Kimhi considers the conundrum, first addressed by Parmenides, of how negative facts can be the case and be thought, to be the puzzle that philosophy has been working to solve since Plato and Aristotle and wants to do his part by criticizing Frege's dissociation of sense and force and developing a more Aristotelian account of judgment. Michael Della Rocca considers the conundrum a hopeless aporia that we must avoid by embracing Parmenides' radical monism of being and in a recent article (“Parmenides' insight and the possibility of logic”) aims to show that Kimhi is confronted with exactly the kind of insoluble difficulties that he that finds in Frege. The present article agrees with Kimhi that we can think about what is not the case, although thinking reaches all the way to what IS the case. But Della Rocca is right that Kimhi cannot explain by virtue of what we are able to do this. The counter‐proposal says: (1) Thinking reaches to being in that we have learned to read things in the intersubjective spatial field of consciousness as model tokens of singular propositions about them. (2) Negation can be thought of because thinking has its very origin in absolute, non‐well‐founded negation.
Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in patients with double‐seronegative myasthenia gravis
Authors: Martinez‐Harms Rodrigo , Barnett Carolina , Alcantara Monica , Bril Vera
Published: August 2023

Background and purpose

Double‐seronegative myasthenia gravis (dSNMG) is defined as myasthenia gravis (MG) without detectable or low affinity antibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle‐specific kinase (MuSK). There are limited data on detailed clinical features and outcomes after treatment in dSNMG patients. The aim was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in dSNMG patients based on MG scales.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed of patients diagnosed with MG who had negative AChR or MuSK antibodies and they were compared with an AChR‐positive MG cohort. Correlations were made with data from the first and last clinic visits, between demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment and disease severity, based on the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America category, Myasthenia Gravis Impairment Index (MGII), Patient Acceptable Symptom State and simple single question (SSQ).

Results

Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria for dSNMG. The baseline MGII and SSQ scores in the dSNMG cohort showed no significant differences from the AChR group (p = 0.94 and p = 0.46). The dSNMG cohort MGII and SSQ scores improved significantly at the last clinical evaluation (p = 0.001 and p = 0.047). The MGII improvement in the AChR cohort was significantly better (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The initial severity of dSNMG based on clinical scores is similar to antibody‐positive MG patients. There is significant clinical improvement in dSNMG patients after therapy, measured in the last clinical evaluation. This supports an immune pathophysiology of many dSNMG patients.
Disentangling the complex landscape of sleep–wake disorders with data‐driven phenotyping: A study of the Bernese center
Authors: Aellen Florence M. , Van der Meer Julia , Dietmann Anelia , Schmidt Markus , Bassetti Claudio L. A. , Tzovara Athina
Published: August 2023

Background and purpose

The diagnosis of sleep–wake disorders (SWDs) is challenging because of the existence of only few accurate biomarkers and the frequent coexistence of multiple SWDs and/or other comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess in a large cohort of well‐characterized SWD patients the potential of a data‐driven approach for the identification of SWDs.

Methods

We included 6958 patients from the Bernese Sleep Registry and 300 variables/biomarkers including questionnaires, results of polysomnography/vigilance tests, and final clinical diagnoses. A pipeline, based on machine learning, was created to extract and cluster the clinical data. Our analysis was performed on three cohorts: patients with central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDHs), a full cohort of patients with SWDs, and a clean cohort without coexisting SWDs.

Results

A first analysis focused on the cohort of patients with CDHs and revealed four patient clusters: two clusters for narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) but not for narcolepsy type 2 or idiopathic hypersomnia. In the full cohort of SWDs, nine clusters were found: four contained patients with obstructive and central sleep apnea syndrome, one with NT1, and four with intermixed SWDs. In the cohort of patients without coexisting SWDs, an additional cluster of patients with chronic insomnia disorder was identified.

Conclusions

This study confirms the existence of clear clusters of NT1 in CDHs, but mainly intermixed groups in the full spectrum of SWDs, with the exception of sleep apnea syndromes and NT1. New biomarkers are needed for better phenotyping and diagnosis of SWDs.
Identification of a small chemical as a lysosomal calcium mobilizer and characterization of its ability to inhibit autophagy and viral infection
Authors: Zhang Kehui , Huang Lihong , Cai Yang , Zhong Yi , Chen Nanjun , Gao Fei , Zhang Liang , Li Qi , Liu Zhenming , Zhang Rongxin , Zhang Liangren , Yue Jianbo
Published: August 2023

We previously identified glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as one of the cyclic adenosine diphosphoribose (cADPR)'s binding proteins and found that GAPDH participates in cADPR‐mediated Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum via ryanodine receptors (RyRs). Here, we aimed to chemically synthesise and pharmacologically characterise novel cADPR analogues. Based on the simulated cADPR–GAPDH complex structure, we performed the structure‐based drug screening, identified several small chemicals with high docking scores to cADPR's binding pocket in GAPDH and showed that two of these compounds, C244 and C346, are potential cADPR antagonists. We further synthesised several analogues of C346 and found that its analogue, G42, also mobilised Ca2+ release from lysosomes. G42 alkalised lysosomal pH and inhibited autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Moreover, G42 markedly inhibited Zika virus (ZIKV, a flavivirus) or murine hepatitis virus (MHV, a β‐coronavirus) infections of host cells. These results suggest that G42 inhibits virus infection, likely by triggering lysosomal Ca2+ mobilisation and inhibiting autophagy.
Arsenic affects homologous recombination and single‐strand annealing but not end‐joining pathways during DNA double‐strand break repair
Authors: Kurosawa Aya , Saito Shinta , Sakurai Mikiko , Shinozuka Mizuki , Someya Yuduki , Adachi Noritaka
Published: August 2023

Arsenic is a carcinogen that can cause skin, lung, and bladder cancer. While DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) have been implicated in arsenic‐induced carcinogenesis, the exact mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we performed genetic analysis to examine the impact of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on four different DSB repair pathways using the human pre‐B cell line Nalm‐6. Random integration analysis showed that As2O3 does not negatively affect non‐homologous end joining or polymerase theta‐mediated end joining. In contrast, chromosomal DSB repair analysis revealed that As2O3 decreases the efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) and, less prominently, single‐strand annealing. Consistent with this finding, As2O3 decreased gene‐targeting efficiency, owing to a significant reduction in the frequency of HR‐mediated targeted integration. To further verify the inhibitory effect of arsenic on HR, we examined cellular sensitivity to olaparib and camptothecin, which induce one‐ended DSBs requiring HR for precise repair. Intriguingly, we found that As2O3 significantly enhances sensitivity to those anticancer agents in HR‐proficient cells. Our results suggest that arsenic‐induced genomic instability is attributed to HR suppression, providing valuable insights into arsenic‐associated carcinogenesis and therapeutic options.
The influence of printing strategies on fatigue crack growth behavior of an additively manufactured AISI 316L stainless steel
Authors: Camacho José , Martins Rui F. , Branco Ricardo , Raimundo António , Malça Cândida
Published: August 2023

Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing powder‐bed fusion process that allows producing complex metallic parts with a relative density of up to 99.9%. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties of these components depend on numerous process variables, and there is a lack of systematic studies focused on SLM stainless steels. In the work herein presented, three specific printing strategies were X‐Y patterned to manufacture Compact Tension specimens transversally, longitudinally, or chess‐oriented, without any post‐processing heat treatment. The specimens were made of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. Thereafter, fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) tests were carried out at room temperature, at constant amplitude loading (R = 0.2), to determine the fatigue crack propagation constants of the Paris Law associated with each print strategy. It was possible to conclude that transversal additively manufactured specimens showed the lowest FCGRs, and all results were well below the fatigue design curve given in ASME BPVC, Section XI.
Genetic drift versus natural selection affecting the evolution of spectral and functional traits of two key macrophytes: Phragmites australis and Nuphar lutea
Authors: Castellani Maria Beatrice , Dalla Vecchia Alice , Bolpagni Rossano , Natale Roberto , Piaser Erika , Lastrucci Lorenzo , Coppi Andrea , Villa Paolo
Published: August 2023

Both genetic and phenotypic intraspecific diversity play a crucial role in the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of organisms. Several studies have compared phenotypic divergence (Pst) and differentiation of neutral loci (Fst) to infer the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection in population differentiation (Pst–Fst comparison). For the first time, we have assessed and compared the genetic variation and differentiation at the leaf trait level in two key macrophytes, Phragmites australis and Nuphar lutea.

To this aim, we quantified and described the genetic structure and phenotypic diversity of both species in five lake systems in north‐central Italy. We then investigated the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection on leaf trait differentiation (Pst–Fst), assuming that Fst reflects divergence caused only by genetic drift while Pst also incorporates the effects of selective dynamics on the phenotype.

In terms of genetic structure, the results for P. australis were in line with those observed for other Italian and European conspecific populations. Conversely, N. lutea showed a more complex genetic structure than expected at the site level, probably due to the combined effect of genetic isolation and its mixed mating system. Both species exhibited high variability in leaf functional traits within and among sites, highlighting a high degree of phenotypic plasticity. Pst–Fst comparisons showed a general tendency towards directional selection in P. australis and a more complex pattern in N. lutea. Indeed, the drivers of phenotypic differentiation in N. lutea showed a variable mix of stabilising and directional selection or neutral divergence at most sites.

The prevalence of vegetative over generative reproduction leads P. australis populations to be dominated by a few clones that are well adapted to local conditions, including phenotypes that respond plastically to the environment. In contrast, in N. lutea, the interaction of a mixed mating system and geographical isolation among distant sites tends to reduce the effect of outbreeding depression and provides the genetic basis for adaptive capacity.

The first joint analysis of the genetic structure of these two key macrophytes allowed a better understanding of the relative roles of genetic drift and natural selection in the diversification of phenotypic traits within habitats dominated by P. australis and N. lutea.