bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated CO2 increases biomass of Sorghum bicolor green prop roots under drought conditions via soluble sugar accumulation and photosynthetic activity
Authors: de Souza Rodrigues Tamires , Arge Luis Willian Pacheco , de Freitas Guedes Fernanda Alves , Travassos‐Lins João , de Souza Amanda Pereira , Cocuron Jean‐Christophe , Buckeridge Marcos Silveira , Grossi‐de‐Sá Maria Fátima , Alves‐Ferreira Márcio
Published: August 2023

Elevated [CO2] (E[CO2]) mitigates agricultural losses of C4 plants under drought. Although several studies have described the molecular responses of the C4 plant species Sorghum bicolor during drought exposure, few have reported the combined effects of drought and E[CO2] (E[CO2]/D) on the roots. A previous study showed that, among plant organs, green prop roots (GPRs) under E[CO2]/D presented the second highest increase in biomass after leaves compared with ambient [CO2]/D. GPRs are photosynthetically active and sensitive to drought. To understand which mechanisms are involved in the increase in biomass of GPRs, we performed transcriptome analyses of GPRs under E[CO2]/D. Whole‐transcriptome analysis revealed several pathways altered under E[CO2]/D, among which photosynthesis was strongly affected. We also used previous metabolome data to support our transcriptome data. Activities associated with photosynthesis and central metabolism increased, as seen by the upregulation of photosynthesis‐related genes, a rise in glucose and polyol contents, and increased contents of chlorophyll a and carotenoids. Protein–protein interaction networks revealed that proliferation, biogenesis, and homeostasis categories were enriched and contained mainly upregulated genes. The findings suggest that the previously reported increase in GPR biomass of plants grown under E[CO2]/D is mainly attributed to glucose and polyol accumulation, as well as photosynthesis activity and carbon provided by respiratory CO2 refixation. Our findings reveal that an intriguing and complex metabolic process occurs in GPRs under E[CO2]/D, showing the crucial role of these organs in plant drought /tolerance.
The cell walls of different Chara species are characterized by branched galactans rich in 3‐O‐methylgalactose and absence of AGPs
Authors: Pfeifer Lukas , Mueller Kim‐Kristine , Utermöhlen Jon , Erdt Felicitas , Zehge Jean Bastian Just , Schubert Hendrik , Classen Birgit
Published: August 2023

Streptophyte algae are the closest relatives to land plants; their latest common ancestor performed the most drastic adaptation in plant evolution around 500 million years ago: the conquest of land. Besides other adaptations, this step required changes in cell wall composition. Current knowledge on the cell walls of streptophyte algae and especially on the presence of arabinogalactan‐proteins (AGPs), important signalling molecules in all land plants, is limited. To get deeper insights into the cell walls of streptophyte algae, especially in Charophyceae, we performed sequential cell wall extractions of four Chara species. The three species Chara globularis, Chara subspinosa and Chara tomentosa revealed comparable cell wall compositions, with pectins, xylans and xyloglucans, whereas Chara aspera stood out with higher amounts of uronic acids in the pectic fractions and lack of reactivity with antibodies binding to xylan‐ and xyloglucan epitopes. Search for AGPs in the four Chara species and in Nitellopsis obtusa revealed the presence of galactans with pyranosidic galactose in 1,3‐, 1,6‐ and 1,3,6‐linkage, which are typical galactan motifs in land plant AGPs. A unique feature of these branched galactans was high portions of 3‐O‐methylgalactose. Only Nitellopsis contained substantial amounts of arabinose A bioinformatic search for prolyl‐4‐hydroxylases, involved in the biosynthesis of AGPs, revealed one possible functional sequence in the genome of Chara braunii, but no hydroxyproline could be detected in the four Chara species or in Nitellopsis obtusa. We conclude that AGPs that is typical for land plants are absent, at least in these members of the Charophyceae.
Quantifying the risk of mass shootings at specific locations
Authors: Lei Xue , MacKenzie Cameron
Published: August 2023

Mass shootings are horrific events that annually take scores of innocent lives in the United States. Federal, state, and local governments as well as educational, religious, and private‐sector organizations propose and enact polices and strategies to protect people from and during active shooter situations. A probabilistic risk assessment of a mass shooting for a specific organization, jurisdiction, or location can be the first step toward evaluating the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies and determining which strategies might be most appropriate for a location. This article proposes a novel hierarchical method to assess the probability of a mass shooting at specific locations based on available historical data. First, the method generates a probability distribution over the annual number of mass shootings in the United States. Second, the article uses this national number of mass shootings to determine the risk for each state. Third, the state risk assessment is decomposed to calculate the probability of a mass shooting in a specific location such as a school. Multiple ways to assess the risk are presented, leading to slightly different probability assessments for a location. Results indicate that annual probability of a mass shooting in the largest high school in California is on the order of , and the annual probability of a mass shooting in the largest high school in Iowa is about half as likely as in the California school.
Existence of global solutions to the nonlocal Schrödinger equation on the line
Authors: Zhao Yi , Fan Engui
Published: August 2023

We address the existence of global solutions to the Cauchy problem for the integrable nonlocal nonlinear Schrödinger (nonlocal NLS) equation under the initial data with the small‐norm. The nonlocal NLS equation was first introduced by Ablowitz and Musslimani as a new nonlocal reduction of the well‐known Ablowitz–Kaup–Newell–Segur system. The main technical difficulty for proving its global well‐posedness on the line in is due to the fact that mass and energy conservation laws, being nonlocal, do not preserve any reasonable norm and may be negative. In this paper, we use the inverse scattering transform approach to prove the existence of global solutions in based on the representation of a Riemann–Hilbert (RH) problem associated with the Cauchy problem of the nonlocal NLS equation. A key of this approach is, by applying the Volttera integral operator and Cauchy integral operator, to establish a Lipschitz bijective map between the solution of the nonlocal NLS equation and reflection coefficients associated with the RH problem. By using the reconstruction formula and estimates on the solution of the time‐dependent RH problem, we further affirm the existence of a unique global solution to the Cauchy problem for the nonlocal NLS equation.
The use of botulinum toxin for grinding in patients with Rett syndrome—Case report
Authors: Komisarek Oskar , Malak Roksana , Śledzińska Aleksandra , Śledzińska Paulina , Mojs Ewa , Matthews‐Kozanecka Maja , Samborski Włodzimierz
Published: August 2023

Aims

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene. It is characterized by profound and severe motor disability. Patients with RTT grind their teeth, causing damage to their permanent teeth. This article aims to describe the case of an 8‐year‐old child with RTT and the methods of botulinum toxin‐based treatment for teeth grinding.

Methods and Results

Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to monitor the effects of treatment. The masseter and temporal muscles, responsible for the elevation of the mandible, were injected with botulinum toxin. The results of the sEMG examination performed 1 week, 1 month and 4 months after toxin administration were compared to the sEMG conducted before treatment. The research demonstrates a significant reduction in both grinding frequency and tension of the masseter and temporal muscles.

Conclusion

Possible adverse effects after chronic use of botulinum toxin were discussed. The article also emphasizes the need for masticatory muscle rehabilitation during botulinum toxin therapy. However, it is necessary to repeat this procedure on a larger group of children with RTT to establish our efforts' efficacy.
Nordic nurses' areas of research during and related to the COVID‐19 pandemic. A scoping review with recommendations for evidence‐based practice
Authors: Loft Mia Ingerslev , Berthelsen Connie
Published: August 2023

Background

The knowledge of the landscape of COVID‐19 research performed by nurses in hospitals and health services is scarce. It is important to identify, map and share knowledge and thus provide a better understanding of the important research performed by nurses.

Aims

To provide a comprehensive overview of Nordic nurses' focus areas of research during and related to the COVID‐19 pandemic and to extract knowledge on recommendations for future evidence‐based practice.

Methods

The electronic databases of MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO) and Scopus (via Elsevier) were searched for studies describing all areas of nursing during and related to the COVID‐19 pandemic conducted in the Nordic countries. Studies conducted by a nurse as the first or last author and published from March 2020 to March 2022 were included in the scoping review. The protocol for the review is registered at Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/f8kuq).

Results

Of 8412 studies found in the comprehensive search, 119 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were written by nurses from Denmark (42%), Sweden (31%), Norway (20%), Finland (6%) and Iceland (1%). The majority of studies (39%) covered patients' and relatives' experiences of visiting restrictions and social distancing and relatives' communications with healthcare professionals. Twenty‐six per cent of included studies covered healthcare professionals' experiences of caring for patients infected with COVID‐19, working during the pandemic and suffering from the consequences of both.

Linking Evidence to Action

The recommendations of evidence‐based practice for future pandemics show that social distancing for disease prevention must be provided while considering the human consequences of social distancing. Special training is also recommended for healthcare professionals caring for COVID‐19 patients accompanied by psychosocial support for their mental well‐being. Additionally, virtual contact is an important supplement to personal treatment and face‐to‐face contact during social restrictions.
Authors, narrators, and autonomous agents: The art of relational autobiography
Authors: Westlund Andrea C.
Published: August 2023

In this article, I consider several different ways of unpacking the metaphor of self‐authorship, asking what an author might be and how authorship thus understood might be related to personal autonomy. First, I consider authors as makers or creators in a generic sense. Next, I consider authors as a particular sort of creator (the creator of a text), and, finally, authors as an interpretive construct implied by a text. Ultimately, I argue that we both construct ourselves as authors and take responsibility for our self‐constructs through narrative self‐interpretation. Importantly, however, narrative self‐interpretation is not simply a process of individual self‐narration. Given the limitations placed on the autobiographical perspective by our temporal and subjective locations and the intersection of any one person's story with the stories of others, I argue that both autonomy and autobiography are best understood as relational.
Two‐dimensional planimetry for alopecia areata severity evaluation compared with severity of alopecia tool: A pilot study
Authors: Seol Jung Eun , Hong Seong Min , Ahn Sang Woo , Jang Seung Hee , Kim Hyojin
Published: August 2023

Background

Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) is widely used to assess the severity of alopecia areata (AA). However, physician‐related subjectivity exists in SALT scoring (S1–5), especially with initial inspection in the clinical practice. This study investigated two‐dimensional planimetric method to calculate actual surface area of AA, validating SALT scoring.

Materials and methods

SALT score was measured twice in each patient based on "initial" inspection in the clinic (SALT‐I) and retrospective assessment of the "photograph" (SALT‐P). Planimetric surface area was calculated by Image J program. Subgroup analysis was performed depending on the agreement between SALT‐I and ‐P; score was described in the order of SALT‐I and SALT‐P.

Results

A total of 93 subjects were enrolled. Planimetric surface area (cm2) of SALT‐I was 2.5–74.9 (S1), 48.8–100.6 (S2), 83.6–205.4 (S3), and 282–367.9 (S4), while SALT‐P was 2.5–59.2 (S1), 41.6–205.4 (S2), 48.8–183.2 (S3), and 282–367.9 (S4). In subgroup analysis, SALT‐I and SALT‐P agreed group showed planimetric surface area (cm2) as 2.5–59.2 (S1‐1), 64.2–100.6 (S2‐2), 168.3–183 (S3‐3), and 282.6–367.9 (S4‐4). Disagreed group showed the value as 54.7 (S1‐2), 41.6–74.9 (S2‐1), 83.6–205.4 (S2‐3), and 48.8–88.6 (S3‐2).

Conclusion

SALT‐P was more clearly correlated with actual surface area than SALT‐I. Planimetric surface area measurement could be used as a supplementary method especially in the S1 to S3, suggesting 60 cm2, 100 cm2, and 200 cm2 as objective cutoff values to differentiate S1, S2, and S3.
Balancing growth amidst salt stress – lifestyle perspectives from the extremophyte model Schrenkiella parvula
Authors: Tran Kieu‐Nga , Pantha Pramod , Wang Guannan , Kumar Narender , Wijesinghege Chathura , Oh Dong‐Ha , Wimalagunasekara Samadhi , Duppen Nick , Li Hongfei , Hong Hyewon , Johnson John C. , Kelt Ross , Matherne Megan G. , Nguyen Thu T , Garcia Jason R , Clement Ashley , Tran David , Crain Colt , Adhikari Prava , Zhang Yanxia , Foroozani Maryam , Sessa Guido , Larkin John C. , Smith Aaron P. , Longstreth David , Finnegan Patrick , Testerink Christa , Barak Simon , Dassanayake Maheshi
Published: August 2023

Schrenkiella parvula, a leading extremophyte model in Brassicaceae, can grow and complete its lifecycle under multiple environmental stresses, including high salinity. Yet, the key physiological and structural traits underlying its stress‐adapted lifestyle are unknown along with trade‐offs when surviving salt stress at the expense of growth and reproduction. We aimed to identify the influential adaptive trait responses that lead to stress‐resilient and uncompromised growth across developmental stages when treated with salt at levels known to inhibit growth in Arabidopsis and most crops. Its resilient growth was promoted by traits that synergistically allowed primary root growth in seedlings, the expansion of xylem vessels across the root‐shoot continuum, and a high capacity to maintain tissue water levels by developing thicker succulent leaves while enabling photosynthesis during salt stress. A successful transition from vegetative to reproductive phase was initiated by salt‐induced early flowering, resulting in viable seeds. Self‐fertilization in salt‐induced early flowering was dependent upon filament elongation in flowers otherwise aborted in the absence of salt during comparable plant ages. The maintenance of leaf water status promoting growth, and early flowering to ensure reproductive success in a changing environment, were among the most influential traits that contributed to the extremophytic lifestyle of S. parvula.
Ultrasonographic measurements of fascicle length overestimate adaptations in serial sarcomere number
Authors: Hinks Avery , Franchi Martino V. , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2023

Ultrasound‐derived measurements of muscle fascicle length (FL) are often used to infer increases (chronic stretch or training) or decreases (muscle disuse or aging) in serial sarcomere number (SSN). Whether FL adaptations measured via ultrasound can truly approximate SSN adaptations has not been investigated. We casted the right hindlimb of 15 male Sprague–Dawley rats in a dorsiflexed position (i.e., stretched the plantar flexors) for 2 weeks, with the left hindlimb serving as a control. Ultrasound images of the soleus, lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and medial gastrocnemius (MG) were obtained with the ankle at 90° and full dorsiflexion for both hindlimbs pre and post‐cast. Following post‐cast ultrasound measurements, legs were fixed in formalin with the ankle at 90°, then muscles were dissected and fascicles were teased out for measurement of sarcomere lengths via laser diffraction and calculation of SSN. Ultrasound detected an 11% increase in soleus FL, a 12% decrease in LG FL, and an 8–11% increase in MG FL for proximal fascicles and at full dorsiflexion. These adaptations were partly reflected by SSN adaptations, with a 6% greater soleus SSN in the casted leg than the un‐casted leg, but no SSN differences for the gastrocnemii. Weak relationships were observed between ultrasonographic measurements of FL and measurements of FL and SSN from dissected fascicles. Our results showed that ultrasound‐derived FL measurements can overestimate an increase in SSN by ∼5%. Future studies should be cautious when concluding a large magnitude of sarcomerogenesis from ultrasound‐derived FL measurements, and may consider applying a correction factor.
Thermomechanical Coupling in Polydomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Authors: Wei Zhengxuan , Wang Peixun , Bai Ruobing
Published: August 2023

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are made of liquid crystal molecules integrated with rubber-like polymer networks. An LCE exhibits both the thermotropic property of liquid crystals and the large deformation of elastomers. It can be monodomain or polydomain in the nematic phase and transforms to an isotropic phase at elevated temperature. These features have enabled various new applications of LCEs in robotics and other fields. However, despite substantial research and development in recent years, thermomechanical coupling in polydomain LCEs remains poorly studied, such as their temperature-dependent mechanical response and stretch-influenced isotropic-nematic phase transition. This knowledge gap severely limits the fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship, as well as future developments of LCEs with precisely controlled material behaviors. Here, we construct a theoretical model to investigate the thermomechanical coupling in polydomain LCEs. The model includes a quasi-convex elastic energy of the polymer network and a free energy of mesogens. We study the working conditions where a polydomain LCE is subjected to various prescribed planar stretches and temperatures. The quasi-convex elastic energy enables a “mechanical phase diagram” that describes the macroscopic effective mechanical response of the material, and the free energy of mesogens governs their first-order nematic-isotropic phase transition. The evolution of the mechanical phase diagram and the order parameter with temperature is predicted and discussed. Unique temperature-dependent mechanical behaviors of the polydomain LCE that have never been reported before are shown in their stress-stretch curves. These results are hoped to motivate future fundamental studies and new applications of thermomechanical LCEs.
Rigorous Analysis of Energy Conservation During Dynamic Deployment of Elastic Thin-Shell Structures
Authors: Gianfranco Canales F. , Pellegrino Sergio
Published: August 2023

This paper studies the dynamic deployment of cylindrical thin-shell structures with open cross section, attached to a rigid base. The structures are elastically folded and then released. Previous experiments have shown that the total energy decreases while a fold moves back and forth along the structure, which was explained in terms of energy losses related to the fold “bouncing” against the boundary. This paper uses a rigorous numerical simulation, based on an in-house isogeometric shell finite element code that simultaneously eliminates shear locking and hourglassing without any intrinsic energy dissipation, to show that the total energy of the system is conserved during deployment. The discrepancy with the previous results is explained by showing that energy transfers from low-frequency, “rigid body” modes, to higher frequency modes.
Improved spectral photometer for undergraduate observations of atmospheric infrared heat flux and greenhouse gas absorption bands
Authors: Blanchard Gerard T. , Bowlsbey Bryce A. , Dyess James R. , Rumsey Ryan D. , Woodring Justin B.
Published: August 2023

We present an experiment investigating the physics of the atmospheric greenhouse effect that can be performed by undergraduate physics students. The students construct a three-channel spectral photometer to observe the infrared heat flux in the atmosphere. With this spectral photometer, the students observe the difference in heat flux between the portion of the IR spectrum that is absorbed by water vapor and carbon dioxide and the portion that is not absorbed by atmospheric constituents. The students discover that Earth's surface is warmed by radiation from the greenhouse gas absorption bands, and the radiation of heat to space is retarded by the absorption bands. One component of the experiment is performed on the ground and the other component is performed in the atmosphere using a high-altitude balloon. The students then compare their results to a simulation of infrared radiation transport in the atmosphere.
Climate sensitivity from radiative-convective equilibrium: A chalkboard approach
Authors: Jeevanjee Nadir
Published: August 2023

Simple models for Earth's climate sensitivity (i.e. its temperature response to radiative forcing) are developed by combining the time-tested idealization of one-dimensional radiative-convective equilibrium (RCE) with simple yet quantitatively reasonable models for CO2 forcing and the water vapor feedback. Along the way, we introduce key paradigms including the emission level approximation, the forcing-feedback decomposition of climate sensitivity, and “Simpson's law” for water vapor thermal emission. We also discuss climate feedbacks unaccounted for in this RCE framework, as well as differing variants of climate sensitivity, all of which may be ripe for their own chalkboard treatments.
Teaching physics in the woods
Authors: Bouquet Frédéric , Bobroff Julien , Etienne Lou-Andreas , Vardon Clara
Published: August 2023

We developed a two-day physics class that uses a nearby forest as a teaching location. Using low-cost material, students design and carry out physics projects outside of the usual controlled environment that is a classroom. In this way, they come to realize that physics can be used to understand the real world. They organize and present their results in an original format, an exhibit they collectively build. This project is an introduction to the role physics can play in exploring environmental issues, incorporating a sensitive and positive aspect which is important in this time of environmental crisis.
The art of the deal: Deciphering the endowment effect from traders’ eyes
Authors: Sheng Feng , Wang Ruining , Liang Zexian , Wang Xiaoyi , Platt Michael L.
Published: August 2023

People are often reluctant to trade, a reticence attributed to the endowment effect. The prevailing account attributes the endowment effect to valuation-related bias, manifesting as sellers valuing goods more than buyers, whereas an alternative account attributes it to response-related bias, manifesting as both buyers and sellers tending to stick to the status quo. Here, by tracking and modeling eye activity of buyers and sellers during trading, we accommodate both views within an evidence-accumulation framework. We find that valuation-related bias is indexed by asymmetric attentional allocation between buyers and sellers, whereas response-related bias is indexed by arousal-linked pupillary reactivity. A deal emerges when both buyers and sellers attend to their potential gains and dilate their pupils. Our study provides preliminary evidence for our computational framework of the dynamic processes mediating the endowment effect and identifies physiological biomarkers of deal-making.
Sharp decline in future productivity of tropical reforestation above 29°C mean annual temperature
Authors: Nölte Anja , Yousefpour Rasoul , Cifuentes-Jara Miguel , Hanewinkel Marc
Published: August 2023

Tropical reforestation is among the most powerful tools for carbon sequestration. Yet, climate change impacts on productivity are often not accounted for when estimating its mitigation potential. Using the process-based forest growth model 3-PGmix, we analyzed future productivity of tropical reforestation in Central America. Around 29°C mean annual temperature, productivity sharply and consistently declined (−11% per 1°C of warming) across all tropical lowland climate zones and five tree species spanning a wide range of ecological characteristics. Under a high-emission scenario (SSP3-7.0), productivity of dry tropical reforestation nearly halved and tropical moist and rain forest sites showed moderate losses around 10% by the end of the century. Under SSP2-4.5, tropical moist and rain forest sites were resilient and tropical dry forest sites showed moderate losses (−17%). Increased vapor pressure deficit, caused by increasing temperatures, was the main driver of growth decline. Thus, to continue following high-emission pathways could reduce the effectiveness of reforestation as climate action tool.
Fluoride permeation mechanism of the Fluc channel in liposomes revealed by solid-state NMR
Authors: Zhang Jin , Song Dan , Schackert Florian Karl , Li Juan , Xiang Shengqi , Tian Changlin , Gong Weimin , Carloni Paolo , Alfonso-Prieto Mercedes , Shi Chaowei
Published: August 2023

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) methods can probe the motions of membrane proteins in liposomes at the atomic level and propel the understanding of biomolecular processes for which static structures cannot provide a satisfactory description. In this work, we report our study on the fluoride channel Fluc-Ec1 in phospholipid bilayers based on ssNMR and molecular dynamics simulations. Previously unidentified fluoride binding sites in the aqueous vestibules were experimentally verified by
19
F-detected ssNMR. One of the two fluoride binding sites in the polar track was identified as a water molecule by
1
H-detected ssNMR. Meanwhile, a dynamic hotspot at loop 1 was observed by comparing the spectra of wild-type Fluc-Ec1 in variant buffer conditions or with its mutants. Therefore, we propose that fluoride conduction in the Fluc channel occurs via a “water-mediated knock-on” permeation mechanism and that loop 1 is a key molecular determinant for channel gating.
Targeting sulfation-dependent mechanoreciprocity between matrix and osteoblasts to mitigate bone loss
Authors: Zheng Chao , Liu He , Zhao Pianpian , Lu Weiguang , Song Shiju , He Ting , Fan Jing , Wang Di , Yang Pengfei , Jie Qiang , Zheng Hou-Feng , Luo Zhuojing , Yang Liu
Published: August 2023

Sulfation is a widespread modification of biomolecules that has been incompletely explored to date. Through cross-phenotype meta-analysis of bone mineral density in up to 426,824 genotyped human participants along with phenotypic characterization of multiple mutant mouse lines, we identified a causative role for sulfate transporter solute carrier family 26 member A2 (
SLC26A2
) deficiency in osteoporosis. Ablation of
SLC26A2
in osteoblasts caused severe bone loss and accumulation of immature bone cells and elicited peculiar pericellular matrix (PCM) production characterized by undersulfation coupled with decreased stiffness. These altered chemophysical properties of the PCM disrupted the formation of focal adhesions in osteoblasts. Bulk RNA sequencing and functional assays revealed that the mechanoreciprocal inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP)/WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ) signaling impinged osteoblast maturation upon
SLC26A2
deficiency. Moreover, pharmacological abrogation of the Hippo kinases and forced wheel-running ameliorated
SLC26A2
-deficient osteoporosis by promoting YAP/TAZ activity. Analysis of mouse single-cell RNA sequencing data suggested coordination among sulfate metabolism, focal adhesion, and YAP/TAZ activity during osteoblast-to-osteocyte transition. In addition to the
SLC26A2
-deficient setting, altered FAK and YAP/TAZ signaling was also observed in bone cells of ovariectomized mice and patients with osteoporosis, and pharmacological enforcing of YAP/TAZ activity ameliorated bone loss in ovariectomized mice. Collectively, these data unveil a role for sulfation in the developmental mechanoreciprocity between matrix and osteoblasts, which could be leveraged to prevent bone loss.
Sequence specificity defines the effectiveness of PPMOs targeting
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Nanayakkara A. K. , Moustafa D. A. , Pifer R. , Goldberg J. B. , Greenberg D. E.
Published: August 2023

Development of new therapeutics against antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria is recognized as a priority across the globe. We have reported using peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) as species-specific antibiotics. The oligo sequences, 11 bases are designed to be complementary to specific essential genes near the Shine-Dalgarno site and inhibit translation. Here, we analyzed target specificity and the impact of genetic mutations on lead PPMOs targeting the
rpsJ
or
acpP
gene of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Mutants in
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 were generated with four, two, or one base-pair mutations within the 11-base target sequence of the
rpsJ
gene. All mutants exhibited increased MICs compared to wild-type PAO1 when treated with the RpsJ PPMO, and the increase in the MICs was proportional to the number of base-pair mutations. Among single base-pair mutants, mutations in the middle of the sequence were more impactful than mutations in 5′ or 3′ end of the sequence. The increased MICs shown by the
rpsJ
mutants could be reversed by PPMOs designed to target the mutated
rpsJ
sequence. BALB/c mice infected intratracheally with mutants demonstrated increased lung burden when treated with RpsJ PPMO compared to wild-type PAO1-infected mice treated with RpsJ PPMO. Treating mice with a PPMOs designed to specifically target the mutant sequence was more effective against these mutant strains. These experiments confirm target specificity of two lead
P. aeruginosa
PPMOs and illustrate one potential mechanism of resistance that could emerge from an antisense approach.
FTIR study of H2O in silicate minerals and mineral inclusions in chromite from the peridotite zone of the Stillwater complex (Montana, USA): Evidence for chromitite formation in an H2O-rich environment
Authors: Bai Yang , Cui Meng-Meng , Su Ben-Xun , Liu Xia , Xiao Yan , Robinson Paul T. , Gu Xiao-Yan
Published: August 2023

Although the involvement of hydrous fluids has been frequently invoked in the formation of stratiform chromitites in layered intrusions, there is a lack of natural evidence to signify their presence and mechanism. Here, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of H2O in silicate minerals in the lowermost layer and G chromitite layer of the Stillwater complex, Montana, USA, shows that olivine grains have 20−55 ppm H2O, orthopyroxene has 30−45 ppm H2O, and clinopyroxene has 144−489 ppm H2O. The jointly increasing H2O contents of olivine and orthopyroxene in silicate cumulates along with magma differentiation record a negative correlation in chromitites. On the basis of poikilitic clinopyroxene, we calculated that the interstitial melts had averages of 1.3 wt% and 2.3 wt% H2O in dunite and chromitite, respectively, showing significant differences between chromitites and silicate cumulates. More than 10% of the chromite grains contained polymineralic inclusions up to 100 μm in size that were composed mainly of orthopyroxene, hornblende, plagioclase, and phlogopite. Most of these minerals were characterized by higher MgO and fluid-mobile element contents, such as Na and K, than minerals in associated silicates. Based on the mineral modes of the hydrous phases and their compositions, the trapped fluids contained ∼2.6 wt% H2O, consistent with the FTIR estimates, indicating the inclusion compositions represent interstitial melts instead of parental magmas. These observations indicate that the chromite microlites collected fluids during early crystallization, leading to a heterogeneous fluid redistribution in the melt. The fluids were collected on the surface of chromite grains during crystallization and then dissolved into poikilitic pyroxene. Chromite grains could also be efficiently floated by these fluids, causing them to migrate away from the silicate minerals in the magma channel and leading to the formation of nearly monomineralic chromitite seams. This process serves as a kinetic model indicating that chromite could be completely separated from silicates during mechanical sorting in layered intrusions.
Does armed conflict lead to lower prevalence of maternal health-seeking behaviours: theoretical and empirical research based on 55 683 women in armed conflict settings
Authors: Zhang Tingkai , He Qiwei , Richardson Sol , Tang Kun
Published: August 2023

Background

Women and children bear a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality due to armed conflict. Life-saving maternal and child health (MCH) services are low-quality in most conflict-affected regions. Previous studies on armed conflict and MCH services have been mostly cross-sectional, and a causal relationship between armed conflict and MCH services utilisation cannot be inferred.

Methods

First, we constructed a utility equation for maternal health-seeking behaviour. Next, we extracted MCH data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey led by the UNICEF. Armed conflict data were obtained from the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme; 55 683 women aged 15–49 from Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Iraq were selected as participants. We fitted a difference-in-differences (DID) model, taking before or after the conflict started as an exposure variable to estimate the effects of armed conflict on maternal health-seeking behaviours.

Results

According to the results of the DID model, in the regional sample, armed conflict had a positive effect on tetanus vaccination (β=0.055, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.106, p<0.05), and had a negative effect on antenatal care at least eight visits (ANC8+) (β=−0.046, 95% CI −0.078 to −0.015, p<0.01). And, the effects of armed conflict on ANC, ANC4+, institutional delivery and early initiation of breast feeding (EIB) were not statistically significant. As for the country sample, we found that armed conflict had a negative effect on EIB (β=−0.085, 95% CI −0.184 to 0.015, p<0.1) in Chad. In Iraq, armed conflict had positive impacts on ANC (β=0.038, 95% CI −0.001 to 0.078, p<0.1) and tetanus vaccination (β=0.059, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.107, p<0.05), whereas it had a negative effect on ANC8+ (β=−0.039, 95% CI −0.080 to 0.002, p<0.1). No statistically significant associations were discovered in DRC based on the DID model.

Conclusions

There might be a mixed effect of armed conflict on maternal health-seeking behaviours. In the absence of humanitarian assistance, armed conflict reduces certain maternal health-seeking behaviours, such as ANC8+. When practical humanitarian health assistance is provided, the damage can be alleviated, and even the prevalence of maternal health-seeking behaviours can be improved, such as tetanus vaccination. Providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected regions improved the accessibility of MCH services for women living in those areas. However, the goals of saving lives and alleviating suffering still need to be achieved. In conflict-affected regions, humanitarian assistance on ANC, institutional delivery and breast feeding need strengthening.
Implementation of dementia care management in routine care (RoutineDeCM): a study protocol for process evaluation
Authors: Purwins Daniel , Fahsold Anne , Quasdorf Tina , Berthold Hanna , Klas Teresa , Albers Bernd , Seidel Katja , Haberstroh Julia , Holle Bernhard
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Dementia care management is a complex intervention intended to support persons with dementia and their (caring) relatives in home-based care arrangements. Dementia care management was developed in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany and subsequently adapted for the German region of Siegen-Wittgenstein, where it will now be implemented. Four different service providers will carry out the implementation process. This study protocol describes the planned procedures for the parallel evaluation of the implementation process.

Methods and analysis

A multiple embedded case study design was chosen for the planned process evaluation. Data collection and analysis will be informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change, the Medical Research Council framework for conducting process evaluations of complex interventions and the Taxonomy of Outcomes for Implementation Research. Information (qualitative and quantitative) will be collected from all stakeholders involved in the dementia care management intervention (ie, dementia care managers, general practitioners, people with dementia).

Ethics and dissemination

The process evaluation is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the recommendations on good scientific practice, the research ethics principles of the Code of Ethics of the German Society of Nursing Science, and on the basis of ethical approval from the Clinical Ethics Committee of University Medicine Greifswald (BB 110/22). The results of the process evaluation will be disseminated through reports to the funders of the study and also as a summary of recommendations for the sustainable implementation of dementia care management for future implementers. We also plan to publish the results of this process evaluation in an international peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT05529277, Registered 7 September 2022,https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05529277.
A cross-sectional study to evaluate hypovitaminosis C prevalence and risk factors in an acute geriatric unit in Lyon, France: the HYPO-VIT-C protocol
Authors: Quillon Alfred , Guittard Laure , Goldet Karine , Etienne Madeleine , Blond Emilie , Nourredine Mikail , Martin-Gaujard Géraldine , Doh Sébastien
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Vitamin C is an essential micronutrient playing crucial roles in human biology. Hypovitaminosis C is defined by a plasmatic ascorbemia below 23 µmol/L and is associated with numerous outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers or neurocognitive disorders. Numerous risk factors are common among older adults making them particularly susceptible to hypovitaminosis C. These risk factors include reduced vitamin intakes, higher vitamin metabolism related to polypathology, and iatrogeny because of polypharmacy. However, the precise prevalence of hypovitaminosis C and its risk factors are poorly documented within the geriatric population.

A better knowledge of hypovitaminosis C prevalence and risk factor may lead to improving the vitamin C status among older people and prevent its consequences.

Method and analysis

To answer these questions, we designed a monocentric cross-sectional study in a population of older hospitalised patients in Lyon, France. A sample size of 385 patients was needed to estimate hypovitaminosis C prevalence. The study was proposed to all eligible patient aged more than 75 years old entering the participating acute geriatric unit. The plasmatic vitamin C status was systematically assessed for participating patients, and variables part of the medical and geriatric evaluation were collected. For patients with severe vitamin C depletion, an oral supplementation and a follow-up phone call were organised to ensure treatment completion and tolerance.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by an independent national ethics committee and meets the methodological requirements. Final outcomes will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated through conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05668663.
Diagnoses and treatments for participants with interstitial lung abnormalities detected in the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial
Authors: Upperton Sara , Beirne Paul , Bhartia Bobby , Boland Alison , Bradley Claire , Crosbie Philip A J , Darby Mike , Eckert Claire , Gabe Rhian , Hancock Neil , Kennedy Martyn P T , Lindop Jason , Rogerson Suzanne , Shinkins Bethany , Simmonds Irene , Sutherland Tim J T , Callister Matthew E J
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are relatively common incidental findings in participants undergoing low-dose CT screening for lung cancer. Some ILA are transient and inconsequential, but others represent interstitial lung disease (ILD). Lung cancer screening therefore offers the opportunity of earlier diagnosis and treatment of ILD for some screening participants.

Methods

The prevalence of ILA in participants in the baseline screening round of the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial is reported, along with the proportion referred to a regional ILD service, eventual diagnoses, outcomes and treatments.

Results

Of 6650 participants undergoing screening, ILA were reported in 169 (2.5%) participants. Following review in a screening review meeting, 56 participants were referred to the ILD service for further evaluation (0.8% of all screening participants). 2 participants declined referral, 1 is currently awaiting review and the remaining 53 were confirmed as having ILD. Eventual diagnoses were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=14), respiratory bronchiolitis ILD (n=4), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (n=2), connective tissue disease/rheumatoid arthritis-related ILD (n=4), asbestosis (n=1), idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1) and pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (n=1). Twenty five patients had unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Overall, 10 people received pharmacotherapy (7 antifibrotics and 3 prednisolone) representing 18% of those referred to the ILD service and 0.15% of those undergoing screening. 32 people remain under surveillance in the ILD service, some of whom may require treatment in future.

Discussion

Lung cancer screening detects clinically significant cases of ILD allowing early commencement of disease-modifying treatment in a proportion of participants. This is the largest screening cohort to report eventual diagnoses and treatments and provides an estimate of the level of clinical activity to be expected by ILD services as lung cancer screening is implemented. Further research is needed to clarify the optimal management of screen-detected ILD.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN42704678.
‘Pressure cooker’ and ‘balloon pressure’ techniques significantly increase 3-month complete occlusion rate after spinal arteriovenous fistula embolization as compared to glue: single center evaluation on 38 consecutive patients
Authors: Parat Damien , Granger Benjamin , Shotar Eimad , Premat Kevin , Reina Vincent , Drir Mehdi , Gerschenfeld Gaspard , Talbi Atika , Lenck Stephanie , Sourour Nader , Clarençon Frédéric
Published: August 2023

Background

Spinal arteriovenous fistulas can be treated either by surgery or by endovascular means, using different strategies. The main drawback of embolization is the risk of recurrence. Our objective is to evaluate the angiographic occlusion rate and the predictive factors of angiographic cure of spinal arteriovenous fistulas at 3 months or more after embolization.

Methods

This is a retrospective single-center study including 38 consecutive patients with spinal arteriovenous fistulas treated by embolization as first-line treatment. We reviewed clinical and imaging data, complications, and the immediate angiographic occlusion rate of the fistulas, and at 3 months or more after the embolization.

Results

A total of 45 embolization procedures were performed: 30 procedures using glue, 15 using Onyx by ‘pressure cooker’ or ‘balloon pressure’ techniques. We observed no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning the immediate angiographic occlusion rate (87% in both groups; P>0.9), as well as for periprocedural complication rates. The angiographic occlusion rate at 3 months or more was higher in the Onyx ‘combined’ techniques treated group (87% vs 40%, P=0.007). The use of Onyx ‘combined’ techniques was independently associated with angiographic cure at 3 months after embolization (P=0.029). No other factors were identified as predictive of angiographic cure and clinical recovery after embolization procedures, nor were any predictive factors identified for the occurrence of periprocedural complications.

Conclusion

Embolization of spinal arteriovenous fistulas with Onyx using ‘combined’ techniques appears to be safe and associated with a higher rate of angiographic occlusion at 3 months than regular embolization with glue.
Understanding leadership development in DPT and MOT graduates at AdventHealth University via focus groups
Authors: Clark Elizabeth , Moghimi Christine , Ealdama Janelle , Penjavic Bojana , Scheraldi Michael , Vidal Steven
Published: August 2023

Purpose

While leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours develop during graduate education, faculty members engaged in curriculum design for doctor of physical therapy (DPT) and masters of occupational therapy (MOT) professionals want to understand how this occurs. The objective of this study was to understand what influenced the development of leadership in graduates.

Patients and methods

A detailed narrative was created for virtual focus groups. Purposive sampling was used and eligible participants were emailed. Those who agreed to participate reviewed an institutional review board approved consent form and were sent a link through an online, recorded Microsoft Teams session. Forty-three DPT and MOT Class of 2022 Graduates were eligible for participation. Recordings were exported, deidentified and validated for transcript accuracy and then deleted. Transcripts were analysed for emerging themes via NVivo.

Results

Ten graduates consented to participate. Saturation was reached during thematic analysis and three weighted themes emerged: leadership characteristics, on-campus curriculum and off-campus curriculum. Further data analysis revealed progression in leadership skill attainment over time and graduates attributed leadership development to the programme and aligned with current frameworks of multiprofessional/interprofessional education.

Conclusion

These findings should be used to guide curriculum design for effective leadership development. These experiences align with the goal of advanced clinical practice of future healthcare leaders.
Effects of crossover point exercise and high-intensity interval training on vascular health in young overweight females
Authors: Yang Yuting , Zhang Peizhen , Zhu Xiaolan
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the effects of 10 weeks of crossover point (COP) exercise training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular risk factors and vascular health in overweight young women. Overweight young women were randomized into HIIT and COP groups. Participants in the HIIT group ( n = 10; age = 22 ± 2, body mass index (BMI) = 25.72 ± 0.90) and COP group ( n = 10, age = 21 ± 2, BMI = 25.90 ± 1.90) took part in 10 weeks of HIIT and COP exercise training, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, and oxidative stress indicators were measured before and after the intervention period. After 10 weeks of exercise intervention, both COP exercise and HIIT led to a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake ( p < 0.001). The systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.006), diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.006), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity ( p = 0.002) were significantly decreased in both COP group and HIIT group, while serum interleukin-6 levels were increased in HIIT and COP groups. The present study shows that a training program at COP could be an effective strategy to protect vascular health.