bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transumbilical Silicone Breast Augmentation
Authors: Ryan Emma , Haiavy Jacob , Patino Gabriel
Published: March 2023

Transumbilical silicone breast augmentation (TUSBA) is a fairly new and rapidly growing technique of endoscopically assisted placement of silicone breast implants. In comparison, the well-known transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) with saline has been described in the literature since 1993 (Planas J. Introduction of breast implants through the abdominal route. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1976;57:431–437). The TUBA procedure has proven to be safe, efficient, and cosmetically sound over the last 29 years (Shiffman MA, Caleel RT, Shumway R, et al. Survey of transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA). Am J Cosmet Surg. 2011;28:5–11). Augmentation with silicone through the umbilicus is becoming more popular due to several factors: first, because the acceptance of TUBA with saline has been good with positive outcomes and, second, because patients prefer the discrete location and small size of the umbilical scar left behind. Endoscopic guidance is a critical tool for learning and visualization and for reducing complications such as hematoma or misplacement of the implant.

Breast augmentation continues to grow in popularity and acceptance, alongside cosmetic procedures in general. This author expects that, as the TUSBA technique becomes more widespread in use, surgeons will benefit from having a practical clinical publication from which to modify their own technique. This publication will present the authors' TUSBA technique and chart review of practice data from May 2021 through November 2022, wherein the TUSBA procedure was performed.

Forty women aged 21 to 61 years (mean, 35.13 years) underwent endoscopically assisted TUSBA. All patients had the implants placed in the submuscular pocket. Patient surveys and postoperative visit data were used in the generation of follow-up information. Upon inspection of the chart data at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, there were no reports of capsular contracture. Transumbilical silicone breast augmentation is a safe and efficient method for silicone implant placement in select patients.
Primary Ear Reconstruction Using Cadaveric Costal Cartilage
Authors: Palacios Jose F. , Hazkour Nissim , Robinson Emma , Swami Pooja , Smith Lee , Grande Daniel , Bastidas Nicholas
Published: March 2023

Objective

Allogeneic cadaveric costal cartilage is commonly used for grafts in nasal reconstruction surgery; however, limited information exists on its use in total ear reconstruction for microtia. In this case series, we describe the novel use of cadaveric cartilage for auricular framework construction in ear reconstruction and review preliminary histologic findings.

Methods

Patients requiring primary complete reconstruction of the auricle from August 2020 to December 2021 were eligible and underwent ear reconstruction using cadaveric costal cartilage. Patients were evaluated for surgical site infection, skin necrosis, cartilage resorption, and cartilage exposure during regular follow-up visits. Two cartilage samples were taken after 2 separate second-stage surgeries done 52 weeks after first-stage reconstruction. These samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as safranin-O and examined under light microscopy.

Results

A total of 12 ear reconstruction procedures using cadaveric costal cartilage were performed across 11 patients; 10 of 12 ears had type III microtia and 2 of 12 ears had type IV microtia. Patients ranged from 4 to 25 years old at the time of surgery, with an average age of 10.7 years. Follow-up time ranged from 1.6 to 25.4 months, with a mean follow-up time of 11.2 months. No patients experienced any visibly significant cartilage warping. Two patients experienced minor construct exposure, which were successfully salvaged. Two patients experienced surgical site infections, one lead to resorption requiring framework replacement. Preliminary histologic analysis of the 2 samples taken 1 year after implantation showed viable chondrocytes with no evidence of immunologic rejection or any local inflammation or host foreign body response.

Conclusions

Cadaveric costal cartilage serves as a viable alternative to autologous cartilage and other alloplastic biomaterials for construction of auricular frameworks in primary microtia reconstruction. Resorption secondary to infection and construct exposure remain potential risks. Longer follow-up times and a larger sample size are needed for assessment of long-term efficacy.
Bioadhesive patch as a parenchymal sparing treatment of acute traumatic pulmonary air leaks
Authors: Williams James , Prey Beau , Francis Andrew , Weykamp Michael , Liu Betty , Parsons Michael , Vu Michael , Franko Jace , Roedel Erik , Horton John , Bingham Jason , Mentzer Steven , Kuckelman John
Published: March 2023

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic pulmonary injuries are common in chest trauma. Persistent air leaks occur in up to 46% of patients depending on injury severity. Prolonged leaks are associated with increased morbidity and cost. Prior work from our first-generation pectin patches successfully sealed pulmonary leaks in a cadaveric swine model. We now test the next-generation pectin patch against wedge resection in the management of air leaks in anesthetized swine.

METHODS

A continuous air leak of 10% to 20% percent was created to the anterior surface of the lung in intubated and sedated swine. Animals were treated with a two-ply pectin patch or stapled wedge resection (SW). Tidal volumes (TVs) were recorded preinjury and postinjury. Following repair, TVs were recorded, a chest tube was placed, and animals were observed for presence air leak at closure and for an additional 90 minutes while on positive pressure ventilation. Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test used to compare continuous and categorical data between groups.

RESULTS

Thirty-one animals underwent either SW (15) or pectin patch repair (PPR, 16). Baseline characteristics were similar between animals excepting baseline TV (SW, 10.3 mL/kg vs. PPR, 10.9 mL/kg; p = 0.03). There was no difference between groups for severity of injury based on percent of TV loss (SW, 15% vs. PPR, 14%; p = 0.5). There was no difference in TV between groups following repair (SW, 10.2 mL/kg vs. PPR, 10.2 mL/kg; p = 1) or at the end of observation (SW, 9.8 mL/kg vs. PPR, 10.2 mL/kg; p = 0.4). One-chamber intermittent air leaks were observed in three of the PPR animals, versus one in the SW group (p = 0.6).

CONCLUSION

Pectin patches effectively sealed the lung following injury and were noninferior when compared with wedge resection for the management of acute traumatic air leaks. Pectin patches may offer a parenchymal sparing option for managing such injuries, although studies evaluating biodurability are needed.
The impact of time to hemostatic intervention and delayed care for patients with traumatic hemorrhage: A systematic review
Authors: Lamb Tyler , Tran Alexandre , Lampron Jacinthe , Shorr Risa , Taljaard Monica , Vaillancourt Christian
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Uncontrolled bleeding is a common cause of preventable mortality in trauma. While it is intuitive that delays to hemostasis may lead to worse outcomes, the impacts of these delays remain incompletely explored. This systematic review aimed to characterize the extant definitions of delayed hemostatic intervention and to quantify the impacts of delays on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to August 2022. Studies defining “delayed intervention” and those comparing times to intervention among adults presenting to hospital with blunt or penetrating injuries who required major hemostatic intervention were eligible. The coprimary outcomes were mortality and the definition of delay to hemostasis used. Secondary outcomes included units of packed red blood cells received, length of stay in hospital, and length of stay in intensive care.

RESULTS

We identified 2,050 studies, with 24 studies including 10,168 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were retrospective observational cohort studies, and most were at high risk of bias. A variety of injury patterns and hemostatic interventions were considered, with 69.6% of studies reporting a statistically significant impact of increased time to intervention on mortality. Definitions of delayed intervention ranged from 10 minutes to 4 hours. Conflicting data were reported for impact of time on receipt of blood products, while one study found a significant impact on intensive care length of stay. No studies assessed length of stay in hospital.

CONCLUSION

The extant literature is heterogeneous with respect to injuries included, methods of hemostasis employed, and durations of delay examined. While the majority of the included studies demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between time to intervention and mortality, an evidence-informed definition of delayed intervention for bleeding trauma patients at large has not been solidified. In addition, standardized research is needed to establish targets, which could reduce morbidity and mortality.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic Review; Level IV.
Coalitionality shapes moral elevation: evidence from the U.S. Black Lives Matter protest and counter-protest movements
Authors: Holbrook Colin , Fessler Daniel M. T. , Sparks Adam Maxwell , Johnson Devin L. , Samore Theodore , Reed Lawrence I.
Published: March 2023

Witnessing altruistic behaviour can elicitmoral elevation, an emotion that motivates prosocial cooperation. This emotion is evoked more strongly when the observer anticipates that other people will be reciprocally cooperative. Coalitionality should therefore moderate feelings of elevation, as whether the observer shares the coalitional affiliation of those observed should influence the observer's assessment of the likelihood that the latter will cooperate with the observer. We examined this thesis in studies contemporaneous with the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests. Although BLM protests were predominantly peaceful, they were depicted by conservative media as destructive and antisocial. In two large-scale, pre-registered online studies (totalN= 2172), political orientation strongly moderated feelings of state elevation elicited by a video of a peaceful BLM protest (Studies 1 and 2) or a peaceful Back the Blue (BtB) counter-protest (Study 2). Political conservatism predicted less elevation following the BLM video and more elevation following the BtB video. Elevation elicited by the BLM video correlated with preferences to defund police, whereas elevation elicited by the BtB video correlated with preferences to increase police funding. These findings extend prior work on elevation into the area of prosocial cooperation in the context of coalitional conflict.
Investigating the diversity of bioluminescent marine worm
Polycirrus
(Annelida), with description of three new species from the Western Pacific
Authors: Jimi Naoto , Bessho-Uehara Manabu , Nakamura Koji , Sakata Masahiko , Hayashi Taro , Kanie Shusei , Mitani Yasuo , Ohmiya Yoshihiro , Tsuyuki Aoi , Ota Yuzo , Woo Sau Pinn , Ogoh Katsunori
Published: March 2023

Bioluminescence, a phenomenon observed widely in organisms ranging from bacteria to metazoans, has a significant impact on the behaviour and ecology of organisms. Among bioluminescent organisms,
Polycirrus
, which has unique emission wavelengths, has received attention, and advanced studies such as RNA-Seq have been conducted, but they are limited to a few cases. In addition, accurate species identification is difficult due to lack of taxonomic organization. In this study, we conducted comprehensive taxonomic survey of Japanese
Polycirrus
based on multiple specimens from different locations and described as three new species:
Polycirrus onibi
sp. nov.,
P
.
ikeguchii
sp. nov. and
P
.
aoandon
sp. nov. The three species can be distinguished from the known species based on the following characters: (i) arrangement of mid-ventral groove, (ii) arrangement of notochaetigerous segments, (iii) type of neurochaetae uncini, and (iv) arrangement of nephridial papillae. By linking the bioluminescence phenomenon with taxonomic knowledge, we established a foundation for future bioluminescent research development. We also provide a brief phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences to discuss the evolution of bioluminescence and the direction of future research.
Immunogenicity and safety of NVX-CoV2373 as a homologous or heterologous booster: A phase 3 randomized clinical trial in adults
Authors: Raiser Fritz , Davis Matthew , Adelglass Jeffrey , Cai Miranda R. , Chau Gordon , Cloney-Clark Shane , Eickhoff Mark , Kalkeri Raj , McKnight Irene , Plested Joyce , Zhu Mingzhu , Dunkle Lisa
Published: March 2023

Background

To combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple vaccines using different manufacturing platforms have been developed, including NVX-CoV2373 (an adjuvanted recombinant protein vaccine). As SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, some of which evade vaccine-induced immunity, introduction of vaccine booster doses has become critical. Employing different vaccine types for primary series vaccination and boosting could expand vaccine coverage and access. This study assessed whether NVX-CoV2373 would induce similar responses when used as a heterologous or homologous booster.

Methods

The 2019nCoV-307 study was a phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded trial evaluating immunogenicity and safety of NVX-CoV2373 in previously vaccinated adults aged 18-49 years in the United States (NCT05463068). Participants were randomized 1:1:1 to receive one intramuscular injection of NVX-CoV2373 from one of three different manufacturing lots. Immunogenicity was assessed by immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralizing antibodies (NAb). These responses were compared for the three lots, and for participants with primary series with or without a prior booster dose of the mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, Ad26.COV2.S, or NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccines.

Results

A total of 911 participants were randomized between July 11 and 13, 2022, with 905 being assessed for safety and 848 for immunogenicity. Immunogenicity of NVX-CoV2373 met prespecified equivalence criteria between lots, and the booster dose was well-tolerated. NVX-CoV2373 induced robust IgG and NAb responses when used as a first or later booster dose, regardless of primary series vaccine type. Seroconversion rates were also similar across previous vaccine types. Induced antibodies were strongly reactive, even to the immune-evasive Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 variants.

Conclusions

NVX-CoV2373 showed consistent immunogenicity between lots, with no new safety signals identified. Use of NVX-CoV2373 as a homologous or heterologous booster dose (first or later) is supported.
Perceived seizure risk in epilepsy – Chronic electronic surveys with and without concurrent EEG
Authors: Cui Jie , Balzekas Irena , Nurse Ewan , Viana Pedro , Gregg Nicholas , Karoly Philippa , Worrell Gregory , Richardson Mark P , Freestone Dean R. , Brinkmann Benjamin H.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Previous studies suggested that patients with epilepsy might be able to fore-cast their own seizures. We sought to assess the relationships of premonitory symptoms and perceived seizure risk with future and recent self-reported and EEG-confirmed seizures in the subjects living with epilepsy in their natural home environments.

Methods

We collected long-term e-surveys from ambulatory patients with and without concurrent EEG recordings. Information obtained from the e-surveys included medication compliance, sleep quality, mood, stress, perceived seizure risk and seizure occurrences preceding the survey. EEG seizures were identified. Univariate and multivariate generalized linear mixed-effect regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for the assessment of the relationships. Results were compared with device seizure forecasting literature using a mathematical formula converting OR to equivalent area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Sixty-nine subjects returned 12,590 e-survey entries, with four subjects acquiring concurrent EEG recordings. Univariate analysis revealed increased stress (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = [1.52, 4.14],p <0.001) and decreased mood (0.32, [0.13, 0.82], 0.02) were associated with increased relative odds of future self-reported seizures. On multivariate analysis, previous self-reported seizures (4.24, [2.69, 6.68],<0.001) were most strongly associated with future self-reported seizures, and high perceived seizure risk (3.30, [1.97, 5.52],<0.001) remained significant when prior self-reported seizures were added to the model. No significant association was found between e-survey responses and subsequent EEG seizures.

Significance

It appears that patients may tend to self-forecast seizures that occur in sequential groupings. Our results suggest that low mood and increased stress may be the result of previous seizures rather than independent premonitory symptoms. Patients in the small cohort with concurrent EEG showed no ability to self-predict EEG seizures. The conversion from OR to AUC values facilitates direct comparison of performance between survey and device studies involving survey premonition and forecasting.

Key points

Long-term e-surveys data and concurrent EEG signals were collected across three study sites to assess the ability of the patients to self-forecast their seizures.

Patients may tend to self-forecast self-reported seizures that occur in sequential groupings.

Factors, such as mood and stress, may not be independent premonitory symptoms but may be the consequence of recent seizures.

No ability to self-forecast EEG confirmed seizures was observed in a small cohort with concurrent EEG validation.

A mathematic relation between OR and AUC provides a means to compare forecasting performance between survey and device studies.
Preterm Birth and Neonatal Mortality in Selected Slums in and around Dhaka City of Bangladesh: A Cohort Study
Authors: Razzaque Abdur , Rahman Anisur , Chowdhury Razib , Mustafa AHM Golam , Naima Shakera , Begum Farzana , Shafique Sohana , Sarker Bidhan Krishna , Islam Mohammad Zahirul , Kim Minjoon , Jahangir Margub Aref , Matin Ziaul , Ferdous Jannatul , Vandenent Maya , Reidpath Daniel D
Published: March 2023

Background

Although under-five mortality declined appreciably in Bangladesh over the last few decades, neonatal mortality still remains high. The objective of the study is to assess the level and determinants of preterm birth and the contribution of preterm birth to neonatal mortality.

Methods

Data for this study came from selected slums in and around Dhaka city, where; since 2015, icddr,b has been maintaining the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). The HDSS data were collected by female Field Workers by visiting each household every three months; however, during the visit, data on Last Menstrual Period (LMP) were also collected by asking each eligible woman to ascertain the date of conception. Gestational age was estimated in complete weeks by subtracting LMP from the date of pregnancy outcome. In this study, 6,989 livebirths were recorded by HDSS during 2016-2018, and these births were followed for neonatal survival; both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

Out of total births, 21.7% were born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation), and sub-categories were: 2.19% for very preterm (28 to 31 weeks), 3.81% for moderate preterm (32 to 33 weeks), and 15.71% for late preterm (34 to 36 weeks). The study revealed that preterm babies contributed to 39.6% of neonatal deaths; however, the probability of death was very high on the 1stday of birth (0.124 for very preterm, 0.048 for moderate preterm, 0.024 for late preterm, and 0.013 for term birth), and continued until the 3rdday. In the regression analysis, compared to the term neonates, the odds of neonatal mortality were 8.74 (CI: 5.68, 13.45, p<0.01), 4.05 (CI: 2.64, 6.22, p<0.01) and 1.48 (CI: 1.05, 2.08, p<0.05) respectively for very, moderate, and late preterm birth categories. The population attributable fraction for neonatal mortality was 23%, and sub-categories were 14% for very preterm, 10% for moderate preterm, and 6% for late preterm.

Conclusions

Although urban slums are in proximity to many health facilities, a substantial proportion of preterm birth contributed to neonatal deaths. So, pregnant women should be targeted, to ensure timely care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum periods to improve the survival of new-borns in general and preterm birth in particular.
Integrating miRNAs and Bacterial DNA for Early Detection of Lung Cancer
Authors: Shen Jun , Zhou Huifen , Dhilipkannah Pushpa , Sachdeva Ashtosh , Pickering Edward , Holden Van K. , Deepak Janaki , Todd Nevins W. , Stass Sanford A , Jiang Feng
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The early detection is crucial for improved outcomes in lung cancer, which remains a leading cause of cancer-erelated deaths. There is an urgent need for precise molecular biomarkers to diagnose early-stage lung cancer. To address this, we assessed the potential of integrating diverse molecular biomarkers across both plasma and sputum to improve the accuracy of diagnosis, given the heterogeneous nature of lung cancer arising from multifactorial molecular aberrations.

Methods

We utilized droplet digital PCR to quantify miRNAs in plasma and bacterial DNA in sputum collected from 114 lung cancer patients and 121 cancer-free smokers. The participants were randomly divided into a development cohort and a validation cohort. Logistic regression models with constrained parameters were employed to optimize a signature with the highest sensitivity and specificity for early detection of lung cancer.

Results

The individual plasma miRNAs and sputum bacterial biomarkers had sensitivities of 62%-71% and specificities of 61%-79% for diagnosing lung cancer. A panel of plasma miRNA or sputum bacterial biomarkers produced sensitivities of 79%-85% and specificities of 74%-82%. An integrated signature comprising two miRNAs in plasma and three bacterial biomarkers in sputum was developed in the development cohort, and it exhibited a higher sensitivity (87%) and specificity (89%) in comparison to individual biomarkers. The signature’s diagnostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort, regardless of tumor stage, histological type, and demographic factors.

Conclusion

The integration of miRNA and bacterial biomarkers across both plasma and spu-tum samples offered an effective approach for the diagnosis of lung cancer.
RFIDeep: Unfolding the Potential of Deep Learning for Radio-Frequency Identification
Authors: Bardon Gaël , Cristofari Robin , Winterl Alexander , Barracho Téo , Benoiste Marine , Ceresa Claire , Chatelain Nicolas , Courtecuisse Julien , Fernandes Flávia A.N. , Gauthier-Clerc Michel , Gendner Jean-Paul , Handrich Yves , Houstin Aymeric , Krellenstein Adélie , Lecomte Nicolas , Salmon Charles-Edouard , Trucchi Emiliano , Vallas Benoit , Wong Emily M. , Zitterbart Daniel P. , Bohec Céline Le
Published: March 2023

Automatic monitoring of wildlife is becoming a critical tool in the field of ecology. In particular, Radio-Frequency IDentification (RFID) is now a widespread technology to assess the phenology, breeding, and survival of many species. While RFID produces massive datasets, no established fast and accurate methods are yet available for this type of data processing. Deep learning approaches have been used to overcome similar problems in other scientific fields and hence might hold the potential to overcome these analytical challenges and unlock the full potential of RFID studies.

We present a deep learning workflow, coined “RFIDeep”, to derive ecological features, such as breeding status and outcome, from RFID mark-recapture data. To demonstrate the performance of RFIDeep with complex datasets, we used a long-term automatic monitoring of a long-lived seabird that breeds in densely packed colonies, hence with many daily entries and exits.

To determine individual breeding status and phenology and for each breeding season, we first developed a one-dimensional convolution neural network (1D-CNN) architecture. Second, to account for variance in breeding phenology and technical limitations of field data acquisition, we built a new data augmentation step mimicking a shift in breeding dates and missing RFID detections, a common issue with RFIDs. Third, to identify the segments of the breeding activity used during classification, we also included a visualisation tool, which allows users to understand what is usually considered a “black box” step of deep learning. With these three steps, we achieved a high accuracy for all breeding parameters: breeding status accuracy = 96.3%; phenological accuracy = 86.9%; breeding success accuracy = 97.3%.

RFIDeep has unfolded the potential of artificial intelligence for tracking changes in animal populations, multiplying the benefit of automated mark-recapture monitoring of undisturbed wildlife populations. RFIDeep is an open source code to facilitate the use, adaptation, or enhancement of RFID data in a wide variety of species. In addition to a tremendous time saving for analyzing these large datasets, our study shows the capacities of CNN models to autonomously detect ecologically meaningful patterns in data through visualisation techniques, which are seldom used in ecology.
Fortuitousin vitrocompound degradation produces a tractable hit againstMycobacterium tuberculosisdethiobiotin synthetase: a cautionary tale of what goes in, does not always come out
Authors: Salaemae Wanisa , Thompson Andrew P. , Gaiser Birgit I. , Lee Kwang Jun , Huxley Michael T. , Sumby Christopher J. , Polyak Steven W. , Abell Andrew D. , Bruning John B. , Wegener Kate L.
Published: March 2023

We previously reported potent ligands and inhibitors ofMycobacterium tuberculosisdethiobiotin synthetase (MtDTBS), a promising target for antituberculosis drug development (Schumannet al.,ACS Chem Biol. 2021, 16, 2339-2347); here the unconventional origin of the fragment compound they were derived from is described for the first time. Compound1(9b-hydroxy-6b,7,8,9,9a,9b-hexahydrocyclopenta[3,4]cyclobuta[1,2-c]chromen-6(6aH)-one), identified byin silicofragment screen, was subsequently shown by surface plasmon resonance to have dose-responsive binding (KD0.6 mM). Clear electron density was revealed in the DAPA substrate binding pocket, when1was soaked intoMtDTBS crystals, but the density was inconsistent with the structure of1. Here we show the lactone of1hydrolyses to carboxylic acid2under basic conditions, including those of the crystallography soak, with subsequent ring-opening of the component cyclobutane ring to form cyclopentylacetic acid3. Crystals soaked directly with authentic3produced electron density that matched that of crystals soaked with presumed1, confirming the identity of the bound ligand. The synthetic utility of fortuitously formed3enabled subsequent compound development into nanomolar inhibitors. Our findings represent an example of chemical modification within drug discovery assays and demonstrate the value of high-resolution structural data in the fragment hit validation process.

Synopsis

A molecule flagged in anin silicodocking screen againstMtDTBS, was inadvertently hydrolysed in the crystal conditions used for hit validation. The resulting fragment-sized molecule bound to the DAPA substrate binding pocket of the target enzyme (MtDTBS) with millimolar affinity, as measured by surface plasmon resonance, but was later modified to a highly potent (nanomolar) ligand and promising lead for the development of novel tuberculosis treatments.

Graphical Abstract
(Poly)phenols in Human Breast Milk and their health benefits for the newborn
Authors: Carregosa Diogo , Silva Inês P. , Teixeira Carolina , Baltazar Mariana , García-Villalba Rocio , Vieira Filipa Soares , Marçal Mónica , Tuna Madalena , Santos Cláudia N.
Published: March 2023

Human breast milk is the first food source available to newborns and is responsible for healthy growth and development during the first months of life. Human breast milk contains vitamins, hormones, cytokines, microbiota, and immune cells that are responsible for such healthy conditions. Nonetheless, knowledge of the vast array of molecules present in human breast milk and their potential health effects is still lacking. The effects of mothers’ diets on the molecules present in human breast milk are also generally unknown. The health benefits of (poly)phenols have been largely increasing but their presence in breast milk has been put largely aside. The impact of the mother’s diet in the presence and quantification of these molecules in milk has also been overlooked. Above all, the potential benefits of (poly)phenols for newborns are just a vast emptiness of what is known about (poly)phenol research.
SLC15A4 controls endolysosomal TLR7-9 responses by recruiting the innate immune adaptor TASL
Authors: Zhang Haobo , Bernaleau Léa , Delacrétaz Maeva , Hasanovic Ed , Eibel Hermann , Rebsamen Manuele
Published: March 2023

Nucleic acid sensing by endolysosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays a crucial role in innate immune responses to invading pathogens. In contrast, aberrant activation of these pathways is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The endolysosomal solute carrier family 15 member 4 (SLC15A4) is required for TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9-induced inflammatory responses and for disease development in different SLE models. SLC15A4 has been proposed to affect TLR7-9 activation through its transport activity, as well as by assembling in an IRF5-activating signalling complex with the innate immune adaptor TASL, but the relative contribution of these different functions remains unclear. Here we show that the essential role of SLC15A4 is to recruit TASL to the endolysosomal compartment, while its transport activity is dispensable. Targeting of TASL to the endolysosomal compartment is sufficient to rescue TLR7-9-induced IRF5 activation in SLC15A4-deficient cells. In line with this, lysosomal-localized TASL restored proinflammatory cytokines and type I interferon responses in absence of SLC15A4. Our study reveals that SLC15A4 acts as a signalling scaffold and that this transport-independent function is essential to control TLR7-9-mediated inflammatory responses. These findings further support targeting the SLC15A4-TASL complex as a potential therapeutic strategy for SLE and related diseases.
Sequential drug treatment targeting cell cycle and cell fate regulatory programs blocks non-genetic cancer evolution in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Malyukova Alena , Lahnalampi Mari , Falqués-Costa Ton , Pölönen Petri , Sipola Mikko , Mehtonen Juha , Teppo Susanna , Viiliainen Johanna , Lohi Olli , Hagström-Andersson Anna K , Heinäniemi Merja , Sangfelt Olle
Published: March 2023

Targeted therapies exploiting vulnerabilities of cancer cells hold promise for improving patient outcome and reducing side-effects of chemotherapy. However, efficacy of precision therapies is limited in part because of the cellular heterogeneity of tumors. A better mechanistic understanding of how drug effect is linked to cancer cell state diversity is crucial for identifying effective combination therapies that can overcome the heterogeneity to prevent disease recurrence. Here, we characterized at the level of gene regulatory networks and at single-cell resolution the effect of G2/M cell cycle checkpoint inhibition in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and demonstrate that WEE1 targeted therapy impinges on cell fate decision regulatory circuits. We found highest inhibition of recovery of proliferation in ALL cells with KMT2A-rearrangment (KMT2A-r), compared to cells of other leukemia subgroups. Single-cell transcriptome and chromatin accessibility profiling of (KMT2A::AFF1) RS4;11 cells treated with the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 revealed diversification of cell states at the fate decision points, with a fraction of cells exhibiting strong activation of p53-driven processes linked to induction of apoptosis and senescence, and disruption of a core KMT2A-RUNX1-MYC regulatory network through CDK1-mediated RUNX1 degradation. In RS4;11 cells and in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model, we uncovered that in this cell state diversification induced by WEE1 inhibition, a subpopulation transitioned to a cell state characterized by activation of transcription factors regulating pre-B cell fate, lipid metabolism and pre-BCR signaling which supported a drug tolerance. Sequential treatment targeting the drug tolerant subpopulation with BCR-signaling inhibitors dasatinib, ibrutinib, or perturbing metabolism by fatostatin or AZD2014 after AZD1775 administration, effectively counteracted drug tolerance that drove recovery of leukemic cells. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the tight connectivity of gene regulatory programs associated with cell cycle and cell fate regulation, and a rationale for sequential administration of WEE1 inhibitors with low toxicity inhibitors of pre-BCR signaling or metabolism.
Climbing fiber multi-innervation of mouse Purkinje dendrites with arborization common to human
Authors: Busch Silas E. , Hansel Christian
Published: March 2023

Canonically, each Purkinje cell in the adult cerebellum receives only one climbing fiber from the inferior olive. Underlying current theories of cerebellar function is the notion that this highly conserved one-to-one relationship renders Purkinje dendrites into a single computational compartment. However, we show that multiple primary dendrites are a near-universal morphological feature in human. Using tract-tracing, immunolabeling, andin vitroelectrophysiology, we demonstrate in mice that ∼25% of mature polydendritic cells receive more than one climbing fiber input. Two-photon calcium imagingin vivoreveals that separate dendrites can exhibit distinct response properties to sensory stimulation, indicating some polydendritic cells integrate functionally independent climbing fiber receptive fields. These findings reveal that Purkinje cells are morphologically and functionally more diverse than previously thought.
Farmer's financial literacy and its determinants: evidence from South Asia
Authors: Das Soumyadwip , Maji Sumit Kumar
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to ascertain the financial literacy (FL) of the farmers in three South Asian economies (India, Bangladesh and Pakistan). Further, an effort was made to explore various demographic and socioeconomic antecedents of FL of the farmers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used secondary data of 11,025, 782 and 657 farmers from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively from Financial Inclusion Insights (2017) database. “Big five” FL questions were used to measure the FL of the farmers. Appropriate statistical techniques and censored Tobit regression were used to identify the determinants of such FL.

Findings

Bangladeshi farmers (48.75%: Moderate) were found to exhibit greater FL as compared to Pakistani (38.96%: Poor) and Indian (32.61%: Poor) farmers. The outcome of the study revealed that the farm ownership and educational attainment of the farmers significantly determined FL of the farmers in all three Asian countries. Financial confidence and gender were observed to exacerbate a positive influence on the level of FL of farmers belonging to India and Pakistan. Age, marital status, financial inclusion and economic status were found to be the major determinants of FL of Indian farmers.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of studies in the scholarship examining the FL of farmers in both developed and developing economies. The present study makes an original contribution to the literature by unearthing FL amongst farmers and its determinants in three South Asian economies using a large sample of 12,464 farmers for the first time.

Peer review

The peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2022-0776
The role of waste-to-energy in waste management in Egypt: a techno-economic analysis
Authors: Nassar Heba , Biltagy Marwa , Safwat Aya Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Egypt has set plans to transform into a green economy which requires major reforms in the waste sector as one of the most vital sectors crucial for this transformation. This study aims at inspecting the current status of the Egyptian waste sector to highlight the major policy reforms needed. Furthermore, it assesses the economic viability of establishing waste-to-energy (WtE) projects under the current regulations that govern the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed an inductive analytical approach to scrutinize the institutional and regulatory framework of the waste and WtE sectors. Furthermore, a novel techno-economic analysis was conducted to assess the profitability of a WtE plant that employs moving grate incineration technology.

Findings

The analysis of the waste sector revealed its deteriorating state and the dire need for immediate restructuring through more stringent regulations to establish an integrated waste management system (IWMS) that incorporates WtE technologies as well as a number of corrective actions that would help enhance the sector. Additionally, the techno-economic analysis revealed the need to amend the current WtE regulation to comprise a gate fee as an indispensable revenue stream for WtE projects.

Originality/value

This study is one of a few studies that uses a new technique of analysis to explore the potential role that WtE projects can play in Egypt as a part of an IWMS that aims at transforming the waste sector into a resource sector while providing a renewable and sustainable source of energy.
Achieving organizational performance by integrating industrial Internet of things in the SMEs: a developing country perspective
Authors: Mukherjee Subhodeep , Baral Manish Mohan , Chittipaka Venkataiah , Nagariya Ramji , Patel Bharat Singh
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research investigates the adoption of the industrial Internet of things (IIoT) in SMEs to achieve and increase organizational performance. With the latest technology, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can create a competitive edge in the market and better serve customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve hypotheses are proposed for this study. This study constructed a questionnaire based on technological, organizational, environmental and human perspectives. A survey is conducted on the SMEs of India using the questionnaire.

Findings

Eight hypotheses were accepted, and four hypotheses were not supported. The hypotheses rejected are infrastructure, organizational readiness, internal excellence and prior experience. The findings suggested that adopting IIoT in SMEs will increase organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study will be helpful for the manager, top management and policymakers. This study identified the areas SMEs need to work on to adopt the technologies.

Originality/value

In the literature, no article considered IIoT adoption in SME firms as a human factor. Therefore, this study is unique, including human, technological, organizational and environmental factors.
Factors influencing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Thekkoote Ramadas
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research paper highlights the economic impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to Coronavirus outbreaks. It proposes factors that influence the strengthening and survival of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, resilience is reflected in the following aspects hope, problem resolution and persistence. This quantitative study analyses a purposive sample of 120 small and medium-sized firms in India. The study's primary data are the responses to questionnaires issued to respondents, analyzed and hypotheses formed and tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.

Findings

The study results show that all the variables significantly reduce the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs. The presented model is expected to help researchers, business modelers, analysts and real professionals with further studies in the SME context.

Originality/value

This new approach adds to the business resilience knowledge of SMEs and has practical implications for manufacturing organizations seeking to become robust during and after COVID-19.
Warmer and more seasonal climates reduce the effect of top‐down population control: An example with aphids and ladybirds
Authors: Ge Xuezhen , Griswold Cortland K. , Newman Jonathan A.
Published: March 2023

Thermal performance within predator–prey systems may have profound effects on species interactions under climate change. However, how the thermal response of predators and prey to climate change affects their interactions is still understudied.

To examine the responses of a predator–prey system to climate change, we constructed a biologically detailed stage‐structured population dynamic model using aphids (prey) and ladybirds (predator) as a model system. We explore the system's dynamics across the entire feasible parameter space of annual mean temperature and seasonality. Within this space, we explore all qualitatively possible scenarios of thermal performance mismatches to gain insight into how these affect the interacting species' responses to climatic change.

We find that, generally, warmer and less seasonal climates are the most favourable climate conditions for both species. Our results also indicate that predation always has a stronger effect on aphid abundance than the climate in tropical and subtropical regions for all the thermal performance mismatch scenarios. Furthermore, predation's (biotic) effect on prey abundance will generally decrease relative to the effect of climate (abiotic) when future climates become warmer and more seasonal.

Our research highlights that the effects of increasing seasonality are consistent with climate having a proportionally larger impact on species pairs with different thermal performances than predation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Backloading to extinction: Coping with values conflict in the administration of Australia's federal biodiversity offset policy
Authors: Evans Megan C.
Published: March 2023

Policy‐makers are frequently required to consider and manage conflicting public values. An example of this in the environmental domain is biodiversity offset policy, which governments worldwide have adopted as a mechanism to balance environmental protection with socio‐economic development. However, little work has examined administrative practices underpinning biodiversity offset policy implementation, and how the adoption of coping strategies to manage value conflicts may influence resulting policy outcomes. This study fills this research gap using a case study of Australia's federal biodiversity offset policy under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Using data from 13 interviews of federal policy administrators, I show that the introduction of a new policy in 2012 enabled a shift from the use of precedent to a technical approach for setting offset requirements under the EPBC Act. Yet, multiple sources of policy ambiguity remain, and administrators have adopted post‐approval condition‐setting, or ‘backloading’—a form of cycling, facilitated by structural separation—to defer detailed assessments of offset requirements until after biodiversity losses are approved. Backloading thus undermines the effectiveness of environmental policy and will persist as coping strategy unless policy ambiguity is reduced via legislative amendments and adequate resourcing of biodiversity conservation.

Points for practitioners

Biodiversity offset policy requires administrators to manage conflicting environmental and socioeconomic values.

Technical decision tools reduce reliance on case‐by‐case decision‐making, but multiple ambiguities persist.

Backloading (post‐approval condition‐setting) defers values conflict, but reduces transparency, accountability, and policy effectiveness.

Policy ambiguity must be reduced at the political level to facilitate effective biodiversity conservation.
MOVEMENT 2. FORMALIZING ARRANGEMENTS: Re‐signification and the Making of Governable Spaces
Authors:   The Re‐Arrangements Collective, Cante Fabien , Hussain Ajmal , Makori Timo , Mohamed Surer Qassim , Osbourne Alana , Pilo’ Francesca , Ramakrishnan Kavita , Simone AbdouMaliq , Sitas Rike , Suhail Adeem
Published: March 2023

The second movement considers (re)arrangements as projects of formalization that seek to impose and even fix a form to spaces historically constructed as marginal. This impositional arrangement operates as a governmental desire to fix a form by re‐signifying both subjects and spaces.
IFIH1 was predicted as a key biomarker in primary Sjögren's syndrome based on transcriptome analysis and experimental verification in patients and mice
Authors: Wu Dan , Chen Liang , Wang Dandan , Wang Yuchun , Yao Genhong , Sun Lingyun
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To investigate the novel key genes and biological processes that may lead to primary Sjögren’ s syndrome (pSS).

Methods

We downloaded datasets about peripheral blood samples of pSS patients and healthy controls (GSE51092, GSE84844, and GSE66795) from Gene Expression Omnibus database. The weighted co‐expression network analysis and differential expression analysis first were implemented. After that, protein–protein network interaction and Support Vector Machines were applied in the meantime to take intersection for key genes. Moreover, we conducted immune cell infiltration analysis to explore the relationship between the gene expression and concentration of immune cells in peripheral blood. Lastly, the expression of key genes was verified in pSS patients and murine models by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Meanwhile, correlation analysis of gene expression and disease activity was also performed.

Results

Only 1 key gene, interferon induced with helicase c domain 1 (IFIH1), was identified to be both significantly up‐regulated and important for the diagnosis of pSS. The increased expression of IFIH1 in peripheral blood was confirmed in data sets, patients and non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Its expression was correlated with disease activity in patients as well. In addition, the IFIH1 expression was also increased in spleen and salivary glands infiltrated with lymphocytes in NOD mice. Furthermore, immune cell infiltration analysis showed that the expression of IFIH1 was positively correlated with the proportion of memory B cells and activated dendritic cells, and negatively correlated with the proportion of macrophage M0.

Conclusions

Here, bioinformatics analyses and experimental assays were performed to provide a new insight for understanding of pSS. IFIH1 may be a new diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for pSS.
Immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells: A potential therapeutic strategy for allergic rhinitis
Authors: Wang Ming , Zhao Ning , Wang Chengshuo , Jin Zi‐Bing , Zhang Luo
Published: March 2023

Allergic rhinitis is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa that poses a significant burden on patients' health and quality of life. Current therapies for allergic rhinitis are unable to reinstate immune homeostasis or are restricted by specific allergens. Potential therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis are urgently needed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are immune‐privileged, have strong immunomodulatory effects, and can be easily isolated from various sources. Thus, MSC‐based therapies demonstrate potential for treating inflammatory diseases. Recently, numerous studies have investigated the therapeutic effects of MSCs in animal models of allergic rhinitis. Here, we review the immunomodulatory effects and mechanisms of MSCs on allergic airway inflammation, especially allergic rhinitis, highlight the recent research regarding MSCs in the modulation of immune cells, and discuss the clinical potential of MSC‐based therapy for allergic rhinitis.