bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancements in non‐invasive skin sampling: Clinical conditions characterization via the assessment of skin surface cytokine biomarkers
Authors: Portugal‐Cohen Meital , Oron Miriam , Cohen Dror , Ma’or Ze’evi , Soroka Yoram , Frusic‐Zlotkin Marina , Kohen Ron
Published: February 2024

The skin is increasingly recognized as a biological active organ interacting with the immune system. Given that the epidermal skin layer actively releases various cytokines, non‐invasive skin sampling methods could detect these cytokines, offering insights into clinical conditions. This study aims non‐invasively measuring cytokine levels directly from the skin surface to characterize different inflammatory chronic disorders in the adult and elderly population: psoriasis, diabetes type 2, rosacea, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aging. Cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐8 and IL‐10 were sampled from healthy subjects and patients aged 18–80 using skin surface wash technique. A well with sterile phosphate‐buffered saline solution was placed on the skin for 30 min, and the extracted solution was collected from the well for further cytokine levels analysis using ELISA assay. Results show distinct cytokine profiles in different pathological processes, healthy controls, affected and unaffected areas. Aging was associated with increased IL‐1β, IL‐8, and IL‐10 levels in skin. In diabetes, IL‐1β and IL‐8 levels were elevated in lesional areas, while IL‐10 levels were decreased in non‐lesional skin. Psoriatic lesions showed elevated levels of IL‐1β and IL‐8. Rosacea patients had lower IL‐10 levels in both lesional and non‐lesional areas. CKD patients exhibited significantly lower IL‐10 levels compared to healthy individuals. In conclusion, skin surface wash‐derived cytokine profiles could serve as “alert biomarkers” for disease prediction, enabling early detection. Additionally, this method's cost‐effectiveness allows pre‐screening of molecules in clinical studies and holds potential as a tool for biomarkers and omics analysis, enhancing disorder characterization and disease management.
Many distressed couples seek community‐based relationship education but don't benefit from it
Authors: Urganci Betul , Chen Po‐Heng , Williamson Hannah C.
Published: February 2024

Objective

The objective of this research was to characterize pretreatment relationship functioning among low‐income couples seeking community‐based relationship education (RE) and determine whether treatment outcomes differ based on this dimension.

Background

RE programs were developed with the goal of preventing future deterioration among currently satisfied couples, but there is evidence to suggest that distressed couples are seeking community‐based RE to improve their relationship.

Method

Data were drawn from the Parents and Children Together study, a randomized controlled trial of RE with a sample of 1,595 low‐income couples. Relationship functioning was assessed pre‐randomization and at 12‐months post‐randomization. Latent class analysis was used to identify groups of couples with similar pretreatment functioning, and treatment effects were assessed within each group.

Results

Four classes of pretreatment relationship functioning emerged: Happy, Stable (44%), Moderately Distressed (39%), Highly Distressed Women (10%), and Highly Distressed Men (7%). Significant 12‐month treatment effects were found only for women in the Happy, Stable group.

Conclusion

A large number of distressed couples enroll in RE programs but do not benefit from the intervention.

Implications

To ensure that all couples receive an intervention that is effective for them, changes to the current delivery of community‐based RE programs is needed. Couples should be screened for their level of relationship functioning and assigned to an intervention that is appropriate for their needs. To accomplish this, RE curricula may need to be adapted to address the needs of distressed couples, or RE providers may need to partner with agencies delivering more intensive treatment (such as couple therapy).
Müller cells under hydrostatic pressure modulate retinal cell survival via TRPV1/PLCγ1 complex‐mediated calcium influx in experimental glaucoma
Authors: Hu Huiling , Nie Danyao , Fang Min , He Wenling , Zhang Jing , Liu Xinhua , Zhang Guoming
Published: February 2024

Glaucoma, an irreversible blinding eye disease, is currently unclear whose pathological mechanism is. This study investigated how transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), 1‐phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate phosphodiesterase gamma‐1 (PLCγ1), and P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) modulate the levels of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in Müller cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) under conditions of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Müller cells were maintained at hydrostatic pressure (HP). TRPV1‐ and PLCG1‐silenced Müller cells and P2X7‐silenced RGCs were constructed by transfection with short interfering RNA (siRNAs). RGCs were cultured with the conditioned media of Müller cells under HP. A mouse model of chronic ocular hypertension (COH) was established and used to investigate the role of TRPV1 in RGCs in vivo. Müller cells and RGCs were analyzed by ATP release assays, intracellular calcium assays, CCK‐8 assays, EdU (5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine) staining, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy. In vivo changes in inner retinal function were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and TUNEL staining. Western blot analyses were performed to measure the levels of related proteins. Our data showed that HP increased the levels of ATP and Ca2+ influx in Müller cells, and those increases were accompanied by the upregulation of TRPV1 and p‐PLCγ1 expression. Suppression of TRPV1 or PLCG1 expression in Müller cells significantly decreased the ATP levels and intracellular Ca2+ accumulation induced by HP. Knockdown of TRPV1, PLCG1, or P2X7 significantly decreased apoptosis and autophagy in RGCs cultured in the conditioned media of HP‐treated Müller cells. Moreover, TRPV1 silencing decreased RGC apoptosis and autophagy in the in vivo model of COH. Collectively, inhibition of TRPV1/PLCγ1 and P2X7 expression may be a useful therapeutic strategy for managing RGC death in glaucoma.
Revisiting catalytic His and Glu residues in coproporphyrin ferrochelatase – unexpected activities of active site variants
Authors: Gabler Thomas , Dali Andrea , Bellei Marzia , Sebastiani Federico , Becucci Maurizio , Battistuzzi Gianantonio , Furtmüller Paul Georg , Smulevich Giulietta , Hofbauer Stefan
Published: February 2024

The identification of the coproporphyrin‐dependent heme biosynthetic pathway, which is used almost exclusively by monoderm bacteria in 2015 by Dailey et al. triggered studies aimed at investigating the enzymes involved in this pathway that were originally assigned to the protoporphyrin‐dependent heme biosynthetic pathway. Here, we revisit the active site of coproporphyrin ferrochelatase by a biophysical and biochemical investigation using the physiological substrate coproporphyrin III, which in contrast to the previously used substrate protoporphyrin IX has four propionate substituents and no vinyl groups. In particular, we have compared the reactivity of wild‐type coproporphyrin ferrochelatase from the firmicute Listeria monocytogenes with those of variants, namely, His182Ala (H182A) and Glu263Gln (E263Q), involving two key active site residues. Interestingly, both variants are active only toward the physiological substrate coproporphyrin III but inactive toward protoporphyrin IX. In addition, E263 exchange impairs the final oxidation step from ferrous coproheme to ferric coproheme. The characteristics of the active site in the context of the residues involved and the substrate binding properties are discussed here using structural and functional means, providing a further contribution to the deciphering of this enigmatic reaction mechanism.
The impact of different states of type 2 diabetes when stratified by baselineHbA1con the periodontal outcomes of non‐surgical periodontal treatment: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Kang Shuai , Liu Zheng‐ya , Yuan Huan‐huan , Wang Shu‐min , Pan Ge‐ge , Wei Wei , Jiang Yi , Hou Yu
Published: February 2024

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been considered by many studies to have a bidirectional relationship with periodontitis. This systematic review and network meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the impact of different states of T2DM when stratified by baseline HbA1c on the clinical outcomes of non‐surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT).

Methods

This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and involved an electronic literature search (from inception to the 2nd of January 2023). The study included at least two groups of patients: chronic periodontitis only (No‐DM) or periodontitis and well‐controlled/poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (WC/PC‐T2DM). Clinical outcomes included probing depth (PD) reduction, bleeding on probing reduction, and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain. Direct and indirect comparisons between groups were assessed by network meta‐analysis, thus allowing us to establish a treatment ranking.

Results

Ten prospective cohort studies (11 data sets) were included for qualitative analysis and network meta‐analysis. The data included in this study had high consistency; in addition, a funnel plot and Egger's test showed that the articles had low publication bias. Network meta‐analysis showed that the effect of NSPT in the No‐DM group was significantly better than the WC‐T2DM group [weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.01, 0.18)] and the PC‐T2DM group [WMD = 0.09, 95% CI (0.01, 0.18)] in terms of CAL gain and better than the PC‐T2DM group [WMD = 0.15, 95% CI (0.02, 0.28)] in terms of PD reduction. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking value, the No‐DM group had the highest probability of achieving the best outcome following NSPT.

Conclusions

Collectively, our analyses show that T2DM exerts significant effects on the outcomes of NSPT.
Effect of supplementary sodium hypochlorite agitation techniques on an ex vivo oral multispecies biofilm during passive disinfection of simulated immature roots
Authors: Vieira Walbert de Andrade , de‐Jesus‐Soares Adriana , Lopes Erica M. , Gomes Brenda P. F. A. , Lima Bruno P.
Published: February 2024

Aim

To compare the effect of different sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) agitation techniques on an ex vivo oral multispecies biofilm during passive disinfection of simulated immature roots.

Methodology

Extracted human teeth were prepared to simulate immature roots. They were infected with a dental plaque‐derived multispecies biofilm and cultured for 14 days. The roots were randomly designated into four groups: (1) negative control (PBS), (2) 1.5% NaOCl (CNI), (3) CNI + Ultrasonic activation (UA), (4) CNI + EasyClean agitation (ECA), (5) CNI + XP‐endo finisher agitation (XPF), and (6) positive control (6% NaOCl). Biofilm samples were collected from the root canals and used to determine the number of viable cells (colony‐forming units), scanning electron microscopy, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The mean colony‐forming units per mL (CFU/mL) were analysed using One‐way anova. 16S rRNA sequencing data were analysed for alpha (observed OTUs, Shannon index, and Chao1) and beta diversity (Bray‐Curtis dissimilarities). The LEfSe analysis was used to determine the effect of treatment procedures on the abundance of root canal microbiota. The significance was set at .05.

Results

PBS and CNI samples had significantly higher CFU/mL counts than UA, ECA, XPF, and 6% NaOCl samples (p < .05). The pre‐treatment, PBS, and CNI groups had significantly greater alpha diversity than the UA, ECA, XPF, and 6% NaOCl groups (p < .05). NaOCl agitation groups and the 6% NaOCl group achieved a more pronounced reduction in bacteria from the genera Fusobacterium, Actinomyces, Porphyromonas, and Capnocytophaga.

Conclusions

The effectiveness of passive disinfection protocols was enhanced by NaOCl agitation techniques, suggesting that this supplementary method can improve the outcome of revitalization procedures.
Les vertus des mécanismes de plainte des dispositifs de régulation privée du travail au sein des chaînes de valeur mondiales: l'exemple de la Fair Labor Association
Authors: HARRISON James , PAREJO Margarita , WIELGA Mark
Published: February 2024

Les mécanismes de plainte peuvent‐ils renforcer la régulation privée du travail au sein des chaînes de valeur mondiales? À partir d'une analyse empirique des affaires instruites par le mécanisme de plainte de la Fair Labor Association ‐ le seul qui permette cette étude du point de vue du plaignant ‐, les auteurs constatent que, même si la grande majorité des plaignants en ont une opinion positive, ce mécanisme présente aussi des limites susceptibles d'influer négativement sur ses effets pour les travailleurs. Ils font appel au concept d'ancrage pour explorer l'influence de trois dimensions ‐ le niveau national, le niveau local et celui de l'entreprise ‐ sur ces effets. Ils en tirent des enseignements qui pourraient être utiles à l’étude de mécanismes de plainte existant dans d'autres chaînes de valeur mondiales.
Unique combination of hyaluronic acid and amino acids in the management of patients with a wide range of moderate‐to‐severe chronic wounds: Evidence from international clinical practice
Authors: Özker Emre , Krakowiecki Arkadiusz , Cassino Roberto , Pezzuto Carla , Chadwick Paul , Romanelli Marco
Published: February 2024

The availability of new products and strategies to manage wounds has taken a quantum leap in recent years. Healthcare professionals now have an extensive range of products to choose from, but while positive this also raises dilemmas in real‐world clinical practice to decide on the most appropriate treatment for a given patient. Clinical trials confirm the effectiveness of the unique combination of hyaluronic acid and amino acids (Vulnamin®) in a range of wounds, but are these results replicated in real‐world clinical practice? International experts presented their clinical experience with the use of the combination in difficult‐to‐treat wounds. The objective was to reach a consensus on how and when to use the unique combination products to provide a cost‐effective, convenient option, in all healthcare settings that improves QoL for patients and their carers.
Dy3+‐ and/or Sm3+‐doped glass–ceramics containing NaGd(MoO4)2 crystalline phase for warm white light applications
Authors: Tong Juxia , Luo Zhiwei , Liu Xinzhu , Liang Haozhang , Liu Xinyu , He Pan , Lu Anxian
Published: February 2024

The transparent glass–ceramics with Dy3+ and/or Sm3+ doping, which include the NaGd(MoO4)2 single‐crystal phase, were synthesized using the melt‐quenching method followed by heat treatment in the SiO2–B2O3–Na2O–ZnO–MoO3–Gd2O3 system. The formation and fluorescent properties of Dy3+ single‐doped precursor glasses were thoroughly examined, and the optimal doping amount of Dy2O3 was determined to be 0.3 mol% by fluorescence spectroscopy. The ideal heat treatment procedure for glass–ceramics containing Dy3+ and Sm3+ was determined to be crystallized at a temperature of 650°C for a duration of 7 h. After undergoing heat treatment, the luminescence performance of glass–ceramic is significantly boosted, exhibiting an improvement that is roughly twice as substantial when compared to the precursor glass. Extensive research has been conducted to thoroughly examine the fluorescence capabilities of glass–ceramics doped with both Dy3+ and Sm3+, and the intricate mechanism of energy transfer has been extensively explored. The transparent glass–ceramics doped with Dy3+ and Sm3+ and containing NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal phase can produce tunable luminescence from yellow to orange with a high color purity and a low correlated color temperature, which indicates that they have the potential to be applied to warm white light scenes such as household lighting under ultraviolet excitation.
Atomic transport properties of water in barium–strontium aluminosilicates: Coupling of reactions and diffusion
Authors: Gao Dongxin , Luan Shiliang , Li Peixuan , Ren Ke , Wang William Yi , Li Jinshan , Wang Yiguang
Published: February 2024

Barium–strontium aluminosilicate (BSAS), with excellent resistance to water vapor corrosion and low water permeability, is considered an ideal environmental barrier coating material. Water vapor plays an important role on the failure of BSAS when it is exposed to service environments. Herein, the atomic transport properties of water in BSAS are investigated using ab initio calculations. The metastable structure of water in BSAS mainly consists of hydroxyl group and H+, where the hydroxyl group mainly exists in the form of Al–OH structure. In BSAS crystals, water first reacts with the aluminosilicate network to form metastable hydroxyl group and H+, and then hydroxyl group and H+ diffuse through the aluminosilicate network. Alkaline earth elements limit the diffusion behavior of water and improve the resistance to water vapor corrosion by maintaining the desired local charge balance of the Al–O4 tetrahedron structure. Furthermore, the ab initio molecular dynamics calculations at service temperature and pressure of BSAS are carried out to verify the above conclusions.
The development of a co‐researcher training with and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: van Heumen Lieke , Krueger Courtney , Mihaila Iulia
Published: February 2024

Background

To build capacity among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become co‐researchers they need the opportunity to learn about research.

Method

An inclusive research team developed an online training to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to serve as co‐researchers. Seven participants were recruited as pilot trainees. The co‐researcher training consisted of two 1‐h training sessions. Pre‐ and post‐surveys and a focus group were conducted to examine participant experiences with the co‐researcher training.

Results

The participants were actively engaged during the co‐researcher training sessions and shared they had a positive experience with it. They expressed that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities add value to the research team because of their lived experiences.

Conclusion

The co‐researcher training can instill a baseline level of knowledge about research in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and can be adjusted for different types of research in different settings and organisations.

Lay summary

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities would like to learn more about research. They would also like to learn more about how to do research. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities who work on research are called co‐researchers. Two researchers and a co‐researcher with disability wrote together about research for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Seven people with intellectual and developmental disabilities took part in the class. They answered questions about how they liked the class. They also gave their opinion about research. They learned about what research is and how to do research. The class can be changed so that it can be used by other organizations.
Characterization of runs of homozygosity islands in American mink using whole‐genome sequencing data
Authors: Davoudi Pourya , Do Duy Ngoc , Rathgeber Bruce , Colombo Stefanie , Sargolzaei Mehdi , Plastow Graham , Wang Zhiquan , Miar Younes
Published: February 2024

The genome‐wide analysis of runs of homozygosity (ROH) islands can be an effective strategy for identifying shared variants within a population and uncovering important genomic regions related to complex traits. The current study performed ROH analysis to characterize the genome‐wide patterns of homozygosity, identify ROH islands and annotated genes within these candidate regions using whole‐genome sequencing data from 100 American mink (Neogale vison). After sequence processing, variants were called using GATK and Samtools pipelines. Subsequent to quality control, 8,373,854 bi‐allelic variants identified by both pipelines remained for further analysis. A total of 34,652 ROH segments were identified in all individuals, among which shorter segments (0.3–1 Mb) were abundant throughout the genome, approximately accounting for 84.39% of all ROH. Within these segments, we identified 63 ROH islands housing 156 annotated genes. The genes located in ROH islands were associated with fur quality (EDNRA, FGF2, FOXA2 and SLC24A4), body size/weight (MYLK4, PRIM2, FABP2, EYS and PHF3), immune capacity (IL2, IL21, PTP4A1, SEMA4C, JAK2, CCNA2 and TNIP3) and reproduction (ADAD1, KHDRBS2, INSL6, PGRMC2 and HSPA4L). Furthermore, Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed 56 and 9 significant terms (FDR‐corrected p‐value < 0.05), respectively, among which cGMP‐PKG signalling pathway, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and calcium signalling pathway were highlighted due to their functional roles in growth and fur characteristics. This is the first study to present ROH islands in American mink. The candidate genes from ROH islands and functional enrichment analysis suggest possible signatures of selection in response to the mink breeding targets, such as increased body length, reproductive performance and fur quality. These findings contribute to our understanding of genetic characteristics, and provide complementary information to assist with implementation of breeding strategies for genetic improvement in American mink.
Annual Research Review: Puberty and the development of anhedonia – considering childhood adversity and inflammation
Authors: Gupta Tina , Eckstrand Kristen L. , Forbes Erika E.
Published: February 2024

Anhedonia, or diminished pleasure and motivation, is a symptom of severe mental illness (e.g., depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) that emerges during adolescence. Anhedonia is a pernicious symptom that is related to social impairments, treatment resistance, and suicide. As the mechanisms of anhedonia are postulated to include the frontostriatal circuitry and the dopamine neuromodulatory system, the development and plasticity of these systems during the vulnerable period of adolescence, as well as their sensitivity to pubertal hormones, suggest that pubertal maturation could play a role in the development of anhedonia. This review takes a developmental perspective, considering the possibility that anhedonia emerges in the context of pubertal maturation and adolescent development, with childhood adversity and chronic inflammation influencing neural reward systems to accelerate anhedonia's progression. Here, we review the relevant extant literature on the components of this model and suggest directions for future research.
Annual Research Review: ‘There, the dance is – at the still point of the turning world’ – dynamic systems perspectives on coregulation and dysregulation during early development
Authors: Wass Sam , Greenwood Emily , Esposito Giovanni , Smith Celia , Necef Isil , Phillips Emily
Published: February 2024

During development we transition from coregulation (where regulatory processes are shared between child and caregiver) to self‐regulation. Most early coregulatory interactions aim to manage fluctuations in the infant's arousal and alertness; but over time, coregulatory processes become progressively elaborated to encompass other functions such as sociocommunicative development, attention and executive control. The fundamental aim of coregulation is to help maintain an optimal ‘critical state’ between hypo‐ and hyperactivity. Here, we present a dynamic framework for understanding child–caregiver coregulatory interactions in the context of psychopathology. Early coregulatory processes involve both passive entrainment, through which a child's state entrains to the caregiver's, and active contingent responsiveness, through which the caregiver changes their behaviour in response to behaviours from the child. Similar principles, of interactive but asymmetric contingency, drive joint attention and the maintenance of epistemic states as well as arousal/alertness, emotion regulation and sociocommunicative development. We describe three ways in which active child–caregiver regulation can develop atypically, in conditions such as Autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression. The most well‐known of these is insufficient contingent responsiveness, leading to reduced synchrony, which has been shown across a range of modalities in different disorders, and which is the target of most current interventions. We also present evidence that excessive contingent responsiveness and excessive synchrony can develop in some circumstances. And we show that positive feedback interactions can develop, which are contingent but mutually amplificatory child–caregiver interactions that drive the child further from their critical state. We discuss implications of these findings for future intervention research, and directions for future work.
The Dark Side of Circuit Breakers
Authors: CHEN HUI , PETUKHOV ANTON , WANG JIANG , XING HAO
Published: February 2024

Market‐wide circuit breakers are trading halts aimed at stabilizing the market during dramatic price declines. Using an intertemporal equilibrium model, we show that a circuit breaker significantly alters market dynamics and affects investor welfare. As the market approaches the circuit breaker, price volatility rises drastically, accelerating the chance of triggering the circuit breaker—the so‐called “magnet effect,” returns exhibit increasing negative skewness, and trading activity spikes up. Our empirical analysis supports the model's predictions. Circuit breakers can affect overall welfare negatively or positively, depending on the relative significance of investors' trading motives for risk sharing versus irrational speculation.
Redundancy and Complementarity in Language and the Environment: How Intermodal Information Is Combined to Constrain Learning
Authors: Monaghan Padraic , Murray Heather , Holz Heiko
Published: February 2024

To acquire language, learners have to map the language onto the environment, but languages vary as to how much information they include to constrain how a sentence relates to the world. We investigated the conditions under which information within the language and the environment is combined for learning. In a cross‐situational artificial language learning study, participants listened to transitive sentences and viewed two scenes, and selected which scene was described by the sentence. There were three conditions, involving different language variants. All variants had free word order but varied as to whether or not they contained morphosyntactic information that defined the subject and object roles of nouns in the sentence. We found that participants were able to learn information about word order and vocabulary from each variant, demonstrating that learners are not reliant on information within a language only, but can combine constraints from language and environment to support acquisition. Data and analyses are available at: https://osf.io/hxqzc/?view_only=ea6ba6fff6bb468e8de2e8596f029dca
Prevalence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in Turner syndrome: A prospective case–control study
Authors: Twohig Patrick , Li Ling , Danford David , Craft Mary , Yetman Anji T.
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

Abnormal liver chemistries are common in Turner syndrome (TS). Guidelines suggest that TS patients undergo annual screening of liver enzymes, but the role of non‐invasive screening for steatosis and fibrosis is not clearly defined. We compared the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis among TS patients to healthy controls using ultrasound with shear‐wave elastography (SWE) and assessed for risk factors associated with steatosis and fibrosis in TS.

Methods

Prospective case–control study of TS versus control patients from 2019 to 2021. All patients underwent abdominal ultrasound with doppler and SWE to assess hepatic fibrosis and steatosis. Risk factors were compared between TS and controls, as well as within the TS group.

Results

A total of 55 TS and 50 control patients were included. Mean age was 23.6 years vs. 24.6 years in the control group (p = .75). TS patients had significantly more steatosis (65% vs. 12%, stage 1 vs. 0, p < .0001) and fibrosis (39% vs. 2%, average Metavir F2 vs. F0, p < .00001) than controls. These findings remained significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) (p < .01). GGT is more sensitive than AST or ALT in identifying these changes.

Conclusion

TS is associated with an increased prevalence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis compared to healthy controls. Our findings suggest that serum GGT and ultrasound with SWE may help identify TS patients with liver disease. Early risk factor mitigation including timely oestrogen replacement, weight control, normalization of lipids and promoting multidisciplinary collaboration should be encouraged.
Constituency Focus in Party‐Centered Systems: How Individual, Party, and District‐Level Factors Shape Parliamentary Questions in South Africa
Authors: Sanches Edalina Rodrigues , Kartalis Yani
Published: February 2024

What drives MPs' constituency focus in party‐centered systems? Party‐centered systems are expected to offer fewer incentives for constituency‐focused behavior as it is parties rather than candidates that primarily drive competition. However, MPs in these systems may find good reason to cater to constituents’ interests as it allows them to attain multiple goals and satisfy competing principals. This study develops a theoretical model of constituency focus comprising individual, party, and district‐level factors and tests it in South Africa, a party‐centered system. Drawing on 22,724 questions submitted by MPs to the parliament between 2006 and 2023, as well as biographic data and interviews, it demonstrates that variation in MPs' constituency focus is explained by their level of electoral vulnerability, and to a lesser degree their seniority and local ties. Moreover, whether MPs belong to clientelistic parties and their constituency is a party stronghold are also relevant factors. The findings highlight the importance of incentives that go beyond electoral institutions and reaffirm the relevance of constituency links in party‐centered systems.
Housing market, oil prices, and macroeconomic volatility in the G7
Authors: Attílio Luccas Assis
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we investigate house price shocks on the macroeconomic variables (financial market, inflation, and real sector) of the G7 economies. We use the GVAR to capture the spillover effects from the U.S. housing market and oil prices on these economies from 1991M3–2022M10. We identify the U.S. house price shock using the Structural Generalized Impulse Response Function, house supply and demand variables, and regional divergence. We find that the domestic stock markets and industrial production are the most sensitive to house price shocks. We further compare the importance of house and oil prices on domestic fluctuations. The estimates reinforce the previous findings: U.S. house prices are responsible for a quarter of the domestic volatility of the stock markets and industrial production. In the other macroeconomic segments, the effects of house prices are present, but in lower values. Our results show that house prices provoke more domestic fluctuations than oil prices. Finally, we also found that short and long‐term credit markets, as well as stock markets, transmit the house price shock to industrial production. Consequently, we provide potential channels to comprehend the spillover effect of U.S. house prices on international markets.
Between the Superpowers: Gulf States and Israel Navigate the New Mideast Dynamics
Authors: Afterman Gedaliah , Urhová Dominika
Published: February 2024

China has become increasingly active in the Middle East over the past decade, both economically and politically. Its strategy aims to expand its reach and influence, while warily avoiding the region's chronic instability. The Gulf states and Israel have sought to leverage China's economic growth and global influence to advance their interests. This article explores the strategies of key Gulf countries, Israel, and Iran toward China in their efforts to manage the fast‐changing regional dynamics. It first examines their economic ties with Beijing and then discusses their political relations. The analysis also reviews how the intensifying superpower competition between the United States and China is shaping both the region and the foreign policies of its constitutive states. This article is part of a special issue on the responses of Gulf countries to rising Sino‐American competition, edited by Andrea Ghiselli, Anoushiravan Ehteshami, and Enrico Fardella.
Turnip mosaic virus NIb weakens the function of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 facilitating viral infection in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Chen Ziqiang , Wang Feng , Chen Binghua , Wu Guanwei , Tian Dagang , Yuan Quan , Qiu Shiyou , Zhai Yushan , Chen Jianping , Zheng Hongying , Yan Fei
Published: February 2024

Viruses rely completely on host translational machinery to produce the proteins encoded by their genes. Controlling translation initiation is important for gaining translational advantage in conflicts between the host and virus. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) has been reported to be hijacked by potyviruses for virus multiplication. The role of translation regulation in defence and anti‐defence between plants and viruses is not well understood. We report that the transcript level of eIF6 was markedly increased in turnip mosaic virus (TuMV)‐infected Nicotiana benthamiana. TuMV infection was impaired by overexpression of N. benthamiana eIF6 (NbeIF6) either transiently expressed in leaves or stably expressed in transgenic plants. Polysome profile assays showed that overexpression of NbeIF6 caused the accumulation of 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits, the reduction of polysomes, and also compromised TuMV UTR‐mediated translation, indicating a defence role for upregulated NbeIF6 during TuMV infection. However, the polysome profile in TuMV‐infected leaves was not identical to that in leaves overexpressing NbeIF6. Further analysis showed that TuMV NIb protein, the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, interacted with NbeIF6 and interfered with its effect on the ribosomal subunits, suggesting that NIb might have a counterdefence role. The results propose a possible regulatory mechanism at the translation level during plant–virus interaction.
A Countertraction Closed Reduction Technique in Minimally Invasive Fixation of Recent Type C Pelvic Ring Injuries
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhao Jinmin , Cheng Jianwen , Huang Linke , Ning Chao , Hu Feng
Published: February 2024

Objective

Closed reduction of pelvic injuries is a prerequisite and critical step in minimally invasive treatment. Achieving non‐invasive closed reduction of pelvic injuries is a challenging clinical problem. This study demonstrated a non‐invasive traction technique for closed reduction called countertraction closed reduction technique (CCRT) and evaluated its effectiveness for type C pelvic ring injuries.

Method

The data of patients with unstable pelvic fractures treated with CCRT and minimally invasive fixation were retrospectively reviewed from January 2017 to February 2022. Sacroiliac screws were placed to fix the posterior pelvic ring, and internal or external fixation was used to fix the anterior pelvic ring. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, fracture union and postoperative complications were recorded. Fracture reduction quality was evaluated using the Matta scoring criteria. Functional recovery and general quality of life were evaluated using the Majeed functional scoring criteria.

Results

Thirteen patients (nine males and four females), with an average age of 49.6 years were treated with CCRT and followed up for a mean of 18.5 months. The average operation time was 137.2 minutes (range 92–195 minutes), the average intraoperative blood loss was 31.2 mL (range 10–120 mL) and the average duration of hospital stay was 14.3 days (range 4–32 days). All patients achieved bony union with an average union time of 11.9 weeks (range 10–16 weeks). According to the Matta radiographic criteria, the quality of fracture reduction was excellent in eight patients, good in four, and fair in one. The average Majeed functional score was 89.7 (range 78–100). The functional evaluation revealed that the outcomes were excellent in nine patients, and good in four patients. Complications included incision fat liquefaction in one patient, and heterotopic ossification in another patient. There were no surgical complications as a result of CCRT.

Conclusion

CCRT is a non‐invasive closed reduction method for minimally invasive fixation of fresh Tile C1 and C2 pelvic fractures. The advantages of CCRT combined with minimally invasive treatment include a small surgical incision, reduced intraoperative bleeding, satisfactory fracture reduction, bone healing and functional recovery.
Phylogenetic, metabolic and pathogenic characteristics of Alternaria alternata strains from wheat in China
Authors: Qiao Shouning , Gu Hui , Ma Guizhen , Xu Jianhong , Shi Jianrong , Lee Yin‐Won , Qiu Jianbo
Published: February 2024

Alternaria is an important toxigenic fungal genus endangering the quality of cereal grains. No data are available in the literature regarding the composition of Alternaria species in wheat from the main wheat‐cultivating regions of China. In this study, a total of 282 strains were isolated from wheat kernels collected in various provinces. Phylogenetic characterization was performed using two informative loci, ASA10 and ASA19, demonstrating that all strains belonged to A. alternata. A low molecular diversity was observed, which did not appear to be influenced by geographic origin. The secondary metabolite profile of the strains was evaluated in rice culture. Altertoxin I was synthesized at a high concentration by the majority of the strains, while the accumulation of altenuene was lower in both frequency and level than that of alternariol and its derivative. A. alternata did not cause readily observable symptoms on wheat spikes after spraying of the conidia at anthesis, but a higher quantity of altertoxin I and Alternaria DNA were detected in inoculated grains. Artificial inoculations of apple fruit showed that all examined strains were capable of causing typical rot symptoms and producing all four toxins to a certain degree. The widespread occurrence of A. alternata on wheat grains and its ability to synthesize various toxic metabolites may pose a serious hazard for both growers and consumers.
Enhancing exercise tolerance in interstitial lung disease with high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy: A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Yanagita Yorihide , Arizono Shinichi , Yokomura Koshi , Ito Kumiko , Machiguchi Hikaru , Tawara Yuichi , Katagiri Norimasa , Iida Yuki , Nakatani Eiji , Tanaka Takako , Kozu Ryo
Published: February 2024

Background and Objective

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is characterized by dyspnoea on exertion and exercise‐induced hypoxaemia. High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy reduces the respiratory workload through higher gas flow and oxygen supplementation, which may affect exercise tolerance. This study aimed to examine the effects of oxygen and gas flow rates through HFNC therapy on exercise tolerance in ILD patients.

Methods

We conducted three‐treatment crossover study. All ILD patients performed the exercises on room air (ROOM AIR setting: flow, 0 L/min; fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2], 0.21), HFNC (FLOW setting: flow 40 L/min, FiO2 0.21), and HFNC with oxygen supplementation (FLOW + OXYGEN setting: flow 40 L/min, FiO2 0.6). The primary endpoint was the endurance time, measured using constant‐load cycle ergometry exercise testing at a peak work rate of 80%.

Results

Twenty‐five participants (10 men, 71.2 ± 6.7 years) were enrolled. The increase in exercise duration between the ROOM AIR and FLOW was 46.3 s (95% CI, −6.1 to 98.7; p = 0.083), and the FLOW and FLOW + OXYGEN was 91.5 s (39.1–143.9; p < 0.001). The percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) at rest was significantly higher with the FLOW + OXYGEN setting than with the ROOM AIR and FLOW settings, and the difference persisted during exercise. At equivalent time points during exercise, the SpO2 with the FLOW setting was significantly higher than that with the ROOM AIR setting.

Conclusion

Oxygen supplementation in HFNC therapy improved exercise tolerance and SpO2. We found that gas flow alone did not improve exercise tolerance, but improved SpO2 during exercise.

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Assessing the incorporation of latent variables in the estimation of the value of a statistical life
Authors: Barrientos Manuel , Vásquez Lavín Felipe , Ponce Oliva Roberto D.
Published: February 2024

For many years, the economic literature has recognized the role of attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions in estimating the value of a statistical life (VSL). However, few applications have attempted to include them. This article incorporates the perceived controllability and concern about traffic and cardiorespiratory risks to estimate VSL using a hybrid choice model (HCM). The HCM allows us to include unobserved heterogeneity and improve behavioral realism explicitly. Using data from a choice experiment conducted in Santiago, Chile, we estimate a VSL of US$3.78 million for traffic risks and US$2.06 million for cardiorespiratory risks. We found that higher controllability decreases the likelihood that the respondents would be willing to pay for risk reductions in both risks. On the other hand, concern about these risks decreases the willingness to pay for traffic risk reductions but increases it for cardiorespiratory risk reductions.
The effect of mini‐grid rural electrification on urbanization: Evidence from the pilot mini‐grid systems in Ghana
Authors: Gyimah Justice , Liu Yang , Nyantakyi George , Yao Xilong
Published: February 2024

Mini‐grid electrification constitutes an increasingly important solution to universal access to energy, notably in off‐grid rural Africa. Rural electrification has important implications for mitigating the immigration trends of the rural population toward urban regions. In this study, we adopted a mediation model to investigate the direct and indirect effects of mini‐grid electrification on the urbanization process, and multivariate regression is employed as a robustness check. More specifically, with the support of a mini‐grid project in Ghana, we conducted a survey to assess the perception of the local population about the impact of rural electrification on healthcare, education, employment, and security and further examined the impact of these development outcomes on their willingness to immigrate to cities. The study's findings suggested that the development of rural electrification helped improve education, healthcare, security, and employment, significantly affecting urbanization. Our study concluded that increased electricity access through mini‐grids tends to reduce the urbanization trends in rural Ghana.
Effects of foreign direct investment in services on input imports of manufacturing firms: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Xuefeng , Zhu Ling , Liu Haiyun
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the causal effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) in services on the input imports of manufacturing firms. We exploit a plausibly exogenous policy of FDI liberalization in services in China to construct an instrumental variable for FDI in services and address endogeneity concerns. The results demonstrate that FDI in services positively impacts both the value and sophistication of input imports for manufacturing firms. Mechanism analysis reveals that FDI in services enhances firms' input imports through reductions in production costs, relief from financial constraints, and decreased remote coordination costs. The positive effects of FDI in services are particularly pronounced for firms with lower initial productivity and higher levels of human capital.
Exact Insulated-Tip Fin Length Correction for Tip Convection Compensation
Authors: Capobianchi Massimo , Cangelosi Richard
Published: February 2024

This study details the derivation of a length correction term for computing the heat transfer performance of one-dimensional, straight, convecting-tip fins using the insulated-tip fin solution. Use of this corrected length in the insulated-tip fin solution produces the identical heat transfer rate and temperature profile as those computed using the more complex convecting-tip fin equations. The analysis derives the length correction equation from fundamental principles and produces a simple, closed-form expression valid for all fin cross-sectional shapes. Furthermore, the valid parameter range where this length correction is applicable, and outside of which no exact length correction is possible, is quantified.
Semi-Analytical Solution for a Single-Phase Conduction Problem of a Finite-Slab With a Growing or Receding Boundary
Authors: Kumar Pavan , Segall Albert , Drapaca Corina
Published: February 2024

Thermal conduction considerations of a solid media with moving boundaries are of great interest in many research areas. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find analytical or semi-analytical solutions for the single-phase heat equation in real-time with a growing or receding boundary. While non-numerical solutions for infinite and semi-infinite domains are available, these cannot accurately model many common situations. In order to overcome this shortcoming, an approximate semi-analytical solution for the heat equation for a single phase, homogeneous, and finite-slab with a growing or receding boundary under unit loading was derived using the Laplace transform method and Zakian series representation of the inverse Laplace transform. Predictions were compared to finite element solutions with good agreement obtained for low to moderate growth or recession rates with improvements shown to be possible by using a heuristic approach. Applications of this work could include direct or inverse prediction of temperatures during machining, wear, corrosion, and/or additive manufacturing via cold spray.
A Free Streamline Model for Fully Separated Turbomachine Flows
Authors: Prasad Dilip
Published: February 2024

This paper describes the use of the free streamline approach to determine flows in fully separated cascades, and to thereby provide a rational basis for estimating the performance of axial turbomachinery at severely off-design conditions. On the assumption of two-dimensional, incompressible flow, the free streamlines that bound the separated region are determined using the hodograph method, in which the methods of complex analysis are used to define a tractable numerical problem. The resulting jet-wake flow profile at cascade exit is then presumed to undergo mixing at constant area, from which performance parameters for the cascade can be determined. The proposed method is verified by comparison against flat plate cascade solutions and by checks against momentum conservation. Validation of the free streamline approach is carried out by comparison against several cascade configurations for which experimental data and simulation results are available. In general, the predictions based upon the present theoretical model are found to be good, especially for negative incidences such as those that occur in the compressor section of an engine operating at sub-idle conditions. This suggests that the present approach can be used in the estimation of turbomachinery performance maps far from the design point, especially during early design phases.