bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of late-onset and non-late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus individuals in a real-world electronic health record cohort
Authors: Adeogun Ganiat , Camai Alex , Suh Ashley , Wheless Lee , Barnado April
Published: March 2024

Objective: Late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (LO-SLE) is defined as SLE diagnosed at age 50 years or later. Current studies on LO-SLE are small and have conflicting results.

Methods: Using a large, electronic health record (EHR)-based cohort of SLE individuals, we compared demographics, disease characteristics, SLE-specific antibodies, and medication prescribing practices in LO ( n = 123) vs. NLO-SLE ( n = 402) individuals.

Results: The median age (interquartile range) at SLE diagnosis was 60 (56–67) years for LO-SLE and 28 (20–38) years for NLO-SLE. Both groups were predominantly female (85% vs. 91%, p = 0.10). LO-SLE individuals were more likely to be White than NLO-SLE individuals (74% vs. 60%, p = 0.005) and less likely to have positive dsDNA (39% vs. 58%, p = 0.001) and RNP (17% vs. 32%, p = 0.02) with no differences in Smith, SSA, and SSB. Autoantibody positivity declined with increasing age at SLE diagnosis. LO-SLE individuals were less likely to develop SLE nephritis (9% vs. 29%, p < 0.001) and less likely to be prescribed multiple classes of SLE medications including antimalarials (90% vs. 95%, p = 0.04), azathioprine (17% vs. 31%, p = 0.002), mycophenolate mofetil (12% vs. 38%, p < 0.001), and belimumab (2% vs. 8%, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: LO-SLE individuals may be less likely to fit an expected course for SLE with less frequent positive autoantibodies at diagnosis and lower rates of nephritis, even after adjusting for race. Understanding how age impacts SLE disease presentation could help reduce diagnostic delays in SLE.
Childhood adverse experiences and clinical manifestations in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Esteves Rossini Elisa , Lourival Zanoveli Cunha Jonatas , L B Costa Gabriela , Araujo Melo Karin , Cassemiro Micheleto José Pedro , Miranda Pereira Fausto Vanessa , Quintiliano Pedroza Laís , Sotero Fragoso Thiago , Leão de Melo Neto Valfrido , Cavalcante Oliveira Michelle Jacintha
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a higher incidence of developing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective

The objective is to associate the ACE with the clinical manifestations of SLE in adult women.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional observational analytical study in a sample of women diagnosed with SLE, whose data were collected through interviews and a review of medical records. The ACE were identified using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and were associated with sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as the presence of harm.

Results

The sample was composed of 97 women. In this study, significant associations were found between physical abuse and oral ulcers ( p = .006) and nephritis ( p = .032); between sexual abuse and Sjogren’s syndrome ( p = .024) and oral ulcers ( p = .035); between physical neglect and photosensitivity ( p = .024) and oral ulcers ( p = .039); and between emotional neglect and diabetes mellitus ( p = .033).

Conclusion

Individuals with a positive history of ACE have significant associations with certain clinical manifestations of SLE and subtypes of ACE, underscoring the importance of preventing childhood trauma to improve adult health. Further studies are needed to elucidate the impact of ACE on adult health.
Light and Delight: Playful Learning as an Ideology and Methodology in Adult Education
Authors: Heidari-Shahreza Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2024

This article, a conceptual and theoretical piece, opens a window on “playful learning” as a philosophy of education and a suite of diverse pedagogical approaches, methods, and techniques. The paper criticizes the serious ambience of adult education with its high levels of instrumentalism and performativity. It argues for playful learning as an ideology and methodology to realize the light (i.e., the true essence) and the delight (i.e., the pleasure) of learning. To this aim, the paper initially provides a feature-based, pedagogical perspective of “play.” Afterward, it defines and defends playful learning, highlighting a wide spectrum of possibilities and affordances within the pedagogy of play. In particular, (digital) game-based learning, gamification, and quest-based learning are touched upon. Additionally, connections are briefly made between playful learning and several teaching paradigms and philosophies in adult education such as student-centered learning, project-based learning, creative pedagogy, positive education, and critical pedagogy. Furthermore, the article puts forth “signature pedagogy” as a theoretical framework to safeguard the implementation of playful learning in adult education. Similarly, the notion of “iplay” (or intelligent play) is introduced to underscore the technological and evolving dimensions of play and playful learning. The paper, finally addresses several areas of concern within “playful adult education.” It touches upon creating a “playful mindset” and “play culture” among educational stakeholders especially teachers and students. Likewise, developing appropriate adult learning “playware” (i.e., playful instructional content) and “playful assessment” are addressed.
Tipping the Scales of Psychological Reactance: A Closer Look at Imperative Language and the Role of Epistemic Certainty
Authors: Kalny Callie , Walter Nathan
Published: March 2024

Psychological reactance is a key construct in persuasion, but experimental inductions often confound imperative language with epistemically certain language (i.e., language that belies grounds for doubt). Two online experiments examine the effects of each language type on indicators of psychological reactance across two scientific contexts. In Study 1 ( N = 274), imperative language increased felt anger and perceived threat to freedom, while epistemically certain language did not. In Study 2 ( N = 402), epistemically uncertain language attenuated felt anger and perceived threat to freedom. Findings offer theoretical and practical insight into the effects of each language type on resistance to persuasion.
Musculoskeletal injuries during trail sports: Sex- and age-specific analyses over 20 years from a national injury database
Authors: Owen Madeline M. , Workman Connor D. , Angileri Hunter S. , Terry Michael A. , Tjong Vehniah K.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries in US trail sports are understudied as trail sport popularity grows. This study describes MSK injury patterns among hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers from 2002 through 2021 and investigates MSK injury trends acquired during mountain sports.

Methods

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to identify US emergency department (ED) patients from 2002-2021 (inclusive) who endured MSK injuries during hiking, trail running, or mountain biking. Injury rates and national estimates were calculated across demographics.

Results

9835 injuries were included (48.4% male, 51.6% female). Injuries increased over time, with 1213 from 2002-2005 versus 2417 from 2018-2021. No sex differences existed before 2010, after which female injury rates exceeded those of males. The following findings were statistically significant, with P<0.05: females endured more fractures and strains/sprains; males endured more lacerations; concussions and head injuries were higher among those <18 y; dislocations and strains/sprains were higher for 18 to 65 y; fractures were higher for >65 y; <18 y had high mountain-biking and low running rates; 18 to 65 y had high running rates; and >65 y had low biking and running rates. Although all diagnoses increased in number over time, no significant differences existed in the proportion of any given diagnosis relative to total injuries.

Conclusions

MSK injuries during trail sports have increased since 2002. Males endured more injuries until 2009, after which females endured more. Significant sex and age differences were found regarding injury diagnosis and body parts. Further studies are needed to confirm these trends and their causes.
Adapting a phenomenological model for predicting acoustical behaviour of Camellia sinensis/Ananas comosus/E-glass fibre-blended epoxy hybrid composites
Authors: Sivanantham Gokulkumar , Pudukarai Ramaswamy Thyla , Selvaraj Sathish , Murugan Aravindh , Sahayaraj Arockiasamy Felix , Mani Sasi Kumar , Uddin Md. Elias
Published: March 2024

Developing a hybrid phenomenological model for predicting the sound absorption coefficient of a pineapple leaf fibre/waste tea leaf fibre/glass fibre/epoxy-based natural fibre-reinforced hybrid composites is the predominant topic of this article. Phenomenological models excel at extrapolating characteristic impedance and wave number whereas empirical models require fewer inputs but overlook wave propagation in pores. Existing models apply only to single-fibre-reinforced composites, necessitating the creation of a hybrid model for hybrid composites. The developed hybrid Zwikker–Kosten and Johnson–Champoux–Allard model shows good agreement with experimental data across the frequency range, with standard deviations of 0.001–0.029 and percent deviations of 1.11%–11.43%. The overall noise reduction coefficient between the model and experiments is 0.31 vs. 0.30, with a 3.33% deviation. Furthermore, the application of alkali treatment increased the surface roughness which in turn, enhanced the sound absorption capabilities of these composites. The increased fibre roughness also amplified friction between fibres and sound waves, resulting in higher sound absorption coefficients. In addition, X-ray diffraction, thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry), and scanning electron microscopy examinations were performed on the designated composition (5% by weight of pineapple leaf fibre and 25% by weight of waste tea leaf fibre) of the pineapple leaf fibre/waste tea leaf fibre/glass fibre/epoxy-based natural fibre-reinforced hybrid composite.
Mechanism for Huanglian Jiedu Decoction-Based Therapy for MAFLD Analyzed Through Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification
Authors: Zheng Jixian , Zheng Anni , Song Sufei , Lin Mengyu , Liu Tao , Xu Qiuling
Published: March 2024

Objective: To analyze the mechanism of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD) in the treatment of metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods: The main components, targets, and pathways for treating MAFLD of HLJDD were screened through network pharmacology and molecular docking validation was done; HLJDD was used to intervene MAFLD model of rat, the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, GLU, HDL, and LDL were identified, HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes, lipid deposition in liver was detected by oil red O staining. MAFLD model of HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) was constructed by PA (palmitate-acid) incubating, and HLJDD was administered with drug-containing serum intervention, lipid droplets in HepG2 cells was observed by oil red O staining, TG and FFA of HepG2 were detected, the expressions of AMPK, mToR, and Beclin-1 were detected through Western blot. Results: Seventy components and 229 targets were obtained, and 85 targets were used to treat MAFLD, which focus on the signal passways of AMPK/mToR/PI3K-AKt/MAPK, NAFLD, autophagy-animal, insulin, etc. Molecular docking outcomes showed quercetin, kaempferol, and baicalein that were successfully docked with AMPK and mToR, and had good binding activity, compared with MAFLD group of rats, the levels of ALT, AST, TC, TG, GLU, HDL, and LDL were significantly decreased in Silybin group and each dos group of HLJDD, liver pathology and lipid deposition were significantly improved; the results in vitro experiments showed that drug-containing serum of HLJDD and Silybin could improve intracellular lipid accumulation and reduce the increase of TG and FFA levels in HepG2 cells, the therapeutic effect of HLJDD was significantly attenuated after application of AMPK inhibitor; the results of Western blot showed that HLJDD could up-regulate the protein expression of AMPK and Beclin-1,down-regulate the protein expression of mToR. Conclusion: Within process of MAFLD intervention, HLJDD could regulate AMPK-mToR signaling pathway to treat MAFLD.
What interventions add value in lateral compression type 1 fragility pelvis fractures? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Curtin Patrick B , Molla Vadim G , Conway Alexandra E , Swart Eric F
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Fragility fractures are a large source of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Orthopaedic surgeons are regularly the main point of contact in patients with lateral compression type 1 pelvis fractures, despite many of these being treated non-operatively. This study aims to identify risk factors for mortality and elucidate which follow-up visits have the potential to improve care for these patients.

Methods and materials:

In all, 211 patients have been identified with fragility lateral compression type 1 fractures at a level 1 trauma centre over a 5-year period. For all patients, we recorded patient demographics, imaging data, hospital readmissions, medical complications and death dates if applicable.

Results:

Of the 211 patients identified, 56.4% had at least one orthopaedic follow-up, of which no patient had a clinically meaningful medical intervention initiated. 30-day readmission rate was 19%, and 1-year mortality was 24%. Male sex, need for an assist device, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index and increased age were found to be statistically associated with increased risk of mortality. Patients who followed up with their primary care physician were found to have a statistically lower risk of mortality. Computed tomography scans were obtained in 70% of patients and never limited patient weight-bearing status or found any additional injury not already identified on the radiograph.

Discussion/Conclusions:

For patients with lateral compression type 1 type fragility fractures, orthopaedic surgeons did not offer additional clinically meaningful intervention after the time of initial diagnosis in this patient cohort. The rate of clinical follow-up with a primary care physician is relatively low despite high rates of medical comorbidity. Computed tomography scans were utilised frequently but did not change recommendations. The high rate of medical complications and lack of orthopaedic intervention suggest that we should re-evaluate the role of the orthopaedic surgeon versus the primary care physician as the primary point of medical contact for patients with these injuries.
Reactionary sensemaking: Mapping the micropolitics of online oppositional subcultures
Authors: Tuters Marc , Devries Melody , Venturini Tommaso , de Zeeuw Daniël , Willaert Tom
Published: March 2024

Internet memes used to be funny, but somewhere in the mid-2010's, a darker dimension surfaced. This editorial explores this ‘reactionary turn’ in digital culture through a collection of articles and commentaries on ‘the micropolitics of online oppositional subcultures’. In the special theme, these range from commentaries on how misogyny and hate speech exploit platform affordances to articles tracing the growth and spread of arcane memes and anti-vaccine discourse on Reddit and Telegram. While these phenomena might elsewhere be labeled as instances of misinformation, the editorial frames them in terms of ‘reactionary sensemaking’, in which digital subcultures form communities in reaction to a perceived loss of meaning and out of a shared antipathy to ‘mainstream’ culture. Methodologically, the editorial situates these studies in terms of a broader ‘micropolitical’ research tradition that extends from Latour and Deleuze back to Tarde.
Rural Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Zollet Simona , Monsen Erik , Chen Wendy D. , Barber Dennis
Published: March 2024

This Special Issue focuses on entrepreneurship education in rural areas and small towns, illuminating the dynamics of entrepreneurship education in these often-neglected contexts. The articles in the Special Issue examine the development and outcomes of entrepreneurship programs and initiatives in different parts of the world and aiming at different kinds of rural students. By doing so, they also raise questions about the effectiveness of applying one-size-fits-all approaches to entrepreneurship education regardless of the context, calling for a more nuanced approach to developing entrepreneurial mindsets, competencies and skills. The findings also identify new opportunities to improve pedagogical methods for entrepreneurship education in rural contexts. Among these, future entrepreneurship education should focus more strongly on the role played by place and community, the interplay between formal and informal pedagogical approaches, and the diverse support needs of rural students of different ages and backgrounds.
First-Year Medical Students’ Perceptions of Stigma Toward People With Opioid Use Disorder Before and After an Educational Intervention
Authors: Graves Rachel L. , Shofer Frances S. , Kayser Joshua B. , Perrone Jeanmarie
Published: March 2024

Background:

Stigma among medical trainees toward people with opioid use disorder (OUD) compounds the problems associated with opioid addiction. People with OUD who experience overt and implicit stigma from healthcare providers are less likely to seek and receive treatment, further restricting their access to already limited resources. The objective of our study was to assess an educational strategy to mitigate stigma toward people with OUD among first-year medical students.

Methods:

This study assessed perceptions of stigma toward people with OUD among first-year medical students using an adaptation of a brief, validated opioid stigma scale before and after an educational intervention. The intervention consisted primarily of a recorded panel in which people with a history of OUD shared their experiences with stigma followed by small group discussions.

Results:

After the educational intervention, students were more likely to respond that (1) they believed most people held negative beliefs about people with OUD and (2) they personally disagreed with negative statements about people with OUD.

Conclusions:

Educational interventions addressing stigma toward people with OUD are potentially effective and should be integrated into medical curricula. Such interventions are a crucial part of the effort to improve the medical care of people with OUD.
Ebnerite and epiebnerite: NH4ZnPO4 dimorphs with zeolite-type frameworks from the Rowley mine, Arizona, USA
Authors: Kampf Anthony R. , Gu Xiangping , Yang Hexiong , Ma Chi , Marty Joe
Published: March 2024

Ebnerite and epiebnerite, both with the ideal formula NH4ZnPO4, are new mineral species from the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. They occur in an unusual bat-guano-related, post-mining assemblage of phases. Epiebnerite grows epitactically on ebnerite and replaces it. Ebnerite and epiebnerite are found in intimate association with alunite, halite, mimetite, newberyite, sampleite, struvite and wulfenite on hematite-rich quartz–baryte matrix. Crystals of ebnerite are colourless narrow prisms up to ~0.3 mm in length. The streak is white, lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is ~2, tenacity is brittle and fracture is splintery. The density is 2.78(2) g⋅cm–3. Ebnerite is optically uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.585(2) and ɛ = 1.575(2). Epiebnerite occurs as colourless prisms or blades, up to about 10 × 3 × 2 μm, in parallel growth forming ribs with serrated edges epitactic on ebnerite prisms. The streak is white, lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is probably ~2, tenacity is brittle. The calculated density is 2.851 g⋅cm–3. Epiebnerite is optically biaxial with all indices of refraction near 1.580. Electron microprobe analysis gave the empirical formula [(NH4)0.89K0.06]Σ0.95(Zn0.96Cu0.07)Σ1.03[(P0.97Si0.03)Σ1.00O4] for ebnerite and [(NH4)0.67K0.28]Σ0.95(Zn0.99Cu0.02)Σ1.02(P1.00O4) for epiebnerite. Ebnerite is hexagonal, P63, with a = 10.67051(16), c = 8.7140(2) Å, V = 859.25(3) Å3 and Z = 8. Epiebnerite is monoclinic, P21, with a = 8.796(16), b = 5.457(16), c = 8.960(16) Å, β = 90.34(6)°, V = 430.1(17) Å3 and Z = 4. The structures of ebnerite (R1 = 0.0372 for 1168 Io > 2σI reflections) and epiebnerite (known from synthetic monoclinic NH4ZnPO4) are zeolite-like frameworks based upon corner-sharing linkages between alternating ZnO4 and PO4 tetrahedra with channels in the frameworks hosting the NH4 groups. The two structures are topologically distinct. Ebnerite belongs to the family of ‘stuffed derivatives’ of tridymite, whereas epiebnerite possesses an ABW-type zeolite structure.
Deep self-supervised machine learning algorithms with a novel feature elimination and selection approaches for blood test-based multi-dimensional health risks classification
Authors: Tutsoy Onder , Koç Gizem Gul
Published: March 2024

Background

Blood test is extensively performed for screening, diagnoses and surveillance purposes. Although it is possible to automatically evaluate the raw blood test data with the advanced deep self-supervised machine learning approaches, it has not been profoundly investigated and implemented yet.

Results

This paper proposes deep machine learning algorithms with multi-dimensional adaptive feature elimination, self-feature weighting and novel feature selection approaches. To classify the health risks based on the processed data with the deep layers, four machine learning algorithms having various properties from being utterly model free to gradient driven are modified.

Conclusions

The results show that the proposed deep machine learning algorithms can remove the unnecessary features, assign self-importance weights, selects their most informative ones and classify the health risks automatically from the worst-case low to worst-case high values.
Whole-genome sequencing and analysis of Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae from Rana nigromaculata
Authors: Zhu Lihong , Liu Hao , Li Xiaohui , Shi Yuefeng , Yin Xiaoliang , Pi Xionge
Published: March 2024

Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae strain FS91703 was isolated from Rana nigromaculata in our previous study. To investigate the genomic characteristics, pathogenicity-related genes, antimicrobial resistance, and phylogenetic relationship of this strain, PacBio RS II and Illumina HiSeq 2000 platforms were used for the whole genome sequencing. The genome size of strain FS91703 was 5,435,691 bp and GC content was 37.78%. A total of 4,951 coding genes were predicted; 99 potential virulence factors homologs were identified. Analysis of antibiotic resistance genes revealed that strain FS91703 harbored 10 antibiotic resistance genes in 6 categories and 2 multidrug-resistant efflux pump genes, including adeG and farA. Strain FS91703 was sensitive to β-lactam combination drugs, cephem, monobactam and carbapenems, intermediately resistant to phenicol, and resistant to penicillin, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, and folate pathway inhibitors. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain FS91703 and C. arthrosphaerae CC-VM-7T were on the same branch of the phylogenetic tree based on 16 S rRNA; the ANI value between them was 96.99%; and the DDH values were 80.2, 72.2 and 81.6% by three default calculation formulae. These results suggested that strain FS91703 was a species of C. arthrosphaerae. Pan-genome analysis showed FS91703 had 566 unique genes compared with 13 other C. arthrosphaerae strains, and had a distant phylogenetic relationship with the other C. arthrosphaerae strains of the same branch in phylogenetic tree based on orthologous genes. The results of this study suggest that strain FS91703 is a multidrug-resistant and highly virulent bacterium, that differs from other C. arthrosphaerae strains at the genomic level. The knowledge about the genomic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of strain FS91703 provides valuable insights into this rare species, as well as guidance for the treatment of the disease caused by FS91703 in Rana nigromaculata.
‘Fertile island’ effects on the soil microbial community beneath the canopy of Tetraena mongolica, an endangered and dominant shrub in the West Ordos Desert, North China
Authors: Liu Zhangkai , Shao Yuying , Cui Qingguo , Ye Xuehua , Huang Zhenying
Published: March 2024

Background

The fertile islands formed by shrubs are major drivers of the structure and function of desert ecosystems, affecting seedling establishment, plant–plant interactions, the diversity and productivity of plant communities, and microbial activity/diversity. Although an increasing number of studies have shown the critical importance of soil microbes in fertile island formation, how soil microbial community structure and function are affected by the different fertile island effect intensities is still unknown. As an endangered and dominant shrub species in the West Ordos Desert, Tetraena mongolica was selected for further exploration of its fertile island effect on the soil microbial community in the present study to test the following two hypotheses: (1) T. mongolica shrubs with different canopy sizes exert fertile island effects of different strengths; (2) the soil microbial community structure and function beneath the T. mongolica canopy are affected by the fertile island, and the strength of these effects varies depending on the shrub canopy size.

Results

The contents of soil total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AVP) were significantly greater beneath T. mongolica shrub canopy than outside the shrub canopy. With increasing shrub canopy size, the enrichment of soil TN and AVP increased, indicating a stronger fertile island effect. The structure and function of soil microbial communities, including fungal, archaeal and bacterial communities, are affected by the fertile island effect. An increase in canopy size increased the relative abundance of Ascomycota (Fungi) and Thaumarchaeota (Archaea). For the soil microbial functional groups, the relative abundance of endophytes in the fungal functional groups; steroid hormone biosynthesis, sphingolipid metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis genes in the bacterial functional groups; and nonhomologous end-joining and bisphenol degradation functional genes in the archaeal functional groups increased significantly with increasing T. mongolica canopy size.

Conclusions

These results revealed that T. mongolica had a fertile island effect, which affected the soil microbial community structure and functions, and that the fertile island effect might increase with increasing shrub canopy size. The fertile island effect may strengthen the interaction between T. mongolica shrubs and microbes, which may be beneficial to the growth and maintenance of T. mongolica.
The growth, nutrient uptake and fruit quality in four strawberry cultivars under different Spectra of LED supplemental light
Authors: Roosta Hamid Reza , Bikdeloo Mahdi , Ghorbanpour Mansour
Published: March 2024

An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to determine the effects of different supplemental light spectra on the growth, nutrient uptake, and fruit quality of four strawberry cultivars. The plants were grown under natural light and treated with blue (460 nm), red (660 nm), and red/blue (3:1) lights. Results showed that the “Parous” and “Camarosa” had higher fresh and dry mass of leaves, roots, and crowns compared to the “Sabrina” and “Albion”. The use of artificial LED lights improved the vegetative growth of strawberry plants. All three supplemental light spectra significantly increased the early fruit yield of cultivars except for “Parous”. The red/blue supplemental light spectrum also increased the fruit mass and length of the “Albion”. Supplemental light increased the total chlorophyll in “Camarosa” and “Albion”, as well as the total soluble solids in fruits. The “Albion” had the highest concentration of fruit anthocyanin, while the “Sabrina” had the lowest. The use of supplemental light spectra significantly increased the fruit anthocyanin concentration in all cultivars. Without supplemental light, the “Camarosa” had the lowest concentration of K and Mg, which increased to the highest concentration with the use of supplemental light spectra. All three spectra increased Fe concentration to the highest value in the “Sabrina”, while only the red/blue light spectrum was effective on the “Camarosa”. In conclusion, the use of supplemental light can increase the yield and fruit quality of strawberries by elevating nutrients, chlorophyll, and anthocyanin concentrations in plants.
A case study: lessons learned from online tutorial to improve practice readiness for family medicine residents in Palestine
Authors: Colton Benjamin , Saudi Lubna , Smalldridge Ann , Spicer Nicki , Zink Therese
Published: March 2024

Background

Geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges limit faculty development and clinical teaching in Palestine and many other developing countries. The first, and still only, Family Medicine (FM) residency program is a four-year program based out of An-Najah University in the West Bank. Training in primary care clinics occurs in the final two years and there are many challenges to adequate supervision in the clinical setting that were exacerbated during the pandemic. To improve the readiness for practice skills of 13 Palestinian FM residents a three-month tutorial program was organized in 2020. A nongovernmental organization (NGO) that has worked to support Family Medicine development in the region engaged experienced British and American General Practitioners trained as tutors to offer online tutorials. We examined the program as a case study to understand the factors that facilitated or impaired a positive virtual learning environment in a middle/low income country.

Methods

The tutors and residents were divided into groups and met virtually between June and September 2020. Evaluations and session reports collected during the program, the text of an online chat, and responses to an online survey two years later were collected. Using thematic analysis techniques, we evaluated the value for the residents at the time and two years later and identified factors that facilitated or impaired a positive virtual learning environment.

Results

Themes of knowledge, skills, attitudes, cultural disconnects, and tutorial logistics emerged. The group with the most stable tutor pairing, including one Arabic-speaker familiar with the context, was the most engaged. The all-female group formed a chat group to share real-time case questions during clinical practice and focused on skills (e.g. conducting a thorough medication review) and attitudes (e.g. open to sharing and discussing uncertainties). Other groups were less cohesive.

Conclusions

Transnational tutorials that focused on clinical thinking and decision-making skills were most successful when the tutorial pair was stable, offered familiarity with the language and addressed cultural differences. Intrinsic factors such as lacking the motivation to participate and extrinsic factors such as unstable internet and rolling electric cuts, and clinical structures that made applying new skills challenging were more difficult to address but must be considered.
Acceptance of assisted partner notification among HIV-positive adults with severe mental illness at a national referral hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nante Rachel Wangi , Muyinda Herbert , Kiweewa John M. , Ndagire Regina , Ssendikwanawa Emmanuel , Ojiambo Kevin Ouma , Nangendo Joanita , Nakku Juliet , Semitala Fred C.
Published: March 2024

Background

HIV mostly affects people with severe mental illnesses (SMIs) than the general population. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced assisted partner notification (APN) as a strategy to increase HIV testing. Although research has demonstrated the effectiveness of APN in the general population, its use among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who have SMI is not well understood. This study sought to determine the acceptance of the APN strategy among PLHIV who had a diagnosis of SMI.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional study design that was retrospective to determine acceptance of APN among PLHIV with a documented diagnosis of SMI. We enrolled participants with a diagnosis of both HIV and SMI from August 2018 to January 2022, attending the HIV clinic at Butabika Hospital. We used pretested questionnaires to extract participants’ demographic and clinical data from their existing clinical charts, antiretroviral therapy (ART) registers and APN registers. We defined acceptance of APN as the number of PLHIV with SMI diagnoses who agreed to provide information about their sexual partners. We used modified Poisson regression analysis to assess the factors associated with the acceptance of APN.

Results

A total of 125 participants were enrolled, of whom 83 (66.4%) were female. The median age was 30 (interquartile range (IQR) (25–34)), and 41 (33%) of them accepted APN (95% CI: 25.05–41.61). Receipt of at least three counselling sessions before enrollment in APN (aPR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.72–1.98) was the most significant factor associated with increased acceptance of APN. Poor adherence to ART (aPR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54–0.80), being escorted to hospital by a distant relative (aPR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39–0.80), being married/cohabiting (aPR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.60–0.81), and being a Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) (aPR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.45–0.71) or Pentecostal (aPR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22–0.98) by faith were associated with reduced acceptance of APN.

Conclusion and recommendation

The acceptance of APN is low among PLHIV with a diagnosis of SMI. More structured counselling would facilitate earlier identification of undiagnosed HIV-positive partners. We recommend a follow-up study to compare acceptance of APN among PLHIV with SMI and those without SMI.
Effect of strontium on transcription factors identified by transcriptome analyses of bovine ruminal epithelial cells
Authors: Tan Panpan , Wang Yazhou , Mei Linshan , Loor Juan J. , Zhao Chenxu , Kong Yezi , Zeng Fangyuan , Zhao Baoyu , Wang Jianguo
Published: March 2024

Background

Strontium (Sr) has similar physicochemical properties as calcium (Ca) and is often used to evaluate the absorption of this mineral. Because the major route of Ca absorption in the bovine occurs in the rumen, it is essential to understand whether Sr impacts the ruminal epithelial cells and to what extent.

Results

In the present study, RNA sequencing and assembled transcriptome assembly were used to identify transcription factors (TFs), screening and bioinformatics analysis in bovine ruminal epithelial cells treated with Sr. A total of 1405 TFs were identified and classified into 64 families based on an alignment of conserved domains. A total of 174 differently expressed TFs (DE-TFs) were increased and 52 DE-TFs were decreased; the biological process-epithelial cell differentiation was inhibited according to the GSEA-GO analysis of TFs; The GO analysis of DE-TFs was enriched in the DNA binding. Protein-protein interaction network (PPI) found 12 hubs, including SMAD4, SMAD2, SMAD3, SP1, GATA2, NR3C1, PPARG, FOXO1, MEF2A, NCOA2, LEF1, and ETS1, which verified genes expression levels by real-time PCR.

Conclusions

In this study, SMAD2, PPARG, LEF1, ETS1, GATA2, MEF2A, and NCOA2 are potential candidates that could be targeted by Sr to mediate cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as lipid metabolism. Hence, these results enhance the comprehension of Sr in the regulation of transcription factors and provide new insight into the study of Sr biological function in ruminant animals.
Characteristics of intestinal bacteriophages and their relationship with Bacteria and serum metabolites during quail sexual maturity transition
Authors: Xiong Xinwei , Gong Jishang , Lu Tian , Yuan Liuying , Lan Yuehang , Tu Xutang
Published: March 2024

Background

Bacteriophages are prokaryotic viruses that rank among the most abundant microbes in the gut but remain among the least understood, especially in quails. In this study, we surveyed the gut bacteriophage communities in 22 quails at different ages (days 20 and 70) using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We then systematically evaluated the relationships with gut bacteria and host serum metabolites.

Results

We discovered that Myoviridae and Siphoviridae were the dominant bacteriophage families in quails. Through a random forest and LEfSe analysis, we identified 23 differential bacteriophages with overlapping presence. Of these, 21 bacteriophages (e.g., Enterococcus phage IME-EFm5 and Enterococcus phage IME-EFm1) showed higher abundances in the day 20 group, while two bacteriophages (Bacillus phage Silence and Bacillus virus WPh) were enriched in the day 70 group. These key bacteriophages can serve as biomarkers for quail sexual maturity. Additionally, the differential bacteriophages significantly correlated with specific bacterial species and shifts in the functional capacities of the gut microbiome. For example, Enterococcus phages (e.g., Enterococcus phage EFP01, Enterococcus phage IME-EFm5, and Enterococcus phage IME-EFm1) were significantly (P < 0.001, FDR) and positively correlated with Enterococcus faecalis. However, the relationships between the host serum metabolites and either bacteriophages or bacterial species varied. None of the bacteriophages significantly (P > 0.05, FDR) correlated with nicotinamide riboside and triacetate lactone. In contrast, some differential bacterial species (e.g., Christensenella massiliensis and Bacteroides neonati) significantly (P < 0.05, FDR) correlated with nicotinamide riboside and triacetate lactone. Furthermore, characteristic successional alterations in gut bacteriophages, bacteria, and host serum metabolites across different ages highlighted a sexual maturity transition coexpression network.

Conclusion

This study improves our understanding of the gut bacteriophage characteristics in quails and offers profound insights into the interactions among gut bacteriophages, bacteria, and host serum metabolites during the quail’s sexual maturity transition.
Circulating miRNAs associate with historical childhood asthma hospitalization in different serum vitamin D groups
Authors: Hong Xiaoning , Jiang Mingye , Kho Alvin T. , Tiwari Anshul , Guo Haiyan , Wang Alberta L. , McGeachie Michael J. , Weiss Scott T. , Tantisira Kelan G. , Li Jiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Vitamin D may help to alleviate asthma exacerbation because of its anti-inflammation effect, but the evidence is inconsistent in childhood asthma. MiRNAs are important mediators in asthma pathogenesis and also excellent non-invasive biomarkers. We hypothesized that circulating miRNAs are associated with asthma exacerbation and modified by vitamin D levels.

Methods

We sequenced baseline serum miRNAs from 461 participants in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP). Logistic regression was used to associate miRNA expression with asthma exacerbation through interaction analysis first and then stratified by vitamin D insufficient and sufficient groups. Microarray from lymphoblastoid B-cells (LCLs) treated by vitamin D or sham of 43 subjects in CAMP were used for validation in vitro. The function of miRNAs was associated with gene modules by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA).

Results

We identified eleven miRNAs associated with asthma exacerbation with vitamin D effect modification. Of which, five were significant in vitamin D insufficient group and nine were significant in vitamin D sufficient group. Six miRNAs, including hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-192-5p, hsa-miR-151a-5p, hsa-miR-24-3p, hsa-miR-22-3p and hsa-miR-451a were significantly associated with gene modules of immune-related functions, implying miRNAs may mediate vitamin D effect on asthma exacerbation through immune pathways. In addition, hsa-miR-143-3p and hsa-miR-451a are potential predictors of childhood asthma exacerbation at different vitamin D levels.

Conclusions

miRNAs are potential mediators of asthma exacerbation and their effects are directly impacted by vitamin D levels.
Dectin-1 aggravates neutrophil inflammation through caspase-11/4-mediated macrophage pyroptosis in asthma
Authors: Cai Runjin , Gong Xiaoxiao , Li Xiaozhao , Jiang Yuanyuan , Deng Shuanglinzi , Tang Jiale , Ge Huan , Wu Chendong , Tang Huan , Wang Guo , Xie Lei , Chen Xuemei , Hu Xinyue , Feng Juntao
Published: March 2024

Background

The pattern recognition receptor Dectin-1 was initially discovered to play a pivotal role in mediating pulmonary antifungal immunity and promoting neutrophil-driven inflammation. Recent studies have revealed that Dectin-1 is overexpressed in asthma, but the specific mechanism remains elusive. Additionally, Dectin-1 has been implicated in promoting pyroptosis, a hallmark of severe asthma airway inflammation. Nevertheless, the involvement of the non-classical pyroptosis signal caspase-11/4 and its upstream regulatory mechanisms in asthma has not been completely explored.

Methods

House dust mite (HDM)-induced mice was treated with Dectin-1 agonist Curdlan, Dectin-1 inhibitor Laminarin, and caspase-11 inhibitor wedelolactone separately. Subsequently, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. Western blotting was performed to measure the protein expression of caspase-11 and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Cell pyroptosis and the expression of chemokine were detected in vitro. The correlation between Dectin-1 expression, pyroptosis factors and neutrophils in the induced sputum of asthma patients was analyzed.

Results

Curdlan appeared to exacerbate neutrophil airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, whereas wedelolactone effectively alleviated airway inflammation aggravated by Curdlan. Moreover, Curdlan enhanced the release of caspase-11 activation fragments and N-terminal fragments of gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) stimulated by HDM both in vivo or in vitro. In mouse alveolar macrophages (MH-S cells), Curdlan/HDM stimulation resulted in vacuolar degeneration and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. In addition, there was an upregulation of neutrophil chemokines CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5 and their receptor CXCR2, which was suppressed by wedelolactone. In asthma patients, a positive correlation was observed between the expression of Dectin-1 on macrophages and caspase-4 (the human homology of caspase-11), and the proportion of neutrophils in induced sputum.

Conclusion

Dectin-1 activation in asthma induced caspase-11/4 mediated macrophage pyroptosis, which subsequently stimulated the secretion of chemokines, leading to the exacerbation of airway neutrophil inflammation.

Graphical Abstract
Gene association analysis to determine the causal relationship between immune cells and juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Chen Longhao , Zhou Xingchen , Yang Chao , Wu Hong Jiao , Tian Yu , Hong Shuangwei , Hu Huijie , Wang Kaizheng , Wu Shuang , Wei Zicheng , Li Tao , Huang Yuanshen , Hua Zihan , Xia Qiong , Chen Xiao Jie , Lv Zhizhen , Lv Lijiang
Published: March 2024

Background

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a type of chronic childhood arthritis with complex pathogenesis. Immunological studies have shown that JIA is an acquired self-inflammatory disease, involving a variety of immune cells, and it is also affected by genetic and environmental susceptibility. However, the precise causative relationship between the phenotype of immune cells and JIA remains unclear to date. The objective of our study is to approach this inquiry from a genetic perspective, employing a method of genetic association analysis to ascertain the causal relationship between immune phenotypes and the onset of JIA.

Methods

In this study, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to select single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with immune cells as instrumental variables to analyze the bidirectional causal relationship between 731 immune cells and JIA. There were four types of immune features (median fluorescence intensity (MFI), relative cellular (RC), absolute cellular (AC), and morphological parameters (MP)). Finally, the heterogeneity and horizontal reproducibility of the results were verified by sensitivity analysis, which ensured more robust results.

Results

We found that CD3 on CM CD8br was causally associated with JIA at the level of 0.05 significant difference (95% CI = 0.630 ~ 0.847, P = 3.33 × 10−5, PFDR = 0.024). At the significance level of 0.20, two immunophenotypes were causally associated with JIA, namely: HLA DR on CD14+ CD16- monocyte (95% CI = 0.633 ~ 0.884, P = 6.83 × 10–4, PFDR = 0.16) and HLA DR on CD14+ monocyte (95% CI = 0.627 ~ 0.882, P = 6.9 × 10−4, PFDR = 0.16).

Conclusion

Our study assessed the causal effect of immune cells on JIA from a genetic perspective. These findings emphasize the complex and important role of immune cells in the pathogenesis of JIA and lay a foundation for further study of the pathogenesis of JIA.
Giant cell angiofibroma of gingiva in tuberous sclerosis complex: a case report and literature review
Authors: Sun Qiaochu , Ryu Jaeyoung , Kim Young
Published: March 2024

Background

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, complex genetic disorder characterized by hamartomas and neoplastic lesions in various organ systems. With the development of radiology and gene testing, the diagnostic criteria for TSC were updated in 2012 at the International Consensus Conference. Intraoral fibromas have long been associated with TSC. However, the incidence of giant cell angiofibroma (GCA) in TSC patients is extremely rare. Here, we report the first case of GCA in the gingival tissue of a patient with TSC.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old woman first visited the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Chonnam National University Dental Hospital, complaining of gingival enlargement. Clinical examination revealed several manifestations associated with TSC, including intraoral fibromas, facial angiofibromas, dental enamel pits, ungual fibromas, “confetti” skin lesions, hypomelanotic macules, and a shagreen patch. Intraoral examination revealed a 6.0 × 5.0 cm gingival overgrowth on the left mandible. Surgical excision was performed, and subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of GCA. There was no evidence of recurrence within the 24- months of surgery.

Conclusions

We report the first case of GCA in the gingival tissue of a patient with TSC. This report would contribute to an improved understanding of this rare disease. However, further case reports are necessary to clarify the relationship between GCA and TSC.