bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Evolution and Biological Characteristics of Feline Caliciviruses Isolated from Dogs
Authors: Sun Fanyuan , Guo Xinyi , Guo Jinfan , Zhu Min , Zhou Huabo , Chen Jiancai , Huang Xin , Chen Hewei , Xu Yi , Zhu Yaohui , Wang Pingping , Huang Chongqiang , Long Jianming , Ouyang Kang , Wei Zuzhang , Huang Weijian , Chen Ying
Published: February 2023

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious pathogen associated with oral and upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD), and it is also possibly considered as an enteric pathogen. Some studies found FCV-like viruses in the enteric tract of dogs, but there was a lack of understanding regarding the epidemiology and biological properties of FCVs in dogs. In this study, 252 fecal/feces samples were collected from dogs, with or without diarrhea, from 2020 to 2021. There were 6 FCV-positive samples (2.41%, 6/252), from which only two FCVs were successfully isolated and the complete genome sequences obtained. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two canine-origin FCV isolates belonged to genogroup I and formed a monophyletic cluster with previous FCV strains, sharing a common ancestor. However, there was genetic diversity when the nt identity of the VP1 proteins between the two canine-origin FCV isolates (77.4% nt identity) was compared. In particular, the genomic sequence of the canine/GXHC01-21 isolate showed evidence of recombination at the 3ʹ end of the ORF1 gene with sequence identity very similar to the FCV strain, GX2019, previously isolated from cats in Guangxi in 2019. A comparison of their replication properties indicated that the two isolates could not replicate efficiently in MDCK cells. This was also seen in the enteric FCV isolate, GXNN04-20. However, both displayed similar plaque phenotypes to the respiratory FCV isolate, GX01-13. In addition, it was found that sera from vaccinated cats had low cross-reactivity in a neutralizing antibody test against the two canine-origin FCV isolates. Moreover, high neutralizing antibody titers (≥1 : 128) against canine-origin FCV viruses were observed in the two canine serum samples. This confirmed that interspecies transmission had occurred between cats and dogs. Our results provided an in-depth understanding of the genetic evolution and characteristics of FCVs circulating in dogs.
Evaluation of Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Oomycetes Lagenidium giganteum and L. ajelloi against Anopheles Mosquito Larvae
Authors: Sila Mathew Mumo , Musila Fredrick Mutie , Wekesa Vitalis Wafula , Sangilu Imbahale Susan
Published: February 2023

Malaria is a mosquito-borne life-threatening parasitic disease of humans and the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the major efforts made towards malaria control, it is facing challenges of development of parasite resistance towards antimalarial drugs coupled with Anopheles vector resistance towards insecticides being used in control. There is, therefore, a need to develop complementary control strategies that are economical and environmentally friendly. Biological control using entomopathogenic fungi against the immature malaria mosquito vectors presents an untapped opportunity. This study sought to isolate and characterize entomopathogenic oomycetes Lagenidium giganteum and L. ajelloi from wild Anopheles larvae from Ahero rice fields in western Kenya and test their pathogenicity against laboratory-reared Anopheles gambiae larvae. Laboratory-reared A. gambiae larvae (3rd and 4th instar) were exposed to five different concentrations of L. giganteum and L. ajelloi zoospores; 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 zoospores/mL, respectively. The larval mortality was recorded after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours post-exposure, until all larvae were dead. The results obtained showed that L. giganteum was not pathogenic to A. gambiae larvae after 24 and 48 hours post-exposure to all concentrations. Larval mortality was recorded at 72 and 96 hours. There were no significant differences observed in the mortalities

p
>
0.05

from all treatments. No mortalities were observed in deionized water (negative control) whereas 100% mortality was recorded in larvae exposed to Bti (positive control). Probit analysis showed that LC50 after 72 hours and 96 hours was 2.32 × 104 and 3.51 × 103 zoospores/ml, respectively. L. ajelloi caused larval mortalities at all the 5 test concentrations after 24-, 48-, 72- and 96-hours post-exposure with LC50 values of 1.18 × 105, 1.43 × 104, and 6.05 × 102, and 27.08 zoospores/ml, respectively. This study isolated and tested two species of Lagenidium from field collected larvae. Lagenidium ajelloi recorded greater pathogenicity than that of L. giganteum against A. gambiae larvae, making them potential candidates for use in the development of bio-larvicide for the control of Anopheles larvae.
Volatile Compounds, Fatty Acids Constituents, and Antimicrobial Activity of Cultured Spirulina (Arthrospira fusiformis) Isolated from Lake Mariout in Egypt
Authors: Hamad Gamal M. , Abd El-Baky Nawal , Sharaf Mona Mohamed , Amara Amro A.
Published: February 2023

In this study, Arthrospira fusiformis previously isolated from Lake Mariout (Alexandria, Egypt) was cultivated in the laboratory using a medium for pharmaceutical grade Arthrospira, named as Amara and Steinbüchel medium. Hot water extract of the Egyptian Spirulina was prepared by autoclaving dried biomass in distilled water at 121°C for 15 min. This algal water extract was analyzed by GC-MS to evaluate its volatile compounds and fatty acids composition. The antimicrobial activity of phycobiliprotein extract from Arthrospira fusiformis using phosphate buffer was evaluated against thirteen microbial strains (two Gram-positive bacteria, eight Gram-negative bacteria, one yeast, and two filamentous fungi). The major components of fatty acids in the hot extract of Egyptian A. fusiformis were hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid, 55.19%) and octadecanoic acid (stearic acid, 27.14%). The main constituents of its volatile compounds were acetic acid (43.33%) and oxalic acid (47.98%). The most potent antimicrobial effect of phycobiliprotein extract was obtained against two Gram-negative bacteria Salmonella typhi and Proteus vulgaris, filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger, and the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans (all of which showed MIC values of 58.1 μg/ml). Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium come second in their susceptibility to the phycobiliprotein extract from Arthrospira fusiformis and Serratia marcescens and Aspergillus flavus are the least in susceptibility, with MIC values of 116.2 and 232.5 μg/ml, respectively, while phycobiliprotein extract has no antibacterial effect on methicillin-resistant as well as susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Shigella sonnei. These findings confirmed the nutritional value of Egyptian A. fusiformis isolated from Lake Mariout and suggest the potential use of this strain as an ingredient in the cooking of some foods to increase the level of stearic acid and palmitic acid. Moreover, its effective antibacterial activities against some important and highly resistant to antibiotics bacterial pathogens in addition to its antifungal effects recommend the therapeutic use of its biomass.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor–Cell Dynamics Control Outcomes in the Metastatic Niche
Authors: Kreger Jesse , Roussos Torres Evanthia T. , MacLean Adam L.
Published: February 2023

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) play a prominent role in the tumor microenvironment. A quantitative understanding of the tumor–MDSC interactions that influence disease progression is critical, and currently lacking. We developed a mathematical model of metastatic growth and progression in immune-rich tumor microenvironments. We modeled the tumor–immune dynamics with stochastic delay differential equations and studied the impact of delays in MDSC activation/recruitment on tumor growth outcomes. In the lung environment, when the circulating level of MDSCs was low, the MDSC delay had a pronounced impact on the probability of new metastatic establishment: blocking MDSC recruitment could reduce the probability of metastasis by as much as 50%. To predict patient-specific MDSC responses, we fit to the model individual tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors via Bayesian parameter inference. We reveal that control of the inhibition rate of natural killer (NK) cells by MDSCs had a larger influence on tumor outcomes than controlling the tumor growth rate directly. Posterior classification of tumor outcomes demonstrates that incorporating knowledge of the MDSC responses improved predictive accuracy from 63% to 82%. Investigation of the MDSC dynamics in an environment low in NK cells and abundant in cytotoxic T cells revealed, in contrast, that small MDSC delays no longer impacted metastatic growth dynamics. Our results illustrate the importance of MDSC dynamics in the tumor microenvironment overall and predict interventions promoting shifts toward less immune-suppressed states. We propose that there is a pressing need to consider MDSCs more often in analyses of tumor microenvironments.
Cytogenetic Analysis of the Fungus-Farming Ant Cyphomyrmex rimosus (Spinola, 1851) (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) Highlights Karyotypic Variation
Authors: Teixeira Gisele Amaro , Jacintho Gabriela de Figueiredo , de Aguiar Hilton Jeferson Alves Cardoso , Lopes Denilce Meneses , Barros Luísa Antônia Campos
Published: February 2023

The fungus-farming ant genus Cyphomyrmex (subtribe Attina, clade Neoattina) comprises 23 described species that are widely distributed throughout the Neotropics. Species within Cyphomyrmex have taxonomic issues such as Cyphomyrmex rimosus (Spinola, 1851) which is likely a species complex. Cytogenetics is a useful tool for evolutionary studies and understanding species with dubious taxonomy. In this study, we characterized the karyotype of C. rimosus from Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil using classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques to enrich the chromosomal information about Cyphomyrmex. The karyotype of C. rimosus from the rainforest of southeastern Brazil (2n = 22, 18m + 4sm) notably contrasts with that previously described for this species in Panama (2n = 32). This intraspecific chromosomal variation suggests the existence of a species complex within this taxon according to the previous hypothesis derived from morphological analysis. We detected GC-rich heterochromatic regions in C. rimosus and, using repetitive DNA probes, showed that this heterochromatin shares repetitive sequences with other Neoattina species already studied, enhancing the importance of this specific genome region in the understanding of Attina evolution. Mapping of microsatellite (GA)15 on C. rimosus was restricted to the euchromatic regions of all chromosomes. The single intrachromosomal rDNA sites observed in C. rimosus follow the general genomic organization trend of ribosomal genes in Formicidae. Our study extends the data of chromosome mapping on Cyphomyrmex and reinforces the importance of cytogenetic studies in different localities to better understand taxonomic issues in widely distributed taxa such as C. rimosus.
Description of an Institutional Cohort of Myeloid Neoplasms Carrying ETV6-Locus Deletions or ETV6 Rearrangements
Authors: Papadopoulou Vasiliki , Schoumans Jacqueline , Scarpelli Ilaria , Blum Sabine
Published: February 2023

The gene encoding for transcription factor ETV6 presents recurrent lesions in hematologic neoplasms, most notably the ETV6-RUNX1 rearrangement in childhood B-ALL. The role of ETV6 for normal hematopoiesis is unknown, but loss of its function probably participates in oncogenic procedures. In myeloid neoplasms, ETV6-locus (12p13) deletions are rare but recurrent; ETV6 translocations are even rarer, but those reported seem to have phenotype-defining consequences. We herein describe the genetic and hematologic profile of myeloid neoplasms with ETV6 deletions (10 cases), or translocations (4 cases) diagnosed in the last 10 years in our institution. We find complex caryotype to be the most prevalent cytogenetics among patients with 12p13 deletion (8/10 patients), with most frequent coexisting anomalies being monosomy 7 or deletion 7q32 (5/10), monosomy 5 or del5q14-15 (5/10), and deletion/inversion of chromosome 20 (5/10), and most frequent point mutation being TP53 mutation (6/10 patients). Mechanisms of synergy of these lesions are unknown. We describe the entire genetic profile and hematologic phenotype of cases with extremely rare ETV6 translocations, confirming the biphenotypic T/myeloid nature of acute leukemia associated to ETV6-NCOA2 rearrangement, the association of t (1;12) (p36; p13) and of the CHIC2-ETV6 fusion with MDS/AML, and the association of the ETV6-ACSL6 rearrangement with myeloproliferative neoplasm with eosinophilia. Mutation of the intact ETV6 allele was present in two cases and seems to be subclonal to the chromosomal lesions. Decoding the mechanisms of disease related to ETV6 haploinsufficiency or rearrangements is important for the understanding of pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms and fundamental research must be guided by observational cues.
Comparison between horizontal and vertical axis wind turbine
Authors: Al-Rawajfeh Mohammad A. , Gomaa Mohamed R.
Published: February 2023

Since ancient times, wind energy has been exploited in various fields, it was at the beginning used to rotate pumps for the purposes of agriculture and irrigation. At the beginning of the 18th century, wind turbines began to produce electricity with modest capacities. In the following years, the capacities of the turbines increased and it became necessary to deal with this increase by reducing losses and inventing new designs for turbines Suitable for working conditions and installation location. The rotor power coefficient in a wind turbine can reach 0.59 which is called the bets limit.  The vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) design was invented for working conditions, capacities, and places, in which it may be difficult to install older Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT). The efficiency of the HAWT is still higher than the VAWT, in addition, the amount of efficiency in the HAWT is greater than the VAWT by 25% but the VAWT has the amount of torque more than the HAWT. The main objective of this research is to compare the VAWT and the HAWT, taking into account several aspects which have been reviewed to try to understand the importance of the two designs.
Mapping of lamtoro field in supporting the co-firing of steam power plants program
Authors: Mohamad Yasin , Salim Sardi , Amali Lanto Mohamad Kamil , Djafar Abdi Gunawan
Published: February 2023

The policy of renewable energy in Indonesia is expressed in the government regulation no. 79 in 2014 regarding the national energy policy. In the document, renewable energy is targeted to reach 23% in 2025, and a minimum of 31% in 2050. One of the developed renewable energies is biomass which is produced by lamtoro, a plant which has been employed as a mixture in coal at Anggrek steam power plant 2×25 MW Gorontalo. As much of 1% to 5% of lamtoro is added in 1,000 ton of coal per day. The research aims to create a thematic map of the distribution of lamtoro to meet the need of co-firing at Anggrek steam power plant. The result of research shows the total area of field which has been planted with lamtoro is 69,074 ha, scattered in 14 districts. Meanwhile the largest area is Kabila Bone district (22,070 ha), and the smallest area is East Bulango district (0.228 ha). The estimated potential of lamtoro in 14 districts of Bone Bolango regency is about 916,439.86 ton/ha/year.
Reliable and efficient operation of distribution network by connecting solar distributed generation
Authors: Reddy Simarla Vijender , Manjula Mane
Published: February 2023

One of the major issues in the distribution network (DN) is ensuring that power systems operate optimally in light of the effects of distributed generation (DG). In a broader sense, optimal operation in a power system refers to the most efficient use of all active and reactive power generation and control equipment that adheres to physical and technical constraints. Most studies focused on DG size and location in the DN, using various optimization techniques for loss reduction. But in a practical distribution network, reliable operation is dependent on the demand and power supply at any given moment. Solar DGs provide variable power throughout the day, and loads are similarly variable. It is difficult for the DN to function efficiently and reliably while handling variable loads and DG power supplies. Voltages and power losses are measured as loads change by connecting solar DGs to assess the performance of the DN.
Multimodal Comparisons of Results Achieved by Different Side Branch Ballooning Techniques for Bifurcation Provisional Stenting
Authors: Bianchini Francesco , Cangemi Stefano , DeVos Amanda , Bielecki Michael , Aurigemma Cristina , Romagnoli Enrico , Trani Carlo , Iaizzo Paul Anthony , Burzotta Francesco
Published: February 2023

Background:

Stepwise provisional stenting is the gold standard for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on bifurcation lesions, but the optimal ballooning technique for eventual side branch treatment is not established. The objective of the present study was to compare the stent configuration obtained by 2 different side branch optimization techniques performed after main vessel (MV) stent implantation: proximal optimization technique+kissing balloon inflation+final proximal optimization technique (POT/KBI/POT [PKP]) versus proximal optimization technique+isolated side branch dilation+final proximal optimization technique (POT-side-POT [PSP]).

Methods:

We realized a 1:1 prospective randomized trial comparing bifurcation PCI conducted (under angiographic and angioscopic visualization) with either PKP or PSP in reanimated swine hearts using commercially available drug-eluting stents. After PCI, the obtained stent configuration (expansion, eccentricity, apposition) was assessed by optical coherence tomography and micro-computed tomography dividing the stent in 4 segments. Primary study end point was minimum stent expansion at the distal MV segment.

Results:

A total of 30 PCIs were successfully performed according to randomization obtaining overall good results (average minimum stent expansion >90% at optical coherence tomography and micro-computed tomography) with PSP or PKP. Minimum stent expansion at the distal MV segment was significantly higher with PKP as compared with PSP at optical coherence tomography (97.9±4.2% versus 91.0±7.7%;
P
=0.002) and micro-computed tomography (98.1±4.1% versus 91.3±7.9%;
P
=0.006). Other significant findings included higher stent eccentricity index at proximal MV with PSP, higher side branch scaffolding length and lower malapposition (at bifurcation core and distal MV) with PKP.

Conclusions:

This first prospective randomized trial in a unique non-atherosclerotic preclinical environment showed that bifurcation PCI conducted with PSP and PKP achieves different stent configurations. These findings might be useful in bifurcation PCI practice and call for further evaluations in clinical ground.
Sex‐Specific Risk Factors for Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in a Population‐Based Historical Cohort Study of Middle‐Aged and Older Individuals
Authors: Brink Annie , Elf Johan , Svensson Peter J. , Engström Gunnar , Melander Olle , Zöller Bengt
Published: February 2023

Background

Whether sex‐specific differences exist for risk factors for pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), with the exception of pregnancy and estrogen therapy, has been sparsely studied. We aimed to study whether sex‐specific differences of risk factors exist for noncancer‐related DVT and PE in middle‐aged and older individuals without cardiovascular history or previous diagnosis in a population‐based historical (retrospective) cohort.

Methods and Results

Potential venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors were registered at baseline in 15 807 women and 9996 men aged 44 to 74 years, who participated in the Malmö Diet and Cancer study (1991–1996). We excluded subjects with a previous history of VTE, cancer, a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, or a diagnosis of cancer‐associated VTE during follow‐up. Patients were followed up from baseline until the first event of PE or DVT, death, or December 31, 2018. During the follow‐up period, 365 (2.3%) women and 168 (1.7%) men were affected by first DVT, and 309 (2.0%) women and 154 (1.5%) men were affected by first PE. In the multivariable Cox regression models, the anthropometric obesity markers of weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, fat percentage, and muscle weight were in a dose‐dependent way associated with DVT and PE among women but not men. In an analysis that included patients with cardiovascular disease and cancer‐related VTE, the results were similar for women. For men, several obesity measures became significantly associated with PE or DVT but were weaker than in women, especially for DVT.

Conclusions

Anthropometric obesity measures are more important risk factors for both DVT and PE among women than men, especially for individuals without cardiovascular history or previous diagnosis or cancer‐related VTE.
Impact of Time to Treatment on Endovascular Thrombectomy Outcomes in the Early Versus Late Treatment Time Windows
Authors: Asdaghi Negar , Wang Kefeng , Gardener Hannah , Jameson Angus , Rose David Z. , Alkhachroum Ayham , Gutierrez Carolina M. , Ying Hao , Mueller-Kronast Nils , Sur Nicole B. , Dong Chuanhui , Gordon Perue Gillian , LePain Marissa , Koch Sebastian , Krementz Nastajjia , Marulanda-Londoño Erika , Hanel Ricardo , Mehta Brijesh , Yavagal Dileep R. , Rundek Tatjana , Sacco Ralph L. , Romano Jose G. ,   for the Florida Stroke Registry*
Published: February 2023

Background:

The impact of time to treatment on outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) especially in patients presenting after 6 hours from symptom onset is not well characterized. We studied the differences in characteristics and treatment timelines of EVT-treated patients participating in the Florida Stroke Registry and aimed to characterize the extent to which time impacts EVT outcomes in the early and late time windows.

Methods:

Prospectively collected data from Get With the Guidelines–Stroke hospitals participating in the Florida Stroke Registry from January 2010 to April 2020 were reviewed. Participants were EVT patients with onset-to-puncture time (OTP) of ≤24 hours and categorized into early window treated (OTP ≤6 hours) and late window treated (OTP >6 and ≤24 hours). Association between OTP and favorable discharge outcomes (independent ambulation, discharge home and to acute rehabilitation facility) as well as symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality were examined using multilevel-multivariable analysis with generalized estimating equations.

Results:

Among 8002 EVT patients (50.9% women; median age [±SD], 71.5 [±14.5] years; 61.7% White, 17.5% Black, and 21% Hispanic), 34.2% were treated in the late time window. Among all EVT patients, 32.4% were discharged home, 23.5% to rehabilitation facility, 33.7% ambulated independently at discharge, 5.1% had symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, and 9.2% died. As compared with the early window, treatment in the late window was associated with lower odds of independent ambulation (odds ratio [OR], 0.78 [0.67–0.90]) and discharge home (OR, 0.71 [0.63–0.80]). For every 60-minute increase in OTP, the odds of independent ambulation reduced by 8% (OR, 0.92 [0.87–0.97];
P
<0.001) and 1% (OR, 0.99 [0.97–1.02];
P
=0.5) and the odds of discharged home reduced by 10% (OR, 0.90 [0.87–0.93];
P
<0.001) and 2% (OR, 0.98 [0.97–1.00];
P
=0.11) in the early and late windows, respectively.

Conclusions:

In routine practice, just over one-third of EVT-treated patients independently ambulate at discharge and only half are discharged to home/rehabilitation facility. Increased time from symptom onset to treatment is significantly associated with lower chance of independent ambulation and ability to be discharged home after EVT in the early time window.
Care Is a Relationship
Authors: Slaughter Anne-Marie
Published: February 2023

Care, defined as caregiving, should be understood as a relationship rather than an activity: a relationship of nurture and development that imbues a set of actions, or “services,” with a positive impact on the person or being that is cared for. Valuing care as part of a new moral political economy will thus require figuring out how to value relationships apart from goods and services. Moreover, care is a relationship that is grounded more in identity than reciprocity: an expansion of the self to embrace the interests of others as one's own. From this perspective, mutuality and solidarity are just as natural an expression of the human condition as reciprocity, proceeding from identity rather than individuation.
Biophilic Markets
Authors: Beinhocker Eric D.
Published: February 2023

Markets must be made biophilic: that is, compatible with life flourishing on Earth. To do so, we must abandon prevailing notions of market efficiency and reconceive markets as social evolutionary systems embedded in nature. Such a reconception enables us to see that constraining markets within biophysical boundaries would not result in zero-sum trade-offs with the economy, but instead would drive market evolution to new forms of prosperity.
Unchaining Workers
Authors: Charo R. Alta
Published: February 2023

An influential report on protecting the medical supply chain in the next pandemic fails to include a commitment to protecting the workers who protect the supply chain. The securing strategy outlined by Richard Locke, Ben Armstrong, Samantha Schaab-Rozbicki, and Geordie Young offers examples of such an approach, and the analytical framework for protecting the chain-awareness, mitigation, preparedness, and response-can be applied equally well to the workforce. Considerations of equity and fairness should lead us to unchain the workers strung along the chain of medical and consumer supplies.
Is There a Proper Scope for Markets?
Authors: Fleurbaey Marc
Published: February 2023

Debra Satz's brilliant essay highlights that it is insufficient to study markets in terms of efficiency and potential market failures, as they have deep effects on people and societies. This line of thought could inspire the project of building a general theory of social interactions, in which the specific properties of market transactions would be identified, and their influence on society at large, depending on the surrounding institutions and social structure, could be understood. In this brief essay, personal care provides an example of the complex ramifications of different arrangements for social interactions.
Are Moral Firms Committed Firms?
Authors: Mayer Colin
Published: February 2023

Corporate purpose is everywhere, but will it stay? Is it a business revolution or a passing fad, destined to go the way of so many business concepts? Reliance on the good judgment and goodwill of corporate leaders is a justifiable cause for concern, and resort is often sought instead in the apparently safe harbor of public regulation. But reliance should not be placed on governments and regulators alone to constrain the corporate giants in the face of a system that motivates abusive behavior. Instead, attention should be devoted to alignment of the intrinsic interests of corporations with those of society more generally.
The Radicalism of Northern Abolition
Authors: Wilentz Sean
Published: February 2023

The abolition of slavery in the northern states, generally viewed as a grudging and conservative series of reforms, had a radical core. By negating the chattel principle at its weakest link, abolitionists destroyed the main proslavery contentions and paved the way for the first abolition laws like them in history.
“We're all in this fight together”: African American and Latinx Parent-Activists in Boston Schools
Authors: M. F. Cruz Tatiana
Published: February 2023

This essay examines the parallel African American and Latinx educational movements in the decades prior to mandated school desegregation or the “busing crisis” of 1974. It focuses on working-class mother-activists who employed various organizing strategies in the pursuit of educational justice in the Jim Crow North.
New material of Paleopsychoda jarzembowskii Azar & Maksoud, 2022 from Bqaatouta amber outcrop, showing the importance of insect fossils in biostratigraphy
Authors: HOSSNY TAMARA EL , MAALOUF MOUNIR , MAALOUF RAMY , AZAR DANY
Published: February 2023

The family Psychodidae Newman, 1834 comprises about 3,000 living species of small hairy nematoceran flies (Azar & Maksoud, 2022). To date, seven psychodid subfamilies are recognized within this family, namely Bruchomyiinae Alexander, 1921; extinct Datziinae Stebner, Solórzano Kraemer, Ibáñez-Bernal & Wagner, 2015; Horaiellinae Enderlein, 1937; Phlebotominae Rondani, 1840; Psychodinae Newman, 1834; Sycoracinae Rondani, 1856; and Trichomyiinae Tonnoir, 1922 (Azar & Maksoud, 2022). Some authors consider the psychodid group to consist of two families, i.e., Psychodidae and Phlebotomidae (Williams, 1993; Azar et al., 1999). This taxonomic treatment is based only on the hematophagous and medically important aspects of the phlebotomines. Nevertheless it is unfounded, because the phylogenetic relationships between the psychodid subfamilies remain unresolved, even if there is a possible sister-group relationship between the Phlebotominae and Psychodinae (Curler & Moulton, 2012). We consider that recognising phlebotomines as a separate family would necessitate also giving separate familial rank to all the currently recognised subfamilies, which is not adopted here.
Cretanabis kerzhneri gen. et sp. nov., the oldest nabine genus and species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nabidae) from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber
Authors: KIM JUNGGON , ROCA-CUSACHS MARCOS , PHAM THAI HONG PHAM , JUNG SUNGHOON
Published: February 2023

The oldest Nabinae fossil, Cretanabis kerzhneri gen. et sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber based on a well-preserved specimen. The morphology of the nymph fossil is presented with diagnosis and description. The comparison with the nymphs of groups within Nabinae and the usefulness of nymphal morphology are discussed.
Geostrophic Eddies Spread Near-Inertial Wave Energy to High Frequencies
Authors: Dong Wenjing , Bühler Oliver , Smith K. Shafer
Published: February 2023

The generation of broadband wave energy frequency spectra from narrowband wave forcing in geophysical flows remains a conundrum. In contrast to the long-standing view that nonlinear wave–wave interactions drive the spreading of wave energy in frequency space, recent work suggests that Doppler-shifting by geostrophic flows may be the primary agent. We investigate this possibility by ray tracing a large number of inertia–gravity wave packets through three-dimensional, geostrophically turbulent flows generated either by a quasigeostrophic (QG) simulation or by synthetic random processes. We find that, in all cases investigated, a broadband quasi-stationary inertia–gravity wave frequency spectrum forms, irrespective of the initial frequencies and wave vectors of the packets. The frequency spectrum is well represented by a power law. A possible theoretical explanation relies on the analogy between the kinematic stretching of passive tracer gradients and the refraction of wave vectors. Consistent with this hypothesis, the spectrum of eigenvalues of the background flow velocity gradients predicts a frequency spectrum that is nearly identical to that found by integration of the ray tracing equations.
Post hoc longitudinal assessment of the efficacy and safety of recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein in hemophilia B
Authors: Shapiro Amy D. , Kulkarni Roshni , Ragni Margaret V. , Chambost Hervé , Mahlangu Johnny , Oldenburg Johannes , Nolan Beatrice , Ozelo Margareth C. , Foster Meredith C. , Willemze Annemieke , Barnowski Christopher , Jain Nisha , Winding Bent , Dumont Jennifer , Lethagen Stefan , Barnes Chris , Pasi K. John
Published: February 2023

Long-term efficacy and safety of the extended half-life recombinant factor IX Fc fusion protein (rFIXFc) has been established among previously treated patients with severe hemophilia B in 2 phase 3 trials (B-LONG [#NCT01027364] and Kids B-LONG [#NCT01440946]) and a long-term extension study (B-YOND [#NCT01425723]). In this study, we report post hoc analyses of pooled longitudinal data for up to 6.5 years for rFIXFc prophylaxis. In the B-LONG study, subjects ≥12 years received weekly dose-adjusted prophylaxis (WP; starting dose, 50 IU/kg), individualized interval-adjusted prophylaxis (IP; initially, 100 IU/kg every 10 days), or on-demand dosing. In the Kids B-LONG study, subjects <12 years received 50 to 60 IU/kg every 7 days, adjusted as needed. In the B-YOND study, subjects received WP (20-100 IU/kg every 7 days), IP (100 IU/kg every 8-16 days), modified prophylaxis, or on-demand dosing; switching between treatment groups was permitted. A total of 123 subjects from B-LONG and 30 from Kids B-LONG study were included, of whom 93 and 27, respectively, enrolled in the B-YOND study. The median cumulative duration of treatment was 3.63 years (range, 0.003-6.48 years) in B-LONG/B-YOND and 2.88 years (range, 0.30-4.80 years) in Kids B-LONG/B-YOND group. Annualized bleed rates (ABRs) remained low, annualized factor consumption remained stable, and adherence remained high throughout treatment. Low ABRs were also maintained in subjects with dosing intervals ≥14 days or with target joints at baseline. Complete resolution of evaluable target joints and no recurrence in 90.2% of baseline target joints during follow-up were observed. rFIXFc prophylaxis was associated with sustained clinical benefits, including long-term bleed prevention and target joint resolution, for severe hemophilia B.
Reconstructing B cell lineage trees with minimum spanning tree and genotype abundances
Authors: Abdollahi Nika , Jeusset Lucile , de Septenville Anne , Davi Frederic , Bernardes Juliana Silva
Published: February 2023

B cell receptor (BCR) genes exposed to an antigen undergo somatic hypermutations and Darwinian antigen selection, generating a large BCR-antibody diversity. This process, known as B cell affinity maturation, increases antibody affinity, forming a specific B cell lineage that includes the unmutated ancestor and mutated variants. In a B cell lineage, cells with a higher antigen affinity will undergo clonal expansion, while those with a lower affinity will not proliferate and probably be eliminated. Therefore, cellular (genotype) abundance provides a valuable perspective on the ongoing evolutionary process. Phylogenetic tree inference is often used to reconstruct B cell lineage trees and represents the evolutionary dynamic of BCR affinity maturation. However, such methods should process B-cell population data derived from experimental sampling that might contain different cellular abundances. There are a few phylogenetic methods for tracing the evolutionary events occurring in B cell lineages; best-performing solutions are time-demanding and restricted to analysing a reduced number of sequences, while time-efficient methods do not consider cellular abundances. We propose ClonalTree, a low-complexity and accurate approach to construct B-cell lineage trees that incorporates genotype abundances into minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithms. Using both simulated and experimental data, we demonstrate that ClonalTree outperforms MST-based algorithms and achieves a comparable performance to a method that explores tree-generating space exhaustively. Furthermore, ClonalTree has a lower running time, being more convenient for building B-cell lineage trees from high-throughput BCR sequencing data, mainly in biomedical applications, where a lower computational time is appreciable. It is hundreds to thousands of times faster than exhaustive approaches, enabling the analysis of a large set of sequences within minutes or seconds and without loss of accuracy. The source code is freely available at github.com/julibinho/ClonalTree.
Reporting quality of scoping reviews in dental public health
Authors: Dotto Lara , dos Santos Mateus Bertolini Fernandes , Sarkis-Onofre Rafael
Published: February 2023

Background

The study aimed to explore reporting characteristics of scoping reviews in dental public health and the impact of some factors on the reporting quality.

Methods

This study searched for dental public health scoping reviews in PubMed and Scopus without year restrictions and restricted to English-language publications. Study selection was undertaken by two reviewers independently. One reviewer, after training, extracted data from included studies considering general study characteristics and reporting characteristics. The impact of PRISMA-ScR publication, journal endorsement, and use of study protocol on the reporting was explored.

Results

Eighty-one scoping reviews were included. Five items presented rates of appropriate reporting higher than 80% considering the overall percentage. Related to the impact of PRISMA-ScR publication, six items were found more often in scoping reviews published after the publication of PRISMA-ScR than in scoping reviews published before the publication of PRISMA-ScR. With regards to journals endorsement, only two reporting characteristics were found more often in scoping reviews published in journals that endorse the PRISMA-ScR statement than in scoping reviews published in non-endorsers journals. Last, regarding the use of the pre-specified protocol, five reporting characteristics presented differences in studies reporting the use of pre-specified protocol than in studies that did not mention the use of a protocol. All differences were statistically significant.

Conclusions

Important information is missing in the included scoping reviews demonstrating crucial reporting problems.
Practical basket design for binary outcomes with control of family-wise error rate
Authors: Asano Junichi , Sato Hiroyuki , Hirakawa Akihiro
Published: February 2023

Background

A basket trial is a type of clinical trial in which eligibility is based on the presence of specific molecular characteristics across subpopulations with different cancer types. The existing basket designs with Bayesian hierarchical models often improve the efficiency of evaluating therapeutic effects; however, these models calibrate the type I error rate based on the results of simulation studies under various selected scenarios. The theoretical control of family-wise error rate (FWER) is important for decision-making regarding drug approval.

Methods

In this study, we propose a new Bayesian two-stage design with one interim analysis for controlling FWER at the target level, along with the formulations of type I and II error rates. Since the difficulty lies in the complexity of the theoretical formulation of the type I error rate, we devised the simulation-based method to approximate the type I error rate.

Results

The proposed design enabled adjustment of the cutoff value to control the FWER at the target value in the final analysis. The simulation studies demonstrated that the proposed design can be used to control the well-approximated FWER below the target value even in situations where the number of enrolled patients differed among subpopulations.

Conclusions

The accrual number of patients is sometimes unable to reach the pre-defined value; therefore, existing basket designs may not ensure defined operating characteristics before beginning the trial. The proposed design that enables adjustment of the cutoff value to control FWER at the target value based on the results in the final analysis would be a better alternative.
In it for the long haul: the complexities of managing overweight in family practice: qualitative thematic analysis from the Health eLiteracy for Prevention in General Practice (HeLP-GP) trial
Authors: Paine Katrina , Parker Sharon , Denney-Wilson Elizabeth , Lloyd Jane , Randall Sue , McNamara Carmel , Nutbeam Don , Osborne Richard , Saito Shoko , Harris Mark
Published: February 2023

Background

Australia has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the developed world, and this increasing prevalence and associated chronic disease morbidity reinforces the importance of understanding the attitudes, views, and experiences of patients and health providers towards weight management interventions and programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate patients, family practitioners and family practice nurses’ perceptions and views regarding the receipt or delivery of weight management within the context of the HeLP-GP intervention.

Methods

A nested qualitative study design including semi-structured interviews with family practitioners (n = 8), family practice nurses (n = 4), and patients (n = 25) attending family practices in New South Wales (n = 2) and South Australia (n = 2). The patient interviews sought specific feedback about each aspect of the intervention and the provider interviews sought to elicit their understanding and opinions of the strategies underpinning the intervention as well as general perceptions about providing weight management to their patients. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and coding and management conducted using NVivo 12 Pro. We analysed the interview data using thematic analysis.

Results

Our study identified three key themes: long-term trusting and supportive relationships (being ‘in it for the long haul’); initiating conversations and understanding motivations; and ensuring access to multi-modal weight management options that acknowledge differing levels of health literacy. The three themes infer that weight management in family practice with patients who are overweight or obese is challenged by the complexity of the task and the perceived motivation of patients. It needs to be facilitated by positive open communication and programs tailored to patient needs, preferences, and health literacy to be successful.

Conclusions

Providing positive weight management in family practice requires ongoing commitment and an open and trusting therapeutic relationship between providers and patients. Behaviour change can be achieved through timely and considered interactions that target individual preferences, are tailored to health literacy, and are consistent and positive in their messaging. Ongoing support of family practices is required through funding and policy changes and additional avenues for referral and adjunctive interventions are required to provide comprehensive weight management within this setting.
The application of new complex indicators in the detection of urine
Authors: Li Ying-xiang , Li Yang , Bao Si-yu , Xue Ning , Ding Xiao-qiang , Fang Yi
Published: February 2023

Background

Accurate diagnosis and assessment of hematuria is crucial for the early detection of chronic kidney disease(CKD). As instability of urinary RBC count (URBC) often results with clinical uncertainty, therefore new urinary indexes are demanded to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of hematuria. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of applying new complex indicators based on random urine red blood cell counts confirmed in hematuric kidney diseases.

Methods

All patients enrolled underwent renal biopsy, and their clinical information was collected. Urinary and blood biomedical indexes were implemented with red blood cell counts to derive complex indicators. Patients were divided into two groups (hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesions and non-hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesions) based on their renal pathological manifestations. The target index was determined by comparing the predictive capabilities of the candidate parameters for hematuric kidney diseases. Hematuria stratification was divided into four categories based on the scale of complex indicators and distributional features. The practicality of the new complex indicators was demonstrated by fitting candidate parameters to models comprising demographic information.

Results

A total of 1,066 cases (678 hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesions) were included in this study, with a mean age of 44.9 ± 15 years. In differentiating hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesion from the non-hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesion, the AUC value of “The ratio of the random URBC to 24-h albumin excretion” was 0.76, higher than the standard approach of Lg (URBC) [AUC = 0.744] (95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.712 ~ 0.776). The odds ratio of hematuria-dominant renal histologic lesion (Type I) increased from Q2 (3.81, 95% CI 2.66 ~ 5.50) to Q4 (14.17, 95% CI 9.09 ~ 22.72). The predictive model, composed of stratification of new composite indexes, basic demographic characteristics, and biochemical parameters, performed best with AUC value of 0.869 (95% CI 0.856–0.905).

Conclusion

The new urinary complex indicators improved the diagnostic accuracy of hematuria and may serve as a useful parameter for screening hematuric kidney diseases.
Effect of direct endovascular treatment versus standard bridging therapy in large artery anterior circulation stroke (DEVT): 18-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ruan Zhongfan , Luo Xiaojun , Liu Yongkang , Li Fengli , Liu Jincheng , Zi Wenjie
Published: February 2023

Background

Two trials in Chinese population showed that endovascular treatment (EVT) alone was noninferior to alteplase follow by EVT at 90 days. However, results of long-term clinical outcomes remain unknown. We reported the results of prespecified 18-month analysis of the DEVT trail.

Materials and methods

We assessed clinical outcomes 18 months after patients were randomly assigned to receive EVT alone or bridging therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The primary outcome was the proportion of functional independence [modified Rankin scale (mRS), 0–2] at 18 months. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and the quality of life at 18 months as measured by means of a health utility index according to the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-level scale (EQ-5D-5L). Kaplan-Meier event curves were used to investigate the risk of mortality in participants with EVT alone or bridging therapy.

Results

Among 234 patients (EVT alone, n = 116; bridging therapy, n = 118) in the DEVT trial, only 231 (98.7%) patients were extended follow-up to 18 months. A total of 60 (51.7%) patients in the EVT alone achieved functional independence vs 56 (47.5%) patients in the bridging therapy (difference, 4.3%; 1-sided 97.5% CI, − 8.4% to ∞, P for noninferiority =0.014). No significant between-group difference was detected in EQ-5D-5L score (0.81 vs 0.73; difference, 0; 95% CI, 0 to 0.005). The cumulative mortality was 27.6% in the EVT alone and 28.8% in the bridging therapy.

Conclusion

At 18 months follow-up, EVT alone was noninferior to bridging therapy regarding favorable functional outcome in patients with AIS.

Trial registration

Trial was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17013568) on 27/11/2017.