bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between early traumatic experiences and the five domains of negative symptoms in participants at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Ayawvi Gifty , Berglund Alysia M. , James Sydney H. , Luther Lauren , Walker Elaine F. , Mittal Vijay A. , Strauss Gregory P.
Published: April 2023

Aim

Youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have high rates of early life trauma, but it is unclear how trauma exposure impacts later negative symptom severity in CHR. The current study examined the association between early childhood trauma and the five domains of negative symptoms (anhedonia, avolition, asociality, blunted affect, alogia).

Method

Eighty nine participants completed interviewer‐rated measures of childhood trauma and abuse experienced before age 16, psychosis risk, and negative symptoms.

Results

Higher global negative symptom severity was associated with greater exposure to childhood psychological bullying, physical bullying, emotional neglect, psychological abuse, and physical abuse. Greater severity of avolition and asociality was associated with physical bullying. Greater severity of avolition was associated with emotional neglect.

Conclusion

Early adversity and childhood trauma is associated with negative symptoms during adolescence and early adulthood among participants at CHR for psychosis.
Digital mental health interventions for school teachers – A narrative review
Authors: Costardi Carlos Gustavo , D'agostini Ana Carolina C. , Pan Pedro Mario , Bressan Rodrigo Affonseca
Published: April 2023

Aim

School teachers face the paradox of being in a privileged position to act in youth mental health prevention, but in a vulnerable position for not receiving adequate training and personal support. Digital interventions can provide unexpensive tools and narrow this gap in a large scale without major structural changes. We aimed to synthesize the evidence for digital mental health interventions for school teachers.

Methods

Studies published from any date until August 2022 were identified through a literature search of the MEDLINE, Embase, ScIELO, and Cochrane Central databases. The studies included evaluated digital interventions targeting school teachers to deal with their own mental health or to assist them in the management of students' mental health. Studies that addressed school‐based digital mental health interventions, but directly targeted students, parents, or specifically other professionals were not included.

Results

The literature search retrieved 5626 hits and several interventions were described, but only 11 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, none of which focused on teachers' mental health. There was some evidence that these interventions improved knowledge about general or specific topics in mental health, and most studies also reported gains in preparedness, confidence, and attitudes towards mental health.

Conclusions

The studies identified in this review provide initial support for teacher‐focused mental health digital interventions. However, we discuss limitations regarding study designs and data quality. We also discuss barriers, challenges, and the need for effective evidence‐based interventions.
Unity or commitment: A generational view of innovation in family firms
Authors: Meroño‐Cerdán Angel L.
Published: April 2023

Taking a qualitative approach, this study aims to identify the effects of family involvement on firms' innovation decisions and examine how this relationship is affected by the presence or absence of firm founders. Content analysis facilitates building a map to identify two modes of family influence on business and innovation: the business‐first and family‐first modes. In the former, commitment and long‐term orientation encourage innovation as the principal means of survival, especially when the founder is no longer present. In the latter, unity constrains innovation, most commonly in firms led by a present founder. In contrast to the tenets of the socioemotional wealth approach, a first‐generation family firm may suffer from myopia when family interests prevail over the firm's interests, even when business continuity is at stake.
Geographical and climate‐dependent patterns in spatial distributions of snail (Mollusca: Gastropoda) assemblages in freshwater wetlands across Northeast China
Authors: Guan Qiang , Wu Haitao , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhang Zhongsheng , Xue Zhenshan
Published: April 2023

A central goal of community ecology and biogeography involves understanding the spatial patterns of organisms and their underlying mechanisms. Understanding how the structure of wetland biomes vary throughout geographical or climatic gradients has critical implications for the ecological restoration and management of wetlands. However, the geographical patterns of snails in freshwater wetlands and the relative contributions of climatic and local environment variables remain poorly elucidated.

We investigated 126 freshwater wetlands across four ecoregions (Da Xing'an Mountains, Songnen Plain, Sanjiang Plain and Changbai Mountains) in Northeast China, and collected 105578 individual snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) belonging to 17 families, 34 genera and 64 species.

Overall, snail richness and functional alpha diversity was higher in the wetlands of the Sanjiang Plain than the other three regions. Multivariate analyses results revealed that the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic structures of snail assemblages differed significantly across the four regions. Higher taxonomic dissimilarities, as well as functional and phylogenetic dissimilarities existed between the wetlands of the Songnen Plain and the other three regions.

The variations in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic structures of snail assemblages were predominantly explained by climatic variables rather than by local environmental variables. For taxonomic structure, salinity explained the greatest variation among all variables, whereas precipitation seasonality explained the greatest variation for functional and phylogenetic structure.

Considering extant patterns in assemblage structure and its predictors, aggravated salinization and seasonality of precipitation are expected to act as powerful factors shaping future assemblages. Also, climate‐related factors cause changes and spatial distribution of invertebrate assemblages of freshwater wetlands should be considered to formulate differentiated strategy for biodiversity conservation.
Asbestos Exposure ‐ its Related Disorders
Authors: Constantinidis Kimon
Published: April 2023

Unlike most other inhaled dusts, asbestos can produce at least three distinct diseases: asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum. Workers with asbestosis are at greater risk of developing lung cancer than their healthy contemporaries and some studies have suggested that asbestos exposure without asbestosis increases the risk of lung cancer. Mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum is a rare tumour but it has been found with ever‐increasing frequency in persons exposed to relatively small amounts of asbestos; the latent period between exposure to asbestos dust and development of the tumour usually exceeds 20 years.
Temperature‐dependent mechanical and oxidation behavior of in situ formed ZrN/ZrO2‐containing Si3N4‐based composite
Authors: Liu Jiongjie , Li Wei , Ricohermoso Emmanuel , Qiao Zhuihui , Dai Qingwen , Liu Xingmin , Xie Wenjie , Ionescu Emanuel , Weidenkaff Anke , Riedel Ralf
Published: April 2023

In this work, Si3N4 and Zr(NO3)4 were used as raw materials to prepare ZrN/ZrO2‐containing Si3N4‐based ceramic composite. The processing, phase composition, and microstructure of the composite were investigated. Hardness and fracture toughness of the ceramics were evaluated via Vickers indentation in Ar at 25°C, 300°C, 600°C, and 900°C. During spark plasma sintering, Zr(NO3)4 was transformed into tetragonal ZrO2, which further reacted with Si3N4, resulting in the formation of ZrN. The introduction of ZrN enhanced the high‐temperature mechanical properties of the composite, and its hardness and fracture toughness reached 13.4 GPa and 6.1 MPa·m1/2 at 900°C, respectively. The oxidation experiment was carried out in air at 1000°C, 1300°C, and 1500°C for 5 h. It was shown that high‐temperature oxidation promoted the formation and growth of porous oxide layers. The microstructure and phase composition of the formed oxide layers were investigated in detail. Finally, it was identified that the obtained composite exhibited a higher thermal diffusivity than that of monolithic Si3N4 in the temperature range of 100°C–1000°C.
“A marriage without fidelity is a house without a foundation”: Black Brazilian women's demands for respect in marriage
Authors: Medeiros Melanie A.
Published: April 2023

Ethnographic studies of romantic love and companionate marriage in Latin America and the Caribbean focus on why and how intimate ideologies are changing, the effects of these changes for couples and communities, and the complexities surrounding the practical and symbolic meanings of money and love. Here, I discuss how in a community in which the romantic love and companionate marriage ideals seemed unattainable due to the prevalence of infidelity, Black women emphasized the locally salient value of respect in their discourses surrounding marriage. I explore how women's and men's competing views on respect represented shifts in women's agency, household authority, and the marital bargain. I argue that the perspectives of working‐class Black Brazilian women reveal how the value of respect is central to the dignity and self‐respect of minoritized and marginalized women and why, for these women, the disrespect of infidelity was the impetus for divorce.
A child with generalized hypertrichosis due to secondary topical minoxidil exposure
Authors: Maltoni Giulio , Cedirian Stephano , Scozzarella Andrea , Bernardini Luca , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Starace Michela
Published: April 2023

Hypertrichosis is defined as excessive hair growth anywhere on the body in either males or females. It may be caused by genetic conditions, endocrinological disorders, exposure to specific medications (including phenytoin, minoxidil and diazoxide) and other less frequent causes. We report the case of a 1‐year‐old boy with a family history of thyroid disease and alopecia areata who presented with generalized hypertrichosis due to secondary exposure to topical minoxidil. We discuss an uncommon cause of hypertrichosis and the importance of considering a wide differential diagnosis.
Seasonal dynamics of inoculum of Botryosphaeriaceae in macadamia orchards in Australia
Authors: Mohankumar Vheena , Dann Elizabeth K. , Akinsanmi Olufemi A.
Published: April 2023

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia and M. tetraphylla and their hybrids) is a tree nut crop affected by Botryosphaeria branch dieback. The disease results in branch and tree death in commercial orchards, so reducing the productivity of the Australian macadamia industry. There is a dearth of knowledge of the disease cycle in macadamia, which confounds disease management. This study investigated the dynamics of pathogen inoculum associated with Botryosphaeria branch dieback and the influence of environmental factors (temperature, rainfall and relative humidity) on the seasonal spore release within the orchards. Diseased and asymptomatic plant parts from macadamia trees were collected each season for 3 years in commercial orchards. Fungal structures (pycnidia and pseudothecia) mainly were (71%) observed on symptomatic wood samples. A comparison of the number of spores released from the fungal structures between summer and autumn revealed high concentrations of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae from diseased wood (4.8 × 104 conidia/cm2) and Neofusicoccum luteum from blighted leaves (2.1 × 103 conidia/cm2). The peak airborne conidia dispersal period, quantified using microscopy and quantitative PCR assays, was consistently detected after rainfall and strongly associated with relative humidity over 70% and temperatures between 20 and 27°C during summer and autumn. Botryosphaeriaceae isolates obtained from the pycnidia on the macadamia trees caused severe branch dieback symptoms when inoculated on detached macadamia twigs, which suggests both airborne and rain‐splashed spores from fungal structures on the trees contribute to the disease in macadamia orchards.
The P600 as a continuous index of integration effort
Authors: Aurnhammer Christoph , Delogu Francesca , Brouwer Harm , Crocker Matthew W.
Published: April 2023

The integration of word meaning into an unfolding utterance representation is a core operation of incremental language comprehension. There is considerable debate, however, as to which component of the ERP signal—the N400 or the P600—directly reflects integrative processes, with far reaching consequences for the temporal organization and architecture of the comprehension system. Multi‐stream models maintaining the N400 as integration crucially rely on the presence of a semantically attractive plausible alternative interpretation to account for the absence of an N400 effect in response to certain semantic anomalies, as reported in previous studies. The single‐stream Retrieval–Integration account posits the P600 as an index of integration, further predicting that its amplitude varies continuously with integrative effort. Here, we directly test these competing hypotheses using a context manipulation design in which a semantically attractive alternative is either available or not, and target word plausibility is varied across three levels. An initial self‐paced reading study revealed graded reading times for plausibility, suggesting differential integration effort. A subsequent ERP study showed no N400 differences across conditions, and that P600 amplitude is graded for plausibility. These findings are inconsistent with the interpretation of the N400 as an index of integration, as no N400 effect emerged even in the absence of a semantically attractive alternative. By contrast, the link between plausibility, reading times, and P600 amplitude supports the view that the P600 is a continuous index of integration effort. More generally, our results support a single‐stream architecture and eschew the need for multi‐stream accounts.
Genetic group and swim‐up processing affect SYBR Green real‐time PCR‐based porcine semen sex ratio in Landrace and its crossbred boars
Authors: Santhosh Ameya , Sahoo Nihar Ranjan , Yadav Vandana , Darji Mayank , Sonwane Arvind A. , Srivastava Neeraj , Panigrahi Manjit , Gaur Gyanendra Kumar , Kumar Pushpendra
Published: April 2023

Determination of factors affecting sex ratio is important while considering application of sex ratio enrichment approach. Present study aimed to design a SYBR Green qPCR‐based method for measurement of primary sex ratio and to evaluate different factors (genetic group, sire, spermiogenic cycle and processing layer) affecting boar sperm sex ratio. The qPCR was based on relative copy number analysis of sex chromosome‐specific single copy gene fragments with an autosomal gene as reference and was evaluated using DNA dilution series from pigs with numerically normal karyotype. The sex ratio was estimated from genomic DNA samples isolated from boar semen collected from different genetic groups at different time points and different processing layers. The X chromosome frequencies of semen samples revealed significant effect of genetic group. However, significant variation was observed neither within same genetic group nor between ejaculates of different spermatogenic cycles. Among the processing techniques studied, swim‐up technique produced a significant X sperm enrichment in comparison to control whereas, Percoll density gradient failed to show any significant difference among layers. The lower layer in swim‐up technique was found to contain higher proportion of X sperms. The designed qPCR is found to be an easy, less time‐consuming method and does not require high end laboratory facilities or the specialized expertise. The lower layer of swim‐up processing has a scope for X sperm enrichment in boar semen with proper validation.
Prescribed burning may produce refugia for invasive forb, Oncosiphon pilulifer
Authors: Schwab Stuart T. , Jenerette G. Darrel , Larios Loralee
Published: April 2023

Prescribed burning is a common management technique to reduce non‐native grass cover and seed availability in temperate forests and grasslands; however, its effectiveness in reducing non‐native forbs is unclear. Litter of invasive forbs like Oncosiphon pilulifer are not consumed by fire like invasive grass litter is, resulting in residual singed stands and high heterogeneity in the postburn landscape. We investigated the potential for this incomplete burning to alter postfire establishment of native and non‐native plant species by conducting a field experiment in a prescribed burn in Lake Perris State Park, CA. We investigated the role of microclimate and seed availability on establishment for 2 years following a prescribed burn in both singed stands and completely burned patches by adding or removing litter and adding native seed in a factorial design. Litter presence reduced soil temperatures and light availability, while singed stands had lower soil moisture and temperature. Litter present treatments had 5.6 ± 5.9% (mean ± SE) greater Oncosiphon cover yet doubled Oncosiphon viable seeds in the seedbank. Singed stands had 22.6 ± 4.9% greater Oncosiphon cover and more than doubled Oncosiphon viable seeds. Native seed addition did not influence native or Oncosiphon cover. These results suggest that residual singed stands within the prescribed burn landscape can create a favorable microclimate and allow Oncosiphon to retain seed, increasing reinvasion. Our experiment suggests that litter increased establishment of non‐native species as these species may better utilize postburn establishment opportunities impacting overall community recovery. Management of invasive forbs with prescribed burns may require secondary treatments to reduce reinvasion.
Assessing the option water‐saving willingness of irrigation areas considering farmers’ risk tolerance
Authors: Cai Xun , Yao Liming
Published: April 2023

Water option trading could facilitate water conservation in irrigation areas to achieve optimal allocation of agricultural water resources. However, the risk associated with water‐saving decisions increases due to the uncertainties of tradeable water and water‐saving benefits, which makes farmers in the irrigation area with heterogeneous risk tolerances exhibit varied option water‐saving willingness (OWSW) in response to the water option contract. Thus, this article provides a novel framework for prior assessing the OWSW in the irrigated area that considers farmers’ heterogeneous risk tolerance and proposes the optimal contractual water demand to stimulate the OWSW. First, a multiobjective optimal allocation model for cropping water is constructed to predict tradeable water, and then risk trust, risk‐return perception and reference are integrated into water‐saving return analysis for proposing a willingness calculation model involving forecast information. Finally, the influence of heterogeneous risk tolerance on farmers’ water‐saving path choices and the irrigation area's OWSW is analyzed with three sets of comparative data from 2014 to 2021. Results indicate that the intensity and stability of OWSW in water‐scarce irrigation areas increase as farmers’ risk tolerance rises, but the enhancement utility exhibits a diminishing marginal trend. When both prediction accuracy and farmers’ risk tolerance are low, contracts with relatively adventurous and differentiated water demands are more likely to stimulate OWSW. This study provides insights into activating water options trading and stimulating water conservation in agriculture from a risk management perspective.
Time‐resolved strain and deformation measurement on the vibrating saxophone reed
Authors: Ukshini Enis , Dirckx Joris
Published: April 2023

Single‐reed musical instruments, such as the saxophone, generate sound through a complex interplay between the mechanics of the reed and the hydrodynamic and acoustic pressure in the instrument mouthpiece. To understand this complex mechanism, experimental data are lacking. This paper presents full‐field, time‐resolved measurements of strain and displacement of a vibrating saxophone reed, measured under mimicked realistic playing conditions. It is found that strain along the length axis of the reed is mainly expansive, except in a small zone near the tip where it becomes compressive when the reed touches the front edge of the mouthpiece. At the instant in the vibration phase where the reed touches the mouthpiece, significant bending and compressive strain appear along the direction perpendicular to the reed axis. Strain magnitudes in both directions are similar, with absolute values of 0.1%. Full‐field strain maps reveal subtle characteristics which are not revealed by displacement measurements. Bi‐axial bending and strain may be an essential component in reed mechanics, which up till now has been fully neglected in modelling.
Trade policy in a ‘double‐landlocked’ transition economy: Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Athukorala Prema‐chandra , Hill Hal
Published: April 2023

This paper examines trade and commercial policy in Kyrgyzstan in the context of that country's distinctive historical and geographical characteristics, drawing on the World Trade Organisation's latest Trade Policy Review. A former Soviet republic, it is a geographically isolated, effectively a ‘double‐landlocked’, transition economy. The country was an early liberalizer, both economically and politically, among the former Soviet republics, and it is now a broadly open economy. After a catastrophic economic decline in the immediate transition era it also achieved macroeconomic stabilisation relatively quickly. However the growth dividend from these major policy reforms has been modest, and the country has become one of the most remittance‐dependent economies in the world. While its geographical handicaps are immutable, we argue that key explanations for the slow economic growth are the limited ‘behind‐the‐border’ reforms, the dualistic economic structure, and misdirected fiscal allocations. We also draw out some of the broader implications for trade policy reform in other transition economies.
Increased mitochondrial surface area and cristae density in the skeletal muscle of strength athletes
Authors: Botella Javier , Schytz Camilla T. , Pehrson Thomas F. , Hokken Rune , Laugesen Simon , Aagaard Per , Suetta Charlotte , Christensen Britt , Ørtenblad Niels , Nielsen Joachim
Published: April 2023

Mitochondria are the cellular organelles responsible for resynthesising the majority of ATP. In skeletal muscle, there is an increased ATP turnover during resistance exercise to sustain the energetic demands of muscle contraction. Despite this, little is known regarding the mitochondrial characteristics of chronically strength‐trained individuals and any potential pathways regulating the strength‐specific mitochondrial remodelling. Here, we investigated the mitochondrial structural characteristics in skeletal muscle of strength athletes and age‐matched untrained controls. The mitochondrial pool in strength athletes was characterised by increased mitochondrial cristae density, decreased mitochondrial size, and increased surface‐to‐volume ratio, despite similar mitochondrial volume density. We also provide a fibre‐type and compartment‐specific assessment of mitochondria morphology in human skeletal muscle, which reveals across groups a compartment‐specific influence on mitochondrial morphology that is largely independent of fibre type. Furthermore, we show that resistance exercise leads to signs of mild mitochondrial stress, without an increase in the number of damaged mitochondria. Using publicly available transcriptomic data we show that acute resistance exercise increases the expression of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, fission and mitochondrial unfolded protein responses (UPRmt). Further, we observed an enrichment of the UPRmt in the basal transcriptome of strength‐trained individuals. Together, these findings show that strength athletes possess a unique mitochondrial remodelling, which minimises the space required for mitochondria. We propose that the concurrent activation of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial remodelling pathways (fission and UPRmt) with resistance exercise may be partially responsible for the observed mitochondrial phenotype of strength athletes.

image

Key points

Untrained individuals and strength athletes possess comparable skeletal muscle mitochondrial volume density.

In contrast, strength athletes’ mitochondria are characterised by increased cristae density, decreased size and increased surface‐to‐volume ratio.

Type I fibres have an increased number of mitochondrial profiles with minor differences in the mitochondrial morphological characteristics compared with type II fibres.

The mitochondrial morphology is distinct across the subcellular compartments in both groups, with subsarcolemmal mitochondria being bigger in size when compared with intermyofibrillar.

Acute resistance exercise leads to signs of mild morphological mitochondrial stress accompanied by increased gene expression of markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, fission and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt).
A Comparative Study on a Shrouded Fin Array With and Without Its Finite Dimension in the Flow Geometry
Authors: Giri Asis , Singh Maibam Romio
Published: April 2023

In numerical heat transfer analysis, despite the involvement of the finite dimension in the geometries of heat-exchanging devices, these dimensions are frequently assumed to be adequately thin and hence neglected for the ease of analysis. But it may be essential to include the finite dimension of the heat transfer equipment which makes the study more realistic. There remains a dearth of literature in which the results of the fin heat transfer obtained from these considerations are compared, although existing numerical reports consider fin heat transfer—some including fin-thickness and the rest neglecting fin-thickness in the flow geometry. This acts as a motivation to examine and compare the results obtained from a study of numerical heat transfer on a shrouded vertical fin array including and neglecting fin-thickness in the flow geometry under mixed convection. From the present computations, it is noted that with the consideration of the fin-thickness, there is a possibility of an increase in axial pressure defect by around 45% indicating the requirement for higher pumping power. Again for the chosen range of parameters, overall Nusselt number increases by around 18% as compared to neglected fin-thickness that may arise due to altered heat transfer coefficient caused by higher velocity over the extended surface to accommodate finite fin dimension. Finally, pressure drop and Nusselt number are correlated with the governing parameters including fin-thickness.
A Comparative Analysis on Thermal Stability of Delithiated Nickel-Rich LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 in Pouch Cells
Authors: Zhang Fukui , Wu Changjun , Li Kou , Deng Tao
Published: April 2023

As two typical nickel-rich layered oxide cathodes, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) are widely applicated in commercial high-energy batteries for electric vehicles. However, a comprehensive assessment of their thermal characteristics in a full cell is currently lacking. In this article, we conducted a monomer level thermal runaway test on NCA|SiC pouch cell and NCM811|SiC pouch cell through the accelerated rate calorimetry (ARC) test. The results showed that the {T1, T2, T3} of NCA|SiC pouch cell and NCM811|SiC pouch cell are {113.8 °C, 230.4 °C, 801.4 °C} and {91.3 °C, 202.1 °C, 745 °C}, respectively. Then the thermal stability of NCA and NCM811 was tested by differential scanning calorimeter coupled with thermal gravimetric analysis, and mass spectrometry (DSC-TG-MS). The results showed that the phase transition temperature of NCA is higher than that of NCM811. However, when NCA and NCM811 were mixed with anode electrode materials or electrolyte, NCA produced significantly more heat than NCM811. By confirming the thermal properties of NCA|SiC pouch cell and NCM811|SiC pouch cell, a deeper understanding of battery thermal runaway was achieved, which is helpful for the design of high-safety lithium-ion batteries in the future.
Results From the First Para Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities in the Philippines
Authors: Kang Mary-Grace , Esguerra Audrey Anne , Bandong Aila Nica , Guisihan Roselle , Lunar Frances Rom , Mendoza Kristofferson , Olegario Carlos Dominic , Palad Yves , Rotor Esmerita , Tablante Gabriella Isabel
Published: April 2023

A comprehensive evaluation of physical activity (PA) engagement and policy implementation among Filipino children and adolescents with disabilities is vital in the promotion of an active healthy lifestyle. This is the first Para Report Card of the Philippines that presents the available evidence on the 10 commonly used PA indicators. Published and gray literature were searched for country-specific evidence on PA behaviors, physical fitness, and sources of influence. Stakeholders representing relevant national institutions, special education schools, and advocacy groups also provided input on the grades. Only Organized Sport and Government indicators had sufficient data to be graded F and B, respectively. The rest of the indicators were graded as incomplete due to the limited availability of nationally representative data. Findings of the Philippines 2022 Para Report Card on PA highlight the need to strengthen the documentation and evaluation of these indicators among Filipino children and adolescents with disabilities.
Antisense oligonucleotide therapy for H3.3K27M diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yang Lucia , Liu Ying Hsiu , Wilkinson John E. , Krainer Adrian R.
Published: April 2023

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are pediatric high-grade brain tumors in the thalamus, midbrain, or pons; the latter subgroup are termed diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). The brain stem location of these tumors limits the clinical management of DIPG, resulting in poor outcomes for patients. A heterozygous, somatic point mutation in one of two genes coding for the noncanonical histone H3.3 is present in most DIPG tumors. This dominant mutation in the
H3-3A
gene results in replacement of lysine 27 with methionine (K27M) and causes a global reduction of trimethylation on K27 of all wild-type histone H3 proteins, which is thought to be a driving event in gliomagenesis. In this study, we designed and systematically screened 2′-
O
-methoxyethyl phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that direct RNase H–mediated knockdown of
H3-3A
mRNA. We identified a lead ASO that effectively reduced
H3-3A
mRNA and H3.3K27M protein and restored global H3K27 trimethylation in patient-derived neurospheres. We then tested the lead ASO in two mouse models of DIPG: an immunocompetent mouse model using transduced mutant human
H3-3A
cDNA and an orthotopic xenograft with patient-derived cells. In both models, ASO treatment restored K27 trimethylation of histone H3 proteins and reduced tumor growth, promoted neural stem cell differentiation into astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes, and increased survival. These results demonstrate the involvement of the H3.3K27M oncohistone in tumor maintenance, confirm the reversibility of the aberrant epigenetic changes it promotes, and provide preclinical proof of concept for DMG antisense therapy.
Human hypoimmune primary pancreatic islets avoid rejection and autoimmunity and alleviate diabetes in allogeneic humanized mice
Authors: Hu Xiaomeng , Gattis Corie , Olroyd Ari G. , Friera Annabelle M. , White Kathy , Young Chi , Basco Ron , Lamba Meghan , Wells Frank , Ankala Ramya , Dowdle William E. , Lin August , Egenberger Kyla , Rukstalis J. Michael , Millman Jeffrey R. , Connolly Andrew J. , Deuse Tobias , Schrepfer Sonja
Published: April 2023

Transplantation of allogeneic pancreatic donor islets has successfully been performed in selected patients with difficult-to-control insulin-dependent diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH). However, the required systemic immunosuppression associated with this procedure prevents this cell replacement therapy from more widespread adoption in larger patient populations. We report the editing of primary human islet cells to the hypoimmune HLA class I– and class II–negative and CD47-overexpressing phenotype and their reaggregation into human HIP pseudoislets (p-islets). Human HIP p-islets were shown to survive, engraft, and ameliorate diabetes in immunocompetent, allogeneic, diabetic humanized mice. HIP p-islet cells were further shown to avoid autoimmune killing in autologous, diabetic humanized autoimmune mice. The survival and endocrine function of HIP p-islet cells were not impaired by contamination of unedited or partially edited cells within the p-islets. HIP p-islet cells were eliminated quickly and reliably in this model using a CD47-targeting antibody, thus providing a safety strategy in case HIP cells exert toxicity in a future clinical setting. Transplantation of human HIP p-islets for which no immunosuppression is required has the potential to lead to wider adoption of this therapy and help more diabetes patients with IAH and history of severe hypoglycemic events to achieve insulin independence.
A Diverse Virome Is Identified in Parasitic Flatworms of Domestic Animals in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhang Yao , Cao Le , Li Jun , Wu Chuanchuan , Tian Mengxiao , Zhang Zhuangzhi , Zhang Chiyu , Zhang Wenbao , Li Yanpeng
Published: April 2023

Characterizing the virome of parasites is important for unveiling the viral diversity, evolution, and ecology and will help to understand the “Russian doll” pattern among viruses, parasites, and host animals. Our data indicate that diverse viruses are present in specific parasitic flatworms, including viruses that may have an ancient evolutionary history and viruses currently circulating in parasite-infected host animals.
Isolation of Carbapenem and Colistin Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Colonizing Immunocompromised SARS-CoV-2 Patients Admitted to Some Libyan Hospitals
Authors: Slimene Khouloud , Ali Asrra A. , Mohamed Elhussan A. , El Salabi Allaaeddin , Suliman Faraj S. , Elbadri Agela A. , El-fertas Fadi F. , El-awjly Ahmed , Shokri Salah A. , Rolain Jean-Marc , Chouchani Chedly
Published: April 2023

In this work, we describe, for the first time, the occurrence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria colonizing COVID-19 patients who developed hospital-associated infections with carbapenemase-producing, Gram-negative bacteria at some isolation centers of COVID-19 in the eastern part of Libya. Our results confirmed that the overuse of antimicrobials, such as carbapenem antibiotics, during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, mainly
K. pneumoniae
and
A. baumannii
, as well as colistin resistance.
Tectonic and stratigraphic evolution of the late Paleozoic Darwin Basin, eastern California, USA, and implications for the onset of subduction along the southwestern Cordilleran margin of Laurentia
Authors: Vaughn Lochlan W. , Leary Ryan J. , Read Michael T.
Published: April 2023

The Darwin Basin, eastern California, USA, represents a key sedimentary record of tectonics along the southwestern margin of Laurentia for the late Pennsylvanian and Cisuralian (Early Permian). The basin formed when the subsidence rate of the southwestern margin of the Bird Spring Shelf abruptly increased, resulting in the deposition of deep-water facies in areas that had been shelf or littoral environments since the Neoproterozoic. We present new sedimentologic, stratigraphic, conodont biostratigraphic, and subsidence analyses of Darwin Basin strata that document the Pennsylvanian−Permian evolution of the Darwin Basin. We argue that the Darwin Basin evolved in two phases: (1) a Pennsylvanian to mid-Cisuralian foreland basin phase that co-occurred with transpressional deformation of the southwestern margin of Laurentia and was characterized by unconformity development, deposition of coarse-grained carbonate slope-apron facies, syndepositional deformation, and the development of complex basin-floor bathymetry; and (2) a mid-Cisuralian to Guadalupian (middle Permian) phase that preceded and co-occurred with the onset of arc magmatism outboard of the Darwin Basin and is characterized by rapid, uniform subsidence of the entire basin, burial of paleobathymetric highs, and the end of syndepositional deformation. We propose that the transition between these phases may represent a local response to the initiation of the North American Cordilleran subduction zone to the west of the Darwin Basin. We argue that the onset of rapid mid-Cisuralian subsidence documented within the Darwin Basin provides an estimated date of subduction zone initiation that is consistent with previous estimates of the timing of this event, the arc magmatic record, and Cenozoic subduction zone analogs.
Intratemporal mucormycosis: a rare COVID-19 sequelae
Authors: Bajpai Sanchit , Bhat Sweekritha , Shenoy S Vijendra , Puvvula Praneetha
Published: April 2023

A man in his 50s presented with a 2-month history of left ear discharge associated with hearing loss and weakness of left half of face since 15 days. The patient had no comorbidities, but he gave history of being treated for COVID-19 pneumonia 2 months ago post which he started experiencing left-sided aural symptoms. Clinical examination of ear revealed a subtotal perforation with multiple granulations in middle ear. Facial nerve examination revealed grade 3 lower motor neuron palsy. The biopsy of the granulations was sent to aid in diagnosis which later confirmed left ear mucormycosis. Otological involvement with facial palsy and sudden sensorineural loss in a patient with prior history of COVID-19 has not been reported until in literature. We try to communicate our experience to bridge the gap in understanding and managing this extremely rare occurrence of mucormycosis in the ear of a patient diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.
Ruptured mycotic coronary artery aneurysm
Authors: Janus Scott E , Al-Kindi Sadeer , Pollock Graham , Laster Steven
Published: April 2023

Aneurysms complicated by rupture of the coronary arteries are exceedingly rare. Literature regarding management of mycotic aneurysms resulting in rupture is limited. Therefore, we describe a fascinating diagnosis, imaging progression and management of a ruptured mycotic coronary artery aneurysm.
Clinical spectrum of COVID-19 complications in young adults: combined analysis of the American Heart Association COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry and the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes
Authors: Bavishi Aakash , Kliethermes Stephanie A , Petek Bradley , Moulson Nathaniel , Mellacheruvu Pranav , Churchill Timothy W , Harmon Kimberly , Patel Manesh R , Baggish Aaron L , Drezner Jonathan A , Mutharasan Raja Kannan
Published: April 2023

Background

While young adults 18–24 years old bear a significant proportion of COVID-19 diagnoses, the risk factors for hospitalisation and severe COVID-19 complications in this population are poorly understood.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for hospitalisation and other COVID-19 complications across the health spectrum of young adults diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Participants

Young adults (aged 18–24) with confirmed COVID-19 infection from the American Heart Association (AHA) COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry of hospitalised patients and the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes (ORCCA) study of collegiate athletes. The AHA registry included 636 young adults from 152 hospitals. The ORCCA registry consisted of 3653 competitive college athletes from 42 colleges and universities.

Intervention

None (exposure to COVID-19).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Main outcomes included hospitalisation, death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and other severe clinical events.

Results

In comparison to the ORCCA registry, patients in the AHA registry were more likely to be female (59% vs 33%); had higher average body mass index (BMI) (32.4 vs 25.6); and had increased prevalence of diabetes (10% vs 0.4%), hypertension (7% vs 0.6%), chronic kidney disease (2% vs 0%) and asthma (14% vs 8%), all with p<0.01. There were eight (2%) deaths in the AHA hospitalised registry compared with zero in the ORCCA cohort. BMI was a statistically significant predictor of death in the hospitalised cohort (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00, 1.10). No significant predictors of MACE or other severe clinical events were identified.

Conclusions

The risk of cardiac events in young adults aged 18–24 diagnosed with COVID-19 infection is low. Patients who were hospitalised (AHA registry) were more likely to have pre-existing medical comorbidities and higher BMI than healthy collegiate athletes (ORCCA registry). Once hospitalised, elevated BMI is associated with increased mortality although other drivers of MACE and other severe clinical events remain unclear.
Migration of oral health professionals: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Ram Anumala , Morse Zac
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Each year, many dental professionals are trained; however, many low-income and middle-income countries face a scarcity of dental professionals. This trend has been observed because of the migration of oral health professionals from developing to developed countries for various reasons such as professional, economic or personal. This negatively impacts the healthcare system by causing critical shortages of trained personnel to support the oral healthcare needs of the countries where the oral health professionals migrate from (source countries). The key objectives of this scoping review are to assess the intentions behind the migrations, identify the countries the graduates migrate to and from, examine the barriers to and facilitators of integrating oral health professionals, as well as the challenges they face post migration.

Methods and analysis

A scoping review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Scientific databases such as Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE and Scopus will be systematically searched to identify potential articles. In addition, grey literature will be searched to identify unpublished materials relevant to the topic using Google Scholar and Google. The reviewers will assess the retrieved sources in a three-step search strategy, and a PRISMA-ScR flowchart will document the numbers of identified, screened and excluded sources. The scoping review will collate and present the findings as a descriptive analysis. Finally, the narrative descriptions will be presented in a thematic form based on the findings of the scoping review.

Ethics and dissemination

This scoping review is based on a secondary analysis of published data; hence, ethical approval is not required. The findings of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal, professional networks and conferences.
Change in global burden of unintentional drowning from 1990 to 2019 and its association with social determinants of health: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Tan Haomin , Lin Ziqiang , Fu Di , Dong Xiaomei , Zhu Sui , Huang Zhongguo , Liu Yingyin , He Guanhao , Yang Pan , Liu Tao , Ma Wenjun
Published: April 2023

Objective

To systematically analyse global, regional and national burden change of unintentional drowning from 1990 to 2019, and to further quantify the contribution of social determinants of health (SDH) on the change.

Design

Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 were used in this study.

Setting and participants

Individuals of all ages and genders from 204 countries and territories.

Main outcome measures

The main outcomes were the age-standardised rates (ASRs) of mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of unintentional drowning. The percentage change in the ASRs were used to estimate the joint effect of SDH on trends in global burden of drowning.

Results

We observed that the global burden of unintentional drowning declined markedly from 1990 to 2019, with age-standardised mortality rate and DALYs rate decreasing by 61.5% and 68.2%, respectively. Women, children, middle Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) countries, South-East Asia and Western Pacific region had higher reduction. At national level, greater reductions were observed in Armenia and Republic of Korea, but significant increases in Cabo Verde and Vanuatu. We found that every one percentile increase in six SDHs (Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person, SDI, educational attainment, health spending, health workers and urbanisation) was associated with a decrease of 0.15% and 0.16% in drowning age-standardised mortality rate and DALYs rate globally, respectively. Health spending and GDP per capita were the main contributors to the reduction of drowning globally.

Conclusions

The global burden of unintentional drowning significantly declined in the past three decades, and the improvement of SDHs such as GDP per capita and health spending mainly contributed to the decrease. Our findings indicate that improvement of SDHs is critical for drowning prevention and control.
Interacting and non-interacting Rényi holographic dark energy models in DGP braneworld
Authors: Saha Arindam , Chanda Anirban , Dey Sagar , Ghose Souvik , Paul B. C.
Published: April 2023

We investigate both the interacting and non-interacting Rényi Holographic Dark Energy (RHDE) models in Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati (DGP) braneworld framework. Cosmological parameters and their evolutions are probed to obtain realistic cosmological models. We note that both the models accommodate the present accelerating phase of expansion with the observed dark energy density. Classical stability of the cosmological model and Om-diagnostic are also studied to test the suitability of the cosmological models obtained in the presence of RHDE in DGP braneworld.
Research on Lightweight Few-Shot Learning Algorithm Based on Convolutional Block Attention Mechanism
Authors: Qi Pan , Yanan Yu , Berihu Haile Haftom
Published: April 2023

Few-shot learning can solve new learning tasks in the condition of fewer samples. However, currently, the few-shot learning algorithms mostly use the ResNet as a backbone, which leads to a large number of model parameters. To deal with the problem, a lightweight backbone named DenseAttentionNet which is based on the Convolutional Block Attention Mechanism is proposed by comparing the parameter amount and the accuracy of few-shot classification with ResNet-12. Then, based on the DenseAttentionNet, a few-shot learning algorithm called Meta-DenseAttention is presented to balance the model parameters and the classification effect. The dense connection and attention mechanism are combined to meet the requirements of fewer parameters and to achieve a good classification effect for the first time. The experimental results show that the DenseAttentionNet, not only reduces the number of parameters by 55% but also outperforms other classic backbones in the classification effect compared with the ResNet-12 benchmark. In addition, Meta-DenseAttention has an accuracy of 56.57% (5way-1shot) and 72.73% (5way-5shot) on the miniImageNet, although the number of parameters is only 3.6[Formula: see text]M. The experimental results also show that the few-shot learning algorithm proposed in this paper not only guarantees classification accuracy but also has the characteristics of lightweight.