bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol initiation before age 15 predicts earlier hazardous drinking: A survival analysis of a 7‐year prospective longitudinal cohort of Australian adolescents
Authors: Gardner Lauren A. , Stockings Emily , Champion Katrina E. , Mather Marius , Newton Nicola C.
Published: November 2023

Background and aims

Early alcohol use may predict later alcohol problems, but the magnitude of this effect and impact of delayed onset remain uncertain. This study measured age‐based differences in progression from first full alcoholic drink to hazardous drinking in one of the largest and most recent prospective cohorts of Australian adolescents.

Design, settings, participants and measurement

A 7‐year (2012–19) prospective longitudinal cohort of 2082 Australian adolescents was established from the Climate and Preventure (cohort 1) and Climate Schools Combined (cohort 2) studies. Participants completed surveys annually from ages 13 to 20 years. Interval censored survival analyses were conducted with first episode of hazardous drinking [three or more on proxy Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT‐C)] as the survival end‐point, controlling for age, sex and mental health symptomatology. Onset of hazardous drinking was expressed as hazard ratios (HRs), and median survival time (years) was used to model first onset of hazardous alcohol use in survival curves.

Findings

Compared with those aged 15 or older, those who had their first full drink at 12 or younger had significantly elevated risk of hazardous drinking onset during the study period [log (HR): 9.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.0–12.0, P < 0.001]. Compared with those who had their first full drink at ages 13–14, those who delayed until 15 or older had significantly later onset of hazardous drinking; 1.63 years for males (95% CI = 1.31–1.92, P < 0.001) and 1.50 for females (95% CI = 1.15–1.81, P < 0.001), resulting in a median age of onset of hazardous drinking of > 19 for both sexes (male: 19.05 years, 95% CI = 18.74–19.38; female: 19.47 years, 95% CI = 19.19–19.75). First drink at ages 13–14 was associated with the earliest onset of hazardous drinking (males: 17.43 years; females: 17.98 years).

Conclusions

In Australia, alcohol initiation prior to age 15 appears to be associated with an earlier onset of hazardous drinking than initiation after age 15.
Understorey vegetation moderates climate in open forests: The role of the skirt‐forming grass tree Xanthorrhoea semiplana F.Muell
Authors: Kok Xiangning , Bruns Liene , Guerin Greg , Keppel Gunnar
Published: November 2023

Microsites are created by abiotic and biotic features of the landscape and may provide essential habitats for the persistence of biota. Forest canopies and understorey plants may moderate wind and solar radiation to create microclimatic conditions that differ considerably from regional climates. Skirt‐forming plants, where senescent leaves create hut‐like cavities around the stem, create microsites that are sheltered from ambient conditions and extreme weather events, constituting potential refuges for wildlife. We investigate day and night temperatures and humidity for four locations (grass tree cavities, soil, 20 cm above‐ground, 1 m above‐ground) in a South Australian forest with relatively open canopy of stringybark eucalypts (Eucalyptus baxteri, E. obliqua) and an understorey of skirt‐forming grass trees (Xanthorrhoea semiplana) at 5, 10, 20, and 40 m from the forest edge. We also measured the percentage of canopy and understorey covers. Generally, temperature and humidity differed significantly between more sheltered (grass tree cavities, soil) and open‐air microsites, with the former being cooler during the day and warmer and more humid during the night. Furthermore, our results suggest that canopy cover tends to decrease, and understorey cover tends to increase, the temperature of microsites. Distance to the edge was not significantly related to temperature for any microsite, suggesting that the edge effect did not extend beyond 10 m from the edge. Overall, grass trees influenced microclimatic conditions by forming a dense understorey and providing cavities that are relatively insulated. The capacity of grass tree cavities to buffer external conditions increased linearly with ambient temperatures, by 0.46°C per degree increase in maximum and 0.25°C per degree decrease in minimum temperatures, potentially offsetting climate warming and enabling persistence of fauna within their thermal limits. These climate moderation properties will make grass trees increasingly important refuges as extreme weather events become more common under anthropogenic climate change.
The Impact of Foundational AI on International Trade, Services and Supply Chains in Asia
Authors: Meltzer Joshua P.
Published: November 2023

Foundational artificial intelligence (AI) is a general purpose technology that will affect economic activity across industries, with potentially significant impacts on jobs and international trade. This could include automation of routine and nonroutine white‐collar jobs, which reduces international trade where these jobs are on‐shored. However, where AI compliments existing jobs and leads to higher productivity, this could open up new opportunities for international trade in services. How foundational AI affects international trade will also depend on how it is regulated. Governments are moving to regulate AI, which could become a barrier to international trade. Geopolitics could also undermine opportunities for AI to deepen globalization and trade in AI as the USA and China restrict trade in the technology needed to build and run foundational AI systems. Regulating the impact of AI on international trade is an increasing focus in free trade agreements (FTAs) and digital economy agreements (DEAs). The World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) e‐commerce negotiations could also support trade in AI. Yet, there is much more that trade policy could do to minimize barriers to trade in AI.
Combination treatment with monoclonal antibodies: Dupilumab and ustekinumab for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis and Crohn disease
Authors: Alegre‐Bailo Alberto , Sánchez‐Gilo Araceli , Gonzalo González Inés , Vicente Martín Francisco Javier
Published: November 2023

Evidence of effectiveness and safety in combined therapies is scarce and based on case reports and small case series. We report a case of dual biologic therapy with ustekinumab and dupilumab in a patient with severe Crohn disease and atopic dermatitis. There was no interference between these drugs after a 7‐month follow‐up.
Association of maternal SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at the time of admission for delivery with labor process and outcomes of vaginal birth: A cohort study
Authors: Chen An , Acharya Ganesh , Hu Min , Gao Xin , Cheng Guizhi , Jiang Lai , Ni Qianqian
Published: November 2023

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at the time of admission for delivery on labor process and outcomes of vaginal birth.

Material and methods

A cohort study was carried out at the Obstetrics Department of Anhui Provincial Hospital, China, where universal reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was introduced for all women admitted for labor and delivery from December 1–31, 2022. Women were divided into positive and negative groups based on the test result. All women having a singleton vaginal birth were included in final analysis. The effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 positivity on labor process and outcomes of vaginal birth was estimated by regression analyses.

Results

Among a total of 360 women included, 87 had a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test and 273 a negative test. Women in the positive group had an increased likelihood of having longer labor (median 9.3 vs 8.3 hours; sB [log‐transformed] 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.09–0.28), episiotomy (39.1% vs 23.8%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.31; 95% CI 1.27–4.21), grade III meconium‐stained amniotic fluid (19.5% vs 7.0%; aOR 2.52; 95% CI 1.15–5.54) and postpartum hospital stay exceeding 37 hours (58.6% vs 46.5%; aOR 1.71; 95% CI 1.00–2.91). They had reduced rates exclusive breastfeeding (26.7% vs 39%; aOR 0.21; 95% CI 0.09–0.46) as well as mixed feeding (46.5% vs 52.2%; aOR 0.28; 95% CI 0.13–0.60) at 1 week postpartum. No significant differences were observed in other aspects of labor process and birth outcomes, including the uptake of labor analgesia, postpartum hemorrhage (>500 mL) or neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions

A positive maternal SARS‐CoV‐2 test in labor among women having vaginal birth was associated with a slightly longer duration of labor, increased likelihood of episiotomy, increased incidence of grade III meconium‐stained amniotic fluid, a longer postpartum hospital stay and a lower rate of breastfeeding 1 week postpartum. However, it did not have an adverse impact on other birth outcomes.
Maternal ethnicity and gestational age at birth predict hypoglycaemia among neonates of mothers with gestational diabetes
Authors: Oladimeji Oluwatoyin Ibukun , Harding Jane , Gamble Greg , Crowther Caroline , Lin Luling
Published: November 2023

Aim

Hypoglycaemia is common in neonates born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We aimed to determine predictors of hypoglycaemia among neonates of women with GDM and association with short‐term outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a secondary cohort analysis of data from a multi‐centre randomised trial (the TARGET trial) conducted across ten maternity hospitals in New Zealand between May 2015 and November 2017. Data were analysed using univariate analysis and multivariable forward stepwise logistic regression.

Results

Among 1085 neonates, those born to Asian mothers had reduced odds of hypoglycaemia (OR [95% CI]: 0.54 [0.38, 0.75], p = 0.001), as did those born at higher gestational ages (0.76 [0.68, 0.85], p < 0.001). Neonates born to Pacific mothers had increased odds of hypoglycaemia (OR [95% CI]: 1.57 [1.04, 2.39], p = 0.034). Neonates who experienced hypoglycaemia were more likely to experience neonatal intensive care unit admission (8.3% vs. 2.1%; p ≤ 0.001), hyperbilirubinaemia (8.6% vs. 3.3%; p ≤ 0.001) and receive respiratory support (11.4% vs. 4.8%; p ≤ 0.001) and less likely to be breastfed at discharge (92.4% vs. 96.2%; p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Among neonates of women with GDM, maternal ethnicity and gestation at birth are independent predictors of hypoglycaemia, and hypoglycaemia is associated with short‐term comorbidities. Additional surveillance may be appropriate for neonates in these high‐risk groups.
COVID‐19 and mental health in the UK: Depression, anxiety and insomnia and their associations with persistent physical symptoms and risk and vulnerability factors
Authors: Yu Lin , McCracken Lance M.
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Mental health problems and persistent COVID‐19 symptoms were prevalent in the context of COVID‐19. However, despite the long‐observed association between physical symptoms and mental health problems, such association has not been adequately examined in the context of COVID‐19. Our understanding of wider patterns of risk and vulnerability factors for mental health also remains limited. This study investigated the associations between general mental health, and persistent physical symptoms, and additional risk and vulnerability factors in the context of COVID‐19.

Methods

Two hundred fourteen adults, living in the UK, recruited via social media, completed the online survey and were included in the analyses. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations of persistent physical symptoms and risk and vulnerability factors with measures of general mental health including depressive symptoms, anxiety and insomnia.

Results

78.5% of the participants reported between 1 and 26 persistent symptoms, and about 28%–92% of them associated these symptoms with COVID‐19 infection. Persistent physical symptoms were uniquely associated with all measures of mental health, β = .19–.32. Mental health history and worries were the most prominent risk factors, |β| = .12–.43.

Conclusions

People who experience more persistent physical symptoms post‐COVID‐19 have poorer mental health. It may be important to consider and discuss the recovery from COVID‐19 beyond a negative COVID‐19 test. Multidisciplinary interventions that address the complex impact of COVID‐19 for people with long COVID are needed.
The interplay between siliciclastic and carbonate depositional systems: Maastrichtian to Danian basin‐floor sediments of the mid‐Norwegian Møre Basin
Authors: Kjøll Hans Jørgen , Midtkandal Ivar , Planke Sverre , Millett John , Manton Ben , Anderskouv Kresten
Published: November 2023

Source‐to‐sink sedimentary systems associated with volcanic rifted margins serve as important archives for basin development by recording lithospheric changes affecting the depositional systems. Distinguishing between sediment transport processes and their sediment source(s) can guide the interpretation of a basin's history, and thereby inform regional paleogeographic reconstructions. In this contribution, we integrate and utilize wireline geophysical logs, detailed petrographic observations from side‐wall cores, and seismic analysis to describe and decipher a Maastrichtian to Danian‐aged basin‐floor depositional system in the deep outer Møre Basin, mid‐Norwegian margin. Well 6302/6‐1 (Tulipan) is a spatially isolated borehole drilled in 2001 that penetrates Maastrichtian and younger strata. A succession of hitherto undescribed carbonates and sandstones in the outer Møre Basin was discovered. It is investigated for sediment transport, provenance, and depositional processes on the basin floor surrounded by structural highs and ridges. The strata from the lower parts form a basin‐floor apron consisting of redeposited carbonate sourced from a westerly sub‐aerial high. The apron transitions vertically from mixed siliciclastic and carbonate into a purely siliciclastic fan with intercalated sandstone and mudstone, providing a rare high‐resolution record of how depositional environments experience a complete shift in dominant processes. The development coincides with similar latest Cretaceous‐earliest Palaeocene sequences recorded south of this region (e.g., well 219/20‐1) and may have been influenced by regional uplift associated with the onset of magmatism in the Northeast Atlantic. This study improves our understanding of a late, pre‐breakup source‐to‐sink sedimentary system developed near the breakup axis of an infant ocean, and documents what is possibly the northernmost chalk deposit in the Chalk Group.
Discovery a series of novel inhibitors of human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase: Biological activity evaluation and molecular docking
Authors: Ren Xiaoli , Liu Xiaoyong , Hua Miao , Dai Yan , Ren Xiaoping , Sui Chaoya , Li Xiangbi , Jiang Zhiyong , Tian Min , Yang Bing
Published: November 2023

Human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (hDHODH) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine. In recent years, various studies have shown that inhibiting this enzyme can treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and cancer. This study designed and synthesized a series of novel thiazolidone hDHODH inhibitors. Through biological activity evaluation, Compound 14 was found to have high inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value reaching nanomolar level. Preliminary structure–activity relationship studies found that the carboxyl group in R1 and the naphthalene in R2 are key factors in improving activity. Through molecular docking, the binding mode between inhibitors and proteins was elucidated. This study provides an important reference for further optimizing hDHODH inhibitors.
Parents' expected barriers to psychosocial care for children with complex problems
Authors: Pannebakker Noortje M. , Reijneveld Sijmen A. , Numans Mattijs E. , Kocken Paul L.
Published: November 2023

Background and objective

Even though children with complex problems frequently need psychosocial care, two thirds does not receive treatment. Various barriers, particularly expectations of barriers, can hinder effective access of care. Our aim was to assess the practical barriers expected by parents, and the child, family and need factors associated with these expected barriers.

Methods

We sent web‐based questionnaires to parents of a random sample of children known to have or be at risk of having complex problems (response = 77%). We used backward regression analyses to examine which factors were associated with expected barriers for children using psychosocial care, or no care at all.

Results

Seventy‐three percent of all parents expected practical barriers. Parents of children using psychosocial care expected more barriers than when using no care at all. For children who used no care, parents of girls expected more barriers (regression coefficient 0.54; 95%—confidence interval 0.16, 0.92) as did families having less social support (−0.30; −0.50, −0.11). When children used psychosocial care, parents expected more barriers when their child was of school‐age (0.38; 0.01, 0.75), of non‐western origin (vs. native) (0.52; 0.17, 0.88), when parents were older (i.e., 36+ years) (−0.77; −1.12, −0.42), experienced more adverse life events (0.29; 0.13, 0.45) or had less social support (−0.17; −0.34, 0.00).

Conclusion

Even when their child is already receiving treatment, parents continue to expect practical barriers to psychosocial care. Psychosocial care services and their gatekeepers should address these concerns. Access to psychosocial care can be improved by removing practical barriers, especially if children already receive psychosocial care, or when parents have a limited network or belong to an ethnic minority.
Data‐guided Authoring of Procedural Models of Shapes
Authors: Hossain Ishtiaque , Shen I‐Chao , Igarashi Takeo , van Kaick Oliver
Published: November 2023

Procedural models enable the generation of a large amount of diverse shapes by varying the parameters of the model. However, writing a procedural model for replicating a collection of reference shapes is difficult, requiring much inspection of the original and replicated shapes during the development of the model. In this paper, we introduce a data‐guided method for aiding a programmer in creating a procedural model to replicate a collection of reference shapes. The user starts by writing an initial procedural model, and the system automatically predicts the model parameters for reference shapes, also grouping shapes by how well they are approximated by the current procedural model. The user can then update the procedural model based on the given feedback and iterate the process. Our system thus automates the tedious process of discovering the parameters that replicate reference shapes, allowing the programmer to focus on designing the high‐level rules that generate the shapes. We demonstrate through qualitative examples and a user study that our method is able to speed up the development time for creating procedural models of 2D and 3D man‐made shapes.
Efficient Interpolation of Rough Line Drawings
Authors: Chen J. , Zhu X. , Even M. , Basset J. , Bénard P. , Barla P.
Published: November 2023

In traditional 2D animation, sketches drawn at distant keyframes are used to design motion, yet it would be far too labor‐intensive to draw all the inbetween frames to fully visualize that motion. We propose a novel efficient interpolation algorithm that generates these intermediate frames in the artist's drawing style. Starting from a set of registered rough vector drawings, we first generate a large number of candidate strokes during a pre‐process, and then, at each intermediate frame, we select the subset of those that appropriately conveys the underlying interpolated motion, interpolates the stroke distributions of the key drawings, and introduces a minimum amount of temporal artifacts. In addition, we propose quantitative error metrics to objectively evaluate different stroke selection strategies. We demonstrate the potential of our method on various animations and drawing styles, and show its superiority over competing raster‐ and vector‐based methods.
Enhancing Low‐Light Images: A Variation‐based Retinex with Modified Bilateral Total Variation and Tensor Sparse Coding
Authors: Yang Weipeng , Gao Hongxia , Zou Wenbin , Huang Shasha , Chen Hongsheng , Ma Jianliang
Published: November 2023

Low‐light conditions often result in the presence of significant noise and artifacts in captured images, which can be further exacerbated during the image enhancement process, leading to a decrease in visual quality. This paper aims to present an effective low‐light image enhancement model based on the variation Retinex model that successfully suppresses noise and artifacts while preserving image details. To achieve this, we propose a modified Bilateral Total Variation to better smooth out fine textures in the illuminance component while maintaining weak structures. Additionally, tensor sparse coding is employed as a regularization term to remove noise and artifacts from the reflectance component. Experimental results on extensive and challenging datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, exhibiting superior or comparable performance compared to state‐of‐the‐art approaches. Code, dataset and experimental results are available athttps://github.com/YangWeipengscut/BTRetinex.
Neurological and metabolic related pathophysiologies and treatment of comorbid diabetes with depression
Authors: Li Sixin , Yang Dong , Zhou Xuhui , Chen Lu , Liu Lini , Lin Ruoheng , Li Xinyu , Liu Ying , Qiu Huiwen , Cao Hui , Liu Jian , Cheng Quan
Published: November 2023

Background

The comorbidity between diabetes mellitus and depression was revealed, and diabetes mellitus increased the prevalence of depressive disorder, which ranked 13th in the leading causes of disability‐adjusted life‐years. Insulin resistance, which is common in diabetes mellitus, has increased the risk of depressive symptoms in both humans and animals. However, the mechanisms behind the comorbidity are multi‐factorial and complicated. There is still no causal chain to explain the comorbidity exactly. Moreover, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, insulin and metformin, which are recommended for treating diabetes mellitus‐induced depression, were found to be a risk factor in some complications of diabetes.

Aims

Given these problems, many researchers made remarkable efforts to analyze diabetes complicating depression from different aspects, including insulin resistance, stress and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis, neurological system, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Drug therapy, such as Hydrogen Sulfide, Cannabidiol, Ascorbic Acid and Hesperidin, are conducive to alleviating diabetes mellitus and depression. Here, we reviewed the exact pathophysiology underlying the comorbidity between depressive disorder and diabetes mellitus and drug therapy.

Methods

The review refers to the available literature in PubMed and Web of Science, searching critical terms related to diabetes mellitus, depression and drug therapy.

Results

In this review, we found that brain structure and function, neurogenesis, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and glucose and lipid metabolism were involved in the pathophysiology of the comorbidity. Obesity might lead to diabetes mellitus and depression through reduced adiponectin and increased leptin and resistin. In addition, drug therapy displayed in this review could expand the region of potential therapy.

Conclusions

The review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the comorbidity. It also overviews drug therapy with anti‐diabetic and anti‐depressant effects.
Grassland intactness outcompetes species as a more efficient surrogate in conservation design
Authors: Tack Jason D. , Jakes Andrew F. , Jones Paul F. , Hebblewhite Mark , Naugle David E. , Doherty Kevin E. , Sather Marisa K. , Martin Brian H. , Pritchert Ronald
Published: November 2023

Mapped representations of species−habitat relationships often underlie approaches to prioritize area‐based conservation strategies to meet conservation goals for biodiversity. Generally a single surrogate species is used to inform conservation design, with the assumption that conservation actions for an appropriately selected species will confer benefits to a broader community of organisms. Emerging conservation frameworks across western North America are now relying on derived measures of intactness from remotely sensed vegetation data, wholly independent from species data. Understanding the efficacy of species‐agnostic planning approaches is a critical step to ensuring the robustness of emerging conservation designs. We developed an approach to quantify ‘strength of surrogacy’, by applying prioritization algorithms to previously developed species models, and measuring their coverage provided to a broader wildlife community. We used this inference to test the relative surrogacy among a suite of species models used for conservation targeting in the endangered grasslands of the Northern Sagebrush Steppe, where careful planning can help stem the loss of private grazing lands to cultivation. In this test, we also derived a simpler surrogate of intact rangelands without species data for conservation targeting, along with a measure of combined migration representative of key areas for connectivity. Our measure of intactness vastly outperformed any species model as a surrogate for conservation, followed by that of combined migration, highlighting the efficacy of strategies that target large and intact rangeland cores for wildlife conservation and restoration efforts.
Assessing landscape suitability and connectivity for effective conservation of two semi‐desert ungulates in Iran
Authors: Almasieh Kamran , Mohammadi Alireza
Published: November 2023

Conservation outside conservation areas (CAs) is more challenging due to increased exposure to human‐induced disturbances. Therefore, it is important to identify and designate new CAs that can protect core wildlife habitat patches, as well as key linkages to promote connectivity. We performed this study to identify and prioritize core habitat patches and corridors for two semi‐desert sympatric gazelles in Iran (i.e., goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa and jebeer gazelle G. bennettii) in order to propose the expansion of existing CAs. We used an ensemble distribution modeling approach based on three algorithms (random forest, maximum entropy, and generalized boosting models) for habitat suitability assessment and a combination of resistant kernel and factorial least‐cost path analysis for connectivity modeling. Our results revealed that distance to CAs, elevation, and annual mean temperature were the most influential variables for predicting the distribution of the two gazelle species. We identified 12 and six core habitat patches for goitered gazelle and jebeer gazelle, respectively with a minimum area of 210 km2. Core habitat patches were mainly occurred in the north of the central basin of Iran with a high priority for the conservation of both species. CAs protected up to half of core habitat patches for goitered gazelle and one‐third of core habitat patches for jebeer gazelle. Due to human‐induced disturbances (e.g., vehicle collisions and poaching) outside CAs, it is necessary to increase regular monitoring and establish new CAs based on the identified core habitat patches for the two gazelles. Our findings highlight opportunities of designating new CAs for wildlife habitat and corridors conservation and for promoting connectivity by limiting road impacts.
Neutrophil elastase activates the release of extracellular traps from COPD blood monocyte‐derived macrophages
Authors: Zheng Shuo , Kummarapurugu Apparao B. , Bulut Gamze B. , Syed Aamer , Kang Le , Voynow Judith A.
Published: November 2023

Neutrophil elastase (NE), a major inflammatory mediator in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) airways, impairs macrophage function, contributing to persistence of airway inflammation. We hypothesized that NE activates a novel mechanism of macrophage‐induced inflammation: release of macrophage extracellular traps (METs). The METs are composed of extracellular DNA decorated with granule proteinases and oxidants and may trigger persistent airway inflammation in COPD. To test the hypothesis, human blood monocytes were isolated from whole blood of subjects with COPD recruited following informed written consent. Patient demographics and clinical data were collected. Cells were cultured in media with GM‐CSF to differentiate into blood monocyte derived macrophages (BMDMs). The BMDMs were treated with FITC‐NE and unlabeled NE to determine intracellular localization by confocal microscopy and intracellular proteinase activity by DQ‐Elastin assay. After NE exposure, released extracellular traps were quantified by abundance of extracellular DNA in conditioned media using the Pico Green assay. BMDM cell lysates were analyzed by Western analysis for proteolytic degradation of histone H3 or H4 or upregulation of peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) 2 and 4, two potential mechanisms to mediate extracellular trap DNA release. We observed that NE was taken up by COPD BMDM, localized to the cytosol and nucleus, and retained proteinase activity in the cell. NE induced MET release at doses as low as 50 nM. NE treatment caused histone H3 clipping but no effect on histone H4 nor PAD 2 or 4 abundance or activity. In summary, NE activated COPD MET release by clipping histone H3, a prerequisite for chromatin decondensation.
Drug survival and clinical effectiveness of secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab for psoriasis treatment
Authors: Mastorino Luca , Dapavo Paolo , Susca Sara , Cariti Caterina , Siliquini Niccolò , Verrone Anna , Stroppiana Elena , Ortoncelli Michela , Quaglino Pietro , Ribero Simone
Published: November 2023

Background

Biologics targeting IL‐23 and IL‐17 show efficacy and safety in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis.

Objective

To investigate drug survival in patients with psoriasis treated with biologics.

Patients and methods

We performed a comparative evaluation of the achievement of PASI 90 and PASI ≤ 3 at 16, 28, and 52 weeks along with a DS (drug survival) analysis with IL‐17 and IL‐23 inhibitors brodalumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab, and guselkumab on 1,057 patients.

Results

IL‐17 inhibitors showed a faster achievement of PASI 90 and PASI ≤ 3 with significant superiority over IL‐23 inhibitors at week 16 (p < 0.001; 56% vs. 42% and 70% vs. 59%, respectively). A difference was shown in favor of IL‐23 inhibitors regarding DS (p < 0.001), which was 88% at 24 months vs. 75% for IL‐17 inhibitors. In multivariate analysis, IL‐23 inhibitors (HR 0.54 CI 0.37–0.78, p = 0.001), and male sex (HR 0.57 CI 0.42–0.76, p < 0.001) were all associated with a lower probability of drug interruption. Risankizumab (HR 0.42 CI 0.26‐0.69, p = 0.001), guselkumab (HR 0.49 CI 0.24–0.99, p = 0.046), and male sex (HR 0.57 CI 0.43–0.77, p < 0.001) were associated with a lower probability of drug interruption than secukinumab.

Conclusions

IL‐23 inhibitors showed the best performance on DS. Overall, the most effective class was IL‐17 inhibitors considering the short‐term effectiveness, but long‐term effectiveness is in favor of anti‐IL‐23.
Infants rationally infer the goals of other people's reaches in the absence of first‐person experience with reaching actions
Authors: Woo Brandon M. , Liu Shari , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: November 2023

Does knowledge of other people's minds grow from concrete experience to abstract concepts? Cognitive scientists have hypothesized that infants’ first‐person experience, acting on their own goals, leads them to understand others’ actions and goals. Indeed, classic developmental research suggests that before infants reach for objects, they do not see others’ reaches as goal‐directed. In five experiments (N = 117), we test an alternative hypothesis: Young infants view reaching as undertaken for a purpose but are open‐minded about the specific goals that reaching actions are aimed to achieve. We first show that 3‐month‐old infants, who cannot reach for objects, lack the expectation that observed acts of reaching will be directed to objects rather than to places. Infants at the same age learned rapidly, however, that a specific agent's reaching action was directed either to an object or to a place, after seeing the agent reach for the same object regardless of where it was, or to the same place regardless of what was there. In a further experiment, 3‐month‐old infants did not demonstrate such inferences when they observed an actor engaging in passive movements. Thus, before infants have learned to reach and manipulate objects themselves, they infer that reaching actions are goal‐directed, and they are open to learning that the goal of an action is either an object or a place.

Research Highlights

In the present experiments, 3‐month‐old prereaching infants learned to attribute either object goals or place goals to other people's reaching actions.

Prereaching infants view agents’ actions as goal‐directed, but do not expect these acts to be directed to specific objects, rather than to specific places.

Prereaching infants are open‐minded about the specific goal states that reaching actions aim to achieve.
Associations of bolus insulin injection frequency and smart pen engagement with glycaemic control in people living with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Hellman Jarl , Hartvig Niels Væver , Kaas Anne , Møller Jonas Bech , Sørensen Mads Reinholdt , Jendle Johan
Published: November 2023

Aim

To evaluate whether both bolus insulin injection frequency and smart pen engagement were associated with changes in glycaemic control, using real‐world data from adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Materials and Methods

Adults using a smart pen (NovoPen 6) to administer bolus insulin (fast‐acting insulin aspart or insulin aspart) alongside continuous glucose monitoring were eligible for inclusion. Smart pen engagement was characterized by number of days with pen data uploads over the previous 14 days. Glycaemic control was evaluated by analysing glucose metrics.

Results

Overall, data from 1194 individuals were analysed. The number of daily bolus injections was significantly associated with time in range (TIR; 3.9‐10.0 mmol/L [70‐180 mg/dL]; P < 0.0001). Individuals administering, on average, three daily bolus insulin injections had an estimated 11% chance of achieving >70% TIR. The probability of achieving >70% TIR increased with the mean number of daily bolus injections. However, the percentage of TIR was lower on days when individuals administered higher‐than‐average numbers of injections. The observed mean number of daily bolus injections administered across the study population was lower than the optimal number required to reach glycaemic targets (4.8 injections vs. 6‐8 injections). Smart pen engagement was significantly associated with improved TIR.

Conclusions

Glycaemic control was associated with daily bolus insulin injection frequency and smart pen engagement. A treatment regimen combining an optimal bolus injection strategy, and effective smart pen engagement, may improve glycaemic control among adults with T1D.
Density‐dependent emergence success of a tephritid fruit fly eclosed in soil as a factor contributing to density‐dependent pupation depth
Authors: Okuyama Toshinori
Published: November 2023

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), pupates in the soil, and the average pupation depth increases with the number of concurrently pupating individuals at the same location. This study aimed to explain the density‐dependent pupation depth in B. dorsalis. Previous studies demonstrated that increasing pupation depth has the benefit of reduced parasitism and predation risk and the cost of reduced emergence success (i.e., eclosed adults in the soil fail to reach above ground). It was hypothesized that density‐dependent pupation depth is governed by density‐dependent cost. That is, emergence success of eclosed adults increases with density because the soil is more easily loosened as the number of individuals increases. Pupating larvae can reduce parasitism and predation risk by increasing pupation depth, but only those in high density can afford to pupate at deep depths due to the associated cost. To test the hypothesis, density‐dependent emergence success in B. dorsalis was examined in the laboratory. Newly pupated individuals were buried in peat moss approximately 5 cm below the surface, and the relationship between the number of buried pupae (four levels: 1, 25, 50, and 100 pupae) and their emergence success was recorded. To manipulate the difficulty of emergence, the level of peat moss compaction was also varied. Emergence success was uniformly high when peat moss was not heavily compacted regardless of the number of pupae, but the number of pupae had a positive effect on emergence success when the peat moss was heavily compacted. In addition, the timing of emergence was more synchronized in the highest density than in the lower densities. The results of this study, in combination with the previous findings, support the hypothesis.
Delineation of a PFOA Plume and Assessment of Data Gaps in its Conceptual Model Using PlumeSeeker™
Authors: Ozbek Metin , Voorhies Nathan , Howard Lucas , Swanson Ryan , Fox Tad
Published: November 2023

An accurate conceptual site model (CSM) and plume‐delineation at contamination sites are pre‐requisites for successful remediation and for satisfying regulators and stakeholders. PlumeSeeker™ is well‐suited for assessing data gaps in CSMs by using available site data and for identifying the optimal number and locations of sampling locations to delineate contaminant plumes. It is an enhancement of a university research code for plume delineation using geostatistical and stochastic modeling integrated with the groundwater modeling software MODFLOW‐SURFACT™. PlumeSeeker™ increases the overall confidence in the location of the plume boundary through a variance‐reduction approach that selects existing‐ or new monitoring wells for sampling based on minimizing the uncertainty in plume boundary and on new field information. Applicable at sites with or without existing monitoring wells, PlumeSeeker™ is particularly powerful for optimally allocating project resources (labor, well installation, and laboratory costs) between existing wells and sampling at new locations. An application of PlumeSeeker™ at Lakehurst, the naval component of Joint Base McGuire‐Dix‐Lakehurst in New Jersey, demonstrates how the cost of delineating the migration pathway of a perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) plume can be minimized by requiring only 9 new sampling locations in addition to samples from 2 existing wells for achieving a 70% reduction in plume uncertainty. In addition, the use of available site data in three different scenarios identified CSM data‐gaps in the source area and in the interaction between Manapaqua Branch and groundwater, where the observed high concentration in this area could have resulted from a combination of groundwater migration and induced infiltration.
High‐pressure‐assisted protein isolation from pumpkin seed press cake
Authors: Sert Deniz , Rohm Harald , Struck Susanne
Published: November 2023

Traditional solvent‐based approaches for the separation of protein from plant sources are widely used, although they can lead to low protein yield and protein degradation. In this study, protein isolation was conducted by alkaline extraction (AE) and isoelectric precipitation, and the effect of high‐pressure homogenisation (HPH) (0 MPa [control], 50, 100, and 150 MPa) at two different stages during extraction was assessed, namely high pressure homogenisation followed by alkaline extraction (HPH + AE) or alkaline extraction followed by high pressure homogenisation (AE + HPH). Although the control procedure resulted in a protein yield of 45.99 ± 0.72%, the highest protein yield was determined by AE + 100 MPa HPH (61.92 ± 1.06%). Solubility, foaming capacity, emulsification index, hue angle, and denaturation enthalpy of the isolated protein increased after HPH treatments compared to control. Generally, the high‐pressure treatment during protein isolation increased pumpkin seed press cake's protein yield and enhanced the isolates' techno‐functional properties.
Insight into the antibacterial activity and mechanism of allicin and antioxidant of bamboo leaves against Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Lan Weiqing , Shao Zhe , Du Jintao , Chen Xuening , Xie Jing
Published: November 2023

The antibacterial activity and mechanism of allicin (All) and antioxidant of bamboo leaves (AOB) against Shewanella putrefaciens was studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and growth curve were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of combining All and AOB against S. putrefaciens. The inactivation mechanism was reflected by the changes in Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the leakage of nucleic acid and protein. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of bacterial cells and crystal violet biofilm reflected the ability to inhibit the formation of biofilm. Results showed that after being treated by All and AOB, S. putrefaciens was effectively inactivated, and the combined treatment had the strongest inactivation effect. The cell wall and cell membrane were destroyed by All and AOB, resulting in the release of cell contents. The results of Na+/K+‐ATPase activity demonstrated that the membrane permeability could be changed, and the cell structural proteins could be destroyed by All and AOB. SEM observation further proved the effects of All and AOB on bacterial morphology destructing. Therefore, the combination of All and AOB can be used as an efficient method for the preservation of aquatic products.
Nocardia species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility within Australia
Authors: O'Brien Aine , Hart Julie , Higgins Ammie , Arthur Ian , Lee Gar‐Hing , Leung Michael , Kennedy Karina , Bradbury Susan , Foster Sarah , Warren Sanchia , Korman Tony M. , Abbott Iain J. , Heney Claire , Bletchley Cheryl , Warner Morgyn , Wells Nicholas , Wilson Desley , Varadhan Hemalatha , Stevens Robert , Lahra Monica , Newton Peter , Maley Michael , van Hal Sebastian , Ingram Paul R
Published: November 2023

Background

Nocardia is a ubiquitous saprophyte capable of causing human disease. Disease is primarily respiratory or cutaneous, usually acquired via inhalation or inoculation. Under the influence of environmental and host factors, Nocardia incidence and species distribution demonstrate geographical variation.

Aims

To examine for differences in Nocardia incidence within Western Australia (WA) and analyse species distribution in the context of prior published studies. To analyse antibiogram data from a nationwide passive antimicrobial resistance surveillance program.

Methods

Retrospective extraction of laboratory data for Western Australian Nocardia isolates over a 21‐year period. Analysis of Nocardia antimicrobial susceptibility testing data submitted to the Australian Passive Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (APAS) program between 2005 and 2022.

Results

Nine hundred sixty WA isolates were identified, giving an annual incidence of 3.03 per 100 000 population with apparent latitudinal variation. The four most common species identified within WA and amongst APAS isolates were N. nova, N. cyriacigeorgica, N. brasiliensis and N. farcinica. APAS data demonstrated that all species exhibited high rates of susceptibility to linezolid (100%) and trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (98%). Amikacin (>90% susceptibility for all species except N. transvalensis) was the next most active parenteral agent, superior to both carbapenems and third‐generation cephalosporins. Susceptibility to oral antimicrobials (other than linezolid) demonstrated significant interspecies variation.

Conclusions

We demonstrate geographical variation in the distribution of Nocardia incidence. Four species predominate in the Australian setting, and nationwide data confirm a high in vitro susceptibility to trimethoprim‐sulphamethoxazole and linezolid, justifying their ongoing role as part of first‐line empiric therapy.
Telemedicine in specialist outpatient care during COVID‐19: a qualitative study
Authors: Sengupta Agnivo , Pettigrew Simone , Jenkins Christine R.
Published: November 2023

Background

COVID‐19 accelerated healthcare changes, introducing various telehealth services. Work is needed to determine the suitability of telemedicine in the post‐pandemic era.

Aims

To explore perceptions and experiences of telemedicine among patients and providers (clinicians and health administrators) who were involved in telemedicine appointments in hospital outpatient clinics in 2020–2022.

Design, setting and participants

Qualitative study: semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 37 participants (16 patients and 21 providers) in various hospital specialist outpatient clinics in a New South Wales local health district.

Results

Patients were generally satisfied with telemedicine consultations, especially during COVID restrictions, because of the convenience of accessing care from home and minimising the risk of COVID exposure. However, patients considered that the inability to receive a physical examination was a significant disadvantage of telemedicine. Providers had ambivalent perceptions and expressed concerns about mis‐ and under‐diagnoses because of the inability to conduct physical examinations. They considered telemedicine suitable for review appointments but noted an associated increased workload and stressed the need for sustainable funding models (Medicare items). Both patients and providers recognised the need for education/training and better integration of telemedicine platforms into existing infrastructure to facilitate an optimal hybrid model of care.

Conclusion

Despite expressing some concerns over its limitations, patients valued telemedicine for its convenience and for meeting their needs during the pandemic. While acknowledging that patients experienced some benefits from telemedicine, clinicians expressed concerns about potential missed diagnoses, uncertain clinical outcomes and lack of administrative and technological infrastructure. The ultimate test of telemedicine will be its impact on clinical outcomes versus longstanding models of in‐person care.
Ultrasound in paediatric surgery: A meta‐analysis review of its influence on postoperative wound healing and infection rates
Authors: Peng Yinghui , Liu Qianjun , Tang Ju , Zhou Mengjie , Liu LingPing , Liu Jinqiao
Published: November 2023

Ultrasound (US) has traditionally been recognised for its imaging capabilities, but its emerging role as a therapeutic modality in postoperative wound management, especially in paediatric care, has garnered significant attention. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the influence of US on postoperative wound healing and infection rates in paediatric patients. From an initial pool of 1236 articles, seven were deemed suitable for inclusion. Postoperative wound healing was assessed using the Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scale. Notably, there was a significant difference in wound healing patterns between the US‐treated and control groups (I2 = 94%, standardized mean difference [SMD]: −4.60, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: −6.32 to −2.88, p < 0.01), as illustrated in Figure 4. Additionally, a marked difference in wound infection rates was observed between the groups (I2 = 93%, SMD: −5.86, 95% CIs: −9.04 to −2.68, p < 0.01), as portrayed in Figure 5. The findings underscore the potential benefits of US in enhancing postoperative wound healing and reducing infection rates in paediatric surgical settings. However, the application of US should be judicious, considering the nuances of individual patient needs and clinical contexts.