bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Pleistocene megafauna extinction leads to missing pieces of ecological space in a North American mammal community
Authors: Smith Felisa A. , Elliott Smith Emma A. , Villaseñor Amelia , Tomé Catalina P. , Lyons S. Kathleen , Newsome Seth D.
Published: September 2022

The conservation status of large-bodied mammals is dire. Their decline has serious consequences because they have unique ecological roles not replicated by smaller-bodied animals. Here, we use the fossil record of the megafauna extinction at the terminal Pleistocene to explore the consequences of past biodiversity loss. We characterize the isotopic and body-size niche of a mammal community in Texas before and after the event to assess the influence on the ecology and ecological interactions of surviving species (>1 kg). Preextinction, a variety of C
4
grazers, C
3
browsers, and mixed feeders existed, similar to modern African savannas, with likely specialization among the two sabertooth species for juvenile grazers. Postextinction, body size and isotopic niche space were lost, and the δ
13
C and δ
15
N values of some survivors shifted. We see mesocarnivore release within the Felidae: the jaguar, now an apex carnivore, moved into the specialized isotopic niche previously occupied by extinct cats. Puma, previously absent, became common and lynx shifted toward consuming more C
4
-based resources. Lagomorphs were the only herbivores to shift toward C
4
resources. Body size changes from the Pleistocene to Holocene were species-specific, with some animals (deer, hare) becoming significantly larger and others smaller (bison, rabbits) or exhibiting no change to climate shifts or biodiversity loss. Overall, the Holocene body-size-isotopic niche was drastically reduced and considerable ecological complexity lost. We conclude biodiversity loss led to reorganization of survivors and many “missing pieces” within our community; without intervention, the loss of Earth’s remaining ecosystems that support megafauna will likely suffer the same fate.
Increasing wildfire impacts on snowpack in the western U.S.
Authors: Kampf Stephanie K. , McGrath Daniel , Sears Megan G. , Fassnacht Steven R. , Kiewiet Leonie , Hammond John C.
Published: September 2022

Wildfire area has been increasing in most ecoregions across the western United States, including snow-dominated regions. These fires modify snow accumulation, ablation, and duration, but the sign and magnitude of these impacts can vary substantially between regions. This study compares spatiotemporal patterns of western United States wildfires between ecoregions and snow zones. Results demonstrate significant increases in wildfire area from 1984 to 2020 throughout the West, including the Sierra Nevada, Cascades, Basin and Range, and Northern to Southern Rockies. In the late snow zone, where mean annual snow-free date is in May or later, 70% of ecoregions experienced significant increases in wildfire area since 1984. The distribution of burned area shifted from earlier melt zones to later-melt snow zones in several ecoregions, including the Southern Rockies, where the area burned in the late snow zone during 2020 exceeded the total burned area over the previous 36 y combined. Snow measurements at a large Southern Rockies fire revealed that burning caused lower magnitude and earlier peak snow-water equivalent as well as an 18–24 d estimated advance in snow-free dates. Latitude, a proxy for solar radiation, is a dominant driver of snow-free date, and fire advances snow-free timing through a more-positive net shortwave radiation balance. This loss of snow can reduce both ecosystem water availability and streamflow generation in a region that relies heavily on mountain snowpack for water supply.
Active neural coordination of motor behaviors with internal states
Authors: Zhang Yisi S. , Takahashi Daniel Y. , El Hady Ahmed , Liao Diana A. , Ghazanfar Asif A.
Published: September 2022

The brain continuously coordinates skeletomuscular movements with internal physiological states like arousal, but how is this coordination achieved? One possibility is that the brain simply reacts to changes in external and/or internal signals. Another possibility is that it is actively coordinating both external and internal activities. We used functional ultrasound imaging to capture a large medial section of the brain, including multiple cortical and subcortical areas, in marmoset monkeys while monitoring their spontaneous movements and cardiac activity. By analyzing the causal ordering of these different time series, we found that information flowing from the brain to movements and heart-rate fluctuations were significantly greater than in the opposite direction. The brain areas involved in this external versus internal coordination were spatially distinct, but also extensively interconnected. Temporally, the brain alternated between network states for this regulation. These findings suggest that the brain’s dynamics actively and efficiently coordinate motor behavior with internal physiology.
Winter warming post floral initiation delays flowering via bud dormancy activation and affects yield in a winter annual crop
Authors: Lu Xiang , O’Neill Carmel M. , Warner Samuel , Xiong Qing , Chen Xiaochao , Wells Rachel , Penfield Steven
Published: September 2022

Winter annual life history is conferred by the requirement for vernalization to promote the floral transition and control the timing of flowering. Here we show using winter oilseed rape that flowering time is controlled by inflorescence bud dormancy in addition to vernalization. Winter warming treatments given to plants in the laboratory and field increase flower bud abscisic acid levels and delay flowering in spring. We show that the promotive effect of chilling reproductive tissues on flowering time is associated with the activity of two FLC genes specifically silenced in response to winter temperatures in developing inflorescences, coupled with activation of a BRANCHED1-dependent bud dormancy transcriptional module. We show that adequate winter chilling is required for normal inflorescence development and high yields in addition to the control of flowering time. Because warming during winter flower development is associated with yield losses at the landscape scale, our work suggests that bud dormancy activation may be important for effects of climate change on winter arable crop yields.
Protracted Indian monsoon droughts of the past millennium and their societal impacts
Authors: Kathayat Gayatri , Sinha Ashish , Breitenbach Sebastian F. M. , Tan Liangcheng , Spötl Christoph , Li Hanying , Dong Xiyu , Zhang Haiwei , Ning Youfeng , Allan Robert J. , Damodaran Vinita , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai
Published: September 2022

Protracted droughts lasting years to decades constitute severe threats to human welfare across the Indian subcontinent. Such events are, however, rare during the instrumental period (ca. since 1871 CE). In contrast, the historic documentary evidence indicates the repeated occurrences of protracted droughts in the region during the preinstrumental period implying that either the instrumental observations underestimate the full spectrum of monsoon variability or the historic accounts overestimate the severity and duration of the past droughts. Here we present a temporally precise speleothem-based oxygen isotope reconstruction of the Indian summer monsoon precipitation variability from Mawmluh cave located in northeast India. Our data reveal that protracted droughts, embedded within multidecadal intervals of reduced monsoon rainfall, frequently occurred over the past millennium. These extreme events are in striking temporal synchrony with the historically documented droughts, famines, mass mortality events, and geopolitical changes in the Indian subcontinent. Our findings necessitate reconsideration of the region’s current water resources, sustainability, and mitigation policies that discount the possibility of protracted droughts in the future.
Determining the hydronium pKα at platinum surfaces and the effect on pH-dependent hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics
Authors: Zhong Guangyan , Cheng Tao , Shah Aamir Hassan , Wan Chengzhang , Huang Zhihong , Wang Sibo , Leng Tianle , Huang Yu , Goddard William A. , Duan Xiangfeng
Published: September 2022

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is critical for green hydrogen generation and exhibits distinct pH-dependent kinetics that have been elusive to understand. A molecular-level understanding of the electrochemical interfaces is essential for developing more efficient electrochemical processes. Here we exploit an exclusively surface-specific electrical transport spectroscopy (ETS) approach to probe the Pt-surface water protonation status and experimentally determine the surface hydronium pK

a

=

4.3. Quantum mechanics (QM) and reactive dynamics using a reactive force field (ReaxFF) molecular dynamics (RMD) calculations confirm the enrichment of hydroniums (H
3
O

+
*

) near Pt surface and predict a surface hydronium pK

a

of 2.5 to 4.4, corroborating the experimental results. Importantly, the observed Pt-surface hydronium pK

a

correlates well with the pH-dependent HER kinetics, with the protonated surface state at lower pH favoring fast Tafel kinetics with a Tafel slope of 30 mV per decade and the deprotonated surface state at higher pH following Volmer-step limited kinetics with a much higher Tafel slope of 120 mV per decade, offering a robust and precise interpretation of the pH-dependent HER kinetics. These insights may help design improved electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion.
The CsHEC1-CsOVATE module contributes to fruit neck length variation via modulating auxin biosynthesis in cucumber
Authors: Wang Zhongyi , Zhou Zhaoyang , Wang Liming , Yan Shuangshuang , Cheng Zhihua , Liu Xiaofeng , Han Lijie , Chen Guangxin , Wang Shaoyun , Song Weiyuan , Chen Jiacai , Liu Liu , Song Xiaofei , Yan Liying , Zhao Jianyu , Zhang Xiaolan
Published: September 2022

Fruit neck is the proximal portion of the fruit with undesirable taste that has detrimental effects on fruit shape and commercial value in cucumber. Despite the dramatic variations in fruit neck length of cucumber germplasms, the genes and regulatory mechanisms underlying fruit neck elongation remain mysterious. In this study, we found that
Cucumis sativus HECATE1
(
CsHEC1
) was highly expressed in fruit neck. Knockout of
CsHEC1
resulted in shortened fruit neck and decreased auxin accumulation, whereas overexpression of
CsHEC1
displayed the opposite effects, suggesting that
CsHEC1
positively regulated fruit neck length by modulating local auxin level. Further analysis showed that CsHEC1 directly bound to the promoter of the auxin biosynthesis gene
YUCCA4
(
CsYUC4
) and activated its expression. Enhanced expression of
CsYUC4
resulted in elongated fruit neck and elevated auxin content. Moreover, knockout of
CsOVATE
resulted in longer fruit neck and higher auxin. Genetic and biochemical data showed that CsOVATE physically interacted with CsHEC1 to antagonize its function by attenuating the CsHEC1-mediated
CsYUC4
transcriptional activation. In cucumber germplasms, the expression of
CsHEC1
and
CsYUC4
positively correlated with fruit neck length, while that of
CsOVATE
showed a negative correlation. Together, our results revealed a CsHEC1-CsOVATE regulatory module that confers fruit neck length variation via
CsYUC4
-mediated auxin biosynthesis in cucumber.
GRP23 plays a core role in E-type editosomes via interacting with MORFs and atypical PPR-DYWs in
Arabidopsis
mitochondria
Authors: Yang Yan-Zhuo , Liu Xin-Yuan , Tang Jiao-Jiao , Wang Yong , Xu Chunhui , Tan Bao-Cai
Published: September 2022

Identifying the PPR-E+-NUWA-DYW2 editosome improves our understanding of the C-to-U RNA editing in plant organelles. However, the mechanism of RNA editing remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that GLUTAMINE-RICH PROTEIN23 (GRP23), a previously identified nuclear transcription regulator, plays an essential role in mitochondrial RNA editing through interacting with MORF (multiple organellar RNA-editing factor) proteins and atypical DYW-type pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. GRP23 is targeted to mitochondria, plastids, and nuclei. Analysis of the
grp23
mutants rescued by embryo-specific complementation shows decreased editing efficiency at 352 sites in mitochondria and 6 sites in plastids, with a predominant specificity for sites edited by the PPR-E and PPR-DYW proteins. GRP23 interacts with atypical PPR-DYW proteins (MEF8, MEF8S, DYW2, and DYW4) and MORF proteins (MORF1 and MORF8), whereas the four PPR-DYWs interact with the two MORFs. These interactions may increase the stability of the GRP23-MORF–atypical PPR-DYW complex. Furthermore, analysis of

mef8
N

△

64aa
mef8s

double mutants shows that MEF8/MEF8S are required for the editing of the PPR-E protein–targeted sites in mitochondria. GRP23 could enhance the interaction between PPR-E and MEF8/MEF8S and form a homodimer or heterodimer with NUWA. Genetic complementation analysis shows that the C-terminal domains of GRP23 and NUWA possess a similar function, probably in the interaction with the MORFs. NUWA also interacts with atypical PPR-DYWs in yeast. Both GRP23 and NUWA interact with the atypical PPR-DYWs, suggesting that the PPR-E proteins recruit MEF8/MEF8S, whereas the PPR-E+ proteins specifically recruit DYW2 as the
trans
deaminase, and then GRP23, NUWA, and MORFs facilitate and/or stabilize the E or E+-type editosome formation.
Comparisons of performances in Ti-V-Al composites with single and multiple in-situ reinforcements
Authors: Yi Xiaoyang , Zhuang Yaping , Huang Bowen , Sun Kuishan , Cao Xinjian , Gao Weihong , Sun Wenshuo , Meng Xianglong , Gao Zhiyong , Wang Haizhen , Song Yuehai
Published: September 2022

In the present study, various kinds of in-situ reinforcements were introduced into Ti-V-Al shape memory alloys to enhance strength. The results revealed that the addition of TiB2 and B4C ceramic particles can form TiB whiskers and a mixture of TiB whiskers and TiC particles, respectively. Meanwhile, both TiB2 and B4C ceramic particles can refine grain size of Ti-V-Al shape memory alloys. The addition of TiB2 and B4C ceramic particles caused an increase in martensitic transformation temperature. The grain refinement and introduction of in-situ TiB whisker and TiC particles resulted in an obvious improvement in strength without sacrificing the strain recovery characteristics. For comparison, the addition of B4C ceramic particles can obtain high-performance Ti-V-Al shape memory alloys.
Surface modification of IN713 LC superalloy with Metco 204NS by laser surface alloying
Authors: Khorram Ali , Taheri Morteza
Published: September 2022

Ceramics are one of the best engineering materials for coating gas turbine blades. In this study, the Metco204NS ceramic coating (Zr2O + 8%Y2O3) was applied by the laser surface alloying (LSA) method on IN713 LC nickel-based superalloy. To influence the heat input on the structure of the ceramic coating and its substrate, and as well as the rejuvenated zone (RZ), different variables were used in LSA. The results showed that with an increase in heat input by the laser, the sensitivity to liquation cracks in the heat affected zone and solidification cracks in the RZ decreases. The most important reason for this was the increase in backfilling by the molten metal due to its high fluidity. However, with increasing heat input, the hardness increased due to the reduction of the distance between the dendrites. Solidification rate (R) and temperature gradient (G) were identified as the most important microstructure controlling factors in the RZ. So, with increasing the heat input and thus decreasing G and R, the tendency of the structure to change from cellular to columnar and then equiaxed increased. The uniform and homogeneous coating of Metco 204NS significantly increased the wear resistance of IN713 LC superalloy. The higher hardness and wear resistance of melted Metco 204NS coating material relative to the RZ and the base metal was due to the presence of very hard Zr2O and Y2O3 particles in Metco 204NS and the reduction of grain size.
Analysis on the characteristics of vortex beam in field turbulence
Authors: Xie Yanchen , Ke Xizheng , Dong Ke , Liang Jingyuan , Fan Wenbo
Published: September 2022

In this study, we have investigated the propagation characteristics of single-mode Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) beams under field atmospheric turbulence conditions. We constructed a 1200 meter experimental platform for representing vortex beams in the field. Accordingly, we analyzed the spot changes in an LG beam after transmitted through atmospheric turbulence. Based on the principle of Fresnel diffraction and the random phase screen method, we studied the evolution and spiral spectrum distribution of low-order LG beams transmitted by atmospheric turbulence by numerical simulation. Moreover, we carried out an experimental study regarding the LG beam propagation characteristics mainly based on field experiments. The experimental results indicate that after near-surface turbulent propagation, the LG beam gradually spreads, degree of phase singularity drift becomes larger, and spot size of the Gaussian beam grows faster than that of the LG beam with greater propagation distances. Finally, we concluded that LG beams are not significantly affected by turbulence. It also lays a foundation for the experimental study of vortex beam detection and wavefront correction at the receiving end in multiplexing communication.
Investigation of Mode Changing, Pulse Nulling and Subpulse Drifting Properties in the Asymmetric Conal Triple Radio Pulsar B2319+60
Authors: Chen Jian-Ling , Wen Zhi-Gang , Wang Hong-Guang , Wang Na , Yuen Rai , Gajjar Vishal , Yuan Jian-Ping , Wang Zhen , Yan Wen-Ming , Wang Jin-Peng , Lyu Cheng-Bing , Wang Hui , Duan Xue-Feng
Published: September 2022

We report on a detailed analysis of the mode changing, nulling and subpulse drifting behavior of the conal triple pulsar B2319+60 at 1.5 GHz observed with the Nanshan 25 m radio telescope. The pulsar’s profile can be interpreted as resulting from a sightline traverse which cuts across an outer cone and tangentially grazes an inner cone. About 30 per cent of nulls are found to create alternating bunches of nulls and emission in a quasi-periodic manner with an averaged fluctuation rate of about four rotation periods (P
1). The presence of two distinct drift modes (A and ABN) plus a phase-stationary non-drift emission mode (B) is confirmed, and each corresponds to a different pulse profile. The mode A is dominated by a phase modulation in the trailing component with a circulation time of around 7P
1. In addition to a 3P
1 phase modulation in the leading component, mode ABN presents an amplitude modulation in the leading and trailing components with a period of around 40P
1. The emission region and geometry remain constant during mode changing. The diversity seen in the individual pulse behavior of the pulsar B2319+60 provides a unique window into the emission physics.
First-principles simulation of light-ion microscopy of graphene
Authors: Kononov Alina , Olmstead Alexandra , Baczewski Andrew D , Schleife André
Published: September 2022

The extreme sensitivity of 2D materials to defects and nanostructure requires precise imaging techniques to verify presence of desirable and absence of undesirable features in the atomic geometry. Helium-ion beams have emerged as a promising materials imaging tool, achieving up to 20 times higher resolution and 10 times larger depth-of-field than conventional or environmental scanning electron microscopes. Here, we offer first-principles theoretical insights to advance ion-beam imaging of atomically thin materials by performing real-time time-dependent density functional theory simulations of single impacts of 10–200 keV light ions in free-standing graphene. We predict that detecting electrons emitted from the back of the material (the side from which the ion exits) would result in up to three times higher signal and up to five times higher contrast images, making 2D materials especially compelling targets for ion-beam microscopy. This predicted superiority of exit-side emission likely arises from anisotropic kinetic emission. The charge induced in the graphene equilibrates on a sub-fs time scale, leading to only slight disturbances in the carbon lattice that are unlikely to damage the atomic structure for any of the beam parameters investigated here.
Association of Low Hourly Wages in Middle Age With Faster Memory Decline in Older Age: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Kezios Katrina L , Zhang Adina , Kim Soohyun , Lu Peiyi , Glymour M Maria , Elfassy Tali , Al Hazzouri Adina Zeki
Published: September 2022

Little research has investigated the long-term relationship between low wages and memory decline, despite the growing share of low-wage workers in the US labor market. Here, we examined whether cumulative exposure to low wages over 12 years in midlife is associated with memory decline in later life. Using 1992–2016 data from the Health and Retirement Study, we analyzed data from 2,879 individuals born in 1936–1941 using confounder-adjusted linear mixed-effects models. Low-wage work was defined as an hourly wage lower than two-thirds of the federal median wage for the corresponding year and was categorized into “never,” “intermittent,” and “sustained” based on wages earned from 1992 to 2004. Memory function was measured at each study visit from 2004 to 2016 via a memory composite score. The confounder-adjusted annual rate of memory decline among “never” low-wage earners was −0.12 standard units (95% confidence interval: −0.13, −0.10). Compared with this, memory decline among workers with sustained earning of low midlife wages was significantly faster (βtime×sustained = −0.014, 95% confidence interval: −0.02, −0.01), corresponding to an annual rate of −0.13 standard units for this group. Sustained low-wage earning in midlife was significantly associated with a downward trajectory of memory performance in older age. Enhancing social policies to protect low-wage workers may be especially beneficial for their cognitive health.
Spontaneous correction and new development of posterior crossbite from the deciduous to the mixed dentition
Authors: Khda Meryam , Kiliaridis Stavros , Antonarakis Gregory S
Published: September 2022

Aim

To determine (a) the prevalence of spontaneous correction of posterior crossbites from the deciduous to the mixed dentition and (b) the development of new posterior crossbite cases during the eruption of the first permanent molars, in orthodontically untreated children.

Materials and methods

A cohort of pupils aged 4–12 years participated in annual dental screenings, from 2001 to 2019. Data were collected prospectively but examined retrospectively. Children were selected who had been initially screened in their deciduous dentition and on at least one consecutive year, presenting with a posterior crossbite in the deciduous or mixed dentition. Those with a posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition were evaluated to see whether the crossbite persisted in the mixed dentition, and vice versa.

Results

Of the 2571 children participating in the annual dental screenings, 1076 children were in the deciduous dentition at their first screening appointment, with 693 having attended at least two screening appointments. Of these 693 children, 70 had a posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition (10.1%). The crossbite persisted in the mixed dentition in only 16 out of these 70 children. Twenty-six out of the 623 children who did not have a posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition developed one in the mixed dentition.

Limitations

The retrospective data collection, multiple examiners carrying out the dental screenings, and the absence of data on para-functions and oral habits were some of the limitations of the present study.

Conclusions

In the present sample, 1 in 10 children have a posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition, which is however autocorrected in about three-quarters of cases. On the other hand, 4% of children developed a new crossbite in the mixed dentition. It may thus be reasonable in cases with posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition to wait for the first permanent molars to erupt before initiating treatment.
How to evaluate resting ECG and imaging in children practising sport: a critical review and proposal of an algorithm for ECG interpretation
Authors: Ragazzoni Gian Luca , Cavigli Luna , Cavarretta Elena , Maffei Silvia , Mandoli Giulia Elena , Pastore Maria Concetta , Valente Serafina , Focardi Marta , Cameli Matteo , Di Salvo Giovanni , Pieles Guido , D’Ascenzi Flavio
Published: September 2022

The athlete’s heart is a well-known phenomenon in adults practising competitive sports. Unfortunately, to date, most of the studies on training-induced cardiac remodelling have been conducted in adults and the current recommendations refer mainly to adult individuals. However, an appropriate interpretation of resting ECG and imaging in children practising sports is crucial, given the possibility of early detect life-threatening conditions and managing therapy and eligibility to sports competitions in the rapidly growing paediatric athlete population. While several articles have been published on this topic in adult athletes, a practical guide for the clinical evaluation of paediatric athletes is still missing. In this critical review, we provided a comprehensive description of the current evidence on training-induced remodelling in paediatric athletes with a practical approach for clinicians on how to interpret the resting 12-lead ECG and cardiac imaging in the paediatric athlete. Indeed, given that training may mimic potential cardiovascular disorders, clinicians evaluating children practising sports should pay attention to the risk of missing a diagnosis of a life-threatening condition. However, this risk should be balanced with the risk of overdiagnosis and unwarranted disqualification from sports practice, when interpreting an ECG as pathological while, on the contrary, it may represent a physiological expression of athlete’s heart. Accordingly, we proposed an algorithm for the evaluation of normal, borderline, and abnormal ECG findings that can be useful for the readers for their daily clinical practice.
Association of Neutrophil Mediators With Dengue Disease Severity and Cardiac Impairment in Adults
Authors: Chia Po Ying , Teo Andrew , Yeo Tsin Wen
Published: September 2022

Background

Cardiac impairment contributes to hypotension in severe dengue (SD). However, studies examining pathogenic factors affecting dengue-associated cardiac impairment are lacking. We examined the role of neutrophil mediators on cardiac impairment in clinical dengue.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled adult patients with dengue and controls. Cardiac parameters were measured using a bioimpedance device. Neutrophils mediators were measured, including myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone H3.

Results

We recruited 107 dengue patients and 30 controls. Patients with dengue were classified according to World Health Organization 2009 guidelines (44 with dengue fever [DF], 51 with DF with warning signs, and 12 with SD). During critical phase, stroke index (P < .001), cardiac index (P = .03), and Granov-Goor index (P < .001) were significantly lower in patients with dengue than in controls. During critical phase, MPO was significantly higher in patients with dengue than in controls (P < .001) and also significantly higher in patients with SD than in those with DF. In addition, MPO was inversely associated with the stroke, cardiac, and Granov-Goor indexes, during the critical phase, and longitudinally as well.

Conclusions

Cardiac function was decreased, and MPO increased, during with critical phase in patients SD compared with those with DF and controls. MPO may mediate dengue-associated cardiac impairment.
Effect of Crop Rotation on Fusarium Mycotoxins and Fusarium Species in Cereals in Sichuan Province (China)
Authors: Dong Fei , Chen Xiangxiang , Lei Xinyu , Wu Deliang , Zhang Yifan , Lee Yin-Won , Mokoena Mduduzi P. , Olaniran Ademola O. , Li Ying , Shen Guanghui , Liu Xin , Xu Jian Hong , Shi Jian Rong
Published: September 2022

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of crop rotation on Fusarium mycotoxins and species in cereals in Sichuan Province. A total of 311 cereal samples were randomly collected and analyzed from 2018 to 2019 in Sichuan Province. The results of mycotoxin analysis showed that the major trichothecene mycotoxins in Sichuan Province were nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON), and the mean concentration of total trichothecenes (including NIV, fusarenone X [4ANIV], DON, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol [3ADON], and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol [15ADON]) in wheat was significantly higher than that in maize and rice. The concentration of total trichothecenes in the succeeding crops was significantly higher than that in the previous crops. In addition, wheat grown after maize had reduced incidence and concentration of trichothecene mycotoxins compared with that grown after rice, and ratooning rice grown after rice had increased incidence and concentration of trichothecene mycotoxins. Our data indicated that Fusarium asiaticum with the NIV chemotype was predominant in wheat and rice samples, while the number of the NIV chemotypes of F. asiaticum and Fusarium meridionale and the 15ADON chemotype of Fusarium graminearum in maize were almost the same. Although the composition of Fusarium species was affected by crop rotations, there were no differences when comparing the same crop rotation except for the maize–wheat rotation. Moreover, the same species and chemotype of Fusarium strains originated from different crops in various rotations, but there were no significant differences in pathogenicity in wheat and rice. These results contribute to the knowledge of the effect of crop rotation on Fusarium mycotoxins and species affecting cereals in Sichuan Province, which may lead to improved strategies for control of Fusarium mycotoxins and fungal disease in China.
Minimally Invasive Myomectomy: Practice Trends and Differences Between Black and Non-Black Women Within a Large Integrated Healthcare System
Authors: Zaritsky Eve , Le Amy , Tucker Lue-Yen , Ojo Anthonia , Weintraub Miranda Ritterman , Raine-Bennett Tina
Published: September 2022

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022;226:826.e1–826.e11)

Some studies indicate that up to 80% of Black women will develop uterine fibroids. Hysterectomy, the definitive surgical option for women with symptomatic fibroids, is not an option for those who have not completed childbearing or wish to preserve their fertility.
Better Together. Group versus individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for tinnitus: A Multiple-Baseline Single-Case Experimental Design
Authors: Lourenco Matheus P.C.G. , Fuller Thomas E. , Ranson Saskia , Vlaeyen Johan W.S. , Cima Rilana F.F.
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

Chronic tinnitus is effectively treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Both group and individual CBT for tinnitus are effective, but no study has directly compared the two. The current study explores group versus individual CBT for tinnitus.

Design:

A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design was employed to observe changes within/between individual and group treatments. Six participants started a 10-week CBT protocol and were equally divided into individual or group treatment. Participants were exchanged between treatments at random time points. Diary data included 14 variables on tinnitus experience (e.g. annoyance and distraction) and wellbeing (e.g. happiness and stress). Five male participants (59- to 67-year-old) completed treatment.

Results:

Randomization tests comparing means between individual and group treatments did not reveal significant differences. Analysis of data overlap and trend (Tau-U) revealed minor significant improvements for seven variables (50%) in group treatment as compared to individual treatment. Diminished happiness and activity levels were observed in participants who went from group to individual treatment.

Conclusions:

Low effect sizes and homogeneity of sample restrict the generalizability of data. Group CBT indicated potential benefits when compared to individual CBT. Social learning may be an underlying process in group delivery boosting tinnitus recovery. Findings are limited to male patients with chronic disabling tinnitus.
A Summary of the Current Efforts of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association Task Force for Patient Mental Health Care
Authors: Wolinsky Philip , Ring David , Vallier Heather
Published: September 2022

Caring for patients' mental health and their physical health is critical during recovery after trauma. The Orthopaedic Trauma Association has created a patient mental health task force to address the mental health care aspect of our patients' care. This article summarizes the task forces goals and activities to date.
Patient Mental Health and Well-being: Its Impact on Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes
Authors: Stinner Daniel J. , Mir Hassan R.
Published: September 2022

A patient's mental health can have a significant impact on their orthopaedic trauma outcome. It is important for orthopaedic surgeons to identify patients at risk for a poor outcome based on their mental health, to include the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, among others. Although some behaviors such as catastrophizing have been associated with worse outcomes, others, such as possessing greater self-efficacy have been associated with improved outcomes. Because of the high prevalence of mental health conditions that can have a detrimental effect on outcome, screening should be routinely conducted and at-risk patients referred to appropriate resources in an effort to optimize outcomes.
Combat Trauma-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Scoping Review
Authors: Broderick Joseph C , Mancha Fabiola , Long Brit J. , Maddry Joseph K. , Chung Kevin K. , Schauer Steven G.
Published: September 2022

OBJECTIVE:

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are known complications of injuries in combat casualties, but there has been no review characterizing them. This scoping review aims to map the combat trauma-related ALI/ARDS literature and characterize these conditions in the military population.

DATA SOURCES:

Pubmed was searched from 1969 to April 2022.

STUDY SELECTION:

Studies were included if they examined ALI/ARDS or related entities (blast lung injury [BLI], transfusion-related acute lung injury, and acute respiratory failure) in combat trauma patients in the military (U.S. or allied forces).

DATA EXTRACTION:

Study years, design, location, number of patients, target outcomes as related to ALI/ARDS or related entities, and results were collected.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

The initial search yielded 442 studies, with 22 ultimately included. Literature on ALI/ARDS comes mostly from retrospective data and case studies, with limited prospective studies. The incidence and prevalence of ALI/ARDS range from 3% to 33%, and mortality 12.8% to 33%. BLI, a known antecedent to ALI/ARDS, has an incidence and mortality ranging from 1.4% to 40% and 11% to 56%, respectively. Risk factors for ALI/ARDS include pulmonary injury, inhalation injury, blunt trauma, pneumonia, higher military injury severity score, higher injury severity score, higher fresh frozen plasma volumes, higher plasma and platelet volumes, the use of warm fresh whole blood, female sex, low blood pressure, and tachycardia. Literature has demonstrated the effectiveness in transportation of these patients and the utility of extracorporeal life support.

CONCLUSIONS:

ALI/ARDS incidences and prevalences in modern conflict range from 3% to 33%, with mortality ranging from 12.8% to 33%. ALI/ARDS has been associated with injury severity metrics, injury type, resuscitative fluid amount and type, vital signs, and patient demographics. Studies are limited to mostly retrospective data, and more data are needed to better characterize these conditions.
Is reducing the early postoperative complications of percutaneous suprapubic catheterization affected by the method of healthcare education in low-literacy patients? A prospective randomized comparative study
Authors: Gadelkareem Rabea Ahmed , Abozead Shalabia Elsayed , Khalaf Rasha Abozead , Mohammed Nasreldin , Khalil Shaymaa Sayed
Published: September 2022

Background

Suprapubic catheters (SPCs) are associated with a wide spectrum of undesirable symptoms and complications, ranging from skin overgranulation to septicemia. They can be effectively managed through various medical and healthcare interventions. We compared the impact of illustrated brochure healthcare education (IBHE) and verbal-only healthcare education (VOHE) on early postoperative complications of SPC in patients with low literacy levels.

Materials and methods

Eighty patients with low literacy levels who underwent SPC insertion were randomly allocated to receive either IBHE or VOHE between January 2019 and June 2020. Variables, including postoperative complications (within 30 days), were compared. This study was approved by our institutional review board (IRB number: 1780011/2019).

Results

The IBHE and VOHE groups included 40 patients each. The mean age ± standard deviation was 52.75 ± 16.46 and 53.25 ± 17.19 years, respectively. Acute urinary retention was the main presenting symptom (36 [90%] vs. 34 [85%]), and benign prostatic hyperplasia was the main underlying pathology (16 [40%] vs. 15 [37.5%]). The incidence of SPC obstruction (p = 0.000), urine leakage (p = 0.006), falling out (p = 0.003), suprapubic pain (p = 0.012), exit skin manifestations (p = 0.000), bleeding (p = 0.041), change (p = 0.003), and hematuria (p = 0.000) was significantly lower in IBHE than in VOHE. However, catheter-associated bladder discomfort (p = 0.247), bacteriuria (p = 0.154), and gross pyuria (p = 0.625) were not significantly different between the groups. The frequency of Clavien-Dindo grades was significantly higher in the VOHE group than in the IBHE group. Grade I (87.5% vs. 67.5%, p = 0.032) and grade IIIa (2.5% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.007) were significantly more frequent in the highest grade in IBHE and VOHE groups, respectively.

Conclusions

IBHE appears to be a suitable and effective method for educating low-literacy patients undergoing SPC insertion. It significantly reduced the incidence and grade of early postoperative SPC complications compared with VOHE, except for catheter-associated bladder discomfort, bacteriuria, and gross pyuria.
Cowden Disease: A Review
Authors: Magaña Mario , Landeta-Sa Ana P. , López-Flores Yessica
Published: September 2022

PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PTHS) includes diseases with germline pathogenic variants in the PTEN gene. Cowden syndrome is included in this syndrome. PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 10q22-23; nearly 60%–90% of pathogenic variants are inherited. Cowden syndrome is a rare autosomic dominant condition, affecting approximately 1/200,000 people worldwide. Patients present benign and, malignant neoplasms in multiple organs, mostly breast and thyroid. The skin is the organ affected most consistently by Cowden disease. It is an autosomal dominant condition, characterized clinically by the presence of innumerable verrucous lesions on the skin. Interpretations of histopathologic findings in the cutaneous and mucosal lesions continue to be a matter of debate.
Unique Variation of Barber’s Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Grady Edmund Michael , Ozyurekoglu Tuna
Published: September 2022

Barber’s disease is an occupational-related disease in which small hair fragments penetrate the dermis of the hand. Although there is limited literature related to the topic, barber’s disease classically involves the interdigital space of hairdressers’ hands. In this case report, we report an undescribed variation of the condition. The case involves a female hair stylist who presented to the office with numerous hair splinters under the nail plate of her dominant thumb. Subsequent evaluation revealed cystic destruction of the distal phalanx of the thumb. Despite preoperative suspicion for osteomyelitis, pathology revealed reactive bone fragments associated with surrounding tenosynovial tissue and no evidence of osteomyelitis. The proposed etiology of this finding is the inflammatory process related to a hair abscess that formed with a sinus originating in the lateral nail fold. The goal of the case report is to bring to light yet another variation of barber’s disease.
Intraspinal choristoma in the lumbar region: A case report
Authors: Yang Jinxin , Liang Qianlei , Wang Yan , Han Liang , Guo Yongchuan
Published: September 2022

Rationale:

Intraspinal choristoma is a relatively uncommon intervertebral canal tumor. Prior to our reports, only 2 cases of intraspinal choristoma had been reported. Because this disease is not common and looks like a mass of fatty tissue on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intraspinal choristoma can be easily misdiagnosed as teratomas or lipomas (like the case of this article presenting) without a pathology report. So if a lumber intraspinal lesion is discovered in a clinical examination, intraspinal choristoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis. We present a case of intraspinal choristoma that is unlike any other reported case.

Patient concerns:

A 35-year-old woman with left lower extremity hypoesthesia and burning-like pain in the lumbar region for 1 month visited the local hospital for plain lumbar spine MRI. The patient was diagnosed with a lumbar space-occupying lesion. A second plain lumbar spine MRI scan and a MRI scan with enhancement were performed in our hospital to confirm the presence of a congenital lipoma in the spinal canal. A postoperative biopsy of the lumbar spinal mass indicated that the mass was an intraspinal choristoma located in the spinal canal.

Diagnosis:

Intraspinal choristoma.

Intervention:

The lesion was surgically removed, and follow-up plain and enhanced MRI images of the patient’s lumbar spine were obtained.

Outcomes:

After surgery, the patient no longer experienced the burning pain in her lumbar region or the left lower extremity hypoesthesia when the patient was discharged. And there was no evidence of recurrence 2 years after the surgery.

Lessons:

The MRI presentation of intraspinal choristoma is similar to intraspinal lipoma. Therefore, a pathological assessment is critical to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Clinical efficacy and safety of removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm in the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Yang Yang , Yuan Can Xing , Gu Chao
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds:

Epilepsy is a chronic encephalopathy caused by abnormal discharge of neurons in the brain, resulting in brain dysfunction. Cognitive impairment is one of the most common complications of epilepsy. The current treatment of epilepsy in the control of symptoms at the same time cause a lot of side effects, especially the aggravation of cognitive impairment. Many literatures have stated that the efficacy and safety of integrated Traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment is superior to that of western medicine alone. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we intend to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of removing stasis and resolving phlegm in the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment.

Objective:

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm in the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment.

Methods:

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic review. The Chinese Journal Full Text Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, CQVIP Database (CQVIP), Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Pubmed were searched by computer, and randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm in the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive disorders were included. Retrieval was carried out until January 2022, and relevant data were extracted for meta-analysis using Rev Man5.3 software.

Results:

Fourteen randomized controlled studies with a total of 1198 patients were included, including 601 patients in the control group and 597 patients in the treatment group (experimental group).

Results:

Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment in the western anti-epileptic drugs group alone, the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment combined with the method of removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm could significantly improve the clinical efficacy of epilepsy (OR = 3.41, 95% CI 2.39–4.88, P < .001). Improved the TCM symptom score (OR = 3.99, 95% CI 1.72–9.26, P < .001). Increased the EEG improvement rate (RR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.05–1.84, P = .02). Improved MOCA score and cognitive function (MD = 3.54, 95% CI 1.68–5.40, P < .001). Improved QOLIE-31 cognitive function score. Improved cognitive function (MD = 7.22, 95% CI 3.35–11.08, P < .001). Improved the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.33–0.76, P = .001).

Conclusion:

Compared with the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment by western anti-epileptic drugs alone, the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment combined with the method of removing blood stasis and resolving phlegm is superior to the treatment of epilepsy with cognitive impairment by western anti-epileptic drugs alone.
Identification of signature of gene expression in biliary atresia using weighted gene co-expression network analysis
Authors: Wang Yongliang , Yuan Hongtao , Zhao Maojun , Fang Li
Published: September 2022

Biliary atresia (BA) is the most common cause of obstructive jaundice during the neonatal period. This study aimed to identify gene expression signature in BA. The datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified a critical module associated with BA, whereas Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed the functions of the essential modules. The high-connectivity genes in the most relevant module constructed protein–protein interaction networks via the string website and Cytoscape software. Hub genes screened by lasso regression consisted of a disease classification model using the randomforest method. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess models’ sensitivity and specificity and the model was verified using the internal and external validation sets. Ten gene modules were constructed by WGCNA, of which the brown module had a strong positive correlation with BA, comprising 443 genes. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that module genes were mainly involved in biological processes, such as extracellular matrix organization, cell adhesion, inflammatory response, and the Notch pathway (P < .001), whereas these genes were involved in the metabolic pathways and cell adhesion molecules (P < .001). Thirty-nine high-connectivity genes in the brown module constructed protein-protein interaction networks. keratin 7 (KRT7) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) were used to construct a diagnostic model that had an accuracy of 93.6% and the area under the receiver operating curves for the model was 0.93. The study provided insight into the signature of gene expression and possible pathogenesis of BA; furthermore, it identified that the combination of KRT7 and CXCL8 could be a potential diagnostic model for BA.