bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of alternating magnetic field on the quality of fresh‐cut apples in cold storage
Authors: Lv Liping , Jin Yamei , Yang Na , Zhang Lingtao , Cui Bo , Xu Xueming , Jin Zhengyu
Published: May 2022

This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of alternating magnetic field (MF) on enzymatic browning, physicochemical properties and microbial proliferation of fresh‐cut apples during cold storage. The results showed that after 9‐day storage, the browning index of apple slices increased by 174.07% in the conventional refrigerated group but by only 132.32% in the alternating MF group, the total number of colonies in the alternating MF group was 1.32 log CFU g−1, less than that in the conventional refrigerated samples. The soluble solids and firmness of the MF group were 16.47% and 28.79% higher than those of the control group. The alternating MF significantly inhibited the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) and exerted a significant effect on the tertiary structure of enzymes. Except for maintaining the good sensory quality, the MF also suppressed the growth of microorganisms in fresh‐cut apples and extended their shelf life by at least 2 days.
Germinated high‐resistant starch rice: A potential novel functional food
Authors: Liu Tian , Zhou Yufeng , Wu Dianxing , Chen Qihe , Shu Xiaoli
Published: May 2022

High‐resistant starch rice has been showing great potent in preventing diabetes but with inferior eating quality. Germinated brown rice (GBR) shows improved eating quality, GBR intake can reduce the risk of some chronic diseases and is beneficial for human health. Germination treatment might be a good solution to the dilemma between nutrition and sensory qualities. To deepen the understanding on the physiochemical properties of high RS rice during germination and widen the applications of high RS rice in functional food industry. The rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant RS4 (RS ca.10.3%), GZ93 (RS ca.0.1%) and the wild‐type R7954 (RS ca.1.6%) were used to investigate the primary physicochemical properties, antioxidant and functional substances after germination. After germination, though the contents of RS were decreased in R7954, GZ93 and RS4, the RS content in RS4 was still as high as 4.09%. Meantime, RS4 exhibited pronouncedly enhanced lipids, free glucose, polyphenolic compositions, flavonoid, GABA and β‐glucan contents after germination. Germination treatment decreased the gelatinisation temperature of RS4, made RS4 cooked easier but maintained lower digestibility and higher nutrients. Germinated RS4 with high RS content might be potent in food industry as antioxidant, hypolipidaemic and immune‐enhancing ingredients.
RASSF4 inhibits cell proliferation and increases drug sensitivity in colorectal cancer through YAP/Bcl‐2 pathway
Authors: Han Yong , Zhang Xiaotang , Guan Minmin , Huo Cheng , Yu Chunlin , Hu Bin , Cai Jianjun
Published: May 2022

The RASSF family proteins have been implicated in the development of human cancers. To date, the expression pattern and biological significance of RASSF4 in colorectal cancers (CRC) have not been fully investigated. In the current study, we explored expression pattern of RASSF4 in 118 CRC specimens and 30 adjacent ‘normal’ colon tissues by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that RASSF4 was downregulated in CRC tissues compared with adjacent ‘normal’ tissues. RASSF4 downregulation significantly associated with advanced tumour‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, T status, positive node status and high Ki‐67 index. Analysis of TCGA dataset also supported RASSF4 downregulation in CRC tissues. Ectopically expressed RASSF4 in LoVo cells inhibited cell growth, colony formation, cell cycle progression and increased the sensitivity to 5‐FU treatment. Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay showed that RASSF4 overexpression increased 5‐FU‐induced apoptosis and downregulated the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, Western blot demonstrated that RASSF4 overexpression repressed YAP and Bcl‐2 while upregulating p21 expression. YAP knockdown abolished the role of RASSF4 on Bcl‐2. ChIP assay showed that TEAD4, a major YAP binding transcription factor, could bind to the promoter regions of Bcl‐2. In conclusion, our data showed that RASSF4 was downregulated in human CRC. RASSF4 regulated malignant behaviour through YAP/Bcl‐2 signalling in CRC cells.
Atrophic papulosis (Köhlmeier–Degos disease) revisited: a cross‐sectional study on 105 patients
Authors: Kaleta K.P. , Jarienė V. , Theodoridis A. , Nikolakis G. , Zouboulis C.C.
Published: May 2022

Background

Atrophic papulosis is a very rare vascular disease of unknown pathogenesis, mostly described by case reports.

Objective

To assess demographic data and prognosis in patients with atrophic papulosis.

Methods

A single‐centre study was performed on a series of 105 patients with atrophic papulosis, diagnosed 2000–2021. Patients were referred and diagnosed at the evaluation centre and patients' clinical data were provided by the Degos Support Network and evaluated by the authors for confirming the diagnosis of skin lesions and fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for a malignant subset. A unique set of variables were collected from all patients.

Results

The mean age of disease onset was 33.3 ± 18.3 years and the male‐to‐female ratio was 1:1.6. The family history rate was 8.1%. The classification into a benign, merely cutaneous disease (benign atrophic papulosis), and malignant atrophic papulosis, associating cutaneous and visceral lesions was confirmed due to their striking prognostic difference. Benign atrophic papulosis was detected in 41% of the patients with no deaths occurring throughout the follow‐up period (median 3.00 years; range 0.13–23). Malignant atrophic papulosis was reported in 59% of patients with 47.5% multisystemic involvement and a median skin lesion onset to systemic symptoms duration of 0.54 years (−6 to 20). The gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system were equally involved; however, the neurological involvement‐caused death rate was slightly higher. The disease‐specific mortality rate of malignant atrophic papulosis was 22.6%.

Conclusions

Atrophic papulosis presents with a striking prognostic difference of benign – merely cutaneous – involvement or quickly developing – into less than 1 year – malignant subset, associating cutaneous and visceral lesions and multiorgan involvement in 1/2 of the patients, which leads to premature, disease‐specific mortality in 1/4 of the cases. Central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract complications are the major reasons for disease‐specific death. Over the years, the diagnosis of severe nervous system involvement has become more common.
The association of six autoimmune bullous diseases with thyroid disorders: a population‐based study
Authors: Kridin K. , Hübner F. , Linder R. , Schmidt E.
Published: May 2022

Background

The association of autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) with thyroid disorders remains to be profoundly investigated.

Objective

To evaluate the epidemiological association between six AIBDs and thyroid disorders.

Methods

A population‐based cross‐sectional study enrolled patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), pemphigoid gestationis (PG), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF). Patients with these six AIBDs were compared with six age‐ and sex‐matched control groups regarding the prevalence of thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for thyroid disorders.

Results

The study population included 1,743, 251, 106, 126, 860 and 103 patients with BP, MMP, EBA, PG, PV and PF respectively. The corresponding control groups consisted of 10,141, 1,386, 606, 933, 5,142 and 588 matched controls respectively. A significant association was found between thyroiditis and BP (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.18–3.35; P = 0.010), MMP (OR, 7.02; 95% CI, 1.87–26.33; P = 0.004) and PV (OR, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.45–5.15; P = 0.002). With regards to hyperthyroidism, PF was the only AIBD to demonstrate significant comorbidity (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.13–5.21; P = 0.024). EBA and PG were not found to cluster with any of the investigated thyroid conditions.

Conclusion

Patients with BP, MMP, PV and PF experience an elevated burden of thyroid disorders. Patients with these AIBDs presenting with suggestive symptoms may be carefully screened for comorbid thyroid disorders.
The effect of lime oil emulsion on seed germination, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of hydroponic baby green oak lettuce for the assurance of safety from farm to fork
Authors: Parichanon Prangthip , Promwee Athakorn , Songsamoe Sumethee , Matan Narumol
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of soaking lettuce seeds in a lime oil emulsion at 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 μl/ml before growing them in a hydroponic plantation. After harvesting baby lettuce at Day 21, all lettuce was kept inside the refrigerator (4 ± 2°C) for the next 7 days. The microbiological quality and the antioxidant properties of lettuce were also investigated. The results revealed that while lime oil emulsion at 10 μl/ml had no effect on seed germination, it delayed the growth of black spot molds and reduced the incidence and severity of black spot fungal disease in baby lettuce by around 87.5%. The morphology of Alternaria sp. and Cercospora sp. shows ruptured conidia and shriveled and damaged mycelium, with a decrease in fungal infection in baby lettuce. In addition, α‐terpineol (~53%) was identified from treated baby lettuce after 21 days that was able to inhibit growth of molds. Regarding the microbial eating quality of baby lettuce, mesophiles (~3.0 log10 CFU/g), psychrophiles (~3.6 log10 CFU/g), total coliforms (~1.3 log10 CFU/g), total yeast and mold (~2.0 log10 CFU/g) and lactic acid bacteria (~3.7 log10 CFU/g) were significantly reduced in the treated lettuce. The antioxidant capacity in the treated lettuce was higher than the control and maintained stability without affecting its leafy green color and chlorophyll content. This finding is critical for horticulture, particularly in hydroponic vegetable farming. It can be applied in food safety from farm to fork.
An Integrative Model of the Role of Structural, Behavioural, and Cognitive Coordination in Intergroup Effectiveness: How Middle Managers Play a Role
Authors: Porck Jeanine Pieternel , van Knippenberg Daan
Published: May 2022

Coordinating interdependent teams' effective performance of joint tasks presents serious challenges to organizations and their middle managers. But an integrative theoretical understanding of how to coordinate such intergroup effectiveness and what role middle managers play is missing. Consolidating three separate literatures, we develop an integrative framework of the role of and interactions between structural, behavioural, and cognitive coordination in intergroup effectiveness. We propose that behavioural coordination through middle manager boundary spanning and cognitive coordination through intergroup strategic consensus (shared understanding of strategy between teams) can substitute for structural coordination (i.e., when teams do not share division membership). Moreover, we hypothesize that behavioural coordination and cognitive coordination strengthen each other in improving intergroup effectiveness. Multisource data on 188 intergroup dyads support our predictions. Our integrative framework elucidates how these coordination mechanisms combine in driving intergroup effectiveness and suggests that middle managers and their boundary spanning have a critical role in modern team‐based organizations.
Suicide bereavement in the UK: Descriptive findings from a national survey
Authors: McDonnell Sharon , Flynn Sandra , Shaw Jenny , Smith Shirley , McGale Barry , Hunt Isabelle M.
Published: May 2022

Background

Those bereaved by suicide are a high‐risk group of adverse health outcomes and suicidal behavior, yet little is known about the experiences and support needs of these individuals in the UK.

Methods

We conducted a national cross‐sectional study using an online survey and analyzed the experiences of 7158 participants who had been bereaved or affected by suicide.

Results

Suicide had a major impact on 77% of participants, including those who had lost a friend and those exposed to suicide at a professional level. Mental and physical health problems linked to the suicide were reported in half. Adverse social outcomes and engaging in high‐risk behaviors following the suicide were common. Over a third reported suicidal ideation and 8% had attempted suicide as a direct result of the suicide loss. Most had not accessed support services, with the majority viewing provision of local suicide bereavement support as inadequate.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the need for a multi‐disciplinary approach in postvention and the provision of proactive outreach to support those bereaved by suicide. Postvention efforts need to acknowledge the death of a friend by suicide as a significant loss.
Statins effect on insulin resistance after a meal and exercise in hypercholesterolemic pre‐diabetic individuals
Authors: Alvarez‐Jimenez Laura , Morales‐Palomo Felix , Moreno‐Cabañas Alfonso , Ortega Juan Fernando , Mora‐Rodriguez Ricardo
Published: May 2022

Aim

To study if statins, a widely prescribed, inexpensive medication to prevent coronary artery diseases may cause insulin resistance (IR).

Methods

Fasted (HOMA‐IR) and post‐meal insulin resistance were assessed in 21 pre‐diabetic hypercholesterolemic individuals treated with statins (STA trial). Measurements were compared to another trial conducted 96 h after statin withdrawal using placebo pills (PLAC trial). Trials were duplicated 16–18 h after a bout of moderate‐intensity exercise (500 kcal of energy expenditure) to reduce IR and better appreciate statin effects (EXER+STA and EXER+PLAC trials).

Results

Statin withdrawal did not affect fasting (HOMA‐IR; 2.35 ± 1.05 vs. 2.18 ± 0.87 for STA vs. PLAC trials; p = 0.150) or post‐meal insulin resistance (i.e., Matsuda‐index, STA 6.23 ± 2.83 vs. PLAC 6.49 ± 3.74; p = 0.536). A bout of aerobic exercise lowered post‐meal IR (p = 0.043), but statin withdrawal did not add to the exercise actions (p = 0.564). Statin withdrawal increased post‐meal plasma free glycerol concentrations (0.136 ± 0.073 vs. 0.185 ± 0.090 mmol·L−1 for STA vs. PLAC trials; p < 0.001) but not plasma free fatty acids or fat oxidation (p = 0.981, and p = 0.621, respectively). Post‐meal fat oxidation was higher in the exercise trials (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Withdrawal of statin medication does not affect fasting or post‐meal insulin resistance in pre‐diabetic hypercholesterolemic individuals. Furthermore, statin use does not interfere with the beneficial effects of exercise on lowering IR.
Outer retinal thickness and visibility of the choriocapillaris in four distinct retinal regions imaged with spectral domain optical coherence tomography in dogs and cats
Authors: Mischi Elisa , Soukup Petr , Harman Christine D. , Oikawa Kazuya , Kowalska Malwina E. , Hartnack Sonja , McLellan Gillian J. , Komáromy András M. , Pot Simon A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the outer retinal band thickness and choriocapillaris (CC) visibility in four distinct retinal regions in dogs and cats imaged with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT). To attempt delineation of a fovea‐like region in canine and feline SD‐OCT scans, aided by the identification of outer retinal thickness differences between retinal regions.

Methods

Spectralis® HRA + OCT SD‐OCT scans from healthy, anesthetized dogs (n = 10) and cats (n = 12) were analyzed. Scanlines on which the CC was identifiable were counted and CC visibility was scored. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and the distances from external limiting membrane (ELM) to retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch's membrane complex (RPE/BM) and ELM to CC were measured in the area centralis (AC), a visually identified fovea‐like region, and in regions superior and inferior to the optic nerve head (ONH). Measurements were analyzed using a multilevel regression.

Results

The CC was visible in over 90% of scanlines from dogs and cats. The ONL was consistently thinnest in the fovea‐like region. The outer retina (ELM‐RPE and ELM‐CC) was thickest within the AC compared with superior and inferior to the ONH in dogs and cats (p < .001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions

The CC appears a valid, albeit less than ideal outer retinal boundary marker in tapetal species. The AC can be objectively differentiated from the surrounding retina on SD‐OCT images of dogs and cats; a fovea‐like region was identified in dogs and its presence was suggested in cats. These findings allow targeted imaging and image evaluation of these regions of retinal specialization.
Phase Change Material Behavior in Finite Thickness Slabs Under a Step Response Heat
Authors: Deckard Michael , Sharar Darin J. , Fish Michael , Shamberger Patrick J.
Published: May 2022

Phase change materials (PCMs) can provide thermal buffering to systems that experience transient heat loads, including electronics and optoelectronics packaging. Placing the PCM in the primary path of heat rejection decreases the thermal resistance between the heat source and the PCM volume, but increases the total thermal resistance between the heat source and heat sink. In systems that operate in both steady-state and transient regimes, this introduces tradeoffs between cooling performance in these distinct regimes. Employing a conductive finite volume model, Parapower, we investigate those tradeoffs considering the impact of adding a layer of gallium (Ga), a low melting point metal, and a layer of copper (Cu) between a planar heat source and a convective boundary condition heatsink. We demonstrate: (1) side-by-side comparisons of latent (Ga) and sensible (Cu) heat storage layers must consider different layer thicknesses to account for the different thermal storage mechanisms, (2) for short periods of time, conditions exist in which a PCM outperforms a traditional heat sink for transient thermal buffering at an equivalent steady-state temperature rise, and (3) under these conditions, the Ga layer is approximately an order of magnitude thinner than the equivalent Cu, leading to significant mass and volume savings.
An Exploratory Investigation of the Body Image and Health Behavior Transition in Retiring Intercollegiate Athletes
Authors: Galli Nick , Shodahl Skye , Otten Mark P.
Published: May 2022

Because an athletes’ body is central to their identity, it is important to consider the ramifications of retirement from sport on their well-being. Using a single-group pre–post test design, the purpose of this exploratory study was to expand on the current state of knowledge regarding the body image and health behavior transition of retired intercollegiate athletes. Ten athletes from three institutions completed demographic and health behavior questions, the Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire, and selected items from the Body Parts Satisfaction Scale-Revised online prior to and after retirement (M = 305 days). Although most athletes reported maintaining healthy patterns of nutrition and physical activity in retirement, results showed that body satisfaction significantly declined, and that actual–ideal body discrepancy increased, albeit to a nonsignificant degree. National Collegiate Athletic Association athletics departments to consider how they can more effectively empower athletes to take care of and appreciate their body even after the final performance.
Observation of photonic constant-intensity waves and induced transparency in tailored non-Hermitian lattices
Authors: Steinfurth Andrea , Krešić Ivor , Weidemann Sebastian , Kremer Mark , Makris Konstantinos G. , Heinrich Matthias , Rotter Stefan , Szameit Alexander
Published: May 2022

Light propagation is strongly affected by scattering due to imperfections in the complex medium. It has been recently theoretically predicted that a scattering-free transport through an inhomogeneous medium is achievable by non-Hermitian tailoring of the complex refractive index. Here, we implement photonic constant-intensity waves in an inhomogeneous, linear, discrete mesh lattice. By extending the existing theoretical framework, we experimentally show that a driven non-Hermitian tailoring allows us to control the propagation and diffraction of light even in highly disordered systems. In this vein, we demonstrate the transmission of shape-preserving beams and the seemingly undistorted propagation of light excitations across a strongly inhomogeneous non-Hermitian photonic lattice that can be realized by coupled optical fiber loops. Our results lead to a deeper understanding of non-Hermitian wave control and further contribute to the development of non-Hermitian photonics.
Differential metabolic requirement governed by transcription factor c-Maf dictates innate γδT17 effector functionality in mice and humans
Authors: Chen Xu , Cai Yihua , Hu Xiaoling , Ding Chuanlin , He Liqing , Zhang Xiang , Chen Fuxiang , Yan Jun
Published: May 2022

Cellular metabolism has been proposed to govern distinct γδ T cell effector functions, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We show that interleukin-17 (IL-17)–producing γδ T (γδT17) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)–producing γδ T (γδT1) cells have differential metabolic requirements and that the rate-limiting enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) acts as a metabolic checkpoint for their effector functions. Intriguingly, the transcription factor c-Maf regulates γδT17 effector function through direct regulation of IDH2 promoter activity. Moreover, mTORC2 affects the expression of c-Maf and IDH2 and subsequent IL-17 production in γδ T cells. Deletion of c-Maf in γδ T cells reduces metastatic lung cancer development, suggesting c-Maf as a potential target for cancer immune therapy. We show that c-Maf also controls IL-17 production in human γδ T cells from peripheral blood and in oral cancers. These results demonstrate a critical role of the transcription factor c-Maf in regulating γδT17 effector function through IDH2-mediated metabolic reprogramming.
Structural basis of autoinhibition of the human NHE3-CHP1 complex
Authors: Dong Yanli , Li Hang , Ilie Alina , Gao Yiwei , Boucher Annie , Zhang Xuejun Cai , Orlowski John , Zhao Yan
Published: May 2022

Sodium-proton exchanger 3 (NHE3/SLC9A3) located in the apical membrane of renal and gastrointestinal epithelia mediates salt and fluid absorption and regulates pH homeostasis. As an auxiliary regulatory factor of NHE proteins, calcineurin B homologous protein 1 (CHP1) facilitates NHE3 maturation, plasmalemmal expression, and pH sensitivity. Dysfunctions of NHE3 are associated with renal and digestive system disorders. Here, we report the cryo–electron microscopy structure of the human NHE3-CHP1 complex in its inward-facing conformation. We found that a cytosolic helix-loop-helix motif in NHE3 blocks the intracellular cavity formed between the core and dimerization domains, functioning as an autoinhibitory element and hindering substrate transport. Furthermore, two phosphatidylinositol molecules are found to bind to the peripheric juxtamembrane sides of the complex, function as anchors to stabilize the complex, and may thus enhance its transport activity.
Fully portable continuous real-time auscultation with a soft wearable stethoscope designed for automated disease diagnosis
Authors: Lee Sung Hoon , Kim Yun-Soung , Yeo Min-Kyung , Mahmood Musa , Zavanelli Nathan , Chung Chaeuk , Heo Jun Young , Kim Yoonjoo , Jung Sung-Soo , Yeo Woon-Hong
Published: May 2022

Modern auscultation, using digital stethoscopes, provides a better solution than conventional methods in sound recording and visualization. However, current digital stethoscopes are too bulky and nonconformal to the skin for continuous auscultation. Moreover, motion artifacts from the rigidity cause friction noise, leading to inaccurate diagnoses. Here, we report a class of technologies that offers real-time, wireless, continuous auscultation using a soft wearable system as a quantitative disease diagnosis tool for various diseases. The soft device can detect continuous cardiopulmonary sounds with minimal noise and classify real-time signal abnormalities. A clinical study with multiple patients and control subjects captures the unique advantage of the wearable auscultation method with embedded machine learning for automated diagnoses of four types of lung diseases: crackle, wheeze, stridor, and rhonchi, with a 95% accuracy. The soft system also demonstrates the potential for a sleep study by detecting disordered breathing for home sleep and apnea detection.
A pipeline inspection robot for navigating tubular environments in the sub-centimeter scale
Authors: Tang Chao , Du Boyuan , Jiang Songwen , Shao Qi , Dong Xuguang , Liu Xin-Jun , Zhao Huichan
Published: May 2022

In complex systems like aircraft engines and oil refinery machines, pipeline inspection is an essential task for ensuring safety. Here, we proposed a type of smart material–driven pipeline inspection robot (weight, 2.2 grams; length, 47 millimeters; diameter, <10 millimeters) that could fit into pipes with sub-centimeter diameters and different curvatures. We adopted high–power density, long-life dielectric elastomer actuators as artificial muscles and smart composite microstructure–based, high-efficiency anchoring units as transmissions. Fast assembling of components using magnets with an adjustable number of units was used to fit varying pipeline geometries. We analyzed the dynamic characteristics of the robots by considering soft material’s unique properties like viscoelasticity and dynamic vibrations and tuned the activation voltage’s frequency and phase accordingly. Powered by tethered cables from outside the pipe, our peristaltic pipeline robot achieved rapid motions horizontally and vertically (horizontal: 1.19 body lengths per second, vertical: 1.08 body lengths per second) in a subcentimeter-sized pipe (diameter, 9.8 millimeters). Besides, it was capable of moving in pipes with varying geometries (diameter-changing pipe, L-shaped pipe, S-shaped pipe, or spiral-shaped pipe), filled media (air or oil), and materials (glass, metal, or carbon fiber). To demonstrate its capability for pipeline inspection, we installed a miniature camera on its front and controlled the robot manually from outside. The robot successfully finished an inspection task at different speeds.
The Power of Touch: Type 4 Pili, the von Willebrand A Domain, and Surface Sensing by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Webster Shanice S. , Wong Gerard C. L. , O’Toole George A.
Published: May 2022

Most microbes in the biosphere are attached to surfaces, where they experience mechanical forces due to hydrodynamic flow and cell-to-substratum interactions. These forces likely serve as mechanical cues that influence bacterial physiology and eventually drive environmental adaptation and fitness.
Microbiome-Independent Effects of Antibiotics in a Murine Model of Nosocomial Infections
Authors: Lacey Keenan A. , Gonzalez Sandra , Yeung Frank , Putzel Gregory , Podkowik Magdalena , Pironti Alejandro , Shopsin Bo , Cadwell Ken , Torres Victor J.
Published: May 2022

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens are responsible for over 2.8 million infections and over 35,000 deaths per year in the United States. To study these microbes, animal models that are susceptible to these pathogens are required.
Penicillanic Acid Sulfones Inactivate the Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase CTX-M-15 through Formation of a Serine-Lysine Cross-Link: an Alternative Mechanism of β-Lactamase Inhibition
Authors: Hinchliffe Philip , Tooke Catherine L. , Bethel Christopher R. , Wang Benlian , Arthur Christopher , Heesom Kate J. , Shapiro Stuart , Schlatzer Daniela M. , Papp-Wallace Krisztina M. , Bonomo Robert A. , Spencer James
Published: May 2022

β-Lactams are the most prescribed antibiotic class for treating bacterial diseases, but their continued efficacy is threatened by bacterial strains producing β-lactamase enzymes that catalyze their inactivation. The CTX-M family of ESBLs are major contributors to β-lactam resistance in
Enterobacterales
, preventing effective treatment with most penicillins and cephalosporins.
Chemical Exploration of a Highly Selective Scaffold with Activity against Intracellular
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Njikan Samuel , Ahmed Sara , Manning Alyssa , Awasthi Divya , Ovechkina Yulia , Chowdhury Sultan , Butts Arielle , Parish Tanya
Published: May 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is responsible for the highest number of deaths from a bacterial pathogen, with >1.5 million in 2020.
M. tuberculosis
is a sophisticated pathogen that can replicate inside immune cells. There is an urgent need for new drugs to combat
M. tuberculosis
and to shorten therapy from 6 to 24 months.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhanced Drought Resistance of
Populus cathayana
by Regulating the 14-3-3 Family Protein Genes
Authors: Han Yanyan , Lou Xiao , Zhang Wenrui , Xu Tingying , Tang Ming
Published: May 2022

The 14-3-3 protein may regulate many biochemical and physiological processes under abiotic stress. Studies have shown that the 14-3-3 protein gene of AMF is not only upregulated under drought stress, but also enhances the regulation of AMF on plant drought tolerance by regulating plant signal pathways and drought response genes; however, knowledge about the biological relevance of these interactions remains limited and controversial.
Terrestrial paleoclimate transition associated with continental weathering and drift during the Aptian–Albian of East Asia
Authors: Jia Jianliang , Miao Changsheng , Xie Wenquan
Published: May 2022

Reconstruction of Aptian–Albian paleoclimate obtained from marine records remains a challenging topic, but studies on coeval terrestrial paleoclimate and trigger mechanisms have lagged substantially. In this study, new multiproxy data from mudrocks in the Fuxin Basin of NE China provide a high-resolution terrestrial climate record from East Asia. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of terrestrial climate cooling during the late Aptian (118–113 Ma), which interrupted the mid-Cretaceous warming shown in global records. Nearly uniform long-term global climate trends attributable to tectonism, volcanism, and weathering occur in Early Cretaceous terrestrial and marine records. In the Fuxin Basin, the long-term terrestrial climate was characterized by increasing temperatures during the late early Aptian, gradual cooling during the late Aptian, and subsequent enhanced warming during the early Albian. Moreover, chemical weathering and humidity during these intervals were low, moderate to high, and then moderate, respectively. A markedly reduced high-elevation paleogeomorphology under strong continental weathering during the late Aptian increased the variability in chemical weathering fluxes as the Eurasian plate in NE China drifted SE during the Early Cretaceous and then NE during the Late Cretaceous. We suggest that a combination of enhanced continental weathering and weakened plate drift induced changes in atmospheric CO2, while the geographic setting ultimately led to cooling in the Fuxin Basin during the late Aptian. Our results illustrate the importance of exploring long-term tectonic-climatic-biotic feedbacks to improve our understanding of tectonic processes and ecological transitions across various spatiotemporal scales.
Supplemental Material: Quantitative relationships between river and channel-belt planform patterns
Authors: Dong Tian Y. , Goudge Timothy A.
Published: May 2022

Quantitative relationships between river and channel-belt planform patterns. 
Supplemental Material: Albian–Cenomanian granitoid magmatism in Eastern and Central Tibet as a result of diachronous, continental collision induced slab tear propagation
Authors: Gao Xue , Dilek Yildirimg
Published: May 2022

Table S1: Compositions of biotites from the Xiasai granitoid, Northern Yidun Terrane, Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Table S2: Compositions of plagioclases from the Xiasai granitoid, Northern Yidun Terrane, Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Table S3: Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotopic age data from the Xiasai granitoid, Northern Yidun Terrane, Eastern Tibetan Plateau. Table S4: Whole-rock major oxides (wt%) and trace elements (ppm) of the Albian–Cenomanian granitoids in the northern Yidun Terrane, Eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Supplemental Material: New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments
Authors: Roberts Eric M. , al. et
Published: May 2022

Figures S1–S7 and Tables S1 and S2.
Synergetic Effect during the Electrocatalytic Reaction of Hydrogen Production in the Presence of 2.2'-Bipyridine
Authors: Ganz O. Yu. , Klimaeva L. A. , Chugunov D. B. , Mazhorova A. V. , Dolganov A. V. , Knyazev A. V.
Published: May 2022

A study is performed of the electrocatalytic properties of 2,2'-bipyridine in the presence of acids of different natures (HBF4, HClO4, TsOH, CF3COOH) and the nature of the synergistic effect. It is shown that the pKa of the acids greatly affect the mechanism of the reactions that occur. Based on electrochemical and electrocatalytic data obtained via cyclic voltammetry and preparative potentiostatic electrolysis, main mechanisms of the electrocatalytic production of molecular hydrogen are proposed that depend on the nature of the acids. The thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the considered systems are calculated.
A ‘whole of United Nations approach’ to tackle antimicrobial resistance? A mapping of the mandate and activities of international organisations
Authors: Wernli Didier , Harbarth Stephan , Levrat Nicolas , Pittet Didier
Published: May 2022

The 2015 World Health Organization Global Action Plan and other international policy documents have stressed the need for a 'whole of United Nations approach' in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As several years have passed, the goal of this paper is to take stock of the current role, mandate, and activities of international organisations and other global stakeholders on AMR. Relevant information is identified through a web-based search and a review of policy documents from international organisations. Based on the assessment of 78 organisations, 21 have AMR-specific activities in the broader sense, although for many of these organisations, their involvement is limited in scope, and 36 have AMR-sensitive activities reflecting the wide scope of AMR. An interdisciplinary framework based on six relevant challenges of global collective actions regarding AMR as well as the main functions of international organisations in global governance is used to organise the findings into several ‘clusters’. AMR is not a priority for many international organisations, but some of them can leverage current efforts to tackle AMR while contributing to their core agenda. Overall, a ‘whole of UN approach’ to AMR within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals is critical to move the global governance of AMR forward.
Effect of bovine lactoferrin on seroconversion following polio vaccine administration in children: protocol for a double-blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Habib Atif , Nausheen Sidrah , Nooruddin Shanila , Javed Tooba , Samejo Tariq , Hussain Amjad , Namdev Suneeta , Amirali Sehrish , Umer Muhammad , Sheikh Lumaan , Hussain Imtiaz , Ariff Shabina , Soofi Sajid
Published: May 2022

Introduction

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has substantial results in eliminating wild poliovirus and the vaccine of choice in polio eradication. However, the mucosal immunity induced by the OPV is still uncertain. Literature has shown that bovine lactoferrin (BLF) is a safe and useful protein found in cow’s milk with extraordinary antimicrobial, antiviral, antiinflammatory and immune-modulatory functions that help children’s gut to fight against micro-organisms like poliovirus. However, limited data exist regarding the effect of BLF on polio vaccine immune response. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of BLF in enhancing mucosal and humoral immunity in children following the administration of oral and inactivated polio vaccines.

Methods and analysis

This is a two-arm double-blinded randomised controlled trial comparing 462 neonates (231 in both groups) receiving either BLF or placebo with breast milk. The intervention is administered from day 1 till 6 weeks of age to a full-term healthy singleton newborn born at the Aga Khan University Hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan. The primary outcome is the seroconversion, 1 month after the receipt of two doses of OPV (at 10 weeks). For descriptive statistical analysis, Stata will be used, the frequency with percentages will be reported to describe baseline characteristics of the participants. A χ2test will be used to compare categorical variables and a simple t test to compare continuous variables. The proportion of seroconversion and shedding will be compared using χ2test or Fisher’s exact test.

Ethics and dissemination

The Ethics approval has been granted by the Ethics Review Committee (ERC) of Aga Khan University for the proposed trial (ID: 2019-1955-5013). Furthermore, the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan has also approved the study for human subject research (ID: 4–87/NBC-443/19/669). Study findings will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and educational practice workshops and will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Trial registration number

NCT04432935; ClinicalTrials.gov.
Factors associated with self-reported health among New Zealand military veterans: a cross-sectional study
Authors: McBride David , Samaranayaka Ariyapala , Richardson Amy , Gardner Dianne , Shepherd Daniel , Wyeth Emma , de Graaf Brandon , Derrett Sarah
Published: May 2022

Objective

To identify factors associated with better or poorer self-reported health status in New Zealand military Veterans.

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Participants

The participants of interest were the 3874 currently serving Veterans who had been deployed to a conflict zone, but all Veterans were eligible to participate.

Study variables

The EQ-5D-5L, asking about problems across five dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort and anxiety or depression), with five levels of severity (eg, no, slight, moderate, severe or extreme problems), also containing a Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) to self-assess health state, scaled from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) imagined health.

Hypothetical relationships with better health were positive social support, sleep and psychological flexibility; with poorer health, post-traumatic stress, exposure to psychological trauma, distress and hazardous drinking.

Results

The EQ5-D-5L was completed by 1767 Veterans, 1009 serving, a response rate of 26% from that group, 1767 completing the EQ5-D, 1458 who had deployed, 288 who had not and the 21 who did not provide deployment data. Of these, 247 were not used in the analysis due to missing values in one or more variables, leaving 1520 for analysis.

A significantly higher proportion of Veterans reported ‘any problems’ rather than ‘no problems’ with four EQ-5D dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities and pain or discomfort, but no difference in anxiety or depression. Age, length of service, deployment, psychological flexibility and better sleep quality were associated with higher EQ-VAS scores; distress with lower EQ-VAS scores.

Conclusion

In this sample of New Zealand Veterans, psychological flexibility and good sleep are associated with better self-rated health, and distress and poor sleep with diminished health. These factors might be used as sentinel health indicators in assessing Veteran health status, and cognitive–behavioural therapy encompassing these domains may be useful in improving the health of New Zealand Veterans.
Applications for social security benefits related to diabetes in the working age in Italy between 2009 and 2019: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Trabucco Aurilio Marco , Maiorino Maria Ida , Mennini Francesco Saverio , Scappaticcio Lorenzo , Longo Miriam , Nardone Claudia , Coppeta Luca , Gazzillo Simone , Migliorini Raffaele , Bellastella Giuseppe , Giugliano Dario , Esposito Katherine
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study is to estimate the average number of claims for social security benefits from workers with diabetes-related disability.

Design

Nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The database of the Italian Social Security Institute (INPS) was used to analyse the trends and the breakdown of all claims for social security benefit with diabetes as primary diagnosis from 2009 to 2019.

Participants

We selected all the applications with the 250.xx International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-CM diagnosis code from 2009 to 2019.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The ratio between accepted or rejected claims for both ordinary incapacity benefit (OIB) and disability pension (DP) and total submitted claims over a 10-year period was computed.

Results

From 2009 to 2019, 40 800 applications for social security benefits were filed with diabetes as the principal diagnosis, with an annual increase of 30% per year. Throughout the study decade, there was a higher rate of rejected (67.2%) than accepted (32.8%) applications. Among the accepted requests, most of them (30.7%) were recognised as OIB and the remaining 2.1% were recognised as DP. When related to the total number of claims presented per year, there was a 8.8% decrease of rejected applications, associated with a 20.6% increase of overall acceptance rate. In terms of time trends, the overall rise of submitted requests from 2009 to 2019 resulted in an increase in both rejected (+18%) and accepted (+61% for OIB, +11% for DP) applications. The higher rate of accepted requests was for workers aged 51–60 years, with 52% of admitted applications.

Conclusions

Between 2009 and 2019, the number of applications for social security benefits due to diabetes in Italy increased significantly, and so did the number of applications approved, mainly represented by the OIBs.
Percutaneous transuterine fetal cerebral embolisation to treat vein of Galen malformations at risk of urgent neonatal decompensation: study protocol for a clinical trial of safety and feasibility
Authors: See Alfred Pokmeng , Wilkins-Haug Louise E , Benson Carol B , Tworetzky Wayne , Orbach Darren B
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Although endovascular techniques have improved outcomes in vein of Galen malformations (VOGM), there is still a high rate of morbidity and mortality, particularly among cases with decompensation in the neonatal period. The dimension of the draining venous sinus on fetal imaging correlates with the risk of neonatal decompensation. In fetuses within this high-risk group who do not have end-organ injury, there is a theoretical therapeutic opportunity to reduce the arteriovenous shunt before the normal physiological changes of birth precipitate decompensation. This study investigates the safety and potential benefit of treating a VOGM in utero, which has not been previously studied.

Methods and analysis

This study aims to enroll 20 subjects: pregnant women with a fetus harbouring a high-risk VOGM (defined on MRI by a narrowest medial-lateral width greater than 8 mm in the draining venous sinus). Unfortunately, the subset of fetuses with in utero end-organ injury is ineligible, because the late stage of pathology is not amenable to recovery from a cerebrovascular intervention, likely not even in utero. This study aims to alter the physiology before such developments accrue.

At or after 23 weeks of gestation, a transuterine transposterior fontanelle needle puncture to the torcular allows ultrasound-guided deployment of coils to embolise the draining venous malformation.

This study has 97.5% power to detect major safety events at 30% or greater, and 80% power to detect a reduction in the rate of neonatal intervention from 80% to 30%. In the staged study design, an interval evaluation after 11 patients invokes study termination if safety events occur above the allowed threshold.

Ethics and dissemination

The institutional review boards at Mass General Brigham and Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) reviewed and approved this protocol. The BCH Department of Radiology and a patient family philanthropic donation fund this study. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04434729
Cohort profile: The Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG): a long-term prospective study to understand the psychosocial, environmental, health and behavioural predictors of weight loss and regain in patients who have bariatric surgery
Authors: Coleman Karen J , Paz Silvia R , Bhakta Bhumi B , Taylor Brianna , Liu Jialuo , Yoon Tae K , Macias Mayra , Arterburn David E , Crawford Cecelia L , Drewnowksi Adam , Figueroa Gray Marlaine S , Hansell Laurel D , Ji Ming , Lewis Kristina H , Moore Darren D , Murali Sameer B , Young Deborah R
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG) prospective study cohort was created to address limitations in the literature regarding the relationship between surgical weight loss and psychosocial, health, behaviour and environmental factors. The BELONG cohort is unique because it contains 70% gastric sleeve and 64% patients with non-white race/ethnicity and was developed with strong stakeholder engagement including patients and providers.

Participants

The BELONG cohort study included 1975 patients preparing to have bariatric surgery who completed a baseline survey in a large integrated health system in Southern California. Patients were primarily women (84%), either black or Hispanic (59%), with a body mass index (BMI) of 45.1±7.4 kg/m2, age 43.3±11.5 years old, and 32% had at least one comorbidity.

Findings to date

A total of 5552 patients were approached before surgery between February 2016 and May 2017, and 1975 (42%) completed a baseline survey. A total of 1203 (73%) patients completed the year 1 and 1033 (74%) patients completed the year 3 postoperative survey. Of these survey respondents, 1341 at baseline, 999 at year 1, and 951 at year 3 were included in the analyses of all survey and weight outcome data. A total of 803 (60% of eligible patients) had survey data for all time points. Data collected were self-reported constructs to support the proposed theoretical model. Height, weight and BMI were abstracted from the electronic medical record to obtain the main outcomes of the study: weight loss and regain.

Future plans

We will collect self-reported constructs and obtain height, weight and BMI from the electronic medical record 5 years after bariatric surgery between April 2022 and January 2023. We will also collect patient experiences using focus groups of 8–12 patients each throughout 2022.