bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insights into Intestinal Barrier Disruption During Long-Term GutChlamydiaColonization in Mice: A Single-Cell Transcriptomic Approach
Authors: Jiang Yicun , Xie Sheng , Shu Chuqiang , Wan Jiao , Huang Youyou , Wang Luying , Zhang Qi , Zhou Zengzi , Sun Xin , Zhang Tianyuan , Tian Qi
Published: December 2024

Chlamydia trachomatis, an intracellular pathogen, stands as the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection among women globally. Traditionally recognized as a genital pathogen, recent research indicates that the gastrointestinal tract may also act as a reservoir for its long-term colonization. However, the mechanisms underlyingChlamydia’s ability to persist in the gut remain poorly understood. This gap in knowledge limits our ability to develop effective treatments for persistentChlamydiainfections. In this study we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the gene expression profiles and cellular heterogeneity of mouse colonic tissues duringChlamydialong-term infection. This approach provided detailed insights into the transcriptional changes and cellular interactions involved in the persistence ofChlamydiain the gut. Our results revealed significant alterations in the gene expression profiles of various intestinal cell populations, with distinct molecular pathways contributing toChlamydiapersistence. Notably, we observed a reduction in the expression of markers associated with epithelial tight junctions, indicating a potential breakdown of the intestinal epithelial barrier. This impairment may facilitate the penetration ofChlamydiainto deeper tissues and contribute to the initiation of infection. We also found dysregulation of the transcriptional networks in goblet cells and an imbalance in communication between immune and epithelial cells. These disruptions were linked to the pathogen’s ability to establish persistent colonization and infection.

IMPORTANCE

Few studies have exploredChlamydiapersistence in the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we use single-cell RNA sequencing to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving the pathogen’s long-term colonization. Our findings provide crucial insights into howChlamydiaovercomes the host’s immune defenses and epithelial barriers to establish chronic infection in the gut. Notably, we identify disruption of epithelial tight junctions and an imbalance in immune-cell interactions, offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring mucosal integrity and preventing persistent infection.
Retromer Opposes Opioid-Induced Downregulation of the Mu Opioid Receptor
Authors: Dagunts Aleksandra , Adoff Hayden , Novy Brandon , Maria Monica De , Lobingier Braden T
Published: December 2024

The mu opioid receptor (MOR) is protected from opioid-induced trafficking to lysosomes and proteolytic downregulation by its ability to access the endosomal recycling pathway through its C-terminal recycling motif, LENL. MOR sorting towards the lysosome results in downregulation of opioid signaling while recycling of MOR to the plasma membrane preserves signaling function. However, the mechanisms by which LENL promotes MOR recycling are unknown, and this sequence does not match any known consensus recycling motif. Here we took a functional genomics approach with a comparative genome-wide screen design to identify genes which control opioid receptor expression and downregulation. We identified 146 hits including all three subunits of the endosomal Retromer complex. We show that the LENL motif in MOR is a novel Retromer recycling motif and that LENL is a necessary, sufficient, and conserved mechanism to give MOR access to the Retromer recycling pathway and protect MOR from agonist-induced downregulation to multiple clinically relevant opioids including fentanyl and methadone.
Sex-specific thermoregulatory effects of estrogen signaling inReprimolineage cells
Authors: Park Jae W. , Cortes Laura R. , Sandoval Norma P. , Baron Alejandra G. , Vree Adriana R. , Fideles Higor J. , Hansen Mia R. , Lopez Julissa I. , Dilday Elizabeth A. , Rashid Sakina , Kammel Laura G. , van Veen J. Edward , Correa Stephanie M.
Published: December 2024

Menopause affects over a million individuals annually and is characterized by variable and declining ovarian hormones. Decreasing estrogen levels impact energy homeostasis and increases the risk of metabolic disorders. Energy expenditure is largely directed towards thermoregulation, which is modulated in part by estrogen receptor (ER) α expressing neurons in the hypothalamus. Whether specific sub-populations of ERα+ neurons control the effects of estrogens on thermogenesis remains poorly understood. This study investigates the function of ERαin neurons that expressRprm(Reprimo), a gene we previously linked to thermoregulation in females. Here, we use a novelReprimoCremouse to selectively knock out ERαinRprmlineage neurons (Reprimo-specific estrogen receptor α KO; RERKO) and report changes in core temperature in female mice, with no changes in body weight, body composition, or food intake. RERKO females have elevated brown adipose tissue (BAT) temperature and lower tail temperature relative to controls, suggesting increased heat production and impaired heat dissipation, respectively. Developmental expression ofRprmwas detected in the brain, but not in BAT or white adipose tissue suggesting temperature changes may be mediated by the nervous system. Thus, we next ablatedRprmexpressing neurons in the ventrolateral area of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMHvl) and observed a reduction in core temperature and increased fat mass in ablated female mice relative to controls. Taken together, these results show that estrogen signaling inRprmexpressing cells and VMHvlRprmneurons are critical for thermoregulation, mainly through the modulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in female, but not male mice.
Floquet Schrieffer-Wolff transform based on Sylvester equations
Authors: Wang Xiao , Méndez-Córdoba Fabio Pablo Miguel , Jaksch Dieter , Schlawin Frank
Published: December 2024

We present a Floquet Schrieffer-Wolff transform (FSWT) to obtain effective Floquet Hamiltonians and micromotion operators of periodically driven many-body systems for any nonresonant driving frequency. The FSWT perturbatively eliminates the oscillatory components in the driven Hamiltonian by solving operator-valued Sylvester equations with systematic approximations. It goes beyond various high-frequency expansion methods commonly used in Floquet theory, as we demonstrate with the example of the driven Fermi-Hubbard model. In the limit of high driving frequencies, the FSWT Hamiltonian reduces to the widely used Floquet-Magnus result. We anticipate this method will be useful for designing Rydberg multiqubit gates, controlling correlated hopping in quantum simulations in optical lattices, and describing multiorbital and long-range interacting systems driven in-gap.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Status of tension between NOvA and T2K after Neutrino 2024 and possible role of nonstandard neutrino interactions
Authors: Chatterjee Sabya Sachi , Palazzo Antonio
Published: December 2024

In a previous work, we have shown that the data presented by the two long-baseline accelerator experiments NOvA and T2K at the Neutrino 2020 conference displayed a tension and that it could be alleviated by nonstandard neutrino interactions (NSI) of the flavor changing type involving the e−μ or the e−τ sectors with couplings |ϵeμ|∼|ϵeτ|∼0.1. As a consequence, a hint in favor of NSI emerged. In the present paper, we reassess the issue in light of the new data released by the two experiments at the Neutrino 2024 conference. We find that the tension in the determination of the standard CP-phase δCP extracted by the two experiments in the normal neutrino mass ordering persists and has a statistical significance of ∼2σ. Concerning the NSI, we find that including their effects in the fit, the two values of δCP preferred by NOvA and T2K return in very good agreement. The current statistical significance of the hint of nonzero NSI is ∼1.8σ. Further experimental data are needed in order to settle the issue.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
QCD corrections of
e+e−→J/ψ+c+c¯
using the principle of maximum conformality
Authors: Huang Xu-Dong , Wu Xing-Gang , Zheng Xu-Chang , Gong Bin , Wang Jian-Xiong
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we compute the total and differential cross sections for e+e−→J/ψ+c+c¯ at the B factories up to next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections within the framework of nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics (QCD) factorization theory. We then obtain improved perturbative QCD (pQCD) series of those cross sections by using the principle of maximum conformality (PMC). We show that the PMC can be applied for any pQCD calculable observable at the total and differential levels via a self-consistent way in perturbation theory. We observe that a more precise prompt total cross section at the NLO level can be achieved after applying the PMC, e.g., σ|promptPMC=0.565−0.125+0.144  pb. Here the uncertainty is the squared average of those from the αs fixed-point uncertainty Δαs(MZ), the uncertainty of charm quark mass Δmc, and an estimated contribution of the uncalculated NNLO-terms as predicted by the Padé approximation approach. The differential cross sections dσ/dPJ/ψ, dσ/d|cosθ|, and dσ/dz for e+e−→J/ψ+c+c¯ are further examined. Those results show that by further considering the feed-down contributions, the PMC predictions show better agreement with the Belle measurements.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unifying the landscape of nucleon structure: An infrared-safe evolution scheme
Authors: Wang Rong , Han Chengdong , Chen Xurong
Published: December 2024

A novel approach for describing the evolution of nucleon structure from low-Q2 regime to high-Q2 asymptotic region is proposed. This infrared-safe scheme modifies the parton distribution evolution equations to incorporate the corrections from emergent hadron mass mechanisms and parton-parton recombination at low Q2. The effective quark mass, generated by dynamical chiral symmetry breaking, slows the evolution of parton distributions in the infrared region, causing the Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution to freeze when Q2≪Mq/g. Notably, this scheme renders the high-Q2 parton distributions insensitive to the choice of input hadronic scale. The parton-parton recombination effect is crucial in suppressing the rapid growth of parton distributions at small x, consistent with experimental data. When applied to three valence quark distributions derived from a quark model, our scheme yields parton distributions that agree well with deep-inelastic scattering data in both large-x and small-x regions, providing a unified description of nucleon structure across the entire Q2 range.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
In-medium static inter-quark potential on high resolution quenched lattices
Authors: Larsen Rasmus , Parkar Gaurang , Rothkopf Alexander , Weber Johannes Heinrich
Published: December 2024

We reinvestigate the interactions between static color sources in a finite temperature gluonic medium using both high resolution isotropic and anisotropic quenched lattice QCD ensembles. The underlying ill-posed inverse problem, related to the extraction of spectral functions, is attacked with a range of different methods, including Bayesian inference, Padé interpolation and model fits. Among the latter we include a tail amended Gaussian ansatz and a HTL-inspired fit ansatz. We reconfirm the presence of a dominant low lying spectral feature that supports the existence of a potential picture for the in-medium evolution of the static charges at late real times. Using the raw unmodified lattice data, all applicable methods show clear signs of screening of the real part of the potential. After applying a subtraction procedure featured in a previous study, we find however that screening disappears from the extracted potential. Paths toward the resolution of this puzzle are discussed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dark matter-electron scattering search using cryogenic light detectors
Authors: Zema V. , Figueroa P. , Angloher G. , Bharadwaj M. R. , Frank T. , Hughes M. N. , Kellermann M. , Pröbst F. , Schäffner K. , Shera K. , Stahlberg M.
Published: December 2024

The cryogenic scintillating calorimeter technology devoted to rare event searches is reaching the sensitivity level required for the hunt of dark matter-electron scatterings. Dark matter-electron interactions in scintillating targets are expected to stimulate the emission of single photons, each of energy equal to the target electronic band gap. The electronic band gap in scintillators like NaI/GaAs is of O(eV). The search for this signal can be done by an array of cryogenic light detectors with eV/sub−eV energy resolution. In this work, we describe the detection principle, the detector response, and the envisioned detector design to search for dark matter interacting with electrons via the measurement of the scintillation light at millikelvin. First sensitivity projections are provided, which show the potential of this research.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Source anisotropies and pulsar timing arrays
Authors: Allen Bruce , Agarwal Deepali , Romano Joseph D. , Valtolina Serena
Published: December 2024

Pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) hunt for gravitational waves (GWs) by searching for the correlations that GWs induce in the time-of-arrival residuals from different pulsars. If the GW sources are of astrophysical origin, then they are located at discrete points on the sky. However, PTA data are often modeled, and subsequently analyzed, via a “standard Gaussian ensemble.” That ensemble is obtained in the limit of an infinite density of vanishingly weak, Poisson-distributed sources. In this paper, we move away from that ensemble, to study the effects of two types of “source anisotropy.” The first (a), which is often called “shot noise,” arises because there are N discrete GW sources at specific sky locations. The second (b) arises because the GW source positions are not a Poisson process, for example, because galaxy locations are clustered. Here, we quantify the impact of (a) and (b) on the mean and variance of the pulsar-averaged Hellings and Downs correlation. For conventional PTA sources, we show that the effects of shot noise (a) are much larger than the effects of clustering (b).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Approximating Many-Body Quantum States with Quantum Circuits and Measurements
Authors: Piroli Lorenzo , Styliaris Georgios , Cirac J. Ignacio
Published: December 2024

We introduce protocols to prepare many-body quantum states with quantum circuits assisted by local operations and classical communication. We show that by lifting the requirement of exact preparation, one can substantially save resources. In particular, the so-called W and, more generally, Dicke states require a circuit depth and number of ancillas per site that are independent of the system size. As a by-product of our work, we introduce an efficient scheme to implement certain nonlocal, non-Clifford unitary operators. We also discuss how similar ideas may be applied in the preparation of eigenstates of well-known spin models, both free and interacting.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unconventional quantum oscillations and evidence of nonparabolic electronic states in quasi-two-dimensional electron system at complex oxide interfaces
Authors: Rubi Km , Candido Denis R. , Dumen Manish , Zeng Shengwei , Ammerlaan Emily L.Q.N. , Bangma Femke , Chan Mun K. , Goiran Michel , Ariando Ariando , Chakraverty Suvankar , Escoffier Walter , Zeitler Uli , Harrison Neil
Published: December 2024

The simultaneous occurrence of electric-field controlled superconductivity and spin-orbit interaction makes two-dimensional electron systems (2DES) constructed from perovskite transition metal oxides promising candidates for the next generation of spintronics and quantum computing. It is, however, essential to understand the electronic bands thoroughly and verify the predicted electronic states experimentally in these 2DES to advance technological applications. Here, we present insights into the electronic states of the 2DES at oxide interfaces through comprehensive investigations of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in three different systems: EuO/KTaO3, LaAlO3/SrTiO3, and amorphous-LaAlO3/KTaO3. To accurately resolve these oscillations, we conducted transport measurements in high magnetic fields up to 60 T and low temperatures down to 100 mK. For 2D confined electrons at these interfaces, we observed a progressive increase of oscillations frequency and cyclotron mass with the magnetic field. We interpret these universal and intriguing findings by considering the existence of nontrivial electronic bands, for which the E−k dispersion incorporates both linear and parabolic relations. In addition to providing experimental evidence for nonparabolic electronic states in KTaO3 and SrTiO3 2DES, the unconventional oscillations presented in this study establish a paradigm for quantum oscillations in 2DES based on perovskite transition metal oxides, where the oscillation frequencies in 1/B exhibit quadratic dependence on the magnetic field.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of bis(acetylacetonato-κ2
O,O′)(2-amino-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-κN
3)copper(II)
Authors: Siddikova Kyzlarkhan , Ziyatov Daminbek , Tojiboev Akmaljon , Ashurov Jamshid , Kadirova Zukhra , Daminova Shahlo
Published: December 2024

The title compound, [Cu(C5H7O2)2(C8H9N3)], crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma. In the crystal structure, the CuII ion is coordinated by two acetylacetonate ligands and one 2-amino-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole ligand. The crystal structure features intramolecular N—H...O and intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, which contribute to the overall cohesion of the crystal. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were utilized to quantify the intermolecular interactions, revealing the relative contributions of H...H (61.1%), H...C/C...H (21.3%), and O...H/H...O (11.3%) contacts to the crystal packing.
Berrylush: scaling for growth
Authors: Lamba Harchitwan Kaur , Sengupta Santoshi , Paul Alok Jyoti , Dhir Sanjay
Published: December 2024

Learning outcomes

Working through the case and the questions that follow will allow students to evaluate: critically assess the effectiveness and feasibility of Berrylush’s business model through the lens of the Business Model Canvas; understand: explain the strategies used by the organisation to gain and sustain a competitive advantage; apply: use the principles of judo strategy to develop tactics for competing effectively against well-established brands; analyse: examine how environmental changes affect the organisation; and create: formulate a growth strategy for Berrylush.

Case overview/synopsis

Two young MBA graduates from a top Indian management institution dreamed of running a large-scale business, providing women all over India with high-quality western clothing. In 2017, Berrylush was born with an initial business model where they designed and manufactured all their products in-house. While at one point, their maximum production capacity was only 900 units a month, within a handful of years, the brand saw its highest selling week of 2022 with sales of over 50,000 orders on India’s largest apparel and fashion website. Co-founder Alok Paul is spearheading the company’s channel expansion, taking it from only direct-to-consumer online sales to offline sales, creating an omnichannel experience for shoppers.

Complexity academic level

The case can be used for an undergraduate or MBA program teaching a strategic management course after the fundamentals of strategic management have been taught but before strategy execution and implementation have been discussed.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
The magic of preloved sarees, thrifting your way to elegance
Authors: Misra Susmita , Srivastava Ritu , Sinha Steffi
Published: December 2024

Learning outcomes

The primary learning objective is to challenge students to evaluate the decision facing The Magic of Sarees (MOS) Preloved. The students will need to assess the risks involved versus maintaining the status quo. Students should apply strategic management concepts in their analysis. The second learning objective focuses on developing the students’ understanding of effective merchandising and pricing strategies for MOS Preloved. This case study discusses how MOS Preloved manages its inventory, the constant refreshing of collections and seasonal relevance and also discusses challenges and opportunities associated with managing a preloved inventory, considering factors like authenticity and quality control. This case study also considers pricing strategies (BCG matrix could be referenced for differential pricing) that could be used to strengthen the brand’s identity of “affordable, accessible, and authentic sustainable fashion”.

Case overview/synopsis

This case study is based on the brand “MOS Preloved”, an e-commerce market place in India for the buying and selling of preloved sarees. Founded by Susmita Misra in July 2021, the objective of the business is to create an online marketplace, buy and sell, for preowned sarees that facilitates circular economy. The accompanying saree stories add to the allure and ensure the magic of these sarees continues for the entire lifetime of each saree. Being an unstitched garment, the saree has no size limitation and with a little care could last for at least 100 wears. This case study discusses the founder’s dilemma of deciding to premiumize the merchandise which would include both adding higher priced preowned sarees as well as charging 50% of market price for current merchandise (currently being priced at 25%–40% of the current market price). The decision requires considerable investment in terms of information technology, infrastructure, human resources and marketing spends. Given how nascent, unorganized and unbranded the preloved saree market is, the founder is unsure of the time that it could take to get the return on investment. The risk: the longer she hesitates, the more vulnerable her monopoly becomes. The case study also discusses the evolution of saree into contemporary wear, the hurdles and possibilities in the preloved fashion sector and brand MOS Preloved’s attempts at creating a distinctive positioning.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for postgraduate programme for MBA.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS11: Strategy.
Innovation potential scale (IPS): construction and validity evidence of a measure for the work context
Authors: Souza Gustavo Henrique Silva de , Cesar Lima Nilton , Queiroz Fernanda Cristina Barbosa Pereira , Gonçalves Rafael Farias , Queiroz Jamerson Viegas
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This article aims to develop a measure that assesses and maps the behaviors and traits of an individual with potential for innovation in the work context. To do so, it gathers evidence of factor validity and internal consistency.

Design/methodology/approach

In the work context, innovation is often linked with the idea of intrapreneurship. Some experts have pointed out that intrapreneurial activities are essential for promoting innovation. However, it is not just about the activities – the key is to create an environment that supports innovation, fostering a culture where new ideas can thrive. To achieve the objectives of this research, we conducted two studies. The first study involved the construction of the innovation potential scale (IPS). In a theoretical, empirical way, the second study involved the administration of the IPS and a sociodemographic questionnaire to a sample of 621 Brazilians from 25 different occupations.

Findings

The results introduce a nine-item measure for the innovative behavior assessment, along with its validity and psychometric properties. Furthermore, the results suggest that innovation potential is a unidimensional construct. Moreover, the study highlights the role of intrapreneurship as an explanatory axiom. This concept helps to understand the entrepreneurial behavior of various professionals and managers within their work context.

Practical implications

This study contribute with as instrument that serves as a new powerful tool for understanding of the mechanisms that lead to innovation in the work context and stimulate the innovative potential of professionals and organizations.

Originality/value

This study helps fill gaps in the literature on self-report assessment of innovative behavior. The traits linked with the construct have a contingent nature and are only potential.
Appetite for risk: theoretical framework and practical application in a technology-based environment
Authors: Oliva Fábio Lotti , Bution Jefferson Luiz , Motta Flavia Gutierrez , Fenner Germano , Randolph-Seng Brandon , Papa Marco , Naqshbandi M. Muzamil
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The research objective was twofold: first, to propose a novel framework for composing an organization’s aggregate risk appetite, and second, to demonstrate the application of this framework in a suitable organization.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework for defining an organization’s aggregate risk appetite was developed based on relevant organizational theory and research through the lens of knowledge management. The organizational appetite for risk framework was subsequently implemented at the São Paulo State Technological Research Institute (IPT) using the design science research approach. Finally, the implementation was carefully examined in order to encourage future applications and to further refine the appetite for risk framework.

Findings

The composition and application of the proposed appetite for risk framework optimally identified the aggregated risk appetite of the complete test organization. Moreover, organizational differences between bottom-up tolerance and top-down appetite were revealed.

Practical implications

Our main practical contribution is a comprehensive procedure to conduct a risk assessment and achieve an organization-wide aggregate risk appetite through the lens of knowledge management.

Originality/value

Unlike past theory and research that take a strictly top-down approach to risk appetite, our framework integrates dispersed knowledge on risk-taking at various levels of the organization, thereby contributing to the underexplored role of bottom management in shaping aggregate risk appetite.
Exploring the association between “negative interpersonal relating” and attrition within a democratic prison-based therapeutic community
Authors: Smith Sam Alexander , Jones Sarah
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to enhance wider understanding of attrition in forensic environments by testing the hypothesis that “negative interpersonal relating” tendencies can predict attrition within a democratic therapeutic community (DTC). The person’s relating to others questionnaire (PROQ; Version 3), a measure of negative relating, is routinely administered to men upon admission to the TC.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 300 men who had completed the PROQ3 upon admission between 2014 and 2018 and had either completed therapy (N = 52), been de-selected during the assessment phase (N = 46) or had been de-selected at the core therapy phase (N = 202) were included in the study. Existing data sets for total PROQ3 score and the corresponding eight sub-scale scores were input and analysed on SPSS in two stages; using multinomial logistic regression and one-way Anova, respectively.

Findings

Analysis showed that significantly higher levels of negative relating were present in men that did not complete therapy, compared to those who completed, supporting the main hypothesis. Analysis of the PROQ3 sub-scale scores showed that men who were de-selected from therapy during the core therapy phase had significantly higher scores on the “closeness” scales (lower close, neutral close, upper close), compared to completers. Similarly, men who were de-selected during the assessment phase had significantly higher scores on the “lower distant” scale, compared to completers.

Originality/value

Results are discussed considering their implications for future policy and practice in the context of understanding and managing attrition within a TC.
Food, culture and health: An anthropological perspective
Authors: Capocasa Marco , Venier Davide
Published: December 2024

This article explores the complex interplay among food, culture, and health. It examines how dietary habits have evolved, from hunter‐gatherer societies to the globalization of Western diets, and their profound effects on cultural traditions and human health. While global markets reshape local diets, anthropological evidence suggests nutrition programmes work best when they build on cultural food knowledge rather than replace it. Our findings point to a pressing need for public health approaches that recognize food's role beyond mere sustenance – though implementing such culturally aware interventions remains challenging in practice.
Optimization of a green tea seed oil–loaded double‐layer emulsion and its preventive effects on dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis in mice
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhao Yiwen , Zheng Qiangying , Zhao Bowen , Yu Huiwen , Zhi Yiming , Zhu Xiao , Wang Yijun , Huang Jinbao
Published: December 2024

Green tea seed oil (GTSO; Camellia sinensis) is rich in bioactive compounds and has great potential for preventing intestinal inflammation. Conversely, high‐fat diets have been shown to promote or aggravate gastrointestinal inflammation, and the bioactive ingredients of GTSO face difficulty passing through the gastrointestinal tract while remaining intact. This study employed whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC‐Na) to prepare a GTSO‐loaded double‐layer emulsion. The optimal parameters were as follows: WPI (2% w/w) and 35% oil phase for the primary emulsion preparation, CMC‐Na (0.8% w/w) for the final emulsion, and 450 W of ultrasonic power for homogenization. No significant changes in particle size or coalescence in the emulsions were observed after 30 days of storage at 4°C. In addition, in a simulated gastrointestinal digestion system, more than 60% of the encapsulated GTSO was able to remain intact while passing through the gastric and small intestinal environment. In mice with dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis, pretreatment with the GTSO emulsion significantly prevented the further development of colitis, whereas an empty‐carrier‐plus‐free‐GTSO treatment had no such protective effects and even tended to aggravate the disease. The results of the present study suggest that encapsulated GTSO is a reliable alternative approach for colitis prevention.

Practical Application

The green tea seed oil–loaded double‐layer emulsion demonstrates good storage stability when kept at 4°C, exhibits excellent slow‐release performance, and achieves superior outcomes in the prevention of colitis. Our current study provides a reliable alternative approach for the prevention of colitis.
Procedure time‐of‐day effects on postoperative opioid requirements in children
Authors: Fuller Clinton L. , Lee Maxwell , Hosek Kathleen E. , Hassanpour Ali , Lopez Monica E. , Baijal Rahul G.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Postoperative analgesic requirements in adults follow circadian rhythm patterns with requirements for opioids and local anesthetics highest in the morning. Procedure time of day may also potentially affect circadian rhythm patterns with surgery at night promoting wakefulness during nighttime hours. This disruption may produce a shift in the circadian rhythm and potentially affect when postoperative opioid requirements are highest. We hypothesized that children undergoing surgery at night would have higher postoperative opioid requirements during nighttime hours secondary to a shift in the circadian rhythm with those requirements remaining higher than daytime requirements for the duration of the hospital stay.

Methods

A retrospective cohort was completed on all children aged 1–18 years undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis between January 2018 and December 2019. Outcomes were total postoperative morphine equivalents (mg/kg), including total daytime and nighttime postoperative morphine equivalents (mg/kg) in children undergoing surgery during the day and at night.

Results

There were 999 children who underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis at Texas Children's Hospital from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Of these, 758 children underwent the procedure during the day and 241 children at night. The total, daytime, and nighttime median morphine equivalents (mg/kg) for children undergoing an appendectomy during the day were 0.1 (0.0–0.4), 0.0 (0.0–0.2), 0.1 (0.0–0.2), respectively. The total, daytime, and nighttime morphine equivalents (mg/kg) for children undergoing an appendectomy at night were 0.2 (0.0–0.5) (p = −0.01), 0.1 (0.0–0.3) (p = 0.01), and 0.1 (0.0–0.2) (p = 0.03), respectively. All children, irrespective of the procedure time of day, required more morphine equivalents during daytime hours than during nighttime hours.

Conclusions

We found that procedure time of day did not impact postoperative opioid requirements in children undergoing a laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis. Both children undergoing an appendectomy during the day or at night required more morphine equivalents during daytime hours than during nighttime hours. Surgery at night did not produce a shift in opioid requirements postoperatively from daytime hours to nighttime hours in children undergoing an appendectomy at night.
Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry guided algorithms in bleeding patients: An updated systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Kvisselgaard A. D. , Wolthers S. A. , Wikkelsø A. , Holst L. B. , Drivenes B. , Afshari A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Bleeding patients face significant morbidity and mortality due to impaired haemostasis. Haemostatic resuscitation has evolved, yet the optimal approach remains unclear. The primary objective was to assess the benefits and risks of transfusion guided by TEG/ROTEM versus standard of care in bleeding patients in an updated review.

Methods

This systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta‐analyses and trial sequential analysis was conducted according to Cochrane Collaboration methodology, PRISMA and GRADE guidelines. A literature search was conducted in five major databases. Both paediatric and adult patients were included. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were the administration of blood products, blood loss, surgical reintervention, and dialysis‐dependent renal injury.

Results

This systematic review included 31 randomised trials (n = 2756), with most patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. TEG‐/ROTEM‐guided algorithms reduced the amount of transfused fresh frozen plasma (RR 0.5, 95% CI 0.32–0.72, I2: 94%), platelets (RR 0.7, 95% CI 0.55–0.91, I2: 57%), the risk for surgical reintervention (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47–0.94, I2: 0%), and bleeding with a standard mean difference of −0.31 (95% CI −0.55 to −0.08, I2: 75%). No statistically significant difference was demonstrated for mortality (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57–1.00, I2: 5%). According to GRADE methodology, the certainty of the evidence was very low for all outcomes. Trial sequential analysis of mortality analysis indicated that 54% of the optimal information size was reached with an alpha‐boundary RR of 0.81 (95% CI 0.63–1.03).

Conclusions

TEG‐/ROTEM‐guided transfusion algorithms may reduce the risk of mortality, bleeding volume, and the need for fresh frozen plasma and platelets, but the evidence is very uncertain. Further, the results were primarily based on the adult population undergoing elective cardiac surgery.
Effects of anisometropic amblyopia on visual cognitive functions in children
Authors: Mao Danyi , Liu Chenyao , Yin Ziang , Cui Zaifeng , Zhang Jiali , Li Xue , Huang Yingying , Chen Hao , Bao Jinhua
Published: December 2024

Background

To investigate visual cognitive functions, including visual attention, executive function, and visual working memory, in children with anisometropic amblyopia versus those with normal vision.

Methods

Thirty‐five children with anisometropic amblyopia and 34 with normal vision participated. Visual acuity, stereoacuity, and contrast sensitivity were measured, followed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery's six subtests for cognitive evaluation. Visual attention was assessed using reaction time (RTI) and rapid visual information processing (RVP). Executive function was evaluated through the multitasking test (MTT). Visual working memory was assessed with spatial working memory (SWM), delayed matching to sample (DMS), and paired association learning (PAL), all under binocular conditions.

Results

The amblyopia group exhibited longer reaction and movement times in the RTI than the control group (p < 0.01). A trend towards lower RVP A' scores, reflecting reduced ability to detect target sequences, appeared in the amblyopia group (p = 0.056). Amblyopic children demonstrated a lower multitasking cost in the MTT compared with the control group (p = 0.04). As difficulty increased in the SWM (from four to six boxes), amblyopic children revisited more (p = 0.01). In the DMS task, while no differences were observed across all delay times (p = 0.55), amblyopic children performed significantly worse than the control group under the 12‐second delay (p = 0.04). In the eight‐pattern PAL condition, the amblyopia group made more errors (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Children with anisometropic amblyopia performed poorly on neuropsychological tests, particularly visual attention and working memory, but outperformed the control group in multitasking. These findings highlight the broader cognitive impacts of anisometropic amblyopia beyond vision.
Impact of oncologic diseases on outcome in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation
Authors: Dannenberg Varius , Zschocke Flora , Halavina Kseniya , Mascherbauer Katharina , Heitzinger Gregor , Koschutnik Matthias , Donà Carolina , Nitsche Christian , Kammerlander Andreas A. , Spinka Georg , Winter Max‐Paul , Bartko Philipp E. , Hengstenberg Christian , Bergler‐Klein Jutta , Goliasch Georg , Schneider‐Reigbert Matthias
Published: December 2024

Background

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Isolated TR, defined as TR without overt heart disease, is typical and offers limited cardiac treatment options other than interventional repair or replacement. Survival history of cancer or active cancer treatment may lead to an unnecessary delay of TR treatment.

Methods

We included all patients diagnosed with severe TR at the Medical University of Vienna between 2003 and 2016 who had normal left ventricular function and no other valvular lesions. Outcome analysis was performed on cancer type, status and the number of organs affected by cancer.

Results

A total of 973 patients were included. 182 (19%) patients had cancer, 52 were active and 130 had a history of cancer at the time of TR diagnosis. Oncologic patients were divided into subgroups of gastrointestinal, skin, glands, gynaecological, breast, urogenital, lung and other cancers. Ten‐year mortality of patients with cancer was higher than those without cancer (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for age did not reveal significantly higher mortality in patients with a history of cancer compared to patients without cancer (p = 0.59). Patients with lung, active, or multi‐organ cancer showed the highest mortality.

Conclusions

Mortality in patients with severe isolated TR is high and increased by active or multi‐organ cancer but not by a history of cancer. These patients should be discussed in interdisciplinary cardio‐oncology teams to avoid delaying life‐saving treatment of TR and cancer.
A Structural Equation Modelling Exploration of the Role of Schizotypal Traits, Cognitive Schemas and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Social Isolation
Authors: Aidelbaum Robert , Jagtap Shreya , Rumas Rachel , Shamblaw Amanda L. , Best Michael W.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Evidence highlights the importance of social isolation as a critical yet underserved treatment target for individuals managing psychosis. Schizotypal traits represent a useful model of psychosis, facilitating the assessment of contributors to social isolation without the confounds associated with schizophrenia. This study utilised structural equation modelling to examine the unique predictive capacity of schizotypal traits for subjective and objective indices of social isolation. In addition, the potentially mediating role of negative core schemas and dysfunctional attitudes was assessed.

Methods

Structural equation modelling was used to measure and compare the relationships between the constructs of interest simultaneously.

Results

Satisfactory fit indices were attained with separate models predicting loneliness and social engagement. Results support the partial mediation of the relationships between positive and negative traits, internalising symptoms and loneliness. While all three direct pathways were significant, all three were partially mediated. Of note, these mediated effects were not observed in the model predicting social engagement, with the only significant pathways being those directly from positive and negative schizotypal traits.

Conclusions

Schizotypal traits directly predict loneliness and social engagement above that accounted for by internalising symptoms. Cognitive factors partially mediate the relationships between schizotypy and loneliness but not the size of an individual's social network. Cognitive interventions may be well suited for reducing loneliness; however, other approaches may be required to increase social networks for individuals with high levels of schizotypy.
Unveiling Pervasive Soil Microbial P Limitation in Terrestrial Ecosystems Worldwide
Authors: Guo Liang , Ju Chenghui , Xu Xia , Zhou Guomo , Luo Yiqi , Xu Chonghua , Li Qian , Du Huaqiang , Liu Wenfang , Zhou Yan
Published: December 2024

Soil microorganisms are crucial in terrestrial ecosystems, influencing carbon (C) sequestration, yet their metabolic activities are often constrained by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability. Despite this, a global understanding of microbial nutrient limitation remains elusive. We synthesised 1245 observations from 225 articles to elucidate patterns and factors of microbial nutrient limitation. Contrary to convention, soil microbial P limitation is widespread (83.78% of observations), with N limitation mainly in temperate zones and pronounced P limitation in tropical and cold zones. Soil microbial P limitation correlates positively with mean annual precipitation and clay content, while N limitation correlates negatively with soil pH. Importantly, microbial nutrient limitation directly affects C cycling, as microbial C limitation increases with decreasing N or P limitation. This underscores the significance of microbial nutrient limitation in terrestrial C cycling and the need to incorporate it into Earth system models for accurate predictions under changing conditions.
Process‐Informed Neural Networks: A Hybrid Modelling Approach to Improve Predictive Performance and Inference of Neural Networks in Ecology and Beyond
Authors: Wesselkamp Marieke , Moser Niklas , Kalweit Maria , Boedecker Joschka , Dormann Carsten F.
Published: December 2024

Despite deep learning being state of the art for data‐driven model predictions, its application in ecology is currently subject to two important constraints: (i) deep‐learning methods are powerful in data‐rich regimes, but in ecology data are typically sparse; and (ii) deep‐learning models are black‐box methods and inferring the processes they represent are non‐trivial to elicit. Process‐based (= mechanistic) models are not constrained by data sparsity or unclear processes and are thus important for building up our ecological knowledge and transfer to applications. In this work, we combine process‐based models and neural networks into process‐informed neural networks (PINNs), which incorporate the process knowledge directly into the neural network structure. In a systematic evaluation of spatial and temporal prediction tasks for C‐fluxes in temperate forests, we show the ability of five different types of PINNs (i) to outperform process‐based models and neural networks, especially in data‐sparse regimes with high‐transfer task and (ii) to inform on mis‐ or undetected processes.
Persistent symptoms, exacerbations and drug side effects despite treatment in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Reyes‐Leiva David , Carbayo Álvaro , Vesperinas‐Castro Ana , Rojas‐García Ricard , Querol Luis , Turon‐Sans Janina , Pla‐Junca Francesc , Olivé Montse , Gallardo Eduard , Pujades‐Rodriguez Mar , Cortés‐Vicente Elena
Published: December 2024

Background

Generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) is characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness. Exacerbation frequency, adverse events (AEs) related to immunosuppressant therapy and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) are not well understood. Our study aimed to describe long‐term clinical outcomes, drug‐related AEs and estimated HCRU in gMG patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of clinical data from patients with gMG followed‐up over eight consecutive years in a Spanish referral unit. Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) clinical classification, MGFA post‐interventional status (MGFA‐PIS), Myasthenia Gravis Activities of Daily Living (MG‐ADL) score, exacerbations, MG crises, therapies, AEs reported, specialist consultations and emergency room visits were studied biannually. An estimation of HRCU was made based on these data.

Results

Some 220 patients newly diagnosed with gMG were included. Ninety percent were seropositive (84.5% anti‐acetylcholine receptor [AChR], 5.9% anti‐muscle‐specific kinase [MuSK]). Baseline mean MG‐ADL score was 5.04 points (SD 3.17), improving to 0.7 points (SD 1.40) after 8 years. Exacerbations were more frequent in years 1–2 (30.1%) but still occurred in years 7–8 (20.2%). Myasthenic crisis frequency remained 1% in years 7–8. Eighty‐nine percent achieved MGFA‐PIS minimal manifestations or better at 8 years. Fifty‐one percent of patients reported at least one AE during the study period, leading to drug withdrawal in approximately 20% of cases. HCRU decreased between years 1–2 to years 7–8 with an estimated cost of MG from 8074.19 € per patient/year to 1679.46 €, respectively.

Conclusions

There is a group of MG patients that suffers from persistent symptoms and exacerbations (11%–20%) or MG crises, and drug AEs, which may increase disease burden and impact on the healthcare system.