bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An account of American Academy of Microbiology reforms and pandemic operations
Authors: Casadevall Arturo , Cotter Peggy A. , Enquist Lynn , Donohue Timothy J. , Bertuzzi Stefano , Nguyen Nguyen K.
Published: October 2023

Change is an inevitable part of any organization if it wants to adapt and strive in a changing environment. That was what the American Academy of Microbiology (Academy) did from 2019-2023 when it transformed itself into a scientific think tank at ASM while maintaining the high standard of an honorific community of scholars. Here, we report on the recent history of the Academy and the changes that have taken place during this period. With the contribution of many thougtful leaders, the Academy refreshed its commitment to promote excellence and uphold its high values.
The innate immune factor RPRD2/REAF and its role in the Lv2 restriction of HIV
Authors: Jackson-Jones Kathryn A. , McKnight Áine , Sloan Richard D.
Published: October 2023

Intracellular innate immunity involves co-evolved antiviral restriction factors that specifically inhibit infecting viruses. Studying these restrictions has increased our understanding of viral replication, host-pathogen interactions, and pathogenesis, and represent potential targets for novel antiviral therapies. Lentiviral restriction 2 (Lv2) was identified as an unmapped early-phase restriction of HIV-2 and later shown to also restrict HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus. The viral determinants of Lv2 susceptibility have been mapped to the envelope and capsid proteins in both HIV-1 and HIV-2, and also viral protein R (Vpr) in HIV-1, and appears dependent on cellular entry mechanism. A genome-wide screen identified several likely contributing host factors including members of the polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) and human silencing hub (HUSH) complexes, and the newly characterized regulation of nuclear pre-mRNA domain containing 2 (RPRD2). Subsequently, RPRD2 (or RNA-associated early-stage antiviral factor) has been shown to be upregulated upon T cell activation, is highly expressed in myeloid cells, binds viral reverse transcripts, and potently restricts HIV-1 infection. RPRD2 is also bound by HIV-1 Vpr and targeted for degradation by the proteasome upon reverse transcription, suggesting RPRD2 impedes reverse transcription and Vpr targeting overcomes this block. RPRD2 is mainly localized to the nucleus and binds RNA, DNA, and DNA:RNA hybrids. More recently, RPRD2 has been shown to negatively regulate genome-wide transcription and interact with the HUSH and PAF1 complexes which repress HIV transcription and are implicated in maintenance of HIV latency. In this review, we examine Lv2 restriction and the antiviral role of RPRD2 and consider potential mechanism(s) of action.
Cyberlindnera jadinii
and
Kluyveromyces lactis
, two fungi used in food processes, have potential probiotic effects on gut inflammation
Authors: Hugot Cindy , Poirier Maxime , Spatz Madeleine , Da Costa Gregory , Michaudel Chloé , Lapiere Alexia , Danne Camille , Martin Valérie , Langella Philippe , Sokol Harry , Michel Marie-Laure , Boyaval Patrick , Richard Mathias L.
Published: October 2023

Many strains have been used and selected by the food industry for their capacities to ferment, produce flavors, or produce heterologous molecules. Very little is known about the diversity of foodborne yeasts and their potential effect on gut microbiota and gut health. We initiated a complete characterization of five strains belonging to five species with a long history of safe use in food:
Cyberlindnera jadinii
,
Debaryomyces hansenii
,
Kazachstania unispora
,
Kluyveromyces lactis
, and
Pichia membranifaciens
, with a focus on their capacity to protect against gut inflammation using an
in vivo
dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis model in mice.
C. jadinii
and
K. lactis
living cells showed a clear reduction in mouse sensitivity to colitis
in vivo
. Interestingly, we observed that
C. jadinii
had the capacity to survive transit in the gut, while
K. lactis
did not. We demonstrated that
C. jadinii
was unable to efficiently adhere to epithelial cells and did not survive more than 24 to 48 h in the gut. Transcriptomic analysis using NanoString technology suggested a potential role of IL-8 through Mif and Fkbp5 in the effect of
C. jadinii
on the immune system. Bacterial and fungal microbiota characterization showed a modification of both microbiota after
C. jadinii
treatment, with a significant increase in positive microorganisms and a decrease in pathobionts. Altogether, these data suggest that both
C. jadinii
and
K. lactis
strains have potential as probiotic yeast strains to fight against inflammation in the gut, but further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms by which these strains act on gut health.

IMPORTANCE

The food industry has always used many strains of microorganisms including fungi in their production processes. These strains have been widely characterized for their biotechnological value, but we still know very little about their interaction capacities with the host at a time when the intestinal microbiota is at the center of many pathologies. In this study, we characterized five yeast strains from food production which allowed us to identify two new strains with high probiotic potential and beneficial effects in a model of intestinal inflammation.
Glaesserella parasuis
QseBC two-component system senses epinephrine and regulates
capD
expression
Authors: Sun Ju , Wen Siting , Wang Zhichao , Liu Wei , Lin Yan , Gu Jiayun , Mao Weiting , Xu Xiaojuan , He Qigai , Cai Xuwang
Published: October 2023

Glaesserella parasuis
, a common inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract of pigs, is the etiological agent of Glässer’s disease, which is characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, polyarthritis, and meningitis. Decreased production of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) promotes bacterial adhesion and uptake, whereas maximal expression of CPS is essential to evade the host immune response. For bacterial survival under highly variable host conditions, a coordinated regulation of CPS expression is necessary. In the present study, we investigated how epinephrine (Epi) affects the CPS production, biofilm formation, and adhesion ability of
G. parasuis
, as well as the specific mechanism of
G. parasuis
changes in response to Epi. The results demonstrated that Epi stimulation dramatically inhibited CPS expression, and both the action of Epi and the deletion of CPS biosynthesis gene
capD
had detrimental impacts on biofilm formation, and had the enhanced ability for cell adhesion. QseBC two-component system is a typical adrenaline-sensing system in bacteria. In the present study, by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we discovered that in the presence of Epi,
G. parasuis
negatively regulated
capD
expression
via
the interaction of QseB with the promoter of
capD
, thereby affecting the synthesis of CPS. In conclusion, we explored the impact of Epi on CPS synthesis and defined its regulatory mechanism in
G. parasuis
for the first time, which provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of
G. parasuis
.

IMPORTANCE

The key bacterial pathogen
Glaesserella parasuis
, which can cause Glässer’s disease, has caused significant financial losses to the swine industry worldwide. Capsular polysaccharide (CPS) is an important virulence factor for bacteria, providing the ability to avoid recognition and killing by the host immune system. Exploring the alteration of CPS synthesis in
G. parasuis
in response to epinephrine stimulation can lay the groundwork for revealing the pathogenic mechanism of
G. parasuis
as well as providing ideas for Glässer’s disease control.
Characteristics of respiratory viruses’ circulation through a six-year period (2016–2022) in a pediatric population in Normandy, France, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dina J. , Moisan A. , Thibon P. , Creveuil C. , Adnet J. , Vabret A. , Brouard J. , Plantier J. C.
Published: October 2023

The impact of COVID-19 on the circulation of respiratory viruses has highlighted the need for ongoing surveillance and preparedness for emerging infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to provide information on the dynamics of respiratory viruses in pediatric populations to inform public health policies and strategies for the prevention and control of respiratory infections. This study analyzed data on the detection of respiratory viruses in pediatric populations from 2016 to 2022. The weekly number of tests and positive results for respiratory viruses were collected and analyzed from the two major university hospitals, Caen and Rouen. Different assays, including multiplex panels and rapid detection kits, were used for testing. The study analyzed the epidemiological trends of respiratory viruses in a French region during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data set included 37,969 tests, with a significant increase in the number of tests in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. The rate of positive tests fell below 50% in 2021–2022. Enteroviruses (EV)/rhinoviruses (RV) and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) were the most frequently identified viruses, except in 2021–2022, when Flu ranked second. The Flu epidemic appeared slightly earlier in 2021–2022 and lasted for 25 weeks, with a doubling time of 4.03. The RSV epidemic occurred earlier in 2021–2022 and had similar dynamics to pre-pandemic years. EV/RV continued to circulate throughout the lockdowns, while low numbers of other viruses were detected. Our results emphasize the importance of continuing active surveillance of respiratory virus circulation and the need for new recommendations for respiratory virus detection in pediatric patients.

IMPORTANCE

The report highlights an epidemiological change in the circulation of respiratory viruses in pediatric populations due to strategies adopted against COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has resulted in a significant increase in requests for multiplex respiratory research to identify the virus responsible for the symptoms. The diagnostic needs have increased, and the number of samples analyzed in 2021–2022 is equal to the samples analyzed over the four epidemic periods preceding the pandemic. The report suggests the importance of active surveillance of respiratory viruses' circulation and new recommendations for respiratory virus detection in pediatric patients.
Transrenal
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
DNA in pulmonary tuberculosis patients during the first 14 days of treatment
Authors: Kontsevaya Irina , Heyckendorf Jan , Koops Frauke , Hillemann Doris , Goldmann Torsten , Upton Caryn M. , De Jager Veronique , Diacon Andreas , Lange Christoph
Published: October 2023

We assessed the performance of a novel real-time PCR-based transrenal DNA (trDNA) assay for the specific detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
as a candidate marker of the early anti-tuberculosis therapy response. The study was performed on 288 urine samples from 72 tuberculosis patients collected at baseline and days 3, 7, and 14 of treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid alone or in combination with meropenem, ertapenem, optimized-dose rifampicin, or standard treatment control in South Africa. trDNA was detected in one-third of the samples. The highest proportion of positive PCR results (cycle threshold < 36) was observed on days 3 and 7, reflecting the point in time when maximum bacterial killing and disintegration are expected. When analyzed by study arms, the trend was observed in groups treated with active antibiotics affecting cell wall integrity (meropenem, control) but not in inactive drugs (ertapenem, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid alone) or active drugs not affecting the cell wall (rifampicin). Overall, however, the trDNA assay did not correlate well with sputum culture-based decline of viable bacteria. This is possibly due to trDNA reflecting the killing of both culturable and non-culturable bacteria and should be explored further.

IMPORTANCE

This study presents the results of the evaluation of a novel method for the detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, the causative agent of tuberculosis, in urine. Detecting parts of the mycobacteria in urine is of particular interest as it allows us to use a sample that is easy to obtain and that does not require uncomfortable procedures or safety precautions like obtaining sputum for culture, which is the most commonly used sample in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. In certain groups of individuals who cannot produce sputum, for example, children, non-sputum-based methods have particular importance. We found that the method tested was able to detect bacterial killing by active antibiotics that disrupt the cell wall and lead to fragmentation of bacteria. However, the assay can't detect inactive bacteria or bacteria that are active with an intact cell wall.
Integrative DNA methylome and transcriptome analysis reveals DNA adenine methylation is involved in
Salmonella enterica
Typhimurium response to oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Wenting , Lyu Lin , Xu Zhihiong , Ni Jinjing , Wang Danni , Lu Jie , Yao Yu-Feng
Published: October 2023

Salmonella
could survive and replicate in macrophages, where it encounters multiple stresses. Deficiency of a DNA adenine methyltransferase impairs the survival of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (
S
. Typhimurium) in hydrogen peroxide. To investigate whether DNA methylation is involved in the expression of oxidative stress-responsive genes, we combined RNA-seq and single-molecule real-time sequencing to integrate transcriptome and methylome analysis. Here, we show that (i) the entire amount of m6A GATC remains stable during oxidative stress; (ii) no significant association is observed between DNA methylation and transcription level in most genes; (iii) coincidence of level change between transcription and m6A GATC in the regulatory regions is identified in 49 genes under oxidative stress. Some of them are known to contribute to bacterial defenses against oxidative stress through reducing H
2
O
2
levels, directing aberrant protein product degradation and inducing outer membrane protein expression. Specifically, the transcription level of
ahpCF
is negatively correlated to the m6A GATC level in its regulatory region. The transcription of
smpB
is elevated along with the decrease in m6A level at position 2,879,954 on the minus strand. In contrast, mRNA levels of
STM14_2773
and
ycfR
are positively correlated with m6A GATC content in their regulatory regions. Highly stable DNA methylome and coupled change of m6A GATC with gene expression in specific positions suggest that DNA methylation homeostasis at genome-wide and plasticity in specific regions are crucial for bacterial response to oxidative stress. These findings provide new insights into the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in
S
. Typhimurium in the host microenvironment.

IMPORTANCE

The intracellular pathogen
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium (
S
. Typhimurium) comes across a wide variety of stresses from entry to dissemination, such as reactive oxygen species. To adapt itself to oxidative stress,
Salmonella
must adopt various and complex strategies. In this study, we revealed that DNA adenine methyltransferase was essential for
S
. Typhimurium to survive in hydrogen peroxide. We then screened out oxidative stress-responsive genes that were potentially regulated by DNA methylation in
S
. Typhimurium. Our results show that the DNA methylome is highly stable throughout the genome, and the coupled change of m6A GATC with gene expression is identified in only a few positions, which suggests the complexity of the DNA methylation and gene expression regulation networks. The results may shed light on our understanding of m6A-mediated gene expression regulation in bacteria.
Features of the Mechanism of Proton Transport in ESR, Retinal Protein from Exiguobacterium sibiricum
Authors: Petrovskaya Lada E. , Siletsky Sergei A. , Mamedov Mahir D. , Lukashev Eugene P. , Balashov Sergei P. , Dolgikh Dmitry A. , Kirpichnikov Mikhail P.
Published: October 2023

Retinal-containing light-sensitive proteins – rhodopsins – are found in many microorganisms. Interest in them is largely explained by their role in light energy storage and photoregulation in microorganisms, as well as the prospects for their use in optogenetics to control neuronal activity, including treatment of various diseases. One of the representatives of microbial rhodopsins is ESR, the retinal protein of Exiguobacterium sibiricum. What distinguishes ESR from homologous proteins is the presence of a lysine residue (Lys96) as a proton donor for the Schiff base. This feature, along with the hydrogen bond of the proton acceptor Asp85 with the His57 residue, determines functional characteristics of ESR as a proton pump. This review examines the results of ESR studies conducted using various methods, including direct electrometry. Comparison of the obtained data with the results of structural studies and with other retinal proteins allows us to draw conclusions about the mechanisms of transport of hydrogen ions in ESR and similar retinal proteins.
Effects of PROtein enriched MEDiterranean Diet and EXercise on nutritional status and cognition in adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline: the PROMED-EX Randomised Controlled Trial.
Authors: Ward Nicola Ann , Reid-McCann Rachel , Brennan Lorraine , Cardwell Christopher R , de Groot CPGM , Maggi Stefania , McCaffrey Noel , McGuinness Bernadette , McKinley Michelle C , Noale Marianna , O'Neill Roisin F , Prinelli Federica , Sergi Giuseppe , Trevisan Caterina , Volkert Dorothee , Woodside Jayne V , McEvoy Claire T
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Undernutrition leading to unplanned weight loss is common in older age and has been linked to increased dementia risk in later life. Weight loss can precede dementia by a decade or more, providing a unique opportunity for early intervention to correct undernutrition and potentially prevent or delay cognitive impairment. The combined effects of diet and exercise on undernutrition have not yet been evaluated. The objective of this trial is to determine the effect of a protein-enriched Mediterranean diet, with and without exercise, on nutritional status and cognitive performance in older adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline.

Methods

One hundred and five participants aged 60 years and over at risk of undernutrition and with subjective cognitive decline will be recruited to participate in a 6-month, single-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial. Participants will be block randomised into one of three groups: group 1—PROMED-EX (diet+exercise), group 2—PROMED (diet only) and group 3—standard care (control). The primary outcome is nutritional status measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function, nutritional intake, body composition, physical function and quality of life. Mechanistic pathways for potential diet and exercise-induced change in nutritional status and cognition will be explored by measuring inflammatory, metabolic, nutritional and metabolomic biomarkers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the UK Office for Research Ethics Committee (ref: 21/NW/0215). Written informed consent will be obtained from participants prior to recruitment. Research results will be disseminated to the public via meetings and media and the scientific community through conference presentations and publication in academic journals.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05166564).
Differences in lipid and blood pressure measurements between individuals with type 1 diabetes and the general population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Varkevisser Rita Delphine Maiko , Mul Dick , Aanstoot Henk-Jan , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H R , van der Klauw Melanie M
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a precarious complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Alongside glycaemic control, lipid and blood pressure (BP) management are essential for the prevention of CVD. However, age-specific differences in lipid and BP between individuals with T1D and the general population are relatively unknown.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Six diabetes outpatient clinics and individuals from the Lifelines cohort, a multigenerational cohort from the Northern Netherlands.

Participants

2178 adults with T1D and 146 22 individuals without diabetes from the general population.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), stratified by age group, glycated haemoglobin category, medication use and sex.

Results

In total, 2178 individuals with T1D and 146 822 without diabetes were included in this study. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were lower and SBP and DBP were higher in individuals with T1D in comparison to the background population. When stratified by age and medication use, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were lower and SBP and DBP were higher in the T1D population. Men with T1D achieved lower LDL-cholesterol levels both with and without medication in older age groups in comparison to women. Women with T1D had up to 8 mm Hg higher SBP compared with the background population, this difference was not present in men.

Conclusions

Lipid and BP measurements are not comparable between individuals with T1D and the general population and are particularly unfavourable for BP in the T1D group. There are potential sex differences in the management of LDL-cholesterol and BP.
Biomass accumulation in trees and downed wood in northern hardwood forests: Repeated measures of a successional chronosequence in New Hampshire, USA
Authors: Nash Joseph M. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , McGee Gregory G. , Woodall Christopher W. , Yanai Ruth D.
Published: October 2023

Successional, second-growth forests dominate much of eastern North America; thus, patterns of biomass accumulation in standing trees and downed wood are of great interest for forest management and carbon accounting. The timing and magnitude of biomass accumulation in later stages of forest development are not fully understood. We applied a “chronosequence with resampling” approach to characterize live and dead biomass accumulation in 16 northern hardwood stands in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Live aboveground biomass increased rapidly and leveled off at about 350 Mg/ha by 145 years. Downed wood biomass fluctuated between 10 and 35 Mg/ha depending on disturbances. The species composition of downed wood varied predictably with overstory succession, and total mass of downed wood increased with stand age and the concomitant production of larger material. Fine woody debris peaked at 30–50 years during the self-thinning of early successional species, notably pin cherry. Our data support a model of northern hardwood forest development wherein live tree biomass accumulates asymptotically and begins to level off at ∼140–150 years. Still, 145-year-old second-growth stands differed from old-growth forests in their live ( p = 0.09) and downed tree diameter distributions ( p = 0.06). These patterns of forest biomass accumulation would be difficult to detect without a time series of repeated measurements of stands of different ages.
Some three- and n-component waves in porous media
Authors: Spanos T.J.T.
Published: October 2023

Based on experimental results and self-consistent physical theory, a three-component description of nonlinear body waves in porous media is constructed. Applications of this result to two-component fluid flow in dynamic porous media and seismic wave propagation in multiphase porous media are presented. This description is important to petroleum reservoir simulation, groundwater hydrology, and seismic analysis of the earth. The two-body analogue of these results has been shown, in the past, to be inconsistent with the two-body linear models currently used by petroleum engineers and groundwater hydrologists. In seismic theory, simple linear models are generally used and much of the information obtained from the theory presented here is referred to as noise. The processes observed and described here have been patented and applied commercially to oil production and groundwater remediation. It is shown here that even if the correct nonlinear equations are used, three-component wave descriptions of porous media cannot be constructed solely from the equations of motion for the components. This is because of the introduction of the complexity of multiple scales into this nonlinear field theory. Information about the coupling between the components is required to obtain a physical description. It is observed that the fields must be coupled in phase and out of phase, and this result is consistent with the description of three- and n-body gravitational fields in Newtonian gravity and general relativity.
Overwintering site fidelity and communal hibernation predispose Northern Map Turtles to mass mortality events
Authors: Bulté Grégory , Robichaud Jessica A. , Shadlock Erika J. , Cooke Steven J. , Blouin-Demers Gabriel
Published: October 2023

Mass mortality events appear to be increasing in intensity and frequency, so understanding their causes and consequences is imperative for wildlife conservation. We report on a mass mortality event in a population of Northern Map Turtles ( Graptemys geographica (LeSueur, 1817)). At a communal overwintering site, 142 carcasses (ca. 10% of population) were recovered, seemingly depredated by river otters ( Lontra canadensis (Schreber, 1777)). We compared the size and sex of the carcasses to those of turtles that survived. Smaller turtles and males were more likely to be depredated than larger turtles and females. Using captures made at the same overwintering site between 2003 and 2022, we assessed the vulnerability of this population to mass mortality events during winter. Nearly 60% of the 1875 turtles marked between 2003 and 2022 used the overwintering site where the mass mortality event occurred at least once. On average, turtles overwintered at the site at least 38% of the winters between their first and last capture. Our study shows how behaviour and physiology interact to predispose a species to mass mortality events and ecological traps. Protecting overwintering sites and minimizing human pressures affecting winter depredation may be essential for the preservation of certain turtle populations.
Factors Associated with the Return to Work after Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Worker Population
Authors: KABIR-MOKAMELKHAH Elaheh , NAJD MAZHAR Farid , HAMIDI Arsalan , HOSSEININEJAD Mahin
Published: October 2023

Background: There is controversy regarding the factors influencing the duration of sickness absence and return to work (RTW) after surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study aimed to determine factors related to RTW in these patients.

Methods: This descriptive–analytical study was performed on all patients with CTS who underwent surgery in a main orthopaedic centre from December 2020 to April 2021. Patients were followed for 90 days after surgery for the RTW. The patients were classified into two groups based on the time of RTW, early (<21 days) and late (>21 days). These two groups were compared in terms of occupational, individual and disease-related factors and the type of surgery.

Results: The mean time to RTW in patients was 23.2 ± 7.1 days, with a range of 7–60 days. There was a statistically significant relationship between early RTW and gender (female) (p = 0.005 OR = 6.5), non-manual work (p = 0.002 OR = 1.2), the total score of the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire before surgery and job satisfaction (p = 0.04). The mean time to RTW in patients who underwent open surgery was less than in endoscopic surgery (22.89 ± 6.29 vs. 24.58 ± 4.7), but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Based on the findings of our study, the type of surgery does not affect the RTW of patients with CTS. Considering the effect of job type and job satisfaction on RTW, it is recommended to pay attention to the type of occupation in addition to the type of surgery so that this workforce can RTW with good performance.

Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic)
Study of Reliability and Validity of the Load Cell-Type Hand Dynamometer Compared to the Jamar Dynamometer and the Number of Reliable Grip Strength Measurements
Authors: KANAUCHI Yumiko , MURASE Tsuyoshi , NISHIWAKI Masao , ODAGIRI Masahiro , WANEZAKI Yoshihiro , ISHIKAWA Hitoshi
Published: October 2023

Background: Standardised measurement protocols for grip strength remained unclear due to variations in values depending on the device and measurement method. The load cell hand dynamometer has recently been developed. This study aims to investigate the reliability of the load cell dynamometer by comparing it to the Jamar dynamometer, which is considered the gold standard, and to identify a reliable and practical measurement method.

Methods: This study included 80 healthy hospital workers (mean age of 40.1 years). All measurements were performed seated, with the elbow flexed 90° and the grip span at the second handle (approximately 50 mm) for the Jamar dynamometer, and with the elbow extended and the grip span fixed at 55 mm for the load cell dynamometer. Grip strength was measured three times on each hand using two dynamometers, and the same tests were repeated on different days. Test–retest reliability, the association between the two devices and the agreement between the two measurement methods were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation and the Bland–Altman analysis.

Results: The ICC of the one measurement was lower than that of three measurements for both dynamometers, but was above 0.858 in all groups, indicating sufficient reliability with one-time measurement. Additionally, the ICC for different days revealed good reliability (Jamar: >0.830, load cell: >0.772). The load cell dynamometer showed significantly lower values in all measurements despite the excellent correlation (r > 0.70) and the agreement between the two dynamometers.

Conclusions: This study revealed sufficient reliability of the load cell dynamometer with the standardised measurement method, but it should be noted the lower values compared to the Jamar dynamometer. Additionally, one-time measurement reliability is adequate for practical use by standardising the measurement methods for both dynamometers.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic)
Sliding Plate System: A Novel Method and Device for Shortening Osteotomy
Authors: SHARIYATE Mohammad Javad , AFSHAR Ahmadreza , NAZARIAN Ara , KACHOOEI Amir R.
Published: October 2023

We report a novel sliding plate system (SPS) and its application for radial shortening osteotomy. We conceptualised, designed and introduced the SPS, which helps with precise shortening osteotomy in both radius and ulna. We implanted the SPS in a patient with Kienböck disease following a radius shortening osteotomy. The SPS was safe and efficient, and the surgical technique eliminated extra steps. The SPS affords precise shortening, optimum compression and anatomic alignment after radius shortening osteotomy.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
An Interface-Preserving Moving Mesh in Multiple Space Dimensions
Authors: Alkämper Maria , Magiera Jim , Rohde Christian
Published: October 2023

An interface-preserving moving mesh algorithm in two or higher dimensions is presented. It resolves a moving (
d
-1)-dimensional manifold directly within the
d
-dimensional mesh, which means that the interface is represented by a subset of moving mesh cell-surfaces. The underlying mesh is a conforming simplicial partition that fulfills the Delaunay property. The local remeshing algorithms allow for strong interface deformations. We give a proof that the given algorithms preserve the interface after interface deformation and remeshing steps. Originating from various numerical methods, data is attached cell-wise to the mesh. After each remeshing operation, the interface-preserving moving mesh retains valid data by projecting the data to the new mesh cells.

An open source implementation of the moving mesh algorithm is available at Reference [
1
].
Characters Link Shots: Character Attention Network for Movie Scene Segmentation
Authors: Tan Jiawei , Wang Hongxing , Yuan Junsong
Published: October 2023

Movie scene segmentation aims to automatically segment a movie into multiple story units, i.e., scenes, each of which is a series of semantically coherent and time-continual shots. Previous methods have continued efforts on shot semantic association, but few take into account the impact of different semantics on foreground characters and background scenes in movie shots. In particular, the background scene in the shot can adversely affect scene boundary classification. Motivated by the fact that it is the characters who drive the plot development of a movie scene, we build a Character Attention Network (CANet) to detect movie scene boundaries in a character-centric fashion. To eliminate the background clutter, we extract multi-view character semantics for each shot in terms of human bodies and faces. Furthermore, we equip our CANet with two stages of character attention. The first is Masked Shot Attention (MSA) through selective self-attention over similar temporal contexts from multi-view character semantics to yield an enhanced omni-view shot representation, by which the CANet can better handle the variations of characters in pose and appearance. The second is Key Character Attention (KCA) through temporal-aware attention on character reappearances for Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) feature association so that linking shots can be focused on those with recurring key characters. We encourage the proposed CANet in learning boundary-discriminative shot features. Specifically, we formulate a Boundary-Aware circle Loss (BAL) to push far apart CANet-features between adjacent scenes, which is also coupled with the cross-entropy loss to drive CANet-features sensitive to scene boundaries. Experimental results on the MovieNet-SSeg and OVSD datasets show that our method achieves superior performance in temporal scene segmentation compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Improved Piezoelectric Output Performance of NN-P(VDF-TrFE) Piezoelectric Composite Film
Authors: Wang Yuanyu , Yang Ya , Zhang Guoxiang , Deng Jizhong , Li Ronglian , Sun Qi
Published: October 2023

In this work, sodium niobate (NN) particles were prepared through the hydrothermal method. NN-P(VDF-TrFE) composite films with different weight ratios of NN were prepared via the casting method. The microstructure and performance of the films were investigated systematically. The results showed that the 2 wt% NN-doped P(VDF-TrFE) film had the best mechanical properties, while the 6 wt% NN-doped P(VDF-TrFE) film exhibited the best electrical performance with an output voltage of ∼5.2 V. Furthermore, the sodium niobate ceramic prepared by the solid-state reaction method and poled at DC field, was utilized to prepare the composite film for comparison. The results indicated that the P(VDF-TrFE) was of great importance for output performance. Namely, under an electric field, NN particles interacted with the P(VDF-TrFE), especially transforming the non-polar α phase of the P(VDF-TrFE) into the polar β phase, and hence enhancing the output of the composite film.
General versus Local Anesthesia with Intravenous Sedation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Schutz Alexander , Krajcer Zvonimir , Zhang Qianzi , LeMaire Scott A. , Dougherty Katherine G. , Plana Juan Carlos , Coulter Stephanie A. , Strickman Neil E. , Silva Guilherme V. , Anton James , Coselli Joseph S. , Preventza Ourania
Published: October 2023

Background. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) may offer better outcomes than general anesthesia (GA) in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We compared TAVI outcomes between patients who received MAC versus GA. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data from all patients (N = 659), as well as 216 propensity-matched patients, who underwent TAVI at our institution during 2014–2019. Results. MAC and GA did not differ significantly in mortality (1.6% MAC vs. 4.2% GA,

p

 = 0.05) or stroke (2.2% MAC vs. 2.4% GA,

p

 = 0.96); however, median length of stay (LOS) was shorter in the MAC group (2 d MAC vs. 7 d GA,

p

 < 0.0001). In propensity-matched patients, mortality (2.8% MAC vs. 4.6% GA,

p

 = 0.7) and stroke (3.7% MAC vs. 1.9% GA,

p

 = 0.7) did not differ significantly between groups. LOS remained shorter in the MAC group (2 d MAC vs. 7 d GA,

p

 < 0.0001). Conclusions. In this large, single-center, retrospective study, MAC was associated with shorter hospital stay after TAVI.
Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Furosemide Floating Matrix Tablets Using Boswellia papyrifera Resin as Matrix Forming Polymer
Authors: Yehualaw Adane , Tafere Chernet , Yilma Zewdu , Abrha Solomon
Published: October 2023

The stomach and upper part of the small intestine are where furosemide is primarily absorbed when treating edema brought on by congestive heart failure (CHF), hepatic cirrhosis, renal impairment, and nephrotic syndrome. This narrow absorption window is responsible for furosemide’s limited oral bioavailability. So creating a gastroretentive floating tablet could be beneficial. Natural polymers are advised for use in medication delivery because they are readily available in nature, biodegradable, relatively inexpensive, biocompatible, and nontoxic. Olibanum is a natural plant‐based polymer obtained from Boswellia genus of trees and mainly composed of alcohol‐soluble resin (65‐85%). Ethiopia is rich in Boswellia species, with Boswellia papyrifera being the most important oleo‐gum resin‐producing tree species. In order to formulate a gastroretentive floating matrix tablet of furosemide, this study looked at the use of naturally occurring, locally available B. papyrifera resin as a matrix‐forming polymer. By directly compressing B. papyrifera resin and HPMC K4M as matrix‐forming polymers and sodium bicarbonate as a gas‐generating agent, floating matrix tablets were created. The effects of the formulation variables polymer type, polymer concentration, polymer ratio, and percentage of the floating agent on the floating lag time, total floating time (duration), and cumulative drug release in 12 hours were investigated. Furosemide floating tablets formulated employing higher (40%) polymer concentrations (olibanum resin, HPMC K4M, or in combination) and 10% sodium bicarbonate as gas‐generating agent demonstrated a floating lag time of less than 6 minutes and a sustained release with a total floating time of more than 12 hours. Comparing the release characteristics of floating tablets made with 40% of a total polymer and 10% of NaHCO3 revealed that the medicine is released very slowly when polymers were combined. The matrix‐forming polymer, olibanum resin, obtained from B. papyrifera, was effectively used to make furosemide floating matrix tablets. The olibanum resin from B. papyrifera can therefore be used as a potential substitute matrix‐forming polymer in the production of effervescent floating matrix tablets.
Glaucoma Characteristics and Influencing Factors during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in the Huizhou Region
Authors: Zhou Huilan , Liao Rui , Zhang Dongxuan , Wang Wei , Deng Shuifeng
Published: October 2023

Objective. Glaucoma in individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) during the pandemic outbreak has not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the characteristics and risk factors of glaucoma during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Huizhou. Methods. Retrospective data from outpatients with glaucoma at the Huizhou Hospital Affiliated with Guangzhou Medical University and Longmen County People’s Hospital were collected during two periods: the COVID‐19 pandemic period (Phase A: December 1, 2022, to January 19, 2023) and the prevention and control period (Phase B: December 1, 2021, to January 19, 2022). The demographic characteristics of the outpatients during both phases were compared. The characteristics of glaucoma in patients with COVID‐19 during Phase A were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing the development of acute angle‐closure glaucoma (AACG) in Phase A patients. Results. The proportion of patients with glaucoma was significantly higher during Phase A than during Phase B at both hospitals. No statistically significant differences were observed between patients with glaucoma during Phases A and B for age, sex, and region. A high COVID‐19‐positive rate was associated with old age, females, AACG, newly diagnosed glaucoma, and binocular involvement during phase A. Females testing positive for COVID‐19, glaucoma that started after testing positive for COVID‐19, and a history of medication use were associated with a higher proportion of AACG in phase A. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified testing positive for COVID‐19 as an independent potential risk factor for developing AACG. Conclusion. In summary, during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Huizhou, patients with COVID‐19 were primarily affected by AACG, especially females, older individuals, and those with binocular involvement. Testing positive for COVID‐19 increases the risk of developing AACG.
A Multiple Object Tracker with Spatiotemporal Memory Network
Authors: Xiao Peng , Chi Jiannan , Wang Zhiliang , Yan Fei , Liu Jiahui
Published: October 2023

Target tracking is an important application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The template is the identity of the target and has a great impact on the performance of target tracking. Most methods only keep the latest template of the target, which is intuitive and convenient but has poor ability to resist the change of target appearance, especially to reidentify a target that has disappeared for a long time. In this paper, we propose a practical multiobject tracking (MOT) method, which uses historical information of targets for better adapting to appearance variations during tracking. To preserve the spatial-temporal information of the target, we introduce a memory pool to store masked feature maps at different moments, and precise masks are generated by a segmentation network. Meanwhile, we fuse the feature maps at different moments by calculating the pixel-level similarity between the current feature map and the masked historical feature maps. Benefiting from the powerful segmentation features and the utilization of historical information, our method can generate more accurate bounding boxes of the targets. Extensive experiments and comparisons with many trackers on MOTS, MOT17, and MOT20 demonstrate that our method is competitive. The ablation study showed that the introduction of memory improves the multiobject tracking accuracy (MOTA) by 2.1.
A B7-H4–Targeting Antibody–Drug Conjugate Shows Antitumor Activity in PARPi and Platinum-Resistant Cancers with B7-H4 Expression
Authors: Gitto Sarah B. , Whicker Margaret , Davies Gareth , Kumar Sushil , Kinneer Krista , Xu Haineng , Lewis Arthur , Mamidi Srinivas , Medvedev Sergey , Kim Hyoung , Anderton Judith , Tang E. Jessica , Ferman Benjamin , Coats Steven , Wilkinson Robert W. , Brown Eric , Powell Daniel J. , Simpkins Fiona
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

Platinum and PARP inhibitors (PARPi) demonstrate activity in breast and ovarian cancers, but drug resistance ultimately emerges. Here, we examine B7-H4 expression in primary and recurrent high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and the activity of a B7-H4-directed antibody–drug conjugate (B7-H4-ADC), using a pyrrolobenzodiazepine-dimer payload, in PARPi- and platinum-resistant HGSOC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

Experimental Design:

B7-H4 expression was quantified by flow cytometry and IHC. B7-H4-ADC efficacy was tested against multiple cell lines in vitro and PDX in vivo. The effect of B7-H4-ADC on cell cycle, DNA damage, and apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry.

Results:

B7-H4 is overexpressed in 92% of HGSOC tumors at diagnosis (n = 12), persisted in recurrent matched samples after platinum treatment, and was expressed at similar levels across metastatic sites after acquired multi-drug resistance (n = 4). Treatment with B7-H4-ADC resulted in target-specific growth inhibition of multiple ovarian and breast cancer cell lines. In platinum- or PARPi-resistant ovarian cancer cells, B7-H4-ADC significantly decreased viability and colony formation while increasing cell-cycle arrest and DNA damage, ultimately leading to apoptosis. Single-dose B7-H4-ADC led to tumor regression in 65.5% of breast and ovarian PDX models (n = 29), with reduced activity in B7-H4 low or negative models. In PARPi and platinum-resistant HGSOC PDX models, scheduled B7-H4-ADC dosing led to sustained tumor regression and increased survival.

Conclusions:

These data support B7-H4 as an attractive ADC target for treatment of drug-resistant HGSOC and provide evidence for activity of an ADC with a DNA-damaging payload in this population.

See related commentary by Veneziani et al., p. 1434
Supplementary Table 2 from PSGL-1 Blockade Induces Classical Activation of Human Tumor-associated Macrophages
Authors: Kauffman Kevin , Manfra Denise , Nowakowska Dominika , Zafari Mohammad , Nguyen Phuong A. , Phennicie Ryan , Vollmann Elisabeth H. , O'Nuallain Brian , Basinski Sara , Komoroski Veronica , Rooney Kate , Culyba Elizabeth K. , Wahle Joseph , Ries Carola , Brehm Michael , Sazinsky Steve , Feldman Igor , Novobrantseva Tatiana I.
Published: October 2023

Lymphoid staining panel for the syngeneic Sa1N study.
Supplementary Figure 8 from PSGL-1 Blockade Induces Classical Activation of Human Tumor-associated Macrophages
Authors: Kauffman Kevin , Manfra Denise , Nowakowska Dominika , Zafari Mohammad , Nguyen Phuong A. , Phennicie Ryan , Vollmann Elisabeth H. , O'Nuallain Brian , Basinski Sara , Komoroski Veronica , Rooney Kate , Culyba Elizabeth K. , Wahle Joseph , Ries Carola , Brehm Michael , Sazinsky Steve , Feldman Igor , Novobrantseva Tatiana I.
Published: October 2023

Induction of individual cytokines by anti-PSGL-1 treatment and Keytruda in fresh tumor cultures.
Supplementary Figure 2 from PSGL-1 Blockade Induces Classical Activation of Human Tumor-associated Macrophages
Authors: Kauffman Kevin , Manfra Denise , Nowakowska Dominika , Zafari Mohammad , Nguyen Phuong A. , Phennicie Ryan , Vollmann Elisabeth H. , O'Nuallain Brian , Basinski Sara , Komoroski Veronica , Rooney Kate , Culyba Elizabeth K. , Wahle Joseph , Ries Carola , Brehm Michael , Sazinsky Steve , Feldman Igor , Novobrantseva Tatiana I.
Published: October 2023

All solid cancer indications in TCGA ranked by the average expression of SELPLG.
Supplementary Figure 1 from PSGL-1 Blockade Induces Classical Activation of Human Tumor-associated Macrophages
Authors: Kauffman Kevin , Manfra Denise , Nowakowska Dominika , Zafari Mohammad , Nguyen Phuong A. , Phennicie Ryan , Vollmann Elisabeth H. , O'Nuallain Brian , Basinski Sara , Komoroski Veronica , Rooney Kate , Culyba Elizabeth K. , Wahle Joseph , Ries Carola , Brehm Michael , Sazinsky Steve , Feldman Igor , Novobrantseva Tatiana I.
Published: October 2023

Single cell transcriptome atlas showing PSGL-1 expression on human immune cells in non-small cell lung cancer.