bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete ammonia oxidization in agricultural soils: High ammonia fertilizer loss but low N2O production
Authors: Jiang Liping , Yu Jie , Wang Shanyun , Wang Xiaomin , Schwark Lorenz , Zhu Guibing
Published: January 2023

The contribution of agriculture to the sustainable development goals requires climate‐smart and profitable farm innovations. Increasing the ammonia fertilizer applications to meet the global food demands results in high agricultural costs, environmental quality deterioration, and global warming, without a significant increase in crop yield. Here, we reported that a third microbial ammonia oxidation process, complete ammonia oxidation (comammox), is contributing to a significant ammonia fertilizer loss (41.9 ± 4.8%) at the rate of 3.53 ± 0.55 mg N kg−1 day−1 in agricultural soils around the world. The contribution of comammox to ammonia fertilizer loss, occurring mainly in surface agricultural soil profiles (0–0.2 m), was equivalent to that of bacterial ammonia oxidation (48.6 ± 4.5%); both processes were significantly more important than archaeal ammonia oxidation (9.5 ± 3.6%). In contrast, comammox produced less N2O (0.98 ± 0.44 μg N kg−1 day−1, 11.7 ± 3.1%), comparable to that produced by archaeal ammonia oxidation (16.4 ± 4.4%) but significantly lower than that of bacterial ammonia oxidation (72.0 ± 5.1%). The efficiency of ammonia conversion to N2O by comammox (0.02 ± 0.01%) was evidently lower than that of bacterial (0.24 ± 0.06%) and archaeal (0.16 ± 0.04%) ammonia oxidation. The comammox rate increased with increasing soil pH values, which is the only physicochemical characteristic that significantly influenced both comammox bacterial abundance and rates. Ammonia fertilizer loss, dominated by comammox and bacterial ammonia oxidation, was more intense in soils with pH >6.5 than in soils with pH <6.5. Our results revealed that comammox plays a vital role in ammonia fertilizer loss and sustainable development in agroecosystems that have been previously overlooked for a long term.
Effect of high‐intensity interval walking on microvascular endothelial function among community‐dwelling older people
Authors: Kamiya Kuniyasu , Hayashi Emi , Ito Yuri , Kudo Asako , Kakihana Hironobu , Tsuda Kouji , Saito Masahisa , Nukui Yuji , Nakayama Shin , Ueno Takaaki , Hoshiga Masaaki , Tamaki Junko
Published: January 2023

Aim

To investigate the effects of high‐intensity interval exercise training on microvascular endothelial function among community‐dwelling older people.

Methods

We analyzed the data from a nonrandomized controlled trial. This study's participants were 48 men (aged 75 ± 5 years; exercise training group, n = 24; control group, n = 24) and 83 women (aged 75 ± 4 years; exercise training group, n = 36; control group, n = 47). The exercise training group underwent a high‐intensity interval walking training for 5 months.

Results

In the exercise group, 100% and 91.7% of men and women, respectively, achieved brisk walking times ≥50 min/week. The change in the reactive hyperemia index significantly differed between the groups of men, whereas that in the control group was not significant; however, a significant increase was observed in the exercise training group. Among women, changes in the reactive hyperemia index were not significant in either group; however, for women in the exercise training group, these changes negatively and positively correlated with the change in body mass index (Spearman's rho = −0.342; P = 0.041) and baseline body mass index (rho = 0.362, P = 0.030), respectively. Additionally, the distribution of body mass index was broader in women than in men.

Conclusions

Interval walking training increased the reactive hyperemia index in men rather than in women. A higher variation in baseline body mass index may be associated with no statistical increase in reactive hyperemia index in women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 103–110.
POETICS AND POLITICS OF CLIMATE: STURM UND DRANG AND ENLIGHTENMENT‐ERA CLIMATE THEORY
Authors: Baumeister Anna‐Lisa
Published: January 2023

This article investigates the ‘radicality’ of the Sturm und Drang in relation to Enlightenment‐era climate theory. In the wake of Montesquieu's seminal De l'Esprit des Lois (1748), the notion of climate as a fundamental driver of human culture was popularised across Europe. It is argued that Sturm und Drang authors embraced this trend while at the same time developing their own radical climate discourse distinct from Enlightenment‐era climate theory. The texts surveyed here – by Goethe, Heinse, Herder, Lenz and Schiller – reject universalist idealisations of the Mediterranean and contest colonialist arguments for the creation of a moderate world‐climate. Against this historical background of colonialist climate control, the Sturm und Drang poetics of climate reaches beyond ethnological‐nationalistic origin‐myths and irrationalist mythologies of nature, amounting instead to a critical engagement with the purposiveness of climatic variety and a poetological attempt to unite Enlightenment ideals of freedom with the thinking of difference. In this way, the article rejects a prominent understanding of the Sturm und Drang as formative for the development of climate theory in the German context, and as politically reactionary in its climate discourse. Rather, the article sets out a radically Enlightened Sturm und Drang poetics of climate.
Longitudinal analysis of mucosa‐associated invariant T cells in sepsis reveals their early numerical decline with prognostic implications and a progressive loss of antimicrobial functions
Authors: Choi Joshua , Schmerk Crystal L , Mele Tina S , Rudak Patrick T , Wardell Christine M , Deng Gansen , Pavri Farzan R , Kim Kyoungok , Cepinskas Gediminas , He Wenqing , Haeryfar SM Mansour
Published: January 2023

Sepsis‐elicited immunosuppression elevates the risk of secondary infections. We used a clinically relevant mouse model and serial peripheral blood samples from patients to assess the antimicrobial activities of mucosa‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in sepsis. Hepatic and splenic MAIT cells from B6‐MAITCAST mice displayed increased CD69 expression and a robust interferon‐γ (IFNγ) production capacity shortly after sublethal cecal ligation and puncture, but not at a late timepoint. Peripheral blood MAIT cell frequencies were reduced in septic patients at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and more dramatically so among nonsurvivors, suggesting the predictive usefulness of early MAIT cell enumeration. In addition, at ICU admission, MAIT cells from sepsis survivors launched stronger IFNγ responses to several bacterial species compared with those from patients who subsequently died of sepsis. Of note, while low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR+ monocyte frequencies, widely regarded as a surrogate indicator of sepsis‐induced immunosuppression, were gradually corrected, the numerical insufficiency of MAIT cells was not resolved over time, and their CD69 expression continued to decline. MAIT cell responses to bacterial pathogens, a major histocompatibility complex–related protein 1 (MR1) ligand, and interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐18 were also progressively lost during sepsis and did not recover by the time of ICU/hospital discharge. We propose that MAIT cell dysfunctions contribute to post‐sepsis immunosuppression.
Universal Procreation Rights and Future Generations
Authors: Campbell Tim , Kolk Martin , Mosquera Julia
Published: January 2023

It is often acknowledged that public policies can constrain people's procreative opportunities, in some cases even infringing their procreative rights. However, a topic that is not often discussed is how the procreative choices of one generation can affect the procreative opportunities of later generations. In this article, we argue that the demographic fact that childbearing above the replacement fertility level is eventually unsustainable supports two constraints on universal procreation rights: a compossibility constraint and an egalitarian constraint. We explore the implications of these two constraints and suggest that there are reasons to think of procreative opportunity as a finite resource that can be distributed more or less equally across generations. We also briefly discuss possible ways of meeting demands of intergenerational justice with respect to procreative opportunity.
Vitamin D and risk of hypertension among Black women
Authors: Sheehy Shanshan , Palmer Julie R. , Cozier Yvette , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Rosenberg Lynn
Published: January 2023

Evidence of an association between plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and risk of hypertension, predominantly from studies of White individuals, suggests an inverse relationship. Limited data are available on Black individuals, who are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. In the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS), a prospective study of 59 000 self‐identified Black women from across the US, we assessed levels of a validated predicted vitamin D score in relation to incident hypertension. We followed 42 239 participants who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer from 1995 to 2019, during which time 19 505 incident cases of hypertension were identified. Cox proportional hazards model were used to calculate multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of predicted vitamin D with the risk of incident hypertension. In age‐adjusted analyses, there was a strong inverse dose‐response association between predicted vitamin D score and hypertension risk, with an HR of .66 (95% CI: .63‐.68, p trend < .0001) for the highest quartile of predicted vitamin D relative to the lowest. After control for potential confounders including body mass index, physical activity, and cigarette smoking, the HR was attenuated to .91 (95% CI: .87–.95, p trend = .002). In this prospective cohort study of Black women, predicted vitamin D score was weakly inversely associated with the incidence of hypertension. This observed association may reflect an inability to fully control for confounding factors.
The association between atopic eczema and lymphopenia: Results from a UK cohort study with replication in US survey data
Authors: Hollestein Loes M. , Ye Morgan Ya Fang , Ang Ky‐Leigh , Forbes Harriet , Mansfield Kathryn E. , Abuabara Katrina , Smeeth Liam , Langan Sinéad M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Lymphocyte skin homing in atopic eczema (AE) may induce lymphopenia.

Objective

To determine if AE is associated with lymphopenia.

Methods

We used UK primary care electronic health records (Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD) for a matched cohort study in adults (18 years+) (1997–2015) with at least one recorded lymphocyte count. We matched people with AE to up to five people without. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the association between AE and lymphopenia (two low lymphocyte counts within 3 months) and linear mixed effects regression to estimate the association with absolute lymphocyte counts using all available counts. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the effect of lymphopenia on common infections. We replicated the study using US survey data (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES]).

Results

Among 71,731 adults with AE and 126,349 adults without AE, we found an adjusted odds ratio (OR) for lymphopenia of 1.16 (95% CI: 1.09–1.23); the strength of association increased with increasing eczema severity. When comparing all recorded lymphocyte counts from adults with AE (n = 1,497,306) to those of people without AE (n = 4,035,870) we saw a lower mean lymphocyte (adjusted mean difference −0.047 × 109/L [95% CI: −0.051 to −0.043]) in those with AE. The difference was larger for men, with increasing age, and with increasing AE severity and was present among people with AE not treated with immunosuppressive drugs. In NHANES (n = 22,624), the adjusted OR for lymphopenia in adults with AE was 1.30 (95% CI: 0.80–2.11), and the adjusted mean lymphocyte count difference was −0.03 × 109/L (95% CI: −0.07 to 0.02). Despite having a lower lymphocyte count, adjusting for time with lymphopenia, did not alter risk estimates of infections.

Conclusion

Atopic eczema, including increasing AE severity, is associated with a decreased lymphocyte count, regardless of immunosuppressive drug use. Whether the lower lymphocyte count has wider health implications for people with severe eczema warrants further investigation.
A practical approach to the management of hair loss in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Klein Elizabeth J. , Oh Christina S. , Karim Maria , Shapiro Jerry , Lo Sicco Kristen
Published: January 2023

Female patterned hair loss (FPHL) is a common form of androgenetic alopecia in women and is characterized by a hormonally directed diffuse hair loss on the scalp. Management of FPHL is well described in the literature; however, treatment of FPHL in patients with co‐morbid polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrinologic condition found in reproductive‐aged women, has not yet been reviewed. Due to the different pathomechanism of the diseases and complexity of FPHL in PCOS patients, this study aimed to review current diagnosis and management approaches for hair loss in PCOS patients specifically and highlight the growing need for more research in this growing patient population.
Identifying unmet needs and challenges in the definition of a plaque in mycosis fungoides: An EORTC‐CLTG/ISCL survey
Authors: Quaglino Pietro , Scarisbrick Julia , Roccuzzo Gabriele , Abeldano Alejandra , Battistella Maxime , McCormack Chris , Cowan Richard , Cozzio Antonio , Cury‐Martins Jade , Enz Paula , Geskin Larisa , Guenova Emmanuella , Kim Youn H. , Knobler Robert , Litvinov Ivan V. , Miyagaki Tomomitsu , Molgo Montserrat , Nicolay Jan , Papadavid Evangelina , Pinter‐Brown Lauren , Pujol Vallverdu Ramon , Querfeld Christiane , Ortiz‐Romero Pablo , Stadler Rudolf , Vermeer Maarten H. , Bagot Martine , Hodak Emmilia
Published: January 2023

Background

Consensus about the definition and classification of ‘plaque’ in mycosis fungoides is lacking.

Objectives

To delineate a comprehensive view on how the ‘plaque’ entity is defined and managed in clinical practice; to evaluate whether the current positioning of plaques in the TNMB classification is adequate.

Methods

A 12‐item survey was circulated within a selected panel of 22 experts (pathologists, dermatologists, haematologists and oncologists), members of the EORTC and International Society for Cutaneous Lymphoma. The questionnaire discussed clinical and histopathological definitions of plaques and its relationship with staging and treatment.

Results

Total consensus and very high agreement rates were reached in 33.3% of questions, as all panellists regularly check for the presence of plaques, agree to evaluate the presence of plaques as a potential separate T class, and concur on the important distinction between plaque and patch for the management of early‐stage MF. High agreement was reached in 41.7% of questions, since more than 50% of the responders use Olsen's definition of plaque, recommend the distinction between thin/thick plaques, and agree on performing a biopsy on the most infiltrated/indurated lesion. High divergence rates (25%) were reported regarding the possibility of a clinically based distinction between thin and thick plaques and the role of histopathology to plaque definition.

Conclusions

The definition of ‘plaque’ is commonly perceived as a clinical entity and its integration with histopathological features is generally reserved to specific cases. To date, no consensus is achieved as for the exact definition of thin and thick plaques and current positioning of plaques within the TNMB system is considered clinically inadequate. Prospective studies evaluating the role of histopathological parameters and other biomarkers, as well as promising diagnostic tools, such as US/RM imaging and high‐throughput blood sequencing, are much needed to fully integrate current clinical definitions with more objective parameters.
Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Authors: Riepe Tawni B. , Fetherman Eric R. , Neuschwanger Brad , Davis Tracy , Perkins Andrew , Winkelman Dana L.
Published: January 2023

Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum has been well‐documented in anadromous salmonids but not in hatchery‐reared inland trout. We assessed whether the bacterium is vertically transmitted in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) from a Colorado, USA hatchery, and assessed the rate of transmission from male and female brood fish. Adult brood fish were killed, tested for R. salmoninarum in kidney, liver, spleen, ovarian fluid, blood and mucus samples, then stripped of gametes to create 32 families with four infection treatments (MNFN, MNFP, MPFN, MPFP; M: male, F: female, P: positive, N: negative). Progeny from each treatment was sampled at 6 and 12 months to test for the presence of R. salmoninarum with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our study indicated that vertical transmission was high and occurred among 60% of families across all infection treatments. However, the average proportion of infected progeny from individual families was low, ranging from 1% (MNFP, MPFN and MPFP treatments) up to 21% (MPFP treatment). Hatcheries rearing inland salmonids would be well suited to limit vertical transmission through practices such as lethal culling because any amount of transmission can perpetuate the infection throughout fish on a hatchery.
Application of portable near‐infrared spectroscopy technology for grade identification of Panax notoginseng slices
Authors: Zhang Fujie , Zhang Yu , Shi Lei , Li Lixia , Cui Xiuming , Gao Yongping
Published: January 2023

Panax notoginseng slices (PNS) are prepared from the taproot of a rare Chinese herbal plant, Panax notoginseng. The price and efficacy of PNS change depending on its grade, but substandard PNS are more prevalent in the Asian market. In this study, a portable near‐infrared spectrometer was used to collect the spectra of 240 PNS samples divided into four grades. The spectral data were preprocessed by the Savitzky–Golay (SG) filter to eliminate noise interference. Principal component analysis (PCA), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, and variable combination population analysis were used to extract the feature variables of the spectral data. The selected feature variables were used to establish least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme learning machine (ELM) classification models. To further improve the classification accuracy of the most effective of these models, a grey wolf optimizer (GWO) was introduced, and particle swarm optimization (PSO) as well as genetic algorithm (GA) were used to conduct comparative analyses. The results showed that PCA provided accurate identification information of different PNS grades and that the classification effect of the LSSVM model was better than that of the ELM and SVM models. During the optimization process, the optimization accuracy of the GWO was better than that of the PSO and GA systems. Therefore, the optimal classification model was established as GWO–PCA–LSSVM, and the classification accuracy of the test set was 91.67%. Therefore, portable near‐infrared spectroscopy technology can be used to identify the grade of PNS effectively.
Insights from dietitians providing individualised dietetic care to people living with disabilities: A single site exploration in the community
Authors: Roesler Anna , Probst Yasmine
Published: January 2023

Background

The present study aims to share insights and lessons learnt by dietitians providing individualised care to people living with disabilities in the community. This is important to build the evidence to inform dietetic best practice standards.

Methods

The study involved a cross‐sectional data audit of dietitian reports for clients living with a disability seen at a metropolitan dietitian clinic in South Australia. Content analysis of the reports was conducted. Initial coding occurred deductively followed by inductive qualitative content analysis.

Results

Thirty‐one participants consented to have their dietitian reports included in the study. Intellectual disabilities made up the majority (48%) of disabilities reported in the sample. Nutrition diagnoses predominantly related to energy imbalances (54%). Barriers to dietary change included a reliance on others and limitations in the disability support system. Kitchen skills and cooking were the most often employed nutrition strategy suggested by dietitians. Following dietetic intervention, improvements were seen in the types of foods people with a disability consumed along with changes to their body weight. Dietitians reported the importance of effective communication with the care team and providing engaging methods to instigate dietary behaviour change.

Conclusions

The present study highlights that there are opportunities to build on individualised dietetic care provided to people living with disabilities. These opportunities include addressing excess energy consumption, fostering collaborations with other health providers and understanding how to better work with carers. Further research is required to understand how to progress these opportunities forward and to understand the generalisability of the findings.
Infraorbital mass long after dermal filler injection: A report of two cases
Authors: Arici Ceyhun , Tosuner Zeynep
Published: January 2023

Background

Hyaluronic acid fillers have been increasingly used throughout the world in the management of aging skin in the periocular region and other areas.

Objective

To evaluate very late‐term orbital mass formation secondary to Hyaluronic acid filler injection into the inferior eyelid.

Methods

We report two cases that presented with a subcutaneous palpable mass localized at the right medial lower infraorbital area. Following clinical and radiological examination, surgical excision was required for the differential diagnosis of tumor.

Results

After pathologic examination and the finding of a foreign‐body granulomatous reaction, both patients recalled that hyaluronic acid filler had once been injected into their lower eyelids approximately 10 years prior. This is consistent with the fact that dermal‐filler‐related granuloma formation may occur even years later in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions.

Conclusion

It is suggested that patients be informed about the possible but rare mass effect in the infraorbital region. Clinicians should also attend to delayed hypersensitivity reactions, since patients may not recall details due to the length of time since injection.
Topical management of acne scars: The uncharted terrain
Authors: Bikash Chingshubam , Sarkar Rashmi
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Scarring is a common but difficult to manage consequence of acne vulgaris. The intricate balance between the degradation of collagen and its inhibition is disturbed during the formation of acne scars. We mostly rely on invasive, non‐topical modalities for the treatment of acne scars which may not be indicated in all patients. There is also a need for maintainence therapies after these procedures.

Review

The topical agents can be utilized as individual therapy, in combination with other modalities or delivered through assisted technology like iontophoresis. Retinoids have long been tried to prevent and treat acne scars. Tacrolimus and glycolic acid are among the newer sole agents that have been explored. Ablative lasers like Er:YAG, CO2 and Microneedling are being used in combination with topical agents like silicone gel, plasma gel, lyophilized growth factors, platelet rich plasma, insulin, and mesenchymal stem cells. These procedures not only increase the permeability of the topical agents but also concomitantly improve acne scars. Iontophoresis has proven beneficial in increasing the delivery of topical estriol and tretinoin.

Conclusion

There is lack of evidence to support the widespread use of these topical agents, and therefore, there is need for further well designed studies.
Skin and soft tissue infection of Nontuberculous mycobacterium after injection lipolysis
Authors: Yang Yi , Li Shiyi , Zhang Lixia , Fu Huijuan , Zhou Guiwen , Chen Minliang
Published: January 2023

Background

Injection lipolysis is used for body and face contouring due to its minimal invasiveness and cost‐effectiveness, but related complications such as nontuberculous mycobacterium infection significantly affect its clinical application.

Aims

This study aimed to review the literature on NTM infection after injection lipolysis.

Methods

We conducted a literature review of scientific journals published in Medline and PubMed up to September 2022 on patients with NTM skin and soft tissue infections. We used the keywords: nontuberculous mycobacterium, infection, injection lipolysis, and lipolytic solution in various combinations with the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT. Only articles available in English and full version publications were considered for this review. Here, we reviewed the relevant mechanisms and drugs for injectable lipolysis and analyzed the possible correlation between NTM infection and injection lipolysis. We also summarize methods for the diagnosis and treatment of NTM infections and present some perspectives on this therapy.

Results

Many patients with NTM infections had a history of fat‐related surgery or therapy. NTM infection after injection lipolysis may be related to inadequate disinfection and sterilization of injection equipment and clinical procedures, the unqualified medication itself and free fatty acids released during injection lipolysis. Currently, diagnosis and treatment of NTM infection after lipolysis injections remains challenging.

Conclusions

Injection lipolysis represents a helpful option for local fat reduction. Doctors should strictly abide by the aseptic operation standards and use qualified products for there is a correlation between skin and soft tissue infection of nontuberculous mycobacterium and injection lipolysis. Providers should understand the mechanism, indications, and associated risks of injection lipolysis when injecting fat‐dissolving drugs to reduce localized fat.
Mask‐related adverse skin reactions in orientals during COVID‐19: Prevalence, social‐psychological impacts and risk factors for acne exacerbation
Authors: Lujia Chen , Hanlong Zheng , Hui Shao , Jieying Tang , Jianmin Yang , Weiwei Li
Published: January 2023

Background

COVID‐19 pandemic has caused mask‐related skin problems on health‐care professions, yet very few studies have investigated the prevalence in oriental general population.

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of mask‐related adverse skin reactions in Orientals, to explore psychological influence, to identify risk factors for mask‐related acne exacerbation.

Methods

We performed a survey through social media. Participant demographics, skin condition before and after COVID‐19, and the influence of adverse skin on social‐psychological conditions were collected. We compared characteristics between individuals with or without acne exacerbation, and we performed a logistic regression to identify risk factors.

Results

Six hundred and six participants (62.3%) responded the survey and 23.3% complained their facial acnes become exacerbated since COVID‐19. The social‐psychological impact of acnes is more prevalent in women. Risk factors for mask‐related acne exacerbation were occupation as health‐care workers (OR = 1.861, p = 0.027), prolonged wearing of N95 masks (OR = 3.167, p = 0.001), and touching of acnes (OR = 2.65, p = 0.002). Sex, pre‐existed acnes, and prolonged wearing time per day are also associated with acne exacerbation.

Conclusions

Mask‐related adverse skin reactions are common in Orientals, and could lead to negative social‐psychological effects.
A case of refractory pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary that responded to nivolumab
Authors: Komura Airi , Taguchi Ayumi , Ikemura Masako , Nishijima Akira , Miyamoto Yuichiro , Tanikawa Michihiro , Sone Kenbun , Mori Mayuyo , Oda Katsutoshi , Osuga Yutaka
Published: January 2023

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a heterogeneous group of metastatic tumors with a usually unfavorable prognosis. A 33‐year‐old female was diagnosed with pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary. The tumor was p16‐positive, suggesting that it was human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related. The tumor progressed for 4 months after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (initial treatment) and was refractory to paclitaxel plus carboplatin (second‐line therapy). Liquid‐based cancer genomic profiling identified five pathogenic variants, including Neurofibromin1 (NF1) (p.T1690Mfs*5); however, due to the lack of domestic clinical trials, the patient could not receive genome‐based molecular‐target therapies. Simultaneously, nivolumab was administered to the patient post its approval in Japan for CUP. The tumor responded to nivolumab, accompanied by decreased levels of tumor markers. NF1 mutations and HPV‐related carcinogenesis may be associated with a favorable response to nivolumab treatment. It may therefore serve as a potential treatment against cancers of unknown primaries.
Hepatic steatosis and metabolic risk factors among patients with chronic hepatitis B: The multicentre, prospective CAP‐Asia study
Authors: Leow Yong‐Wen , Chan Wah‐Kheong , Goh George Boon‐Bee , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Fan Jian Gao , Kim Young Seok , Kim Seung Up , Nakajima Atsushi , Seto Wai‐Kay , Lee I‐Cheng , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Kim Yoon Jun , Young Jang Jae , Chow Wan Cheng
Published: January 2023

We aimed to compare the severity of liver disease, metabolic profile and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with and without hepatic steatosis and patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with NAFLD and CHB were prospectively enrolled from 10 Asian centres. Fibroscan was performed for all patients and hepatic steatosis was defined based on controlled attenuation parameter >248 dB/m. CVD risk was assessed using the Framingham risk score. The data for 1080 patients were analysed (67% NAFLD, 33% CHB). A high proportion (59%) of CHB patients had hepatic steatosis. There was a significant stepwise increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness measurement, from CHB patients without hepatic steatosis to CHB patients with hepatic steatosis to NAFLD patients (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). There was a significant stepwise increase in the proportion of patients with metabolic syndrome and in CVD risk, with very high or extreme CVD risk seen in 20%, 48% and 61%, across the groups (p < 0.001 between CHB patients with and without hepatic steatosis and p < 0.05 between CHB patients with hepatic steatosis and NAFLD patients). In conclusion, there was a high proportion of CHB patients with hepatic steatosis, which should be diagnosed, as they may have more severe liver disease, so that this and their metabolic risk factors can be assessed and managed accordingly for a better long‐term outcome
Topography of the respiratory, oral, and guttural pouch bacterial and fungal microbiotas in horses
Authors: Bond Stephanie , McMullen Christopher , Timsit Edouard , Léguillette Renaud
Published: January 2023

Background

The lower respiratory tract microbiota of the horse is different in states of health and disease, but the bacterial and fungal composition of the healthy respiratory tract of the horse has not been studied in detail.

Hypothesis

The respiratory tract environment contains distinct niche microbiotas, which decrease in species richness at more distal sampling locations.

Objective

Characterize the bacterial and fungal microbiotas along the upper and lower respiratory tract of the horse.

Animals

Healthy Argentinian Thoroughbred horses (n = 11) from the same client‐owned herd.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional study. Eleven upper and lower respiratory tract anatomical locations (bilateral nasal, bilateral deep nasal, nasopharynx, floor of mouth, oropharynx, arytenoids, proximal and distal trachea, guttural pouch) were sampled using a combination of swabs, protected specimen brushes, and saline washes. Total DNA was extracted from each sample and negative control, and the 16S rRNA gene (V4) and ITS2 region were sequenced. Community composition, alpha‐diversity, and beta‐diversity were compared among sampling locations.

Results

Fungal species richness and diversity were highest in the nostrils. More spatial heterogeneity was found in bacterial composition than in fungal communities. The pharyngeal microbiota was most similar to the distal tracheal bacterial and fungal microbiota in healthy horses and therefore may serve as the primary source of bacteria and fungi to the lower respiratory tract.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The pharynx is an important location that should be targeted in respiratory microbiota research in horses. Future studies that investigate whether biomarkers of respiratory disease can be reliably detected in nasopharyngeal swab samples are warranted.
Anatomical and functional study of the cuneiform nucleus: A critical site to organize innate defensive behaviors
Authors: Bindi Ricardo P. , Guimarães Cibele C. , de Oliveira Amanda R. , Melleu Fernando F. , de Lima Miguel A. X. , Baldo Marcus V. C. , Motta Simone C. , Canteras Newton S.
Published: January 2023

The cuneiform nucleus (CUN) is a midbrain structure located lateral to the caudal part of the periaqueductal gray. In the present investigation, we first performed a systematic analysis of the afferent and efferent projections of the CUN using FluoroGold and Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin as retrograde and anterograde neuronal tracers, respectively. Next, we examined the behavioral responses to optogenetic activation of the CUN and evaluated the impact of pharmacological inactivation of the CUN in both innate and contextual fear responses to a predatory threat (i.e., a live cat). The present hodologic evidence indicates that the CUN might be viewed as a caudal component of the periaqueductal gray. The CUN has strong bidirectional links with the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (PAGdl). Our hodological findings revealed that the CUN and PAGdl share a similar source of inputs involved in integrating information related to life‐threatening events and that the CUN provides particularly strong projections to brain sites influencing antipredatory defensive behaviors. Our functional studies revealed that the CUN mediates innate freezing and flight antipredatory responses but does not seem to influence the acquisition and expression of learned fear responses.
Equity factors in pediatric transplant listing: Initial findings from a single center review
Authors: Freiberger Dawn , Kimball Brendan , Traum Avram Z. , Berbert Laura , O'Melia Laura , Daly Kevin P. , Kim Heung B. , McKenna Kristine D.
Published: January 2023

Background

In order to improve transparency within the patient selection process, a transplant listing advisory committee was formed within the Boston Children's Hospital Pediatric Transplant Center. Its mission is to promote equity in access to organ transplantation by ensuring that the institutional transplant selection criteria are fair, unbiased, and nondiscriminatory. The committee conducts comprehensive case and data review of individual characteristics and reviews in aggregate to identify potential systems bias.

Methods

Charts for 256 patients evaluated for transplant from 3/2016 to 3/2019 were reviewed. Among these, 64 (25%) patients were declined for transplant. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify demographic variables and vulnerable status factors associated with being declined. Odds ratios (OR) are reported.

Results

Among all patients, median age was 8.5 years and 58% were male. Asian patients were more likely to be declined than White patients (OR = 5.3, Wald p = .007). Socioeconomic factors that affected likelihood of listing decline included concerns for caregivers' ability to manage and understand care requirements (OR = 3.8, p = .011), caregiver employment status (OR = 1.9, p = .042), and use of public assistance programs (OR = 2.2, p = .05). Patients with severe neurodevelopmental delay were more likely to be declined for listing (OR = 3.7, p = .019).

Conclusion

This analysis identified areas of potential bias related to race, socioeconomic status, and neurodevelopmental delay where initiatives can be targeted. Advisory committees are an important aspect of evaluating equity in transplant center selection policy and practice.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DQB1*02:02:23 allele in a Russian hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Loginova Maria , Druzhinina Svetlana , Paramonov Igor , Suslova Tatiana
Published: January 2023

HLA‐DQB1*02:02:23 differs from HLA‐DQB1*02:02:01:01 by one synonymous nucleotide substitution at codon −6 in exon 1.
Non‐severe allergic transfusion reaction: A hidden cause of wastage of blood product and laboratory resources
Authors: Hayat Hasan , Ahmed Qadeer , Alam Hareem , Rashid Anila
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

Blood transfusions are often needlessly aborted following a non‐severe allergic reaction despite responding well to medication resulting into partial transfusion of the implicated blood product. This results in the wastage of untransfused blood component and resources spent on unnecessary laboratory work‐up of these reactions.

Materials and Methods

We aimed to review the amount of blood product and laboratory resource wastage associated with non‐severe allergic transfusion reaction (ATR) in a tertiary care hospital.

Results

A total of 174,632 blood products were released and transfused during the study period (2019–2021). There were 336 adverse transfusion reactions with an estimated rate of 1.9 per 1000 blood products administered. Of 336, 145 (43%) were ATR, of which 141 (97%) were non‐severe and 4 (3%) were severe. The most commonly associated symptom was found to be urticaria in 31 (22%). All non‐severe ATR completely resolved with medication. Seventy‐nine percent of the transfusions associated with non‐severe ATRs were aborted, of which 37% were followed by additional transfusions. The estimated loss of blood product volume and the cost of non‐severe ATR (including transfusion reaction work‐up, discarded blood product and additional transfusion) was 11,185 ml (11 L) and Pakistani rupees 1,831,546 ($11,592.06 or €8598.78), respectively.

Conclusion

Non‐severe ATR was found to be associated with a significant proportion of laboratory resource wastage and that of blood product in our institution. Revision of institutional guidelines for management and lab work‐up of transfusion reactions would be helpful in alleviating this unnecessary loss in a resource‐constraint transfusion‐setting.
Speciation of Viola albida var. takahashii based on both artificial and natural hybridization between V. albida var. albida and V. albida var. chaerophylloides
Authors: AHN Songhee , WHANG Sung Soo
Published: January 2023

The study aims are to examine the characteristics of artificial and natural hybrids between Viola albida var. albida (= albida, from below) and V. albida var. chaerophylloides (= chaerophylloides, from below), and to confirm if hybrids could be fertile and make populations in their native habitats. The 1st filial (= F1, from below) leaf shape produced by artificial crossing between albida and chaerophylloides was the same as that of V. albida var. takahashii (= takahashii, from below), and F1 bore also both chasmogamous and cleistogamous flowers. F1 seed number was 9.6 per cleistogamous pods, which was remarkably less than the average of 38.2 for albida and chaerophylloides, but the germination rate was all similar. The leaf type of self-crossed 2nd offsprings (= F2, from below) showed all leaf types found in the Viola albida complex, but the ratio of chaerophylloides leaf type was relatively low. Individuals whose F2 leaf type was restored to albida produced an average of 31.4 seeds per capsule, meaning that fertility was restored. On the other hand, individuals of F2 takahashii leaf type come to fruition a low average of 10.4 seeds per capsule, which is similar to that of takahashii. The results of crossbreeding experiment, where is their native habitats, were similar to that of laboratory. Both albida and chaerophylloids in Mt. Bulmyeong distribute extensively, but takahashii make a small population only in places where albida and chaerophylloides grow together. Summarizing the above results is suggesting that the speciation of takahashii was done by hybrid between albida and chaerophylloides, and these have been maintained with relatively small population by cleistogamous capsules.
Saxifraga cortusifolia (Saxifragaceae): A new record for the Korean flora from Jejudo Island
Authors: SHIN Jae-Seo , KIM Yong-In , JUNG Eui-Kwon , KIM Ji Hoon , KIM Bo-Yun , KIM Young-Dong
Published: January 2023

Saxifraga cortusifolia Siebold & Zucc. (Saxifragaceae, sect. Irregulares, ser. Rufescentes), a species considered endemic along mountain streams throughout Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu in Japan, was discovered as a wild population in the Cheona Valley in Haean-dong, Jeju-si on Jeju-do Island of Korea. The population consisted of three subpopulations occupying narrow areas 10 × 10 m2, 5 × 5 m2, and 10 × 5 m2 in size. The number of individuals in the three subpopulations was confirmed to exceed 100. Most of the individuals were on or below rocks at the edge of the valley. A morphological description, detailed photos, and a key to related taxa in Korea are presented.
The Unification of Nature and Human: From Cognition to Practice
Authors: Wutong Song , Hongxin Cao
Published: January 2023

Traditional Chinese civilization has had a long history of understanding the relationship between nature and human. The Chinese Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue brought the cognition of "the unity of nature and human" into play by reconstructing Chinese medical theory and clinical practice thus achieving an important transition from cognition to practice. Based on the three main aspects of (i) holistic cognition and clinical application, (ii) yin-yang cognition and clinical application, and (iii) five elements-related cognition and clinical application, we further explore Zhang Jingyue's thoughts and applications from the cognition of "the unity of nature and human" to the practice of "the unity of knowledge and action" to provide reference and inspiration for the development of present-day medicine and even the progress of human civilization.
Speech Errors Performed by Former American Presidents in “60 Minutes” Interview: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Rangkuti Rahmadsyah , Br Bangun Dwi Nepia , Yusuf Muhammad , Albar Mahmud Arief
Published: January 2023

This study has the purpose of depicting the kinds of speech errors, the comparison of speech errors’ frequency, and the causes of speech errors made by former American Presidents Barack Obama (BO) and Donald Trump (DT) as the interviewee in an interview program entitled "60 Minutes". This study used a qualitative approach. The data source was BO and DT’s video in “60 Minutes” Interview. The data in this study were in the form of words, phrases, and clauses transcribed from the speech made by BO and DT. Based on the analysis, it was found that BO made 111 speech errors and six (6) types of speech errors, while DT made 90 speech errors and nine (9) types of speech errors. The causes of speech errors made by former American Presidents in “60 Minutes” 2020 interview are caused by social factors, both situational anxiety, and social circumstances.
Rapid method for computing the mechanical resonances of irregular objects
Authors: Shragai Avi , Theuss Florian , Grissonnanche Gaël , Ramshaw B. J.
Published: January 2023

A solid object's geometry, density, and elastic moduli completely determine its spectrum of normal modes. Solving the inverse problem—determining a material's elastic moduli given a set of resonance frequencies and sample geometry—relies on the ability to compute resonance spectra accurately and efficiently. Established methods for calculating these spectra are either fast but limited to simple geometries, or are applicable to arbitrarily shaped samples at the cost of being prohibitively slow. Here, we describe a method to rapidly compute the normal modes of irregularly shaped objects using entirely open-source software. Our method's accuracy compares favorably with existing methods for simple geometries and shows a significant improvement in speed over existing methods for irregular geometries.
Non-native talkers and listeners and the perceptual benefits of clear speech
Authors: Jung Ye-Jee , Dmitrieva Olga
Published: January 2023

This study examined the intelligibility benefit of native and non-native clear speech for native and non-native listeners when the first language background of non-native talkers and listeners is matched. All four combinations of talkers and listeners were tested: native talker–native listener, non-native talker–native listener, native talker–non-native listener, and non-native talker–non-native listener. Listeners were presented with structurally simple but semantically anomalous English sentences produced clearly or casually and mixed with speech-shaped noise at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio and asked to write down what they heard. Results showed that native English speech was more intelligible than non-native speech and that native English listeners recovered speech better than non-native listeners did. Clear speech was significantly more intelligible than casual speech. There were no interactions between speaking style and native language background indicating that clear speech intelligibility benefit was not significantly different across distinct combinations of talkers and listeners. In particular, shared first language background among non-native speakers and listeners did not provide an extra benefit in either the overall speech intelligibility or the intelligibility gains of clear speech.
Pathogenic tau–induced transposable element–derived dsRNA drives neuroinflammation
Authors: Ochoa Elizabeth , Ramirez Paulino , Gonzalez Elias , De Mange Jasmine , Ray William J. , Bieniek Kevin F. , Frost Bess
Published: January 2023

Deposition of tau protein aggregates in the brain of affected individuals is a defining feature of “tauopathies,” including Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of human brain tissue and various model systems of tauopathy report that toxic forms of tau negatively affect nuclear and genomic architecture, identifying pathogenic tau–induced heterochromatin decondensation and consequent retrotransposon activation as a causal mediator of neurodegeneration. On the basis of their similarity to retroviruses, retrotransposons drive neuroinflammation via toxic intermediates, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). We find that dsRNA and dsRNA sensing machinery are elevated in astrocytes of postmortem brain tissue from patients with Alzheimer’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy and in brains of tau transgenic mice. Using a
Drosophila
model of tauopathy, we identify specific tau-induced retrotransposons that form dsRNA and find that pathogenic tau and heterochromatin decondensation causally drive dsRNA-mediated neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Our study suggests that pathogenic tau–induced heterochromatin decondensation and retrotransposon activation cause elevation of inflammatory, transposable element–derived dsRNA in the adult brain.