bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there a dominant‐negative effect in individuals with heterozygous disease‐causing variants in COL4A3/COL4A4?
Authors: Riedhammer Korbinian M. , Simmendinger Hannes , Tasic Velibor , Putnik Jovana , Abazi‐Emini Nora , Stajic Natasa , Berutti Riccardo , Weidenbusch Marc , Patzer Ludwig , Lungu Adrian , Milosevski‐Lomic Gordana , Günthner Roman , Braunisch Matthias C. , Ćomić Jasmina , Hoefele Julia
Published: January 2024

Alport syndrome (AS) shows a broad phenotypic spectrum ranging from isolated microscopic hematuria (MH) to end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). Monoallelic disease‐causing variants in COL4A3/COL4A4 have been associated with autosomal dominant AS (ADAS) and biallelic variants with autosomal recessive AS (ARAS). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and genetic data regarding a possible genotype–phenotype correlation in individuals with disease‐causing variants in COL4A3/COL4A4. Eighty‐nine individuals carrying at least one COL4A3/COL4A4 variant classified as (likely) pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics guidelines and current amendments were recruited. Clinical data concerning the prevalence and age of first reported manifestation of MH, proteinuria, ESKD, and extrarenal manifestations were collected. Individuals with monoallelic non‐truncating variants reported a significantly higher prevalence and earlier diagnosis of MH and proteinuria than individuals with monoallelic truncating variants. Individuals with biallelic variants were more severely affected than those with monoallelic variants. Those with biallelic truncating variants were more severely affected than those with compound heterozygous non‐truncating/truncating variants or individuals with biallelic non‐truncating variants. In this study an association of heterozygous non‐truncating COL4A3/COL4A4 variants with a more severe phenotype in comparison to truncating variants could be shown indicating a potential dominant‐negative effect as an explanation for this observation. The results for individuals with ARAS support the, still scarce, data in the literature.
Die Bedeutung von Mikrokomedonen bei der Akne: Von der Beschreibung bis zum Behandlungsansatz?
Authors: Xie Li , Hamblin Michael R , Zheng DanLing , Wen Xiang
Published: January 2024

Ein wichtiger Faktor in der Pathogenese der Akne vulgaris ist die duktale Hyperproliferation der Talgdrüsen. Diese beginnt mit der Bildung unsichtbarer Mikrokomedonen und führt im weiteren Verlauf zur Ausbildung sowohl entzündlicher als auch nicht‐entzündlicher klinischer Läsionen. Die Mikrokomedonen stehen am Anfang der zyklischen Entwicklung einer Akne, die als Komedogenese bezeichnet wird. Mikrokomedonen können mithilfe von Cyanoacrylat‐Hautablösungen, Elektronenmikroskopie, konfokaler Reflexionsmikroskopie und anderen Techniken nachgewiesen werden. Es wird angenommen, dass die Dichte und Größe von Mikrokomedonen positiv mit dem Schweregrad der Akne korreliert. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, die Ursachen der Akne zusammenzufassen und darauf hinzuweisen, dass die Behandlung von Mikrokomedonen zumindest teilweise Akneläsionen beseitigen und Rückfälle verhindern könnte.
Abnormal circulating steroids refine risk of progression to heart failure in ischemic heart disease
Authors: Fan Yangkai , Li Fengjuan , Tan Xin , Ren Lu , Peng Xueyan , Yu Jiaqi , Chen Weiyao , Jia Lixin , Zhu Fuli , Yin Wenjie , Du Jie , Wang Yuan
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) experience a high incidence of progression to heart failure (HF) despite current therapies. We speculated that steroid hormone metabolic disorders distinct adverse phenotypes and contribute to HF.

Methods

We measured 18 steroids using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in 2023 patients from the Registry Study of Biomarkers in Ischemic Heart Disease (BIOMS‐IHD), including 1091 patients with IHD in a retrospective discovery set and 932 patients with IHD in a multicentre validation set. Our outcomes included incident HF after a median follow‐up of 4 years.

Results

We demonstrated steroid‐based signatures of inflammation, coronary microvascular dysfunction and left ventricular hypertrophy that were associated with subsequent HF events in patients with IHD. In both cohorts, patients with a high steroid–heart failure score (SHFS) (>1) exhibited a greater risk of incident HF than patients with a low SHFS (≤1). The SHFS further improved the prognostic accuracy beyond clinical variables (net reclassification improvement of 0.628 in the discovery set and 0.299 in the validation set) and demonstrated the maximal effect of steroid signatures in patients with IHD who had lower B‐type natriuretic peptide levels (pinteraction = 0.038).

Conclusions

A steroid‐based strategy can simply and effectively identify individuals at higher HF risk who may derive benefit from more intensive follow‐ups.
Competitive advantage through general and mobile human capital. A study on Italian “Serie A” football
Authors: Lanza Andrea , Simone Giuseppina
Published: January 2024

In this study, we examine the contribution of, respectively, general and mobile human capital to organizational competitive advantage. Our findings suggest that general human capital and mobile human capital positively affect organizational results under recurrent human capital mobility. Thus, our study revises and extends the conceptual domain of the Resource‐based View (RBV) of the firm, because it emphasizes the relevance of general human capital in the quest for competitive advantage and underscores that, in the presence of human capital recurrent mobility, organizations can take advantage of this contingency, instead of being hindered by it. Also, our study sheds new light on the complementarity between novel and existing human capital, because we empirically observe that the interplay between the former and the latter contributes to organizational advantage. Our research setting is the Italian Serie A professional football, from the 2017–2018 through the 2021–2022 season.
Survey of UK veterinary students' perceptions about a career in equine practice
Authors: Elcock Emily , Schofield Imogen , Hill Brad J. , Braid Helen R. , Mair Tim S.
Published: January 2024

Background

Workforce shortages are challenges facing veterinary practice. Anecdotal evidence suggests that veterinary students are less interested in entering equine practice than previously.

Objectives

Investigate veterinary students' perceptions about equine veterinary education and about working in equine practice.

Study design

Observational study: online survey.

Methods

Survey distributed via social media to veterinary students in the United Kingdom. Open and closed questions to document intended career path of students and evaluate perceptions about careers in equine practice.

Results

Seven hundred and forty‐four students completed the survey—from 10 veterinary schools. 88.8% intended to work in clinical practice (32.9% mixed; 25.3% small animal; 20.2% equine; 10.9% farm; 10.7% other/undecided). Factors considered most important for their first job included: mentoring and support (47.0%), team and practice culture (26.2%), working hours (including out‐of‐hours; 9.2%), location (6.6%), salary and benefits (5.7%) and familiarity with the practice (3.1%). 55.2% felt there were barriers to entering equine practice. 46.9% had ridden a horse regularly; 14.2% had never ridden. Respondents in clinical years rated their university training in equine practice as ‘Excellent’ (10.0%), ‘Good’ (45.9%), ‘OK’ (35.3%), ‘Poor’ (7.0%) and ‘Rubbish’ (1.8%). 48.9% of respondents felt extra mural studies (EMS) had contributed most to their equine training. Statistical associations were identified between the following variables and intention to work in equine practice: owning a horse, having ever ridden a horse, confidence in handling horses, student membership of BEVA and desire to undertake an internship.

Main limitations

Potential selection bias.

Conclusions

20% of students reported an intention to work in equine practice, but risk of selection bias. The results indicate a potential mismatch between the number of students interested in equine practice and the availability of equine jobs for new graduates. Students with pre‐existing equine interest/experience are more likely to want to enter equine practice. EMS appears important for students' training in equine medicine.
CREB3L1/OASIS: cell cycle regulator and tumor suppressor
Authors: Saito Atsushi , Omura Issei , Imaizumi Kazunori
Published: January 2024

Cell cycle checkpoints detect DNA errors, eventually arresting the cell cycle to promote DNA repair. Failure of such cell cycle arrest causes aberrant cell proliferation, promoting the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including cancer. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress transducers activate the unfolded protein response, which not only deals with unfolded proteins in ER lumen but also orchestrates diverse physiological phenomena such as cell differentiation and lipid metabolism. Among ER stress transducers, cyclic AMP‐responsive element‐binding protein 3‐like protein 1 (CREB3L1) [also known as old astrocyte specifically induced substance (OASIS)] is an ER‐resident transmembrane transcription factor. This molecule is cleaved by regulated intramembrane proteolysis, followed by activation as a transcription factor. OASIS is preferentially expressed in specific cells, including astrocytes and osteoblasts, to regulate their differentiation. In accordance with its name, OASIS was originally identified as being upregulated in long‐term‐cultured astrocytes undergoing cell cycle arrest because of replicative stress. In the context of cell cycle regulation, previously unknown physiological roles of OASIS have been discovered. OASIS is activated as a transcription factor in response to DNA damage to induce p21‐mediated cell cycle arrest. Although p21 is directly induced by the master regulator of the cell cycle, p53, no crosstalk occurs between p21 induction by OASIS or p53. Here, we summarize previously unknown cell cycle regulation by ER‐resident transcription factor OASIS, particularly focusing on commonalities and differences in cell cycle arrest between OASIS and p53. This review also mentions tumorigenesis caused by OASIS dysfunctions, and OASIS's potential as a tumor suppressor and therapeutic target.
The dark side of social capital: Geographic differences in COVID‐19 preventive behaviors among older adults in South Korea
Authors: Lee Juhyeong , Kim Giyeon
Published: January 2024

Aim

The present study examined whether geographic location (i.e., rural vs. urban areas) moderated the relationship between social capital and COVID‐19 preventive behaviors among older adults in South Korea.

Methods

Participants were a nationally representative sample of 61 075 Korean adults aged 65 years or older from the 2021 Community Health Survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The moderation analysis was conducted with PROCESS.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, the moderation analysis showed a significant moderation effect of geographic location on the relationship between social capital and COVID‐19 preventive behaviors among older adults in South Korea. Specifically, in urban areas, older adults with higher social capital were more likely to adhere to COVID‐19 preventive behaviors. However, social capital negatively impacted older adults' COVID‐19 preventive behaviors in rural areas.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that social capital is not always helpful for maintaining COVID‐19 preventive behaviors among older adults in South Korea. The social characteristics of geographic location need to be considered when initiating COVID‐19 prevention campaigns in South Korea. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 377–384.
Expansion without mandates: Border and asylum agencies in European Union migration governance
Authors: Moutselos Michalis
Published: January 2024

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) have experienced increases in available resources and have conducted joint operations with European Union (EU) Member States in recent years. They may be regarded as examples of agencification in border protection and asylum policy, but this paper argues that agencification has proceeded without an expansion in agency mandates. Using Frontex and EASO operations in two Southern European border countries, Cyprus and Greece, as comparative case studies, I show that the two agencies have employed their growing technical, performative, legal and moral resources to legitimize efficient processing of asylum applications in reception centers, and coordinated border protection and more/swifter returns. At the same time, the absence of mandates on final decision‐making has diluted policy accountability and weakened monitoring vis‐à‐vis Member States, with respect to fundamental rights violations and the implementation of EU law. This resource expansion without mandates has allowed EU agencies to resolve long‐standing tensions among Member States and the European Commission in a contested policy area. The analysis has broader implications for the role of agencies in multilevel migration governance.
Compound impact of cognitive and physical decline: A qualitative interview study of people with Parkinson's and cognitive impairment, caregivers and professionals
Authors: Pigott Jennifer S. , Davies Nathan , Chesterman Elizabeth , Read Joy , Nimmons Danielle , Walters Kate , Armstrong Megan , Schrag Anette
Published: January 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson's disease and is associated with poorer quality of life and increased caregiver distress, but little qualitative information is available on lived experiences of people with Parkinson's who also have cognitive impairment.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the challenges of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's, triangulating the perspectives of people with Parkinson's, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 people with Parkinson's and cognitive impairment, 10 family caregivers and 27 healthcare professionals, using purposive sampling in the United Kingdom (2019–2021). Cognitive impairment was identified by healthcare professionals and required subjective symptoms. Relevant cognitive diagnoses were recorded. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

An overarching concept of the compound impact of cognitive and physical decline was developed, with six themes. Four themes describe the experience of living with cognitive impairment in Parkinson's: (1) Challenges in Daily Activities, (2) Psychological Impact and (3) Evolving Communication Difficulties together contributing to (4) Social Shift, encompassing a reduction in wider social activities but intensification of close relationships with increased dependence. A fifth theme (5) Living Well describes positive influences on these experiences, encompassing intrinsic motivation, self‐management strategies and supportive relationships. Furthermore, underlying and shaping the whole experience was the sixth theme: (6) Preconceptions about Cognitive Impairment, describing fear and denial of symptoms and poor understanding of the nature of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's, with differences to other dementia pathologies.

Conclusions

Cognitive impairment superimposed on the existing challenges of Parkinson's has a multifaceted impact and makes living with the condition arduous. Increased understanding of the experiences of this group and employing the identified facilitators for living well may be able to improve patient and caregiver experiences.

Patient or Public Contribution

Two people with Parkinson's and cognitive impairment and three caregivers contributed to the study. Between them they contributed throughout the entirety of the project, giving input at conceptualisation as well as advice and review of interview questions, participant information leaflets, recruitment, interpretation of findings and summaries of the project.
Demographics and additional haematologic cancers of patients with histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms
Authors: Kemps Paul G , Kester Lennart , Scheijde‐Vermeulen Marijn A , van Noesel Carel J M , Verdijk Robert M , Diepstra Arjan , van Marion Ariënne M W , Dors Natasja , van den Bos Cor , Bruggink Annette H , Hogendoorn Pancras C W , van Halteren Astrid G S
Published: January 2024

Aims

The discovery of somatic genetic alterations established many histiocytic disorders as haematologic neoplasms. We aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics and additional haematologic cancers of patients diagnosed with histiocytic disorders in The Netherlands.

Methods and results

We retrieved data on histiocytosis patients from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank (Palga). During 1993 to 2022, more than 4000 patients with a pathologist‐assigned diagnosis of a histiocytic disorder were registered in Palga. Xanthogranulomas were the most common subtype, challenging the prevailing assumption that Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most common histiocytic disorder. LCH and juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) had a peak incidence in the first years of life; males were overrepresented among all histiocytosis subgroups. 118 patients had a histiocytic disorder and an additional haematologic malignancy, including 107 (91%) adults at the time of histiocytosis diagnosis. In 16/118 patients, both entities had been analysed for the same genetic alteration(s). In 11 of these 16 patients, identical genetic alterations had been detected in both haematologic neoplasms. This included two patients with PAX5 p.P80R mutated B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and secondary histiocytic sarcoma, further supporting that PAX5 alterations may predispose (precursor) B cells to differentiate into the myeloid lineage. All 4/11 patients with myeloid neoplasms as their additional haematologic malignancy had shared N/KRAS mutations.

Conclusions

This population‐based study highlights the frequency of xanthogranulomas. Furthermore, our data add to the growing evidence supporting clonal relationships between histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms and additional myeloid or lymphoid malignancies. Particularly adult histiocytosis patients should be carefully evaluated for the development of these associated haematologic cancers.
Perspectives of people with HIV and HIV clinicians on characteristics of antiretroviral treatment and HIV‐related symptoms
Authors: Galindo Puerto M. José , Puig J. , Pérez‐Molina J. A. , Fuster‐Ruiz de Apodaca M. J.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

We aimed to assess HIV symptoms from the perspective of both patients and HIV specialists and the impact of discontinuing antiretroviral treatment (ART) on symptomology. We gathered opinions from HIV specialists and people living with HIV about ideal ART parameters and treatment satisfaction.

Methods

Ex post‐facto cross‐sectional surveys were administered to 502 people living with HIV and 101 HIV clinicians in Spain (18 sites).

Results

The median age of participants with HIV was 43.2 years, 74.5% were male, and 91.6% had an undetectable viral load. The mean time since initiation of ART was 10.2 years. Between 54% and 67% of people living with HIV reported experiencing nervousness or anxiety, sadness, fatigue, sleep problems, or muscle/joint pain during the preceding 4 weeks. However, only 22%–27% of specialists acknowledged the presence of these symptoms. The most bothersome symptoms were related to mental health or the central nervous system. There were significant differences between the burden of symptoms reported by people living with HIV and those acknowledged by specialists. The symptoms that more frequently caused ART discontinuation were depression, dizziness, and sleep problems. Both people living with HIV and specialists prioritized ART efficacy and low toxicity, but their importance ratings differed for 5 of the 11 ART characteristics assessed. People living with HIV rated their satisfaction with ART at a mean (± standard deviation) of 8.9 ± 1.5 out of 10, whereas HIV specialists rated it lower, at 8.3 ± 0.7 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite advances in HIV care and treatment, a large proportion of patients still experience symptoms. HIV specialists may not be fully aware of these. People living with HIV and HIV specialists are, overall, satisfied with ART. However, the importance they place on different ART characteristics may vary.
Anti‐aging and rejuvenating effects and mechanism of Dead Sea water in skin
Authors: Yan Xiaojuan , Bao Xijun , Cheng Shujun , Ba Qian , Chang Junzhuang , Zhou Kanghui , Yan Xiufang
Published: January 2024

Objective

External environmental stressors and internal factors have a significant impact on the skin, causing inflammation, aging, reduced immunity and other adverse responses. Dead Sea Water (DSW) is well known for its dermatological benefits and has been widely used in dermatological therapy and skin care for conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and photoaging. However, the anti‐aging and rejuvenating effects of DSW and the related biological pathways involved, which have attracted increasing attention, are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti‐aging and rejuvenating effects of DSW and to explore the related potential biological mechanisms of DSW under different environmental conditions.

Methods

The effects of DSW were investigated using in vitro human dermal cells and reconstructed skin models. Extracellular matrix (ECM) components and the morphological changes at the dermal‐epidermal junction (DEJ) in a 3D human skin model were evaluated after DSW treatment. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis of human dermal fibroblast models after DSW treatment was performed to explore the potential mechanisms of action of DSW under normal and UV stress conditions.

Results

The novel findings in this work present the biological functions of DSW, including procollagen‐1 and elastin secretion, hemidesmosome increase and the epidermal basal cell regeneration. In addition, GO, KEGG and Reactome analyses reveal the activation of pathways related to ion transmembrane transporter activity, ECM component biosynthesis, senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP), DNA repair and autophagy, which are associated with the anti‐aging activities of DSW.

Conclusion

Our work provides new perspectives for understanding the anti‐aging and rejuvenating effects and mechanisms of DSW. The new findings also provide a theoretical basis for the further development of age‐related strategies.
Performance comparison of two automated digital morphology analyzers for leukocyte differential in patients with malignant hematological diseases: Mindray MC‐80 and Sysmex DI‐60
Authors: Ye Xianfei , Fang Lijuan , Chen Yunying , Tong Jixiang , Ning Xiaoni , Feng Lanjun , Xu Yuting , Yang Dagan
Published: January 2024

Background

The MC‐80 (Mindray, Shenzhen, China), a newly available artificial intelligence (AI)‐based digital morphology analyzer, is the focus of this study. We aim to compare the leukocyte differential performance of the Mindray MC‐80 with that of the Sysmex DI‐60 and the gold standard, manual microscopy.

Methods

A total of 100 abnormal peripheral blood (PB) smears were compared across the MC‐80, DI‐60, and manual microscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and efficiency were calculated according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP12‐A2 guidelines. Comparisons were made using Bland–Altman analysis and Passing‐Bablok regression analysis. Additionally, within‐run imprecision was evaluated using five samples, each with varying percentages of mature leukocytes and blasts, in accordance with CLSI EP05‐A3 guidelines.

Results

The within‐run coefficient of variation (%CV) of the MC‐80 for most cell classes in the five samples was lower than that of the DI‐60. Sensitivities for the MC‐80 ranged from 98.2% for nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) to 28.6% for reactive lymphocytes. The DI‐60's sensitivities varied between 100% for basophils and reactive lymphocytes, and 11.1% for metamyelocytes. Both analyzers demonstrated high specificity, negative predictive value, and efficiency, with over 90% for most cell classes. However, the DI‐60 showed relatively lower specificity for lymphocytes (73.2%) and lower efficiency for blasts and lymphocytes (80.1% and 78.6%, respectively) compared with the MC‐80. Bland–Altman analysis indicated that the absolute mean differences (%) ranged from 0.01 to 4.57 in MC‐80 versus manual differential and 0.01 to 3.39 in DI‐60 versus manual differential. After verification by technicians, both analyzers exhibited a very high correlation (r = 0.90–1.00) with the manual differential results in neutrophils, lymphocytes, and blasts.

Conclusions

The Mindray MC‐80 demonstrated good performance for leukocyte differential in PB smears, notably exhibiting higher sensitivity for blasts identification than the DI‐60.
High‐temperature solid‐state reaction between zirconium carbide and iridium: New insights into the phase formation
Authors: Nikiforov Yaroslav A. , Danilovsky Victoria A. , Lozanov Victor V. , Baklanova Natalya I.
Published: January 2024

The reaction between ZrC and iridium powders was studied in the temperature range of 1000–1600°C. The reaction was stated to start at a temperature as low as 1000°C. The only high‐melting intermetallic phase, ZrIr3, was obtained as a substitutional solid solution ZrIr3±δ. A new analytical approach to relating the composition to the lattice parameter of cubic binary substitutional ZrIr3±δ solid solutions was proposed. This approach is based on comparing the distribution by elemental composition and by lattice parameter in a range of ZrIr3±δ solid solutions. This made it possible to determine the lattice parameter of a stoichiometric ZrIr3 phase, a0 = 3.971(5) Å.
Nurses' and physicians' perspectives on implementation barriers and facilitators in a transfer program for parents of adolescents with chronic illness
Authors: Thomsen Ena Lindhart , Koppelhus Johanne Cecilie , Boisen Kirsten Arntz , Hanghøj Signe , Hansson Helena , Esbensen Bente Appel
Published: January 2024

Aim

To identify barriers and facilitators impacting the implementation of a comprehensive transfer program aimed at parents of adolescents with chronic illness in clinical practice.

Design

A real‐time, qualitative process evaluation.

Methods

Individual interviews were conducted with 10 nurses and seven physicians from paediatric and adult outpatient clinics: Nephrology, hepatology, neurology, and rheumatology. Data were analysed through the lens of normalization process theory.

Results

Themes were framed within the theory's four components. (1) Coherence: Healthcare professionals' views on their core tasks and on the parents' role influenced their perception of the program. (2) Cognitive participation: A named key worker, autonomy, and collaboration impacted healthcare professionals' involvement in the program. (3) Collective action: Department prioritization and understanding of the program's aim were key factors in its successful delivery. (4) Reflective monitoring: Participants experienced that the program helped parents during transfer but questioned if the program was needed by all families.

Conclusion

We identified three barriers: Healthcare professionals' lack of understanding of the parental role during transfer, top‐down decisions among nurses, and physicians' uncertainty about their role in joint consultations. Facilitators: Healthcare professionals' understanding of the program's purpose and expected effect, the nurses' significant role as named keyworkers, and good collaboration across paediatric and adult departments.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Implementation strategies should be developed before implementing a transfer program in clinical practice.

Impact

Implementing a parental transfer program in clinical practice can be challenging. Therefore, for successful implementation, it is crucial to identify barriers and facilitators.

Barriers and facilitators exist at the personal, professional, and organizational levels, and it is important to understand them.

The results of this qualitative study could support the implementation of transfer programs in other settings.

Reporting Method

Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ).

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?

Nurses' and physicians' experiences of ownership of the transfer program is essential for successful implementation.

Clinics should appoint a named keyworker, preferably a nurse, as the driving force during the implementation of a transfer program.

Nurses and physicians should receive training about the purpose, justification, and expected effect of a transfer program before implementation.
The interpretable machine learning model associated with metal mixtures to identify hypertension via EMR mining method
Authors: Xu Site , Sun Mu
Published: January 2024

There are limited data available regarding the connection between hypertension and heavy metal exposure. The authors intend to establish an interpretable machine learning (ML) model with high efficiency and robustness that identifies hypertension based on heavy metal exposure. Our datasets were obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2020.3). The authors developed 5 ML models for hypertension identification by heavy metal exposure, and tested them by 10 discrimination characteristics. Further, the authors chose the optimally performing model after parameter adjustment by Genetic Algorithm (GA) for identification. Finally, in order to visualize the model's ability to make decisions, the authors used SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) and Local Interpretable Model‐Agnostic Explanations (LIME) algorithm to illustrate the features. The study included 19 368 participants in total. A best‐performing eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) with GA for hypertension identification by 16 heavy metals was selected (AUC: 0.774; 95% CI: 0.772–0.776; accuracy: 87.7%). According to SHAP values, Barium (0.02), Cadmium (0.017), Lead (0.017), Antimony (0.008), Tin (0.007), Manganese (0.006), Thallium (0.004), Tungsten (0.004) in urine, and Lead (0.048), Mercury (0.035), Selenium (0.05), Manganese (0.007) in blood positively influenced the model, while Cadmium (−0.001) in urine negatively influenced the model. Study participants' hypertension associated with heavy metal exposure was identified by an efficient, robust, and interpretable GA‐XGB model with SHAP and LIME. Barium, Cadmium, Lead, Antimony, Tin, Manganese, Thallium, Tungsten in urine, and Lead, Mercury, Selenium, Manganese in blood are positively correlated with hypertension, while Cadmium in blood is negatively correlated with hypertension.
Coinfection of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) with virulent Aeromonas hydrophila and Flavobacterium covae exacerbates mortality
Authors: Wise Allison L. , LaFrentz Benjamin R. , Kelly Anita M. , Liles Mark R. , Griffin Matt J. , Beck Benjamin H. , Bruce Timothy J.
Published: January 2024

Flavobacterium covae and virulent Aeromonas hydrophila are prevalent bacterial pathogens within the US catfish industry that can cause high mortality in production ponds. An assessment of in vivo bacterial coinfection with virulent A. hydrophila (ML09‐119) and F. covae (ALG‐00‐530) was conducted in juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Catfish were divided into seven treatments: (1) mock control; (2) and (3) high and low doses of virulent A. hydrophila; (4) and (5) high and low doses of F. covae; (6) and (7) simultaneous challenge with high and low doses of virulent A. hydrophila and F. covae. In addition to the mortality assessment, anterior kidney and spleen were collected to evaluate immune gene expression, as well as quantify bacterial load by qPCR. At 96 h post‐challenge (hpc), the high dose of virulent A. hydrophila infection (immersed in 2.3 × 107 CFU mL−1) resulted in cumulative percent mortality (CPM) of 28.3 ± 9.5%, while the high dose of F. covae (immersed in 5.2 × 106 CFU mL−1) yielded CPM of 23.3 ± 12.9%. When these pathogens were delivered in combination, CPM significantly increased for both the high‐ (98.3 ± 1.36%) and low‐dose combinations (76.7 ± 17.05%) (p < .001). Lysozyme activity was found to be different at 24 and 48 hpc, with the high‐dose vAh group demonstrating greater levels than unexposed control fish at each time point. Three proinflammatory cytokines (tnfα, il8, il1b) demonstrated increased expression levels at 48 hpc. These results demonstrate the additive effects on mortality when these two pathogens are combined. The synthesis of these mortality and health metrics advances our understanding of coinfections of these two important catfish pathogens and will aid fish health diagnosticians and channel catfish producers in developing therapeutants and prevention methods to control bacterial coinfections.
Disentangling effects of remote mild traumatic brain injury characteristics and posttraumatic stress on processing speed and executive function in veterans
Authors: Thompson Ryan C. , Melinder Meredith R. D. , Daly Heather A. , Warren Stacie L.
Published: January 2024

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress are prevalent in military service members and share objective and subjective cognitive symptoms, complicating recovery. We investigated the effects of remote mTBI characteristics and current posttraumatic stress symptoms on neuropsychological performance in 152 veterans with a history of remote mTBI and current cognitive concerns. Participants completed clinical neuropsychological evaluations within a Veterans Affairs Level‐II TBI/Polytrauma outpatient clinic (i.e. tertiary trauma care center for US military veterans outside of a research or teaching hospital setting). Archival data analysis of mTBI injury characteristics, clinical diagnoses, scores on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Military Version (PCL‐M) and performance on tests of processing speed, attention and executive function was conducted. Hierarchical linear regression demonstrated that elevated PCL‐M scores were associated with slower performance on trail making test (TMT) Parts A and B (p < .016). PCL‐M symptoms moderated the effect of alteration of consciousness (AOC) on TMT performance, with endorsement of AOC associated with better performance, but only when PCL‐M scores were high (p < .005). Follow‐up mediation analyses demonstrated that PCL‐M score fully mediated the relationship between AOC and TMT‐A performance and partially mediated the relationship between AOC and TMT‐B performance. Post‐hoc analyses meant to separate the impact of processing speed on TMT‐B were all non‐significant. Remote mTBI characteristics, specifically AOC, were not associated with decrements in cognitive performance. Posttraumatic symptoms were associated with worse processing speed, suggesting that psychological distress and psychopathology are contributing factors in understanding and treating persistent cognitive distress following remote mTBI.
Inner ear morphology in wild versus laboratory house mice
Authors: Renaud Sabrina , Amar Léa , Chevret Pascale , Romestaing Caroline , Quéré Jean‐Pierre , Régis Corinne , Lebrun Renaud
Published: January 2024

The semicircular canals of the inner ear are involved in balance and velocity control. Being crucial to ensure efficient mobility, their morphology exhibits an evolutionary conservatism attributed to stabilizing selection. Release of selection in slow‐moving animals has been argued to lead to morphological divergence and increased inter‐individual variation. In its natural habitat, the house mouse Mus musculus moves in a tridimensional space where efficient balance is required. In contrast, laboratory mice in standard cages are severely restricted in their ability to move, which possibly reduces selection on the inner ear morphology. This effect was tested by comparing four groups of mice: several populations of wild mice trapped in commensal habitats in France; their second‐generation laboratory offspring, to assess plastic effects related to breeding conditions; a standard laboratory strain (Swiss) that evolved for many generations in a regime of mobility reduction; and hybrids between wild offspring and Swiss mice. The morphology of the semicircular canals was quantified using a set of 3D landmarks and semi‐landmarks analyzed using geometric morphometric protocols. Levels of inter‐population, inter‐individual (disparity) and intra‐individual (asymmetry) variation were compared. All wild mice shared a similar inner ear morphology, in contrast to the important divergence of the Swiss strain. The release of selection in the laboratory strain obviously allowed for an important and rapid drift in the otherwise conserved structure. Shared traits between the inner ear of the lab strain and domestic pigs suggested a common response to mobility reduction in captivity. The lab‐bred offspring of wild mice also differed from their wild relatives, suggesting plastic response related to maternal locomotory behavior, since inner ear morphology matures before birth in mammals. The signature observed in lab‐bred wild mice and the lab strain was however not congruent, suggesting that plasticity did not participate to the divergence of the laboratory strain. However, contrary to the expectation, wild mice displayed slightly higher levels of inter‐individual variation than laboratory mice, possibly due to the higher levels of genetic variance within and among wild populations compared to the lab strain. Differences in fluctuating asymmetry levels were detected, with the laboratory strain occasionally displaying higher asymmetry scores than its wild relatives. This suggests that there may indeed be a release of selection and/or a decrease in developmental stability in the laboratory strain.
Preventive effects of melatonin on periodontal tissue destruction due to psychological stress in rats with experimentally induced periodontitis
Authors: Bostan Semih Alperen , Yemenoglu Hatice , Kose Oğuz , Akyildiz Kerimali , Mercantepe Tolga , Saral Sinan , Tumkaya Levent , Yilmaz Adnan
Published: January 2024

Objective and Background

Psychological stress is a potential modifiable environmental risk factor causally related to the exacerbation of periodontitis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. This animal study aimed to investigate comprehensively the preventive efficacy of systemic melatonin administration on the possible effects of restraint stress on the periodontal structures of rats with periodontitis.

Methods

Forty‐eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: control, restraint stress (S), S‐melatonin (S‐Mel), experimental periodontitis (Ep), S‐Ep, and S‐Ep‐Mel. Periodontitis was induced by placing a 3.0 silk suture in a sub‐paramarginal position around the cervix of the right and left lower first molars of the rats and keeping the suture in place for 5 weeks. Restraint stress was applied simultaneously by ligation. Melatonin and carriers were administered to the control, S, Ep, and S‐Ep groups intraperitoneally (10 mg/body weight/day, 14 days) starting on day 21 following ligation and subjection to restraint stress. An open field test was performed on all groups on day 35 of the study. Periodontal bone loss was measured via histological sections. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical (RANKL and OPG) evaluations were performed on right mandibular tissue samples and biochemical (TOS (total oxidant status), TAS (total antioxidant status), OSI (oxidative stress index), IL‐1β, IL‐10, and IL‐1β/IL‐10) evaluations were performed on left mandibular tissue samples.

Results

Melatonin significantly limited serum corticosterone elevation related to restraint stress (p < .05). Restraint stress aggravated alveolar bone loss in rats with periodontitis, while systemic melatonin administration significantly reduced stress‐related periodontal bone loss. According to the biochemical analyses, melatonin significantly lowered IL‐1β/IL‐10, OSI (TOS/TAS), and RANKL/OPG rates, which were significantly elevated in the S‐Ep group.

Conclusion

Melatonin can significantly prevent the limited destructive effects of stress on periodontal tissues by suppressing RANKL‐related osteoclastogenesis and oxidative stress.
Institutional delivery and maternal health: Anthropological insights from Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kibret Dejene Teshome , Firisa Tekle Wakijira
Published: January 2024

The quest to ensure maternal health has long been in focus, mainly since the Safe Motherhood Initiative of the 1980s. Maternal health is contingent, among other things, on the availability of maternal health care services and the context in which the services are available. Therefore, we conducted rapid ethnographic research at four public hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia to gain anthropological insights into maternal health, maternal health‐seeking behavior, and healthcare services. We collected data from maternal near‐miss patients, patients with obstetric fistula, and health professionals working in maternity and labor wards. Our data reveal that there has been a huge effort to promote institutional delivery and ensure maternal health in the study area. However, failure to consider socioculturally embedded issues undermined the outcome of these efforts. We suggest that maternal health‐seeking for institutional delivery and, hence, ensuring maternal health should be understood as a process that should take into account these socioculturally embedded issues.
Consuming unregulated “diet weed”: The social context of motivations and risk among users of Delta‐8 THC
Authors: Riell Malka , Henry Doug
Published: January 2024

A relatively novel, laboratory‐produced, hemp‐derived psychoactive cannabinoid called “Delta‐8 THC” has become widely available to consumers since 2020. Lack of federal oversight and a loose patchwork of regulations by states have resulted in numerous “adverse events” reported by poison control centers and the CDC, and even warnings from the industry itself. Yet consumer demand for cannabinoids like Delta‐8 THC has risen sharply. Published social science studies of Delta‐8 THC use are in their infancy and have yet to document the social context of use, consumer preferences and motivations, behaviors, embodied experiences, perceptions of risk, and risk mitigation. We conducted 25 in‐depth, qualitative interviews with consumers of Delta‐8 THC to give insight into consumer practices and preferences. Data show that consumers of Delta‐8 are aware of supply chain vulnerabilities but deploy personal calculations of risk‐benefit and personal strategies of risk mitigation to reduce perceived threats.
Parallel evolution of morphological and genomic selfing syndromes accompany the breakdown of heterostyly
Authors: Zeng Zhi‐Hua , Zhong Li , Sun Hua‐Ying , Wu Zhi‐Kun , Wang Xin , Wang Hong , Li De‐Zhu , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Zhou Wei
Published: January 2024

Evolutionary transitions from outcrossing to selfing in flowering plants have convergent morphological and genomic signatures and can involve parallel evolution within related lineages. Adaptive evolution of morphological traits is often assumed to evolve faster than nonadaptive features of the genomic selfing syndrome.

We investigated phenotypic and genomic changes associated with transitions from distyly to homostyly in the Primula oreodoxa complex. We determined whether the transition to selfing occurred more than once and investigated stages in the evolution of morphological and genomic selfing syndromes using 22 floral traits and both nuclear and plastid genomic data from 25 populations.

Two independent transitions were detected representing an earlier and a more recently derived selfing lineage. The older lineage exhibited classic features of the morphological and genomic selfing syndrome. Although features of both selfing syndromes were less developed in the younger selfing lineage, they exhibited parallel development with the older selfing lineage. This finding contrasts with the prediction that some genomic changes should lag behind adaptive changes to morphological traits.

Our findings highlight the value of comparative studies on the timing and extent of transitions from outcrossing to selfing between related lineages for investigating the tempo of morphological and molecular evolution.
Coordination of leaf, root, and seed traits shows the importance of whole plant economics in two semiarid grasslands
Authors: Mueller Kevin E. , Kray Julie A. , Blumenthal Dana M.
Published: January 2024

Uncertainty persists within trait‐based ecology, partly because few studies assess multiple axes of functional variation and their effect on plant performance.

For 55 species from two semiarid grasslands, we quantified: (1) covariation between economic traits of leaves and absorptive roots, (2) covariation among economic traits, plant height, leaf size, and seed mass, and (3) relationships between these traits and species' abundance.

Pairs of analogous leaf and root traits were at least weakly positively correlated (e.g. specific leaf area (SLA) and specific root length (SRL)). Two pairs of such traits, N content and DMC of leaves and roots, were at least moderately correlated (r > 0.5) whether species were grouped by site, taxonomic group and growth form, or life history. Root diameter was positively correlated with seed mass for all groups of species except annuals and monocots. Species with higher leaf dry matter content (LDMC) tended to be more abundant (r = 0.63). Annuals with larger seeds were more abundant (r = 0.69).

Compared with global‐scale syntheses with many observations from mesic ecosystems, we observed stronger correlations between analogous leaf and root traits, weaker correlations between SLA and leaf N, and stronger correlations between SRL and root N. In dry grasslands, plant persistence may require coordination of above‐ and belowground traits, and dense tissues may facilitate dominance.
Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency
Authors: Wu Alex , Truong Sandra Huynh , McCormick Ryan , van Oosterom Erik J. , Messina Carlos D. , Cooper Mark , Hammer Graeme L.
Published: January 2024

Radiation use efficiency (RUE) is a key crop adaptation trait that quantifies the potential amount of aboveground biomass produced by the crop per unit of solar energy intercepted. But it is unclear why elite maize and grain sorghum hybrids differ in their RUE at the crop level. Here, we used a non‐traditional top‐down approach via canopy photosynthesis modelling to identify leaf‐level photosynthetic traits that are key to differences in crop‐level RUE.

A novel photosynthetic response measurement was developed and coupled with use of a Bayesian model fitting procedure, incorporating a C4 leaf photosynthesis model, to infer cohesive sets of photosynthetic parameters by simultaneously fitting responses to CO2, light, and temperature.

Statistically significant differences between leaf photosynthetic parameters of elite maize and grain sorghum hybrids were found across a range of leaf temperatures, in particular for effects on the quantum yield of photosynthesis, but also for the maximum enzymatic activity of Rubisco and PEPc.

Simulation of diurnal canopy photosynthesis predicted that the leaf‐level photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key drivers of the performance of crop‐level RUE, generating testable hypotheses for further physiological analysis and bioengineering applications.