bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dependency of Cochlear Lateral Wall Measurements on Observer and Imaging Type
Authors: Sieber Daniel , Timm Max E. , Weller Tobias , Suhling Marie , Lenarz Thomas , Schurzig Daniel
Published: August 2023

Hypothesis

Assessment techniques for the cochlear spatial lateral wall are associated with inter-rater variability, but derived clinical recommendations nonetheless offer value for individualized electrode selection.

Background

Anatomical variations influence the location of cochlear implant electrodes inside the cochlea. Preoperative planning allows individualization of the electrode based on characterization of the bony lateral wall.

Methods

The study used publicly available digitized temporal bones based on microslicing and computed tomography. Four experienced observers assessed the lateral wall applying manual tracing, linear regression scaling and elliptic-circular approximation methods in all modalities. Radial and height differences were computed in 90-degree steps from the round window center to the apex. Total length, total angular length, and tonotopic frequencies were computed for each reconstruction.

Results

Differences were found most pronounced between assessment methods in vertical direction across observers and imaging modalities. One of the five anatomies was consistently found to be of shorter cochlear duct length with estimation techniques yielding more conservative results compared with manual tracings.

Conclusions

Assessment techniques for the bony lateral wall yield method, observer, and image modality related deviations. Automation of the anatomical characterization may offer potential in minimizing inaccuracies. Nonetheless, observers were consistently able to detect a smaller inner ear demonstrating the ability of current methods to contribute to an optimized choice of electrodes based on individual patient anatomy.
Severe infections caused by difficult-to-treat Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Dettori Silvia , Portunato Federica , Vena Antonio , Giacobbe Daniele Roberto , Bassetti Matteo
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) poses a significant global health concern, contributing to increased infections, mortality rates, and healthcare costs. This review discusses the main clinical manifestations, therapeutic options, and recent findings in managing antibiotic-resistant GNB, with a focus on difficult-to-treat infections.

Recent findings

Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) is a novel classification that identifies GNB exhibiting intermediate or resistant phenotypes to first-line agents in the carbapenem, beta-lactam, and fluoroquinolone categories. The main pathogens implicated in severe infections include DTR Enterobacterales, DTR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and DTR Acinetobacter baumannii. Although the clinical implications of DTR strains are still under investigation, certain studies have linked them to prolonged hospital stays and poor patient outcomes.

Severe infections caused by DTR-GNB pose a formidable challenge for healthcare providers and represent a growing global health issue. The proper administration and optimization of novel antibiotics at our disposal are of paramount importance for combating bacterial resistance and improving patient prognosis.
Health system approaches to providing posthospital care for survivors of sepsis and critical illness
Authors: Eaton Tammy L. , Taylor Stephanie Parks
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review

In the current review, we highlight developing strategies taken by healthcare systems to improve posthospital outcomes for sepsis and critical illness.

Recent findings

Multiple studies conducted in the adult population over the last 18 months have advanced current knowledge on postdischarge care after sepsis and critical illness. Effective interventions are complex and multicomponent, targeting the multilevel challenges that survivors face. Health systems can leverage existing care models such as primary care or invest in specialty programs to deliver postdischarge care. Qualitative and implementation science studies provide insights into important contextual factors for program success. Several studies demonstrate successful application of telehealth to improve reach of postdischarge support. Research is beginning to identify subtypes of survivors that may respond to tailored intervention strategies.

Several successful critical illness survivor models of care have been implemented and knowledge about effectiveness, cost, and implementation factors of these strategies is growing. Further innovation is needed in intervention development and evaluation to advance the field.
The effect of biofeedback pelvic floor training with ACTICORE1 on urinary incontinence: a multicenter randomized clinical pilot trial
Authors: Paasch Christoph , Soeder Sonja , Lorenz Eric , Heisler Sophie , Götze Matthias , Borgmann Hendrik , Olthoff Julia , Hünerbein Michael , Hunger Richard , Mantke René
Published: August 2023

Background:

Pelvic floor training with biofeedback has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of urinary incontinence. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pelvic floor training with the ACTICORE1 biofeedback device, which uses a noninsertable pelvic floor sensor with a digital interface.

Materials and methods:

A multicenter randomized controlled clinical pilot study in Germany was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. The intervention group was instructed to use ACTICORE1 for 6 min daily to train the pelvic floor for 12 weeks. The control group was instructed not to do any pelvic floor training. Over 18-year-old men and women with urinary incontinence and an International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire score (ICIQ) of ≥5 were included in the study. The primary endpoint was the ICIQ score 12 weeks after enrollment. The secondary endpoints were the ICIQ score and quality of life using the EG-5D-3L questionnaire 4, 8, and 12 weeks after patients’ enrollment.

Results:

A total of 40 individuals with urinary incontinence were recruited for the present study (35 females, 5 males; 40% lost to follow-up). In terms of biometric data, both groups did not differ. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the ICIQ scores of those in the ACTICORE1 group decreased from 12.9 to 7.5. The ICIQ score in the control group decreased from 11.0 to 10.5. The intraindividual improvement of patients in the ACTICORE group was statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Biofeedback training with ACTICORE1 significantly reduces symptoms of urinary incontinence after 12 weeks.
Using Machine Learning to Identify Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections Over Time among Young People Living with or At Risk for HIV Who Participated in ATN Protocols 147, 148, and 149
Authors: Comulada W. Scott , Rotheram-Borus Mary Jane , Arnold Elizabeth Mayfield , Norwood Peter , Lee Sung-Jae , Ocasio Manuel A. , Flynn Risa , Nielsen Karin , Bolan Robert , Klausner Jeffrey , Swendeman Dallas ,   Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN) CARES Team
Published: August 2023

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) among youth aged 12-24 years old have doubled in the last 13 years, accounting for 50% of STI nationally. We need to identify predictors of STI among youth in urban HIV epicenters.

Methods

Sexual and gender minority (SGM; gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse) and other youth with multiple life stressors (homelessness, incarceration, substance use, mental health disorders) were recruited from 13 sites in Los Angeles and New Orleans (N = 1482). Self-reports and rapid diagnostic tests for STI, HIV, and drug use were conducted at 4-month intervals for up to 24 months. Machine learning was used to identify predictors of time until new STI (including a new HIV diagnosis).

Results

At recruitment, 23.9% of youth had a current or past STI. Over 24 months, 19.3% tested positive for a new STI. Heterosexual males had the lowest STI rate (12%); African-American youth were 23% more likely to acquire an STI compared to peers of other ethnicities. Time to STI was best predicted by attending group sex venues or parties, moderate but not high dating app use, and past STI and HIV seropositive status.

Conclusions

STI are concentrated among a subset of young people at highest risk. The best predictors of youth’s risk are their sexual environments and networks. Machine learning will allow the next generation of research on predictive patterns of risk to be more robust.
Assessment of Barriers and Facilitators to Prescribing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis by Primary Care Providers
Authors: Kilboy Matthew , Shihabuddin Courtney , Morgan Ethan , Herbell Kayla
Published: August 2023

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective class of drugs used to prevent the transmission of HIV-1. Despite its high efficacy, the uptake of PrEP has been very low. This project sought to understand the barriers and facilitators to prescribing PrEP in a community health clinic in a Midwestern state.
Non-Neoplastic Thoracic Cysts
Authors: Weissferdt Annikka
Published: August 2023

Benign cysts of the thoracic cavity represent a group of rare lesions, the spectrum of which is expanding. Most of these are congenital in nature, secondary to abnormal development during embryogenesis while a smaller subset represents acquired lesions. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 136 patients with thoracic cysts that were treated in our institution over a span of 20 years. The patients were 85 female and 51 male patients with an average age of 51 years. Eighty-four of the patients were asymptomatic (62%), the remainder mainly presented with chest pain, shortness of breath, or cough. Surgical resection was performed in 123 patients while 12 patients were treated with aspiration only and 1 underwent core biopsy. The cyst size ranged from 0.5 to 14.8 cm (mean, 4.4 cm); histologically, the lesions included 50 thymic cysts (28 multilocular; 22 unilocular), 37 bronchogenic cysts, 23 pleuropericardial cysts, 12 unclassified cysts, 6 Müllerian cysts, 5 enteric cysts, and 3 parathyroid cysts. Clinical follow-up revealed that 97 patients were alive and well 4 months to 37 years after initial diagnosis; 25 patients were lost to follow-up and 14 patients died of unrelated causes. The current study is one of the largest studies on the subject with emphasis on clinicopathologic characteristics. This series has a higher incidence of thymic cysts compared with prior publications and covers a wider spectrum of different histologic types than previously reported.
Diagnosis and Acute Management of Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Kappy Brandon , Lindgren Christina
Published: August 2023

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS) is an indolent process characterized by significantly increased levels of serum glucose, high osmolality, and electrolyte abnormalities. The incidence of HHS has steadily risen in the pediatric population over the past several years. Patients with HHS often present with profound dehydration, fatigue, and early mental status changes. Primary emergency management of HHS involves fluid replacement, hemodynamic support, correcting electrolyte derangements, and addressing complications and underlying illnesses. Insulin is not an initial therapy in HHS and should be considered only after the patient's fluids and electrolytes have been repleted. Unlike in diabetic ketoacidosis, HHS patients are not acidotic, although children may present with mixed HHS/diabetic ketoacidosis syndromes. Complications of HHS include thrombosis, rhabdomyolysis, and, rarely, malignant hyperthermia.
Improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Initiation of Dolutegravir-Based or Low-Dose Efavirenz-Based First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy: A Four-Year Longitudinal Analysis in Cameroon (NAMSAL ANRS 12313 Trial)
Authors: Bousmah Marwân-al-Qays , Protopopescu Camelia , Mpoudi-Etame Mireille , Omgba Bassega Pierrette , Maradan Gwenaëlle , Olinga Justin , Varloteaux Marie , Tovar-Sanchez Tamara , Delaporte Éric , Kouanfack Charles , Boyer Sylvie ,   for the NAMSAL ANRS 12313 Study Group
Published: August 2023

Background:

We provide new and comprehensive evidence on the evolution of a wide range of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the NAMSAL ANRS 12313 trial in Cameroon (2016–2021)—the first randomized comparison of dolutegravir 50 mg (DTG) and low-dose efavirenz (ie, 400 mg; EFV400) in treatment-naive adults living with HIV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods:

We first described the evolution of PROs between baseline and week 192. Then, we used random-effects models to measure the effect of time since the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and the differential effect of DTG versus EFV400 on each PRO, adjusting for clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic factors, while accounting for unobserved heterogeneity and missing data.

Results:

Among the 613 patients randomized (DTG arm, n = 310; EFV400 arm, n = 303), (1) physical and mental health-related quality of life improved by 13.3% and 6.8%, respectively, (2) the percentage of patients with depression, anxiety, and stress decreased from 23.3%, 23.0%, and 7.7% to 3.1%, 3.5%, and 0.4%, respectively, and (3) the mean number of HIV-related symptoms decreased from 7.2 to 3.0 (P < 0.001). For most PROs, no significant difference was found between both arms, even when accounting for the effect of DTG on weight gain. Nevertheless, our results suggest smaller improvements in mental health outcomes in the DTG arm, with a 5 percentage point higher adjusted probability of having anxiety at week 192 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Although supporting the current World Health Organization guidelines recommending DTG-based and EFV400-based regimens as preferred and alternative first-line antiretroviral therapy, further studies should investigate medium-term mental health outcomes in patients on DTG.

Trial Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02777229.
Pediatric HIV Disclosure Intervention Improves Immunologic Outcome at 48 Weeks: The Sankofa Trial Experience
Authors: Shabanova Veronika , Emuren Leonard , Gan Geliang , Antwi Sampson , Renner Lorna , Amissah Kofi , Kusah Jonas Tettey , Lartey Margaret , Reynolds Nancy R. , Paintsil Elijah ,   on behalf of the Sankofa Study Team
Published: August 2023

Background:

The World Health Organization recommends disclosure of HIV status to children and adolescents living with HIV (CALWH). HIV disclosure improves adherence to antiretroviral therapy and immunologic and virologic outcomes. However, the prevalence of HIV disclosure is low in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the longitudinal effect of the Sankofa Pediatric HIV disclosure intervention on immunologic and virologic outcomes among CALWH in Ghana.

Methods:

We conducted a secondary analysis of a two-arm site-randomized clinical trial among CALWH aged 7–18 years. Data were collected at baseline, 24, and 48 weeks. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare immunologic (CD4) and virologic (viral load) outcomes as both continuous and categorical variables by disclosure status and by intervention group.

Results:

Among participants who had their HIV status disclosed during this study, the proportion with CD4 percent >25% increased from 56.5% at baseline to 75.4% at week 48 (P = 0.03), with a slight increase in the undisclosed group (69.5% vs. 74.3%, P = 0.56). In the intervention arm, there was a steady increase in proportion with CD4 percent >25% from 47.1% at baseline to 67.8% at week 48 (P = 0.01) while it remained unchanged in the control arm (80.5% vs. 81.3% [P = 0.89]). Concurrently, declines in detectable viral load were observed in both disclosed (63.3% vs. 51.5%, P = 0.16) and undisclosed (69.9% vs. 62.0%, P = 0.17) groups while the intervention group experienced a meaningful drop from 72.9% to 57.6% at 24 weeks (P = 0.04), which was maintained at 48 weeks.

Conclusions:

A structured, culturally relevant disclosure intervention can improve clinical outcomes.
Virtual Surgical Planning in Craniosynostosis Reduces Operative Time and Length of Stay for Cranial Vault Remodeling
Authors: Almeida Mariana N. , Alper David P. , Williams Mica C.G. , Ihnat Jacqueline M.H. , Parikh Neil , Diluna Michael , Alperovich Michael
Published: August 2023

Cranial vault remodeling (CVR) with and without frontal orbital advancement remodels the skull in craniosynostosis. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) for preoperative planning has been previously shown to be effective in CVR. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the impact of VSP on operative and perioperative efficiency for craniosynostosis surgery. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with craniosynostosis who underwent CVR. Patient demographics, perioperative variables, use of VSP, and complications were obtained. Perioperative variables collected include operative time and length of stay. An independent t test was used to compare variables from patients who had surgery with VSP and patients who did not. Records were available for 126 patients with craniosynostosis who underwent CVR of whom 79 (62.7%) utilized VSP. There was no difference in average age at surgery (9.3±5.7 mo versus 13.2±31.1 mo, P=0.39). Surgeries planned using VSP demonstrated a decreased operative time of 1.3 hours (3.7±1.1 versus 5.0±1.1 h, P<0.001) and a shorter length of stay (3.9±1.3 versus 4.6±1.7 d, P=0.01). There were no differences in complication rates of dehiscence, infection, returns to the operating room, or 30-day readmission. These trends were similar among patients who underwent fronto-orbital advancement in addition to CVR. Virtual surgical planning was associated with decreased operative time and length of stay for patients with craniosynostosis and comparable complication rates. Virtual surgical planning is an effective tool for reducing anesthetic exposure time.
Impact of Community Socioeconomic Distress on Survival Following Heart Transplantation
Authors: Sakowitz Sara , Bakhtiyar Syed Shahyan , Mallick Saad , Curry Joanna , Ascandar Nameer , Benharash Peyman
Published: August 2023

Objective:

To assess the impact of community-level socioeconomic deprivation on survival outcomes following heart transplantation.

Background:

Despite growing awareness of socioeconomic disparities in the U.S. healthcare system, significant inequities in outcomes remain. While recent literature has increasingly considered the effects of structural socioeconomic deprivation, the impact of community socioeconomic distress on outcomes following heart transplantation has not yet been elucidated.

Methods:

All adult heart transplant recipients from 2004-2022 were ascertained from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Community socioeconomic distress was assessed using the previously-validated Distressed Communities Index, a metric that represents education level, housing vacancies, unemployment, poverty rate, median household income, and business growth by zip code. Communities in the highest quintile were considered theDistressedcohort (others:Non-Distressed). Outcomes were considered across two eras (2004-2018 and 2019-2022) to account for the 2018 UNOS Policy Change. 3- and 5-year patient and graft survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:

Of 36,777 heart transplants, 7,450 (20%) were consideredDistressed. Following adjustment,Distressedrecipients demonstrated greater hazard of 5-year mortality from 2004-2018 (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.10, confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.18;P=0.005) and 3-year mortality from 2019-2022 (HR 1.29, CI 1.10-1.51;P=0.002), relative toNon-Distressed. Similarly, theDistressedgroup was associated with increased hazard of graft failure at 5-years from 2004-2018 (HR 1.10, CI 1.03-1.18;P=0.003) and at 3-years from 2019-2022 (HR 1.31, CI 1.11-1.53;P=0.001).

Conclusions:

Community-level socioeconomic deprivation is linked with inferior patient and graft survival following heart transplantation. Future interventions are needed to address pervasive socioeconomic inequities in transplantation outcomes.
On the correctness of using two-dimensional representations in the analysis of cylindrical peg–hole insertion and withdrawal
Authors: Lan Feiying , Castellani Marco , Truong Pham Duc , Wang Yongjing
Published: August 2023

The cylindrical peg–hole system is a popular model in the study of assembly and disassembly operations. The analysis of peg–hole systems is customarily performed using simplified two-dimensional representations,
viz
. a vertical sectional view. However, evidence that this simplification accurately represents the system is lacking. This paper investigates the correctness of using two-dimensional instead of three-dimensional models for peg–hole system analysis, studying their geometrical and kinematic equivalence. Geometrical equivalence implies the contact points between the peg and hole are on a vertical sectional view plane. Kinematic equivalence requires that the forces and torques acting on the peg lie in the same sectional plane. The analysis indicates that while geometrical equivalence can be proven, kinematic equivalence is in general not verified. The severity of the error introduced by the two-dimensional simplification depends on the geometrical configuration and kinematic parameters of the peg–hole system. The effects of kinematic non-equivalence on the boundary conditions of jamming and wedging are discussed. The results of the analysis show that a two-dimensional peg–hole model may give wrong predictions on jamming. Also, the extra lateral error of the three-dimensional model reduces the boundary condition and the possibility of peg–hole wedging.
Influence and influenceability: global directionality in directed complex networks
Authors: Rodgers Niall , Tiňo Peter , Johnson Samuel
Published: August 2023

Knowing which nodes are influential in a complex network and whether the network can be influenced by a small subset of nodes is a key part of network analysis. However, many traditional measures of importance focus on node level information without considering the global network architecture. We use the method of trophic analysis to study directed networks and show that both ‘influence’ and ‘influenceability’ in directed networks depend on the hierarchical structure and the global directionality, as measured by the trophic levels and trophic coherence, respectively. We show that in directed networks trophic hierarchy can explain: the nodes that can reach the most others; where the eigenvector centrality localizes; which nodes shape the behaviour in opinion or oscillator dynamics; and which strategies will be successful in generalized rock–paper–scissors games. We show, moreover, that these phenomena are mediated by the global directionality. We also highlight other structural properties of real networks related to influenceability, such as the pseudospectra, which depend on trophic coherence. These results apply to any directed network and the principles highlighted—that node hierarchy is essential for understanding network influence, mediated by global directionality—are applicable to many real-world dynamics.
Measurement of stress-induced sympathetic nervous activity using multi-wavelength PPG
Authors: Udhayakumar Radhagayathri , Rahman Saifur , Buxi Dilpreet , Macefield Vaughan G. , Dawood Tye , Mellor Nicholas , Karmakar Chandan
Published: August 2023

The onset of stress triggers sympathetic arousal (SA), which causes detectable changes to physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, dilation of the pupils and sweat release. The objective quantification of SA has tremendous potential to prevent and manage psychological disorders. Photoplethysmography (PPG), a non-invasive method to measure skin blood flow changes, has been used to estimate SA indirectly. However, the impact of various wavelengths of the PPG signal has not been investigated for estimating SA. In this study, we explore the feasibility of using various statistical and nonlinear features derived from peak-to-peak (AC) values of PPG signals of different wavelengths (green, blue, infrared and red) to estimate stress-induced changes in SA and compare their performances. The impact of two physical stressors: and Hand Grip are studied on 32 healthy individuals. Linear (Mean, s.d.) and nonlinear (Katz, Petrosian, Higuchi, SampEn, TotalSampEn) features are extracted from the PPG signal’s AC amplitudes to identify the onset, continuation and recovery phases of those stressors. The results show that the nonlinear features are the most promising in detecting stress-induced sympathetic activity.
TotalSampEn
feature was capable of detecting stress-induced changes in SA for all wavelengths, whereas other features (Petrosian, AvgSampEn) are significant (AUC ≥ 0.8) only for IR and Red wavelengths. The outcomes of this study can be used to make device design decisions as well as develop stress detection algorithms.
Suppression force-fields and diffuse competition: competition de-escalation is an evolutionarily stable strategy
Authors: Atwater Daniel Z.
Published: August 2023

Competition theory is founded on the premise that individuals benefit from harming their competitors, which helps them secure resources and prevent inhibition by neighbours. When multiple individuals compete, however, competition has complex indirect effects that reverberate through competitive neighbourhoods. The consequences of such ‘diffuse’ competition are poorly understood. For example, competitive effects may dilute as they propagate through a neighbourhood, weakening benefits of neighbour suppression. Another possibility is that competitive effects may rebound on strong competitors, as their inhibitory effects on their neighbours benefit other competitors in the community. Diffuse competition is unintuitive in part because we lack a clear conceptual framework for understanding how individual interactions manifest in communities of multiple competitors. Here, I use mathematical and agent-based models to illustrate that diffuse interactions—as opposed to direct pairwise interactions—are probably the dominant mode of interaction among multiple competitors. Consequently, competitive effects may regularly rebound, incurring fitness costs under certain conditions, especially when kin–kin interactions are common. These models provide a powerful framework for investigating competitive ability and its evolution and produce clear predictions in ecologically realistic scenarios.
Testing for age-dependent effects of dietary restriction on the strength of condition dependence in ejaculate traits in the guppy (
Poecilia reticulata
)
Authors: Evans Jonathan P. , Turnbull Elizabeth J. , Lymbery Rowan A.
Published: August 2023

Ejaculates can be costly to produce and depend on an individual's condition, defined as the pool of resources allocated to fitness. A method for assessing condition dependence is to manipulate resource availability and test for a reduction in trait expression. Here, we assess the effects of dietary restriction on two determinants of reproductive fitness in the guppy
Poecilia reticulata
—sperm production and sperm motility. Importantly, we administered dietary restriction at distinct developmental stages to test: (1) whether dietary restriction, when applied exclusively to juveniles, compromised the ejaculates of newly mature males; (2) whether any observed effects of dietary restriction seen in (1) were reversible when fish returned to an unrestricted diet; and (3) whether dietary restriction applied exclusively to adults influenced ejaculates. We found detrimental effects of resource limitation on both traits, and these were consistent across the three developmental stages tested. Furthermore, dietary restriction reduced male body weight, but this was partially reversed when diet-stressed juveniles (i.e. group 2) returned to unrestricted diets. This latter result suggests that diet-stressed males may sacrifice growth in order to maintain their investment in ejaculates. Together these findings underscore the importance of resource acquisition in determining the expression of ejaculate traits.
Management of spot disease of Indian mustard caused by Alternaria brassicae using botanical fungicide
Authors: Anand Manish , Akhtar Ovaid , Shahbaan Mohd , Zoomi Ifra , Pandey Dheeraj
Published: August 2023

Spot disease is a serious but underestimated pathogenic disease in India. In this study an extensive field survey was conducted to record the losses in Indian mustard caused by fungal pathogen Alternaria brassicae. In the month of January 2022, 100% disease incidence was recorded while, disease severity ranged between 11 to 22% with average 15.4% (SD = 3.1%). Typical symptoms of spot disease on the leaves caused by A. brassicae were identified. The pathogen was macroscopically as well as microscopically characterized and cultured in the laboratory on potato dextrose agar medium. In order to explore the botanical fungicide aqueous extract of 14 different plants viz., Lemon, Bael, Curry-leaf, Neem, Duranta, Nepata, Zinger, Garlic, Tecoma, Parthenium, Cinnamon, Asparagus, Zamia and Pteris were tested against pathogen in the laboratory. Out of the 14 plants, only aqueous extract of garlic exhibited the antifungal property and inhibited 100% conidial germination within 5 hours of incubation in cavity slides under germination box. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the garlic extract against pathogen was recorded as 0.75%. This garlic extract after successful field-trials could be used to control the spot disease. As the garlic extract is a botanical fungicide, this can be applied without causing any significant hazards to the environment.
Reply to: Contribution of carbon inputs to soil carbon accumulation cannot be neglected
Authors: Tao Feng , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Frey Serita D. , Lehmann Johannes , Manzoni Stefano , Huang Yuanyuan , Jiang Lifen , Mishra Umakant , Hungate Bruce A. , Schmidt Michael W. I. , Reichstein Markus , Carvalhais Nuno , Ciais Philippe , Wang Ying-Ping , Ahrens Bernhard , Hugelius Gustaf , Hocking Toby D. , Lu Xingjie , Shi Zheng , Viatkin Kostiantyn , Vargas Ronald , Yigini Yusuf , Omuto Christian , Malik Ashish A. , Peralta Guillermo , Cuevas-Corona Rosa , Paolo Luciano E. Di , Luotto Isabel , Liao Cuijuan , Liang Yi-Shuang , Saynes Vinisa S. , Huang Xiaomeng , Luo Yiqi
Published: August 2023

In the accompanying Comment1, He et al. argue that the determinant role of microbial carbon use efficiency in global soil organic carbon (SOC) storage shown in Tao et al. (2023)2was overestimated because carbon inputs were neglected in our data analysis while they suggest that our model-based analysis could be biased and model-dependent. Their argument is based on a different choice of independent variables in the data analysis and a sensitivity analysis of two process-based models other than that used in our study. We agree that both carbon inputs and outputs (as mediated by microbial processes) matter when predicting SOC storage – the question is their relative contributions. While we encourage further studies to examine how the evaluation of the relative importance of CUE to global SOC storage may vary with different model structures, He et al.’s claims about Tao et al. (2023) need to be taken as an alternative, unproven hypothesis until empirical data support their specific parameterization. Here we show that an additional literature assessment of global data does not support He et al.’s argument, in contrast to our study, and that further study on this topic is essential.
Bivariate joint modelling for mixed continuous and binary responses in the presence of non-monotone, non-ignorable missingness: The case of prostate cancer
Authors: Liaqat Madiha , Kamal Shahid , Fischer Florian
Published: August 2023

Joint modelling for mixed longitudinal responses has played a prominent part in disease decision-making. It is based on a joint strategy of estimating joint likelihood with shared random effects. Non-ignorable missingness in outcomes increases complexity in joint model; a shared parameter model is proposed to incorporate non-ignorable missing data for joint modelling of longitudinal responses and missing data mechanism. Parameters are estimated under the Bayesian paradigm and implemented via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods with Gibbs sampler. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the joint model is applied to analyze a prostate cancer dataset. The objective is to assess whether there is an association between two mixed longitudinal biomarkers, which could have important implications for understanding disease progression and guiding treatment decisions. The dataset contains non-monotone missingness pattern. To evaluate the performance and robustness of the proposed joint model, simulation studies are conducted.
Dissecting MPXV neurotropism and host antiviral signaling using human stem cell-based models
Authors: Bauer Lisa , Giussani Stefania , Palazzi Nicola , Bot Erik , Colombo Elisa , Zare Farnaz , Pinci Francesca , Leijten Lonneke , Lanko Kristina , Benavides Feline F.W. , Smeenk Hilde , Embregts Carmen W.E. , Spoor Jochem K.H. , Dirven Clemens , Gao Zhenyu , Bolleboom Anne , Verstrepen Babs E. , Schuele Leonard , de Vrij Femke M.S. , Kushner Steven A. , Oude Munnink Bas B. , Davila-Velderrain Jose , van Riel Debby , Harschnitz Oliver
Published: August 2023

Mpox is a zoonotic illness of international concern that can lead to severe disease including neurological sequelae. However, the neurotropism of monkeypox virus (MPXV) and the mechanisms regulating cell-intrinsic antiviral immunity within the central nervous system (CNS) remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the neurotropism of MPXV using astrocytes, cortical neurons, and microglia derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) andex vivohuman brain tissue to demonstrate that MPXV infects and replicates more efficiently in astrocytes and microglia compared to cortical neurons. Upon MPXV exposure, glial cells, in contrast to cortical neurons, inhibit type I IFN antiviral programs potentially conferring differential susceptibility to MPXV. Furthermore, we demonstrate that treatment using either IFN-beta or tecovirimat inhibits MPXV infection. Together, our results suggest that MPXV has a broad tropism within the CNS and that differential type I IFN signaling underpins cell type-specific susceptibility to MPXV infection.
Limited impact of lifting universal masks on SARS-COV-2 transmission in schools: The crucial role of outcome measurements
Authors: Li Mingwei , Yang Bingyi , Cowling Benjamin
Published: August 2023

As the pandemic’s dynamics changed, many municipalities lifted face wearing requirement in school which was initially implemented to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. This study examines the effects of lifting mask mandates on COVID-19 transmission within Massachusetts school districts. We first replicated previous research by Cowger et al. (2022) utilizing a Difference-in-Difference (DID) model. Then, we back project the case infection and calculate the Rt value to redo the DID analysis. However, when shifting the outcome measurement to the reproductive number (Rt), our findings suggest that lifting mask mandates can only significantly influence the Rt first two weeks post-intervention. This implies that while mask mandate plays a role in mitigation, its lifting does not drastically influence COVID-19 transmissibility in the long term.
Intravenous psilocybin administration attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic pain
Authors: Kolbman Nicholas , Liu Tiecheng , Guzzo Peter , Gilligan Jim P. , Mashour George A. , Vanini Giancarlo , Pal Dinesh
Published: August 2023

There is a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, including psilocybin, in treating mental health disorders. However, there are no data on the efficacy of psilocybin in alleviating chronic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of psilocybin on mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia in a rat model of formalin-induced chronic pain. Adult male and female rats were surgically implanted with a jugular vein catheter for psilocybin or saline administration. After two weeks of post-surgical recovery and conditioning, baseline responses to mechanical (von Frey assay) and thermal (hot plate assay) stimuli were measured. Twenty-four hours after baseline measurements, rats received a subcutaneous injection of formalin (5%, 50µL) into one of the hind paws and 2h later, responses to the mechanical and thermal stimuli were measured. Twenty-four hours after formalin injection, rats received an intravenous bolus of 1 mg/kg psilocybin (n=14) or 10 mg/kg psilocybin (n=12) or saline (n=13), and approximately 3h later, responses to the mechanical and thermal stimuli were measured. Rats were tested every other day during week 1, and then weekly for the next 3 weeks. Formalin injection induced thermal hyperalgesia and bilateral mechanical hypersensitivity in the hind paws of all rats. Intravenous psilocybin produced significant attenuation (p<0.05) of the formalin-induced bilateral mechanical hypersensitivity for 28 days but had limited effect (p<0.05 only on days 1, 3, 5, and 21) on thermal hyperalgesia. These data demonstrate that a single intravenous bolus of psilocybin can attenuate indices of chronic pain in a rat model.
Learning chemical sensitivity reveals mechanisms of cellular response
Authors: Connell William , Garcia Kristle , Goodarzi Hani , Keiser Michael J.
Published: August 2023

Chemical probes interrogate disease mechanisms at the molecular level by linking genetic changes to observable traits. However, comprehensive chemical screens in diverse biological models are impractical. To address this challenge, we developed ChemProbe, a model that predicts cellular sensitivity to hundreds of molecular probes and drugs by learning to combine transcriptomes and chemical structures. Using ChemProbe, we inferred the chemical sensitivity of cancer cell lines and tumor samples and analyzed how the model makes predictions. We retrospectively evaluated drug response predictions for precision breast cancer treatment and prospectively validated chemical sensitivity predictions in new cellular models, including a genetically modified cell line. Our model interpretation analysis identified transcriptome features reflecting compound targets and protein network modules, identifying genes that drive ferroptosis. ChemProbe is an interpretablein silicoscreening tool that allows researchers to measure cellular response to diverse compounds, facilitating research into molecular mechanisms of chemical sensitivity.
In situstructural insights into the excitation contraction coupling mechanism of skeletal muscle
Authors: Xu Jiashu , Liao Chenyi , Yin Chang-Cheng , Li Guohui , Zhu Yun , Sun Fei
Published: August 2023

Excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) is a fundamental mechanism in control of skeletal muscle contraction and occurs at triad junctions, where dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) on transverse tubules sense excitation signals and then cause calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum via coupling to type 1 ryanodine receptors (RyR1s), inducing the subsequent contraction of muscle filaments. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear due to the lack of structural details. Here, we explored the nanometre-resolution architecture of triad junction by cryo-electron tomography, solved thein situstructure of RyR1 in complex with FKBP12 and calmodulin, and discovered the intact RyR1-DHPR supercomplex. RyR1s arrange into two rows on the terminal cisternae membrane by forming right-hand corner-to-corner contacts, and tetrads of DHPRs bind to RyR1s in an alternating manner, forming another two rows on the transverse tubule membrane. Such unique arrangement is important for synergistic calcium release and provides direct evidence of physical coupling in ECC.
The consumption of iceberg lettuce may reduce the adhesion of dietary fat to the mucus surface of the stomach barrier lining decreasing the risk of triggering acute gastroesophageal reflux
Authors: Hurr Thomas J.
Published: August 2023

Iceberg lettuce (IL) leaves contain surface epicuticular waxes that can adsorb significant quantities of dietary fat per unit weight. Fats such as olive oil, butter, lamb fat and lard readily adsorb onto IL with soft solid fats contained in lamb fat and lard, showing strong adhesion and more resistance to removal on rinsing in a water stream. Dishwashing detergents containing surfactants prevent the adsorption of both liquid and solid fats to the lettuce leaf surface, unless at very low concentrations, highlighting their significant influence on surface properties. Based on the adhesion of fats to the IL leaf surface, it is proposed the consumption of IL could reduce acute gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In diets containing fat, the adhesion to IL reduces the amount of fat available to adhere to the mucus surface of the stomach barrier lining, protecting the lining and reducing access by trigger foods to underlying surfaces that could potentially initiate GER.

Graphical abstract

Iceberg lettuce leaves have approximately twice the surface area of the stomach for a 50g serve and 500cm3meal volume and due to the waxy surface, can adsorb significant amounts of dietary fat. Lettuce may also adsorb on the mucus layer of the stomach barrier lining but is not regarded as a trigger food. Lettuce with its large surface area to adsorb fat, can keep fat suspended in solution, protecting the lining from fat adsorption and reducing the probability that fatty trigger foods can access underlying surfaces and cause acute gastroesophageal reflux.
Reference genome sequence of the solitary beeCamptopoeum frieseiMocsáry, 1894 (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae)
Authors: Stolle Eckart , Guiglielmoni Nadège , Kirangwa Joseph , Kukowka Sandra , Meitzel Tobias , Cartney Ann M. Mc , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie , Becker Kerstin , Köhrer Karl , Böhne Astrid
Published: August 2023

Bees are major pollinators of flowering plants and thus are important ecosystem service providers for natural habitats and crops. Evolution led to a wide range of adaptations in behaviors, morphology and ecological traits. Many plants rely on specialized bee species for pollination events, and so this interdependence can make them increasingly vulnerable to ongoing threats of habitat loss and pesticide exposure. Studying the genomes of bee species across different life histories and ecological specializations can help understand the evolution of these traits more generally, but also inform conservation efforts forCamptopoeum frieseispecifically.

Here, we present the reference genome of the solitary beeCamptopoeum friesei(Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Andrenidae).

C. frieseiis highly dependent on steppe habitats where it nests in saline soils. Further, it is highly specialized (oligolectic) on a few Asteraceae:CentaureaandCirsium, in particular onCentaurea stoebe. As a consequence of its high specialization level, it is of its ecological niche with an extremely scattered and rare habitat,C. frieseiis highly threatened in central Europe, albeit local aggregations can be rich in individuals.

The high-quality genome assembly for the colourful beeCamptopoeum frieseiwas generated using long-read PacBio HiFi in combination with chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing. The genome spans 367.7 megabases (Mb), N50 of 25.2 Mb. The majority of the assembly is scaffolded into 10 chromosomes and harbours ∼40% repeats.

Species taxonomy

Eukaryota; Opisthokonta; Metazoa; Eumetazoa; Bilateria; Protostomia; Ecdysozoa; Panarthropoda; Arthropoda; Mandibulata; Pancrustacea; Hexapoda; Insecta; Dicondylia; Pterygota; Neoptera; Endopterygota; Hymenoptera; Apocrita; Aculeata; Apoidea; Anthophila; Andrenidae; Panurginae; Panurgini;Camptopoeum frieseiMocsáry, 1894 (NCBI:txid2918745)
Comparative Genomics Points to Tandem Duplications ofSADGene Clusters as Drivers of Increased ω-3 Content inS. hispanicaSeeds
Authors: Zare Tannaz , Paril Jeff F. , Barnett Emma M. , Kaur Parwinder , Appels Rudi , Ebert Berit , Roessner Ute , Fournier-Level Alexandre
Published: August 2023

A high-quality chromosome-level reference genome ofS. hispanicawas assembled and analysed.

Ancestral whole-genome duplication events have not promoted the high α-linolenic acid content inS. hispanicaseeds

Tandem duplication of six stearoyl-ACP desaturase genes is a plausible cause for high ω-3 content in chia seeds.

Salvia hispanicaL. (chia) is an abundant source of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are highly beneficial to human health. The genomic basis for this accrued PUFA content in this emerging crop was investigated through the assembly and comparative analysis of a chromosome-level reference genome forS. hispanica(321.5 Mbp). The highly contiguous 321.5Mbp genome assembly, which covers all six chromosomes enabled the identification of 32,922 protein coding genes. Two whole-genome duplications (WGD) events were identified in theS. hispanicalineage. However, these WGD events could not be linked to the high α-linolenic acid (ALA, ω-3) accumulation inS. hispanicaseeds based on phylogenomics. Instead, our analysis supports the hypothesis that evolutionary expansion through tandem duplications of specific lipid gene families, particularly the stearoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) desaturase (ShSAD) gene family, is the main driver of the abundance of ω-3 PUFAs inS. hispanicaseeds. The insights gained from the genomic analysis ofS. hispanicawill help leveraging advanced genome editing techniques and will greatly support breeding efforts for improving ω-3 content in other oil crops.
Social transmission of valence-linked new knowledge without firsthand experience in mice
Authors: Kim Ryang , Bito Haruhiko , Kitamura Takashi
Published: August 2023

Animals can acquire new knowledge by observing others’ contexts and behavior, a process called social learning, which is essential for animals to survive in nature. While the social transmission of food preference (STFP) was previously adopted as a social learning test, several studies pointed out that non-social parameters might influence its food preference. We re-evaluated critical steps in the STFP test and designed an improved social learning test, which we now refer to as social transmission of food finding (STFF). A significant advance in the STFF test is the demonstration that mice learned the odor-food relationship with either positive or negative valence from the demonstrator without prior experience in the observer. Furthermore, a circuit dissection experiment showed that hippocampal function was differentially involved during learning and recall for STFF. Thus, STFF constitutes a highly advantageous social learning model in which valence-linked new knowledge can be socially transmitted without firsthand experience.