bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of residual kidney function and dialysis adequacy on chronic pruritus in dialysis patients
Authors: Lengton Robin , van der Willik Esmee M , de Rooij Esther N M , Meuleman Yvette , Le Cessie Saskia , Michels Wieneke M , Hemmelder Marc , Dekker Friedo W , Hoogeveen Ellen K ,   for the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis-2 (NECOSAD) Study Group
Published: December 2022

Background

Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is common in dialysis patients, and is associated with lower quality of life and increased risk of death. We investigated the association between residual estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), dialysis adequacy or serum phosphate level and CKD-aP in incident dialysis patients.

Methods

A total of 1256 incident hemodialysis (HD) and 670 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (>18 years) from the Netherlands Cooperative Study on the Adequacy of Dialysis (NECOSAD) study were included (1997–2007) and followed until death, transplantation or a maximum of 10 years. CKD-aP was measured using a single item of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument-36. The associations were studied by logistic and linear regression analyses, adjusted for potential baseline confounders.

Results

At baseline mean (standard deviation) age was 60 (16) years, 62% were men and median (interquartile range) residual eGFR was 3.4 (1.7; 5.3) mL/min/1.73 m2. The prevalence of CKD-aP (∼70%) was similar in HD and PD. It was observed that 12 months after starting dialysis (after multivariable adjustment) each 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 higher residual eGFR, one unit higher total weekly Kt/V, or 1 mmol/L lower serum phosphate level was associated with lower burden of CKD-aP in HD and PD patients of –0.05 (95% CI –0.09; –0.02) and –0.09 (95% CI –0.13; –0.05), –0.15 (95% CI –0.26; –0.05) and –0.35 (95% CI –0.54; –0.16), and of –0.34 (95%CI: –0.51; –0.17) and –0.45 (95%CI: –0.71; –0.19), respectively. We found no association between dialysis Kt/V and CKD-aP.

Conclusions

Higher residual eGFR and lower serum phosphate level, but not the dialysis dose, were related with lower burden of CKD-aP in dialysis patients.
Second Chern crystals with inherently non-trivial topology
Authors: Chen Xiao-Dong , Shi Fu-Long , Liu Jian-Wei , Shen Ke , He Xin-Tao , Chan C T , Chen Wen-Jie , Dong Jian-Wen
Published: December 2022

Chern insulators have been generalized to many classical wave systems and thereby lead to many potential applications such as robust waveguides, quantum computation and high-performance lasers. However, the band structure of a material can be either topologically trivial or non-trivial, depending on how the crystal structure is designed. Here, we propose a second Chern crystal in a four-dimensional parameter space by introducing two extra synthetic translation dimensions. Since the topology of the bulk bands in the synthetic translation space is intrinsically non-trivial, our proposed four-dimensional crystal is guaranteed to be topologically non-trivial regardless of the crystal's detailed configuration. We derive the topologically protected modes on the lower dimensional boundaries of such a crystal via dimension reduction. Remarkably, we observe the one-dimensional gapless dislocation modes and confirm their robustness in experiments. Our findings provide novel perspectives on topologically non-trivial crystals and may inspire designs of classical wave devices.
Effect of anchoring groups number on the photovoltaic parameters in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Swetha Thokala , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: December 2022

We have developed a series of Ru sensitizers (GS16, GS17 and GS19) with molecular architecture containing a tridentate ligand with one, two and three anchoring groups and three thiocyanates. Furthermore, we have studied the effect of the number of carboxylic groups on photovoltaic properties. The absorption spectra of the novel sensitizers extended up to the red region (900 nm). The electrochemical studies reveal that the oxidation potentials are aligned below the iodine-based redox potential, feasible for easy regeneration, and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of all sensitizers lies above the TiO2 conduction band, which is favourable for easy electron injection. The overall efficiency (η) of the GS16, GS17 and GS19 is 1.13, 2.71 and 1.59% with short-circuit current (JSC) of 3.74 mA cm−2, 7.08 mA cm−2, 6.27 mA cm−2, open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.42 V, 0.54 V and 0.39 V and fill factor of 0.70, 0.70 and 0.65, respectively. The highest efficiency of 2.71% was observed in GS17, bearing the two anchoring groups compared to one and three carboxylic acid-containing sensitizers (GS16 and GS19). Theoretical studies are also examined and matched with the experimental data.
Cytokinin-responsive MdTCP17 interacts with MdWOX11 to repress adventitious root primordium formation in apple rootstocks
Authors: Mao Jiangping , Niu Chundong , Li Ke , Fan Li , Liu Zhimin , Li Shaohuan , Ma Doudou , Tahir Muhammad Mobeen , Xing Libo , Zhao Caiping , Ma Juanjuan , An Na , Han Mingyu , Ren Xiaolin , Zhang Dong
Published: December 2022

Adventitious root (AR) formation plays an important role in vegetatively propagated plants. Cytokinin (CK) inhibits AR formation, but the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain unknown. In this study, we confirmed that CK content is related to AR formation and further revealed that a high auxin/CK ratio was beneficial to AR formation in apple (Malus domestica). A correlation between expression of CK-responsive TEOSINTE BRANCHED1, CYCLOIDEA, and PCF17 (MdTCP17) and AR formation in response to CK was identified, and overexpression of MdTCP17 in transgenic apple inhibited AR formation. Yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed an interaction between MdTCP17 and WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX11 (MdWOX11), and a significant correlation between the expression of MdWOX11 and AR ability. Overexpression of MdWOX11 promoted AR primordium formation in apple, while interference of MdWOX11 inhibited AR primordium production. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between MdWOX11 and LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN29 (MdLBD29) expression, and yeast one-hybrid, dual luciferase reporter, and ChIP-qPCR assays verified the binding of MdWOX11 to the MdLBD29 promoter with a WOX-box element in the binding sequence. Furthermore, MdTCP17 reduced the binding of MdWOX11 and MdLBD29 promoters, and coexpression of MdTCP17 and MdWOX11 reduced MdLBD29 expression. Together, these results explain the function and molecular mechanism of MdTCP17-mediated CK inhibition of AR primordium formation, which could be used to improve apple rootstocks genetically.
Impact of misinformation on ivermectin internet searches and prescribing trends during COVID-19
Authors: Ostrovsky Adam M , Parikh Chitra
Published: December 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a surge of publications seeking to understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A byproduct of the rush to understand COVID-19 has been the publication and subsequent retraction of papers promoting unfounded treatments, such as ivermectin—an anti-parasitic medication. This study aims to determine the impact retracted studies may have had on ivermectin prescription rates. TriNetX was used to gather anonymized patient data from 67 healthcare organizations both within the USA (36,711 patients; 91.6%) and abroad (3,266 patients; 8.14%) to obtain prescribing rates for ivermectin between April 2020–September 2022. Google Trends was used to gauge online interest in purchasing ivermectin in relation to prescribing rates. We found that ivermectin use largely increased following periods in which later-retracted journal articles were written touting its potential benefits. Multiple spikes in Google searches were observed, with the first three local peaks occurring within the first, second, and third publication ‘clusters,’ respectively. The maximum peak for searches occurred just one month after the maximum number of ivermectin prescriptions. This information is important for understanding how health-related misinformation spreads, and how to best minimize and counteract the impact of such misinformation in the future.
Prestige of scholarly book publishers—An investigation into criteria, processes, and practices across countries
Authors: Dagienė Eleonora
Published: December 2022

Numerous national research assessment policies aim to promote ‘excellence’ and incentivize scholars to publish their research in the most prestigious journals or with the most prestigious book publishers. We investigate the practicalities of assessing book outputs in different countries, concentrating on evaluation based on the prestige of book publishers (e.g. Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain). Additionally, we test whether such judgments are transparent and yield consistent results. We show inconsistencies in the levelling of publishers, such as cases where the same publisher is ranked as prestigious and not-so-prestigious in different states or within the same country in consequent years. Likewise, we find that verification of compliance with the mandatory prerequisites is not always possible because of the lack of transparency. Our findings support doubts about whether the assessment of books based on a judgement about their publishers yields acceptable outcomes. Even more, currently used rankings of publishers focus on evaluating the gatekeeping role of publishers but do not assess other essential stages in scholarly book publishing (e.g. dissemination or preservation). Our suggestion for future research is to develop approaches to evaluate books by accounting for the value added to every book at every publishing stage, which is vital for the quality of book outputs from research assessment and scholarly communication perspectives.
Disorganization of Semantic Brain Networks in Schizophrenia Revealed by fMRI
Authors: Matsumoto Yukiko , Nishida Satoshi , Hayashi Ryusuke , Son Shuraku , Murakami Akio , Yoshikawa Naganobu , Ito Hiroyoshi , Oishi Naoya , Masuda Naoki , Murai Toshiya , Friston Karl , Nishimoto Shinji , Takahashi Hidehiko
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that presents with thought disorders including delusions and disorganized speech. Thought disorders have been regarded as a consequence of the loosening of associations between semantic concepts since the term “schizophrenia” was first coined by Bleuler. However, a mechanistic account of this cardinal disturbance in terms of functional dysconnection has been lacking. To evaluate how aberrant semantic connections are expressed through brain activity, we characterized large-scale network structures of concept representations using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Study Design

We quantified various concept representations in patients’ brains from fMRI activity evoked by movie scenes using encoding modeling. We then constructed semantic brain networks by evaluating the similarity of these semantic representations and conducted graph theory-based network analyses.

Study Results

Neurotypical networks had small-world properties similar to those of natural languages, suggesting small-worldness as a universal property in semantic knowledge networks. Conversely, small-worldness was significantly reduced in networks of schizophrenia patients and was correlated with psychological measures of delusions. Patients’ semantic networks were partitioned into more distinct categories and had more random within-category structures than those of controls.

Conclusions

The differences in conceptual representations manifest altered semantic clustering and associative intrusions that underlie thought disorders. This is the first study to provide pathophysiological evidence for the loosening of associations as reflected in randomization of semantic networks in schizophrenia. Our method provides a promising approach for understanding the neural basis of altered or creative inner experiences of individuals with mental illness or exceptional abilities, respectively.
Associations Between Cannabis Use, Polygenic Liability for Schizophrenia, and Cannabis-related Experiences in a Sample of Cannabis Users
Authors: Johnson Emma C , Colbert Sarah M C , Jeffries Paul W , Tillman Rebecca , Bigdeli Tim B , Karcher Nicole R , Chan Grace , Kuperman Samuel , Meyers Jacquelyn L , Nurnberger John I , Plawecki Martin H , Degenhardt Louisa , Martin Nicholas G , Kamarajan Chella , Schuckit Marc A , Murray Robin M , Dick Danielle M , Edenberg Howard J , D’Souza Deepak Cyril , Di Forti Marta , Porjesz Bernice , Nelson Elliot C , Agrawal Arpana
Published: December 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Risk for cannabis use and schizophrenia is influenced in part by genetic factors, and there is evidence that genetic risk for schizophrenia is associated with subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). Few studies to date have examined whether genetic risk for schizophrenia is associated with cannabis-related PLEs.

Study Design

We tested whether measures of cannabis involvement and polygenic risk scores (PRS) for schizophrenia were associated with self-reported cannabis-related experiences in a sample ascertained for alcohol use disorders (AUDs), the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). We analyzed 4832 subjects (3128 of European ancestry and 1704 of African ancestry; 42% female; 74% meeting lifetime criteria for an AUD).

Study Results

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) was prevalent in this analytic sample (70%), with 40% classified as mild, 25% as moderate, and 35% as severe. Polygenic risk for schizophrenia was positively associated with cannabis-related paranoia, feeling depressed or anhedonia, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties, even when controlling for duration of daily cannabis use, CUD, and age at first cannabis use. The schizophrenia PRS was most robustly associated with cannabis-related cognitive difficulties (β = 0.22, SE = 0.04, P = 5.2e−7). In an independent replication sample (N = 1446), associations between the schizophrenia PRS and cannabis-related experiences were in the expected direction and not statistically different in magnitude from those in the COGA sample.

Conclusions

Among individuals who regularly use cannabis, genetic liability for schizophrenia—even in those without clinical features—may increase the likelihood of reporting unusual experiences related to cannabis use.
Bad Sexology: The Scientific Publications of the University Press (Watford and London), 1897–1901
Authors: Brooks Ross
Published: December 2022

This article surveys the full catalogue of works published by the University Press, erstwhile of Watford, and its mysterious proprietor George Ferdinand Springmühl von Weissenfeld. The intrepid (and criminal) outfit is well known for publishing the first English editions of Sexual Inversion by Havelock Ellis and John Addington Symonds which were banned in Britain following a sensational trial in 1898. Other works produced by the press were crucial in establishing the new sexology across social strata in modern Britain. Among them are several English translations of French sexological tomes. There were also in-house productions that shaped the new sexology for a popular British readership including some of the first non-fiction books by Walter Matthew Gallichan, written under the pseudonym Geoffrey Mortimer. More than this, von Weissenfeld mounted an extraordinary defence of the freedom to publish scientific books about sex, an endeavour that was inextricably linked with his anti-establishment marketing strategy.
The association of impulsivity with effects of the ChooseWell 365 workplace nudge intervention on diet and weight
Authors: McCurley Jessica L , Buckholtz Joshua W , Roberto Christina A , Levy Douglas E , Anderson Emma M , Chang Yuchiao , Thorndike Anne N
Published: December 2022

Impulsivity is associated with unhealthy food choices. Nudge interventions in the food environment may be particularly helpful for individuals with high impulsivity. To examine if trait, choice, and action impulsivity were associated with the effectiveness of a workplace-based nudge intervention to improve diet and weight. This was a planned secondary analysis of 487 participants of ChooseWell 365, a randomized controlled trial that tested a 12-month nudge intervention to improve cafeteria purchases among hospital employees. Trait impulsivity was measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Choice and action impulsivity were assessed with delay discounting and response inhibition tasks, respectively. Tertiles were generated for each measure. Multivariable regression models examined the association of impulsivity with cafeteria purchases [Healthy Purchasing Score (HPS)] over 12 months, dietary intake [Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) score], and body mass index (BMI) measured at 12 months. Interaction terms tested differences in intervention effect by level of impulsivity. Participants with higher trait (p = .02) and choice (p < .001) impulsivity had lower baseline HPS than those with lower impulsivity. Employees of all impulsivity levels increased healthy eating, but higher trait impulsivity was associated with smaller increase in HPS over 12 months (p = .03). In the highest action impulsivity tertile, 12-month BMI increased less for intervention vs. control participants (0.3 vs. 0.5 kg/m2; p-interaction = .04). There were no interaction effects for trait or choice impulsivity. A workplace nudge intervention improved food choices among employees of all impulsivity levels and attenuated weight gain in those with higher action impulsivity.
Reproductive and developmental toxicity following exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers, triphenyl phosphate and isopropylated phenyl phosphate, in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Witchey Shannah K , Sutherland Vicki , Collins Brad , Roberts Georgia , Shockley Keith R , Vallant Molly , Krause Jeffrey , Cunny Helen , Waidyanatha Suramya , Mylchreest Eve , Sparrow Barney , Moyer Robert , Behl Mamta
Published: December 2022

Two organophosphate esters used as flame retardants and plasticizers, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and isopropylated phenyl phosphate (IPP), have been detected in environmental samples around the world. Human exposure primarily occurs via oral ingestion with reported higher concentrations in children. Currently, there are no data to evaluate potential risk from exposure to either TPHP or IPP during fetal development. These short-term perinatal studies in rats provide preliminary toxicity data for TPHP and IPP, including information on transfer to fetus/offspring and across the pup blood-brain barrier. In separate experiments, TPHP or IPP were administered via dosed feed at concentrations 0, 1000, 3000, 10 000, 15 000, or 30 000 ppm to time-mated Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD rats from gestation day (GD) 6 through postnatal day (PND) 28; offspring were provided dosed feed at the same concentration as their dam (PND 28–PND 56). TPHP- and IPP-related toxicity resulted in removal of both 30 000 ppm groups on GD 12 and 15 000 ppm IPP group after parturition. Body weight and organ weights were impacted with exposure in remaining dams. Reproductive performance was perturbed at ≥10 000 ppm TPHP and all IPP exposure groups. In offspring, both TPHP- and IPP-related toxicity was noted in pups at ≥10 000 ppm as well as reduction in bodyweights, delays in pubertal endpoints, and/or reduced cholinesterase enzyme activity starting at 1000 ppm TPHP or IPP. Preliminary internal dose assessment indicated gestational and lactational transfer following exposure to TPHP or IPP. These findings demonstrate that offspring development is sensitive to 1000 ppm TPHP or IPP exposure.
Ethylene constrains stomatal reopening in Fraxinus chinensis post moderate drought
Authors: Bi Min-Hui , Jiang Chao , Brodribb Timothy , Yang Yu-Jie , Yao Guang-Qian , Jiang Hui , Fang Xiang-Wen
Published: December 2022

Clarifying the mechanisms underlying the recovery of gas exchange following drought is the key to providing insights into plant drought adaptation and habitat distribution. However, the mechanisms are still largely unknown. Targeting processes known to inhibit gas exchange during drought recovery, we measured leaf water potential, the leaf hydraulic conductance, stomatal reopening, abscisic acid (ABA) and the ethylene emission rate (EER) following moderate drought stress in seedlings of the globally pervasive woody tree Fraxinus chinensis. We found strong evidence that the slow stomatal reopening after rehydration is regulated by a slow decrease in EER, rather than changes in leaf hydraulics or foliar ABA levels. This was supported by evidence of rapid gas exchange recovery in plants after treatment with the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene. These findings provide evidence to rigorously support ethylene as a key factor constraining stomatal reopening from moderate drought directly, thereby potentially opening new windows for understanding species drought adaptation.
Efficacy of Single- and Multi-Site Fungicides Against Neopestalotiopsis spp. of Strawberry
Authors: Baggio Juliana S. , Rebello Carolina S. , de Morais Mayara B. , Marin Marcus V. , Gama Andre B. , Forcelini Bruna B. , Mertely James C. , Peres Natalia A.
Published: December 2022

Recently, the Florida strawberry industry faced unprecedented outbreaks of an emerging disease caused by the fungus Neopestalotipsis spp. Currently, there are no fungicides labeled to control this disease in the United States and the efficacy of single- and multisite fungicides is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the in vitro sensitivity of Neopestalotiopsis spp. isolates to fungicides with different modes of action and to evaluate the efficacy of these products on detached fruit and in the field. In preliminary in vitro tests, 30 commercially available fungicides were screened using discriminatory doses. The effective concentration that inhibited mycelial growth by 50% was determined for the most effective single-site fungicides. Four field experiments were conducted during the 2019–20, 2020–21, and 2021–22 seasons to determine product efficacy in managing the disease. The single-site fungicides fludioxonil, fluazinam, and sterol demethylation inhibitors, and the multisite fungicides captan, thiram, and chlorothalonil were the most effective in inhibiting pathogen growth and suppressing disease development. Conversely, products in Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) groups 1 (methyl benzimidazole carbamate) and 7 (succinate-dehydrogenase inhibitors), except for benzovindiflupyr, were not effective against Neopestalotiopsis spp. Resistance to fungicides from FRAC group 11 (e.g., azoxystrobin) was confirmed by the presence of the G143A mutation in the cytochrome b gene together with inoculation tests and field trials. Our results provide information to support or discourage the registration of fungicides to manage Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot in strawberry production.
A Rapid Molecular Detection System for Sdh Mutations Conferring Differential Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Resistance in Corynespora cassiicola
Authors: Sun Bingxue , Zhou Rongjia , Zhu Guangxue , Xie Xuewen , Chai Ali , Li Lei , Fan Tengfei , Shi Jingjing , Li Baoju , Shi Yanxia
Published: December 2022

Cucumber leaf spot, caused by Corynespora cassiicola, is a serious disease of cucumbers in greenhouses. Due to the frequent application of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), resistance caused by point mutations in the SDHB/C/D gene has been reported. Different mutations lead to different resistance levels, and mutations vary over time and regions. This means that it is necessary to know the type of mutation in the field to select the appropriate SDHIs. Here, the sensitivity of mutations to SDHIs was determined, and eight resistance patterns were obtained: pattern I (BosVHR, FluoMR, PenHR, CarR); pattern II (BosMR, FluoSS, PenS, CarS); pattern III (BosVHR, FluoSS, PenLR, CarS); pattern IV (BosLR, FluoLR, PenS, CarR); pattern V (BosMR, FluoLR, PenS, CarS); pattern VI (BosMR, FluoLR, PenLR, CarS); pattern VII (BosVHR, FluoHR, PenHR, CarS); and pattern VIII (BosLR, FluoLR, PenLR, CarS). We successfully established nine allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) assays that can detect mutation types. The sensitivity and specificity of AS-PCR were also determined. The sensitivity results showed that most of the detection thresholds of the AS-PCR assays were 100 pg/μl, while the AS-PCR assay of the B-H278R and D-G109V mutations exhibited high sensitivity, with 10 pg/μl. To validate the use of the developed AS-PCR assay, DNA from leaves inoculated with known mutations was extracted, detected by AS-PCR, and sequenced. The results showed good similarity between the two methods. Additionally, to rapidly detect mutations in the CcSdhD gene, we developed a single-tube multiplex allele-specific PCR (MAS-PCR) assay. In conclusion, AS-PCR and MAS-PCR were established for mutation detection and targeted control of CLS.
Identification of a Pm4 Allele Conferring Powdery Mildew Resistance in Wheat Breeding Line GR18-1
Authors: Su Fuyu , Han Guohao , Yu Ziyang , Liu Cheng , Li Haosheng , Wang Xiaolu , Chang Lin , Xiao Luning , Mu Yanjun , Bian Qingzhong , Wang Fengtao , Jin Yuli , Ma Pengtao
Published: December 2022

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt) is a serious fungal wheat disease of wheat worldwide. Host resistance is considered to be the most environmentally friendly and efficient approach against this disease. Wheat breeding line GR18-1 showed resistance to powdery mildew at both seedling and adult stages for several years. Genetic analysis indicated that a single dominant gene, tentatively designated as PmGR-18, conferred powdery mildew resistance in GR18-1. Bulked segregant analysis and marker analysis showed that PmGR-18 was located in the Pm4 interval on chromosome arm 2AL and was flanked by the markers Xwgrc763 and Xwgrc872, respectively, with genetic distances of 0.5 and 1.0 cM corresponding to a physical interval of 1.13 Mb based on the Chinese Spring reference genome sequence v2.1. Using homology-based cloning and Sanger sequencing, we found that the sequence of PmGR-18 was totally consistent with that of Pm4d. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of two splicing variants Pm4d_V1 and Pm4d_V2 in GR18-1 were significantly upregulated after inoculating with Bgt isolate E09, and the level of Pm4d_V2 was significantly lower than that of Pm4d_V1 at most of the time points, suggesting a different resistance pattern may be involved in the genotype. To facilitate the transfer of PmGR-18 in marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding, the flanked markers Xwgrc763 and Xwgrc872 and the functional marker JS717/JS718 were tested and confirmed to enable the tracking of PmGR-18 when it transferred into those susceptible cultivars.
Resistance to Powdery Mildew Is Conferred by Different Genetic Loci at the Adult-Plant and Seedling Stages in Winter Wheat Line Tianmin 668
Authors: Hu Jinghuang , Gebremariam Tesfay Gebrekirstos , Zhang Peng , Qu Yunfeng , Qiu Dan , Shi Xiaohan , Li Yahui , Wu Qiuhong , Luo Ming , Yang Lijian , Zhang Hongjun , Yang Li , Liu Hongwei , Zhou Yang , Liu Zhiyong , Wang Baotong , Li Hongjie
Published: December 2022

Winter wheat line Tianmin 668 was crossed with susceptible cultivar Jingshuang 16 to develop 216 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) for dissecting its adult-plant resistance (APR) and all-stage resistance (ASR) against powdery mildew. The RIL population was genotyped on a 16K genotyping by target sequencing single-nucleotide polymorphism array and phenotyped in six field trials and in the greenhouse. Three loci—QPmtj.caas-2BL, QPmtj.caas-2AS, and QPmtj.caas-5AL—conferring APR to powdery mildew were detected on chromosomes 2BL, 2AS, and 5AL, respectively, of Tianmin 668. The effect of resistance to powdery mildew for QPmtj.caas-2BL was greater than that of the other two loci. A Kompetitive allele-specific PCR marker specific for QPmtj.caas-2BL was developed and verified on 402 wheat cultivars or breeding lines. Results of virulence and avirulence patterns to 17 Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici isolates, bulked segregant analysis-RNA-sequencing, and a genetic linkage mapping identified a resistance allele at locus Pm4 in Tianmin 668 based on the seedling phenotypes of the RIL population. The PCR-based DNA sequence alignment and cosegregation of the functional marker with the phenotypes of the RIL population demonstrated that Pm4d was responsible for the ASR to isolate Bgt1 in Tianmin 668. The dissection of genetic loci for APR and ASR may facilitate the application of Tianmin 668 in developing powdery mildew-resistant wheat cultivars.
Identification of Cultured and Diazotrophic Bacterial Endophytes in Warm-Season Grasses
Authors: Sapkota Suraj , Harris-Shultz Karen R. , Strickland Timothy C. , Anderson William F.
Published: December 2022

Endophytes can have positive effects on plant health and growth, but endophytes of warm-season grasses are largely understudied, and inocula are rarely applied to cultivated grasses. To identify endophytes in warm-season grasses, 35 endophytic bacterial isolates were cultured from the roots, rhizomes, and shoots of bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon), energy cane ( Saccharum spp.), Johnsongrass ( Sorghum halepense), napiergrass ( Cenchrus purpureus), perennial sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor × S. halepense), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor), sorghum × sudangrass ( Sorghum × drummondii), and peanut (outgroup). Sequencing of the 16S rRNA fragment from the endophytes revealed that the bacterial sequences were similar to Bacillus spp. (19 isolates), Burkholderia spp. (4), Pantoea spp. (4), Pseudomonas spp. (3), Enterobacter spp. (2), Kosakonia spp . (2), and Sphingomonas sp. (1). To identify diazotrophic endophytes, DNA isolated from surface-disinfected tissue from warm-season grasses was used to amplify nifH. Bacteria containing nifH were similar to 13 genera, and sequences similar to Pseudolabrys sp. were present in the greatest number of warm-season grasses. Bacteria similar to Bradyrhizobium frederickii strain CNPSo 3447 were identified frequently from the leaves and roots of sorghum × sudangrass (and peanut roots). Using similarity to known nifH fragments, six genera were identified that had not been previously identified in grasses. Thus, a large number of endophytes were found in warm-season grasses and could enhance plant growth or grass nitrogen levels by using nitrogen fixation.

[Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2023.
Original Research: Practice Variations in Documenting Neurologic Examinations in Non-Neuroscience ICUs
Authors: Banzon Phyllis Carol , Vashisht Ayushi , Euckert Madeleine , Nairon Emerson , Aiyagari Venkatesh , Stutzman Sonja E. , Olson DaiWai M.
Published: December 2022

Background:

In critical care units, the neurologic examination (neuro exam) is used to detect changes in neurologic function. Serial neuro exams are a hallmark of monitoring in neuroscience ICUs. But less is known about neuro exams that are performed in non-neuroscience ICUs. This knowledge gap likely contributes to the insufficient guidance on what constitutes an adequate neuro exam for patients admitted to a non-neuroscience ICU.

Purpose:

The study purpose was to explore existing practices for documenting neuro exams in ICUs that don't routinely admit patients with a primary neurologic injury.

Methods:

A single-center, prospective, observational study examined documented neuro exams performed in medical, surgical, and cardiovascular ICUs. A comprehensive neuro exam assesses seven domains that can be divided into 20 components. In this study, each component was scored as present (documentation was found) or absent (documentation was not found); a domain was scored as present if one or more of its components had been documented.

Results:

There were 1,482 assessments documented on 120 patients over a one-week period. A majority of patients were male (56%), White (71%), non-Hispanic (77%), and over 60 years of age (50%). Overall, assessments of the domains of consciousness, injury severity, and cranial nerve function were documented 80% of the time or more. Assessments of the domains of pain, motor function, and sensory function were documented less than 60% of the time, and that of speech less than 5% of the time. Statistically significant differences in documentation were found between the medical, surgical, and cardiovascular ICUs for the domains of speech, cranial nerve function, and pain. There were no significant differences in documentation frequency between day and night shift nurses. Documentation practices were significantly different for RNs versus providers.

Conclusions:

Our findings show that the frequency and specific components of neuro exam documentation vary significantly across nurses, providers, and ICUs. These findings are relevant for nurses and providers and may help to improve guidance for neurologic assessment of patients in non-neurologic ICUs. Further studies exploring variance in documentation practices and their implications for courses of treatment and patient outcomes are warranted.
Evolution in a New Year
Authors: Kirton Carl A.
Published: December 2022

Making a commitment to learning, growth, and change.
The Limits of ‘Social Determinants of Health’ Language
Authors: Walton AnnMarie Lee
Published: December 2022

A less restrictive term allows more room for our shared humanity.
Learner Handoffs Within Clinical Rotations: From the Resident Perspective
Authors: Fishman Michael D. , Harriel Katherine L. , Kahane Caroline G. , Gustafson Sarah , Winn Ariel S. , Fromme H. Barrett , Marcus Carolyn H.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Competency-based medical education relies on repeated longitudinal assessments of learners. Frequent attending physician transitions within clinical rotations present a significant barrier to the educational continuity required in competency-based medical education. Learner handoffs (LHs), or the transfer of information regarding learners on a team among faculty supervisors, is a potential solution. Although literature is available on educational leader and clinical faculty perspectives on LHs, perspectives of the learners have been less well described.

Method

This qualitative study used thematic analysis of pediatric resident focus groups from 3 programs of varying size and geographic location from July to December 2021. Two authors independently read the first 3 transcripts to generate a codebook and then coded the remaining transcripts independently to ensure thematic saturation. Emerging themes were discussed and revised until a consensus was achieved.

Results

Forty-four pediatric residents from 3 programs participated in 8 focus groups. Themes were identified regarding LHs’ positive impact on the (1) learner, (2) clinical practice, and (3) learning environment. Participants described numerous positive benefits to their own development, team functioning, trust, and patient safety. This experience was counterbalanced by risk of bias in the current LH context. Suggestions for the implementation of a structured LH framework were provided, with a focus on the content (what information), process (who is involved), and format (how is it delivered) of LHs. Participants believed that the creation of a structured LH tool may mitigate perceived challenges, including bias and lack of transparency.

Conclusions

Residents recognize potential benefits to learners themselves, their clinical practice, and their learning environment through LHs but express concerns regarding further propagating bias. The development of a structured and learner-centered LH tool could accelerate learner professional development while mitigating perceived challenges. Future research should define essential components of an LH model with input from all key stakeholders.
Efficacy and safety of fruquintinib as third- or further-line therapy for patients with advanced bone and soft tissue sarcoma: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ding Xiaomin , Liu Yuan , Zhang YaWen , Liang Jinrong , Li Qian , Hu Haiyan , Zhou Yan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Fruquintinib is an oral small-molecule angiogenesis inhibitor, markedly specifically inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fruquintinib, or in combination with immunotherapy or chemotherapy in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma (STS), who have failed at least secondary-line treatment.

Patients and methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of advanced bone and STS patients who received fruquintinib containing third- or further-line therapy in Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s and the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chiese Medicine from September 2019 to February 2022. All of them had accepted at least anthracyclines-based chemotherapy. For the experimental group, 25 cases, the patients took a basic dose of fruquintinib 3–5 mg once a day for 21 days per 4 weeks as a cycle until the disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The other 20 patients in the control group received the best supportive care. The patients were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) or MRI once 2 months or symptoms worse. The DCR, progression-free survival (PFS), and adverse reactions of the drug were recorded and reviewed.

Results

The DCR in patients receiving fruquintinib therapy was 80.0%. The median PFS (mPFS) in the fruquintinib-containing therapy group was significantly longer than that in the control group (4.8 vs. 1.4 months; P < 0.001). The mPFS in the fruquintinib group, the fruquintinib-OI group and the fruquintinib-chemotherapy group were 3.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.0–7.9], 4.9 months (95% CI, 3.0–9.9) and 4.2 months (95% CI, 2.6–6.6) respectively, all of them were longer than the mPFS of 1.4 months (95% CI, 0.3–2.5) in the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Fruquintinib was reported for the first time to have favorable efficacy and safety as an optional treatment for patients with advanced bone and STS who failed in multi-line therapies.
High expression of GRB2 associated binding protein 3 mRNA predicts positive prognosis in melanoma
Authors: Li Chunting , Ye Zhenzhen , Wang Yimeng , Wang Guanyu , Zhang Qian , Zhang Chunlei
Published: December 2022

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and it is characterized by poor prognosis in patients with metastatic diseases. Accurate prediction of prognosis is crucial for therapeutic decisions. In this study, bioinformatics analysis was used to explore the prognostic value of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2-associated binding protein 3 (GAB3) mRNA. RNA transcriptome sequencing data and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) were analyzed for differentially expressed genes in high and low GAB3 mRNA expression groups in melanoma. Performing gene enrichment analysis and constructing protein–protein interaction networks. High expression of GAB3 was significantly correlated with a lower T stage, melanoma Clark level, Breslow depth, and melanoma ulceration. And high GAB3 expression was also associated with better progression-free interval in T1 and T2 stages and N0 stage and longer overall survival in T1 and T2 stages, N0 stage, and N1 stage. GAB3 promoted high levels of infiltration of macrophages and activated natural killer cells in melanoma. High expression of GAB3 predicted a positive prognosis in early-stage melanoma that may be mediated by the anticancer immune response.
Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy
Authors: Sreenivasan Jayakumar , Shah Avisha , Riangwiwat Tanawan , Jayasree Rajendran Rakendu , Vazquez Sosa Carlos E. , Gupta Rahul , Frishman William H. , Timmermans Robert J. , Ahmad Hasan , Aronow Wilbert S. , Ahmad Yousif
Published: December 2022

Coronary artery calcification is strongly associated with adverse cardiac events and can impede the success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to challenges with delivery of equipment and expansion of stents. Current treatment modalities for mitigation of coronary calcification have limitations and inherent risk of complications. Coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel technique to modify coronary artery calcification via acoustic pressure waves. IVL utilizes an easy-to-use device, which does not require a steep learning curve. Prospective studies have shown this technique to be safe and effective and can be used to adequately modify calcified coronary stenoses in preparation for PCI and stent deployment and optimization. IVL has unique features that can be used alone or as an adjunctive therapy to other available calcium modification tools. As compared to the currently established modalities of calcium modification, IVL has the potential to facilitate successful PCI with fewer serious procedural complications. In this review article, we discuss the importance of coronary artery calcification, the role of IVL, its mechanism, the current clinical data behind its use and future directions. Overall, coronary IVL is a promising technology for the treatment of severely calcified coronary stenoses, with a need for, long-term clinical outcome data of IVL-facilitated PCI.
Safety and efficacy of naproxen for fever and acute pain in preschool children: a systematic review
Authors: Mathiesen Sidsel , Jørgensen Adam E.M.
Published: December 2022

Preschool children may require acute pain and fever management beyond the effects of paracetamol. Ibuprofen, an NSAID, is the first-choice analgesic add-on in children, as its effects and safety profile are well-known in children. In some countries, however, ibuprofen in oral solution is not available; thus, naproxen (another NSAID) could be an alternative. In this systematic review, we evaluated the effect of naproxen on fever and acute pain as well as related adverse events in preschool children. Although the evidence was limited, naproxen appears to be well tolerated and efficient in treating acute pain and fever in preschool children.
The Gut–Eye Axis: Correlation Between the Gut Microbiota and Autoimmune Dry Eye in Individuals With Sjögren Syndrome
Authors: Bai Xudong , Xu Qing , Zhang Wanni , Wang Chaoyue
Published: December 2022

The impact of gut microbiota on human health, autoimmunity, and disease occurrence has long been recognized since the advancement of metagenomic sequencing technology has enabled a new level of perspective on the human microbiome. Emerging findings also suggest the existence of a gut–eye axis, wherein gut dysbiosis may be a crucial factor affecting the onset and progression of multiple ocular diseases. Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease mainly affecting the exocrine glands, primarily the lacrimal gland in the eye, resulting in severe dry eye. Although there are currently various treatments for environmental dry eye, the efficacy for SS-related autoimmune dry eye is limited, and new and more effective therapies still need to be explored. The latest studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune dry eye. This review describes the effect of gut microbiota on the ocular surface of autoimmune dry eye; introduces the presumable pathways forming the “gut dysbiosis–ocular surface–lacrimal gland axis”; discusses the advantages of restoring intestinal microecology to treat dry eye by fecal microbiota transplantation or probiotics, which are expected to provide perspectives into the correlation between the gut microbiome and dry eye; enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis in autoimmune dry eye; and be useful in the development of future interventions of dry eye by regulating the gut microbiota.
Safety and Efficacy of Black Tea Extract in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis: A Rabbit Model
Authors: Abdullatif Abdussalam M. , Hassan Lameece Moustafa , Shash Rania Y. , Marrie Ayah
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

To determine the safety and efficacy of black tea extract in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis in a rabbit model and compare it with that of gatifloxacin drops.

Methods:

Black tea extract was tested in vitro on bacterial cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Forty-two rabbit eyes were cultured with either MRSA (n=21) or P. aeruginosa (n=21) and further divided into a control group (n=5), a tea group (n=8) treated with black tea extract, and a gatifloxacin group (n=8) treated with 0.3% gatifloxacin eye drops. Conjunctival swabs were collected on the third and fifth days.

Results:

The tea extract successfully inhibited the growth of both organisms at a concentration of 400 mg/mL. Rabbits in the treatment groups showed a reduction in the clinical index on day 2 (P<0.01), unlike the control group (P=0.1), for both organisms. Resolution of conjunctivitis was achieved on days 4 and 5 in the tea and gatifloxacin groups, respectively. On days 3 and 5, while the control group still showed considerable bacterial growth, the tea and gatifloxacin groups showed its inhibition.

Conclusion:

Tea extract has antimicrobial effects similar to those of gatifloxacin in a rabbit model of conjunctivitis.
Alterations in glycine metabolism in obesity and chronic metabolic diseases – an update on new advances
Authors: Alves Anaïs , Morio Béatrice
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

The metabolic signature associated with obesity is characterized by a decrease in plasma glycine concentration, a feature closely associated with insulin resistance and highly predictive of the risk of developing chronic metabolic diseases. This review presents recent advances in understanding the causes of decreased glycine availability and in targeting strategies to replenish the glycine pool and especially to improve insulin resistance.

Recent results

Recent literature has made progress in understanding host and gut microbiota mechanisms in determining circulating glycine levels. It has also explored new clinical pathways to restore circulating glycine levels and insulin resistance in obesity-related metabolic diseases.

Recent findings suggest that glycine metabolism must now be considered in close interaction with branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism. Thus, strategies that decrease BCAAs seem to be the best to restore glycine. Furthermore, recent literature has confirmed that lifestyle strategies aimed at inducing weight loss are effective in replenishing the glycine pool. It also confirms that correcting the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota associated with obesity may be a valuable means of achieving this goal. However, it remains unclear whether dietary glycine is an effective strategy for correcting cardiometabolic disorders in obesity.