bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermo‐rheological snapshot of melter feed conversion to glass
Authors: Younk Shyla , George Jaime L. , Luksic Steven A. , Marcial Jose , Cutforth Derek A. , Hrma Pavel , Ferkl Pavel , Kruger Albert A. , Pokorny Richard
Published: October 2024

Slurry feed charged into an electric melter creates a layer of reacting and melting material (termed cold cap) that floats on the surface of molten glass. The rheological behavior of heated melter feed affects the spreading of slurry at the top of the cold cap and the stability of the primary foam, affecting cold‐cap coverage and melter plenum temperatures. The apparent viscosity of a high‐alumina high‐level waste melter feed was assessed by thermomechanical analysis, high‐temperature viscometer, and the hot stage microscopy method, yielding viscosity estimates from ≈107.5 Pa s at 550°C to ≈102.5 Pa s at 1050°C. As the temperature of feed materials increased, their state changed from rigid solid to dilatant fluid, to pseudoplastic bubbly liquid with dissolving solids, to fully developed foam, and finally to Newtonian glass melt.
Community Nurses' Experiences Assessing Early‐Stage Pressure Injuries in People With Dark Skin Tones: A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Neesha Oozageer Gunowa , Kwame Oti Adomako , Debra Jackson
Published: October 2024

Aim

To examine community nurses' experiences of caring for people with dark skin tones at high risk of developing a pressure injury.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

Focus groups and individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted among registered nurses working in the community between November 2023 and March 2024. Thematic analysis was used.

Results

The findings reveal the lack of nurse education on diverse skin tones, how community nurses gain knowledge on skin tone diversity in the context of pressure injuries and the topics community nurses believe are crucial to improve the management of pressure injuries in patients with dark skin tones.

Conclusion

The study highlights the gap in nurse education regarding diverse skin tones, revealing how community nurses acquire knowledge related to pressure injuries in patients with dark skin tones.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

This research could inform the development of targeted educational programmes and training initiatives, ultimately preventing patient harm and enhancing the quality of care and health outcomes for patients with dark skin tones.

Impact

It provides valuable insights into key topics that community nurses consider essential for improving the early recognition and management of pressure injuries in people with darker skin tones.

Reporting Method

The research adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guidelines.

Public Contribution

A project steering group contributed to the concept of the study and checked the interview questions were relevant and suitable.
U‐shaped Association Between Weight‐Adjusted‐Waist Index and Arterial Stiffness Among Adult Hypertensive Patients: A Population‐Based Study in the United States
Authors: Wei Taotao , Lin Xin , Ma Jie , Wang Luosha , Su Jing , Yu Jing
Published: October 2024

The weight‐adjusted‐waist index (WWI) is an innovative measure of obesity that appears to surpass body mass index (BMI) in assessing lean body mass and fat mass. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between WWI and AS in hypertensive adults in the United States. The study included 9753 adults diagnosed with hypertension from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which spanned the years 2007–2016. WWI was calculated by dividing waist circumference (in cm) by the square root of body weight (in kg), and arterial stiffness (represented by estimated pulse wave velocity [ePWV]) was analyzed as the outcome. Weighted multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting were used to test for linear and nonlinear associations. Threshold effects were determined using a two‐part linear regression model. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to gain a more in‐depth understanding of the observed associations. The mean WWI of the participants was 11.32 ± 0.76. After multivariable adjustment, WWI showed a significant nonlinear association with ePWV, with a U‐shaped association observed between the two. Specifically, WWI below the threshold of 10.23 was negatively associated with arterial stiffness (β = −0.39, 95% CI: −0.54 to −0.25), while WWI above the threshold of 10.23 was positively associated with arterial stiffness (β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.07). To conclude, the present findings imply that maintaining WWI within an optimal range could reduce AS in hypertensive individuals and potentially decrease cardiovascular risk. However, this observation needs to be confirmed in large clinical trials.
Effect of a Whole‐Food Plant‐Based Diet on Periodontal Parameters in Patients With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Secondary Sub‐Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Pappe C. L. , Lutzenberger S. , Goebler K. , Meier S. , Jeitler M. , Michalsen A. , Dommisch H.
Published: October 2024

Aim

To investigate the effect of a 16‐week whole‐food plant‐based diet (WPBD) on periodontal parameters in patients with increased cardiometabolic risk.

Materials and Methods

A total of 36 participants from a randomized clinical trial received additional periodontal assessment. The intervention group (n = 17) followed a WPBD for 16 weeks, whereas the control group (CG) (n = 19) was instructed not to change their diet. Measurements were assessed at baseline (t1), week 8 (t2) and week 16 (t3). Periodontal examination included bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) and plaque index (PI) on six index teeth, salivary pH and matrix‐matalloproteinase‐8 (MMP‐8).

Results

At t3, the mean PISA of the index teeth was reduced by 32 mm2 (53.8) in the WPBD group and increased by 22.6 mm2 (45.1) in the CG group (intra‐group p = 0.255 and p = 0.977, respectively), BOP changes were similar (intra‐group p = 0.89 and p = 0.839, respectively). MMP‐8 values reduced in the WPBD group by 50.73 ng/mL (117) and in the CG by 5.40 ng/mL (96.6) (intra‐group p = 0.066, p = 0.837, respectively). Difference in change (t3 − t1) between the groups was p = 0.001, p = 0.003 and p = 0.032, respectively. Saliva pH increased in the WPBD group only (intra‐group p = 0.007).

Conclusion

A trend towards stabilization of the inflammatory parameters (BOP, PISA) was observed in the WPBD group. Because of the non‐significant changes within the groups, this study highlights the imperative for future studies.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier

NCT03901183.
Firm Hierarchy and the Market for Knowledge
Authors: Pieri Fabio , Vatiero Massimiliano
Published: October 2024

This paper sheds light on the role of the market for knowledge in shaping a firm's hierarchy—that is, the span of control and the number of layers. We predict that the larger the extent of the market for knowledge, the larger the span of control and the fewer the layers. We test our predictions using a rich database representing industrial firms in Italy over the period 2004–2017. Our identification strategy employs a difference‐in‐difference approach that exploits the cross‐regional variability in the extent of the local market for knowledge‐intensive business services and the cross‐industry heterogeneity in the level of technological exposure of industrial firms to such a market. We find that a thicker regional market for knowledge is associated with relatively flatter firms in industries that use knowledge‐intensive business services more intensively. The results are confirmed when we use instrumental variables for the extent of the market for knowledge, test the sensitivity of the estimates to omitted variable bias, and perform a series of robustness checks.
Mitochondrial DNA patterns describe the evolutionary history of the bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo (Linneus 1758) complex in the western Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Ochoa‐Zavala Maried , Mar‐Silva Adan Fernando , Pérez‐Rodríguez Rodolfo , Palacios‐Barreto Paola , Adams Douglas H. , Blanco‐Parra María del Pilar , Díaz‐Jaimes Píndaro
Published: October 2024

The apparent lack of physical barriers in the marine realm has created the conception that many groups have a constant gene flow. However, changes in ocean circulation patterns, glacial cycles, temperature, and salinity gradients are responsible for vicariant events in many fish species, including sharks. The bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, is an endangered small coastal shark species. Although considerable efforts have recently been undertaken, little remains known about the possible biogeographic scenario that can explain its actual distribution within the western Atlantic (WA). Here, we used 599 mitochondrial sequences to assess the phylogeographic structure and implement Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to obtain divergence times and reconstruct the ancestral geographic range. This allowed us to infer processes responsible for the diversification of S. tiburo into major divergent lineages. Our results indicated that S. tiburo in the WA represents three independent lineages, with Brazilian samples differentiated into a distinct genetic cluster. The posterior probability of ancestral range analysis indicated that the species likely originated in the northern region (Carolina Province and the southern Gulf of Mexico), where it colonized southward through the uplifting of the Central American Isthmus (CAI). The Northern and Caribbean genetic clusters appear to have arisen from the intensification of the Loop Current, which currently flows northward passing the Yucatan Peninsula, Gulf of Mexico, and east Florida. Following initial colonization, the Northeastern Brazil group differentiated from the Caribbean region due to the sediment and freshwater discharge of the Amazon‐Orinoco Plume. Thus, the evolutionary history of the S. tiburo complex can be explained by a combination of dispersal and vicariance events that occurred over the last ~5 million years (MY). We established and confirmed the species and population limits, demonstrating that the Amazon‐Orinoco Plume constitutes a significant dispersal barrier for coastal sharks. Finally, we discuss some recommendations for the conservation of the bonnethead shark.
Unintended consequences of discrimination litigation caps
Authors: Barnes Spencer
Published: October 2024

On July 14, 1992, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) implemented a policy that caps punitive damage payouts from discrimination litigation at different employee counts allowing for a “difference‐in‐discontinuities” design. I find that these kink points incentivize firms to restrict their number of employees, which reduces their maximum discrimination litigation exposure to between 40% and 60% of their yearly median revenues. In turn, firm growth decreases for firms below these EEOC thresholds after the implementation of the policy. These firms reduce financing and are not motivated to decrease growth by relative changes in cash flows from discrimination risk exposure.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in late‐elderly patients
Authors: Matsueda Katsunori , Kawano Seiji , Fukui Keisuke , Hirata Shoichiro , Satomi Takuya , Inoo Shoko , Hamada Kenta , Kono Yoshiyasu , Iwamuro Masaya , Kawahara Yoshiro , Otsuka Motoyuki
Published: October 2024

Background and Aim

As the population ages, the number of elderly patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is increasing. We aimed to clarify the indications for endoscopic resection (ER) in late‐elderly patients with ESCC in terms of life expectancy.

Methods

Patients aged ≥75 years who underwent ER for ESCC at our institution from January 2005 to December 2018 were enrolled. Clinical data, including the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA‐PS), Charlson comorbidity index, and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), were collected at the time of ER. The main outcome measure was overall survival (OS).

Results

Two hundred eight consecutive patients were enrolled. The patients' median age was 78 years (range, 75–89 years). The 5‐year follow‐up rate was 88.5% (median follow‐up period, 6.6 years). The 5‐year OS rate was 79.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.2–84.8), and 5‐year net survival standardized for age, sex, and calendar year was 1.04 (95% CI, 0.98–1.09). In the multivariate analysis, an ASA‐PS of 3 (hazard ratio, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.16–5.17) and PNI of <44.0 (hazard ratio, 2.73; 95% CI, 1.38–5.40) were independent prognostic factors. When neither of these factors was met, the 5‐year OS rate was 87.8% (95% CI, 80.0–92.9), and 5‐year net survival was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.02–1.14).

Conclusions

ER for ESCC in late‐elderly patients may improve life expectancy. ER is recommended in patients with a good ASA‐PS and PNI.
Ontogeny and associated changes of the extinct sloth Simomylodon uccasamamensis (Xenarthra, Mylodontidae) from the Pliocene of the eastern Puna, Argentina
Authors: Quiñones Sofía I. , Luna Carlos A. , Miño‐Boilini Ángel R. , Candela Adriana M. , Zurita Alfredo E.
Published: October 2024

Within Xenarthra (Eocene‐Recent), Folivora developed (late Eocene‐Recent) a remarkable diversity with respect to ecology and taxonomy over its evolutionary history. Knowledge of the diversity achieved by members of this clade in high‐altitude areas of South America (i.e., Altiplano and Puna regions of Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina) has been improved in recent decades. A particular example involves the late Neogene Mylodontidae Simomylodon uccasamamensis, known mostly from multiple specimens recovered from the Bolivian Altiplano. Although several anatomical descriptions of this ground sloth have been published, almost nothing is known about its ontogenetic development and the associated morphological changes. Here we describe and compare new specimens of S. uccasamamensis from the upper level of the Tafna Formation (Pliocene) in the eastern Puna (ca. 3800 masl), Argentina, representing the southernmost record of this species. The new material is represented by specimens showing different ontogenetic stages, from infant to adult. One subadult specimen reached an estimated body mass of ca. 232 kg. The comparative study of external and internal morphology (the latter obtained from CT scans and radiography) shows remarkable changes in the mandible and molariforms associated with ontogeny; in addition, evidence suggests that the mfs2‐3 are the first functional teeth, followed by mf1 and cf1. Based on our body mass estimates (ca. 232 kg.), we inferred an average lifespan of 14 years, 9‐month gestation time, and sexual maturation at 4.1 years, quite similar to the values we obtained based on estimated body masses of adult specimens from Bolivia published by previous authors. Along its latitudinal distribution (ca. 14° S‐21° S) S. uccasamamensis co‐occurred with other ground sloths (e.g., Megatheriinae, Thalassocninae, and Scelidotheriinae), suggesting niche partitioning. The presence of this medium‐sized ground sloth is consistent with the similarity between the faunas of eastern Puna and the Bolivian Altiplano during the Pliocene, which is also concordant with what was observed in other clades, such as Rodentia and Notoungulata.
Re‐hearing parents as risks to children: Institutional listening practices in a California child welfare court
Authors: López‐Espino Jessica
Published: October 2024

Building on scholarship on the politics of listening and the listening subject, this article proposes re‐hearing as a listening practice where empowered actors assert that various qualities of personhood are hearable or perceivable in relation to what marginalized persons say, do, or are otherwise associated with. Although there is an expectation that in US courts lay actors can have a hearing and a voice before the law, I identify how practices of re‐hearing shaped how parents and their narratives were heard (or left unheard) in a California child welfare court. My ethnographic research examined the listening and entextualization practices of judges, attorneys, and social workers involved in child welfare case management in California. I found that re‐hearing practices co‐constructed the continued marginalization of lay actors within contexts of state surveillance by attributing suspicion to parents and their silences in ways that exceeded and constructed evidence collected against them. Ultimately, I argue that child welfare courts and professional actors within them collectively comprise a listening institution that normalizes re‐hearing low‐income and racialized parents through frameworks of deficiency and risk.
‘Unbecoming’ a Professional: The Role of Memory during Field Transitions in Japan and the USA
Authors: Azambuja Ricardo , Baudot Lisa , Matsubara Saori , Endo Takahiro , Wallace Dana
Published: October 2024

Existing scholarship documents how, in becoming a professional, such as a partner in a professional services firm (PSF), one's habitus comes into alignment with field expectations. Less understood, however, is what happens to habitus and, relatedly, to professionals' accumulated cultural, social, and economic capitals, as individuals ‘unbecome’ a professional and transition away from the field. We examine this overlooked phenomenon via individual and focus group interviews with partners retired from PSFs in Japan and the USA. We find that, in unbecoming a professional, aspects of ex‐partners' habitus may be misaligned with the field they operate in, prompting a hysteresis effect. The lack of fit of habitus with one's current circumstances is induced by ex‐partners' nostalgia regarding accumulated capitals, that is, wistful memories capable of structuring present and future actions. By demonstrating how nostalgia informs ex‐partners' experience of the hysteresis effect, this paper contributes to understandings of the importance of memory when detaching from one's profession. Furthermore, given that our investigation is carried out across two distinct cultural settings, we also theorize how country‐specific historical work arrangements may condition memory in professionals' unbecoming from PSFs.
Thrombospondin 2 as a Predictive Biomarker for HCC in Hepatitis C Patients: A Longitudinal Study Following DAA Therapy
Authors: Iwadare Takanobu , Kimura Takefumi , Sugiura Ayumi , Okumura Taiki , Wakabayashi Shun‐ichi , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Yamashita Yuki , Yamazaki Tomoo , Joshita Satoru , Tanaka Naoki , Umemura Takeji
Published: October 2024

This multicentre study investigated the dynamics of thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) levels during direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients and evaluated TSP2's potential as a predictive marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All 134 participants achieved sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) with DAA therapy, and serum TSP2 levels significantly decreased from before and after treatment (p < 0.001). During the median follow‐up period of 6.0 years, HCC after DAA therapy was observed in 16 patients (11.9%). Patients with serum TSP2 High (≥ 32 ng/mL) at SVR12 had a significantly higher cumulative occurrence of HCC than did those without (26.5% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.0033). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified male gender (HR 4.84, p = 0.005), HCC history (HR 4.61, p = 0.017) and TSP2 High (HR 3.93, p = 0.009) as significant independent predictors of HCC occurrence after DAA therapy. The model had a high concordance index of 0.878. Additionally, combining TSP2 High and FIB‐4 High (≥ 3.538) at SVR12 yielded high specificity and negative predictive value (0.941 and 0.917, respectively) for predicting HCC. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher HCC incidence in the TSP2 High + FIB‐4 High group (log‐rank p < 0.0001). In conclusion, TSP2 may be a promising biomarker for personalised HCC surveillance in DAA‐treated hepatitis C patients.
Chaucerian Theatricality: Then and Now
Authors: Lerer Seth
Published: October 2024

John Ganim's 1990 book, Chaucerian Theatricality, raised important questions about the methods of studying Chaucer's public poetry and, in turn, about the relationships among authorial, narratorial, and critical voices, both in his time and ours. This paper reconsiders Ganim's book in the context of Chaucerian criticism of the 1990s, and it develops the implications of its notion of theatricality to embrace new readings of the Tales and new approaches to twenty‐first‐century debates in Chaucer scholarship. The paper concludes by arguing that the real, current site of Chaucerian theatricality lies in the areas of teaching and research, especially in the recent publication and dissemination of work reassessing the status of Chaucer's raptus of Cecily of Chaumpaigne.
Impact of GLP‐1RA on the Risk of Adverse Liver Outcomes Among Patients With Alcohol‐Associated Liver Disease and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Rashid Zayed , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Khalil Mujtaba , Iyer Sidharth , Khan Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi , Altaf Abdullah , Munir Muhammad Musaab , Catalano Giovanni , Mumtaz Khalid , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

We sought to characterise the impact of GLP‐1RA on adverse liver outcomes (ALO) among patients with alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

Patients with T2DM newly diagnosed with ALD between 2013 and 2020 were identified using IBM MarketScan database and were categorised by GLP‐1RA exposure. Overlap propensity score weighting (OPSW) followed by Poisson regression models was used to analyse adjusted risk of ALO, a composite endpoint defined by first occurrence of hepatic decompensation (HD), portal hypertension (PH), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver transplantation (LT) relative to GLP‐1RA.

Results

Among 14 730 patients, most individuals were male (n = 9752, 66.2%) with median age of 57 (IQR 52–61) years; 2.2% (n = 317) of patients had GLP‐1RA exposure. Overall, 32.0% (n = 4717) of patients experienced HD, 15.9% (n = 2345) had PH, 3.8% (n = 563) developed HCC, while 2.5% (n = 374) underwent transplantation. Non‐GLP‐1RA patients had higher incidence of HD (32.2% vs. 22.4%) and HCC (3.9% vs. 0.3%) versus patients taking GLP‐1RA (both p < 0.001); in contrast, there was no difference in incidence of PH (14.5% vs. 16.0%) and LT (1.3% vs. 2.6%) (both p > 0.05). After OPSW, overall incidence of ALO was lower in GLP‐1RA cohort (GLP‐1RA: 12.0%, 95%CI 9.0–16.0 vs. non‐GLP‐1RA: 21.0%, 95%CI 20.0–22.0) with an absolute incidence risk reduction of 9.0% (95%CI 3.0%–15.0%) associated with GLP‐1RA. GLP‐1RA was most strongly associated with lower likelihood of HD with reduced adjusted incidence rate of 0.56 (95%CI 0.36–0.86) relative to non‐GLP‐1RA individuals.

Conclusions

GLP‐1RA may have a hepatoprotective impact among patients with ALD and T2DM.
Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new woody species from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Kusome Raja Kullayiswamy , Naidu Sarojini Devi
Published: October 2024

Andrographis saxatilis (Acanthaceae), a new species, is described and illustrated from the rocky plateau of the Owk dam area, Andhra Pradesh. It is a perennial, woody‐root‐stocked undershrub. Unique characteristics of this species include hispid hairs, obovate, elliptic‐oblong and oblanceolate leaves, lanceolate glandular hairy sepals, and sterile bract and calyx towards base of rachis. Andrographis saxatilis is closely allied to A. glandulosa Nees by its perennial habit, woody rootstock in rocky crevices, glaucous green leaves, hairy stem, and glandular and attenuate hairy calyx and corolla. However, it is distinguished from the later by its hispid texture (versus densely pubescent in A. glandulosa), obovate, elliptic‐oblong, and oblanceolate leaves (versus ovate‐oblong), obtusely 4‐angled stem (versus acutely 4‐angled), hispid and glandular hairy sepals (versus villous), boat‐shaped upper lip of corolla (versus ligulate), and pubescent fruit (versus glabrous at base and glandular hairy towards the tip in A. glandulosa). The IUCN threat status of A. saxatilis is assessed as ‘Critically Endangered' (CR).
The New Zealand Honorary Geographic Board at work, 1924–1946
Authors: Roche Michael
Published: October 2024

After briefly positioning cultural geography work on place names in New Zealand, this article examines the origins, composition and activities of the Honorary Geographic Board (1924–1946) as a place naming authority, with particular attention paid to some of the key individuals involved.
Fungiform Papillae and Gustatory Function in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Kleinsorgen Flavia , Luna Eloá Borges , de Pinho Montovani Pâmella , Xavier Analucia Rampazzo , Silva Alexandra Anastacio Monteiro , Rozza‐de‐Menezes Rafaela Elvira , Cunha Karin Soares
Published: October 2024

Objective

Fungiform papillae enlargement is a common oral manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This study aimed to objectively evaluate the size, number, and symmetry of fungiform papillae in NF1 individuals and investigate the relationship between these alterations and taste perception, salivary flow, dietary habits, and BMI.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional case–control study was conducted on 80 participants (40 with NF1 and 40 controls), matched by age and sex. Participants underwent quantitative and morphological evaluation of fungiform papillae, gustatory perception tests, sialometry, saliva analysis, xerostomia assessment, dietary assessments, and Body Mass Index calculations.

Results

The NF1 group exhibited significantly larger and more asymmetric fungiform papillae and exhibited a higher detection threshold for sweet and sour tastes, as well as hyposalivation and lower preference for healthy foods compared to the controls. No correlation was found between papillae morphology, gustatory perception tests, saliva properties, xerostomia, food preferences, or BMI in the NF1 group.

Conclusions

Enlarged and asymmetric fungiform papillae, hyposalivation, heightened sensitivity to sweet and sour tastes, and reduced healthy eating habits were common in NF1. Although fungiform papillae alterations seem unrelated to taste sensitivity and food preferences, further investigation is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these changes.
SCG2 Mediates HNSCC Progression With CCL2/TGFβ1high M2 Macrophage Infiltration
Authors: Miao Cheng , You Xiaotong , Zhang Zijian , Jiang Zhishen , Liu Liu , Jia Yinan , Bai Jincheng , Gao Yujie , Ye Li , Cao Yubin , Li Longjiang , Pan Jian
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying M2 macrophage polarization in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and identify potential therapeutic targets.

Materials and Methods

We conducted an integrated bioinformatic analysis using HNSCC bulk transcriptomes from TCGA and GEO databases to pinpoint critical factors influencing M2 macrophage polarization and tumor prognosis. The significance of these genes was validated in function analysis, single‐cell transcriptome datasets, and in vitro experiments. Their mechanisms in modulating M2 macrophage polarization were further explored by gene knockdown, cell coculture, and other assays for quantification.

Results

We identified a novel prognostic signature of five genes associated with M2 macrophage infiltration, in which SCG2 emerged as a pivotal factor in M2 macrophage polarization in HNSCC. High expression of SCG2 in tumor patients correlated with poorer prognoses, and knocking down SCG2 reduced the proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells, disrupting M2 macrophage polarization. Furthermore, interference of SCG2 resulted in a significant decrease in the secretion of pro‐tumor cytokines such as CCL2 and TGFβ1.

Conclusions

Our findings provide deeper insights into the pathogenesis of HNSCC and offer promising therapeutic targets for HNSCC, especially SCG2, to inhibit M2 macrophage polarization and modulate cytokine secretion.
Analysis of Failed Posterior Fossa Decompression and an Effective Revision Surgery in Patients with Basilar Invagination and Atlantoaxial Dislocation
Authors: Qi Maoyang , Du Yueqi , Zhang Boyan , Xin Zong , Zhang Can , Liu Zhenlei , Guan Jian , Wang Zuowei , Jian Fengzeng , Duan Wanru , Chen Zan
Published: October 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyze failed posterior fossa decompression (PFD) in patients with basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation (BI‐AAD). Revision surgery in these patients is challenging and has been rarely reported. In addition, the anatomical variations of the vertebral artery increase the risk of revision surgery. Here, we introduce the implementation of a new type of one‐stage posterior revision surgery, whose difficulties and effects are summarized.

Methods

A total of 21 patients with BI‐AAD who underwent PFD were retrospectively analyzed in our center from November 2017 to April 2021. The revision surgery in all patients was performed through the posterior approach. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the Short Term 12 (SF‐12) score were employed to evaluate the clinical symptoms and health status. The distance from the tip of the odontoid to Chamberlain's line (DCL), the atlantodental interval (ADI), the clivus‐canal angle (CCA), the diameter of the subarachnoid space (DSS), and the craniovertebral junction triangular area (CTA) were assessed radiographically. The pre‐ and postoperative results were compared by paired t test.

Results

The data of 21 consecutive patients were reviewed, with an average follow‐up period of 28 ± 14 months. Postoperative imaging showed effectively reduced compression of BI‐AAD. No implant failure or neurovascular injury occurred. Eleven patients had vertebral artery abnormalities, but none had vertebral artery injury. All patients had evidence of bone fusion on the CT scan images within a 12‐month follow‐up period. The JOA and SF‐12 scores were significantly improved 1 year postoperatively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Posterior surgery using the technique of interarticular distraction, fusion with cage grafting, and fixation is a safe and effective revision surgery to treat patients with basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation who failed PFD, which will result in good outcome.
Classification of Emerging Scoliosis in Congenital Scoliosis After Hemivertebra Resection and Short Segmental Fusion
Authors: Li Chenkai , Ye Xiaohan , Han Bingtai , Du You , Zhao Yiwei , Sun Dihan , Wang Shengru , Zhang Jianguo
Published: October 2024

Objective

Emerging scoliosis (ES) is a rare phenomenon after hemivertebra (HV) resection and short segmental fusion. Since the introduction of the ES, there have been rare in‐depth studies. The aim of the present study was to further analyze the characteristics, risk factors, treatment, and prognosis of ES.

Methods

A retrospective study analyzed patients with congenital scoliosis due to a single HV who underwent posterior correction and short fusion from 2002 to 2022. ES was defined as a Cobb angle ≥20° from its initial value and an apical vertebra located ≥2 levels away from the fusion region. ES patients and non‐ES patients were matched at a 1:2 ratio. Both demographics and radiological parameters were compared. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify the risk factors of ES.

Results

Among 261 patients, 13 patients (5.0%) experienced ES. There were eight females and five males. The mean age of the ES patients at the time of primary surgery was 6.6 ± 3.7 years old (2.0–13.2 years old), with a mean follow‐up of 64.2 ± 47.9 months (12–156 months). The ES could be further divided into three types: balance‐related ES, complication‐related ES, and separated ES. There were three balance‐related ESs, six complication‐related ESs, and four separated ESs. At the last follow‐up, six patients were under observation, six patients underwent brace treatment, and one patient underwent revision surgery. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the magnitude of postoperative compensatory curve (CC) was an independent risk factor for ES (OR = 1.172, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

ES is an extraordinary phenomenon after HV resection and short fusion, and it can be divided into three types. The magnitude of postoperative CC was an independent risk factor for ES. According to the severity of ES, observation, brace, or surgery can be chosen.
Copy number variations in RNF216 and postsynaptic membrane–associated genes are associated with bipolar disorder: a case‐control study in the Japanese population
Authors: Nakatochi Masahiro , Kushima Itaru , Aleksic Branko , Kimura Hiroki , Kato Hidekazu , Inada Toshiya , Torii Youta , Takahashi Nagahide , Yamamoto Maeri , Iwamoto Kunihiro , Nawa Yoshihiro , Iritani Shuji , Iwata Nakao , Saito Takeo , Ninomiya Kohei , Okochi Tomo , Hashimoto Ryota , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Fujimoto Michiko , Miura Kenichiro , Ohi Kazutaka , Shioiri Toshiki , Kitaichi Kiyoyuki , Itokawa Masanari , Arai Makoto , Miyashita Mitsuhiro , Toriumi Kazuya , Takahashi Tsutomu , Suzuki Michio , Kato Takahiro A. , Kanba Shigenobu , Horikawa Hideki , Kasai Kiyoto , Ikegame Tempei , Jinde Seiichiro , Kato Tadafumi , Kakiuchi Chihiro , Yamagata Bun , Nio Shintaro , Kunii Yasuto , Yabe Hirooki , Okamura Yasunobu , Tadaka Shu , Fumihiko Ueno , Obara Taku , Yamamoto Yasuyuki , Arioka Yuko , Mori Daisuke , Ikeda Masashi , Ozaki Norio
Published: October 2024

Aim

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by alterations between manic/hypomanic and depressive states. Rare pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) that overlap with exons of synaptic genes have been associated with BD. However, no study has comprehensively explored CNVs in synaptic genes associated with BD. Here, we evaluated the relationship between BD and rare CNVs that overlap with synaptic genes, not limited to exons, in the Japanese population.

Methods

Using array comparative genome hybridization, we detected CNVs in 1839 patients with BD and 2760 controls. We used the Synaptic Gene Ontology database to identify rare CNVs that overlap with synaptic genes. Using gene‐based analysis, we compared their frequencies between the BD and control groups. We also searched for synaptic gene sets related to BD. The significance level was set to a false discovery rate of 10%.

Results

The RNF216 gene was significantly associated with BD (odds ratio, 4.51 [95% confidence interval, 1.66–14.89], false discovery rate < 10%). The BD‐associated CNV that corresponded with RNF216 also partially overlapped with the minimal critical region of the 7p22.1 microduplication syndrome. The integral component of the postsynaptic membrane (Gene Ontology:0099055) was significantly associated with BD. The CNV overlapping with the intron region of GRM5 in this gene set showed a nominal significant association between cases and controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

We provide evidence that CNVs in RNF216 and postsynaptic membrane–related genes confer a risk of BD, contributing to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of BD.
On the chemistry of sunlight‐induced DNA lesions: A perspective on the alkaline chemical‐induced reactivities of photo‐damaged pyrimidine intra‐strand dimers
Authors: Chaturvedi Ritu , Long Eric C.
Published: October 2024

Photoexcitation of cellular as well as isolated DNAs upon exposure to the UV portion of sunlight or other UV sources can lead to the covalent dimerization of adjacent intra‐strand stacked pyrimidine nucleobase rings (i.e., at 5′‐Py‐p‐Py‐3′ sites). These modifications generate, in mammalian DNA as well as the DNA of all other forms of life, lesions such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6‐4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6‐4PPs); and, in bacterial endospores, spore photoproducts (SPs). Importantly, the lesions formed in higher organisms can lead to disease states including cancer. While the formation, structure, and biological outcomes of pyrimidine dimer lesions have been the focus of much research, less has been known about their fundamental chemical properties until recently. Such an understanding of these lesions may lead to novel means to chemically identify and quantitate their presence in the genome. This review is intended to provide an overview of intra‐strand pyrimidine dimer lesions derived from 5′‐T‐p‐T sites with a focus on presenting what is currently known about their individual in vitro alkaline chemical reactivities. Included here are descriptions of investigations of the DNA lesions CPD, 6‐4PP, and SP, and, for comparison, the monomeric pyrimidine lesion 5,6‐dihydo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (dHdU). Of interest, the alkaline hydrolyses of these various lesions are all found to be centered on the loss of aromaticity of a lesion Py ring (T) leading to a carbonyl “hot spot,” the focal point of initial hydrolytic attack.
The multifaceted role of different SnRK gene family members in regulating multiple abiotic stresses in plants
Authors: Mondal Subhankar , Paul Alivia , Mitra Debasis , Pradhan Chinmay , Seth Chandra Shekhar , Chattopadhyay Krishnendu , Chakraborty Koushik
Published: October 2024

Abiotic stresses are a major constraint for agricultural productivity and food security in today's era of climate change. Plants can experience different types of abiotic stresses, either individually or in combination. Sometimes, more than one stress event may occur simultaneously or one after another during the lifecycle of the plant. In general, key survival strategies for stress tolerance may differ from one stress to another. However, at the molecular level, evolutionarily conserved protein kinase SUCROSE NONFERMENTING 1 (SNF1)‐related protein kinase (SnRK) gene family members, comprising SnRK1, SnRK2, and SnRK3 gene families, play a key role in different types of stress and adaptive responses. SnRK gene family members can act as master regulators and regulate the central metabolism of plants, which determines the energy distribution in either survival or growth/developmental processes. The key mechanism of SnRK‐mediated regulation is associated with the phosphorylation of downstream genes, which either induces or dampens the function of target proteins. This may be crucial for maintaining differential morpho‐physiological and biochemical processes in plants, including potassium signalling, ROS homeostasis, sugar signalling, and energy homeostasis. Furthermore, phosphorylation sites associated with different targets were also reviewed, which showed that SnRK‐mediated phosphorylation of Serine and Threonine residues of the target protein is a site‐specific event, where the target consists of specific amino acid sequences, including RXXS/T, Serine–threonine rich regions, or AMPK/SNF1 types. Here, we review different classes of SnRK gene family members and their multifaceted roles in understanding the commonality of SnRK‐mediated responses to multiple abiotic stresses in plants.
Autologous platelet concentrates in root coverage procedures
Authors: Barootchi Shayan , Tavelli Lorenzo , Vinueza Maria Elisa Galarraga , Sabri Hamoun , Andrade Catherine , Pinto Nelson , Sanz Antonio , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: October 2024

Gingival recessions are vastly prevalent among the general population. With regards to their treatment, recent advancements in periodontal and microsurgical procedures, focusing on minimal invasiveness and patient‐centered therapies, have propelled a shift in their contemporary treatment, highlighting the field of biologics and bioactive mediators. Among different classes and types of biologics, autologous platelet concentrates (APCs), also referred to as autologous blood‐derived products, are commonly used and preferred among many clinicians. These are essentially obtained via venipuncture (intravenous access) followed by centrifugation, for which numerous protocols and preparation methods have been used, leading to varieties of blood‐derived products. In this review, via a systematic search, we explored the efficacy of the different utilized preparation methods and centrifugation protocols of APCs (e.g., platelet‐rich plasma (PRP), platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF), leucocyte‐PRF, advanced‐PRF, concentrated growth factor (CGF), etc.) for the treatment of type 1 gingival recessions (RT1, without interproximal attachment loss or noticeable tooth displacement), as well as their effectiveness relative to a common control (treatment with flap advancement alone without any additional material). Based on the available literature from randomized trials found in our systematic search, we observed that utilization of PRF can significantly enhance treatment outcomes when performing a coronally advanced flap, in terms of the amount of root coverage. The improvement in root coverage was further enhanced in the presence of baseline keratinized tissue width, and with an increasing relative magnitude (the more the baseline keratinized tissue width, the better the root coverage outcomes when using PRF). The efficacy of these products needs to be further explored with different graft substitutes and matrices, as well as relative to other commonly applied biologics, through well‐conducted and adequately‐powered randomized clinical trials.
How to alleviate seasonal limitations on water quality in farmland ditches? The importance of plant selection and configuration
Authors: Yu Zhuo , Zhang Jinquan , Fu Weiguo
Published: October 2024

In subtropical monsoon climate regions, traditional plants in constructed wetlands such as farmland ditches underperform in cold months, detracting from both purification capacity and esthetic appeal. To alleviate this weakness, this study introduced Phalaris arundinacea, a species with strong adaptability and cold tolerance, into a plant community dominated by Phragmites australis, constructing an ingenious composite plant community for year‐round water quality restoration and enhancement of attractiveness. First, laboratory simulations revealed significant seasonal differences in the removal rates of ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) by the P. arundinacea community and P. australis community under different pollutant loads. Phragmites australis showed superior NH3‐N and TN removal capabilities from May to October, whereas P. arundinacea excelled in the rest of the months throughout the year. For TP removal, P. australis outperformed P. arundinacea from July to October, while P. arundinacea was more effective from January to May. We then verified this in rear farmland ditches, where P. australis were strategically partial substituted with P. arundinacea (Partial Replacement Treatment [PRT]), and compared it with unchanged farmland ditches (Control Treatment). We found that PRT enhanced decontamination efficiency over the year, especially significantly improving the water quality during colder months. Hence, this study advocates a novel strategy for effective annual decontamination and maintenance of wetlands such as farmland ditches, highlighting the importance of seasonally adaptive plant communities for water restoration. This transformative approach dramatically advances the field of wetland management, insisting on the important role of cold‐resistant species for year‐round ecosystem service optimization.
Unveiling health inequities: Exploring the role of social capital and public trust in bridging racial disparities in health‐care coverage for Hispanics
Authors: Hwang Hyunseok , Anderson Kathryn Freeman , Vedlitz Arnold , Bixler R. Partick
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study examines the racial disparity in health‐care coverage between Hispanics and whites. Racial disparities in accessing health‐care services have worsened in the United States, exacerbating social and economic inequality between whites and racial/ethnic minority groups. While existing research primarily attributes these disparities to income differences among racial groups, this study focuses on the mediating role of social capital and the moderating role of public trust in formal institutions, while controlling for income and other socioeconomic factors.

Methods

Drawing on a survey data set collected in the Austin area of Texas in 2020, we test a series of regression models using mediating and moderating analyses.

Results

We find that Hispanics, as a major ethnic minority group, have lower levels of social capital compared to whites, which contributes to the gap in health‐care coverage. The results indicate that social capital has mediating effects in positively transmitting the effect of being Hispanic on access to health‐care coverage. In addition, trust in nonprofits positively moderates the main relationship.

Conclusion

The study suggests that promoting social capital for Hispanics can help bridge racial disparities in accessing healthcare. Our study provides policy recommendations for nonprofits to collaborate with government agencies.
Geranylgeranylated‐chlorophyll‐protein complexes in lhl3 mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Kodru Sireesha , Nellaepalli Sreedhar , Ozawa Shin‐Ichiro , Satoh Chihiro , Kuroda Hiroshi , Tanaka Ryouichi , Guan Katharine , Kobayashi Marilyn , Tran Phoi , McCarthy Sarah , Wakao Setsuko , Niyogi Krishna K. , Takahashi Yuichiro
Published: October 2024

Chlorophylls a and b (Chl a and b) are involved in light harvesting, photochemical reactions, and electron transfer reactions in plants and green algae. The core complexes of the photosystems (PSI and PSII) associate with Chl a, while the peripheral antenna complexes (LHCI and LHCII) bind Chls a and b. One of the final steps of Chl biosynthesis is the conversion of geranylgeranylated Chls (ChlsGG) to phytylated Chls by geranylgeranyl reductase (GGR). Here, we isolated and characterized a pale green mutant of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that was very photosensitive and was unable to grow photoautotrophically. This mutant has a 16‐bp deletion in the LHL3 gene, which resulted in the loss of LHL3 and GGR and accumulated only ChlsGG. The lhl3 mutant cells grown in the dark accumulated PSII and PSI proteins at 25–50% of WT levels, lacked PSII activity, and retained a decreased PSI activity. The PSII and PSI proteins were depleted to trace amounts in the mutant cells grown in light. In contrast, the accumulation of LHCI and LHCII was unaffected except for LHCA3. Our results suggest that the replacement of Chls with ChlsGG strongly affects the structural and functional integrity of PSII and PSI complexes but their associating LHC complexes to a lesser extent. Affinity purification of HA‐tagged LHL3 confirmed the formation of a stable LHL3‐GGR complex, which is vital for GGR stability. The LHL3‐GGR complex contained a small amount of PSI complex assembly factors, suggesting a putative coupling between Chl synthesis and PSI complex assembly.